Zebra print tights

I have to say that going into autumn is never an easy time for me. I suffer a touch of S.A.D. and the winter months loom large. We, in the Northern hemisphere,watch the sun heading South and for many it's a journey we wish we could take too. In February of this year Steve and I travelled to New Zealand to visit friends and it was such a wonderful bonus to find ourselves slap, bang in the middle of summer. To feel the sun on your back relaxes all of those muscles that have been hunched up against the cold all winter, and the warmth of the rays on the face has the same soothing effect. Small wonder we all look so damned good in our holiday snaps!

I've found a new backdrop today as the sea is starting to look a bit grey rather than the twinkly temptation it was during the summer months. Also, this pampas grass is great to offset my zebra print tights. I bought these in a bundle from eBay a couple of years ago, but today is the first time I've worn them. I love this textured pencil skirt, but thought it might look a bit boring, so enter stage left these amazing tights, swiftly followed by my rose gold brogues (I still get a little thrill just mentioning rose gold and brogues all in the same sentence). I think this fluffy jumper is a great zingy colour and I must admit I'm a sucker for fluffy numbers as you'll no doubt see over the forthcoming months. The jacket was a recent charity shop find, and just needed some new buttons to bring it back into life. Suede jackets like this used to be called "car coats", but I have no idea why. Do you? Please let me know if you do.

Jacket: charity shop. Skirt: charity shop. Sweater: Tesco. Blouse: charity shop. Tights: eBay. Shoes: TK Maxx. Cream flower ring: charity shop; Tan flower ring: Dorothy Perkins. Handbag: charity shop.

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The poncho

As we reach progress further in autumn, I'm having to concede that an extra layer is a necessity rather than an option, sadly. I suppose it does give me the chance to bring out all of my winter woollies including this fluffy poncho which can't really make it's mind up. Is it just a big jumper or a fully fledged poncho? Whichever, it's very snuggly and was a cosy buffer against the onshore wind during our early morning photo shoot.  I've paired it up with these rather lovely tweed trousers which have a sleek satin lining, again a little protection from the chilly weather. They were my bargain of day when I was last shopping at TK Maxx. The label price was £415 with a reduction down to £59.99 - oh, how I love a bargain! With a mid rise and slouchy pockets, they pretty much ticked all the boxes and when I tried them on the leg length was ideal for me too. The deal was done!

I've worn them today with my two tone heeled brogues which have been waiting in the wings for their blog debut. The extra height is just what I needed to stop the trousers looking a bit heavy, even chunky on my less than lithesome thighs. Another debut piece is the extra long necklace which is in perfect proportion with the oversized jumper/poncho. Thanks go to my sister Dianne for this, and its matching bracelet, yet to be shown. And the finishing flourish had to be the vintage leather handbag, a recent charity shop find which is a real classic. Autumn is upon us and I'm good to go.

Poncho: TK Maxx. Trousers: No 21 (TK Maxx). Tee shirt: M&S. Shoes: New Look. Pendant: gift. Handbag: charity shop. Brown stone ring: East. Diamante ring: charity shop.

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Paisley print skirt and blue biker

Apologies to those of you who are tiring of this biker jacket and its claim to fame. But if I were a jacket, I would be this jacket. Never have I been quite so besotted. My favourite of the moment is usually my latest purchase, but this has endured being superseded and is still holding strong.  I love testing it out to see what else in my wardrobe I can pair it with. And this surely must be a good thing; to recycle what's here rather than become bored and feel the need to shop again. I know that this sentiment will strike a chord with other kindred shoppers out there. To have a lure in the wardrobe rather than in the shop window can only be good.

I've had this paisley print pencil skirt for a couple of years and it was in danger of becoming one of my invisible items in the cupboard. You know what I mean, when you have loads of clothes, but so many of them don't capture your attention as you're blind to their existence. Sometimes you skim over them for a reason - it no longer fits or is a bit faded, bobbled or the colour isn't easy to marry up. Well this skirt had become a bit loose around the waist meaning that I always dismissed it, but today I decided to add a wide belt to overcome the problem - et voila!

The pussy bow blouse is making another appearance after resting since June when it was featured here. And seemingly this is our latest must-have for this winter season - so wasn't it grand that I had the foresight to buy mine early before the rush! I swear that if you hang on to them long enough every piece of clothing you own will come back into style again. This must be one of the major benefits of getting older and having a slight hoarding tendency. 

Jacket: TK Maxx. Skirt: H&H. Blouse: eBay. Belt: H&M. Shoes: Portugal. Tights: Dorothy Perkins. Rings: charity shop. Sunglasses: Quay Australia.

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Philip Treacy hat

Last winter I was idly browsing through the hat offerings on eBay and came across this Philip Treacy number. How exciting! An original from the hat maker to Royalty and the stars was too good to pass. After some strategic bidding it was mine for the grand sum of £21, yippee! A few days later it arrived and was not a disappointment - quality, provenance, colour - all were as described. But the only problem was the size. It kinda swamps me. I set to, and added a bit of elastic to the inside to pull it in (sacrilege, I know). But it still overwhelms me. From time to time it has an outing, and the bright autumn sunshine along with no wind to cause extra problems made me think this might be the ideal opportunity to try it out again. Maybe you wouldn't have known if I didn't tell you? Terminal honesty is my downfall.

Anyway, I do think the hat adds to today's ensemble regardless of the fit. It's months since I wore this little jacket (previously seen here) and I do love it. It will be great for injecting some colour into my AW wardrobe and works really well with my yellow and brown Boden brogues too. I seem to have had problems matching these dapper shoes with many outfits so this was a success today. The chocolate brown chiffon blouse was a charity shop purchase as were the skinny jeans (my, oh my, how skinny are they!) and as long as I didn't try to breathe I was fine. Bending, stretching, lifting and carrying at work were all postponed until another day when I had more practical trousers on. Suffering for your art I think it's called...

Jacket: charity shop. Hat: eBay. Blouse: charity shop. Trousers: (H&M) charity shop. Shoes: Boden. Socks: H&M. Yellow ring: Martin James. Brown ring: East.

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