SCHOOL GATE STYLE

Days Out - Seaforde Butterfly Farm

2016-08-17T23:17:00.001+01:00

For the last 2 weeks of the summer holidays, I've not enrolled the kids into any activities. They've been doing bible clubs and sports camps on the few weeks that I needed to work but I've set aside this week and next for just days out and time together....in an effort to bore them with my company so they can't wait to go back to school!

We all love each other really...

So today we went to the Seaforde Butterfly Farm & Gardens which we've driven past hundreds of times and always wondered about visiting. It's a bit expensive for NI - it would have worked out at about £30 for all 5 of us to go and I wasn't sure if my son would really appreciate it or indeed if I would (wrong on both counts)

In the end, it was just myself and the 3 kids who went so it was £24 for access to both the butterfly house and the gardens. I'm not sure if it's worth it to just do one or the other - you would really need both to make a day out of it. We arrived just after it opened at 10am and there were only a couple of cars in the carpark so we had the place to ourselves.
This was what greeted us when we entered the hot and humid butterfly room....stunning!

and really from then on, it was a continuous stream of 'ooh-ing' and 'ahh-ing' and WOW from all 4 of us as the most exotic and colourful butterflies flew around us and landed on our heads and shoulders and even in my son's case, right on his glasses!

After about half an hour, we moved to the second tropical room which contains turtles that live around a lovely indoor pond full of colourful carp and goldfish.

There were also a few parrots and some smaller birds. The kids had so much fun talking to the parrots - they were really sociable.

Then the kids found a smaller room which had a couple of tarantulas, giant snails, a scorpion etc...oh and a big python too! I wasn't so keen to hang around here...

My idea of HELL in a glass case

We spent over an hour moving between the three rooms - the kids kept wanting to go back into the butterfly room and I was happy to oblige. There were benches and places to sit and once you got used to the tropical temperature, it was quite pleasant...

Trousers - Hush (past season)
Sandles - Next (via eBay)
Navy T-Shirt - Gap
Denim Jacket - Vero Moda
Backpack - Mipac ℅ Menarys (has been a GODSEND this summer - thank you Menarys!)
Then it was out to the gardens for a walk around the maze, which kept the kids entertained for ages. We enjoyed our picnic down near the pond in the pheasantry - which sadly had no pheasants that we could see. But it was all in the most gorgeous surroundings with the walled garden reminding me of The Secret Garden - with its big wooden doors and tunnels.

After heading up the spiral staircase to the top of the small tower and getting a 360 degree view of the whole place....

....we went back into the butterfly room for another hour. The kids just never tired of spotting the butterflies and having them land on their heads.

On the way home, I got the kids to rate the trip and the 12 year old said it was one of the best days of his life...now that's something for a 'too cool for school' tween boy to say! Naturally, the girls just adored it and wanted to go back again the next day. All 3 agreed, it was a 'core memory' (that's for those of you who've watched Inside Out)

I have been asked so many times since I posted about this on social media - 'is it worth a visit?' Hence this blog post - I wasn't planning to write about it - it's a bit off-piste for me but it's a good way to answer everyone's questions in one go.

I do think it's worth visiting. It's old fashioned....I would say it's the same as it was 10 years ago and I wasn't wowed by the shop and the ticket desk on arrival. But the playground and picnic area at the front are new and lovely and surrounded by opportunistic peacocks - which were completely unfazed by toddlers chasing them around the place!

The business person in me thinks what potential it has but the reality is that it's a part of an estate where a family lives and it's only open during the summer months. They clearly don't want it to be a major tourist spot as it couldn't cope with huge crowds. There's a quaintness about it that I loved and you could tell that the butterflies and gardens are a passion for everyone involved. It was like a step back in time and as the day went on, I realised I loved how it hasn't been modernised or computerised...it was a proper old school day out and it did my heart good to see how the kids who were there (not just mine) were blown away and properly wowed by nature.

So do visit...it's not somewhere you'll go to regularly - I reckon we'll go again next summer but it's probably a 'once a year' kind of trip. Try to go on a weekday, early on so you get the place to yourself. Bring a picnic and a full battery on your phone. And make sure your storage has plenty of room for the photos. And enjoy!

Ax
Note - there is a coffee shop but we didn't go into it. I'm sorry I didn't as I can't report back on what it's like but perhaps if you're reading this and you've been, you could leave a comment. Thank you!
Full details on opening hours and prices on this link: www.seafordegardens.com

Spoilt Belle Sales Haul

2016-08-12T20:20:00.000+01:00

This is so late in the writing and features mostly sale stock - huge apologies about that but I know everyone loves a shopping try-on and I really wanted to share Spoilt Belle Boutique with you - it's a great local NI boutique but it sells online and over the phone so distance is no obstacle if you want to shop here....my kinda retail outlet!

My try-on was all done in their new Coleraine store - only opened a couple of months ago:

There has been a Spoit Belle Boutique in Magherafelt for years but I didn't have time to call in the last time I was up there so when we were on the north coast on holidays, I took a morning to go see what the Coleraine store is like....and I wasn't disappointed. There was so much to try on and so many bargains to be had. Starting with this jewelled top which was so Ted Baker-esque...with the most gorgeous print and green jewel embellishment.

I've had a look online at the SBB website and it's still in stock online on this link, though only in a size 8. . I'm wearing the size 10. Wish I bought it but I have been so bad this past month and needed to stick to the budget.

Next up, this cut-away top was right up my street - I love the style and the day to night print but it was a size 12/14 so was too big on top and dangerously revealing side-on...such a shame!

This Darling blouse has the most gorgeous flower appliqué detail - simply stunning and a perfect piece for Autumn/Winter. Again, some regrets about not buying it...

Another lovely top here in a chambray/light denim fabric with gorgeous on-trend frill detail. Can you see how I struggled to pick between it all...when I look at this top now, I'm wishing I bought it too!!!! From memory, it was down to about £27.

These next two tops were so simple and great wardrobe staples. Sadly both size L and too gapey under my arms...just as well really.

While I was trying on all this, my daughter was upstairs in the shoe room, completely mesmerised by the footwear. She didn't lick that off the ground...

Practical as ever, I went straight for the sparkly ones....

But then copped myself on....even I have to admit I'm well covered when it comes to sparkly going-outs shoes and so we reluctantly left the sale footwear behind but I did lust over these Guess shoes that had just arrived as part of the AW stock. I keep seeing SBB styling them with outfits on Instagram...my resistance is crumbling!

I also loved these layered tops - according to a recent snapchat, the green one is almost totally sold out already!

Incidentally, the Coleraine store has had a bit of an update since I was in with some new fittings and and both stores are now full of AW16 stock. I know all this as I'm avidly following them on snapchat and loving the look behind the scenes as well as the snaps of new stock being modelled by the team in both shops.

So what did my meagre budget extend to? I managed to get two really practical AW items in the sale - this camel coat/gilet....is there such thing as a cilet? Other than that cleaning stuff?! Anyway, you get the gist...it's something between a coat and a sleeveless gilet and I just adore the colour. I think it's going to look great over long sleeved knits/polo necks. Can't wait to wear it!

I also bought the jeans I am wearing in all the photos - you've probably seen them lots already. I do like good denim and always try to pick up a pair in the sales. These are by Guess and are called Jeggings but they actually are more like jeans. Both items came to a total of about £65...I didn't look as I keyed the PIN number in....ignorance is bliss.

Everything else was left behind....with much regret! But I'm already making a must-have list of the new stock coming in so perhaps it was all for the best.

If you're in either town, do pop in for a look...and even if you're not, you can check out their social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat and buy anything you like over the phone and the girls will post it out to you. Good old local customer service - you can't beat it.

Disclaimer - this is not a sponsored post and I bought the items myself!

Penney's/Primark Must Haves...

2016-08-11T17:31:00.003+01:00

I mentioned on my last post how I'd been in Penney's in Limerick last week and was well impressed. My sister said on the drive in that it isn't the best store really...but it was way better than any I've been in up north. Having said that, the time of the day may have had a part to play - it was about 7pm on a Friday evening in the centre of Limerick so the store was very quiet and being tidied for Saturday by a large team of staff. So it was easy to see everything and there was room to try on.

I'll start with some pictures I took going around the store and then show you what I bought. First up, these embellished clutches were stunning for only 12 euro.

Penney's have been killing it with their shoes lately - so many bloggers have been sharing amazing finds, including these beauties - just 28 euro:

I also thought these were lovely - there were only a couple of pairs left and both were marked so I didn't try them on.

Next up, some patent brogues .... every wardrobe should have a pair:

And these are a great dupe of the Ash and Isabel Marant boots. Not leather sadly but perfect if you just want to try out the trend and don't want to buy expensive ones up front:

These sandals are on sale and caught my eye as I've seen Sinead from Sinead's Curvy Style wearing them on Snapchat (in the green colour):

Next up and workwear was on my mind so these were a possibility - thought they would work well with a white shirt and a camel knit...though I didn't get them in the end as I hadn't the energy to try them on #shoppingfail

These pleated metallic skirts and wide trousers are almost identical to the Topshop ones!

But it was the interiors stuff that was most impressive...check out these cushions:

Loved the whole colour scheme in this rage - I'm a sucker for a bit of geo:

This next range was more ethnic - fab colours and the quality was amazing, especially the cushion on the bottom shelf:

Lovely little jewellery box - the girls were begging for me to buy them one:

But I was on a strict budget so in the end, apart from the Cocoa Brown stuff I shared on my last post (and a ton of underwear & socks for the kids), I just bought a couple of white vests (standard Primark purchase) and two jackets:

The first jacket is a blush colour and is a more casual oversized shape. I've a few scarves in this colour and a pair of loafers too so I'm thinking it will work well with them. This is a size 10 and it comes in navy also. I'm wearing it this morning to the launch of the NI Hospice's Big Coffee Break on the 22nd September. It was held in the Baillies Coffee Roasthouse...absolute cracker of an event. I've got some video on Snapchat and Instagram!

Jacket - Primark

Jeans - Gap (outlet purchase)

Top and Shoes - Topshop (past season)

Handbag - Yoshi

And I've mentioned before that I've been looking for a collarless navy jacket. This is probably a bit dressier than I had been looking for but I can dress it up or down and I love the sleeves - perfect for my short arms. This is the size 12. Not as nice a pic but you get the gist hopefully-I've not worn this one out & about yet.

Finishing with yesterday's outfit which was a bit thrown together but seemed to work. It features the sarong that I featured on my Hush sale post the other week, which I ordered and which is even better than I was expecting.

It's so beautifully made and the colours and weight make it perfect for autumn. It's unfortunately sold out but it might be worth checking out for returns? Plus there's an additional 10% off sale stock in Hush until the sale ends at the weekend - use SUMMER10 at checkout!
I'm also wearing a cream casual top I got in the Gap outlet at the weekend, which was 40% off - it's so lovely and soft though does need a vest underneath. Jeans are Guess from Spoilt Belle Boutique in Coleraine and my sandals are my trusty H&M ones which are also sold out now.

Hope you're having a good week,

Ax

It's a long way...

2016-08-09T17:35:00.002+01:00

The girls & I got home at the weekend from a few days in Tipperary and with over 500 miles on the clock, I can confirm, it *is* a long way! We were in South Tipp first, where one of my sisters lives and then we headed over for a few days in North Tipp - it's a big county, with the journey between my two sisters taking an hour and a half.
But what did I wear (and buy) in Tipp? Outfits first and it was the smallest of capsules. Not really intentionally but the girls' stuff took up so much room in the suitcase, I was forced to pack lean...yeah, I know I could have brought another suitcase but it was such a laid back trip, I was happy to have one less thing to think about.

Jacket (similar now on sale!) & Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters
Jeans - F&F at Tesco (wearing a size 8 - they are STRETCHY!)
Top - River Island
Sandals - H&M
Cross Body Bag - Yoshi

Maxi Dress - Onjenu (SS15)
Sandals & Cross Body Bag - as before

Jeans, Sunglasses & Bags - as before
Trainers - Adidas
Top - Next (sale)

and for the trip home...

Jeans - as before
White Vests (layered) - Primark
Scarf - New Look (bought in-store)
Sandals - Next (sale)

There was another iteration of the black top/jeans mix and I wore my black jersey maxi skirt too...but I didn't get a picture of either....sometimes you're just having too much fun!

On Friday evening, my sister offered to come into Limerick with me for a look in Penneys (Primark) as the one in Limerick is quite good. I was also looking to pick up some Cocoa Brown Rose Gold Goddess Oil - a limited edition that I'd heard about over on Snapchat. It's not being released in the UK until September so I was delighted to find some bottles of it left in Limerick.

It's a highlighter and a shimmer oil so you can use it pretty much anywhere on your body but I've seen people using it mostly on the collar bones/décolletage, the cheekbones and on legs...basicallyl anywhere you want a bit of glow or sparkle. It's much nicer than the gold shade as it's got a lovely pink tone in it. Much more natural, especially on pale skin, where shimmers can look a bit fake. It's hard to photograph but this hopefully will give you a gist...

I also bought some tan and this exfoliator I've heard loads about. I've only used it once and really like it. Gets rid of stubborn tan and leaves the skin smooth and ready for a fresh coat.

Clothing & home-wise, I could have bought lots...I'm going to do a separate post with what caught my eye as I've not had a chance to do pictures of what I bought. It was such a good time to call into Primark as it was late opening on a Friday night and the place was all tidied with hardly anyone in it - don't think I've ever seen a tidier Primark in my life!

Anyway - off to do a few shots so I'll be back soon, I promise...

Ax

Hush Final Reductions & WIWT

2016-07-31T11:20:00.004+01:00

This is the first season I've not bought anything from Hush and I've not really featured them much on here either - there was nothing that *really* grabbed me and made me want to buy. I think it all seemed a bit samey this summer - though I hear great things about the Autumn Winter range so I'll do my picks from it once it all goes online.

But this morning, I got an email about the Hush sale going into 70% off so I had another little look and bought two items! Nothing hugely exciting but they're really well reduced and unlikely to stick around for long.

First up, the Casual Summer Shirt. This gets great reviews and I think it will be a nice piece of workwear for me in September....yes, I'm joining the world of work again on a part time basis, but that's for another blog post! Anyway, I think it will work with trousers and with skirts, while also working as a casual piece too.

Casual Summer Shirt (is long sleeved!) £15 down from £49

The second item I ordered is this Hand Embroidered Sarong - down to £15 from £45. I've looked at this a few times but to wear as a scarf, not a sarong. I've also been looking out for a scarf with khaki and black in it so this seems to tick the box and gets good reviews too:

Hand Embroidered Sarong

Then, rather randomly, I got a couple of these for the kids. I have one of these from a while back and the kids found it in my room one day recently and have been taking turns wearing it at night. It works well for my super early rising 12 year old son. He's been stretching to after 7am with it on - that's progress I promise you. But of course, there have been arguments over who's turn it is to wear it each evening so problem solved for £4...

Eye Mask £2

There were a couple of other items on the shortlist that are in my maybe list now, starting with the Georgia Jacket. I have been looking everywhere for the right navy jacket and while I love this one, it's not quite what I had in mind. I'm keen to get a collarless one so the search continues..

Georgia Jacket in Midnight £45 down from £65

This Sophie Top was almost purchased too - it's down to £20 in the navy and £30 in the other colours:

Sophie Top

but mostly, I was so tempted by some of the jewellery (all on the link). There are some gorgeous pieces starting from £4 - I was thinking teacher presents for Christmas....then caught myself on but now I think of it again....

Finishing with a couple of outfits from the past week:

Top - Part Two (sale stock) from Dice in Magherafelt

Jeans - Guess sale stock from Spoilt Belle in Coleraine

Navy Espadrilles - Next - via eBay

Necklace - Pandora

Jersey Throw-over Top & White Vest - M&S SS15

Jeans - F&F at Tesco Premium Skinny

Rose Gold Sandals - Lidl (£5.99!!)

Rose Gold & Grey Watch - DKNY (bought in Boston last October)

Rose Gold Pendant & Bracelet - from my own shop last season.

Have a lovely Sunday

Park-Running with Ilu Fitwear

2016-07-30T22:37:00.000+01:00

Since getting back to the gym and running again, I'm obsessed with buying gym gear. I hear it's a 'thing' among gym bunnies...but there are practical reasons for it too because if I'm working out or running 3-4 times a week it's not easy to turn around kit in the laundry fast enough.

I've never been approached by a fitness clothing brand before so I got very excited when Jo from Ilu Fitwear contacted me to see if I'd like a new top and leggings for my summer runs. In case you've never heard of them before, Ilu (Estonian for beauty) Fitwear is passionate about designing exercise wear which lifts your mood, suits your lifestyle and makes you look fabulous. Based in Surry, it is run by a small team of women who put great customer service with a personal touch top of their agenda.

Most importantly, the kit Ilu Fitwear sells is excellent quality but not extortionately priced. I've found (as with most things), you get what you pay for with gym gear but there's no need to spend close to £100 for leggings. Equally, paying £15 for leggings is a false economy when you wash and wear them so often. I've had to throw out 4 pairs of supermarket running tights in the past month because they are sagging/see-through/coming apart or falling down - such a waste of money!

After much consideration, I chose the Dream Spin Leggings and the Back to Fitness Top in the yellow colour way (also available in blue):

and here I am heading up to the park run today wearing them:

Dream Spin Leggings - Ilu Fitwear

The leggings are right up my street in terms of colouring - most of my other running kit is grey and black in the main so they will mix and match well with all of it. But I also love the different textures and fabrics on these, which add a bit of interest.
I ordered the size S/M and I have to say they did look small when they arrived but they have incredible stretch and a super high waist so I didn't have to worry at all. They also don't go transparent when stretched, which is crucial!

They were a joy to wear, didn't budge on my legs and are thick enough to disguise lumps and bumps. Yet, they are quite light to the touch so I hardly knew I was wearing them. I've a couple of other pairs of leggings that I paid similar money for and they don't come close to how great these leggings feel on. The little touches like mesh detail below the knee and the contrasting grey on the calf are the icing on the cake really.

The Back to Fitness Top is designed to meet the needs of anyone who's just starting out on a fitness journey or getting back to it after a break or a baby. Or in my case - and I quote 'maybe you just like to have your cake and eat it?' - yep, that's me!

I really struggle with tighter tops when running or working out....I'm not overweight at all but I do have a wobbly twin tummy and I like my cake (and crisps) too much to ever have a six pack so this top has a longer length inner vest in soft, sweat-wicking fabric which holds you in and keeps you dry, whilst the lightweight overlayer gently covers your tummy and wraps around in a feminine crossover at the back.

The website says it's perfect for anyone not confident about showing their tummy in a tight workout vest but wanting more style than a baggy T shirt and I would say it definitely ticks those boxes.

As a long-bodied lass, if I was being picky, I would like the over layer to be a few inches longer but the under-layer was plenty long for me - reaching below hip-level. Again, I went for the S/M. If you are bigger in the bust, you might want to go for the M/L.

Today, I was doing my first parkrun in 5 weeks and I was nervous. I have struggled to shake off a persistent cough and cold since early July and I'm probably only about 90% there at the moment but I felt well enough to give it a go and do you know something, having new kit to wear really does motivate you to get out there! Here I am at the start...looking pale and make-up-less with a couple of cute photo bombers in the background :)

It was tough and I did walk briefly once or twice but even at that, I managed a sub 30 minute time and I'll take that happily. I've got a few more weeks of park running left before the hockey and rugby runs take over my Saturday mornings so I'm hoping to work back down to my PB in that time.

If running and gym isn't your thing, Ilu also do a lovely range of 'Calm' wear, which is perfect for yoga/pilates and chilling out. I'm a huge fan of the colours in this Chic Calm Yoga Wrap which is basically a fab massive scarf with amazing colours - perfect for wearing day to day, not just at yoga - (matching yoga gear available too)

The great news is that Ilu are giving away 3 of these wraps on their Facebook Page so head over on this link if you fancy a chance of winning it.
I'll leave you with an image of some of the new range coming soon to the website...LOVE the colours in this...

Before I go, just to let you know that I've popped my Snapchat cherry today after months of lurking and plucking up the courage. I have become such a fan of watching snaps from lots of other bloggers (I'll post about my favourites another time if you'd like that?) so I hope if you're on there, you'll enjoy my occasional snaps about what I'm wearing and getting up to. And if you're saying 'I'm not going there!!, please do - you'll love it AND you'll feel like you're down with the teenagers too...in a good way!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Ax

The 6 items you need to buy in the sales....

2016-07-27T16:44:00.001+01:00

It's dregs of the sales time but this is when I like to strike with my minimal budget. But you need to buy carefully lest you end up with a pile of unworn stuff that you got at 70% off. We've all been there. So here are my must-have sale purchases - the 6 items you need to tick off the list before buying anything else.

First up - Jeans. I always pick up a good pair of jeans in the sales - summer and winter. The jeans I wear the most are invariably the better brands, Maison Scotch, Piezak and Kings of Indigo - all of which I've sourced in a sale of some sort. 99% of the time, you get what you pay for - a good brand will fit better, hold their shape and you'll wear and wear them. I'm thinking here of the Zara ones I bought a few months ago which can't even keep their zip up for more than 10 minutes at a time and which I've worn twice. Total waste of £25.

My thinking re jeans at the moment is that rips are out now...I am finding them increasingly tacky and have just recently ditched any of mine that had tears in them. My mother in law is delighted. I'm instead looking for a couple of distressed pairs - so there's a bit of interest but no flesh peeking through.

And here's my sales gem from Maison Scotch. I had a pair of these for years and only recently sold them as they were getting loose on me. These are almost the exact same and they're reduced in the sale. Free delivery and with all sizes available as I write. I would be a 28 in these as a guide:

La Parisienne Zip Skinny Jeans - Maison Scotch

I'm sitting on my credit card in this instance however as I have just bought these Guess jeans in the Spoilt Belle sale....love love love them and have worn them lots since I got them. The style is a jegging but they're not as stretchy as a jegging would be.

Next up, a coat and this is the time of year to grab yourself a trench if you don't already have one. They're perfect for wearing as the weather starts to get cooler and every wardrobe needs one. I've had mine since before the twins were born - it's about 9 years old and still looks as good as new. First up, this is from Benetton and also comes in navy from the Harrison website.

Beige Classic Trench Coat - Benetton

Or how about this more expensive option? From Jaeger, it's an absolute classic down from £225 to £110 with most sizes available still.

Jaegar Double Breasted Trench Coat

If you don't already have a great pair of leather sandals - one tan and one black - then this is the time to buy them. We don't get enough wear out of sandals in this part of the world so grab a pair in the sales and they'll see you through a few summers - especially a pair as beautiful as these black ones from the Seven Boot Lane sale:

Fiji Black Sandal

If a sale isn't the time to buy a leather handbag, well I don't know when is! Again, tan/brown or black are the key colours here as they are the ones that you'll use most. Boden is always a good bet for great leather and this Amanda bag can be used as a grab bag or as a cross body. I'm gutted I missed out on the navy version of this but this tan one is just as gorgeous:

Amanda Bag - Boden
My fifth must buy in the sales? Stripes! Another classic that will never age and I love this quirky top from Joules - who make some of the best breton tops out there:

Stripe Top with Glitter Detail - Joules

Finally - if you see a white shirt in the sale, grab it! They are another item I never buy full price. Best I've seen online is this one from Thomas Pink at £29 with an extra 10% off at the moment (tho that discount only covers some of the rather high postage charge!)

Nicole Shirt by Thomas Pink (limited sizes left)

What about my sales purchases? Well, I've been fairly restrained and only bought a black loose fit dress in Next, the jeans I mentioned above and a sleeveless trench - more on the coat soon. So there's still lots of scope to buy more....watch this space.

Do share if you've any thing to add to my 6 essentials!

Ax

Leopard Cross Body Bags

2016-07-24T10:29:00.001+01:00

I have been inundated with emails and messages on instagram about my animal print cross body bag. It's funny because I dithered so much over buying it - and have done so over similar bags in the past....and didn't buy them....and regretted it later. I've also come to realise that a well priced, leather bag with the right print shade in a practical size, is actually tricky to find so if you see one you like, grab it.

So in the vein of buy now or forever regret it, I thought I'd do a quick post with all the similar bags I can find online - taking full advantage of the sales where I can.

First up to show anyone who's not seen it, this is my one:

I got it in DejaVu as a pre-loved bag and it's by a German brand called Abro. It is in great condition and made from the most gorgeous leather and I paid just £36 for it. From googling the brand and description, I think it retailed at in or around £100 when it was full price but this style isn't available to buy anymore.

I've never been a fan of chain straps as they can look a bit dressy for day wear but with the black leather going through the chain on this one and the fact that the hardware isn't really bright gold, it seems to work. I also thought that the leopard print would mean I'd wear it less than a plain bag but in fact, I used it almost every day on our holidays.

So first up, a couple of options from Smith & Canova in leather. I've owned a S&C bag before and the quality is quite good. They're made from real leather and are priced very well - especially these two in the sale. This first one is a bigger option in a darker leopard print to mine:

Bucket Style Cross Body - Smith & Canova

(£28 down from £70)

and this one is a bit smaller with more black leather on the front:

Zip Top Panelled Cross Body - Smith & Canova

(£22.40 down from £56)

This next one has a bit more of a evening feel to it but it does have a strap and the best bit is that it comes with a charging pack built in. It can fully charge your phone twice while out and about...what's not to love about that!

H Butler Mighty Purse Power Pack Clutch

(£75.96 from £95)

A slightly pricier one next from Matthew Williamson, though it is gorgeous and has been reduced hugely in the sale with just 2 left in stock.

Matthew Williamson Countess Black Leopard Bag

(£109 from £275)

This one from Dune isn't in the sale but it's got a clever design with a zip off purse detail. Again, more evening'y in it's shape and size.

Dune Engellie Removable Pouch Clutch Bag

£65

and just one slightly off-piste option as I adore the colour way of this bag from the new range at Boden. Again, not in any sale right now but if you ask around or sit tight, you'll find a 20% code somewhere that'll give you free delivery and returns. This bag does come in regular leopard but with a brown leather trim, which I'm not a fan of...much prefer black with leopard...you can see both in the link below.

Pony Saddle Bag - Boden

£119

Finishing with what I think is the best copy of my bag - I actually did a double take when I saw it.

It's from BrandAlley - where I *think* you will have to create an account before you can browse and buy. Sorry if that's a bit of a faff but I properly love the Brand Alley site - and I'm not sponsored to say that! They have amazing sales and frequently feature end of line items from the likes of Orla Kiely, Ted Baker and Seven Boot Lane. It's great for home stuff too. A word of caution, I've not ordered from them in a couple of years so I don't know how fast items arrive and how easy it is to return. If you've used BrandAlley recently and have any feedback, please share it below in the comments.

So here's the bag - it's real leather by a brand called Joana and Paola:

Leopard Cross Body Bag - Joana & Paola - £45

(on sale for a limited time)

So I hope this post has helped scratch the leopard bag itch for you! Finishing with what I wore yesterday....co-incidentally, it had a leopard theme too though I thought to use my bag would have been animal overload so I carried a plain black bag instead:

Throw on top - Hope Clothing via LUXFIX (c/o)
Skinny Jeans - Guess Clothing via Spoilt Belle Boutique (instore - not online)
Avarca Sandals - Palmaira de Menorca
Cream Vest - M&S - past season
Leopard Bra (just seen!) - Boux Avenue - past season

Ax

My Holiday Capsule Wardrobe

2016-07-24T01:00:00.000+01:00

I'm back in the land of internet after 10 days up on the North Coast. We stay in a friend's holiday house (thank you Anna!) where there's no wifi and although it's very close to the town with plenty of other houses nearby, we get no 4G and very weak 3G. In fact, my phone regularly flipped between Vodafone IE and EE...the proximity to the coast seems to confuse things, despite the fact we were about 50 miles from the Irish border. In any case, it's a blessing in disguise and means that the 10 days were spent free of blogging and internet shopping...we all need a break like that, forced or not.

So I've quite a few things to share now I'm back - starting with what I wore on holiday. I brought an even smaller capsule with me this time as I had to pack bedlinen in my suitcase. Here is what I packed with direct links where the items are still available and links to similar items where I've been able to find them.

Shoes:
Black H&M Sandals
Palmaira Tan Avarca Sandals
Adidas Superstars

Bags:
Mint Velvet Tan Cross Body Bag (sold out - similar on sale here)
Leopard Cross Body Bag (via DejaVu - similar leather on SALE here and here)

Bottom Half:
Topshop Jeans (past season - similar here)
Kings of Indigo Distressed Jeans (via TK Maxx - past season)
Boyfriend style Denim Shorts (TU Clothing - past season - similar here)

Top Half:
Black River Island Top
2 x H&M off-the-shoulder Top (coral striped and black)
H&M Grey Vest
M&S Vest Top (similar here)
River Island Grey Long Sleeved Oversized Top

Outerwear:
Ilse Jacobsen Grey Long Waterproof Coat (via Sarah Jane Boutique - Magherafelt)
Uniqlo Short, Lightweight Rain Jacket (out of stock online - similar here)

And here are photos of me wearing some of it. We were so lucky with the weather, getting 4 sunny, beach-worthy days out of 10 and no entirely rainy days. Most of the rest of the days were dry and cloudy, allowing us to go exploring the surrounding area. I didn't do photos every day because some days it was just nice to not ask the kids/husband. They need a break from it all too :)

Initial/Birthstone Necklace - c/o Anna Lou of London

Ilse Jacobsen Coat, Adidas Trainers, Topshop Jeans, River Island Top

Palmaira Sandals, Denim Shorts, Mint Velvet Bag, H&M Top

River Island Top, Tu Shorts, H&M Sandals, Leopard Bag

On a trip to Derry/Londonderry, I wore the Uniqlo jacket, KOI jeans & H&M top

This is a bit of a cheat one as I bought this dress in the Next sale in Derry the day before. I was getting kinda bored with the capsule I guess. I did a bit more shopping in Coleraine resulting in 2 other purchases but I'll save them for another blog post, along with a few top tips for making the most of the tail end of the sales.

I have to say, I'd hoped this summer that we'd go abroad for a two week sunny holiday but by the time we looked into it, it was working out more expensive that we'd hoped so we decided to stay home again and book earlier for next summer. But seeing what happened in Nice (which was the front runner for our holiday), Turkey and Germany, I now wonder if we might just staycation again in 2017. Suddenly the world feels like a more scary place and the very tip top of Ireland, in a little seaside resort just over an hour's drive from home seems like the most wonderful place in the world to be.

Ax

Navy Wedding Style

2016-07-09T00:11:00.004+01:00

I'm still recovering from my friend Hilary's wedding on Thursday and coming to the conclusion that hangovers are as much about tiredness as alcohol. I feel like I'm hungover, yet I didn't drink! Instead I was the designated driver determined to party to the end, meaning I got to bed at 2.15am after a 2 hour drive back from the hotel and around Belfast to deliver the girls home. Exhausting but well worth it to be there until the last song celebrating with a gorgeous newly married couple and their friends & family.

Photo credit - http://www.markhawthornephotography.com/
However, there was some serious bad planning on my part because I was woken up at 7.30am the next morning by the kids wanting to see pictures and hear all about the wedding.

What better way to keep awake in the aftermath than to blog about the style at this wedding - and there was so much to see. Hilary's sister owns Sarah-Jane Boutique in Magherafelt and her mum used to be a fashion buyer so the style stakes were always going to be high. There were three main trends - floral, brights and navy (with so many of the choir turning up in navy/blue that it almost looked like our uniform!). Lengths were predominantly midi and skirts were a mix of full and pencil.

Navy is so easy to wear for a wedding and completely acceptable - unlike black which I can't help feeling isn't just right for a traditional church wedding. I know many people do wear it and completely rock it but I always feel it looks a bit funereal. Navy, however, is perfect if you are shy of a strong colour but still want to look wedding appropriate.

I bought my dress in ASOS a few months ago after seeing it on Lorraine one morning during her style segment with Mark Heyes. He had it on a curvier model and suddenly the dress, which looks like nothing on the ASOS size 6 girl, came alive. I loved the length, the scuba style material which is stretchy but thick enough to cover any lumps, bumps & vpl, and the frill, which just gives it an on-trend feel. This length is great too - much more flattering on me than something above the knee.

I agonised over shoes and bag for weeks - initially wanting a coloured shoe but everything I put on looked like it was clashing with the dress. It soon became clear that simplicity was key and I started the hunt for a plain navy shoe that was a little bit special, ideally with some gold accents.

I found these shoes on eBay after much searching....I liked the fact that they had some black in them (heel/strap and piping at the front) and the fact that they are Reiss shoes so the leather is lovely quality. They had only been worn a couple of times and as soon as I put them on, I knew they would be perfect for all day dancing - the ankle strap gives enough support to take the pressure off the front of the foot. I wore them from 9am until 11.45pm when I got into the car and switched to sheepskin boots for the drive home. Dancing, singing, walking, standing...it was all a breeze in these shoes.

The bag was another palaver as I wanted a gold one initially and bought one from TK Maxx (and ordered another from Coast). In the midst of it all, my friend Ruth from DejaVu was telling me about the navy dress she's wearing to a wedding this weekend and she offered me her Lulu Guinness bag as she knew it would be perfect with my dress too. What a star! She also gave me her gold Michael Kors watch to wear on the day.

Of course, now I want one of these bags - it was the perfect size and shape for the day. Wishlist added to...

Sticking with the navy theme, if you've got a wedding or special occasion coming up, I thought I'd share a few dresses I've spotted online today - starting with ASOS. I promise it's not a PR piece for them, it's just that I find it such a great site to search for wedding options. The videos are great for giving you a better sense of the colour/movement of the dress and there's free delivery and returns so I ordered a ton of dresses to try on and sent them all (bar one) back. They also have so many options for every shape, size and budget with petite, tall and curvy ranges, as well as maternity.

This first ASOS one, I actually ordered in a different colour-way for the wedding and sent back as it was a bit too pastel for me - I didn't realise it came in navy!

Chi Chi London Premium Lace Dress

More lace now and this one is part of the tall as well as the petite range - all bases covered. I love the crop top illusion - great for creating a waist and very flattering on the tummy.

ASOS Tall Lace Crop Top Midi Pencil Dress

This one is from the curve range which comes in size 18-28 and can be ordered in a maxi length too AND in petite sizing.

ASOS Curve Wedding Lace Top Pleated Midi Dress

This Chi Chi brand is making me want to go to more weddings and christenings...

Chi Chi Chiffon Tulle Prom Dress with embroidery

This next one also comes in Petite and Tall

Paper Dolls Pencil Dress with Contrast Lace

Moving from ASOS to Boden where there's an additional 15% off sale prices this weekend only - using 9D9F. First up, this wrap dress is great for fuller busts. It's also a dress that can be dressed up or down:

Summer Wrap Dress £55.65 pre discount

This is a bit more colourful but I have admired it so often on the Boden website - just love the colour combination!

Matilda Ponte Dress £62.65 pre discount

Over to Coast - where I'd always be careful of ordering something distinctive in season but this dress is a classic and it's in the sale now

Curve Crepe Dress - £79 from £119

This next one is stunning and has the lovely mesh overlay that allows you to show a bit of leg in a very flattering way. It's really well reduced too though only left in an 8 or 10 currently.

Marie Anne Panelled Dress - £59 from £129

And another wedding favourite, Phase Eight, where this lace dress is so well priced:

Phase Eight Ivy Lace Dress - £39 from £129

Finishing with a maternity dress that doubles up as a nursing dress once baby arrives. There were quite a few pregnant girls at the wedding as well as one new mum whose baby was born just 12 days ago

Mamalicious Mary Maternity Nursing Dress - John Lewis

Ok - I can't keep my eyes open any longer. I hope I've helped if you're on the hunt for some navy wedding dress inspiration...remember it's a great colour for all year round - not just summer! Meanwhile I'm hitting the sack...energy levels are well and truly sapped.

Back soon,

School Holidays......Day 1

2016-07-02T08:53:00.000+01:00

1st of July and I decided to try not to wear any black at all. It's a pretty poor attempt at colour admittedly - I wore navy instead...but the weather today made it difficult to get too colourful.

Navy Oversized Top - Mango (similar here)

Star Scarf - Potential new shop stock (watch this space)

Necklace - from my shop last year (can be stocked again....)

Yes, in true Irish style, the first day of our 9 weeks of quality family time together was a bit dismal - weather wise that is. Started off nice enough but by the time we got out of the house and drove over to Stormont, the clouds had gathered. We set off optimistically up the avenue but within 10 minutes, were sheltering under the trees. It was torrential while I had these photos taken.

Jeans - H&M

Sandals - Topshop SS15 (similar here & here)

Handbag - Boden AW14 (similar here)

Umbrellas in hand, we trudged on under the trees but after about another 10 minutes, I had to turn back as it was too wet for my sandals (I know....what a fool). Luckily I had trainers in the car...and a raincoat.

We made it to the top of the hill and were about to turn back whenever we saw a sign that said Stormont Parliament buildings are open to the public between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday and who knew - there's a coffee shop there! So in we went and we were lucky enough to catch the end of a tour around the chambers (where the politicians hang out). We then got taken under the wings of a couple of staff who were short of tourists to help. It was a very pleasant look around - even the kids enjoyed it.

And as for the coffee shop...it's tiny, with just 2 tables but the scones were excellent and only cost 40p! We got 3 scones, 2 very good coffees and 3 drinks for the kids, all for less than £6. As of next week, they're opening up the members' dining room upstairs for the summer months, offering morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. It apparently gets booked up very quickly so if you're local and fancy a different way to see inside Stormont, you can find out more on their website.

So I might have posted on Instagram first thing, complaining about the weather but actually, we ended up having a really lovely active morning/early afternoon which earned us a late afternoon/early evening of chilling in front of the tennis/football. Day 1 - DONE!

Ax

When your H&M online order delivers...

2016-06-30T22:24:00.002+01:00

I don't think I've had a single successful online order from H&M - my experiences in the past involved long waits for items I ended up sending straight back by return post, only to wait even longer for the refund. In fact, I know I'm not alone in having waited so long for orders to come out that I'd completely forgotten what was in them when they arrived...(hope my husband doesn't read this)

So when I saw these sandals on Sue's and Michelle's blogs, I first went to 2 local stores to see if I could find them.

I found these ones instead,

also from the Premium range and also gorgeous leather for £24.99 so I was able to gauge the sizing but there no sign of the ones I wanted. So reluctantly on Sunday evening, I ordered them online together with the pink version of my favourite off-the-shoulder top, nicely reduced in the sale, and this grey vest that I'd spotted over on another favourite blog of mine, Buy Now Blog Later.

And I braced myself for the long wait.

But lo and behold, I got an email on Monday telling me my parcel was dispatched...followed by a text on Wednesday telling me it was with my local Hermes delivery man. Which is why I'm here on Thursday telling you all about it and modelling my new sandals. Cue one very happy blogger...I didn't even have to select premium delivery - that was all on the standard delivery of £3.99, and I had a voucher code for an extra 20% off sale prices which cancelled out a bit of the cost.

I'm just sharing the sandals for today as it was too cold to wear the tops but I did try them both on briefly this morning and they're keepers.

Leather Toe-Post Sandals - H&M Premium

I'll leave you with today's jersey-tastic outfit...all in honour of a physio appointment this afternoon. I had forgotten how comfy these harem pants are from Hush - 20% off at the moment too....like wearing jammies all day.

Jersey Harem Trousers - Hush - size down!

Denim Jacket - Vero Moda via eBay

Grey & White Vests - M&S Basics

Sandals - H&M

Ax

PS
The sandals come in a proper shoe box and if you do buy them and you like the smell of leather...just wait until you open that box! They smell amazing.

Fit wise, they are good for wider feet and I sized up to the 6.5. I always do with sandals as I cannot cope with foot overspill! They also come in a brown/tan colour way which you can see on Sue's instagram here.

I'll show you the tops when the weather warms up a bit. Right now I'm wearing a massive coatigan and scarf. Indoors.

My kids finished school today for 9 weeks...I'm about to have a glass of wine to ~~celebrate~~ help me forget.

x

Timeless Fashion from LUX FIX

2016-06-23T22:55:00.000+01:00

Every now and again, I get the opportunity to work with a great brand I've never heard of before and I am reminded why I enjoy blogging so much. It's not just the opportunity to pick an item to showcase, it's knowing that you're going to enjoy sharing this brand and website with readers.

LUX FIX ticks all the boxes with me. It's an online boutique filled with a bunch of independent brands, predominately from the UK. I love a well curated site of different brands as it cuts down on searching and best of all, you get to discover less well known labels.

Before deciding to work with LUX FIX, I had a good look through the site which includes some brands I knew of and have featured before on this blog like Almost Famous, Ness and Seven Boot Lane but mostly lots of brands I'd never heard of before like Yull, Eden Row and Laid Back London.

In the end, I chose a piece from a brand that I have heard lots about but have no experience of - Hope - a British label created by Nayna McIntosh that celebrates women whatever their size or shape. The range is full of easy-to-wear pieces with the emphasis on cut and shape and it appealed to me as they had lots of great quality basics with a twist...just like this top I selected...

Black Pop-On Top by Hope at LUX FIX

This top is really interesting and I'm not fully doing it justice because I'm only wearing it in one of the many ways it can be worn. It's actually got two potential necklines allowing it to hang lower on either the right or left arm. It is also longer on one side so you can choose to have it drape longer at the front or at the back - as I'm doing here. There are photos of it being worn in different ways on the link above.

I just love that it's got a poncho vibe going on but with the armholes it's much more wearable - like a top. Super flattering too as the silky jersey material skims over your top half.

As well as being a great beach coverup, I think it's going to be perfect for wearing with a long sleeve top on cooler days...all in all, this top will work hard in most wardrobes.

Top - ℅ Hope at LUX FIX

Jeans - Pieszak Denim from Sarah Jane Boutique

Leopard Sandals - Palmaira de Menorca

Incidentally delivery and returns are fulfilled by the brands themselves so there's no frustrating third party dealings should you need to return or exchange anything.

Do check out the LUX FIX website on this link - I hope you find it to be a useful one stop shop next time you're searching online for something beautiful to wear.

Meanwhile I'm off to sashay about in my gorgeous top!

Disclaimer: this post was written in conjunction with LUX FIX and the top was provided to me free of charge in return for writing a review. All the words are my own and I never write about anything unless I really love it. Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.

My Effortless Brows!

2016-06-17T09:20:00.000+01:00

It's only in recent years that I've become a bit brow obsessed. I've always had them waxed regularly but I never really used a product on them or had them 'shaped as such' - any products I did try were disappointing and involved too much faff and the thought of having them shaped made me get 'scary HD brow' fear.

That was before Lynne got hold of me at Effortless Beauty in Moira. I've been a regular there for a couple of years now for nails and make up but then a few months ago Lynne asked me if she could transform my brows.

My immediate reaction was not positive...but Lynne told me she would keep it subtle, not scary and most importantly, easy to replicate at home using a new product she has sourced herself. As I trust her so much, I decided to let her loose on me.

On my first appointment Lynne explained that it would take three appointments for me to achieve perfect brows....the first two appointments would be about encouraging a good shape through strategic threading of the brows. By my third visit, it would be all about the maintenance.

But throughout the process, her fabulous Effortless Brow powder & brush would allow me to recreate amazing brows every single day. Lynne showed me how to use from the first appointment, emphasising the importance of using on the upper side of the brow, rather that the underside.

It did exactly what I was told it would do. It allowed me to fill in the gaps in brow growth initially but on an ongoing basis, it gives the brows a temporary tint and fullness that I can build up for nights out/occasions.

I should say now although I call it a powder, it's more like something in-between a wax and a powder so it doesn't blow off the brush. I think that's what makes it work so well - it's that perfect balance between the two textures.

As I mentioned above, I've used other products in the past - another brow powder, a wax product and also a brush style product, similar to a mascara brush and I found the powder ineffective and hard to apply, wax didn't last that long and was also difficult to apply and the brush on product was easier to apply but I never liked the sticky texture that had a tendency to clump and leave you with uneven brows.

Anyway, take it from me, this Effortless Brow stuff is magic - even after 6 weeks when my brows were faded and growing out of shape, this powder, used with the angled brush could make them look freshly tinted and nicely shaped in an instant. And it doesn't fade or rub off during the day at all.
I took these two photos on the same morning - the first one is without make-up and the second one is after I've applied the brow powder. Pretty impressive eh?

The great news is that for anyone who's too far away from Moira to have Lynne work her threading magic, you can get this part of the Effortless Brow experience posted out to you - full details on this link to Lynne's site. The powder comes in a range of colours and with the brush, is just £25. And it will last forever as you use so little of it each time. If you're unsure what colour to order, just drop Lynne an email with a photo and she can help you with that. Mine is the dark brown.

Of course, alongside using the product, it's important to have a 6 weekly tidy up and tint to encourage a nice shape to grow naturally...this will help to correct gaps and unevenness caused by home plucking. We've all done it....

But the best bit about all of this is that a naturally shaped brow that works with your skin tone and hair colour, makes you look more youthful. I'm quite grey under my hair dye so as a consequence, my brows are lighter too (though I like to think they're more blonde than grey......!!). I definitely think having your hair colour done and not also tackling your brows can almost undo the youthful effect of a great hair colour. And finding a person who knows about brows and a product that allows you to create the same effect at home....well it's the perfect combination.

Before I finish, this is not a sponsored post - I am a regular customer of Lynne's and have been for a few years, paying for all my treatments. I was however gifted the brow product on the understanding that I'd try it out for Lynne as it had just arrived after months of her sourcing and rejecting different types. I wasn't obliged to blog about it at all - I wanted to as it's a great opportunity to support a local business and an inspiring entrepreneur and mum....and here she is photo bombing me and the girls while I have my brows tinted...now there's some scary brows ;)

Ax

Effortless Beauty is located in Moira Mews just off the main street in Moira Village, about 20 minutes from Belfast off the M1. You can find more information on the website here and on Lynne's Facebook page on this link. Thanks for supporting the brands that support this blog!

A hen party...with a senior moment

2016-06-15T21:04:00.000+01:00

I know - a hen party at my age :) and it was a young friend too, not a niece or anything!! That's the great thing about choir - you end up with such an amazing diversity of friends and Hilary gets married in July (outfit sorted...can't wait to blog about it!) so last weekend, a group of choir friends headed up to Magherafelt to celebrate with her.

What to wear? Well...I'm a jeans kinda girl when it comes to nights out so I went on the hunt for a great top - one that would show off the tan that appeared (but has since faded!) without much effort on my part - thanks to lots of running and time with the kids in the garden.

My skin was behaving also - the sun really helped clear it up so I was brave and bought this top in River Island - taking advantage of the 25% off with Grazia - made it only £16.

Top - River Island

Jeans - Performance Stretch Denim at Tesco

Nude Sandals - Faith (past season - similar here & here)

It's a great colour for me and I love how it dressed up the jeans but was flowy enough to keep me cool. But then I went to look it up on the RI website and here comes the senior moment...I never realised it's a cold shoulder top - not a strappy cami!!!!

Green Tiered Cold Shoulder Cami - £22

I'm such a div - this is actually how it should have been worn....I'm gutted not to have realised as I think it's way nicer as a cold shoulder top. But I guess it also works the other way and it was a really hot night so I was glad of being able to bare as much arm as possible.

In terms of sizing, I got the 10 and re the bra situation, I just tucked straps into my heavily engineered Boux Avenue 2 sizes bigger bra - it could hold up a small country without straps...so my modest bust is wee buns for it (literally.... :) )

Top - River Island

Jeans - Performance Stretch Denim at Tesco

Shoes - River Island (about 10 years old!)

Oh and shoes...well, had a dilemma there as I planned to wear my black blazer and clutch so I really wanted to wear the black peep-toes. But thought the nude sandals looked better...but I don't have a nude clutch. Cue last minute panic...went with the black and then as it turned out, it was too hot for a jacket anyway!

X

Tan Cross Body Bag Perfection

2016-06-13T19:47:00.002+01:00

I've been looking for the perfect tan cross body bag for a couple of years now. I wanted something similar to my black Boden one - specifically with a flap over top, which allows you to expand the bag if necessary. I also wanted a particular colour to match my Clarks and Palmaira sandals as they are the ones I wear most at this time of year.

So when I saw this beauty from House of Fraser, it had to be mine. It ticked all the boxes in butter-soft leather with gorgeous suede detail - all for less than £100 - not much less than £100 but still, it was my birthday....

Tan Cross Body Bag - Mint Velvet via House of Fraser

I've used it almost constantly for the last two weeks and can confirm that it has filled the tan bag void for sure...no more searching required!

If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen it a few times already. I'm just re-sharing those pictures on here for those of you haven't seen it yet...

Khaki Shirt/Jacket - Urban Outfitters - I can't find the exact item online but this is similar. For info, in case you're in-store looking, I paid £38 for mine and it was a fixed size S - not S/M.

Jeans - Kings of Indigo (via TK Maxx, past season)

Sandals - Clarks (past season - similar here & here)

White Vest - M&S

Necklace - Pandora

Handbag - House of Fraser

Shorts - TU at Sainsburys (past season - similar here & here - size up for extra length...I'm wearing a 14!)

Off The Shoulder Top - H&M

Sandals - Palmaira

Handbag - as before

Oh and I've not forgotten about my other wardrobe senior moment that I promised on my last post. It's coming next along with what I wore on a recent hen night...

Ax

A lot of top for £15......

2016-06-08T20:43:00.001+01:00

Took a trip to Next today as I saw these sandals in a magazine...

and wanted to see them in the flesh....

Mink Gladiator Sandals - Next £28

They do look as good in real life but the fit wasn't great for me....loose around the ankle and the front seemed to gape a bit. Of course, now I'm home and looking again at the picture in the magazine, I realise that I didn't tie them properly....DUH....blaming the heat. I'll head back down to try them out again tomorrow. Anyone else have senior moments like this? I seem to be on a roll with them. Another one coming up in my next blog post.

Of course, once I was there and hadn't bought the sandals, I had to have a look around to see what else I could buy. I think (hope) Next is getting back on track again after a few wobbly seasons. There's still a fair amount of their range that is just too colourful and fussy for me but their footwear is the real highlight right now starting with these double strap flats that come in a few colour ways on this link. Really comfy and so easy to slip on and off.

Metallic Two Band Sandals - £20

Also loved these strappy black ones..

Black Block Heel Strap Sandals - £30

And these silver cross over mules....

Metallic Sporty Flatform Mules - £22

I came across these fab boho tops - well priced and perfect for holidays over denim shorts:

Ruffle Top - £14 (available in 3 colours online!)

This Self-Portrait lace inspired piece also caught my eye.

White Lace Frill Top - £22

and this dress in a fabulous shade of orange:

Coral A-Line (??) Dress - £34

sadly, it's been made from an unforgiving jersey material but they style and colour is right up my street. You'd have to wear a full spanx slip under it I reckon but it's not expensive so that's the trade off. I've a wedding in July and if I'd not already bought a dress for it, I'd have tried this on.

Finishing with a top I did actually try on.

Stripe Cami Layer Top - £15 (comes in a few colour ways on the link!)

Loved this on the hanger as it's right up my street with the racer-style straps. I've also just ordered a pair of navy sandals (which I'll share when they arrive!) so I had them in mind while trying on.

Perhaps this is how I'll integrate some yellow into my wardrobe *finally*. The only thing I didn't like was the open back - don't ask me why but when I see open back tops like this, I immediately think 'frump'....no idea where that came from but I've probably just seen a few too many tops like this in Per Una....

However, I'm overlooking it as I think it's a great top for just £15....fully lined, floaty and flattering and with a great colour combination that will hopefully lift me out of my sea of neutrality for a day or two :)

Finishing with an outfit or two from the past week, starting with another outing for my Onjenu maxi dress from last summer.

Maxi Dress - Onjenu (SS15)

Flat Black Lace up Sandals - Topshop (SS15) - similar here & here

Necklace - Pandora

Vest - M&S

The off-the-shoulder tops are on heavy rotation. Worn with jeans on a cooler day:

Off Shoulder Top - H&M

Jeans - Kings of Indigo via TK Maxx

Sandals & Necklace - as before

Finishing with today's simple ensemble. Layered vests from M&S which are on buy one, get one half price at the moment!

Vests - M&S
Jeans - Piezak via Sarah Jane Boutique
Necklace - Anna Lou of London
Sandals - Birkenstock Arizona in Basalt

I need to give the necklace a wee mention because it was a birthday gift from the guys at Anna Lou of London and it's a personalised necklace that spells my name using Chinese symbols. Just gorgeous! They can make them in any language to order, in silver, rose gold and gold. Perfect present for someone who's difficult to buy for.

Back soon with my senior moment from the weekend!

Ax

A Fab H&M Top...for a specific problem

2016-06-05T21:33:00.002+01:00

We're all loving the sunshine in Ireland at the moment - apologies if you're reading from somewhere less warm right now but equally do let us bask in this briefest of summers....you can be sure we'll be whinging about the rain in a month or so.

I have a specific problem with good weather though....and it's one I'm sure (I hope) I'm not alone in - problem skin on the lower décolletage and back. It's something I've lived with for years. I still gaze enviously at friends who pull off their tops and bare their backs in summer-time. Who wear stunning backless dresses and v-necked tops. Even those who can throw on a strappy vest - just like that! It's not that my skin is troublesome all the time but it's not reliable enough that I could ever buy something like that and trust I'll be ok on the day I want to wear it.

But of course, it's not that big an issue for me 90% of the time because living in this part of the world, there's a fair chance I'll not have to bare my skin anyway thanks to the weather. However, on occasion, my skin flares up at the same time that the weather warms up and I find myself longing to wear something lovely and summery.

I'm guessing this time round it's not just hormonal - I have had two skin break-outs in recent months (on my décolletage only) after using Cocoa Brown mousse tan. I find CB amazing on my legs and use it weekly but the two times I've put it on my arms and swept it up over my shoulders and chest, have resulted in break-outs.

So over the past week, vests, v-necks, scoop necks and straps were all out - really frustrating! On a quick trip into town on Monday, I popped into H&M to see if they would have anything summery, that would cover where I needed covered, without breaking the bank, and I came across this off-the-shoulder top:

Off the Shoulder Top - H&M - £9.99
It's like an extra-wide boat-neck more than off the shoulder and made from a lovely soft but substantial jersey...a material that will hold its shape nicely but isn't clingy. I also liked the length of them - not cropped but not too long-line. I didn't have time to try on so I chanced my arm with a black and a striped one in a size M.

You always know you're onto a good one when you wear it straight away and LOVE it...

Shorts - TU at Sainsburys (old)
Sandals - Birkenstock Arizona in Basalt
Top - H&M as before
Necklace - Pandora (birthday gift!)

The verdict on the top? LOVE! They show off the shoulders nicely but they're high necked enough to cover where I need to cover. They've a small sleeve, which is great if you're conscious of your upper arm and they are a perfect fit around the waist and hips. I can't wait to wear them with looser trousers and shorts.

So fingers crossed the skin will clear up soon and won't spread any further upwards or I'll be investing in a few sleeveless roll-necks next! The irony of it all is that the sun really helps to clear it up so it's a bit of a catch 22. But meantime, do share any strategies you have if you suffer also.

Hope you've had a good weekend,

Ax

Yellow

2016-05-30T20:59:00.001+01:00

Yellow is a tough colour to wear not just because it can be hard to find the right shade for your skin tone but also because it's a very 'in your face' colour that people really notice...in a hi-vis jacket kind of way. You draw the eye as you walk up the street so there's an extra degree of confidence required to wear it.

But I LOVE the colour and am really drawn to it so every year I flirt with the idea of a yellow jacket or coat and most years, I buy one and then return it. Last year I picked up this yellow jacket from my friend Danielle's boutique in Lisburn and amazingly, I didn't return it. I just love the shape of it and the shade of yellow and told myself I would wear it loads. The truth is I've only ever worn it once, despite taking it out and putting it on several times.

Today with an all navy outfit...it was the perfect addition. Yeah?

No. I just couldn't leave the house in it...not because I didn't think it looked great. I just didn't think I could pull it off. I caught a glimpse in the mirror on the way out the door, turned straight around and went back upstairs for a navy jacket.

I suspect that we all have a few pieces in our wardrobes that we love but just don't feel courageous enough to wear. Why do we keep them? Who knows....but maybe by getting rid of them, we give up on ever having that certain degree of courage you need to pull off a statement piece like this?

But for me there's a stronger desire to not try too hard or stand out too much right now as I tick off another year in my 40's this week....I'm loving the pared down simplicity of neutral colours and lines with fewer pieces to mix and match. I'm loving not having to think too hard about getting dressed each day. Believe it or not, I'm loving not stressing about the latest fashion blogger 'must have' and generally shopping less (except for running gear which I can't seem to stop buying).

In the meantime, I'm keeping the jacket and continuing to be inspired by gorgeous images like these online and who knows, maybe the yellow jacket will appear again some time soon...

via Bedazzles After Dark

via Pinterest

via Stylized Existence

Back to today and wow...what amazing weather AND a bank holiday - win/win. Headed into the city with the twins for a long promised trip to Claire's Accessories (a special kind of torture for parents of girls). But I did manage to nip into H&M to spend a gift card so I'll share with you the fab little top I picked up there on my next post. Here's what I wore - an exact copy of an outfit from last week for those of you who follow me on Instagram!

Skirt - Hush (past season)
White Vest - M&S (doubled up)
Denim Jacket - Vero Moda (via eBay)
Handbag - Fat Face (past season - this season's version here)
Sandals - Palmairas de Menorca (back in stock!)

Ax

A formal frock for £25?

2016-05-24T19:55:00.002+01:00

When I heard a couple of months back that I'd have to wear a formal dress at the choir's summer concert, I knew I wanted a different dress to the one I wore at Christmas. I adore the one I wore then but it seemed more appropriate to that time of year with all-over sequins (see it on this link).

But let's face it, a formal dress is not a good use of clothes-buying funds. You only wear it a handful of times (if even) and in the case of choir events, I only get to wear it for one half of a concert. So I was keen not to spend too much on whatever I bought.

So when I spotted this dress on ASOS, I thought I'd give it a go - reduced from £75 to £25, I knew the quality would probably be ok and it looked like it hung nicely on the model in the video (big shout out to ASOS for videos of each item...such a help when buying online).

I should say here that if you need a formal dress and don't have much money to spend...and have the ASOS fear (SO much choice!), simply go into the clearance section, select dresses (all), select Occasion Dresses and then filter by price. You can also filter further by selected Mini/Maxi/Midi. It's an easy way to see what dresses are there at an affordable price and it saves you trawling through hundreds of pages of frocks.

Also, ASOS returns service is amazing so don't be afraid to order plenty of dresses to try on. They do free delivery and returns and will refund you promptly. I ordered 6 in total and sent back 4 - I've one held for a wedding in July...watch this space!

Back to the one I bought...here is the image from the website:

Hedonia Willow One-Shoulder Maxi Dress

When it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. It's double layered jersey that hangs beautifully, it was the perfect length and with enough coverage at the bust to allow me to wear a proper bra (with the strap tucked in on one side). My only concern was the depth of the splits up each side - it did go right up to above mid-thigh but that is less of an issue in choir as I was standing the whole time and the splits weren't really visible. It would be more obvious if you were sitting.

I bought both this colour and black as I wasn't sure if the blue would be a good shade for me but when I tried both on, the verdict in the house (son and husband) was unanimous - blue all the way. The black was posted back and I was good to go.

And here are a couple of quick photos taken as we raced down to the stage.

Just on the shoes, I tried nude, black and metallic with it but they didn't feel right...not sure why. I wasn't planning on buying blue ones until these strappy ones appeared on the Avenue 57 pre-loved page in my size....meant to be. They're from Zara - past season.

In terms of underwear, I wore a high waisted spanx under it and there was no vpl. It's not terribly forgiving otherwise...jersey never is! But overall, I was delighted with it...it kept me cool on stage thanks to the splits and because it was such a bargain, I am happy to keep it for a possible second wear but equally, I won't cry over it if I don't get to wear it again.

Oh and I must give a shout out to Rebecca Bryson MUA who did my make-up. It was great to find someone who works on a Sunday as I was struggling for a while. I had my hair done in Lounge Finaghy, also open on a Sunday from 1pm-6pm (paid for both btw - not sponsored!)

Finishing with a few photos to remember BCGC does Sunday night at the Grand Opera House - we had an amazing concert as always but I think this one was special because of the venue.

For anyone local who's never seen us before, we have a concert coming up in Clonard Monastery on the 3rd June and also in Banbridge on the 18th June. Full details on this link.

(Photo credit to Lisa Stephens)

A bit of vintage...

2016-05-21T12:28:00.001+01:00

and I'm not talking about me here! Though every time I go to do the park run, I sigh at being classified as a 'Veteran Woman'...how unflattering!

But no, today's post is about a vintage top that I found in a charity shop last year. I loved the shape and style of it but back then, I was heavier and my arms were less toned so it didn't look as flattering as I'd hoped. One year on and following 6 months of training, I have shed a few inches and grown some guns and I'm feeling more confident about wearing it:

It is quite a floaty material - lovely and cool on a warm day. Here's a close up of the texture...

and on my feet I wore my Palmairas sandals from last year - so happy to have these out again as they go with absolutely everything. Plus they hide the fact that I've not had a chance to tackle my toenails yet!

Menorcan Sandals - Palmairas
These photos were taken up at the Waterworks on the Antrim Road on a lovely sunny day last week. I was thinking about doing the park run here and happened to be up that direction leaving my son to basketball training so I did a quick course recce! Stunning day and it's amazing to think you're right in the city - the expanse of lake is much bigger than I thought it would be. It felt like we were in the countryside.

But back to the top - if you're small of bust, this high necked style is a great option as it emphasises the shoulders and unlike lots of tops, the focus isn't on the cleavage at all. Here are a few similar ones from the high street....starting with this lovely top from Next. A bit blingy for day time but with a jacket over it, you'd not see the sparkle on the shoulder:

Next Cream Cami £16

Also loving this one from Boden that has a slightly lower neckline - very 60's

Boden Square Jacquard Top - Ivory

Boden again - a plainer option..

Boden Shell Top - Ivory

Lovely ruffles around the arms in this one from Warehouse

Warehouse Ruffle Detail Shell

and another from Warehouse - great detail on this:

Warehouse Lace Patchwork Shell

Moving onto New Look where if you love cream tops, it's a dangerous place to look. SO many that I loved here, starting with this one. Definitely going to check it out in real life as the detail looks great:

Cream Scallop Lace Sleeveless Top

and this more casual day time top looks fab too:

Cream Embroidered Panel Fray Trim Top

I'm living proof you can NEVER have too many cream tops....I wear them all the time and they go with everything. I'll report back when I get a chance to get to New Look.

In the meantime. I'm off to run a 10k in Antrim - I'll post on Instagram if I survive it! Have a super weekend.

Boden Try-On Part 2 - Jackets, Tops & Johnnie B!

2016-05-16T13:51:00.000+01:00

Finally, it's part 2 of the big Boden try on and in this post, I'm trying on all the clothing I had the time to (and that fitted me). Starting with some Johnnie B - always worth a look as the age 15-16 is in or around a size 10.

I liked this little top - stripy and loose on the bottom and with a heavier lacy yoke which allows it to hang nicely. This was the 15-16 and it was a bit neat on me - wouldn't suit a bigger bust.

Pretty Crochet Top - Johnnie B
Next up, this broderie top is lovely - striped on the front and grey marl on the back. Again it was 15-16 so I felt I'd like to try the larger size. A lovely twist on a breton top.

Ashley Broderie Top - Johnnie B
This chambray top is really lovely too - a little short on me thought that is the style as you can see on the model. Age 16+

Rosie Top - Johnnie B
This next top is a great little cream one with a neon embroidered smock detail. It's the age 16+ again but is a better length than the Rosie top above. It's a bit loose perhaps but I loved the neon detail.

Smock top - Johnnie B
Next up - this Johnnie B breton has a lovely mix of colours though I prefer the blue/yellow colour way that you can see on the link. It's the 16+ again and this time it felt a bit big so I'd probably go for the 15-16.

Lila Breton Top - Johnnie B
Finishing with this great sun top. I love a bit of neon pink and the shape of this is great. It fitted quite well too - not overly gapey under the arms etc. However, it's sold out in the 15-16 and 16+. The 13-14 might work for a size 6/8 though.

Printed Top - Johnnie B
Moving onto regular Boden now and I was disappointed that there were only 2 jackets in the party set. This first one is the Olivia Jacket - sold out in almost all the sizes in this cream colour way & the denim too. It was a bit short on me and I think that was the 12 so it must come up small.

Olivia Jacket in Cream
The Chepstow jacket was in the set in both cream and black. This is a size 8 in the cream and it's a gorgeous little jacket - easy to wear casually or formally. It's on 25% off at the moment too.

Chepstow Jacket in Cream

Moving onto tops now and the first one I tried on was this sleeveless striped one with pom pom detailing on the neckline.

Pom Pom Vest - black/cream

Next it's the Boho Jersey top - comes in lots of colours but I liked the grey the most.

Boho Jersey Top - Grey Marl

The pretty trim top was a surprise hit - it's got a gorgeous necktie and shape. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did.

Pretty Trim Top - White

Loved the colour of this next one but the shape wasn't good on me - I think it's the long sleeves?

Gauzy Boho Top - Chalk Daisy

Some knitwear next and this Everyday jumper comes in a lot of different colours. The accent colour at the waist is very flattering. The pink is a 10 and I'd like it bigger so I tried the 14 in the blue. My favourite colour is the cream/taupe one that you can see on the link.

Easy Lightweight Jumper - Rose/Grey & Oxygen/Navy

The bridget top was just ok - it looked best on me worn off the shoulder but the material and the tight elastic means it will drive you bonkers popping up onto your shoulders.

Bridget Top - Ivory Trees

Another knit here and I think this is a great work-wear piece. It's a neat 10 but would look great with tailored trousers or a pencil skirt.

Knitted Glitter Spot Top - Gold/Ivory

This swing knit top is a great all-rounder. Could be dressed up for the office or worn with jeans.

Knitted Swing Top - Navy

Next, I tried the Belle jumper in two sizes - 10 and 14. Definitely preferred the oversized feel of the navy one.

Belle Jumper - Metallic Fawn & Navy

Jumping around here to dresses but I can't get my photos to go in the order I wanted them to! Also, excuse the jeans in my dress pictures....it was just faster and easier to do them this way!

So this next dress is a lovely summer piece. I prefer the grey colour way online. Just a gorgeous print.

Lana Dress - Cabin Etched Floral Blue

Loved the colour of this next Jersey dress - it has pockets and is so easy to just throw on.

Pretty Jersey Dress - Kale

Back to tops now and this button down the back linen mix top was a good seller on the day. It comes in a couple of other colour ways if you don't fancy yellow. The perfect shape if you're not big in the bust area.

Lena Top - Mimosa Geo Print

The supersoft boxy top was only in the set in a size 6 - so this gives you an idea of how boxy it is! I'm most definitely a 10 but it worked ok. Lovely soft cotton. A great wardrobe staple.

Supersoft Boxy Tee - Charcoal Marl

Another jersey basic top - this is the 10 and I'd prefer it a bit looser so would size up.

Easy Jersey Shirt - Iris

This linen cardigan was not a hit with me - it seemed a bit frumpy and had a hole in it too. The party is a great chance to see how the clothing survives lots of trying on and hanging/rehanging. This doesn't seem to be a great quality piece in my opinion.

Linen Mix Kimono - Cream

And back to dresses to finish - I love the shape of this but the elastic was so tight at the waist in the size 10. Was sure it would be one I'd really want to buy as the colours are great too but sadly, not for me either.

Dolly Dress - Blue

And that's it - I think! I've so many photos on the phone, I am struggling to work my way though them! If I find any more, I'll add them in.

In terms of what I ordered - well typically, I ordered 2 items that weren't in the set so I couldn't try them on. Once they arrive, I'll add them to this post so watch this space!

Hope you're having a great Monday,

Boden Party SS16 Part 1 - Shoes & Bags

2016-05-10T18:51:00.001+01:00

I was delighted when my sister told me she'd booked a Boden party for this season. I get to head down to Tipperary without the kids, see the family and try on clothes...all kinds of therapy!

First up, it's apparent that Boden have reduced the amount of samples coming out in the party set. I can appreciate why, as the first time I did a party, the volume of items was overwhelming and not everyone would have the room to display it all but even at that, my sister and I both agreed that more shoes, tops & jackets in this set of samples would have been better. But being the trooper I am, I made the most of what was there, trying on what I could so here goes with part 1 - shoes and bags on this post and tops, jackets and dresses will come in the next one.

Kicking off with my favourite from all the shoes - the stunning Sienna Sandal. Loved these - perfect with my wardrobe as I wear so much cream. They were slightly big on me in the size 40 so I'd need the 39. Beautifully made and well priced with the party discount.

These next ones are new to the range - the Tassel Mule. These look amazing but I couldn't walk in them as they caught on the front of my foot. There are no reviews to date so it will be interesting to see if that's an issue for others. I do have a wide foot at that point so that could be the issue. They're a size 39 - so a 40 might have been looser on me.

Next up - one that looked just ok in the flesh but really worked well when worn. They're only a 38 so I'd be sizing up to the 39 in them but they're so comfortable and simple. The tassel makes them a bit dressy too so they'd work well on lots of occasions. Only gripe is that the tassel may be annoying if you're striding about in them.

Boden Tassel Wedge - Navy (also in 3 other colours)

These next ghilli style shoes have been featured on a lot of blogs recently and they're lovely and quite comfortable but not for me. These look a bit loose on me as they're a 41 so I'd once again go down to the 39 if I was buying

Florence Flat Point - Black (available in 6 other colours)

Loving the detail on these sandals - with the tan, leopard and rose gold. But they were a bit flimsy in my opinion and too narrow for my foot. This is the 39 so I reckon I'd need the 40 in them.

Ingrid Sandal - Tan/Leopard/Rose Gold (3 other colour ways)

These next two pairs are in a similar vein - loved the flip-flops though these are a bit small on me. The 39 would be perfect. The gladiator ones were a bit too much but were super comfy and easy to put on with the zip at the back.

Georgia Woven Sandal - Pink/Black & Gladys Gladiator Sandal - Rose Gold

Some more formal shoes now and the Vienne Mid-Heel was super comfy and I was able to try on the black/nude version here. They were a 40 so I'd size down to the 39.5 if buying. The navy/black is a great colour way - but too small for me to try.

Vienne Mid Heel - 3 other colour ways

The Boden homage to the Valentino Rockstuds - the Ashley Heel in Caramel is lush....so comfortable too! I much preferred it to the more practical Bonnie Flat - this grey colour is great but even though both were the size 39, the heeled version was a better fit and the straps on the flat ones seemed uneven on my feet - seemed off-centre when I looked down at them

Ashley Heel (also in Navy/Black) & Bonnie Studded Flat (also in Rose/Red/Stripe & Navy)

Finishing the footwear try-on with two pairs from Johnnie B and these metallic sandals were a real hit with lots of the girls who came to the party. This pair are a size 41 so I'd go down to the 40. They're also quite a wide fit so might not suit if you've a narrow foot. But for just £26.25, they're a really lovely sandal with a nod to the current tassel trend.

Tassel Sandals - Johnnie B (up to size 42!)

and these Johnnie B boots are super comfortable and a good neutral colour. I tried on the 39 and it fit me perfectly. A little round in the toe for me but definitely a good option if you're looking a flat boot for spring/summer. They look much better in the flesh than they do online - the colour is deeper in real life.

Suede Boots - Johnnie B

So moving onto bags and there were only 5 bags in the delivery, which was a little disappointing. This is the Tilly bag - an ombre suede tassel bag which is beautifully made with great neutral colours for this time of year. Not for me though - I don't think I could cope with all the tassels!

Tilly Tassel Bag - also in blue/green and a quick shout out for the shades - nude coloured with tortoiseshell arms...LOVED them and they're on 25% off on this link

This next bag again wasn't for me given the shape of it. I do like the yellow tassels though and the navy colour way is gorgeous (check the link below)

Abbey Bag - also in Navy and Tan

This bag was so unimpressive - out of shape, a bit creased and didn't hang well on the arm. It gets great reviews though and is low stock in some colours. So what do I know?! Lol

Fearne Slouchy Bag - in 4 other colour ways also

This navy leather bag is a more formal one - great for work. I loved the structured shape of it and the stitching and metalwork is very good.

Amanda Bag - Navy (also in Tan & Yellow)

Finishing with this fun beach bag....LOVED everything about it but the price. Seriously Boden? For a beach bag???

Pom Pom Beach Bag (brace yourself) PS not sure why this photo is smaller than the others...

And that's it for the shoes and bags....I'll get the rest of it up asap!

Running Update - The Belfast Marathon!

2016-05-06T22:53:00.002+01:00

So it's a few days on and I wanted to update you on how the marathon relay went on Bank Holiday Monday. I was SO nervous preparing for the day, not just because I'd not run the distance since all my injuries and my forced break from running but also because I was co-ordinating 19 other runners who made up 4 relay teams - all from Belfast Community Gospel Choir.

Each team ran for a different charity and my team's charity was Fintan's Fund - set up in memory of a friend's brother who died much too soon from cancer just over a year ago.

I was running the last leg so waited anxiously at home counting off the runners as they finished their legs between 9 and 11am and then I headed into Corporation street myself to wait to take over the baton at around 12pm. Here I am with the 4 other 'glory' leg runners:

Finally...I was off - second last to leave the last handover point but at least I knew that all the other 18 runners were ok - and the 19th wasn't far behind me.

It was a gorgeous day so there was a huge turn-out along the streets cheering on the runners - mostly the entire marathon runners admittedly.....us relay runners had a much easier task. But I was happy to take all the support on offer on my 5 mile route, including running with my son for half a mile...which was really special.

I found the run ok and felt I had more left in the tank at the end so I'd like to train that distance a few more times to see if I could push myself a bit more. It's always hard when you've been injured as you don't want to push your luck either. In any case, I crossed the line in just over 50 minutes...steady 10 minute miles. And here's most of the teams afterwards - once we finally found each other at the finish line:

I always said I was just doing this to prove to myself I could be part of the Belfast Marathon again after 7 years of a break but now I think I might have the bug to do another race and perhaps a 10k this time? One of the girls in the photo above, Rachel, who ran for her own charity Jengana, is organising a 10k on the 21st May in Antrim so I have signed up and am going to give it a go - just to see if I can do a 10k again. Then I'll go back to the 5k and stick with that...maybe.

Thank you to all who donated (mostly off-line) to my team's charity. We haven't totted it all up yet but there's about £350 so far just for Fintan's Fund alone. If you'd like to add to that at all, you can do so on this link - and also read more about the charity too.

Oh and if you're local and want to give the Jengana 5k fun run or 10k (less fun) run a go - here's the link for it.

PS Thanks to Sportique in Magherafelt for my ASICS Nimbus trainers which have made a significant difference to my training. I know there are a number of factors contributing to my (pain-free) running at the moment, not least the amount of strength training I'm doing alongside but I know these trainers are helping hugely too....I literally bounce along in them. Never again will I buy trainers without gait analysis. You can read more about my experience having my gait analysed on this link.

Sandals & Silver Shoes

2016-05-04T16:11:00.000+01:00

We had snow in parts of the UK and Ireland last week but hang on there because it looks like summer arrives this week! In any case, I wasn't even thinking about sandals or summer when I headed into Clarks last week to exchange the husband's birthday slippers (#officiallymiddleaged)
As I waited for the sales assistant to get his size, I couldn't resist a quick look at the new ranges and I have to say, I was well impressed with some of the sandals.....starting with these:

Clarks Tri Alexia - Black and Gold Metallic

Clarks Bliss Meadow - Metallic or Black

Clarks Cabaret Script - 3 colour ways

I also loved these and took a picture but it came out all blurry so here's the photo from the website. They come in black also:

Clarks Amelia Dally in Nutmeg

But then I went off piste and spotted some silver brogues...not really sure why they are calling to me but I'm definitely in the market for a metallic shoe of some sort this season. Back a few years ago, I had a great pair of soft (not shiny) silver pumps that I wore and wore - they go with everything. So seeing these brogues in Clarks got me mulling over this again. Here are the two that I liked the most and that are currently on sale:

The ones on the left aren't showing online and the ones with the black laces are sold out online in all but tiny sizes here: Clarks Taylor Beauty

My only criticism is that they had really long laces! I also wasn't sure about the brown soles....so I held off.

But trying them on made me realise I've got a silver shoe gap in the wardrobe and I started that dangerous 'looking online' business...

First up some strappy pumps from ASOS which come in wide fit also though perhaps a bit too mirror silver for me..

Wide Fit Ballet Pumps

and I've seen Rosemary McCabe rocking these next ones and love that they're not just quite as reflective. I keep adding them to my basket but not following through:

Pointed Metallic Heels (look much better on Rosemary - link above)

Finally from ASOS, I'm strangely drawn to silver trainers as I wonder would they be a less formal looking way to do the silver shoe thing...but I could also end up looking like a tragic rap mamma:

Silver Nike Air Max Thea

So onto safer territory and possibly the most wearable of them all are these next two from Boden. The shape and colour are very similar to the ones I used to wear and found so useful.

Boden Scallop Point

These are similar - minus the scallop and the point I think.

Boden Ballerina in Soft Silver

Would need to order both to check them out but my sister is having a Boden party next week so I'll hold off to see if they are in her sample delivery.

But all told, I'm waiting for the sunshine to push me to purchase. And there's not been much over the last few days judging by what I've been wearing:

Jeans - 2nd Day

Coat - Gerard Darel

Scarf - Zara

Trainers - Adidas Superstars

Rose Gold and Grey Bracelet - Miglio

Rose Gold and Grey Watch - DKNY (from my trip to Boston)

Grey Split Side Jumper, Scarf & Jeans - Zara

Trainers - Onitsuka Tiger (past season)

Faux Leather Biker Jacket - Dunnes (past season)
Jeans - F&F at Tesco Premium Skinny
Navy Oversized Top - Mango (past season)
Navy Suede Ankle Boots - Ash Jalouse (past season - current season here)

Hope you're having a good week!