I fell of the wagon

Lord knows avoiding the January sales has been no easy feat, but, I did it! I managed not to buy a single thing- not one piece of clothing, jewellery or pair of shoes- nothing.... until.... I. Fell. Off. The. Wagon. 
A few weeks ago I had my first Friday off and I just couldn't help myself! Shopping is one of my favourite things to do and the urge to complete the transaction is a hard one to quell! My (good) intention was only to go get some keys cut but the charity shop was calling for me. 

Just days before I'd seen a lovely pair of Sam Edelman Adora sliders on sale and made the mistake of not picking them up there and then and instead went away and researched them- as you do! I don't know why I always do this when I should know better- in the charity shop, if you snooze, you loose!!
In the same shop I've missed out on a couple of really nice items such as a WonderCore exercise machine - but I don't regret that as I have an ab trimmer I never use so why do I think I'll use this? I do however regret missing out on these Tory Burch pumps... just because, but I shouldn't really as did I mention that, like the sliders they were a size too big.....??? Hahahaha!!!   

So what was it that made me jump off the wagon? I struggle finding bottoms- because of my bottom! So when I find a pair that fit well, with no gap at the back, that don't slowly slide down with every step I take or show my crack when I sit down, don't give me camel toe, are long enough and basically just perfect, I grab them! The Marks and Spencer Sculpt and Lift Leggings are all that and for just £4, there was no way I was snoozing on these!
As I completed my transaction I caught sight of another item I struggle to find,the perfect belt, also from Marks and Spencer and just £2. I figured as i was spiralling out of control as may as well go all out so after spending another 30 minutes trawling the rails i found something I've always wanted, a unitard. 

Yes you read that right, a unitard- don't ask!! 

My something new, a very appro double layer camisole from George at Asda. 

Am I disappointed with this slip....? Yes, but no, but yes, but no, but... hmmmm.... nah!! Considering how much I would have shopped by now, it was necessary to help me keep me on track. Or at least that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!!! 

Allowed buys...

A pair of cream el Dantes boots (eBay £17)

A cream Guess bag (charity shop £2)

A cream Kangol flat cap (charity shop £9.99)

As you can see they're not exactly trending items but do fall in to "The Exceptions". 

You see my bestie is celebrating her 40th and it's themed- 90's RnB and Hip Hop 

I have a lot of "stuff and things" but even I got rid of all that probably thrice over since the turn of the century! 

You'll probably be wondering "Where's the rest of the outfit?" Well, I intend to make it. I did say in my first blog that once upon a time growing up I used to make all my clothes so what better project to start with! I'll be keeping it simple with an asymmetric hem, one shoulder number in snakeskin. 

Channeling my inner queen of hip hop, soul and RnB, I'll glam it up with my much loved but little worn faux fur coat!!

When I turn up to the party many will assume I had to be different but I'm not a small woman so am purposely staying away from the big baggy jeans, hockey jerseys and baseball shirts as I'll only end up looking more like this guy.... 

.....than that girl!

 

It's so much easier for guys, all I had to get my husband was a Kangol bucket hat and a pair of black rim glasses and he'll look as good as any of the 90s RnB hot boys!!  

Anywhoo, best of luck to me with my outfit, stay posted and I'll up date with photos soon so you can see what she looked like!! 

Dresccode

This is a theme that seems to be recurring over the last 2 weeks.

First on Friday-night-date-night when my husband, who may I say  scrubs up VERRRY nicely, asked about people who come out to restaurants wearing tracksuits. This is one of personal presentation bug bears, as let’s be honest tracksuits are hardly appropriate dress for dining out.His question was do they have different tracksuits for various occasions and outings i.e. good tracksuits and bad tracksuits? Not to mention what the thought process behind the outfit choice is!

Now, I love my tracksuits for chilling, doing DIY, pretending to work out and running errands, but considering how expensive they can be I had to pause and think. With a simple, decent branded one starting at £65 in JD Sports there might be a case to try and get as much wear out of it as you can! Could it be that nowadays it's not about appropriateness but how much it costs that makes it suitable or not? We saw this a few years ago at a good friends wedding where many guests came tricked out in freak-um dresses, designer trainers and jeans and Lord help me fully tagged, labels hanging off Starter caps! #putasuiton!! 

The second instance where dress-code came to mind was the very next day while running errands on Saturday morning. No doubt wearing my PINK tracksuit, Jordan's and silk head scarf, I found myself in the Post Office queue pleasantly amused as I stood a few bods down from someone who I immediately thought dressed exactly like a work colleague of mine. Floral tea dress, opaque black tights, ankle boots, short black jacket. Understand that out of hours I never expect to see work colleagues, but lo and behold it was her- dressed the same way as she does everyday, same hair, same bag, same everything.

I was further amused thinking "You dirty stop out!!"??? As you can imagine seeing her looking no different at the weekend as from in the week I chuckled at the thought of what her “dressed up” is- I imagine the same dress sans tights and boots with a comfy bejewelled sandal. Talk about 10 ways to wear the same dress?? 
I jest, but perhaps this is where my problem lies as to be fair this is a very good and practical way to dress and keep your "stuff and things" and spending to a minimum. With a little thought and planning you'll never not have anything to wear, simples!! 

The third time round was date night again. Generally, I dress down on Fridays but because we were going out straight after work I dressed up and dressed down on Thursday instead and got the silly comments on both days. On Thursday it was "Going to the gym later?" ... And no, not because I had a tracksuit on at work but because I was wearing trainers

cutely paired with wide leg pants and a jumper. On Friday it was "Ooooh! Big night out tonight?" All I had on was a simple black skater dress and waterfall cardigan and only put my heels on when I was round the corner from the bar  While the thought of a 50 piece capsule wardrobe absolutely horrifies me, I feel with the right picks- which hopefully this NYR will allow me to fine tune, I may slowly, very slowly start considering this phenomenon. For now though I just can't, won't don't want to! In my defense I've only ever really seen smaller size girls doing this, can big girls pull this off? 

Challenge Mrs Q? 

O&A2

Today's Outfit:

This is the fanciest version I found of today's outfit...

but more simplified as it was for work...

 

...and the actual... 

Primark Burgundy jumper and side stripe wide leg joggers

Black and white Jordans.... it was one of those days!! 

 

Today's Affirmation: 

 

O&A 1

Today's outfit: 

Primark- Black and white stripe jumper

ASOS- Black midi pencil skirt

Bog standard black tights and loafers

Today's affirmation: 

Sticking to it

I'm not a writer or blogger, but I'm feeling inspired and proud to still be firmly stuck to my new years resolution. Go me!!! 

I've decided to keep a record of my experience working said resolution which I'm sure you're wondering what it is... well, I've made the conscious decision not to buy any more clothes, shoes or accessories and basically "things". Eeeek!!! After years and years and years of unpacking, repacking, constantly clearing out and organizing my cupboards, I find I just have so much stuff that I honestly can't see my way through to actually wearing most of it! I wear the same clothes day in day out and always "have nothing to wear" so in my disenchantment with my wardrobe end up buying something new and whatever other unnecessary bargains that end up in my basket. 

We'll talk about this another time...!

I've tried to justify it by regularly black bagging stuff up for charity, I've eBay-ed and Gumtree-ed to make space and turn multiple unworn and let's be honest largely unfashionable items in to that one luxury item I promise I WILL wear. 
But umpteen monochrome tops, tees and blouses, way too many shoes and bits of jewellery later who am I kidding??? Clearly, only myself! 

Ultimately I know this will be a good self challenge to start wearing what I have and see what interesting or epic fail outfits I come up with. Growing up having pretty much made all my own clothes and customised the sh@t out of hand me downs, I also hope this will rekindle my creative streak. With 2 massive 40ltr storage boxes full of fabric I shall be the belle of the ball. Watch this space for my creations!!

By the end of the year I should have worn out most of my cupboard's contents and justifiably be allowed to chuck and replace them. Anything that hasn't been worn is obviously not needed and can in very good conscience be got rid of!! 

I'm somewhat anxious but excited to see how well I do, so thanks for reading this and I hope you'll continue to and feel encouraged to stick to your own resolutions and maybe give some thought to how much stuff and things you have clogging your cupboards and possibly even your life! Yes I went there, your life!!.... And now the disclaimer: I'm not here to try and brainwash you, but simply for my own personal benefit and to have a little chuckle, head shake or eye roll at my own expense!!



Will my bank balance grow, or will I discover this was an indulgent habit I actually couldn't afford in the first place?