Sweatshirts with Hoods

I am sucumbing to a 'hoodie'. Love the fact Joules won't call them that - they are 'sweatshirts' (albeit with hoods). I wonder if I bought one and wore it in a shopping centre (mall) I would get turfed out? Would the fact it says 'Sailing Club' on the back exempt me (he he)? I have never warm one before but anyone reading this who resides in the British Isles will know - Spring doesn't usually means sunshine, it means less sleet and occasionally a day that may tip 12 degrees. I need something to snuggle into.What are your thoughts on 'hoodies'? These were the least naff ones I could find. I am hoping if I wear one I will look less thirtyish. Is there an age when wearing a hood attached to a sweatshirt is a no no? Or perhaps the key is just to avoid garish or pastel colours? Thoughts?

Packed Lunches for work SHOULD be stylish!

 My husband bought me this lovely pastel 'tiffiin' box today as a little treat (Matthew Williamson for Debenhams). I had been eyeing it up for a while. It has little compartments in the top section say for nuts or dried fruit, crudites etc for snacking on, and then the other two sections are great to cleanly separate your two courses for lunch. Yes! Two courses should be eaten at lunchtime. So one section would be perfect for say fruit salad or greens salad and the other for your main. I love it! So much better than a bag of boxes and tidbits wrapped in foil. I will be taking this, as well as a little floral cooler bag (for yoghurt, smoothies etc) to work tomorrow. It is almost like a daily picnic. What with my water jug on the desk (I drink at least 8 glasses a day at work), plus a huge cup and saucer constantly re-filled with green tea, it is like a constant picnic at my desk. But hey - it's practical - I don't believe in being hungry at work , you just end up losing energy and concentration and going home drained. It may only be 'fuel' for work - but how much nicer when in an organised, pastel fashion?

I figured this lovely hamper from Greengate (available at Berry Red) could do for days when I was even hungrier or needed to transport bigger items (like half baguettes or bottles of Pink Lemondade in Summer). Isn't it adorable?

Pretty Flasks - perfect for individualists like me who opt out of the Socialistic 'Tea Run' ( Beantown Prepster will appreciate that comment;) )

Ditto - this one from Cath Kidston. I will fill mine with homemade soup in Autumn.

Has anyone else noticed how utterly gross most workplace tea-towels are? Why not endear yourself to everyone in the office and appear super OCD by taking your own?

Ditto with drinking cups - who knows how well everyone else washes their cups or what bugs they have lurking on their lips. Take your own cute ones instead.

Escaping into a Green and Pink World and No 1 Spring Style Pic

Thanks guys for the 'chin up' - I have been having a little thing and I am taking the majority vote on continuing to blog, but little and often (without heaping the pressure on). Have had a lot to think about recently - trying to sell our house an working out our five year plan. Amidst all of this, I have thoroughly enjoyed both reading my favourite blogs from you guys. So I will pootle along with the odd post from time to time (polyvore is out for me though! :). Was having a good look at the Lilly Pulizer site this afternoon (while retreating from the chilly weather). I find it really lifts the spirits on a cold day. It also doesn't fail to give some style inspiration ( I am DONE with reading most British style mags - too trendy trendy), and I found this photo below. I will have to pin board it, just LOVE it - Numer uno style inspiration photo for the spring for sure!

The Problem with My Blog

Hey guys, I'm seriously considering giving up the blog (again). I am really struggling to find my stride. I LOVE reading everyone else's posts and have re-connected with some old friends as well as new, but am struggling to adapt to the new blogging style. It's not just the advances in technology that a thirtysomething like me is struggling with (polyvore, tumblr, pinterest etc), or the way blogs have beautiful designs these days, but this time I am finding there is less interaction between bloggers, and that is what I miss the most. No offence to anyone in particular, but some bloggers are brilliant at writing their own fab posts and keeping up with or responding to readers, and some don't seem to interact with their readership at all. The reason I blog is because I love the interaction and the banter but that can sometimes feel like pulling teeth. I am not sure blogging is giving me the interaction that once was there, s It seems to have gone a bit to professionalised - with sponsors, product reviews, and so on. Where are the cheesy tags and the friendly, silly awards these days?  And I have to say (kill me now), I am not a fan of endless OOTDs, I can't do them and I would look pants half the time if I took them. My husband would think I was going mad if I was taking those things every day. One or two every now and then, fine, but it can get a bit narcisistic. much. This isn't a rant, but these are things I've needed to say. I love to write, but I can't seem to find my stride. It's hard to be original when there are a ton of fantastic blogs out there written by great women whose style I love. I also sometimes worry my British humour doesn't translate - sarcasm, self-depreciation, statements said jokingly to shock but not always meant. Also, what age group do I fit in with - I am struggling to find thirtysomethng bloggers out there (prob all too tired and busy to blog).SO  what to do?! Retreat to twitter?

How to Snag a Husband: The Rules

Hands up all the 'Rules' girls? I got my copy in 1995 (ish). I applied it once properly at University and found a lovely boyfriend, J Farquhar (I had to mention his name because it's so English it makes you laugh). I let it slide for a few years, and did a lot of harmless (and oft useless but fun) dating with, lets call them 'international gentlemen', most of whom were super excellent 'on paper' . But, I did not apply The Rules so things never progressed to proper relationships.By the time I came home from Brussels, I was ready to settle and did not want to mess about, so out came the tattered 1st edition Rulebook. I applied it ruthlessly and got a lovely husband. I was only thinking about it the other day and couldn't believe that you can now go to 'Rules School' and that it is printed in 26 languages. If you are a traditionalist it's the way to go. Would love to hear others thoughts on it? Old Fashioned? Effective? The general gist is take good care of yourself, be feminine, let the man take the lead, don't chase, hold back. If they don't call after a week, let go. I think if they are applied properly, at worst you can avoid a lot of heartache, and at best, get what you really want. I am writing this almost gritting my own teeth waiting for a backlash.... But hey, you gotta write these types of posts every now and them, right?

Kiddie Shoes for Kiddie Sized Feet

I have nearly given up buying adult flats, they are mostly all too big. Now I shop in the kids section. Today I picked these up - they fit perfectly, in fact they are like slippers. Yes they are patent, but April is coming up, so I thought they would be both springy and water-proof!

Spring Garden Living

 Isn't one of the best things about Spring getting to live outdoors again - with a bit of al fresco dining? Here is  a few items that would be great to use in the garden - stylish but durable! These plates, cocktail glasses and funky picnic set are great for impromptu shindigs where you don't want to be worried about crystal and china! We don't have a summer house in our garden, but as a child we always had one - we would retreat in there for a rustic experience, and would still be chatting away long after dark, candles lit, with some home made wine - it was super cosy and I have a ton of great memories linked to our summer houses! This 'Dorset' house from next is adorable for child and adult alike - love the pastel shades and of course the bunting. All the items below are from Next and really affordable.

Who would have thought plastic plates could be so stylish?

Cute and practical - to keep in the car

Brill for parties when everyone lolls all over the grass - who cares if these plastic lovelies get knocked over?

These are super cute and stylish! Ideal for clumsy guests drunk on sunshine and day time cocktails



Oh I'm just loving this March sunshine - and milking it for all its worth before the rain comes next week!

Each Spring I Try and Get a Bit More 'Sienna'

 Spring has arrived in a BIG way! 4 degrees to 20 plus and I have had to super speed my Spring Action List - 'Pasty Pudge to Sun-Kissed Sienna in 10 Easy Steps'. There was no way I wanted to miss this fabulous opportunity to whip out the pins, throw on a summer dress and obliterate my wintery skin.

I love my Estee Lauder Double Wear Light, but I have swapped it for a dewier foundation - I love Chanel's Aqualumiere

Garnier Sunkissed Skin gives you a  subtle golden tan in about 3 applications. Yes, there is a faint odour of digestive biscuits, but heck if it is a choice between 40 denier tights or bare legs I'll put up with eau de galletes

I love this EL Shimmer Palate - great on face and eyes, and the shimmer is great in the new spring sunshine!

I've been using a regenerating serum overnight  to brigthen up my skin - but this means there is now no going back with the tanning - sob! It will be SPF all the way...


Do any of you readers have any tips you'd like to share?

Rupert has a spring hair cut

Rupert got his mountains of fluff shorn off this week. He is now the happiest, bounciest softest cat you've ever seen. Rupert also has lovely swingy cmoobs (cat man boobs).

Investment Bags

Confession - I wear £8.00 jeans, £5.00 t-shirts (occasionally), cheap earrings (because I lose them), cheap bikinis and all sorts of other cheap stuff. But some things I can't scrimp on. Coats, belts, wallets, watches and bags. I have looked far and wide for a good inexpensive bag, but generally they look, well, too cheap. My problem is I don't have a huge budget. So I am about to buy an orange le pliage by Longchamps. It is perfect to brighten up all the navy I have in my wardrobe, and it will be my first Longchamps bag! It was practically a 'uniform' bag in Brussels, but I never bought one. So now is the time. It will tide me over while dreaming of the deliciously wonderful Smythson collection. You are about to behold a visual feast....

Isn't the colour palate fabulous?