Day 111: Hail Mary....Janes

 

• White T and knit cardi set: Next
• Jeggings: Marks and Spencer
• Pink Mary Janes: Primark

I have always struggled to style this cardigan. It is a chunky knit yet has short sleeves so it seems to contradict itself or just me. It might look better with a longer sleeved top underneath, It is also quite baggy round the waste. Maybe this should be given away to someone who might suit it better. Love the pink shoes though, sooo cute!

I spent most of today doing some other Spring cleaning in the rest of the house in anticipation of the new kitchen. I sorted out quite a lot of my clothes but didn't actually earmark anything to go out so I think I will need to revisit this task and do some trying on and get tough with myself. I still haven't done an inventory which is something I planned to do at the beginning of this challenge. It might help me plan better and get prepared for the time when I am set free in the shops again.

Day 110: Red, white and blue

• Red jacket: Debenhams
• Jeans: Gap
• White T : George @Asda
• Shoes: Clarks

This is about as patriotic as I could muster given that today is the day of the big kitchen delivery. I hear there's a wedding going on somewhere else today? Only kidding! Wasn't the dress amaaazing? Wasn't she gorgeous? Did you shed a tear? Did I? Not telling. But hey the kitchen delivery has arrived!

The delivery guys were concerned there wouldn't be enough space in the room but with some clever manouvering they got it all in without too much trouble and I can still get to the sink and more importantly the fridge! Roll on Monday.

Day 109: Kitchen countdown

• White T: Marks and Spencer
• Cardigan: Primark
• Jeggings: Marks and Spencer
• Boots: Primark

The countdown to the kitchen refurb is underway. Well actually the countdown began months ago when I signed up but it all seems real now that it is iminent. I will be taking pictures of the whole process each day to let you see how it goes. So here are some before shots and I am sure you'll agree I badly need a new kitchen.

Note how little worktop space I have - only one small area and how little the cupboards are despite having very high ceilings. I filled up the tops of the cupbpards with items to balance out the room although it actually looks pretty cluttered.

Whilst the room has the great traditional features of the fireplace, stove and press (shelved cupboard) because of these the two walls on this side of the room cannot accomodate any fitted units.

                     

I have spent the last week and most of today clearing and packing so I am all ready for the delivery tomorrow. Hope it all arrives ok.

Day 108: Cardigans and cleaning

• Cardigan: Marks and Spencer
• Jeggings: Marks and Spencer
• White lst: Marks and Spencer
• Shoes: Dorothy Perkins

I have spent the day doing more kitchen clearing so not glamming it up today. I popped out for a bit in the evening so put on these shoes to smarten it up.

This cardigan has been a staple in my wardrobe for over a year and it is great to wear with skinny jeans and as a cover up during the summer. I have always been a bit concerned that it is a bit shapeless and doesn't deliver what it promises when it's on the hanger. The picture has really just re-emphasised this so I don't know if it will remain a favourite as the summer goes on.

Day 107: Peasant days



• Peasant blouse: Marks and Spencer
• Jeggings: Marks and Spencer
• Shoes: Clarks

I had a lazy day with my folks before heading back home this evening to face the reality of the chore that is clearing out my kitchen for the delivery of the new kitchen this Friday.

My mum really wasn't well today and managed to get an emergency doctor's appointment and a diagnosis of very bad chest infection signed her of work and sent her back to bed which she never should have left. Do parents ever get to a stage where they listen to the advice of their offspring? Doubt it!

Day 106: Polished off

• Jumper dress: Marks and Spencer
• Jeggings: Marks and Spencer
• Worn with boots: Clarks (not shown)

Just chilled out today although had a brief visit to the shops where I bought some make up including a replacement foundation, a lippie and a new nail varnish. I have been looking for a dark sparkly shade of varnish for a while so recruited my dad to look at all the displays in both Superdrug and Boots for it. He was game and even paid for it when I found the closest thing to it - thanks Dad. I like the affect however this took at least 5-6 coats and that I think is just not acceptable. It was lucky I had the time sitting in front of the telly to do it but if I had been in a rush for a night out I just wouldn't have had the time.

Day 105: Happy Easter

• Polka dot dress: Matalan
• Cardigan: marks and Spencer
• Purple tights: Marks and Spencer
• Shoes: Clarks

Despite my family being struck down with the lurgy I had planned to spend some of the Easter break with them so headed of today for some family time.

As I live in a 3rd floor flat it is not possible to accurately check the weather before heading out so I often look down on to the street to get a feel for what the passing population are wearing. This is by no means fool proof as there is no way of knowing if those walking by actually got it right or not when they got dressed, but it often helps me out. Today when I looked out a girl walked past in a short flowery, floaty dress, tights, brougues and a black blazer and she looked very cool. Despite not actually owning items like hers I decided to use her as inspiration and I deduced the weather whilst sunny was certainly not hot. Her dress made me remember that I had a floaty polka dot dress which could recreate the look. Now where this ability to recall forgotten items in my wardrobe was when I wanted to join in the Everybody Everywear polka dot challenge and had to sit it out because I didn't appear to own any polka dots I will never know. This is again the problem of having too many clothes and not enough storage. I located this dress this morning in a stored bag of what I class as holiday clothes. I have a load of clothes which I only ever wear on holiday and they only ever see the light of day when they are on foreign soil. This is partly because most of them are beach clothes and the weather here never gets hot enough for me to be wearing beach wear and also because I tend to be freer in my outfit choices on holiday and dare to wear things I wouldn't at home. Whilst this dress isn't beach wear it was bought for a weekend away to Paris, worn once on the trip and then found itself in the holiday clothes bag. I will have to get back in to that bag and see what other goodies I can dare to wear.

I was delighted to remember the dress and like the look I created especially mixing in the purple tights. Thanks stranger in the street.

Day 104: Spring/Summer 2011 trend challenge - Blue

Wow three is a row - it's Round 4 of my challenge to create all the key Spring/Summer 2011 trends from the clothes I already have in my wardrobe, since I'm banned from shopping.

Today Blue is the hue. The catwalks were full of vibrant oceanic colours.

Vogue UK's Spring/Summer 2011 catwalk report

• Blue top: George @Asda
• Skirt: H&M
• Silver shoes: Marks and Spencer
• Necklace: East

Other than denim my wardrobe is not particularly overrun with the colour blue and wearing it head to toe is quite a departure for me. The skirt is more of an aquamarine green colour but as this tone also featured heavily in the catwalk shows it was ideal to work in. The overall look is quite prim and if I had needed a top layer a denim jacket might have funked it up a bit.

I think I have proven in the case of Lori's wardrobe versus Blue that a look featuring one of the season's key hues can be created without a visit to the High Street.

Day 103: Spring/Summer 2011 trend challenge - Smart Sportswear

Here is Round 3 of my challenge to  create all the key Spring/Summer 2011 trends from the clothes I already have in my wardrobe, since I'm banned from shopping.

Today I am recreating Smart Sportswear.

Vogue UK's Spring/Summer 2011 catwalk report

• Grey hoodie: Marks and Spencer
• Grey lycra skirt: marks and Spencer
• White T: H&M
• Red shoes: Clarks

Sportswear is not something I feel particularly comfortable with as those who know me will contest. The rest of my family all appear to have the fleece appreciation gene but in me it is missing. It's not that I don't like sport, as I do, it is just that the clothing is too casual and generally uninspiring, it is unstructured and there is no place for heels and it just doesn't shout style or fashion at me.

With this look I did my best with what I own and my interpretation of it. I didn't follow Vogue's key tip to wear a slick centre parting, however.

Who knew this hooded top had reflected piping until the flash got at it!?!

In the case of Lori's wardrobe versus Smart Sportswear the jury's still out!

Day 102: Spring/Summer 2011 trend challenge - 70s

Here is Round 2 of my challenge to  create all the key Spring/Summer 2011 trends from the clothes I already have in my wardrobe, since I'm banned from shopping.

Today I am recreating the 70s which I listed in my FBFF Spring into Summer post as one of the trends I was keen to try out. This season it is influenced by Annie Hall, Jerry Hall, Taxi Driver, Studio 54 and the glamorous photos of David Bailey. It is a difficult look to pull off without being too literal or costumey. So here goes....

Vogue UK's Spring/Summer 2011 catwalk report

               

                

• Blouse: H&M
• Navy trousers: Marks and Spencer
• Shoes: Peluso (Florence)
• Fish necklace: Vintage
• Belt: Marks and Spencer

This fish necklace actually belongs to my mum who lent it to me for a 70s party I was dressing up for many years ago and I have never actually given it back to her. It does seem costumey however, it depends how it is styled and I think it works with this look. I love these suede and raffia shoes partly because they bring back many happy memories of being in Florence and also because the wedge heels look like rice crackers.

I think I have proven in the case of Lori's wardrobe versus the 70s that the season's understated 70s trend can be created without a visit to the High Street.

Day 101: Dandy gothic

• Green velvet jacket: Monsoon
• Trousers: Marks and Spencer
• Brown frilly blouse: George @ Asda
• Boots: Clarks

I bought this jacket in the January sales just before I started my shopping ban and I really liked the vintage look and the cute details like the frilled cuffs. The jacket is a light weight so I knew I would be buying it for the Spring months and the patterned lining made me think of florals and boho. I wore it on top of yesterday's outfit for the first time, although I spent most of the day carrying it as it was so warm. Without much thought today I decided to throw it on over my simple blouse and trousers outfit. I couldn't be any further from the summery boho look, I had envisaged. I look like an extra from a vampire film. Not my finest hour!

You may recall that I am getting a new kitchen fitted and it is due to be installed in a couple of weeks time. It has occurred to me, with some encouragement from my mother, that I should, in preparation, be trying to run down and empty the freezer and cupboards of food. So not only am I not retail shopping and only wearing clothes from my wardrobe, now I am not food shopping and only eating food out the freezer. Gosh isn't life tough? It's like a double torture. Maybe I should starting blogging about that. Something along the lines of 'Today I made a meal out of frozen peas, a tin of tuna and some tomato ketchup!' Yum! Or maybe not!

Day 100: Whoop whoop

• Dress: Next
• Cardigan: Marks and Spencer
• Shoes Marks and Spencer
• Red wooden beads: George @Asda

Can you believe that this is my 100th post? 100 days of blogging, 100 days of different outfits and 100 days of NO SHOPPING! It is quite a milestone but I am not even a third of a way through the year yet. Back on Day 50 I commented how quickly the time had gone and now I am at Day 100 I still feel the same way. I am still enjoying writing the blog and loving the community that goes with it and I really do feel that I am learning more about my style and my wardrobe. Here's to the next 100 days.

I spent today in St Andrews as was giving a lecture at the University. It was lovely to be back and the weather was beautiful as it often was during my student days. Everyone was very excited about Wills and Kate's wedding and it would be a fun place to be a week on Friday.

Day 99: Preppy prepster

  

• Chambray shirt: George @Asda
• Navy cardigan: Marks and Spencer
• Grey skirt: Marks and Spencer
• Maroon tights: H&M
• Brougues: Primark

It's a bit of a departure from yesterday's look don't you think? I put aside my inner rock chick and brought forth the preppy today.

I am thinking that with a little adaption this outfit, and particularly this lycra skirt, could be reworked to create a look which will fulfill the Smart sportswear trend for my Spring Summer 2011 challenge?

Day 98: Sunday Inspiration

It is Inspiration Monday again where Megan and Nora over at Two Birds Boutique circulate an inspiring look for participants to recreate or take inspiration from. This week it is Gwen Stefani's look which is up for imitation. 

Again, I have to post a day early as I just cannot wear this outfit to work.  

Gwen

Lori





• Plaid shirt: Marks and Spencer
• Jeans: Matalan
• White T-shirt: Topshop
• Silver wedges: Dorothy Perkins
• Sunnies: Primark

After last week's Diane Kruger look this felt far easier. At first glance I felt the look was very casual and even when I picked my items to create it I was convinced it would appear like a down day outfit. However, once it was put together it felt a lot more glam than I was expecting. I love surprises like that. Maybe I should have taken the challenge a step further and tried to incorporate this in to a work appropriate look.

I don't wear these shoes very often as they aren't particularly comfortable but I think they are definitely worth wearing in. These shoes are appropriate for an inspiration challenge as were purchased after I was inspired by another. Do you remember the Sex and the City episode, A Women's Right to Shoes when Carrie's Manolo Blahnik oval d’Orsay heels were stolen during a baby shower and the hostess refused to replace them arguing, outrageously, that they were “just” shoes. I had fantasies about those shoes... I still do. What I loved about those shoes, apart from their sheer fabulousness, was how Carrie styled them with a party outfit and then with a casual look of green khakis once they were replaced. I felt I was channeling a bit of Carrie Bradshaw today which always makes for a good day.

Day 97: Ladies who lunch

• Cardigan: Dorothy Perkins
• Stripey lst: Gap
• Jeans: Matalan
• Boots: Clarks
• Red wooden beads: George @Asda

The weather appeared warm and sunny today but in reality there was a cold wind. Had a lovely day with my mum down the coast - went to the beach, had lunch and did some shopping (no clothes for me though).

Day 96: Spring/Summer 2011 trend challenge - Denim beginnings

So, I have mentioned a number of times that I was keen to challenge myself to create all the key Spring/Summer 2011 trends from the clothes I already have in my wardrobe since I'm banned from shopping. Can it be done? Is it possible to look on trend without shopping for those key season defining items? Do our wardrobes already hold all the answers? Well over the next few weeks I will be trying to create the trends from the season. I don't plan to do it every day as have some other committments but will try and cover them all well before the season is underway.

According to UK Vogue these are the season's key trends:
colour blocking; smart sportswear; modern handicraft; blue; gathering; flowing; white; denim; fiesta; tangerine; eastern; layers; nude; nature; accessories; cover ups and 70s.

So in no particular order my first look is going to be denim.... In my FBFF Spring into Summer post I listed denim as one of the trends I was keen to try out. This season it is being incorporated into clothes for every occasion - in and out of the workplace.

Vogue UK's Spring/Summer 2011 catwalk report

• Denim Jacket: East
• Jeggings: Marks and Spencer
• T-shirt: Dorothy Perkins
• Shoe boots: Marks and Spencer

I often wear jeans or jeggings but don't wear the head to toe look or do the double denim as I remember it the first time round and have horrendous flashbacks of stonewashed jeans and matching jackets. I decided it was time to banish those memories and give the full look a go. I incorporated my favourite and oft worn jeggings with a tailored denim blazer which is both a different denim tone and finish as it has a slight sheen. The look is modern and bears no relation to the styling of the eighties.

I think I have proven in the case of Lori's wardrobe versus denim that the season's denim trend can be created without a visit to the High Street.

Day 95: Where the roses grow

• Green cardi: Marks and Spencer
• Pussy bow blouse: George @Asda
• Grey trousers: Marks and Spencer
• Shoes: Marks and Spencer

The little green leaves round the roses on this blouse match in quite well with the colour of this cardigan. The neckline on the blouse does not quite sit right, however, and the ties are pretty thin so unfortunately it does not create that big flouncy bow affect. Still I like the colours of this look overall and it's not black!!

Day 94: Get shirty

• Striped Shirt: East
• Black trousers: Marks and Spencer
• Black boots: Clarks

This is quite a corporate look today with the formal blouse and trousers, although not as formal as I used to wear in previous jobs when it was suits every day. I look a bit crumpled which I could put down to being at the end of the day but I am not convinced my ironing this morning left it pristine to begin with. I am not convinced by this look the shirt isn't particularly flattering.

Day 93: To the max

• Cross over cardi: Gap
• Brown skirt: Dorothy Perkins
• Brown tank: Dorothy Perkins
• Shoes: Marks and Spencer
• Beads: East

I am joining in with maxi day over at Everybody Everywear which meant I had to wear a maxi dress or skirt today so go and check out how everyone rocked the look. I am not quite convinced this skirt falls in to the current maxi look which tends towards the floor skimming variety. It is a couple of inches too short for that but I am in no doubt it can be classsed as maxi. I have 2 dresses (which I bought last year and have never worn) which hit the floor and 1 other skirt which nearly gets there but I am saving them for summer so this was the next best thing. When I think of the maxi I imagine a beachy type look which is not quite appropriate for work in the middle of April in Scotland. So it was on with the tights so I could join in. It is also difficult to find a jacket to go with this look and I wore a cotton red blazer and suffered for it as I was pretty cold. I think I felt colder passing by people in the street who were back in their woollen coats and puffa jackets after the warm weekend. This is really quite a different look for me for work and while it was fun to try I think it may come off a little frumpy. Maybe I will give the skirt another go as the ruffle may make it perfect if I try out the Spring/Summer Season Fiesta trend as discussed in my Spring into summer post.

Day 92: Grey chiffon

• Top: Marks and Spencer (gift)
• Black trousers: Marks and Spencer
• Black pumps: Primark

This top is having its first outing today and was a Xmas present from my mum. The detailing is pretty and the neckline and cuffs are trimmed in a chiffon material making it really delicate.

I look like I have caught the sun from the lovely weather at the weekend and as I predicted it didn't last long. This morning it is more Spring like with a mid morning rain shower and a hailstorm before the day was out. So all back to normal then! 

Day 91: Inspiring Sunday

It is Inspiration Monday again where Megan and Nora over at Two Birds Boutique circulate an inspiring look for participants to recreate or take inspiration from. Tomorrow Diane Kruger is the chosen fashionista and I almost thought I was going to have to forgo this one as I really don't own any items which are remotely like it. Again I have to post today as tomorrow doesn't work for me.

Diane

              

                                                                            Lori

• Shirt: Matalan/Marks and Spencer
• Skirt: Primark
• Boots: Primark
• Tights: Marks and Spencer

In going through my wardrobe I realised that the skirt from last week was the most appropriate to create this look - go figure! I tried both the coral shirt and then wore the brown which is chiffon and has a ruffle front although not easy to tell from the picture. This was a really tough challenge as it could have been easy to do any old shirt and skirt combo but I was keen again to go as literal as possible and following this look with these prints was really hard. Unfortunately I actually did not wear the outfit for long as the weather was so darn hot it was not a day for tights and boots.