Day 22: The day before tomorrow

• Boyfriend cardigan: Gap
• Green long sleeved T: Dorothy Perkins
• Black trousers: Marks and Spencer
• Black boots: Clarks
• Green and blue necklace: East

I have been trying to finalise my 30 for 30 items and then failed to track one of them down which started me rethinking half my items. I have called a halt to that nonsense and have almost got there but now I am too tired to post them. I will get the full list up plus outfit 1 tomorrow. Night night x

Day 21: Stripes are for Sunday

• Jeans: Matalan
• Striped top: Marks and Spencer
• Purple cardigan: Marks and Spencer
• Boots: Clarks
• Wooden red beads: George@ Asda

I missed the Everybody, Everywear Breton Stripes day last Tuesday so here I am working the look today. It has been quite some time since I last wore this stripey top and it just shows how quickly fashion changes as it feels very short compared to the tops I have been wearing lately.

These are yesterday's jeans and you can tell they've been worn for two days as are looking decidedly baggier this evening. They are also slightly too short to wear with boots but I just about get away with it, I think.

Those with eagle eyes may have noticed the new button on my page. I have signed up to Kendi Everyday's 30 for 30 challenge and the rules are that you have to pick 30 items from your wardrobe and wear only those 30 items for the next 30 days therefore, creating 30 looks. Shoes are included but accessories, jewellery and coats are not. The other rule is that there is a shopping ban for the duration but since I am already on a self imposed shopping ban I don't have to worry about that part. The reason I have decided to take part is that I feel I would like to step up a gear in my remixing which has not yet been properly tested yet. The challenge starts on the 1st February and I have been jotting down some ideas but have not yet finalised my list. I will have to make a final decision  this evening and will post the list tomorrow.

Day 20: Cons and kitchens

• Black long sleeved T: Primark
• Pink cardigan: Gap
• Jeans: Matalan
• Trainers: Converse
• Scarf: Marks and Spencer

I would really prefer not to post my weekend outfits. I have a Monday to Friday, 9-5 job when I need to dress work appropriate. Quite what that means no one has ever actually said but I explained my interpretation on Day 3. Professionalism is required which is why I like to dress down at the weekend, unless I have particular plans or a night out. I usually wear jeans or joggers and definitely dress more for comfort than style, although I hope I do still have a shred of that. Because I still have 345 outfits to create I am conscious when I am picking outfits that I have to post them and don't want to waste something good on a weekend day when I've no plans and would normally be repeating the same slouchy clothes. It feels a little like that time before you go away on holiday when you haven't quite decided what to take and you try to avoid wearing all the good things to keep them clean.

Today I headed across town to B&Q, a large DIY superstore. I have been thinking about buying a kitchen and have had some plans and costs drawn up by Ikea. I really like the plan but before I decide I want to be sure it is the right one for me and I'm getting a good deal. So I went to see what else was available and didn't find anything I liked as much. Tomorrow I am going to get up early to watch Andy Murray in the Australian Open Tennis Final and then head to Homebase and back to Ikea. Domestic bliss!

Day 19: Friend Friday

• Top: East
• Black trousers: Marks and Spencer
• Black boots: Clarks
• Black beads: Primark

I did not end up choosing my outfit last night and this morning I fell back into the black trousers and a top routine which has been a frequent work uniform in the past. This top has a cotton top at the front with an attached cardigan type thing. I like the colour but it becomes a bit shapeless as the day goes on and I would ideally like it to be a bit longer.

I have signed up to Friend Friday which poses questions to fashion and beauty bloggers on a set subject and provides a forum to share the answers. I hope to share and learn tips from this and add a bit more variety to my blog. This week's topic is Blogger Mechanics.

1. What technology do you use in blogging? (computer, camera, video camera, tripod, etc...)
I am pretty new to blogging (today is Day 19) and I decided to start off with the equipment I already own to see how it goes and have not yet invested in any specialist equipment. All I use is a point and click digital camera - a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W50 and a laptop, it's a Hewlet Packard Notebook HP G7000.

2. What computer and online technology do you use? (blogging system, photo storage, photo editing tools, etc..)
I use Blogger and it's serving me well but I haven't yet learned all the features and know almost nothing about html codes. I would like to have a much slicker looking styled blog but for now I am concentrating on the content and am learning as I go. I download the pictures I plan to publish on my blog from my camera to my computer's Windows Photo Gallery where I use the most basic of editing tools - crop and red eye reduction. I label them by day and then upload them to my blog.  

3. What is your process for taking pictures?
My process for taking photos can become a bit of a workout. I just don't have time to take pictures in the morning and have considered taking them at work but I would either need to find a private space or seek help from a colleague. I am sure many would be willing but I would feel a little silly posing in front of them and as I am pretty picky I couldn't ask them to take dozens until I am satisfied with one or two images. So, I wait until I get home from work and I then take the picture. Unfortunately, this means I am a bit crumpled from the day and my make up is past its best and I look a bit shiny. Yes I could powder my nose when I get in, and since I don't use photoshop I probably should but I just can't be bothered. I have found a spot where I take the pictures and as I don't have a tripod I have worked out the height the camera needs to be for the location by placing a table on top of another. I have a table top tripod however, I need to turn the camera on its end to take portrait shots and there isn't a hole to attach the tripod on the sides of the camera so I can't use it.  I then line up the camera, set a 10 second timer and dash across the room and strike a pose. I have a very quick look at what I have taken and reset and go again. I hop back and forward repeatedly until I think I have a few shots to choose from and then I upload.


4. When it comes to backdrops for your photos what do you consider? Do you scout locations or shoot the same spot daily?
At the moment I am taking daily pictures in the same inside location partly because of the lighting. I have the set up all worked out and as I am using a timer it would take a long time to set up at different locations and it is currently too cold outside. However, I live in a beautiful city and I am really keen to show it off as there are so many possible locations. I haven't come across many blogs from the UK yet and most of the blogs I love and follow are in the USA and I am sure my blogging sisters across the pond would love to see my city. Once the weather is warmer I will try some outdoors shots.

5. If you could splurge and get one new piece of equipment what would you be buying?
As it's early days I don't yet know what I really need or what could change my life but a better camera might be on the list. I am seriously thinking in investing in photoshop so I can improve my pictures. I know that my images aren't exactly how I would like them and I could really do with some decent red eye software. I have read so many blogs which say that professional pictures are the key and those blogs have the most followers. Personally I do enjoy the aesthetics of good images but it is the content which really draws me in. What do you guys think?

Day 18: I like your style

• Gray cardigan: Gap
• Black T: Tu, Sainsbury
• Grey woollen skirt: Marks and Spencer
• Black tights: Marks and Spencer
• Black shoe boots: Marks and Spencer
• Snow leopard print scarf: Next

It is lovely when you get compliments at work on the things you are wearing and today someone said nice things about my cardigan and another admired my shoe boots. I believe I have actually had more compliments in the last couple of weeks from my colleagues than normal. Maybe it's because I am paying more attention to what I am wearing, what they are saying or maybe they are all still full of Christmas cheer, whichever way, thank you, I like it!

I had a full day of training at work so I wanted to wear something comfy yet smart. Tomorrow I have an early start and a meeting in Glasgow so should go off now and give some thought to tomorrow's outfit so I am not running around aimlessly in the morning. Night, night x

Day 17: Lori locket

• Maroon woollen dress: Next
• Black cardigan: East, gift
• Black diamond tights: Marks and Spencer
• Shoes: Marks and Spencer
• Locket: H&M

This outfit was appropriate for a couple of meetings I had in the office today and the cardigan is becoming an oft worn favourite. Yesterday I mentioned a bag I received as a gift and I think I should always mention when items are gifts  This cardigan was also wrapped under the tree on Christmas morning and I knew straight away I'd get lots of wear out of it, so well done mum.

Big shout out to Bobbi, my most dedicated reader x

Day 16: A bag's not just for Christmas...

• Red woollen blazer: East
• Velvet skirt: East
• Black long sleeved T: Uniqlo
• Black tights: Marks and Spencer
• Bag: Ouch@ Dowhill Country Fayre, gift

What shoes were you wearing, you may well ask? Well, I was wearing my Ugg boots when I took this photo and the result was not for posting, so it was cropped. I was tempted to not post today but that wouldn't be a true record and as I plan to have 365 posts then that would make my end point further away. I should maybe have posted a picture with the Uggs to teach myself a lesson but I think I've learned it.

Like last week, I was in the office in the morning and then had a meeting at a park in the afternoon. I needed to be smart for the round table meeting, warm outside and wearing comfy footwear which would withstand the elements. I changed in to low heeled black pumps when I was arrived at the office (I think I need to report soon on the collection of shoes I have under my desk at work) and had the Uggs on when outside.

Anyway, enough about my feet what do you make of the bag? Love it!! I saw this bag a couple of months ago when I went out for lunch with my family and we then visted Dowhill Country Fayre. It caught my eye as was really different and I thought about buying it but didn't. Lo and behold, when should it next make an appearance, but Christmas morning - thanks mum er Santa.