Fashion first

This is the time when I should be out doing my Christmas shopping but how come I keep seeing things I like for me?

I can’t resist a bit of sparkle even though I will probably end up wearing it at home or not at all. So far I have come back with 2 pairs of glitzy leggings- both from M&S. One pair are black with a shiny thread and are only £15 so a bargain really. The others are also black but more subtle with silver sparkles on the front only (£19.50) so another bargain! And what about the sequin top that I couldn’t resist in The Factory Shop?

I said in my last post that you don’t need to spend a lot especially if it is something you may not wear often. All I need now are a few events to show them off. They may be a bit too much for the local pub!!

So back to that Christmas shopping. I really need to make a list. Ideally I would like to find something that I can buy for lots of people, something not too expensive, useful(?), enjoyable and appealing to a variety of tastes. Not a difficult one then!

Do people really buy all those fluffy dressing gowns and pyjamas with teddies on? I would love to wear some of the pyjamas (no teddies though) but I get far too hot and I suspect husband would not take kindly to me looking like a polar bear or me swanning around in nightware. And anyway they wouldn’t look right when I am doing the ironing.

I think I will have to try harder to sort my shopping. Too many distractions. I could really do with a personal shopper at Christmas to point me in the right direction. I can’t rely on my other half to help. One time we went Christmas shopping together we ended up buying rice baskets (?) for everyone because he liked the look of them. We did have a merry spend in John Lewis though last year and he paid so that was good. Perhaps I will take him after all!

I seem to have digressed from my fashion advice and now it is time to go for a pint. The road to hell ……..

Long nights, short days – warm clothes, layers.

If you are like me, I don’t like Winter clothes but since we are committed to them, let’s make the best of it!!!

First of all, adding an extra layer to our body shape is not always flattering unless you are the lucky few who can carry this off.

So, it is about choosing the right shapes, colours and designs to enhance ( and sometimes disguise!)our body shapes.

Shape is important

Whatever your shape, make sure you choose something to suit you and not how you would like to be. We often have an image in our heads which does not match the reality of how we really look. The clever bit is to recognise this but also identifying our strengths and build on them.

An example of this is your classic apple shape (me!) which can look brilliant with leggings/ jeggings and a well chosen top to disguise our ‘shapely ‘ bits.

Colour

Don’t be afraid of colour. Without doubt dark colours and classic black are flattering and slimming but colour can add warmth, interest and uplift to an otherwise plain outfit.

Design

So many things to choose from! Make sure it is best for you. Small patterns and designs are flattering but going bold can add a wow factor if you are feeling like making an impression!

Make sure you do not draw attention to your what you regard as your defects. Instead, identify your good bits – shapely legs, beautiful hands, a great head of hair. Feel confident in what you have and flaunt it! Feel good about yourself.

Next time:- Looking good without breaking the bank

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.