A disaster at TK Maxx

Last Friday I had to go to M&S to pick up my cobalt blue shoes I had on order - I was SO super excited. They were perfect on the website, correct heel height, colour and price!

But they didn't fit my foot - I'm guessing I have a high instep because the gaping hole to be seen from a mile away was THERE starting at me

The heel was coated in a metalic film which I thought would snag and look cheap quite quickly. I am still REALLY gutted because I am too tight to pay £85 for these beauties but I think I might have to because my desire is becoming too strong! What do you think about the heel on these? High enough? I'm not sure, looks more like a kitten heel to me.

So feeling sad and glum I headed to TK Maxx in the little hope that they might have some shoes for me (stopped at New Look, TopShop and H&M along the way - no joy).  Not only did TK Maxx NOT have any shoes of any description for me they also made me look bloody stupid in the changing rooms. I know it's my fault for drinking too much wine and scoffing on sweets but I have to blame someone (I'm of the blame culture generation after all)!

Pretty delicate Ralph Lauren Kimono, so pretty on the hanger - ruddy awful on. It didn't do anything other than sit limply on .. it wasn't long enough to drape, it just hung there so sadly.

A gorgeous Paul Costello top that was so pretty but so see through that I had to put it back on the hanger

A gorgeous Nine West wrap dress that was so beautiful in colour but awful in fit - I couldn't get the wrap breast part to work - I think it's because I've not chest!

This had the potential to be gorgeous but it's my tummy sticking through, can you see the belly? 

I thought it would be better in black but it's actually quite a thin material so it was never going to work, even though I loved the side hitch up detail

This is the saddest one of them all. It was so cute on the hanger (I saw it as I walked into the changing room and it had 10 on the label so I grabbed it. It had a cute net skirt but I could barely get it on ......

... let alone do it up!

Loved the style of this but the material was super thin and my belly super sticky out. Looks like I'm wearing a fanny bag UNDER the dress!!

Gorgeous colour, gorgeous dress but damn that blood belly!

So on Sunday morning I decided to do something about it - RUN! I am not a physical person, I do not enjoy any exercise, I despise it more than I can say but I also hated the feeling of not fitting into any clothes I tried on and the jeans I own are all too tight and 50% of what I own I can't do up.  Last year I measured my body. This weekend I measured my body. I have gained 1 inch on my thighs, another on my hips and 3 inches on my waist.

TIME TO WISE UP AND GET FIT. I went for a walk/jog today and I've decided that when it's dry I will get one in when I'm not working. I only work 3 days a week so that leaves 4 other days for a brisk walk and attempt at running - wish me luck!!!!

Anyone feeling the pinch body wise after a very long Winter?

Fiona
xoxo

Hush SO in love

There I was idly minding my own business with 5 mins to spare so I just flicked through the Hush catalog that dropped on the mat yesterday. I have never ever visited their website or received a catalog before.

INSERT BIG KLAXON SOUND like a comedy moment. WOW!

Now tell me, don't you just LOVE all of these. Don't even get me started on the hair envy I have. This model is gorgeous. I love the clothes, the prices aren't too bad and I know the quality is amazing (friends have said). What I ABSOLUTELY love is the styling of items. I have the majority already in my wardrobe so I'm totally sold on stealing all of these looks for the Spring/Summer ahead.

Oh and they have free delivery and free returns at the moment - code = HSP4

Fluro V Tee - £30
Love the simplicity of this - I have all items already so just need to slap on the false tan and get it together.

White skinny cords - £50
White on white - LOVE this look. Again I have all these items so will steal this look

Grey Star Jumper - £69.50
Love how this is tucked in, rolled up jeans and sandals

Slim leg joggers - £39.50
Not a look I'd go for but somehow looks so cool on this girl

Sloppy Joe Jumper - £40

Strapless Maxi - £50
Bargain for a dress that can easily be dressed up or down

Harem Trousers -£49.50
I have to embrace this trend this summer - they are so comfortable and I just need to get over my 'they look like I'm wearing pajamas's)

Striped Scoop Hem Dress - £45
Perfect for every day/beach/holiday

Here is what I wore yesterday for lunch with the family and a lovely photo of my mum and I. Sadly lunch wasn't as good as we hoped (even though we have had good meals there before).

Have you been to Hush lately? Isn't their styling amazing? Which is your favourite look?

Fiona

xoxo

Happy Birthday To Avenue 57

Happy Birthday to my business
Happy Birthday to my business
Happy Birthday Avenue 57 .....
Happy Birthday to you!

I launched Avenue 57 2 years ago today. I would like to say I did it intentionally on International Women's Day but I did not.

I was looking back at the old press release I wrote and wondered if I'd change anything at all if I were to start out again. I would change the website drastically and the technology it was built on would be different but the REASON WHY I set up Avenue 57 still remains the same. Here is a bit from the official press release:

Think you’ve got nothing to wear? Take a trip to Avenue 57 for REAL inspiration by REAL women

Berkshire 8 March 2012

Today sees the launch of Avenue 57, a new social network for women who want friendly, down-to-earth advice on how to dress from the REAL experts: other women. Aimed predominantly at 30+ women seeking honest feedback on what to wear, Avenue 57 lets members share their Latest Look with other users, ask for help with choosing outfits for special occasions or tracking down a must-have item, and shout about their fantastic fashion finds.

Unlike other style websites, Avenue 57 understands that women in their middle years are finding it harder than ever to dress appropriately. They’re worried about looking like mutton dressed as lamb, but equally, are young in spirit and want their clothes to reflect their outlook on life. Avenue 57 aims to empower women to feel good about themselves by thinking about what they are wearing, and making their wardrobes work harder.

I still believe women find it increasingly difficult to be comfortable with their age/shape and a lot of them choose to ignore the difficulty instead of addressing it head on and working out what works for them. I hope ladies get inspiration from my website, this blog, other fashion bloggers and that we can start to be happy with what we've got.

Here are some of my first few outfits that I posted. I cannot say I have changed that much but I do look less mumsy now I think.  I am still not funky, edgy, risk taker like others I know (and admire) but I do dress in things other than Clarks and Boden! As an FYI I do have a new mirror on order so BE GONE RUBBISH MIRROR BE GONE! I'm hoping bigger mirror will mean better pictures (I'm also going to get a light to add to the mix)!

Once again, Happy Birthday to the business, it's been fun!

Fiona

xoxo

Drop Waist Dresses

Joanna from Poppy's Style posted last week about a new dress she'd found (and bought) in M&S. It was a take on the Victoria Beckham oversized tent dress. I wasn't keen on it on her at the time, even though I think she looks amazing all the time. I have since changed my mind and now think she looks amazing. #stylecrush

Here is the Marks and Spencer Diamond Jacquard Textured Drop Waist Dress - £39.50
What a bargain!

Here is Joanna rocking in the dress - I love it!

So I guess if M&S are on the ball with drop waist dresses we can firmly say it's a trend for the season ahead.

Here's where you can buy similar

Red dip hem dress - £45

Denim drop waist - £18
I want to love this but it's going to be too short on me. The model here is 5ft 6 and it's short on her

Tartan drop waist - £36
I have ordered this and it's arriving Monday

Here is Frances from Schoolrun Style looking epic in the above dress

Stripy drop waist dress - £84

White Peter Pan collar drop waist dress - £24.50

Boohoo yellow drop waist dress - £12
£12 is a silly price! I do wonder what the quality will be like?

Boohoo drop waist dress in blue marl - £15
LOVE the material but again it's going to be too short on this giraffe

Topshop £20

Topshop £24

So what do you think about the drop waist trend? I am skipping off to M&S now to pick up these beauties and also to try and find the dress but I fear our very small local store won't have it - far too trendy for where I live!

Fiona
xoxo

ASOS 20% off

I love getting emails with discount codes and today is no exception - 20% off SALE ITEMS at ASOS. At the checkout simply enter 20more for your discount.

Here are the beauties I want to buy - shall I? They do free delivery and free returns, it might be rude not to! You can tell I'm in a summer mood because I've chosen a lot of dresses! Ones that can be worn with trainers, flip flops or with tights/boots in the winter.

Warehouse Tunic - was £50, then £35 and with 20% off it's £28

French Connection Tie Waist Dress - was £62, then £38 and with 20% off its £30.40

Black Skater Dress - Was £50, then £24 and with 20% off its £19.20

Denim Drop Hem Dress - Was £45, then £18 and with 20% off its £14.40

Carvela Cobalt Blue Sandals - Was £85, then £50 and with 20% off they're £40

Animal Print Cami - Was £18, then £7.50 and with 20% off it's £6

Goldie Tshirt - Was £42, then £25 and with 20% off it's £20

Today I went out without a coat - go me freezingtitsoffnow

Anyone else got a spring in their step now Spring has finally sprung?

Fiona
xoxo

Summer straw hats

All it takes is a morning of sunshine and I'm all over the internet searching for a summer hat! I bought a straw one last year but for some reason only wore it once. Why? Because I felt silly in it if I'm honest. I'm not a hat person, I'm not a cap person and so it just felt really strange to wear one but I must push on through this summer because there is NOTHING better than just slapping on a hat and shades to hide the lack of make up and naff lank hair. I can't do a baseball cap, I don't know why .. I think because I've seen many worn really badly and/or that's all they wear in America (yes yes yes I know that's not all they wear but leave that sweeping generalisation right there). I was just looking for the said straw hat post I did on Avenue 57 and oh my ... BRING ON THE WARM WEATHER please. I was drawn into looking back over my summer looks and dreaming/wishing for warmer weather. I can't wait to just shove on SINGLE LAYERS, to put a simple dress and flip flops on, to wear my jeans rolled up and heels on with a tshirt ... #dreaming

Here are some of my favourite warmer weather looks from last year (and eventually I found the hat one!).

I promise to wear this again this year and I 100% brownie promise not to wear it like THIS?  WHAT WAS I THINKING????? I think that top is in the bin now and good riddance to it!

Do you have a hat for the summer? What style?

Fiona

xoxo

ASOS Wide Brim Straw hat - £45

French Connection Straw Hat - £24

H&M - £6.99

River Island Straw Fedora - £18

The week after the weekend before

I have serious Monday blues .. it's because of: Avril - School Gate Style, Joanna - Poppy's Style, Helen - The Flaky Fashionista, Sue - Susie So So, Marlene - Chocolate Cookies & Candies, Kat - Does My Bum Look 40, Natalie - Glam Rosie, Michelle - My Fashionable 40s, Frances - School Run Style and Donna - I Won't Wear Sludge Brown - I am blaming each and every one of them for the amazing high on Saturday followed by an incredible low on Sunday/Monday/all this week.

On Saturday we met at noon at The Mayfair Pizza Co for a day of drinks/chats and fun times – we had all of those but the drinks were by far the largest player of the day. I can’t even write down how many magnums of Prosecco we drank because it makes me feel very sick to think about it.

One of the highlights was having Marlene (Chocolate Cookies & Candies) on hand who took photos of us all – there is no wonder she’s an award winning photographer – check out these!

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend. I am off booze and pizza forEVER now!

Fiona
xoxo