Black shoe boots

I bought my first pair of shoe boots/shoots/shoebooties/schbooties - whatever ... around 3 years ago from Clarks. I'd seen a few people on Avenue 57 rock the dress/shoe boot look and thought I'd better have a go. I also bought the most amazing pair of ankle boots with a little heel that I also wear with dresses/skirts etc but the heel just broke and I will admit that I nearly cried. I'm going to take them to the cobblers (such an old fashioned term) to see if they can do anything. If they can't, then I will cry.

There is a very fine line between and ankle boot and a shoe boot. I actually think all of these are ankle boots. The phrase I'm seeing on all these sites is 'heeled chelsea boot'. The great thing is they can be worn with jeans/trousers/skirts and dresses - probably the most versatile piece of footwear you will ever own.

My top 5 picks for black shoe boots:

New Look - £24.99

Clarks - £69.99

Office - £75 (low stock, be quick if you like)

Marks & Spencer - £35

Dorothy Perkins - £29

Here I am today in my shoe boots with a skirt (I swear the tights and the shoes in real life do look ok and not as crap as it is showing here)!

What do you call them? I call mine shoe boots!

Fiona
xoxo

Top 5 Grey Jeans

I saw this look on Kate Moss the other day and I adored it. I have never thought about tan and grey before but it works a treat. Someone on the Avenue 57 Facebook Group posted a pic of herself in grey jeans and tan boots and I thought 'amazing colour combo' stealing that.

Grey jeans can be bought from:

Topshop - £42

River Island - £40

New Look - £22.99

Mango - £39.99

Levi's via House of Fraser - £90

Here's my attempt at the grey/tan combo

Grey and tan? Like it? Worn it? Inspired by it?

Fiona
xoxo

Top 10 wax coated jackets

And so it arrives - Autumn! I'm secretly pleased because weather like this unleashes a whole new wardrobe that has been abandoned for months!

I'm layering up today for warmth and a day of working from home so never going to win any style awards but I'm warm and cosy.

My wax coated parka is the best thing I have bought in YEARS. It's exactly what I need for days like this - wet, windy and cold. It has the largest hood ever and totally protects you from all elements. I can hear you crying .. where did you buy it from? Sorry to say, USA last year (Burlington Coat Factory)! The brand is BEBE.

Oasis waxed parka via ASOS - £80

ASOS waxed jacket - £55

River Island - £90

Superdry £184.99

Marks & Spencer - £89

Marks and Spencer - £69

Barbour via House of Fraser - £250

Boden £116

Next - £58

Superdry via Next - £195

Wax on ... wax off, what's your choice?

Fiona
xoxo

End of Avenue 57 website ...

I have made a big grown up decision to shut down the Avenue 57 website. The reasons are plenty but for the most part it's lacking in enthusiasm and posts. I think Instagram has taken over with the quick burst of showing off what you wear and I am guilty of using that far more than my own website! The site is also old now, it's tired, it needs to be mobile/tablet friendly, it perhaps needs an app but for all that to happen it'll cost way more than my initial £25,000 investment. I've had a good run at it and it hasn't worked out but it's nothing to be sad about. No-one died, I've made a ton of new friends and I'm pleased I was able to help/inspire/encourage a few women along the way.

I wanted to say thank you to every single person that ever visited the site over the past (nearly) 3 years.

It aint over till the skinny lady sings - and this skinny little ass is not ready to sing yet!

I couldn't just leave my passion for helping women though. So I've set up a little group on Facebook where women can show off what they wear, talk about what they want, ask for styling advice and basically be everything Avenue 57 was meant to be but on a friendly platform that everyone is on anyway! It's a closed group so no-one can see what you post. Your friends will just know you are part of a group called Avenue 57. Since setting it up just over 48 hrs ago it's been crazy. Already more women posting what they're wearing and asking for help and where to buy this or that and what to wear with that and this - it's brilliant - I am back to being like a pig in sh1t !

If you love talking about clothes, buying clothes, showing off what you wear or are stuck in a rut and want some really lovely help and advice from other women then please do skip along to the group and request membership.

I'll still carry on with blogging (will be doing a weekly feature of those women who post in the closed group) and I have my shop and my part time work and the children and my husband and drinking wine! Some things will never change!

I'd better to a couple of visuals!

Fiona
xoxo

Wallis Style App - round up

I've been using the Wallis Style App (apart from the fact I use it online because I'm old skool you see) and I've been more impressed than I thought I would be! It just so easy. You say who you are (age/shape etc) and it suggests things to you and you get a chance to say 'nah don't like that don't show me stuff like this again' or 'OMG YES I WANT TO BUY YOU NOW' or you may not be quite as dramatic as I am about clothes.

For my final choice from the suggestions I was offered this jacket. (currently on offer for £56 down from £70). I've been after one for a long long time so I was in the 'OMG YES I WANT TO BUY YOU NOW' camp when it was suggested to me. My word of advice is to DOWNSIZE, it comes up big.

Here I am! I do apologise for lack of creativity in the photos and I will take more soon and show how easy it is to wear but we were due to go to Barcelona for the weekend and in a rush. Plus we all know James is RUBBISH at taking my photo!

Navy coat, have you got one? If you want to log on to the Wallis site to try their style adviser service out then I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Fiona
xoxo

Barcelona

I am currently sat in my day job office drying out. The husband and I went to Barcelona on Friday. We arrived at 9.30pm and were in our first bar for 10pm! I need to tell you something that this (now) 41 yr old needs to take note of ... MIXING YOUR DRINKS ON AN EMPTY STOMACH IS NOT BIG AND IT'S NOT CLEVER.

Here is a pictorial round up of what went on. We're already looking forward to next year when we will return.

The start, pub lunch near airport

Tiny bit of culture

What I wore (well some of what I wore as I didn't take photos of everything .. bad blogger)

The booze and the handsome most amazing barman in the world #fact

The out takes

Have you been to Barcelona? I absolutely love it and is one of my favourite places in the world.

Fiona
xoxo

Tartan scarf

Need, want, lust and desire - I have to have one. Ever since I bought my Topshop checked shirt last week I've been in love with all things tartan (or checked).

F&F (Tesco) - £15

Nice in this colour too - £15

River Island Red Tartan Blanket Scarf - £15

ASOS Oversized Grey Tartan Scarf - £18

ASOS Oversized Checked Scarf - £18

ASOS Checked Scarf - £16 (this is my favourite)

What I'm wearing today - keeping it VERY simple (and dare I say it a bit mumsy)? I'm off out tonight for pre-birthday drinks so I'll try and make more of an effort then!

Are you going to embrace the tartan/check scarf/blanket trend?

Fiona
xoxo

What I bought this weekend

The family headed to our local town this Saturday for coffee and afterwards I went to Mint Velvet to spend the rest of my birthday gift card given to me by my girlfriends.

I bought this bad boy

I also bought another pair of their leggings because at £15 they are brilliant value for money and they are amazing! I'll hopefully get to wear one day this week.

I then went to TK Maxx and tried on some hats. I really want one for the drizzly days to protect my hair from the wet but I am not sure they suit. Husband said I'd never wear one so a waste of money. I quite fancy one but I suspect he's right!

I am actually KICKING myself hard that I didn't buy these furry animal print slipper shoes. My size, gorgeous style and only £39.99. What are the chances they're still there today if I nip back?

Or shall I order these tan brogues - at only £39.99 that's what I call a bargain.

Also, what do you think about these faux fur coats  (can be bought online)? They were SO SOFT and I liked them, they were only £24.99 but when I sent this pic to my friend and she replied saying she was unsure. I was already questioning me in a fur jacket and so her indecision made me put them back on the shelf.

Friday - coffee with friends and a lazy day doing nothing

Saturday - coffee with family and lazy day doing nothing

Sunday - lunch with family and lazy afternoon doing nothing

Monday - ready for work

Should I buy a hat? Should I go back for those furry shoes? Should I buy tan loafers? HELP ME!

Fiona

xoxo