Day One Hundred and Thirty Four

Claire is wearing a pair of gold and leopard hear-shaped earrings [from a friend], star-shaped flower necklace [charity shop], wrap front top with yellow, brown and blue flowers [charity shop], thin denim trousers [charity shop], grey topped thermal socks [George at Asda] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a chocolate brown snake-skin cross-body handbag [St Michael, from a charity shop].

This top has been stealing all the attention today, which is probably a good thing, given that I indulge my vanity everyday in these selfies and paragraphs, it will do my ego some good.

Maybe...

This one of the few tops in which I have kept the shoulder-pads, partly because they're actually nice ones in the same fabric, unlike some which look like they've been cut from ugly flattened pillow insides. However the main reason is structural! If I removed them I fear the top would be overly draped and the drape would become an exposé; as it is, they help hold my top up and stop me from embarrassing myself too much. The wrap drapes low enough as it is, next time I resolve to wear a suitable brooch. It's a lovely pattern though, the colours work very well together in the flowers and it's loud and kind of subtle at the same time, I think. The sleeves are generously cut and I can wear the whole thing backwards too if I please, or want some back-drape. 

Again the rule of crop top and high-waisted bottom are working out well for me. I've got my complementing accessories thing trundling along nicely too. Leopard works well with this floral owing to the colours and it's nice to have something tacky and heart-shaped occasionally!

Day On Hundred and Thirty Three

Claire is wearing a floppy floral bucket hat [charity shop], green mottled men's t-shirt [Primark, from charity shop], thin denim trousers [charity shop], white frilled socks [Morrison's] and pink flowered hi-tops with magenta ribbon laces [Converse, from a friend, ribbon from Leeds Kirkgate Market].
Covadonga is wearing a cord necklace with jade teardrops [charity shop].

The weather continues to behave with some sunshine, which means the far-off cricket roars from Headingly stadium are getting louder. It also means I can wear my fetching hat.

My hat has come under a lot of scrutiny since I bought it home. I thought it was a summer bucket hat (I'm enjoying bucket hats at the moment), but now it's turned out to be a hat worn by everyone else when they were 3 or what they'll wear when they're 70. Either way, it's a washable light cotton and it's decorated with pale blue-grey and pink flowers and green leaves. It's subtle in its floral. The colours in it tie the rest of my clothes together nicely today. It's brim also flaps gently in the breeze.

I've attempted to keep my clashing promise today with my dark green and pink. Although, I have vision of a post-exam world where I can wear what I like and spend an hour getting ready because I have nothing else to do that summer post-graduate day. 

But a Pard must be patient, 'til this Tuesday anyhow.

Day One Hundred and Thirty Two

Claire is wearing a pair of letter beaded earrings [handmade, bead set from Tesco, elastic from Leeds Kirkgate Market], letter beaded necklace [handmade, bead set from Tesco, elastic from Leeds Kirkgate Market], handmade children's pink, orange and purple patterned and striped dress [Spanish charity shop], black leggings [Primark], grey topped thermal socks [George at Asda] and tan leather boots [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a wide candy pink belt [charity shop].

Successful weather estimations with a small umbrella and light layers (I have my pink vest on underneath this tunic thing). 

I bought this thinking it would be a great little (very little) dress. My housemates think it's not only hand-made but also hand-made for a child, hence the length on me, and why I've not been allowed out of the house without leggings instead of tights. It's a great little number though! Lots of colour and pattern in a satiny fabric with a wonderfully detailed purple stitching on the hem. It has some delightfully puffy sleeves too, which look like I possess futuristic shoulders. The elasticated waist is a nice touch. 

It's childish but edgeh.

With a garment like this, I feel there's no point in not going over-board! Orange lippy, mini buns and personalised, home-made bead jewelry CHECK! I made some very cheeky earrings and it would have been rude (te-he) not to wear the whole set. The necklace still reads 'pardtastic' and my earrings read 'penis' and 'vagina'. Except my housemates have been reading them as 'sinep' and 'anigav' (which sound like gender targeted medical products) because I wrote them upside down due to the way the beads are printed. Nevermind, its the principle! I know I'm wearing them. As with a lot of clothes, it's your perception of self in those clothes, not the clothes themselves that's often most powerful. It's the bin-bag concept, except from the inside out, if you think you're fabulous, you will be.

Attitude and letter beads go a long way!

Day One Hundred and Thirty One

Claire is wearing a navy straw hat with blue patterned scarf (Hamells, from a charity shop], angular sunglasses [Tiger], burnt orange cropped jumper [Primark]navy, orange and cream patterned culottes [St Micheal, from a charity shop],zebra-print thermal socks [George at Asda] and tan leather boots [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a furry bowl hat [charity shop].

Another day, another hat, because right now the only variety in my daily routine is in what I wear and what I eat. The sad life of the revising student!

I dressed smartly according to my housemates, who thought I was in fact on placement today, I think it's the recently polished boots and indulging in some co-ordination. I added the hat for some panache and to jazz things up a little. Once again, strolling around the union shop after lunch, I felt like I was an 80s high-schooler, especially whilst holding my large Coca-Cola branded cardboard sippy cup with stripey straw (I get the burger meal deal which involves a 0.5 l of pop every lunchtime). 

I'm also cursing BBC weather for lying (once again) about the prevalence and timing of rain showers. Straw hats should never be worn in the rain, there's even a label in my hat that says so and as I was walking in expecting cloud, the heavens opened and I had to hide it under my jacket. The wind was also quite strong so I hat to hold it down. However, unlike my other hats, I've sewed elastic into this one so I can loop it around my chin. My housemate said I should invest in a ribbon and for the time being loop it around the back of plait as it was unsightly and childish. She has a point...

Day One Hundred and Thirty

Claire is wearing a black wide-brimmed hat with a large velvet bow [St Michael, from a jumble sale], batwing orange, black, white and grey patterned long-line cardigan [Yessica at C&A, from a charity shop], denim sack dress [Topshop], black leggings [Primark], and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing an orange, brown and red bomber jacket [charity shop].

I am sporting my '80s race hat' as my housemate has dubbed it. If I were to attend Ascot during the 1980s, my brim would be of ample size. It's very 80s with it's oversize velvet bow and its equally oversize brim (and circumference, I never thought I had a small head until today). The largeness of it all means that in the wind I had to clutch it desperately and due to it's molded felt-ness I had to squirrel it away in my rucksack when I walked home in the rain. I've enjoyed wearing it though, I've felt like a high schooler from an 1980s movie all day, one of the fashionable clique!

I've tried to tone down the 80s a little to avoid looking like a period piece, but my longline cardigan would suggest otherwise. I'm really enjoying longline flowy cover-ups like this, perfect for computer cluster temperature regulation. And they go well with the wide shape of my dress.

Day One Hundred and Twenty Nine

Claire is wearing a black-spotted red kimono [Berketex, from a charity shop], denim sack dress [Topshop], black leggings [Primark], grey socks with white polka dots [Primark] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a long red beaded necklace [Spanish charity shop].

I have acquired a new item and have become a ladybird! Or a flamenco singer, I'm not yet decided.

I'm not sure if it was designed as a dressing gown-esque item or a floaty loose cardigan. It used to have shoulder pads, which have mercifully been removed by a previous owner. It also has two types of spot, because I'm a special ladybird: there's black and a more oval kind of shimmery red. It flows nicely though and flapped gently, yet fashionably, behind me in today's pleasant breeze. I'm not sure what exactly the front wavy bits serve as, probably decoration as they're certainly not aiding my at efforts at flight. It's nice to have invested in a cool stand-out piece just in time for summer, as it's light enough to keep me warm and safe my skin from becoming equally red. Also, some of my friends own similar, although less bright, kimono like things and they look really trendy and cool in them, so obviously I want to join in!

I wore my spotted socks for added polka and covered my triangular-ness with the flow of my red cardigan. Matching lipstick, naturally occurred, because if you want to be a ladybird the clue is in the name, you have to like reading childen's books and be lady-like. In bug cartoons, like James and the Giant Peach. the ladybird is always the polite one carrying a handbag!

Day One Hundred and Twenty Eight

Claire is wearing a sky blue mottled men's t-shirt [Primark], from charity shop], long blue hand-knitted cardigan [knitted by my Nan], batwing orange, black, white and grey patterned long-line cardigan [Yessica at C&A, from a charity shop], navy, orange and cream patterned culottes [St Micheal, from a charity shop], grey leopard print thermal socks [George at Asda] and tan leather boots [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a pair of green hand-knitted mittens [Leeds Kirkgate Market].

We appear to have time traveled back to the midst of a more mild winter, judging by the grey, flat skies. But having run out of leggings, I decided to brave it with bare legs, and I have to remark that it wasn't as bracing as expected.

I compensated for my bare legs with numerous layers on my top half. There's two cardigans, a t-shirt and I balanced my oversize and lined bleached denim jacket on the top. The sweats inevitably began about a third of the way in, but I persevered having set my rucksack firmly on my back like a shell, it wasn't going to come until I arrived. Should have placed the less, woolly and synthetic number further away form my armpits.

I've tried to mix it up (Lord, that ages my narrative voice) today with some complimentary yet clashing prints. The trick being picking your colour palette and vigorously sticking to it.

Day One Hundred and Twenty Seven

Claire is wearing a shimmery peach frilled-bib shirt [charity shop], thin denim trousers [charity shop], white frilled socks [Morrison's] and  black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a orange and magenta flowered silk scarf [charity shop].

I'm in it for the frill today.
I've got more ruffles than a fancy chocolate box. Or should that be truffles? The shirt is new and after seeing in a charity shop several times, I took the plunge and bought it. I'm still not sure what attracted me to it, like a bee to a fragrant bloom. It could be its shimmery, vivid peach colour, the ruffle bib front with the concealed buttons, or the lace on the frills which reminds me of modern laser cut lace as the pattern of the holes is so precise. It's a show stopped, a little bit of hideous, 80s and Spanish matador all thrown in I feel. I've worn it tied and avoided eye-shadow to stop myself from become too 80s.
I've finally had time to paint my nails! I went fro a periwinkle blue, one of my favourite nail shades. It contrasts with my shirt nicely, as does my deliberately chosen lippy for extra bold-ness. Also, cowgirl hair in long bunches because I love the 70s and letting my hair swing free may involve trapping it in the till later when I volunteer...

Day One Hundred and Twenty Six

Claire is wearing a  dark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], large scarf with green, blue and mauve roses [charity shop], blue graduated top with shoulder cut-outs [Primark, from table top sale] thin denim trousers [charity shop], white frilled socks [Morrison's] and pink flowered hi-tops with magenta ribbon laces [Converse, from a friend, ribbon from Leeds Kirkgate Market].
Covadonga is wearing a pair of yellow canvas hi-top trainers with orange and purple rabbits [Converse, from a friend].

My housemate told me I had a good string colour scheme going on today, and I'm inclined to agree! Another of my housemates kindly donated these pink Converse to me. I love pink, it's taken quite a few years to come around to, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it now! They came without laces, so I have improvised with some bright ribbon. It all looks quite fancy and ballerina-esque, they're not as hard to knot as I expected either, the ribbon being satiny and silky: an easy customisation!

Got my large scarf neck drape covered again today, in complementary colours, of course. It was to cover the shoulder holes in my jumper, should they become cold, not the holes (they're drafty enough as it is) but my upper arms.

I've got my hair up high with my scrunchie adorning my swishy tail. Along with my pale pink lipstick today, I looked like an early noughties Mean Girl extra strutting (more like quietly squeaking as I'm breaking the hi-tops in a little more) past everyone in the sun. There's something about stereotypical girly dressing that increases my fierceness and attitude. 

Bring the pink!

Day One Hundred and Twenty Five

Claire is wearing a large black edged teal scarf with a leopard [charity shop], long gold chain necklace with teardrop pearls [charity shop] men's green and teal zigzagged shirt [Blue Rinse vintage shop, Leeds], black leggings [Primark], grey topped thermal socks [George at Asda] and tan leather boots [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing marbled grey plastic beads [Spanish charity shop].

Mixing it up today, only mildly because of my placement. My overly large, and yet slim fitting, shirt remains a faithful component of my work-wear. I added the pearls to make me feel more together, having spent half the night listening to a freshers' part next door (without setting paw through the door, Cov and I could hear many a drunken discussion and base beat), then what felt like the other half of the night waiting for the alarm and getting up after the alarm. Luckily I had laid my outfit out the night before! Such pre-planning is great when you can manage it, but there are still so many factors to take into account! You have to investigate the weather for the next day, anticipate your clothe-mood, which isn't easy, and then find somewhere to place it 'til morn.

The only decision I didn't make was lippy, and that was easy for once! It's called 'Pierrot Pink' and despite the name, it's a kind of dark shimmery mauve. Reminds me of the 90s dark lipstick, not the gothy black or purple kind, but when it was attempting to look natural (and failing because very few people, I'm sure, possess lips that are that purple-tinged naturally). 

Likewise, the scarf was grabbed as I was half out the door, but it was a good panic choice as I haven't really worn it!

Day One Hundred and Twenty Four

Claire is wearing a dark teal scrunchie (unseen) [Leeds Kirkgate Market], mustard cotton jumper [Leeds Vintage Kilo Sale], long blue hand-knitted cardigan [knitted by my Nan] thin denim trousers [charity shop] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a blue graduated top with shoulder cut-outs [Primark, from table top sale] and blue graduated top with shoulder cut-outs [Primark, from table top sale].

Today is an exam day, as opposed to a revision day. In honour of this special event, I have made a considerable effort in my attire.

hehehehe
I look like the granddad version of myself with my long-line cardigan, elasticated-waist jeans and fishermen's jumper. The trick in exams is to be comfortable and have spot on temperature regulation, passing the thing aside. Long sleeves mean you can sit without goose-pimple arms and a knitted cardigan adds warmth without smothering you in heat. It's also kind of comforting to have homey clothing with you on a day of stress. Covadonga is wearing the jumper I originally put on, but fearing cold shoulder, I opted for a more covering alternative. 
I'm wearing my specs, without which the exam will undoubtly be more fuzzy, both physically and theoretically. They have appeared on some blog entries previously: they're Karen Millen frames from Specsavers, with stripes on the side and small raised stud bits too. They blend with my face as they're not too dark and bold a colour and they're pretty useful when they're not digging into my ears!

Day One Hundred and Twenty Three

Claire is wearing a silky sleeveless top with yellow, purple and green splatters and flowers [St Michael, from a charity shop],  thin denim trousers [charity shop] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a sheer champagne scarf [charity shop]

Did some more matching today, got my near-fluorescent purple lippy out, a near match with the purple flowers an splatters on my top. It's a nice top is this one. I know because several people have expressed their approval today. I bought it partly because I liked it, despite the fact that the label told me it was a size 18, the other half of my reasoning was that it actually had a label. It still had the original St Michael label attached to it, the price tag! I bought it and the tag was enshrined on my wall of various blu-tacked cut-outs and posters. It's over-sized nature enhances it as it can be tucked in or left loose like today, and because it has a silky texture, it looks nicely casual or luxe. Hhhm, this top works hard! 

I also slept in my scarf braids last night so my hair is delightfully wavy!

Day One Hundred and Twenty Two

Claire is wearing a a red edged jungle and animal print scarf (in hair) [Spanish charity shop], brown, beige and blue shirt with animals on [charity shop], thin denim trousers [charity shop], zebra-print thermal socks [George at Asda] and tan leather boots [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a black bandana [Chinese bazaar, Spain].

Some days when you're already late and full of excessive, but necessary, sleep and you're basically going into uni just to use a printer and have lunch, there's undoubtedly a little bit of time in the grand scheme of lateness which you can waste on your hair. And I did. I've been wanting to do this for a while, but with two scarves instead of just one. It's effectively just a French braid on either side of my head with a scarf plaited in. I had to awkwardly pin the middle of it to my head at first, but as I braided it, it became easier. However the ends were uneven, so I wound it around my head and, using that awkward middle section, tied it securely up there. I even gained a compliment today! 

Bonus point for matching my lipstick, because some days and faces call for that added 'fun' element and today was one of them!

My jeans are back because they're very comfortable and, as the weather was more erratic than the grammar I'm attempting to learn, I was playing it safe. And then ended up sweltering and never even used my brolly...

Day One Hundred and Twenty One

Claire is wearing a long blue hand-knitted cardigan [knitted by my Nan], gold thin knit jumper [Laura Ashley, from a charity shop], black, tan and red patterned trousers [Urban Outfitters] and grey socks with white spots [Primark].
Covadonga is wearing a pair of grey leopard-print socks [George at Asda] and white leopard-print socks [Primark].

More slouching occurring today, but no plans made to adjust that fact! Uncovered my snazzy and more up-market jogging bottoms. They're made of this soft, gentle, thin fabric, meanwhile the waist is gently elasticated (unlike my grey Nike joggers) and all slouchy and comfortable! The pattern is, well, I don't know what it is to be honest, but the colours are pleasant and it would be a bit boring if they were all black. Besides they go with my gold top. I gilded myself because, lets face it, I'm not going anywhere today, but it's nice to easily make an effort to look presentable for the housemates. 

And it's an excuse to wear something fancy!

Day One Hundred and Twenty

Claire is wearing a pair of giant gold hoop earrings [Topshop], paisley print red shirt [St Michael, from a jumble sale], various rings, thin denim trousers [charity shop], grey socks with white polka dots (not seen) [Primark] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a multi-coloured beaded necklace [Spanish charity shop].

Slouching as much as I can today! Myself, and my attire, are crumpling under revision. I haven't tucked in my shirt and I'm letting my trousers hand all low and askew like those boys in the 90s with their spiky blonde-tipped hair.

I usually wear my trousers as tightly tied (elasticated waistband with cord, oh yeah) as possible, even then it's always hard to get a good fit on waists with those. But today they're extra loose, running free. My shirt neatly overlaps them, without making the ruching on my jeans look like I've swallowed a tyre horizontally. It all looks nicely casual.

However, it took me about two hours to realise that having lots of loose layers can be more hassle than it's worth. The jeans went down, the shirt went up and everything was fighting, as best as clothes can in their floppy condition, over my midriff. So I tied up my top and hiked my jeans back to where they belong. 

I also left my rings sink-side in the process. 

Despite how much effort, planning and military precision we put into an outfit and its components, there are so many things that mean we must change, and therefore of course up (it is the only way, except when getting on down) our game. 

One must be as versatile as a chameleon, with those swivelly eyes, so no opportunity to be your best self may escape!

Day One Hundred and Nineteen

Claire is wearing a long candy-pink dress [charity shop], white, black and pink patterned belt [charity shop]white frilled socks (sadly, unseen) [Morrison's] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a pink multi-coloured belt with gold edging and buckle [charity shop].

All the pink, all the candy and all the candy floss! I bought this dress a while back and never really had the guts to wear it as it's so dramatically over-sized, which is pretty obvious in today's photo. It also comes with a matching belt, but until I punch some new holes in it, I can't fasten it tight enough. The photo doesn't do the colour justice, it's more of a candy pink than a salmon peach, perfectly girly but not too barbie bright. It's 50s-esque and it has big pockets, which can only improve it! The wonderful thing about this dress is that with a good waist-cinching belt, your waist will only look smaller amid candyfloss clouds of fabric billowing either end. Optical illusion and all that. Also, you can't see it here but the skirt at the back drapes wonderfully.

I'm keeping it nicely causal with my high-tops and frilly socks, and if the sun comes out of hiding for long enough, I will pair it with my cat-eyed sunnies for full effect.

There is something powerful about dressing femininely, obviously there's power to dressing in all the ways, but each power is different (bit like Pokemon). I could be super-anything (you can add your own adjective here) under this dress and a lot of people would just see lots of pink. Power of the unexpected I choose you, because liking pink lipstick, frilly ankles and pearly buttoned pink dresses doesn't mean you won't put up a fight for the last computer in the library or take any sly comments lying down.
Not that revision allows time for any lying down...

Day One Hundred and Eighteen

Claire is wearing a dark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], sky blue and gold beaded necklace [charity shop], men's pink t-shirt [Primark], thin denim trousers [charity shop], white frilled socks [Morrison's] and yellow canvas hi-top trainers with orange and purple rabbits [Converse, from a friend].
Covadonga is wearing a light-peach thin cotton knit t-shirt [jumble sale].

Going all pink and blue today, got my co-ordination on. My men's t-shirt is nicely symmetrical in this photo, the knot is on point! As it's fairly new, it was a small struggle to tie, but give it time, it'll become as baggy as all the other t-shirts I've mangled. It was either a knot or look like a bit like a toddler with it tucked in, and as the sun was out, I decided my midriff should join it. With a high-waisted bottom, it produces the (duhnananahhh) magical triangle! It's the perfect upper midriff showcase, suits all and it's oh so easy to tie or tuck up a top! 

Furthermore, I'm realising just how useful my loose denim trousers are in the heat. I use the term 'heat' loosely as in today's sun, hardly the South of Spain  is it... I'm not sweltering in skinny jeans and my ankles may even tan this way! Not so much with the frilled socks though.

Finally, it's my first outing with my newly acquired Converse. As a possessor of wide feet, I've always found them too tight and uncomfortable, but these have already been broken in. Problem solved. And they're quite cute and custard yellow, with happy, cheering bunnies! 

Day One Hundred and Seventeen

Claire is wearing a black woolly hat [Swansea City FC Official Club Store], men's denim jacket [charity shop], thin grey jumper with silver stars on [H&M, from a jumble sale], thin denim trousers [charity shop], grey thermal socks [George at Asda] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a pair of black cat-eye sunglasses [New Look].

I'm putting my edgiest paw forward today. I'm wearing what Urban Dictionary describes as a 'Canadian tuxedo': jeans and a denim jacket. Basically specific double denim. I got complimented on the colour of my denim this week too, it is a fetching rich blue hue! I love a bit, or a lot, of double denim; it's all about good co-ordination skills, and I've come round to like more matching tones recently. Ironic that this is probably the only time matching seems daunting! 

I've gone for some base colours to accompany my ocean of denim as my star-spangled jumper proves to be a bargain investment. Also some black lippy, to, well it's hardly going to spice things up and yet it can't really dampen something already blue... Either way, it's still looking good, though it seems to have perplexed some passersby today. It also matches my hat, which is always a bonus!

Day One Hundred and Sixteen

Claire is wearing a green scarf with brown roses (in hair) [charity shop], long gold chain necklace with teardrop pearls [charity shop] men's off-white t-shirt [Primark], carnations on burnt orange skirt [Laura Ashley, from a charity shop] and tan leather boots [Topshop].  
Covadonga is wearing a green mottled men's t-shirt [Primark, from charity shop] and a white beaded collar necklace [charity shop].

This is my attempt at ladylike dressing today. I slung something Laura Ashley on and some pearls on top of that. Then I put my shimmery coral-pink lippy on and I good to go.

It;s great wearing long skirts at this time of year, you get all the bare leg feels without having the wind chill. And you're covered if it dares to rain too! The only downside I've found today, while riding several items of public transport while carrying heavy bags, is that long skirts tend to be wide with lots of fabric, it means when you squidge into a bus seat, your skirt takes over the seat next to you. And then you become trapped if you go too far as it wraps around your legs like a bandage. Then you have to re-arrange and shuffle around loudly and indiscreetly surrounded by your shopping bags. 

I wore my green scarf again, it doesn't entirely go with the rest of my outfit, but in a way that's what makes it fit in!

Day One Hundred and Fifteen

Claire is wearing a long gold chain necklace with teardrop pearls [charity shop], teal and black and white striped top (H&M, from a friend],  thin denim trousers [charity shop], grey thermal socks [George at Asda] and white creepers [charity shop]. 
Covadonga is wearing a black jersey low back dress [H&M].

Going classic today with a new top, acquired from my friends spring clear-out. I'm not the biggest fan of stripes, I must admit. I find them too linear and serious at times, so I've generally steered towards messier patterns. However, it's never too late to try something new and I felt this top was a good opportunity. It's got some teal at the top, so it's less severe than if it was entirely striped, and it's low scoop-necked. Basically, it's a bit of a cop-out but these features mean there are less stripes...

Likewise, I've not got back into the three-quarter length sleeves idea since I was about 10. I prefer the ventilation t-shirts and vests offer and I always have the option of a jumper with long sleeves anyway. I have to admit though, it is nice being warm enough inside the house without putting a cardigan on. The pocket is also a cute touch! 

Along with the pearls today, I felt it was only right to put my red lippy on today, to complete the classic triangle of Breton stripes, pearls and red lips. Oh and jeans, the best classic item! 

Strength through simplicity and colour unity in today's outfit. 

Day One Hundred and Fourteen

Claire is wearing a long gold chain necklace with teardrop pearls [charity shop], long red dress with black and white flowers [Leeds Vintage Kilo Sale], long dark green trench coat [charity shop] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct]. 
Covadonga is wearing a dark red rain coat [Shore Leave, from Urban Outfitters].

I know we look all dressed up for a cloud burst, but at that point in the morning, it was actually raining. Then on the walk in, it stopped and it became abruptly clear it was going to be sunny instead. And windy. 

I wore my red dress without tights, so summer is enroute if not fully arrived just yet. That's the great thing about long dresses; they're for winter and summer, and the awkward moments in between, like autumn and spring. Also, the joy of tighter fitting dresses, basically tubular fit skirts and not flaring skirts, is that wind is not so much of an issue. Limited flapping and Marilyn Monroe-ing. Bonus because you can be cheeky and undo a button to let your lower leg wink at the occasional fellow pedestrian.

My coat is great, after spying someone wearing a long green coat and looking pretty fine in her doing so, I nabbed my own. Mine has a lovely pink and yellow floral lining and pearly green cuff buttons. The hood it came with is long gone, the domed shoulder pads are, sadly, not. I love a good shoulder pad, but these are verging on sandwiches, and when I wear my rucksack lord knows how lumpy my shoulders appear!

Day One Hundred and Thirteen

Claire is wearing a reversible blue and red tie-dye poncho [chairty shop], denim sack dress [Topshop] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a reversible burgundy quilted skirt [Uniqlo, from a jumble sale].

It's a bit of an edgehy photo today, I accidentally looked out of the window when the self-timer ended. As a result I look a bit dreamy and my hair appears in a quiff because my bun was lopsided.

I get to showcase my spectacular poncho with my model stance. As if being tie-dyed wasn't enough, there's double tie-dye. The other side is red, burgundy, plum, orange and white, but I felt like matching today, as my housemate advised. My poncho is quite the centre piece. It is a bit cumbersome at time, especially when using draws or reaching in general, but it's worth it. It's also warm. I think it's dramatic and the tassels add an elegant finish, also the fact that it's not constructed out of wool enhances this. I remember in the early noughties when everyone went mad for ponchos, I still have a pink and purple one my Nan knitted for me. Good times.

The poncho is only aiding my quest for volume. I'm like a tiered cake, but one that continues to further out the higher it gets. All the large triangles going on today.

Finally, got my red lippy to take things (i.e. my face) up a notch, and it clashes nicely with all the blue. My trainers, meanwhile, are keeping it low key.

Day One Hundred and Twelve

Claire is wearing a sky blue and gold beaded necklace [charity shop],men's grey over-sized vest [Leeds Kirkgate Market], long blue hand-knitted cardigan [knitted by my Nan], black leggings [Primark] and grey thermal socks [F&F at Tesco].

Covadonga is wearing a grey stretchy scarf [charity shop].

My vest matches the sky, and that's reason enough not to venture out there. That and the pile of sheets waiting to be transformed into digestible notes. Hence the lack of shoes, I'm not leaving my desk except for biscuits and some yoga.

I bought this giant (XX large) vest yesterday from the market for £2. The arm hole exposure going on is ridiculous yet edgeh. It's very comfy though, and I like the low cuts. I've been lusting after an over-sized vest for a while, I was keen on those basketball player ones with the mesh and the bright colours. They're coming into vintage vogue nowadays, but as I don't know any of the the teams, it would feel a little fraudulent. However, the stall also sells white mesh vests, so I may get my string vest happy ending after all.

The cut means I get to show off my beaded necklace, regally 90s, I think, with it's gold bead tipped points. It's a lovely shape and it sits beautifully. I find it's an usual occurrence to have one that lays well with only 1 clasp option, so top marks here! 

Finally, I feel my new lipstick is apt for this occasion. I bought a more natural looking one, alluringly named 'Cinnamon Frost'. Don't get me wrong, it's quite pinky and shimmery, but less bright than normal. I feel it sums up the casual vibe today, and my work out wouldn't be the same without lippy...

Day One Hundred and Eleven

Claire is wearing a pair of black and gold serpent earrings [charity shop], gold bangle [jumble sale], denim sack dress [Topshop], lace flower and leaf patterned tights [Boots] and tan leather boots [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a sky blue and gold beaded necklace [charity shop] and pearl and diamanté cuff bracelet with fan and pink flower details [from a friend].

In light of my promise to dress more adventurously for work last week, I made the effort for today's placement. Or rather my housemates did. I couldn't quite decide what to wear, so my friends took up the challenge and picked this denim dress. We were discussing funky patterned tights at the time, I pulled these out of my drawer and they insisted I wear both items.
So here I am.
I've always been a bit wary of patterned tights I will admit. They're the kind of item I love in theory; when you go to Primark and they have those tight-wearing legs sticking out of the wall, looking all disembodied and fashionable. However, when it comes to wearing them, I just can't do it very often; maybe it's because I own too many other patterned garments that there just isn't room for my legs to join it. I still can't quite work out if I like wearing these tights or not, but the rest of the day will tell. They are good for temperature regulation though; my legs are at once covered and ventilated, which is pleasant!
I now have the excuse to wear my newly acquired earrings, which are very detailed for such a small item. There's gilded snakes around black and gold birds and flowers. I felt I needed something gold today, so not to clash too much with my black leg-lace.

Day One Hundred and Ten

Claire is wearing a pair of gold and leopard hear-shaped earrings [from a friend], green mottled men's t-shirt [Primark, from charity shop], tan belt [charity shop], yellow, red and dark blue on light tan tartan mini-skirt [Leeds Kirkgate Market], black leggings [Primark], black thermal socks [George at Asda] and tan leather boots [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a small black rucksack with green monsters [Chinese bazaar, Spain]. 

The miniskirt returns! I've paired it with leggings today; the tights and underskirt and woollen skirt combination was just a bit irritating earlier this week. This also means I get to do a many sectioned outfit and show some lower calf. I was also extremely grateful for not being tightly wrapped in Lycra when I actually started walking outside and discovered the sun was not merely decoration today, it was like a radiator! 

Tat's the great thing about my mottled shirt, if I perspire profusely, it blends in with the pattern, like there were meant to be black and darker green mottles under my arms. Patterned items are generally good at hiding mishaps and stains. I practically threw baked beans over myself and my leopard top yesterday (the can-opener continues to despise me) and because of the busy print and similar colour scheme, you couldn't tell I'd been so messy.