Day One Hundred and Sixty Four

Claire is wearing an orange edged scarf with pink flowers (in hair) [Spanish charity shop], small tortoise shell sunglasses [Zandra Rhodes, from a charity shop], navy tie-front top [Dash, from a charity shop], navy wrap trousers with sunflowers [Spanish charity shop] and brown gladiator sandals [Stead and Simpson, from a charity shop].
Covadonga is wearing an orange and brown patterned silk scarf [charity shop]. 

I'm embracing my inner hippy today. I even tried to make my scarf go around my head like a 70s halo, but it was a little too much, even for me, and this works better for keeping my mane out of my face.

My tie-front top is proving to be a valuable wardrobe addition. It seems to go with everything, I think it's owing to its denim-blue colour with a white pattern: simple and versatile! Likewise, my trousers continue to inspire me, they look so much better than expected! Also I'm trying to get a fair amount of use out of them before I have to hand-wash them as their colour runs like crazy.

Also, I'm thoroughly enjoying my small sunglasses; I've never felt so sophisticated and shady! I feel important and mature, yet edgeh and fashionable.

Finally, I'm wearing my favourite sandals today. I worked at the shop where they were sold, but they were sold out of my size (40, wide feet issues). However, a few months later, low and behold I found my size in a charity shop! Granted Timpsons had already resoled them and now a strap is broken, but they look great in their simple chocolate brown hue. 

For that reason I will continue to wear them into the ground. 

Day One Hundred and Sixty Three

Claire is wearing a men's denim shirt [charity shop], full skirted floral white dress [C and A, from a jumble sale], black and white leopard print socks [Primark] and leopard-print hi-tops [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a teal and black and white striped top [H&M, from a friend].

Oh the heat! The sun rays are raining down up us today, so I'm wearing my voluminous white dress. The white isn't doing such a great job at repelling the heat, I had to have an ice-cream break on my return walk from town. It was a good ice-cream moment.

Moreover, I'm wearing a headband! Haven't worn one in years, but it's keeping the hair off my face, allowing me not to loose what little of my cool I had left today fighting off my own hair. It looks surprisingly cute too.

As I began my walking early-ish this morning it was a little breezy, so I was wrapped up in my denim shirt, tie-fronted naturally. The over-sized denim shirt is a great summery item, as reliable and matchable as the denim jacket in spring and autumn! Today, as was inevitable, I ended up tying it around my waist, but either way, I still got some waist definition. They're also great, especially like today when I was wearing white, for sitting on wooden park benches or easily-eroded stone, i.e. keeping dirt the heck off me and my backside. And if a breeze stronger than anticipated or a sun bean brighter than expected appears one can shelter under such a shirt quite pleasantly! 

Stay safe in the sun stylish ones!

Day One Hundred and Sixty Two

Claire is wearing a pair of parrot earrings [Primark], off-white men's t-shirt [Primark], nay wrap trousers with sunflowers [Spanish charity shop] and leopard-print hi-tops [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a lion scrunchie [Bang on the Door, from a charity shop].

I don't think I dress like a hippy, but then again, I own these trousers.

I bought these because I liked the pattern, and on a humid summery, grey day like today with some wind, they are perfect! They wrap around my waist with two sets of ties and there's a popper on each leg to keep the fabric together around my leg. They occasionally breeze apart, but I think it's quite romantic and hippy when they do. The sunflowers are lovely and bright (like real ones only better), especially on this navy background. They look like fiery suns!

I've kept it simple with my plain top and added my parrots for extra orange and to match my orange lippy. I tried a matte technique from my housemate; dusting translucent powder over lipstick turns it matte! Who knew (except, obviously, the internet)?! It's worth trying out stylish ones!

Day One Hundred and Sixty One

Claire is wearing a a green scarf with brown roses (in hair) [charity shop], small tortouise shell sunglasses [Zandra Rhodes, from a charity shop], full skirted floral white dress [C and A, from a jumble sale], black bag with blue faux snake-skin [charity shop], tan belt [charity shop] and cream espadrilles with satin toes and ribbon [charity shop].
Covadonga is wearing a metallic blue and brown geometric-print tie [vintage shop]. 

My camera isn't entirely happy being home, evidenced by the only decent photo is one where I'm busy adjusting...

I wore my big puffy dress today and I think I look great! It has a wonderfully full skirt and the pattern is delightful, featuring some of my favourite colours (light, periwinkle blue, dark orange, dark mint green). It's all very summery, with added flounce.The only issue is the straps: they fall down and stand above my shoulder a little as they're too long. Basically I don't have the bust to fill out the bodice shape. But meh, that's what the belt's for: to pin the dress down!

I'm also wearing a pair of espadrilles (which I highly doubt I will ever spell successfully) for the first time. I'm not entirely sure if I'm converted, I think it's because I need more of heel rather than just flat straw. I dig the ribbons though! 
Finally, I dived in with these small cat-eye sunglasses! I'm not normally a fan of small sunnies, there's no real reason, but I found this pair for £1.50 and thought why not?! I quite like their sophisticated vibe; I feel extra shady.
All in all, I feel a bit like Grace Kelly! With less grace given the only time I left my unpacking mission was to buy dinner at Tesco, but I felt pretty damn fab walking there!

Day One Hundred and Sixty

Claire is wearing a dark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], a multi-coloured patchwork-patterned dress [charity shop], black belt with gold buckle [charity shop], white sports socks [Puma, from Sports direct] and white creepers [charity shop].
Covadonga is wearing a hand-crocheted black and white scarf [made by me!].

Now for a post that's on time!

And looking fine! 

When I bought this dress, it had large puff sleeves that made it look incredibly dated. So I hacked them off, with my Mums's help, and it looks all the better for it. The skirt is wonderfully full, so it trails behind me on the stair and if I twirl it fans out like a giant tablecloth. Perhaps it was a giant table tablecloth that got sent to the clothing factory...

I love the mixture of patterns and colours, it's like an explosion. I think it looks almost textured it's that fantastic! There's cartoon flowers, big swirls, tie-dye circles, leaves, spots, lines and zigzags!

I've paired it with my creeps to keep it the centre piece, not that there's much that could out-shout this dress. My lipstick is having a go though! I still cannot procure blue lipstick, I have dreamed about it even. Besides going online or buying an expensive brand, or melting a blue coloured wax crayon with olive oil as Youtube has suggested,I gave in and bought a cheap pale blue eyeliner. The coverage isn't that great, but my lips are blue and it's easy to outline them with a pencil.

My Nan wasn't a fan though and she was also far less approving of my septum piercing! I have well and truly arrived home!  

Day One Hundred and Fifty Nine

Claire is wearing a navy tie-front top [Dash, from a charity shop], black belt with gold buckle [charity shop], pale mint culottes [Wallis, from Leeds Kirkgate Market], white sports socks [Puma, from Sports direct] and white creepers [charity shop]. 
Covadonga is wearing a black wide-brimmed hat with a large velvet bow [St Michael, from a jumble sale].

Today is the day I move out so I've got a kind of action shot for today! I say 'action' in a loose sense, it's the final remnants of my wardrobe ready to be packed up in a suitcase. Now writing this a day later I can confirm that my plan was ambitious, and that everything fitted in the car, except me. I got the train home instead...

Luckily I was wearing some cool, breezy clothing! My culottes are great; they're the widest I have and in a lovely mint colour to boot. I feel it's almost a summer wedding appropriate item. I felt breezy, until the train was delayed in above 20 heat at Birmingham New Street. Luckily the crop adds extra ventilation. 

Finally my creeps have proved to be one of the best investments yet! They coped well with all the lugging of boxes up and down the stairs and trampling around train stations.

Day One Hundred and Fifty Eight

Claire is wearing an off the shoulder white floral dress [charity shop], white frilled socks [Morrison's] and pink stacked trainers [Sketchers, from a jumble sale]. 
Covadonga is wearing a loom band rainbow collar [handmade by a friend].

I apologise for my absence these past two days, these two posts are a tad late! I've moved out and back down South (the Ikea bareness will soon be replaced by messy magazine cut-outs) and I've retrieved my cat from his frightened wanders (next door's new cat has petrified him into not coming into the house for a few days). So here goes!!

Going all out Baby Spice today (if Baby Spice was a brunette)! 

This is the perfect fancy summer dress for a sunny day. It's all puffy and flared. With my frilled white socks as well, I look like a confection! The cherry of my cupcake-self has to be my new trainers! I basically want a pair of Buffalo trainers, the massive, platformed ones the Spice Girls wore in the 1990s, but I can't afford a pair of those, so I'm finding pairs of shoes which provide height instead. These are super snazzy! They look new, the pink suede bits are pristine, they have sparkly 'S's on each trainer and the soles have a girl in flares silhouetted on them. 

All very fancy and tall, in the shade of a drumstick lollipop!

Day One Hundred and Fifty Seven

Claire is wearing a dirrlark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], purple and blue patterned halter dress [Warehouse, from a charity shop], white sports socks [Puma, from Sports direct] and white creepers [charity shop].
Covadonga is wearing a black dress with teal palm-leaf print [Leeds Vintage Kilo Sale].

Wearing more evening/night out appropriate attire today! This dress is a lovely, short party number (defs not double figures at this amount of fabric, although the front is shorter than the back). It has a low back and a nicely square-like halterneck and it's a great summery purple circles on lavender and blue water-colour spatters. As one of my old housemates said, it's a nice Spanish party dress! The back is very low, its a no bra situation, but there's a zip and a small shell button, which I think is a cute touch. I love it when clothes have little touches like that, nice buttons, special stitching and nice, big, vintage labels with fancy fonts, gives the garment a personality!

I felt this dress lent itself to the hipster-tastic vibes of my creepers combined with my new sports socks, which continue to prove to be a brilliantly comfortable, and they're thankfully keeping their softness and whiteness!

Day One Hundred and Fifty Six

Claire is wearing a drak teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], pink and purple sparkly cloud-print dress [Gina Bacconi, from a jumble sale], grey thermal socks [George at Asda] and tan leather boots [Topshop].
Covadinga is wearing a pair of rainbow splattered culottes [Blue Rinse Vintage, Leeds].

Thought I'd go fancy today for my visit to the careers centre. All about good first impressions! It's meant to be evening wear, but I feel it's translated to daytime quite well, especially with the boots which proved necessary additions in light (or cloud) of today's downpour.

The dress is such a wonderful colour and pattern. It reminds me of the recent-ish fad for galaxy printed items, although I think it looks more like romantic fluffy clouds. The cloud patches work well to blend into each other with the magenta, Barbie pink, coral and purple. It's like a bowl of exotic fruit, like dragon fruit and plums and raspberries. And I say that as a great compliment given I don't eat any of those, or other members of their family willingly (I'm more of a vegetable and fruit juice kind of person). Moreover, it's made with some heavy kind of elastic built into the fabric, so when I jump it bounces up too, but it means the dress hangs down well, despite the lack of waist highlighting. The shape is simple, which compliments the pattern. And it's covered all over in dots of sparkle!! It makes me look like a walking constellation!

It's dramatic, yet subtle and for all its pink, I feel I'm a sophisticated kind of Barbie doll in it!

Day One Hundred and Fifty Five

Claire is wearing a dark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], green mottled men's t-shirt [Primark, from charity shop], white floral trousers [jumble sale], zebra-print thermal socks [George at Asda] and white creepers [charity shop]. 
Covadonga is wearing a magenta silk tank top [Adini, from a charity shop].

I've had these for ages, but it's never been the right time to wear them. Until now!!

Partly because they're trousers with a tie waist and partly because they're white. I have a fear of wearing white nowadays, unlike my white school polo-shirts, I care about the clothes I own now and don't wish to stain them irreparably. And white is a sitting target for that kind of thing. Quite literally, I've been slightly paranoid about sitting on a liquid or stained surface accidentally all day. The waist tie is a great addition, it highlights my waist nicely. The only issue is that my zip keeps undoing itself about two inches because there's no eye and hook or clasp to keep it zipped shut. But the most important thing is that they fit me! Trousers that fit someone with a big arse and a smaller waist on a long body with short legs are rare, and I have snagged a pair!! They're tight enough to show me off, but not to demand that I stand and avoid bending down at all costs.

I have felt fabulously floral all day and I'm thoroughly glad I opted for green to match the leaves rather than pink, I was complimented for my colour choice today too!

Day One Hundred and Fifty Four

Claire is wearing a black and white printed swimsuit [Edinburgh Woollen Mill] and zebra-print socks [Primark].
Covadonga is wearing a pair of black cat-eye sunglasses [New Look].

I know, the background is incredibly dreary, but the packing must begin, so it's bare Ikea going on from now!

Typing of dreary, I enjoyed a rainy and cloudy day-trip to Scarborough today, only to return to a sunny blue sky Leeds this evening. It was a lovely day though, we even went in the sea, briefly, but long enough so that our feet became numb to the cold they were being dunked in. Therefore, I sadly didn't get to wear the swimsuit I had so optimistically packed. 
So I'm wearing it now instead!
Swimwear is a minefield when shopping, but I've struck lucky with this one. I have a long body, so my costumes must stretch and not, quite bluntly, castrate me, also be wide enough for my backside, and not have all those cut-out bits, or underwired cups: I mean the list of specifications could go on. I went unconventional and tried this on in Edinburgh Woollen Mill while shopping there with my Mum and Nan (the targeted demographic of the shop). And it worked! I swear it's because it's designed for someone older that it's just better in every way. The ruching can camouflage a food baby, the print is monochrome so it's versatile, yet funky in its pattern. The straps are thick and won't dig in, it's amply cut for my behind and there's not a wire insight. It's a dream! 
Also, swimsuits remove the need for tummy suncreaming, which is a faff! 
This summer, invest in some unconventionally sourced comfort, because everybody is beach ready and therefore we all deserve to be comfortably stylish whilst suncreaming!

Day One Hundred and Fifty Three

Claire is wearing a high-neck velvet tank top with blue gems [Next, from a charity shop], thin denim trousers [charity shop], black and white leopard-print socks [Primark] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].  
Covadonga is wearing a pair of pale high-waisted denim shorts [charity shop].

I've kept it simple today, and bit 90s. 

That loose yet tight vibe! My jeans are baggy and my top hides my waist, so I look like a blue column, especially with the cut of the top. And everyone loves fancy columns!

My top is not only fake velvety fabric but it has small blue 3D gems stuck on it around the neck line. They sparkle nicely when the light catches them. The top is nice, like a body warmer, it's been keeping me snug, except my arms have been a bit cooler, my neck has never been so well fitted.

There's something put-together about high-necklines, it say I mean business, even if I have fake gems stuck on me and light pink lipstick! It's unfussy and simple, even bold I think as it's so block in one dark colour.

Night One Hundred and Fifty Two

Claire is wearing a Flounder costume.
Covadonga is wearing a a leopard costume.

In honour of an up-and-coming housemate's birthday we trundled off on an Otley Run last night! The Otley Run is the Leeds pub crawl along the main Otley road, comprising of many, many public houses. We didn't do them all, starting at 5:30 and finishing at around midnight in the chippy. The right place for a battered fish like myself! 

Sebastian is borrowed from a fellow housemate and he was my underwater companion for the evening, just in case people didn't understand I was a) a fish and b) Flounder. 

My costume has been stapled together with pizza boxes, off-cut fabric and a yellow tabard, which everyone has delighted in mocking and calling me a dinner lady, but it did have the perfect size pouch for my camera! My stripes migrated over my torso all evening and my tail and flippers were a little cumbersome (we did test that I could hold a glass in my flippered hand, and I used straws all night to save my eyeliner lipstick) but I stayed all together, and all my staples stayed stapled!

Day One Hundred and Fifty Two

Claire is wearing a blue scarf with white and pale blue blocks [free with a tin of Roses chocolates], thick gold hoops [Claire's Accessories], navy tie-front top [Dash, from a charity shop], red dress with blue and yellow flowers [Adini, from a Charity shop], white frilled socks [Morrison's] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a blue, magenta and purple watercolour scarf [charity shop].

Doing some layering today and throwing some pattern clashing in for good measure!

My tie-front crop shirt is the perfect shape for this; it hides the top of any dress underneath, and adds a bit of subtle waist definition. Nice!

The colours compliment each other (if you think about that expression, it's actually sounds like clothes nattering to each other!) with the blue flowers and blue top. The patterns clash nicely too, but because the colours are in some kind of harmony it works, like magic! 

I feel really edgeh today, with my big gold hoops adding an edgeh edge to my girly dress and little socks. Same with the scarf that's doing a magnificent job of hiding my greasy hair, while the ponytail just goes on and swishes around.

I feel wonderfully chavvy yet feminine. Like a stocky dog with diamante bow collar!

Night One Hundred and Fifty One

Claire is wearing a sheer champagne scarf [charity shop], long ruffle-bottomed dress with brown, gold and copper roses [charity shop], gold lamé belt [charity shop] and black strapy heels [New Look].
Covadonga is wearing a long green and black striped dress with yellow roses [Eastex, from a charity shop].

I felt like a fancy vase shuffling around and teetering in my heels!

We had our house awards night (voting slips and certificates all accounted for) so fanciness was required! I bought this recently because it's gorgeous and it fits nicely with a belt. And for once, a vintage dress I bought doesn't contain shoulder pads! It has so many lovely construction details within it; there's the pleats at the hem, a flat bow on the back of the pleats and a deep v-back, at the back obviously. It has three-quarter sleeves, which I'm not normally hot on, but because the fabric is so fancy, more of it is most definitely better. It's just to wonderful, even if it only lets me move my feet a half a metre apart...

Day One Hundred and Fifty One

Claire is wearing a black bandana [Chinese Bazaar, Spain], thin gold chain [charity shop], black men's shirt with fruit and flowers [Vintage Kilo Sale], thin denim trousers [charity shop], and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct]. 
Covadonga is wearing a coral shaped gold pendant with an iridescent stone [charity shop].

Keeping it casual and over-size today, no tucking or tying up here!

I love this shirt, it's served me well party wise. Over a black dress, loose and floaty, tucked into a black skirt for waist definition, or just tied up over either. It's a winner!

A fruity winner! I love the pattern, it reminds me of a Dutch still life: all the richness and colour and detail! There's peaches, watermelon, large flowers and strawberries. I've got my five-a-day without even trying.

It's all nice and breezy for today's humid weather as the shirt is so thin. The black base and neutral blue denim go well (base colours, let us not forget!) and match my hi-tops and bandana.

Finally the only downside of this outfit was that I spent most of the day lopsided (which I thought was due to my volunteer badge on one lapel) only to look at myself in the shop mirror and see the several inch gap of the hems...

Still, that's half a day put together and sometimes that's enough!

Day One Hundred and Fifty

Claire is wearing an ear chain [H&m], gold squiggle segment necklace [charity shop], small gold chain [charity shop], red dress with blue and yellow flowers [Adini, from a Charity shop], white sports socks [Puma, from Sports direct] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct]. 
Covadonga is wearing a blue and white stripey tank top [New Look]. 

I've gone there. Yes, I am wearing sports socks! Those giant, white, ribbed, logoed ones, those that them hipster chaps wear (especially off the tennis court). I was in Sports Direct as they were having one of their giant sales when I saw these in giant boxes. I always need socks. And the logos in this pack were a variety of colours (pink, purple and black), so better value surely? The only bad thing about them so far is their unflattering high cut that hides the smallest part of your leg, your ankle. Still, they're warm ankles!

My dress is lovely, so summery and pretty! It's made by Adini, whose clothes I've always found, in charity shops, to be great quality and well cut. This would probably have been better with a belt, but it's my day off; heck the only time I left the house was to take the recycling out. With the low cut of this dress, it's probably better I wasn't out and about where I might stretch in public and reveal what the lengthy straps are trying to conceal!

Finally, it's nice to get blinged up for the housemates. I made a pleasant twinkling noise when I jogged up the stairs today and my ear chain with cuff has an admirer too! 

I only wore the one on one side though, because being lopsided is very edgeh.

Day One Hundred and Forty Nine

Claire is wearing a pair of teardrop floral metallic earrings [jumble sale], dark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], batwing floral blouse [from a friend], thin denim trousers [charity shop], black and white leopard print socks [Primark] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct]. 
Covadonga is wearing a fuchsia yellow flowered skirt [Leeds Vintage Kilo sale].

Decided ot wear this lovely blouse on rather the wrong day. Turns out it's not that easy to clean a hob whilst leaning over the oven without draping your batwing in the anti-bac spray. Today lots of things moved out, but I have not. Yet. My time will come but for now, my room is looking a tad bare. Moving all the things in this top was alright though; the lack of arm restraint helped! Still, the only issue is that it's made of polyester fabric, which means sweat, what with all the heaving and ho-ing!.

However, I'm willing to endure it (though I cannot speak for everyone else...) because this top is wonderfully floaty and feminine. I love the swirly flowers and rows of shapes. The shape is one I wouldn't normally opt for; I love big, draping sleeves but I'm usually not too hot for the smock look. However, the draping on the top is proving me wrong, especially with it's high neck and collar as I love a high neck, there's something put together and comforting about it!

Combined with my shimmery pink lipstick and nail polish, I feel like a 70s sweetheart!

Day One Hundred and Forty Eight

Claire is wearing a dark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], black top with grey and gold swirls and cut outs [Vintage Kilo sale], black leggings [Primark] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a gold woven scarf [unknown origin].

Working that daytime metallic! 
I bought this earlier this year at a vintage sale, I was attracted to the sparkle. It makes me look like a figure skater with it's glittery swirls and the triangular cut on the front and back. The key-holes along the neckline are in reverse (basically they stick out) along the hem of the top. This only enhances the skater costume aura. I feel I should tie the triangles together, take my leggings off (probs should do that first really) and grab some skates and an ice rink. 
Moreover, the arms on this are concerning. I'm having to roll up the left, while the right fits perfectly. Is my left arm longer? Am I lopsided? Is my top uneven?? What? Why? I've since decided that rolling is the way to go, it hides the excess fabric and I think it tones down the skater-ness of the thing.
Just gotta roll with it! 

Day One Hundred and Forty Seven

Claire is wearing a pair of beaded earrings [Leeds Kirkgate Market], leopard print with leopard heads crop top [Topshop], faux snake-skin black belt [charity shop], navy, orange and cream patterned culottes [St Micheal, from a charity shop], grey thermal socks [George at Asda] and tan leather boots [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a gold lamé belt [charity shop].

The weather is messy again, all this humidity and constant threat of rain (or perhaps not)! Warm enough for bare legs so I got my culotte on today. I went to a Vintage fair this morning and they got some compliments. And I got some crazy vintage items which will feature soon I'm sure.

Wore my crop top with leopards on, as having packed up half my clothes, I have limited myself to a pile to chose from, so tasteful clashing will hopefully happen with more frequency from now on. The browns and creams of the leopards matches the zigzags well and the boots and black belt all tie it in together!

Finally, I bought an eyebrow brush! I am so blended! The tropical colours are all visible and not merely a mixed dark yellow. The only down side with using yellow up to my eyebrow is that in certain lights I look a little jaundiced. 

Day One Hundred and Forty Six

Claire is wearing a green scarf with brown roses (in hair) [charity shop], light-peach thin cotton knit t-shirt [jumble sale], pearl and diamanté cuff bracelet with fan and pink flower details [from a friend], navy, orange and cream patterned culottes [St Micheal, from a charity shop], grey thermal socks [George at Asda] and tan leather boots [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a lion hat [a Christmas present, unknown origin].

Today is my last working day for a few months. I will miss the placement very much and I enjoyed a lovely last lesson, well worth getting up at 6:30am for! The chocolates I was given will be bittersweet, knowing I won't get to see the students again. 

As I was up and about early and my real day was effectively over by 11am, I did a swap on my clothing. I wore an outfit combo I've worn before, it's nice and cool, and I wanted to keep it classic for the last day. When I returned home, I couldn't be bothered changing so I swapped my boots for hi-tops, rolled my top up so it was cropped (recalling the magic midriff triangle of cropped-ness!) and put on a sparkling bracelet. 

Good to go!

Little changes make all the differences, and obviously it's about the attitude you naturally adopt in casual versus formal wear clothing. Although in this heat, everything, including my will to strut, is wilting...

Day One Hundred and Forty Five

Claire is wearing a dark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], black-spotted red kimono [Berketex, from a charity shop], green dress with red, yellow and white lilies on [Leeds Vintage Kilo Sale], white frilled socks [Morrison's] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a ladybird printed scarf [Spanish charity shop].

Rocking, what I think is quite a Spanish ensemble today! Ironic that my only outing was to film a short clip about reading and my favourite book (Bridget Jones' Diary, with A Prayer for Owen Meany a close second) for the English department, so I also had to look photo/camera ready! To mark the special occasion I concealed my chin spot and wore a dress that I trusted not to mishap. And that looked like normal day-wear!

I never really though about combining these two items but I slung them on, needing a cover-up for the wind and sun today, and low and behold it came together. Without wanting to sound like I'm describing a fancy bottle of wine, I think the strawberry red accents on the dress helped meet with the kimono, and likewise the black polka dots marry with the black highlights in the mix of the dress. Hhhhmmmm.

However, the kimono couldn't stop the heat from getting to me, even if protected my arms from the sun. Oh, I was like a dog in a hot car, sweating, not quite panting (didn't have any excess energy or vapour for that). Suffice to say, heat-tired muscles and reading at an odd angle while a camera slides along over your shoulder, have made my neck and legs grateful for bed!

Day One Hundred and Forty Four

Claire is wearing a  dark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], small black rucksack with green monsters (strap seen) [Chinese bazaar, Spain], silver pleated dress [Spanish charity shop], grey socks with white polka dots [Primark] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a pink and a grey rose [Claire's Accessories].

Feeling like a Greek goddess today. My favourite is Athene, goddess of war, wisdom, arts, justice and all-round bad-ass-ness. I bought a children's book about Odysseus and his journey which is illustrated by Christina Balit, and Athene looks so cool with her helmet, her owl and her metallic armour.

After yesterday's unexpected and disappointing coolness, I decided to cover up a bit more today, so I slung this on over my short black dress. It was still un-stitched on the shoulder from Modern Languages ball escapades, so I had to sit in bed and sew it up before I could actually wear it. It's all very shimmery and delicate, and floaty! Despite the fact that it's a ball/evening wear dress, I think it works well as it's so billowy and chilled. 

I kept it casual with my hi-tops and my spotty socks pulled up (socks are the easier hipster trick, especially those thick sporty ones with a logo on). Likewise, my scrunchie matches nicely and my little rucksack, which is the most useful thing, adds a bit of edge with its little green monsters! 

Finally, I've been wanting to do bold eyeshadow for a while, so today I tried. It all came out as one pale blue, which is fine, I'm down with block colours, except I really tried to do the whole dark colour in the socket thing! Honest. I have been recommended by my housemates to invest in some brushes to help better my application. But until then, block is fine with me!

Day One Hundred and Forty Three

Claire is wearing a dark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], small black rucksack with green monsters (strap seen) [Chinese bazaar, Spain], black-spotted red kimono [Berketex, from a charity shop], black jersey low back dress [H & M], black tights [Spanish hosiery shop], zebra-print thermal socks [George at Asda] and white creepers [charity shop]. 
Covadonga is wearing a  a floppy floral bucket hat [charity shop]. 

I started the day off wearing a different, and more exposed version of this outfit in the belief and blind faith in BBC weather that it would be sunny, only to find wind and chill. I put tights on after that and showed off my socks. I also got my septum pierced this afternoon, the photo is blurry so just imagine the metal balls on my nose!

The ladybird in me is getting released today, again a slight alteration occurred with my draped cardigan by a bus door, luckily it was just the pocket half coming off, as opposed to the whole arm of the thing!

I felt like a supermodel when leaving the house, having not worn anything this short without leggings of tights in months, and my pins were elevated and sleek in my double creepers. 

I was looking fiiiiine. 

A creep by the bus stop also thought that and, having his camera photo aimed towards me several times, I swear he took photos of me. And literally I swore, with my finger, because a lady wouldn't dream of using such vulgar spoken language in public...

I can look how I want, but no matter how 'i's are in my fiiiine, no one has the right to make me feel uncomfortable or take advantage of that, or take photos without my permission. Stay fierce and guard your fine-ness stylish ones, because only the best, including your bestest selves, deserve it.  

Day One Hundred and Forty Two

Claire is wearing a multi-coloured watercolour scarf [jumble sale], giant gold hoop earrings [Topshop], blue and white stripey tank top New Look], thin denim trousers [charity shop], black and white leopard print socks [Primark] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a snapback cap [Airwalk, from Sports Direct].

I bought this tank top, or crop top as it looks cropped on the hanger but when you actually stretch it to wear it, it's actually full length, as part of my post-exam shopping trip. I've been feeling the crop and fitted top vibe recently, especially in combination with the high-neck, no shoulder thing. All the things indeed. The style is very much in; it's a bit 90s and after having bought this top, I then saw 3 girls all wearing the same one that afternoon.

I rarely buy in to stripes but I'm trying to be more varied and embrace their linearity. The navy and white combo means I look a bit sailor today with my denim, but ahoy to co-ordination!

It's comfy and snug too, which means I don't even have to wear a bra, which is great as the one with the co-ordinating straps for this top is in the wash. Always the way... 

I get to show off my shoulders and arms, recently honed by a Youtube dance video channel (Fitness Marshal, great songs, sass and the routines are suitable for the uncoordinated such as myself). Meanwhile, I'm balancing out the snugness of the top with my baggy jeans. 

All about the baggy to snug ratio.

Day One Hundred and Forty One

Claire is wearing a dark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], blue men's shirt [Spanish charity shop], pale floral halterneck dress [Spanish vintage shop], white frilled socks [Morrison's] and black canvas hi-top trainers [Dunlop, from Sports Direct].
Covadonga is wearing a burgundy cotton scarf [currently being kept as lost property until a friend can pick it up].

Re-wearing the dress and continuing to live the 1950s housewife dream. One of my housemates says it makes me look like a slightly respectable, yet slutty 1950s housewife who's demurely having an affair with Mr Rodgers three doors down. All in the billow, that's the secret to being irresistible, a stair billow with the skirt. More manageable and staged than having your skirt rudely blown up by the wind outside. Another housemate said I looked like I was going to my high school prom. With Cov, obvs.
Today, as I'm volunteering, I've covered up a bit with a muted toned shirt. My friend told me I had a Will.i.am thing going on with my top button edgeh-ly done up over my dress. It's nice to mix it up and when I move you can see more of this fabulous under-layer!