Day Two Hundred and Twenty Six

Claire is away this week!
Covadonga is wearing a red and green dress with gold patterns [St Michael, from a charity shop].

This dress reminds me of a fancy tomato. It's red, like the flesh, dark green, like the tufty stems they have and it has gold and black patterning flecked across it, like a fancy label. It's fitted at the centre of the bust, at the bottom of a pleated v-neck, the dress than flares out slightly. It's a good, solid, yet vibrant work dress.

I also has sentimental value, it was the first garment I bought from the charity shop I then volunteered at for a year and a half. It amazes me that clothing has such a power of sentimentality; maybe it's because it holds scent (a powerful memory provider) and because clothes are literally the fabric of our lives. We do, just about, everything in them and sometimes it's hard to let go of those garments and everything associated with them, and clear-outs are hard enough. Our bodies are pretty amazing and sites of emotions and memories, it's only natural that anything we swathe them in will be rubbed off on. As much as some say clothing is just a necessity for warmth and coverage, it's a lot more, it's an extension of ourselves and a projection into the world. Something which when embraced and harnessed, is quite powerful!

To the important and favourite items in everyone's lives, stylish ones!

Day Two Hundred and Twenty Five

Claire is away this week!
Covadonga is wearing a toffee-coloured flower [Peacocks] and cream slip with embroidered roses [St Michael, from a charity shop]. 

Apparently slips are back in fashion, a round-about straight from the 90s. I nabbed this one from a charity shop on my holiday; it's from my favourite label St Michael which makes up for it being a tad loose (I plan on pinning the straps together in the middle of my back with a corsage to stop the low-cut drooping). It's lined and the overlay is made with cream lace with flowers creeping up it. I intend to wear it on a civilized evening out, I say 'civilized' in the sense that drinks will stay safely in glasses and not sloshed drunkenly on the flower, I mean white stains all too easily!

Little slips like this are great to daintily dress up with flowers, or toughen up with some boots and an oversize jacket. Be prepared to slip away, stylish ones!

Day Two Hundred and Twenty Four

Claire is away this week!
Covadonga is wearing a blue and green sparkly cardigan [jumble sale] and a beaded leaf-shaped bag [charity shop].

I've been watching a lot of 'Once Upon a Time' recently; I think it's rather splendid and there's a lot of episodes to keep me occupied. It's about fairy tales, and I's be happy to wear this if I was a fairy!

My long thin cardigan is sparkly and oversize enough to be like wings; I mean the label in it directs the wearer to 'sparkle the world'! 

Moreover, this leaf bag is fit for a pixie! It's the shape of a leave and covered with different shapes of lime green beads, and the handle is beaded too! I rarely use small bags like this anymore, although my inner 90s child likes small bags. I mean what did people do with those mini-bags in the day? I guess a tenner and lip gloss was all you needed on a night out, maybe a tissue and a key. Small beaded bags are dainty and pretty though, juts not fit for flinging around your head on a Friday night.

Day Two Hundred and Twenty Three

Claire is away this week!
Covadonga is wearing a red rose clip [charity shop] and multi-coloured long skirt with velvet and ribbon layers [charity shop].

This skirt is a real show-stopper! I'm not too keen on folk-like clothing, but this is priceless. My friends think it's hilarious, but I love the madness of its multi-colour layers and its creator, as I think it's hand-made. Each block of colour is a flap over the last layer of fabric and it must have been tricky to make them out of not only velvet but ribbon! It's also a floor-sweeper so there's a lot of fabric. It just looks magnificent, like something an epic folk queen would don! 

Finally, there's nothing like a tiny flower to balance out a giant skirt!

Day Two Hundred and Twenty Two

Claire is away this week! 
Covadonga is wearing a pair of large iridescent sunglasses [charity shop] and a burgundy suede jacket with tassels [charity shop].

Biker chic is timeless chic!

Who wouldn't want to rock a tattoo, leather fringing, aviators and a giant Harley. I would say wind whipped hair, but helmets as safety first, stylish ones! Even if the tattoo is a transfer and you don't own a bike, the rebellious essence associated with biking is fun to channel! Leather jackets, or plastic depending on your shopping habits and animal morals, are great for being fairly waterproof and classic (especially black ones). This one, however, is made of suede, which is not so raindrop-friendly unfortunately. It is burgundy and lined with reddish satin, and it has fringing along the back and front.  It's nice to have a jacket that's not black or denim blue and with its colour and texture, this one's rather playful!

Like a suped-up tricycle!

Day Two Hundred and Twenty One

Claire is wearing a silver lion charm necklace [charity shop], men's denim jacket [charity shop], lmen's grey vest [Leeds Kirkgate Market], brown snake-skin handbag [St Michael, from a charity shop], black leggings [Primark], leopard-print socks [Primark] and leopard-print hi-tops [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a shimmery pink halterneck top [Warehouse, from a charity shop].

Some days are just lazy comfy days. My lazy comfy day has been somewhat overshadowed by being caught in two different rainstorms at either end of the day, without an umbrella. Not fair. Especially after I trusted the BBC weather cloud icons. 

I'm working my base colours: grey, denim blue, brown and black. I'm also getting in on the whole subtle charm necklace wagon. This one has a lion dangling off it! They're cute and small, which in my mind means they're for slightly more sophisticated hipster. 

Moreover, the lion sits neatly on my chest, which the vest exposes a lot due to the men's cut of it. It's comfortable though and dress like! 

However, this is Cov's moment, in her Barbie pink top! I'm off on a week's holiday again up North, so I'm leaving Captain Cov at the helm of the blog until my return! 

I trust readers, you will be in capable paws!

Day Two Hundred and Twenty

Claire is wearing a pink and blue flowered silky fitted dress with matching ribbed belt [charity shop], black and white Doc Socks [Dr Martens shop] and tomato red Dr Martens [Dr Martens shop].
Covadonga is wearing a batwing pink floral blouse [from a friend]. 

I bought this in a charity shop and I believe it is hand-made, as there's no label to tap me on the wrist and correct me. However, it possess a power of fit I have rarely seen the likes of! It looks quite unflattering without the belt mind, like a fancy sack. A fancy sack with a belt though is streamlined and well-curved. It has a water-colour pattern on it and the magenta piping is lovely. I do feel a bit like an air hostess with the piped v-neck, but they look lovely at all altitudes so it's no real concern!

I've sleeked my hair back because there's nothing like a severe centre parting on a rainy day to brighten things up. I'm also wearing my coveted aqua lipstick I found on my last holiday as it matches the flowers; it's nice to mix it up, as much as I love pink, blue lipstick is all too rare a sight!

Finally, my boot blister burst and it really hurt and I had to limp home, looking very much un-trendy in my walk. Stay stylish and not sore readers!

Day Two Hundred and Nineteen

Claire is wearing a star-shaped flower necklace [charity shop], brown shirt with yellow and red centred flowers [charity shops], long denim skirt [charity shop] and tomato red Dr Martens [Dr Martens shop].
Covadonga is wearing a blue top with embroidered white flowers [vintage Tesco, from a charity shop].

I've opted for some earthy tones today, channeling some 70s-ness.

I love fashion from the 1970s, I think it's truly wonderful and funky! The platforms, the flares, the hotpants, their fashion was so great, it even made the colour brown fashionable! This shirt is part of a skirt and shirt set: the formidable and fantastic double S! I have worn both together, but today only my top is having an outing. The neck buttons quite high, which is pleasing and makes it even more hipster than it was before. I think it fits with my hippy-ish denim skirt. Moreover, the red inner circles of the flowers match my boots and their painful yet attractive leather uppers.

I've kept my hair long and wavy, possibly a mistake in today's downpour and elongated my cat flick, also a possible mistake in the rain. However, I am making progress with my eyeliner, which is worth waddling in a rainstorm for!

Day Two Hundred and Eighteen

Claire is wearing a plush mink-coloured dressing gown [origin forgotten], blue slogan t-shirt [Spanish charity shop] and dark grey men's boxer shorts [Primark]. 
Covadonga is wearing a white Amsterdam weekender t-shirt [Outgoing Amsterdam trip].

I don't go in for PJ days, unless illness or, if I actually drink more than 3 cocktails, hangover strikes. But rules are for breaking and the weather was torrential all day and it's bed linen washing day so...

My favourite nighttime ensemble is just a t-shirt and boxers. Take a tip from me, if not from the boys, boxers are the way to go. Such comfort. Like a high-waisted underpant, but less clingy and thigh covering. Perfect PJ bottoms. Likewise, men's t-shirts are nice mainly due to their looser shape and lesser elastane count then women's. PJ offer the chance to wear those novelty t-shirts you bought and could never bring yourself to wear outside, the over-size ones and the just plain boring, hideous ones!

Sleep tight stylish ones!

Day Two Hundred and Seventeen

Claire is wearing a pair of small hoop earrings [Topshop], star-shaped flower necklace [charity shop], black playsuit with beige floral print [Miss Selfridge, from a friend], leopard-print socks [Primark] and black and leopard print creepers [charity shop].
Covadonga is wearing a tan and beige floral print scarf [Spanish charity shop].

The sun has been shining and I've been sweating accordingly. Do you know there's a sweat gland between your eyebrows? I didn't until this summer...

I haven't worn this playsuit out of doors despite my intentions to do so; it's just that I have crotch issues. I tried it on backwards, with a nice v-back and frontwards, with a nice low-cut, but I always felt I had a camel toe. I was haunted by it. My friends assured me it wasn't so and today a I took the plunge. I wore it frontwards, because what the heck. I got a few stares along the way, but it looks good and imagine what would have happened if I hadn't secured the button-less section with a safety-pin. Something this low means you create a perfect board on which to display a necklace, like my star. Eyes would have fallen out! It's short, but flattering as it's nipped in at the waist and has draped shoulders, which balances out my pear hips. The garment is also made of jersey that is mighty comfy.

Once again, one of my favourite fashion equations of short hemline, higher sock is in play!

Day Two Hundred and Sixteen

Claire is wearing a pair of small hoop earrings [Topshop], patch shirt with rose embroidery [charity shop], long denim skirt [charity shop] and leopard hi-tops [Topshop]. 
Covadonga is wearing a white scarf with corn [St Michael, from a charity shop].

Sometimes you just have to go the whole hog, as opposed to the mere hindquarters.Today's hog is cowgirl chic!

My skirt is Western worthy with its denim fabric and corset-style waist with giant flaring skirt; I feel like I should be sweeping across a prairie instead of tarmac road. I paired it with this shirt today, which is a combination of the most cowgirlish items I own. My shirt is patched with white, tan and grey and includes visible stitching. I quite like rough edging like that, as long as it's over a finished product, not just messy in itself. My favourite thing about it are the embroidered roses and pattern down the button strip. They're nicely placed to overlap patches and not be too linear. I also feel quite formal and well dressed in it as the sleeves are just plain snow white, which helps tone down the main section of the shirt into something fun but wearable, perhaps, for work.

YEEHAAW for funky work-wear!

Second-hand Clothing

I love buying second-hand clothing! A large proportion of my wardrobe nowadays is a mixture of vintage finds and charity shop bargains, so it seems only right that I should dedicate some first-hand words to second-hand items. It's great to take part in fashion recycling and to have a garment with a history of its own! Moreover, I feel older clothes are made to last and if they've lasted this long, I can definitely get a few more years out of them. To me, the term covers several different areas and as I like lists, I'm indulging in some headings today!

Some favourite finds and items from friends!

Vintage and Retro
Vintage is, after asking the internet, classed as original items from the 1980s, 70s, 60s and further back, although some of that may be in museums instead of shops, meanwhile retro is modern items in the style of vintage and could also be items from the recent past, 1980s/90s. A knowledge of older labels is quite useful for vintage hunting. My personal favourite is St Michael (now M&S clothing). Labels in general are tell-tale signs! If garments have been made in the country the label is from, big labels with fancy fonts and measurements are promising signs!
Finally, vintage clothing often comes with all the hands! Some items won't be colour safe and the pigment will run or the fabric may be delicate, so hand-wash is advisable! A lot of vintage knitwear in the jumper sections I've found is often hand-knitted! Similarly, more people were skilled in sewing and made their own clothing in the past which means you can snare completely unique items that are hand-made!

Charity shops and Jumble Sales
Charity shopping is great fun and it's all for a worthwhile cause! I love browsing and rummaging through piles and rails; the race is sometimes better than the finish. I don't want to sound deep and pretentious, but taking time to rifle around and find a vintage gem or the garment from last year's trend you wanted but never actually bought is much more fulfilling than clicking online or buying in a well-organised store.

Hand-me-downs 
A brilliant way to recycle clothing, charity donations aside, is to offer them to the people around you, friends and family. The past year has allowed me to inherit two pairs of Converse, a St Micheal leopard jumper and a Topshop top among other things! I have offered first dibs on my cast-away as thanks in return! It's nice to see items you couldn't or no longer wanted to wear get the love they deserve from a friend!

Cov's hunting tips for second-hand prowling:
- Bring a belt: the downside of not having that specific pattern or design in every size is that you need to breathe in/buy squeeze-in underwear or nip the volume in at the waist.
- Be patient: this from someone who's co-blogger is highly impatient highlights that, sadly for some, good things come to those who rummage and browse carefully! 
- Check for stains: especially under arms, but don't despair over dirt: Vanish exists! 
- Try on something hideous, you may surprise yourself, and if not you, certainly any nearby shoppers; I've tried on a wedding dress, a leopard catsuit and and 80s 2-piece: have no shame! 
- But obviously, have fun, stylish ones!

Day Two Hundred and Fifteen

Claire is wearing a pair of iridescent stone and diamante triangle earrings [Topshop], navy sparkly stretch top [charity shop], long denim skirt [charity shop]  and tomato red Dr Martens [Dr Martens shop].
Covadonga is wearing a pink flower [Claire's Accessories]. 

I'm swirling around today beneath the many clouds! This skirt has the advantages of being cool in summer and warm-ish in, perhaps, autumn. It's wide and airy for summer, yet the thick fabric and gathered area at the hips and the snug waist is warming. Which is great as today I experienced a small humid heat wave at 3:30, only for cloud to be resumed as normal shortly afterwards. It was a glorious wave though!

My top isn't exactly suited to such humidity and warmth though. It's long sleeved and made out of a kind of stretchy fabric which means it fits snugly on my arms, but not my shoulders strangely, and my torso; this means my skin can't breathe that easily in it and I heat up like water in a kettle. It is, however, possessed of sparkles in the fabric which glitter subtly. I think it would be a great grown-up Christmas kind of garment, omitting the fact we're currently in August obviously.

Finally, my colour-pop boots are being taken for longer walks, with the help of two pairs of socks. With such a splash of colour at my feet, walkies will never be the same! 

Day Two Hundred and Fourteen

Claire is wearing a red edged jungle and animal print scarf [Spanish charity shop], black leather jacket [charity shop], long blue hand-knitted cardigan [knitted by my Nan], long navy and white small check dress [St Michael, from a charity shop] and tomato red Dr Martens [Dr Martens shop].
Covadonga is wearing a silver fitted top [jumble sale].

Another rainy, grey day, another grainy, blurred photo. My camera and I are still locked in the focus battle.

I'm suitably blue, the colour of Crayola raindrops and today's ongoing downpour. I wore my dress again and I've realised the slit in the centre of the back of dress is not entirely practical as I managed to splash the back of my calves in a puddle. It is pleasing to the eye though, or so I imagine, not having eyes on the back of my head.

I've up the edge with my leather jacket and grungy cardi: we've got more edge than a Topshop photo shoot today. I also wore my Docs for a longer walk after wearing them indoors all day. I had two pairs of socks on; trainer socks and a pair of Doc Socks, which are epic-ally padded socks designed with wearing-in in mind. My heels consider them a worthwhile investment!

Finally, colour wise, I'm not overly keen on the monochrome with red pairing, I do like navy blue and red, with a bit of classic black thrown in for good measure. Navy has a reputation for secondary school uniforms but it's a lovely classic colour which is a great alternative to black!

Day Two Hundred and Thirteen

Claire is wearing a grey square scarf with a lion head (in hair) [Spanish antique shop], silver earrings with periwinkle flowers [jumble sale], silver lion charm necklace [charity shop], long navy and white small check dress [St Michael, from a charity shop] and yellow canvas hi-top trainers with orange and purple rabbits [Converse, from a friend].
Covadonga is wearing a black leather jacket [charity shop].

I bought this dress knowing, after having tried it on, that the bottom was hugging my rear and hips while edging away from my chest and waist. Usually, I would have strayed form this unflattering template, as I have done with other lovely patterned numbers, however, this dress manages to do it in a nice way! It shows a bit of curve without being too tight and unwalkable, while gently skimming over my chest and upper torso. Somehow it works and makes me look, and more importantly feel, good! Moreover, I like this dress for it's subtle blue check which makes it look like a table covering, but hey, it feels like a high class one at least! I love the square neckline which means my collar bones sit nicely like they're on their own TV screen (I'm into symmetry and neat fitting things), along with the chunky straps. Finally, the dress has some silver buttons down one side to help me get in and out of it which look rather fetching too.

The whole thing feels a little bit grungy to me, especially as I've been mooching and slouching and all the other oochings and ouchings around the house in my long knitted cardi. Oh and my eye liner is getting more symmetrical, well worth the five double ended cotton bud attempts!

Day Two Hundred and Twelve

Claire is wearing a dark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], men's pink t-shirt [Primark], blue and silver rose brooch [charity shop], pale denim shorts dungarees [Universal denim, from a charity shop], leopard-print socks [Primark] and yellow canvas hi-top trainers with orange and purple rabbits [Converse, from a friend].
Covadonga is wearing a long blue hand-knitted cardigan [knitted by my Nan].

Finally, a clear photo! My camera has been testing my patience with it's lack of focus; we're in this together! And finally the last dungarees day! The washing machine finally beckons.

I went, looking like and simply like, a child off on an adventure to Cheltenham for a day trip. I look like a sugar stick of candy today; raspberry (such an incongruous colour choice, but I guess dark purple and red are already taken by other berries) blue, strawberry fondant pink and sherbet lemon. I needed comfort for the hour bus ride so I had my dungarees and casual t-shirt slung on, likewise my walk-able flat shoes. However, my dungarees have finally come into their own as a tourist aid. My camera or wallet fits in the front pouch should I need to snap something or, heaven forbid, take a selfie with some kind of artifact or buy something. So useful! And safe, I mean if anyone had wanted to steal them, they would have been within pinching distance and it would have looked far too inappropriate in the first place. Win win!

Finally, limited adornment due to to traveling and trying on garments, but my pouch is also a a great display case for brooches and pins, that won't get in my way!

Oh, and here's my selfie (in a wall mirror from around 1800-1820):

Day Two Hundred and Eleven

Claire is wearing a pair of giant thick gold hoop earrings [Miss Selfridge], gold sqiggle sectioned necklace [charity shop], leopard heads and print crop top [Topshop], pale denim shorts dungarees [Universal denim, from a charity shop], black and white leopard-print socks [Primark] and leopard-print hi-tops [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a flower-print brown shirt [charity shop].

The dungarees aren't going anywhere, they're being put through an endurance test and so far, so good. The latest over-size moan is that I can't undo the tabs and let the top and cross-back hang down, because the whole lot will fall down and I would be far more exposed than planned. I may try with a belt, but for now my bib is staying put.

I wore a small sleeve-less top today. If you don't want to show off your sleeves in dungarees, the side gaps do allow for some showcasing; it just depends what you wish to showcase! As my top peeps through and shows on the sides, you can tell I'm wearing one, the cheeky thing is it looks a bit like I'm not! A faked fabric away from nakedness!

Moreover, I made a special effort with my face today. I put on my biggest gold earrings and I used my new eyeliner. It's from The Natural Collection, at Boots; it has a very fine brush and operates out of a lip gloss-style tube. I'm not one to heavily endorse but as my felt tip pen one has failed me already I thought to try something new. I was wary and, like any toddler, safer with a felt tip than an ink pen, but I can highly recommend it! It went on easily, didn't smudge as promised when I rubbed my eyes and I used significantly less repairing cotton buds than usual! A Pard endorsed product to try!

Day Two Hundred and Ten

Claire is wearing grey and pink flowers (in hair) [Claire's accessories], mauve lace wide-armed cardigan [charity shop], pale denim shorts dungarees [Universal denim, from a charity shop], plush panda rucksack [Spanish jumble sale] and pink flowered hi-tops with magenta ribbon laces [Converse, from a friend, ribbon from Leeds Kirkgate Market].
Covadonga is wearing a grey jersey turban [Spanish market].

Indulging my inner child today! My inner flower, romantic child!

I'm wearing my dungarees again, the only issue I've encountered today is that their over-size nature cause the fabric at the front to crease, so it makes my crotch look a bit crumpled when I walk. But they look cute enough to get away with it!

I'm becoming more interested in delicate fabrics like lace recently. Maybe it's a sign that I've finally matured and I can allow myself to wear garments that are pale coloured, with holes that are supposed to exist and made out of thin, delicate fabric. As opposed to dark coloured materials that can be biologically washed at 60C and Vanished to an inch of their thread count. I may be dressed like a 10 year-old, but I am now as careful as my real age! I decided to wear this cardigan as a top under my dungarees. Partly because it has billowy sleeves which are a great compliment to dungarees, given that the front of it won't get seen. Secondly this cardigan doesn't have any kind of fastening at the front and it's sheer, so probably for the best that it was hidden under my many pockets. It's all very delicate, with flowers stitched on the mesh and it's a lovely romantic colour. I pinned same flowers in my hair to go with the romantic flow. 

However, I then put on pink converse and used my panda rucksack, because you can't take anything too seriously!

Day Two Hundred and Nine

Claire is wearing a dark teal scrunchie [Leeds Kirkgate Market], green iridescent drop jewel earrings [Primark], men's teal silk shirt [Spanish charity shop], pale denim shorts dungarees [Universal denim, from a charity shop] and green wellington boots [Lord knows, some cheap shoe shop, I've had them since Year 7]. 
Covadonga is wearing a pair of pale denim shorts [charity shop].

As promised (or threatened) the blue theme continues!

I bought these snazzy dungarees yesterday at a charity shop. They're made by Universal Dneim, I've had a pair of their shorts secondhand before now and was puzzled by the company I'd never heard of. It now turns out that, although not common, there are some pieces hiding out there. Sadly my Googling skills have proved fruitless as the phrase itself registers as rather general jeans wear. I do like pale denim though, it's much more summery than it's navy companion and it's a little more edgeh. Dungarees remind me of children's clothing, but I had a full length pair in my early teens. And I can assure you they were a mistake at that age and height. These are over-size on me in terms of width; they look bigger laid out but actually on, they're just a bit roomy. They have full functionality with three silver buttons on each side, straps that need to be wrestled to re-adjust and seven pockets, including a long one for my pens and crochet hooks.

I put on my silk shirt and added my drop earrings for extra fanciness. The wellies meanwhile were an unfortunate weather requirement due to today's torrential rain. And it wasn't until I went out that I realised I looked like a fancy farmer.

Day Two Hundred and Eight

Claire is wearing a zebra-print square scarf (in hair) [vintage sale], silver geometric shape earrings [charity shop], men's mottled light blue t-shirt [Primark, from a charity shop], blue pineapple patterned beaded skirt [River Island, from a charity shop], grey thermal socks [George at Asda] and white creepers [charity shop]. 
Covadonga is wearing a hand-knitted white and yellow jumper [made by me!).

This skirt is one that's not worn often and throughout the course of my day, I've realised walking only exacerbates this issue. The waistband on this skirt has elastic issues; I say issues, the issue is that there's not much elastic left. It was fine this morning, it sat on my waist with the help of my t-shirt to lodge it there, but by the time I was walking home is was having a hard time clinging to my backside. By that time I had given up and let my t-shirt loose, which helped hide my desperate skirt situation. I love the print though! There's pineapples in the centre of each curled vine line. I love a good pineapple. There's something so pleasing about the shape and their tufty top, they're like real-life cartoons! If pineapples were people, I bet they'd be fun to hang out with a quirky dress sense: I'd befriend several. Finally, this skirt has a turquoise beaded fringe on its triangular hem, which is lovely and adds an extra pizzazz! The downside is the swishy noisy the beads make which made my think there were flies near me at times today.

I other news I appear to have adopted a blue theme, which looks set to continue for the rest of the week. I mean I'm not doing anything else...

Day Two Hundred and Seven

Claire is wearing a pair of skeleton earrings [handmade, skeletons from Afflecks of Manchester], powder blue cotton shorts [Land's End, from a charity shop], men's off-white t-shirt [Primark], plush crocodile rucksack [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 plush panda rucksack [Spanish jumble sale].

Feeling cute today and reverting to my shoe size (a modest six) instead of my years (an ever-growing 22). I've kept it classic, basically simple but nice, with my plain but not dazzlingly white t-shirt paired with my fantastic breezy blue shorts. These shorts are one of my favourite items this summer' they wash well, their cotton is breathable, despite them being nowhere near my lungs, and the colour is whimsical yet useful. I basically look like a cloud atop a blue sky. With a flying crocodile at my back.

I bought Snap, as I have un-originally named him, recently after spotting him in a charity shop toy basket. He's delightfully soft and plush, despite some green shedding today. Unlike my panda, who has spinal stuffing, or severe shame, issues which mean he cannot look up when on my back, his head is always drooping forward, Snap's snout protrudes forward most enthusiastically! He looks fantastic and the woman at the Tesco checkout noticed him too. Like mini-rucksacks, animal rucksacks are not just for children. In fact an alarming amount of edgeh trends have stemmed from childhood: frilled socks, scrunchies, shiny T-bar shoes...

Anyway, it is nice to know someone's got your back, even if their teeth are made of felt.

Day Two Hundred and Six

Claire is wearing a blue stones gold necklace [charity shop], green sheer blouse patterned with angel heads and flowers [table top sale], long blue hand-knitted cardigan [knitted by my Nan],  palm-print culottes [Pop Boutique Leeds] and leopard-print hi-tops [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a pair of spiked hoop earrings [New Look].

After a not so angelic weekend, I'm redeeming myself with my cherubim shirt. Although, it's sheerness suggests otherwise; however the mix of flowers and angelic heads helps break up the appearance of the bra underneath. This time around, I'm braving it without a brooch or scarf clip and the low cut has stayed put. I think the tie-front helped anchor it to my torso. Also, there's been far less static than I expected from wool and sheer polyester; my garments have been so well behaved today!

I went in for some colour co-ordination mixed with print clash. I'm really enjoying blue at the moment. It's like earth and heaven meeting with the angels in the heavens and the palm leaves of the earth on my clothing!

Day Two Hundred and Five

Claire is wearing a gold sleeveless top [BHS, from a charity shop], palm-print culottes [Pop Boutique Leeds], grey leopard-print thermal socks [George at Asda] and tan leather boots [Topshop].
Covadonga is wearing a gold thin knit jumper [Laura Ashley, form a charity shop].

I found this top in a charity shop sale, originally from BHS a long time ago, and I liked because it was gold. One of my friends (formally, a housemate) is fixated with gold things, other sparkly things too, but mainly GOLD. She rightfully pressured me into wearing the Laura Ashley top Cov is donning today after threatening to steal it from me several times once she was are of its existence. She liked it so much she bought a gold mesh fronted vets from Topshop. This has taught me a valuable lesson: do not pass up gold. This goes for medals as well. Meanwhile, my top is a fabulous fit, thin knits can be snug and this is great, especially as this one isn't tight round the arm holes, which means my shoulder have time to shine! 

I've also used my cheek/lip/eye pen in gold! I got it from Leeds Kirkgate Market, unfortunately it's a tad greasy which means it gather in the crease in my eye lid, but it's a nice shiny colour! I was going to do a line, but I just drew it over my whole lid in the end, much less concentration required!

Day Two Hundred and Four

Claire is wearing a long patterned sheer sleeve-less shirt with low back [from a friend], yellow, turquiuse and mint coloured ribbons [Leeds Kirkgate Market], yellow tassel earrings [handmade, tassels from Leeds Kirkgate Market], pale mint culottes [Wallis, from Leeds Kirkgate Market] and yellow canvas hi-top trainers with orange and purple rabbits [Converse, from a friend].
Covadonga is wearing a pair of orange tassel earrings [handmade, tassels from Leeds Kirkgate Market].

In honour of the last day of accessories week the theme is haberdashery! You can make you own and do it yourself! Things like tassels and ribbons are great for being creative fashion-wise. Earrings are particularly fruitful fields of exploration, all you need are a pack of earrings hooks and then simply attach things to them. I'm hoping to do something creative with buttons sometime soon, just not decided what yet. Ribbons are lovely for braiding and bracelet-ing too. Go and be creative and stick things on yourself stylish ones!

Oh and my clothing today! I had a headache that would not let up after my escapade last night, so I went for basic colour co-ordination. I paired my wide culottes with my long sheer shirt, as I had enjoyable swirling success with loose layering previously this week. I think the contrast of the heavy material of the culottes and the sheer shirt is pleasant, I think I look like nicely wrapped mint!

Night Two Hundred and Three

Claire is wearing a short flared multi-coloured and patterned dress [charity shop], black and white leopard-print socks [Primark] and yellow canvas hi-top trainers with orange and purple rabbits [Converse, from a friend].
Covadonga is wearing a short halterneck red dress with blue flowers [vintage shop].

I went out! I ventured out and about to a local nightclub for the first time, and it was great fun! 

I didn't entirely blend in with my attire, but I'm happy I wore it! I found it while browsing on holiday in a charity shop and thought it was a rather loud shirt. However, having pulled it off the rail and tired it on, I discovered that it's actually a dress. I think. I reached this conclusion as it's tent-like, triangular and wide at the bottom, it flares out nicely, more so than a shirt would do. This contrasts with the long sleeves topped with incredibly tight cuffs that are made for children's wrists. It's incredibly well patterned; there's monochrome spots, swirls and stripes alongside pink and orange flowers and blocks of colour. It's a fantastic statement. It also has letters printed on it. At first I thought it was just vowels, but last night I discovered it has consonants too, I think they spell out the label (Joy-Fun). I hope to find them all next time I don it!

In other news, I clashed with monochrome socks and my yellow rabbit hi-tops. My hair made me feel like a shampoo advert model, it was so swishy and soft, and hopefully all that swinging it helped detract from my patchy eyeliner. 

Day Two Hundred and Three

Claire is wearing an gold ear-cuff earring with chain [H&M], gold circle earring [H&M], star-shaped flower necklace [charity shop], cream floral lace top [Zara, from a charity shop], gold sectioned bracelet [jumble sale], gold rings [H&M], powder blue cotton shorts [Land's End, from a charity shop], yellow canvas hi-top trainers with orange and purple rabbits [Converse, from a friend].
Covadonga is wearing a gold beaded necklace [jumble sale].

Today's theme is subtle. Something I am not.

I've got my quietest gold jewelry attached to me; I have put a lot of it on, which goes to show that, like small grains of sand, lots of subtle small things can be stand-out, like a beach, a big palm tree lined one. I'm into those stackable, mixed sized rings they sell in packs, you get so many to choose from and the small ones can be used as mid-finger rings which sit above the middle knuckle. They're so edgeh! I mean why should one finger, or finger part for that matter, be left out of the adornment! Just make sure to check which size you're buying, I get the large so I can squeeze the smaller ones on ring fingers and the big ones on my thumbs.

This top is delightful in so many ways! I got it still with the tags in, bargain! It's a bit too big for me, this is especially obvious in the neckline and the, however, I like the blooming drape of it. There are even two different flower ace patterns, as the sleeves are thicker lace with dots as well as flowers. The sleeves are also draped. It's all so theatrical and feminine! I feel delicate, like a small Venus fly trap as opposed to a big one! This top is helping me overcome my fear of wearing pale creams and white; my fears being lipstick, tomato based sauces and dirt.