Caught in a Blaze

Hi people,

It's mid March & one very busy month for me.  The weather threatened a little bit of spring recently & lulled me into a false sense of security, then threw us right back into a freezing spell.  It meant I wasn't always in the mood to picture myself in the same clothes I constantly wear to keep the bitter clothes out & bore you all.

I promised you a photo of my Tux in my last blog so here it is.  Those of you who are on Facebook & have liked my Stylish AT50 page would have already seen it.

I wore it with a Black blouse & trousers, then wore statement shoes to finish off my look.  As I said previously, I personally get a little bored of just black, so thought I'd spice it up with a pop of Red.

My shoes are a few years old from Top Shop & I'd forgotten I even had them, until I went digging through the boxes in the bottom of my wardrobe.

When they got too much I took them off, and a young lady came over & asked where I'd hidden my gorgeous shoes,  She said she loved the all black with pop of colour, so I took that as affirmation that my choice paid off.  lol!

I love my Tux & I'm still smiling from my great find.










Yesterday I was out again for the evening celebrating a friends birthday.  We we all going out from work, so I had to think about sensible footwear, as tube stations are like an assultt course in heels for me.  So I worked everything around a pair of converse trainers.

I went for black trousers a green knit top with leather look arms a a large go Zippper in the back & a black Jacket which I found at half price in H&M

My Jewellery was a pair of Green & Black glass clip on earrings & Gold & green necklace.   

Jackets as well as blouses seem to be the thing at the moment & there are some great ones around at the moment.  H&M are full of them.
This one is new in shop right now.At at £24.99 it's a steal & also comes is white & black. 

                                           
Kim Kardashian can be seen here wearing a similar one.

There are so many ways they can be worn.  A good jacket is a good investment.  Worn casual or dressed up, you always need one.  Here's Jada Pinkett-Smith in a Jean style blazer, worn over a vest with a scarf added.
.








This high school look blazer is from Matalan & only £28.00




It is a staple, so go searching.  You don't have to pay the earth for them either.  I have many & trust me, the one thing you will all know about me by now is, I don't pay over the odds for clothes. 

There are so many around, look out for them.  Don't assume you don't have the right body shape to wear them either.  Try them on, one of them will suit you & you will wonder how you ever lived without one in your wardrobe. 


Those of you who are a little brave, don't instinctively go for black, try other colours.  This is one I purchased last years in my favorite colour.  That pic was taken this time last year when we celebrated the same friends birthday & as it was warmer, I paired it with orange footwear & clutch.



If you cannot think of where to look for them, send me an Email & I will be more than happy to go searching for you.



On that note, I will say good bye for now, have a great week people.






Happy shopping.


Kind Regards




Stylist AT50



Email;  Stylishat50@gmail.com
Facebook;  Stylish AT50  (Go to FaceBook & like my page to guarantee seeing blogs as soon as I post them)

Neon alert

Hi All,

Hope you've all had an enjoyable week.  My weeks been great more so because I had yesterday off, & met up with my sister for lunch at Westfield.

While there, I tried everything in my power to only go into a few shops & was really proud of myself that I was able to go into Zara & vacate the building having not purchased anything.  My sister has recently lost a ton of weight, so I was walking around the store going, "This would be great on you".  That way I didn't visualise any of the items on myself, because I was too busy mentally dressing her.

However, although I managed to avoid any transactions in Zara, I didn't fair so well in H&M.  I managed to walk out of there with 3 items, all of which I'd call essential.  Yes I know.......,  I'm not sure who I am fooling either.  However they were all bargains & too good to pass up.  One of them was a great steal which I'd been looking on line for, for absolute ages, but me being me, I didn't really want to part with too much cash, mainly because like many of us, I didn't really have much to part with.  I managed to find a fitted Tuxedo Jacket with one of those fabulous red stickers on, for a mere £15.00.  I am thinking of wearing it tonight, so will take a pic to show you, for next time if i do.

What I did notice while out shopping yesterday which is pretty hard to miss, are some of the lovely colours of Cobalt blue & Neon Yellows that are populating all the shops for spring/summer. 




Here's Jennifer Lopez rocking Neon Yellow & me doing the same last summer.  So happy to see it is still around this season.



                                             

Anyone who knows me well knows Cobalt blue has been my favourite colours for years. Even my car's is as near to cobalt blue as I could get.











Anyway, I injected some colour into my wardrobe this week too, with a pair of Opaque tights & a Blouse.  I slipped the blouse underneath my woollen pinafore style dress, and added tights in the same colour.

Blouse(Primark 2011)

Wool Pinafore (Great Plains 2011)

Wellies (TKMaxx)

Tights (Primark 2011)

Bucket Bag (Zara 2011)

 

Black is great in the winter, but for me, worn everyday is slightly depressing, so spicing it up, never fails to cheer me up & colleagues told me it cheered them up too, so it's all good.








               ❥           ❥          ❥         ❥          ❥         ❥         ❥         ❥         ❥        ❥          ❥



I pulled an old faithful out of the cupboard this week, which is really  comfortable due to the draping affect.   It does falls a little low in the chest area so I added a vest beneath, to avoid any unnecessary overspill.




Dress (New Look 2006)
Boots (River Island 2009)
Necklace(Present)
Earrings (H&M 2008)

 

I teamed it with a wooden black earrings & a beautiful gold & black necklace that was given to me years ago for Christmas, by one of my daughters best friends.



Returning to my bargains, the other was a Statement necklace that I kept staring at, while my sister was trying to get my input on a jumper she liked.  I fought this dying urge run off mid sentence, to get a closer look at it was,   I finally let her finish & bolted over to wear it hung & got it down.  It was £30, cheaper than one my daughter had bought me for Christmas years before & just as stunning & effective.  So at that price & because I know how fabulous a piece of jewellery can make the plainest dress or top or even vest top look & how expensive those unusual pieces generally are, I went straight to the till & bought it.  My sister had the good sense to buy one too.   She's a quick learner, I can vouch for that.

Don't forget keep a look out for bargains.  That way you get more, for less.

Gonna have to run, as people so see & places to go.  Enjoy your weekend.



Stay blessed





Stylish AT50






Email;   Stylishat50@gmail.com
Facebook;   Stylish AT50

Blouse season

Hi,

After living in flat boots for a few weeks, I've decided to go back to my old faithfuls purple knee high boots & match them with greys.  I will have to get used to wearing heels again, but it'll be worth it, as i am rather vertically challenged.

It seems to have warmed up slightly since that bit of snow we had a few weeks ago, so I went for a blouse with a light vest underneath.



Tweed skirt (Oasis)
Silk Skirt (Zara)
Fringed Cardigan (Asda)
Purple vest (Zara)
Purple boots (RI)
Purple feathered earrings (Primark)
Purple wooden Necklace & bracelet(West indies market stall)

 Blouses, are light & great for office wear.  The don't just have to be the boring types either;

This one, in animal print chiffon cost me £7:00 in New look's sale last year  It's pleated in the front with bat wing sleeves. 




The floral one to the right is from Gok Wans range last year for Tu & has a bow tie, making it very feminine.  

 

This one is from Zara a few years back around £12.00 in the Sales also.  Teamed with a buttoned up black blazer it shows the frill's off, in a different way  Check out one of my previous blogs, where it is feathered.  Same blouse, different look

                                                                              This black poker dot high neck blouse is from the 1st Kardashian's collection for Dorothy Perkins.  I'd been searching for one for a while, so when it come up I grabbed it, as it can be worn for years & never date.  Plus it has that old fashion feel to it.

Last Saturday, my girlfriend & I went to a friends 50th.  I'd bruised the Tendon in my left arm that week, so movement was still very painful & limited & getting dressed took on a new meaning.  I could hardly lift my arm, more than a foot away from my body, so I had to chose something that I could get into with very little ease. 

I opted for a Zip front dress, another of Gok Wan's collection for Tu.  Purchased in the sale is was a steal at £22.50.   It is made with a control slip sewn in, which is a dream.
I teamed it with Red front Stilettos, (Zara).  Also worn this week by Rochelle Wiseman. (see photo below)  Added a Red Channel look quilted bag from French connection.  Taking the gold Zip into consideration I wore a Gold statement necklace (accessories), a gold cuff (Top Shop) & gold earrings (Primark)

As Spring is slowly approaching, (I can dream),  I'm looking forward to wearing lots of the things I purchased at the end of the summer sales last year & the year before.  There is something about brighter days that make waking up in the mornings for what ever reason, a joy.

Till next time,  Have a lovely week ppl. 






Stylish AT50


Email;  Stylishat50@gmail.com
Facebook; Stylish AT50

Hello Feburary

Hi All,

So January is now over but it is usually the month for change & although I set no resolutions, I did instead set myself some goals.   One is to be more positive about the things I have, & less about the things I don't or cannot change.  Another is to conquer fear, not an easy one for most of us.  One of the things I fear is change.  Not that once it happens I don't try to embrace it, because I do, but I don't usually go looking for it.  So...... I have decided to change the frequency in which I write this blog & to change some of the features & this week I am going to take you through a few choices,

On Thursday I was meeting the head of our services for the very first time & had to give a presentation....Well it would be a lie to say I wasn't nervous, but I know the power fashion has over my daily spirit, so dressing for the occasion was a must;




Structured textured Peplum Top (Tu)
Lace Skirt (Zara)
Black Patent courts(Dorothy Perkins)
Feather Earrings (Primark)

 Necklace (H&M)







                                                   Bag (Zara) 

Scarf (Tu)
Coat with removable fur collar (Zara)

Feeling good helped & it went off well.  It's so easy to wear Black all the time through the winter, but jazzing it up a little with nude works well.  Are you someone that only wears gold or silver, well don't limit yourself by shying away from glass jewellery, it can be just as effective as Gold & sliver.

Knits

Hi all,

Hope you're all wrapped up snugly from this bitterly cold weather.   Yesterday, I felt real icy cutting wind, for the 1st time this winter.  Every day this week has been a real struggle to find ways of dressing for the extremly cold weather.  In truth I find that the style stakes tend to lessen for me in these next few months, simply because I cannot even think about wearing shoes,  heels or no tights during these months, so it does restrict what I can wear.

              
Monday;  
                                      
Animal print peplum(Tu); Black waffle tube skirt(Tu);
Black fitted quilted Jacket(Mango);
Wellies (TKMaxx);
Tan Shopper(Zara);
Jewellery (Miss Selfridge)

Tuesday;

Oxblood elephant print T shirt (Zara);
Grey wool wide legged trousers (Zara);
Grey fringed Cardigan (Asda);
Black boots(River Island);
Jewellery (Dorothy Perkins)           






Wednesday;

Black frill wool skirt(Betty Jackson);
Black long sleeved T shirt(H&M);               
Black fringed cardigan (Tu);
Wellies(TKMaxx);                 
Jewellery(Miscellaneous shop, no longer in business)

Friday;

Black frilled cardigan(Wallis);
Grey cotton top(New Look);
Black A line wool plated skirt (Zara);
Wellies (TKMaxx);
Jewellery (French Connection/Miss Selfridge)






All through the week I've worn thermal layers beneath my clothing.  It really is the best way to keep warm.  As well as tights or socks I also wore ski socks to keep my feet warm.  I never go out doors without a scarf & a hat because I loose way too much heat from my head, as we all do.  I had a young lady laugh when I mentioned I had on a thermal vest once, until I asked if if she was cold, to which  she said 'yes.'  So I said "Well, I'm not".  Wearing a thermal vest is no different from wearing a normal vest under your clothing.  They sell them everywhere now, Primark, M&S, H&M the list goes on.  They actually make sense, unless you don't feel the cold. 



KNITS

  When trying to stay warm, it does not necessarily mean we have to do it in Dark knits.  There are some great colours out there to keep us a little uplifted during these grey dreary months. This one is from H&M at £14.99


If you are small in frame, this type of cropped jumper will look great with a long vest or a simple white shirt, you can team both looks with leggings or jeans for a smart casual look.  In one of my first blogs I did the same with a longer Jumper, but pulled a belt around it;  This one is from Top Shop at £30.00


 The one below already has contrasting arms built in. It's £35 from River Island.


Jumpers can be a problem for some, I struggle sometimes with the look I wish to create, due to the size of my bust, so have to be really careful when choosing them.  Just because they look great on one does not necessarily mean it will look great on you.

Which brings me to one of my "Pet Hates" ...... Shrugs worn by the wrong shaped woman.



I believe one of the aims of the shrug when they came out, was to help cover your arms,   However, if you have a large bust or back fat, (which a majority of us do), or you have bad posture, or you are not a small to medium frame, you might want to look in the mirror (at all angles) & ask yourself, whether covering your arms with this garment, doesn't just expose other parts of your body, that you actually don't want to expose. 
  There is a common misconcepton that has been made over the years, that it does what it says on the tin.  It may well do so, but it might also do other things, if your body type is not right for it.  The one in the photo above is how is should look.  If you have an hour glass shape & a normal size bust, it works great.  I have an hour glass body type, 'but' a large bust & rather than take the focus from my arms, it just says "Hey..... look at my bust".  As that part of my anotomy doesn't need any more attention than it already gets, I avoid the cardigan shugs of this shape.

  This Jumper is from Top shop boutique & is a little pricey at £65.00 but it is Cashmere.
This one is a little bit of fun; from Mango at £45.00


Dogtooth check is a sophisticated alternative to the season's love affair at £45. with heavy embellishment. It can be worn with anything black.


If you are into seasonal wear Geometric prints seems to be all over the high street
Next's toasty oversized Aztec print cardigan at £45.00 also.



  Teamed with leggings, or skirt & flat boots this is nice & comfortable for work rest or play.  It's from Tesco's at £45 & is lightweight, so great for layering to keep warm.  If you are going to layer, the trick is to do it with light knits, as thicker knits could make you feel a little uncomfortable & resticted in your movement, once you add your outer wear.  If you are one for covering up a body part you're rather not have on show, this jumper from Tesco's also has a Scarf attached to it for a little flare;

Lastly my favourite so far, but way out of my price range,  but that doesn't mean it is out of some of yours.


Wrap up warm on off-duty days with this Milary drape cardigan at £119.00.  It it is perfect for throwing over jeans & a long sleeved top or thin jumper. 

Well that is all for this week, but please be safe out there & do watch out for black ice whether you are walking or driving.  Off to make some healthy soup.

See you next week. 

Stylish AT50

Email;  Stylishat50@gmail.com

Facebook;  Stylish AT50