Just so you know, I am a collector of all things silly and trivial - or so Mick thinks. I am also someone who mooches, the very essence of 'Minni the Moocher'. Mick says I am the only person he knows who can shop for no reason, I just amble sedately from shop to shop - browsing and being uber critical. He says I am the only person he knows who can be there one minute and he is talking to me and the next I have vanished down some aisle or other - good thing for my mobile he just rings me to find out which shop I happen to be in. I call my silly and trivial items my treasures, and they can range from a paper butterly to a concrete model of a classical nude on a cheise longue I have Teddies and model cars, icons, pictures, glass and jewellery. My biggest collection is of BOOKS, BOOKS AND YET MORE BOOKs. These are my sources, my references for my work with history, the law and women's issues, I AM UNDER STRICT ORDERS - NO MORE BOOKS but what does Mick know, I slip the odd one under his radar.
I have been reviewing some more fashion stuff this morning, I was delighted to get, among all the Sunday paper dross, The Sunday Times Boden Autum catalogue. I love their stuff but can never afford to purchase. For you busy ladies out there who work in business I have to say that I like their stuff particularly for work, why? mostly the range of colours and the basics that could be your capsual business wardrobe.
This season they have a classic Velvet trim v neck (jumper), a flattering line in soft cotton jersey the colours are scrummy, from Dusky Turquoise to a mid brown, I am into the pink shades myself. At £21 not bad a price either for a staple/classic. They have a similar cardigan range which I like at £29. Their full Sateen cotton skirt is also excellent and I would wear with the jumper noted above. I like waistcoats and they have a nice velvet collection. Another skirt that they have is either in a stripe or check I like boot, but a £55 quite and expensive item.
Boden have some great T shirts (long sleeve with v neck) a lovely range of Cami, a wicked short jacket in black or check. Their bags are to die for as are their loafers and ballet pumps.
They have what they describe as the essential shirt, I would say yes but the price of £38 is too much. If it were cheaper I would probably buy 2 or 3 with a jumper and a cardigan and a mix of skirts that would be my work wardrobe. You can play around with basics to make a statement. One of my other 'silly collections' are my brooches, I have over 100 of all sorts, from craft shop picks to second hand shops and stall, a particular hunting ground for these is Greenwich Market. PS we must save Greenwich from the developers. My other little secret is tights in all sorts of colours.
Many moons ago when I used present cases in court in child care matters and long before the CPS I nearly always wore a black suit - the thing the magistrates used to try and guess was what colour my tights might be - my idea was to look like a Liquorice Allsort (not bertie however)
I had pink (well you know I would) and blues and green tights to choose from. These days bless them I can buy patterned ones. At work they laugh because I have a passion for Fishnets, my boss (and I did this to wind him up) was in a panic when I was teaching a class on prostitution and how to deal with these issues when I wore, black fishnets, black tight skirt and very killer heels, so that I could (yes I know, a stereotype) show the class how to view 'loitering' - well it made people laugh. I do like to 'Act up'.
By the by, I love killer heels. but I also love uber flatties.
In the YOU magazine in the Mail on Sunday there are some great ideas, and dont say I didnt warn you the knitted dress is well back. Super sexy to if worn properly. My favourites was the well priced H and M dress in a cream knit with a scoop neck and a front waist bow detail. NOT EVERYBODY COULD or SHOULD wear this and I perhaps would not but I still love it (I can dream at least) and at £34 not bad. This could be a day or evening item dressed up or down. I would probably go for a toning tight and shoe to lengthen the look. Chocolate is very much in this season and would add a nice touch to this dress as would naturals (wood)
Good tights tip - Golden Lady in Asda, Italian tights I love their light colour with a matching diamond pattern, I love their tarten tights and their black tights with little white spots.
I am also over the Moon that BIBA are back, this was the company I used to buy from in the 1970's wicked. I love the Black satin Cat Suit, a style I wore a lot when younger, and it is a younger persons look. You need a good back for this item and good arms.
Problem arms? then a shrug is a must.
I went shopping again, well window shopping as usual, I like what I saw in Peacocks, they have a nice Oat colour trouser in a linen mix. They have a wicked cross over blouse in a black with a feint red stripe it ties to the side, not as bad as it sounds, in cotton. Would look great with a black trouser or skirt.
There is also a nice retro 1970 pattern sleevless dress in black and red on white, It is empire line and to the knee. Watch the stitching however as always with cheaper end of the market. I would not wear black with this dress, red would be nice and pick up the red or the white of the dress, in cheap and cheerful beads, earings bangles etc etc perhaps a nice red clutch bag. An Autumn party look. Matalan was quite boring but both shops still have the longer T shirt that I love in some great colours and a £3 not a bad deal can be worn under a shirt, with jeans or what ever. Mattalan has some wicked green leather stilletoes.
A shoe tip - whether at work or on a date, clean scuff free shoes are a must. It says you care about your appearance. Good shoes make an outfit, they should also be comfortable there is nothing worse tha painful feet, it makes you feel so bad. I also have shoes in a range of colours, including the all important neutral, for choice. Basic black is great, but does not go with lighter outfits, they can look heavy and unbalance an outfit.
I am glad to see the high waist super skinny trouser and jeans is back. I am off to find the nice flat fronted, great tummy flattening trouser at Miss Selfridge a steal at £30 - this will last you all season, to dress up of down.
Oh well time to go. for my cocktail today - Mandarin and peach over ICE yummy. Love Granny
