50 Shades of Stripes ... (and Grey!) ...

Bonjour!


Bit random this one but last week as I was laid in bed one morning (it was half term so that's acceptable) I got to thinking that (excluding beauty products in my case of course!) we all have our weaknesses right?  For some this may be shoes, handbags, jewellery, frocks, coats or just clothing in general ... for me it seems to be ...

Stripes ... we have a selection of long sleeves and three-quarter sleeves which I tend to wear a lot for work at the moment as our office isn't as cold as our house! Then there are short sleeve Ts and vests ready for Summer.   I don't seem to venture into  dress territory for some reason but there's something about a good stripey top I can't resist ...!

Greys ... oh dear ... ok so maybe not the full 50, but seriously there are so many shades of grey ... from the palest to the deepest charcoal ... I can't get enough of it and I find it so easy to wear!  There are Tshirts, tops, sweatshirts, jumpers, thin cardigans, thick cardigans (the one on the right is from Matalan and is so thick and warm it's never off my back when I'm at home!), pencil skirts, a pair of jeans, this isn't even the full arsenal here!  I really don't need any more grey items in my wardrobe but the other day out shopping with my friend I picked up a grey T from H&M - (top far right with the label still on!) because I had some Christmas money still to spend and because I don't already have that particular shade of grey ... that's what I told myself anyway ...

Mugs ... this lot is just a random selection  a) couldn't fit them all in the pic b) some were in the dishwasher c) I probably have a couple of each pictured here.  See for me (the husband thinks I'm weird - to him a mug is a mug) different drinks taste better in different cups and also for me size matters! In the morning I want a big one (mug of tea), in the afternoon a smaller one will do coffee/tea/hot chocolate (I never seem to have a big one in the afternoon). And there's something comforting about buying a new mug and giving it a good home but I have to curb my addiction as we'll run out of cupboard space! (You think I'm weird now don't you?)

So ... am I daft or what? In my defence none of these items are really expensive even but tell me I'm not the only one with a 'problem'!  Make me feel better and tell me about your weakness(s)!


Jen x

A Pathetic Sales Haul and a Treat ...!

Bonjour!

I love a bargain (who doesn't?) and usually manage to bag a few in (what used to be) the January sales!  Didn't really happen this year -  my intention was to go the day after Boxing Day but the large dump of snow put paid to that. We set off but had to turn back.  I was disgruntled to say the least!  Not to be beaten I decided to have a look online and ordered a couple of bits from New Look ...

Brave Soul Chunky Knit - £10 - a change from my usual grey/black and is so warm on ... my resistance to the cold is going from bad to worse so this is a keeper!  My mum likes it apart from the huge 'B' logo - ah well you can't win 'em all!

Lace collar dress - £10 ... couldn't make my mind up - I mean I don't really 'do' dresses that often so would this turn out to be one of those items that ends up living out it's life in the wardrobe and no place else? Anyway - right or wrong I decided to keep it at the last minute ... suppose if push comes to shove I could always wear for work with opaques and boots ...

Leopard fur coat - £25 ... I really liked the idea of this baby but unfortunately it didn't fit properly on the shoulders and the collar stuck up in a funny fashion so it had to go back - gutted  I was!

The only thing I managed to pick up in-store was this V-neck knit from H&M at £10 - it's slightly over sized, warm and not black . Need to find something to layer underneath though as that V is a tad deep on!

How pathetic is this? The single beauty item I managed to bag in the half price sales at Boots this year was a Soap & Glory Righteous Butter ... I don't know whether to feel ashamed or proud ...!





And now for the treat ... I couldn't resist this recent TSV (Today's Special Value of course!) from QVC.  Supersizes of the Liquid Gold and Absolute Eye Complex and full size Balancing Cleanser.   This kit is now priced at £70 on their website but the crazy TSV price was £30ish - it was a no brainer!  The Balancing Cleanser and Absolute Eye Complex I've used before and although I have tried Liquid Gold a couple of years ago, I didn't really get on with it ... but the beauty blogger in me wants/needs to give it another go to help with dull winter skin - I have to say the signs are promising this time round!  I shall report back once I've given it a good going over!

So what do you think? Was I pathetic, sensible or just in the wrong place at the wrong time?!  Did you manage to bag many bargains in the sales?

Jen  x

The Dr Marten Dilemma ...!

Bonjour!


Yep ... it has to be said ... I've not been able to get my backside into blogging mode over the last couple of weeks!  I've either had no time or no energy (sound familiar anyone?) ... falling asleep at one's laptop obviously doesn't help!  I decided to just go with the flow (or lack of it) and not stress about it  ... there's enough of that about at this time of year.  Anyway ... in an attempt to get my bandwagon back on the road thought I'd share my current dilemma ...

It's no secret I've been after a pair of Dr Martens for a while ... I've tried to resist and I just can't ... it's time ...!  The hubby says he'll add them to my Christmas list ... see he does listen to me on the odd occasion!  They go all the way back to the late 40s and first appeared in the UK in 1960 ... adopted by skinheads in the 70s and punks in the 80s (the hubby had a pair during his punk era) as well as the odd new waver!  Nowadays ... well anybody can use a pair should they so wish ... I intend to be that somebody! I've deliberated over various versions/how many holes but think I've more or less settled on the 8 holer ...  question is which colour ... black, cherry red or green?

Love this look ... these jeans look like they're in the 'skinny boyfriend camp' ... right up my street!

Cherry Reds with skinnies ... just bought a parka similar to this one ...

Love Gwen's outfit ... absolutely love it ...

And last but not least how about with a little skirt ... á la Jessica ... this would be a good way for me to make use of all the skirts/dresses I never wear for lack of footwear ... I'd have no excuse ...!

All Images  via Pinterest

Yes ... I think this itch must be scratched and the sooner the better!  What are your thoughts on Dr Martens - which ones would you go for and how would you wear them?

Jen x

Mismatched OOTD with Fashion Item Friday ...!

Bonjour!

Can you believe that was the last week of the Summer holidays - seems to have flown right by! I was really hoping the weather would behave itself so the kids could enjoy some sunshine before school next week but the only day of sun was whilst I was stuck in the office at work - typical!  I decided to let the kids have one last long lie-in this morning before the onslaught of 'back-to-school' early wake-up calls next week ... so there I was sat with my morning cuppa (in my morning slobs!) when I received a tweet from my lovely blogging buddy Andrea over at In Mama's Wardrobe  inviting me to join in the Fashion Item Friday Blog Hop which she is co-hosting with the amazing Renae over at Simple Sequins. You can share a fashion item, whole outfit or whatever you fancy and link on up!  I'm a newbie to Renae's blog but feel incredibly moved and inspired after reading some of her posts ...

So ... bearing in mind that I'm no fashion blogger (as many of you will know!), I like to be comfortable and I don't care (too much)  if things don't match - here's my effort for today in an attempt to get the kids off their devices and out to the park (raincoat was in car!) ... one of those stupid weather days of mixed up cloud, sun, wind and rain, - one of those days when you dither around trying to decide whether it's worth hanging out the washing or not ... we all have those days don't we ...?

Grey 'RUN DMC' T-Shirt - New Look
Dark Skinnies - Primark
Comfy Navy Cardigan - Primark
Green Bag - Warehouse (old)
Brown Converse - can't remember where from they're so old
Grimace - all my own!

Told you nothing matches but hey ... that's me all over ...!  Apologies for the state of the garden (needs a good going over!).  And ... as you can see in the background I stopped dithering and hung the washing out!

And just to ruin the illusion (whatever that may be!),  here's one of my many (and I mean many) outtakes with hair all over the place in the wind, crooked belt (which the husband didn't think to point out!) ...

... and the dog's tail wagging in the foreground ... utterly professional round ours ...!

So thanks again to Andrea for the invite ... I've linked to both her's and Renae's blogs above and below so pop over anytime if you will and link up if you like!

Will you be linking up to the Fashion Item Friday Blog Hop? Will you be matched or mismatched?


Jen x

Linking up with In Mama's Wardrobe and Simple Sequins.

Mellow Yellow Fever ...!

Bonjour!

Hope everyone is having a good Easter weekend!  The recent good weather has made me think of 'sunny' things so thought I'd attempt to inject a bit of 'sunny' into my 'virtual wardrobe' since I'm still immersed - for the most part - in darker colours.  I do love a bit of mellow yellow now and then - my mum loves bright warm colours and tells me I don't wear them often enough - she also says it's nice to see me out of my jeans so there ain't a pair of jeans in sight Mum! I honestly had trouble narrowing it down to just these three outfits once I got going ... you know what it's like when you start mooching about on Polyvore and just get sucked in ...?!

Mellow Yellow Fever! by beautyandthebiryani featuring yellow sunglasses

Typically the weather seems to have reverted back to cold and grey for the moment so no chance of wearing anything like this lot in the near future with my orange lippie - we can dream eh?  I think my favourite is the middle dress - love it with the trainers - cos that's just how I roll! I've not included masses of accessories on this occasion as I can't cope with 'too much going on' - and anyway I'd have been at it all day and there is a large joint of beef in the oven that needs my attention!

Do you like a bit of 'yellow'?  Which is your favourite look?

Jen x

Birthday Wishlist!

Bonjour!

Bit of a hint in the post title there ... yes my birthday is on the horizon - not so exciting an event when you're getting on! Still - always room for some sort of wishlist whatever your age eh?  I've never done a 'wishlist' post since I started blogging but I've recently discovered Polyvore - it's a bit addictive - like Pringles - once you pop you can't stop and all ... I've definitely popped ...!

Birthday Wishlist! by beautyandthebiryani featuring black laced boots

Quick blurb on the products then kicking off with the Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask, must try this -after all good hair begins with a good scalp right? Had to restrain myself on the make-up front (obviously) or there would have been tenfold blushers on here, but how cute is the Cargo blush - there are several different 'beach based 'options and who knows I may even try a couple! Been wanting a pair of Dr M's for ages and I reckon I can get away with these ... probably not the ideal footwear to wear for the school run though unless I give myself ample time to do the laces up!  I only possess one MAC lippie (in Chilli which I still have to review) - I think it's time for another, preferably bright and matte - hence Lady Danger. Can't wait to shed my duffle coat and get Spring started, love this teal blazer!  Also need a new handbag - something like this would be ideal, roomy enough for my kitchen sink! Last but not least, I tried a sample of the Liz Earle Botanical Essence No15 and I was addicted - gorgeous!

So that's the list -will keep you posted if I end up with any of this lovely lot!

What's on your current wishlist?

Jen x