TARDIS Tuesday- Clara in The Snowmen-

 I cannot believe it has been 4 years since this outfit has been on TARDIS Tuesday (despite my wearing the outfit a few times!) .  Last seen in August 2020, the Summer of Covid, it is a barely seen outfit of Clara's in her 2nd appearance in Doctor Who.

It features a black silk polka dot blouse from Jigsaw, some navy shorts from Whistles, a tan belt and a red satchel.  We are not sure what shoes she wears.

https://www.facebook.com/ClaraOswaldCosplay/photos/the-snowmen-modern-outfit-jigsaw-bib-tab-shirt-in-blackwhistles-mim-tencel-short/146884895501986/ 

This outfit, for me, has remained the same every time I wear it, except for changing the shorts as I grew out of my old navy shorts.

I love this outfit for a Summer's day- it covers up your arms whilst remaining cool. My polka dot blouse is an alt from Whistles (and was charity shopped for £4) plus some navy linen shorts (around £3 charity shopped).  I forgot to accessorize but added some cute Miss KG shoes I bought in a charity shop in Highbury around a month ago.  Finding nice shoes in a size 8 second hand is quite rare!

It was very nice to get outside for these photos as it had been raining heavily. I got completely soaked cycling home from the station after my rehearsal in London on Sunday. CBC openly laughed at how wet I was when he opened the door to me.  I showered and changed into this!

I wonder if it will be another 4 years before it makes a return appearance on here? I do hope not!

Here's a little close up of the lovely shoes!!!

xx

Wearing something more summery

 I don't think I've ever got to mid June before doing my Summer wardrobe changeover before! The weather has been rather crazy!  However, last week, I chanced wearing some more summery garments.  As I have said before, I definitely prefer the summer season for clothes

For church on Sunday, I wore this red linen jumpsuit from Seasalt.  CBC bought this for me for my birthday a couple of years ago. I forgot how comfortable and pleasing it is to wear. It's light and practical.

These Accessorize espadrilles came from a Hexham charity shop and were brand new.  They are light and comfortable and I can cycle in them but I'm not sure they were the right choice for the jumpsuit.

For school on Tuesday, I wore this F&F @ Tesco dress (charity shopped). It's was perfect for this weather.  This red Primark cardigan has a big hole in the sleeve seam but I really like it.  Lunar leather pumps from Haltwhistle shoe shop.

Another charity-shopped shirt-dress, this time from M&S worn with a charity-shopped cardigan and green suede loafers by Rieker from Finale Shoes in Corbridge.  Hmmm, all my Summer shoes seem to come from Northumberland! Worn on Friday.

The 

My final outfit was worn on Saturday for rehearsals. The clock skirt came from Cath Kidston and the top is from H&M.  It's the green loafers again!

Which one of these is your favourite?

xx

sdsd

From the Archives: Star boots upcycle

 This post is from March 2014.   When I was posting my starry outfit the other day, I added the hashtag Stars.  After I posted, I was curious to see what I had under that hashtag and suddenly remembered the time I upcycled a pair of my boots with acrylic paint with stars!  Can't believe I ever got rid of these.  They were so cute!!!

Anyway, I thought I'd share this post as there are a few new friends here nowadays as well as old lovelies! 

Enjoy!

xx

Star boots upcycle

Hello there!

I wanted to share this fun and easy craft project I recently completed which would be ideal for kids and adults.

Several of you admired my Star boots in my Birthday outfit post.  Well, I was really pleased that you did, as these were my recent upcycle project.  I wanted to create something fun which would stand out. I love Irregular Choice shoes for their standout quality!

I have had these black boots for a while and they are rather knackered.  There are a few problems. 1) the heels are worn down at the back and secondly, they are really scuffed.  Since they are just made out of some man-made material, not leather, polish wouldn't make a difference but I am loyal and they have served me well, so I felt like giving them a new lease of life.

This project is fun because I believe it can be undone if you are unhappy with the results.  Acrylic paint washes off with water and a sponge.

You will need:
Old tired, scuffed looking boots or shoes (you could do this with nice new pair but I wouldn't want to risk it at first!), acrylic paint in your choice of colour, suitable paintbrush for acrylics (not too soft, not too thin,), protection for your work surface, Stencil (I made mine using an Xcut star-shaped punch), scrap paper, a pile of socks,

1.  You can see how tired and scuffed these are.  They were also a bit muddy. So first, clean the surface of your shoe to get rid of any lint or dirt- I used a baby-wipe but a small sponge/cloth and water will also do better!

2.  Prepare your template.  With my star punch, I punched several of them into scrap paper and cut a square close around it so it wouldn't accidentally smudge any other drying stars when painting other stars.  I also made quite a few templates because sometimes acrylic paint got onto the bottom of the template and slightly smudged the stars.  Thus, I rotated between them.

3.  Lay down something on your surface.  I just used a carrier bag.

4.  Stuff your boot/shoe with socks/leggings material, something to help it keep its shape.  I discovered the need of this after the painting my first star.

5.  Put a SMALL amount of acrylic paint into a receptacle (a little goes a LONG way).  I used a pasta jar lid for this- doesn't matter if it gets too grubby as it can be recycled and a nice small, but flat surface. I chose to use pearlescent green paint, I'm not sure what the difference will be using matte paint.

6.  Before you begin on the actual shoe, try painting on the sole with your template and paint just to check you like what you're about to do! I tried out my small star template and large star and discovered the small one just looked messy and was harder to make the shape distinct.  You might be better with a slightly larger shape.

7.  Lay your template over a spot and hold down with your fingers (can't be doing with that masking tape milarkey) so it is flat.  Pick up a tiny amount of paint with your brush and paint over the template.   Carefully remove it.

8.  Re-lay a template at a distance of your choice.  Try not to let the sides of the template touch your previous star. (N.B.  It does dry quickly though, so don't worry too much).

9.  Every so often, look at your shoe to check you are positioning the stars evenly. I did all one side first, then had a look at it before laying it on its other side.

10.  Paint your other shoe.  Do the same with the other one. I had to check that my stars were the same distance.  They aren't but it seemed ok!

11.  Admire your new boots!!!

Just a word of warning.  Someone mentioned to me that acrylic paint can be washed off by water, so I avoided wearing mine in the rain so far.  I think they might be ok but just in case...
And if you fancy a change, then you could always clean them and repaint with a new pattern in new colours.


 One of my colleagues said she thought they might look pretty in all different star colours which I might try at some point!

Hope you like it.  One of my parents spotted them at school and when I told her I'd painted them she got all excited and thought that she could do this with some of her kids' scruffy shoes- she said she had a great idea which she'd wait till summer to do!!!  And parents, why not, for fun, let your child paint an old pair of shoes in this way with a template- they might be proud to say they've upcycled their own shoe!!! You could even have a shoe painting party for your child's birthday!!! Everyone could bring an old pair of shoes (or a new pair?!) and paint them with hearts, stars, butterflies, circles (polka dots), letters, you name it- all you need is a punch or template!!!



Linking to the following fab blogs including my Uni friend's fabulous blog!!! Visit the Fairy and the frog for amazing idea for things to do with your children and language links to these activities! Great ideas for nursery teachers too!:

Creative Mondays with Claire Justine

The Fairy and the frog parenting pin

In and out link up party with Cynthia at Feeding Big








You're gonna love it Tuesday

with Kathe with an E!

Style Imitating Art- The Bouquet of Flowers

 Morning Chaps!

If you haven't seen my incredibly sneaky garment disguising for this week's TARDIS Tuesday, head back one post to see it!

Today, I am joining in with Style Imitating Art with Kim at Fierce Fashion Blog.

https://www.wikiart.org/en/odilon-redon/bouquet-of-wild-flowers-1

She chose the painting, Bouquet of Flowers by Odilen Redin.

https://www.wikiart.org/en/odilon-redon/bouquet-of-wild-flowers-1

I thought this was really pretty.  Kim chose it for its AUTUMNAL colours.  However, my interpretation doesn't really focus on that but instead of the florals, the individual colours that pop and the blue case and background.

Here's my outfit:

Confession:  this is a serendipitous outfit rather than one I deliberately chose for this week's challenge.  I wore it for work on Monday and when I saw Salazar's outfit, it prompted me to look down at my own outfit and realise that actually, I had subconsciously dressed for the inspiration.

Why?

Well, as several work colleagues and children told me, my balloon-sleeved floral blouse (charity shopped H&M designed collaboration), was really striking and with its blue background, it matches the vase nicely.  The flowers do feature some of the flower colours from the inspiration.  Black trousers may not be really a big colour from the painting but there are definitely some shadows and dark centres in there.

And the 'stuff' (in the words of Sheila)...

Well- I think the red flowers are a great pop in the painting and my Red or Dead shoes which have returned newly polished and with new and mended straps from the cobbler perhaps make a nod to that. They are much brighter in real life than this dull picture.

Can you see my little Daisy studs?  Finally, the white circular necklace has some pretty white filligree and the frothy white flowers are quite prominent in the picture.

What do you think?

Head over to Kim on Wednesday to see how everyone else interpreted it.

Guy Fawkes outfit

I feel like I've not shared many outfits on here for a while beyond TARDIS Tuesday. There has been a reason for that. 1) The back to school gloom, b) My camera has a problem where I couldn't stick the lead in and transfer photos, had to locate my card reader, c) my laptop is dead so I am having to use CBC's and so I have had limited time to blog d) I just seem to have got out the habit and not really got around to photographing my more creative outfits.
Thus, when I made a conscious decision to dress up for the 5th November (Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes night), I thought I'd actually photograph it, even though I have to have grainy indoor shots.

Ann inspired me with her recent Stairway photoshoot so I decided to take some photos on our stairwell. It's not as delicious as the one Ann modelled on but we do like our modern stairway- hey, my Dad and Stepmum even just got theirs done the same as ours!

The outfit features one of my favourite charity-shop buys.

This Emily and Fin dress features a beautiful subtle firework display print- it's so subtle that not one person at school on the day spotted what the print was and how topical I was!  I bought it from Barnardo's retail and I'd seen this very dress from Emily and Fin on www.amilliondresses.com , a blog I used to follow. Its £65 price tag put me off though, despite the fully lined, cotton, has pockets, flattering shape. I saw it on the rack in the charity shop for £9.99 or £11.99 with its £65 price tag still on! Bargain!

 Today, I decided to wear it with a claret-coloured top (from Aldi a few years ago) underneath.  Accessories were found in the form of a fox brooch, a purple bead necklace (a present) and some charity-shopped tortoiseshell hoop earrings.




Finally, aside from leggings and socks, I wore my new winter boots, a pair of men's burgundy leather brogue-boots from Clarks. I only went in because CBC wanted me to look at some shoes and as usual, found nothing in the women's department and found all sorts in the men's!  This pair were ordered in by someone who then decided they didn't like them or want to buy them- so they just had the one pair in a size that fitted me!!! I'd been wistfully eyeing up a similar Women's pair by Carvela in Kurt Geiger at double the price after admiring my lovely 2nd Flautist from my orchestra's conker-brown pair for about a year!

Incidentally, today is the lovely-deceased WOMOTM (my Father-in-Law's) birthday.  He would have been 85 today and I associate his birthday with going up to Hexham for the Hexham Fireworks display.  Much missed and much loved.


xx

An Irregular Choice of shoesy wishlist!

I am quite practical when it comes to footwear generally. I wear flat shoes mostly, sensible boots. They may be in bright colours or sequins, but generally I am not wearing skyscraper heels or things that are impractical. I do,however, have quite a few pairs.  However, I do happen to own a few pairs of decorative shoes that are slightly less practical- I do have 4-5 pairs of Irregular Choice shoes- mostly these were bought in the sale  a few years ago.
In recent years, realising I don't wear them a huge amount, mainly due to the amount of walking I do (and cycling) everywhere, I haven't bought any more pairs. Some of them are just too out there and impractical in terms of heels and moreover, they are very expensive.
But just occasionally, I go and have a look at the website and drool over their shoes.  Normally, in the sale season, anything in UK Size 8/European Size 42 that I actually like is long sold out so the temptation doesn't get to me.  However, I saw some LOVELY pairs when looking today (there are many, many pairs, but they are ruled out for me quickly!) and they are all available in my size!

I thought I'd share those shoes I liked best! They are works of art! And relax, I will not be buying them- they are too expensive- but I thought I would share them in case you liked any! Or a mysterious millionaire feels like sending them my way!! Ha ha!

Mini McNutty

They are velvety, blue and have fluffy squirrels on them!  I love Squirrels!

Pico

These are fun glittery and rainbowy and look FAIRLY practical

Paco

These black boots look like my Dr Martens but in a more flamboyant design.

Rumba

I LOVE the rainbowy but with a prominence of turquoise/Kingfisher blue (my favourite colour!) and they look comfy!

Summer Daze

Similarly fun but pretty whilst being flat!

Shoreditch

These look very sturdy! I love the design, maybe not the pink!

Hopscotch

These would probably be too high for me but they are fun!

Dazzle Razzle

I do like the blue, shimmery material of these even if the bow is not up my street!

Total Freedom

These are glorious! Rainbow sequins that have a silver side also!

Summer of Love

These look very cute and I like the rainbow design.

Lady Ban Joe

More rainbow but possibly too high!

Curio Low

I love these shimmery Turquoise ones so much with the perspex heel! I would definitely wear these lots since I have lots of clothes this colour!

Build Bridges

More double-sided sequins with a more sedate colour option- black or pale turquoise.

Clara Bow

I ummed and ahed over this shoe design Clara Bow, last year- they had a black and gold pair in the sale in my size but in the end decided I couldn't justify £50 on shoes. I really like the design and the colour of these. Plus, they are called CLARA!

Clara Bow

This pair is most similar to the ones I was smitten with!

Little Lady Daisy

These are very fun and flat but I would wear them out very quickly- I am quite hard treading on flat, flat heels like this. So pretty though.

Dessie

I think these Dessie ones are the ones I would love the most- they are like my beloved Dr Martens but in a shimmery rainbow design.  I reckon I could cycle in these too!

Little Rainbow necklace

Finally, they released a necklace to match the Little Daisy shoes above and it is a comparatively bargainous price of £10.99.

What do you think of my choices?  Would you wear any  of these?

Images are all property of Irregular Choice. I hope they don't mind me promoting their beautiful shoes!

x