Want a stylist? Ask a toddler!

I recently saw a skirt I liked SO much in a magazine article, I immediately went online to try and buy said skirt. Nowhere to be seen on the website. I even emailed the company but to be honest the reply sounded as though they didn't understand my query. You'd expect a store to know when they were appearing in any printed media, right? Hope you're paying attention TopShop.
And so the quest commenced. Not rational I know but if you are into clothes I am sure you have felt the same feeling. I now 'had' to get a full, knee length patent pvc skirt. I searched and searched, saw things that were almost ok, then found this beauty on www.asos.com

It's so super shiny! Perfect for dull rainy days as it will also be waterproof. Where is the relevance of the toddler I mentioned in the title? Well, having bought the skirt, I have had it lying over my chair in the bedroom for a couple of weeks. I had a kind of sartorial stage fright. I walk the kids to school every day, is this REALLY a walking to school skirt? I am going to ease myself in to this gently. In my head I am the kind of person who wears edgy things that make people stop and look. The reality is I had a wobble and felt too timid. My 5 year old saw the skirt and said 'ooh mummy that's BEAUUUUUTIFUL' I need to listen to her advice.

Smile!

As part of the BritMums #OralBloveyourgums challenge I have been asked to write a blog post about my experiences surrounding teeth and dental health.
Ok, how does this fit into a fashion blog? I read an article in LOOK magazine recently about how mums are more and more likely too undergo cosmetic procedures because of the sometimes competitive and pressured environment of the school run! I think I have spied some botox here and there, and let me tell you it's the dads too not just the mums who are feeling the pressure.
Keeping your teeth nice has to be one of the cheaper, healthier and simpler means of improving or maintaining your appearance. Teeth are treated as a fashion accessory, celebrities with their unnaturally white teeth is seen as some kind of a base line for how your teeth should look. Doesn't matter what they are wearing, if someone famous dares to show lesser than white teeth the picture will be all over the gossip magazines.
I genuinely don't want sparkly white teeth, but I do want healthy strong teeth, and so far I have just about managed this.
Apparently gum health is especially important for pregnant women which is something to do with why, at a very young age, I sat in a dimly lit dental surgery whilst my mother had ALL her teeth extracted.
I was going to take a photo of my teeth but I feel too self conscious of them, not because they are bad, but I don't normally bare my teeth at people! If anyone can tell me how to take a photo of my teeth without looking like I am growling, please let me know.
As for the toothpaste, I will report back as to whether it has made a difference, but my initial impression is that I like the taste, and as I'm pretty fussy about toothpaste that is a big thing.

Get advice on www.oralb-loveyourgums.com

It's all about the shades

Sunglasses are possibly my most important accessory, after footwear. In fact both those things are more than accessories they are ESSENTIAL.
Large sunglasses cover up interrupted sleep, allow you to do the school run with a migraine, and also dispense with the need to apply make up. Not writing much today as I am suffering from aforementioned migraine, but here are the shades.

Cheap ones, as always, because then if they fall into the hands of toddlers there's not much lost. I like the look of designer shades but freely admit I can't see the point of spending hundreds on something so easily lost or broken. However if anyone wants to send me some I'll happily test their toddler proof ability.

Jacket, coat, jacket...ah this weather!

Way back in 1989 when I went to university, I wore a Saville Row dinner jacket on my first day. I am still walking around in a smart jacket, not the same one. The one I have is closest to a hacking jacket I suppose, fitted, flattering with a large lapel reminiscent of Westwood's styles. It was from a charity shop several years ago, of a brand I have never heard of, despite searching. A lovely almost velvety feel but tweed appearance. This is one of those rare things you could definitely describe as timeless, and perfect for the changeable weather where it's not quite warm, not quite cold. People in magazines don't seem to have to worry about how warm they will feel!
Seeing a time of somewhat restricted finances I have daydreamed over the so called must have coats of this season. I will not ever be doing a pink coat even if, like my new coat, it is from EBay. I have, however, decided to tap into the pink trend ever so slightly and bought some neon pink studs which I will put on the belt at the back of the coat, and probably a few by the collar or on the shoulders. It is a grey long length duffel style coat which on its own is lovely but just a bit too grey.

Said rivets pictured!They look as if they are marching across my hand.

Hello. Thought !'d sneak back in here. Liked the idea of this blog and now that the littlest members of the family are in school/preschool, I have some time. A whole hour today before more trudging to and from doctors. I shouldn't have left it so long.
Anyway, fashion stuff now.
The school run is playing havoc with my feet. I love heels and have many pairs of high heels, especially boots. These are ok for looking decorative but not for walking for 4 miles a day. I have a pair of converse but the comfortable appearance of these belies their ability to make your feet feel like they have been battered and mistreated. I can NOT will NOT do trainers. If I were off to the gym yes, but not as an every day shoe. There really seems to be very little out there that is stylish AND comfortable, and doesn't look like a surgical shoe.
One of the obvious thoughts was DMs, but what's happened to those nowadays? Recent 16 year old daughter wanted a pair for her birthday. I hope she looks after them, as I do with my shoes which have their own shelves, boxes, labels. They now cost £100!
Whilst looking on eBay for DMs for myself I came across the Schuh clearance store. I ended up with a red suede pair of  beetlecrushers for £8! They fit right in with the 'punk luxe' thing going on now in fashion, plus beetlecrushers, or creepers as they now seem to be known, never truly go out of style. They retailed at over £60 before they went on the clearance site. They are lovely but I have yet to brave wearing them on the school run. Believe it or not I'd rather not have the attention.