Day 39 and 40 | The Fave Outfit and The Titfer!

Good evening. Here finally are the last snaps of my 40 day challenge. I have worn the dress 40 days straight - with one day in my jamas - but it was popped on to go up the road for some supplies. I haven't actually worn it today to be really honest.

I fashioned into a hat - that makes me look like Eliza Dolittle - before Professor Higgins gets hold of her. Even I wouldn't put the boys through that embarrassment. Me?! I don't give a fig.

I rather like the hat - but it is pretty precarious and doesn't hold up to close scutiny.

So here for completeness sake is the reprise of my fave outfit. Astute among you will spot it is the same pic as the original day - because I completely forgot to take a photo. In fact the outfit was worn with black and red fishnets and brogues - but the bobbles and lippy etc were all in place!

The rest of the shots are of today's hat!

I've had a ball with my little black dress. I didn't get around to practicing with my proper camera - and I really should have got it together to raise some cash for some local charity - and put some effort into promoting it a bit more. But in the end - it was a whim - for me and now it's done. I'm happy I saw it through.

I'll post again with a little reflection on wearing the same dress for over a month.

I am grateful to be in a tee shirt and jeans and my lovely Biba jacket today.

Oh and I made brownies with sweet potatoes - and they aren't half bad... You'll notice the hair is exactly the same as ever.

My hairdresser's little boy was ill - so I will have to wait for the big chop until the end of the month - she's now on holiday for couple of weeks!

Next time you see me - there'll be way less hair!

Time for supper and then the slow slide into Sunday evening - I'm in the middle of a brilliant book. Queen of Dreams - Chitra Divakaruni. A charity shop score for a quid. I love my kindle - but cuddling up with a book will never EVER get old.

Back to juicing for another five days tomorrow. Which is just as well after the burger and chips incident yesterday lunch time!

Thanks for reading... Sorry it's a faff to leave a message if you are not a google/blogger subscriber.

luli x

Day 36 | Britchic in Bath

What a glorious day! The sun was out all Day and there is no better place to be on a perfect spring day than in Bath. 

I have had a lovely day - drinking peppermint tea by the roaring water, watching gulls playing in the thermals; steaming in quiet, stoic contemplation & giggling with my Bristol bestie in the perfect rooftop ~ pool that overlooks the buttery bath stone architecture; meeting a real teddy bear! 

I have juiced all day too & now I'm cuddled up in my new charity shop shawl with a cup of hot coconut milk & vanilla. You get a better class of cast off in Bath...

So the pics were taken at home - I forgot to ask my pal for a shot in the sun outside the Thermae Baths.

And yes. That is my new scarf! 

I'm wearing the dress over a fine knit 3/4 sleeve tee with my blue DMs & lovely chic navy jacket.

The good news is my 3/4 trews now look comfortable enough without wearing a tunic (or dress) to my knees. 

Juice rocks! 

Day 35 | Blue Skies & Old Faithful

Today I have mostly been nose deep in paperwork - but I did have a lovely walk across the park for peppermint tea and some supplies. I stopped off on the way back and sat in the sun - it was lovely. I'm hoping that the weather really is going to pick up as promised. We all need some sunshine to feel bouncy!

Yesterday was a complete flumpy day - so with a bit of sunshine and a suitcase full of old favourites I've gone for a turquoise and purple combination which pleases me.

I've also repurposed a pashmina that is normally used as a throw over a nasty piece of Ikea furniture. I've never really liked the pastelly vibe of it - but some times a bit of pastel, paisley is what the day calls for.

I didn't trot out in purple, suede, platforms - I wanted to yomp across the grass.

Clever layering makes this cosy - I've got a long sleeved vest on under a purple, whistles tee!

My hair looks a fright - it's lovely hair day on Friday. I'm going for the chop!

Day 34| Stuck Indoors. Green Day

Thai fishos and bed socks ... that is all!

I am juicing all week - again. It's cold & wet. I've made a vague effort to channel a beautiful raw vegan hippy vibe.

I think this might make another entry in the mean girl's 'Don't Wear This' board. FYI mean girl - bed socks rock at any time of day - so nyarg boo to you. 

I am trying out Siri on my iPhone to see if I can dictate this without sounding like I don't speak the language for coming out like gobbledygook. 

Not bad for first girlie any trouble is I have to speak so clearly and annunciate so pronouncedly that its freaking me out so I can't actually think of anything in any kind of proper order

What's get the hang of this and can speak a bit more naturally into the microphone I think it might be a good way to post the only problem I have at the moment as I can't Conniff compose and speak and think altogether so by the time I figured out what I want Sam I just as well type it because that goes at the speed my brain works that makes sense anyway that's me signing out today and I'll practice a little bit more with using Siri to post.

Yoiks - you'd need to edit a lot - but for dictating notes for transcription - this tech is awesome.

Yeah - you read that right!

I've left the gobbledeegook as it is. 

Time for my 4th über green juice. 

The dress is clean, the fishos are green & bought in Thailand & I only wear them when Podge is away - he loathes them!

Can't see why - they are practical. I thought boys liked practical?! 

Toddles...

Day 33 | I Wanna See The Sunshine After The Rain...

I wanna see bluebirds flying over that mountain again... doo bee doo.. Me and iPodge are having a singalong this afternoon with his guitar. In fact he's doing an acoustic version of Dancing in the Dark - which is lovely. While I put away the shopping and take yet more pictures of myself - in the same set of poses - because despite watching EVERY single AMNTM - I am not a natural born modelle!

So with wonky bobbles and exactly the same tights*/shoe combo as yesterday - because I loiked it! BITE ME... here is Day 33 - of this Lent Challenge.

*fresh tights - natch. I do have some standards...

In fact because all of these elements have featured before I won't put myself through the tedium of re:listing them - and just shove up the pics...

Yellow Cardie, purple silk scarf, grey tights, green shoes. When you put it like that all in one place - it's a bit of a jumble!

Day 7 | Sporty Spice

Good Morning! Super quick run-down today. I had thought I might try an outfit inspired by the gorgeous Afterglow Maverick Sabre, the standard poodle who won Crufts 2014 - however I can't find the huge furry faux, astrakan hat - integral to the ensemble.

I may celebrate Ricky (hyuck hyuck) later on in the project. For now here is a picture of the most elegant hound in town!

So having ditched the Poodle idea, I've gone for practical today. Tuesdays are TAZZMATTACK! day - me and iPodge work out with kettle bells and a lot of huffing and puffing twice a week. We were lucky enough to work with an amazing personal trainer who's innovative, fiendish workouts we still follow - even though she has abandoned us to pursue her dream to open an architect studio with her partner!

Our nickname for her is Tazzy - and so was born the TAZZMATTACK! - Twice a week you'll find us flinging kettle-bells about for 30 gruelling minutes of hardcore HIIT/resistance training. Use it or loose it mates...

So here's me with what is essentially my LBD - slung over my workout gear! Which will make it all the more
easy for me to dive into the session later. Sometimes low-maintenance is the way to roll.

Bend Ze Knees!

The Dress | worn to disguise the fact I'm basically slobbing about in my gym-gear all day!

The Rest | grey lycra 3/4 leggins with integral key pocket. Grey Vneck tee - ancient. Grey/orange, ruched hoody with thumbie holes (I heart thumbie holes) both by MPG.  Ridiculously expensive running socks  orange and white (to match trainers - natch) bought at the same time - with the intention of taking up running. NOTE: I do not run. EVER...

The Shoes | Orange/white (ahem) Mizuno trainers - bearing the legend Wave Inspire 4.

The Equipment | 8kg York Kettle Bell - I would go up to a 10 but the 8 is orange and it matches all my workout gear. So what's a girl to do?

*note I am also wearing a sports bra which matches the grey outter wear perfectly. Racer back - soft cup, medium hold. These days - the old lady norks need a smidge more support. Just telling it like it is.

Day 6 | Mai Tie

Spring! It properly feels like Spring today. I have thrown caution to the four gentle breezes and dragged a huge hold-all from under teen-boy's bed.

I know! Such dedication to the cause, but I was after this bright yellow cardie and a pair of unbelievably useful 3/4 trousers. (Which on my little legs are more like 6/7).

I've raided iPodgey's tie collection too and here I am. Spring ready.

I have yet to set up the camera and gorilla pod - so as you see I'm struggling along with whatever light is available for my camera phone.


You might also note - the fancy borders! I have discovered a brilliant little app from the gels at abeautifulmess.com. So while I am committed to figuring out photoshop actions and improving my photographic skills - there's no harm in having a bit of fun exploiting the talents of other very fabulous chaps and chapesses along the way.

I'm off out with iPodge later - I can guarantee he will raise his eyebrows at this little number. I've put posh shoes on - so he'll feel more disposed. I haven't worn these beauts in years. They're very - very ladylike, I'm just not ready for a full-on sandal moment - to be honest it's already clouding over...

The dress was washed overnight and tumble dried while I worked out this morning. I can report that it dries in moments and the garden was so breezy and sunny today - I pegged my little black dress on the line for 20 minutes while I had a shower and wrangled a large bag from under a bed.

A note about sunglasses...

For me sunglasses should either make me look impossibly glamorous or so fierce that you worry I might actually kill you if you look me in the eye. Be assured if you are one of those rude, arse barging types. I very probably will!

The Dress |  Worn as you'd expect it to be.

The Rest | Yellow 3/4 sleeve cardi with little pockets, Oasis. 3/4 beige, side zip trews. Gap. Betty's ring, acid green knuckle duster, Tiffany bracelet, Turquoise necklace. Yellow plastic and diamante, cats eye sunnies.

The Shoes | Lady like, blunt concical heel shoes with shell/plastic disks, TKMaxx.


The Bag | Gorgeous little green and grey, slub silk, dolly bag with extra long handles bought in Thailand a very long time ago.

The Hair | Unbrushed, unwashed and frankly unacceptable!

Day 5 | Biba Diva

Blurry Rock Diva Shot. Or not! 

In every wardrobe lurks the perfect little leather jacket - no? Mine is this little corker - coveted and lusted after for many months. I have photographs of me in the nude/beige and the black version taken in-store, long before I landed my own. I have no shame  in matters of fash-on. In fact last year when considering my finances and thinking very, very hard about my shopping habit - I hit on my version of Chiconomics.

I realised that the shopping, searching, trying on and catwalking it about in the changing room part of the process represents a very high proportion of the overall 'happy' measurement when buying clothes.

So!  Thinks I. What about I give myself all of that excitement and fun - and none of the guilt? 

I could document how cute I look in an outfit - without ever handing over the moolah at the till. This my friends proved to be a perfect way of indulging my love of shopping without troubling my bank account, and while finances have evened out this year - I still take little changing rooms selfies to add to my collection of 'Clothes I Don't Own'.  Genius!  No no... No need to thank me - my little gift to you x.

I appear to have lost the top of my head and my leg in this photo - Podgey is no Bailey.

Ah ha! The missing leg...

To the details! 
After yesterday's Breaking Amish remodelled for Fixing Up the Shedish - I headed for the glam of a pair of 70's inspired platforms and the aforementioned Biba jacket. (I finally scored an almost brand new one on Ebay and saved myself over £200 smackers - the power of visualisation my friends.)

The Dress: Worn right side up and right way around!
The Rest: Uber soft, gunmetal, scoop neck tee with cuffs - Whistles. Most excellent beige Biba leather jacket worn with the cuffs unzipped. Ancient but fantastic, greige lace tights. Betty's ring, green knuckle duster and green perspex, printed bangle. (Present from sister I think).  Gorgeous semi-precious stone necklace on burgundy ribbon, Harvey Nicks - bought with birthday cash from generous FatherOne a few years ago - in a sale. It was eye-wateringly fancy and expensive even with 70% off! Can't now remember the designer...
The Shoes: Fave and much loved Ted Baker platforms - green faux snakeskin and suede.
The sunnies: Gucci - natch!

Live by the Heel - Die by the Heel my friends...

I'm giving myself a hefty 7/10 for this - I felt very cool. We bumped into Dino - the owner of a little Italian restaurant and deli supplies business while we were out and about - and an appreciative up and downer from a stylish, Italian chap is worth a few points I'd say.

Off to catch up on the Rugby - no spoilers...

Podgey = Proud Englishman
Luli =  Gobby Welsh Bird

Result = Loud sofa-shouting action come match day!

Here's one of those in-store pics. You can see the jacket and the sunnies better. Also my much loved, now long gone, blonde hair...

Day 4 | Breaking Amish

Inside Out For International Women's Day

Sliding in at supper-time with today's pics and a super quick run down of my first weekend outfit. I had intended to do something really dramatic - but I woke up tired and grumpy so I went for easy and simple. Luli does Amish. Well if we ignore the zip - and the buttons and the fancy undies!

I didn't get a detail of the shoes with today's tights - I was in a rush, and now I'm deconstructed after a day in the garden fixing up the shed roof! (I've swopped the cardigan for a comfy house cardy and my shoes for my duvet slippers - which will feature in an 'at home ensemble' - somewhen.

I really, really did wear my dress while slapping bitumen on the shed roof - I tucked it into my knickers and put an old fleece on over it and NO there isn't a picture. The poor neighbour was beside himself with trying not to stare at my knees!

I do have a pic of the shoes - taken a while back, with purple tights. This will have to do...

I plan to learn to use photoshop during this project - so I'm hoping the photographs get a bit better and I can develop a 'style' for the blog. I will also start to use iPodge's better camera. It isn't super, uber fancy - I'd have to borrow the teenager's kit if I want to get totally professionale - and that is never going to happen.

I was dead pleased with this little outfit. I realise now - that you can't actually see much of it - but you get the idea. It's a good job I filled up on a huge brunch because I am woman without clue - as far as supper goes - I'm hoping iPodge will let me get away with a rock cake and some chocolate.

So the details:

Dress worn inside out - I meant to unpick the label - but I didn't get around to it. Bite me... Lovely white and blue cotton striped button up shirt with smock/pin tuck detail - gathered under the bust. Charity shop find. Ballet wrap cardigan also from a charity shop. Brilliant brown/grey/black needle stripe tights. Betty's ring. Pale tan, punched brogues from Clarkes with a tan handbag, scored a few years ago from a charity shop. Beautiful cutwork heart necklace - a gift from iPodge, bought in Milan. (Swank - swank...) You can't see it!

Hair: Poble's Bobbles
Eyewear: Gucci

Day 3 | China Girl

Nǐ hǎo! 

I struggle with this little chinese jacket. It's a beautiful dark green and orangey red. Free from restrictions with my little dress up project. I've pulled it out of the closet and I'm rather pleased with the result. 

I found it in the wonderful vintage shop Billy Jean (now sadly gone, and replaced with yet another shop for expensive toddlers.) It came with a very odd pair of trouserswhich I sent to the charity shop. I wish I'd kept them they'd have looked cute peeping under the skirts of the LBD!

When I came downstairs - iPodge greeted me in traditional Chinese 'kowtow' style and I felt very ladylike! 

I'm going to set up a camera on a gorilla tripod over the weekend. This little adventure is all about learning and playing - and I'd like to learn more about the camera - so next week, I master the timer function!

Details below!

Day 2 | Kimono My House - I wanna give you candy ...

Lets just say we're not starting at the beginning. Yesterday, while thinking about Lent - in a completely 'non-religious but everyone'll be going on about it so I'm going to' loop - I wondered about having a little seasonal challenge.

I thought - I might give up wearing jeans for 40 days.

Then I thought - I might wear the same dress for 40 days and have fun dressing up.

Then I thought - Ooh er... I'm not entirely convinced that's all that practical. 

Little Black Dress Challenge 

I mentioned the '40 day in the same dress notion' to my chap - who here, there and everywhere shall be known as iPodge. He smiled a distracted, indulgent smile and I took that to mean - he's perfectly sanguine about the whole enterprise.

So this morning Day 2 - I figured I'd pop the dress on again - and dig about at the other end of the wardrobe. No pressure. One day at a time...

I  remembered the excellent Uniform Project of a few years back - which is perhaps the dormant trigger for my little adventure. I loved the creativity and daily inventiveness of Sheena - the gorgeous, stylish chick behind the UP. I am also constantly inspired by the wonderful style of the women featured on Ari Seth Cohen's blog Advanced Style.

This little venture is way, way more modest.

To please myself, I plan to wear the same Little Black Dress for the 40 days of Lent. Using it as a challenge to 'dress' every day and re-ignite my love of clothes, and colour and pattern and daftness. I've spent the last year in stretchy jeans from Tescos - which just won't do... It really is time to dump the dull.

So in celebration of style, of clothes and of fun. I'm wading in. 

I'll pop a daily selfie here and on instagram - I'll bore my friends on facebook rigid with yet another one of my daily photo projects (I'm already having fun with the 100 Happy Days Project) and if I can remember how to set up the RSS thingamajigger - you can keeps tabs and share your thoughts too if you like, or not, as you wish.

There's no fundraising element. I'm just having fun with my wardrobe and documenting it.

I'll have to recreate Day 1 later - for completeness sake...

A word about perfection and productivity 

I promised myself today that this month would be about having a go - without being afraid that it isn't perfect. Worrying about whether there is worth in a thing or not - is the enemy of creativity and productivity. Who cares? I don't have to take pictures and post my outfits online. Of course I don't - but I'm going to. Because I'd like to have a go.

So here I am - having a right old go!

Be fabulous!

Luli

Day 2: Fenn Wright Mason Kimono Jacket, Alpaca & Merino fine knit asymetric cardi (worn as scarf), grey thermal tights, grey suede booties with grossgrain ribbon | Kurt Geiger. Wide elastic, bow belt worn upside down and back to front, ultra fine 3/4 sleeve tee (unseen). Acid green plastic knuckle duster. Black and White reading specs.