10 things I like about... Summer

Photo: Sevilla, 2008

It's been a loooong time since I did one of these posts. It is a bit of a joke that the British (or English) can only talk about the weather and as of late, my mother and I seem to talk more and more of it when we speak: how amazing it is that it hasn't rained for what seems like weeks, how hot it was on our respective walks to work, how cloudy it was at lunchtime, how we actually had to put a cardigan on to walk home from work, how I forgot to put sunscreen on the tops of my legs and they are now red, and so on. We don't need to think of anything else to say. This summer though does seem particularly good after last year's rather poor show. And I am loving it. Here are 10 things I like about the summer months:


1. The long evenings before the sun sets.


2. Not having to wear anything on my arms and legs for days on end.


3. The smell of sunscreen. And aftersun. And fake tan.


4. Eating and cooking outside.


5. Pimms.


6. Summer holidays. Planning them. Talking about them. Going on them.


7. Day trips. To the park. To the beach.


8. Sandals.


9. Sunglasses. Now people don't know if it's a hangover or the sun!


10. Walking up and seeing the sun (nearly) every day.


What are your favourite things about summer?

The little things...

It is often the little things that make the most difference. Indeed, it is often the little things that add up to make one the happiest. A couple of blog posts caught my eye recently...


First, Topshop's post about Gisele Scalon's second book, The Goddess Experience, which I have just bought and in which Gisele shares her top ten Goddess experiences (more on these shortly).


And second, Cafe Fashionista's latest Why Don't You...? post. I adore these weekly posts which are always beautifully written and so elegant in their suggestions!


Both posts talk of penning an old fashioned letter, something which I still do - despite the invention of email and its reliability and speed.


Taking a leaf out of Gisele Scalon's book I decided to pen my very own happy list. And here it is for you to see.

♥ Post. I love to receive post (except for bills, of course). A carefully chosen greetings card or a hand-written letter give a personal touch that is sorely absent in an email. As a result of this, I also like to send mail. Afterall, it's rude to expect others to send it and not to return the favour.


♥ Statement jewellery. The bigger the better. I love cocktail rings, pendants, strings of pearls, chandelier earrings. Anything that will dress up a simple outfit normally fits the bill.


♥ New shoes. I am breaking in a pair today. Nothing feels better than that feeling of slipping your feet into a brand new pair of shoes, stiff and smelling strongly of leather.


♥ New... anything! I love getting dressed and having to rip the tags off every item of clothing before putting it on, from the lingerie to the jacket. It feels so frivolous! There is a delicious scene in Priceless where Audrey Tautou's character is doing just this.


♥ The warmth of spring. It's not warm exactly but it's warm-er than it has been and you just know that spring is around the corner, albeit a rather large corner. But when the sun does shine it reminds you for a moment what it feels like to be warm again.


♥ Books. New books which have not been opened yet. Old books which smell like all of the people who have read and loved them before me. Books I haven't read yet with their treasures to be discovered. Books I have read over and over again.


♥ Taking photos. Either with my digital camera, my beautiful old SLR or with my retro and dying Polaroid. Photos make wonderful memories and can be used as a simple, yet thoughtful gift.


♥ My family. My friends. My boyf. Not necessarily in that order! The people around me make my life happy and worth living.


♥ People watching. There is no better way to spend an afternoon than sitting in the sun, drinking coffee and watching the world go by. Having someone to do it with makes it even better.


♥ The sun. I am convinced that I suffer from SAD every time we have a grey and overcast day. Which is often in Wales. The sun makes me happy. It can be freezing cold but as long as the sun is shining I am smiling! Bring on the summer!!


I could go on for many more than ten. But I think that is enough for one day.


What makes you happy, dear readers? How about a giveaway? Enter my Alice In Wonderland giveaway to make you happy...

To Spring: 10 things I like about... Spring!

O thou with dewy locks, who lookest down

Through the clear windows of the morning, turn

Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,

Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!

The hills tell one another, and the listening

Valleys hear; all our longing eyes are turn’d

Up to thy bright pavilions: issue forth

And let thy holy feet visit our clime!

Come o’er the eastern hills, and let our winds

Kiss thy perfumèd garments; let us taste

Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls

Upon our lovesick land that mourns for thee.

O deck her forth with thy fair fingers; pour

Thy soft kisses on her bosom; and put

Thy golden crown upon her languish’d head,

Whose modest tresses are bound up for thee.

(William Blake, 1783)

I am fed up with the cold weather now. Snow is fun but relentless cold is tiring after a while. I'm bored of tights and boots and knitwear.

I thought I would put together the 10 things I am looking forward to most about Spring in the hope that it might make me feel a bit better.

1. Warmer weather. Obviously.

2. Longer days. Lighter evenings.

3. No need for hats and scarves and gloves (and tights).

4. Pancake Day (next week!!) and Easter eggs!

5. New spring summer collections which make me dream of summer holidays.

6. My birthday is approaching!

7. Blooming flowers and blossoms.

8. The beautiful light. Perfect for amazing photographs.

9. Another Sex and the City film is in the offing!!

10. Summer will soon follow spring.

What are you looking forward to about spring?

LUST LIST: Paris-inspired tees

Paris-inspired fashion seems to be everywhere at the moment.

This is my Top 10 list of Paris/French tees! I think one or two might have to be purchased before my trip to the French capital later this year!!

Dorothy Perkins' White perfume bottle tee, £18

Dorothy Perkins' Cream 'Voltaire' motif tee, £18

Topshop Paris Stripe Motif Tee, £20

Topshop Beaded Eiffel Tower Vest, £32

 

Topshop Vintage Paris Vest, £18

 

 

Topshop Spotty Paris Vest, £16

 

 

Topshop Bonjour Body, £18

Oasis Black & White Sequin No 6 Stripe Tee, £38

Oasis Navy Paris L'amore Tee, £28

 

Oasis Mid Grey Necklace Placement T-Shirt, £35

Which is your favourite?

10 things I like... about heels - by Hannah!!

When deciding to write a flats vs heels post I knew that I could easily write in favour of flats but that, while I can see perfectly well the beauty in a pair of high heels, I wasn't sure I was the right person to write in their favour. I know that Hannah was.


So here are Hannah's 10 things I like about heels!!


1. They lengthen your legs and make you feel slimmer.


2. Makes me feel more glamorous.


3. They're very girlie.


4. They can improve your posture - they make you stand up straight (no need for books on your head!).


5. They get you in the mood for partying!!


6. They come in all shapes and heels sizes - stilettos/wedges/kitten and boots/sandals/courts/shoe boots!


7. There are so many many gorgeous designs!


8. Shoes like Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo are iconic!


9. Carrie Bradshaw would never been seen dead in flats, so why should any woman?!


10. Did I mention how BEAUTIFUL they are?!!

10 things I like... about flats

I am a flats girl. There's no denying it. I can't walk in heels. Despite my attempts last year to learn to!


I love shoes - shoes are my problem. If I see a beautiful pair of shoes - flats or heels - in the sales in my size, I HAVE to have them!


But while heels languish - unworn - in boxes on top of my wardobe, I live in my flatties. I wear pair of flat shoes death. Literally. My mum used to have to secretly throw away old digusting pairs when I wasn't looking! And I have a box FULL of old flats that I can't bear to part with in the bottom of my wardrobe!


Here, I am going to tell you all of the things - or 10 things - I like - although love might be more appropriate here - most about flats.


1. They are comfortable. This had to be number one because no matter what anyone argues, they can't argue against that!


2. They go with everything. Skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans, leggings, skirts, dresses, harem pants, smart pants, cargo pants... I could go on and on and on and on!!!!


3. They come in all shapes and sizes and colours and styles. There are ballet pumps (my fav), canvas pumps, brogues, jazz shoes, pointed, rounded, boots, sandals... Again, I could go on!


4. They work just as well for work, the weekend and partying. You can get jewelled ones, plain ones, patterned ones, print ones, sparkly ones... Allsorts!!


5. They are - usually - reasonably priced. This is something which appeals to someone with an addiction like mine! I often manage to pick up a cute pair in the sales for a tenner - sometimes even less!


6. You can walk far in them. On a night out or a shopping trip I would much rather have my trusty flats on. For traipsing around the shops there is nothing better. And for a walk home after a night of dancing when the queue for the taxis is around the block they are invaluable.


7. They make your feet look longer! For some people - I understand - this might not be an advantage. For those "blessed" with little feet, it is. Particularly if you for a pointed style - which I love!


8. They are the perfect holiday shoe. On the beach or wandering around little backstreets in Italy (*dreaming*), they make the perfect foot attire!


9. Did I mention how cute they are?!!!


10. And how COMFORTABLE?!!!!!! You won't end up breaking your ankle - or worse - as a result of your shoes, if you're in flatties!

Flats vs heels: the age old battle of the shoes!

I am a perennial flat shoe wearer. I should make that clear from the start.


But I adore high heels. They always look so beautiful and glamorous and sexy. I just can't walk in heels. No matter how hard I try.


In the following series of posts I will tell you the "10 things I like about flats" and Hannah - who I styled back in November - will tell us the "10 things she likes about heels".


Here, I will give a brief history of the heel. That beautiful - yet frightening - creation!


The battle of heel heights is one that goes back many decades. It came to a head last summer when a British firm banned women from wearing high heels at work and was quickly vindicated in their decision by a quote from Trade Union bosses saying, "High-heeled shoes should be banned from the workplace because they are sexist and pose a health and safety hazard". In spite of the seemingly patronising comments, just days later Selfridges announced that sales of flat shoes were up by 20%. Not only that, designers - such as Christopher Kane - were seen using flatties in the catwalks.


Flats are back in vogue ladies!


Despite their longevity, flats are not alone in having been around for many centuries. I decided to have a read and find out when the high heel was "invented". Well, I have discovered that it was as early as 1533, when the diminutive Italian wife of Henry II, King of France, Queen Catherine de' Medici, commissioned a cobbler to fashion her a pair of heels, both for fashion, and to suggest greater height for her wedding.


It is a subject which has divided - and continues to divide - women around the world. I won't give too much of the arguments in favour of either as that would be spoiling the later posts. But, tell me, which do you prefer?


Flats or heels?

10 things I like.... no, LOVE... about FANTASY SHOPPING!!

Fantasy shopping is something I have invented over the past five and a half months. Ok, so a quick goggle search for 'fantasy shopping' proves that I did not in fact invent the term but I have certainly perfected the art.

Fantasy shopping is a little like window shopping but it has the edge, I think. It is online shopping without hitting the 'checkout' button. Here are my 10 reasons why I have come to love it so much:

1. Money is no object. There is no need to fear one's credit card bill or bank balance after a fantasy shopping spree.

2. No store snobbery. You can check out really expensive stores on line without having to worry about the looks the security men will give you when you walk in. And what's more, you can 'buy' from these stores too!

3. Warm and dry. There's no need to go out in the cold and wet in the winter. You can stay wrapped up warm and dry inside, in front of the computer screen.

4. No opening hours. You can shop at 4am or 11pm or even 1pm. Whenever you want!

5. No bags. Fuss and baggage free!! Not shopping means that I travel light these days.

6. No queue rage. Saturday queues and crowds drive me into an uncontrollable frenzy. I hate them. On line shopping fantasy sprees have none of these. Thank goodness!

7. Anywhere in the world. The world is quite literally your shopping centre. You are not confined by postcode, country or postage fees when fantasy shopping. You can go anywhere you want.

8. No scary changing room mirrors. Or lights. The lights in some changing rooms are soooo unflattering. Why do you think they put lights in changing rooms that make you look so ill; they do not entice you to buy the clothes you are trying on one bit.

9. Try something new. You can go outside of your comfort zone and 'try' something completely different and new.

10. It's fun!! Most importantly.

Of course, many of these also apply to internet shopping in general. Tell me about your fantasy shopping sprees.

More soon. Love, SG

10 things I like... from my winter wardrobe!

I decided this morning to write this post as I stood in front of my wardrobe trying to find something that didn't feel tired and old. The problem with my shopping ban is that because it started in the summer I have not bought any new winter clothes since last year now. So here are the top ten things I have been wearing and learning to love (again) from my wardrobe so far this winter:


1. My over-the-knee boots. Not actually old and tired at all but a gift from the boyf. I am literally living in these. Love love LOVE!


2. Leggings. A little warmer than tights and so versatile. They are the perfect summer-to-autumn-to-winter cross over piece!


3. Jumper dresses. I have two H&M rollneck jumper dresses and have been living in them.


4. My cape. I loved this when I bought it in the sales but had little chance to wear it until this autumn. It dresses up an outfit perfectly.


5. Tights tights tights. My love for them is still alive!


6. Knee high socks. Great under jeans or over leggings with knee high or over the knee boots! Good winter warmer.


7. Arm warmers. Colourful. Warm. Funky. What more could you ask for?!


8. Knitted beret. I bought a cream knitted beret for my trip to New York last January and have brought it out of its summer hiding place.


9. Scarves. Always look chic. I think they are great for pulling an outfit together. Have a lovely black one with silver running through it from the "in laws" a couple of years ago. Wear it constantly.


10. Vests. Not the sort that old men wear or that my mum used to make me wear when I was little. But it is now cold enough to put a cute little vest under my clothes and I love it.


More soon. Love, SG

10 things I like about... Autumn

Lazy Sundays, rain, a new school term and the longing for an open fire can only mean one thing... Autumn is here.

Spring might be the season of all things new and expectation but it is often bittersweet as it gives way to the disappointment of another British summer.

Autumn, however, promises little but delivers much.

Walking down my road yesterday I couldn't help but notice the beautiful colours of the fallen leaves on the ground and those that were still hanging in there, so to speak. The tree-lined avenue looked lovely in the late sun.

It got me thinking about the things I like about this season that doesn't pretend to be anything but what it is; cold, windy, rainy and miserable:

1. I love that snuggly feelingI get when I'm all wrapped up in my winter woolies - v excited about getting out my winter coats, hats and scarves!

2. Autumn leaves. The colours. Beautiful.

3. Opaque tights. (I think I have made my love of these very obvious by now!)

4. The knowledge that Christmas (my very very favourite time of year) is getting closer.

5. Bonfire night and fireworks in the cold.

6. New season's clothes.

7. Boots. Ankle, knee high, over-the-knee. All gorgeous.

8. Lazy Sunday afternoons spent on the sofa, watching old movies and the wind and rain outside... knowing there is nowhere else I need to be!

9. Gingerbread Lattes back in Starbucks (soon).

10. New term feeling. That feeling of going back to school. New stationery. The smell of new pencils.

More soon. Love, SG

10 things I like about... Dresses

The exhibition yesterday, coupled with my blog entry about 'my first fashion memory', inspired me to write this list:

1. With one item of clothing you are dressed. Simple. Elegant. Classic. Chic.

2. Opaque tights. Fashion's gift to women.

3. There is no occasion where a dress is not appropriate.

4. They never go out of style.

5. Heels or flats. Both go perfectly.

6. Accessorise. Anything goes and often make the outfit.

7. A Very Special Dress can make you feel a million dollars.

8. Snow White and Sleeping Beauty did not wear jeans. Ever.

9. The LBD is an icon. The Little Black Dress never makes you feel fat/frumpy/ugly. It just can't.

10. Quite frankly, dresses are perfect.