When I’m out walking I strut my stuff

Cardi: Wallis. Dress: Fever via eBay. Shoes: Dorothy Perkins via eBay. Necklace: www.mockinghorse.co.uk

What do you do when something irritates you? I’m not one of those people that explodes at every little thing, but equally I’ve learned that if I’m feeling angry it’s better in the long run if I don’t bottle it up.

My compromise seems to be to go and do something. A brisk walk (and the speed I go when I’m cross is pretty pacey – I tend to stalk rather than walk daintily at the best of times!), exercise, cleaning, anything to effect a change of scenery and work up a bit of a sweat.

It’s enough, somehow, to work off the irritation and to reset my brain to more positive trains of thought.

Of course, that’s in an ideal world…

The walls will fall before we do

Cardi: Wallis. Dress: Dorothy Perkins via eBay. Boots: Duo via eBay. Necklace: www.mockinghorse.co.uk

We don’t talk about love – we only want to get drunk

Apologies for the impromptu blog absence, people – I’ve been having laptop issues at home and work is so busy at the moment that I’ve not had time to catch up in my lunchbreak either!

It also meant that I unfortunately didn’t get to take part in the latest Feminist Fashion Bloggers series of posts, which as it’s on the subject of sexuality I would have liked to. Perhaps I’ll rustle up a belated post later on this weekend. In the meantime, here are the other contributions to the theme.

I’ve the day off today, however, and intend to wedge myself in front of the sewing machine and maybe watch a film or two by way of mental relaxation. Here’s a catch-up post of this week’s outfits in the meantime:

Monday:

 Cardi: Zara. Dress: Vintage. Shoes: Next via eBay

Tuesday:

 Cardi: Wallis. Blouse: Miss Selfridge via eBay. Skirt: Wallis via eBay. Boots: Duo via eBay.

Wednesday:

 Top: Wallis. Skirt: Vintage. Boots: Duo. Brooch: www.mockinghorse.co.uk

And today’s chilling out around the house outfit:

 Jumper: M&S via eBay. Jeans: TopShop. Shoes: Converse.

I must become a lion hearted girl ready for a fight before I make the final sacrifice

 Cardi: Wallis. Dress: Fever via eBay. Boots: Duo via eBay. Necklace: www.mockinghorse.co.uk  

Well, that’s it – it’s November, and the festive season preparations are well underway. Shenanegans have now been planned with my lot and my other half’s lot, and I’ve bought my first present, though mostly for the sake of spreading the financial load across more than one pay packet!

This is the start of expensive season for me – January, February and March all involve the birthdays of those to whom I’m very close, and this coming January my mum and brother will both be celebrating reaching Significant Age so there are further shenanegans planned for January.

I expect my bank balance and waistline will have more or less recovered come next Summer!

Turn and face the strain

 Cardi: Wallis. Top: Oasis. Trousers: Next. Necklace: www.mockinghorse.co.uk

…I am also wearing shoes under there, honestly, but the continued changes resulting from my morning yoga sessions mean that these trousers are starting to slide off me to a point where I may have to (eep!) give them up.

These days, I am usually to be found downstairs doing the Yogamazing video podcast at about 6.15, 6.30 each morning. I sound repulsively healthy now, don’t I? If it’s any help, I could be found at about 6.30 yesterday evening scoffing Jaffa Cakes.

It’s interesting, though, watching the changes to myself as I actually commit to daily practice. I’m not talking hours per day, but just remembering to do maybe 20mins, half an hour each morning is really making a difference. It’s not that I’ve lost weight, though I have and seem to be continuing slowly to do so, it’s the other things. I have, for my height, long legs and a short torso. Those legs have always been flexible and relatively toned, but my upper body strength was always poor and my torso much less flexible and, well, decidedly less toned. That’s starting to change.

My arms are starting to tone up, and to hold me with ease in positions which previously challenged. My stamina has improved (although, that abs-focused flow? ouch, y’bloody sadist !). My torso is…. well, still kinda wobbly and not so flexible, but it’s improving in tone and my waist is as small as it’s ever been in the past 9 years.

The most important things, though, haven’t really been physical. I feel so much more alive and full of energy for starting the day with exercise (Oh lordy, those things the naturally active people tell you? All True. Dammit.). And I’m proud of myself for taking care of my body, for sticking to a routine that has such positive effects on both my physical and mental health.

I’ve changed a hell of a lot in the past decade, in so many ways. I wonder how far that’s been noticed by those that have known me that long or longer?

Ruffles

Cardi: Wallis. Top: Boden via eBay. Trousers: Next. Shoes: Dorothy Perkins. Necklace: www.mockinghorse.co.uk

We’re in the middle of some minor renovations at home at the moment. Nothing huge, and all for cosmetic purposes only, but I have to confess that between camping up in the spare room instead of using the living room for a few days and trying to figure out what colour paint to go for when it comes to painting time  I’m a little sapped on the writing front.

Ah well, it all ebbs and flows, doesn’t it?

Shifts

Cardi: Wallis. Jumper: Next via eBay. Skirt: Next. Shoes: Dorothy Perkins via eBay. Necklace: mockinghorse.co.uk

A bit of an outing for a third of my trusty interview/funeral suit. If I were buying a suit now I’d go with brown or navy, but it’s good quality and in good nick so it would be silly to get rid.

It’s one of those outfits that is ok but feels decidedly unimaginative – I seem to have reached a point where the quirks of vintage appeal, and where a smart-jeans-boots-and-top outfit feels a trifle too casual in spite of being completely appropriate for my workplace. Throw in some slightly-warmer-but-nowhere-near-spring-yet temperatures, factor in that I’m smaller than I was this time last year and so have a few wardrobe staple gaps & add a yen for quirky accessories and I’m starting to feel a bit limited.

It’s Family Birthday Season, though (Everyone except my dad has a birthday between 16th Jan and 16th March. Of course, that includes me…), so I don’t have the money for much in the way of luxuries at the moment. Never mind, though. That’s what patience and wishlists are for!

Swirlygig

Dress: Vintage. Cardigan: Wallis. Shoes: Dorothy Perkins via eBay

Ah, yes, I think I’ve just about remembered how the whole work thing goes now! Yesterday was a bit of a blur of settling in and trying to remember what on earth was decided two weeks ago, but after more of less a full day of meetings and some serious poring over spreadsheets I’ve got my work hat back on. While I’m actually at work, that is!

It’s always strange, this early January first-day-after-the-bank-holiday, if you work in an office. Almost everyone has taken time off, so the office becomes a room full of people gazing at inboxes, spreadsheets and code and hoping it will all swim back into focus sometime soon. There are leftover festive treats from folk who can cope no longer with the surfeit of stodge and sugar that Christmas brings with it, and there’s always someone talking about joining the gym. Properly this time. Honest.

Creatures of habit, even when we’re transitioning between different sets of habits.