Outfits and Food Fun

  & #WowOnWednesday

Dear friends. A few outfits I've been wearing, along with some random food faves and dislikes. I'm sure some of them will chime with you! 

Family Time in Devon - and Link-Up

 

I'm back after a week off.  My holiday started with a trip to London to celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary. We went to one of our favourite places, Dinner by Heston. This restaurant, which is in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel at Knightsbridge, doesn't offer the Heston Blumenthal "tasting menu" but instead a selection of classic British dishes which have been revived by Heston. Some of the more adventurous dishes were missing from the menu, which was a bit more streamlined.

Polka Dot Skirt 2 Ways

 

Polka dots never go out of fashion. I've always bought my polka dots in black and white - see an example here - but this fun skirt from Kettlewell Colours caught my eye and I've styled it two different ways.

All White? Plus Link Up

This summer has been a strange one for fashion trends because they have been largely dictated by the retailers without the usual street style of influencers percolating through and creating the odd surprise (like last year's Zara "It" dress).

The three biggest trends are statement sleeves, broderie and what I call the big dress - voluminous and baggy,

Green Co-Ords and Link Up

This is an unashamed outfit post. The COVID-19 story plays out all day on the news so I don't need to cover it here.

I haven't done many "outfit posts" this year and the main reason is, I've got a bit bored with my winter wardrobe and there can only be so many variations on it to show you. I didn't buy anything new in Jan/Feb.  My intention was to radically change my shopping habits.  I learnt from another blogger, who's got years of experience in the retail sector, that when we order online a lot of the returns go directly to land fill.  This horrified me. For many mass market retailers, there's too much work involved in steaming and redistributing clothes to go back into the purchase chain. Plus there's the issue that young people often wear something and send it back the next day.

My plan to actually go into some stores and try on clothes has of course been scuppered. So I ordered some clothes instead, trying to choose retailers who I'm sure would not send returns to landfill.

Co-ords, matching skirts/trousers and tops, have been around for the last couple of seasons.  I initially liked this pair of culottes and matching top from Kettlewell.  Both co-ords can be worn individually,  and in fact it works better, because the culottes and the top both have a tie waist, which looks odd worn together. I tucked the waist tie of the culottes inside.

The co-ords come in four colourways.  I added white/cream accessories and jacket after trying pink, which didn't look right.

This is a great outfit for the pear shaped, because the long top skims the waist and hips and the wide culottes provide balance for your smaller shoulders, creating an hourglass figure.

But it's not a top choice for my shape.  After I'd taken and reviewed the pictures, I wasn't convinced I really loved the outfit.  I resolved at the start of the year I would only buy things if I really love them.

The main reason I don't love the outfit is that the top is a long one, and although it has a tie waist, this is not a length I normally wear.  I prefer to wear things tucked in because otherwise I look larger than I am, particularly if I wear a top like this with trousers because my hips and thighs then look proportionately bigger.

The culottes have an elasticated waist which generally is not good news for me in the summer when I like to tuck things in.  A fitted waistband looks more streamlined;  elasticated can add bulk. As we get older we understand better which lines and styles are the most flattering on us - whether we are short legged, long waisted, whatever.

Now it's time for #WowOnWednesday, the weekly link up where you can find new blogs to read, and bloggers can find new readers. Please leave a few comments on the blogs you visit, it really makes a blogger's day to see their posts are being read  (and not just by other bloggers).

Last week's readers' favourite (most clicked) was Singapore blogger Anna from the Glam Adventure and her YouTube video recreating a casual look worn by Jennifer Aniston.

My favourite post was by Laurie from Vanity and Me, Baukjen Brand event Spring Summer 20 event. I love posts that preview fashion collections, it's like having a seat on the front row. I always like the look of Baukjen but I've never bought anything from them yet. As Laurie shows, the tailoring looks wonderful.

Sharing this post with Claire Justine, #iwillwearwhatIlike at Not Dressed as Lamb, Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style, Chic & Stylish at Mummabstylish, Linkup on the Edge at Shelbee on the Edge, Anna at Muttonstyle, #AnythingGoes at My Random Musings, Thursday Moda at Elegance and Mommyhood, Turning Heads Tuesday at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish,  Style with a Smile at Stylesplash, Anna at the GlamAdventure, Style Six at Coast to Coast

Nothing was gifted for this post.

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I Liked This Skirt So Much I Bought Another One: And Link Up

If you find something you love, and there are more colours available, ladies, go for it. I bought this velvet skirt by Kettlewell in Violet Dazzle a few months ago.  I noticed it's now in the sale, so I snapped up this gorgeous colour, Atlantis Dazzle.

I'm wearing it with last winter's white jumper and boots and a very old furry gilet. The necklace by Corsi Design Factory was a perfect match. I bought it at the V&A Museum on the day I met the lovely Penny from Frugal Fashion Shopper.  It looks like a normal necklace but it's made of a soft resin.

The reason I love the Zandra skirt is that it's got a lovely sheen, and is so soft to sit on;  and it's so easy to wear, with its elasticated (yes!) waist. It's a good length too.

As I mentioned, I already had it in Violet Dazzle. I wore it on an outing last week to meet Nikki Garnett from Midlife Chic. When meeting another fashion blogger you always agonize over what to wear. I wore my skirt and a purple cashmere jumper from M&S, but the stand out items were my chunky pearls and lilac coat.

I love the coat but we rarely get the right weather in the UK to wear it.  Ideally it should be cold but dry.  And the coat feels a bit dressy for everyday running around.  So although I don't wear it very often, it's brilliant quality with a high percentage of cashmere so I know it will be good for many years to come.

You can see the lovely sheen of the skirt.  The pearls are actually two necklaces.  One was very cheap and bought in BHS many years ago.  I got the other one from Etsy.  Chunky pearls always seem to get compliments.  One of Nikki's readers (she invited ladies in London to meet up, if they were free, and 15 came along) messaged me afterwards to say she liked the pearls.

Do you ever buy an item in more than one colour, if you find you love it?

Sharing this post with Claire Justine, #iwillwearwhatiwant at Not Dressed as Lamb, Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style,  Turning Heads Tuesday at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish; Style with a Smile at Stylesplash; Chic & Stylish at Mummabstylish, Linkup on the Edge at Shelbee on the Edge, Red Carpet Link Up at Glamadventure, Muttonstyle, Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style and #BloggerClubUK or #AnythingGoes at My Random 
Musings.

I'm back on Friday with a #FiveForFriYay post on podcasts, TV and books. See you then!

Now it's time for #WowOnWednesday.

Last week's readers' favourite was Kim from Fierce Fashion with her post Refashioned Top with Camo. Kim's top was originally black but she bleached it, and then she changed the shoulder by adding a leopard print insert.  he instantly has a totally unique garment. I really admire women who can customize their clothes.  I'm hopeless with a needle so all I can do is admire.

My favourite post was by Shelbee from Shelbee on the Edge. Please indulge with this one! No-one has ever done a style steal on me before, so I was so chuffed  (a good ol' British word) when Shelbee gave us her take on my David Bowie t-shirt and jeans - "Inspired by Is This Mutton: Bowie Tee." Thanks so much Shelbee - I love your take on the outfit, particularly the red boots!

A special mention also to Michelle from Fifty and Fab. She wrote very bravely about her phobia of vomiting - My personal struggle with emetophobia amd how to overcome phobias and anxiety. It's a big deal for bloggers to open up about personal challenges - kudos to Michelle.

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Purple and Pink

Dear friends. Regular readers will know that I like pink, particularly in the bright fuchsia shade which suits my cool / clear colouring. I also like purple and lilac, which look great with pink. Certainly in this combination none of us will be invisible.

The velvet midi skirt from Kettlewell has a lovely sheen and I added a bit of extra sparkle with metallic tights.  I've been finding so far this year that dark opaque tights aren't doing it for me. They suddenly look too solid, and dated with midi skirts. So I'm preferring thinner denier tights like these and the embellished brocade tights worn here.

The purple is echoed again in the infinity scarf, described as "pansy" by Kettlewell and a shade that is said to suit everyone. I don't really wear scarves except the Rew type shown here, which has a button fastening, but this scarf is good because it doesn't need tying.

Silver ankle boots and a cute micro bag provide finishing touches.  As an aside, I'm standing in front of one of our stained glass windows. The house dates from the 1920s and in the area where we live it was a big feature to have particular designs of stained glass in certain streets. A few years ago we replaced the windows. I managed to find a vendor who was able to take the precious original stained glass and encase it into the new frames. I'm passionate about retaining original features in houses, so this made me very happy.

I had to do this shoot in a big rush, after work, before it got dark as I didn't have time at the weekend. But phew, I got there.

Disclosure: no items were gifted for this post.

Now it's time for #WowOnWednesday.

Last week's most clicked post was by Emma from Style Splash, "Rust Checked Wrap Skirt and Navy Sweater." Emma is very skilled at colour mixing and always has quirky, fun accessories.

My favourite was Darlene from Aquamarina Style and her post How to Style a Faux Leather Skirt for Fall.  I often look at the racks of coated, faux and leather skirts and trousers and then move on, thinking it's not for me. I've only ever had one faux leather skirt which was silver and hardly ever worn because it was always too big. So Darlene has given me a welcome push to think about adding a faux or leather item to my wardrobe. I think I will need to try on several to find the right fit so this will make a whole post on its own!

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A Time For Reinvention - and Link Up

Autumn/Fall is a much better time for attempting major life changes than January, in my view. January is such a bleak month with three months of winter still ahead and bank balances decimated by Christmas.  I started several of my major jobs in the month of September, and it's a month with feelings of optimism  (Brexit aside) and regeneration.

I like to change my beauty routine at this time of year. I was thrilled to get two more products from British skincare firm ARK to continue my efforts to brighten and polish my skin.

I've been using their Age Defy nourishing moisturizer and cleanser, both aimed at the over-50s, for a few weeks and said I'd give an update when I'd used them for a while.

Well, I've had a few compliments about my skin recently so they must be doing a good job! I like the moisturizer in particular.  The pump mechanism isn't great because it stops working long before the pot is empty, but no problem, I just lift off the lid. It has a refreshing herbal/eucalyptus type scent and is a good primer for makeup.

The new exfoliator is aimed at all age groups:  you simply leave the product on for longer (five minutes) if you're over 50.  I'm not always very good at using exfoliators. They seem a waste of time if they aren't very grainy - how do you know they're sloughing off dead cells? - but on the other hand, too much graininess is bad  (remember Aapri?).

This exfoliator has a triple action: a physical, fruit acid and enzymatic action to gently slough dead skin and debris. AHA acids from bilberry, sugar cane, sugar maple, orange and lemon help to diminish the look of acne scars and the appearance of wrinkles.

I like it! There's a pleasing graininess, but not too much, and afterwards my skin looked fresh but not red.

I haven't tried the hydration injection masque yet but as you know from previous excursions,  here and here, I love trying a mask so I will report back.

Kick starting a New Health Regime

At the start of September I spent four days at my own expense at Grayshott Spa, on the Surrey/Hampshire border. I haven't been there for more than 20 years but it was still the tranquil heaven it always was, with just a few changes.

Every day there are two walks in the gorgeous heath land surrounding the mansion

One of the changes is "the Regime," a special diet for the gut devised by Stephanie J. Moore and Grayshott's head chef Adam Palmer.  Grayshott runs a 7-day long introduction to the Regime.  I didn't do it, but the food in general is based on its principles. I was hoping it would kickstart a healthier eating regime. Somehow, even after the delicious three-course dinners, I managed to lose four pounds! Yes, even after a daily pudding like this - honeycomb ice cream!

I bought Stephanie's book, Why Eating Less and Exercising More Makes You Fat: Current Health Advice is Failing Us, and the Grayshott recipe book, Gut Gastronomy: Revolutionise Your Eating to Create Great Health by Vicki Edgson, to learn more about the diet.

It's low carb and avoids high GI foods  (such as potatoes, bread, grains, bananas).  The diet encourages us to be lavish with fats and nuts. We're now using butter and coconut fat, and avoiding spreads which are full of hydrogenated fats.

Diets like these have shown revolutionary results in reversing type 2 diabetes.

In the last three weeks I've continued the weight loss and it's now half a stone  (seven pounds). I don't feel low on energy and I'm not feeling constantly hungry (hangry) as you normally are when you eat less.

I haven't really cut out any food groups:  vegetables are carbs and some are starchier than others. The diet forces you to cook unprocessed foods and to avoid anything pre-packaged, plus desserts, sugar and sweeteners. But I'm not counting calories for the first time ever, nd it's such a relief.

I've been cooking everything from scratch and trying new veg and ways of cooking them:  celeriac mash was a revelation!  Last night I made my own ratatouille to accompany a dish from the Grayshott recipe book, lemon sole with mandarins and ginger. Both delicious and even Mr Mutton approved.

I haven't given up my vice - cheese - and have a few thin slices with two sourdough crackers if I'm not sated.

I must confess to not doing some of the gut health measures - soaking nuts overnight, blanching salads, eating sauerkraut and making kimchi.  Life is too short!

Examples of what I'm eating

Breakfasts

When I'm in the office, I take a bottle of Biotiful Kefir which is nourishing and good for gut health. Or I take a container with some coconut yoghurt, blueberries, raspberries and nuts.  At home, I like two poached eggs on a slice of toasted sour dough  (better for us than wholewheat bread).

Lunches

Lunch is a challenge with this diet:  the best thing is to make a salad, which I try to do on most days. I add an interesting pot of edamame and soya from M&S or Tesco, and some sliced turkey or salmon. If I'm in a rush, I make a smoothie from the Grayshott book  (apple/pear/juice of half a lime/maca powder and coconut milk). Or I have a Huel shake - quite a few carbs, but also filling. You could, if you had time, roast some vegetables with meat or fish.

Dinners

I make a few batches of chicken casserole or chilli at the weekend and have plentiful vegetables with those, plus a serving of oily fish once or twice a week, falafels and a grass-fed organic steak. If I'm in a hurry or desperate, I have an omelette with ham and a Greek salad.

I've just bought another recipe book, The Diabetes Weight Loss Cook Book, by Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi. This is useful because it profiles the two authors and two others in terms of how many carbs they aim to have each day (it varies).  And there are some useful recipes for crackers/bread without the carbs. Joe Wicks' recipe books are also good for low carb recipes.

I have an ambitious target of another seven pounds in the next month, in time for a reunion with former colleagues from the first job I ever had.  My reward, if I succeed, will be a new pair of Boden patterned Richmond trousers!

Disclosure:  I was gifted with two products by ARK Skincare.  Copy approval was neither sought nor given, and my editorial opinion is my own and always objective. 

Sharing this post with #WordlessWednesday at Claire Justine, Chic&Stylish at Mummabstylish, Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, #ThursdayTell at Muttonstyle, Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style; Fabulous Friday at A Pocketful of Polka Dots, Anna at The Glamadventure,  Linkup on the Edge at Shelbee On The Edge, #BloggerClubUK at My Random Musings, #Stylewithasmile at Stylesplash, Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style, #ShareAllLinkUp at Not Dressed as Lamb

Now it's that time of the week:

Last week's most clicked was Jess from Elegantly Dressed and Stylish who looked stunning in her chestnut dress from Target.  Jess is a master of wearing colors that suit her, and accessorizing.

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Midi skirt with white trainers or black sandals? And Link Up

I've become a big fan of white trainers with skirts this summer, after a slow start where I didn't think this trend was for me. Now I wear them all the time, and I firmly believe they give a far more contemporary spin to a midi skirt.

To show you the difference, and how staid high heels or sandals look with a longer skirt, I first styled this skirt with black sandals, a similar top, but tucked in, and a couple of poppy brooches to reflect the red anemones in the skirt  (they look a bit like poppies).

It looks smart but a bit fussy (and ageing) to me: I much prefer the more casual version with white Stan Smith's, top not tucked in, and no brooches.  I don't normally wear earrings because my hair hides them, but I tucked my hair behind my ears and wore statement purple earrings. And of course it's quite liberating to be able to run around in trainers all day.

The skirt is from Studio by Preen at Debenhams and was 50% off in the sale. I love Preen's quirky prints.

I used to worry that white trainers would make my calves look too chunky, and I might look like "Mutton." But do you know what, I don't care now. They're comfortable and everyone seems to do it. Wearing sandals suddenly looks a bit ageing!

Where are you on white trainers with skirts or dresses? Yay or nay? Give your thoughts in the comments.

Sharing this post with #WordlessWednesday at Claire Justine, Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style, #ShareAllLinkUp at Not Dressed as Lamb, Chic&Stylish at Mummabstylish, Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, #ThursdayTell at Muttonstyle, Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style; Fabulous Friday at A Pocketful of Polka Dots, Anna at The Glamadventure,  Linkup on the Edge at Shelbee On The Edge, #BloggerClubUK at My Random Musings, #Stylewithasmile at Stylesplash, Grace at Color and Grace, Julie at This Main Line Life

Now it's that time ----

Last week's most clicked post was by petite over-40s blogger Grace with her post How Women Over 40 Can Rock Vans This Fall.  I've taken to the trend of wearing trainers big time  (see above!) but never thought about buying Vans. Now Grace has inspired me.

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