Marrakech ~ travel outift

I find choosing outfits to travel in so difficult when you're going from the cold to the (hopefully!) heat.  I'm getting picked up by my friend at 7.15am & judging by the current temperatures, it's going to be baltic again so I've got to be warm this end but not so much that I'm going to swelter within 3 minutes of getting off the plane because let's face it, with 25°c plus temperatures & menopausal hot flushes, this is very possible!

So I had a trial run & this is what I decided on in the end.  The jeans are the relaxed skinny by Next which I love the look of but I'm having a wee problem with them.  When I tried them on instore, they fitted perfectly so I bought them & put them on the next day.  By the end of the day though they had really stretched & I mean really - I could pull them down without having to undo the zip or button, surely not right after one wear?!!  So I'll have to pop back to town & either get a smaller size or swap for a different style.

The navy longline tee shirt was bought in Gap last year but this is similar & let's face it, anything that covers the arse is a good thing in my book!  The open jacket I bought in Next a few weeks back but I can't find it online so it must be last season stock - this is a great alternative.

You may have seen my coral Freckle Ice shoes from Clarks on Instagram the other day.  This is my fourth pair of these now, they're so comfortable - please don't ever discontinue them Clarks!!  And the saddle bag is also from Clarks but is now sold out - this one is similar.

Accessories wise, there's no point wearing loads of things that'll have to be removed at security so I'm just sticking to my gorgeous burnt orange leopard scarf from Alice's Wonders, handy for chilly mornings & planes, and my turquoise stretchy bead bracelets from Accessorize.  I can't find these online but layer up a few of these & you get the idea!

This is a close-up of the jacket, which I'm really pleased with.  I can wear it over any of my holiday outfits, it's especially handy for night time & I'll also be taking it to New York next month.

So there we have it, nothing exceptional or fancy but it's comfortable & practical - oh god, I sound like my mum.....!!! ;)

What's your favourite thing to wear when travelling?

Marrakech clothes

So with only 3 weeks to go until our trip to Marrakech, I decided I had to go through my wardrobe & choose my final picks to take with me.

We're only there for 4 days but as you may have seen on my Instagram yesterday, the predicted forecast is (fingers crossed!!) due to be around the 20-25°c mark, in which case we'll need cooler - but still conservative - clothes for the day with something warmer for the evenings.  Everything I've chosen can be mixed & matched with each other so although there's not a great deal, I can make quite a few different outfits in total!  I'll run through the list quickly but you can get all the details from my Polyvore if you click on the picture.

For the bottoms, I've chosen a pair of relaxed skinny jeans (I'll wear these to travel in), black jersey wide leg trousers, a navy maxi skirt & a plain black maxi dress, ideal to wear with one of the lightweight kimonos thrown on top of it.

The tops I've chosen are 2 longline vests in burnt orange & navy (I may take a white one too), a navy v-neck t-shirt (for travelling in), a mustard top & my new striped boat neck top.

I bought 2 kimonos at the end of last summer to wear as lightweight jackets, ideal for covering my shoulders should be enter somewhere where bare shoulders are frowned upon.  Either can be folded up small & put in my bag.  I will also pack my denim jacket & new navy jacket I bought in Next last week (again, I'll travel in this), but it isn't online so it must be one of last season's.

Shoe-wise, I decided to forego any sort of heels & take only 2 pairs of flats.  I wanted a closed-in pair as it'll still be cold here when we leave so the Freckle Ice from Clarks are perfect.  I have 3 pairs of these now & they are honestly the best ballet pumps for me as they support my arches & are ridiculously padded!  Then I'll take my pewter sandals from M&S, which granted, look minging on the photo but look great on, honestly!!  Again, they're really padded & comfortable for walking in.

I'll only take a couple of pieces of jewellery as I'd like to buy some whilst we're there but I do need a scarf or two, & these from Alice's Wonders are lovely.  I'll take my Clarks tan saddle bag for the day & a beaded clutch for evening.

And not forgetting a swimsuit, sarong & sunglasses!  I'm just taking a plain, boring black swimsuit because I like to wear my leopard print sarong & I don't want to clash!!  I also need to get to the opticians to have new prescription lenses put in my sunglasses but I'll not be going back to Vision Express after the chronically slow service I'm experiencing at the moment with my new glasses, grrrr........

As a lot of things I'm taking I bought at the end of last year & they're no longer in the shops, I've had to choose similar pieces on my Polyvore set but you get the jist!!  I will do another post with photos of the actual clothes I'm taking....I might just do a wee packing video too, we'll see!! ;)

Totally going off track here but does anyone have difficulties with their posts when they add a Polyvore set?  It either totally changes my font & I can't adjust it or like today, my type width will only go to the width of the photo, not across the full page????  It drives me bonkers, does anyone know how to remedy this?

Anyhoo, that was a very rambly post, sorry but I'm getting a tad excited now, hee hee!!!

Is there anything I'm missing?

Sales stash!

Today is Day 5 of the #mystylephotochallenge on Instagram, which is Sales Stash.  I have posted a picture but I thought I'd talk you through the pieces I've bought!

I have been known *ahem* to go a bit mad in the sales before, just buying anything because it has a really good reduction but I've decided that from now on, I'm going for quality over quantity.  I've bought too much crap in the past that's only lasted 5 minutes so I'm going to replace these pieces with wardrobe essentials that will mix & match with each other.  That's the plan anyway.....

I know a lot of people moan about the Next sales in that they bring out a load of old stock to shift & although there are sometimes some questionable pieces for sale, generally I've always dropped on in their sale.  I had every intention of getting up early this year but yet again, this didn't happen so I didn't get to the store until 11.30am.  I wasn't expecting to find anything so I was pleased to find 3 items that I wanted, all half price!

First off, these denim leggings at £12.  I've got 4 pairs of these now in varying shades of denim & I swear, they are the most comfortable 'jeans' you'll ever wear.  They have a zip fly & waistband so essentially, just look like a pair of skinny jeans but the comfort factor is fab-u-lous!  They're called a legging so as you'd expect, are super stretchy & for me, they fit really well.  The solid black pair are next on my list to get.

I also picked up a v-neck fit & flare knitted dress in the berry shade.  I bought this in black a couple of months ago & it's a great day dress.  I like to wear mine with opaques, denim jacket, oversized scarf & my biker boots.  Then I found a navy long belted cardigan too.  This, I was in two minds whether to keep as I honestly think it would look much better on someone a lot slimmer than myself & it does have a hint of 'dressing gown' about it but, but......the more I tried it, the more it grew on me. Then Hubble pointed out to me that I'd pay £13 or more for a crappy cardigan in Primark so I'm keeping it.  I can see myself wearing this in the spring with a breton top, skinny jeans (see above!) & my Converse.

Next up is a blazer that I've had my eye on for a while in Debenhams.  I tried it on a while back & was surprised that it fitted quite well & would actually fasten over my boobs so when I spotted it half price at £27 & it was the last one left.....in my size!.....then I had to have it!  A couple of friends of mine have lovely tweed blazers & always look so classy when they wear them - I'm hoping I'll exude the same air of classiness wearing mine, pfffttt!!!  You can find a similar one here.

The next shop that I always go to the in sale is Gap, but usually to buy my son clothes.  After picking him up some pieces, I spotted a rack of scarves & this super-soft winter white & navy check one just called my name.  It was down to £10 & is ridiculously warm & snuggly, a fabulous buy.  They also had some rain macs down to £24.99 but Hubble was losing the will to live at this point & I didn't want to push it so I left!!  I might pop in tomorrow though & see if they have any left.

Last, but by no means least, I bought these gorgeous boots at the end of November.  They are the Kendra Aviva but are not available in Clarks anymore although there are some on eBay. They fit like a glove & are immensely comfortable due to the extra padding round the balls of your feet & arches.  I danced happily for hours in them & my feet were very happy!

What did everyone else manage to get?

Life lately

Hi all, how is everyone?  I've been MIA for a while I'm afraid - I totally lost my blogging mojo for some reason.  It wasn't down to lack of post ideas or anything like that as I currently have 9 draft posts waiting to be published, life has generally just got in the way!  My pc (or internet connection, we're not sure which) is just not working properly either & the last post I did took over 2 hours to do as opposed to the usual 20/30 minutes, which really hasn't helped.  I've also been volunteering at the school again & have spent a LOT of time there in recent weeks.  It's all good fun though!

Anyhoo, I have a couple of hours until I have to be back at the school again(!), this time to help with the Christmas parties.  But first, let me fill you in on what I've been up to the last few weeks.

The Hubble & I spent a couple of days in Edinburgh at the end of November (you may have seen some of my photos on Instagram!)  We like to get away just the two of us now & again & had I not come down with a stomach bug in the night, it would've been perfect!!  Never mind, we'll just have to go again - what a shame!

We've also been really busy with sporting activities on the weekends recently.  Wee man plays rugby every Sunday morning, which the Hubble coaches & he's recently started golf lessons on a Saturday morning too.  However, these are held at the Carnoustie golf course so we drop him off for an hour then enjoy a walk along the seafront followed by coffee in the Carnoustie Golf Hotel.  Last time we went, I took a peek in the spa & have decided that in the New Year, I'm going to treat myself to an Elemis facial or two!  Well, that's if Mr F didn't pick up on the very heavy hints I was dropping & book me in for some treatments, ahem!!

I worked out the other day that I've bought 5 pairs of boots & shoes in 2 months, is that excessive?!?  One of my new pairs are the lovely Kendra Aviva from Clarks.  I wanted these last year so I'm glad I managed to pick them up with 25% off.  I bought them in the suede & I really think they are the most comfortable pair of heels I've ever owned.  I wore them last week on our Mums' Night Out (yes, it needs capital letters!!) & my feet felt fine, even after dancing for 4 hours!  Actually, they were so comfortable, I've just ordered the Crisp Kendra shoe in red as they're such a bargain at 50% off.  Let's hope they fit as well as the boots!  But no. more. footwear........for now, anyway!

I've got lots of posts that I need to finish up with lots of lovely new products to show off & I'm going to have a wee redesign of my blog over Christmas & New Year so don't worry if it all looks strange whilst I'm doing it!!

I hope you're all prepared for the big day & are feeling lovely & festive?!  Even my 6 year son knows the words to my Mr Bublé Christmas cd!!!  I'll be back soon!

Clarks A/W 2014 wishlist

                    

Clarks A/W 2014 wishlist by fortytherapy


So whilst perusing the Clarks website this morning, as you do, I've noticed that they've got some really great choices again for this season.  There are quite a few pairs that have made my wishlist, if only my budget would allow me to have them all!!  From top to bottom starting on the left;

Orinoco Jive in Brown £89.99
I had a pair of these last year in black & I just love them.  I wore them to death last year but I think they'll last another winter so I'd like to get them in brown for this year.

Freckle Ice in Navy £44.99
Another duplicate of ones that I had last year, although in red rather than navy.  These are ridiculously comfortable & unlike a lot of other ballet flats, the front comes quite high up meaning your toes aren't gripping onto the soul for dear life to stop them slip-slapping off you feet as you walk!  So glad they're available in navy (but please reintroduce them in red too Clarks, I need another pair!)

Busby Folly in Dark Tan £69.99
I love tasseled loafers but find a lot of other ones have the same problem as ballet flats, they come too low on the toes.  These look higher up so I'll be trying these on instore.

Hotel Chic in Black Interest Leather £65.00
I love the mix of leather & patent on this pair of tasseled loafers.  Slightly less chunky looking than the Busby Folly, not sure whether I prefer that though!

Hamble Oak in Dark Green £59.99
I know everyone & their dog had a pair of Hamble Oaks last year but I still love them & the dark green is a great colour.

Nessa Clare in Black £110.00
Another duplicate of boots I've bought in the past.  I bought these 2 years ago (when they sure as hell didn't cost £110!!!) & are the only riding boot style I've found to fit my wide calves.  Although my calves are wide, my feet & ankles aren't so usual extra wide fitting boots as like baggy wellies on me.  These are the perfect fit & very comfortable.  Mine may last another winter but if not, I would repurchase (might have to wait for a voucher code though!)

Amos Kendra in black Suede £69.99
I love these shoe/boots (shoots?).  I have many (many!) pairs of shoes that I can no longer wear as they're just too high for me now, I seem to have lost the ability to walk in them so I'm going to eBay them & replace with new ones!  These are the perfect height for me now & will go with pretty much everything.

Kendra Aviva in Black Suede £79.99
Again, for the reasons above re heel height.  I tried these on last winter & loved them then so this year I definitely want to get them!

Movie Retro in Dark Grey £89.99
I have a similar pair to these in black but I love the dark grey colour of these & the quilting on them.  Not sure I can justify buying them but I'll certainly be trying them on (and consequently talking myself out of purchasing because I'll inevitably love them!)

Mezze Game in Taupe £110.00
I lurve these boots but between these & the Orinoco Jive, I'll be getting the latter.  I'll be honest & say that is purely down to cost, I'm not sure what warrants these being £20 more expensive?

So lots of gorgeous footwear around but has anyone else noticed that Clarks prices seem to have jumped considerably lately?  I know when you break it down into cost-per-wear they work out reasonable but I really baulk at forking out £100 for a pair of boots!!  However, they last really well, fit perfectly & are ridiculously comfortable & I just don't do bad shoes anymore, my feet can't take it!!!

What's going to be on your feet this autumn/winter?