Autumn outfits

Wow, that was a rather long - and unintentional! - break from blogging but you know, sometimes life just gets in the way!  The kids are all well ensconced in school, I'm back to my morning 5km walks round the reservoirs just across from my house (which I really missed doing during the summer holidays) & I've been helping a lot at the school again.  This teamed with my mum being unwell & running around helping her out has left little time for post research/reviews etc so I've been a blog reader, not a poster for a while.  But my mojo is back & how fortuitous that it should happen entering my favourite time of year & all the shops are getting all of their autumn/winter stock in!!  I *may* have made a sneaky purchase (or 10!) already......

It's no secret that I LOVE a bit of poncho/wrap/cape action so it pleases me immensely that the shops are full of these again this year.  I've bought a couple of new ones already (and have my eye on a couple more, ahem!) & I'm on the hunt for a new wool fedora this year.  I can't decide between this grey one from New Look or this charcoal & tan beauty from Zara that my friend bought last week.  We don't live near each other however, so won't have the worry of turning up wearing the same thing!  But then I keep coming back to this navy one from Topshop too, decisions, decisions!!

I feel like I've 'done' navy to death over the past year so this season I'm veering back towards black & grey. My old but comfy pair of black skinnies are now more of a grey colour (which I don't dislike!) so new pair of high waisted black skinnies are on the list.  I'm also looking for a grey cross-body saddle bag so have been trawling the internet looking for one.  I like this from Clarks but I'm just not keen on the patent straps, however I do love the more casual style of this one from White Stuff.

I've always been a bit self-conscious of putting OOTD posts on my blog but I've decided I'm going to do more of them from now on starting with these few outfits I've been wearing over the last couple of weeks with some of my new purchases!!  Apologies in advance for the poor photos, mirror selfies just aren't clear!

Left: grey jumper dress, Primark, current

black leggings, M&S

black trainers, M&S

Right: oversized grey cardi, Primark, A/W 14 but similar in store

black (now grey!) jeans, Asda

trainers, as before

Left: black blazer, H&M '14, similar here

white shirt, M&S

jeans, Next

sliders, Garage 

bag, eBay

Top right: navy boyfriend cardi, Primark '14, similar in store

top, Next, S/S '15, similar here

jeans, Next, as before

sliders, as before

Bottom right: black trainers, M&S, as before

Left: check coatigan, Primark, current (my favourite new purchase!)

grey jumper dress, Primark, current

black ponté trousers, H&M, similar here

trainers, M&S, as before

Right: rust blanket wrap, Primark, current

black jeans, Asda, as before

trainers, as before

You can probably tell that I'm MUCH happier dressing for autumn/winter so I'm looking forward to hunting out all my other ponchos, wraps & hats!  The dark nail polishes are also back out now too!

What will you be wearing for A/W this year?

2015!!

Happy New Year!!!

So, here it is, the year I've been dreading for so long - the year in which I turn 40!!  *says with tongue firmly in cheek!*  I do seem to have come to terms with the fact though that in 14 weeks, I WILL be turning 40 which, although it stills seems so very grown up, now actually sounds.....ok!!

I'm grateful to have found so many amazing blogs over the last year written by some fantastic, stylish, beautiful, clever, witty ladies of a similar age that have basically, given me a kick up the arse & reminded me to get a bloody grip - 40 isn't old at all these days, it's merely a number!

So I'd like to kick 2015 off with a shout-out, in no particular order, to my favourite inspirational bloggers of 2014!

Kat from http://doesmybumlook40.blogspot.co.uk/
Jane from http://www.mymidlifefashion.com/
Avril from http://www.schoolgatestyle.com/
Andrea from http://inmamaswardrobe.blogspot.co.uk/
Donna from http://iwontwearsludgebrown.blogspot.co.uk/
Frances from http://schoolrunstyle.blogspot.co.uk/
Nikki from http://www.midlifechic.com/
Sharron from http://www.styleateveryage.com/ 
Lynne from http://dorothycamper.blogspot.co.uk/
Joanna from http://poppys-style.com/
Michelle from http://myfashionable40s.blogspot.co.uk/
Annmarie from http://fashionmumof40.blogspot.co.uk/
Jenny from http://beautyandthebiryani.blogspot.co.uk

Anyhoo, back to business!  This first post of the year is just really to catch up & fill you in on our lovely Christmas & Hogmanay.  The house is now clear of all remaining Christmas detritus & I'm trying to get back to normal before the kids start back at school on Wednesday.

We had a nice quiet time this year, which suited us down to the ground after a manic November & December.  We found a fabulous new forestry place the other side of Dundee & bought the most perfect 7 foot tree we've ever had.  It was decorated in my usual Nordic style but the kids have asked if next year we can have an extra tree in the hall that they can go tinsel-tastic with!!

I had some truly amazing presents this year, including 4 new notebooks (I'm a list-making freak!!), a tan saddle bag from Clarks & a polka dot bag for my sewing machine (yes, really!) from my mum, CDs & smellies from my kids, Next vouchers & the biggest surprise of all, a new iPad mini from Mr F!!  It was very naughty of him to buy me this as we'd agreed months ago that we weren't getting presents for each other this year due to impending trip to New York but then he totally surprised me with this amazing present "for my travels"!!  Oh, he's a keeper all right!  I did however, feel like a prize shit for not getting him anything other than the usual Chocolate Orange & whisky!  But it will be so much easier to take this with me to Marrakech & New York so I can blog on the go!!

We've had pretty good weather so far with only a smattering of snow so we've enjoyed plenty of long walks round the lake with the hound.  One day in particular was absolutely baltic though, as shown by the facial expression below!!  So beautiful though - the lake that is, pas moi!!

I've had a couple of nights out with my fellow mums & we celebrated Hogmanay at my friend's house, watching the fabulous fireworks over St Andrews bay.  And I seem to have been rocking red lips rather a lot lately!!

*Sorry, should've cropped the cleavage!!*

I've picked up plenty in the sales too but I think this is more than enough for one post -that'll have to follow!!

I hope you all had a fabulous time with your loved ones & I wish each & every one of you the very best for 2015!!

Black, grey & berry

             

            

Black, grey & berry by fortytherapy 


Berry is one of my favourite accent shades to wear in autumn & winter so I'm pleased to see so much of it around at the moment.  I'm also extremely fond of wearing a titfer or two & there are some great ones on the shelves although this year I'll be wearing trilbys & fedoras rather than my trusty berets & beanies!

This outfit is so simple to chuck on for everyday but whilst it's not too cold yet, I've teamed it with a poncho rather than a coat - it also helps with the *whispers* hot flushes!!!

I started with the grey denim leggings from Next as I have these in 3 other shades & I love them, they're just so comfortable & a really great fit - completely hold in the muffin top!!  With them, I've added a simple white vest & over-sized jumper with faux-leather sleeve panels, both from H&M.  I know that unfitted tops are not the most flattering on me & make me look bigger than I am but I just feel so comfortable in them!  And as long as they're teamed with skinny bottoms, I can get away with them!!

The long black poncho is from Next, as are the black slouchy boots.  The fabulous berry coloured fedora is from M&S, not somewhere I go in much these days as my local store is not much cop sadly but I found this online.  The bucket bag is from H&M, they have some fab things again this season.  I think they've tweaked their sizings as I find the tops a much better fit on me at the moment.....or maybe I've dropped a couple of pounds?!

I've thrown in a berry shaded matte lip crayon & nail polish too for good measure, sometimes a bit of co-ordination is good!  And I may just have sneaked this gorgeous Tissot watch on to my board too!  This is what I'm hankering after for my 'big' birthday next year from the hubby.  I've been leaving several hints lying around & have pointed it out to him in the jewellers - several times! - but unless I physically glue a picture of it with instructions where to buy it, I don't think it'll sink in.  Bless him, he's not great with hints!!!

How do you feel about berry shades?

Next A/W '14 wishlist

                

Next A/W '14 wishlist by fortytherapy 

Hi all, this sudden transition from summer into full-on wintery conditions has led to me making the most of the last couple of days of the school holidays & perusing the A/W catalogues!!  I've even resorted to lighting the bloody fire, can you believe that?!

Anyway, it's no secret that as much as I love the sun, winter is my thang!  Maybe it's due to the lack of skimpy clothes about & I can cover myself up again or maybe it's due to being acceptable (in our house!) to be getting into your pjs at 5.30pm, who knows....but I do love it & get excited when the shops start changing over their stock!!

Next have got some great A/W staples in just now, above is just a small selection of what I've seen.  I'm having a bit of a love affair with grey & navy this year, which is bizarre seeing as I seem to live in black.  But chuck in the gorgeous citrine crepe dress (which I'll order in 'tall' so it's a tad longer!) & a few tan accessories, namely brightly coloured scarves & a few titfers, and I'm a happy bunny!  I would also like to categorically state that I am LOVING the fact that capes are high on the radar for this season *cue happy clapping*

Has anything caught your eye in the new season collections yet?

Next Winter wishlist

 

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've been shopping at, and have been a huge fan of Next for many, many years.....since I was 14 in fact but the last couple of years, I've been feeling a bit disappointed in their ranges.  However, this year they seem to have seriously got their mojo back & I cannot keep count of how many things I'd love from their A/W range.  Don't even get me started on their bags this season......oh my days!!!

 

Anyhoo, I thought you'd like to see what's on my Winter Wishlist, most of which are fairly self-explanatory.  Well, all except the wooden console table but this matches my living room furniture & now my hallway is so very nearly finished(!), I'd love this too.  It's calling out for a tall lamp, a couple of photos & scented candles!

 

I have a rather extensive winter hat collection already but having seen these two, I simply must have them!!  What's not to love about a black furry beanie with cat ears & a xmas pud perched on your bonce, heh heh!!!

 

I'll be posting a Next bag wish list soon......I might just have to leave the page open on my pc for Mr F to notice it *coughs* Christmas presents alert *cough*!!!

 

 

 

NOTD Barry M ~ Vivid Purple

 

 

 

 

As much as I've loved wearing the neons & brights on my nails all summer, somewhere deep down inside of me I'm yelping with happiness that autumn is arriving & the darker, more vampy nail colours are back!!

 

I have another Barry M gem to show you today that I picked up the other day & first off, can I apologise for the photos because they just do not do this stunning colour justice!  I tried to take photos in so many different places with different lights but nothing could show off its true beauty......you'll just have to take my word for it!

 

Vivid Purple is a gorgeous jewel-like shimmer polish & I'm totally in love with it!!  It's just perfect for winter parties.....or just for everyday if you're like me & love a fab, dark nail.  It's a little streaky with just one coat but these photos are with 2 coats & Seche Vite top coat & I just love it!

 

 

 

 

 

What's your favourite nail colour at the minute?

 

 

 

 

 

 



Spring has sprung!

Well, it's taken an age & just when I was losing the will to live, it would seem that Spring is finally here!  Anyone that knows me knows that I love winter & all that it brings (you know, roaring log fires, steaming bowls of comfort food, getting into my pjs at 5pm, Christmas etc!!) but I really don't want it to extend into the middle of April!  It was only a few days ago that we still had snow on the ground, eeek!!

 

We live in a beautiful rural village about 8 miles from Dundee & are fortunate enough to have a huge country park about a 2 minute walk from home.  I blooming love this park & it was one of the deciding factors in us wanting to live in this village, as opposed to closer to the city.  There's 2 great play parks for kids with massive wooden forts & zip slides built in amongst the forest & reservoirs for fishing, boating & water sports.  My teenage girls spend several sessions a week windsurfing & kayaking in the school holidays, a welcome break from mooching round the shops with their pals!!

 

 

 

 

 

With the evenings getting lighter by the day now, we love to have a wander round the park after dinner, sometimes stopping in at the park's wee café/bistro for a cheeky vino!!  Last month, the engine in our car went kaput (that's a whole other rant though, I'll save that for another day!) so I was forced to do the school run on foot via the park rather than the usual 2 minute journey by car.  Even though it was still bitterly cold, the sun was blasting through the clouds, illuminating the park in all it's glory (oooh, went all Nigella there for a moment!) & it reminded me what a beautiful place I live in.

 

 

 

 

So in preparation for a lot more woodland, park & beach walking, I treated myself to a new pair of wellies the other day.  I do find it odd that I get so happy about things like wellies these days....is it an age thing do you think?!  Anyhoo, I usually find it insanely difficult to find wellies, or any boot for that matter, that fit correctly as I have wide calves but skinny ankles & feet.  I've tried so many pairs of wide-calf wellies but the manufacturers seem to presume that everyone with wide calves also have feet the same width & they just don't stay on my feet!  That is why I was pleased to come across these Joules wellies in my local Dobbies garden centre the other day.  I tried them thinking they wouldn't fit my calves but they did, oh happy day!!  I went up a size to a 6 so I could fit in some squidgy memory foam soles for comfort & warmth & they really are very comfortable & a great fit.  And to top it off, they're just so pretty, they're crying out to be worn to many festivals!

 

 

 

 

But right now I'm off to get some lunch (rare roast beef & horseradish rolls, in case you're wondering!) & then I have a mammoth baking session planned for this afternoon.  Bring on the sugar overload!  Until the next time mes amis!