Sunshine

Sunshine.....finally after months of doom and gloom and the suffering of cold and inhospitable weather...we have real sunshine; and so the outer layers come off and gradually our bodies are bared to the delights of sunlight. This process however is not always a delight! As the clothes come off we are confronted with the realities of our lack of exercise and over indulgence during those cold, depressing winter months. Up until now, we had successfully been able to hide our less than attractive bumps and bulges under those snuggly warm winter woollies. Now we can no longer hide quite so successfully.  However, with a bit of imaginative thinking, we manage to drape ourselves in our summer attire, covering the particular areas we individually “hate”.

But......there is always a “but” in life.......the legs are often a problem!  I’m not talking shape, size or length here – these we can cope with – but unless we wear trousers or jeans for the entirety of the summer months...there is always the awful unveiling of those “lily whites”. Those of us who have to work or do not have access to a garden are at a particular disadvantage – and legs take so long to go brown anyway. The rest of the body can almost be burnt to a crisp whilst even then, legs look only mildly tanned! Unless of course, you are one of those enviable women, we all hate, who have all year round colour or who tan easily. So the dilemma begins;

Sun bed? Such controversy over the damage caused leads more often to a not acceptable manner to deal with the “lily whites” Fake tan then?  Unless it’s just me....it never looks good or real and orange knees and ankles with streaks on your shins and blotches on your toes are so not a good look. So do we keep the tights on?  Nude tights are often unattractive – why is it the shade on the packet never corresponds to the shade on your legs??  Black or coloured tights then? Not a cool look particularly when it’s a baking hot and personally only black works for me. There again if you keep wearing tights, your legs never stand a chance of becoming tanned and weekends in the sun (providing the black rain clouds don’t descend for those two particular days), often prompt a response of intense sunbathing to make up for the limited time available and invariably ends with legs covered in calamine lotion on a Sunday evening!

However, a solution – looking through magazines there are adverts for swimsuits you can tan through. Do they work? Have no idea but what a thought......how about tights that allow you to gradually tan through – so those odd working moments and times you can dip in and out of the sun are not wasted. They could allow those legs to lose some of their early summer starkness – you know the feeling when you have bared them and feel that everyone is staring solely at your legs and judging you with pity – and then when the legs have reached the transition from brilliant stark, screaming white to a more acceptable hue of mottled pink or pale cream, the tights can be whipped off and revealed to the full glory of the summer sunshine. Leaving us feeling a little more dignified, less self conscious and still reasonably attractive to the masses. So, do they exist these “sun through tights”? If not they should and if they don’t, and you decide this is such a good idea that you go into production – just remember – the idea was MINE – I may just sue you, or demand a lifetime supply of free tights. You have been warned!

But in the meantime....I’m trying out yet another brand of fake tan, that promises even colour and beautiful legs.....I WISH x

Mother's Day To Me...

Sunday, as a mother (four times over) is my day......I love mother’s day......because it is a day all about me! It’s like having an extra birthday, another day when I am made to feel special and am allowed to be spoilt and do whatever I want (and get away with it) all in the name of Mothering Sunday.  Each one of my children, buys me a card (although I still remember the joys of receiving their little handmade cards when they were younger and of knowing how much effort and wax crayon went into its making) and they also spend time and energy in choosing me a gift (and I like most people....do like gifts...large, small......cost a lot or cost a little it doesn’t matter to me).........and presenting it to me on this special day. Gifts are wonderful......who doesn’t like to receive a treat? I have to admit that on this score I have always been extremely lucky. I have both generous children, but also children who care about the gifts they give and who put so much energy in getting just the right gift, they know I will love. And the cards they buy, always have beautiful words...you know the type, the ones you find, that somehow manage to say to someone, all the things you would like to say, but would struggle to put into words by yourself. But one of the greatest things about my mother’s day, is the kindness, thoughtfulness and care that goes into it....the lying in bed in the morning (heaven....my bed and I have such a mutual adoration of each other), the breakfast eaten at leisure and then not having to do the washing up. Followed by the permission to choose what I want to do...even if its deemed boring by other’s standards, and not feel guilty or feel that I have to give in and say I don’t mind what we do, as I have on many other occasions...because this is my day today...I am allowed to be selfish. As a mother, putting oneself first, is often a rarity...you become programmed, to always consider the needs and happiness of your children first, so the luxury of putting you first is really something...especially without pangs of guilt following. It’s a day chores are not your responsibility – unless of course a major disaster occurs such as the washing machine floods or the cat has brought in a mutilated animal (which by necessity means that’s my job because only I can sort such things out...obviously!) and your children are there to heed your every wish. Such as another cup of tea – right in the middle of the film...which has no adverts.....someone to run the bath for you and make sure it doesn’t overflow or too much hot/cold water goes in....someone to get your dressing gown you forgot.....to change the DVD or even...if you’re really lucky (which I am) someone to paint your toe nails for you.  It is the accumulation of all of these little treats (both bought and unbought) that make mother’s day so special to me. It reminds me how much I am appreciated and loved...and also that I have raised four wonderful children....so good job done. 

Jam's Summer Delights

The sun is now shining and we can finally start looking to the spring and with that comes a few little treats for all our bland winter wardrobes!! Jam's Summer collection doesn't disappoint this season either... have a sneak peak at their tapestry bolero and gorgeous city shorts both available to buy now... can't wait until the rest of the collection is in store and that's when the real justifying will commence!!! :)

Edie Bolero Jacket: XS-L  £60

Olivia City Shorts:   XS-L  £40

Anyone for a Tutti Fruit??

Ok so I know I go on a lot about shoes but what can I say I'm a woman obsessed and when these came into the shop yesterday well I instantly fell in love. There are just so different!! And I love the purple and yellow tones, one feels that summer may finally be arriving and I can't wait to strut down the street in these little beauties!!!

The Perfect pair Of Statement Shoes!!

Cash flow a little unforthcoming after the Christmas spending spree? Afraid to splash that cash with the government threatening to raise taxes, interest rates liable to go up and the price of food rising weekly?  Sometimes, life seems a tale of doom and gloom and spending those hard earned pennies on yourself can seem like a frivolous act of self indulgence. Yet, let’s face it, when all is not quite as rosy with the world as we may like......this is the time we need that little boost...that little treat to keep us going and keep us smiling. Thinking about this and how best to utilise that minimal justifiable spare cash.....I have found the perfect solution......A pair of shoes! If you buy a dress or jumper...its limited...one maybe two outfits but with a pair of statement shoes that can be worn with jeans, dress, skirt, trousers and dressed up or down depending on the occasion or your mood.......you have a sure fire winner. A pair of statement shoes will enhance so many different outfits and looks and take you right through the coming season and give you style, fashion and a whole new look for a small one off price. Better than that...when you take a look at the shoes below....it will also put a huge smile on your face and a spring in your step......so let’s find ourselves that perfect pair of statement shoes.

Just a few ideas...

A Tempting Thought

Okay...we’ve all had enough now haven’t we?  The post Christmas “being good” is now wearing extremely thin and let’s face it....it’s boring. We’re bored! Bored with being good, of counting the pennies, of denying ourselves those little treats and only purchasing the necessities of life!  But ladies, we deserve those treats, they ARE necessities in our lives – they make us feel good, they cheer us up and let’s be honest – they make us far more bearable to live with.

Who says expensive face creams are no better than the cheaper versions – we are not stupid – we do not expect a miracle in a jar – it’s not always down to the ingredients within that tempts us – somehow if it costs a little more, it makes us feel a little more special and is an acknowledgement that “we are worth it”.  Each time we spy that little jar on the dressing table, it brings a smile to our face and who can deny that smiling does lift the complexion and gives us that “glow” and reminds us that we are “deserving”.  Worth every penny.

Still keeping to that diet to lose those few extra pounds piled on at Christmas? Still waiting to be that smaller size or for curves to respond to those hours of sweat and toil in the gym? Ladies you have been good, you have done well enough and now is the time to embrace the shape and size you really are and SPLURGE.  Hours of pedalling that bike, walking up those mountains, lifting those weights and all the while, partially starving yourself should now end – enough is enough. All that activity and pain should be rewarded, with a little treat. Doesn’t have to break the bank....just a little something to acknowledge your efforts and reward your pain and discipline. Go on....go for it.....is it really going to make a big difference to the family budget? And after all, you can always remind those disapproving few, that this is you doing your bit for the flagging National economy....what a selfless act.

As women of today, we are expected to work hard in our careers, to raise a family, to keep a nice home, to be financial wizards with the family budget, to be taxi drivers for our offspring, to juggle our lives to accommodate such events as our children’s sports days, special assembly’s, to have the in-laws to stay, to be comforter and mentor to both family and friends, to have a social life and always ensure the P.E kit or his work shirt is clean and ready for when it is required or wanted – we are strong, dynamic and powerful......okay and possibly a little exhausted!  So do we not deserve small treats, to help us shoulder our burdens and get us through our daily lives....they are as vital as the air we breathe (perhaps that’s a small exaggeration). These little treats make us feel good about ourselves, they make us feel valued and put a smile on our faces.  Not forgetting that another of our expectations is to look good.....how can we possibly do or feel like that with a jar of “value” face cream and wearing that dress.....that yes may still look good on us...but we know is six years old!  Style and fashion help us define who we are, they allow us to make a statement about ourselves to the outside world and give us that inner “glow” in our own recognition of our personal value.

So ladies....handbags and purses at the ready....because we deserve to treat ourselves to that something special and we are so bored of being good...after all we have done it now for over a month...and if we continue...heaven help us, it may become a habit and then it will not be appreciated and aren’t we always told that habits can be hard to break. Resist no longer......hit the stores. Indulge a little and spoil your very deserving self before it is too late.

A New Year, A New You

So, this is the time of year that is traditionally “out with the old” and “in with the new” and this applies no less so than to ourselves......no not just those annoying habits we promise we will break in the new year that is dawning, or those extra pounds we have piled on over the festive period, but also to our wardrobes and in turn, the way we present ourselves to the world at large.

If that item of clothing was bought in last year’s sales and you still haven’t worn it yet...believe me...you won’t. Saving it for just the right occasion....who are you kidding...no one but yourselves!  Admit it, it was an impulse buy...it was cheap.....and  there was probably a good reason it was in the sale in the first place i.e very few people will ever look good in it.  Charity sack at the ready....first items go in.

 Now look closely at those items you’re saving for the day “they fit again” or the day after you have religiously gone to the gym for six months and are now body beautiful and all these clothes you have been saving suddenly make you look like a goddess....ladies I hate to disappoint.....but it is unlikely this is going to happen.  But say it did...you are now just the right size for these solitary items of clothing in your wardrobe....who have been waiting for just this day.......chances are though.....they will no longer suit you and your new “to die for” body shape and if you have been harbouring them for many years....they probably no longer even go with your skin tone or hair colour and their fashion heyday has long ago disappeared from the fashion pages of those coveted women’s magazines.  Charity sack at the ready......second items go in.

Okay now give yourself an approving pat on the back...as hard as this is, you’re doing well.  Now for all those items of clothing that are lurking in the dark corners of the wardrobe and which haven’t seen daylight for at least six months, let alone been worn. Time for a reality check here....why haven’t you worn them? If they fall into either of the above two categories...they should already be in that Charity sack and if there not, pull yourself together and grab those hangers and get them deposited without a second thought.  For the remainder, consider, why haven’t I worn them...possibly they never did suit you in the first place...but hey they cost a lot of money.....no, straight in the sack...and console yourself with the thought you are donating them to charity.  Other items.....possibly they no longer fit and flatter your ever changing body shape, skin tones or hair colour....in the charity sack and also remember fashions change and for some of those more exotic items.....they are unlikely to good on you now in the current fashion climate.  Any remaining items?  Old favourites? Let’s face it they probably have  buttons missing, are frayed and faded and are no longer your fashion statement items – they are clogging up space and are no longer your best friends...do yourself a favour.......charity sack.  And if any items remain in this category that you love, suit you and you can’t bear to throw out.....well now you can see them because you have already created some space in this wardrobe......then start wearing them!

Anything unworn any longer than six months ago needs no discussion does it....be ruthless, liberate yourself.......put them in that charity sack this minute.

Now you have space to treat yourself to some wonderful new purchases.....you can go shopping and this time of year is ideal with all the sales around......but there are rules...you mustn’t buy just because it’s been reduced...remember what we said earlier...with a lot of items there is a reason it’s in the sale and sometimes that’s because there are only a few women who can pull off this particular item of clothing...and sadly...it may not be you.  Take stock of what clothing you have remaining in your wardrobe...co-ordinate and try things on, or if you buy on line and when that shiny box arrives full of goodies, try them on and if they don’t look good.....send them back and don’t hide them in the recesses of your wardrobe for next year’s de-cluttering session.  Be bold and be brave with colour, shape and line but be clear what suits you now...not six years ago and not after you have that body beautiful you are going to get by punishing yourself at the gym. Fashion should be fun but more than anything, the clothes that you wear should make a statement about you as a person, and enhance the way you look, should make you stand out from the crowd and make you feel fabulous, feminine and flatter your body – everyone of you deserves to feel like this, no matter what your age or your body shape.......so come on ladies...let’s go to work on creating that fabulous new you for this fabulous new year ahead of us.