Ooh, shiny shiny!!!

I may have mentioned on more than one occasion how much I love leggings. Well, a couple of weeks ago, I was on and off Topshops website and kept peeking at these lame snakeskin wet look leggings. Anyhow, after a couple of days I succumbed to temptation and bought them!! I'm glad I did, as they fit really well and they are now out of stock. Plus, I got in before my self imposed 'no more clothes for a while' ban.

I intend on wearing these on my Xmas night out with work friends. I will wear them with my black merino wool boyfriend cardi-belted, black heeled ankle boots or my Giles Deacon for New Look studded sandals and not sure yet about what top underneath!! We are going for a meal, so just as well these have stretch to them-haha!!

Do you have any Xmas nights out planned-more importantly, do you have the outfit planned yet!!

Premio Dardos-Blog Award

The lovely Nothing Elegant nominated me for the above award. In her post, this best describes the awards intent:

This award is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing...that's the general idea.

Here it is, more eloquently, in Portuguese: O conceito deste prémio passa por reconhecer valores culturais, éticos, literários e pessoais, transmitidos de forma criativa e original nos pedacinhos rabiscados por cada blogueiro que o receba.

So, the rules are to pass this on to 15 other bloggers who deserve this-in my opinion, everyone who left comments on my 20/80 Syndrome post are all worthy of the award for the excellent advice they passed on to me, so here you are:

Emily-Cupcakes and Cashmere

Kate-Make Do and Mend

Fashion Dreamer

Nic-Shes Dressing Up

Ladies who Lunch

Vain and Vapid

Fashion Herald

Dana (MoDana)

Lenya-Fashion Loving Stylist

Anny

WendyB

Sandra@Debutante Clothing

Secretista

Pam

Cal

Charlotte

Saray

Savvy mode

Ren-Make Up by Renren

And Marian-for her late entry, haha!!

Much deserved, thanks gals!!

The 20/80 Syndrome-Solutions

Hi everyone!!

Thanks so much for all your wonderful comments on The 20/80 Syndrome Post. I'm so pleased I posted this, as I have received so many replies with lots of opinions on how to go forward.

My favourite advice overall is:

To wear what I've got-regardless of occasion.

Stop buying for the forseeable future-I don't need to buy clothes for the sake of it anymore!

Carry on collecting vintage. If I do this in the future, it will only be unique pieces that I buy and only from charity shops or boot sales.

Its school holidays next week, so I may well use this time to evaluate every item in my wardrobe for a selling opportunity on Ebay. Otherwise, if I'm too attached, I'll just hold on to what I've got with a view to appreciating what I have, not coveting what I haven't got and wearing the pieces more regularly.

Thanks so much everyone!!

The 20/80 Syndrome

I'm in a wardrobe dilemma.

I have a beautiful wardrobe of clothes that is suffering from the 20/80 Syndrome. This precise syndrome entails wearing 20% of my wardrobe 80% of the time.

I love thrifting, I think you all know that by now!! I love the thrill of obtaining a quality piece, be it a dress, jeans, jacket, boots, bag or accessory at a very low price and its a double bonus if its designer or in trend.

I also love blogging and showing my new purchases-some of them get worn regularly, a lot of them come out for a photo shoot and don't get worn again.

As it comes to winter, I'm in my usual uniform of woollies and jeans or leggings, with the jacket of the day chucked over the top. Unfortunately, my current lifestyle doesn't allow regular outings of my lovely dresses, mores the pity. I wear a uniform for work, sort the kids out after school, do food shopping and housework and at the weekends I generally chill out, go to boot sales and/or charity shops and catch up with remaining housework.

Summer is great for my vintage summer dresses as this is when I do go out and about to different places-but I have ample that I've worn and a lot of gorgeous 'collection' dresses that I haven't!

My Ossie Clarks, Celia Birtwells, Jean Muir, Leonard, etc all hang patiently waiting in the wardrobe. Waiting and waiting.

Its leaving me perplexed I must admit. I do sometimes wish I had a different lifestyle to show off these pieces, but I will say it won't change anytime soon as I don't intend changing my job. I really like what I do and am happy enough. I don't yearn for a career in fashion, nor do I really enjoy selling clothes. I had a stint of it on Ebay and I would do it as a one off, but I can't see myself as a vintage clothes seller.

So, this is my dilemma. I love all my stuff, but its not being worn. What to do then?

Well, I'm certainly only going to buy in future what I need. This isn't a 'credit crunch' post, as I'm not looking to cash in on my designer collection for the money-I'm not desperate to raise funds at all. Its about me being perplexed with having a wonderful wardrobe that is suffering from the 20/80 syndrome.

I have enough storage for my things, so that makes me say hold on to my clothes, but on the other hand is it worth keeping if I know realistically I won't be wearing the majority of it anytime soon.

I'd be so interested on your thoughts on my situation-do you also have a similiar situation?

Also, this dilemma doesn't stop my passion for thrifting. The boot sale season is near on finished now, so I've a few months to ponder on this. I think I need to stop going to boot sales, but I love them, LOL!

I visited a lovely new blogger today and her post really struck a cord. She asked' What is it about shopping and obtaining that satisfies me, and if thats even of real value to my Life? A question indeed!!

Thrift Inspiration, doing it Gucci and Etro's way!

Layering is a key trend for Autumn and what better way to do it than with a gilet (or if you prefer to call it a vest or waistcoat). They are the perfect combination with a folksy dress, jeans and top or a lovely floaty skirt. My favourites are from Gucci, Etro and Joseph, although most designers and high street stores have them this A/W 08.

They also come in different textures, materials and styles-sheepskin, wool and fur being the most in trend at the moment. I found this lovely handknitted gilet at the St Francis Hospice a few weeks ago for only £2.50. I love the trimming, it is very soft and fluffy!!

Etros gilets are great too-I love the look above best, as it works well with jeans. Not sure if the one below is real fur, so although I like the style I most probably wouldn't wear it for that reason alone. Will you channel the gilet look this autumn-go for it!!