My 2010 and a Happy New Year for 2011

Of course we are at the end of another year, personally 2010 has been quite a rollercoaster ride, with many ups and downs in my personal life. Thankfully it is ending on a happy note, as is the financial side of life-2010 will be seen going out with NO credit card debt and NO consumer or personal loans-I've never been out of debt all my adult life and now I only have mortgage debt to contend with, I feel like its a massive achievement and a millstone gone to finally see the back of financial borrowings.

I can't say that I won't ever borrow in the future, but it will be planned and necessary borrowing if I do and may well involve sprucing up my little house which could do with some TLC in all areas. Personally, I also need to invest in some new specs, my ones are like looking through a permanent haze of fog, but I'll save for these.

I've achieved my debt free status mainly through a frugal lifestyle of thrifting and my love of style and fashion has seen me through these lean years. I am very fortunate to say that I have a fabulous wardrobe of designer clothes, handbags and accessories which have either been mainly from charity shops, boot sales, ebaying or from family.

After another wardrobe reorganisation yesterday with a few pieces going to my local charity shop, I can honestly say that I do have a very covetable wardrobe that I have been proud to build up without incurring any long lasting financial burdens as well.

I will cherish and respect what I have and continue to thrift, not out of necessity, but out of enjoyment-it really is a favourite hobby now.

I'm not sure what 2011 will bring for me in the way of goals and plans-I have a part time job which gives me excellent working hours, all the school holidays and a truly wonderful family of fellow workmates, so I would need any future career change to meet or exceed these things I already have-I'm not money motivated, I just want to be happy in my chosen plans for the future, whatever it brings.

With this in mind, I sincerely wish all my followers, readers and fellow blogger friends a Very Happy and Peaceful New Year and a Successful 2011.

Thrift Inspiration, Vogue Style-The Skinny Belt

I was lucky to find this Mulberry tan skinny belt a few weeks ago in the Haven Hospice charity shop:

Skinny belts are still very much in trend and the most popular way of wearing them this season is over a winter coat, as you can see here by Chloe for their Winter collection:

Check out this article by Vogue on their take on wearing skinny belts, very inspirational for how the Designers are working this look this season.

I will definitely be wearing this belt with my cashmere camel coat and also my brown shearling jacket. Will you be wearing a skinny belt with your next outfit?

Thrift Inspiration, Halston Style

I finally watched Sex and the City 2 on DVD one evening last week and I just adored all the Halston Heritage dresses, here is their cocktail pleated dress:

Farfetch.com, £259

Of course, Carries purple one is just lovely and an ideal summer dress:

I was pleased to find this vintage Radley pleated cocktail dress, which is very similar to the Halston Heritage version above, my one is a midi length and has a gold rose detail to the hemline.

It was only £7 in the RSPCA charity shop and if I don't get much wear from it over the Christmas and New Year season, I will wear it a lot as a summer evening dress next year, so a very versatile buy and another piece of vintage, very Studio 54 inspired.

What style of dresses are inspiring you for Summer 2011?

My Christmas Day

Hi everyone!! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, we all had a fabulous day and were fortunate to receive some lovely presents too.

Amongst my gifts received was a tan leather handbag, Opium by YSL perfume gift set, Prada Amber perfume gift set and as you can see below, a black and white diamond half eternity ring, chosen by me from hubby as a timely Christmas present bought on Christmas Eve whilst out randomly buying last minute things for Christmas.

My Christmas outfit differed from what I had planned, I wore my newly thrifted Topshop black sweater with silver sequins, black leather skirt, lacy tights and leopardprint ballet pumps.

My gift from hubby, black and white diamond half eternity ring

Hubby prepared and made Christmas dinner, which was totally delicious!!

Thanks dear, he loves cooking so much but hates washing up, thats my job!!

So Christmas is over for another year, but it is a perfect time for eating too much, watching too much TV and DVDs and generally just chilling out with family and friends-only another 364 days to go, lol!!

Happy Christmas to You All

Best Wishes from Candy and MyStyle-Wishing you all a Fabulous Festive Christmas and hope Santa has brought you all those presents you wanted!!

Sunset Views from my house, thanks to my lovely son