If You Can't Find What You Need, Compromise

One thing I've found difficult to find this year has been a decent length of shorts.  Being in my forties means I'm not so keen on the current bum skimmers that are in the shops.  I also like to do a lot of sight seeing when I go away, so the balance of comfort over fashion must also be considered.

After having little or no joy in finding anything I liked, the only solution left was to make my own.  I headed over to Primark and picked up 4 pairs of jeggings, that were only £6.50 a pair.  That way, if I didn't quite get this right, I wasn't going to cry too much over the lost cash.

The first pair I attacked were white, I worked out where I needed to cut, then used these as a template for the remaining pairs.

Once cut, they were folded and tried on, to check the length was where I wanted them.

This process was then repeated on the navy, black and sandy beige jeggings.

The final step in the process was to fold the hems up and sew them in place.

I wonder if anyone else ever resorts to doing this as well?  They're far better than the nasty chino styles you get out there, too.  

I don't know about you, but when you get older, yes, comfort is good, but so is style.  There's a lot of stuff out there that's plain awful!

Shoes will be my next rant, I'm sure!!!!!!! Until next time.......

It's My Birthday!

So today is my birthday.  I found out today that it was also John Pertwee's birthday before he passed on, meaning I shared my birthday with Dr Who - now that really does show off my inner geek.

It is also the 10th anniversary of the London bombings today, where bombs were let off on the underground and on a bus.  My thoughts are with those who were impacted on that day.  I am sure there will be many inspiring stories heard today from those who survived as well.

Now I don't know whether this is good luck or poor judgement on my part, but today I have a job interview.  As I went to Manchester with my sister yesterday, we thought we'd have a quick trawl through the sales for an interview outfit.  I can normally cobble something together from my existing wardrobe, but since our office moved to a full casual dress code, the number of smart outfits I have has dwindled rapidly.

So I popped into Mango and was able to pick up this beautiful skirt, reduced to £17.49.  The little top was a snip at £4.99.  Then, after a rummage in a couple of other shops, I ended up in H & M and picked up this cute jacket for only £19.99.  I am pretty sure this is going to be a knock out success, whether I perform as well as I look will remain to be seen!

By the way, I don't know if I am going to wear the shoes that I've teamed them with.  I might go for some kitten heels instead.

Until next time.

Primark Is An Addiction

How does Primark do it?  On Tuesday, I had a business date with my work colleagues in Manchester.  This is not my usual working location, so I find myself easily drawn in to the town centre, which is about 5 minutes from the office, past the tram station.  Firstly, I popped to Greggs for some lunch and ended up with a yummy slice of Spicy Chicken pizza.  Then, as Primark was just across the road, I just had to pop in through those automatic doors and take a quick peep.

If you go in through the side entrance on Mosley Street, you are met with beautiful swimwear - bikinis and kaftans in all colours, shapes and sizes.  It really puts you in a holiday mood, that's for sure!  The Manchester store has a Costa Coffee on the first floor, so as you head up the escalator there is this heady aroma of coffee and cake (mmmmmmmm)

This time I purchased some jeggings, jeans, a new top, a hair accessory and some bangles.  I love bangles and they're often featured in my style-ups.  The grand total of this haul was only £63! How do they do this?!?!

Have a lovely few days ahead and I look forward to sharing more stuff with you soon x

Who stole summer?!

Well, North West England is still a few degrees shy of summer and it's not helping that these dark grey rain clouds keep appearing.  At least the new grass is getting a good watering in.

Today I popped out with my hubby to buy a few bits and pieces for the house and, typically, ended up in a food shop.  But not any old food shop! Marks & Spencer was calling me, luring me in with their Dine In For £10 offer.  Today I have some marinated chicken, salad, white wine and a Peach Melba dessert.  Shame I have to share, really.  I am sure hubby won't notice if I eat it all myself?

I've also made some more purchases to make the most of the hot and sunny weather in some part of the world.  This time I was lured in by the Joe Browns catalogue and picked up a couple of new skirts and some cute cardies.  They'll be styled up and shot for my Instagram account in due course.

I was musing the other day about my holidays.  I have a couple planned already.  A long weekend to Yorkshire is on the cards soon.  My friend is celebrating her 50th this year, so we have a lovely trip to Italy planned.  I have been to quite a few places over the years and was wondering if anyone was interested in me blogging about them?  Let me know if so by dropping a comment below.

Thanks for reading.

Summer Wardrobe Preparations By H&M

Summer has definitely been taking its time to reach North West England, although the last 2 days have seen temperatures make it up to 18 Celcius.  It's not exactly flag cracking weather.  Today, we'll be lucky to see 14 Celcius.  It makes me so jealous to see all the photos of my fellow Instagrammers wearing shorts, when I am struggling to contemplate the idea of a short sleeved tee.

Weather aside, i decided to order some summer basics, including three different short sleeved tees, a long sleeved tee with an animal print themed pattern and a summer jacket to fend off the cooler evenings.  

The jacket has a lovely palm print on it and will look great with so many items in my wardrobe.  Styling this up shouldn't be a problem!  Prices are available on my Facebook, search for www.facebook.com\ukstylechicky for details.

Looking ahead, I am planning a long weekend to Yorkshire soon.  I'll be taking in the amazing sights in and around Whitby, looking at the beautiful Yorkshire moors, checking out the beautiful beaches and, of course, mooching round the Abbey, pretending I've been shipwrecked on the same boat as Dracula.  

The Dracula story is a long enduring one.  Imagine if it were true?

One Month On

So...... It's been one whole month now since I transitioned all my accounts to the new name of UKStyleChicky and I'm amazed at how many followers have joined me on Instagram already - over 400 fellow fashionistas 😻

This week I was feeling a little inspired by other postings I have seen on Instagram and I'm currently in love with flatlays.  I have tried a few flatlay pictures before, using mostly my accessories, but this time I was experimenting and I hope you like the result.

The magazine was the main focus of my inspiration.  I had also spoilt my home by buying a bunch of flowers from the local supermarket (£3 from Aldi - last of the big spenders, I know!!).  There was also a packet of Fondant Fancies lying around in the cupboard looking all unloved and unappreciated.  They were definitely very appreciated after their photo call.  

Any hints and tips on how to make a great flatlay photo using only an I-pad would be really appreciated.

So the only thing left for me now is to hope that summer arrives here in the UK soon.  It's the Spring Bank Holiday weekend here and it's been a chilly 12 Celcius (54F).  The forecast for the coming week doesn't look very inspiring.  When will I get to wear my sandals without my toes freezing off?  Place your bets here.

Until next time.

Japanese Influences With A Hint Of The Crazy 88

I have always been a fan of Japanese styles, so I put together a little style spread of a few of my favourite things.  There is the beautiful kimono jacket I picked up from River Island a couple of years ago.  There's also a selection of my favourite bags and purses, all with the Japanese influence.  I adore blossom as well, a notable feature in many Japanese style gardens.

There is one extra item you'll notice here; a DVD of one of my favourite films, "Kill Bill".  My favourite parts of the film are probably the most obvious - the Crazy 88 being carved up in the restaurant, with O-Ren Ishii being followed into the garden to have the top of her head lopped off.  The fact that the fight in itself is so unashamedly ridiculous - let's face it, the survival rates of all of have the usual Hollywood high - makes it one of the best fight scenes ever.  

Plus this part of the film is set in Japan, with a beautifully dark contrasting interior to the restaurant, the lovely kimonos and dresses that O-Ren Ishii and her counterparts wear, the beautiful Japanese garden with snow starting to fall over it and the plip plop of the water feature.

But my favourite quote? It has to be when O-Ren Ishii cuts off the head of the man who questions her cultural background.  This is pulled directly from the Internet, so excuse the swearing for those of you that don't like it.  I wonder how often some of us want to shout that last line to people when they're being disagreeable with you!!!!

Until next time

O-Ren Ishii: [in English] As your leader, I encourage you from time to time, and always in a respectful manner, to question my logic. If you're unconvinced that a particular plan of action I've decided is the wisest, tell me so, but allow me to convince you and I promise you right here and now, no subject will ever be taboo. Except, of course, the subject that was just under discussion. The price you pay for bringing up either my Chinese or American heritage as a negative is... I collect your fucking head. Just like this fucker here. Now, if any of you sons of bitches got anything else to say, now's the fucking time!