What I Wore Wednesday: Nativity, London & Santa Oh My!

Where has the year gone??!?! I made a folder for work called "Week 51" on Monday--how are there only two weeks left n the year? It's all flown by so fast and I know I'll blink and Christmas will be here.

On Friday Blondie Boy had his first Nativity Play at school; I wasn't sure what it was going to be like but it was just kids dressed up singing Christmas songs so my "separation of church and state" issues didn't really matter. Blondie Boy was a shepherd.

For the past two weeks he's been singing songs to me in the car and it's been super cute. He knew all the words and sang in tune so I was looking forward to seeing him perform with all his friends. This is what he did for the entire show:

Yup. He was happy, well behaved and cute but he didn't sing. He just stuck his tongue out. Stuck it straight out, to the left, to the right--anyway you can stick your tongue out he did it. He's obviously the next superstar.To be fair to him there are many stories of myself at age 3 showing my Mom and Dad my ballet recital routine over and over and when the actual recital came I stood there with my fingers in my mouth. I got over my stage fright so I'm sure he will too. Here he is actually singing Rudolph though just so you know he can actually do it.



I love that he says "very nice shiny nose" and "like toothpaste." I have no idea why we said that for the history part growing up but I promise you we did even though NotBlondeHusband hates it because toothpaste can't be of a historical nature--whatever it's funny.

As soon as the play was over we had to high tail it home to grab our suitcases and head to the airport and visit NBH's sister for the weekend. Blondie Boy was super excited to visit London (he's only flown through before) and see his Auntie Katie.  We went to the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park but most exciting we accidentally came across Santa at the South Bank Christmas Market!

Now tell me that's not Santa! Santa was very lovely and Blondie Boy was pretty star struck but managed to count out on his fingers for Santa which cars he wanted. Now if you don't believe explain this--after telling Santa what he wanted NBH and I found said cars that we've been searching for for months at Tesco in Clapham. I believe!

We had a great weekend and we've come back and it's still go, go, go! My outfit this week is from Monday. I was chairing a fundraising meeting for Glasgow Women's Aid and then went to get my eyebrows done. My salon is in the centre of town so I got to walk through George Square and the Christmas lights to get from my car to the salon.

Purple and Grey Striped Zipper Dress-LOFT outlet

Purple Quilted Vest-GAP outlet

Skinny Jeans-Old Navy

Black Boots-Sketchers

Grey Knit Newsboy hat-Adidas outlet

The sun goes down around 3:30pm now and once it's down you need a hat on! I liked this zipper details on sides of the bottom of this dress but the dress itself is pretty shapeless so I have to wear the vest over the top.  Also it is freaking freezing and you need a coat--to be honest I should have worn a full coat but I love my vest! I'm not sure if maybe a belt would help the dress? I'm a bit scared of belts if I'm honest. The dress is basically sort of sack of potato like around the middle if you know what I mean!

So we're 6 sleeps until Christmas and we don't even have a tree yet since things have been so hectic! If you celebrate Christmas are you ready?

Also I feel I need to say that I don't feel it is my place to say anything about the horrible events last Friday; I'm very clear in my own thoughts on gun control and the 2nd amendment even more so than ever after such a horrible tragedy. I urge you all to please sign this WhiteHouse.gov petition for legislation on gun control in the USA.

What I Wore Wednesday: Chanukah & Night Out

It was to the wire and I almost didn't have a WIWW outfit this week. NotBlondeHusband got struck with the sickness but and was really, really unwell for several days. So while he was quarantined in the bedroom Blondie Boy and I hung out downstairs making mulled apple cider and decorating gingerbread men.

Isn't our wee gingerbread family cute? I cancelled a night I had out with the Glasgow Women's Aid Board so I don't have a fancy night out outfit to show but I do have what I wore  today. Today Blondie Boy and I went to his class to teach them about Chanukah! It was super fun and I showed them the menorah, taught them how to play dreidel and sing the dreidel song and BB and I made egg-free cinnamon sugar donuts for them all as well. I was actually really impressed at how long we were able to hold their attention!

We came home from that and then I ran around like a crazy person trying to get my VISA application together. Thank you so much for your thoughts last week because I passed my test!!! I can't say it went smoothly it totally didn't. I went to go park and the street parking was all closed for "filming." It freaked me out but I found a spot nearby luckily. I sat outside the room and was studying when I saw a girl get her ID out so I decided to grab mine. IT WAS NOT IN MY WALLET.

I called NBH frantically asking where it was as I'd asked him if it was in my wallet before I left and he said yes but he'd apparently thought I'd asked about my bank card! So he jumped in the car to bring my ID to me. The test people said as long as he made it before registration closed I'd be okay. So I'm freaking out now because I don't want to lose £50 if they won't let me take it but luckily he made it literally 1 minute after the test man told me I had 3 minutes left!

So yes I passed and then I got the back bank statements I needed today in the mail so I rushed around trying to get copies (they make you send the originals and a set a copies) and then to the post office and then I met my friend Julie to to a Cook School class!

It was great fun hanging out with Julie, who I hadn't seen since Guns N Roses, and the class is amazing; Head Chef Phil Lewis showed us how to make so many different dishes for holiday entertaining and best of all you get to eat them all as they generously top up your wine glass. 

That's not even all the food we ate! There was soup, curry and an amazing Panettone Bread Pudding with cherry jam too! Phil was extra kind and dug out some mince pies and mulled wine for Julie, too! We had a fab evening, came away with all the recipes and are going to try and book on to a full day class next!

So while I'd planned, in my head, to change clothes between teaching toddlers about Chanukah and going out I ended up wearing the same outfit; hopefully it translated well from day to night!

Old Navy Turquoise Boatneck Sweater with Button Detail on Shoulder 

Gap Purple Quilted Vest

Old Navy The Flirt Skinny Jeans

Sketchers Back Boots

You can't tell because of the vest but the sweater has two buttons on each shoulder which I think is just a really cute detail. Also it is a great length for skinny jeans because it is a bit longer than normal sweaters but not as long as a sweater dress. Somehow I managed not to spill any food on myself so I was able to take this picture when we got home!

On a totally unrelated note look how freaking long my hair is! It is really starting to annoying me for a variety of reasons not really length related and I'm tempted to do something new to it. What would you suggest? Keep in mind there is no way I'm going for a pixie cut or dying it black so don't even go there :)

What I Wore Wednesday: Retirement Celebration

Last Thursday my Mother-in-Law retired so NotBlondeHusband, Blondie Boy and I went out to dinner with her to celebrate. I bought yet another Cynthia Rowley dress from TK Maxx and hadn't worn it yet so decided now was the time! Unfortunately it was pouring rain and blowing a gale so I couldn't wear cute shoes. I know some people are very, very, very anti sheepskin style boots but when it is disgustingly cold and wet outside and you are running to and from the car with a toddler cute shoes just don't cut it!

Zara Coat

Chelsea Skull Scarf

Cynthia Rowley Dress

M&S Leggings

Sketchers Boots

I had to bundle up with my skull scarf and my Zara coat. I some how managed to lose my favourite black leggings in our massive clear out so I had to go buy a new pair but used a gift card I found in said clear out so not a total loss.

I even busted out my Katy Perry "Oh Honey" fake eyelashes. I've only worn them once before but I love them. They are easy to put on and after that initial weird fake eyelash feeling I don't even notice they are on!

I love this nail polish I got at the grocery for only 89p! Plus it is Fast Dry which I love because I'm impatient.

The dress has pockets which I love and zip detailing on the back that I forgot to take a photo of! I'm planning on wearing it when I fly down to London to go into the office this week. I'm thinking with my leopard heels? Do you think that would work?

What I Wore Wednesday: Surprise Snow and Lunch Meeting

I did attempt to take a photo of what I wore to my meeting down south last week in a bathroom at Heathrow but that didn't really work out. I promise it was a super cute black HM dress with my leopard heels. I was going to try again but then I flashed a TSA agent (I'm not using hyperbole here; literally my entire bra was showing from 4 buttons popping open) I threw on a cardigan and ditched my cute heels for flip flops and gave up.

Last week it was in the 70's, I was wearing Flip-Flops and had a lunch on a patio by the River Thames; today I woke up and it was snowing--seriously SNOWING. So for my lunch meeting I was decidedly more bundled up.

In addition to the snow it is also blowing a gale so apologies for the wind blown hair. Like I said it is literally freezing so NotBlondeHusband wasn't feeling up to taking more than one photo. You can sort of tell but my good friend Jef re-dyed my pink for me. It is a bit darker than I wanted but it is fading gradually to the shade I wanted with repeated washes with clarifying shampoo.

Black Feather Earrings- Monsoon

Black Trench-Wallis

Grey Cowl Neck Sweater- New Look

Black Leggings- Lime for Next

Black Boots- Sketchers

What I Wore: Speaking Engagement

I had planned on being blacked out today to protest SOPA/PIPA but since it appears to be shelved and I can't get the freaking HTML to work on my page I am not. I have added a ribbon though in solidarity.


I was asked to speak about blogging as part of Glasgow University Media Week earlier today and wanted to wear something casual put professional. I'm a huge fan of sweater dresses and I hadn't worn this one in a while so I was glad to see it still fits!

Don't ask what is going on with my leg because I have no idea but NBH didn't have the patience for more than one take (can you blame him?). Also what is your thoughts on my penguin friend? It was acquired as a holiday decoration but since it is still cold out I've kept our fine feather friend out on the porch. Time to put her away or should she stay?

Dress- BCBG Max Azaria (TJ Maxx)

Leggings- Mossimo (Target)

Black Boots- Sketchers

Black Feather Earrings- Monsoon

Nails- Barry M Limited Edition Silver Glitter (currently free when you buy 2 other Barry M products at Boots and I freaking LOVE this polish)

What I Wore Wednesday: Versace for HM

Last Thursday I was lucky enough to win a Twitter competition and skip the queue for the unveiling of the new Versace for H and M collection! (ed note: I know it is not H and M, but I can't get an ampersand to work for some reason!) I got to go in early and shop before anyone else hit the store. The same rules still applied: I could only shop for 10 minutes and only one of each item.  

I went in with only two items in mind and came out with five items from the Versace collection. I had planned a fashion show for y'all but well life took over so lucky for me Polyvore stepped in! So here is how I *would* have worn them if I actually got chance!

I'm still unsure about a few items and have until tomorrow to return them so please be honest about what you think! I'm also keen to hear alternate styling options, too!

Embellished Skirt-Versace for H and M 

Black 3/4 sleeve top- H and M

Black Peep Toe Heels- Stuart Weitzman (Don't actually own but have similar pair)

High stylized bun

Black Ice Manicure- 15 Royal Terrace (I'm loving how the micro glitter breaks up the black!)

Red Dress- Versace for H and M (Sold out! No Link)
Black Peep Toe Heels- Stuart Weitzman (Don't actually own but have similar pair)
Long, Straight Hair; Middle Part

Black Fur Vest- Versace for H and M (Sold out! No link.)
Black Leather Studded Bag- Versace for H and M
Black Boots- Sketchers
Skinny Jeans- Old Navy

Floral Leggings- Versace for H and M

I've no idea how to really wear the leggings other than some sort of plain black top; any ideas? Did you shop the new Versace collection?