Wednesday 29 October 2014

Styled by Mel has a new home...




You'll now find my blog at www.styledbymel.com

Pop in and have a look around – I think you’ll like it!

I'll get the kettle on. White no sugar?

See you shortly.

M x

P.S. Current subscribers - please can you re-subscribe on new site - don't want you missing out now! Thank you.


Tuesday 14 October 2014

Strike A Pose There's Nothing To It...Brogue!

So, I had a different blog post planned for you all but then I went shopping.

I nearly bought some brogues last year but I hadn’t quite got my head around them, if you know what I mean? They seemed too masculine and I wasn’t sure if they were right for my personal style. However, last weekend, when the weather changed dramatically and all that was on my shopping list was a decent pair of winter shoes that I could run around the office in - I made a beeline for these.

I tried them on with the rolled up jeans I was wearing and I loved them from the get-go. But because I had never bought anything like this for myself before, I still sent this pic to Mr. B to ask what he thought of them. Funny, given that I take people personal shopping you’d think that I’d just be able to ask myself wouldn't you?!



Anyway, even with my heart a flutter and the thumbs up from Mr. B, I still hovered in the shop a while to contemplate my imminent purchase. Will they go with skirts and tights? Will my feet get cold without socks? Can I wear them with socks and not look weird? Are they too shiny? Should I learn to tap dance? How come Judy Murray is still in Strictly? Aaaand back in the room! Anyway, I now own a pair of brogues and I have to say that I feel rather proud and so bloody trendy, it hurts!

Here's one way (and my favourite way) to wear my new brogues. Rolled up jeans and smart jacket.



The jacket is new too actually. I thought the shoes lent themselves to a longer, more masculine line and so snapped this jacket up from New Look

I also tried the shoes on with tights and tailored shorts which was an OK look in itself, it didn't not work, but the tights and brogue thing...mmmm? 

To me, it's all a bit Jenny Agutter from 'Call The Midwife' and so I'm unsure. Therefore this look might take me a little longer to get used to, but never say never. And just to be clear, I mean never say never to the tights and brogues look not the nun in a habit look. Unless you're a nun of course, in which case it's perfectly acceptable attire and the rolled up jeans would be, I would say, a definite no no! Glad we cleared that up. 






I’m obviously quite taken with my new shoes and got a bit snap-happy at the weekend. 





Imagine how many pictures I would take if I got a puppy or a kitten? Or both?!! 

Word count wise, I’m keeping my posts a little shorter of late as I’m spending a lot of time on my new website that I want up and running for St. Albans Fashion Week (27th Oct - 2nd Nov) – which is a whole new, bigger and juicier story that I cannot wait to share with you! 

*excited squeal and brogue adorned scissor kick*  

M x


Thursday 2 October 2014

It Takes Two...

Well, last week, as you may recall, I hadn’t even tried the outfit on that I had planned (in my head) for my mum and step-dads wedding anniversary party. I was a little anxious about that to say the least. But what I didn’t tell you was that I was more anxious about a curveball that my mum had thrown me at the last minute – I’ll tell you about that in a moment.

Here’s the outfit.


With it being a silver anniversary, I couldn’t resist a bit of silver and sparkle!



You might expect the jumper (H&M) to feel a little rough with it being so glittery, but it’s not – it’s actually really soft. It’s not too bulky or warm either so it was perfect for a stupidly mild September evening. And I’m thinking that this will be my go-to top over the festive season when I’m sipping mulled wine by an open fire in a nice cosy pub somewhere. Can’t believe I mentioned Christmas then without flinching - just the thought of the mulled wine is numbing my senses! 

I was told I looked demure in this outfit which was a bit of a surprise because when I put it on, I actually felt more like Rizzo from Grease. Think that was due to the slim-fit of the skirt and the way I had to walk, one foot over the other (catwalk stylee, if you will), that sent my hips a-swaying! 

The skirt (also H&M) held its shape really will – not that I sat down much throughout the evening to get a baggy bum – but if I had done, I wouldn’t have got a baggy bum, of that I’m sure! 





Shoes are George at Asda but these were purchased back in June so for a similar version see NEXT – they come in lots of colours including silver - ooh!  

And did you spy the gems around my neck? 



This is my newest acquisition from Alice’s Wonders.  It arrived just in time for Saturday (phew!) and it was perfect! 



It ties at the back of the neck with ribbon and although I was a little concerned that it would keep coming undone, it stayed securely in place until 3am when I finally went to bed (phew!).

So, the curveball from Mum went like this.

On 15th September I accepted Mum’s request to step in and read her speech if she got too emotional.

Then, just last Saturday, in a phone call, Mum exclaimed “I hope you’re not going to embarrass me in the speech, Mel?” to which I replied, “How can I embarrass you Mum when you’re writing it?”

It was then that the penny dropped. I had to write it AND read it! Great - one week to write a speech that sums up 25 years of marriage! 

Plenty of time I hear you all say. But no, it’s not actually. Let me explain.

There are, in a week, 168 hours. But for 56 of those hours I’m asleep and for 34 of them I’m at work. The list goes on:
  • Showering, make-up & hair 7
  • School run 2
  • Cajoling son to sit at table and start homework 30mins
  • Actually assisting with homework 1
  • Cooking 3
  • Housework 3     
  • Laundry 2
  • Washing-up 2
  • Food shopping 2
  • Blogging 3
  • Band rehearsal 1.5
  • Night out at beer festival 4
  • Baking & prep of party goodie bags 4
  • Calls & texts to mum re party /content of speech 2
  • And deduct a further God knows how many hours tidying up after the lovely, yet very untidy, Mr. B and I reckon I’m down to less than 2 days to get this mother in the bag! (The speech, not Mum!).

But, by the skin of my teeth I got it done (phew!). 

And unlike my speech that was over within 3 seconds at their actual wedding because I couldn’t stop crying (happy tears of course and I was only 16!), I held it together and it went down a storm (phew!).

And lastly, though not clothes related but kinda stylish all the same, I wanted to share with you the goodie bags that I made for the party.  



Batches of homemade tiffin divided up into cute little bags with homemade tags displaying the initials of the happy couple! Though the happy couple weren’t so happy that the gutsy greedy guests scoffed the lot!


So you see, I’ve been a busier bee than usual but, tonight Matthew, I am doing nada. 

Phew!

M x