Good, not Great

Frocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou FrouCardigan: Gorman

Blouse: Laura Ashley

Skirt: Asos

Tights: BigW

Shoes: Wittner

Sometimes I feel a bit like my life is one of those circus shows when there’s a performer spinning plates on top of sticks, and he’s always trying to keep them all spinning so none of them fall down.

In most of my adult life I’ve always felt like one of those plates was wobbling just a little bit. The home plate, or the work plate, or the family plate, or the love plate. For a while at the start of this year I had them all spinning merrily: great home, healthy sister, lovely boyfriend, and a challenging job that I adored. Sadly last week I developed another wobble.

After twenty years in the book trade, and close to four in my current job I was informed that the company was “tightening their belts”, and they’d discovered a way to make my role in the company redundant.

It’s a horrible feeling, being made redundant. Like being dumped, but with more financial impact. It’s never happened to me before, though I know it’s fairly common in the publishing trade, and it’s come as a huge shock.

I’m madly updating my CV (I was headhunted to this role, so it’s looking pretty out of date) and trying to apply for positions both in out of the book trade. (If you need a fashion conscious, social-media savvy, salesperson in your company, you know where to find me!)

In completely unrelated news (ha!) I’m doing a really big sale on eBay, and if you’d like to take a look the link is here: So far I’ve only got my frocks up – it’s a pretty big job – so I’ll keep you posted on Twitter and Facebook when everything is loaded in the next day or so.

Blushing Bling

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERATop: Laura Ashley

Skirt: Primark (via eBay)

Shoes: Shoebuy

I’ve had my heart set on a sequinned midi skirt ever since I saw (and failed to buy) one on Asos a year or so ago. I’d been toying with the idea of sewing one for myself, but the logistics of sewing sequins (not to mention the requirement for the skirt to be lined) put it in the Too Hard Basket, so I’ve just been idly keeping my eyes open online for something similar.

This one popped up on eBay just before New Year’s, and though I haven’t had an experience with Primark due to their positively prehistoric lack on an online store presence, it was cheap enough for me to take chance on buying it.

It didn’t make it to me in time for New Year’s Eve, but I’m thinking it might be Just The Ticket for a V-Day dinner in a couple of weeks. (Yes, I just dropped that in there. No, that’s all I’m saying for the moment 😉 )

The colour is a perfect dusty rose; sparkly but not too OTT despite the fact that the sequins are full-shiny rather than matte like my Monsoon dress. Both skirt and waistband are fully lined, so I’m not wearing any of the scratchy sequins against my skin.

I tried to downplay the bling by teaming the skirt with a creamy silk top and neutral pumps. My only jewellery is a pair of pretty studs from Totally Jewel (a steal at just $12)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAEarrings: Totally Jewel

I get the feeling a sequinned skirt is a bit similar to a tutu – you can play it up or down, according to the occasion. I’ve seen them paired successfully with t-shirts, cashmere cardigans, button down shirts, even plaid. I’m thinking I might try my signature stripes next time.

Anyhoo – speaking of Valentine’s Day, if you’re looking for a pretty outfit to wear you might like to check out the latest offerings at Igigi. They’re doing lots of new separates and a couple of really stellar dresses including a red lace version of my Adelle dress, the Francesca in either a gorgeous blowsy rose print, or a bold abstract print that reminds me of feathers. They’re running a great competition – starting today! – to win one of five $150 gift cards. All you have to do is sign up to their email list here.