On a grey day...

I always like to inject a bit of colour...

The temperatures have taken a plumet and its a lot a colder here compared to the mild autumn we'd been having. I dont mind the cold as long as its dry )my god, i sound like an old lady!) But today was not.. wet soaking rain..no fun! So we stayed in and had a DVD day. I introduced Neo to The Lion King and sang all the songs, each and every word. It used to be one of my favourites. I have seen the show live in New York and a small production of it in Disney too. I hope to take Neo one day. Would be lovely to have that mother son moment with him.
 

 I was inspired to mix these colours from seeing Sandy Al A Mode's post. Blogging is such a great inspiration, you ladies are all wonderful and totally keep me in fresh ideas to mix up my wardrobe.
Wine (that sounds far better than oxblood, yuck!), orange, purple and raspberry. It may not be for everyone but i just loved the cheery colourfulness of this outfit. Plus i was snuggly warm in my big thick sweater which is about 4 years old. My collection of knitwear has grown over the years and now i have so many i literally have no where to put them. A pile of knitwear is currently on my bedroom floor waiting to be homed. I'm thinking under-bed storage...stat!
I also very nearly got rid of these shoes a couple of weeks ago. Kinda glad i didn't now!
And the skirt here is actually a dress of which i have many a plan for! It's a little light weight (helloo Marilyn Monroe moments a leetle too often!), super stretchy, super comfy and also a bargain at £13.00.

Sweater: French Connection (at least 4 years ago)

Dress worn as skirt: New Look

Shoes: Next (last year)

 Stay tuned this week ladies i have some big news, an amazing GIVE -AWAY(this Wednesday) and something new and super fun towards the weekend! So excited!!!
Have a wonderful week!

A Good Hair Day

Well helloo and happy weekend to you!
I am most happy to see this weekend. Weather forecast is sunny but really really cold, i'm hoping to bundle us up in some winter woolies and go walking amongst some of those beautiful leaves before they make a quick exist. I fear winter may be approaching faster than i'd like! But at least with winter comes, my birthday (omg 28! eek!), by step son's birthday, Christmas and hubbys birthday. So at least through those cold hard months we have a few things to look forward to!

I picked this dress up recently in New Look for about £13.00. I am really cautious when adding pieces to my wardrobe these days. This is a colour i don't own much of at all and i can see great potential for remixing, which makes it extra great value for money. This kind of ensemble is as rock as it gets over here! haha! And, this normally floral loving peter pan collar wearing twirly girly does like to branch out occasionally

I got given a free sample from the lovely people at Aussie Hair Uk of their 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner. I'm no stranger to Aussie hair care, its a hair brand i actually really love and use regularly. This conditioner is superb, my hair felt amazing afterwards. I've been contemplating a massive chop to the old mop, but this conditioner has convinced me to keep the length. My hair felt and looked in the best condition and i just cant argue with that.

What are your hair secrets, are there any products you would recommend? If you get chance to use the Aussie range do try it, not only does it make your hair super shiny and soft but it also smells 

uh-maze-ing! Seriously, i kept sniffing my hair like a complete wierdo all day,aha!

Dress, Scarf & Tights : New Look

Boots & Bag: Very Both about 4 years ago

Belt: Vintage (was hubby's from the 80's!)

 So lovelies, have yourself a super weekend. I have a WONDERFUL give-away coming up next week! Can't wait to share it with you... ! xxx

School Uniform

Hiya guys!
How are you? Please excuse my sudden absence of late, apparently after 200 posts i obviously needed a break, who knew.
Actually my photographer was away for the week, i had a week off from wearing make up and had a stinky head cold thats still lingering. But rest assured i was still getting dressed each day, but mostly in jeans and big ol' wooly jumpers. 'Twas nice!
But i'm back to it this week and i *hope* regular posts should resume!

 This outfit is a funny thing, its the exact colours of my High school uniform that i was made to wear 5years and i was so glad to see the back of over 11 years ago (eep)! We had a burgundy and yellow striped tie that was irritating and we were not allowed to wear a scrap of make up (catholic schooled i was.... yup!)
School wasnt the best time for me, its not something i look back on fondly. Kids are mean! But if i'd gotten to wear pretties like this to school each day, id say it would have made it a damn sight easier, or at least a bit prettier. Having said that, i was an 80's born kid and high schooled in the 90's so i doubt very much that this is what i'd have worn. I remember having a style crush on Angela of My So Called Life. (thanks to my older sis who knew what all the cool kids were watching ;) Angela was a dithering nervous girl and i could totally relate to that, and of course, she got Jared Leto... need i say more?

Top: Tesco
Cardi: New Look (last year)
Shoes: Matalan
Owl necklace and hair bow : Old

So ....Shoes!! These shoes are like jazz/ tap dance shoes... they're sooo cool! Matalan have some fantastic shoes this a/w! Seriously amazing! I just couldn't resist this pair when i saw them in the magazines. Add super comfy in to the shoe equation and you've got yourself some pretty perfect shoes right there.

Ahem, excuse the old lady wrinkly tights up there! Dead Schexy huh! 

Ok so you have yourself a wonderful week wont you?!
I shall be seeing you soon!
Also the Sponsor Page is now up and running fully, feel free to go over and have a gander at how extremely cheap i am haha! Will also be doing a post on it hopefully tomorrow!
xxx

Autumn is...

....Cosy jumper, Layers, elbow patches, tights and brogues.

Throw some hot chocolates with extra marshmallows and cream, some family movie nights (Back to the future 1,2 and 3 and now we're on to good old Indiana Jones)  And that's what i call some great autumnal times! What makes Autumn for you?

I've been really enjoying some casual down time on weekend, this skirt is so comfy. I don't own many neutrals at all so think this is great for remixing possibilities. I can picture it with some tan knee high boots for a 60's retro look. 

Skirt: Matalan

Shoes: Next

Shirt: Tesco

Jumper(sweater): New Look last year

elbow patches, i just love elbow patches!

So its back to the grindstone here, and even more so as Hubs is working away for the week. Which is CRAZY weird. We have literally only spent 1 night away from each other in 6 years, but needs must and work is work. But its nice to have something to look forward to, the thought of his return is keeping a smile on this face! I know sooopppyyy! heehee!

And Whilst he's away i am knitting my little fingers off, a lovely reader asked what im knitting and the answer to that is a snood ( or infinity scarf), something simple for this novice knitter. But Oh my, its all consuming, all i want to do is knit and get it to at least a reasonable scarf length. Have i ever mentioned that i am soooo impatient!? Any of you lovely ladies knit? Do you have any easy knitting projects i could get my teeth in to?

ummmm, hot chocolate? oh ok then..

So sweeties, i  wish you all a very happy week!Have a hot choccy for me! 

Not Seeing The Wood For The Trees

Happy Friday Folks,
Well i have nothing much to say today other than the usual, WOOHOOO its the weekend, bring on the food, heeheehee.

I wore this outfit to work on Tuesday, i think... 

I was only saying to Paul today how the days seem to be flying by at a ridiculous rate lately. Sometimes my head is so buried amongst accounts, payment dates and forward date planning for bill payments that i forget to actually register what the day is and to make the most of it. Kinda like not seeing the wood for the trees, my heads in the books looking for the end result that i cant see what's right in front of me, which in this case was actually some very beautiful woodlands :)

 Its been really refreshing just taking a break for a change and seeing the world, the trees are turning some beautiful shades lately and i can't help but look up!

Having said that, today we are having the worst torrential rain i have seen in a long time, which is just no fun :-(

Dress & Bag: New Look

Blazer: George @Asda

Brooch: Vintage

Boots: Tesco

 I bought this dress weeks and weeks ago and it just hung there, looking at me and for some reason i just didn't really feel much in the mood to wear it, i have no idea why! Its purple shade and swallow print are so pretty, and green tights are my new favourite!
Out of all my outfits Hubs actually LIKED this one... i know! That's gotta mean I'm doing something right (on the wife front at least!haha!)

So i will bid you farewell, and wish you a wonderful weekend ladies! 

Hope it's a productive fabulous one!

xxx

Guest Post Kym

One Dress, Six Ways

Hi there, lovely readers of Rachel the Hat!  I'm Kym and I blog about my personal style (on a budget) over at bitty.and.bunny.  I know we all have one or two pieces in our closets that we tend to wear more than the rest.  But when you have limited funds, the question is always how to get the most wear out of each piece, while still making it look fresh and new with each outfit.  Well, today I'm taking over Rachel's blog to show you six different ways to remix one dress - all with simple, basic items you already have in your closet. 

1. add a tee shirt under:

Wear a thin tee under the dress.  This not only provides a little more coverage, but it adds some visual interest as well.  In this case, the simple, graphic print of the dress really compliments the pop of turquoise provided by the shirt.

2. add a tee shirt over:

Knot a tee over your dress for a casual look that allows you to easily add any color you like just by changing the shirt. 

3. "tuck" a tee shirt in:

Belt a tee shirt over the dress to create the illusion of wearing a separate top and skirt.  Not sure how?  Here's a goof-proof tip: knot the shirt in the back or front, tuck the knot under, then belt it. 

4. add a cardigan:

For a relaxed look, wear an open cardi over the dress, and cinch it in with a belt to add shape.

5. add a vest:

For those extra warm days when you just can't fathom anything covering your arms, throw a vest over your dress to keep it interesting.

6. add lots of layers:

When the temperatures begin to drop, pile on the layers for a cozy look.  Here I belted a chambray button up and threw a chunky cardi on over it.  A scarf and boots complete the outfit and keep me feeling warm & fuzzy all day long.

I hope this inspires you to remix your favorite pieces in new and creative ways!  For more easy wardrobe remixing ideas, plus lots of other fun tidbits, come visit me at bitty.and.bunny.  I'd just love to meet you!