When the Weather Changes...

Happy Friday Folks,

And welcome to a loooong weekend Brits. Thanks to old Queenie we have until next Wednesday off, How wonderful!

Folks, i have been sick! Sicky sick sick. Yesterday i spent the day in bed feeling very sorry for myself. And today, after resting all day i feel like a new woman! Full of energy, happy and desperate to tackle everything head on. Which is so Bizzare! I'm just so glad to not be sick any more, it was horrible-yuck-gross!

And d'you know something, i didn't really see or go near Neo all day (he had nursery that hubs dropped him to and picked him up so i didn't have to risk leaving my bed and sick bowl..yuck!)  but i felt like i missed him sooo much, silly i know!

So as predicted (its pretty easy to predict in the UK) the weather has gone back to it's normal crappy grey/rainy self. My poor wardrobe is so confused! All these nice summer clothes to wear and yet it's going to be less than 13 degrees some days this weekend. And just when i'd banished my tights to storage! 

*ahem* please excuse the underwear mishap... purple bra obviously wasn't meant to  be part of this outfit!

Lace Top, Maxi Skirt and tan pumps: Next

Bag: Matalan

Necklace: (my fav) Vintage

When in doubt i turn to a maxi skirt. Easy Peasy, i can put leggings or tights under there or go bare legged if warm enough... sorted! And this top, is just too pretty, i wnat to wear it lots! Any remix ideas for it ladies?

It's weird, i don't really wear naturals like this very often, you know me ladies, i'm normally all about the colour, the more the better. But this....this i like!  Something a little bit different, it's good to mix it up, right?

Right then chic-a-dees, i have SOOOO much to do so enough chit chat from me.

Have yourselves a wonderful weekend whatever you're doing, celebrating old Queenie or chilling out.. enjoy!

Ps are we Instagram friends yet?I'm @RachelTheHat(there's a link up there on the  left hand side). I am in love with it, and had my first lot of photos printed and in the post this morning, yay! now for some crafting this weekend, any display ideas for me?

Insecurities

Yup thats right, i'm starting this week off with a bit of a ramble for you all. 

Hubby took these photos last night for me and i yo yo'd back and fourth as to whether or not to post them. Don't get me wrong the outfit in itself is nice enough, but some demons keep creeping in and whispering in  my ear "Flying somewhere today Rachel??!!" Yup thats right, i have major Bingo Wings issues. 

I've mentioned before that, after i had Neo my WHOLE body changed. I carry weight in different places and find it hard to loose yet very easy to gain  (and honestly, most of the time can't be arsed!) Through the winter i can hide my hang up's behind cosy knits and lots of layers. But, come summer, my insecurities have no place to go but out in the open. I'm not gunna lie, this post very nearly didnt make it. I just kept focusing in on the those flabby arms. 

But Heck, i cant hide all summer right? I'm a lady, we all are here, and as much as i cant perhaps embrace those arms, i should at least stop stressing about it. 

Anyone with me??  (not so much on the bingo wings, but more the lets just be who we are!) 

Yes i wear spanx occasionally, yes i have a mum tum, and no i wont ever be wafer skinny again. But, i'm happy, i'm healthy and therefore should focus on that.

I've never thought of myself as a "fashion" blogger, I've never classed myself as fashionable. It's more of a  personal style blog with tidbits from day to day life. I need to stop comparing myself to others and complaining to myself. I hope to find time to work out in future, but real life at the moment is hectic. 

Acceptance of myself is the best way forward.

Dress: Primark

Belt & Shoes: Peacocks

Kate Spade bag: EBay £14!

And if you weren't looking at these arms before, i'm sure you will be after that rant!! :)

So tell me, do you have insecurities or are you happy with who you are? 

linkies:Monday Mingle

Sun is shining, life is sweet

Well helloo!

Sorry i didn't stop by yesterday with my normal Friday blog post but we were on project garden clear up. And it went WELL!! We filled a skip with crap and cleared that garden from top to bottom. There's still a long way to go until it's where we want it to be, but we're getting there. So yesterday consisted of comfy but very unflattering shorts and a vest top. We were boiling hot running back an fourth and clearing. Both of us burnt a little (first burn of the year!!) But yep it's been that hot. It's been amazing, since the weathers been so gorgeous we've just been living outside with the kids. We eat out there and play out there as much as we can. Only downfall is, since we're all outside so much my house hasn't be tidied all week and kinda looks like a bombs hit it (nothing particularly new there), and i have No inclination to start tidying when the weathers just so good! It's like a wanna lap up every minute of this beautiful weather, partly in fear that next week it will depart the UK and move on its way.

So today, we went and hung out with my Bro-in-law and nieces at his house(my sister was doing an amazing job at a craft fair! poor thing missed all the sun and fun), and crashed his pool and ate his food. It was so good!!

Dress,Hat, Necklace & Bag: Matalan

Shoes: Blowfish

Waistcoat: Next

All other Jewellery: Various & i forget

When the weather gets hot, i seem to use jewellery and accessories more, where as in winter i use layers i guess and not a lot of jewellery. Simple cool dresses are how i plan on spending my summer. Ones that (hopefully) keep my Dignity intact (ie my panties covered)  It's amazing how much running around after a toddler can challenge your wardrobe. Today i've been in and out of the paddling pool and running round lots keeping Neo safe and spraying him every 15mins with factor 50 suntan lotion. I may be a little over cautious but hey, he's not burning on my watch!!

Does anyone else struggle with make-up in summer? Firstly i kinda don't wanna wear any, secondly when i do, it seems to just melt off of my face within minutes. Bloggers in hot countries, how do you do it?

Having not worn mascara for about a week, meant my eyelashes looked amazing today for once. One perk i guess!! 

And finally, this bag. I heart it lots. I saw it online and really liked it but waited for it to arrive in store so i could check it out first. Well needless to say, this bag makes my arm happy to carry it around!

Ok ok, enough blabbering on about nonsense, go enjoy the rest of your weekends. 

Have a cold one for me!

**CHEERS!!!**

Next Olympic 2012 Scarf

Hi lovelies..
I'm back with a slightly different post today. As the whole world is probably aware, the UK is hosting the Olympics. The whole of Blighty is going Olympics crazy.
I remember watching the Olympics every 4 years as a child with my family. We were all quite sporty and whilst other girls were picking The Spice Girls as their roles models i was picking Sally Gunnell ( The great women's British hurdler)
I loved seeing all the colours of each countries kits and flags. I loved the atmosphere that you could almost feel through the TV. I was a young sprinter and aspired to one day run at the Olympics. As i got older my competitive streak lessened and i found myself running less. But my love for the Olympics never died.
So when Next contacted me and asked if i would like to participate in the 2012 Next Olympic Scarf campaign i jumped at the chance.
All profits from the sale  will be donated to the British Olympic Association! 
So i had a think on how to style this scarf
I was sent the Paralympic scarf:

And this is how i styled it:

THE TOP KNOT

 THE NECKERCHIEF

 La lala la la, casually posing with my Olympics scarf.... as you do!

 THE BAG SCARF

 THE BUN TIE

THE WRIST BOW

And then... we started messing about... i blame Hubs!!

THE BANDIT

THE MOUSTACHE!

 And finally, 

THE SKIRT

I'm a huge scarf collector. I love how a scarf can change an outfit.
What's your favourite way to wear a scarf? Got any more ideas for me to remix mine up with for the Olympics?

PS Yes red, white and blue is back, but i blame Next the Olympics and Great Britain!!! They made me!