Life Lately And A Few Wardrobe Basics

Hello. How are you? Here in Skipton, we’ve had quite a lot of snow already this year, which may look pretty, but it slows things down. However, I think every single one of us in the Northern hemisphere is grateful for the noticeably slightly lighter evenings.

It’s currently Friday morning and I’ve just got back from a walk with my friend Sally with whom I used to meet weekly. This was the first time this year and it was so good to catch up. It’s important isn’t it to leave the house and talk. I must admit that when Lockdown #3 was announced, I’d have been quite happy to have been furloughed for a week or two because I’d been a little under the weather and would have welcomed a few extra days at home. However, when I went back to work after the Christmas break, I realised just how much I love it, but how much I need that routine. It means I have to get up early for my three days in practice and it means I get to talk to my work friends, but also my patients- something I value hugely.

Family

Anyway, I’ve managed to get onto my laptop to do my writing- not just for my blog but for the freelance work I do for the optical profession. The camera doesn’t work on Harry’s laptop so he uses mine for his online lessons, so I leap on it as soon as his class ends. He’s in year 13, so it’s important. It’s so tough for all of the young ones. He’s trying to make decisions about university without ever having the opportunity to look around. He’s missing the last few precious months at school. Like I did, both of my children love(d) school and he misses his friends. Poppy’s at home and is doing fine with her uni work, but she’s missing everything that makes university life what it is. I hope they’ll both be able to go to uni in autumn.

I had my first Covid vaccination two weeks ago. Optometrists are frontline NHS providers so we were high up on the list. I had the Oxford one and, other than a sore arm, had no side-effects at all. I’ll get a call to go for the second dose in due course. My parents have both had their first one too. Surely this means there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Wedding plans

Ian and I hope that we be able have the wedding we’ve planned. We’ll get married on that date no matter what, but I pray we won’t be restricted with numbers. We’re going to book our honeymoon soon, with the knowledge that we can cancel at the last minute if necessary. Poppy and I have been looking at fabric swatches for bridesmaid dresses and I have upped the ante with my skincare regime, (more of which in a future post). I want to watch some make-up tutorials too as I will do my own make-up for our wedding. There’s so much to look forward to and I’ve begun to count down.

A few new basics

As you know, I’m work with Coast. I choose two new looks per month in exchange for coverage on Instagram. I always include the outfits here on my blog too, because the algorithm means that not everyone sees my Instagram posts in their feed. Talking of Instagram, I’ve made a few Reels- short videos that Instagram launched in response to TikTok. So far, they’re mainly recipes but I have several eyewear reviews in the pipeline. As well as that, yesterday, I shot material (photographs in my garden and video in my dressing room), for five different looks including one of this outfit which I hope will bring it to life. So do head over to my Instagram to have a peek. This link will take you straight there. And, I’m working on a series of videos called Trend Watch for Optometry Today. The first one is now on their IGTV, which you can see here. I’d love you to see which eyewear I chose to try on and talk about.

Back to the outfits…I don’t think there’ll be a month when I don’t choose a dress from Coast, and indeed my second choice this month is a dress of beauty. However, for the first look of February, I chose some basics.

Mom jeans

I’ve been wanting some lighter-coloured jeans for a while. These are “mom jeans” which means they are fitted at the waist and baggier at the bottom and thigh. I love the fact that these legs are wide enough to wear with ankle boots. While skinny jeans are great for tucking into boots of all kinds, I really don’t want to wear them right now. And a lot of cropped jeans just finish at the wrong part of the boot so making the hem sit untidily. These are a little reminiscent of the 80s, not my favourite sartorial decade, but not so much that it makes me feel like a throwback.

Fitted Jumper

The grey jumper is fitted at the waist so it gives a neat silhouette to balance the width of the mom jeans. I’d feel too covered up in anything baggier-I like to see at least some shape in an outfit. I love the shape of the sleeves and the fact they’re long enough to partly cover the hands.

A timeless trench

I call it a trench coat but Coast describe it as a belted mac. Either way, it’s is a timeless piece in a hardworking neutral stone colour. It’ll work in spring and autumn and will go with numerous outfits. I expect to keep it forever. And you’ll recognise the ivory chunky-heel boots as those I chose in January and wore in the previous two blog posts.

Have a lovely weekend whatever you’re doing. I’m working tomorrow- my one-in-four-Saturdays- then it’s pizza tomorrow night.

Notes

Belted Mac: Coast, (gift), current
Mid-wash mom jeans: Coast, (gift), current.
V-neck knitted jumper: Coast, (gift), current  Also available in navy and green.
Ivory chunky heel boots: Coast (gift), current. Also available in black.
Leopard print scarf: Lily and Lionel, past season.