Red Sky at Night

I think a red dress is definitely going to have to make an appearance in my wardrobe.

I particularly love these two by Karen Millen. Seriously classy.

(Images via Comptoir des Cotonnier, Karen Millen, Whistles)

Fly by the Seat of Your Pants

My place of employ goes in for dress down Fridays. And while I have partaken of the joys of denim once or twice I have to confess that I have something of a mental block about dressing down at work. Annie and I used to prefer dress up Fridays. Which is very much a concept that I can subscribe to.

But where I am now the only way is casual. And I do see the appeal of being comfortable at work. Particularly at mine where I am up and down stairs and basically doing manual labour with all the heavy lifting.

And so I'm thinking compromise. Maybe not jeans, maybe a nice pair of trousers that I can dress up or down as necessary. The pair of work trousers that I bought from Wallis are so ugly I can barely look them in the face. But what about one of these pairs? Cute with a smartish top and a pair of white Converse or Superga plimsolls.

I know that would be the sensible option. So why am I craving this heavenly pair from Karen Millen. Equally cute with a plimsoll, but maybe not quite so practical, huh?

(Images via Jigsaw, Hobbs, Karen Millen)

Tote(m) Pole

(Via Karen Millen)

I am quite interested in a tote as an alternative shape of bag for spring/summer. But do totes invariably mean that you can never actually find anything? The combination of depth and a slimness tend to find me in the street up to my ruddy armpits, scrabbling around to find my purse, Oyster card, lip balm etc.

So actually, strike that, I think I've worked it out for myself...

Grist to the Mill(en)

I am sorry to post this poor destitute and shoeless mannequin again, I know it upsets you, but what do we think of the coat in red? I quite like the thought of colour. But will it be too much with my proposed red lip and nail combo? And what about the purple handbag? Overkill?

Will I look like a Chelsea Pensioner?

Keep It Under Your Hat

You know why it has got cold don't you? Because me and The Head are taking our two week holiday in Engerland rather than jetting off to cook ourselves on a Greek beach that's why. I'll be packing my winter holiday hat (the waxed Gallagher-esque pork pie one) as opposed to the panama now won't I? I won't grow a monobrow and adopt a monkey like swagger to match, don't worry. Or wear mine with a suit. (Horrors!) Bugger it though. That panama hasn't seen nearly as much action as I had anticipated.

Shall we discuss the boots then? I think I am keener on the workmany ones than the others although I'm not sure that stomping about the place in those won't make me look...I don't know...a bit...mental? What do you think? On a practical level they will be good in the cold and no doubt wet London winter and they will transfer well to my visits up North my parent's country pile.*

And now to you. I like that coat for you. I think you could work a funnel neck nicely specifically because of the short hair. You don't want to get bound up with your hair int he funnel and then half out of the funnel etc. You'll look nice and crisp. And warm.

I wish that Karen Millen's website people had put a shoe on that mannequin. She has a BAG for heavens sake. And an opaque. Why not a simple pump? This kind of thing really bothers me. I know, I know I shouldn't let it but I do.

* I say pile, I mean two up two down cottage with kitchen diner and expansive rural views to the rear.

Run of the Mill(en)

OK, I know I have already been bleating on about coats, but dude, do you feel how cold it is out there? Sheesh, I had hopes for an Indian summer. September is often the reward for having a rubbish summer, but two days in and things are not looking good. Gah!

So the winter coat discussion is becoming quite urgent, I feel.

I want one that is fitted, and full skirted. Surely it must be possible to be warm and have shape, no? Ideally it would be navy, although really, any colour as long as it goes with my new purple handibag. Even camel might be considered. Maybe. Does go terribly well with purple...

(Image via Karen Millen)

What are your thoughts on this one? It is the first that I have seen that fits the shape criteria. Not sure about the buttons and the high neck, though. I might need to go and see it in the wool.