Monsoon Season...

I thought that was a good title considering all the rain we have been getting....but in fact this blog is a small homage to the shop Monsoon.

I love Monsoon for many reasons....the quality of clothes is very good, the pieces are unique and I am a size eight in the land of Monsoon which, even though I know this is not my real size when I slip on a size eight and it fits it makes me feel very slinky and also makes me want to wear my clothes with the label hanging out (if only all shops could adhere to Monsoon sizing)!!

So as payday is approaching and as per my self inflicted rule I get to buy one piece of good quality clothing each month I have been doing a little (ok a lot..!!) of internet window shopping.

Here is my current Monsoon favourites list....

£60

£130

£75

£55

£65

...all totally gorgeous I am sure you would agree...!!

However....although I am a big fan of Monsoon I am also a big fan of bargains and whilst I was having a little peek through all the lovely dresses I found this one...

£65

...totally lovely dress for a wedding or a day out...however it is similar to this dress from good old Primark

£25

I actually have this Primark dress and wore it to a wedding recently and I have to say that this pic doesn't do it justice as it is simply gorgeous on and at under half the price you is a total winner!!

Shoes....

Now...whilst I think it is fine to spend alot of money on vintage dresses, underwear and make-up, I don't actually spend alot of money on shoes.

I am a Primark pump sort of girl. I wear these shoes come rain or shine....although after a couple of trips in the rain they start to smell.....bad!!

So after I awoke on this fine June day to rain of biblical proportions I realised that I need to fine some more solid shoes (I am currently typing this whilst wearing wet shoes....it is not fun).

So I am on the hunt for shoes....but a few things you need to understand first.

I have legs of the tree trunk variety so shoes like converse and brogues do not do me any favours and only make my legs look dumpier. I need to have flat shoes as I can't walk in heels for long periods of time and I don't have the wardrobe to compliment lovely heels. And last but by no means least they need to be on the cheap side as I have many other addictions so expensive shoes can definitely not be one!!

Unfortunately I paid no attention to the last rule and have now fallen in love with these beauties....

French Sole...

GOLD BALLET PUMPS....who could resist...??

Sadly these gorgeous creatures cost £98 and that is slightly more expensive than my usual £4 Primark pumps so I am unsure I can justify it both to myself and the boy who is unlikely to approve of expensive shoe purchases when we have a wedding to pay for.

So sadly these French Sole shoes of delight are going to have to stay in Topshop for now until I either save up enough money by not socialising as much (unlikely) or until I convince the boy that these are an integral part of the wedding and therefore I have to have them immediately....I like the second option a lot more!!

Today I am loving....

This amazingly beautiful lingerie set from ASOS.....

£20

£12

...and Stevie Wonder.....

I am not loving the fact that after practically starving myself for a week (ok, yes I fell of the wagon in spectacular fashion on Sunday but still...) I am no lighter on the scales and have now bought the lingerie set above and a new camera to take the edge off.....retail therapy I LOVE YOU xx

Life is too short....

I always knew that I would get to an age when bad things would start happening to both my family and that of my friends.

And now...it would appear that I am at that age.

Last year Mother Hummingbird was diagnosed with cancer (she is doing ok and is loving her wig collection) and last week the Mum of one of my oldest friends was also diagnosed......totally rubbish.

It does make you realise that life is too short to worry about the crap that doesn't need worrying about and also too short not to do the things you really want to do.

So I have decided that one afternoon a week I am going to go off and do something I really want to do...whether it be...

Afternoon tea with the girls

A random tourist attraction....I have always loved the crown jewels

a dance class

....or just going out for an afternoon of gin in a fine London establishment..!!

I am going to have a purely selfish afternoon every week as I am sure there will be a point soon where this will be impossible and also...I have decided that life it waaay too short not to have the odd selfish moment.