h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

[Amy P]

Friday 15 November

We don't have an official "dress down Friday" policy as such, but I've been wearing a a dress and heels all week, so today I've opted for trousers (the grey Jaegar linen ones). And cos I haven't worn them for a while, my pink cowboy boots! I did have a "real" pair of cowboy boots that I'd bought in Noo Yoik back in '99, but they've disappeared somewhere along the line. This pair are more fashion item than practical, but are in pale pink leather, with brown crocodile effect toes, and diamante trim on the tops.

I'm also wearing a bling necklace that I acquired from D's jewellry stand - she's a fellow Scotish dancer who collects donations of old jewellry and then sells it to raise money for Assisi.

I have one of my favourite Coleraine charity shop bargains, bought during the Easter dance school this year - it's a dusky aubergine leather blazer from Part Two. A turquoise T shirt, and the fine scarf in apricot/ brown/ turquoise brings it all together, plus a ring with stones in turquoise, pink and green.

I like this outfit - the colours are muted and subtle but blend well. Little touches like the boots, ring and scarf give it a quirky individual edge but without being overly "random", as my daughter would say.

Just for the record; Have you ever woken up, and just 'thrown on' a set of unmatched, or un-thought-about collection of clothes?!

I pretty much stick to an "Autumn" palette, so most of my clothes will go together. I opt for plain items rather than patterned, and I NEVER buy anything without asking myself what else in my wardrobe I'd wear it with. I feel genuine frustration when I see my mother's wardrobe, bursting at the seams, but each top only goes with one pair of trousers (and they're all a dreary shade of beige.....)

Akshully, I have a stripey Jaegar jumper that's brand new, but is too big for me - I wonder if it would fit her?

I love how you are able to describe the shades of colours of your wardrobe, you've a far subtler and extensive vocabulary of colour hues, and so, even without photos, this journal is vivid in my mind.

The only problem is... every time I come into this thread, I'm immediately takenby the desire to buy more clothes myself!

Yes, that is the problem. I feel very under dressed. Mind you, I can blame the cold weather and the fact that I don't have to leave the house!

[Amy P]

Saturday 16 November

It's been a heliotrope day. This is a deep purple, the colour of African violets. It appears in the autumn colour ways- companies like colour me beautiful and house of colour typically classify people as seasons: a winter looks great in bright jewel colours, while springs suit pastel pinks and yellows. On mumsnets style and beauty section, there are usually discussion threads for each of the seasons, with links to potential finds, and discussions on what to wear with what. It was from one of these threads for autumns that I got today's skinny trousers- we were discussing heliotrope, one mumsnetter said she had these h&m skinnies in the right shade, but she didn't like the style, did anyone want them for the price if postage?

They're a size 10, but a very tight fit- I have to jump up and down a bit to get them over my hips. I'm wearing them with a duck egg blue long sleeved t shirt ( Porsche shop, Paris) a bright green tunic, a colourful scarf that ties everything together, and a pale blue denim jacket (gap, Las Vegas). I like to buy jewellery when I travel, so my earrings are small green olivina stones fron Santa Cruz, Tenerife, from a shop where I also bought my son cuff links - gemellos- as a graduation present.

Earlier, I acquired a new running top, also in purple, for the inaugural 5 k run of my local c25k group.

I've always liked the word "heliotrope". It's one of those ones that roll off the tongue beautifully. It's the repetition of the "o" combined with the rhythym: "tiddley-tum!"

[Amy P]

Sunday 17 November

Waterproof coats! Even the dogs!
Then changed into denim cropped trousers and my "Peruvian drug girl" jumper. This is from tesco, and has a chihuahua on it, which I wear ironically. It was also seen on the tv news being worn by one of the 2 girls under arrest in Peru for alleged drug smuggling.

Husband then wanted me to come to the outlet mall to see some tops he liked in fat face. My haul included a rose pink cashmere cardigan from there ( £50 down from £250), and an LK Bennett dress (£30 down from £220).

[Amy P]

Monday 18 November

In the office.

Wearing the red dress with black boots, a nutmeg cardi, and I've echoed that colour with a funky ribbon/coin necklace that I bought in FatFace yesterday. A brightly coloured scarf adds a bit of zing.

I'm feeling a bit guilty about how much I spent yesterday, so I've gathered up a few fancy frocks and will try to sell them to the local second-hand designer shop. These places always have cringe-wrothy punning names like wot hairdressers do - there's Deja Vu, Another Turn, Rich Rags.

On offer, I have an LK Bennet silk number in bronze/ gold (size 12), a dark green and black Next frock with bow detail (size 12), my daughter's prom dress, full length, red, with crystal detail on the bodice (size 8), and a brand new stripey Jaegar jumper (I'd guess it's a 14, the label is unhelpfully "medium").

Tonight I've another Scottish demo, so it'll be the white dress with Titanic sash.

[Amy P]

You'll never guess what I've just found at the bottom of my pyjama drawer- my missing pashmina! Hurrah!

Hurrah!

And congrats on the £50 cashmere you found on Saturday, bargains like that make shopping worthwhile. I really must try and replace my favourite sweater before they start selling Spring stock again, ie immediately after Christmas.

It was freezing last night, so I was able to snuggle the cardigan round me - I used it to go over my dancing dress while waiting to go on stage. It really is lovely, very soft, and pretty.

I'm more pleased that I hadn't actually lost the scarf - I rarely lose things, and I'd been worried that my acuities were failing.

"You'll never guess what I've just found at the bottom of my pyjama drawer- my missing pashmina! Hurrah!"

You say pyjama and I say pashmina, it's an easy mistake to make

Failing acuities would be a horror!