{My Capsule Wardrobe - Outerwear}

Here's the lowdown on my outerwear. I have a few coats in a wardrobe in my hall, and at the moment I have one on my coat stand in the hallway by the door. Seeing as it's winter, my current coat of choice is my new North Face parka. I love it. It was very expensive, but I see it as an investment and it will last me for years and years. It's very cosy and is fully waterproof - perfect for the cold weather we get here! Thank you to @Scottish_Mum for the recommendation.

North Face Arctic Parka

I also have two showerproof macs. They are both casual jackets that I throw on over my day-to-day clothes when the weather is a bit warmer for popping out on the nursery run or to the shops. I have a beige coloured mac from Joules that I picked up in their sale a few years ago and I have a black mac from M&S. I bought the black mac just after my son was born and I've got a lot of use out of it so far. It's still in great condition, and it can be chucked in the washing machine which is really handy.

Of all my coats, I wear my parka and two showerproof macs the most. These have hoods so they're great when I'm out pushing the double buggy round the local shops... the Glasgow weather is notoriously unpredictable and so a hood is essential in my eyes as it would be very difficult to push a buggy and hold an umbrella!

I have a few other coats and jackets that I haven't worn for a while now, mainly because they didn't fit me when I was pregnant or they don't have hoods so are useless for when I'm out with the buggy (which is most of the time!).

I have a fab mustard mac from M&S which I used to wear literally all the time... with jeans during the day, over dresses at night! I also have a beige mac with a belt from Next. These are both smarter than my showerproof macs, but due to the lack of hood I rarely wear them but I will dig them out in the summer months (please let us have some nice weather next year!).

My mustard mac from M&S (me as a brunette!)

I bought a black leather short jacket from Mango pre-babies which I wore a lot for nights out clubbing but I've not been able to fit into it in ages...however guess what, it fits me again! Don't really have nights out anymore though!!

Black leather jacket from Mango (Note to self, I look much better with a fringe!!)

I also have a cream leather short jacket from Costco which is possibly 15 years old now and still going strong! My mum bought it for my little sister and I ended up with it for some reason. I can't remember the last time I wore it, but I can't seem to part with it.

My denim jacket from Oasis is possibly 15 years old too! My hubby thought it was hilarious that I still had my old denim jacket, but it still fits me and a denim jacket is a denim jacket. I've not worn it in years, but like the cream leather one I can't seem to part with it just yet!

I also have two gilets, one beige and one black, from Topshop. Again they are really old and I can't remember the last time I wore them. My sister wears the beige one occasionally when she visits, but other than that they don't get worn.

Here I am on my last day of secondary school wearing my black gilet!

I've got a long black 'Scottish Widows' type coat with a hood which I picked up at a Next sale a while ago, but the shape of it does nothing for me now and I think it is ready for the charity shop.

I'm not a hoarder (I've already put a few coats to the charity shop as they were drowning me and they didn't look flattering anymore), but sometimes I do find it difficult to be ruthless and let go. Watch out eBay - I have lots of items coming your way!!

I've heard that the rule should be if you've not worn an item in the last year then you should ditch it - is that really the case?

{Getting Your Groove Back Tuesday}

Kate on Thin Ice has started a new Blog Hop/Linky/Meme called "Getting Your Groove Back"...

I've been working on getting my groove back for about 3 months now. I decided enough was enough and it was time to make some changes. Out with the slummy mummy (no energy, lack of confidence, negative thinking...) and in with the yummy mummy (or at least somewhere in-between)!

Two questions have been set this week...

1. What song would be best to play a lot whilst attempting to get your groove back?

Kate's song choice is Revival by Annie Lennox. Funnily enough, my song choice is also Annie Lennox! I've got a jogging playlist on my phone and the one song that gets me to up the pace a bit is Annie Lennox 'Little Bird'. Think the image of Demi Moore's amazing body in Striptease when she dances about to this song must give me a boost of motivation!!

2. What can you do to make your body feel better this week?

Here's what I've been doing to get my groove back...

Diet & Exercise...

I have hired a personal trainer and lost a considerable amount of the post-baby flab. I was 13 stone 10lbs after my daughter was born 5 months ago, and I now weigh a trim 11 stone 1lb. My trainer Maria would like me to get to the 11 stone mark, so I have 2lbs left to lose. We've also been keeping track of my body fat % which has dropped dramatically from 39% to 29% (target is 25%). I feel great, have a lot more energy and it hasn't felt like hard work. My advice - ditch the diet, eat regularly, choose the healthy option, drink plenty of water and do a bit of exercise. It's been an expensive way for me to get in shape but I'm very glad I did it as Maria has given me the motivation that I so badly needed. The key now is to get a bit more toned. I'll get some better before and after photos soon (Maria wants to feature me on her website) but here are a quick few:

3rd July 2011

23 Aug 2011

My Wardrobe (or lack of!)...

I've booked myself in for a session with a Personal Shopper for November. It's a complimentary service at House of Fraser and I'm very much looking forward to it. At the moment I have one pair of jeans that fit me well and I also bought an amazing dress from M&S (in a size 10... a first for me!), which I am yet to have an occasion to wear it to, but I couldn't resist it!! The majority of my wardrobe is ill-fitting, shabby & worn out. One item that I am very happy with is my new glasses which I purchased fairly recently - I love them.

On Saturday I did a 1 hour power shop in my local shopping centre and bought some new boots, a new belt (size small!!), a new little black dress, a grey tunic/dress and some new underwear... What a difference it's made having some clothes that actually fit properly.

Socialising & Me-Time...

Last week I had my hair coloured & cut all ready for the weekend as I had a big Saturday night out planned with my girlies! My first in a long, long time! We had a lovely dinner out (I chose the healthy options for started and main, but did indulge in some sticky toffee pudding - yum!). I also had a lovely Sunday morning with the girls at Blysthwood Square Hotel for a cupcake masterclass with Naked Bakes.

This evening I have booked myself in for a lovely relaxing facial... heaven! I've also got a night out on Friday planned with hubby... a chance to wear one of my new dresses!

Good luck to the other mummies that are also working on getting their groove back...

{Chuffed!}

I have taken inspiration from Katrina over at The Organised Housewife and decided to declutter my hall wardrobe. It has taken me longer than planned because I had to construct some new shelving and drawer units (which I did mainly by myself with just a teeny bit of help from hubby) and parts weren't in stock at Ikea or B&Q when I needed them... but I'm now finished and very pleased with myself.

My hall wardrobe is massive and it wasn't utilised to it's full potential. We chucked jackets, shoes, the hoover, car stuff, toolbox, yoga mat etc in there and it was a mess.

Here are some before photos:

First I had a declutter... I put some of my jackets and shoes to the charity shop and moved certain items to more suitable homes (hoover into the utility space, cushions into the attic, suitcases & overnight bags into a separate cupboard where the larger suitcases were stored already). 

I then removed one of the hanging rails to allow space for shelving and I installed a drawer unit from Ikea. The shelving uprights and brackets I bought from B&Q and I bought shelves from Ikea. I also attached some additional hooks onto the doors to hold handbags and some scarves.

Here are the after photos:

Shelves for shoes and toolbox

The Ikea drawer unit - 2 drawers for kiddie stuff, 2 drawers for my scarves & accessories and 2 drawers for the hubby (car stuff, accessories etc).

Shoes that I wear less often are stored in boxes.

Hooks for handbags & scarves.

I have left space under the bottom shelf for a stool to enable me to reach up to the top of the wardrobe easily - much more practical and means I can use this space.

The photos aren't fantastic, but you get the idea.  

So a big thank you to Katrina for the tips & advice... Now to tackle the next area!