It's February! What have I been up to ... and a few statement sleeves!

Although we have dreary January behind us now, the weather doesn't look like it is going ti improve any time soon.  Today it has absolutely chucked it down with rain here, the lane outside my house is muddy and dirty and I am fed up with it.  I'm not too keen on the cold either but I would much rather see blue skies and frosty mornings.

This photo was taken a week or so ago when I had my sister-in-law's Westies staying with us too, we had lots of walks!

I am struggling to take blog photos as it is too grey so I am not keeping up on Instagram as much as I would like.

But I have been using my time wisely!  I am slowly sorting my wardrobe out.  I had a mini update during January with two pairs of 7 for all Mankind Jeans (see post here) and a few very reasonably priced M&S jumpers (see post here).  Apparently there is an M&S knit that is trending on Instagram right now, I didn't choose this one in my selection (sleeves too big) but I did go for one that was very similar and I think with slightly more practical 'statement sleeves'.

Left - M&S Funnel Neck Flute Sleeve Cropped Jumper £35 currently trending on Instagram.

I have only tentatively dipped my toe (or arm) into the statement sleeve trend as I am not sure they will really work for my lifestyle.  But I have to say the M&S one did work very well and I was able to fold the cuff back, and it stayed back, for when I was doing housework type things.  Photo is below.

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I wore the above outfit for our company dinner last week - the leather skirt and red jumper are from Oasis and the black jacket is from Mint Velvet (previous season sale bargain).  My shoe boots are from Boden.  Necklace is Mint Velvet and the handbag was from Brand Alley.

On the left is my M&S 'statement sleeve' jumper and on the right another M&S jumper embracing the 'frills' trend and worn with my new 7 for all Mankind jeans - links for this items can be found by following the link here.

​This was a rare day out when it wasn't raining and my daughter was with me to take a photo!  I wore my black coated skinny jeans from Next, my long black jumper from Boden and my Barbour International jacket.  The scarf was a Christmas present from my sister many years back and it comes out every year as it works so well with black!
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​I have a box of clothes that I must sell.  Yesterday I decided today was the day and between a selling site I belong to and putting on eBay I have managed to almost empty the box.  Still waiting for a lot of eBay items to go but it is a start anyway.  I need the space (and the cash to update my wardrobe a bit).  Having gone from a Size 12 back to 8/10 this last year I have had to get rid of quite a lot of stuff.

If you are interested in looking at my sale items on eBay then I hope this link should work - here (if not then please do email me).

I am trying to keep up with my workouts each week.  It is so much easier in the Spring and Summer but I am just about managing four.  I have two goals -

Goal 1 - Weekend away with my girlfriends.  We have booked a beautiful house on the lakes in the Cotswolds in June.  There is a hot tub on the deck overlooking the lake and a spa nearby.  I want to be bikini confident!

Goal 2 - Holiday in Kefalonia with my husband and daughter post GCSE's in July.  Again it is all about the bikini.  

I am currently working with a Sports Nutritionist who tells me that my food is pretty much spot on but I need to up the workout effort now to really have an effect on changing my body shape.

Happy February everyone!

Love
Michelle xx
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