I’ve been a bit quiet on the ‘Make over Mission’ front. That doesn’t mean I haven’t been trying out new combo’s over the summer and buying very random items for my wardrobe. It just turns out I’m useless and taking pictures of myself without looking like a nutter (I’m working on improving that as I type – I’ve got my next makeover mission in the pipeline). I have on the other hand been documenting my crazy looking clown feet, as I lovingly refer to them these days.

There is a reason behind the quirky footwear, a couple actually. A) I like weird shoes. comfy, big, school shoes for grown-ups = my favourite. B) As the winter weather started to sweep the nation I got fed up of boots quickly… and since I wear leggins A LOT… how else do you hide that strange moment where your leggins end and your socks begin??

I decided to go with wearing chunky socks. Patterned, plain, lumpy, handmade, odd… you name it. Just go with it. On your first outing as you walk along that dreaded thought pops into your head – “oh, crap have I left my slippers on??” (I have stood at the bus stop in my slippers before, and I’m sure I’m not the only one). Sometimes you look at your feet and think “what am I doing?!” but then you’re quickly seduced by the fact it’s fun and they look good (not to mention bloody comfy).

It’s another way to play around with layering colour and texture – neutral coloured chunky socks mixed with colourful or patterned leggins is a good way to start. If you’re not feeling brave enough to give rainbow brite a run for her money then try making your ankles the accent part of your outfit. It’s also a nice way to show off those handmade beauties you thought would never leave the living room.

Enjoy!

So… yesterday I had all my hair chopped off. I love it! Oh and I finished my scarf (which I’m wearing in the photo).

I started this cardigan last month, it was my first proper cable project and I thought it would take me FOREVER to finish. Well, I surprised myself and finished it last week! Just in time for the sunshine :) typical. I can’t complain though, that was the plan. I wanted a good chunky cardigan to act as a summer jacket – this is England after all and our summers are renowned for their fickle ways.

The make over mission’s taken a good turn these past couple of weeks. I found these stripey tops (I bought 2, just in case) in gap and they’re perfect. Not too clingy or short in the torso – lovely. The skirt I picked up in white stuff a couple of weeks back when I was feeling brave and adventurous. Today will be it’s 2nd or possibly 3rd outing. I worry a LOT about whether or not I’m buying the right size – it sounds really silly I know, does it fit? yes or no? Should be simple, but I get into the awful habit of buying clothes that are too large for me and it all goes pear shaped – literally. I want it to become an all time favourite of mine (I’ve got high hopes for it this summer) but it’s still relying on the more courageous days of the week.

The cardigan – I’m so pleased with how it came out. I cropped the sleeves (I always prefer 3/4 length sleeves), I figured that would be a little more practical for the warmer days of the year but also good for layering on the colder days.

Fingers crossed it doesn’t rain today! :)

Yesterday I finished off (and then wore for the first time) the crazy-coloured socks I’ve been working on Since February 21st 2011 (!!!!). I know exactly when I started them because I did a blog post about them. I remember making the first one in a day, but 2nd sock syndrome took hold and I put off making the other one until last Sunday. Shocking (socking, oh dear) huh? Anyway, they’re complete and my feet are a little bit too warm but certainly very colourful. I’m more aware of wearing colour since I started my makeover mission and I’m really enjoying adding little bursts of colour to my outfits. Colourful, wobbly, handmade socks is a good place to start.

Been ages since I did a makeover update. The other month all of my black jeans decided to expire – as you can imagine that made me very grumpy since I’d just cleared out most of my clothes. It meant jean shopping… what I find the most intimidating of shopping adventures.

I was against buying the same cheap black trousers because I figured a couple of months down the line I’d be writing a pretty much identical post to this. I decided to use it as an opportunity to add a little bit of colour into my wardrobe and went for these coppery coloured trousers instead. I’m really chuffed with them. They’re comfortable, easy to look after and they’re different.

I’m making an effort to add a few new colours and patterns to my daily outfits, accessorizing a little differently too. I braved some stripey hand made legwarmers the other week and I’ve started bringing out the odd pair of shoes I tend to overlook in the mornings. It’s becoming fun finding new ways to wear old things. It’s cheaper too.

An update on the make over mission! Finding comfortable and well fitting top layers are tricky and when you do find one a year or so down the line, when it’s beginning to look a little worse for wear, you start to wish you’d bought 1 or 2 spares. Well I’m prepared this time. I found a lovely lightweight, well fitting jumper with pretty button detail on the back – good for layering as the seasons cool down but I can imagine it’ll be quite comfortable when it heats up again too. Plenty of room to move about, sit and stand and still feel smart and relaxed in. So anyway, I bought 3 – different colours of course (black – basic requirement, teal, dark dusty pink) but essentially the same jumper 3 times round. Today I’m being brave and wearing the dusty pink one…

I’ve started wearing skirts again, which means I’ve been on the hunt for some new winter legs (and by this I mean tights). I found these pretty tights in New Look – somewhere I never thought to go for tights BUT they’re actually really affordable and they have a big selection too. I tend to wear block colours and the textured tights break up the outfit a little and add some well needed pattern and detail – win win!

I’m slowly getting my head round all this and I still have a couple of tatty things in the cupboard I need to pluck up the courage to part with. It was a nice feeling waking up today with 3 lovely new items of clothing to choose from instead of thinking “I’ll wear whatever’s clean and dark”. Progress? I think so.