Spring Planning

This is going to be the last post full of all the things I keep bookmarking in my mind to tell you about. Next week, I’ll be back to my usual programming of outfit posts.

First, thank you, thank you, thank you, to all of you who voted for me in the UK blog awards at the end of last year. Your votes were enough to get my blog in front of the judges, who after a few months of observation and scoring, eventually voted it the best UK Fashion Blog for 2019. I’m so grateful for every click, every share, every comment, and every visit to these pages; I couldn’t have won this without you. It is not easy to change career in your mid 40s and put yourself  ‘out there’ online.  As I said on Instagram, in every blog post I attempt to strike a balance between being opinionated without being judgemental, knowledgable without being a know it all, and sharing without oversharing (or worse, undersharing). Some posts are better than others; unfortunately that’s the nature of writing so frequently. I really appreciate you sticking with me into what has definitely been unknown and exciting territory for me. Thank you, thank you.

Now, let’s move on to sequins! I have bought a magical pair of shoes.

See the rainbow effect of the holographic sequins in this photo?

I made sure to get them early, in case they sold out. Luckily, they even went on sale. Now that I have them I am thinking about getting a second pair because I know I’ll wear them to death. So why are these shoes so great in my book? They have sequins…  holographic sequins. They incorporate both silver and gold. They can be worn with a dress or jeans. Most importantly, they are flat, and I almost NEVER find flat shoes that have my required level of wow factor. I’ve worn these for a few days now and they’re very comfortable. Sparkly, versatile, and comfortable– they’d only be more perfect if they came with a side of guacamole. Also tempting are these metallic rainbow babouches that my son spotted for me in the store. He insisted, but I resisted. If you need a good statement flat, Kurt Geiger has some excellent ones at the moment. It took all of my willpower to resist these sparkly ones; I’m trying my best to avoid black after my Red Leopardification. I got this pair instead. I wasn’t tempted by them online, but they are much better in person. (This isn’t sponsored, just a PSA for good spring flats, and there is an Easter sale currently on).

Another PSA– moth season starts next month, in case you need reminding. While moths aren’t a glamorous topic, what is even less glamorous is a beloved cashmere sweater with holes in it. Now, I’ve never had any cashmere eaten by moths, but I found a wool sweater last year with lots of moth holes in it.  Since then I’ve brought out the big guns. Total Wardrobe Care’s moth repellent range is the best I’ve found, so I wanted tell you about it without devoting an entire post to the topic. I meant to tell you about their range last year when it was gifted to me, but I wanted to test drive it first. Except for that one wool sweater, I’ve never had any moth issues in my house, so I wasn’t worried.  I did want to make sure I was doing SOMETHING though, just in case.  Better safe than sorry. Then (cue horror film music) this happened.

Male moths, seduced and stuck

In Total Wardrobe Care’s moth proofing set, you get this open paper box with a sticky pheromone-filled liner. You’re supposed to place it in a quiet dark corner of your closet. The male moths are attracted to the pheromones, come to investigate, and then stick permanently to the  paper. In two months, this is how many moths I attracted and trapped IN MY CLOSET ABOVE MY CASHMERE SWEATERS. I used this paper trap in conjunction with a moth decoy. Read the quick blurb about the decoy and how it works here; it is quite fascinating (fascinating in the way that plotting the demise of insects bent on ruining my clothes can be). I also use Total Wardrobe Care’s spray, made from sustainable chrysanthemum and other essential oils. The final weapon in my anti-moth arsenal is a wooden cylinder velcroed to the entrance of my closet. Every week or so, I try to remember to refresh the wooden stick by dipping it into the essential oil which acts as moth kryptonite.

Moth Spray, Essential oil, wooden vial and dipstick

You can buy the whole set like I have from the Total Wardrobe Care website, or a few items from Amazon.  Read about Julia Dee, the woman who founded the company here; you KNOW how much I love supporting woman-owned businesses… especially when the products work so well. I like the slightly lemon-clove scent of the essential oils, and I especially like knowing there are no nasty pesticides in my closet since my bed is so close by.

Another item I’ve been test driving in the name of blog science is It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara. I tried a sample, fell madly in love, and went out to purchase it. The saleswoman told me I am not alone in my love; the product is sold out globally.  For years, I’ve been loyal to Too Faced Better than Sex mascara and Mac False Lashes mascara, but I’ll  definitely be adding Superhero to my lineup when it becomes available again. The formula is superb; minimal clumping, extremely volumising, slightly lengthening, and it holds the lashes curl. I use a volumising mascara on my top lashes, but I’ve always used Blinc tubing mascara on my lower lashes. This allows me to load up on moisturiser under my eyes with no smearing or flaking. I don’t really need volume on my lower lashes anyway; I’m old enough to remember Tammy Faye Baker, mascara’s cautionary tale.

While we’re on all things spring, I have a treat to share with you. You get £50 off if you spend £250 at Winser London.

I find it very hard to get excited about spring and summer clothes in general, so £50 off makes it a little easier. Because we’re having a few warm days right now, I am already thinking ahead to hot summer weather. I’ll be in the U.S. for three weeks in July and August, and I know it will be scorching, so I need clothes that work for East Coast high heat and humidity. Nothing is cooler than a dress, so I’m looking to buy some of these washable knit/jersey ones. Either style works with flat sandals or heels, and these colours are perfect for me.  If you need to invest in some silks, cashmere, or work clothes, the £50 works for those too.  Again, not sponsored, just a PSA, because whose wardrobe doesn’t need a bit of a refresh in the spring?

Winser London knit dress
Winser London jersey sleeveless dress

Happy Easter, and thank you again, dear readers. xx