I have too many shoes

Friday is typically known as a 'dress down' day but I prefer it as the dress up denim day! The final day of the five day challenge and to be honest I think this is the one day where we both feel we can really go to town on our accessories.  I can't really explain it but it seems simpler to dress up a casual outfit than make a work outfit more glamorous. Chrissie's collection 'was don't save it for best'  Do you ever buy something and them save it for best, then never get a chance to wear it?  Why save for best, if you felt it was good enough to buy then wear it anytime you feel like it! vintage necklace inherited from an Aunt, so pretty suede shoes bought for a wedding only worn a couple of times clutch bag than can be easily held so you don't have to dance around it! My collection was 'its time to belt up'  Using a belt I bought nearly four years ago but never worn as a basis for my accessory choices Scarf from River Island, a...

So the fourth day of our challenge saw two completely opposite choices in accessories, one bright, one not so bright.  Chrissie's collection was 'Be seen in green' bag borrowed from her daughter, obviously inherited her great accessories gene! another lovely necklace from Chrissie's jewellery drawer vintage shoes in a fabulous condition My collection was 'its all about the shoes'   I kept my accessories neutral apart from my fabulous printed pumps Nica tan bag from Debenhams, its like the carpet bag from Mary Poppins as it could fit a kitchen sink in there! corsage, handmade and a birthday present from my talented friend Sylvia bangles from Wallis, ring vintage from Notting Hill bought in 1999 Sacha flat pumps from Dorothy Perkins worn with wide palazzo pants

Day three saw us halfway through the five day challenge.  What we are finding, is that the majority of our accessories are things we have had for a couple of years rather than recent purchases. So here are our challenge attempts.  Chrissie's collection was 'Pump up the purple'  Key to her accessories was her fabulous peep-toe shoe boots! the multi-strand necklace gave hints of purple and pinks bracelet and watching carrying on the theme  Now my collection was aimed at complementing a tweed trouser suit I wear for work.  So my collection was 'Everything begins with a g' All accessories were either green or gold was the main colour. Gorgeous green Tommy and Kate bag present from my friend H vintage-look brooch bought in St Ives in 2005 necklace from Wallis £3 sales bargain, gold cuff Matalan about three years ago  I actually look a bit creased in my last picture but I can promise that I kept my jacket on for the office this day! ...

So, Day Two of the challenge and we've decided to get our challenge bids a name/theme.  Apologies for lack of great lighting for the images.  Our office storeroom at lunchtime is not really equipped for photo shoots so will have to think of a better venue for our spring challenge (yes we are already thinking forward!) So, first Chrissie with her 'pretty in pink collection' metallics and blush colours adorning the wrists necklace giving a hit of pink bargain shoeboots from Tesco providing a bit of a blush nude bag completing the neutral tones. My collection was 'you can always bet on red'. Red accessories completing a monochrome shift dress from Monsoon bought about three years ago. Birkin inspired bag from Debenhams and six year old heels from Dorothy Perkins Red belt and beads from Monsoon (had about three years) Red rose earrings bought in San Fransisco 2009 What we've found about the challenge so far is that its adding on ...

So it was the first day of our working week challenge,but before I report on our challenge attempts I thought I should provide a brief description of the participants: Chrissie, my work colleague - glamorous mum of two, does not look her age, can authentically 'rock' the biker chick style (motorbike included), shoes and bags are the top of her shopping lists every time. Clare, me, - married, no children just two Jack Russells, heading for forty and frantically reviewing my skin care regime, just found my first grey hair, desperately aiming for a classic, timeless capsule wardrobe, shoes everytime is at the top of my shopping list even if I'm shopping for groceries! Chrissie - something old/something new collection Now Chrissie accessorized in a mixture of recent sales purchases and items she's owned for a few years now.  Showing its never to late to re-vitalise that forgotten accessory you've had for years. Bag - present for Xmas 2010, Star by Julian MacDona...

Isn't January a long and hard month to live through (unless of course its your birthday or you are Kate Middleton planning your wedding!).  After the highs of the festive period, you're back to work, its still winter and endless days where its dark going to work and dark coming home from work.   Its easy to fall into the doldrums.  Me and my colleague Chrissie were talking about how we'd lost our fashion mojo for work outfits.  It probably started with the snowy weather prior to Christmas when we were dressed for comfort and arctic weather rather than power-dressing and its continued into January.  Such a shame when we've got Christmas presents to wear or test out.  So we decided on a week-long work challenge that will hopefully glam up our January and may be re-instigate those Devil Wears Prada style moments I'm always dreaming about - the style rather than an assistant walking my dog and fetching me a large steak at lunch, honest! So for this we...