Fall in love with the simple A-Line Skirt and Princess Line Style Dress.

As I'm sitting on the train typing this...yes on the train, I am putting my travel time to better use, I'm thinking of all the things I have to do this week and how best I'm going to save some pennies (scroll down) and most importantly what to wear.

Fall in love with the simple A-Line Skirt and Princess Line Style Dress.
Both are flattering and can be worn smartly for work, then taken out after work and worn casually on the week-end too. Thick leggings and tights also mean that it can survive the different seasons.
I love the princess style of my flower dress below.   The pattern is New Look 6567 and in total I have made about 4 dresses from this pattern all different. The thing I love most about this dress is its versatile and is great for Autumn when its getting a bit colder, great for Spring which I am adamant is around the corner, the flowers cheer you up a bit and even for a warmers winter day with thick tights and boots. And for Summer simply wear loose with some lovely pumps.

The good old A-Line Skirt, I’ve added pictures of a rather casual green embroidered A-Line skirt that I’ve dressed up with a red jacket for the office. The skirt has a mixture of embroidered flowers on it and a bit of red and yellow, so if you want to be daring and set for spring add a yellow top underneath. I've teamed it first with a cream jumper for the colder days and then for when it’s a bit warmer added a basic black top underneath. In both instances if you lose the jacket you'll still look smart if your shoes are smart. . As there is yellow in the skirt to just to finish it off I've also added a gold chain making it look that little bit smarter. Want to wear it on the week-end, no problem, loose the jacket and wear with brogues, pumps or boots. I find an A-Line skirt is always flattering so you'll look fab.
 

Don't forget the red shoes

 
 
 






My top 5 saving tips for the UK:
1. www.moneysupermarket.com is great for compiling a grocery shopping list and comparing prices.
 
2. If you haven't got yourself one yet, get yourself a Sainsbury’s Nectar card. Sainsbury’s now give you a brand match voucher if other retailers prices are cheaper and every time you shop on line if you shop through the Nectar Site if the retailer is listed you receive points. Fill up the car at a BP Petrol Station, points earned, double those points if you have a American Express Nectar Credit Card. I receive about £20.00 towards my shop every 2 months. Utilities with British Gas link it to your nectar account and earn points, life insurance through www.confused.com earns you 10 000 nectar points plus there is points home and car insurance too. The best thing is the points are added to your card for you to use anytime you want and not just at Sainsbury’s, there is no expiry date and no waiting for vouchers to arrive in the post. Use the Nectar search bar on your explorer and gain points for every search.
 
3. If you aren't already signed up to Martin's Money Tips, sign up now. His tips are fab and will save you pennies in no time.
 
4. Not with O2 or Orange for your mobile phone get yourself a pre-paid sim card and down load the O2 priority app and the Orange App onto your phone. All you need are the telephone numbers to enable the apps, so you won't need 3 phones. There are loads of discounts and freebies on O2 Priority moments such as Nero Coffee’s, Baguettes from Upper Crust, Chocolate from Hotel Chocolate and with an Orange Sim Card it is 2 for 1 on Wednesday at movies and Pizza Express, well worth it.
 
5. Voucher Codes and discount sites are great for eating out and getting yourself pampered every now and then. The only thing with eating out is you have to quiet often be prepared to plan ahead but if you are saving pennies this is a small price to pay.
 
I’m not as up to date as I used to be in South Africa but
1. Get yourself a Clicks Clubcard and a Clicks Credit Card to earn extra points.
 
 2. Shop at Edgars, get their cash card my mom is always getting extra offers and points from them and their cash card can be used at any of their subsidiary stores 

3. Shop at Pick ‘n Pay they have a points card too now.
 
4. Want great deals and discounts; check out the SA Group On site.  
 
5. I use to buy my magazines from CNA, present my Edgars Cash Card for points and pay with my Clicks Credit Card.
 
NB!!! Remember only use a credit card if you can manage your money well and pay it off every month.  Everytime I make a purchase on mine I set the money aside for it. 
 
And before I go, let me say don't forget to moisturise, every morning and evening, your skin will be so thankful. I've taken to sleeping with cotton gloves on not only to keep warm but to keep my hands soft as well. One thing for sure is that this freezing weather has not been great for my hands, lovely nails starting cracking on the top, so they all had to get the chop and the skin on my hands started flaking off. But thanks to Boots No 7 and Neutrogena hand cream  they are lovely and soft again and my nails strong. Also Boots card = more ways to save money.     

Brogues and Pumps the shoe of comfort and style

It's has being over a year but thanks to my friend Liese the proud producer and owner of SA Girl Doll who I am so proud of I have started my blog again.  

An eventful year it has been though, I have started and completed many sewing projects, found some great beauty routines, saved lots of pennies and moved home.  I now know all about ending a joint mortgage and stamp duty.  And yes all these valuable little pieces of information will follow.   

Saving the pennies:  If you don't need it, don't buy it.  It doesn't matter if it is on sale or two for one, simply ask yourself do you really need it and if you take longer than 5 minutes to answer yes the answer is really NO you don't you just think you do because its on sale.  Also if you want a snack at work, pre-plan.  I buy my work snacks in my grocery shop and take them with me to work; £1.00 for 4 packets of smarties is a lot cheaper than .60p to .80p a packet at the shop around the corner from the office.   

Style tip of the day:  First thing to remember is we are all beautiful!!! Yes beautiful, got it, right moving on.  I've read a lot of magazine pieces lately and chatted to quiet a few people who seem to think that if they are a mommy it is expected of them to not look good anymore or put the effort it.  Wrong!!  You are actually at your most beautiful because no matter how tired you maybe you have a little life that loves and adores you and the love you have for that child actually make you more radiant. I will never forget the first time I saw my best friend after a year when she had just had a baby she was and still is beautiful every day. 

Now I love dressing up for work and I don’t have a work and social wardrobe, I mix and match.  So ladies below are a few outfits.  The basic here is the cream skirt for winter, black tights and black jumper.  For those warmer days around the corner, short sleeve top and some pearls, then loose the pearls add the jacket and time for that drink. 

Or for a smarter affair team with a button blouse tucked in or out. 














Now I'm afraid it is out with the boring shoes that do not flatter you and in with the fabulous.  I'm not saying forgo comfort at all, especially if you are a mom you don’t want to be prancing around in high heels everyday but there are so many lovely comfy ballerina pumps and brogues out there today.  Brogues look great with tights and skirts, with trousers ending just above the ankle, or be daring smart shorts, tights and brogues, the list is endless and if its comfort and fab you are looking for they are just the thing. 

 

 

 

Before I go here is a sneek peek at my latest sewing project, almost finished. 

 

I think I found my perfect exercise routine and eating plan.

Sit up straight, right now tummy in boobs out!  Now stand up with the same posture, notice the difference, you’re oozing confidence and immediately look  amazing, plus you are doing your back a favour. 

Now, I’m loving my kettlebell exercise’s, combined with 20 glute lifts and 15 horse kicks on each leg.  Not only does it only take me 15 minutes 3 times a week, okay 20 minutes if I add the stomach exercise but it works.  Now I’ve got this from reading Tim Ferriss’s 4 hour body book and even though I am following his slow carb release eating plan, I don’t want to lose any weight I just want to keep toned and as I am.  So I’ve been having freezing cold water on an empty stomach in the morning, 2 boiled eggs for breakfast, a salad with lots of lettuce at lunch and probably a few things I shouldn’t eat but like I said I don’t want to lose any more weight so, so far so good and I’m amazed.  I defiantly recommend reading the book and following the eating plan if you want to lose weight and tone up.  I don’t think it’s fair if I publish the diet on line so hence the little tips rather.  I can say however that the tummy exercises from the book are defiantly the best I have ever done and I used to do the one in tai-bo which is standing on all fours like a cat, back straight, now breath out so that you have no air left in your abdomen and pull your tummy in as if you are aiming to pull your belly button to your back, you should feel your muscles pulling, hold for a count of 10 (holding your breath) and do this 10 times, combined with the right eating, glute's, horse kicks and kettle bells, it really works.  And don’t forget to walk up straight, body brush and massage in the cream.

Glute Lifts, 20 of these lifting up slowly for a count of 5, hold for a count of 2 then down and repeat until you have done 20.  Remember to keep taunt while doing this and notice the toes, pull the toes up as you lift.  Doing them fast as I had done for years won't work, you need to do them slowly....good luck. 

This is how you do the horse kicks, same leg and same arm go up.  Pull them up slowly for a count of 5 and hold for a count of 2 then let down and repeat for a count of 15 before doing the other side.

To round off your look this spring and summer don’t forget your feet and hands.  Every time you wash your hands give them a good dollop of cream with sun protection and don’t forget the feet when you get out of the bath or shower.  To finish off add some colourful nail varnish.  The pastels are in this season, but I can’t carry them off quiet well like my sister can so I’m sticking to bright pinks and reds.  Now to experiment which colour will look great with my new maxi dress I made.  I've put a light chiffon over some teal t.shirting and can't wait for the sun to get out again...come on SUN!

An old pattern of my mom's really easy to make, Simplicity No 9865.  I remember my mom made a purple evening dress for me for a school function from this pattern, this is now the second dress I've made.  The other one to follow. 

Spring Dressing

As the sun has come out this week-end, I have to ask coming from a sunny country, why when the sun comes out in England do people think its time to take their clothes off and not put any sunscreen on, choosing rather to go a choice of blushing salmon pink?  While driving home yesterday afternoon, which was nice but not excessively hot I noticed a guy on the top of the bus who had taken his top off, I’m really hoping he wasn’t all sweaty when he sat down on the seat, and I noticed a girl walking down the road with what looked like a long top but it was a dress.  When I went for a walk later I was behind two girls with denim shorts on which were encroaching up their bums and there tops were half showing there boobs and too tight.  I had to ask myself at what stage do you look in the mirror and think that looks okay?  They were with their mom too, could she not of said something.  Remember as a rule of thumb if your top is a bit revealing perhaps were another sun top underneath and don’t wear revealing shorts or skirts with this top.  Rather wear longer shorts a skirt still above the knee but perhaps a bit flarely.  If you are wearing a short skirt/shorts don’t wear a revealing top.  Wear a bit of a flary top and one that does not show your tummy.  And remember if your shorts cause a muffin top at the tops of your legs they are too short, too tight so a big NO!!

Opinion over and moving on to a nifty idea instead of having crisps to eat when you want a mid afternoon savoury snack, home popped popcorn.  I’ve been filling a Tupperware in the evening when I make a small pan of self popped popcorn (this way I can control the oil use) and now I’m not munching crisps come the mid afternoon slump. 

I have also discovered for a super smooth skin that a rice exfoliator is the way to go.  I’ve been using the Lotus Flower and Rice Milk from Rituals.  Because it has tiny rice grains in it, as you gently rub, you rub until the grain is dissolved which combined with a bunch of other things leaves your skin feeling ultra smooth and soft, not to mention glowing to. 

Now I know I sound like a broken record but I hope you are all still doing your squats and calf raises while brushing your teeth, every little bit helps.  I’m really enjoying my glute exercises at the moment, doing 20 slowly for a count of 5 three times a week has really made a difference.  I really think I’m getting into the do more do less mode.  I didn’t even do a big run this week but sprinted up and down the hill 10 times instead, I was pooped afterwards. 

Now as Spring is defiantly here on this side of the globe, I thought I’d put on a few outfits of what to wear when you just don’t know.

And this is the dress on, I've got Nude shoes on
but it looks great with knee high boots too 

This is New Look Pattern 6045, the same as the Green
Oriental Dress on my sewing page, easy to make and
the lace adds a touch of something not sure what
though.

Want to dress up your shorts for Saturday drinks now the nights are lighter, heels and a smarter top.
This is the same top as the green one I made.  So glad I managed to get a pattern off the bought top.
So if you can sew grab a top that looks easy and make your own pattern and get going.  If not find a friend who can. 
I like that this top has elastic at the bottom so it folds under, is great casual or dressed up. 

Recognise this dress, is the red one I made for winter, I cut the sleeves out and now have a great summer/spring work dress.  Easiest job for a new dress, alter one you have or find a friend who can. 

Table cloth

Yikes I hadn’t realised I hadn’t blogged last week....ooops!!!

Well yesterday I finally made my round table cloth.  Now I know this might sound boring but with me, never.  Firstly I measure my round table and I needed 150cm by 150cm material.  I wanted a green with some detail on it, preferably silky to go with the green pink in the lounge.  After searching my local material shop, my mom suggested a sheet.  So I looked for duvet covers, no luck.  Then I found some on Amazon.  A bit about sceptical buying material online but it looked just like I wanted so after a bit of uhming and ahhing I clicked buy.  Only to say nooooooooooooooooo when the email came through saying dispatched.  I had only ordered a meter.  It arrived was exactly what I wanted so I decided to get 3 black 20cm cut, one to go down the middle and one down each side.  Then I cut the green material down the middle only to cut down the 1m middle and not the 150cm middle.  Eeek.  So I sewed that back together and then cut down the right centre and added the 3 strips.  Then I phoned my mom in South Africa to tell me how to make it because I couldn’t find a simple way on you tube.  The result

The easy mom steps of how to make a round table cloth: 

1.        Measure the diameter o the table, mine was 120cm. 

2.       Add the drop and seam allowance for both sides of the tables.  I wanted a 3cm drop and 2cm seam.  So I added 10 cm.  Making it 130cm.

3.       Then take your material and fold in half to get a fold line.  

4.       Then fold in half again the opposite way, like folding a sheet, forming a square. 

5.       Place a pin (pin 1) in the centre of the first fold, which is the fold line of your second fold. 

6.       Fold back so you just have the first fold with the centre pin in. 

7.       Then divide your diameter (mine is 130cm) by 2.  Giving me 65cm.

8.       Measure 65cm down from the centre pin and place pin2 and 65cm up from the centre pin placing pin3.  Then 65cm across from the centre pin to the open ends of material placing pin4.

9.       To make your semi circle because the material is folded put your measuring tape on the pin1 and measure across 65cm to pin4. Then as if your measuring tape is a compass measure 65 cm round until you get back to pin2.  Now you have the bottom half of your semi circle.

10.   Now do the same for the top part.

11.   Mark well and cut out and there you have your circle. 

Now this week I’ve decided I’m making popcorn for my snack at work, this should stop me eating junk.  Yes the popcorn is self popped.  I have been doing my kettle bell exercise with the glute and horse kicks from Tim Ferriss’s 4 hour body for 3 weeks now and so far so good.  I have to admit that as I don’t need to lose any weight I haven’t been following the diet exact but I have been following it in essence.  I’m eating more eggs, lettuce, broccoli and having salad and meat for lunch and lo and behold I don’t have half the munchies I used to have. 

I have also realised the difference body brushing does for you.  I noticed how smooth the tops of my arms were which were a bit bumpy a year ago.  Not anymore.  So body brush, body brush, body brush and massage that body lotion in. 

Spring is round the corner, that means.....

Spring is round the corner ladies...yes and that only means one thing, time to tone up and freshen up the skin. 

I’ve been reading Tim Ferriss 4 hour body and as I already do a lot of things he mentions I agree with most of what he says.  The nice thing about the book is his honest.  Now unfortunately for most of my friends that are breast feeding, I’m not sure if the diet will work as it is quiet a higher protein diet.  Do yourselves a favour though and check out the book either here  or buy it from Amazon.  It really is worth a read of the book to understand how the diet works with regards to different foods, what exactly to eat and how they work together.

There is a lot of physiology involved in losing weight and been so competitive I really did relate.  After reading a few chapters and been given the boost by what I read I even managed to knock 6 minutes of my running time to get back to where I was last year, because it’s all in your head, wanting and thinking you can do something makes you do it.  So get yourself a weight buddy to be in competition with to see who can lose what first.  Measure yourself before you start, measuring both the tops of your arms, your waist, hips and both legs mid thigh and take a photo of yourself preferably in your underwear or swimming costume so you have something to compare yourself to every week.  I regularly used to attend ta-boe classes and my instructor use to measure me once a month, the fear of having those measurements go up kept them down.  Centimetres matter more that weight in my opinion.  Instead of doing a food diary, we live in the age of technology do a photo food diary, you’ll think twice before putting that chocolate in your mouth after you’ve taken a photo of it.  Exchange pictures with your weight buddy making it a game of who has been the best behaved that day.  Support each other when you want that chocolate and if you live on other sides of the world Whatsapp or Viper the message across.  My sister for example has in month toned up and lost all her fat, how?  She’s been running and eating no, junk food, chocolate, biscuits nothing like that.  Even though she is eating a lot more now than what she use to eat because she’s completely cut the junk she looks amazing.  Why did she do that to herself?  Her boyfriend challenged her as he was getting fit and ready for 20km ocean swim.  Because he laid down the challenge she did it, to prove she could to herself and in the same way his also stuck to it and they have supported each other.  See it’s all in the head.  Now she’s off on holiday and looking fab!

Remember to sit and walk up straight this always make you look taller and more “hello world”.  I recently read an article about the Michelle Obama challenging Ellen on TV. to push ups.  Well give it a go yourself.  Start of small right now.  Do 2 push ups, find out how to do them properly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eovena3P6Vw&noredirect=1 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynPwl6qyUNM .  Now for the rest of the week every day do 2 push ups.  Next week every day do 3.  If you can still only manage 2 or maybe 2.5 then every day do that trying for 3 until you get to 3.  Then do 3 for a week and in the same way move on to 4.  Before you know it you will be up to 25 or 50 a day.  We don’t want flabby arms now do we, so get pressing.  You can do it and it’s all in your head.  Don’t keep saying “I can’t”, because you can!  Don’t use the excuse I don’t want to bulk up either because unless you are on steroids you won’t.  Also I would be huge if that was true.  Good luck ladies. 

Now as for that skin, when you get up every morning and every evening body brush upwards from ankles to neck, get rid of those dead skin cells for super smooth skin.  Massage your cream into your skin using a massager.  I had a horrible bout of cellulite before Christmas, so I bought a good Cellulite Cream made sure I walked taunt, put the effort in to massage hard when putting cream on and its sooo much better.  For super soft skin remember to apply a good moisturiser every morning and evening and stay out of the sun.  If you do go into the sun put a good SPF, otherwise you will end up old and wrinkly before your time, if in doubt watch Ten Years Younger, you will be shocked. 

Another thing to remember if you're dieting is that you will succumb to that cookie so give yourself a cheat day, it will boost your metabolism as well.  Then you know come Friday or Saturday you can have the cookie and if you have it when you shouldn't.  Well get straight back on, don't go all bad for the day.

Almost finished but still in progress.

And to get you ready for Spring:  My new green top, pastel colours are defiantly a must for Spring and some green wedges. 

Walking in the Snow

Happy Snow Day....yes it’s been snowing and now its melting.  Not sure I like it when the snow is melting and I have to admit I prefer the snow after Christmas personally as I don’t have any where to travel too, but if you do be safe and drive carefully.  Other than looking at the snow today I found a good use for it.  It sure does work your leg and bum muscles while walking.  You have to balance more while walking and it works your tiny muscles in your legs a lot more, a bit like walking on the sand.  So what are you waiting for get your snow boots on and get walking. 

Actually while out for my snow walk this morning working my legs I realised that I’ve spoken to so many friends lately that say they don’t have enough time to spend on themselves.  And I need to say that we all deserve a little bit of me time, even if it’s just 10 minutes.  I make my phonecalls when I go for a walk, the beauty of mobiles you can do 2 things at once or while I’m walking home from work, plus it keeps me company.  I put my weekly face mask on while my dinner is getting ready and I’m doing my 5 minute bum toning exercises while reading my book on my kindle...3 things in one.  If for some reason I havne’t been able to do my exercises in the morning I’ve started incorporating them into my cleaning.  When I clean the floor, I press down hard and make sure I keep bending my legs up and down doing mini squats, when I dust I stretch up and go down the wall at an angle when cleaning the bathroom.  A complete work out and a clean house...brilliant.  

Oh and a handy tip that I actually introduced my mom to when I was home recently the joy of a lint roller.  Yes a lint roller, it has become my new best friend.  I use it to pick up the bit’s of threads on the table when I’m finished sewing.  To make sure it doesn’t stick to the table I run it down my clothes first picking up all the fluff threads and fluff from myself first.  Works on the couches too. 

Now I’ve sewn 3 new outfits this year....see my sewing page but a what to wear when you don’t know what to and all ways looks stylish and lovely, a cream skirt; black top and court shoes.  Now I’ve teamed the skirt with a soft flowing black top that can be tucked inside or worn on the outside which would make a bigger tummy look slimmer with it been black and soft flowing.  If you want a nice outfit to out in in the evening team the top with jeans and heels, always elegant, always a winner.

This Top is See & Sew B5170 and really easy to make
The Skirt is McCalls 2634 a timeless pattern and so quick and easy

Now go spend some time on yourself...you deserve it. 

See & Sew B5170 the same top glammed up with jeans for a night out.