Wrapped Up In Bows...

No need to adjust your screens, ladies and gentlemen; your eyes aren't deceiving you- this is really a Polka Spots and Freckle Dots outfit post! Not a very good quality one, but an outfit post all the same.

It's been several weeks since the last one, and I'm sorry for the absence. My back injuries make the most simple of every day tasks- (the ones we never give any thought to like dressing, sitting, standing, walking down a flight of stairs), difficult, and exhausting. I've spent most of the last couple of months in bed getting myself through the aftermath of each hydrotherapy session, and feeling like an old lady. And while I haven't been able to bring you outfit posts, I've been working night and day on the appearance and features of the blog. I still have a little more to do, but I'm pleased with how it's coming together.

When I haven't been working on my blog design, I've been online window shopping; drooling over all the pretty new season things I want to own. I picked up a few new frocks, like the one I'm wearing today...

I supplemented a Dorothy Perkins order with two additional dresses in case the one I wanted wasn't what I was hoping. This jersey bow print wrap-style dress was one of them, and I ended up keeping all three. Oops!

I'm not usually a big fan of jersey fabric, but I love this one on me. It moulds to my shape, without clinging or showing the lumps and bumps; which is something that always leaves me feeling self-conscious. The fabric is quite thick, and I love the bow print- I think it's one of few prints I didn't previously own in my ever-expanding collection of dresses. I sized up as I wasn't sure if the waist was fitted or not, and although the waist is stretchy, the dress is small fitting so I'd advise getting the next size up if you order it. As I sized up it's a little big around the arms, but I'm happy to report there's ample space for the girls.

The skirt is a wrap-style, it's sewn to the waist, but it shouldn't result in accidental flashing as the underneath part covers from hip to hip. I think I'll wear it with French knickers, just to be safe! The dress is currently just £17.00 in the sale, and I paid a little less with a discount code.

Apologies for the less than polished figure in the photos. I was just out of the shower, hair unstraightened, wonky fringe in desperate need of a cut (I haven't had a hair cut since December-eek!), and I was too sore to apply my face. I'm one of those girls who looks and feels much better with make up applied. As for the bad quality? It was raining a monsoon outside. Excuses, excuses!



I have three coats of my new MUA nail polish on my nails here; it just calls it 'shade 1' on the bottle. It's a very dark navy with discreet blue shimmer. I honestly can't believe it was just £1; it applied like a dream; it's chipped very little in four days; and it's a good shade. I found it in Superdrug.

I wore the ring to add a little colour to the outfit, and because I've not worn it much yet.



I added a few pearl bracelets, to match my pearl brooch.

And slipped my favourite blue ballet pumps on my feet. These came from New Look a year or two ago, and I've been slipping my feet in to them each time I've left the house recently. They're so comfortable and I love that the quilted style makes them a little different.

My Mum gave me the pearl brooch a few weeks ago. It's vintage. The woman she bought it from told her it was from the sixties, but my Mum, a sixties child, thinks the style is more fifties. I don't really mind either way; I just like pearls! Although like my bracelets, it's probably faux!

Dress: Dorothy Perkins

Cardigan: New Look

Tights: Evans

Shoes: New Look

Bracelets: Matalan (part of a set)

Ring: Evans

Brooch: Vintage

Nail Polish: MUA Shade 1

Just before I go, I thought I'd share with you the album sleeves I made for a couple of CDs I've burned for my bestie. We've been swapping music since we were eleven and cassettes were still the in thing. She lives up in Scotland now, but I still like sending her things to make her smile. I've never tried to make an album sleeve in the sixteen years we've been friends, but there's a first time for everything!

For the sleeves, I cut up some card by estimating the size against a CD case, glued it together, and used scrap-booking materials (I bought two years ago and have never used) to decorate it, and then covered them with wide sellotape to seal the design.

This is a copy of Ronan Keating's 'Fires'. I actually sent her an official copy, but couldn't afford to get her the deluxe edition, so I've burned it for her. I cut up some paisley Paperchase paper to turn in to fire to relate to the title.

And this is a copy of Linkin Park's 'Living Things'. I based the theme around the album title 'Living Things' by using adhesive flowers, some Cath Kidston stickers, and a purple and teal fabric which to me looks a little like plants (if I squint and don't look at it too close up).

They're not perfect, but I enjoyed giving them a go.

Do you still send your friends 'mix tapes' and write by snail mail?