Something blue

It might be below freezing throughout the day at the moment and it might be incredibly difficult to feel at all warm when I step outside but I am actually loving the need to wrap up warm every morning. I have been searching for a long and chunky knitted scarf and some months now that won't leave bits over all of my coats. I have finally found one. This gorgeous blue scarf is from Primark. You will see that I also have the matching arm warmers. I'm not normally one for matchy matchy but this time I couldn't resist. They are just so warm!

How are you keeping warm in this weather?

I am wearing: H&M faux fur hat, Primark scarf, River Island coat and Primark arm warmers.

How to... Find footwear for the big freeze

As the UK is hit by snow and we all begin to dream of a White Christmas, I got to thinking about the constant effort to find suitable clothing and footwear at this time of year.

Of course, we all know to layer up and to don a hat and scarf and gloves but when it comes to footwear, what do you choose to trudge through the snow and ice on a cold winter's day? Certainly not a pair of ballet pumps or high heels!!

For years wellington boots seemed like the most appropriate choice of footwear - of course they remain a good option and you can see my picks here - but they don't have to be the only option:

From left: EMU STRINGER MINI boots; UGG BAILEY BUTTON boots; and DR MARTENS UNION JACK boots

When I went to New York a couple of years ago in January, I picked up a pair of EMU boots to keep my feet warm and dry:

They are, of course, rather similar to the UGG boots made famous by a multitude of celebrities:

Finally - and maybe not such an obvious choice - Dr Martens. See here for my decade-long love of these iconic boots.

Which boots will be keeping your feet warm and dry this winter?

Something For The Weekend: Winter Warmers

All I want to do when I wake in the mornings and all I can hear is the wind howling around our apartment building and rattling at the windows, is turn off the alarm and bury back down under the covers and emerge again in the spring. Or at least when the first snow falls and there is something more pretty to get up for! After a week of mornings feeling like this, it is now the weekend and I am at the "in-laws" and I can just crawl back under the covers and lie in for as long as I want, or pull myself from the warmth of my bed to the warmth of the fireside. Either way, I plan to spend the next two days in the comfiest and warmest clothes possible, drink copious amounts of warms drinks and read. Pure luxury.

Speaking of luxury, have you told me yet: How Do You Define Luxury?

It is no coincidence then, given my current state of mind, that the folder on my computer that I inventively named "inspiration" is filled with photos of girls in warm-looking knits:


Sources (and I'm sorry but I can't remember which is which!): The Sartorialist; Face Hunter; and we heart it


It is also probably of no surprise that all I want to buy when I hit the shops at the moment, is cosy knitted things: over-sized cable-knit cardigans from Next; motif sweatshirts from Asos; and this snowflake knit jumper from Topshop. Or that I have been lusting after this gorgeous Ocabini Luxury Cashmere poncho over on Forty Not Out.

I have also decided to try to teach myself to knit. (Please don't laugh, friends and family who know me!!) It is something that I have been keen to try for many a year but this post from PinkBow finally inspired me to make a mad dash to John Lewis on Thursday evening. Franca, of Oranges and Apples and this week's Style Icon Guest Blogger, has also provided inspiration from her entire blog! A scarf has been started.

Meanwhile, these adverts for Micheal Kors:

Have me "dreaming of a White Christmas".

On that note, have you got into the festive spirit yet, with a Red Cup from Starbucks?

Following that same theme, who has started their Christmas shopping yet? And finished it? I have started mine and will - I hope - be finished by the beginning of December. It feels so liberating and allows me to enjoy the real build up to Christmas during advent without the constant worry of having to go inside the heaving shops again. For those stumped for ideas, Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere, has begun her Holiday Gift Guide series and I even been, for a few weeks now, posting a series of Christmas Wish List ideas.

Right, there's a cup of tea with my name on it, waiting for me by the fire and a good book.

Have a happy weekend, whatever you're doing.

The BEST slippers in the world... EVER!

Just had a knock at the door and there was the postman with a large parcel for me! (Always v exciting!)

When I took it inside and opened it, I found these AMAZING slippers from Super Stylish Sister! From Marks and Spencer. They are perfect for the cold weather we're currently having!


She will now be renamed Amazing Super Stylish Sister! For now. Haha!


What are you wearing to keep warm in these cold snowy days?

Help me! Dressing Dilemma, Darlings!

January is a month for hibernating - not partying. In my world, anyway.


So when I was invited out for a birthday dinner on a cold snowy Friday night in January I had a major outfit dilemma.


Now, that Friday night is tomorrow night and I still have no idea.


So, I am opening the floor to all you lovely people and hoping that you might come to my aid with some advice. Please!


I have put together a couple of possible outfit choices - emphasis on warmth and fun!


What do you think?

These outfits consist of a long sleeved black Primark tee, print Topshop lantern skirt, New Look shoes (see below) and either mustard or royal blue tights.

These outfits consist of my black New Look jumper dress. Left to right, with royal blue tights and New Look shoes; with mustard tights, New Look shoes and wooden bangles; and finally, with mustard tights, New Look shoes, gold-coloured bangles and pearls.

These are the New Look heels - in close-up - that I bought when I broke my shopping ban!


Love, SG

Doctor Who and Cardiff Bay in the snow!

Yes, you did read that right. Doctor Who actors and film crew decided to take advantage of the snow in Cardiff Bay at lunchtime and I managed to get a couple (of not very good) photos! The final one is probably the best as you can just about make out the new Doctor - Matt Smith - and his red-haired assistant - Karen Gillan!

Here are also some of the rest of the Bay!

From top, the Senedd building of the National Assembly for Wales, and again, tourist signpost, Ivor Novello statue, Pierhead building, Pierhead building clock, memorial instalation outside the Senedd

I hope you all have snow with you.

Snow time!!!

It started to snow in Cardiff late last night but I still managed to drag the boyf out into it for a snowball fight!!!


Here I am playing in the snow! (Wearing Topshop skinny jeans, M&S man's jumper, Asda scarf and EMU boots.)

Here is the view from outside our block of flats. Does it all look pretty?

It's still snowing here, so hopefully there will be photos of the Bay in the snow later!