Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

I'm beginning to think Mother Nature is one wicked woman....

Several incidents spring to mind which have lead me to arrive at such a conclusion..

Perhaps the most traumatic being the time that witch summoned ludicrous gale force winds of over 60mph, which in a gripping ‘Twister’ like episode, rendered me helplessly clinging for dear life (and increasingly late for a lecture) to a small wooden post just opposite the university, fearful that at any given moment I would be hurtled into the air Frisian style.

Then of course there’s all those times I (and no doubt you) spent hours prining, perfecting that ‘just stepped out of a salon’ look, only the moment we step out the front door not only do those Atlantic gales kick in, but the heavens open and the thunder rolls on in leaving us more ‘just stepped out the nut house’.

And finally, just as last year, we pray for that magical white Christmas…and as the icing on our rather crap year it arrives-frustratingly just one week too early.

But hey ho ho ho, pass the rum, pull on that vodka jacket and let’s look on the snow blindingly bright side of things. With some crackin pre-Christmas sales on, now is the perfect time to snag ourselves a bargain winter wooly or two and slap that smile back on our rather frost bitten chops.

Work those winter warmers with 80’s style fluffy earmuffs, fairisle bobble hats, arm warmers and cute wooly mittens. Just call me Scrooge-he’s never looked so cute!-bah humbug!

All That Glitters

Now, is it just me or every other Christmas do you dread the party season for fear of finding nothing but ugly sequined frocks nobody would be seen dead in but your granny down the bingo on a Friday night, and throwback 80s style Madonna dresses in predictable shiny black and purple taffeta, yet, ironically that’s exactly what’s ‘in’ this season.

Every year, not only could I officially mark the arrival of the festive season by the appearance of the infamous coca cola advert and increasing numbers of down and outs passed out on the park bench with a bottle of whiskey; but also by the arrival of all that glitters, sparkles and comes in those five festive favourites gold, silver, black green and red. It had almost become an age old favorite pastime of mine, mocking the delightful ‘Christmas tree look’ and poking fun at the hideousness of garments which should almost certainly have come with a warning ‘only suitable for ages 60+’.

Festive styling has been crying out for a makeover to bring it up to speed and by Joe, hurrah! This year that’s exactly what we got. Usually, panicked by the fast approach of the big day, in sheer desperation I grab something sparkly and ‘glamorous’ that leaves me looking like a middle aged frump and frankly about as glamorous as Susan Boyle on a bad day.

I am at long last delighted to now find myself in quite the opposite predicament. Fresh, modern, stylish and distinctively more youthful here’s a few of my favourite options.

The Story of FiFi and the Charity Shops

Charity shops-I used to avoid them like the plague. Just imagining the potent stench of urine and stale body odour was enough to make my skin crawl; I pictured an army of single mums struggling to manage their screaming brood, whilst little old dears argued irately in the corner over the brand new Sir Cliff Richard novel at a knockdown £2.45!

Still, I would read articles about how some fashion savvy twenty-something transformed her wardrobe working charity shop pieces into wonderful vintage one-offs with a little light magic needlework. I’d heard stories of hidden gems and unique vintage pieces at bargain prices, and been dazzled my friends quirky attire…

Then, last Saturday, as I sat pondering over the wonders of Simon Cowells hair gel sipping my pint of Strongbow Cider with a splash of black currant, I suddenly found myself memorized by the most magnificent sweater. A vision of delicate lace and pearl embroidery, I was overcome with desire; I yearned to know where I could purchase one for myself! I dashed over to make my enquiry and gasped in horror as I heard those dreaded words…

Remarkable! Could those dingy, dated, pokey old hovels really house such prosperities?

Now I was intrigued…

Thursday was really breakthrough day. Armed with numerous cans of air freshener and deodorant, I made the valiant decision to face my phobia...

Holding my best friends hand (and my breath), I hesitantly stepped inside the first store… To my delight, I was greeted not by the ungodly shriek of screaming children, but rather the gentle sound of jazz and the soothing voice of Frank Sinatra and friends. Urine I smelt not, instead the lingering scent of cotton fresh oust filled the air. It really wasn’t quite the horror story id imagined; and in just a few short minutes I found myself lost in a material world of granny chic; knee deep in china tea sets and lace aprons, unstoppable and determined to find something, anything potentially fantastic.

The adrenaline rush I felt as I frantically rummaged for hidden treasures lost amongst the foliage; I squealed in delight as I unearthed an 80s sequin adorned knit sweater-practically an antique and at the mind-boggling price of 4.99! Then five minutes later the most incredible original vintage leather belt at an astounding £1.95. My preconceptions were rapidly melting away as- oooh! A vintage oversized check shirt for just 2 whole pounds!

That was last week…

And so, one week on, and my opinion of charity shops has swiftly turned from holey dreck and bargain margain to Holy Grail, and I have only this left to say. Hi my name is FiFi and I am a charity shopaholic!

Boyfriend Baggys

Boyfriend clothing-who’d have thought your fellas threads could look so good!..

..True, it’s been around for some time (much like the many pairs of soiled underpants carelessly strewn around the bedroom carpet and hallway, or that takeaway from last Friday that’s slowly growing its own type of ominous looking guacamole topping)...but with the continual rise of baggy denims with their floor skimming crotches and oversize plaid shirts, it seems those boys do still have their uses...

An eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth remember all those times you showed up late for work when they were hogging your hair straighteners?!?

Boyfriend gear's just a win-win for us ladies, chic, cheap, comfortable ...and best of all men seem to find it irresistible!

Perhaps owing to that sexy Bridget Bardot style cliché of some buxom beauty looking slightly dishevelled in her boyfriends shirt the morning after some midnight rendezvous…..And still, I cant help but giggle as i wonder if squeezing their size 11 feet into our tiny hot pink stilettos and cavorting around the bedroom in our lingerie is intended to have the same effect?!? :s

Tip: Strapped for cash? Put your purse away! Simply bag yourself a stylish beau and double your wardrobe possibilities in an instant! O.K its not quite that simple but still, there’s always your trusty pops or your older brother to steal clobber from.

A Retro-Fabulous Christmas

With frosty nights drawing in and the sound of sleigh bells and Noddy Holder just around the corner, it can only mean one thing… “IT’S CHRIIIIISTMAAAAAS!”
 

Ahhh Christmas, such a magical time; A time for socks, a time for family festivities with lovely uncle mike, a time when Saturday nights are no longer spent in the pub, but rather rocking out to Wham! in Morrison’s at 3am on the annual turkey hunt.

As the temperatures drop below freezing the ‘Michelin’ look becomes evermore popular, and shoving our toes in front of the fire in a desperate attempt to regain feeling and that semi-normal colour becomes a daily ritual.

But its not only a blast from the arctic we’re feeling this year...its a blast from the past.

…knitting needles at the ready because fairisle is back!

The Christmas jumper has never been so chic! Nordic prints, Snowflakes, reindeer, snowmen the quirkier the better! Show your originality in the real McCoy, rummage through local charity and retro shops to uncover some real 80s gems!

Tip: Dig out those dodgy old photos of Christmas dinner 1988 round Nana Pats. Grill your Dad and Uncle Dave on the whereabouts of those woolies, men are renowned for hording!