Monthly Archives: January 2012

My scent of the 80s

As promised I continue to learn more about US politics and spent last night watching the NBC GOP debate. Well all I can say is the more I hear and learn the more terrifying the prospect of exercising my franchise becomes. I shall continue to listen and observe even if at times I want to hide behind my cushion like I used to when watching Dr. Who. It has to be said that I found the debate significantly more entertaining than my DVRd RHOA – though that isn’t too tough to accomplish.

Woke to a gorgeous sunny morning in Atlanta – the weather here can turn with the flick of a switch and we’re expecting sun all week and temperatures in the mid 60s. So, panicking that the days available to wear boots may be dwindling fast, I chose today’s outfit around a pair of Frye boots – my brown Veronica Slouches. The jacket is one I bought early in the season from Boden, then returned thinking I couldn’t justify another tweed jacket, then bought again in the sale after succumbing to pure lust for it. At one point I would never have dreamed of pairing tweed with stripes but Boden’s patterns and colors have made me more confident about clashing/contrasting them, so I am wearing my striped Hampton tee with it today. My Hudson Collin jeans are my favorite – these are the mid rise in Dark Elm wash held up with my Gucci belt (a gift from MM). To be honest I actually prefer the regular rise Collins, and although they are lower they fit around my hips so tend to give less of the undesirable ‘muffin top’ effect.

Earrings are again Tiffany – Elsa Peretti teardrops. I know I am fairly extravagant with my spending but don’t be misguided into thinking that I am constantly in Tiffany’s. Most of my jewelry has been purchased for me by MM over the years – fortunately he is very extravagant too, and generous.

I had fun choosing my lipstick this morning. My favorite brand is Revlon and I have quite a few – I have to say I like cheap and cheerful when it comes to lipsticks. Occasionally I will splurge on a Chanel lip gloss especially in the summer but when it comes to lips and nails I like a selection to choose from. Today I am wearing a lovely matte pink – Stormy Pink.

Recently I bought some new perfume as I had used all my Jo Malone Orange Blossom. I ended up going old skool and bought some YSL Paris which I adore. It’s true what they say about how evocative scents can be. It is quite a strong scent but it reminds me so much of the 80s (and MM will tell you how much I love the 80s) and trips to France with my parents. On the way back on the cross Channel ferry I would always be treated to a ‘duty free’ bottle of perfume and invariably my choice was Paris.

It’s been a busy morning at work but Tuesdays are always a tad chaotic. My daughter has ballet classes after school so it is the one day of the week where I sit in the carpool lane and then take her to her class. The following hour is spent panicking over creating her hair bun, bickering with her over playing games too loudly on my iPhone while we wait, and then chatting exuberantly for 45mins with her classmates’ Moms. It’s then my turn to collect my son from daycare…hence on Tuesdays I usually hit the bottle as soon as I walk in the door.

Music that inspires…

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The rain finally cleared up enough for a run this afternoon. Another 4 miles in the legs, but the damp and cold make me feel older and bring out more niggly aches and pains – must stretch and get that foam roller out before my knees seize up again.

It was a fun tune that got me home today…

Monday comes around quickly…

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We had a lovely lazy Sunday yesterday – just a shame it was still a bit dank and cold. My son still wasn’t completely better but well enough to irritate his sister for most of the day. I spent the evening eating homemade pizza delivered by my favorite pizza guy and watching the recording of Downton Abbey while MM watched the playoffs on the big screen in the basement – I’m sorry I just couldn’t bring myself to watch another football game – try as I might I just can’t get into it. On the other had Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham is just fabulous and makes me laugh out loud every episode. I’ll be so sad when season two of this brilliant period soap comes to and end. So you can appreciate what I mean here’s a little compilation of the Dowager’s one liners that is also on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/poppysstyle).

We woke this morning to pounding rain again – it was quite miserable standing at the school bus stop at 6.50am though my daughter was in considerably good spirits for a Monday morning. They are doing a read-athon at school – which is basically another opportunity to raise money and give parents more stuff to do. Don’t get me wrong I don’t begrudge the fund raising but I’m starting to feel a little out of control with all the paperwork, things to remember, forms to sign, read and return, homework etc. and this is only kindergarten! I must get better organized. Anyway as part of read-athon they are also having ‘spirit days’ where they do something ‘crazy’ each day – today is inside out, backwards day – hence her considerable glee and excitement about wearing all her beautiful Boden items inside out and backwards! Is it snobbish of me to be relieved that they are ‘Mini Boden’ labels showing all day and not ‘Circo’? – Probably.

I did rise to the challenge and chose a suitable nail polish at the weekend – I’m wearing OPI Nail Lacquer in Louvre Me Louvre Me Not which is a lovely pinky-purple color with a touch of sparkle.

Getting dressed this morning required a little more thought than usual due to the rain and a doctors appointment – so I needed something easy on/easy off (sorry for TMI!). I opted for my lovely Boden roll neck knitted dress which I snapped up in the sale, argyle tights purchased from Marks and Spencer (or Markses as we like to say in my family) when I was back home in December, Boden black quilted jacket (the red and blue are in the clearance sale) and Boden black Bloomsbury boots, also sale bargains. The nail polish matches perfectly with the little purple thread that runs through the tights:)

Though I possess some vanity (you have to in order to write a blog and photograph yourself each day…) I have never really dissected my best and worst body parts. When I’ve posted photos on Boden’s Community page, for reviews and so on, some folks have commented on my legs – I guess from the running they probably are my ‘best’ feature – but I’ve never consciously tried to draw attention to them. Having looked at my photo for today though, there is very obviously something sub-conscious going on!

Apologies for the dark photo – I was back to taking it myself and the lighting isn’t great.

With the roll neck I don’t like to wear anything too flamboyant in my ears so I chose my Tiffany Frank Gehry studs, which unfortunately I couldn’t find on their website for you – but here is an image.

Now back to work after three days at home! Happy Monday!

Music that inspires…

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The plan this morning was for MM and I to work out at the gym while we dropped the kids in their care facility – well little did we know there are no carers there on a Sunday so we had to turn right back around and head home.

My running has been sporadic since the New Year so I decided to get myself out pounding the pavement instead. Blogging about my running might make me more accountable but I don’t want it to get tedious for you guys either. So in an effort to make it more interesting I’m going to post my last ‘tune’ from each run that has inspired me to sprint the last few hundred yards…today I did 4 miles comfortably (had a lot of pent up energy from a week at home!) and I have the Scissor Sisters to thank for shaving a few seconds off my time.

Settling Down?

A stormy saturday

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Well the weather is downright crappy in Atlanta today – it hasn’t stopped raining all morning and my daughter’s swimming lesson was canceled due to the thunder and lightning. I somehow still managed to muster the motivation to head the gym after a week of inactivity. Caring for a poorly child this week has meant my usual routine has gone out the window and I’ve been climbing the walls waiting to get out of the house again, so now I am feeling invigorated after a good session on the bike.

I find Atlanta a tough place to entertain kids when it is wet – so many of our activities as a family involve the outdoors like playing soccer at the park, walking by the river or heading to Zoo Atlanta. It might have to be a movie and popcorn day which I’m fine with but could mean another day in sweatpants for me:( I really am a girl that likes having a place to go so I can make an effort and pick out some lovely clothes to wear. When I’m at home I’m always in sweats or jeans mainly because every sofa I sit on these days runs the risk of being covered in dog hairs! Owning 2 boxers, who admittedly have very short hair, means I’m constantly sweeping, vacuuming and brushing furniture – but then I am the one that has allowed them on the sofa for a cuddle and I’m not sure if you’ve tried it but it’s really difficult to teach a dog that they can only get on the warm, comfy sofa when I’m there…

Last night was quite a lazy evening for us but my friendly UPS man did pay us a visit again a brought me these lovely new Tory Burch Eddies in Tory navy. So much of my wardrobe for spring seems to be red and navy and I already have a pair of red Revas so just needed a navy pair too – yes I did say ‘needed’…I’ll tell more of my Tory Burch shoe obsession another time….

Here’s the Boden tunic I forgot to post too yesterday – it’s the Chic Spotty tunic and I love it – ideal with skinny jeans or on it’s own and it’s a very slinky cotton knit – it feels lovely. I’m wearing it here with Tory Burch Eddies in musk which are currently in the sale and match perfectly.

Today’s outfit after much debate consists of my AllSaints Decay top which must be out of stock as I can’t find it on the US site, Gap jeggings and Nike 6.0 Dunk high tops. I’m embarrassed to say that I bought the high tops after seeing this photo of Heidi Klum wearing them – the only other thing we now have in common is a hot Husband:) Poor Tennyson is staring out of the window waiting for the rain to stop too…

So here’s to a day at home where Daddy is baking cupcakes and the most challenging thing I have to do is choose a nail polish color…

p.s. Sincere thanks to my 5 year old daughter who is relishing her new role as Mommy’s photographer.

Boden Spring Preview

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Well I am shattered again today – my little boy is still home sick though on the mend – but the sleepless nights are taking their toll…Anyway while I’m working from home I might as well try my new Boden Spring Preview items on that arrived yesterday! For some reason these were all shipped from the UK so arrived after my orders placed only the other week but in no hurry for them as they are all tunics to be worn when the sun is shining here.

One item has been returned and sorry I already sent it back so no photo – the Uptown tunic in Moss was really disappointing – very murky green and didn’t feel worth the price tag.

I LOVE the Ibiza tunic – it is styled just like the Pool Party tunic from last year but I think the fabric is a bit thicker and the quail egg color is yummy.

I ordered all 4 prints of the Notch Neck tunic as I’ve had similar linen tunics before from Boden and they have always been my staple go to item in the summer but there wasn’t a version of this last year so snapped up these in case there isn’t one next year! For those of you that have had them before they normally have a piece of elastic across the back for a little give and movement – many people didn’t like it as they thought it made the tunic less dressy so this year there isn’t one. I personally preferred it with the elastic as it made it more comfortable and much easier to fasten the side zip over the empire line seam. I really struggle to get the zip all the way up on these so MM will be required for assistance – it’s not that there isn’t enough fabric it’s just that the zip is really stubborn going over the seam. My favorite print is the silver riviera and I’ve just looked on the site and there is a 16 week wait for the sunflower country garden!!

Chic Spotty tunic in taupe is lovely too – just realized that in my sleepy state I have forgotten to photograph this one – if you are between sizes size down it’s generous – but has a lovely silky feel to it – a beautiful knit.

As for today it requires something comfy and snuggly but with a bit of bling to cheer up the dreary day here in Atlanta, so I have my old Gap jeans, an old H&M tee, Boden LE sparkle pocket pink cardigan (a clearance bargain), and Ugg Ansley slippers which I live in in the winter.

Potatoes?

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One of the difficult decisions to be made when starting a blog is what to call it. I thought I had some inspired ideas but when it came to getting the url it appeared others had had the same idea. So when I named this blog Poppy’s Style I was not only trying to make it personal to me and therefore hopefully more unique, but also ‘style’ was used to be all encompassing regarding my style of doing things as well as my fashion style. I want to take the opportunity in this blog to talk about all things I have done, dream to do and even things I have questioned doing…in addition to my passion for fashion.

After turning 40 last year I think I went through one of those ‘oh my goodness I haven’t achieved anything with my life’ moments. Yes I know I have 2 brilliant children and a fabulous man but what about my achievements as an individual? As I looked back all the way to starting secondary school (middle school age for US readers) certain themes emerged. I’ve always been driven to do my best, never doubting my academic abilities, but I get bored easily and need variety. In my career, before my current role, I’ve never stayed with a company for more than 2 years – my resume looks awful due to the number of companies listed on there…it took me a while to realize the grass is never greener and actually the corporate life just isn’t for me. I tried to stick with it as I was driven to keep getting the higher salary, bigger office and better title but as often happens the added responsibility, hours etc. just didn’t make me happy especially with 2 little ones. I wanted to be ‘SuperMom’ but my heart wasn’t in it and my enthusiasm for work was dwindling which meant I actually wasn’t doing a very good job.

Sometimes I think I ‘failed’ in the corporate world and often wonder what career would have suited me better? I remember career counseling at school when I was in my early teens and I always dreamt of being a Doctor – a pediatrician actually, but maybe my fear of failures stopped me from pursuing it as only really smart people become Doctors no? So instead of medicine I decided to be a research scientist. In the UK it’s unfortunate that your University discipline is pretty much decided at 16 when you choose your A’level topics – or at least that’s how it was back in 1986. I was good at science and far more interested in it than any of the humanities and I actually loved wearing a lab coat and doing practicals – I loved numbers too which helps – I still get excited creating formulas in spreadsheets:) Anyway my A’levels were Biology, Chemistry and Physics and I ended up studying Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of St. Andrews.

I had a great experience at St. Andrews and long before Will and Kate ever made headlines I met MM there working in a bar together. I was 19 and he was 24 doing his PhD in Byzantine History. Twenty years on he’s still the love of my life, my best friend and my greatest cheer leader (he was the one that suggested I start blogging), and there are many stories along the way of how we have survived through thick and thin which I will no doubt divulge in later posts. Anyway the point is HE had a PhD – therefore I must get one!! Yes that was one of my main motivators for applying for my PhD – plus back in the early ’90s there were very few jobs to be had so being a student for another 4 years seemed like a better option than the dole.

Hence the title of this post – I studied potatoes for 4 years…the mind boggles that I managed to stick it out and complete my thesis when so many of my peers were abandoning their studies on far more interesting, relevant topics. “The Molecular Biology and Biochemistry of Bruising in Potatoes” is the title of my thesis – it was written in a tiny flat, with no central heating and various fungi growing in it (a Biochemist should be thrilled no?) on Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, on one of the first Apple Mac computers. My acknowledgments in my thesis thank my FIL who provided us with many dinners out when the bailiffs were knocking on our door. It was certainly an odd time – living in one of the most glamorous areas in London with zero money to our name.

Well I got my Doctorate and published a couple of papers but oddly enough the most important thing I learned in those 4 years was that I never wanted to see a test tube or a lab coat ever again – I was done with exploring potatoes – the only place I wanted to see them again was on a plate next to a piece of fish. An achievement of sorts but one that only led to more decisions – wrong and right – about how I should earn a living.

Photos show my thesis which sits in a display cabinet collecting dust.

New Boden delivery

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Ok so I am a little Boden obsessed too. It started with Mini Boden for the kids and now probably 66% of my closet is Boden…I love their tunics especially for the hot Atlanta summers, their jackets as I wear jeans mostly in the winter, and their knitwear. Probably the only category I don’t own too much of are their dresses as I prefer the shorter length of the tunics. Also I’m an odd shape – big boobs and no hips so dresses are either too snug up top or too big round the hips.

At the moment they have their Winter Clearance sale on so I’ve been snapping a few bargains up and their Spring line launched this month so I have quite a few deliveries arriving from my nice UPS man. Last night a couple of spring orders arrived and I’ve just had my trying on session while I’m still nursing a sick little boy.

I think Boden sizes are quite generous usually so I normally order a US6 but often a US8 in jumpers as I don’t like my knitwear snug.

First outfit is the relaxed knitted tunic. I really believe this is one you’ll either love or hate – I love it. It’s a really loose knit cotton with a lovely slinky feel to it. I’ll wear it as a dress in the Spring and Fall – probably too warm in the heat of summer. My only issue with it is that the knit is so loose it is really see through so I must stand with my legs together at all times:)

Next I ordered 3 of the Must Have Jumpers – I adore the button detail on the shoulder and the fit is lovely. Snug 3/4 length sleeves and then a really loose body – dare I say similar to many of the AllSaints jumpers I love? I think my favorite is the Quail Egg color that I’m wearing over the Candy striped Breton.

Finally my favorite item is the radish Effortless cardigan. Very similar to last years Long Line cardigan that I loved but much softer and I love this bright radish color – it’s not quite red and not quite pink…perfect in the spring/summer over a tunic with a lovely tan. Here I’m wearing it over the navy Breton.

So all in all a good haul – nothing to be returned:)

My addictions #1 Frye Boots

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Had a lovely evening at dinner – shrimp and grits – yum – it’s amazing the food I now adore that I would never have eaten before moving here. We went to South City Kitchen which is a great restaurant and has a fabulous location in Midtown. I am a little sad that they have now opened a location in Vinings – it makes it a little too close to a ‘chain’ restaurant for my liking, but it is incredibly convenient for me so I can’t complain too much…Lots of fun banter was had, though since starting this blog I do find myself a little preoccupied with it (my OCD – never do things by halves…) and looking for ‘interesting’ things to write about.

One of the hardest things I’ve discovered since starting blogging is what to write when. I’ve surprised myself with how many ideas I have for posts and how varied the subject matter is. MM has warned me against politics though especially with the GOP leadership debates underway and my basic lack of knowledge about US politics. Though now I can vote here I have made a commitment to immerse myself and try to make an informed decision at the polling booth. Anyway until then let’s stick with something a little more trite like clothes and boots!

My shopping habits are those of a tremendously brand loyal consumer, or put another way an addict who can’t say no to a particular brand. So it’s time to lay it out on the table and confess to the the ridiculous number of items that are stashed in my closet. I’ll post on each of these brands in no particular order of preference.

#1 addiction is to Frye boots. I only purchased my first pair about 4 years ago but now I have – **deep breath** – 11 pairs of boots and 1 pair of sandals. I don’t even want to calculate how much that is in dollars. I’ve always loved boots – especially being a Brit where you can wear them 11 months of the year, and since discovering Frye I relish the joy of a great quality pair of leather boots. I wear them with jeans, leggings and skirts – in fact one of my favorite looks is a knee length simple black dress with my fawn Carson pull ons or my Sabrinas in sunrise.

My first pair was a pair of the ubiquitous Carson pull ons in smoke – and I still love how versatile this color is. I think my favorite pair are my Jane tall cuff in black – next on my wish list are these in burnished brown. They are really tall (I never wear them cuffed) and feel very sexy with skinny jeans – great for a night out, only it’s a good job that MM is understanding as he has to pull them off for me every time I wear them – so maybe not the best footwear to wear if you’ve just started dating someone **wink,wink**;)

Okay so now to list them for you (I’m cringing now – it feels like a confessional :0)…again evidence that I rarely buy an item in a single color.

Carson pull ons Smoke and Fawn

Shirley OTK Taupe and Black

Veronica Slouch Black and Brown

Harness Charcoal

Shirley Strappy Black

Jane Tall Cuff Black

Sabrina Clay and Sunrise

Photo shows the need for more boot storage in my closet along with my favorite Jane Tall Cuffs.