'Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter...'

'Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my paraaaade'... hell yeah!  Weather-wise, the sun is indeed a ball of butter aujourd'hui and generally speaking, life is candy! The summer holidays are finally here, I have had my new job all firmed up and confirmed for September (so excited) and I am looking forward to almost 7 weeks of hmmmm shopping, sunning and sleeping??! Parfait mes amis, let me tell you.

Enough of the teacher-related 6 weeks holiday smugness, let me just take this opportunity to point out once again that... the sun is shining. I am not delirious, or hungover, the sun is indeed out in full force, warming us with his zealous and spirited glow (OK now I sound slightly insane, I'm sure it's the shock of not having to wear 3 layers of clothing and winter boots).

I have been reliably informed that the next week at least it going to be warm too, meaning that the summer clothes are going to have to make a return. After I packed the lot away in a fit of pique after another crappy rainy weekend. Feck it. Thinking about it now though, the husband and I are off on holiday in the next few weeks so I will need the clothes for then anyway. And I knew that when I packed them away, I was just so peed off with the lack of warmth, and the mockery my new summer clothes were making of me. Who knew the weather would drive me to such lengths?!

I have almost forgiven the elements after the beautifully warm day we had today. Upon waking this morning and clocking the strange and mysterious yellow ball in the sky, I instantly grabbed the husband, purchased some picnic food and bundled us both into the car with instructions to him to drive to a suitably outdoorsy national trust property nearby.

White oversize jumper - Zara
Cream vest top (not seen) -  H & M
Tapered leg utlility trouser - Topshop
Tan sandals - Marks and Spencer
Bag - Mulberry
Sunglasses - Missoni

Well that was today, other than this weekend, I have mostly been finishing up at work, which included sports day on Friday. This coincided with the Olympic torch passing through Gravesend, so we ferried the entire student body outside the school gates, lined them up along the road and waited for the torch to pass. The atmosphere was fantastic, I am very glad I got to see it and experience it with my pupils.

I only had my iPhone but managed to snap the torch bearer as he passed!

My competitive and stubborn streak came out in full force  during the staff relay race... I was the final leg  and despite the fact that I run like a robot, I won the race for team Patrick! Amazing feeling to cross the line to hordes of cheering kids!

Hopefully the blogging will be a tad more frequent over the next few weeks as work is (did I mention??) somewhat on hold at the moment... sorry no more smugness, I promise! XX

Let's talk about the weather

Discussion of the weather in my household, on the phone to friends and families, in my school (and not just with colleagues but with the kids too, year 8s discussing our distinct lack of sunshine, I kid you not), even with till staff in Waitrose, has became as much a part of my day as cleaning my teeth. I feel like a broken record, playing the same sorry song, but somehow, if I talk about it enough, perhaps I'll be knocked sideways by a sudden and unexpected heatwave. Hmmm maybe not.

So I have pretty much accepted now that this Summer is not going to happen. Sob sob. I will walk around shopping centres with blinkers on, desperately ignoring the pretty summer dresses and sandals that are now half price, favouring instead jeans, boots and cardigans more appropriate for our cold climate. Nope, I will not succumb, ignoring the quite rational thoughts that tell me to buy now at half price and put away for next summer. Nope, I will be strong, and invest in the Autumn/Winter wardrobe instead (hubby will be so pleased, not!).

So, that's what I'm doing. Rejoice. I do like winter clothes so it doesn't feel too bad. And ever the organised bod that I am, I score major brownie points with my subconscious for looking ahead. A couple of new transitional pieces from Cos at Westfield a couple of weeks back begun me on my autumn-ready journey (more on that later), and today a little purchase from The White Company added to the forward planning.

Curved hem batwing top in pale blue marl £45. Lovely little layering piece, perfect with my new Mint Velvet scarf  (worn below)

Always in style: New Pandora charms from my lovely hubby.  This Monday  I passed my Advanced Skills Teacher assessment (something I have been working on for a year, and another reason I have been insanely busy recently!).  Hubby treated me to lunch, a little Zara splurge and my charms today to celebrate : )

New charms: Simon picked the study book charm to symbolise all the hard studying and work I have done over the past year, and a murano glass bead with lavender stars as he calls me his star!

And now for today's outfit, something weather appropriate of course, with a splash of summer in the form of my new Clarks sandals which I love and therefore have to wear!!  (Plus I was at Bluewater, hardly going to get rained on, even made hubby park indoors).

White vest top - Primark                                             

Beige/goldy jumper- Zara 

Tassel scarf - Mint Velvet

Black Jeans - Zara

Organza Shawl tan wedges - Clarks (now sold out)

Bag - Mulberry

Sunglasses -  Missoni

I may just be getting old but I have really liked the summer sandals from Clarks this summer. The organza shawl and organza wrap sold out so quickly so I was lucky to nab a size 5 in time. Love them, and so comfy with their padded insole (yep that's it, I am officially old, comfort over style all the way baby).

Until next time (when the weather will most likely have changed and I will be digging all the summer gear back out, harrumph). X