Just Add Hat......

Bbbbrrrrr. Well December has definitely brought  cold weather to the West Pennines.
No matter what the weather Mr.L and I always have to walk Olly, no excuses. We need good cold weather wear to keep cosy warm whilst battling the elements.

On a recent trip to Leicester we came across down filled jackets in the sale at Blacks. I've always been interested to try out down filled jackets, having heard how warm they are without the bulk. I have to say they really impressed me! Really cosy with 80% down and 20% feather and fits into a tiny bag about the size of my hand!! In fact we were so impressed Mr.L & I got matching ones ;-) They are last year's Lowe Alpine.

Whilst we were buying new jackets we decided we needed new wellies too. I've always bought traditional Hunter wellies, having had a pair that lasted ten years and I had to throw as the heel was so worn down!! Such a shame the quality has dropped over recent years and my last two pairs split within a year - I needed something sturdier. We found  Muckboots perusing the web and decided to give them a try. 

They are so warm & sturdy - it's like walking in slippers (very supportive slippers!!!) I love the styling and the colourways - brighten you up on a cold winters day :-)

Olly getting in on the action!

So, all I need now is a hat. Here's my favourite....

Barts Fur Cable Knit

But any of these would cut it...

Boden - add a bit of colour to the grey! :-)

Mint Velvet

UGG - for 'hotheads'

White Company

Are you ready for whatever Winter throws at us?
Which hat would you choose?
XX

Dressing Up

Whilst at a Western Wedding in July, the best man & his wife had on the most amazing western outfits and shared with us that they were from Royal Exchange Costume Hire.

So on Friday Mr.L & I headed into Manchester to choose outfits for my Niece's fancy dress party the following evening. Who knew a theatre company of this calibre would hire out the costumes worn not just at the Royal Exchange Manchester but all over the UK?

We had made an appointment and were met by the Manager Luda, an amazing lady with a wealth of knowledge of both history and costume, supported by a team of wonderful volunteers. 

Luda just knew what to put with what, the period, where it could be found - no mean feat as demonstrated by the pictures below. The department was just bursting at the seams with clothing replicating various eras; hats, shoes, jewellery. I was absolutely in awe and had a wonderful time looking around.

The outfits below were picked out for me to try on, the bright blue dress had the most 

exquisite embroidery, but sadly was too big.

Up close details...

Shoes, shoes, shoes, all sizes, colours, shapes!

Amazing fabrics, it was like wearing a piece of history! :-)

So, what's in the bag???

Here we are - a Tudor Master & his wench. I absolutely adored our outfits and 

had so much fun wearing them ;-) 

I am not so well endowed but those corsets do amazing things haha!!

 Tudor's in a Western photobooth....

Thank's for dropping by, hope you have enjoyed this post!
Also thank's to Luda who said she was going to visit!
XX

Finger Knitted Good

I have received so many compliments when wearing my lovely, chunky wool 

wrist-warmers. They were a Christmas gift, from 'Forage' who had a stall on

 Manchester Christmas Market.

Via

Recycled, sustainable and fairly traded the 'Forage Finger Knitted Project' started in 2008, 

teaching women in poor communities to knit with their fingers, supplying the wool then buying the hats & wrist-warmers back for a fair price.

With my lovely wristwarmers I got a  leaflet with pictures of the women in Northern India involved with the project and a small label telling me mine were knitted by 'Kamala'. Probably the elder of the women, the kids said "Ah, she's really cute!" Ha!

 You can see how perfect the colours are for me!!

It's so nice to receive a gift that's a little different!

Even more when it's ethical too.

Hop over to Forage & take a look  :-)

XX