Heatwave - what I've been wearing in and out of the office

It’s a quick catch up on recent outfits today before Mr MC and I head off for a weekend à deux. Isn’t this weather great? I know some people are getting tired of the heat but I love it. I don’t know about you but my childhood summers always seemed to be like this one. I probably have 1976 on a permanent loop in my mind but for me this is how it should be. Of course after a few days the hot weather brings its own conundrum – what to wear?

Most people have a limited collection of clothes for a summer at home and somehow holiday clothes don’t feel quite right. Should we therefore shop like crazy for a summer that may never be repeated or should we instead rework the things we already have? As I write this post I know I will get complaints from people who ask me what the point is of featuring clothes that aren’t available to buy. And this is where I have to gently point out that I do not blog for a living and so I am not always on a hunt for the new. I have a job, a family and a budget so sometimes I wear what I already have. And of course I am offered lots of clothes by brands but they come with the understanding that if they are accepted, they will be well shot and featured and sometimes I just don’t have time to do all of that so I decline. This week has been a case in point and I’ve been diligent about taking quick photos of whatever I’ve been wearing as we’ve been out and about.

Sunny Saturday

We went into town to pick up a few bits and pieces and even stopped off for a glass of fizz in the sunshine – a few of the bars have tables on the pavements which makes such a nice change. Of course we had stupidly parked at the top of a hill so this was the slow walk back in the heat – actually last weekend it was officially hotter here than anywhere else in the country…

Tassel tiered dress; Sandals; RayBans; Bag – past season

… so we even stopped for a quick sit down along the way.

On Saturday night we popped out to see some people we hadn’t caught up with for ages. As always I had my eye on the food and drink that was waiting for us rather than having my photo taken.

Baukjen dress (gSS17); Sandals; Mango bag (SS17)

Sunny Sunday

My closest buddy came round with her husband for belated birthday drinks. I had been looking for something a little different to make it feel special and this lavender gin seemed like a good idea, along with the Federica with its lovely label which just so happens to come from Valencia.

Lavender gin; Federica Arancello

It is infused with lavender and you can just about detect it in both the taste and the fragrance. It pours clear from the bottle but as you add tonic, it develops a lavender hue. I tied some rosemary and lavender together for a little added twist…

… and it went down well with the cake that I’d baked. As we so often say on here, one of the nice things about old friends is the shared history and the cakestand is one that she gave me for my birthday years ago.

My friend N is four weeks younger than me and so I’m always glad when her birthday comes around. You see she relishes every moment of being ‘a year’ younger than me which is why I’m looking triumphant! She spent her actual birthday in Barcelona by the way – hence the lovely tan.

Chino shorts (4 inch); Boden halterneck past season

Sunny Monday evening

After work on Monday we had a lovely spontaneous invitation from parents of one of the middle one’s best friends. We’ve often chatted to them at parents’ evenings or when we’ve been dropping the boys off at each other’s houses but it’s always been rushed. The dad is a (very good) chef and so when they asked if we’d like to pop over for a barbecue after work, we were there in a shot. This is on our way home… and now you know why I was feeling weary when I was writing Tuesday’s post. Wine on a Monday night is probably not the best idea.

Ça Va t-shirt; Esprit maxi skirt (past season); Slider sandals

Sunny Wednesday

(I forgot about a photo on weary Tuesday – sorry). We don’t have any air conditioning in our office and so when the idea of a ‘shorts day’ was mooted I was all for it. It seemed like such a good idea until I remembered that I’m 51 not 21 and shorts aren’t as easy to wear as they used to be. However there was no time to worry about it so I dressed up a pair of Richmonds with a blouse. Somehow by not wearing sandals it felt a bit more office appropriate.

Boden top (past season); Shorts (4 inch); Pure Collection gold espadrilles SS17 (identical here – now half price)

Sunny Thursday

Every summer in our nearby city of Lancaster there is a fantastic play in the park and people travel for miles to see it. We’ve been unlucky over the last three years though and the performance has been cancelled halfway through because of a sudden downpour. This year because of Mr MC’s civic role, we were invited to the opening night. Different scenes are played in different parts of the park which involves a certain amount of clambering around so I started with heels and a clutch for the drinks reception and then switched to trainers later.

Boden silk top (past season); Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo linen trousers (past season); Boden pink and orange clutch (past season); Sèzane sandals (past season)

And that has largely been my week and now, as I mentioned, Mr MC and I are going away. We’ve been invited to experience a weekend at a Warner Hotel near Nottingham which is adults only (the clearly devoted father of my children thinks it’s the best thing he’s ever heard of). In return for the invitation, I will be posting on Facebook whilst we’re there and doing Instagram Stories – much to the boys’ chagrin. As you know, video is not my comfort zone but if I have to sing for my supper, I will (don’t worry that was a turn of phrase only – there will be no singing)! So, do pop over to Instagram and see what we’re up to – any encouraging words will be very much appreciated. It won’t be 20th Century Fox but I’ll do my best.

Retail news

New sale alert: The Marks & Spencer Sale has started here

The Cleverly Wrapped sale is on and I have ordered the white version of the lovely beach dress that I wore in Valencia – here’s a reminder. You’ll need to be quick, as a small brand stock is limited.

Sèzane’s new July collection is now available here and they have issued a rerun of their charity Demain t-shirts.

Charity Demain T-shirt

Plus if you spend over 100 Euros, you will receive a free Sèzane beach bag

And with that I must go, Mr MC is jangling his car keys behind me but before I do, I must just say “Come on England” for tomorrow. I’m not a big follower of football but I can’t help thinking that with another football win and the weather, the nation’s spirits will be stratospheric which is always a good thing. Have a lovely weekend and I’ll be back next week.