Last Thursday my parents took the boys for a day out.  I know this may seem hard to believe but the weather this summer combined with the various health problems they've encountered recently has meant there has not been one single opportunity to go out for months.  I was 'surplus to requirements' (ie. told in no uncertain terms that 'We don't want you to come, Mummy!' - they do like their bit of independence with grandma and grandad) so I decided to go on a very necessary clothes shopping expedition.

I had won a ticket for 4 to go to Knowsley Safari Park (yes, that's another competition I've won in the last year!) so off they went.  They had a great day and saw many exciting animals.----

I went clothes shopping.  Now, if you are a 'girlie girl' who thinks that clothes shopping is a slice of heaven you should probably skip the rest of this post.  I am a total disgrace to all shoe, bag and clothes loving women! 

My wardrobe is essentially practical, especially since I had children!  In my defence, I grew up in a country where many folk only had 3 outfits in their entire wardrobe at most and the thought of a cupboard full of clothes I will rarely wear still makes me feel very uneasy.  I am also only really comfortable in cotton or similar fabrics (African influence again) and find nylon and many synthetic materials uncomfortable and they make me sweat (sorry, 'glow' - apparently horses sweat, men perspire and ladies glow!) 

However, we are going to my niece's British wedding celebration soon (they actually marry in Canada) and I really don't have anything suitable to wear.  I also wanted to get the boys new shirts and trousers for the event and then I'll save them for Christmas.

I usually enjoy getting the boys new clothes and do my best to buy ahead so I get everything very cheaply.  This day was stressful, however.  I couldn't find ANY smart/casual trousers - it was school uniform or jeans.  On top of that it was only in the fifth shop I scoured that I found a shirt in any colour other than dark grey or black.  Yes, really!  I am talking about a 5 and 7 year old.  I think they should be wearing yellow and red, orange and bright blue and green.  Okay, maybe my African background is sneaking in again there, but when we live in such a dull country, surely we should do all we can to brighten things up?  Not dress in the same colours as the weather.  Argh! 

So, I at last found blue shirts for the boys, complete with blue ties. Yeah!  (A few days later I caved in and bought smart black jeans to go with as there seems to be no hope of getting anything else in time!)

So, now I only had me to shop for.  I had checked out the women's section of each of these stores and one or two others besides when I decided that I had had enough and would give up and go home.  One of my favourite stores did have some nice things, but I really needed both a blouse and skirt, or a dress and that wasn't coming in at under £60 ($100).  Don't have that kind of money!  In despair I popped into a charity shop.  To my delight I found a blouse and a skirt for about £6. 

Oh, don't get excited - they don't match, though they are both from one of my favourite stores.  I thought, as they were so cheap, that I could find something in my wardrobe that would match and tah dah - new outfit.

Sadly, I got home to find that the blouse which is very pretty and a sort of peach flowers and cream colour actually doesn't go with my smart dark green trousers, or with navy blue, or even with black really.  It kind of goes with a creamy beige skirt I have, but it's the wrong material and it doesn't work together.  Same with the skirt.  I have a few tops that would do, if they were the 'right' material.  Sigh.  I hate clothes shopping.  You see, I can tell if something looks bad, but I'm not too good at thinking creatively to make it look good - do you know what I mean?

I hope you are feeling my pain!

I mentioned to a friend at church that I was struggling (she always looks gorgeous!) and she said, 'Well if we were the same size I could loan you something, but you're only a size....!' and she mentioned a size 2 sizes smaller than me!  Funny how we perceive others.  Turns out we are the same size and she's lent me a rather gorgeous linen skirt and jacket and a matching blouse in turquoise blue.  Bright and cheerful, but not 'in-your-face'.  The only slight problem is that the top is a bit too low and I can't figure out a way of making it 'decent' so I may yet have to head back to the shops to find a suitable vest top.

Next time I'm  going on the safari trip and they can go shop!