In which a not very girly mummy blogger reviews some dresses...

I'm 52 and not glamorous. If you are a regular reader or follow me on social media you will know that I'm more about scrunging around in jeans and a geek T shirt than being girly. In fact I'm more likely to be seen wearing a a super hero costume than a dress!

But when I saw the JD Williams range (you may have seen some of their recent TV adverts)

I was tempted by the maxi dresses. JD Williams sent me two dresses to try. One was a hippy style swishy handkerchief hemmed summer dress from the Joe Brown's range. It will be perfect for summer days and festivals, easy to slip on and elasticated at the waist the size 14 fitted perfectly.

The straps are adjustable too so you can choose how high to wear the top...and also alter the length, although as the dress is only down to mid calf that's not an issue for me.

You can see how swishy the dress is, the viscose hangs so softly, and the colours are lovely, bright on a navy background.

The second dress is a longer maxi dress, in a striking black and navy pattern on a white background. Perfect for days out or something more formal. Not a festival dress but nice for sitting around a beer garden and it would look lovely at a wedding.

Again the straps are adjustable so that the dress can be adjusted by a couple of inches, on me the dress skims the ground. The straps just tie at the shoulder, so I think once you've sorted the bow you'd be wise to pop a stitch through the ensure they don't come untied at an inopportune moment!

The dress is loose and really comfy but the size 14 is fairly snug at the top, even with my tiny boobs! So if you are a well endowed lady this might not be the dress for you. I'd suggest ordering a size larger that your usual size in this dress anyway.

Of course there are loads of others to choose from, and if I were off to any weddings this year (I'm not) then I think I'd take a look, I like a dress that is formal, but not too formal, you know, the sort of dress that fashion bloggers say will 'go from day to night' ...not that many people ever do that, but could be useful on holiday if you were short of packing space.

I'm really happy with the service from JD Williams and with the range of dresses and shoes they have on offer (Note to self - you do not need more shoes!)  As a 'woman of a certain age' it's nice to see a good selection of fashions that are neither 'too young' nor 'too frumpy'. Take a look at the website and see what you think.

I apologise for the awkward looking model in these photos (me).

I was sent two dresses to review but have received no payment for this post and the words and ideas for it (along with the dodgy photos) are all mine.

To see the dresses on professional models check out the JD Williams website.

And let me know what you think of my choices by commenting below.

School Uniforms - Love them or hate them?

You must have been living in a dream if you have failed to notice that a) it's the start of a new school year and b) school uniforms (and the inability of parents to stick to it) have been in the news.

DD is now 16 and has left school. After years too numerous to count in which she just got up, put on school uniform and went to school, she is starting college. No uniform, and as far as we are aware not even a dress code! I blogged earlier in the year about how we went out to buy some clothes. And it may surprise you to know (or it may not) that I spent as much on 'some new clothes for college' as I ever did on school uniform at the start of term, in fact due to the uniform remaining the same, I was only ever replacing worn out or outgrown clothes, not 'this old thing that is no longer fashionable and any way I've worn it loads and everyone has seen it and I'm bored of it' so I suspect I'll be spending more from now on (actually not as DD is taking responsibility for her finances from now - but that's another post!)

So here is my list of reasons why I love school uniform. 

And before we meander down the 'but freedom of expression!' 'Personality!' 'Individuality!' my daughter is only at school (now college)  7 hours a day, and all the rest of the day, and at weekends, she can wear what she likes, be as individual as she likes, have a unique personality...

So I love school uniform because:

• It's easy. You know what to buy. They know what to wear. No arguments. It just is.
• Cost. You have to buy something, I've found uniform no more expensive than 'normal' clothes, and while you still need 'weekend clothes', you don't need as much as you do when you are wearing 'weekend clothes' all week!
• Speed of getting ready. Maybe it's a girl thing (!) but as DD got older, what to wear became a huge deal, for school it's nice to have no debate, no "I've worn this already" or "oh Jane hates me in that" or " but I said I'd wear the blue! Everyone is wearing blue today!" (see also Mean Girls, on Wednesday we wear pink)
• Differentiation of work and play. Some people may argue that school shouldn't feel like work but the reality is that it is and it does. Personally I don't mind that - I work and I'd rather not, it's life. It's nice to feel like you've left work behind and it's your time when you get home and take off a uniform.
• Durability - school uniform is practical, it's rarely built for trendy fashion, it's tough, hard wearing and stain resistant. Minimal ironing (I say minimal - I mean 'no') easy wash, quick dry.
• Every one looks the same. Rich or poor you are there in the same kit. Yes I know there is shabby uniform and posher branded blouses but on the whole you all look the same as everyone else. No bullying based on clothing (obviously there is bullying based on something else, but fashion isn't in the list)
• Responsibility - It's never too young to learn some responsibility to yourself. Knowing where your uniform is, looking after it, making sure to get it washed and ready for Monday. No 'oh I'll just wear this then' , you need to be responsible.
• Learning to obey rules - now I know loads of people will rail against this but the world doesn't work without rules. Where to drive, tax to pay, bin days, recycling, plenty of jobs have a dress code, or even a uniform, health workers must dress a certain way and be clean, police dress to be identified, as do other civil servants etc. Some rules are worth following and if you feel your school uniform is really terrible, form a pupil group at school and try and change it! 
• Identification. Uniform can be a simple way to see who is a child at your school. As a teacher supervising a day out uniform can be a simple way to keep an eye on everyone (I used to love the Brownie uniform on days out when I was a helper there for this reason) in a sea of T shirts and jeans, (and other school uniforms form other schools) your school uniform can identify you.

And no, school uniform doesn't help you learn better, but it doesn't stop you learning either, and denim shorts don't help you learn better either.

Feel free to disagree (or agree!) with me on Twitter or Facebook

For the record, DD liked wearing her school uniform. (Look at that lovely hat!!)

Your school uniform opinion #poll

— Tattooed Mummy (@tattooed_mummy) September 7, 2016

A Fashion Haul (not really just some clothes I bought for DD)

In the Easter holidays we popped over to Brighton supposedly to buy a few things for DD for when she starts college in the autumn. Because of course she has nothing to wear. And all the other girls will have all the things (eye roll)

We went to a lot of shops but spent most of our my hard earned cash in Primark and H&M. I love Primark some days and hate it on others. It's a bit of a jumble sale and horrendously busy with little room to move, and there are queues to try things on and then more queues to pay, but the prices make it worth the wait.

Being old no longer a teen, I was swayed by DD's choices and we purchased several outfits, with things she can mix and match with stuff she already owns.

Joggers (£9.99 H&M) with casual top (£5.00 Primark)

Loose knit jumper (£14.99 H&M) Boyfriend Rip Jeans (£29.99 H&M)

Tight Black Jeans (£12.00 Primark) Grey T shirt (£2.80 Primark) Fitted Cotton striped Jacket (£20.00 Primark)

Black Shorts (£10.00 Primark) and Vest Top (£4.00 )

Extra tight! Blue Jeans (£12.00 Primark) with Vest Top as before

What's that DD? A kiss? Thank you!

Model wears size 6

We also bought an extra pair of cheap black jeans to rip up at home - a DIY ripped jeans blog post will no doubt follow! I did manage to buy myself a new dress in Primark (£8) and several tops for work. The primark long sleeve tops are cheap but last really well and good on their own or under things, they are my must have staple for the wardrobe and they come in lots of colours.

Do stripes make me look fat? (don't answer) (Primark 4.00)

Swimming costume giveaway (£25 Voucher)

After yesterday's blog post reminder that we all have beach bodies, it seemed like fate that today I can offer you a swimming costume giveaway!

You may not be aware that I don't swim (*can't swim) but I live on the coast and so lounging about, looking awesome, while scantily clad, is very much in my remit.

DD on the other hand can swim and dive very well, in fact she once scammed me into paying out £200 in sponsorship for a swim in that I thought she'd manage about 10 lengths (she swam 100 at £2 a length! note to self - always add maximum amount to sponsorship form in future).

Swimming and lounging require various swimming costumes in my opinion and Swimshop have some fabulous sleek looking costumes, I imagine just looking at them would make you cut through the water faster.

They stock top brands, various sizes, and cater for men, women and children.

So if you or your family are up for a splash about then this is for you. I have £25 to be won to spend on the Swimshop site. And as they have gorgeous swim suits and bikinis from £14.99 and men's trunks, swimming accessories and children's pool toys too, you can treat yourself, or someone you like.

My favourite swimming costume is this one. (Because life is too short for shy and retiring!)

Maru Women's Sparkle Swimsuit - £27.99

This competition has ended.

Where do you buy clothes?

I'm a frugal woman. (like the Peter Sellers' wife in the Pink Panther! though without the mink coat - a ref for film buffs there)

I shop in charity shops, on ebay, where ever I think I can get a  bargain really. And unless you are rolling in money you probably do too. I sometimes pop into M&S or Next but not often, Primark is more my style.

One of my loves is the website EVERYTHING FIVE POUNDS and the clue is in the name there! They do charge postage so it's not strictly £5, and unless you buy a few items that does bump up the cost but they have some great stuff. Just this last week I bought 3 new tunic tops to wear with leggings (for work) and they are the same as a top I previously bought in Top Shop for £19.99 and one I bought at Glastonbury (name drop) for £20. They arrived quickly and are great.