The best new summer top from Zara

Right, as you can see, there have been some changes around here. The blog has had a face-lift (oooh, now there’s an idea) and I have literally driven the poor chap who has been helping me, mad!

The lovely Phil has gone way and above his call of duty and has answered all of my queries with the patience of a saint. I’m still not quite there with the design but I hope that you like what you see so far. I’m waiting on a new header and I’m sure that I’ll tweak things as I go along. It’s a bit like driving a new car – very similar but equally very different. Anyhow, I’m going to keep this post short and sweet, in case I lose everything and have to start again.

Yesterday I nipped into town to do a spot of shopping for Mr SGs birthday which is coming up soon. But would you believe it, there was a power cut and only a few random shops were open. Zara included. Well there’s a thing.

So I treated myself to this top with contrasting tassels (£29.99) (wow! I made a link work – but I think that the link text needs to be a different colour) because I read somewhere – or more likely made it up – that it’s going to be 21 degrees next week. And when the sun arrives, it’s a rule – an absolute rule – that we all need a new top. Oh yes we do.

So what was it that I liked about this one? Well it’s white for starters, which I always love in the spring/summer. It’s got tassels – which are coloured. Hello! Big tick! And hugely ridiculous sleeves, plus it’s off the shoulder – or not, as the case may be.

Now in all honesty I thought that the last two features may be what would send it right back from whence it came but actually, the sleeves aren’t as “crazy and in my way” as I first thought and it is definitely comfortable worn on the shoulders – which personally I prefer. For sure a man came up with “off the shoulder” tops. I still haven’t fathomed out how they work when you raise your arms to *brush your hair/hang out the washing/reach into a cupboard/raise your glass to your lips. (*delete as appropriate) Well it’s either that, or I just live completely the wrong life for off the shoulder tops.

Oh, and it’s 100% linen, which isn’t something that is normally a big attraction for me but it doesn’t feel too crumply and there’s no denying that natural fibres are better for us. Also, let’s not forget, it’s not too long. Long tops can do a terrible job of shortening one’s legs you know. And my bit of torso flash is only because I’m hunching up my shoulders. Really the length is fine.

And these are the side stripe jeans jeans that I’m wearing, also from Zara (£29.99). The stripes are glittery, which I love but they’re a bit on the large side so I might need to tweak that. If you’re really lucky, in my next post I’ll show you my pom pom ones!

It’s early days for the new look blog but I’d love to know your thoughts. Really the bandages have only just come off so there’s a way to go but hopefully it’s heading in the right direction.

Sorry I’ve been away for a while. I was a bit nervous about tackling the new blog head on but I recently read that it’s better just to get things out there, even if they’re not perfect. So thank you for being my guinea pigs.

ps Oh sh*t, don’t mention guinea pigs to me. I “agreed” that the 10 year old could have two if she passes the 11 plus. My dilemma now is, do I try and help her – or completely scupper her chances?!