This weekend, my mum and I are going shopping. Partly for Christmas presents, and partly to find me a dress to wear to my office Christmas party.

Having recently decided to stay there another year (and signed up for a loan for a season ticket to guarantee I’ll stay there – it costs more than my car did, so I won’t be leaving in a hurry!), this is my first proper social do – I’m so busy being here there and everywhere at weekends that I rarely get a chance to spend time with my work colleagues outside of the office.

As such, I’m now freaking out about what to wear. Mum has very kindly said she will buy me a dress, which is wonderful. But I feel I’d very much like to wear vintage if possible, so I’m unique. The trouble with this is twofold. One, I struggle to fit into vintage because I have enormous, 21st century hips. I have neither the time nor the skill to alter or tweak (the party is on 9 December, eeep). Two, my ideal vintage dress is rather pin up (think Vivien of Holloway) and I think Mum and I may have slightly different ideas of what is appropriate for this party.

I have a good idea of my perfect outfit, which would be my spotty turquoise corset, a black skirt with a slit up the side and a wonderful froth of purple, turquoise and blue net underskirt, which would peek out from the slit. However, I lack the required skill or time to make this particular outfit.

So watch this space for the outfit that eventually comes together!