In dreamful autumn

After a hectic week at work, I was looking forward to a relaxing weekend, which for once was without any plans or obligations.

Sleeping late on Saturday (almost 8.30 am is very late in my book), we woke to grey skies, but while we were having a leisurely breakfast, the sun started making a shy appearance.

I was looking forward to doing some pottering around the house, and actually got on with a bit of mending and some long overdue ironing ...

Not with one of these, though!

Even I have succumbed to modern times in that department and I have splashed out on a steam generator iron a couple of years ago.








After that, the lure of a picnic in the park, which may very well be the very last one this year, proved to be too much.

Look at those stunning autumn colours! Even if you don't like autumn, you've got to admit that, when the sun is out, the quality of light and the colours are just fabulous this time of year!

But first, the obligatory outfit post against the peeling white bricks of our rented garage.

I chose a green 1940s style dress with a blowsy flower print, slightly puffed sleeves and a notched collar with wide lapels. Its original big white buttons were replaced with more appropriate ones from my vintage stash. I'm wearing amber beads with it, bought at Think Twice (as was the dress), and a belt which used to belong to my mum, found in her bedside table at our latest house clearing session.

The cardigan was charity shopped and I bought the brooch while on holiday in Wales last June.

This wool jacket, which was made in Salzburg, cost just € 2 at the Think Twice sales last week.

It has still got its matching belt with fabric covered buckle, and I especially love the little pleat at the back revealing a row of buttons.

The scarf came from Think Twice too. Ok, I admit: I must be one of their best customers!

I bought the green booties at Oxfam where I nipped in after returning from the hairdresser's last Thursday.

The park was ablaze with brilliant golds and yellows and carpeted with a thick layer of crunchy leaves inviting to be walked upon.

Shades of amber and russet were reflected in the mirrored surface of the pond, doubling the feast for the eyes, while the sweet yet pungent smell of decay lingered in the air.

As the park is just a two-minute walk from one of our favourite kringloopwinkels (charity shops), we couldn't resist having a look.

While perusing the well-stocked bookshelves of this shop, I stumbled upon this biography of Coco Chanel, which I've already started reading in the meantime.

Then, while riffling through the nightwear section in search of vintage slips, which are lately proving to be in short supply, I came across this textured Trevira dress with matching belt.

What was it doing there? Oh, I hate it when people just rehang things willy-nilly after trying them on. Although in this case, of course, it meant it was prevented from being snapped up by someone else.

Oh, and I've still got to show you the other € 2 buy I found at Think Twice!

What about this gorgeous maxi dress which, judging from the pristine label, must be unworn, or even deadstock?

Gay Lady indeed! Oh well, I guess I am a Gay Lady in the original sense of the word ...