Saturday 29 April 2017

We'll collect the moments one by one

We're more than a month into Spring now, and the season is still dragging its heels. Admittedly, it wasn't all bad. We've certainly had the odd fine day, when all was right with the world, but these were few and far between and never lasted long.

Lately, we've been plunged back into late winter, with temperatures darting around the zero degree mark at night and not climbing out of single figures during the day.


It's a good thing I didn't put away all my winter stuff just yet, but having only a small selection of long sleeved dresses to choose from almost feels like having a capsule wardrobe, which makes me feel quite panicky at times. There are advantages as well, as I kept out a couple of dresses which had been patiently awaiting their turn, and which I've now finally got around to wearing.

So, here's a a little peek at some of the things I've been wearing for work in the last two weeks or so.

Last weekend started early, on Friday afternoon. I met my friend Inez for a coffee (or two) and we chattered away until it was time to hit the shops.



It was the start of yet another of Think Twice's sales and, although I left the first shop empty handed, I struck gold at the second, where I found a green printed dress and a fabulous orange leather jacket. Yes, you've read that right: orange!


You'll see me wearing both the dress and the jacket soon. If the weather improves, that is ...

On Saturday, we did our usual round of the charity shops. As the concept of charity shopping is quite different in Belgium (apart from the odd shop like Oxfam, the charity shops are not on the high street, but rather outside town centres), we visit the area's shops on a rota, choosing two or three which aren't too far from each other.





Let's have a look at what I was wearing.

This black dress, with a Paisley print in pink, white, lilac and turquoise, is one of the "unworn" ones still waiting to be bagged up for summer.

It's got two bright pink, purely decorative buttons at the neckline, which are repeated at the cuffs.













I was looking for a pink belt but to my amazement I found that I didn't have one!



So, I took my lead from the turquoise in the dress to accessorize it with a turquoise belt, tights and cardigan and added a string of carved, ivory coloured beads and an ivory coloured flower brooch.







I wore my pinkish red tweed jacket (last seen here), but it was actually too chilly for it, and the lightweight spotty scarf didn't help to keep out the cold either.

Outfit details:
Dress: Think Twice
Belt: came with a dress I no longer have
Cardigan, jacket: charity shopped
Brooch, beads: flea market
Scarf, tights and ring: retail









Again, we didn't find anything in the first shop. On our way to the second shop on our list, we passed our favourite branch of Troc, part of a chain of consignment shops. Although their prices can be exorbitant, and we mostly window shop there, treasures can still be found now and again.



I couldn't resist a short sleeved pink flowered dress, in a lightweight cord fabric, and I took pity on this vintage bird brooch, which was hidden among some glittery modern ones.

Our final shop was a small one in a neighbouring village. In spite of its size, there's usually a thing of two which catches our eye, and prices are more than reasonable.



While Jos was browsing the records, I browsed the rails of uninspiring clothes but then found this gem peeping out from a box of odds and ends. It's Diolen, and look at that fab Paris label. And it fits me too! Can you imagine me lying on a beach in Wales wearing it? No? Well, neither can I! I'll be glad not having to wear a (rain) coat!



Our final purchase in this shop was a hat rack.
Now that Jos is a wearer of hats, he needed somewhere to put them, so we were looking for a small rack which would fit in the only remaining wall space in our entrance hall.
I spotted it the minute I walked in, but typically I forgot to bring my tape measure. Luckily, there were some convenient, unopened rolls of wallpaper nearby ... Also typically, the rack wasn't priced, but the shop attendant asked would € 3,50 be alright? Yes, it would!

Saturday night saw us going out for dinner with a group of friends, in commemoration of a friend who passed away in February.



I'm not in the habit of taking photographs on such occasions, but I did snap the fabulous chandelier which was hanging above the dining table.



In spite of the inclement weather, nature seems to be thriving. The first of the bluebells are putting in an appearance, and even our lilac is already in bloom.

I can't believe how advanced our white current bush is, its inconspicuous yellow-green flowers having turned into clusters of tiny green berries almost overnight.


Flower buds are appearing in the Aquilegias (bottom right), who seem to have self-seeded everywhere.

While I had my camera out, I took the opportunity to snap the unfurling Hosta leaves, before they are being devoured by a waiting army of hungry slugs and snails!







I thought we'd lost our Geranium phaeum - also known as Dusky Cranesbill, but apparently I was looking in the wrong place.

It had moved to the front of the border, where it had just opened its first graceful little flower, its colour the darkest of purples.











On Sunday, the weather being chilly but mostly dry, I donned my gardening gear: old tweed skirt, charity shopped striped sweater jacket and flowery wellies bought from a flea market.



Armed with gardening gloves and my trusted secateurs, I attacked the ivy and winter flowering jasmine, which were getting out of control.

The very structure of our garden (inherited when we bought the house), makes for awkward access to the Triffid-like tangle of shoots and stems, so that I was using muscles I didn't know I had. This was made all too clear by the strained muscles in the backs of my legs for the next couple of days ...


I am leaving you for now with some cheerful plants and flowers, some of which are old inhabitants of our garden.

How I applaud the resilient Azalea (top left), which has been growing in its pot, quite forgotten and neglected, for at least 15 years, but is still treating us to a couple of flowers each Spring!

32 comments:

  1. I'm sorry your weather turned cold again, but it is nice to see the paisley dress. Our weather's been flaky as well-we're expecting snow tomorrow.

    Your hat rack was a fantastic purchase and I must confess envy at that swimsuit, It fits you perfectly in both the physical and personality sense. That suit is YOU!

    I laughed at the Triffids comment. Let's hope you don't hear any tapping noises from the garden!

    -Goody at Eat The Blog

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    1. Thank you Goody! I'm happy to report there have been no tapping noises so far. I guess we killed the beast ... xxx

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  2. I'm glad you kept out some of your warmer stuff, if it's been as bleak as it has been here! Your little collage of outfits are a blast of Spring colour to rival the blooms in your garden!
    Love the orange leather jacket - I'd love to find one in that colour - and I can't resist a vintage cossie either. Yours fits you brilliantly.
    Right, I think I need to get an azalea if anyone's selling them at the car boot tomorrow (weather depending!) Something that blooms with no fuss is perfect for me. xxx

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    1. I'd been looking for a nice leather jacket for ages, so I'm really thrilled with my find. It's definitely coming to Pembrokeshire with me, although it would even be better if I didn't need it ... xxx

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  3. The black and pink dress is really pretty! I'm not usually a fan of paisley but occasionally something comes along and turns my head.

    Love the hat rack. I like,the freestanding ones too, but know the bunnies would chew it xxx

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    1. The bunnies would have a field day at our house ... I too love the freestanding ones, but we haven't got the space for it, unfortunately. xxx

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  4. Oooh, I love all your clothes! I especially love the black dress with the green and purple flowers...that orange leather jacket is an amazing find!!!!

    I can hardly wait to see how you wear it!

    Happy thrifting ;)

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    1. Thank you! I already wore the jacket last Sunday! xxx

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  5. The Paisley print dress is lovely and it really suits you, you look great in it.
    The orange leather jacket is perfect, what a fab colour.
    Your garden is looking like it's heading for spring despite the weather, which is disappointingly cold here too xxx

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    1. Thanks Sally. This is the time of year when our garden is looking its best. By July, the freshness will be gone and the ferns will have taken over. I just wish I could enjoy it a bit more, as the weather hasn't been mild enough to sit outside. xxx

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  6. I'm loving the brilliant leather jacket and the bird brooch! Plus patterned cordhuroy! It's been really cold here this week though the weekend has been nice!x

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    1. Thank you Kezzie, I'm really pleased with my finds. I'm looking forward to wearing that corduroy dress. xxx

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  7. It seems this Spring is surprisingly cold in many parts of the world - my folks in Siberia got even a little snow recently!

    You have such a beautiful collection of dresses and brooches (that birdie is adorable)! And an orange leather coat is my cup of tea! I also loved your new swimming suit - would be perfect for a pool if you like them (year-round!).

    We have azaleas and rhododendrons that bloom madly every year, and we don't really do anything, they are just really generous fun-loving bloomers!

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    1. Thank you Natalia! Indeed, Spring has been quite cold so far, but thankfully no snow here! I can't resist picking up brooches at flea market, and wear at least one every day. The leather jacket is one of my best finds so far this year. xxx

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  8. Lovely photos, always so much colour to brighten up a gloomy day! Yes, Spring seems to have retreated a bit here too - the flowers are wonderful but it's chilly, especially at night. I like that orange jacket you found, good buy! x

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    1. I'm glad to have brightened up your day! Hope the weather has improved by the time we're in Pembrokeshire.
      xxx

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  9. stylish gardener you´r!
    thank you for all the pretty pics and the entertaining report :-) love the paisley dress, the tone-in-tone number right side of the first collage and your little garden assistant phoebe. and the murano chandelier - wow!
    BTW - i always forget to bring a measure tape too....
    huge hugs and a gorgeous and warm may! xxxx

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    1. Thanks Beate. I always have a tape measure in my handbag, but then I use a different one in the weekend and forget to transfer it ... I'm still waiting for the warm May, but then it's early days yet! xxx

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  10. Glad that you didn't store all your winter clothes, because I did it and now I regret (we had 0ºc too last days!)
    I'm in love with that orange leather jacket!, wouuu!
    And your paisley dress is really cute, love it with all those turquoise and ivory details! such a lovely color combo!
    And that swimsuit looks amazing! mwahaha, so fab print!
    Lovely to see that your garden is flourishing!, even if took you some hard work!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica. Can you believe it was actually the first time I wore that Paisley dress? It never seemed to be the right weather for it, always too warm or too cold. The garden isn't finished yet, we need to put it another few days of hard work, but it will do for now. It's too cold to sit out in it any way ... xxx

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  11. It's the same here Ann; it hasn't really been warm because there is always a chill wind...

    Never mind, you look positively summery in your lovely florals and bright colours. I love your orange leather jacket and all your turquoise additions to the paisley dress.

    You also got some great finds - I'd love a hat stand! OH's hats are always falling on the floor and he encroaches onto my coat space with them, grrr...

    The swimsuit is fabulous!

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    1. Jos always used to encroach onto my coat (and hat) space too, so we really needed that hat rack. I have meanwhile encroached onto this, by cheekily adding a couple of handbags ;-) xxx

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  12. Some gardening keeps us healthy and it's a relaxing pastime. I live in a flat but now and then enjoy to take care of the plants on my balcony...
    Temperatures drastically dropped here too and I have already stored my warm clothes ...you can never be on the safe side in spring!! :-)
    You were wise to keep some of them at handy!

    Lovely bird brooch and bathing suit...

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    1. Thank you, Dan! I used to live in a flat on the 12th floor, and had many plants on my balcony. The garden - small as it is - takes a lot of time to take care of, especially when you're working full time. Jos is retired but isn't green fingered at all ... xxx

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  13. The weather's been rubbish here the last week or two as well. Just when we thought summer was on its way it turned nasty again. :( Anyway, let's look at the brighter things in life like that fabulous orange coat, what a colour! Oh and yay to meeting up with Inez! We're friends on Facebook and Instagram, so it's lovely to see her popping up on your blog too. xx

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    1. Well spotted, Cate! I've known Inez for almost 20 years. We met through work - she's an ex colleague. Our coffee and vintage shopping Friday afternoons are a regular fixture, and are much fun! xxx

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  14. You really do have a super wardrobe Ann and I really would wear all of it. I've started wearing a more country look with vintage underskirts and sticky out skirts. Saying that I wear anything with anything with no regard for styles or eras. A proper slap it on and see look haha.
    Think Philip would be after Jos's hats for sure xxx

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    1. Thank you Lynn. I've noticed your "new" look, and you're looking great in all of it. Jos will be guarding his hats jealously, I'm sure! xxx

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  15. We've had cold weather too - though that blue dress with the leaf shapes is so fab, the cold could almost be welcome!

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    1. You've picked the one dress which I bought brand new at the time! But I love it very much, and even bought a blouse from the same range at a flea market a couple of months ago. xxx

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  16. I do enjoy the fact that you do the gardening in a skirt :)
    Your lilac looks lovely, ours is yet to flower, but I have discovered some bluebells in the garden for the first time, I've very excited to see these return year after year.

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    1. Somehow, gardening in a skirt feels less restricted than wearing jeans. Bluebells are always a surprise, year after year, even if you know they are there ... xxx

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