Saturday 9 December 2017

In the grey of December

It was to a grey and foggy world that we woke up last Saturday, but at least it was dry after the endless rain of the week before.

We were raring to go out and have a taste of fresh air before the rain clouds would once again descend on us.

The aforementioned fresh air turned out to be quite chilly, nipping at any uncovered extremities, so we wrapped up warmly, giving me the chance to wear my latest € 4 winter coat.


This coat is such a pleasure to wear, being warm but not too heavy as some woollen winter coats tend to be. The furry collar and especially the generous amount of fur at the hem, make me feel quite glamorous.

The extremities were covered by a teal velvet hat (slightly too large, I should have added a headband to secure it more firmly over my ears) and a pair of purple suede gloves. I added a turquoise knitted scarf for extra warmth.

My choice of handbag was a dark chocolate brown tapestry one with a floral motif.


These boots are good quality leather ones charity shopped a few weeks ago. I've just realized I completely forgot to show them to you, so here they are.

They close with a side zipper, although the laces at the back can be adjusted if necesssary.




Let me show you what I'm wearing underneath!

The dress's fabric is a heavy polyester, and it has a front zipper and wide turned up cuffs.

I broke up the pattern with a caramel coloured belt and a vintage plastic brooch carved with flowers in blue, red and ivory. The beads echo the blue of the dress's pattern and I chose a plastic ring in a similar colour as the belt.



On top went a chocolate brown cardigan edged in yellow, contrasting perfectly with my two deep blue 1930s Gentian brooches. The large one came from our favourite indoor flea market while the small one was charity shopped for a pittance in Cardigan last summer. I just had to wear them together.



By the time we made it to the park the fog was retreating but the sky was still a dull uniform grey, the sun lacking the energy and motivation to break through the iron curtain of clouds.



The edges of the park were blurred, the trees veiled in a light haze, the gnarled bark of their trunks a sombre brown.




It was a typically gloomy December day on which it is quite clear that, although not yet officially Winter, nature has outgrown its Autumn mellowness.


The relentless rain has made a soggy mess of the remains of the once abundant herbaceous border surrounding the park's pond.


The delicate Cyclamen have finished flowering, leaving patches of patterned leaves in their wake, a welcome oasis of green amid the endless carpet of sodden brown leaves.


We spotted the tall, leggy figure of a heron, that most majestic of birds, almost pre-historic in appearance.

When I tried to tiptoe closer, it took flight: wings flapping and with its legs dangling, it was airborne.

I've read that the heron often keeps its neck extended when taking flight, but once in level flight coils it back in typical heron fashion, which to my surprise I caught on camera!



Near the pond, the monochrome world suddenly turns orange. Bright orange!

It is where Taxodium distichum, the bald cypress, grows.



Deciduous, its feathery foliage turns this fiery colour in Autumn, then carpets the ground until it glows as if touched by a magic wand, creating an eerie world of colour, while all around seems to be leached of it.


One has but to step onto the bridge to bring out the full population of the pond's waterfowl, including a handful of cleverly disguised gulls, in search of a handout.




Unfortunately, we'd had our picnic in the car and ate everything to the last crumb, so they swam away disappointed, but in orderly fashion!



I'd taken off my gloves so that I could use my camera (making a mental note to put my pair of fingerless gloves in my handbag), so by now the cold was numbing my fingers and turning them stiff and clumsy.




Stamping to keep warm, pulling our hats closer over our ears, it was time to return to our car and hit a couple of charity shops!

It was Saturday, after all ...

Linking once again to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style!


34 comments:

  1. Superb coat and hat ensemble Ann, the fur trimmed coat looks so lovely and warm. It was positively Baltic in Belgium last weekend so you chose well. I'm in love with those boots! The detailing is fabulous, they look top drawer! Wondering what you found at the chazzazs this week? Xx

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    1. Thank you Fiona! The boots were a bit more than what I'm usually paying in the chazzas. They were € 18, but indeed they are top drawer, retailing at well over € 100. xxx

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  2. Great photos of the heron. I don't like getting that close to them-they scare the wits out of me!
    Your coat is so lovely, and what a great idea having boots that can be unlaced for more space. I could use adjustable calves on boots.

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    1. Boots without adjustable calves are usually too narrow for me! Oh, and believe me, I didn't get too close to the heron, the photos were taken with my telephoto lens! xxx

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  3. Hi Ann
    Thank you again for your lovely message yesterday, it means a lot to me.
    Now to your outfit. It’s perfect for a winter walk. I’m mesmerised with the boots they are so unusual. What a great find, as is your coat, you look very classy.
    I’ll have the dress of course, it’s a smasher.
    Lots of snow here this weekend and it’s freezing.
    Love LYNN xxx

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    1. Those boots were such a lucky find and they're super comfortable. They musthave been quite expensive, no idea why they were ditched ... We've had snow too last Sunday and Monday, but nothing compared to yours, I presume! xxx

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  4. beautiful nature shots and how cool you snapped the heron!
    the new coat looks fabulous in action, love how accessorized the browns with jewel tones..... intriguing pattern on the dress - but i would prefer it on wool or silk ;-)
    can´t beliefe the quality of this boots! sooo chic!
    stay warm! xxxxx

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    1. I was prepared for the heron to fly off, and managed to push the button at the right time! The coat is such a joy to wear and so are the boots. I'm very pleased with both. Total cost for coat and boots: € 22! xxx

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  5. Your writing and photos transport us to share the moments with you. Your descriptions are particularly beautiful.

    The shots of the heron turned out so well!

    Those boots and the coat were great scores. I often find that vintage or used footwear is more comfortable than new as they've already been broken in.

    Suzanne

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    1. Thank you Suzanne! I'm trying to do some creative writing, and the funny thing is, as I'm constantly writing in English, both at work and for my blog, I wouldn't be able to do it in Flemish, which is my mother tongue. xxx

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  6. That coat is lovely and those boots look amazing, I love that they've got a zip and laces, I bet they cost a packet when they were new.
    Your dress's print looks like Welsh wool, very groovy!
    What a gorgeous winter walk, you and Jos don't half take advantage of the great outdoors. No chance of that here, we're snowed in! xxx

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    1. I googled the brand and the boots retail at well over € 100, so the € 18 I paid wasn't bad at all. Now that you mention it, the dress's print does indeed look like Welsh wool. Probably why I didn't think twice to pick it up ... xxx

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  7. That print on the dress is so snazzy! Love the boots too, a winter essential. Such lovely nature pbotos. We've got snow in Wales!! Xx

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    1. It's been snowing here too, but it didn't last long. Both the dress and the boots will be Winter staples, I'm sure! xxx

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  8. Wonderful pictures Ann. I love your coat and these boots!
    You are a vintage princess :)
    Big hug, Tina

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  9. Your nature posts are a treat. The photo's are beautiful and the descriptions so evocative. The stark beauty of winter is captured perfectly.
    I love those boots, the laces at the back especially. xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! Although I'm not a fan of the eternal rain and the cold, I do think nature in winter can be extraordinary. xxx

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  10. Your nature scenes are so lovely - that is exactly the weather we have in my neck of the woods (west coast of Canada), right down to the rain, fog, leaves, greenery and unexpected splashes of orange. We even have loads of herons here!

    Lovely late fall outfit - the coat is a stunner (love that furry hem!), and those boots are drool-worthy!

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    1. Thank you Sheila. The only thing missing here is a spooky castle to look at from my window ;-) I love that coat so much I've been neglecting my others. xxx

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  11. Your coat does look so warm and luxe - and the leather boots are fab as well. You take the most wonderful walks! Thanks for linking up, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thank you Patti. Both the coat and the boots have become firm favourites! xxx

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  12. You look both cozy and glam in your wonderful coat and boots, Ann! We seem to have similar weather, though it gets sunny for a few hours here for the past few days. But on foggy days it can be quite penetrating.

    Lovely photographs of nature - gorgeous colors, birds, and bright orange trees are amazing!

    Lots of love!

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    1. Thank you Natalia! That coat makes me feel like a real princess. Would like to have a few hours of sunshine, as it's been grey and wet for weeks on end. xxx

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  13. Oh, don't you look all snuggly and warm in that coat and hat? And those boots are gorgeous! I recently found a pair of brown knee high lace up on eBay for £14 and having been living in them since the temperature dropped. Now I'm on the hunt for some black ones! xx

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    1. I bet those brown knee high lace ups are fabulous! I've been living in my coat and boots ever since I found them! xxx

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  14. Oh you look so cosy in that lovely coat! I love your hat and matching gloves. The boots are gorgeous; I really like the lace up detail at the back. What a fab handbag and such pretty brooches.

    It is brilliant to come across bursts of colour like that tree amongst the general gloom of winter!
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Veronica! Nature still has a couple of nice suprises in store this time of year! I should use that handbag more, but I'm afraid of ruining the tapestry. xxx

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  15. such a lovely coat, it looks pretty luxurious with its furry hem and neckline! you look really glamourous (and toasty!). I really love your dress print and the fabulous color combo, the brown-yellow cardi, the brooches, the belt and those amazing boots! (it's nice that they have a zip!)
    You look gorgeous!
    And I've enjoyed all the landscapes, the orange color of the trees is always deligthful!. Glad that you shared it!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica. You're right, I did feel glamorous and toasty! That orange part of the park always has a magical feel to it. xxx

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  16. More great outfits! The way you pair your brooches up is ace; I never wear more than one at a time. Something to consider - getting them all out and thinking 'What would Ann do?..'

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    1. That's such a nice compliment, Mim! I'm trying to pair up brooches whenever I can. It would be a shame to have so many and only wear one at a time. xxx

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  17. That brown, blue and yellow outfit is just PERFECT!!

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