Thursday 25 January 2018

I don't care if Monday's blue

From blue skies to Blue Monday: what a difference a day makes! The sunny spell on Sunday before last turned out to be a one-off, as on Monday we were back to the watershed which seems to be our lot this Winter.



In fact, Blue Monday quite lived up to its name this year.

Through the rain beating against the office windows, I could just make out the huge canvas covering the building opposite, advertising Côte d'Or chocolate. But even a serotonin boosting bar of dark chocolate wouldn't have been enough to trick my brain into thinking happy thoughts.



By the end of the week, I was feeling worn out and more than just a little dejected, especially as I'm still on my own in the office for most of the time. Believe me, having only yourself to talk to can be quite exhausting, especially as my imaginary speaking partner seems to know all the answers and can be quite rude at times ...



The weather kept me from venturing too far in my lunch breaks, often just nipping over to the indoor shopping centre across the road, where I managed to find two pairs of gloves, with 70% off: a pair of leather gloves in gold and a pair of hot pink ones, in brushed wool and with a little velvet bow.

There was a tiny light at the end of the tunnel as not only was I taking Friday afternoon off, the sun decided to make an brief appearance that very day.



I was wearing the charcoal grey River Woods skirt I'd scored for € 5 on Saturday, combined with a black pussy-bow blouse from Think Twice, abundantly printed with multicoloured blooms.

On top, a bright blue cardigan, with one of my oldest brooches - in terms of ownership - pinned to it.
I love this white metal scroll with its dangly little chains ending in tiny pearls.


I added bright blue tights (just visible in the first collage) and a wide bright blue belt.

The boots aren't my most exciting pair, but they are ultra comfortable and waterproof, as well as being made of the softest faux leather.

Talking of boots, I am once again looking for a pair of burgundy ones. I though my search had ended last year, when I stumbled upon a fabulous pair of Finnish made boots at Think Twice. Alas, they are the pull-on kind, without a zip, and therefore the kind of boots you need to get up earlier for if you want to wear them. All the pulling and pushing has wreaked havoc with the inner heel of one of the boots, creating an uncomfortable bulge which makes walking in them an ordeal.



So, after work, Jos picked me up and we stopped at several shoe shops on our way home.

Not surprisingly, I didn't find what I was looking for, but I did pick up this divine pair of booties covered in a holographic floral velvet.



It started raining again on Friday night, and it kept raining heavily well into Saturday, its constant murmuring lodging itself into my brain.

We tossed around a couple of plans for the weekend, but on Saturday I was happy to sleep late (ish!) and potter around the house, showing you some of Dove Cottage's nooks and crannies in the process.



But there was nothing for it, we did have to brave the rain on Saturday afternoon!



We were visiting Jos's son and daughter in law, meeting their adorable British Shorthair kitten, Abby, for the first time.

Warning: cuteness alert!


Incidentally, I was wearing a very similar grey!

The grey cardigan has been living in my wardrobe for many years. It's from C&A and dates from before my second hand/vintage days. I can't remember when I last wore it but, casting around for a suitable cardigan, and taking my cue from the grey belt, I suddenly remembered this one.



My pleated, red checked skirt has been hanging ready for wear ever since I picked it up at Think Twice a couple of months ago. Although it's got a certain kind of frumpiness to it, it is also deliciously swooshy, and I loved wearing it!


Long time no wear for this black blouse, found at Think Twice, with its little shawl collar, slightly gathered sleeves and sprinkling of red, pink and orange flowers. I love how the sleeves are absolutely covered with them, while they are sparser on the bodice and collar.

In keeping with the grey theme, I added a plastic grey swallow brooch, prompting Jos to say that one swallow does not make a Spring, although I believe in English it should be Summer, not Spring.



Back to our visit, where we were treated with coffee and some very indulgent chocolate tart. Yummy! We even got leftovers to take home with us.



We spent the rest of Saturday and most of Sunday relaxing inside Dove Cottage, doing some reading, eating more tart, and watching the final episode of Endeavour, Season Four.

The episode had Morse talking to an American lady, who disclosed she was from Omaha, Nebraska. Thinking of Goody, we said "Omahahahaha" in chorus!

A few hours of unexpected sunshine on Sunday made us grab our coats and go for a walk. But that will be for my next post!

37 comments:

  1. The first floral blouse is super special and looks gorgeous on Ann. I'm laughing about your imaginary friend answering you back! xx

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  2. Abby is adorable. She has beautiful eyes.
    I like your red and grey outfit and the booties too. I love bright ankle boots.
    The Dove cottage photos are a great showcase of your style.
    I don't care if Monday's Blue either, tomorrow's Friday, I'm in love!! Have a good weekend and fingers crossed for some sunshine. xxx

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    1. I just knew you'd be the first to get my post title, Sally ;-) The subtitle on my Facebook page was: a cure for Blue Monday! xxx

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  3. Ha ha! I hate those snarky imaginary friends.

    That burgundy furry scarf is beautiful with the black and white check.

    Kitty is GORGEOUS! Wow!

    You scored well on those velvet booties. Can't wait to see how you style them.

    That delectable looking cake is making my mouth water. I'm off to see if I have something sweet hidden somewhere.

    Suzanne

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    1. I can't wait to wear the booties, Suzanne, but I'll have to wait until the weather cooperates ... xxx

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  4. ....friday i´m in love.......
    oh my goodness - that kitty!!! supercute! and she totally has character!
    choco-cake envy!!
    the new booties suit the first outfit - and i do like me a chic plissé skirt - even if some people consider them frumpy :-) and its "summer" in german too.......
    hugest hugs!!! xxxxxx

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    1. Abby sure has character in abundance. She's a right little madam! xxx

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  5. Oh the shawl neck is a real delight! I really like it a lot. You always look so beautiful!x

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    1. Thank you Kezzie! I almost forgot about that blouse ... xxx

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  6. Haven't seen that episode yet, but typically "Omaha" is either code for a country-bumpkin, or (worse) a reference to Caddyshack ;)
    I love that blue belt of yours-you have the most incredible belts!The velvet booties are beautiful too. That skirt isn't at all frumpy, and certainly not the way you wear it. I hope the sun breaks through for you literally and metaphorically.

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    1. I think in this case it was code for country bumpkin ;-) Not that I'm thinking of you as one, obviously! I have so many belts I lost count, but I'm always looking for the ones with interesting buckles. xxx

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  7. Sorry to hear you were feeling worn out and dejected, Ann. I understand how exhausting it can be to only have yourself to talk to! My imaginary friend can also be a real know-it-all!! ;) I love your floral blouse paired with the gorgeous blue cardi and blue belt. So pretty! I love your new floral velvet boots! They're Fab! Abby is so adorable! What a cute kitty! Please don't tell Amber I said that tho! ;) Hope you have a great weekend, Ann. XXX

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    1. Thank you Sasha! Oh, those pesky imaginary friends! I didn't tell Phoebe either ;-) xxx

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  8. Oh yes it's raining again... every day. :(
    I love the first Picture with th umbrella and double Ann :))
    This litte cat is realy veeery cute!
    I wish you a sunny Weekend, I hope so, huge huge Tina

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    1. Thank you, Tina! Oh, the endless rain is just crazy this Winter, isn't it? xxx

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  9. Friday, I'm in love!! even if it's rainy and cold!
    And I understand you very well, because I'm alone at my office (almost) all the time. Listening to the radio is making the things better.
    But those gloves look amazing, and I love your blue cardi matching your tights and belt, and that floral blouse is so colorful and cool! And your new booties are stunning!
    Such a cute little cat!! and you look lovely!. That pleated skirt look fab with the blouse, such a brilliant combo!
    Wishing you lots of sun and chocolate to cheer up your day!
    besos

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    1. Yes, definitely, Monica! Listening to music does make things a little better, but it's still rather lonely, plus I have to do double work :-( xxx

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  10. Please please please can you put that top blouse on my pile and oh my word how I’m drooling over the flowery booties and that blue belt.
    Its feels like it’s been raining forever here Ann and winter feels so long. Hope you’ve got some company at work now and you’re not Billy no mates hee hee
    LYNN xxx

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    1. Consider it done, Lynn! Still a Billy no mates, I'm afraid ;-) xxx

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  11. I did enjoy the peeks around Dove Cottage!

    What wonderful booties you chose and I loved both your outfits. I'd never describe that skirt as 'frumpy'; lovely colours and swooshy as well! I did love your 'oldest' brooch.

    As for that cat - oh my, cute is not the word. Did you sneak him/her back home under your jacket?
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Veronica! We did consider sneaking her back home with us, but Jos's son and daughter-in-law were watching us all the time ;-) xxx

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  12. Yes its been raining here in the UK too, and it is sooo dark! Still it is nearly the end of January, so the days will be getting longer. I love the blue flowery pussy bow blouse, and the flowery boots! Nice and bright and colourful. Very cute kitten! Looks like you enjoyed the chocolate tart. Thanks for popping by on my blog! X

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    1. Thank you Linda! You're right, at least the days are getting a little bit longer. The darkness is so depressing. xxx

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  13. We seem to be plagued with high winds this season. I woke up to no water during the week thanks to the power being lost at the pumping station, I think due to a fallen tree. It seems relentless, and the rain follows. Urgh!
    You're floral boots are lovely! What a shame the burgundy ones didn't last long.
    And Abby? How adorable is she? I don;t know how you didn't try to take her home with you.
    It sounds like a lovely weekend, despite the weather. I like pottering weekends, making it up as you go along, and getting bits and pieces done.
    xx

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    1. Urgh, waking up to no water must have been horrible! We did try to take Abby home, but we were being watched eagle-eyed ... xxx

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    2. The water came back on after a few hours but it did make me stop and think about those who never have no clean running water. We're so lucky.
      I'd have another go at re-homing Abby if I were you ;)
      xx

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  14. Ann, I am also fed up with this relentless rain, when will it ever end?
    I for one am loving the red skirt paired with the C&A cardi, not frumpy at all and the brooch with the dangly bits is gorgeous, super blue belt too.
    What a great deal on the gloves...and OMG, that kitten is adorable. How did you get her to stay still?
    That cake looks divine. My neighbours' surname is Meeus, Dutch ancestry I believe.
    Hope you stay dry this weekend...guess what, it's raining here! xxx

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    1. Thank you Fiona! That photo was a lucky shot, as she just kept staring at me. It would never have worked with Phoebe ... Jos's son and daughter-in-law liked my photo so much they had it printed and framed! xxx

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  15. We've been having The Rains here as well - this is more our typical winter on Canada's we(s)t coast! All the water is good, though (we remind ourselves) as it means fewer water restrictions if we have a hot, dry summer.

    Okay, thank you for the warning but I did go "AWWWWWW" out loud, prompting L to ask why. We both enjoyed a good "kitty!" moment looking at that little grey bit of cuteness.

    Love your bright blues, your red floral top (I totally agree on those wonderful sleeves, what a great detail), and those velvet booties. You live in such a fun environment. I hope you get some restorative time (and some sun!) this weekend, my dear!

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    1. Boo to The Rains! You and L. enjoying a good "kitty" moment made me smile! You didn't let Vizzini catch you, did you? xxx

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  16. What an absolutely adorable kitten!!! I am smitten

    You look lovely, I especially like the maroon collar!

    Happy thrifting ;)

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    1. Thank you! The kitten surely is getting much love here! xxx

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  17. I have finally made it to your blog, dear Ann! It'll take a while to catch up with all your adventures, but I am really looking forward to it!

    Abby is ADORABLE! And she knows it for sure! :)
    Your red pleated skirt reminds me of my skirt in pink plaid when I was a school girl... I love such skirts, I just recently bought two pleated skirts and can't wait to wear them. Love the red fake fur so much, and all your nooks and details of your lovely cottage are just so heartwarming. Gray weather affects me too, it got rainy in the last month or so, and I am sick of it. I find that tricking our mind works sometimes, but we also need to attend the sadness itself - what does it tell us, maybe it's worth listening to...

    Sending you lots of love, my dear!

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    1. Thank you so much, Natalia, and thank you for catching up on your blog reading! I really appreciate your comments! And I do agree with you that sometimes we need to listen to our sadness as well. xxx

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  18. OMG that kitten! Such a cutie.

    I hate being in the office by myself, I'm not surprised you get tired of having no-one to talk to. I'm guessing your weather has been wetter than usual, as Belgium borders on France and I know that's been spectacularly wet all over (the rising Seine has been on the news here). Being one of the low countries, I'm guessing Belgium's built to drain water away, though, like the Netherlands. I hope you have sun now. We've got sun, but it's got very cold again.

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    1. It's been much wetter than usual, although compared with other areas, we can't really complain. There's been no flooding at least. We had sun yesterday, but guess what, it's raining again today ... xxx

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