Sunday 29 November 2020

Welcome to the wilderness

Although we were supposed to be in a watered down version of lockdown until 13 December, we had another government announcement on Friday, informing us that non-essential shops will be allowed to re-open on Tuesday the 1st of December. Personally, I'm not sure this was a wise decision, with Christmas (there, I've used the other C word!) very much on our doorstep.  However much precautions will be taken, I already have visions of hordes of Christmas-shopping zombies crowding the streets of Antwerp, and I'm thanking my lucky stars I only have to grin and bear them two days a week.

Christmas itself is still very much cancelled, so at least that's something to be thankful for, even if I'm not sure that everybody will be responsible enough to follow the rules as far as this is concerned. I know I may be a bit of a Scrooge, but I'm thinking of the future here. Admittedly, Covid-19 cases have been going down again for a while, but we're not anywhere near the ultimate goal so there's still every reason to remain cautious. 


But anyway! As my blog is still struggling to catch up with daily life at Dove Cottage, I'm inviting you to come along on a short trip in the time machine as I'm taking you back on two weeks ago on Saturday.

After a wishy-washy few days,  the weather gods had finally deemed to treat us to another gloriously sunny one, with innocent white clouds drifting in a bright blue sky. Too good a day, in fact, that it would have been silly not to make the most of it, so we ignored the fact that it was a Saturday and went for a walk.

Besides, we needed to experiment some more with our new phone's cameras, so that although we took along my proper Canon DSLR camera - with which most of the photos appearing in my blog are taken - we didn't actually use it.



We'll have a look at my outfit later, but first I need to mention the brown fur-collared jacket I'm wearing. It's vintage, proudly bears a Paris label, and was among my earliest Think Twice finds. For some unfathomable reason I hadn't worn it in years.

I was carrying one of my cross-body bags, featuring panels of tapestry at the back and front but, only mere minutes into our walk, the strap snapped off, leaving me with no other option than to carry it in my arms. Fortunately, Jos's shepherd style walking stick came to the rescue!



For our walk, we set the time machine's controls for Jos's childhood, as the area we visited are the former clay pits surrounding the hamlet he grew up in. There is nothing left of the hamlet nor its neighbouring ones which, together with the once flourishing clay industry, have been taken over by the mighty forces of nature.

A nature reserve has been established here with lots of meandering paths criss-crossing it. Even on this sunny Saturday, it was very quiet and we were alone for most of the time, only meeting a handful of fellow walkers in all the time we were there.



The crooked semi-bare trees with the carpet of discarded leaves beneath them were the perfect backdrop for showing you what I was wearing underneath that jacket.

My rust coloured slubbed skirt is vintage St. Michael and part of a suit, its short-sleeved belted jacket remaining largely unworn. To accompany it, I chose a chocolate brown polka dot blouse enhanced by handfuls of orange and yellow flowers. The latter colour was repeated in my cardigan and opaques, while I used olive green as an accent colour for my necklace and suede belt.

I was wearing a semi-worn out pair of boots, perfect for walking the wet paths the recent rain had left in its wake. It can be quite muddy out there!



The last time we visited here was on the 31st of July, which with its 35°C was one of last Summer's hottest days. That day, the heat of the sun was beating down relentlessly, and when we crossed the sandy plain where we took the long-shadowed selfie on the bottom right, the hot sand kept sloshing over the tops of my shoes, almost burning my feet in the process.

Now, instead of making a beeline for the shelter of the trees beyond, we kept on walking in the balmy November sunshine with the temperature a very agreeable 15°C.



We kept wandering at will, taking note of the sun's position in order not to get lost, as we hadn't brought our walking map. Not all paths are waymarked here but eventually we would come across one of the numbered markers which would have given us an indication of our whereabouts if we'd had a map.

As those of you who have been following my blog for a while might have gathered by now, we are very prone to getting lost even if we do have a map, so it's nothing short of a miracle that we found our way back to where we'd parked our car quite easily. Who needs a map anyway?



It was supposed to be very rainy and windy on Sunday, but there was still a bit of lingering sunshine to be spied when we got up. Having taken note of the shape of things to come, however, we went into the garden for outfit photos straight after our Sunday breakfast of eggs and soldiers.



Here I am amid the tangled jungle our garden usually is at this time of year, the dry and brown Hydrangea flower heads, the wilting and yellowing ferns and the jolly red Cotoneaster berries all harbingers of advanced Autumn. Peeking from the rampant ivy behind me are the first of the tiny yellow stars twinkling in our Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum).

I was wearing a pink dress with lashings of purple and off-white flowers which I picked up in a vintage per kilo shop in Antwerp last year. A vintage off-white flower brooch and a semi-transluscent lilac beaded necklace - both charity shop finds - were my accessories. Oh, and I once again wore one of my stretchy chevron patterned belts. They really go with everything!

In typical Sunday mood, I pottered around the house, ticking a couple of smaller things not worth mentioning off my to-do list.

Shortly after lunch, it started pouring and turned quite windy as forecasted, and although it had virtually stopped by the time we went to bed, we closed the bedroom window, which is usually left partly open during the night if weather permits, just to be on safe side.

Monday's office day was uneventful, not even worthy of a journal entry. Then Tuesday dawned grey and dismal but with a quite reasonable 12°C.


I still had the task of properly hibernating my Spring and Summer dresses to tick off my list. In order to save well-needed space, my out-of-season clothes are put into vacuum bags which are then put to sleep in our linen chest. The problem was that some of the bags, which had been doing their jobs for many years, turned out to be no longer airtight.

I'd bought a new set of bags just before lockdown 2 but hadn't yet been able to summon the get-up-and-go to tackle the gargantuan task of repacking the clothes into the new bags.

Now was as good a time as any, and what's more, the new bags turned out to be so much better quality. There was now more than enough space left on top of them to store my warmest woollens as well as a non-vacuumed bag of clothes which still needs sorting out.

The linen chest in question used to belong to Jos's maternal grandparents, who lived on a farm. A true family heirloom, its age spelled out by the scratched and stained surface of its heavy lid. It finally came into Jos's possession after his brother Eugene passed away in 2014.

It sits right next to my desk in the spare room, wedged into the only space we could find for it, but what a godsend it turned out to be! 

Covered with a quilted throw, it is yet again one of Phoebe's favourite snoozing places. 


Due to the eternal lack of space, I am constantly reshuffling my coats and jackets, which are jam-packed inside the wardrobe the jackets are hanging from in the linen chest collage.

A forecasted change in the weather prompted me to take out and hang up some of my warmer jackets  ready for wear. You will probably have recognized the two plaid jackets (top right and bottom left), which I've recently worn on the blog.

The teal new wool jacket (top left) and green wool jacket are both vintage and with their furry collars they usually come out to play as soon as a cold snap is on the horizon.

 


The belted brown Tweed jacket is another favourite which was worn on the blog not too long ago. Slightly moth-eaten before it even came into my possession, it has nevertheless been cherished for years.

The bottle green Tweed jacket was charity shopped in the Autumn of 2018 and my stash of buttons came up with the perfect one  to replace its boring predecessor. 


The deliciously coloured plaid jacket on the left was a sales bargain from a village shop which has since closed down, while the pale green, blue and black jigsaw print cape came from Think Twice. Tucked away at the back of the wardrobe, I always keep forgetting its existence, but I'm hoping to find the perfect occasion for wearing it very soon!


That just leaves that Tuesday's outfit! 

It actually features the skirt I couldn't get to look right, as mentioned in my previous post. I thought it deserved a second chance so I played around with my wardrobe's contents until I found the perfect top to pair it with. I was led by its blue background and the red in its confetti print, which echoed the blue and red in my skirt. 

On top, I threw on a teal waterfall cardigan which, same as the skirt and top, was a charity shop find.


As were the belt, necklace, brooch and boots, for that matter! In fact, the only new-bought items in my outfit were the blue opaques and ditto plastic ring.

I'm happy to report that I didn't feel the need to change into anything else that day and that the skirt will be a keeper after all.

And with that, I bid you goodbye for now. Until next time, please do stay safe, sane and as fabulous as possible!




37 comments:

  1. I will do ( I mean try to stay safe, sane and fabulous as possible). You are certainly very stylish and fabulous in your outfits. I really like your first outfit- and the walk looks great. I always like to see autumn leaves. Your outfit with the vintage brown fur-collared jacket matches the scenery perfectly. I'm sure you'll get plenty of wear now that you have discovered it again. Sometimes the same thing happens to me, I have some fabulous item I totally forget about and then when I re-discover it again I feel so happy! The skirt you wore with this vintage jacket is fantastic and I like the boots, the beret and the beret.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the yellow cardi you were wearing under that jacket is fantastic. Such a pretty pop of colour...and I love the green belt. How is that shade of green called? I forgot. The coloured tights are a great pop of colour as well. The outfit with the pink patterned dress is so beautiful. I love the pattern, so pretty. Such a great find. I love that you wore it with a yellow cardigan and a pretty belt. The necklace you wore is very chic as well. Your third outfit in purple and blue tones is beautiful. I do like this combination of colours. Wonderful skirt, the pattern is so eye-catching and the deer brooch is fantastic. Have a lovely Sunday!

      Delete
    2. Thank you Ivana! I'm the first to admit that I simply have too many jackets and coats, which is why the brown one hadn't been worn in a while. The upside is that it feels as if you've got something new :-) xxx

      Delete
  2. Oh tweed jackets are so beautiful! I think tweed is such a unrecognized beauty as I never see a lot of it. We have been for a walk today but it was very very cold. It took me hours to get warm again when we returned home. Have a lovely week Ann!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nancy! I do agree that Tweed is a bit underrated in the Low Countries. I love it anyway - it makes me think of our beloved UK! - and it doesn't have to be old-fashioned :-) xxx

      Delete
  3. You're well ahead of me in packing away summer clothes-I still have sundresses and sandals out.
    You have the most beautiful collection of jackets. Here's hoping the shoppers stay home and your journey into work is smooth and sparsely populated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh dear! Well, it did take me longer than usual too, in spite of having more time. The shoppers haven't been too plentiful until now, but there's still two weeks to Christmas ... xxx

      Delete
  4. Christmas is going to be different this years but for all who want to celbrate there are ways I think. Your fight against November grey is successful as always. Regula

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Regula! I'm not too bothered about Christmas and we'll be having New Year drinks in the park with our best friends! xxx

      Delete
  5. Ohhh I am totaly in love with the last outfit and your autumn pictures. No November grey, all looks happy and coloured. Its very cold now.
    I am very cold when I walk to work. brrr.😌
    I wish you a healty nice week, with a huge hug Tina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Tina! It has suddenly turned very cold here too, so I've been wearing my warmest Winter coat already! xxx

      Delete
  6. Wonderful your photo in the garden ... the pink dress with the yellow cardigan is beautiful! I love how beautifully you matched the accessories, necklace and brooches to your outfit in blue.
    Hugs, Carmela

    ReplyDelete
  7. So many gorgeous photos. It wonderful to be surround by so much nature. Fabulous outfits.. you are the perfect pop of color and quirk to add a smile to anyones face.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Hena! Always happy to put a smile on people's faces :-) xxx

      Delete
  8. You are so meticulous with your wardrobe reshuffles! I love your linen chest, those vac-packs look so neat and tidy stashed away ready for next year!
    That tweedy looking skirt, that gorgeous coloured mustard cardi and the wonderful pattern mixing of your final outfit not to mention all those gorgeous jackets.
    The nature reserve looks like the perfect place to escape the madness, still colourful and atmospheric. well done to Jos for carrying your poor broken bag!
    Our non-essential shops reopen this week, too - Birmingham's Primark for 24 hours! I'm sorry you have to deal with all those Xmas zombies, at least I don't have to go into town for anything! Take care! xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to be meticulous, or it would end in chaos :-) That linen chest is simply amazing and roomy enough for all my out-of-season clothes. The vac-packs work really well, I have been using them for years now! 24-hour Primark sounds like my idea of hell! xxx

      Delete
  9. Oh, yes you did right to hang onto the skirt - it's beautiful and I loved it with the waterfall cardigan. All your outfits were fabulous and the jacket you haven't worn for ages is beautiful. And talking of jackets what a collection! I think my favourites were the green tweed and the cape; I can't wait to see your wear it. I loved the colours in it. And the vacuum packed storage looks superb.

    It must be brilliant to be able to walk and explore one's childhood haunts and was it always a nature reserve, I wonder?

    Take care and stay safe,
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Vronni, I'm glad I didn't give up on that skirt! I'm waiting for the weather to improve slightly so that I can wear the cape. It has suddenly turned quite cold, and I've been wearing my warmest Winter coat! xxx

      Delete
  10. Ah, I just find your posts to be so soothing, Ann, thank you for that. Your and Jos' walks remind me of the quote, "Not all who wander are lost."

    I love your autumnal outfit and I'm glad the blue skirt has earned a reprieve, but my love is for the pink dress - that picture of you in the garden is just amazing.

    I hope you can get your purse strap repaired. Great work on repacking your dresses into new vacuum bags, too! I'm envious of your beautifully worn wooden chest - what a treasure it is.

    We are on a "no gatherings" mandate until Dec 7th, but I'm fully expecting this to be extended to past Christmas. Our cases are growing - my Island has been relatively untouched - and Christmas could be a huge spreader.

    Although I have not been feeling Christmassy for the past 10 years (lol), this year, I'm really in a decorating mood (you probably hadn't noticed, ha ha!). It really is helping both L and I, lifting our spirits.

    Hugs to you, my friend! If you ever would like to try a Zoom call, let me know!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad to hear my posts are soothing for you, Sheila! That quote just suits us to a T ;-) Jos has promised to repair the bag strap, but I think he needs another gentle push :-) xxx

      Delete
  11. There a plenty of jackets to choose from in your wardrobe, I like all the tweeds, perfect for a hike in the woods. The autumn colours are still hanging on where you are but are all but gone here.
    I'm too am going to avoid shops, other than food shopping. I do however need to visit the dentist eek! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sally! Most of the laves are gone here as well. Eek indeed about the dentist. My check-up appointment earlier this year was cancelled and I still need to pluck up the courage to make a new one! xxx

      Delete
  12. You have a wonderful coat collection! The deer brooch is so cute!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. The shot of you in your Autumn tones among the fallen leaves is just superb. You have quite the Winter jacket collection , they remind me why I do love Winter dressing best. I do enjoy tagging along on your walks and seeing those lovely forests and trails.Take care . xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jill! If I'm really honest, I have to admit I love Winter dressing best as well! xxx

      Delete
  14. I've been also worried about usual shopping frenzy and I'm keeping myself away from any commercial area (particularly in the rush hour). I'd be happy to join your Scrooge Club! ;DD
    Lovely to see you enjoying a good walk and looking so fab in these autumn hues. So perfect outfit to kick leaves!. Gorgeous!
    Also lovely pink dress and yellow cardi, so joyful color combo and delightful accessories!.
    I'm in love with your jackets collection: plaid, tweed, wool, all of them are fabulous (and they look so cosy).
    And I'm admiring your last outfit particularly because of the beautiful color combo, the mixed patterns and the cute accessories that tie everything together. Your brooches always amaze me!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome to the Scrooge Club, Monica! At least, with you and Vix, I'm in good company :-) Leaf-kicking is the best part of Autumn, as is wearing Tweed and plaid jackets! xxx

      Delete
  15. Just stopping by to say hi. I hope you're doing well.

    ReplyDelete
  16. sorry for that bag..... can you repair it?
    lovely walk in the sun. and the colors of your outfit match the colors of the wilderness perfectly!!
    you got some pretty woolen jackets!
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My handy-man has promised to repair it, but I think he needs a gentle push :-) xxx

      Delete
  17. I'm with you big time when it comes to the importance of holding off on certain types of usual Christmas related happenings this year in the hopes that by doing so, there will be more of us here to celebrate future holiday seasons. That has been my mindset with each holiday, birthday, etc this year and will remain as such until this god awful pandemic is finally behind us all for good.

    On a cheerier note, your stag's head brooch is the cutest! What a fun, charming accessory. I'd wear that faster than you could say "Bambi"! :D

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Autumn, and I am glad to hear you're having the same sensible mindset! xxx

      Delete
  18. Ah, the outfit is beautiful with the dark pink floral dress. I also love all your coats. I do think the vacuum packing is a good idea. I should do it. We will be spending Christmas with my mother in law up in Northumberland because she doesn't want to be alone up there but will be very cautious at not going near her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kezzie! I forgot to mention that the tights I was wering with the pink floral dress were some of yours. Purple with a diamond pattern. They weren't very visible in the photos, though! xxx

      Delete