Foliage and fashion

Weekends have a tendency to whizz by and even last weekend, which had an extra day attached, passed in the blink of an eye.

The same can be said for the month of April, and in fact it's hard to believe that the first four months of the year have already come and gone, like so many wagons of an unstoppable train.

Soon, all too soon, it will be June and our holiday in Wales will be upon us. Obviously, this is something I am looking forward to: my heart makes a happy little jump whenever I think of the view from our holiday cottage. And yet, I would like to wave a magic wand and stop the hands of the clock now and again, in a bid to savour the moment.

Saturday, my friend Ingrid and I went on our very first vintage shopping trip together.
I was a little apprehensive, as vintage shopping can be quite hit or miss, and I didn't want her to be disappointed.
But I needn't have worried: we both spent € 24 on eight items each. We visited only two shops, but as the sales at Think Twice were nearing their end and everything went for € 3, we took plenty of  time rummaging the rails.

Shopping finished, Jos picked us up from the tram, and after dropping Ingrid off at home, we continued to our favourite charity shop, the one in Duffel, near the park.

Jos had packed a picnic, which we ate sat on a bench, while taking in the view and breathing in the fresh spring air.

In the four weeks since our last visit, nature has definitely moved on. The early spring bulbs over, there isn't all that much in bloom, except for some white blossomed shrubs and the odd flower here and there.

But how lush and verdant everything is. Most of the trees must now be into leaf (all except for the pollarded willows) and the imaginatively planted borders near the pond are starting to come alive.

Look at all the different hues, shapes and textures vying for attention!

Although temperatures had climbed out of their wintry depths, it was mainly cloudy on Saturday.

I wasn't wearing a dress for a change but rather a skirt and blouse, which I should do more often, as it offers endless opportunities.

The black Diolen skirt with its crazy geometric pattern in blue, yellow, orange and red, interspersed by hazy white flowers, prompted my choice of a blouse: a white, pussy-bowed one patterned with red squares, which echoed the rectangle shapes in the skirt.

On top, a mid blue cardigan, with a round wooden brooch featuring blue, red and pale yellow carved flowers.

I chose mid blue for my tights too, and wore my comfortable navy blue booties, ideal for a shopping trip followed by a walk in the park.

Because of the slightly milder temperature, I was able to wear a lighter jacket. This one, in a gorgeous royal blue crepe, came from a charity shop in Wales. I pinned one of my Bambi brooches to its collar and added a navy and white polka dot chiffon scarf.

The park's fresh greens were the perfect backdrop for my colourful outfit.

We ended Saturday afternoon at the nearby charity shop, where we picked up a couple of things, like this vintage umbrella ...

... and a series of booklets, which will come in handy when visiting the Welsh coast!

Now, I guess you're all sitting on the edge of your seats, waiting for me to show you what I found at Think Twice?

Oh, alright, here's a round up of my latest finds:

There's a handmade two-piece, its fabric a riot of summer flowers. The fitted jacket has a loop and self-fabric button closure, and it has a little peplum too!

I couldn't leave behind this full-lenghth, pink chiffon and nylon nightdress, with its gorgeous lacy yoke. Perfect for wafting around the house in of an evening.

I love the colour and print of this gorgeous midi dress, with its pleated skirt and cap sleeves. Oh, do come along soon, summer weather!

Clockwise from top left: lacy sleeveless top and lilac beads, yellow cardigan with lacy yoke (charity shopped), cream handbag (bought earlier in the week) and shoes, red flower printed scarf.

Finally, another two-piece, this time consisting of a dress and jacket. I bought this earlier in the week as well.

I can never resist a two-piece, and think I now have one for every day of the week  - or should that be fortnight? - although I rarely wear the pieces together.

Except for the yellow cardie, it all came from Think Twice, the most expensive being the handbag, which cost € 5.

After a little rest in my tree trunk seat, I'm ready to continue my walk. So, it's goodbye from me for now.

See you soon!