Wednesday 3 May 2017

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!


23 comments:

  1. I'm always taken aback by how much you find! There was a small chain of vintage shops where I used to live, but my, they were expensive and rarely budged on price and never put things on sale. I swear, there was stuff there which sat gathering dust for twenty years! They never changed stock, prices went up, that was all that did change. They were convinced someone would come in one day and pay the silly price they were asking. I don't know if they're still around, wouldn't surprise me if they've closed down with that attitude.

    Anyway, love your little blue jacket and the red and white pussybow blouse.

    And not long till Wales! We're at Weston Super Mare this year with Meirionwen, close, but it's not Wales xxx

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    1. I know I'm quite lucky having the Think Twice shops nearby. They are having sales every 5 weeks, and they aren't exactly pricey to start with ... xxx

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  2. I'm in awe of the skill that made that suit with the loops and covered buttons. I have no patience (or dexterity) for such sewing. The peplum on the suit couldn't be more perfect. How anyone could put that much effort into something so beautiful and have it end up in a shop is beyond my understanding, but you were certainly lucky to find it.

    I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good weather in Wales this year!

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    1. I can't wait to wear that suit. In Wales, maybe? One can only hope! xxx

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  3. Firstly I NEED that frock with the little sleeves it is so cute. Next up add the brooch please and you can bring them with you when you do a detour from Wales haha.
    Apart from that you are looking as fab as ever xxx

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    1. We'll have to hire a van! Would love to make a detour, but it's about four and a half hours away! We'll have to meet in the middle somewhere and swap piles ;-) xxx

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    2. What a shame. Let me know the dates and we will see if we can fix it up xxx

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  4. What fabulous things you found! And such bargains. I, too, love the little cap sleeved dress and I bet you will look wonderful in it. I also love the yellow, lace top cardigan. I also loved the outfits you were wearing especially the lovely blue jacket.

    We have been having cold weather and it's hard to think that its supposed to be the start of summer! I'm still wearing boots,vests, cardigans and have the heating on on a daily basis.

    I hope you have a lovely holiday - whereabouts in Wales are you going?

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    1. And to think I wasn't sure about that dress at first ... It's been the same here, and I'm glad I haven't put away my boots and warmer coats.
      We will be in North Pembrokeshire, by the way, just across the estuary from Cardigan. Have been going for a couple of years now. xxx

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  5. You did well! And such bargain prices too. Let's hope the weather cooperates so that you can wear the summery things without tights and cardis x

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    1. I am SO looking forward to wearing my summer things! Still, I'm going to persevere and take a couple of summer frocks to Pembrokeshire ... xxx

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  6. this flowery suits are marvelous!! can´t wait to see you wearing them - pleeeaaaase in the complete way! :-)
    but that airy summer dress ist fab too - can see you walking a beach in it. and i have cardi-envy - the yellow lacy one is a beauty!
    that seashore wildlife booklet could have bought the BW too - he loves such things. he never believes me if i tell him the names of a plant/animal - it has to be a book! men! ;-)
    much love and huge hugs! xxxx

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    1. Thanks Beate. I promise I will be wearing the two-pieces as they were meant to be! I love seashore wildlife, and mosses and lichens, so it'll be great learning what they are called. Huge hugs right back! xxx

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  7. I'm glad your friend found treasure on her shopping trip with you. It's a worry when you're taking someone around your haunts for the first time, isn't it?
    Loving the woodland shots and both you and Jos looking so smartly dressed for your picnic.
    Wales is to you what India is to me, you summed up how I feel perfectly! xxx

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    1. I was sure you'd understand. It WAS quite a worry and I had been putting off this trip for ages. It was good fun, though! xxx

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  8. Your weekend sounds perfect and you found so many bargains too. I hope summer hits Wales the same time as you do, so that you get the opportunity to wear some of your great new outfits xxx

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    1. You never know with Wales, of course. But it's not the first time we go - we are very brave, always holidaying in the UK ;-) xxx

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  9. Hoorah for a successful shopping trip with friends.

    The weather's been pretty dry here of late, so fingers crossed it'll still be like that when you reach the UK. Though Wales can, as you know, be very soggy. As Veronica says, it's been a bit cooler than usual too.

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    1. I think my walking boots are still soggy from last year, Mim! Oh, well, there are always the charity shops, I guess. But some sunshine would be welcome! xxx

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  10. Great handbag find as ever but wow that umbrella! it's gorgeous.

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    1. Thanks Gisela. We almost abandoned the umbrella, as we couldn't get it to open at first ... xxx

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  11. I can't believe how quickly the year is passing either. We're in May for goodness sake - how did that happen!?
    But also like you I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of nicer weather, I'm sure this time last year we had lots of sunshine.
    It's so nice when shopping with friends you each find something to take home.

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    1. I notice some "memories" from last year coming up on Facebook, and you are right: the weather was much better this time last year! xxx

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