Thursday 29 March 2018

And the daffodils look lovely today

Last weekend Spring decided to show us her true colours by giving us a glimmer of hope in the form of two perfectly formed early Spring days.

Perfect for venturing out into the garden for some pruning, or for going on a long walk, but I was lacking the energy and my mood was strangely at odds with the weather.

I do try to avoid too much moaning on the blog, but life isn't all ha ha hee hee, you know. I am shamelessly quoting Meera Syal's novel of the same name!



Dressing up never fails to cheer me up, though, so here I am faking it until the fog in my head has cleared.

Beige and brown doesn't have to be boring! Proof is in this frock, which has one of the funkiest prints ever! The fabric is seriously swishy too. I pinned not one but two brooches on it: a mottled turquoise stone rimmed in gold metal to keep the frock's tie from, err... untying, and a pair of turquoise swallows in flight. They're modern, and I have them in green as well.

Other accessories included a turquoise chunky plastic ring and a tan belt.

This frock is actually a film star! Here I was re-watching a Flemish film on the telly, called Groenten uit Balen (2011), which is set in 1971, when all of a sudden there was one of the actresses wearing my dress!


A turquoise cardigan went on top, which meant I could add another brooch. This is one of the embroidered brooches I picked up at a Carmarthen antique shop last June. The majority of these kind of brooches feature flowers, and I especially love this one with its tiny gentians.

I completed my outfit with turquoise opaques and tan ankle boots.


It might have been Spring, but it's early days yet, so a jacket was still required. I could have opted for a lighter one, but that would have involved digging into the depths of our coats wardrobe.

I also could have done without a scarf, but old habits die hard, so I chose the frilly one I charity shopped earlier this month. It looks deceptively light but was in fact quite heavy and warm.

Notice that I'm not wearing a beret! I admit I did feel quite lost without one.



We went for a short stroll in the park, which only weeks ago was a wiry tangle of last season's growth, with unruly twigs and branches and the sodden and sordid remains of late Summer and Autumn perennials.



Pruned and trimmed, the park was looking a bit bare. It's hard to fathom that within a few short months it will all be green and lush again.

I gingerly sat down in the tree trunk seat, as its back was cushioned by fungi.


Blossoms in delicious pinks and yellows were out to herald Springtime.  And look: a host of golden daffodils!


A few late crocuses were attracting the first of the bumble bees, who were deliriously buzzing among the flowers. 

The pair of  Egyptian geese on the top right were honking for joy when some of their friends passed by overhead.


Conveniently, the park is close to one of our favourite charity shops, so it would have been downright silly not to go and have a look.

I was rewarded with all kinds of jewellery. The brooch and earring sets were remnants from the Retro Day, and were reduced by 50%, so I basically had two for the price of one!


Back at home, I took pity on Angelica and dressed her in a Spring appropriate outfit.



The hour we lost during the night to mark Summer Time was making me feel even more out of sorts on Sunday.

Drastic measures were required so I piled on lots of colour. The starting point for my outfit was the electric blue blouse, with its starburst and flower print. It's got a huge (and I mean huge!) spoon collar reaching over my shoulders. 

After trying several skirts, I settled for this fresh green plaid midi length one.


Echoing the pink flowers in my blouse, I then added a sizzling pink belt, cardigan and ring.

It wasn't easy to find the right necklace as the blouse kept clamouring for attention, but then I remembered this colourful necklace made up of wooden discs. It predates my vintage and second hand years and came from Accessorize, back in the day when they still had a shop in Antwerp.


The day was too good to waste inside the house so, after we spent the morning booking a weekend away at the end of April, we were dying for a breath of fresh air and some healing rays of sunshine. 


The nature reserve at the site of the old fort in the next village fit the bill perfectly.

The resident tortoises are slowly coming out of hibernation and some of them were basking in the sunshine.


My lilac jacket added yet another colour to my early Spring outfit and this time I made the wise decision to leave behind the woolly scarves and wear a lightweight one instead.


I was quite disappointed to spot only one small clump of daffodils, its twin flowers looking rather dolefully at their own reflection in the water.

It seems Spring still has a lot of catching up to do!

34 comments:

  1. I absolutely love your film star dress, it looks utterly lovely with the turquoise. Angelica's spring outfit is gorgeous and that beagle collar blouse, I blinkin' love it!
    A lovely spot for a stroll! I saw my first daffs today - Spring must be on her way - even if snow's forecast for Monday!!
    I went out with Meera Syal's brother! xxxx

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    1. I was looking for the right term for that collar and yes, beagle collar just about sums it up! xxx

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  2. I'm sorry to hear you weren't feeling great and hope you feel better now. I sometimes get the gremlins myself - not that that helps you - but I understand what you mean when you say it takes a lot of energy to get moving! I agree dressing up helps and you look great. The turquoise is so cheerful and fancy seeing your dress on telly!!
    There are signs of spring now here, just hope we don't get harsh frosts to kill the buds! I loved your nature photos. xxx

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    1. The gremlins haven't all gone away yet, but the Easter break certainly made me feel a whole lot better! xxx

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  3. I know exactly how you feel, it's got to be the weather right? I'm so hoping a bit of sunshine and warmth will come our way soon and we all might start feeling more the thing.

    I LOVE brown and turquoise together so i think that's my favourite.

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    1. Oh, how I'm longing for some proper Spring weather! That dress just called for turquoise ... xxx

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  4. How cool is it that you spotted your dress in a movie??? LOVE that!

    You have quite a few more signs of spring our your way than we do here.

    Hope your mood brightens up : )

    Suzanne

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    1. It might very well be the actual dress, as I bought it from someone who used to rent out vintage clothes for movies and television ... xxx

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  5. I loved your film star dress with all the turquoise accessories and cardigan. You look as glamorous as a film star yourself!

    Getting out into the fresh air is almost always guaranteed to make you feel lighter in mood and what lovely spring blossoms and sights you saw. Hang on in there Ann, Spring is springing...

    Lovely finds in your favourite charity shops. I haven't found much jewellery over the last few weeks but it's just as well as I have way too much!

    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Veronica, and I agree that getting out in the fresh air usually does the trick. It's funny but I've found quite a lot of jewellery in the charity shops lately, whereas I didn't before ... xxx

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  6. Regarding the movie star dress-you wore it better!
    I hope you're doing better soon. There's no magic fix, but if it helps to know your friends out here in blogland care about you, please know we do.

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    1. Thank you Goody! It does mean a lot to know you're all caring about me! xxx

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  7. You're looking fabulous in your famous dress, Ann! You've styled it perfectly (as always!) with the turquoise cardi and accessories. I love the second outfit too with the pattern mixing and gorgeous colour combo. Hope you're feeling better, Ann. You're always welcome to moan on your blog, because we're all friends here ;) Hope you have a relaxing long weekend. XXX p.s. I love the title of this post: Daffodil Lament is one of my fave The Cranberries song! So emotive and beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, Sasha, and I'm pleased you understood where the title was coming from ... And thank you for being my friend too! xxx

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  8. brown tones with turquoise rules!! :-D
    and what a gorgeous dress - not only art-deco flair but a movie star too!!
    do love angelica´s outfit for the fruity colors and huge bow! wear it! and the look with the electric blue blouse is so very springlike - especially with that lilac jacket - maybe the daffodils got shy..... ;-)
    lately i feel very sad too - but i listened to my garden who called for a lot of active love in the form of hard labor - and it helps a bit somehow. i feel with you!
    tons of hugs!
    xxxxxx
    p.s.: fab finds! - especially the "maritime" necklaces - do know a dress for them!

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    1. Yes, it does have a certain art-deco flair ... I wanted to wear Angelica's jacket last weekend, but she didn't let me! xxx

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  9. The film star dress is fabulous dahling! Seriously, brown and turquoise are an excellent combo. I've been feeling just the same as you, I wish spring would get a move on. Xx

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    1. Thank you dahling! Have you seen any signs of Spring yet? xxx

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  10. Ohhh wonderful spring pictures Ann. I love this turquoise jewelry and accessoiries in your styles. You have a wonderful closet.
    Happy Easter Ann, a very huge easter hug Tina :))

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    1. Thank you Tina! A very full closet, unfortunately, time to do another purge, I think ... xxx

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  11. The turquoise broaches look so pretty with your beige dress...how exciting that you saw it on TV!! Wearing colour is a good way to combat the Spring doldrums.

    The broach and earring sets are very nice. Will you wear both broaches together?

    Happy thrifting ;)

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    1. Thank you! I'm not sure I'll wear them together, but I might mix 'n match them with the earrings! xxx

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  12. Oh, I love this first outfit! I don't know what you call those droopy lines but they are so attractive. I'd wear this in a New York minute!

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    1. Thank you Ally! I'd call the droopy lines "scallops", but I might be wrong ... xxx

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  13. woww, you rock in your beige&brown dress!, you made it look fabulous paired with turquoise card and tights, and the cute brooches and accessories! I do love all the matchy turquoise details!
    Angelica's outfit looks amazing too!. And I agree on dressing up in lots of colors, sometimes we need it to fight the remaining wintery breeze and that awful Summer Time change!. That green skirt and mauve jacket are lovely!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! Dressing up and wearing colour always makes me feel better! xxx

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  14. I do love the way you combine colours - I'd never have thought of pairing turquoise with that dress but it looks fantastic. I'd have been boring and piled on more brown. And it's great to see it used in a film too.

    Spring can't come soon enough - I've had enough of winter.

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    1. Thank you Mim. I've a brown polka dot dress I'm always combining with powder blue, which is why I thought of turquoise, and it worked! xxx

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  15. Aren't we all moaning about the weather? This has to be one of the longest winters! I've had enough!
    The brown and beige dress is such a good find Ann. I'm loving what Angelica is wearing too!
    Laurie xx

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    1. Thank you Laurie! We finally had a bit of Spring last weekend! xxx

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  16. It’s so true that sometimes life doesn’t feel all that ‘blog friendly’ but if that is how you felt, there’s no point denying it. I do hope you’re feeling brighter now though.
    How funny to see an item from your wardrobe on TV, and such a distinctive one too.
    Your electric blue blouse is stunning, it would brighten any day of the year.
    xx

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    1. I'm getting there, Hazel. I seem to coming out of my general lethargy, must have been the Spring weather we had last weekend ... xxx

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  17. Dear Ann, I was away for a few days and have missed quite a few posts, and now I am in for a treat! Love love love your movie star dress!!! You accessorized it to a T! I have to admit, I love Angelica's outfit too, I can understand why she didn't let you borrow the jacket from her! ;) Your blue blouse is fabulous, and I really love this colorful necklace. I have a somewhat similar necklace in shades of green and black, but it is so, so extremely heavy - I rarely wear it for that reason.

    Gorgeous pictures of nature! I am with you - dressing up and nature walks heal my sadness like nothing else does.

    Lots of love!

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    1. Thank you Natalia, I hope you had a wonderful time, but I'm sure I'll find out what you've been up to in one of your next posts ;-) It was quite a surprise seeing that dress pop up in that movie ... xxx

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