Monday 23 April 2018

Blossoming

My wardrobe switch-over couldn't have come at a better time, as in the space of only a couple of days we have gone from Spring to high Summer with temperatures reaching just under 30°C.

And back to 18°C at the time of typing - but never mind, that's typical of April, isn't it? Fickle as they come. I'm sure we're in for some April showers soon!


I can't believe how lush the garden has become in only a matter of days. You can almost literally watch it grow.

Phoebe loves having her outdoor space again, with lots of places to hide in while spying on the local wildlife, or to bask in a sunny spot until it gets too hot and she's ready to move to a shadier one.



Small as our little plot is, it is still full of surprises, especially at this time of year. Take the delicate flower on the top left, a lonely survivor of the dog's tooth violet (or Erythronium) bulbs we planted many years ago. The species is called Pagoda, and it's plain to see why, as the nodding, buttery yellow flowers do resemble the tiniest of pagodas.

On the bottom right is Narcissus 'Bridal Crown', its double, creamy, yellow-hearted flowers releasing a quite intoxicating scent, especially when warmed up by the sun.

And look at the little stone dove, which in just a week's time can barely keep its head above the abundant geranium foliage.



With all the flower power going on, I felt a strong need to compete. Looking at the contents of my wardrobe, there is no denying that flower prints feature abundantly, and that they come in all shapes, sizes and colours.

So, let's retrace our steps to Sunday before last, before the temperatures soared to summery heights.

Having recently rediscovered my Summer skirts and pleading guilty to my neglect of them last Summer, I'm trying to make sure to put that right this year.


That I would be wearing my floral blazer again was a given. After all, it had been patiently waiting for me since February. I added a ceramic flower brooch which if I remember correctly came from Think Twice and chose the gorgeous rose-printed tapestry handbag I found at a flea market a couple of months ago.

I also wore Saturday's yellow booties again. They combine a traditional Western shape with feminine cut-out flowers. Cowgirl boots, perhaps?

This time, I combined the jacket and booties with a peachy pink skirt with florals in green, purple and yellow. 



I was determined to wear as many flower prints as possible, so after trying on and rejecting several tops, I chose this green fitted one (helpfully, it has a zip almost all the way down the back), with a pointy collar and turned-up short sleeves. Oh, I almost forgot: it's got a truly wild print of blowsy Summer flowers, orange being the most prominent colour.


A wide white belt did its best to keep the peace between the two totally different florals.


As if there weren't already enough flowers, I chose a blue plastic flower ring, and finished my outfit with a chiffon scarf featuring yet another flower print. You can see a detail of it on the bottom left in the collage of prints.



We were all set to go to a brunch, which unfortunately was called off at the last moment as our hosts were plagued by a stomach bug.

As a result, we found ourselves at a bit of a loose end, until I remembered there was a flea market in Antwerp, even if it was our not-so-favourite indoor one.

Jos donned his new-to-him jacket, charity shopped on Saturday. It was crying for the addition of a pocket square, so I donated one of my smaller scarves, a yellow polka dot one. Mr. Suave indeed!



The flea market itself was below average with lots of gaps between the stalls, but we hadn't expected otherwise.

However, I still managed to find a few odds and ends.


This vintage hand made Summer frock with its gorgeous green flower print and closing asymmetrically with divine green flower buttons was just € 2.


I never say no to more scarves, especially at € 1 each. The white, red and blue one with the umbrella print has a St.Michael's label.


With none of my favourite stalls present, I wasn't expecting to find interesting brooches, but I did. These two were just € 3 each. My favourite is the one on the right, featuring ... more flowers!


How could I not buy this gorgeous green wooden fan, with a different flower print on each side?



I'm leaving you for now with last Monday's outfit, when after work it was straight out to the garden to play one of Phoebe's favourite games, which involves trying to catch soap bubbles blown by me!

The green and yellow checked top, sprinkled with white flowers, was perfect for wearing the ceramic daffodil brooch I bought in Cardigan last year.

Linking with Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style as usual.

45 comments:

  1. Flower power indeed! I love your floral overload. In the words of the great Keith Richards If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing!
    Love Jos's dapper look, too. A good substitute for a pocket square is cutting the fattest end off a kipper tie and tucking that in his top pocket, instead.
    Loving the handmade green dress and the matching fan and your cowgirl boots are perfect with your skirt.
    Hello Phoebe! Ours loved this warm weather (suddenly gone cold again), too. xxx

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    1. Thank you, Vix! Jos will be keeping the kipper tie tip in mind. Isn't it horribly cold again? We'll be back in single figures this weekend. Just our luck, as we've planned a weekend away ... xxx

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  2. You have so many wonderful flower dresses to welcome spring and summer :)
    This wooden fan is great for summer, you will need it ;)
    Have a nice evening, Ann. Huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina! Not much use for the fan at the moment, as it's quite cold here now ... xxx

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  3. Welcome the flowers! Your garden is sweet, and I love your floral mixing. And a nice silk scarf for a pound? Yes, every day. xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thank you Patti! A girl can't have enough scarves, right? xxx

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  4. I absolutely adore your medley of florals- the real ones- you in the lovely clashy outfit, the new finds!!! Spring is such a happytime!

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    1. Thank you Kezzie. I do love Spring, but it seems we're back to the start, with temperatures dropping to the single figures this weekend ... xxx

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  5. So many florals, I just love 'em all! Aw, love seeing Phoebe amongst the flowers - Vizzini has taken over the deck, in much the same way.

    There's nothing like a quick trip for some vintage shopping to really make the day! You both look so springy!

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    1. Thank you Sheila. I do love a bit of flower power! xxx

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  6. Wonderful florals, and particularly that new green shift dress. Jos looks sharp in his new sportcoat too, and you are absolutely correct-a pocket square completed the look.
    You always have such lovely things in your garden to show us.

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    1. Thank you Goody! I'd rather show you the individual things in our garden, rather than the overgrown whole of it ... xxx

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  7. Flower power in buckets! I love the floral competition in your clothing choices lately.
    Hasn't it been nice to have warm sun? The rhubarb seems to double in size each day in our garden! It's turned chilly again here alas. Xx

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    1. Turned chilly again too here ... Our rhubarb, unfortunately, is not doing as well as we'd hoped ... xxx

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  8. You are the brightest flower in your garden! And that green dress is 'gurt lush', as they say in Bristol.

    I see Phoebe's going rusty in the sun already. I think Ziggy has been sunbathing a lot; his shoulders are practically orange where they should be black right now. Everyone loves the sun!

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    1. I'll keep that expression in mind if I ever make it to Bristol! Isn't it strange that black cats go rusty in the sun? Phoebe loves her sunbathing, though. xxx

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  9. Flower power, go girl! What a fab post. First the gorgeous garden photos. Then your wonderful outfit. The green frock I would like for myself, it's perfect. Last but not least the Welsh daffodil brooch, I love it.
    It's raining here today so it's good to grab a bit of summer where we can! xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! I've got a couple of Welsh daffodil brooches. There's the cutest one which has a field with tiny sheep as well as tiny daffodils ... xxx

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  10. LOOOOVE your "flower power" ensemble!! totally fabulous!
    i´m in awe too how fast has mother nature redecorated - in the garden and in the woods around - it literally exploded.
    pretty green finds at the flea! when i was 2.hand shopping with the friend i saw a few of this 50´s "garden dresses" - but they wanted 19,50€ for one!!! and the only one in my size had very tight armholes - so i would have to sew on it...... no way.
    jos looks very dapper in his new jacket - its a cool color!
    hugest hugs! xxxxxx

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    1. Thank you Beate! Jos usualy plonks himself down on the shop's sofa while I browse the clothes, so it was me who found the jacket for him! The 50s style dress was a lucky find, the only vintage on that stall's rail ... xxx

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  11. Your floral blazer is fabulous! And your contrasting floral prints are a delight. I'm so boring when it comes for florals, I only ever team them with something plain or maybe stripes.
    I love seeing snippets of your garden, it looks so lush and like a there are little surprises wherever you look. It;s no wonder Phoebe likes it with all it's hiding places.
    xx

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    1. Thank you Hazel. I used to be the same, only combining florals with plain, and it's only been quite recent that I've become so "daring". xxx

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    2. You've inspired me to try, I don't have loads of prints but I've started to see if they work together, no good pairing so far but I'm undeterred :)
      xx

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  12. That floral on floral look is so Dolce Gabbana! Love it!

    I'm hoping our spring doesn't jump into summer too quickly here. I prefer a long lingering spring.

    Suzanne

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    1. I too love a long lingering spring, but it's been a while since we've had one like that. Oh, and thank you for the Dolce Gabbana compliment. That really made my day! xxx

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  13. ohhh, your floral blazer is a fab piece, and you really know how to create a mix of prints!, those florals are awesome, and I love particularly your Green/orange top!, wowww you're gorgeous!!
    Loving all your finds, those scarfs and the fan!!, and also love your green and yellow top (and cute brooch!) with the lovely skirt, you totally rock!
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much, Monica. I've only recently learned how to mix prints, but then I had the best teachers, my blogging friends, you included! xxx

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  14. So much floral fabulousness, Ann! I love how you've accessorised your floral outfit with the brooch, handbag and that gorgeous blue ring. Your new green dress is fabulous as are your two new scarves! Phoebe is so lucky to have such a fun mum to play with! Amber isn't playful anymore: she thinks she's too mature to play! Ha! ;) XXX

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    1. Thank you Sasha. Phoebe often thinks she's too mature as well. She does play, but not for long. xxx

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  15. Hooray for a little bit of sunshine to bring out all of the flowers! I love your tapestry handbag, that's divine and those two scarves you bought are gorgeous. I particularly love the one with umbrellas on it, that's so cute! xx

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    1. Thank you Cate. I couldn't resist the one with the umbrellas, and only saw that it was St. Michaels after I got home. xxx

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  16. Your floral ensemble is a triumph Ann and I love the chic way you've tied the scarf. The green floral frock (great buttons) was an absolute steal at €2!
    Nice to see Phoebe outside again, I've never thought about blowing bubbles for cats, my current one Simon, loves chasing his own shadow...bless him, he's not the brightest cat! xxx

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    1. Thank you Fiona! I read the bubble blowing tip in a book about cats. Phoebe loves it but I think she finds it a bit frustrating as well, as she can't catch them. I'd love to see you latest charge ... xxx P.S. Going for a long weekend to Bruges!

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  17. Very changeable weather here too! At the moment we are having very high temperatures. Not bad but in a few days we passed from winter to summer. I need to take out some light weight clothes...
    Floral prints are very nice in spring ! Lovely wearing many of them together ....
    Cats know how enjoying sunny days, they are smart guys!

    ( there must be something wrong with my blog as I couldn't reply to your comment...sorry!)

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    1. Thank you Dan, and so great to hear from you! xxx

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  18. Lovely to see all your florals! I’m in the process of switching over clothes too, the place looks like a pop up Lindy Bop sho, as I have dresses hanging everywhere drying as it’s piddling down with rain outside xxx

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    1. Oh dear, a pop up Lindy Bop shop and launderette! xxx

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  19. Love your florals so much and you look so pretty in them. I can't wait to wear my floral blazer that I bought a few months back.

    You did very well in the 'not so good' flea market!
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni! Mine also had to wait a few months for its first wear! xxx

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  20. Your new floral ensemble is divine - you look like Painting or Tapestry personified! Fabulous accessorizing of the Jos's new jacket! And your garden is such a beautiful space for people and cats - Phoebe must be happy now! Our kitties are strictly indoor creatures (since they were babies). There are real predators here like raccoons and coyotes, so we keep them safe. Bagirka went on an adventure last year, it was a worrying 60 hour period before she came back, thankfully, safe and sound (and very hungry). :)

    Enjoy the changes of Spring! <3

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    1. Thank you Natalia. I was a bit behind replying to comments ... Phoebe would be an indoor cat too, with raccoons and coyotes about. Luckily, she never ventures outside the garden. xxx

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  21. I love the green fan but I love the rose tapestry handbag more! It's absolutely gorgeous!!

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    1. For some reason, I keep finding tapestry handbags. I can never resist them ... xxx

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  22. It's all so much greener here in London. The blossom trees are beautiful Ann. After so much rain here, everything's gone mad! Here's to a good summer hopefully. I love the silk scarves, I'm a collector of those. xx

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    1. Thank you Laurie! Everything's gone mad here as well, so much green! xxx

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