Friday 11 May 2018

All around my hat

With still one day of our weekend in Bruges to go, I wanted to give you a break by reporting you about last Saturday's flea market.

The rain clouds which had dominated our little sojourn had evaporated by the time I had to go back to work on Wednesday. Typical, isn't it? But we were in luck as when the weekend rolled along we were back to Summer weather and it was as if nothing had happened.

Saturday was a glorious day and perfect for our first outdoor flea market of the year.


In our haste to get going, we forgot all about outfit photos, and I had to recreate Saturday's outfit on Sunday, with photos taken in our garden. Yes, that's the assault of greenery you can see behind me!


But let's get back to the flea market first. I'd taken my compact camera with me but even if it was dangling from my wrist for most of the time, hardly any photos were taken, as I was far too busy browsing.


I started out wearing a lightweight turquoise jacket but after lunch (I'm sure you won't be surprised if I tell you we'd brought a picnic) it was stashed away as it was getting quite warm, but with a welcome breeze preventing it from becoming too hot!

My white wicker handbag was charity shopped for next to nothing, and it was with some glee that during one of my lunch breaks this week I happened to see a similar one in Mango retailing for just under € 50.

If you look carefully, you might notice the change of hats! Initially I grabbed the hat I wore all through last Summer, a plain one which I'd customized by adding a hair band. You can see a close-up of it here.



But then I fell in love with this little hat which was on display behind one of the market's stalls. As luck would have it, it was my size, so not only did I buy it, I spent the rest of the day wearing it too!


I was wearing a maxi skirt with blue and yellow flowers interspersed with blue, green and black diamonds and stripes on a burgundy background. I bought it back in Autumn and this was actually its first wear. The blouse with its floppy pussy bow and psychedelic floral print in yellow, orange and white, has been in my wardrobe for at least two Summers. Both came from Think Twice.

The straw belt was a high street find and very comfortable to wear as it's got some stretch in it.


I was complimented quite a few times on my outfit and at one point I overheard one of the stall holders, who must have been English, exclaiming to his neighbour: look at how well turned out she is - and her husband's the same! I liked that last part the best, and obviously Jos was very chuffed when I told him.



Only minutes into the flea market my eye was caught by a cup painted with the most exquisite flowers on an otherwise quite uneventful stall at the end of a row. I picked it up to have a better look but then thought the better of it as we do have quite enough solitary cups already. Rounding the corner, I saw a bag full of assorted tableware, with not only a second cup but two saucers and two dessert plates as well, both in a quirky octagonal shape.  For € 5, there was no way we were going to leave these behind. The porcelain is quite thick and sturdy and made in Italy.



Shortly afterwards, I zoomed in on this pair of suede and patent leather Hotter shoes, still in good nick, and in a lovely burgundy, almost plummy colour. They were a size 5 (I usually take a size 4 to 4 ½) but they were a perfect fit. Even better, they were only € 2! 

Some Googling revealed that the model is called Valetta and when I Googled that I came across a blog post from 2012 from Mim! It's a small world, isn't it?


Continuing on our rounds, we happened upon a stall we immediately recognized as Ilona's. She's one of our favourite sellers, with a stall full of the most wondrous stuff, from which we never come away empty handed.

This time, a green ceramic deer and two tiny Scottie dogs caught our eye.


The Scotties are mounted on magnets which, as magnets are wont to do, pulls them together, while at the same time they start chasing one another when one of them turns tail.

Aren't they the cutest pair ever?


Doesn't the green deer look familiar? Well, it did to us, putting us in mind of the green deer lamp we bought at the castle back in April.

We thought that they could be friends, and here they are, living happily ever after on our mantelpiece.

Then there was a stall selling vintage and retro clothes, where I picked up two deadstock vintage frocks in pristine condition. Quite a rarity these days, especially at flea markets!



The first one, in blue Trevira with a diamond pattern featuring dainty rose buds, came with a self fabric belt with a slide buckle. 


There's no label in this pretty frock, which has a print of tiny squares in different blues, green, orange and white, with a solid white collar and cuffs and a tie belt. I'm sure it would look equally good or even better with a belt in one of the print's colours.


Sunday was spent at home and in the garden, doing nothing much. I'd taken a tumble down the stairs on Saturday night, leaving me with a bruised left arm and painful muscles in both upper arms, so I was sort of licking my wounds!

Anyway, it looks like we will have a bumper crop of gooseberries this year. I don't think we ever had so many. I do hope they will have ripened to a rich red and be ready to eat before we're off to Shropshire mid June.



Before I sign off, I wanted to show you two of my garden favourites, which are currently in full bloom, Allium (I think they are  Allium aflatunense, which is the most common type) and Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow' with its double pink blooms with white tips, resembling pom poms!

Watch out for my next post, in which I will regale you with our adventures on our last day in Bruges!

Meanwhile, I'm taking my outfit to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style!

42 comments:

  1. You are looking so summery in your outfits; they're fabulous. Love the two dresses you picked up and the maxi skirt and pussy blow blouse together. The hat was lovely. Jos looks very smart and you make a lovely couple.

    It looks a bit like your flea markets are like our car boot sales - is that right? Anyway, you found some marvellous things. I'm so glad the deer are friends and they look very happy on your mantelpiece. The Scottie dogs are just so cute. Loved the bag - what a bargain! As for the shoes by Hotter I am so jealous; a style I like and a colour I love - beautiful!

    The cups and saucers are charming and it's quite rare to find floral octagonal china I think.

    Finally, are you telling us you went to the flea market and didn't buy any brooches? You're slacking, Ann, or maybe you did and you're not telling?
    xxx

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    1. You caught me out there, Vronni! It was only when I read your comment that I realized I forgot to show the one and only brooch I found, a little felt owl. And you're right in thinking some of our outdoor flea market are like your car boot sales, too. xxx

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  2. Those allium are gorgeous! I bought some bulbs a few years ago but they must have been duds as no flowers have ever popped up.
    Talking of flowers, the poppy print crockery is very charming. You have such a good eye, love the squares dress too.

    What a fab day out! X

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    1. Thank you! We planted the allium bulbs many years ago, but for the last couple of years we only had one or two flowers. Now we have four, which is an improvement. They need soil with good drainage, though. xxx

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  3. Isn't it nice when people take notice of the care you put into dressing?

    Your garden photos look wonderful. My tulips are about to come out. That's about as green as my thumb gets.

    Love all the treasures you found. Those shoes look so pretty and comfy.

    Suzanne

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    1. It definitely is, Suzanne. I do have a green thumb but our garden gets neglected due to lack of time. And Jos definitely doesn't have a green thumb, so that's no help ... xxx

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  4. If I remember correctly the scotties were advertising for Black and White Scotch. They would come with a piece of cardstock and you'd place one dog on top whilst pulling it along underneath with the other. I spent many hours playing with those as a child.

    Of course people notice you and Jos-a very stylish couple!

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    1. I'd no idea what the scotties were, so thank you for the enlightenment. I was able to trace them on the internet and it seems they can do other tricks as well. Will give it a go! xxx

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  5. Love the suede shoes. Not everyone can pull off wearing hats but they always look good on you.

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  6. I love the outfit you wore to the flea market, Ann! That blouse and skirt are fabulous paired together: so bright and beautiful! I love that straw belt and your new hat complements it so well too! I love that your deer has a new friend and those Scotties are adorable! Hope you're having a lovely weekend. XXX

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    1. Thank you Sasha! Everybody needs a friend, don't they? Even green deer ... xxx

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  7. How lovely to be complamented like that, you do both look very stylish, I bet you both really stood out.
    It looks like it was a successful day out, you found lots of good things.
    Your garden looks very lush, a lovely photographic backdrop. xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! If there's one description that fits our garden, it is "lush", although "wild" and "unruly" are close contenders ;-) xxx

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  8. where to begin!!!
    starting with your pretty flowers and the gooseberries - love gooseberries - yum! the 2 brand new frocks are very pretty and seem the perfect summer dresses with that fresh colorings.... i see a dear farm at dove cottage - and such scotties we had as kids and played for hours with...... super sweet mary janes..... remember that such field flower designs were in fashion in the early 80s..... your new hat is fabulouse and the maxi outfit trés chic..... and indeed you´r a very stylish couple!
    happy sunday - my deer - eh - dear! xxxxx

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    1. Love gooseberries too! And yes, we've got enough deer to start a farm here. I did have a feeling the cups and saucers might be 1980s. They're perfect for tea - or coffee - for two. With a piece of cake, of course! xxx

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  9. You and Jos make a super stylish couple!! And you two look so cozy in the best possible way (I love cozy couples)! The yellow-orange-white blouse is so pretty! And your new purple shoes! And your new dead stock dresses - what luck!
    The whole post is cozy with colors, plants and animals! Looking forward to your next travelogue!
    Lots of love!

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    1. Thank you Natacha :-) We are indeed a cosy couple! It's been a while since I got lucky with dresses and shoes at a flea market. What luck indeed! xxx

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  10. PS Send me your email address at inthewriterscloset at gmail.com, and I will forward you the full size of that misty image that you loved! I have tons of pictures of the beach from that evening, they really are stunning.

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    1. Thank you again for sending me that stunning photo! xxx

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  11. I absolutely adore your outfit that features so many fabulous mixed prints !
    The straw hat is perfect. I love outdoor flea markets as well. Tomorrow my daughter and I are going to visit one for Mother’s Day, and then we are joining my husband for brunch afterwards. I absolutely adore the beautiful floral porcelain too.
    Fabulous finds and those Scottie dogs!
    ❤️❤️❤️
    Elle
    https://theellediaries.com/

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    1. Thank you Elle! We've another outdoor flea market coming up this weekend. Fingers crossed for dry weather! xxx

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  12. I’m not surprised you were complimented so many times on your outfit, that skirt and blouse are fabulous and weren’t you lucky with those super shoes
    LYNN xxx

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    1. I even changed into those shoes on the way home, they fit my outfit perfectly! xxx

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  13. Ann love you with hat :) You look amazing!
    And whow cute is your wicker bag?! And this violet shoes are nice. I would like to go to a fleamarket....yet! ;)
    I wish you a nice sunday. Very huge hug and much love Tina

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    1. I've only started wearing hats quite recently, and I'm still experimenting. That hat just spoke to me and I just had to have it, even if the price was above average for a flea market ... xxx

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  14. OMG those flowers of yours!!! I love the pom pom Aquilegia, might have to hunt one of those down for Spring planting.

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    1. They'd be perfect in your garden, Sue. And they have a tendency to travel, if you know what I mean! xxx

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  15. you look fabulous in your outfit!, lovely florals, lovely colors, and lovely belt too! (it matches your hat so nicely!)
    Such amazing finds!, and so lovely warm day to visit a flea market!. Those cups and saucers have a beautiful floral motive. And your 'new' dresses look fabulous!
    wish you get well soon, that kind of accidents are annoying!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica. I dearly love that belt, as it looks stylish and is comfortable at the same time. Thank you for your well wishes, my arm was looking a bit too colourful for my liking, but it's almost all gone now! xxx

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  16. I was a massive fan of Hotter shoes, though haven't bought any in ages because the staff in my local branch are dreadful and never seem interested in actually selling me anything!

    Your pussybow blouse is excellent, so summery. No wonder other people were impressed with your outfits. You got two good frocks there too.

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    1. I'd only ever seen them on blogs, so I couldn't believe my luck, and at only € 2 too! Will check them out when I next visit the UK. xxx

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  17. Those shoes! What a nifty find. And your hat as well - perfect for the day. Thanks for linking up, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thank you Patti, it's always my pleasure to join the lovely visible girls! xxx

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  18. You are a well-dressed couple, those English stallholders have great taste, I can't wait to see you both in real-life!!
    What a fab flea market rummage you took us on. I love your floral pussy bow blouse and maxi skirt and both your gorgeous spring dresses. Those little scottie dogs are adorable and the snapshots of Dove Cottage's garden are beautiful.
    Sorry to hear about your tumble, I hope you're not too stiff and bruised, those falls really shake us up, don't they? xxx

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    1. We'll do our best not to disappoint ;-) I took quite a tumble and my arm (it's my bad one, which I fractured twice already) was a bit bruised, but all in all, I was OK, even though I was in shock. xxx

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  19. What a lovely post, full of all my favourite things! I love your outfits - L and I get similar compliments, and he just loves it! Those shoes are fantastic - I would wear them. Ouch, to your tumble! I'm coming up bruises all over from my fainting spell on Sunday - that was not a good day for either of us, physically!

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    1. Thank you Sheila! I've been lucky finding shoes lately, as I've found an orange pair the weekend before last and this weekend I found a pale yellow pair for just € 1! xxx

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  20. I hope you are feeling better after your stair encounter been there done that so I do sympathise!

    Other than that all I will say is oh my god, oh my god, oh my god the green deer!!!!!!!

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    1. Thank you Gisela! All in all, the bruising faded pretty fast. Not surprises you're loving the green deer ;-) xxx

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  21. What a lovely compliment to overhear. I do think people should make more of an effort, almost everyone seems to go casual these days, me included!
    You made some great purchases, I love the Scottie dogs and with their little tongues poking out!
    xx

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    1. It certainly was! I'm not very good at dressing casually, anyway. Oh, and I agree: those Scottie dogs are absolutely adorable! xxx

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