Thursday 31 May 2018

It's only humid!

The day of last post's flea market ended the way warm sunny days often do.

Slowly but surely, dark clouds started sprawling across the sky and soon there was a low crackle of thunder, followed by the pattering of the first, experimental, raindrops. Then the downpour began, the rain-heavy clouds unleashing a torrent of water.


It was the start of a week full of days like these, slightly chilly in the mornings but soon warming up to around 30 degrees Celsius, often ending in brief but heavy showers.

Although I'm not very good with the heat, I would have coped better if the days had been bright and sunny, but no: the air grew heavy, humidity pressing down, the only redeeming factor a slight but very welcome breeze ...


By Saturday, I was wilting, but not one to give up that easily, I dressed the part for a short charity shopping trip.

Now, at least, my sleeveless Summer dresses can come out to play, like this Chelsea collared one in sky blue with a floral print in orange, green, white and - heaven forbid - a bit of grey as well!



Any excuse for piling on lots of orange, which I did by choosing an orange belt, necklace and ring. 

I added a bit of blue too: a plastic bracelet and a blue and white ceramic one. Look how my watch strap matches the blue bracelet almost exactly! Then there was the blue and white sailing boat brooch pinned to my collar.

As I was feeling frivolous, I wore two flowers clips in my hair.


A navy wicker and plastic handbag (the rings are plastic) and a pair of comfortable navy wedge sandals, decorated with a row of flowers, completed my look.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention my tiny Spanish fan: my portable airco and a bare necessity in this kind of weather!




Back at home, I made some pocket squares, for Jos to wear with his linen blend Summer jacket, from two cheap charity shopped kipper ties. A very useful tip from Vix, so thank you darling! I'm sure that Jos will soon have a whole collection of these, as most charity shops here have baskets full of abandoned ties.



I was ready for a lie down by now, but sitting still, let alone lying down in the daytime, is not something I often do, busy bee that I am.

Instead, I gave a new lease of life to my rather tired looking pair of Clarks slingbacks by painting the worn bits with nail polish in exactly the same colour! 



After that, I decided to have that lie down after all, leaving my charity shop finds for Sunday.


Looking out of our bedroom window, the sky was painted in pastel pink with streaks of yellow, the sun, wearing a fiery halo, retreating behind the trees and houses beyond.



No sun to greet us on Sunday morning, leaving us with leaden skies instead. The air felt very close, suffocatingly so, and it was muggy, which left me feeling indolent and limp like a week-old lettuce leaf.

But I did promise you to show you my finds of the day before, starting with yet another pair of shoes. This stylish, yet comfortable pair are by Weekend, and would have retailed at more than € 100, so I was glad to hand over my € 5.

At the same shop, I was halfheartedly riffling through the rack of dresses, despairing at what was on offer, when I suddenly zoomed in on this fabulous maxi. A quick look at the label (Diolen) confirmed what I'd already suspected: it was proper vintage! I grabbed it without even looking at the size label and went in search of a fitting room.


To my utter relief, it was a near perfect fit.

The print is a meadow full of small sky blue flowers, growing bigger and more colourful at the hem, where they are joined by pink flowers and green leaves. This same print is repeated on the panels at the front and back, which are trimmed with green rick rack.

The dress zips up the back, where it additionally ties with a sash, accenting its empire waist.



Best of all are the massive butterfly sleeves, which are draped like a cape at both sides of the bodice's panels, hiding plain armholes underneath.


The perfect dress to waft around in on a hot Summer's day!  Would it be tempting fate if I packed it away for our holiday in the UK?


One more Summer look before I call it a day. And I'm not talking about the flowers in our garden!

This is what I actually wore on Sunday. 

Lilac and orange are meeting on a black background in this wide, swooshy midi skirt, which has a ruffled hem edged with orange ribbon trim.



I wore it with a no-nonsense stretchy top with a gathered bust and a little tie, a lilac vinyl belt, multicoloured beads and my recently acquired orange shoes!


With all items charity shopped or from Think Twice's sales, I think the total cost of this outfit is well under € 10, proving that there are alternatives to fast fashion from a certain cheap high street store when you want to look stylish on a budget!


40 comments:

  1. I didn’t realise how much light blue suits you before now and teamed with orange you look fabulous. Hmm ! Might have to give it a go myself Ann
    LYNN xxx

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    1. Thank you Lynn! I'm always being told light blue suits me, yet it isn't my go-to colour. xxx

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  2. Despite the weather you are looking lovely-your hair always looks perfect. The last skirt with the orange flowers is the stuff of dreams, along with that fab maxi. I sday go ahead and take it on holiday-think positive!

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    1. I'm always complaining about the state of my hair, so reading your comment really made my day! Thank you! xxx

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  3. this weather is killing me it's so muggy and close, yet now it's hammering down with rain and yet it still feels l;ike you can't quite get enough breath.

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one! I'm supposed to be preparing for my holiday, but the muggy weather prevents me from getting things done ... xxx

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  4. indeed very stylish! all the 3 looks - but love the last one most. and you always find the best shoes!! genius to repair that cool red shoes with nail polish.
    so you guys got all the water that we´r missing here! ts! today it felt like australian outback...
    tons of (sweaty) hugs! xxxxx

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    1. Thank you Beate! I'd read about the nail polish trick in a book, so I wanted to try it out for myself. And it works! xxx

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  5. Oh, humidity just kills me too - gah! And it's often humid here, being near the water. Hearing about your weather makes me realize how similar it is to Victoria!

    I adore your orange mix outfit - that top is FAB on you! Va-va-voom! Girl, you have got it goin' on!

    Love the nail polish tip - that is totally something I would do!

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    1. We really seem to have quite similar climates! I wasn't too sure about that top, but I got quite a few compliments wearing it! xxx

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  6. Nice blue purse. There not much humidity in North Idaho which I'm thankful.
    Coffee is on

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  7. It's so great to see you in summery outfits, Ann! I love all three of your outfits. I love how you've styled the first dress with such pretty accessories: especially the flower clips! The second dress is floaty and fabulous: what a wonderful print! My favourite outfit is the third one: you look amazing, Ann! XXX

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    1. Thank you Sasha, you're too kind! That skirt would be something you'd wear, I'm sure! xxx

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  8. I love the light blue and orange combination. Very summery! The maxi dress is gorgeous and floaty, and WOW! at the shoes. Pretty humid here too lately, saps your energy doesn't it?

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    1. Thank you Linda, and I agree about the energy sapping weather ... xxx

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  9. That maxi is fabulous! I love that cape sleeved style, so airy and elegant! The colours of the top dress are so Spring-like and the floral midi is super.
    You're colourful shoes are fabulous and those weekend ones are lovely, you can tell they were expensive.
    You've done a bosting (Black Country word for great) on the pocket squares for Jos. They sit much better than a conventional square and, as you say, they're always cheap and plentiful.
    It never gets too hot for me. I was a lizard in a past life! Take that dress away with you, you won't regret it!
    xxx

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    1. I had to think of you when I clapped eyes on that dress, especially the sleeves! That pocket square idea was really fab, too! xxx

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  10. glad to see you rocking those summery dresses and looking gorgeous despite the weather! (not so hot here in the northern Spain, but lots of rain too!)
    I love your blue dress with orange details and accessories, so cute color combo (and lovely hairclips! and bag!). And the Diolen maxi is stunning, what a fabulous print and those sleeves!
    And so lovely orange top and floral skirt, I think you rock (particularly) in orange! gorgeous!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! I never used to wear much orange until I started blogging. Must be all those fabulous girls I'm hanging out with ;-) xxx

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  11. The ties to pocket squares are a fab idea! And I love the maxi, bring it to the UK, it could do with some cheering up!
    xx

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    1. Thank you Hazel! And I'm not taking just one, but two maxis! xxx

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  12. How summery you look and what brilliant bargains.
    Love the shoes,Vix is right, you can tell they are quality. Mr S. will look very dapper indeed with his new selection of fetching pocket squares. He'll have to beat the women off with a stick! When are you coming over Ann? Xxx

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    1. I read your comment out loud to Mr. S., and I keep telling him not to forget his stick whenever he goes out ... Coming over from 16 to 30 June, not long now. xxx

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    2. We'll be going in opposite directions! Have a lovely time and hope the weather gods look upon you favourably. Xxx

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  13. I vote for packing this gorgeous maxi dress with you! Even if the weather won't permit, you can always wear it for a date night with your sweetie, just add a glass of wine, even if it's your room! Love all the new outfits and color combinations, and admire the flowers in your hair! It's something I would love to do myself, I need to come up with hair clips, especially now when my hair is growing...

    May is famous for thunderstorms in many parts of the world, including my homeland. We almost never have thunderstorms over here, alas, they can be glorious to watch!

    Lots of love!

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    1. I'm definitely taking the maxi dress, and I've got another one in mind as well. I'm sure you'll look lovely with flowers in your hair, Natacha! xxx

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  14. The sky looks beautiful what a perfect photo!
    You look gorgeous and summery, I think you should just throw them all in your suitcase, then cross your fingers and hope for the best :)
    Have a great weekend xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! I hate deciding what to pack, but I'm definitely taking the maxi! I was about to close the curtains when I saw that gorgeous sky, so I ran for my camera! xxx

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  15. Wow great findings Ann. I am in love with this Maxi dress. You look so gorgeous in it! Lilac and orange look also great. You find always the best shoes!
    I wish you a wonderful weekend. A very huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina! I've been really lucky finding shoes lately. xxx

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  16. Oooh, you are looking so summery! What lovely outfits. I love your maxi and the first dress and the skirt and top combo - fabulous!

    The navy slingbacks are fab - I would certainly wear them - heel not too high.

    I do hope our nice weather holds for your UK holiday. I've got my fingers crossed...
    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Veronica! We're keeping our fingers crossed too, but I'm sure it'll be great, whatever the weather ... xxx

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  17. Our weather has been very much the same, grey, muggy and oppressive, it's horrible. We had a rest bite from it over the weekend with two lovely bright sunny days but today we're back to depressing greyness and it set to last most of the week :(

    Your colourful summery outfits do wonders to brighten the day, though and I love the teaming of light blue and orange in your first outfit. That's a combination I need to remember! Great find with the maxi dress too, the light blue colour definitely suits you. xx

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    1. Thank you Cate! I keep being told light blue suits me, but there's not all that much of it in my wardrobe. I wonder why? xxx

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  18. I'm darn excited about trying out that idea for pocket squares! Do you just snip the end of the tie and sew it?

    I can spot the quality on those new peep toes from here. Lucky lady.

    That maxi looks like the perfect solution for heat and humidity. I'm a sucker for a flutter sleeve.

    Orange is such a happy colour. I'm reminded of this every time I visit your blog.

    Suzanne

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    1. Thank you Suzanne! Regarding the pocket squares, yes, that's basically it. Works really well. xxx

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  19. We've had some hideous weather over here, but it's very changeable, so I say pack the maxi for the UK - just stick an umbrella in your bag too. That dress was a great find.

    Charity shop fashion beats out fast fashion any day. looks better and lasts longer!

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    1. Thank you Mim. I'd never dare come to the UK without at least one umbrella ;-) The maxi dress (and another one) are as good as packed! xxx

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  20. You are my utter inspiration for beautiful colour outfits!
    That MAXIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII, is amazing!!!! I LOVE the sleeves. So many maxis are too low cut- that is my ideal, with loose, floaty sleeves; so glad you pounced!!x

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