Sunday 14 October 2018

Pinks and greens

As September segues into October, and Autumn is slowly creeping up on is, the balmy weather we've been blessed with is starting to feel slightly unreal.

The garden is still wearing its overgrown lushness with relish and, even if the process of decay is unavoidable, its verdancy soon making way for mouldy browns and greys, for now it is dressed in hues of pink and green.



And so am I!

I've centered my outfit around this new-to-me green and pink pussy bow blouse which, after a bit of head scratching, I teamed with a green floral print vintage skirt. At my waist, a sage green woven belt


Both green and pink are represented in the rest of my accessories: a green beaded necklace and a chunky plastic ring in bright pink. Even the Bambi in my vintage brooch is frolicking on a pale green background!

The exuberant bush behind me is our beloved Fuchsia magellanica, which really comes into its own this time of year, providing a late-summer pit stop for visiting bees.


Another bee magnet is Sedum spectabile, the colour of which perfectly matches my pink Tweed jacket. I only needed it for my commute in the morning and had to carry it home in my bag as it was far too warm for a coat by then.

Here, I just threw it on for the purpose of this post, with the late afternoon sun illuminating the pinks with a magical glow.


The last Saturday of September was another one of those picture perfect Autumn days, with a sunlit afternoon inviting us for a walk in the park. 

The low, slanting light was almost too bright, adding to the unsettling poignancy of the season, knowing that the blue skies will all too quickly fade into a long season of grey.


The short-sleeved plaid dress, with its shades of green and olive, neck tie and box pleats, was a charity shop find from years back. Sadly, it was too large, but I took the plunge anyway, and had it taken in by a local seamstress. 

I used shades of rose red and pink for my accessories: a vinyl belt with a slanted buckle, beaded necklace, ring and orchid brooch.


I secured the neck tie with a vintage diamanté tie clip.

My cropped red cardie was only worn briefly, just long enough to show you my brooch with the cloche hat wearing lady.


Autumn still has to begin in earnest in the park as well. While the leaves have long ago lost their freshness, the trees are still holding on to them, only a handful wearing their bright autumnal coats.


There's still a scattering of dog rose and mallow flowers, their pinks a startling contrast with their withered and long-dead neighbours.


I was wearing plaid on plaid, adding my royal blue, chartreuse and white plaid Lilli Ann coat, a lucky € 4 find at Think Twice back in February.

It's not in the best of conditions, but good enough for a walk in the park.



Beyond the trees are pools of hazy Autumn sunlight and walking in their dappled shade, we delighted in the seasons's sights, smells and sounds, appreciating the rhythm of nature.



Oh, who could find a dearth of bliss
With autumn glory such as this!
~ Gladys Harp



Indeed, it's days like these that get my spirits soaring, realizing it's useless to mourn the passing of Summer. Surely, Autumn is nothing if not atmospheric!


To end this almost perfect day, we had a quick dash around the charity shop up the road, where I found a handful of necklaces and a scarf. While we were jokingly telling each other we now needed something to carry them around the shop in, I happened upon this tiny wicker basket, which was ours for € 0,25.


Green, ruffles and a row of self covered buttons at the cuffs. What's not to like? As luck would have it, this blouse was exactly my size too! There was no room left in the basket, but it still came home with me.

All I need now is some decent Autumn weather to wear it!

Meanwhile, I am taking my pink and green outfit to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style as soon as the link is up!

34 comments:

  1. Ooh! I'm drooling over that plaid coat. I've been searching for one here. It is the perfect length! The colours are spectacular too. Not often you'll find a piece like that.

    The ruffled blouse is gorgeous too. That green is so nice with your hair.

    We just got back from a Sunday hike and it was a gorgeous fall day. I only wish that fall wasn't followed by winter.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. You're right, the only bad thing about Autumn is that it's followed by Winter! Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that coat. There was a queue so I didn't even try it on, willing it to fit ... xxx

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  2. Pinks and Green is a great colour combination. Some fabulous looks here Ann. Love the frilly Green blouse xx

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    1. Thank you, Laurie, I'm quite chuffed with the frilly green blouse. xxx

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  3. I'm in love with your two blouses, both the top one (great call on that skirt - your pattern-mixing is perfect) and the green one you found! Lovely pictures! This is the best season.

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    1. Thank you Sheila, yes, this really is the best season. Unless it rains for days on end, obviously! xxx

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  4. I love your pink and green outfit, Ann! That blouse is so pretty and it looks fabulous with that floral green skirt. Your print mixing is always amazing! I love the pink and green accessories too. Such a pretty colour combo! The Bambi brooch is so sweet! Hope you have a great week, Ann! XXX

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    1. Thank you Sasha! I am a sucker for Bambi brooches, and have several of them! xxx

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  5. I am in love wirh this pink and green outfit. You look stunning. And this green ruffle Blouse is amazing. Looking forward you wear it Ann.
    I wish you a nice monday, with a huge hug Tina

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  6. Pink and green is such a wonderful combination. I love both blouses featured here, as well as the fabulous check coat. We have lots of sedum in our garden, it really does add some lively colour at this time of year. Our weather has been most erratic - sunny and warm one day, lashing it down the next! X

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    1. I guess we've been really lucky, as we've had a string of warm of sunny days, and hardly any rain to speak of. But if it rains, it usually is during my commute ... xxx

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  7. How funny that I saw some Sedum on Kezzie's blog recently too. It's lovely and I'm going to have to find a spot in my garden for some...
    I love plaid on plaid! It looks fabulous!
    xx

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    1. I saw the Sedum on Kezzie's blog too and as I'd already drafted this post, I thought it was quite a coincidence. It's a very versatile plant, which doesn't need much looking after. xxx

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  8. LOOOVE your green & pink outfits!!!
    both. but the coat over dress is a head length in front.... so very chic!
    i also enjoy the unseasonal warm&sunny weather. but its a bit scary too - i digged a hole in the garden to plant a cherry tree and after the lawn, wet from taw, the deeper layers of soil were totally dry!!! frightening.
    big hug! xxxxxx

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    1. I do agree that it's a bit frightening to have this kind of weather. Somehow, it doesn't feel right. It's good that we can save on heating, but I'm longing to wear my Autumn clothes. And it will have to rain at some point! xxx

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  9. Absolutely lovely in pink and green!, the pussy bow blouse is so fabulous! and the tweed jacket! . You look gorgeous and the fuchsia and pink bushes enhance the colors so nicely!
    And I'm totally in love with your doubled plaid outfit with fuchsia accessories!, Your Coat is So Amazing!, and you're gorgeous in green!
    And so lovely basket of treasures! and the green blouse looks fabulous!
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much Monica. I couldn't but be inspired by what our garden was wearing! xxx

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  10. Pink and green is such a classic combination and you look wonderful wearing it. I am in LOVE with the green ruffled blouse! What an incredible find.

    Here's hoping autumn stays nice for you-we had our first snowestorm yesterday.

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    1. Thank you Goody! I am in love with the green ruffled blouse too, obviously. It looks brand new, I don't think it was ever worn. xxx

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  11. What a dazzling color combination. Of course, I always admire your pattern mixing. We are having the same bonus time in terms of weather. I am so enjoying the extra warmth.
    I really love your beautiful brooch and excellent photography. I hope these warm days remain a while !
    ❤️❤️❤️
    Elle
    https://theellediaries.com/

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    1. Aw, thank you Elle, that's so sweet. I am enjoying the summer bonus time too, but secretly I'm longing to wear my coats, gloves and berets! xxx

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  12. I do love pink and green together, they're pure Bollywood!
    As usual your post is a riot of colour and joy. Lilli Ann stuff sells for an absolute fortune amongst the 1950s enthusiasts - that was a good find!
    I do love a good ruffled blouse and that green one's an absolute beauty. That'll be perfect for winterising a sleeveless frock, won't it? xxx

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    1. I can live with being a bit Bollywood! My Lilli Ann coat is a bit later, I think late 1960s at the earliest. But I agree, it's still a good find. Oh, and I was thinking of wearing the ruffled blouse with the Welsh tapestry jacket you gave me! xxx

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  13. Pink and green is a lovely combination of colours!

    I've just crocheted a row of royal blue and chartreuse into my my giant granny square blanket just like the marvellous plaid coat.

    I loved your plaid dress with the box pleats; well worth getting it altered. It looked fab on you. Loved the pink pussy bow blouse with the green skirt - and oh the cloche hatted lady brooch is gorgeous.

    Your finds look intriguing; love the teeny basket and green blouse is glorious - so many ways to wear it!

    Hope your week is going well - we have proper autumn weather now....
    xxx

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    1. Royal blue and chartreuse are fabulous together! At first I was gutted when the box pleated dress was too large for me. But I simply couldn't leave without it. The alteration cost more than the dress itself, but I've worn it lots over the years, so definitely worth it! xxx

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  14. Oh my goodness, you match the fuscias and Sedum beautifully!!!! What a WONDERFUL blouse (and the jacket)- the whole look is wonderfully colourful! What is ALSO wonderfully colourful is that marvellous green blouse!!! LOVING that muchly!!! My Mum bought a basket in our local charity shop recently and was totally chuffed with it!!xx

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    1. Thank you Kezzie. I was really struck by the similarity between the Sedum and the tweed jacket! Oh, and I can never resist a good basket! xxx

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  15. Your scenery photos are always so beautiful. Love both these outfits. That blouse on the first one is especially fabulous. And you do a great job at mixing prints. Pink and green always remind me of Lilly Pulitzer who designed so many of her prints in the that combination. So pretty! And the Lilli Ann plaid knit coat, what a find! xo

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    1. Thank you Theresa! So pleased that you love my photos, and print mixing. xxx

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  16. Green is such a good colour on you, and I love all the other shades you combine it with, especially the pink.

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    1. Thank you Mim! It's my favourite colour too! But you look gorgeous in green as well, as it goes a treat with your hair! xxx

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  17. I love the plaid dress and the green blouse is stunning!

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