Monday 22 October 2018

Shipwrecked

Now, don't get me wrong. I do appreciate this Summer bonus time we've been having as much as the next person, but it's been playing havoc with my schedule!

Especially as I had taken October's first Friday off to do my wardrobe changeover. Outside, the sun was doing overtime, but here I was, lugging around mountains of clothing and getting sweatier by the minute.

I'd already packed away all the high Summer stuff in the two vintage suitcases it usually hibernates in.

Then, I freed up valuable hanging space in my main wardrobe by making neat piles of my other Summer clothes, ready to be put into the vacuum bags which would soon become vacant.



Then, out came my Winter frocks! I checked over and gave thought to each and every one of them, making piles of anything I'd fallen out of love with, ready to be donated to charity or for re-selling at next year's flea market. These made a total of four bags of clothes, and I was feeling quite pleased with myself.

Meanwhile, my little helper, Phoebe, was getting sleepy and soon dozed off in the sunshine.



All that schlepping around had done my back in, so that by Saturday I was good for nothing.

We were off to see an exhibition of Expo 58 items put up by an acquaintance, and with the temperature in the mid twenties, I actually needed something summery to wear. 

Now this was a dilemma! As all my Summer stuff was having its annual beauty sleep by now, I was left shipwrecked between Summer and Autumn. The best I could come up with were a handful of transitional short-sleeved Crimplene frocks, which I'm keeping in my wardrobe, ready for next year's first days of Spring.


At least, this one looks sufficiently Summery, don't you think? I made the most of its riotous colour scheme by adding a purple beaded necklace and a green belt. The belt actually belonged to one of the dresses I gave to charity. While I was prepared to let the dress go, as I never wore it anyway, the same couldn't be said for the belt with its gorgeous buckle!

As a nod to the season, I added some Autumn leaves brooches.



I last wore this floral tapestry blazer back in Spring, but I do think it's equally suited to an Indian Summer's day. Another autumnal brooch was added for good measure. This gold tone one features a sculpted oak leave and two acorns.


We had just time for one charity shop on the way home, nipping into our most local one, where I found this amazing coat. There is no label identifying its contents but its heavy weight might be an indication that it's the real thing. I just knew I'd have regrets if I didn't take it home.


Another thing which came home with us is this chair. It is one of a pair and has been living in our garage for a couple of weeks now. It's a family heirloom from Jos's side, Jos and his sister having one each. At some point, after Jos and I had not long been together, Jos's sister offered to re-upholster ours in the same way she did hers, and that's the last we saw of it.

After his sister passed away back in August, we have now inherited both chairs, the other one needing some minor repairs before coming home.

They are rather special, as they used to be part of the furniture of a ship called the Baudouinville, which was built for the Antwerp based shipping company Compagnie Maritime Belge in 1939. She was a passenger ship operating between Antwerp and the then Belgian colony Congo, but was captured by the Germans in 1940 and anchored in France for the remainder of the war.

As indicated by the numbers screwed on top of the chairs' backs, they were used in the ship's theatre.



After the war, the by then fire damaged ship was towed back to Antwerp and dismantled. The chairs, together with some other bits and bobs, were salvaged by Jos's Dad and eldest brother, who used to work in a ship-breaking yard just after the Second World War.



I was feeling more or less back to normal on Sunday, which was a good thing as we had our first indoor flea market of the season to go to.

There was a little nip in the air, so I decided to give one of my lightweight suits an outing. This brown on grey textured polyester suit was all mine for the incredible sum of € 4 in one of Think Twice's sales a couple of years ago. It made its debut soon after I took my first baby steps in blogland, here.


For my top I kept to a similar shade of blue as I did back then, as I think it works really well with the suit, but I'd never have dreamed of mixing prints at the time! 

There's green in the blouse, which I matched with my necklace, belt and squirrel brooch pinned to my jacket, while the pink bits prompted my choice of brooch on the blouse itself.

Finally adding one of my tapestry handbags, I was ready for the hunt.



And this is what we came home with!




It's been ages since I had a decent haul of brooches, so I was glad to add a total of six to my collection. 


The irregularly shaped amber colored stone belongs to a chunky ring, and my treasures all just fit into the decorative wooden box I found at one of the stalls.


Two chocolate related items, both from Belgian chocolate brand Côte d'Or: a gorgeous tin which used to contain chocolates and a chocolate mould for the brand's iconic chocolate bars featuring an elephant, the brand's emblem, on each piece.


I've been a good girl and haven't bought any handbags for ages. Plus, I sold a couple of handbags at the flea market back in July. Not enough to free up sufficient space for new buys, but still ...

How could I leave behind this vintage raffia beaded handbag. Its ridged framework and handle, which I suspect are Bakelite, do need a bit of a clean, though.



My last find was actually my first. I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous colours of this embroidered canvas bag, which closes with a zipper, is fully lined and has an envelope-shaped outside pocket closing with a loop and wooden bead.

All in all, not too bad for the first flea market of the season, which wasn't operating at its full capacity yet. 

We have once again taken out a subscription and will be returning soon!

Meanwhile, I am linking my suit to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style!


36 comments:

  1. You are having a fabulous spell of weather, it's been gorgeous here but not warm at all...boo!
    the wardrobe looks wonderful, really inviting and you've done brilliantly donating/decluttering four bags worth of clothes.
    I've got the matching jacket to that coat on my rails - that too has no labels. How strange!!
    Some cracking outfits there, I'm particularly loving the brown suit on you.
    That chair is wonderful, what a story! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a coincidence about the jacket! The coat's very heavy, I guess it will keep me grounded even when it's blowing a gale ;-) xxx

      Delete
  2. It's good to have transitional pieces in the wardrobe we can draw on when the weather surprises us!

    I really loved your suit; I thought at first it was a belted coat but it looks gorgeous on you and I love the accessories you have used with all your outfits.

    The chairs are lovely and what an interesting history they have.

    Wonderful finds! Such fabulous brooches and I loved the bags. Let's hope the auspicious beginning to the flea market season continues for you.

    Have a lovely week.
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Veronica! A belted coat in the same fabric would be gorgeous too! xxx

      Delete
  3. What a fascinating story about those chairs!

    I haven't done my closet switchover yet. I'm dreading it. It needs to be done though as summer has departed and crisp weather has arrived.

    You did well at your first vintage market! Those handbags are treasures.

    Your pattern mixing skills have surpassed advance level now.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm always dreading my wardrobe switch-over as well. I actually did it early this year, as I thought I wouldn't have much time later on. I took a day off especially! xxx

      Delete
  4. It never fails to warm up as soon as the summer clothes are packed away. You managed the transitional outfit perfectly though.

    Wonderful brooches and bags. The beaded one is a style that's quite sought after in my part of the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've got another one of those beaded bags, but that's more of an evening bag. I had no idea they were sought after ... xxx

      Delete
  5. I'm always impressed at your bold use of color. It's your signature.

    ReplyDelete
  6. woww, doing the switch between seasons is something exhausting!, but it's also so joyful to have a look at those magnificent colors and prints in your wardrobe!. Glad that you have some 'transitional' dresses to wear in the unseasonable hot. The lovely blue and green and mauve dress looks fabulous with the matchy accessorizing! and the belt! Lovely color combo!
    I'm admiring the coat you've purchased, it looks like a quality piece!. And I love to know that those chairs have a story to tell, and it's related to Jos's family.
    And so cute brooches and bags you've purchased!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Monica! Doing the switch-over is exhausting indeed. I'm always dreading it, but then I'm pleased when it's done! xxx

      Delete
  7. Oh I very enjoyed this chair story. How exciting! Wonderful you have already two.
    You look amazing in this colourful dress and I love this new embroidered bag you find.
    Now it is colder outside Ann...:) you can wear your winter clothes!
    A very huge hug, Tina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Tina! It's been getting colder here too. I'm actually looking forward to wearing my Winter clothes. I guess I'll need a thick coat when we're going to Zeeland! xxx

      Delete
  8. That vintage raffia beaded handbag is fabulous, Ann! I love it! I love your first outfit. The colours and print is so pretty and that belt is fantastic! That blazer is gorgeous. Love all your new brooches too! Hope you're having a great week, Ann. XXX

    ReplyDelete
  9. Aw, Phoebe snoozing in the sun while you work away...just like a cat!

    I love your wonderful chair, and that COAT! It looks like it's carved out of the same flame wood as your wardrobe - what a lovely piece! I adore your wonderful suit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did have a feeling you'd love the coat! Yes, Phoebe can be just like a cat ... if she wants too. I'm sure there's an alien hiding in her, though ;-) xxx

      Delete
  10. how i love such furniture with a history!!! and what a history in the case of the chairs! fantastic!
    stunning coat and i you look sharp in that suit - and the handbag is a beauty really!!!
    i switched wardrobe that early to - but not into real winter - instead i pulled out all my transitional clothes that i had not worn long time because there was no balmy spring nor warm autumn the last years.... so this season was a win :-D
    i have to change in november again though.....
    hugest of hugs! xxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love a piece of furniture (or item of clothing) with a bit of history. I had to do my switch-over early, as I knew I wouldn't have time later on. But I only did my coats and boots last weekend, as it suddenly got a lot colder! xxx

      Delete
  11. That's a stunning leather coat and you found some good brooches too. I love the elephant and also the poodle - obviously!
    That bright bag will cheer up winter no end xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sally! Obviously I knew you would love the poodle brooch ;-) xxx

      Delete
  12. Love the coat and the rafia bag! I keep thinking about buying something vintage like that.
    I'm debating about getting those sucky bags. do they work? xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been using the sucky bags (love that!) for years, and they seem to work just fine. Without them, I guess I would have to move to a bigger home ;-) xxx

      Delete
  13. That green belt!! Wow. And the autumn leaves brooches. All such special pieces. I really like accessories in block colours like that. What a fascinating back story to the chairs, I love historical connections like that. I suspect by now you are fully in autumn wear - it's turned colder here. Definitely vintage coat weather! Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you love the belt! I just couldn't part with it, so now there'll be a dress without a belt out there ... It's only just turned colder here, and have switched to one of my vintage coats only two days ago. I love vintage coats! xxx

      Delete
  14. Those outfits are fantastic. I can see why you kept the belt with the fancy buckle, it's really lovely, and a great match for the Crimplene dress. And what a find that coat was!

    The story behind those chairs is great. The things they've been through...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To think what those chairs have been through is quite mind boggling! And now one of them is being hogged by Phoebe ;-) xxx

      Delete
  15. I know I said it on facebook but those bags are fabulous, such a good find. xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Well done on the wardrobe change over, and 4 bags to be donated or sold? I am dreadful at getting rid of clothes, I find it so hard to part with anything. Your wardrobe looks wonderfully colourful.
    I love the story of the chairs, we have a lot of old pieces of furniture and I'd love to know their stories.
    That leather coat is amazing, I couldn't have left that behind either. Nor the little elephant brooch, or the colourful bag!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Hazel! I used to be dreadful at getting rid of clothes too. Keeping some stuff to be sold at the flea market next year does make it a little easier, as I know I can still reconsider if necessary. If by that time I haven't missed the item, it's a sign I should let it go! xxx

      Delete
  17. LOVE that coat! What a gorgeous find!!! And you look adorable in your printed coat! Love all the vintage purses here, gorgeous textures and colors! And so many wonderful brooches...
    Lots of love!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Natalia! That coat will be worth having cold weather for ... xxx

      Delete
  18. And those chairs with history - both your country's and your family's history now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's fascinating, isn't it? And now they're starting another chapter in their ongoing history! xxx

      Delete