Thursday 26 September 2019

On the cusp of Autumn

Apologies to those of you who have come here hoping to read another installment of my travelogue! I'm keeping the final episode simmering on the back burner for now and I'm treating you to a September recap instead.

Can you believe we've almost reached the end of September? It's quite dizzying how time seems to whizz by.

For two weekends in a row, we have been blessed with the most gorgeous sunny weather, which obviously we have been making the most of. 

By heading to one of our favourite nature reserves, for instance, which is what we did two Sundays ago, topping up our vitamin D levels in the process.


Isn't this green floral Diolen frock a delight? It was love at first sight when I spotted it on the rails at Think Twice about 4 years ago, and in spite of the fact that it wasn't in the greatest of conditions, resistance was futile: I  just had to make it mine!

The lining was in tatters, so I removed it completely, and there were quite a few rough patches caused by pilling, which I managed to make a whole lot better by patiently snipping off the worst offenders with a tiny pair of scissors. The things one does for love! I also replaced the less than perfect buttons with these buttercup yellow ones.

More yellow was added with my necklace and flower corsage, and I even wore a watch with a yellow strap. The colour pink was represented by the lacy cardigan I wore on top and my pink floral sneakers, which are vying with my Clarks Cloudsteppers for the title of most comfortable footwear.



You've already visited this nature reserve, which has over 675 hectares of marshland, ponds and lakes, with me several times before. It really is a place for all seasons, but our favourite times to visit are from Autumn to early Spring.

At the tail end of Summer, it is actually at its lushest, if slightly overgrown, with the green of the foliage close to its sell-by date, at that awkward between-the-seasons moment just before the leaves start to turn.


Passing the first of the ponds, we turned off towards the bird hide, which was covered in rampant garlands of ivy and hops. 

Hoverflies were flitting among out-of-season dandelions or joining the bees in feasting upon the pollen of the pink-hued Himalayan balsam, which they obviously think is the bee's knees!



The soundtrack was provided by their buzzing mingled with the droning of a plane far above our heads and the eternal bickering of the waterfowl.

But even if the weather was rivalling that of a warm Summer's day, the sights and smells were definitely those of these glorious days on the cusp of Autumn.


Woodland paths meandered beneath a canopy of green, which was shadow-playing with the sunlight filtering through the trees.

It's these fleeting peaceful moments that make my heart leap with joy!


We always stop at this rough-hewn bench, where we sit in quiet contemplation enjoying the stillness of the air.

The bench is quite high, causing my feet to dangle inches above the ground. No such problems for Jos though!


After this soul refreshing day, it wasn't easy getting back into working mode. As always, I tried to chase away the dark clouds, whether real or imaginary, by wearing my beloved vintage frocks.

I only managed outfit photos on a couple of days and, taken with my phone's camera, they are not the sharpest of the bunch.


On the left, the eagle-eyed among you might spot the vintage dress I'd recently scored at the charity shop, while the dress on the right is an old favourite in a water colour print of blues, purples and greens.


Friday's outfit was an exercise in pattern mixing achieved by combining this skirt and blouse, both of which had previously only been worn with plain items. 

The blouse is another one which I suspect to be the top half of a dress. Apart from its gorgeous blue and green florals, it was the cute white collar and button placket which persuaded me to buy it.

As a nod to impending Autumn - which I read started on 23 September this year - I pinned a wooden acorn brooch to the blouse's collar.


Speaking of acorns, we walked on a veritable carpet of them on Saturday, and escaped several others which dropped from the great height of the trees with a mighty plop.

On our way to our usual Saturday afternoon round of the charity shops, we stopped at a leafy park for a stroll. 

The sunlight bouncing off the semi-opaque water of the park's ponds was confusing my camera lens into creating this magical landscape where elves and fairies might be dwelling.


The dress I'm wearing was picked up for next to nothing at Think Twice earlier that week. The hem had dropped in several places and I spent an hour or so on Friday restitching it.

After all that effort, I thought I might as well give it an outing before packing it away for next Summer.

The chain belt - another recent charity shop find - seemed to be made for it, and I added a necklace in a similar colour, as well as an armful of bracelets and a vintage poodle brooch.


The basket bag is another favourite which has earned its place among my handbag collection. It's just big enough for weekend essentials, but would never work as a weekday bag.


After our turn in the park, we hit the charity shops, but pickings were meagre this time.

Nevertheless, I pounced upon this straw basket with appliquéd flowers and leaves. Not that I haven't got enough straw baskets already, but the truth is that I find them simply irresistible. 


My other buys were a bright orange cardigan in a shade that was I was still missing and a stretchy, long-sleeved grey top with a dainty pink flower print. 

Oh, and I found Jos a brushed leather Winter coat, which I presume will make its debut on the blog before too long.

I'm leaving you for now, as I've got things to do: I'm starting the weekend early this week by having a day off tomorrow. See you next time!


40 comments:

  1. You have the most colourful beautiful dresses in your wardrobe Ann. It’s so lovely to see them all when all around us women are dressed in drab colours and sloppy outfits.
    That basket belongs in my pile of stuff my friend haha
    Lynn xxx

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    1. Thank you Lynn and you're right, we do stand out from the drab-coloured crowd ;-) xxx

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  2. Oh my! That picture of the park should be hung on a wall Ann. So beautiful. I love all the autumn colours too but I hate the earlier dark nights xx

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  3. Wow...that photo of the park with the reflection on the water took my breath away.

    I'm very impressed with your green outfit with the funky blouse and pleated skirt. It looks like they were meant to be partners. So Gucci!

    Enjoy your long weekend.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Thank you Suzanne! I wonder why I never thought to partner them before. xxx

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  4. The park looks so beautiful and I like the green dress - how nice you could give it a bit of TLC to restore it! I really like your dress at the end there, nice you could give it a wear before packing it away for summer!

    Hope that your week is going well :)

    Away From Blue

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    1. Thank you Mica. If I think a dress is worth it, and the price is right, I don't mind giving it a bit of TLC. xxx

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  5. How beautiful to see the golden sunlight dappling around you on your lovely walk in that lush green park. Absolutely love the ensemble of colourful dresses and the care you take to mend them. I feel the same way about straw baskets - always buying more than I need and ultimately passing them on to someone else because they take up so much space. Enjoy autumn, my favourite season.

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    1. Thank you Suzy! I always try to use the baskets for storage when they're not in use, which kind of justifies me buying them ;-) xxx

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  6. Ohh sadly I missed do many words in english to say how wonderful your ourfits and these nature pictures are. I need english lessons for blogger comments :))
    I am in love with this post and I think these pink sneakers habe been waiting of you ;)
    A very huge hug Tina

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    1. Never mind, Tina, I do understand what you mean and your comments are always appreciated. You could even comment in German, if you prefer! xxx

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  7. the green dress is fab indeed - love that the pattern of stripes & flowers are almost neon colored....
    gorgeous photos of the nature reserve!!
    and extra points for perfect pattern mixing :-D
    i have this strawbag! but mine had lost its handles and most of the embroidery when it came to me via an inheritance. fixed it with new handles and some silk flowers: https://bahnwaerterhaeuschen.blogspot.com/2013/06/kleid-2.html
    hugsies! xxxxx

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    1. Thank you my dear, and yes, your bag does seem very similar. I'm glad you were able to customize/fix it the way you did! xxx

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  8. You deserve a medal for Most Colorful Blog!

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  9. Thrift store is on tomorrow. I wish you a happy and sunny October. Regula

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    1. Thank you Regula! Did you find anything interesting at the thrift store? xxx

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  10. So satisfying being able to rescue a beautiful vintage piece like your green dress.

    I can't resist a straw bag either.

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    1. Thank you Goody, and I am so glad I'm not alone in my straw bag addiction ;-) xxx

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  11. You take such marvellous photos! The one of the lake with the reflected trees was magical indeed.

    I loved your green and pink outfit with the yellow accessories - fabulous! All the other outfits were also lovely and I just love your accessories; especially the acorn brooch and the poodle brooch.

    Straw bags - yes I completely understand how irresistible they are and you have some beauties. I bought one in Ireland with painted wooden panels - very 1960s, I think, but the straw was very dry and kept shedding wherever I went. I left it behind!

    Hope your week ahead is good one.
    xxx

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    1. Thank you so much Veronica! I'm pleased to hear I love my photos. What a shame about that basket ... xxx

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  12. That photograph of your Saturday viewpoint need to be framed, it's beautiful!
    I love the funky diagonal print on first dress, pink and green remind me so much of India, always a welcome reminder. Friday's pattern mixing experiment is a triumph, I thought it was a dress!
    I'm liking the sound of Jos's new-to-him coat and of course you had to have that basket, it's the law (well it is in my head!) xxx

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    1. Thank you Vix! I'm so going to adapt that adage and declaim that it's the law whenever I'm feeling a tiny bit guilty at buying something! xxx

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  13. I enjoyed your gorgeous nature photography and your colorful September outfits! Love the story of your saving the dress for love. :) And you look especially charming in the last, blue/red/white dress with a chartreuse cardigan over it, such a beautiful combination of colors and shapes!
    Lots of love!

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  14. I'm so sorry I'm so behind in my comments, Ann! Life has become rather chaotic lately. I miss my blog mates though! I love seeing all of your beautiful and colourful outfits, Ann! I especially love that first pretty dress! The yellow accents look so great too! Did I spy "my" red bracelet? That's so funny that we have the same one! Hope you have a wonderful week ahead, Ann! :) XXX

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    1. That's quite alright Sasha, I do appreciate all of your comments. And yes, you did spy "our" bracelet ;-) I found a similar one in blue last year! xxx

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  15. Oh, I knew I'd missed a post, and here it is! Sorry for my tardiness, I'm just getting caught up after that silly-busy weekend!

    Lots to love here:
    - Your pink and yellow accents with that marvelous dress
    - Your exuberant "yes!" pose!
    - The pattern-mixing in that green/white outfit.
    - The "magic" pond...so dreamy!
    - That fabulous aqua/red/brown "centipede" patterned dress.

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    1. Never mind, Sheila, I'm appreciating your comments, even when they are "tardy"! For some reason, I'm always doing that pose in that field ;-) xxx

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    2. Oh, forgot: I love "centipede" patterned. That'll be my name for the dress from now on ;-) xxx

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  16. what a gorgeous pink cardi. It is a match made in heaven with that dress. You look fantastic! The natural reservoir looks enchanting....This natural oasis looks magical.

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  17. The green dress was certainly worth the effort to make it wearable again - most people would've just given up on it, sadly. The yellow buttons are a perfect match to the yellow flowers - this dress was meant to find it's home with you.
    Wearing gorgeous patterned, cheerful coloured clothing is a great way to keep your spirits up. I adore the colours of the dress with the chain belt, and I like the contrast colour you paired it with - divine!
    September did seem to go by in a flash, I'm not sure were it went!
    xx

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    1. Thank you Hazel! I'm not sure where September, or indeed the whole Summer, went either. xxx

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  18. wowww, these early autumn landscapes and atmosphere make my heart sing!, the weather looks glorious too and you look particularly gorgeous!. Autumn rocks!
    Love your green dress with yellow accessories and pink cardi, totally fabulous! (and those sneakers are so cute!). Love your floral dresses and the Friday's mixed patterns in green and blue, so delightful!
    Love your new dress print, those abstract leaves in fab colors!, stunning!. Fabulous accessorizing too!
    And love your basket (a girl can't have too many of them!)
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! And I totally agree with you that a girl can't have too many baskets! xxx

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  19. You do look so joyful in that photo with your arms out. Hooray for sunshine and feeling good!

    Your Diolen (and similar dresses)m are all so nice... you must have quite a treasure trove of them.

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    1. Thank you Mim. Let's face it, I do have too many dresses ;-) xxx

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