Sunday 13 October 2019

Who'll Stop the Rain?

It soon became clear how much luck we’d had with the weather on our day trip to Bruges, as the delicious Autumn day we’d been treated to turned out to be a one-off.

That weekend, the last one of September, was a total washout, as was the week that followed.

There was nothing much on the agenda that weekend, which was a good thing as any plans for doing something out of doors would have been scuppered by the endless and relentless rain.

In the final run-up to my seasonal wardrobe swap-over, I was trying to give some of my unworn short-sleeved frocks the last chance of an outing.


Admittedly, the Autumnal print of this dress prevents me wearing it at any other time of year, but this dull, grey Saturday was just perfect for it, providing some well-needed sunshine.

The dress is an old wardrobe staple and there’s every indication that it was handmade. I thought it would have become too snug by now due to the dreaded menopause playing havoc with my waistline, so I was delighted and greatly relieved, to find it was still a perfect fit.



And aren’t these covered buttons sweet?

I piled on even more sunshine by adding ochre beads, while I opted for a tan belt to define any waist I’ve got left, and tan leather boots. These were a € 2 charity shop steal last year.



The back of my coats cupboard revealed this bright ochre cord jacket I’d almost forgotten about. Any out-of-season jackets are folded and put away in the cupboard’s bottom drawer to save on hanging space, and for some reason this one got wedged at the very back.


For want of something better to do, we did a round of the charity shops and wouldn’t you know: the first thing to catch our eye was this giant vintage tin decorated with Bruges scenes!


Yes, I know, I wasn’t going to buy any more tins, but surely at € 1,50 this serendipitous find needed to come home with us.



The jewellery display yielded no less than seven brand new painted wooden bangles, and I found another King Louie dress as well, which you’ll get to see later in this post.

On Sunday we woke up to rain drumming on our stairwell skylight and trickling in never-ending rivulets down our windows. The outside world was looking soggy and sorry for itself, so staying in and not doing very much at all (not my forte!) was the only option.

While pottering about upstairs and tentatively lifting the lid of the huge antique linen chest my out-of-season clothes are stored in, I noticed this dress lying on top of the vacuum bags containing all my stuff.


Short-sleeved, but in a thick knit polyester fabric, it’s one of those dresses that often fall by the wayside.

I was glad of its Autumn flavour, not to mention its warmth, when I wore it to work later that week.
I added a matching orange belt but wore a contrasting mustard cardigan, to which I pinned one of my recent flea market brooches.


My ring is a medley of all the outfit’s colours. It’s made of fused glass and I bought it – together with four of its friends – from a stall near the busy Dijver canal in Bruges on our recent day trip.

Here’s a look at the others.




Surfacing from the metro on Wednesday morning, my heart skipped a beat upon spying golden sunlight illuminating Antwerp’s Art Deco skyscraper and my office building, which is on the right, with the overhead tramlines intersecting the deep blue sky.

I just had to stop for a photograph, even if I was in the middle of a busy pavement with people milling all around me.




Less than an hour later, this was my view from the office window.



But never mind, as I was wearing my new-to-me King Louie frock!

As it is short-sleeved, my first thought was to add it my pile of soon-to-be packed up things for next Summer, but then I had an aha moment!

Layering a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath meant I didn't have to wait to wear this groovilicious frock. I opted for a matching colour, but will try it with a contrasting one next time, as I've got long-sleeved tops in every colour under the sun.


I did choose a contrasting, burgundy belt, which prompted me to dig out my beloved burgundy vintage boots found at Think Twice last Winter.


A string of graduated, colourful wooden beads, a vintage bracelet and a purple hued plastic ring were my other accessories.

And oh, my huge wooden fish brooch! I'd been sorting my bangles and found it lurking underneath. What with all that rain, it certainly wasn't feeling like a fish out of water, and felt quite at home pinned to my dress.


My final outfit was another attempt to stop the rain and lure the sun out of her hiding place.

I combined a green skirt (which is looking decidedly greener in real life) with one of my all-time favourite blouses. I picked up this vintage beauty with its almost over the top flower print in green, yellow, pink and white, at Think Twice last Spring. 

My accessories were a wide tan belt, green plastic ring, green beads and an Autumn leaf brooch, which I pinned to my bright yellow cardigan.

And although I didn't manage to magic away the rain, wearing my own portable sunshine definitely made me feel happier.

Linking to Nancy's Fancy Friday, do go and check this lovely lady out!

38 comments:

  1. I love seeing all of your colourful outfits, Ann! That first autumnal dress is so pretty. Those wooden bangles are fabulous! So too are those rings! I love your blue/green dress. It's so pretty! That fish brooch is awesome too! ;) Hope you have a wonderful week ahead, Ann! XXX

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  2. Buttons, bangles and brooches -- an aBUNdance!

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  3. Oh I adore all those accessories! And the first dress is fabulous! Love those colors. What a difference a bit of sunshine can make.

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    1. Thank you Nancy! The sun is shining as I'm typing ... xxx

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  4. so you got all the rain some other regions craving for!!
    ;-D
    well done to wear some sunshine in the form of colorful dresses, jackets and jewelry! especially love the yellow hues - wonderful!
    have a sunny week! xxxxx

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    1. Thank you Beate! Well, if there's no sunshine, somebody's got to do it :-) xxx

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  5. Now rain is over. luckily :)
    I am in love with your wodden accessoiries, this necklace and how cute is this fish brooch. You look amazing in your frocks Ann. Now summer is back ;)
    A very huge hug Tina

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  6. So many lovely outfits! It is great how you added an orange necklace and a curd jacket to that first printed dress. Lovely brown belt as well. I can see why you like to wear it in autumn, the print and the colour does make me think of this season. Now is the perfect time to get those short sleeved dresses out. Soon it will be too cold to wear them without plenty of layers. I love early autumn when all you need is a simple dress and a blazer.

    I also loved your warm polyester printed dress. It looks great paired with an orange belt and a mustard green cardigan. The third outfit with the blue dress and a rainbow necklace is another fabulous look. You sure know how to fight the rainy days with colour. Lovely outfits. I also like the Bruges scenery tins. You always find such nice things.

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    1. Thank you Ivana! I love early Autumn too, but lately there's been too much rain to properly enjoy it! xxx

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  7. You really wear your own portable sunshine and I love it!
    Love how you enhanced the autumnal shades of your first dress, with the bright ochre jacket (what a fab piece!) and accessories!. Also love your floral Brown&orange dress with the mustard cardi, such a brilliant ensemble! (and fab brooch and ring!).
    Glad that you found those wonderful wooden bangles, totally my cup of tea!
    Totally in love with your new King-Louie dress and your fabulous accessorizing. Love the great layering, beautiful beads and cute brooch (it makes me smile!).
    Love your floral shirt and bright cardigan with the lovely leaf brooch!. Fabulous color combo!
    Sorry that it has been so rainy, we need it but it's so annoying when it rains all the time!
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much Monica! Those bangles were such a lucky find! xxx

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  8. Yep, we've had that rain too - isn't it depressing? Your lovely Art Deco building is transformed in the sunshine.
    Talking of sunshine, your outfits bring some much needed Autumnal cheer, I bet everyone who saw you felt a lot brighter.
    Those bangles are gorgeous as are both vintage dresses, your skirt and blouse ensemble and who'd have thought it, another King Louie!!
    That Bruges biscuit tin had to be yours! xx

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    1. Thank you Vix! All that rain is very depressing indeed. I'm craving some sunshine so that we can go on a good, long walk in the woods! xxx

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  9. Thank goodness we can cheer ourselves up with bright and colourful clothes when the weather is crap!!

    I loved all your autumnal outfits and the layered look is definitely you. I loved all your accessories; those painted bangles are lovely; as is the huge fish brooch and I particularly like your ochre coloured jacket - very cheerful!

    I do hope your weather has improved; constant rain is very depressing...
    xxxx

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    1. Thanks Vronni! I'd all but forgotten about that fish brooch! We're finally seeing a slight improvement in the weather, but it rained for most of last week as well. xxx

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  10. Sorry about the rain. Wish it would come over here as my roses could do with a good sprinkle. What a beautiful collection of frocks we have been able to feast our eyes upon. I imagine you must be stopped all the time in the streets by people showering you with compliments. Autumnal colours are quite flattering on you. Good thing you found that ochre jacket - love, love it! The bangles and rings should come in handy. Your tan boots were a steal at that price. Your fish brooch reminded me of a large silver one I've had my eye on at our weekend market. The seller is asking a bit much for it, but who knows, I might spoil myself for Xmas. Adore that new tin. I use mine as jewellery boxes. Have you ever been at the top of that skyscraper next door?

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    1. It's not fair, isn't it? I'd gladly send over some of our rain to sprinkle your roses! I have indeed been at the top of that skyscraper. It was back in 1993, when Antwerp was Europe's cultural capital for a year. It's normally not open to the public! xxx

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  11. These are fabulous "shoulder" season outfits, Ann! I love that they are all dresses that are kind of summery, but lean heavily into autumn due to fabric, short sleeves, etc. I also own a long-sleeved top in nearly every colour, but I don't wear them too much under my "good" clothes - they are mostly for around the house in winter.

    I love your ginormous tin, your bin of bangles and your glass rings. You have such a good eye for cool accessories! I'm excited to start seeing your fall wardrobe come out - as I have only been reading your blog for just over a year, a lot of them are still new to me!

    Wishing you a slightly drier week, and I hope Phoebe gets over her sulks.

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    1. Thank you Sheila! I'm afraid Phoebe is still sulking for most of the time. She is the original grumpy cat! I mostly wear my long-sleeved tops around the house as well, and occasionally as "underwear" if it's really cold :-) xxx

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  12. I wish you lots of sunshine! :-)

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  13. The rain is the same here! Totally scuppering any plans, especially photos! The long T-shirt under the dress is a great idea, hey work perfectly together xx

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  14. Just stopping by to wish you a lovely day!

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  15. Love those rings, and you found five too. The wooden multicoloured necklace is fun too. You've managed to cheer up the dampest of days.
    I'm glad you rediscovered your orange jacket, it's perfect for Autumn. xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! We made a special detour in Bruges to see if the stall selling the rings was still there. xxx

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  16. I love the long sleeved top under the dress but my favourite outfit is the colourful one at the end! I'm glad you had a good weekend despite the rain - playing in your wardrobe and finding some forgotten pieces!

    Hope that your week is going well :)

    Away From Blue

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  17. You have the most interesting jewellery collection of any blogger! Such exceptional pieces, all suiting your personality perfectly.xx

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    1. Oh, what a nice thing to say! I do love my jewellery and most of it's second hand as well! xxx

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  18. Tins are useful. You can always use a tin to put things in. ('It's useful' is a justification I use a lot, which is why we have about four dinner services and enough china to stock a small cafe, picked up from charity shops...)

    The print on that King Louie dress is great - it looks properly vintage.

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    1. I agree, they are useful and that really is justification. Upon reading your comment, Jos remarked that we too could open a small café with all the china we have ;-) xxx

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  19. I adore your final outfit (well, you know I love AAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLL your outfits!) - it is so bright and ebullient and very, very you! That blouse deserves to be your favourite!x

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