Monday 27 January 2020

Sleeping Beauty's castle

It was Sunday the 12th of January and I was sulking a bit. Not just because yet another weekend was almost over, it had also, yet again, been a particularly wet one. On top of that, the week ahead promised to be a stressful one, as my bosses would be visiting from Miami. Admittedly, they are the two nicest guys ever, but still, a visit from them tends to disrupt my usual office routine just a little.


I knew I would be too exhausted after work to assemble outfits for the next day, so I did some prepping by assembling a couple of tried and tested feel-good ones. Surely, a favourite skirt and blouse combo would do the trick?

The grey wool skirt criss-crossed by yellow, red, green, black and white diagonals creating a kind of plaid pattern, has been a long-time inhabitant of my wardrobe. Its colours, plus a dash of pinks and blues, are repeated in the black floral pussy-bow blouse. Admittedly, it has become a big snug across the chest area, but as any gaping is covered by the floppy bow, it isn't going anywhere soon. Besides, when Face Timing with the girls at the Miami office on the day I was wearing it, they all exclaimed over it, which kind of clinched the deal.


I wore my red boots and my recently charity shopped red King Louie cardigan. The brooch I pinned to it was a flea market find, the lady captured inside wearing a skirt and blouse made of tiny scraps of fabric.

The black and white woven belt tied the skirt and blouse together perfectly and while scouring my stash of rings for a possible contender, I happened upon this black and white checkered metal one.

When I posted the above collage in Instagram, Nancy remarked that the ring reminded her of ska, or rather, 2 Tone, the record label created by The Specials's Jerry Dammers back in 1979. 




The label went on not just to sign The Specials themselves (their "Gangsters" is one of my all-time favourite songs), but also Madness, The Selecter and The Beat. I loved the combination of ska, reggae, punk and new wave and fashion-wise I remember spending my meagre pocket money on a black and white checkered belt I'd fallen in love with at the time.



But I digress!

Let me introduce you to these two fabulous new additions to my brooch collection. I'm sure you'll be astounded to hear that they were a present from my bosses, who bought them for me from an antiques market at Miami's South Beach. 

The one with the cluster of purple stones is Ben Amun, and reasonably modern, while the other one, with its lethal looking two pronged clasp is a fur clip dating from the 1930s or thereabouts.



And while we're on the subject of jewellery, why not take the opportunity to show you the charity shop finds I forgot to mention in my previous post.  The top brooch, a cat painted on a flat stone, was just € 0,10, while the ceramic brown and cream brooch and the bracelet with its glass Millefiori beads, were € 1,50 each. I've already got the bracelet in a red and a light blue version.


As expected, the week turned out to be quite manic, but nevertheless the days sped by like a train and before I knew we'd reached the last carriage and another weekend rolled along.

What's more, the seemingly endless succession of grey rainy days had given way to some bright but crisply cold winter days for a change.

The thick wool-blend dress with its vibrant watercolour print was the perfect choice for the colder temperatures we were having. I love the dropped pleats and its self-fabric belt with its pink plastic buckle. All of these were selling points when I came across it in a charity shops many years ago.



The fluffy maroon cardigan I charity shopped during the holidays made another appearance, already proving its worth as a wardrobe workhorse. I added an off-white oval "lady brooch", which is another stalwart. The wooden beads are an old retail buy, but I can't remember where they came from. I have them in another colourway as well.



Those of you who have been reading my ramblings for a while know that our Saturdays are usually spent trawling one or two charity shops. That Saturday one of shops we'd decided to grace with a visit was the one in the neighbouring town of Duffel.



As we were parking our car opposite the town's enchanting park, we thought we'd better make the most of the gorgeous weather and go for a walk before hitting the shop.

The sky was such a vivid shade of blue and the warmth of the sun on our faces could have fooled us into believing it was almost Spring. It certainly fooled some of the trees, as one of them was already bearing catkins galore. Juxtaposed with these early signs of Spring were the remnants of Autumn's seed-heads, a mid-winter conglomeration of seasons.



At the far end, the park seamlessly meets the grounds of a castle ruin, which we decided would be our walk's destination. 

Skirting a pond, its surface a mirror for the trees to preen themselves in, we caught our first glimpse of the castle, the tangle of trees all but hiding it from view, so that it reminded me of Sleeping Beauty's castle.


Consulting my blog, I was quite shocked to learn that the last time we were here was over two years ago! As the castle's turrets seemed to be leaning ever more precariously with each visit, the ruin falling more and more into ruin, so to speak, we were a bit fearful of what we would find.

Getting closer, though, we could see that fortifications had finally been put up inside the castle's empty shell, so that at least the walls are safe from toppling over in the next storm.


Doing some research, I have read that plans are afoot to restore what's left of the evocative castle which, having its origins in the 12th Century, is one of the oldest buildings in the Province of Antwerp.


And about time I should think, as even if the building has been protected since 1973, the town of Duffel has left it to deteriorate in such a way that for safety reasons, its curlicued gates with its now mossy coat of arms, were finally closed to the public in 2013.

I remember going to a flea market held near the castle well before that time, and a brass band playing in the castle's forecourt, the band leader's stage banter having us in stitches as we trawled the market stalls on a hot Summer's day.  



The castle is home to the park's many birds and waterfowl, who seek shelter inside its walls. Apparently, they have now been joined by two black woolly sheep who have been employed to graze the castle's grassy borders.


I'm including this moody shot of the castle ruins reflected in the moat. Taken with my phone's quite inadequate camera and given a sepia filter, it was much admired on Instagram.




After a final glance and a wave goodbye, we turned our backs to the castle, and made our way back to the main part of the park along the adjacent river's towpath.

And we did visit that charity shop after all, even if we found nothing worth mentioning. We didn't mind very much, as our walk to the castle had been worth driving all that way. Besides, we had a flea market to go to on Sunday. But that will be for my next post!




26 comments:

  1. Fabulous outfits, Ann. The watercolour print dress is so pretty! Fab jewellery as always.

    Loved your brooch gifts from your bosses; how thoughtful of them and how beautiful the brooches are. I was wondering about those lethal looking prongs but at least you have fur items to fix it to.

    The castle is so atmospheric; its great to know they are going to restore it after almost
    nine centuries - I should think so!
    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni. My bosses really are the sweetest. I'm sure it won't surprise you that they're a gay couple? I really needed those lethal looking prongs to pin it to my fur collar! xxx

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  2. That was so nice of your bosses to think of buying you brooches! What an absolutely lovely thing to do.

    I hope they can save that beautiful castle before it is too late.

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    1. Thank you Goody, I definitely agree it was the nicest thing to do. I was more than relieved to see that finally something is being done to save the castle! xxx

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  3. Going to charity shops is like hunting. Sometimes you just don't chatch a prey animal. I wish you sunny days! Regula

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    1. You're right, Regula, it is a kind of hunting, and I love it! xxx

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  4. Ohhh that cat broooooooche .....soooo cute! What a wonderful castle Ann.
    On 12. January we had wonderful weather sunny and 12 degrees :))
    with a huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina, and we had some sunny weather with 12°C and more, a couple of times as well. xxx

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  5. Such a magical castle and more of your beautiful nature shots, I really look forward to them, you capture the seasons perfectly.
    Your bosses gave you a lovely present and one of them looks like copper? They sound very thoughtful and must know you well. xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally, that's such a lovely compliment. Oh, I know, my bosses know me so well and they're the sweetest ever. xxx

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  6. I love the mix of prints in the first styling. The printed pussy bow shirt is gorgeous and it matches with that tartan skirt so well. The red sweater is just the perfect pop of colour to tie it all together. The red beret and boots are perfect accessories for this look. I love to see red worn in winter. It's such an energetic colour, perfect for the start of the year.

    The brooches you found are so pretty. The cat one is adorable.

    That second printed vintage dress is so beautiful. I love the matching belt. Fabric belts are always so chic, especially the ones that match some item. This dress reminds me of the dresses I saw in my grandmother's closet, some of them I borrowed and some kept but I don't think I have all of them. I wish I had the sense to store them all away somewhere when I was younger.

    Anyhow, I do love this dress with that maroon cardigan, such a beautiful and feminine styling. The brooch with the lady is so pretty. I love the coat, the beanie and the scarf you wore for your walk to the castle...and what a magical castle it is. Such a great place!

    P.S. A mother of my friend knitted a similar scarf for me but after I washed it in a washing machine, it was ruined...Shame I didn't have the sense to wash it by hand, I should have known better!

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    1. Ouch about that scarf. It has happened to me as well, but with a lovely wool cardigan :-( I love dresses which come with a self-fabric belt, even if I often replace it with another one! xxx

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  7. You're obviously a valuable employee if your bosses are showing up with these lovely gifts. Clearly, they know what you love to collect.

    My favourites this week are they pussy-bow blouse, the stunning watercolour print dress and of course your fabulous green coat with the twirly red scarf. How do you manage to find such beautiful pieces!!! A green coat is on my list of things to find, but they're so hard to find in perfect condition. As always, you have the best accessories to compliment each outfit.

    Thank you for the beautiful shots of the park in all it's splendour. The little bit of sunshine made the landscape all the more prettier. You're so lucky to have magical castles within reach. I am so entranced.

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    1. Thank you Suzy, and it just gave me goosebumps when I unwrapped those brooches. My bosses are amazing and very thoughtful. I know I am appreciated, which makes all the hard work a bit easier. xxx

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  8. your bosses have style! fabulous jewelry!
    i loooove the flowered pussy bow blouse with that gray+a little bit color skirt! its such a classic but with a twist provided buy the unusual patterns...and you look gorgeous in that wool blend dress - totally your colors and a chic cut and print.
    dornröschchens castle and its sourroundings are a glorious spot for a romantic walk - glad that some renovations is going on. the sepia photo is indeed admirable :-D
    hugsies! xxxxxxx

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    1. I'll tell them you said so, I'm sure they'll be really chuffed. Sleeping Beauty is Doornroosje in Flemish. I think both the German and Flemish name is much, much more apt than Sleeping Beauty! xxx

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  9. Totally in love with your first outfit, no wonder that it was admired and complimented!, I do love the colors of your blouse matching your skirt's threads, and love the different textures and the 'faux plaid' effect. And always brilliant accessorizing!, your red cardi and red boots, the cute b&w belt.
    And you made me go to listen some ska music!. Madness!. Still love it even if I can dance it properly!.
    Love to see those fantastic brooches that your bosses brought to you, so cute!
    Also lovely maroon cardi and watercolor dress, and cute brooch!. And so fabulous pics of the winter landscape in this golden light, so evocative!. Glad that the castle's walls are safe now, it makes me sad to see this kind of buildings so neglected!
    besos & ska

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    1. Thank you Monica, and I'm so chuffed I made you listen to some ska music. One Step Beyond :-))) xxx

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  10. Fabulous outfits, as always! Admiring:
    - The floppy-bow blouse (my blouses often gape mid-chestal region)
    - The black and white accessories (they remind me of Vans shoes, worn by skaters)
    - The fuzzy cardi
    - Those Miami brooches! What splendid (and obviously well-trained) bosses! Kudos!
    - That castle is amazing, but sad that the town let it get to the point where it could topple. I'm glad it has black sheep and birds for company. Your sepia-tint photo is so dramatic!

    Have a great week, Ann - two more days to the weekend! I'm getting caught up on comments and posts while I'm at work (shhhh...don't tell). ;-P

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    1. Thank you Sheila! I have to confess I sometimes get caught up with blogging at work too. Your secret's safe with me! xxx

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  11. That fur clip stopped me clean in my tracks. What a beguilingly elegant stunner!

    ♥ Autumn

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  12. Hope your days are getting a bit less stressful. Your outfits are a great way to distract you and give you confidence that you are doing a great job in your office. Plus your bosses are gifting you brooches – how fabulous!

    I love your castle photos and tagging along on your picturesque walk. X

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    1. Thank you Jess, and aren't my bosses amazing? xxx

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  13. The castle is beautiful! Yes, 2 years is a long time not to visit! How lovely the gifts were from your bosses!!! I love the bejewelled one!

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    1. Thanks Kezzie! No idea why we hadn't visited in 2 years, it's just a 10 minute walk from the part of the park we usually have a stroll in ... xxx

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