Sunday 19 January 2020

Start as I mean to go on

Last week has been quite full-on workwise, with my lovely bosses visiting from Miami, so that any blogging activity was restricted to reading and commenting on your posts rather than churning out one of my own. 

There was no way my muddled brain could have coped with creating my signature collages, let alone writing coherent sentences and stitching them into something worth reading.

But having wrapped up December in my last post, there's now a queue of January outfits waiting to be shown, which means I need to get my skates on, even if I'm skating on rather thin ice.


I'll start by casting my mind back to the first day of the year, when I decided to welcome in 2020 by starting as I mean to go on, which is wearing lots of colour. So, nothing new under the sun, really.

Nothing new where my New Year's Day outfit was concerned, either. The red wool-blend skirt,  a Think Twice find back in December, got another outing. Its fabric is super soft which makes it cozily comfortable, and equally perfect for a walk in park as for a lazy day on the sofa, feeling quite sorry for myself as I had to go back to work the very next day.


To accompany the skirt, I chose this handmade vintage blouse, in a satiny fabric, with the most ginormous spoon collar ever. Its print reminds me of a moonlit sky on a starry night, but with the added bonus of flowers in pink, red and green.

The tan woven belt pulled the two halves together, while providing yet another texture, while I added the red and white metal beaded necklace for further interest.

The grey of the day was briefly interrupted by an episode of blue sky and sunshine, so we hopped into the garden for outfit photos, for which I wore a pink and white knitted beret and the Anthology boots I charity shopped in November.


Phoebe came out into the garden with us and sat on our bench contemplating life, as she does.

The garden's main colours at this time of year are provided by the remains of the fiery red Cotoneaster berries and the prolifically flowering Winter Jasmine, but there's still quite a lot of green about as well.
The winter-bare shrubs, some harbouring the last of the autumn leaves, are a safe haven for our visiting garden birds, who happily make use of our fast food facilities.


Blue tits are our most common visitors, with the odd sparrow and wren thrown in, but ruling the garden - and in particular the food facilities - is our resident robin.

Once in a while, we are regaled by a small flock of long tailed tits, who noisily flit around the garden, delighting us with their antics. This one - top right and bottom left - sat posing for just long enough for me to take several photographs, before it flew off with his/her friends. 



My first days back at work were marred by rain and a public transport strike, so I was quite thankful the working week was a short one. After two days I was totally ready for another weekend!

Saturday was a lacklustre day which definitely needed another dose of colour and this outfit was just what the doctor ordered to restore my senses.
First wearing of this vintage handmade shirt dress with its generous sprinkling of green, pink and brown flowers on a navy background. Its fabric feels like cotton and thankfully it's fully lined, making it warm enough for a not too cold winter's day.

I added a cerise vinyl belt and a dusky pink vintage celluloid brooch, a charity and flea market find respectively, while the wooden disc necklace was an old retail buy from Accessorize who once upon a time had a shop in Antwerp.


A fuchsia cardigan was added for warmth, its tie neck fastened by a vintage scarf clip. The aubergine plastic ring, another old retail buy, is one of my favourites. 

The burgundy boots came from Think Twice, and the opaques are Le Bourget in a colour called Linden. They were a sales bargain two years ago, and I loved them so much that I went back for a back-up pair.


You'll probably have guessed we went charity shopping that Saturday, so without further ado, here are that day's finds.

The cobalt blue lightweight boat neck jumper delightfully closes with a row of white buttons on one shoulder. It has a single blue stripe near the cuffs and at the hem, which is why I didn't tuck it into the skirt, which would have looked better.


The skirt in question, in a burnt orange velvety fabric, was another one of my finds. It has a single pleat, both at the front and at the back. The white jumper threaded with lurex is vintage and has a posh Paris label.


The wide, shiny green belt Angelica is wearing above, as well as the maroon necklace she's wearing with the first outftit, were also picked up that day.



My final find was yet another heart-patterned King Louie cardigan, in red this time. I've acquired quite a collection of these over the past year, all from charity shops.

I wore it almost straight away, as it was just the perfect companion for the dress I wore on Sunday.

The celluloid brooch with its charming twosome of Scottie dogs was a lucky € 1,50 charity shop find last March.


The dress is one of my all-time favourites and has been with me for many years. It's Crimplene and has a pussy-bow and a print of trellises and flowers. Isn't the Shamrock label delightful?

I'm sure the white vinyl belt with its unusual triangular buckle needs no introduction as it's one of my most worn belts, bought from a vintage shop which has sadly stopped trading.

I found the funky red boots in the softest of leathers at a flea market in November 2018.



I liked the outfit so much that I wore it again in its entirety for work that week, as I did my new-to-me skirt, but that, I'm afraid, will be for a next post.


45 comments:

  1. We also have a lot of birds in our tree in front of our house. I can hear then on a sun by day when I cycle home from a morning work out. I love it! What a fabulous brooche.... again! And that KL cardigan is fantastic. I want all the colors! Ha ha, I when I see them in the shop, all sk color by color I'm thrilled.

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    1. Thanks Nancy! I totally agree that these KL cardigans are just perfect. I've got quite a few colours now, all charity shopped ;-) xxx

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  2. I do love that blue and red styling. The blue satin blouse is so lovely. Its print makes me think of night sky too....with addition of floral print. The red skirt is beautiful too and the red necklace matches the red skirt so well. Wonderful brown belt as well.

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    1. Thank you Ivana, I do adore that night sky blouse! xxx

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  3. Shame about the first day at work being marred by rain and all. We had a bit of rain last week but not much. We do get a lot of sunny days, but that is what this island is known for, apparently it's called the sunny island for a reason. I spend a lot of my summers here on island Hvar, visited often and all but this is the first time I'm actually living on this island and it's really true what they say about it, the sunny days are abundant even when if it occasionally gets windy and a bit cold.

    I also love that printed green dress. Such a vibrant and bold print it has. The cardi you paired with it is very nice as well. Your colourful necklace and tights are fabulous.

    The third look with the printed dress and red boots is brilliant. I can see why this dress is a favourite of yours. It's very pretty, with the pussy-bow and a subtle floral print. Plus, it suits you so well. It looks great on you! Lovely feminine outfits, all of these!

    Your charity shopping was a success I see. I love the cobalt blue jumper and the accessories....and I think I have a white belt similar to that one, a vintage find from my granny's closet.

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    1. Thank you again, my dear! I'm more than just a little envious of your sunny weather. I could definitely do with some more sunshine! xxx

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  4. I've never heard of a SPoon collar before! Golly, it's massive!!! I think the print looks like a galaxy so clearly we are thinking of similar ideas! It's really nice!
    You did well with the charity shop- nice finds! That blue boat neck jumper is really pretty (I see it paired with red scarf, beret and nautical brooch! Sorry to hear about the transport strike- yuck!

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    1. I had never heard about it either, Kezzie, its name was pointed out to me by the lovely Vix! xxx

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  5. Great clothes. I love the NY's Day outfit. I'd wear that. :)

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  6. I can see why that Shamrock dress is one of your favourites. It is perfect on you. The white belt is unexpected and looks great. I never use my white belt. Maybe I need to remedy that.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Thank you Suzanne! For some reason I keep getting drawn to this belt. xxx

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  7. I just love your colourful outfits. I'm not the type for pastels. I think they were invented to prevent women from shininig. The red woolen shkirt is my favourite. And of course the white sweater. As children my sister and I had the very same handknitted by my mom. :-) Have a nice week (not too much work). xxx Regula

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    1. Some Woman shine in pastels 😊
      xxx

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    2. Thank you Regula! I'm not the biggest fan of pastels, either, although I do wear them sometimes. I'm not one of those women who shine in them, I'm afraid ;-) xxx

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  8. I love your new finds This jumper looks amazing. I am looking forward you wearing it :)
    I think I never seen a spoon collar before?!
    A very huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina, this collar is really massive, isn't it? xxx

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  9. Envy for the blue sweater! Can see it on the seaside, worn with palazzo pants....
    Fabulous outfits, my dear! Seeing you at the city in the dark gray crowds must be balsam for the eyes!
    Sweet phoebe and schwanzmeise 💕
    Hugsies! xxxxxx

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    1. Note to self: look for palazzo pants in the charity shops :-) xxx P.S. Phoebe is only sweet to look at :-))

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  10. Loving all these colorful outfits and fabulous details!. Your red skirt looks so cosy and it looks so charming with the 'starry night' shirt (so fab print and amazing collar!). Love your floral dress and fuchsia cardigan ensemble, which looks like a perfect outfit to cheer up any dull day. Those brooches and the cute necklace are really lovely too.
    Love all the magnificent purchases that Angelica is gently showing us!.
    And love your Shamrock dress with the red cardigan and cute Scottie dogs brooch, such a delightful outfit and you look particularly gorgeous in it!. No wonder you had to wear it again and again! Love it!
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much Monica! Angelica does have to earn her keep, doesn't she. But she's doing a good job :-) xxx

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  11. Lovely colourful outfits! Love the skirt and the star filled sky blouse. Those red boots are just fabulous. Loved your finds and what brilliant finds they were. The jumper looks like it would go with the nautical blazer you also found recently. The Scottie dog brooch is so sweet; one day I might find one...

    I wish we had long tailed tits on our feeders; I've only seen one, once!

    Hope your week is going well.
    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni. I'll keep that combination in mind when Spring finally rolls along! We have a flock of long tailed tits visiting us from time to time. They are absolutely delightful! xxx

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  12. It's so hard to get enthusiastic for going back to work when you've been off, not to mention the transit strike being on!

    I love your pretty outfits, especially that wonderful black and white Shamrock one! I like seeing all the little birds out - our oak trees are often full of birds, although it's a little too early right now.

    Have a great week, my dear!

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    1. It seems to be getting harder all the time! But anyway. I love watching our garden birds' antics. xxx

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  13. So many great outfits.. but it's your accessories that are really my favorite. All such great finds.

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  14. A great round up of your recent outfits, lots of lovely colour too.
    Hopefully you will have a more relaxing time coming up after your bosses' visits. Going back to work after holiday is a bit of an assault to the system too!
    I love seeing all the birds on the feeders, we also have a woodpecker digging up the grass looking for beetle larvae on most days. He makes quite a mess but is so beautiful that I forgive him :) xxx

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    1. Oh, we never had a woodpecker in our garden. How wonderful! I'd forgive him making a mess too! xxx

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  15. That Shamrock dress is wonderful, and so is the lurex jumper.

    Good to see Phoebe enjoying the great outdoors!

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    1. Thank you Mim! Phoebe just loves going out into the garden. xxx

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  16. Very true regarding the headspace (and time) needed to create the kind of content that is to the standards one prefers for their own writing/photos/etc. I am exactly the same way. Case in point, we're having a houseguest between tomorrow and the 31st, then heading to Vancouver in early February, as Tony needs surgery (it's only carried out in this province in that city), so I've been burning the candle at both ends to get 2+ weeks of posts written and scheduled in advance of those busy days (then, no doubt, there will be a busy rush once we're back from Vancouver to create new posts so that I can keep up with my usual blogging pace).

    But enough about moi!!! :)

    All of these outfits are marvelous! Your style is like vibrant art in wearable form, my sweet friend.

    May you have a relaxing, wonderful 3rd week of January.

    <3 Autumn

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    1. Thank you Autumn! Keeping my fingers crossed for Tony's surgery. xxx

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  17. Getting back into the swing of things at work is always a bit of a struggle after a holiday. Lounging in your garden with Phoebe would offer a lovely respite I imagine. Watching birds at play is a relaxing past-time that I share with you. We get a lot of rosellas and white cockatoos and I'm always throwing out stale bread for them.

    What stunners you have shown us this week. Your New Year's Day outfit if perfect. I'm a huge fan of big collars and the starry/floral shirt is just sublime. I think my favourite is the green floral with navy background shirt dress. I'm also admiring the crimplene dress with the pussy bow.

    Before I finish though, I have to say, that last photo of you is just beautiful. Have a great week.



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    1. Thank you Suzy! I just loving watching our birds darting around our garden. But how delightful to have rosellas and white cockatoos visiting. Sounds quite exotic to me! xxx

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  18. I absolutely love your first outfit, Ann! That blouse is so pretty and unique! It looks great paired with that gorgeous red skirt. Phoebe is looking cute as ever! ;) Hope you're having a great week, Ann! XXX

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    1. Thank you Sasha! Phoebe does look quite cute, I agree, but she's also quite a character. Which is normal for cats, I presume ;-) xxx

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  19. I love the first red and blue outfit and I really like that orange skirt you thrifted - what a fun find! :)

    Hope that you are having a great week :)

    Away From Blue

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  20. So many pretty prints. That blue starry sky shirt is amazing. And I always love seeing your jewelry. The brooches especially. That little floral celluloid one is so precious. The last dress is fab. And I'm glad to see I'm not the only who gets excited about cute vintage labels!

    Theresa

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    1. Thank you Theresa! Oh yes, I do love vintage labels, so much better than modern ones! xxx

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  21. I'm not surprised that dress is a favourite it's gorgeous. I love long tailed tits, they are probably my favourite bird.

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    1. Thanks Gisela! Long tailed tits are absolutely adorable! xxx

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