Wednesday 22 April 2020

Frocks and flowers

The passage of time is a strange thing indeed. All too often, time seems to go in leaps and bounds. Yet sometimes time is a waiting game when the days are passing slowly, knitting themselves into a shapeless tapestry of weeks, one all but indistinguishable from the other.

The clock is ticking away the hours, its hands moving slowly towards the next, and time is a vacuum, a room full of memories with dust motes dancing in a sunbeam.

If I didn't keep a journal - both serving as a record of these extraordinary times and an actual diary - I wouldn't remember what I'd been doing from one day to the next.



The weeks are upside down. Instead of working five days, forevever looking forward to the weekends, it now is the other way around. Not that I've started looking forward to the office days, mind you!

Often, when I wake up, I can't remember what day it actually is. As my office days are Monday and Wednesday, this is especially true in the long stretch between Tuesday and Sunday. But I'm not complaining, as much to my surprise, I rather like being at home. Will they make a housewife of me yet? Well, I guess that would be a bit of a stretch!

But I'm rambling on again, so let's take the time machine for a short trip back into the past, and show you what I was wearing on Easter Monday.


There had been a considerable drop in temperature overnight, which warranted the return of the long sleeved frocks. In fact, I had this one hanging ready for a week or two, so it was now or never for this vintage dress with its blowsy flower print and full, pleated skirt. 

I accessorized it with all kinds of green things, starting with the moss green suede belt and my ceramic Merhorse brooch. A slightly longer string of bright green beads and a short-sleeved chunky knit cardigan completed my outfit. I even wore green wedge-heeled ankle boots but opted for bright pink opaques for contrast. 



If you're wondering about my sad face, that's because we'd just managed to flatten the one and only white bluebell growing in our garden! Poor, poor thing! 

Poor Jos as well, as he'd managed to scratch his hand while tying up the piles of woody prunings at the back of our garden, ready for council collection later that week. It was a relief that they actually came, as we wouldn't have known what to do with them. It's not that we have that much room to spare in our handkerchief sized garden.



It's heartwarming to see that our little plot is thriving in spite - or perhaps because - of it all. 

Our straggly gooseberry bush has been producing its first flowers (top left) while our honesty has been blooming as if there is no tomorrow. In fact, they are all but over by now, the spent flowers slowly transforming themselves into those well-loved silvery discs.

And there's the single white bluebell on the bottom right, mere minutes before its unfortunate demise.



The green foliage behind the garden angel will soon be full of fragrant Lily-of-the-Valley while the stone dove is only just holding its head above the ground-covering hardy Geranium, which will be a sea of pink in the weeks to come. 

It's always a delight to see our bluebells appear next to the potting shed, where they can be admired from our kitchen window. 

The green enamel cone (and its twin) is planted with last year's pink Pelargoniums, which once again seem to have survived our mild Winter.



The day had been far too chilly to spend it in the garden, so I thought I'd crack on with my wardrobe changeover. I started with the skirts, folding away the heavier woolly Winter ones in favour of a host of cheerful Summer lovelies. I always keep a selection of these out - they are hanging from a rail Jos suspended between the spare room door and a tall shelving unit - so that I actually remember to wear them. 

This was the easy part, as the out-of-season skirts do not hibernate inside the famous linen chest but live on a shelf in one of my wardrobes.



The linen chest - a family heirloom which used to belong to Jos's grandparents - is huge and it is where most of my out-of-season clothes are packed away inside vacuum bags.

So, first I freed up a load of hangers by putting all but a small selection of my long-sleeved dresses into large shopping bags. Then out came all the Summer frocks, which I hung up until I ran out of hangers. There's still a bag of them left. They are mostly sleeveless ones which will gradually replace the long-sleeved dresses currently still in my wardrobe.


Can't wait to wear them all!

After that, I decided to call it a day, leaving the vacuuming of the bags of Winter dresses for another time.

And then there's my boots to be put away and my Summer shoes and sandals to get out!



Instead I just spent the rest of that day reading my current book!

It was a wrench to get out of bed and leave the safe bubble of Dove Cottage on Tuesday to go back to the office. And Wednesday day too! This working lark really is far too exhausting.



Adopting Sheila's maxim of using clothing as armour, I decided to wear full-on colour to make me feel better. And guess what: it worked!

This bright blue frock must be one of my most colourful, with its print of pink, green, yellow, orange and red flowers. Oh, and there's the odd pagoda tool!

Again, I opted for green accessories, from which I deviated by choosing a yellow belt.

The brooch which I pinned to my cardigan has a slightly oriental landscape on it in keeping with the pagodas on my dress.



Back in the safety of our garden after work, I spent some time bothering playing with Phoebe. I'm not sure if she likes it very much if we intrude on her domain!

We found the frog hidden beneath the ivy which was slowly but surely encroaching on our little pond. He used to make a "ribbit" sound when you walked past him, but alas he now refused to speak, not even after we change his batteries.



The Easter weekend had been sunny and warm, and now that our Lilac has gone, so has the shade it provided for our bench. Time to bring out our funky 1970s parasol. A family heirloom as it used to belong to my parents.


Look at Phoebe's alarmed face when I picked her up. We had to be quick, as she was squirming and complaining loudly.

So, for now, it is goodbye from me ... and goodbye from her! Phoebe says meow ... and stay safe!



42 comments:

  1. Look at squirmy Phoebe! They hate posing for blog photos, don't they? Spoilsports!
    Both your floral and electric blue frocks are fantastic, such wild prints and colours, definitely armour.
    Your garden is looking lovely but that's sad about the solitary bluebell. Good news about the gooseberry bush and the council collection, too.
    Poor Jos's hand. Ouch!
    Love the cover of your current read and the riot of colour in your summer wardrobe. Mine is staying in its suitcase until the end of May, I've been caught out before!
    Stay safe! xxx

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    1. Even when she's sleeping she seems to be aware that I'm about to take her photo. And she absolutely hates being picked up! It's a good thing we also have "proper" blue Bluebells, but sadly there was only one white one! xxx

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  2. You look the epitome of spring at the top of your blog, the florals and green are a match made in heaven.
    Its lovely to see how your garden is springing to life too but sorry to hear Jos hurt his hand.
    Phoebe likes being photographed as much as Ziggy! :)
    I'm not ready for a wardrobe changeover yet, it was warm today but there's still a cool breeze so I'm just pulling out the odd summery thing to wear as I need it.
    Hoping your rest of the week at home is a good one. xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! I'll have you know that it was only a minor scratch on Jos's hand, but you know men :-) xxx

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  3. Great post! I keep forgetting the day it is too. I have a black cat like yours! My niece gave him to me. :)

    Perla Lifestyle Blog

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  4. The switch over is about halfway at my place-who can trust the weather? I'm in love with those colourful skirts-how could you possibly ever forget to wear them?

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    1. I know, I usually tend to take the easy option and grab a dress. It helps if I can actually see the skirts to trigger some creativity! xxx

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  5. poor little flower.....
    the "english rose" dress ist gorgeous! and you wear the fabulous seahorse brooch!
    clothes switch over at yours is looking like great fun - all the colors and patterns make me happy just seeing the photos. i actually did a "spring wardrobe": lined cotton skirts and dresses came down from the storage, light wool stays, the heavy wool ones (skirts, sweaters) went up. but there are still the unlined cotton & linen things in hibernation - sleeping until the really hot days.
    hugsies! xxxxx

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    1. Thanks Beate! Don't worry, I didn't put all the warmer and long-sleeved stuff away just yet! xxx

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  6. Meow to Phoebe ❤️
    Ann your garden looks like a litte secret garden. I love it. Great you change your wardrobe into summer! It 's so much work I see. You wear wonderful outfits in this time, not "schluffikook" as I wear.
    Have a good time! A ver y huhe hug Tina

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    1. Thank you, Tina, a secret garden is exactly what we were after! Oh, and no Schluffilook" for me :-) xxx

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  7. That's exactely what I a going to do: reading. Enough work for today. What day is it anyway ... :-) I think your stategies are superbe. You will survive. xxx Regula

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    1. Thank you Regula! My strategies seem to be working so far! xxx

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  8. I love so much your outfits!. The floral dress with green accents totally rocks, and love your brooch particularly.
    And also love the vibrant blue dress, one of my favourites ever, and love how you styled it with all the green accessories!, so brilliant!
    Clothing as armour rocks!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! As you know, clothing as amour really works! xxx

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  9. I didn't know Phoebe was such a big cat. Why, she is quite adorable. I only ever saw her on single photographs I think, so it was hard to judge her size. Your garden looks lovely. Kudos to Jos for his hard work.

    You look fantastic in that pink floral dress. I like how you paired it with green. Your second styling with the printed blue dress is just as lovely. Sometimes clothes can truly improve our mood. A nice styling usually can definitely uplift my mood.

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    1. She is a big cat indeed, Ivana! Getting dressed up always improves my mood, it never ever fails! xxx

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  10. I organized my closets a bit today but I don't have much space. I don't have that much clothes to store either. Most of my wardrobe is stored away in my 'real home' in another country.

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    1. That must be quite a weird situation ... but at least you are somewhere really beautiful! xxx

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  11. The garden is looking lovely! I thought the frog was real...

    Fab outfits and accessories. I hope the weather has warmed up enough for you to finish and wear your summer wardrobe. It's certainly warmed up here - 23 degrees today!

    I have several of Rebecca West's books but haven't yet read one.

    Phoebe is a big girl!
    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni. He's quite a big frog, you know ;-) I must say that even if the book isn't bad at all, it is quite hard slog. In fact, it isn't even finished by now! xxx

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  12. I admit to a good laugh at Madame Phoebe's protesting! I adore that first dress - what a print it is! Stellar accessorizing - I'm smitten with that Merhorse brooch!

    I saw white bluebells today and thought of you!

    Aw, thank you for the shout-out, my dear! We've been feeling similarly lately, haven't we? I was not surprised to hear that you had poetic inclinations - it really shows in your blog writing, a very lovely quality. Clothing as Armour and Colour Therapy are real!

    Love that green and blue together - such a lush combination. That parasol is amazing!!

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    1. You should have heard her! One day, when I've figured out how to do it, I might post a video of Her Majesty's protests :-) Oh, how sweet that those bluebells made you think of me! And thank you so much for the compliment about my writing. It means the world to me! xxx

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  13. I love your pretty floral Easter dress outfit! :) And I can imagine the change to working part time is a big adjustment - I can keep track of the days on the 3 days I work but it takes me a while to remember what day it is the other days I am not working, as all the days at home without work are so similar!

    Hope that you are having a good week :)

    Away From Blue

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    1. Thank you Mica! This week has been particularly confusing and I keep mixing up the days! xxx

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  14. We had such a frog too! Haha, I liked it! Don't you just love black cats! I like both your dresses but the colors in the first one are stunning. Nature is now so gorgeous isn't it. We would have been on our way to the UK right now. I really don't like not seeing nature in spring in England, and all the lambs! Enjoy your weekend, yes it's almost weekend Ann,lol.

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    1. How funny that you had the same frog! So sorry you're not getting to see Spring in England this year. I don't even want to think about June ... xxx

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  15. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your "housewife" days. I love being home, after working for so many years, although it is a big adjustment at first. It took me months before I could sleep in!

    Love the shots of your garden. Spring brings on a spectacular show of flowers and greenery which is so welcome after a long cold winter. Phoebe is adorable, love black cats. Hope Jos is ok.

    Thankyou for the glimpse into your wardrobe. What amazing colour and pattern. I absolutely adore the mix.

    Both your dresses are beautiful. Have a lovely weekend.

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    1. Thank you Suzy! It'll be good practice for when I retire. And Jos's hand really looked worse than it actually was ;-) xxx

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  16. Oh how gorgeous your bluebells are. Too bad one got flattened – hopefully it grows back?

    I like your ‘clothing as armour’, bright-as-can-be outfit!

    Oh my goodness, Pheobe’s shocked face is hilarious! X

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    1. It won't grow back this year, Jess, but there's always next year to look forward to. xxx

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  17. Such stunning springtime blooms! The last dregs of winter are receding here at long last, and tender, eager blades of grass are poking their curious heads up once more. It's blissful, comforting and inspiring all at the same time to witness - just as I'm sure your own stunning spring landscape is for you, my sweet friend.

    Many hugs coming your way,
    Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thank you Autumn! Spring and Autumn are both favourite seasons, and this year particularly, we had a glorious month of April. xxx

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  18. Phoebe does look very squirmy! Your garden is colourful and has a lot of character - like it's owners. Poor bluebell. Maybe the bulb will regenerate for next year? We have sooo many bluebells, you can have some!! Xx

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    1. Aww, thank you! We have to be quick if we want to take Her Majesty's photograph ;-) And I'm sure we'll have another chance of white bluebells next year. In the meantime, we have plenty of proper blue ones too! xxx

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  19. What a gorgeous rose print dress!

    All the days are blurring aren’t they? Maybe they always do and it’s just now we have the time to notice the blurring…?

    It’s so nice to see all the gardens coming to life. Our only bluebells can’t been seen from the house which is a shame but I see them on my daily walk around the garden. I love Lily of the Valley, I really should plant some, I keep saying I will.

    I’ve dug out my summery clothes too, hanging them in my office for now. I can’t wait to start wearing all my summer favourites again. After several days of glorious weather we’re now back to low temperatures and rain - good for the farmers, and my water butt, bad for my summery outfit plans! I hope that one day I’ll have a wardrobe as colourful as yours!

    Your little frog is very handsome, what a shame he’s lost his ‘ribbit’. Our parasol was nibbled by mice a few years ago, and ever since I’ve been saying that I’ll get it mended. Maybe now I’ll find the time? I love the 70s style print on yours!

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    1. Thank you Hazel! What a shame your parasol was nibbled my mice. Maybe we should store ours in our basement instead of the potting shed during Winter! xxx

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  20. That last picture of you with Phoebe is priceless! And I'm beyond jealous of your erstwhile ribbiting frog. That would keep Peeks and the cat downstairs occupied for hours!

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    1. I wonder what Phoebe would think of a ribbiting frog! It lost its voice long before she came into our lives ... xxx

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  21. Get a camera out and the cat will flee! (or refuse to look the right way!)
    Ooo, so exciting to see inside your wardrobe! So many colours and patterns! I love the idea of a huge linen chest!!!
    The frog is briliant! We had one like that too (which came from Tchibo!)

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    1. I think we got ours from the local garden centre ... I really wouldn't know what to do without the linen chest, we'd probably have to hire storage space for my out of season clothes! xxx

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