Monday 13 April 2020

Home is where the heart is

Easter has come and gone and so has the gorgeous Spring weather, the temperature having dropped considerably overnight. We woke up to grey skies and a bit of rain today, but although it has cleared up by now and the sun has resumed her shining, there's a definite chill in the air.

Time to write another blog post and let you know what I've been up to, starting with a week ago on Monday. Having to go back to work after 4 days of Sundays initially felt a bit weird, but I was feeling reasonably calm and rested and as there were quite a lot of things to catch up on at the office, the day whizzed by very swiftly.

On my way to the spot where Jos is picking me up in the car after work, I was passing one of a handful of shops that are still open, this one selling cheese and delicatessen. 

Much to my delight, there was a cart full of pots and small flower boxes, with a choice of hyacinths and daffodils, outside the shop, which is in a traffic free street, the owners clearly cashing in on the fact that garden centres and flower shops aren't allowed to open.


It was as if I had found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so I bought myself a bright yellow flower box filled with Tête-à-tête daffs!

Back at home, they joined the orange-yellow African daisies left over from last year. Although these had become very leggy, I was overjoyed to see several flower buds making an appearance, one by one opening their sunny faces! All that yellow is such a cheerful sight in the recently spruced up little corner just outside our back door.


Tuesday being the in-between day book-ended by two working days, we slept a bit later and then had fruit and yoghurt for breakfast while still in our dressing gowns. Obviously, mine is vintage, colourful and with my trademark print of flowers!


We put in a load of washing consisting of a couple of quilted plaids and tablecloths and then walked into the village to get some fruit at the organic grocery shop, as we were starting to run out.

For lunch, we had the rest of the fresh mixed vegetable soup Jos had made during the weekend, accompanied by slices of the bread he'd bought from a local vending machine on Monday. Lately, all loafs of bread are packed in government sponsored bags outlining the COVID-19 safety measures. 


As the gorgeous Spring weather continued, and I had as yet to finish my wardrobe changeover, I trawled my temporary capsule wardrobe, opting for a skirt and blouse, both of which hadn't seen the light of day for quite some time.

I'm keeping both my short-sleeved and long-sleeved blouses out all year around, so that I had more than enough choice in that department. The skirt, on the other hand, was one I rescued from a box of items to be sold. And no, I have no idea why it ended up there in the first place!


There was nothing planned whatsoever about this outfit, it just seemed to have grown organically, which is one of the upsides of having more time at hand. I just loved how the shades of plum, purple, pink, orange, blue and white seemed to cooperate and interact most naturally.


How lush our garden has grown in the space of only a couple of days! Here's the view from our kitchen window towards the shed at the back, a tray of Sempervivums or houseleeks and a couple of rusty weights adorning the windowsill in the foreground.

And speaking of houseleeks, I'd completely forgotten that years ago, we put a couple of small ones on the corrugated roof of our potting shed, until Jos recently noticed that now there was a huge patch of them up there!


Here's a closer look at my accessories, which consisted of an ivory coloured bangle and brown and purple bracelet, a green plastic heart brooch and orange wooden beads and, finally, an elasticated belt with a round, multicoloured buckle.

Honestly, I did not set out to coordinate with our Honesty, which had opened the first of its many, delicately fragrant, purple flowers.


After Wednesday's far too quiet office day, I was ready for some domestic activity on Thursday. 

I'd initially thought I'd be slowly making my way through the house, tackling the jobs at hand one by one. However, it soon transpired it wasn't working that way.  Instead, I find myself doing the things I feel like doing, without any forward planning or ticking off of lists.

While having breakfast, I noticed that the glass sliding doors of one of our vintage kitchen cupboards were looking positively grubby. But rather than just wash them, I decided that now was as good a time as any to give the cupboard a thorough clean inside and out and reorganize its contents.


It truly has everything but the kitchen sink, including several vintage pieces of Sunlight soap and a 1970s cheeseboard I confess I'd nearly forgotten about.



I fully took advantage of the balmy temperatures by taking things outside and giving them a good polish while sitting at our garden table with the sun warming my back. I could get used to that, although I don't think I'll ever be known as a domestic goddess!



We found the little yellow, orange and green floral dishes and the matching serving platter in a charity shop many years ago, then happened upon the purple and olive ones on their rectangular orange tray at a flea market back in May 2018.

The wooden tray on the top right is modern. We've added the floral inlay, which is actually a piece of vintage wallpaper encased in a transparent L folder.

The Fry's Pure Cocoa add was found in a UK antique shop and the raffia trivets - exactly like the ones my parents had in the 1970s - were charity shop finds.


But I'm guessing that you would love to have a peek at what I was wearing, right?

It's officially Spring, and what better colour is there to personify Spring than green, symbolizing renewal and growth. 

Sprigs of delicate yellow and orange flowers and fresh green foliage are sprinkled liberally across a background of palest green.


I added more green in the form of my necklace, apple ring and bracelet, which is accompanied by a carved plastic orange bangle. 

Notice the lady on my brooch, who is wearing the most outrageous beribboned hat ...

As the time for berets has clearly passed, and my hair is getting out of control due to cancelled hairdresser's appointments, I might have to dig out some Summer hats soon. 
Of course, I might also take a leaf out of Veronica's book and start wearing fashionable headscarves.

It's a nuisance, that's for sure, especially with my short, asymmetrical haircut. Any suggestions are welcome!



38 comments:

  1. Two lovely looks, Ann, both the organic outfit and the Spring green dress. No slouching around in isolation wearing a tracksuit, not that you or I own one!
    Your approach to cleaning is exactly like mine, I don't have a plan, I just do what catches my eye - and the sunshine has a habit of showing up the dust, doesn't it?
    Love your glass cabinet and I bet you wouldn't be surprised to know that I've got the same cheese platter (also boxed!) lurking somewhere in the depths of the shed.
    The garden is looking fanastic, especially those houseleeks.
    Give a Vronni-style headscarf a try, cutting your hair sounds a bit too ambitious! xxx

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    1. Thank you Vix! God forbid that we would wear - or even own - a tracksuit! And no, I wasn't surprised at all that you've got the same cheese platter :-) I only cut my own hair once, when I was 18, and I'm certainly not going to repeat the experience! xxx

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  2. Oh, tell me about the out of control hair, Ann! Mine looks ok the day I wash it and then I have to resort to headscarves. I think it will be the first thing I do when this is all over is get to the hairdressers.

    So glad you're enjoying your days at home pottering about and doing useful jobs. I haven't done anything particularly useful but I am busy!

    Love your sempervivums on the roof. How lovely to pick up some plants! I;ve found a few places still selling them.

    Fab outfits and accessories; I especially like plastic
    carved bangles.

    Take care and stay safe
    xxx

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    1. Mine's the same Vronni, only looking good the day I wash it. I'll have to go and watch some YouTube tutorials on how to do a headscarf properly. If I'm not mistaken, you once posted some tips, will have to look for that post of yours! xxx

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  3. I adore the first look, what a stunning colors. And houseleeks?? Never heard of that word. We call it just,, vetplantjes,,. But it looks amazing!

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    1. Thanks Nancy! They are indeed "vetplantjes" - that made me chuckle! - but they are also called "huislook" in Dutch. Well, in Flemish at least ;-)) xxx

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  4. Oh BTW,you now have the time to make a subscription form for your blog......

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  5. That printed pastel green dress is lovely. Such a pretty Easter day look! I also love your other stykling with the printed blouse and midi skirt. Wonderful outfits.

    We don't buy bread anymore, my husband bakes it. He does a good job of it too.

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    1. Thank you Ivana! My husband often bakes bread as well, but at the moment it's hard to get the flour ... xxx

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  6. I agree that having the time to organically build outfits is so much more fun than "having" to make outfits! I love that top one - the colour palette is wonderful. I admit, I laughed at your housedress, as I've been wearing my red one around too!

    Your pale green outfit is fabulous - what a lovely dress! I especially like the lady in the ginormous hat - very Eastery!

    I love seeing pictures of your garden and all of your wonderful collectibles. I just tossed two of those raffia trivets into our donate box this weekend! I never, ever use them, as we don't even have a dining room table anymore.

    I'm with Nancy - please add a Gadget for email subscription to your sidebar!

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    1. For some reason, my housecoat made me think of you :-)) There'll be even more kitchenalia coming up soon, as I make my way through the kitchen. I've subscribed to my own blog, by the way, and I've just got the email so it seems to work. I don't mind very much about views, but it's good of you mentioning it in your email. xxx

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  7. Good morning Ann. We're finding quite a few shops around here selling things they wouldn't normally (the butcher is selling bread/milk/fresh flowers and the fruit shop is selling cheeses/cured meats). Comes in handy, so we don't have to scramble from shop to shop.

    Beautiful outfits this week. I especially like your pale green dress with the gorgeous collar - so perfect for a sunny day. Love the floral colours on your dressing gown too.

    Thankyou for a glimpse of your kitchen. It's my favourite place to have a sticky beak!!! Your vintage cupboard is exquisite as is all your kitchenalia. Vintage kitchen bric-a-brac truly makes my heart flutter. Those orange/yellow/green floral dishes are SO, SO pretty. Also love that you wallpapered the tray. What a great idea, I might copy that if you don't mind.

    I've resorted to cutting my own hair. It's not perfect but I easily hide any faults by pinning it up or in braids. Who's around to notice anyway!!

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    1. Thank you Suzy! We've got that thing going on with shops as well. Be prepared to see more kitchenalia, as I'm making my way through the kitchen. As for that tray, we wallpapered it and put the wallpaper in a plastic folder, so that it's wipe-able. I do wish I had long hair like you, as it would make it easier to trim a bit. xxx

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  8. Go wild with your hair! Everyone is in the same situation, so what a great opportunity to experiment.I've been wearing mine in a scunchie atop my head like a pineapple.

    We call house leeks, "Hens and Chicks." I can't get them to grow in my garden.

    Your carved orange bracelet is beautiful.

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    1. Unfortunately there isn't much I can do with my hair due to its awkward length, but I'll come up with something. I've indeed heard those houseleeks called "Hens and Chicks", what a delightful name! xxx

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  9. I like your hair. A little bit "kokett" . Great you found this cheese board while reorganizising and cleaning.
    a very huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina, we use the word "koket" too (with only one t). That's a compliment as I would never describe it like that ;-)) xxx

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  10. the "hauswurz" likes your gardens micro climate!
    what a luck to find the narcissus in a cheese shop :-D will you plant it out in your garden after blooming?
    love your housecoat!
    you did very well with tackling the side board - a beautiful piece of furniture btw.. cheeseboard! i still have the knifes of one my parents got as present from western relatives - it had a "flemisch" tile, a landscape with windmill & sails in blue on white.....
    as for your hair - try this: https://bahnwaerterhaeuschen.blogspot.com/2017/07/monsoon.html
    its a strechy spikey plastik "band", available in different colors and some with tiny ornaments - this saved me in this dreaded short haired summer :-D
    hugsies! <3 xxxxxx

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    1. I guess that indeed the "hauswurz" loves our garden. We do have a micro climate, being a small walled garden which traps the heat and keeps out the frost! That sideboard was a lucky find in a junk shop and small enough to fit in the limited space we had for it. Will have a look at your post to see what you mean exactly! xxx

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  11. The Easter weather was delicious wasn’t it!
    It’s nice that your working day didn’t drag on, and how lovely to find yourself some flowers. I’m really missing my local garden centre.
    Your organic outfit is so lovely, the colours and prints work so well together.
    I’m doing the same as you and doing what i fancy at any given time, I do have a to-do list (when do I not?), but I’m not fussed at when these things get ticked off.
    I think you’d rock a headscarf Ann!
    Take care
    xx

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    1. It's such a blessing that garden centres are now allowed to open here in Belgium, although we won't be going near one for the first week or so, as people will be flocking to them! I have a mental to-do list, which is several arms long, so I don't think that at this rate I will finish it all. But never mind! xxx

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  12. Glad that you got those daffodyls, such a lucky find!
    So lovely color combo you created in your first outfit, I totally agree that having the time to pick your clothes, no rush, makes a difference, everything works together nicely!. You really rock in these colors and brilliant accessories you picked!. Gorgeous!
    Lovely to have a look at some pieces of your vintage homeware collection, they're so cute! And the cupboard is a beauty too!
    And you totally rock in your green dress, with those orange details and your own fabulousness!
    I totally understand your problems to style your hair, as mine is looking really strange. I've opted for a teased up 80's hair which makes me look like a mix of my auntie and Robert Smith. I need some hats Now!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! I knew you'd understand about the hair. Mine is an asymmetrical cut, which makes it difficult to grow out, or even do something with it in between. I have some Summer hats, but I'd like to try other options too. Can't stop imagining a cross between your auntie and Robert Smith! Oh dear ;-)) xxx

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  13. Its amazing g how small things have taken on such significance and from which we can derive pleasure isnt it? The daffodil tin you happened across and the pleasure of sitting in the sun cleaning and reorganizing a cupboard. Everything seems to have slowed down, nature so much more noticeable, I keep stopping just to hear the birds singing.
    I am cutting my own hair. There are some good tutorials on YouTube and if you just remove a tiny bit at a time it will probably look good :)
    Hope you're enjoying the sunshine over in Belgium still, we lost it for a day or so but it's back today and very welcome. xxx

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    1. I do love this slower pace of life, as long as it's not forever. But I'll be cutting down my working hours when eventually things go back to normal, of that I'm sure. We've lost the sunshine for a day or so too, but I'm glad it's back. They forecasted rain for tomorrow, though ... xxx

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  14. The bread bag is interesting! We haven't done anything like that here yet, but there are a lot of advertisements from the government around with how to keep ourselves safe from the virus.

    I really like the print mixing outfit with all that pink and purple, but my favourite is that pretty green dress at the end! I'm glad you are adjusting to your new shorter work week :)

    Hope that you are having a good week :)

    Away From Blue

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    1. We do have a lot of advertisements around too, but isn't that bread bag interesting. I'll be keeping one as a souvenir ... or does that sound like a horrible thing to do? xxx

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  15. Hello my lovely! I am so glad you managed to get some plants! What a joy. Yesterday, we went to post CBC's sister's birthday present at the post office and I bought 2 Cucumber plants from the Londis where we got some shopping grocery items from. I was SOOOO happy to find them (wish I'd picked up a few more strawberries too!).
    Your outfits are lovely and I really like the lighter colours.
    What a collection of houseleeks you have- it's like they are some alien Tribbles or something!x

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    1. Thank you Kezzie! I too regret not picking up some strawberries and loose leaf salad plugs. But our gardening centres will be opening again, so we can go and get some soon. xxx

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  16. You look lovely.. love the purples and pinks of the first outfit.

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  17. I say go for it! Headscarves are the bee's knees! So versatile, chic, glam, fun, and (at times) practical as well. I quite like stretchy turbans for much the same reason and often transition into wearing them (more often) as the mercury starts climbing again.

    Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thank you Autumn, and you've just reminded me of the fact that I have a green stretchy turban somewhere. But where did I put it? xxx

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  18. Hairdressers are going to be in hot demand once lockdown is over! Maybe a few hair slides or pins will help until you can get a haircut again.

    You are blending very nicely with your Spring garden in those pretty outfits, your eye for colour is always second yo none!

    X

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    1. Thank you so much! I've been doing some experiments with floral hair pins and scarves, but haven't found a suitable solution yet. The trouble is that I never had to do anything with my hair, it's been just wash and go so far ... xxx

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  19. Flowers make everything better - and your unexpected green roof is terrific. There's been a lot on the news over here about the lockdown trashing the horticulture sector, as Easter is the big time for selling plants. Glad your little shop is helping out some local growers in your area!

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    1. Oh yes, definitely, flowers do make everything better! But our garden centres have re-opened, and I've already been shopping for more. All very safely, I should add! xxx

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