Friday 28 August 2020

The odd uneven time *

We're well into August's final week by now, and the weather seems to have changed completely almost overnight. With the rain pitter-pattering on the landing's skylight behind me and strong gusts of wind making the birch tree in our neighbour's front garden groan and sway, it definitely felt as if Autumn had arrived prematurely on Tuesday.



It's hard to believe that only a week before the thermometer was still nudging the low thirties and that we were groaning and moaning about having to live through yet another sweltering, sweat-inducing day.

The few showers we'd had earlier last week had been welcome treats for the garden, the flowers showing off the smattering of raindrops as if they were precious jewels. They were soon evaporated by the strength of the sun, however, as she had another go at putting the plants' resilience to the test.



The heatwave decided to give it one final push on Thursday before last. 

Browsing my wardrobe for that day's outfit, my eyes alighted on this sleeveless vintage frock. With its drop collar and its cheerful blue, orange and white colour scheme, it has seen the light of day every Summer ever since I found it at Think Twice several years ago.

I picked white and a hint of orange for my accessories, which included a beaded necklace from a sorely missed vintage shop, a flea market brooch and one of my trademark plastic rings.

There had been another National Security Council meeting that morning resulting in a couple of minor relaxations of the rules. No more sneaking around and secretly meeting in the charity shop aisles as shopping in twos would be allowed once again starting the following Monday.


But we were only Thursday, and I was feeling a bit jittery, so I suggested we go to the small charity shop in the next village and try our luck.

This is generally one of the quieter shops, and their stock can be very hit or miss, but it seemed we were in luck this time. While we acted as if we were two strangers, and Jos went off to browse the records at the back of the shop, I perused the well-stocked clothing rails, finding not one but two dresses.

The very hard to photograph red gingham one (which rather looks like polka dots here) is another King Louie, while the blue and white one is from Belgian high street shop Lola Liza.


A pair of brand new looking black Clarks shoes in my size for just € 4?  Yes, please!  I already have this model in burgundy (a flea market find!) and they are insanely comfortable. Perfect for Autumn as an alternative to ankle boots.




My heart made a little jump of joy when I spotted this vintage hand-made jacket. With its funky and colourful pattern, it effortlessly stood out among the rail of yawn inducing jackets. Its fabric has a deliciously silky feel and it is lined in a shimmering pale blue.




Just as I was about to pay at the till, I noticed a couple of brooches in a display cabinet. Priced at € 1 each, it would have been downright silly not to snap them all up.

All this for just € 22!  I'd quite forgotten how rewarding charity shopping can be.

On our way back home, we stopped at a large local shoe shop, as Jos needed a new pair of slippers. With the sales still ongoing, it was almost inevitable that I too made a purchase ... which you'll get to see later on in this post.




The temperature was supposed to drop considerably on Friday, but the day started bright and sunny, so that soon it climbed back into the high twenties.

The garden is showing signs of impending Autumn nonetheless.  Half-hidden by the faded and drooping blooms of our Hydrangea, the first of the flower heads are appearing in the Sedum spectabile (top right) we planted many years ago. With its fleshy foliage and constellation of tiny, star-like, soon-to-be pink flowers, they are a late Summer source of nectar for the garden's army of bees. 

The Japanese Anemone I planted back in July surprised us with its first flower buds (bottom left), while a bee was going crazy over yet another Siamese twinned flower head produced by the purple Osteospermum.



I opted for a skirt and top combo that day, a happy marriage of vintage and modern. 

The Diolen skirt with its vibrant flower pattern is one of my favourite Think Twice finds ever and has been with me for many years. The top with its cowl neck and tiny bird print (which unfortunately seems to be disappearing into oblivion in all but the close-up photos) was charity shopped, as was the necklace.

And here's the ubiquitous stretchy belt again, making yet another appearance. The butterfly brooch is one of my modern pieces, while the tomato red sandals are my naughty buy from the shoe shop the day before.


Buoyed by the previous day's success, we were raring to go and check out two of our favourite local charity shops that morning. I have been missing my rummaging fix for far too long already.



Two groovilicious long-sleeved tops ended up in my trolley. The green, brown and yellow shirt on the bottom right is from Belgian label Wow To Go, and I already have a dress in the same pattern.

A close-up of the pattern of the one on the top left reveals that it is actually made up of birds, which isn't immediately apparent when looking at it from afar.



The jewellery display in one of the shops came up trumps as well, with a handful of necklaces and a yellow-hearted brooch.


But my best find of the day must have been these glorious cork-soled red sandals from vintage style shoe label Miz Mooz. Again, they look as good as unworn, and the best is yet to come: their incredible € 3,20 price tag!



Now, this is where this post would normally have had its conclusion, treating you to a glimpse of Phoebe under the influence! 

After ignoring the catmint I'd planted for months, the silly beast has now taken a liking to it after all and regularly takes a good sniff when passing it on her way to the back of the garden.

I was going to publish this post on Thursday and then squeeze in another, to be scheduled one before we leave on Sunday. Being strapped for time with an additional office day this week, there was nothing for it but to make this one a little longer and leave it at that.



Let's start by having a look at what I was wearing on Saturday. I forgot to make a journal entry, but the polyester frock I'm wearing is telling me that the temperature must have dropped sufficiently enough to justify wearing it. I remember wearing an orange cardi on top for most of the day, which apparently I'd ditched for the photos.

My accessories consisted of a caramel coloured leather belt, an old wood and ceramic necklace, charity shopped bangle and bracelet and a glitter and brown plastic ring. Oh, and my vintage brooch, which was a gift from my friend Inez.



The garden is looking very lush, which I hope it will continue to do for some time yet. We are fully aware we might lose some of the patio plants while we're away, and can only hope for the best. Which would be that it regularly rains in Antwerp, but remains dry in the west of the country!


My final outfit is last Sunday's, when we were invited to a bubbled and socially distanced family barbecue at Jos's son and daughter in law. You know, the humble servants of  Lady Abby!

The weather did let us down a bit at first, as we woke up to a grey and rainy morning, but the sun came out later and all was well. 

Nevertheless, I'd progressed to wearing three-quarter sleeves, nylons and ankle boots. Couldn't run the risk of catching a chill, could we? 

The dress is an old retail buy and I'm still head over heels with its print after all these years. But while I often use red as an accent colour, this time I took the lead from the yellow bits in the print, adding a yellow necklace and ring. The green flower brooch is one of those I picked up at the first charity shop we visited on Thursday.



Then the rain and stormy weather came. August rain and skies pitch black with storm clouds. The sky ringing with crows cawing and screeching blue murder. The sun going down while making one more attempt to set the day on fire. An unmistakable scent of pending Autumn in the air.

Did we already have Summer's grand finale?

So, this is it then. I'll be welcoming our week away with open arms.

Stay safe, and I'll see you at the other side!


* From The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath, 8 August 1952:

"August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time."


44 comments:

  1. Ah, such a nice lush read of a post. I love the "bookends" of Phoebe looking either grumpy or smug, but probably both (as a cat). I laughed at that last picture of her - what a face! Vizzini doesn't get catnip very often, as he goes bonkers rolling around in it, then gets overstimulated, bitey and then gets banished to the bedroom to sleep it off. He's a mean "drunk".

    I love your beautiful dresses and separates - I confess, I've also been wearing nylons! As I'm sitting (mostly sitting) in the office, I get colder than I normally would, and it really doesn't feel like we've had any of those super-hot days. Normally, we do have temps in the high 20s for at least a couple of weeks, but not this year. I'm rather thankful, though, as the hot flashes/flushes have returned with a vengeance!

    Oh, what deals on your thrifted items! I'm very envious of those awesome 70s-inspired Miz Mooz! I love them. I am also attracted to the tentacle-like marcasite brooch. The bird pattern on your new shirt is awesome - I had to look twice to see it, even after you said it was birds.

    I'm often frustrated at how poorly "small" patterns photograph. I've been known to let go of items, just because they don't photograph well.

    Those are some amazing skies! Thinking of you as you get closer to your holiday time! Exciting! Have a wonderful weekend, dear Ann!

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    1. Thank you Sheila! Phoebe had been mostly ignoring the cat mint until quite recently. Now we often find her in the vicinity of our patch of catnip! And not only have I been wearing nylons, I even wore opaques once or twice just before our holiday. I often have to think of you when a small pattern turns out not to photograph well :-) xxx

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  2. Oh I love the dress in your last outfit, and that sleeveless one at the top is beautiful on you too! How nice you can shop together - we are lucky we did not have that rule here or I would have not been able to take the little one to the opshop while his big brother was in school to thrift some books! Sadly with the outbreaks here (another 4 cases today) a few opshops are closing again, but I try to stock up on books in anticipation of them closing so we won't get bored if we are locked down again! Thankfully grocery shopping is mostly online, and stock levels seem to be a bit more back to normal for the most part.

    Hope you are having a lovely weekend :)

    Away From Blue

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    1. Thank you Mica! As for the solo shopping rule, it did not include children, so you'd have been OK shopping with your boys! xxx

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  3. I like fall 😊
    I am lucky it's no more hot. Uff
    You find the best shoes Ann! I am in love wirh this clarks too. And the cork sandals are also great, the next summer is comming soon 😉
    Your garden is a flower jungle....der Hammer! 😄
    I can imagine you wait for a few days off! I am waiting too.
    with a very huge hug Tina

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    1. So do I, Tina, even when we have hot days - like today! - they're not as bad as before as it cools down overnight! xxx

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  4. It actually feels more like winter here today, cold and wet and I had to stand in a long queue to get into the supermarket. First time in ages but I don't normally go on Saturday.
    Your garden still looks beautiful des6the ravages and extremes of the weather.
    I love your red cork heels, they're definitely my favourite too. What a find. I also like the bird patterned shirt.
    Phoebe definitely looks like she's had one too many!!
    Have a great holiday. xxx

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    1. Oh, that doesn't sound like much fun! We do try to avoid Saturday shopping. It's a good thing I only have to work 2 days a week, so that we can visit all shops - including the chazzas - off-peak! xxx

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  5. I love each and every one of your purchases.
    Have a fabulous holiday. Regards, Carole.🙂

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  6. What a great post Ann! So many ideas to get inspired! Even though the temperatures have dropped, your flowers are wonderful. Here, with me, still sultry days and no rain! You have found so many treasures and exceptional clothes in your favorite shops! The sweater with the cowl neck and the little blue birds is just beautiful! Fantastic necklace with strings of small multicolor beads ... you can easily combine it with your beautiful clothes! The accessories in yellow add a nice touch of color to your blue leaf dress ... you made great purchases! Let's enjoy these late summer days!
    Carmela

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    1. Thank you Carmela! I love that cowl neck top too, but unfortunately the pattern seemed to have disappeared in all but the close-up photos! Hope your weather has cooled down a bit by now. Sultry weather isn't very productive for the energy levels! xxx

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  7. Where to start! You bought so many great items! Those 2 long sherbert tops are great. The one with the birds looks like a Esher design. And the other one looks like my King Louie blouse. The red sandals are gorgeous. And those bright colored necklaces, or bracelets, are fabulous. Phoebe is beautiful too! Enjoy your holiday!!

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    1. Thank you Nancy! Isn't that bird print top amazing? You are right, it could easily have been an Esher design! xxx

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  8. I love love love your new red shoes. However, I would break my ankle wearing them. :-) It will soon be time to unpack the winter shoes ... :-( All the best! Regula

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    1. Thank you Regula! I won't be wearing them for walks, that's for sure! xxx

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  9. Wow you have gone back to charity shopping and then some with those amazing finds! Hope you are having a fabulous holiday. xx

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    1. Thank you Gisela! There seems to be a lot of stuff in the charity shops. Some of them have even stopped accepting donations! xxx

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  10. That blue sleeveless flock is so pretty. The orange details on the print are so lovely. I like the drop collar. The combination of blue, orange and white is perfect. Such a great find, I can see why you have worn it every summer since the time you bought it. You always find lovely things in Think Twice. I sometimes wish we had more second hand options here.
    The way you accessorized this dress is also perfect, going for the orange in accessories was a great way to bring out the orange in the print of the dress. The brooch is so lovely, it caught my eye immediately.
    The new things you got are lovely. The dresses are beautiful and those classical Clark black shoes do look brand new. Such a great find!
    Your marriage of modern and vintage is very stylish, I do like this combo of vibrant print skirt and the top. The floral print on the skirt is fantastic, I can see why it is one of your favourites.
    The printed blue vintage dress you wore with a yellow necklace and a statement brooch is gorgeous!!!! Your new red shoes are such a great pop of colour.
    How funny that your cat found the catmint just now.
    Phoebe looks both grumpy and confused by the catmint consumption to me. Only a cat can look like both of those things at the same time. :)
    Enjoy your trip!

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    1. Thank you so much, Ivana! I do love accessorizing my outfits and it's great that I now have more time to do so. Phoebe ignored the catmint until quite recently. Now we often find her rubbing her face in it. Cats are certainly funny creatures! xxx

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  11. P.S. wow for the vintage jacket you found. The print is stunning!!!!

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  12. Oh, I just love all your photos in this post Ann. Your secondhand finds are wonderful. And it's making me miss my market, treasure hunting days. I don't think I've been to one since late January or early February. X

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    1. Thank you Jess! I'm glad we can go to the op-shops now, but I'm still missing my flea market visits. Last one we went to was in early March! xxx

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  13. What a haul! I'm loving that groovy shirt, it looks fabulous with your button thru' denim skirt and those red wedges are fantastic.
    Your outfits are accessorised to perfection as always. Love the socially distanced BBQ dress.
    Phoebe's disdainful expression matches how I feel about this sudden change of season.
    Your garden looks absolutely gorgeous and I have high hopes for it staying just as gorgeous by the time you return from your trip.
    Have an absolutely wonderful break! xxx

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    1. Thank you Vix. I've already worn both those groovy tops! Disdainful is the right word for Phoebe's expression :-) Most of the plants seemed to have survived, just one or two casualties! xxx

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  14. You’ll be away now and I hope you have a wonderful time and can forget the jitters for awhile.
    I’ve got a pair of the Clarks shoes in burgundy. I got them in a sale in the Lake District a few years ago now. I can’t do heels now so probably won’t wear them again now.
    You really do show us some fabulous outfits Ann. I really drawn to the last dress and that great multicoloured jacket you found.
    Enjoy your holiday. Lots of love xxx

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    1. Thank you Lynn! We were indeed away by the time I read your comment. I have those shoes in burgundy too! xxx

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  15. I am in awe of your every outfit.. you are such a ray of sunshine.
    I love the red sandals.

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  16. Hello Ann. I don't know where to start! You scored fabulously with those wrap dresses. Both the red cork-soled shoes and the black Clarks pair are fabulous. That groovy shirt is also beautiful, as are your new brooches. Isn't it wonderful to purchase items at a fraction of the original price! I much prefer saying I bought something for a few dollars rather than stating I paid full price. My itch to treasure hunt is so strong lately but we're still in lockdown so I'll have to contend with op-shopping vicariously through you.

    Your sky blue floral dress with it's drop collar is stunning. I also really like the Diolen floral skirt.

    Your garden is still looking wonderful. Ours has been bare all winter and just this week I've noticed some buds on our fruit trees and growth on our roses. Bring on Spring!

    Have a relaxing and safe holiday. Can't wait to see your pics.

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    1. Thank you Suzy! You are definitely right there: I always mention it when I got something at a fraction of the price. I can understand you've got a serious itch to treasure hunt. Hopefully you'll be able to go out again soon! xxx

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  17. You found some fabulous items, I love those red cork soled shoes! I missed the rummaging too, but I'm trying not to go too often as I have no more room for clothes.
    You must be on your holiday now, I'm so glad you got to go and hope the weather is being kind.
    I look forward to hearing all about it!
    xx

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    1. Thank you Hazel! I have to confess that I have no more room for clothes too. I'm trying to be very strict and get rid of anything I no longer love by putting in the charity shop bag or putting it aside to sell on at a flea market. If they ever happen again ... xxx

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  18. woww, lots of fabulousness to comment!. Love every photo of your garden, the colorful collages you made, the drops of rain on the petals, the bees!.
    Love your sleeveless dress and the delightful color combo with orange and white details, which puts a smile on my face. Summery and Joyful!
    No wonder that the Diolen skirt is one of your favourites, as it has a fab print, and love the birds print on your top too!. Once more, you look so fab!
    I totally admire your finds at both charities. The dresses, the brooches and particularly those groovilicious tops and the Miz Mooz sandals!. Total Grooviness!
    Love the blue polyester frock and the warm colours you picked for your accessories, such a lovely ensemble!
    And love your last outfit, your dress is also one of my favourites of you, the dress print is particularly eye catching, the colors are fab and you look gorgeous!
    Hope you're enjoying a nice time and looking forward to read about your holidays!
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much Monica! I love taking pictures and making collages of the garden's details. I love it that it's absolutely buzzing with bees! xxx

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  19. Just stopping by to wish you a lovely weekend.

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  20. Oh that red sandals are amazing
    Great style
    xx

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  21. I hope you've had a lovely start of the week and I wish you a fab week ahead.

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    1. I did, Ivana, and I hope your week went well too! xxx

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  22. OOoh, you DID do well in the charity shop stakes! Phwoar, check out those tops and those lovely sandals! I just don't find shoes in charity shops often so I am JEALOUS!
    Your garden really is looking lush- so pretty and vibrant- I hope you returned home to a happy garden!
    Ha- Phoebe the drunk! Love it! I love how crazy cats go on cat mint.

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    1. Thank you Kezzie! We had one or two casualties in the garden, but it was still looking lush overall. I quite often find shoes in charity shops. I've got a size 37 (4) which seems to be very common. xxx

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