Thursday 8 October 2020

Autumn Almanac

It seems that for once the weathermen got it right, as the weather started sliding down the slippery slope of Autumn in the days following our walk and picnic in the sculpture park.

We were Thursday 24 September by then and if initially there wasn't much sign of the predicted rain, the temperature had dived well under 20°C.

Nevertheless, I was determined to wear the short-sleeved mod dress I'd found in Think Twice the other week, before long-sleeve weather would be well and truly upon us.



As the dress's fabric is a polyester knit, it was warm enough on its own, only requiring the wearing of a full slip underneath. 

Its print is hard to distinguish from a distance (I'm hearing you Sheila!), but you can see its delightful teal, purple, orange and olive green colour scheme in the close-ups.

Making full use of the dress's Autumnal vibes, I matched my opaques to its solid burnt orange collar, and added a green chain belt and a purple and orange wooden beaded necklace. A further nod to the season was provided by the two vintage Autumn leaf brooches tumbling from my shoulder.



My beloved burgundy ankle boots, which I've had for the better part of ten years, and have been to the cobbler's once or twice during their lifetime, are now definitely on their last legs. So far, my search for a replacement pair hasn't been successful, so I'll keep on wearing these until they fall apart completely.

To combat the sudden chill, I was wearing an olive green H&M cord jacket, a local flea market find last year.

While Jos did the twice-weekly food shop that morning, I pottered around the house, but I felt a bit restless and didn't seem to be able to get stuck into anything in particular.

Nothing that a good old rummage couldn't fix, we thought, so after lunch we grabbed our coats and masks and were off to the charity shops.

But first we stopped at the local museum's rusty garden gate for some outfit photos, while gathering some of the medlar fruits which were littering the ground and admiring the glut of pumpkins beyond the gate.


We spent a happy few hours rummaging in two of our favourite shops and certainly didn't come away empty handed. My favourite find in the first shop must be this floral thermos flask, which will be accompanying us on our next picnic. It's in perfect shape and it was a steal at just € 1,20.



Further finds were a lightweight cotton kimono-style jacket, which I'm looking forward to wearing next Summer, a massive black floral scarf, and a handful of necklaces.



In the second shop, I fell head over heels for this butter-soft yellow leather handbag, but as it had a small black scuff mark on its front, I initially put it back. After asking Jos for a second opinion and a furtive scratch with a fingernail, we decided it was just a stain and thus removable.

Back at home, we set to work immediately but much to our dismay, rubbing the stain only seemed to make it worse. We decided to leave it and take it to our cobbler, who'd once worked his magic on a pair of seriously scuffed shoes of mine. But when I walked past the bag an hour or so later, the stain had magically disappeared almost completely. Perhaps burning those candle at the fever chapel did the trick? Whatever the case, please meet my new workday bag, providing sunshine on even the rainiest of days.



Speaking of rain, by the time we left the second shop, the first drops were starting to fall, and without the warmth of the sun, the temperature had dropped even lower.

Fortunately though, a weak sun soon reappeared, so that we managed to make it home without having to use an umbrella. 

Making the most of the dry spell, Phoebe and I went on a foray into the garden. While she nodded off on the bench, I admired the tenacity of nature to make flowers look beautiful even in their final hours. I was particularly enchanted with the yellow Osteospermum caught in a cluster of trailing Geranium flowers.




We woke up to a blanket of grey on Friday, but although the weathermen had gleefully forecasted atrocious weather, it was still dry when we left the house after breakfast.

We'd planned to go charity shopping again, deciding to visit our all-time favourite shop in Duffel, which we'd been avoiding until now as it tends to be quite busy. Indeed, even this early in the day, its car park was full. Rather than turning heel - or should that be wheel, perhaps - we drove on to the nearby park and decided to try our luck again a bit later.



As it still didn't look like rain, we went for a stroll, marvelling at the fact that we hadn't been there since January. Back in normal times we used to go there at least once a month, if not more, combining a short or longer walk in the park with a visit to the charity shop.

We'd just decided on a the perfect spot for outfit photos, when we were chased away by two white geese throwing a hissy fit.



Nothing for it but to cross the bridge and look for a sheltered spot where I could remove my coat to show you what I was wearing underneath.

My 1970s diagonally striped skirt, which last made an appearance back in Spring, was accompanied by one of my recents finds, a frilly Kookai blouse sprinkled with a galaxy of stars, hearts and flowers.

Taking my lead from the pale pink hearts in its print, I wore a thin pink cardigan on top which, in spite of the chilly wind, I took off to show you my blouse in its full glory. The things one does for blogging!



Tying in with the blouse's orange flowers, as well as the orange stripes in my skirt, I chose an orange beaded necklace and a tawny orchid brooch.

My outfit was completed with a stretchy belt with the most fabulous clasp buckle, a cheeky retail buy from a couple of months ago.



Afterwards, we returned to the charity shop and, as many gaps had appeared in the car park in the meantime, we decided to risk it and go for a browse.

Pickings were rather meagre, but I still came away with two tops, a short-sleeved blue and white cotton jumper with the cutest button decoration on its back and a King Louie top scattered with red roses. And obviously I couldn't leave behind the small € 0,30 wicker sewing basket for my growing collection. 



The rain came in the afternoon, and in all its ferocity was joined by a gale force wind which kept rattling our shutters all night. 

Miraculously, nothing seemed to have suffered too much in the garden when I went outside to take stock on Saturday morning. 

Again, both Phoebe and I made the most of the sunshine, which much to our surprise remained with us for most of the day. Basking in the sun's golden rays, even our little black monster seemed to take on an Autumnal hue.




I was wearing another one of my recent charity shop finds, a wrap dress by St. Germain Paris in a striking cobalt blue with a wallpapery scrolls and roses print.

The pink roses offered the perfect excuse to pile on the pinks, so in addition to the t-shirt I layered underneath the dress, I wore bright pink opaques and a matching long-line cardigan. I echoed the reddish parts in the print by wearing a red ring and beaded necklace and kept the dress's decolletage in check by pinning it with a gold-tone and purple brooch.



I'm leaving you now with a last look at the garden before we were treated to endless days of heavy rains.

There's a harmony of sea holly, catmint and fleabane, a fresh cluster of pink Pelargonium flowers and one of the many fern fronds turning yellow and eventually brown with age. Oh, and Phoebe high on catmint!

I'll be back in a couple of days. In the meantime, I'm counting on you to stay safe and sane. And fabulous, obviously!

40 comments:

  1. Loving all these wonderful outfits and what a delight it will be to carry that beautiful yellow bag. Glad to hear the stain removal worked.

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    1. Thank you Goody! Carrying that yellow bag never fails to cheer me up! xxx

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  2. I'm trying very hard to dry my hydrangeas without success Ann! I like the super cool belt in the first outfit. That's so on-trend right now. xx

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    1. I had no idea these belts were back on-trend, Laurie. I've got two similar ones as well, all charity shopped ages ago! xxx

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  3. a yellow bag for dreary winter work days is the very best!!!
    sadly my own - very old one - died last winter...... but i still have the italian red croco which never fails to cheer me up :-)
    love the blouse & skirt pattern mix look - its one of your best lately.
    wonderful pics of nature and garden flowers - and phoebe!
    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Beate! That skirt and blouse outfit is my current favourites too! I always find it sad when a bag - or shoes, or a favourite garment - bites the dust! xxx

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  4. What gorgeous photos of the garden and dear Phoebe in the golden glow of the Autumnal sunshine! That walk in the park looks idyllic.
    Not one but two charity shop visits - it's been five weeks since I last ventured in our clearance shop, I'll be forgetting how to shop! I love the buttery yellow bag and I'm glad you were able to get rid of the stain. I can see you getting loads of wear from those two short sleeved tops, too - they are so very you!
    All of your outfits are fabulous but I'm with Beate, the blouse and skirt combo is making my heart sing!
    Stay safe and well, Ann, Jos & Phoebe. xxx

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    1. Thank you Vix! We're trying to fit in some charity shopping every week, but have limited the shops we visit to the handful we feel safe going into. It's the only bit of "normal" we can still safely indulge in. xxx

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  5. It's so joyful to look at you, Ann! I love the combinations you create, full of bright colors and patterns - all of them! The blue with pink outfit and the stripy skirt with red jacket especially caught my eye. Your photography is amazing, full of heart, and I'm glad to see you in good spirit! Much love!

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    1. What a lovely comment, Natalie, thank you so much! xxx

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  6. A wicket bag for €0,30!!what a bargain. And that yellow bag is fantastic, such a beautiful color. What a weird story about the stain. I think the bag decided you would be a good owner. What a lovely photo of Phoebe. What a luck you have that there are good second hand shops near by. We used to have a fabulous one in a town near by, with always a fabulous window. But that one is gone. Enjoy the weekend!

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    1. Thank you Nancy! I know, € 0,30 is crazy, right, even if it's only a tiny basket. Sorry to hear your second hand shop is gone. It probably won't be the last shop to close down in these strange times! xxx

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  7. What brilliant finds! I loved them all especially the butter yellow bag - is it a Hermes or a Birkin style. I wonder? So glad the stain disappeared. Loved your floral flask and the little wicker sewing basket - both steals..

    All your outfits were lovely and I really liked the blue dress with the pink flowers; such gorgeous colours. The green cord jacket was fab. I have a cotton jacket in that colour but have yet to wear it - ah well; next year, maybe!

    Beautiful blooms - I loved the sea holly.

    Take care and stay safe,
    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni! I have actually no idea which style of bag it is. I'm so ignorant about such things! I love sea holly too, I'm looking forward to see how it does next year! xxx

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  8. Sweet Ann, I adore your festively charming fall leaf brooches. I almost look like a tree these days, as I'm draping myself in every last piece of leaf themed jewelry (and scarves, too) in my wardrobe. Not all at once though - I really would look like a tree then. 😂

    Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thank you Autumn! I've been making the most of the season by wearing my Autumnal brooches, that's for certain. And no, not all at once :-) xxx

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  9. Your outfits are a great source of inspiration! The beautiful green belt that you paired with the Think Twice dress, the beautiful black floral scarf ... and your fabulous yellow bag! I think it's delightfully comfortable. A little treasure is your sewing basket ... Enjoy the beautiful flowers and your sweet Phoebe!
    Hugs,Carmela

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment and hugs, Carmela! I really appreciate it! xxx

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  10. My mom noted that the weather turns here on my birthday, every year, and it seems to be true this year! Like you, I have been enjoying whatever sun I've been able to get!

    Love your colour palette in the first outfit (you know my stance on blurry prints, ha ha!), and the second one is a very "me" outfit - I have a coat just like that! Same style and colour.

    Love the outfit with the pink cardi, and that blue wrap dress is fabulous on you! Yes, more pink! Make it bright!

    You did so well at the shops! I love your pretty kimono, but that yellow bag is amazing!! I'm so glad the stain came out (it might have darkened if you wet it, so as it dried the "stain" would disappear). I never mind scuffs on leather too much, though - they are inevitable!

    Have a wonderful weekend, and give that little furry monster of yours some "forced lovin'"! :)

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    1. I checked my diary, which says it was sunny all day on your birthday here in Belgium :-) I know, whenever I come across one of those unphotographable prints, I have to think of you, thinking, Sheila is right! xxx P.S? Oh, and you were right about the stain too!

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  11. Oh wonderful pictures Ann. I am in love with this yellow bag, What a luck the stain is going away. Now you have the sunshine with you. 😄
    You finding almost the best things in charity shops!
    Wish you a nice weekend, with a very huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina! Isn't it wonderful to have one's own portable sunshine? xxx

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  12. So many beautiful outfits, I hardly know where to start. The short sleeved dress is a beauty and I like the boots you wore with it. Wear them until they fall apart is my motto. I know the feeling- the bitter sweetness of finding just the perfect pair of boots because you're aware they can't last forever. I love your orange and red styling with the fab jacket and skirt. The mixing prints outfit is brilliant as well. Have a great weekend dear!

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    1. Thank you Ivana! I will definitely wear them until they fall apart! I once lost part of the sole during a walk in the park. That was 2 years ago, and after having them re-soled, they are still going - more or less - strong! xxx

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  13. Ooh I love that yellow leather bag, its gorgeous.
    You look good in your mod outfit Ann and the green cord jacket is perfect to complete the outfit.
    I didn't recognise Phoebe at first, she definitely has a tawny tinge in that photo and the later one of a single yellow eye looks very dramatic, she's a beauty.
    Medlars look so interesting don't they? Fleabane is possibly my favourite plant at the moment, I planted some in our garden this year, I love its natural wild look. xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! I was rather pleased with my mod outfit too. I planted fleabane this year as well. It started as a tiny plant, and look at it now! It always makes me think of English gardens! xxx

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  14. Hey Phoebe! I see you there!
    I'm a bit scared of geese when they hiss! Glad you didn't sustain a goose-related injury!
    Your leather bag looks so soft- glad the stain vanished!
    Beautiful outfits as always - queen of print!
    I have a green cord jacket too- I like wearing it a lot- CBC always wanted to steal it when we first got together but it was too small for his shoudlers!
    The thermos is a beauty!x

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    1. Ha, Phoebe didn't do a very good job at hiding, did she? I'm scared of hissing geese too, so we went elsewhere for our photos! It's a good thing that cord jacket was too small for CBC's shoulders :-) xxx

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  15. If I still had a pile of your stuff I’d be adding the olive green cord jacket I love it. I’d also been pinching your mashup skirt blouse and short sleeve cardigan. You really know how to put it together Ann.
    You’re a lot braver than me with your trips to the charity shops. Bravo !!
    Stay safe you lovely folk xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, Lynn! Our charity shops are much larger than the average UK one, so they are quite safe to shop in. Stay safe, you two! xxx

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  16. Lovely to see you enjoying the warm autumn days, your garden and your little black monster! mwhaha
    Love those autumnal brooches and fab accessorizing with your delightful short sleeved dress!, and such an amazing print (despite it doesn't photograph well in the distance!, it happens with small prints!). Sorry that you're not being lucky in your hunt for purple boots.
    I've never seen medlar trees here in Spain (once I mistook loquats for medlar fruits, but learnt they're pretty different).
    So fab purchases, the thermos flask is so cute, and I'm so glad that your cobbler managed to remove the stain. This is a really fab bag, its color is Beautiful!.
    Love your diagonal stripes skirt and the pink details, such a fabulous color combo and delightful prints!, this Kookai blouse is lovely!. And you look fab on this Green backdrop!, beautiful photos!
    And so fab wrap dress, the cobalt blue and pretty pink roses are lovely!, and you've created a stunning ensemble, so delightfully matchy in pinks!. You rock!.
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! I don't think medlar trees are very common here either. They are quite old-fashioned, if that's the right word for a tree that's no longer popular :-) The diagonal striped skirt with the Kookai blouse is one of my favourites too. xxx

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  17. Hello lovely Ann! You have such a knack for putting pieces together and you are definitely the accessory queen. The blazer is gorgeous, without my glasses on I thought it was velvet. I love the contrast collar on the first dress. The sparkly blouse over the skirt is fantastic. You pull that off superbly! The scrolls and roses print in the final dress is gorgeous. I would love that print in wallpaper, tablecloths, bed heads, anything really!

    Fabulous finds on your recent treasure hunt. The yellow bag is all kinds of sunshine, love it! The large black scarf is sublime (I collect those too). Great new tops too. I'm so jealous - we haven't ventured out to an op-shop or our favourite weekend market in months! Have a great weekend.

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    1. Aww, what a lovely thing to say, Suzy! Yes, that scrolls and roses print would be perfect for home decor too! I do miss our flea markets, so I'm happy we can still go to the charity shops for our rummaging fix! xxx

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  18. Very colourful as usual, a real cheer-up. I emptied my wardrobe and thrifted all the clothes I never wear. :-) Due to the cool weather, I wear skirts over jeans, so cosy. All the best! xxx Regula

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    1. Thank you Regula! I'm emptying my wardrobes too, and have already filled several bags for the charity shops! xxx

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  19. I noticed on Bloglovin that you wrote this 20 days ago, which tells me how long it is since I caught up with all my blogging friends. I must do better.
    I love the mod dress you purchased, I’m glad you got to wear it. I too have a pair of beloved boots that I don’t think I’ll ever truly replace - I keep looking - I’ll be so sad when I’m no longer able to wear them.
    I’ve been having day where I can’t stick to one task, so I amble about the house doing this and that instead, it’s surprising what can be achieved.
    Your new flask is lovely! I had a bag in a similar colour a few years ago and it was so versatile, I was gutted when the faux leather flaked and it became unusable. How lucky the stain was removable.
    Lovely to see Phoebe :)
    xx

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    1. Thank you Hazel, I always appreciate your comments, even 20 days after I wrote a post! Oh, and I think I have found the perfect replacement boots. I still have to try them in the wild, so the jury is still out! xxx

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