Monday 28 December 2020

How did it get so late so soon?

Christmas and Boxing Day have come and gone. Storm Bella has raged over us, unleashing a wind that was making our old house groan and our windows rattle. 

The year's days have dwindled to just a handful and soon we'll be saying goodbye and good riddance to this hell-hole of a year. In only a matter of days, we'll once again be welcoming a new one, and more than ever, we'll be wondering what it has in store for us.

But let's not be too hasty, as I haven't finished with the old year yet. In fact, my blog has only just made it halfway through December. So, let's not beat about the bush and proceed with the task at hand before my memory fails me completely.


The handmade vintage dress I was wearing two weeks ago on Saturday was found in our most local charity shop several years ago, when I was bowled over by its Autumnal colour mix.

However, its green foliage and red berries always remind me of Christmas and consequently I only seem to wear it as close as possible to the festive season. Opening my wardrobe's doors during the preceding months, my eyes often alight on it, but just as I'm about to pull it out, I'm thinking: no, not yet, it's too Christmassy! 

I admit it does rather limit its possibilities, but that Saturday, as we were well and truly in the run-up to the silly season, it was now or never.


The red berries were echoed by my opaques, while the greenery was joined by the green boots I charity shopped almost exactly a year ago. The burgundy fluffy cardigan - which I seem to be reaching for an awful lot lately - was another charity shop find during last year's Christmas holidays.

That just leaves the funky necklace I picked up on my first post-lockdown 2.0 visit to the charity shops, its arrangement of red, white and tan plastic discs and flowers quite at home with the colours of my dress.


The day had been particularly dismal, dark and rainy, even if at 10°C, it remained quite mild for the time of year.

I just moped around the house, doing this and that, until a bit of cheer arrived in the form of a box of chocolate seashells filled with hazelnut praliné, a Belgian delicacy. We'd ordered these through Jos's granddaughter Saar, in aid of an organization she is volunteering with, offering summer camps for children.


Fortified by a handful of chocolates, I was ready to show you my charity shop finds of the previous day.

These included a chunky orange cardigan, a funky retro-print dress, a long teal-ish blue cardigan and two belts.

I wouldn't be surprised if you think the one on the bottom left looks familiar as yes, I do already own two of these stretchy zig-zag chevron patterned belts. Both sales bargains earlier this year, they have been on constant rotation, and I'm actually wearing the new one with its round, black wooden buckle, as I type!



Sunday's weather was almost a duplicate of Saturday's, but this time we were treated to some watery sunshine in the morning.

This lasted just long enough to take some photos of the pink Geraniums on the plant table under the awning just outside our kitchen door. In this sheltered spot, and aided by the continued double digit  temperatures, they are still blooming their heads off. They are joined by one or two tiny pinks in the pot to their right and the last of the magenta Cyclamen in front of them.


My outfit that day was based around another recent charity shop find, a riotously coloured and patterned blouse with a frilly button placket.

I took the lead from the turquoise in its print and wore one of my favourite skirts, in a slubby turquoise fabric, its weave enhanced with blue, green, white, red and black specks.


My belt and necklace tied in with the honey coloured stripes in the blouse's print and I referred to its main colour by wearing a ring and opaques in shades of red. Oh, and my red-eyed Bambi brooch too!

On top, my teal waterfall cardigan charity shopped at the tail end of last year, and on my head, one of my oldest berets in term of ownership, a zig-zag patterned black and white one from H&M.



I repeated this outfit in its entirety for Monday's office day, when the mercury reached highs of an almost unheard of 14°C. After a wet start, and much to the delight of the emerging crowds of Christmas Zombies, it cleared up in the afternoon. Apart from the obligatory face masks and the queues, it's as if Covid-19 doesn't exist for these crowds of crazy people.

When I photographed the views from my office window soon after getting in that morning, all was still quiet. The calm before the storm. 


Back at home on Tuesday, it was again grey and rainy for most of the day, with a strangely out of kilter 15°C. 

Not wanting to be cooped up inside the house all day, but with the weather ruling out any chance of a walk, we decided to visit yet another charity shop. 


We went a bit further afield this time, visiting the shop on the outskirts of the town of Lier, where in the past I not only found the green boots I'm wearing in the first outfit, but which also came up trumps with other lucky finds like my yellow handbag and my blue boots and burgundy Fly London boots.

And although the clothing aisles were rather uninspiring this time around, I still couldn't leave without this pristine wool blend skirt suit by posh Belgian label Caroline Biss.


Quite hard to photograph, especially on a dark day, I've included a close-up of its fabric, although it still doesn't quite capture the sparkle in its weave.

The jewellery display also yielded two necklaces for my burgeoning collection.



Then, instead of returning straight back home, we treated our car to a long overdue session at the car wash, where I had some fun experimenting with my phone's camera.



My journal tells me that after lunch, I vacuumed the dining room and hallway, after which Jos took over to do the front room. 

In the afternoon, a gap in the clouds allowed for a sudden burst of sunshine which lured us outside for outfit photos.


You might recognize the dress, which is the first one with the "Ein Fink Modell" label I'd charity shopped the other week. Thank you, Beate, for sending me the link shedding some light upon the label!

The dress's previous owner had apparently removed the bottom part of its lining, so that it now ended at the hips where it bunched up annoyingly. There was nothing for it but to take it out completely, and wear one of my vintage slips underneath.



I used bright pinks for my opaques, cardigan and dragonfly brooch, and added my famous wooden discs necklace from Accessorize. The purple leather belt is one of the charity shop finds I started this post with.

My green turban headband was crocheted for me by my friend Ingrid. It's even better than a beret for taming my unruly hair!


This might very well be my final post of the year, unless I decide to squeeze in another one at the last moment. If I don't, I'll see you on the other side of the great divide!

Before I go, I'm treating you to a glimpse of another garden stalwart which is still blooming today: a cheerful orange Nasturtium flower peeking out from behind one of our bird feeders!  A sight for sore eyes, but  a bit worrying too, as surely they are not supposed to produce flowers at the end of December!

Oh, and before I forget: this morning at 11 am, the first Covid-19 vaccinations were administered here in Belgium! 

Take care and stay safe, my friends!


40 comments:

  1. You have been doing so well in your charity shopping excursions; loved what you bought especially that lovely suit. The belt finds are fab - the woven ones all with different buckles are my favourites they go with everything.

    Loved your crochet headband; I made myself several of these a few years ago and wear them when I'm walking in windy weather.

    I hope you have a lovely New Year and that 2021 is a better year for everyone!
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni! Those woven belts are definitely my most worn ones, they do indeed go with everything and are very comfortable due to the stretch. I'm going to have to learn how to crochet, as I could do with a few more of those turban headbands! xxx

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  2. This turbulent year is almost over. Let's hope that next year will be more kind to the world as a whole. I love that handmade vintage dress you wore and the cardigan you paired it with. That burgundy fluffy cardigan is adorable.
    I also love the outfit with the zig zag pattern beret, a pattern top and blue skirt and cardigan. The bambi brooch is adorable. Your third outfit is just as lovely. The purple vintage dress is fantastic. I also like your cardigan. Happy remaining days and holidays of this old year!

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    1. Thank you Ivana! I hope you had a great start of the year, and that indeed 2021 will be much kinder! xxx

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  3. There are certain taste experiences that you remember for the rest of your life. Their impact so strong that even if you consume that same food a thousand or more times to come, the first one will always leap out with gusto. For me, one of those was the first time I tried Guylian Belgian Seashell Chocolates as a young child of just a few years old. It was at the house of one of my mom's friends, clear afternoon light wafting through her kitchen window. A chorus of angels sang in my mouth that day, let me tell you! I've never lost my passion for that particular type of chocolate and am delighted that they've become easier to find in Canada in more recent years.

    Warm hugs & sweeter-than-chocolate wishes to you for the final days of 2020 and the fresh, hopefully better year ahead.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Oh, what a lovely comment, Autumn! I can perfectly picture a very young Autumn getting her first taste of Guylian Belgian Seashell Chocolates. They are delicious, aren't they? Although they are readily available here, we still consider them festive treats. Overindulgence and all that :-) xxx

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  4. I really like the festive red and green Christmas dress but that last dress and outfit is my favourite - I'm glad you were able to fix the lining issue! :)

    Good news that you have the vaccine too! There isn't one here in Australia yet, but there should be early next year.

    Hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and you are enjoying this relaxing time between Christmas and new year :)

    Away From Blue

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    1. Thank you Mica, it was an easy fix which made the fit of the dress so much better!
      Although we do have the vaccine here, it's still slow going and will take ages until it's the turn of my age group! Can't wait! xxx

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  5. You're right about the nasturtiums-that is very concerning. We've been snowy but not too cold so my garden has survived beneath tarps. By this time of year we should be well below zero F.

    Your Christmas dress is lovely, though I do think it would be wearable at other times of the year. I continue to be in awe of your belt collection.

    Here's hoping 2021 is brighter. Stay well.

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    1. Thank you Goody! Those Nasturtiums are still flowering until this day and I've already noticed a couple of new, self-seeded ones coming up! We've hardly had any frost here and no snow at all where we are! xxx

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  6. You are a lot braver than me Ann at going in the charity shops. We really only do the outside market, the bakery and the mini Tesco once a week. Oh and the post office when necessary. I like the retro dress and belts. You’ve done really well with your charity shop finds.
    The Belgian shell chocs are lovely. We’ve chomped our way through plenty of them in the past. This year we have an abundance of Lindt chocolates, enough to open a shop.
    Snow has fallen overnight here so we won’t be going anywhere today.
    Take care lovely friends xxxx

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    1. Thank you Lynn. We'll have to bring you some of those chocolates if we ever make it over there again. We might have to smuggle them in, though, what with Brexit :-) Our charity shops are quite big ones, with lots of space for browsing, and we're only doing those ones we consider safe! xxx

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  7. for someone who is not very into x-mas you make a lot of fuss about this fabulous autumnal/wintery dress ;-DDD
    can´t wait to see the skirt suit worn by you! glad i could help you with the history of FINK........
    our garden was deep frosted first time by mid november - its almost like a normal winter here with frosty nights and days under +5°C. we have hope for some snow for jan/fabruary. the only flowers here are wild daisies in the lawn.
    if we don´t read again: *guten rutsch!!***
    hugsies! xxxx

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    1. I know! I hate getting remarks that my outfit looks Christmassy well before its time, while it was never my intention. I guess I'm a bit obsessed by that :-) xxx

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  8. The dirt on my car tells where I come from. :-) I should go to the car wash .... but I hate it. Good for you that you accomplished this chore.

    I wish you many happy days wearing a colourful outfit. I think if we make each day meaningful - which sometimes is really hard - time won't fly so quickly.

    All the best!

    Regula

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    1. We hate going to the car wash too, but bit the bullet while we were in the area :-)
      I've been trying to make my days more meaningful, but as you mentioned, sometimes it is hard! xxx

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  9. Hooray for the vaccine!
    How funny about your nasturtiums, ours still had a few flowers but they've been well and truly flattened under all the snow.
    I love the colour of the Fink dress on you and the knitted turban looks wonderful, the blue outfit and the maroon one are equally fabulous - I don't see that print as being Xmassy - I think it deserves a few more wears.
    Great chazza finds, love the orange and blue together and the belts are fab. That suit looks very posh indeed, can't wait to see you in it.
    Sending you and Jos lots of New Year love from both of us! xxx

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    1. I do wish they'd hurry up with administering it, though. They're still dithering about who should get it first, while I think it's clear that should be the health workers!
      I'll be brave and wear that Xmassy dress again soon! xxx

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  10. I love your vintage dress! The dragonfly brooch is cute!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  11. That nasturtium is a cheery sight! We're still getting roses, which is ridiculous in December (and a lot of the rest of the UK has snow).

    Good to see the Fink dress getting an outing already - it looks fab on you.

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    1. There are still Nasturtiums and Geraniums in our garden, but it's got a bit of a micro climate due to the fact that it's walled. No snow just yet, but I'm sure it won't be long! xxx

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  12. Ohhh I can't wait to see you in this woolen skirt suit. The Fink dress has a nice colour and you look amazing in it.
    Very nice chocolate shells. 😁
    I wish you a guten Rutsch 😊 with a very huge hug Tina 🍀

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    1. Thank you Tina! I'm not sure I will be wearing the skirt suit items together, perhaps just once. I'm seeing lots of possibilities for the skirt and jacket separately, though! xxx

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  13. I love the orange cardi and that funky dress, photographed under the teal-ish cardigan.
    You still have lots of colour in your garden, how lovely.
    We just heard today the the AstraZeneca vaccine has been given the go ahead, so mass vaccination should begin soon. Let's hope for a better year next year.
    Wishing you a happy new year Ann and also to Jos.xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! I do wish they'd hurry up with administering the vaccine here. But that's Belgium for you, always dithering and debating. xxx

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  14. Love your autumnal-christmassy dress with its magnificent print and colours, the necklace and brooch and your matchy green boots. Glad to see that geraniums are still blooming (mine is doing it too, so crazy!). And those seashell chocolates look delicious!
    I'm admiring that you found the third of these lovely belts, and an orange cardi!. Lucky girl!. And the suit and those necklaces are really great finds!.
    Loving the turquoise, teal and orange-red combo in this second outfit, a favourite colour combo!. And you totally rock it, the print of this blouse looks enhanced by all the accessories and colours!
    And this last pink and purple dress is so fabulous, love its degradé effect and your brilliant styling with pink brooch and cardi and tights!. Looking gorgeous!
    Wish you a happy new year, dear Ann!.
    Besos & Feliz Año Nuevo

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    1. Thank you Monica! I've been quite lucky in the charity shops lately. And yes, those chocolates are a real delicacy. One box - we had two! - is finished by now :-) xxx

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  15. Happy Christmas and hooray for vaccinations! Some wonderful outfits here, Ann, especially liking that very Christmassy patterned dress, the yellow belt over that turquoise skirt, and that FABULOUS pink/blue outfit.

    We have those "seashell" chocolates here - they are delicious!

    A very happy 2021 to you and Jos, my dear friend. A fresh start!

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    1. I know, those seashell chocolates are world famous! That's two Canadian references now ... I'm glad you think that dress's print is Christmassy too. Nobody else seems to think so. I guess it's the berries, mostly! xxx

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  16. Happy NYE and all the best 2021! Thank you for your message. Nobody was injured that I know of, although my aunt is quite shaken up.

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    1. I'm glad to hear nobody you know of was injured, but oh your poor aunt! xxx

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  17. I love your combinations! You create a beautiful harmony of colors and so it becomes really pleasant to wear clothes! Delicious chocolate !! Best Wishes for a Peaceful New Year !!
    Hugs, Carmela

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    1. Thank you Carmela, I hope you and Davide had a great start to the year! xxx

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  18. I hope you can see good things in your crystal ball! The lights all look lovely and twinkly.
    Here's wishing you and Jos a happy new year. xxx

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    1. I'm not sure Idina is a very accomplished fortune teller :-) Happy New Year to you, Philip and Ziggy! xxx

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  19. Just catching up on my blog reading. Loving the last dress and the cheery little nasturtium. A very happy new year to you both.xx

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    1. Thank you Gisela, and a Happy New Year to you and Himself too! xxx

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  20. I rather like the idea of having a festive dress. I have festive PJs and a jumper that can pass as festive, but a dress is a marvelous idea! (and yours is lovely).
    I do love those belts, how lucky to now have three in your collection.
    What a delightful shirt, it looks wonderful with turquoise but there are so many colours you could pair it with (and I’m sure you have / will).
    I do love Nasturtiums, the flowers are so pretty.
    xx

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    1. Thank you Hazel! I'm glad you agree that dress is festive! I do love Nasturtiums too, and these particular ones do not seem to want to give up. They are still going until this day! xxx

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