Friday 5 March 2021

Five years, what a surprise

If the last couple of weeks have been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, they have been quite hectic as well, with this and that, and the increase of my workload at the office in particular. So much so that I'll be working an additional day a week from now on, adding Friday to my repertoire of office days. After almost one year at a two-day regime, it's a bit of a shock to the system and I'm desperately dreading the not-so-far-off day when I'll have to return to the office full time.

With my head all over the place, it almost escaped my attention that today, the 5th of March, it has been an incredible 5 years since I hesitantly published my first blog post. But while I marked my first four blogiversaries with a retrospective post, I'll refrain from doing so this year.  As we all know, it has been an extraordinary year, to put it mildly, with more than its average quota of ups and downs. A strangely distorted year which has turned our lives inside out and upside down. I just don't need a reminder of all that.

That doesn't mean that it was all bad, though. I can't stress enough how much I relished all the free time I had at my disposal, which in its turn triggered the revival of our previously much neglected little garden, and the rediscovery of my green fingers in the process. 


Apart from the gardening frenzy, I thoroughly enjoyed not having to rush in the mornings. I know I've said it more than once before, but being able to take my time to assemble outfits and accessorize them has been an absolute joy, stretching the limits of both my imagination and my wardrobe.

Meanwhile, my blog has arrived at the start of the third week of February. By Monday morning most of the snow had gone, with only the odd patch turned brown and marooned at the roadside. 

That morning, it weren't the weather conditions but roadworks and diversions which thwarted the journey into Antwerp. Work itself was super busy, so I was especially thankful for Tuesday's respite, to be enjoyed while it lasts.



The blue pleated fit and flare dress with its sprays of pink-hued flowers was a Think Twice find back in November 2017. Once again, its original boring buttons were soon replaced by more suitable ones

 Accessorizing this dress is a no brainer and always involves copious quantities of pink, this time in the form of my opaques and cardigan. I usually add a pink-ish belt as well, but thinking outside the box I opted for a caramel brown one instead.

My multi-coloured beaded necklace and gold tone bow brooch were both fairly recent charity shop finds, as were the calf-length blue Western style boots.



Now that the temperature had climbed to 10°C, I thought it safe to presume I wouldn't be needing my thick woollen jumpers again any time soon (although at the time of writing they are on the verge of plummeting towards freezing point once more), so they were washed on a gentle wool cycle and dried on the fold-out rack in our spare room.



Consulting my journal, it seems I washed and dried my hair, uploaded the previous week's batch of photos and did a massive blog catch up. For some unfathomable reason, I keep getting behind with replying to comments, for which I herewith apologize. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent reading The Savage Garden by Mark Mills, which I'd made a start on during the weekend. Set in the Tuscan hills, it is basically the story of two murders, four hundred years apart. Intriguing as this may sound, it was just a mildly enjoyable read.



After Wednesday's moderately busy office day, yet another 4-day weekend rolled along. 

Following a night full of weird and vivid dreams, I felt a bit off on Thursday morning, but that was soon repelled by a game of dress-up. 

The dress that caught my attention that day was bought during a trip to Bruges in April 2019, when by pure coincidence our itinerary took us past the city's tiny Think Twice shop where, lo and behold, they were having one of their sales.



I took the lead from the blue flowers in its pattern for my accessories, which included a textured belt, brooch, opaques and beret. My ring combines blue with green and purple, while my necklace with its multi-coloured, crochet covered beads is making yet another appearance.



The dress's bodice is finely pleated, making it slightly stretchy. My only gripe with it is that it is a bit roomy on top, so I'm still on the fence whether it is a keeper or not.

The cardigan with its Paisley-esque green, blue and grey pattern is from the high street by way of a charity shop, and I have it in a burgundy, green and grey colourway as well.

Apparently, I was quite a busy bee that day, as not only did I vacuum the upstairs rooms, we deep cleaned some of our rugs, including the new-to-us one, and I finally got around to dusting the two bottom shelves of the camera cabinet.



This camera, a Voigtlander Bessamatic, was Jos's first 35 mm camera, which he used in the first half of the 1970s. He bought the camera from a colleague, who in his turn got it from a friend, who was a professional newspaper photographer. 



Neither of us remembers where we got this boxed Kobold camera flash, but it has been in our collection for many years. So far, we haven't been able to determine its exact date, but I suspect it's from the late 1950s or perhaps the early 1960s.



This late 1950s Kodak Brownie Starlet camera isn't making its debut on the blog, but I'm gladly telling you its story again, as it is one of the stars of our modest collection.

Jos found it, complete with its box containing flash unit and flashbulbs, in the waste disposal area in the communal basement of the block of flats we used to live in before we moved to Dove Cottage. 



We've got several other Brownie cameras, two of which were found at our much missed favourite indoor flea market. Clockwise from top left are a tiny Baby Brownie, produced between 1938 and 1954, a Brownie "Holiday Flash" (1953-1962) and, finally, the second incarnation of the popular Brownie 127 camera, from 1959-63.



If Thursday had been quite miserable and grey, the day's only redemption being its temperature which climbed to 12°C, Friday saw a return of the sun. The weather was gearing up for the weekend, when Springlike temperatures had been forecasted.

This black based long-sleeved Crimplene dress, with its pussy bow, is one of my all time favourites. I'm always describing its pattern as a kind of trellis, against which an abundance of tiny, red-hearted, white flowers is growing.

For obvious reasons, I often veer towards red as its companion colour, although I have worn it with a white belt several times. Again thinking outside the box, I selected a zebra print belt - a retail sales bargain after the first lockdown - to wear at my waist.


The belt was the only second-hand item in my outfit. The striped cardigan and red perspex ring were charity shopped, my red beret came from Think Twice and the vintage celluloid brooch - also one of my favourites - was a flea market find. 

As mentioned in my previous post, Friday has become our weekly charity shopping day. Obviously, we will have to pick either Tuesday or Thursday instead now that I'm working Fridays again.



That particular Friday, the 19th of February, saw us visiting the pop-up charity shop in Lier again.

While Jos took a couple of bags of donations to the drop-off point at the back of the shop, I masked up, grabbed a compulsory trolley and went inside. Browsing the bookshelves, there were several which caught my attention - including some I'd donated myself. These three were added to my trolley.



The clothing aisles were uninspiring, and I was about to give up and join the queue at the till when a flash of bright green entered my peripheral vision. Now, you know me and green. I just had to backtrack and investigate, and couldn't believe my eyes when that flash turned out to be the most gorgeous pair of green ankle boots ever! In my size! The rest, as they say, is history.

Well, that's it for now, my friends. I'll be back soon with my first post of my sixth year of blogging. Until then, I am counting on you to stay safe, sane and fabulous!


40 comments:

  1. Congrats on your anniversary! Five years is somethig to be proud of, especially when it includes this tough past year.

    I love your Brownie cameras! They're so appealing. Thanks for showing them to us.

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    1. Thank you Ally! I had a feeling you'd appreciate the Brownies :-) xxx

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    2. I knew Ally would appreciate the Brownies!!!

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  2. Happy Blogiversary! It goes by quickly. I've enjoyed read ing your lovely posts and seeing all your beautiful outfits over the years, as well as having a wonderful tour guide to places I'll never see in person. Thanks so much for the fantastic posts, and here's to many more years.

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    1. Aww, what a lovely comment, thank you Goody! xxx

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  3. Happy blogoversary, Ann! I'm coming up on 13 years - yikes! Where does the time go!?

    I love your three outfits, but like you, that middle one is not quite right. It doesn't do YOU justice - you know it's got to go! ;-P

    You and I are now on the same work schedule - it's very discombobulating to have one day on, one off, one on, one off, one on, two off. I'm never really sure what day it is!

    I'm always falling behind on comments. Gah. They take longer than the actual act of blogging, right?

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    1. 13 years, oh my, what an achievement! I couldn't live without it now, even if it sometimes takes effort. I've just finished my first two weeks on that schedule, and you are right, it's very discombobulating! xxx

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  4. 5 years! Wow that's fantastic!!

    I loooove your outfit with the red beret, cardigan and boots. Your photos belong in a retro magazine. 😍 X

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  5. Happy Blog-ver-sary-ulations!! I'm thankful that you ventured forth into Blogland Ann!! What would I do without your bright clothing and accessories!!

    Oooh, I love green too!! Hey, I just found a pink broach and earring set that will look smashing with your pink dress!!

    happy thrifting ;)

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  6. Good morning Ann

    You are showing my favourite colours of spring: pink, orange and green. These shoes. Ahhhhhhh!

    Have a nice weekend!

    Regula

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  7. Congrats on five years blogging. That's great.
    I imagine getting used to an extra week at the office must feel strange after all this time. The past year was very strange so it is good if we can get anything good from this whole situation. It is wonderful that you were able to at least tend to your garden and discover that you have green fingers.

    I love your outfits. The blue and the pink dress is so lovely and it looks wonderful paired with a blue cardi. The purple dress looks fabulous worn with a blue bag and beret. I also like your dark printed dress and how you paired it with a contrasting red cardi. I'm visiting my brother this weekend, my niece who is six says hi and says her favourite outfit from these 3 is the purple dress but she likes them all (she's very fond of dresses, a very girly little girl).

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    1. Thank you so much Ivana, and how lovely to get an extra comment from your six-year-old niece! xxx

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    2. She's quite a little fashionista. <3

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  8. Happy blogiversary! Wow 5 years 🌸💕🥳 I am looking forward the next 5 years with you and your blog. I love it you wearing pink!
    With y very huge hug Tina

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  9. I need to find belts that are both comfortable and add a bit of style and comfort. I love how you wear yours in some of the pictures. Congrats on 6 years blogging.

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    1. Thank you Sam! I've got a couple of slightly stretchy belts which are the ultimate of comfort! xxx

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  10. Happy half decade of blogging. I don't blame you for not wanting to do a retrospective of the last year. You have managed to keep looking fabulous throughout though.
    You are right about those boots, gorgeous! xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! I just didn't have the heart for a restrospective ... xxx

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  11. Congratulations on five years Ann. You have a perfect niche I think and I love reading about your life and fashions. I'm just coming into my sixth year xx

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    1. Thank you Laurie, and congratulations to you too! xxx

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  12. Congratulations!! And here's to many more years! Don't get out the spring clothing to fast because it is very cold here at the moment. I hear my friends say too that they don't look forward to the busy and stressful lives again. Full with working from home and busy social visits. I think it will slowly incorporate in our lives again. Love your dresses and what a perfect green ankle boots! Have a great Sunday!

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    1. Thank you Nancy! I know, the weather has been atrocious lately. Bring on Spring! xxx

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  13. Happy blogoversary! I can't believe how quickly those five years have gone.
    I'm not one for reflection, the only blog posts I ever look back on are my travel and festival posts. I don't think I could bear mine from 12 years ago!
    Fabulous frocks, as ever. Love the first and third dresses but the second one doesn't sit quite right despite the lovely colours. Time to move it along.
    Jos's camera collection is wonderful and I love your new-to-you green Western boots. Savage Garden was on my bookshelf for ages but I ended up passing it on without reading it, it sounds like I did the right thing!
    I bet working that extra day is going to be tiring after a year but on a positive note it's a sign things might be going back to normal! xxx

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    1. Thank you Vix! I know, neither can I? And I never in my wildest imagination thought we would ever meet! xxx

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  14. Sweet Ann, immense congratulations on half a decade of blogging!

    I do not recall which one of us discovered the other's blog first (my previous blog, in my case, I should say), but I know that we clicked from the get-go and am truly grateful to both know you and to have been on the receiving end of the warmth, kindness, and support you've blessed my wee corner(s) of the web with over the past five years.

    Your blog is an inspiring, soulful, earnest, and very lovely joy that has unquestionably brighted my life - just as I'm sure it has those of many others who are fortunate to connect with you/it online.

    Thank you for opening up your closet, your garden, and your very life itself and letting us get to know you over these past five years. It has been a heartfelt pleasure and honour.

    Here is to the exciting future and all it holds in store for you and your blog alike, my dear friend.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thank you so much, Autumn. I was secretly reading your blog before I even started mine. And I'll never ever forget that you were one of the first bloggers to comment, on my very first post! xxx

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  15. Congratulations on your 5 year blogiversary! Mine was 5 years in November and I completely forgot about it.

    I'm sorry to hear you have had to increase your hours but at least you haven't returned to 5 days a week - yet! My daughter started back working 5 days a week today; like you having got used to going in 2 days a week but she also worked from home the 3 remaining days a week.

    Have you thought about working only 4 days a week? If you can afford it it could make a big difference to your work/life balance. I was able to work 3 days a week from age 55 as I had managed to pay off my mortgage and I loved the 3 day week; my daughter then had another baby and I t became her child minder on those 2 non working days...

    I loved your outfits and the brilliant accessories you wore with them. I cannot believe you found yet another pair of fabulous boots - green as well!!
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni! I almost forgot about mine too! Once we revert to full time, I will take up all of the days I got left of last year's leave by working only 4 days until I've used them up. After that, I'm planning to go to a 4 day week officially. There's no way I'm going back to full time! xxx

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  16. Happy blog-versary!. It's interesting to have a blog because you can watch back some posts and see how your lifestyle has changed through time. Last year has been such a strange time!.
    But you put a smile on my face with your lovely outfits and fab colourful style. These are some fabulous ensembles!. Love the pink cardi&tights with the floral dress, and lovely accessorizing (totally agree about the tan belt). And totally in love with your purple pleated dress with the blue and green cardi and matchy belt, such a delightful outfit!. I have a weakness for this color combo and you look particularly gorgeous in it!.
    Also in love with your last & joyful outfit, no wonder this dress is one of your favourites!, and it looks even more fabulous with the red cardi and cute beret!. Love your 'thinking out of the box' inspiration to pick some accessories, so brilliant idea!. You Rock It.
    I totally understand the strange feeling of having to come back to work, it has felt really shocking for me. I've been at home for two months and now I'm back and there is a loat of work to be done!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! Starting my blog is one of the best things I ever did. I'm pleased to hear I've put a smile on your face :-) It's both a wrench and a blessing to work an additional day a week. At least now I can keep on top of things without being stressed out all the time! xxx

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  17. Happy blogoversary! Five years is a good length of time.

    Having to go back to the office will indeed feel weird. I went into mine recently to pick some stuff up - I'm going to carry on working from home so wanted to reclaim my Lego men from my desk - and going into the empty building felt very odd. Perhaps it won't be so strange for you if you have workmates there, though being around people will probably feel odd in itself. I hope it's not too hard for you.

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    1. Thank you Mim!
      I've never worked from home, my one and only colleague and I kept working at the office at alternate days. Now we are at the office together for one morning only ... xxx

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  18. 5 years! Congratulations!!! What an achievement!!!
    You have so many nice berets! I am impressed.
    Yes, the chance to have a slower start was something I appreciated so much when I wasn't in school. Now it's back to an 'out of bed, shower, dress and out the door in 20minutes job for me! Sigh.
    The camera collection is amazing! They are so interesting to look at!

    The books look good and THE BOOTS! You have ALL the shoe/boot luck in charity shops! Envious!xx

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    1. Thank you Kezzie! I couldn't imagine a Winter without berets. Plus, they were a saviour to hide my Coronahair :-) xxx

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  19. Happy blogging anniversary. I love the black and white floral dress and the green boots are special.

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