Sunday 21 March 2021

The stormy March has come at last

I'm not making a secret of the fact that life has been quite a rollercoaster in the last month and a half.

If Phoebe's unexpected departure from our lives wasn't enough, the increase of my workload hasn't been a walk in the park either, leaving me constantly stressed out even on my days off. 

Having quite got used to my two-day working week during the better part of a year, it was a bit of a wrench to admit defeat in my struggle to get things done in the limited amount of time at my disposal. In the end, a 3-day working week isn't so bad either, although the on-off-on-off rhythm of working Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays makes me feel somewhat disorientated and funnily enough does seem to make the weeks pass by at a slightly slower rate.


Enter a certain furry creature, who would enrich our lives and turn them upside down in equal measure.

During Bess's first night at Dove Cottage, she finally left the relative but uncomfortable safety of the back of her litter box and found a hiding place under our dining room cupboard, where she remained for two days, only coming out for the bare necessities when we weren't around. 

I'm sure you can imagine our relief when, early on Sunday morning, we passed through the room on our way to the bathroom and spotted her in one of our dining chairs! 




My blog, always running behind the facts, has now arrived on Sunday the 7th of March, which my journal tells me was a bright sunny day with highs of 7°C.

In spite of the gorgeous weather, my energy levels were low that day and, apart from some aimless pottering and catching up with blogland, it was largely spent curled up on the sofa with my book and the weekend paper's supplements. 



By the time we made it outside the garden was completely sun-drenched, and the glare of the otherwise welcome sunshine made taking outfit photos a challenge. It wasn't only tiredness which made me look so washed out!

My outfit of choice was based around a 1970s Swedish "Petri" dress, the orange in its riotous geometrical pattern prompting its companions and accessories.

Both the chunky knit long-line orange cardigan and the tan belt were charity shopped, while the floral brooch was a flea market find. My necklace is a holiday souvenir, bought from an antiques centre in Newcastle Emlyn, Wales in June 2017. The bright orange opaques and black ankle boots were both retail purchases. 



Although the latter have become increasingly rare over the years, I am the first to admit that I am not immune to succumbing to the lure of the high street once in a while. This was especially true when I roamed Antwerp's streets during my pre-Covid lunch breaks. It was on such an occasion that I stumbled upon this bottle green faux suede skirt when I happened to walk through Mango, which offered a short cut on my way to Think Twice. The skirt being one of my holy grails, I haven't regretted its purchase for one minute.



On Tuesday the 9th of March, I wore it accompanied by a sage green Tweed jacket, my sugar pink feather boa scarf, a purple mohair beret and a pair of moss green wedge a ankle boots.  In my defence - although surely there's no need to feel apologetic - these were all charity shop finds at one time or another. 


Underneath the jacket, the psychedelically patterned vintage blouse I charity shopped earlier this year received its very first outing. Both the burgundy King Louie cardigan and pale green suede belt with statement buckle were picked up from various charity shops as well.

The fern green necklace is from H&M, and has been in my collection for well over 10 years, while the pink and green flower posy brooch is from a small independent shop in Antwerp.



Not having been able to do any rummaging the preceding week, we were starting to get withdrawal symptoms so, after breakfast, we hopped into our car and drove to the charity shop in nearby Mortsel.

Much to our surprise, though, there was a queue at the shop's entrance, which prompted us to make a U-turn and stop at the charity shop at the outskirts of our hometown instead.

There, a quick trawl through the clothing aisles yielded a thin, cowl-necked, multi-coloured jumper by posh Belgian label Caroline Biss, and a blue crazily patterned skirt by the German Gerry Weber label.




I wasn't going to look at shoes, but as this particular shop has them displayed on the bottom of the clothing rails, there was no way I could have missed these spanking new looking green (!) buckled Kicker shoes. They are size 36 (3) while I generally wear a 37 (4), but they fit, so I wasn't going to leave them at € 4,50. I've inserted vintage shoe stretchers for a couple of days to create some extra room.



From the shop's book shelves, I plucked these two non-fiction books on one of our favourite subjects, the wonders of the Victorian age. 

Magpies, Squirrels and Thieves tells the stories of some of the 19t century's most intriguing collectors, following their often perilous journeys across the globe in the hunt for rare and beautiful objects.

Jeremy Paxman's The Victorians explores the Victorian age using the paintings of the era as a starting point and accompanies his eponymous 2009 BBC series.



They are joining the rest of our books on the subject, nearly a shelf full of them, accidentally collected from charity shops and second hand book shops over the years.

We're swiftly hopscotching Wednesday's office day to arrive on Thursday the 11th of March.

Wind, rain and a bit of sunshine: we had it all that day, but it was the wind in particular that was prominent, as it was blowing a gale. Not even the mild temperature of 13°C was able to alleviate the overall unpleasantness of the day.



A Think Twice sales bargain from December 2019, this navy dress printed with an array of massive flowers, instantly made me think of Monica's famous massive flower skirt. 

Although the red flower at the front of the dress is the most prominent, it were the pink bits in the pattern that I turned to for my tie-neck cardigan and opaques. There's purple in the pattern as well, a colour that I honoured by adding a woven belt in a similar shade.



You've seen my necklace of wooden circles and rings many times before. It was bought from Accessorize who, for a brief period in the late noughties, used to have a shop in the Grand Bazar shopping centre a stone's throw from my office. 

My cat brooch was bought in a shop selling all manner of cat related items which opened opposite my  hairdresser's last Summer.




We had a couple of errands to run that day, including a visit to a local DIY store, as Jos needed some bits and bobs. 

With the vacuum cleaner out of bounds in the dining room, where Bess currently resides, as well as the adjoining kitchen, we bought an old-fashioned wooden room sweeper and utility brush to keep those rooms dust - and cat hair - free. 

Even after all those years, Phoebe still invariably fled when the vacuum cleaner came out, so we do not want to unduly upset Bess until she is properly settled in.



The wind slightly eased in the afternoon, and I planted up the window box at the end of the passageway next to the kitchen with orange-violet and lavender pansies and frilly white double Bellis perennis at either side of its permanent resident, Heuchera 'Can Can'.

There's still a table full of Spring colour to be planted out, but I'm waiting for a sunny Spring day to go ahead with this, as well as a long list of other gardening tasks.



Hopefully, it won't be too long now for Spring to start in earnest.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a glorious April just like last year's, but bearing in mind that month's usual fickleness, I'm probably hoping against hope.

I am ending this post with the usual mantra to stay safe, sane and fabulous. See you next time!


38 comments:

  1. Magpies, Squirrels and Thieves sounds like an interesting read and something which I would enjoy too.

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    1. Thank for your comment, Nikki! It was going to be my next read, but my husband beat me to it :-) xxx

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  2. I'm not sure how I will feel when I have to start going back to the office I'm so used to working from home. I have loved seeing all your spring flowers whilst I can't garden I shall have to enjoy everyone elses. I hope Bess is settling in.

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    1. It must be such a wrench not to be able to garden, especially at this time of year :-( xxx

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  3. Re-entering a somewhat regular schedule must be difficult. I hope the adjustment gets easier. Those green shoes are fab-what a great find.
    Here's hoping Bess relaxes a bit.

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    1. It is, but three days a week does actually suit me fine, as it was very weird, not to mention exhausting, to work only two days and get everything done within that limited time frame! xxx

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  4. That little peep at Bess on the chair is adorable!
    We've never had a vaccuum cleaner but I dread to think what the cats would make of it if we did. I love the brushes you bought, they're like art!
    I hope it isn't too longe before you're settled into your new routine. The thought of trading at London fairs in the Autumn already fills me with dread.
    That final dress is like Monica's massive flower skirt! I love the cowl neck jumper you got from the charity shop, can't wait to see you in that (probably sooner rather than later if we're sharing weather. It's 1°C this morning!) xxx

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    1. I thought if we needed to buy new brushes, we'd better make it quality ones! They indeed look like art, and they're a pleasure to use too. As you know by now, I've already been wearing the cowl neck jumper. Well worth having chilly weather for :-) xxx

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  5. Settling into a new routine can be hard, especially with the change of seasons that can make us feel tired. I always struggle with the change of seasons.
    I always love to see your outfits. The dress with the orange details is so pretty and I like how you styled it with an orange cardigan. The skirt and the floral blouse outfit is fabulous as well. The dress with pink and purple flowers is simply divine!
    It's nice to read about Bess and her adjustments to the new home. I'm sure she'll be a happy cat in no time.
    Have a nice week ahead.

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    1. I always struggle with the change of seasons too, and especially with the hour changing horror, which I think is totally unnatural and unnecessary ...
      We can see that Bess is feeling right at home already! xxx

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  6. i´m itching to remove the belt from that lasts dress bold oversize pattern.... :-D
    will you wear the new sweater with the new skirt - the colours seem to match. green shoes are fab and very rare beside of garden clogs - so of cause you have to buy them!
    bess is surely thankful for not using the vacuum cleaner - lisbeth is not just fleeing but leaves the room. but when she was young i once cleaned her changing fur (winter to spring) with the vacuum device and she loved it :-DDDD
    hugsies! xxxx

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    1. I can see what you mean about the belt. I often have to restrain myself not to add a belt :D As you've seen by now, I have styled the jumper quite differently :-) Brave Lissy, Phoebe would have fled in a panic if we pointed the vacuum cleaner's nozzle at her! xxx

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  7. Ooohh, I'm a huge fan (as you may already know) of the Victorian era as well and a voracious reader on the subject. How awesome that it's an area that is of interest to you as well, my dear friend. Those books look awesome! The one about collecting has been on my reading wishlist for a while. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts on it with me anytime.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

    PS: Seriously adore your elegant bottle green skirt.

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    1. Thank you Autumn. I'm glad you agree I couldn't leave that bottle green skirt behind :-) The Victorian - and Edwardian - era has long been an interest of mine, as well as Jos's. He's actually beat me to reading the collecting book :-) xxx

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  8. I remember watching the Jeremy Paxman series and enjoying it immensely. That's a brilliant collection of books on the Victorians; probably my favourite historical period as we're still surrounded by their legacy here in England.

    Superb outfits; loved the orange accessorised one and the punk and purple and the fabulous suede skirt in green. Of course I'm very envious of your charity shop rummaging but it won't be long until we can go a rummaging, too! I loved your multi-coloured top and the green shoes were fab! I can wear size 3 open shoes/sandals but not closed in shoes; my feet are too wide!

    I've yet to hear of a domestic pet who didn't hate and fear the vacuum cleaner; so sensible to use the brushes instead although the Victorians would hang their rugs out and beat them with a carpet beater type thingy; I bet you've got one of those haven't you?

    The planted window box looks gorgeous...
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni! Alas, I actually missed the Jeremy Paxman series :-( Now that your charity shops are opening again, ours have closed! I can sometimes wear size 3 shoes, it really depends upon the shape of the shoe as well as the brand. And yes, we do have a carpet beater thing, which used to belong to my Mum. Now why hadn't I thought of that before? xxx

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  9. Oh bess on the dining chair is so cute, 💕 I love it you wearimg pink and violet and orange 😁 You look amazing in these dresses. I hope for a nice april too, here march was not so good.
    With a huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina! March hasn't been very good here either. Let's keep our fingers crossed for April! xxx

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  10. No need to feel embarrassed by buying a new thing at all - it's clearly something you're going to wear loads, so why not buy new and get the maximum mileage out of it?

    My main problem with new purchases is people who buy crap quality (usually sweatshop-made) for a handful of wears, then it winds up unwanted by charity shops and either exported (exported secondhand has really undermined the fabric/garment trades in some developing countries) or in landfill. Buying something you really want, that's well made and will last for years is a different matter.

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    1. Thank you Mim! I know! I'm so used to buying second hand first that I feel guilty whenever I buy something on the high street. I try to avoid the crap, of course, but still. The skirt and belts I bought brand new are on constant rotation, so you're right there! xxx

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  11. Your faux green skirt outfit is gorgeous Ann. I love all of it.
    I remember that Jeremy Paxman series about the Victorians.
    Bess is such a beauty. xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! I couldn't not buy the skirt, I'd been looking for one in that colour for a very long time! xxx

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  12. I can imagine that going back to work for a day more feels a bit weird. Being around people feel weird too. Although I wouldn't know anymore. When we are in the nature reserve and we pass people, we always make sure to keep the 22 metres apart, other people do that too, well only in the nature reserve. They also say hello, everyone! Only in the nature reserve! Lol. It looks like people who like nature have better manors... All your outfits appeal to me! Especially the blouse on the green skirt and the cat brooche!

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    1. Thank you Nancy! The good news is that I'm only with people (read: my one and only colleague) for half a day a week, even if being on my own there isn't always fun. I'm always talking to myself :-) xxx

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  13. Green shoes! New kitty! And your orange and black outfit! So many delightful things in one post! I hope you figured out your new routine, dear Ann. I know it's always a struggle to me, but it got so much better after I changed my sleep schedule.

    Have a lovely week, dear! Lots of love!

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    1. Thank you Natalia! Yes, new kitty! Isn't she absolutely adorable? I'm not very good with change in general, but I do keep a regular sleep schedule, as I need my beauty sleep :-) xxx

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  14. Those green shoes are beautiful! Re-arranging routines and schedules can be difficult. Hope you find it better in April!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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    1. Thank you Lovely! Aren't those green shoes amazing? I can't wait for the weather to improve so that I can actually wear them! xxx

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  15. OOooh, I must start with congratulating you on the wonderful green shoe purchase! I would have been all over those if I had seen them in my size! The rainbow jumper is great too!
    I think we should all buy something new from the High Street occasionally so no guilt!
    I can understand the weariness of the 3 days a week. I am SO tired commuting to school 5 days a week after only commuting 2-3 days a week or less from December 12-March 5th! Tired!
    I'm so glad kitty is making herself more at home!
    That orange and black outfit really is wonderful, even if you felt frazzled in it!x

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    1. I actually did a double take when I spotted those shoes, and felt a bit deflated when I saw they were a size 3. I'm so glad they fit!
      I am getting used to the 3-day working week. I don't think I'll ever go back full time again, though! xxx

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  16. The green shoes!! How amazing to find them in your size! They are stunning, Ann!

    I hope the 3-day workweek is not too much for you. We are on the same schedule! I have gotten used to my Mon/Wed/Fri work-days, and it's going to be hard to go back to full-time!

    I love all the outfits, and all these fun things, in particular:
    - the colour of the first dress (and your hair looks awesome there)
    - that wonderful psychedelic blouse!
    - the Caroline Biss sweater (I see that brand at Dots)
    - the beautiful mauve-y purples in your last outfit
    - the sweet kitty brooch!
    - those sweeper/brushes are amazing! I've never seen anything like them before!
    - the funny little kitty bum sticking out from under your tablecloth! Aw, little Bess - I hope she is venturing out to visit her new people! I hope she likes to cuddle on you while you read.

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    1. Thank you Sheila! Those green shoes: I know, I couldn't believe my eyes. I already had a pair of green shoes but they were (1) starting to look tired and (2) getting a bit too high for me.
      I'm actually getting used to the 3-day schedule, which much to my relief, I'll be continuing in April.
      I just had to take a picture of that kitty bum :-) xxx

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  17. Lovely post!, bringing joy with this 'riotous geometrical pattern' and orange colour, which has put a smile on my face!. Love your Wales brooch!
    Also loving your bottle Green skirt and delightful brooch and necklace enhancing your blouse print!. You're inspiring me to open my mind to belts as accessories, as you make the most of them!.
    Woww, these Kickers shoes are Stunning!, fab colour!
    And I'm admiring these books you purchased, so interesting (totally my kind of thing!). Now I have to watch The Victorian series, which I've inexplicably missed. Your books collection makes me bubble with enthusiasm!
    And your massive flowers dress is such a stunning piece, and it's so kind of you to think on me when wearing such a colourful piece!, wowww!. Loving it!. And also loving your necklace and cat brooch and these matchy cardi and tights!. You Rock It!
    It's such a lovely detail that you've stopped using your vacuum cleaner until Bess feels at home. Most cats (and some dogs) keep hating this noisy appliance forever!
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comments, as always, Monica. And of course that dress always reminds me of your massive flower skirt and dress.
      I actually missed that series too :-( Can't wait to read the book when my current one is finished! xxx

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  18. Just stopping by to wish you a lovely weekend!

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  19. Spring has sprung! :-) I do not care about another rainy day tomorrow as long as it isn't too cold. Sunday the sun is supposed to be back. Yes!

    xxx

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    1. We actually had some unexpected sunshine today, which I made the most of by doing some light gardening! xxx

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