Sunday 31 October 2021

A tiny slice of normal life

Although the month of October certainly had its fair share of sunny days, the weather gods weren't averse to sending solid grey skies and rainy all-dayers our way. 

Case in point was this very weekend, when daylight was sparse and the rain kept coming down in buckets.

Seeing me posed here against the white brick wall, you'd be forgiven for thinking that we were once again reduced to taking outfit photos in our garage, if it weren't for the sizeable amount of Autumn leaves gathered at my feet.



It was Saturday, the 16th of October - aargh, that's two weeks ago already! - and in continuation of my previous post, which ended on the Friday, I still had to tell you all about what we'd been up to during the rest of that weekend.

For starters, it wasn't one of those rainy days which kept us hostage at home. On the contrary, it was an utterly gorgeous one, the minor clouds we'd woken up to soon dispersing and leaving a bright sunny day in their wake. 



We only got highs of about 15°C, though, so dressing up warmly for our intended walk was a necessity.

My plaid jacket in delicious Autumnal hues was a Think Twice find in February 2018. It's belted quite low on the hips and the belt loops are hidden under the pocket flaps. which for once aren't just purely decorative, they are actual pockets!

To further combat the chill, I wore a burnt orange, flower appliquéd crushed velvet scarf and an orange beret, both of which were old charity shop finds.



As we realized we hadn't been there since June, our walk took us to our beloved Middelheim Sculpture Park, where the emerging Autumn colours and its unmistakable scents added an extra dimension to the works of art on display.

If the seasonal sensory delights were making me feel quite giddy and - if only mentally - jump for joy, I was in good company. The Mad Maiden (or in Flemish, Het Zotte Geweld) by Belgian artist Rik Wouters, has been dancing her giddy dance since 1912. Modelled by his wife Nel, the inspiration for this sculpture was a performance by the American dancer, Isadora Duncan.



In spite of this being a sunny Saturday, there weren't all too many people about, so that we could wander and meander at will and have some close encounters with the art. We never pass up the opportunity to contemplate Antony Gormley's Firmament III (top and bottom left), which - and I'm quoting the museum guide here - offers a constant invitation to visitors to think about our place in the bigger order of things. 



Dotted around the park are silver and gold painted chairs for visitors to use at will. We marvelled at the artfully displayed Autumn leave on this particular one, wondering if nature did have a helping hand here.



Having visited the park countless times before - after all, it is a mere 15 minute drive from Dove Cottage - it is only natural that some of the sculptures have become like old friends. There's the enigmatic Tempest (1956) by Italian sculptor Carmelo Coppello (bottom left), which has featured a number of times on my blog. But however many times we roam the park's paths, there's always a sculpture that has previously escaped our attention. By Giacomo Manzù, also Italian, and dating from the same period, the sculpture on the top left and right is called She-Skater (1957).



Regular readers might by now have deducted the origin of the white brick wall. Indeed, it belongs to the park's Organic Brutalist exhibition space, the stunning Braem Pavillion, designed by architect Renaat Braem and completed in 1971.

With no exhibition taking place inside, there was no access to the pavillion. At the same time, the absence of people coming and going created the perfect opportunity to show you what I was wearing underneath that jacket!




My long-sleeved cobalt blue dress with its striking  Art Deco style print is modern, a King Louie found at Oxfam back in June. 

For its first wearing, I accessorized it with a sage green plastic woven belt, a pink butterfly brooch, a red perspex ring and a recently charity shopped necklace in shades of red and brown.

My outfit was completed by a pair of burgundy opaques and my chocolate brown walking boots.




From the Braem Pavillion we made our way to another old favourite, the polished metal column (bottom left) by Belgian artist Felix Roulin (1975), its endless reflecting possibilities never failing to intrigue us. On the bottom right you can see its proximity to the pavillion.



Crossing the Bridge Without a Name by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, we paid a visit to the mad professor, a.k.a. Professeur (1969) by Hungarian sculpture Imre Varga (top right and bottom left).

From here, we had an excellent view of the museum café, noting with delight that there were a handful of empty tables, a most unusual sight on a sunny weekend afternoon.




Our cappuccinos and shared pieces of apple cake and brownie have seldomly tasted this good as it almost felt like normal times again.

On our way back to the car, we took a different route and passed this installation representing the house of a traditional Congolese chieftain.



The Mokonzi’s house by the KinAct Collective (founded in Kinshasa in 2015) is built from the waste that the West dumps in Africa. This refers to the colonists who visited the chieftains in their homes bringing gifts (mirrors, alcohol or guns) in exchange for the rights to their land. Just as the waste today is toxic to people and the environment, the gifts offered then were also poisoned, and it's KinAct's intentions to re-enact the exchange.



After this life-affirming Saturday, Sunday could have been quite a letdown. Except that it wasn't.

In fact, we were up early and eager to go. Go where, you might wonder, but I'll keep you in suspense just that little bit longer to show you what I was wearing.

With green being my favourite colour, choosing this dress for this momentous occasion was actually a no-brainer. Indeed, few of my dresses even come close to this glorious 1970s does 1940s one with its blowsy flower pattern.




I added more flowers by way of my brooch, and paid tribute to the pattern's colours by adding a tan leather belt, orange beaded necklace and blue ring and opaques. Finally, I added easy flat-heeled ankle boots into the equation as we had a lot of ground to cover. 

After a 19-month hiatus due to you-know-what, it was finally time for our favourite monthly indoor flea market to start up again. Apart from the obvious reason for this period of drought, for the last six months or so the venue had been roped in as a vaccination centre, which finally closed its doors and moved to smaller premises end of September.



Going back after all this time felt simultaneously strange and familiar. It was as if my eyes couldn't focus faced with stall after stall of possible treasures, and I have to admit that it took some time to get into my stride. 

I told Jos I would only be persuaded to buy things which made my heart beat faster, and it most definitely did when I spotted this vintage Lloyd Loom style cabinet. It was our final find, but as we had two more aisles to go, we paid for it and asked the stallholder to put it aside until we were done.

The cabinet now graces our hallway, where it is roped in to hold shopping bags, Jos's man bag and a couple of folding umbrellas. As you can see, it has been Bess-approved!



Our first buy was the pale green Art Deco alarm clock, made in some kind of early plastic, which we were happy to find is still in full working order.

The tiles were € 1 each and although we haven't figured out what we'll do with them, we spent € 6 on the lot, including 3 slightly damaged ones which the seller - a lovely 80+ year old lady - threw in for free.



I was very restrained and only bought one brooch. Not just any old brooch though, this one consists of  a hand-painted basket of flowers contained within a galalithe frame.

I was tempted by others, obviously, but wasn't prepared to pay the often exorbitant asking prices.

All in all, not bad at all for our first foray into flea marketing ...

That's it from me for now, but I can't possibly leave without a Bess update, can I?




Remember her fascination with the kitchen tap? Well, some googling revealed the existence of a tap-shaped drinking fountain and, what's more, I found out that the wonderful Katshop, which is just a stone's throw from my office, was selling them. 

Guess what I did during Monday's lunchbreak and guess who's now got her very own perpetual tap?

Here lives a very spoiled cat indeed!



40 comments:

  1. So many beautiful colours and patterns in your outfits. I love the blue art deco pattern dress so much. The outfit with the green dress is lovely as well.
    I love the mini drinking fountain you got for Bess. She is a spoiled cat indeed...but a very cute one as well. I read somewhere that the sound of water relaxes the senses and that everyone should have a mini fountain at home.

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    1. Thank you Ivana! Bess definitely adores here drinking fountain. And not just for drinking, but playing too :-) xxx

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  2. I love your new Loom cabinet. It is really beautiful. The tiles are lovely too. I really like your outfit you wore- that teal patterned dress is really attractive and a good length!
    Bess's fountain is wonderful. I bet my sister's cats would love that too!
    The sculptures are brilliant. I feel like I know of Anthony Gourmley-what would I know by him?
    It must have been so exciting to be back at your beloved fleamarket!xx

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    1. Thank you Kezzie! I often admired these green Lloyd Loom style cabinets when we saw them in antique shops in the UK, so I was overjoyed to find an affordable one here. Oh, and you know Antony Gormley because of the Angel of the North! xxx

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  3. Oh, I love that sculpture park - I wish we had something similar! Your outfits always fill me with joy, from that wonderful Deco fan design to your velvet scarf, and your lush blowsy floral print.

    That's a very cool cabinet, and I love the tiles, clock (working!!) and brooch. But Bess steals the show, sorry! Look at that face!

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    1. Thank you Sheila! That sculpture park is a real blessing, and we never tire of going there. And yes, I know, Bess always steals the show! xxx

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  4. Orange is an over-looked, special color. You use it often and remind us how nice it is.

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  5. love all the rusty red on you in that first photo!!
    and the jacket is totally chic and the dress very cute.....
    i have furniture envy! an arsenic green rattan cabinet!!! fabulous!
    spoiled cat indeed :-D but so very very sweet <3 don´t show the fountain to lisbeth who drinks from the waterlily bassin.....

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    1. Thank you Beate! A cabinet like that had been on my wish list for years. Don't they say that good things come to those who are preferred to wait? xxx

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  6. I've never heard of a cat-foutain. What fun! :-) I wish you lovely November days hence the time of the year.

    I just caught the last rays before the sunset.

    xxx Regula

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  7. Oh I love your first style from head to toe. ♥
    Bess is in love with her own fontaine I think. she is such a cutie.
    With a very huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina! Yes, Bess does adore her fountain! xxx

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  8. I love the pattern of the blue dress. And the details on your first scarf are so pretty.
    Must be nice to roam the park and always find something new.

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    1. Thank you Hena! That sculpture park is an absolute delight! xxx

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  9. Hi Ann, How wonderful to have such a thought provoking sculpture park such a short distance from your home. You are definitely making the most of these sunny Autumn days. I think your beautiful Deco print dress looks like a piece of art framed by the white wall. Love the Lloyd Loom style cabinet - especially in that gorgeous shade of green…and lucky Bess not to miss out on the latest finds. xxx

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    1. Thank you Claire! That park is just wonderful and its just perfect for all seasons. I couldn't believe my luck when I spotted that cabinet. It's exactly what I had been looking for for many years! xxx

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  10. The look on Bess' face is one of pure delight!

    Loved the outfits; the tweed jacket with pockets looked so cosy and the orange beret and scarf were the perfect accompaniments. The green dress was beautiful and I loved the accessories you chose.

    That is such an interseting sculpture park; I particularly like the human figures especially the 'Mad Professor'!

    I;m so pleased you were able to grab a coffee and a cake whilst out and to go to your first flea market. It does feel like more normal times are back. The flea market no longer being needed as a vaccination centre speaks volumes, doesn't it?

    What brilliant finds. Loved the cabinets, the tiles and the clock and what a cute brooch. I admired your restraint by the way!

    Have a good week,
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni! I love the Mad Professor too. I once drew up one of those chairs and had a conversation with him :-) Re. normal life, I think I spoke too soon ... xxx

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  11. Another beautiful King Louie dress. You have me interested enough to go have a look around ebay. The cabinet is a fantastic find. I adore wicker and that green is so perfect. I always planned to paint my white wicker cabinets green, but I'm lazy and it isn't ever going to happen :)
    A perpetual tap-what an absolutely genius idea.

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    1. Thank you Goody! I love the patterns on those King Louie dresses, but I think they could do better on the fabrics. I'm prepared to pay charity shop prices for them, though. xxx

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  12. These are both beautiful dresses (the blue one is my favourite but you like great in green!) it's so nice your market opened up again! I can't believe you had to go without for so long but it's good things are back to normal for you, and you found some lovely finds! :)

    Hope that your week is going well :)

    Away From The Blue

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    1. Thank you Mica! We'll be going to another edition of our flea market on Sunday. Can't wait! xxx

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  13. The sculpture park is wonderful , you must enjoy your walks among all those fascinating works of art, all so completely different. Glad the day was sunny and you were able to share your coffee and treats without competition for space. I do hope more sunny Autumn days will follow.
    The Loom cabinet is a wonderful buy as is little Bess's special sink. I do love you in all your Autumn toned dresses.xx

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    1. Thank you Jill! We just love that park, there's always something new to discover! xxx

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  14. Wow that sculpture park is fabulous. I love it. I mentioned it before I think, we have a sculpture park in our national park. It is behind the Kroller Muller museum. I think you would like it. Abs I think you have to enjoy the coffee cake treat as we have new rules and it doesn't look good for the next few weeks. Art Deco, I never know what to think of it. I love it... and I don't.... nooooo Bess has her own tap? I should not let Castor and Teun read this..... and does she uses it? Can you show it in your next post please Ann? Have a good evening.

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    1. One day, we'll have to visit Kroller Muller. Perhaps we will be able to meet there some time? xxx

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  15. So nice to mention my Katshop An... always welcome.... hugs for Bess... :-)

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  16. So lovely autumnal shades in your outfits!, the jacket and the crushed velvet scarf are stunning pieces and I'm in love with the art-decó print on your dress.
    Lovely Green floral dress too and looking fab with the tan, orange and blue details!, delightful colours all of them!
    The cute green cabinet is really awesome, love that Bess approved!, she's so cute enjoying her new fountain!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! I just can't get enough of Autumnal shades, both in nature and my clothes :-) xxx

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  17. That was a proper autumnal post the day you went to the sculpture park. I felt as I I was with you. As for your outfit, it’s perfect and now I want to dig my maroon opaque tights out. That dress is a beauty, what’s the fabric Ann ?
    The Lloyd loom cabinet is definitely a keeper, you’ve found a great use for it. As for the cat tap, I think I’m more fascinated by it than Bess haha.
    Lovely blog post my friend
    Take care you two xxx

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    1. Thank you Lynn! The fabric of that dress is a Viscose/Elasthan blend. Not ideal, but it'll do for a thrifted dress! xxx

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  18. I do love the print on that King Louie dress - it makes me think of both the jazz age and the 1970s take on deco. So evocative!

    Good to see that Bess is being treated like a queen - clearly she has found her perfect people.

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    1. Thank you Mim. I'm loving that print too, and you've summed it up so well here. And of course Bess is being treated like a Queen! xxx

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  19. Love the cabinet and love the cat tap who has these ideas?? it's insipred.

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    1. Thanks Gisela! Yes, I know. I googled tap shaped cat fountain and was totally surprised to find such a thing actually existed! xxx

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  20. The autumnally hued ensemble that led this post absolutely stole my breath away, dear Ann. Such a cozy, gorgeous way to both stay warm and celebrate/honour the current season in the process.

    I hope that your November is off to a lovely start and that you + Jos have a fantastic first weekend of the month.

    Many hugs,
    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thank you Autumn! I was very happy with how that first outfit turned out. xxx

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