Friday 5 November 2021

True colours

Waning daylight and depleted energy levels conspired against making outfit photos after work in October's penultimate week. Other than that, I've been enjoying these cozy lamp-lit evenings. I've even managed to finish the tedious Elizabeth Gilbert book and start another, altogether lighter and more enjoyable one.

With the mercury yoyoing between 16 and 19°C, which is way above the average temperature for this time of year, there wasn't much to complain about. The weather gods, in a good mood for once, even treated us to a gorgeously sunny day on Wednesday.

Then Thursday came along, bringing stormy weather in the form of tempestuous Aurore. Our umbrellas had a tough job against the torrential rain we'd woken up to and which had only slightly abated by the time we had to leave for work. Drifts of leaves had been swept up and tossed into soggy piles and puddles had turned into minor ponds overnight.



Daylight was a long time coming that morning and when it finally did, the day revealed by my office's 5th floor windows was of the murky kind made worse by a light but persistent drizzle.

Not needing a crystal ball or a science degree to predict months of gloom ahead, I ventured outside during lunch break and bought myself a daylight therapy lamp for the office. We have one at home as well, which I confess I'm rarely using, as I'm usually not staying in the same place for long enough on my days off! 



A mixture of sunny spells and showers was on the menu on Friday the 22nd of October. 

The temperature had taken a nosedive to 12° which, even though I layered up for our weekly charity shopping trip, was still a shock to the system when we stepped outside.

My burgundy jacket, in a wool and polyacryl blend, is vintage and cost me all of € 6 in a charity shop about two years ago. It has got multi-coloured specks running through the fabric and an unusual knitted  yoke and sleeves. See here for a close-up! I was wearing the same crushed velvet scarf as I did in my previous post, but exchanged the orange beret for a purple mohair one.





The plaid skirt in delicious shades of rust, burgundy, purple and cream is H&M by way of a charity shop, and has been making regular appearances on the blog ever since I snapped it up in October 2017.

The funky patterned top - also originally from the high street - was a recent find and picked up the skirt's colours perfectly. Apart from the brooch, which was flea market find, my everything else was charity shopped as well, including the filigree leaf necklace, which I found new on card, and the purple cardigan, which came home with me on the same day as the skirt.



In fact, the only retail items in my outfit are my opaques and the ankle boots I fell in love with on the spot in C&A the other week.

As usual, we selected two shops for our weekly rummage, our first stop being at Oxfam in Wilrijk.
I was hoping to repeat the success of my previous visit here, when I found all things green including a vintage deadstock raincoat. My heart already skipped a beat when I spotted a pair of pristine chocolate brown Gabor boots in the window. Alas, they were too narrow and only zipped up half-way. 





The clothing aisles were a bit disappointing this time, but then I spied this glorious tan and green plaid maxi skirt. It's 100% wool and lined, and from the Dutch Tramontana label, which I admit I've never heard of before.

I also found another stretchy belt for my collection, which you'll get to see later in this post.

Our second stop was at our local charity shop, which is on the outskirts of our town. Here, we made several purchases. These included two dresses, the first one being the blue and white short-sleeved knit dress from Esprit pictured in the above collage.




I fell hard for the groovilicious pattern of this vintage dress in navy blue with orange and white dots and neither its mismatched buttons nor the fact that it was slightly too large could dissuade me from buying it. In the end, it was just a matter of replacing the buttons and moving them a centimeter or so to the left. I also nipped in the half-belt at the back with a strategically placed matching button. Et voilà. 




As if to make up for the non-fitting chocolate brown boots, these yellow suede ankle boots crossed my path instead. No-brainer!



The book department came up trumps too with these hardback additions to our Britain related library.



The temperature was hovering in the region of 14°C on Saturday, and as it was a bright and sunny day, Autumn was wearing her true colours again. I decided to join in with my outfit, whose main components came in shades of red, yellow and brown.

The day just called for an outing so, after lunch, we set off in the direction of the Art Deco water tower in the next village. Frolicking in the adjacent picnic garden, I assembled an Autumnal tableau of leaves and seed-heads, which I laid out on one of the tables. 



My short swing coat, which isn't vintage but modern, from the Spanish Sfera label, was charity shopped in January 2018, and is just the perfect weight for this time of year. Both my beret and scarf are among my most worn Autumn/Winter accessories and have made it to the blog countless times over the years.



After a short walk around the site's perimeter, we decided to climb to the water tower's viewing platform once more. If the weather conditions are perfect and clear, one is able to catch a glimpse of the uttermost spheres of the Atomium in Brussels, about 30 kilometers away.

Alas, we were out of luck again ...

In the above collage, top right, you can see the metal structure with its see-through staircase leading up to the top of the brick tower. The structure as well as the viewing platform were added to the tower - which dates from 1938 - in 2012, after the village acquired the site from the water company.



Although the tower itself is merely ten meters in height, it was built on the highest point of the area's clay formation forty meters above sea level, which allowed it to fully function as a water tower.

Now it offers a magnificent view of the area's industrial past, all but one of its clay pits long since redundant and reclaimed by nature.





In the sheltered picnic area, it was warm enough to remove my coat and show you what I was wearing underneath. 

The dress I'd plucked from my wardrobe that morning was a raspberry one printed with white and yellow dots and dashes and the cutest of buttons. Gracing the rails of Episode, a Dutch chain of vintage shops, I was unable to resist it in January 2019.



I've never worn it with any other colour than yellow, which I think makes for a match made in heaven.

A pair of yellow opaques, a long-line cardigan and a bubblegum reminiscent necklace were its companions this time around. At my waist, a tan leather belt to tie in with my ankle boots. My brooch, a white, tan and gold flower, was picked up in a charity shop in the water tower's village last year.





Speaking of which, now that we were in the village, it would have been downright silly not to go for a rummage in that particular shop, wouldn't it?



It's one of the smaller charity shops of the area, and its stock can be very hit or miss. 

We were in luck this time, as not only did we find two shirts for Jos - which unfortunately  I forgot to take pictures of - a yellow jumper, cobalt blue Autumn leave blouse and two belts came home with us as well. On the far right is the stretchy belt from Oxfam I mentioned earlier.

On that note, we have come to the end of this post. I'll be back with more Autumn splendour in my next one. In the meantime, as it seems infections are rife again, please do stay safe, my friends!




43 comments:

  1. Our weather has been stupidly indecisive as well, but I guess that's the new normal. The mini daylight lamp is interesting. My husband really suffers through the long dark winters so maybe I should invest in a small one like that. Thank you for posting it-I had no idea they made them that small.
    The yellow boots are swoon worthy, as are the beautiful outfits you put together. I always enjoy seeing your collection of berets.
    Take care

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    1. I had no idea either! The one we have at home is much larger. My colleague brought her lamp to work, and then I went out and bought a similar one, which is very handy on my desk. xxx

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  2. here we haven muuuch more infections now then last january... and the numbers are rising fast. but nobody seems willingly to follow any restrictions.....
    all the tweed and wool plaid here make me happy - and you paired them with such great and moodlifting colours too! and then your nature walk including gorgeous views.... wonderful!
    xxxx

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    1. I know! It's the same here. I guess people are fed up with all the rules and restrictions, which I guess is understandable. At least we've got nature and colour therapy to help us through the bleakest months! xxx

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  3. I have been thinking of a daylight lamp, too. Although I prefer going for a walk no matter what the weather conditions, workdays start in the dark and end in the dark. Bright clothes are an option to lighten me and the surroundings up ...

    Have a bright weekend!

    Regula

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    1. I try to go out during lunch breaks, even if it rains, but lately I've been avoiding the city centre streets, which I guess will get even busier when we approach Christmas! xxx

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  4. I too purchased a daylight therapy lamp and like you, barely use it. Perhaps if they looked a little more stylish I’d be more inclined to sit by mine! The gloom aside, you are absolutely nailing Autumn style Ann - some wonderful outfits there. I particularly love your beret, and that red/yellow outfit combination is definitely a match made in heaven. The charity shops just keep delivering don’t they? You must be very well informed about Britain by now. Not sure if you have ever visited SS Great Britain (designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel) in Bristol? It’s fascinating and there’s a permanent Brunel exhibition dedicated to his life and achievements which is just incredible. Our cases are starting to plateau we think, but are still very high and there are around 9,000 in hospital. We’re being quite cautious still. Stay safe. xxx

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    1. Thank you Claire! The purchase of my office daylight therapy lamp has spurred us into using the one we've got at home too! They aren't exactly stylish, I agree. I'm afraid I haven't been able to visit Bristol yet. One more to go on my endless list on UK places to visit! xxx

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  5. I love your thrifted burgundy coat, it's so pretty. Your outfits are always wonderful. I always like how you mix prints. It's nice to see how you wear autumn colours. I love the yellow, red and brown outfit you wore for your walk. I especially like the combo of yellow tights and cardi with that beautiful red dress. Great colour combo, I can see why you always pair that dress with yellow.
    Here it's been raining since the start of November but I cannot complain because October was mostly sunny and warm, with hardly any rain.
    Your new books about Britain sound interesting.

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    1. Thank you Ivana! I love Autumn colours best, and I've been told they suit me best too. Apparently I'm an Autumn type! xxx

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  6. Some great purchases as ever I do like that H&M skirt. The weather really hsa been mad lately we finally had our first frosts this week. That was a bit of a shock to the system!

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    1. Thank you Gisela! We're expecting frost next week. It'll be a shock to the system indeed! xxx

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  7. Now at least you were able to climb the tower! Last time there were people on it. It really is very cold now isn't it. And grey. But Christmas is coming! If we don't get more restrictions. That coat, burgundy, is wonderful, up close. And I love the first outfit, those colors are soooo good together and the print of the top is fantastic. Love that hanger too, the one with the maxi skirt, we used to have those too weggeef I was a child. That maxi skirt btw is fabulous!! Wow, really love that one. Enjoy your weekend.

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    1. You're right, Nancy. And sometimes the gate is closed and then we cannot climb it either. I do hope that Christmas isn't cancelled like it was last year! xxx

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  8. Very autumnal outfits!

    Temperatures have dropped this past week here in Mid Wales... I even had to defrost the car one morning.

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    1. Thank you Nikki! No real frost as yet here, but we expect some next week! xxx

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  9. Those ankle boots! What a stellar find! I love how that hue is a borderline neutral in its own right.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thank you Autumn! Oh yes, definitely a borderline neutral :-) xxx

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  10. Good idea you bought a daylight lamp for your office. Great charity shopping finds, except the yellow ankle boots. 😊
    Love you wearing yellow cardigan and necklace.
    I wish you a great weekend, with a huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina! I've been using the lamp whenever I'm in the office and it does seem to make a difference! xxx

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  11. I love the autumn colours in your outfit! That last one is perfect with the raspberry red dress and the mustard together, so cheerful! I really like the rust and purple combo too, I tried a more muted version of that the other week with a very purpleyly burgundy (really more of a wine colour!) tee and a rust skirt, just have to find the perfect bright purple piece to try it with next time!

    Hope that you are having a good weekend :)

    Away From The Blue

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    1. Thank you Mica! I was amazed at how well the rust and purple combo turned out, but then again, there's purple in the skirt's plaid and some rust in the top's pattern :-) xxx

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  12. Hello Ann, the colours in your outfit are so joyful - the purple and burnt orange together in one, mustard yellow and red in another. Your 'mercury yoyoing' phrase made me laugh... I may have to steal that! I have been tempted by those daylight lamps in the past, but worry too that the only time I am stationary sometimes is when I am asleep...and I have to sleep in darkness :0 The Brunel book looks interesting. I do love a good viaduct. Hope you have a fab week. Lulu x

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    1. Thank you, Lulu, and you are welcome to steal that line! I need to sleep in complete darkness too, but those daylight lamps are recommended for use in the morning. Luckily I'm reasonably stationary at the office :-) xxx

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  13. Fantastic outfits - on both of you! I'm always happy to see that checked skirt, its Autumn personified!
    I think you ought to go on Mastermind with Great Britian as your specialised subject, I think you know more about it that I do with your vast library!
    I love the wind turbines, there's something so peaceful about them, isn't there?
    Great scores in the chazzas, love the maxi skirt and the embellished belt.
    Covid rarely gets a mention on the news here, we still wear masks indoors, wash our hands and do home tests twice a week. Us oldies get our booster jabs in 10 days time! xxx

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    1. Thank you Vix! I love wind turbines too, especially when they're grouped together. I really have no idea why lots of people seem to be against them! Covid has definitely made a return on the news here now. I'm trying to avoid it as much as possible. xxx

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  14. The shorter days of Fall take some adjustment. Less sunlight affects our moods.

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  15. That jacket is a great deal. And I love those yellow boots. Glad you finally made it through the Gilbert book and found a better lighter book as a follow up.
    Ugh rainy days are the worst. I know we need the rain and that is great but I wish I could just stay indoors.

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    1. I've no idea why I insisted on finishing the Gilbert book. I'm a sucker for punishment, perhaps? xxx

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  16. You're so right; raspberry and yellow are a definite winning combination. Iused to have raspberry shorter length trousers but think I redonated them. If I haven't I'll try paoring them with something yellow. And talking of yellow those new boots are gorgeous - what a great find
    All your finds were great and a lovely collection of books, too. I think the '7 ages of Bitain' book might be
    based on the TV series he did.

    Lovely outfits in beautiful autumnal colours. I hope the lamp works for you.

    One thing I've learned in recent years came to mind when ypu said you had finished the tedious Elizabeth Gilbert book; and here it is. Life is too short to waste it by finishing a book you're not enjoying!

    Have a great week,
    xxx

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    1. You're absolutely right, life is too short to waste it by finishing a book you're not enjoying. The problem is that I only started to dislike it more than half way through ... xxx

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  17. Love the Boucle jacket Ann. We too have been lucky with the weather. I'm grateful for the bright days we've had xx

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  18. The Daylight Therapy Lamp is something I've been thinking about too, as I'm quite sensible to the seasonal changes (and hour change). Hope it works!
    Looking gorgeous in those burgundy and purple shades, so lovely matchiness in the blouse and skirt!. And I love your crushed velvet scarf particularly!
    Glad to see that you've been lucky in your charity shopping, the dress and cute booties are fab. And the belts!. Looking forward to see them 'in action'.
    Love your red dress with yellow and tan accents, this is a really joyful and vitaminic colour combo, but it would look too 'patriotic' here in Spain, ;DD . Loving it anyway, it brings some sunshine into my day!
    besos

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    1. I'm glad I'm not alone in being sensitive to seasonal changes and the change of hour. I've a feeling the daylight therapy lamp is helping, so I can definitely recommend it. xxx

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  19. Your finds are great!
    I have always wondered about those lamps too. I hate the gloom!x

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    1. Thank you Kezzie! I suffer from SAD, so that lamp has been a godsend. I might as well use it while I'm at the office! xxx

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  20. Pressed Publish accidentally. I think I'd like that book.
    Your Esprit dress is my favourite find.x

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    1. That book was a good read, although I did have my doubts at first. xxx

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  21. Those are some lovely outfits - a good way to beat the winter gloom.

    Do you have a light-up alarm clock? I have one which lights up gradually to help me wake up on the dark winter mornings. I hope the daylight lamps beat the gloom too.

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    1. I've seen those light-up alarm clocks ... My current alarm clock is Jos, followed by Bess, who then snuggles up with me, making me fall asleep again :-) xxx

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  22. I have to show this entry to my mother to get inspired to exchange his wardrobe!

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