Wednesday 23 November 2022

Reflections of Autumn

With just one more week's worth of November days ahead of us, Saturday the 5th November seems like an eternity ago. That day, we were served a menu of sunshine and clouds and highs of 12°C, which feels like the height of luxury in hindsight, now that true Autumn has finally arrived on our doorsteps.

Nevertheless, I thought the weather had cooled down sufficiently for one of my long-sleeved Diolen frocks. Found in a charity shop in January 2017, it's one of my all-time favourites. Obviously, its bottle green colour meant that it was love at first sight, but it's the dress's white, cream, yellow and burnt orange geometric pattern which adds a ray of sunshine even on those days when the sun isn't much in evidence.



My yellow beaded necklace and suede belt, the latter a recent bargain for an outlet shop, helped to give the waning sun a run for her money.  A shiny Autumn leaf brooch was added as a nod to the reigning season.

Although they always show up as more of burnt orange in photos, the opaques I'm wearing actually match my necklace and belt almost exactly. 

The warm woollen jacket with its symphony of sage greens was charity shopped in the Autumn of 2018, when I was lucky enough to find two blazers in my holy grail colour of green in quick succession. To its lapel, I pinned an orange felt flower corsage.



Flush with Friday's thrifting success, we packed a picnic after breakfast, and went for another round of rummaging at two of our favourite charity shops.

Our first port of call was the shop on the industrial estate in Mechelen. If due to various reasons it had somewhat fallen out of favour during the pandemic, there has been a definite improvement in the last couple of months. In fact, it has been quite a while since we left the shop empty handed.

This was, after all, the shop where I found the green checked Tommy Hilfiger skirt and the zig-zag twin set I showcased in a previous post!



In fact, my first find that Saturday featured yet more zig-zags in this red, blue and white short-sleeved and front zippered vintage frock. It's from Penney, which was the label sold by the well-known Belgian department store Sarma (1928-2004). They were taken over by the American chain J. C. Penney at the end of the 1960s, hence the label's name.



The cheerful yellow cardigan with its blue and white chevron pattern was an obvious no-brainer. It was new with tags from the former Belgian label Who's That Girl. They had a second label called Wow To Go, which I might have mentioned on the blog once or twice. They were the label which made me fall in love with dresses again after I snapped up a gorgeous green one at a bargain price in a trendy boutique in Antwerp. Subsequently, I bought lots of their stuff, most notably at one of the label's sample sales. Once, I even won a € 100 voucher to be spent at one of their shops by entering a competition on Facebook. 



Further finds were a box of old-fashioned dolly clothes pegs, which has joined our kitchen cabinet of curiosities and a ceramic toadstool tealight holder, which was simply too cute to resist.

From here, we continued to the shop in Duffel near the park where, as the weather had become too blustery to comfortably sit on a bench, we had a car picnic before continuing our rummaging. 

Imagine my delight when the first item I set eyes on was a dress by the aforementioned Wow To Go. How fabulous is that pink and brown checked fabric? The collar, cuffs and wide round buckled belt are in a soft fine rib corduroy.



I also fell for the riotous pattern - with some clear Art Nouveau influences - of this vintage blouse, and the lime green midi skirt with its stylish black and white flowers. The latter is from a label called Collection Catarina, which I Googled but couldn't find anything about. Someone had made a clumsy attempt at taking in the skirt so that it was initially too tight for me. As it looked fairly easy to undo, I decided to take a chance.




Too dismal a day, with rain from late morning onwards, Sunday was the perfect day to tackle such a job.  After I'd unpicked the unsightly stitches, a previously unnoticed feature in the form of two side pockets came to light! Then it was just a question of moving the button to its rightful position and hey presto: a perfectly fitting skirt with pockets!

The weather didn't allow for going outside for outfit photos, so your guess is as good as mine as to what I was wearing that day.




My journal tells me that I finished my latest read, Circling the Sun by Paula McLain, a fictional account of the early life of Beryl Markham who, in 1936, was the first person to fly solo, non-stop across the Atlantic from Britain to North America. I loved this book, and it has certainly whetted my appetite for reading her memoir, West with the Night, which was published in 1942. 




Monday and Tuesday brought the typical mix of sunshine, clouds and showers, the latter usually occurring during my commute or lunch break. 

It was nothing but a relief to have the sun accompany us through Wednesday, so that I could soothe my pre-move jitters by going for a walk and what Sheila would call a wee mental health shop. Although Think Twice was a disappointment, I found some funky tops by - yet again - Who's That Girl and Wow To Go, in an outlet shop across the street. It was only when I was photographing them that I noticed the pattern of the middle one are coffee pots!



Thursday the 10th was moving day which, as already mentioned in an earlier post, went surprisingly well. After the moving guys had finished, it was the turn of the IT guy to make sure that we were connected, and so it was mid-afternoon when we could finally switch on our PCs and catch up with work. 

We fooled everyone with our makeshift blinds (above, bottom left) which were temporary ones we'd fashioned from a roll of disposable paper tablecloth. After all, we will only be staying here until January, when we'll move back to our renovated premises.




But first, a well-deserved day off! 

Friday the 11th being Armistice Day is a public holiday in Belgium. We had a lie-in, then after breakfast I washed my hair and photographed my latest finds. By then it was time for lunch, consisting of free pastries leftover from our office move and coffee made from ground coffee beans Jos got for free with his purchases at the organic village shop.



As the sun was still keeping us company, it would have been downright silly to spend the rest of the day inside. As we hadn't been to Middelheim Sculpture Park for a while, that was our destination for the afternoon settled.


The temperature remained in the low double digits, so this long-sleeved yet lightweight blue vintage dress from Think Twice was enough to keep the chills at bay. Especially when topped with my recently thrifted yellow cardigan, not to mention the burgundy velvet vintage C&A coat I charity shopped last Autumn.

Note the wooden poppy I pinned to my coat. It was that time of year after all.

A yellow beret and multi-coloured knit scarf completed my outerwear and I carried essentials in my Oilily weekend bag.



Apparently, changes are ahead in the sculpture park. There will be a reshuffle of the sculptures and no less than thirty new ones will be added. The arrangement will be thematic with the relationship between (wo)man and nature as the central theme. A new open-air depot will allow the collection to rotate more smoothly. The park will also become greener with the planting of sixty trees and two thousand shrubs.

While all of this is expected to be finished by the end of 2023, things were still mostly the same at the time of our visit.



We caught our ghostly reflections in the glass panels of the recently restored Belgian Funhouse by the American artist Dan Graham (1940-2022). Graham was an all-around artist who not only sculpted but was also a photographer, film-maker and performance artist. He played an integral role in beginnings of Conceptual Art during the 1960s.

Reflection was an essential component in Graham’s work, and he was best known for his his outdoor pavilions containing glistening reflective plates of glass like Belgian Funhouse. Dating from 2004, it was originally created for a square in Antwerp but moved to Middelheim after suffering damage.




We just wandered around without any particular itinerary but delighting in the organic mix of art and nature which continues to make the park an all-seasons favourite.

We wondered and sometimes sniggered at the names the works of art have been given by their creators, shaking our heads at those with the unimaginative Untitled moniker.

First prize goes to the work on the bottom centre, which is called Les Murs ont des Oreilles que la Raison ne Connait pas. It's by the Belgian sculptor Reinhoud d'Haese (1928-2007) and dates from 1958.


This particular visit's favourite photo, however, is this one, of the sculpture called Pegasus. Dating from 1949, its creator is the Swedish sculptor Carl Milles (1875-1955). In Spring and Summer, exuberant foliage somewhat obscures its magnificence, which was now enhanced by the glow of  the low-slung Autumn afternoon sunshine.



36 comments:

  1. That last photo is so stunning, Ann! I am drooling over your wonderful Wow To Go dress and new tops, and am jealous as heck of your massive desk! Mine is a crappy little particle board beast.

    I love that yellow cardigan, and the velvet coat over it. Have a lovely weekend, my friend!

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    1. Thanks Sheila! I know, I just love my massive desk! My boss wants to get us new ones but I'm rather attached to mine after nearly 28 years! xxx

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  2. Hey, who buried the three dwarfs in the park? 🤭 I love this yellow and blue look with the great cardigan. And how great is the shirt with the Bialetti coffee makers on it?! 💕
    Your office is ready. congratulations 😉
    with a very huge hug, Tina

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    1. Haha, I never made the connection, but yes, they do look like dwarf's hats, don't they? xxx

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  3. I agree the Pegasus is just wonderful, such a great shot.
    The chevron stripe cardigan is simply amazing , you certainly have a knack for finding treasures as you once again prove here. Your new office space is most impressive.

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    1. Thank you Jill! We will move back to our old renovated office space in January. It will be even nicer! xxx

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  4. space-y office! :-D
    love the autumnal galore in the first outfit - gorgeous!
    but you need new glasses - this are clearly coffee makers :-DD its a fun print.... bit its topped by the jugendstil-like one...... to find such as fabric - a dream.
    and sculpture park! yess - love that place!
    hugsies! xxxx

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    1. Thanks Beate! It is rather spacious isn't it? I actually prefer our regular office, which isn't so boxy, but hey this one will do for now! xxx

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  5. The colours in your beautiful outfits are popping even more Ann, perfectly countering the gloom.
    Your latest read looks interesting. I have The Paris Wife on my "To Read" list.
    Love the ghostly reflections photo and the incredible Pegasus silhouetted against the Autumn sky! xxx

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    1. Thank you Claire - I'm guessing it's you :-)
      I'm on the lookout for The Paris Wife, as I loved this one so much! xxx

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  6. Damn, have I been to England and didn't look for a poppy! I want one for years but always seem to forget to purchase one. Well, it's not that you see them everywhere is it. Love the new tops, and the cardigan, and the skirt, actually all the purchases are really good. We have a artist here who paints coffee pots, he used to paint only coffee pots. Very funny!

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    1. I will get you a poppy when we go to Ypres next September, Nancy! xxx

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  7. Love that yellow hat on you! And it's fun to see you sitting at your work desk.

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  8. No wonder that this fantastic green dress is one of your favourites, those beautiful colours and the geometric pattern make it so distinctive vintage and Fabulous. And you styled it so brilliantly. Love that your beads, belt and tights match!
    I'm admiring your last purchases too, the zigzag dress, the cute tops, love the coffee makers print!.
    So amazing to see you at your office, even a provisional one. Looking very professional and having a really tidy table (mine never looks so tidy!).
    Bringing some sunshine in your new yellow cardi and matchy blue dress, this colour combo has put a smile on my face!, love it!. And also love your photos in the park, always new and different details and lovely collages!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! Don't be fooled by the tidiness of my desk, though, we'd only just moved, it isn't usually that tidy - and empty! xxx

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  9. Wow, the yellow cardigan is amazing! I've never heard of this artist and will do some research.

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  10. Your office is huge! I'd have music blasting out and be dancing on the desk if I worked there.
    Love that green dress on you .. and the blue one ...and the velvet jacket is proper lush. Some fabulous finds, too. Th top with the coffee pots is incredible. Your Oilly weekend bag is a sight for sore eyes.
    Pegasus is absolutely glorious, an incredible shot. Love the selfie of you both. Jos looks very dapper in his fedora. xxx

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    1. It is, isn't it? And there's only the two of us, so lots of space for a party! xxx

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  11. Love the yellow cardigan and the skirt that you altered too.
    Your Sculpture Park looks so interesting. Imagine the joy of the new sculptures, trees and shrubs too. Bliss!

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    1. Thanks Carole! I can't wait to see the new layout of the park and, obviously, the new sculptures! xxx

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  12. I can definitely see why that first dress is one of your favourites. The green is beautiful and I love the yellow accessories you paired with it. It is always nice when you're able to find great items at a thrift store! That yellow cardigan is a fabulous piece. You always manage to find the best items! Circling The Sun sounds like a really interesting read. I hope the office rennovations go well so you can be back in the office by January, as planned! Oh, the day off sounds wonderful. The changes at the sculpture park sound exciting. New additions are always a good thing.

    the creation of beauty is art.

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    1. Thank you Shannon! All seems to be on schedule at the old office and we're set to move back on Jan. 13! xxx

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  13. I do enjoy your visits to the sculpture park and I loved 'Pegasus' . I also loved your very colourful outfit and the velvet coat was beautiful; a fabulous buy. And talking of buying, you have done so well on your rummages; I loved the all the tops; the striped cardigan and the skirt. The multi-coloured vintage blouse was absolutely gorgeous. Can't wait to see you wear it.

    Have a great week,
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni! I've already worn the blouse in the meantime, and it was a joy to wear! xxx

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  14. I'm excited to see what new sculptures come to the park. Definitely on my list of places to visit when we visit Belgium even if it is a bit of a trip from Brussels.
    So many beautiful outfits. Aren't you clever working out temporary window coverings. I hope the move back is smooth as well.

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    1. Middelheim isn't all that far from Brussels, especially compared with American distances. I think it would take about an hour, or even less. Jos and I would love to be your guides! xxx

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  15. I love your plates. How wonderful to be getting so many new sculptures at the park.

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  16. Hello Ann
    Your blog post is the same day as my Mum’s 90th birthday. We had a surprise party for her in the community lounge where her new flat is. It went really well but I was exhausted after.
    I’m sorry I’m not around much, I seem to have lost my blogging mojo and just about manage Instagram.
    You two look as wonderful as ever and your new office is very impressive. Just know that we are both sending our love and thinking of you always xxxx

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    1. Hello Lynn, and thank you for your comment. I saw your posts about your Mum's birthday celebrations. You're so lucky to still have her around. My Dad would have been 90 too this year.
      Don't worry about not being around much. You'll get your mojo back, I'm sure! xxx

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  17. It is so nice to have a modern Vintage inspired brand you really love and can pick up at sales! I really hope the Gunne Sax type style keeps getting more popular in affordable modern clothing brands!

    I remember making dolls out of dolly clothes pegs!

    Loooove the velvet jacket and the sculpture park!

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    1. Thank you Laura! I used to go into that brand's shop and drool over the clothes, but hardly bought anything as I found them way too expensive! xxx

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  18. Thank you for the tour of the sculpture park Ann. I always think they look at their best in autumn. How sweet your dolly pegs and toadstool are! A fine addition to your wonderful cabinet of curiosities. The pasties and coffee look like heaven, and I am now off to pop the coffee pot on and look for something cakey. I hope the office moves go well xXx

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    1. It was my pleasure, Lulu! I do hope you managed to find something cakey! xxx

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