Sunday 17 June 2018

Summer outfits and summer walking

Badly in need of a haircut here...and it's a wonder I don't have square eyes as I've managed to watch four series of Downton Abbey and the finale since my last post! It's all over now.

Hello and I hope all is well in your world.
What have I been up to since my last post? I've been meaning to show you this for ages. I pass this on one of my walks. Angry birds as a bird scarer, it rotates constantly. I tried to get the video link to work but I couldn't. Blogger kept downloading an empty blue screen. It's a shame because I've also noticed that I no longer get Google notifications of comments on my blog - anyone else noticed that? I am also getting fewer comments; maybe people who follow me aren't getting notifications when I post. Let me know if you have noticed any changes, please. Bloody technology!


I led a walk for the Ramblers on Wednesday; there were 37 of us! Everyone found the bird scarer pretty funny. I've been doing a fair amount of walking as the weather has been good; warm, mostly dry and some sunshine.


Everything charity shopped except the trousers from the La Redoute sale a couple of years ago. The top was from the Mercy in Action shop for 2.00. The Gap sandals were 1.00 in Barnardo's and I've had the  Italian brown linen jacket forever. It came from Age UK and was 3.99. It is so useful in the summer; I'm wearing it again with another outfit below.


Necklace charity shopped in the 3:16 shop for 1.50. Earrings also charity shopped and scarf.

OH and I had a rummage at Emmaeus last Saturday. I bought 5 balls of wool at 50p a ball (and there I am making a granny square blanket to use up my stash of wool) a necklace and a bangle.


I got my haircut.
Shirt 1.49 from hospice shop on our Royston rummage a few weeks ago; jacket M&S; charity shopped in Kettering for 4.00. Trousers bought from Tu sale (Sainsbury's own label); sandals; Clarks retail bought in the sale and now in their 7th summer!


All jewellery charity shopped. The brooch is one of the first I ever bought and was 2.99 in the Heart Foundation shop. It maybe on upside down here...the earrings came from Oxfam in Dublin and  I bought the necklace when Hilary came to stay with me in early May at the 3:16 shop. Excuse the wet patch on my top; I 'd dripped something down myself and had to wipe it off with a wet cloth....


I've gone all metallic and shiny here. Trousers 1.00 rail; as was the top; jacket as before - I said it was useful... T strap animal print shoes 99p in Barnardo's. Total cost of outfit 7.00! 

All jewellery charity shopped.

The picture to the left is a poster of 'La Turandot' by Puccini. I bought it in Italy in 2013 and I've been looking for the right frame for it ever since. I finally found one in the Reuse centre for 1.50 last week. It's only taken me five years....


I bought this striped tunic in the Mercy in Action charity shop in town. It's an outlet shop for the organisation and things are pretty cheap; this striped top, which is by Warehouse, was 2.00. Jeans from the 1.00 rail in Barnardos, Ampthill and the long sleeved top is from Primarni. Sandals, Clarks retail as before.

Photos courtesy of youngest grandson

All jewellery charity shopped.

Black and White Trousers Outfit  - No. 6

Trousers by Tu bought in sale last year. Black lace top M&S charity shopped, I've had it for years; black shirt by Dunnes bought at an Irish jumble sale for 1.00 euro. Shoes; 2.99; Barnardo's.



Jewellery charity shopped. Necklace from Emmaeus; 1.50.

I did a lot of walking last week. On Monday I went for a 4 mile evening walk with the Ramblers. We passed this lovely thatched house with my favourite sort of garden - the classic English country garden. The photo doesn't do it justice at all; it was full of delphiniums,  wallflowers, foxgloves, holly hocks, roses, lavender and lots of flowers I don't know the names of.



This is how our garden is looking. We have strawberries at last and youngest grandson is the chief strawberry picker  - but it's a battle to pick them before the birds do.

I did a recce of my walk on Tuesday and on Wednesday led the actual walk; both days walking 6 miles. On Thursday I walked with a friend from the food bank and we walked over 8 miles. I don't know if it was walking four days in a row but I had a sore knee on Friday.


Here I've got 2 rows joined using JAYG...

I've finished crocheting my granny squares; in fact I miscounted and did 3 extra. I'm now fully immersed in joining the rows using the JAYG method -  helped enormously by You Tube videos by Crochet Cabana.com here. I found them very helpful.

Once I've completed this one I can start on my Willow pattern squares. I shall complete this next project in Ireland as I booked the ferry this week and there are only three weeks to go! I took a basket of wool with me to Ireland at Easter to start the Willow pattern squares but because I hadn't brought the right pattern with me I didn't do any crocheting for the two weeks I was there and the wool travelled back with me!


All jewellery charity shopped.


I'm not sure about this as a dress; I like the colours and got a compliment from another woman when I went into town wearing it. It's open from the thigh down though, so I think next time I wear it I'll leave it open and wear it as a long jacket over trousers. It was from the 1.00 rail in Ampthill, Barnardo's bought last year and not worn until now.


I have no memory at all of where I bought this African print skirt other than that it was from a charity shop about 2 years and was about a fiver. Top is by Next; also charity shopped; 1.00 rail Red Cross shop and the shoes were charity shopped in Ireland for 3.00 euros.


Why wear one necklace when you can wear three?

All jewellery charity shopped.

One day in the week I went for a rummage..


I bought this Kameez from the 1.00 rail in the 3:16 charity shop. All jewellery charity shopped.

 I bought both these items on the same day. The trousers are by Next and were 4.00 in the Day Hospice shop. I also bought a dress for 3.50 in Marie Curie.

I've done the usual school runs and volunteering this week. I've decided I don't want to continue at the library doing the shelving of books as it is very boring. There is no variety in the task and it's not the sort of place you can be very sociable in, so when I'm back from Ireland in September I might be looking for something else to do on a Tuesday afternoon...

I have enjoyed watching the complete series of Downton Abbey (oh the costumes!) and let me say it would have been cheaper to buy a second hand complete DVD box set than do it the way I did, with library reservation charges at 70p each item and 1.50 charge for each DVD  - the special (usually Christmas) episodes being stand alone and costing 1.50 as well. I wouldn't watch it again so at least I don't have a box set of DVDs to get rid of.

Having been immersed in historical drama for the past two weeks it has spurred me on to read some of the historical book series I have had for years in my collection  waiting to be read. The first is 'The Cazalet Chronicle' by Elizabeth Jane Howard, which follows a middle class family through decades of family life starting in 1937. There are five books in this series so I'll be taking some of them to Ireland with me. Then I intend to read 'The Balkan Trilogy' by Olivia Manning and finally; 'A Dance to the Music of Time' by Anthony Powell' a quartet of books each named for the four seasons. I believe all of these book series have been televised so I may want to follow them up when I'm back in September...

Anyway, I have my summer reading sorted and not only will I have achieved something I've wanted to do for ages I'll also have cleared some space on my book shelves - at last!

29 comments:

  1. I love your garden and your fabulous crochet and the Puccini poster looks wonderful in its new frame. Good things come to those who wait and all that! I bet a lot of non-Brits who've never visited think we all live in thatched cottages like that beauty!
    Love the waxed cotton skirt, the Indian tunic and the dress you're not too of. xxx

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Vix!

      Yes, I'm a firm believer that if you wait long enough it will pop up in a charity shop!
      xxxx

      Delete
  2. There's no better feeling than finally hanging a picture you've been meaning to-even if it was 5 years! I have a large mirror I've been meaning to hang, and now you've inspired me to get with it!

    I love the print on your dress and it would make a beautiful coat. The African wax print is really beautiful-a true work of art.

    The bird scarer is the best! Maybe you need one to protect the strawberries.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You must show us a picture once you've hung it, Goody -better late than never as my mum used to say!

      Delete
  3. That cottage garden is gorgeous and yours is looking lovely too. Yes I have lost my notifications of comments too had a hunt about in the settings but couldn't see anything obvious to bring them back.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Gisela.

      Yes I couldn't find anything to alter it either....

      Delete
  4. All your outfits are just awesome, Vronni! I enjoy other people's gardens - I am awful at plants, myself.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sheila. I am not good with plants either it's the OH who has the green fingers!

      Delete
  5. What a great post! As you know I love your accessories and the yellow and amber beads are just stunning. You are the best charity shop shopper I know.

    As for the technology issues I have had problems in making comments on anyone connected to/with blogger or blogspot, so that was several blogs I usually make comments on had no comments from me for several weeks - definitely this has been since GDPR. Anyway I found that Safari was blocking me in doing so - I had to use Firefox. So I'm trying this comment on my usual Safari but copying it just in case and I'll see if the comment disappears or is accepted! NOPE IT DISAPPEARED! So I am now on Firefox making a comment. This is without a doubt a new thing and may be why you have fewer comments - what a nusiance!

    Also all your photos are lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Penny.

      It is very frustrating not being able to 'fix' the problems on the blog but I think it is down to the GDPR...sigh

      xxxx

      Delete
  6. Now that's the proper way to wear mustard yellow!
    The kameez is a Kashmiri design & being married to a Kashmiri of course I love that. Love the odea of wearing the maxi as a duster.
    Your garden looks amazing & I think I need a bird scarer like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Bibi!

      I wish I could send you the bird scarer...

      Delete
  7. Afraid my original comment wasn't published, it was there for a start be no longer, it was google.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear this, Polly. Another person, who had not commented before, did so via Google and her comment has disappeared, too. I can only hope it settles down.

      Delete
  8. I love the crochet quilt! The colours are lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      Just joining the final row...will post a picture of the completed project in my next post.

      Delete
  9. I love a cottage garden too. Your garden is beautiful and I bet those strawberries beat the ones in the shops. Love your African skirt,maxi dress and accompanying necklace. Fab crochet too, still haven't attempted JAYG. Xxx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Fiona. The JAYG is deceptively simple but I'm still having issues with the corner bits where three squares join. Still as my mum used to say 'a galloping horse would never see it'!!
      xxx

      Delete
  10. Lots of lovely outfits!, and I love your garden (would like to have one myself!). I think you look particularly fabulous in mustard yellow, and I have a weakness for black and white so love your b&w outfit! really elegant!
    Love all the crocheting, the colorful granny squares!
    And glad that you found the perfect frame for your beautiful poster (lovely!), sometimes it takes some time!
    Love your african print skirt and those necklaces (totally agree on wearing some of them!), and the dress that you're not totally ok with. I think it looks fresh and comfy and love the hippie vibe!
    besos

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Monica, you are always so kind and positive. There's just something about black and white isn't there?
      xxx

      Delete
  11. What gorgeous outfits as usual and all your jewellery is absolutely lovely. Having a go-to jacket is such a good idea. Yours is lovely and you really suit the brown. I am so completely in awe of your amazing crochet skills. I love how your granny square blanket looks and imagine it will turn out brilliantly. Your garden is amazing.So much colour and greenery. Mine has been decimated by slugs and snails.That cottage garden is just gorgeous. Something to aspire too. Xx

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  12. Thank you Kelly - your are too kind! I'm so sorry to hear about your garden - after all the hard work you pout into it, too. They are just absolute b******s those slugs. A caterpillar has decimated our raspberry bush so no raspberries this year - and they were yellow ones!

    ReplyDelete
  13. My comment's a little late as I've been away. I'm loving all your gorgeous outfits, especially the first one, with the mustard La Redoute trousers, and the one with the African print maxi skirt. English country gardens are my favourite kind! xxx

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ann.

      I've been following your adventures via Vix. I jope you'be had a wonderful holiday.
      xxx

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Ann.

      I've been following your adventures via Vix and I hope you've had a wonderful holiday.
      xxx

      Delete
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