Monday 22 October 2018

Our Indian Summer..and no more shine!


All jewellery charity shopped. Red earrings picked up in the Salvation Army for 1.00 on a recent visit.

I still can't believe our wonderful Indian Summer!  As I write this it's the end of the second week in October and we've been having sunny, warm days with temperatures between 20 - 23 degrees. I just don't remember this happening before but I'm sure the experts would disagree with me.

At the food bank on Tuesday I was so pleased to see the Harvest donations are once again refilling our depleted shelves. People are so generous. Thank you!
 I wore this:


Everything charity shopped except red boots - online retail.


I bought this jacket/cardigan in the Cat's Protection League when I went for a rummage there a few weeks back. It was 3.99.


The trousers are by Laura Ashley and the white top is by La Redoute. I can't remember which charity shops I bought them from but both are from a couple of years  ago.

It was a beautiful day on Tuesday: 23 degrees....


 I went walking with the Ramblers on Wednesday. Another glorious day, 22 degrees. I rely on the gadget in the car to give me temperature readings but it was hot and sunny. We walked from the village of Broom (!) to Langford to Biggleswade and back -  7 miles. This is the village green at Broom and I thought these trees were magnificent in their autumn finery.

As I wasn't far from Biggleswade which has three charity shops; I stopped off for a look. I didn't intend to buy anything but I am looking for tunic type jumpers so I can wear shirts or blouses underneath them. I didn't find any in Biggleswade but I did buy a Desigual fine knit long tunic in colourful stripes for 2.95. I couldn't resist it -  I can wear a thick cardigan over it as well as wearing it with a long sleeved top and leggings underneath - see below. I also bought some bangles; 3 for 1.00. And I bought two bunches of lovely flowers for 1.00 each, from outside a florist. I guess they must have been near their sell by date; I didn't care!


Roses, freesias and some fancy filler plants. Jug charity shopped about ten years ago. You can just make out two very pretty tins which originally contained loose tea from Harrods. They were part of the Harvest donations at the food bank, but both were more than three months out of date. When goods are this much out of date they are sent to Twinwoods in Claphaml where there is an anaerobic digester. This consumes all the waste  food and turns it into bio fuel. Naturally, it wouldn't digest the tins only the contents, so I rescued them in exchange for a donation and brought them home. I may use them as vases. I store all my baking stuff in pretty tins but I have no more room on the baking shelf for more tins but I'll think of something to use them for.

Thursday's outfit.


I bought the tunic for 2.00 at the 3:16 charity shop and the shirt underneath from the 1.00 rail in the same shop. The chinos are from Next and are from a 1.00 rail somewhere.


Boots; on line retail. Scarf charity shopped.


 All jewellery charity shopped. The necklace was 2.00 from the Sue Ryder shop where I bought the grey spotted tunic the week before.

I should have gone out walking on Thursday but had so many errands to run in town plus the grocery shopping I couldn't be bothered. It also turned out to be another hot day -  21 degrees!

At the weekend I had cousin Eamon and his wife Anne coming to stay. Eamon is my mum's first cousin but I  also remember Eamon's mum, Aunty Katy, as she was my mum's favourite aunt. I met Eamon for the first time at my uncle's funeral in Ireland this year. They had a wedding to go to in Bedfordshire on Sunday so they stayed with us for the weekend. As they were flying into Luton and we were picking them up from the airport, OH and I decided to make a day of it and have a rummage in Luton and possibly Dunstable as their flight was due in after 5 pm. 


Everything charity shopped except the boots - as above. I didn't need this jacket which is by Fenn, Wright Mason, bought for 7.00 in the RSPCA in Newport Pagnell. It was so warm outside 23 degrees again!


Amongst my errands in town in the week I called into the independent charity shop where I bought a (another!) floral cardigan. We have a new charity shop too in the High Street called 'Autism Bedford'. I bought a fine knit silver jumper from there for 2.00 I bought this Desigual striped tunic in Biggleswade on Wednesday for 2.95. Underneath is a navy top by Cotton Traders and leggings by M&S.


I have so many scarves that I had completely forgotten about this one. Charity shopped of course but can't remember where; unsurprisingly. Scarves are so useful especially as I wear them as head wraps as well as around my neck!


All jewellery charity shopped.

I am sad to say that Luton charity shops are not very good. I bought a brooch and a spotted miniature vase for Hilary and in the Sally Army I found an East waistcoat on the sale rail for 2.00. That's all that took my eye in 6 charity shops...even the books weren't very good. We didn't have time to go on to Dunstable because Luton were playing at home and the traffic was building up.

We went out to eat in a local restaurant on Saturday evening with Eamon and Anne and they left on Monday morning. It was lovely to see them and we all had a very enjoyable time. Next time they come we'll be able to show them around our local area and beyond. We'll visit them next Easter on our way up to the caravan as they live not too far from Dublin.


Here's our visitors just off to their wedding on Sunday. Don't they look smart! Unfortunately it was cold and wet all day on Sunday. The reception was being held on a farm in a barn - they were frozen!

Tuesday's outfit.


Everything charity shopped. Jacket from Next and I've had it for about 7 years now. Leggings bought for 79 p in Barnardo's; Great Denham. Zara tunic bought last year but can't remember where. Boots from Donegal charity shop for 1.00 euro - they were with the children's shoes...


All jewellery charity shopped except earrings which were donated by my daughter. Brooch bought in Luton charity shop for 1.50 on Saturday.


Wednesdays outfit. Everything charity shopped. Tunic top bought in Ireland at Easter. Cardigan I've had for years. Trousers with sparkly bits in them by Phase Eight bought in the Sally Army in Rushden.


Scarf present from my friend Natalie in Cambridge; Chelsea boots bought earlier this year in Barnardo's, I think in Great Denham.

All jewellery charity shopped.

I went out for a walk by myself on Wednesday and did 5.3 miles. The group were walking to Ivinghoe Beacon but that was 37 miles away and too far to travel. I walked from Great Denham to Kempston Mill; through Kempston town then back down by the river to Queen's Park and on to Great Denham.

Weeping willows in Queen's Park the river is to the left.

On Thursday I also walked by myself. I'm trying to recce a walk I will be leading in January. I walked 8.6 miles but it's too long for a Wednesday walk. I'll have to try and shorten it or do another one...
It was a bright and dry day with a bit of a breeze; good for walking but the summery weather has gone for good now. I'm not complaining -  it was beautiful while it lasted! I decided to pay a visit to the Barnardo's in Great Denham on Wednesday afternoon. It's a very good shop; I was hoping they would still have their sale rail and I was still looking for books for Hilary. I'm glad I went. The sale rail yielded - guess what? An orange cardigan from Wallis! Reduced to 2.00; into the basket it went.  Remember what I said about the 'Sod's Law' of charity shopping? It's true.

What else did I find? A pair of Topman jeans for middle grandson, 79 p; black and white leggings for me (BNWT); 79 p and then I spotted a really nice tunic for 4.99 by Lily and Me.  Never heard of them but I wouldn't be surprised if it's maternity wear! I also bought several books for Hilary and a cute sugar sifter for 79 p. So, that's my haul for this week making up for Saturday's disappointment!

I've finished my giant granny square blanket and have gone from a medium sized basket of green and blue stash wool to a smallish carrier bag size of stash wool.




I am aiming to make a 'Sunburst Granny' blanket next - lots and lots of little squares sewn together. This way I can use up the blue and green stash and start on using the pink and purple stash. I won't be edging mine in white though like the photo below. It will be a blanket of multi-coloured squares. If I feel like doing more of my Willow blanket squares I will. So far, I haven't felt any enthusiasm to get on with it so the Sunburst Granny will be my next project or work in progress.



Thursday's outfit.


It's that cardigan again! I would have worn the one I bought in Barnardo's but it was still drying...


Everything charity shopped except grey leggings; Sainsbury's retail.  Black slip on trainers from Next; 2.99 in the Children's Society earlier this year. Tunic charity shopped last year - can't remember where or how much. Orange top H&M; also charity shopped.


Scarf and all jewellery charity shopped. 
I am always so shiny in my photos - you can tell I don't use filters or Photoshop! I think I'm going to have to invest in some translucent face powder to reduce the shine.  The next photos I take I will try it and I'll be able to see if it makes a difference...


Here I am wearing face powder - no more shine!  What do you think?
Youngest grandson took the photos.
All jewellery charity shopped except earrings bought from Etsy about three years ago.


Everything charity shopped. Jeans from Mercy in Action 2.00. Waistcoat from East bought in the Sally Army in Luton for 2.00. Tunic from Primarni bought from a 1.00 rail somewhere, Boots; Red Cross 1.99.

It was so chilly on Friday evening we lit our fire for the first time since May; it was lovely and so cosy.


Then both Saturday and Sunday were lovely bright days. On Saturday it was 17 degrees. I went to see my son. On Sunday it was 16 degrees.


Everything charity shopped except blouse and boots - both on line retail.
This coat by Monsoon has had its last wear. It has begun to split at  the armhole. It's not repairable, the fabric has begun to fray. It was always a little too tight across the shoulders and back. I have a broad back and biggish breasts and sometimes things get strained...anyway, I think I've had my money's worth out of it.


The tunic was bought in Barnardo's for 5.00 in the week. Leggings by M&S; charity shopped. Scarf charity shopped.


All jewellery charity shopped and look- no more shine!

It's half term this coming week. We have a trip to London to visit my ex- mum -in law and we are going to East Sussex for an overnight stay. I want to visit Rye which I've heard  is a very pretty place, plus it's the home of one of my favourite painters; Edward Burra. We are going to stay in Eastbourne so I'll tell you all we got up to in my next post.










28 comments:

  1. I enjoy your posts so much - all the lovely outfits (I adore that Desigual striped tunic), the pretty accessories, and your walks and rambles. It all sounds so fun. The wedding attendees look wonderful (what a glorious purple outfit), too bad about the rain.

    We're still getting highs around 16-18 degrees, but it's very chilly overnight now, and we're seeing a lot of fog in the mornings, which I love.

    Hope you have a wonderful week, Veronica!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sheila.

      Our weather has turned! Its cold and wet....

      Delete
  2. I am in awe of that blanket! Beautiful job you did with it. Colourful stripes look so cheerful, and of course your amazing necklaces always catch my eye.

    I use face powder in the summer to keep down shine, but in the colder months it just accentuates every fine (and not so fine) line. I think you look healthy and dewey rather than shiny.

    Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Goody.

      The jury's still out re the face powder. I think I'll compromise and wear it sometimes.

      Have a lovely week.

      Delete
  3. Your crochet is gorgeous, I wish I could sit with you and watch you at it!
    The powder looks brilliant, your face still looks natural and a lovely colour, I've always thought powder would look a bit heavy and ghost-like, it certainly doesn't.
    The East waistcoat is lovely as is the pink velvet jacket and your visitors look very smart indeed.
    It hasn't been that hot up here, grass frost in the morning and possibly hitting the heady heights of 15 by mid-afternoon but it has been sunny which makes a massive difference to everyone's mood! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some days all I want to do is crochet - I think it might be pretty boring watching someone crochet. But having said that when I was a student nurse doing night duty my interest was piqued watching the (mainly) Italian night nurses crocheting beautiful white lacy bedspreads!

      Hope you have a lovely week.
      xxx

      Delete
  4. I love your posts, so many fab outfits and lovely landscapes too!. I like particularly the jacket with the tartan patches and also the fab striped tunic by Desigual (it totally rocks with the coat and headscarf and accessories!). Your accessorizing is always so brilliant and you look so elegant in your long cardigans and vests! gorgeous!. The wooden beads, golden jewelry and geometric tunic look fabulous too!
    And I'm admiring your crochet blanket, such a wonderful piece!

    Even if I think that the shine is not such a bad thing, the powder looks really natural on you. I suppose that you can't turn off the flashlight!

    It has also been unseasonable warm here, but not anymore!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Monica.

      I've experimented with the flash on/off but I'm still shiny but I going to compromise and wear powder sometimes just not everyday!

      Have a lovely week - its cold here now.
      xxxxxx

      Delete
  5. Wow - what an eye you have for those charity shop bargains. Some lovely outfits here and the prices are so much better than down where I live. I really object to seeing items at £15+ in charity shops. Love the Desigual top and the Fenn Wright & Mason jacket.

    Looking at the photos we can all see that you have the most fabulous skin and actually I love that shine. Today's foundations are set up now to be reflective and in effect give some shine to those of us who have dull, blemished and that pale tone that comes as we age. ( I used to have a much warmer skin tone with freckles) You have the most beautiful unblemished skin and although I don't often say this I don't think you need either powder (could be drying) or a foundation. Eye makeup oh yes, and the lip, oh yes! Just my opinion but you always look amazing and then skin shines beautifully - carry on as before. However, re: your comment on my blog - but always experiment xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Penny.

      I've decided to keep the powder for particularly shiny days!

      I visited East Sussex (Eastbourne and Rye) this week and see what you mean about the charity shop prices although I only had a really quick look!

      Have a lovely week.
      xxxx

      Delete
  6. Love your outfits especially the bright colours they suit you so well,hope you don't mind me saying but yes get rid of the pink velvet coat (not your colour), still don't know how you find the bargains at the prices as I am not far from you but never find anything that good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Polly.

      I think I have a good 'eye' when I'm charity shopping and I visit the shops regularly and travel to different places to look at the charity shops. Going regularly (even to the same ones) is important: you get to see new stock as it comes in and spot any reductions or sale rails or additions to the sale rails. Not all charity shops have sale rails I know, but they usually do when switching over from Spring/Summer wear to Autumn/Winter wear. That's the time to go!

      Have a great week.

      Delete
  7. Hi Veronica, Willow trees and crackling fires are two of my most favorite things. By the way, in the south we call your crochet pattern "grannie squares". Inspiring me to mix patterns for heightened interest is what you do. Finding a favorite is difficult however the brown outfit really stands out among your gems. Thanks for generous sharing. Judy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Judy!

      Here 'granny squares' tend to be small ones which you sew or crochet together...

      Hope you have a great week.

      Delete
  8. You really have a knack of finding the most gorgeous necklaces in the charity shops! I'm always making a beeline for the jewellery, only to be bitterly disappointed. My favourite outfit this time is the one built around that gorgeous Desigual tunic! The red jacket you wore on top of it is fabulous too. Congratulations on finishing the giant granny square blanket, it looks fab and cosy! The face powder is making quite a difference, and still looks very natural. I've been using face powder for years, it feels as if my make-up isn't finished without it. Have a great trip! I love Rye so I'm a little bit envious! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ann.

      I, too, make a beeline for the jewellery and have to admit I'm often disappointed. Perseverance is the name of the game, I think, one day something beautiful will turn up!

      Have a lovely week.
      xxx

      Delete
  9. Love that red jacket, the rose velvet blazer, and your gorgeous crochet-SWOON! Actually all your outfits are swoon-worthy!
    I love your dewy look & the powdered look. It is hard to find a powder that is non drying & does not accentuate pores so I usually do not wear any. xox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Bibi - you are so kind.

      I've always thought you have beautiful skin. It must be difficult knowing what make up to wear in such a hot (and humid?) climate.

      Hope your week goes well.
      xxx

      Delete
  10. Good luck on your tunic hunt!

    Re: the sunburst granny; I've heard it said (I'm not a crocheter myself) that it's actually easier and faster to crochet squares together than to sew them, so that might be worth looking into. I know sewing up knitting is always a massive PITA and I hate it!

    What sort of idiot donates out-of-date food to a food bank? If they won't eat/drink it, why should someone else? I donate to our local one regularly and always try to make sure it's something nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I may crochet these squares together but not JAYG but double crochet.

      Mim, you would not believe what comes into the food bank. We have a competition going to see who can spot the most out of date produce. So far, the record is the late 1990s!

      I think what often happens (other than the idiots!) is that a relative clears out the food cupboards of someone recently deceased and puts the whole lot into a box for the food bank without checking the sell by dates.They'd save us some time and effort if they did check them first...

      Hope you have a great week.

      Delete
  11. I'm very impressed with your granny square blanket! It turned out amazing!

    I also really like that Desigual striped tunic.

    I think it is fabulous that you have a waste to energy plant where they take in expired food. We need something like that here.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gotta say I'm in awe yet again at what you out together. I think my faves are the red, the navy and beige and the coral and grey. But you always make it such a difficult choice, being so good at outfit creations! Love your fire crackling away, your beautiful crochet work and the way your handsome guests co-ordinated their stylish outfits. But most of all I'm in awe of your head scarves, as always. I've been staring at the closeups and have downloaded a couple to try to crack just how you do it. That should keep me busy for a few weeks! It's led me to a quesion, what factors make you decide to wear a scarf with the outfit or not? I'm intrigued.
    Hugs, keep warm, x.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mary.

      Re: the headscarves; I'm not quite sure exactly what makes me choose a scarf with an outfit. I could wear one everyday but it does mess my hair up so I tend to wear the scarves when hair is due for a wash, when I'm due at the hairdressers, when I want to have a warm head and just sometimes I 'know' it will set the outfit off.

      As for tying the scarves there is no right way. It's what works for you. I'm still experimenting. The other day I used two fine ones together which I'd not done before. I use both head squares and the long scarves and I have eve
      n used a top as a head wrap. Whatever floats your boat, Mary!

      xxx

      Delete
  13. The one thing that always strikes me about your outfits is the wonderful use of colour Vronnni. You have such fun with both pattern and colour, it's a pleasure to see. My overall favourite piece this week has to be the scarlet jacket by FWM, a brand that I love for it's quality and style.
    Re the shiny issue, I've only recently given up on translucent powder as I felt it was ageing. More specifically it reminded me of my grandma who always had her compact to hand to douse any shine. The new products I'm using from Look Fabulous Forever are giving me a glow rather than a shine, which to be perfectly honest, I've always admired about you - I like that healthy look. But hey, that's just my opinion. You always look fab, my dear!

    Anna x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Anna.

      I'm still experimenting with the powder but I can't see me using it every day!

      XXX

      Delete
  14. Hallo,
    Danke für den informativen Beitrag. Das Einzige, was mich bei Ihren Outfits mit Sicherheit beeindruckt, ist die hervorragende Nutzung von Vronnni. Sie haben eine Menge Spaß mit Beispiel und Schattierung, es ist eine Freude zu sehen. Mein allgemeiner Lieblingsteil in dieser Woche muss der rote Mantel von FWM sein, einer Marke, die ich für ihre Qualität und ihren Stil liebe. Sie können diese auch bei Modasto zu einem erschwinglichen Preis erwerben.

    ReplyDelete

A weekend visitor and an exhibition

 Hello!  I'll soon be off to Ireland  so let me tell you what I've been up to over the last two weeks.  I'll start with a whinge...