Monday 14 January 2019

A new beginning...


Hello again!

As I  started to write this post I had been without my mobile phone camera for almost three weeks. The good news was my phone could be repaired but it would be another week or so before I got it back so there are more fuzzy photos. You have been warned!


 All jewellery charity shopped.


Skirt by Adini; charity shopped. Tunic bought in Donegal charity shop - probably not the best way to wear it with this skirt.  Oh well - my first 2019 outfit mistake.  I wore the tunic to travel back from Ireland in back in early September but I wore it with jeans; it was so hot when we got off the ferry it was a shock! The boots are retail and came courtesy of OH who got some vouchers for a high street store at Christmas. He gave them to me and I found two jumpers for him and a pair of grey suede boots above for me. I just had to pay an extra fiver and they were mine.

Everything charity shopped except boots and leggings.

I got back into my walking regime after an almost three week break. I hadn't intended to have a break but between shortened days due to early sunsets; miserable weather and sheer busyness before Christmas; it was only when it was all over I got my self in the frame of mind to go for a reasonable walk. I walked 6 miles on the Sunday before New Year and 5 miles along the river on New Year's Day. Everyone was out for a walk! It was so busy, thronged with families and dogs and children. The sun was out and stayed out for quite a while which must have been the trigger. I lead my walk on the 30th January so need to get on with a few practice runs. I really miss walking when I don't do it. It has become a part of my everyday life now.

Everything charity shopped except grey suede boots as above. Tunic charity shopped in Co. Donegal; cardigan charity shopped last year but can't remember where. Leggings online retail.
On New Year's Eve I was child minding. My youngest grandson stayed up to toast the New Year in with us, and we watched an impressive fire display standing on our street just watching the neighbours in all directions letting off their fireworks. 

All jewellery charity shopped.

I volunteered on Wednesday at the food bank as Tuesday was a bank holiday. We were climbing over crates and over each other there was so many donations. All very welcome and thank you to the people of Bedford for their generosity and kindness.

I had an idea that evening which I put into practice the following day. As you know, I have too many clothes (!)  and storing them has become an issue. It was brought home to me when I couldn't find  specific items in my wardrobe. I knew I hadn't given them away. I did find them eventually (weeks later!) but they had got pushed behind or under something else.  Time to remedy that!

I have a chest at the end of my bed which was originally used to store bed linen but I had commandeered it  a few years ago to house some of my summer clothes. I bagged up two black sacks of summer clothes and put them in the loft. I moved the bed linen out of the cupboard in my bedroom and replaced it in the chest. Then I reorganised my wardrobes. I took out all my cardigans; folded them and put them in the cupboard in my room. I now have all my jumpers and cardigans and trousers in one cupboard;  below the cupboard housed in 3 large drawers are; my nightwear; my leggings; my short sleeved tops and my long sleeved tops; all tee shirt style.

 In the wardrobe, I put all my tunics on one rail with all my skirts and waistcoats/vests and on the rail above I stored all my shirts and tops. I have another rail in another room which houses all my jackets, dresses and kimonos. Finally, I share another rail in a cupboard next to the bathroom with OH where we store our coats and my maxi dresses. How I would love to have all my clothes in one place in one room. I can dream can't I? I could actually do this with my study, but if I had to choose between the clothes and the books; the books win! I know I am lucky to have so many clothes and somewhere to store them so I'm not complaining.

 I felt so much better when I had done this; I could actually see what I had. I could move the hangers along the rail - they were too tightly packed previously to do this! I also re-donated quite a few items which helped free up space, too. It was a good way to start 2019, I thought and all I have to do now is:

1) Buy less stuff i.e. clothes
2) Practise 'one in - one out' wherever possible.

On the last day of OH's holiday, the Thursday after New Year's Day, we went to London to see his mum. It was lovely to see her. She's 96 in March! It was a bitterly cold day and we just had time for a mini rummage in Willesden High Rd and Willesden Green. All I bought was  a blue Beanie hat by Bench for 1.00! Wasn't I good?


 Seen on the corner of Willesden Green, this is the smallest barber's I have ever seen.  One chair only! Where you can see the mirror on the door behind the chair, that was the length of the shop!  It was just a very tiny triangular space with a barber's shop inserted! It's hard to convey how tiny it was in this photo but you would have had difficulty swinging half a cat; never mind a whole one!  Mind you, £7.00 seems a good price to me for a haircut; they start at 10.00 here in Bedford...





This is what I wore. I was sorry I didn't wear my grey leggings instead of these (charity shopped) grey tights which had tiny coloured random squares including yellow ones. My legs were cold.


Yellow dress Tu sale; boots; Matalan retail, top under dress by Country Casuals; charity shopped about six years ago. Kimono charity shopped.

All jewellery charity shopped except earrings bought in Donegal  and made by a local artist.

On Saturday, it was my grandson's 14th birthday. I made him a chocolate button chocolate cake with sparkler candles. He was very pleased.

Happy birthday, Isaiah!



I love this tunic but I always look like a sack of potatoes when I wear it. Charity shopped somewhere but I can't remember where. Lace effect leggings by M&S; Christmas present from daughter. Boots by Oxfam. Scarf gift from a friend. Top underneath tunic by M&S; 1.00 rail charity shop.


All jewellery charity shopped.


Amongst my stack of painted bangles are the two I bought in Northampton last week.

I managed to read 113 books in 2018. A large number of books are read in July and August when I'm at our mobile home in Ireland. Plenty of time to read. I often stay up all night to finish a book when I'm there because I can always have a lie-in in the morning...


Daughter took these
 photos. All jewellery charity shopped.

Checks, spots and stripes.

This was the best of a bad bunch of photos. Taken from the other end of the hall so you can see all the coats and coats over the banister...OH always take photos from the stairs so all the mess isn't seen!  Checks, spots and stripes. Everything charity shopped. I bought the knitted top in Ireland and the spotty blouse is a 1.00 rail find from Great Denham, Barnardo's. These check trousers are very warm. I can't remember now where I got them from but they're good winter staples. Striped scarf also charity shopped.

My phone was to be delivered on Tuesday so I didn't make it to the food bank that week. It was good to have the phone back and the quality of the photos will now get better! I had various errands to run in town on Tuesday afternoon so as well as a trip to Great Denham to hand in my volunteer application to Barnardo's and have a rummage; I also fitted in a short walk. When I last went to Barnardo's in Great Denham they were really desperate for volunteers. I picked up a form and decided I would like to volunteer in a charity shop again and why not in one of  my favourites? All I can hope is that it doesn't close down like the other two I volunteered at did!


Everything charity shopped except the boots - online retail. Dress; Phase Eight 2.99; Barnardo's Great Denham; jeans can't remember where; Kimono by Indigo; M&S, 3.00 Age Concern Northampton.


All jewellery charity shopped.

Both Barnardo's and Keech Hospice in Great Denham had sales on. Irresistible! I bought a blue/grey/yellow tunic and an asymmetrical roll neck top in Great Denham at 99p each. Keech had plenty on offer. I bought a skirt; a pair of trousers; (summer weight), a  long, short sleeved cream cardigan; a long sleeved grey floral top and white and grey knitted tunic. all at 1.00 each. So, 7 items bought for just under 7.00. I re donated 5 items; overall gain was 2 items in.

I had planned to walk with the group on Wednesday but I had set my phone to do updates overnight. I completely forgot this would mean the phone switches itself off and consequently the alarm didn't go off in time. I hate having to rush so I took my self off for a walk. It was a very cold day with a strong. icy wind but it was sunny! I recce'd my walk and finally got the route right. I  made it 7.3 miles by the end which is spot on. But oh my goodness, was I knackered by the time I got home. I'm out of practice and it felt like it. Never mind; I'm getting back into my walking routine now. On Thursday I recce'd my shorter walk (an amble) that I'm leading in February for the Ramblers. This one starts and finishes at the same place as the longer one but the middle part is different and at 4.5 miles almost 3 miles shorter.

On Friday I set off on my long overdue visit to Hilary in Devon. We had a lovely time.  Lots to catch up with! On Saturday went to visit her daughter and twin grand daughters in Exmouth. We hijacked their scooters...


We got rained on but soon dried out. We went out for a meal and did several lovely walks. Look at these beautiful 16th century almshouses in Tiverton.





I'm taller than the door!

I was sorry to say goodbye to my friend of 53 years but hope to be back in Devon in May half term week when I will probably take grandsons as well. Although the 14 year old may not want to come - he's got very grown up all of a sudden and doesn't want to hang out with me as much as he used to. That's okay; they all go through this phase. This is the fourth teenage child I've had in my life and the one thing you know about the teenage years is that they/you get through them and they come out the other side as lovely individuals. Only one more to see through...

Kimono bought in Co. Galway charity shop; dress by Primarni retail; tights charity shopped and boots Matalan retail.



All jewellery charity shopped. I'm wearing giraffe earrings as the colours went with my outfit and beads.

23 comments:

  1. Happy birthday to Isaiah! That cake looks yummy. Ah, yes, my teenaged niece is going through the "all grownups are stupid" phase. I'm just waiting it out.

    You look lovely in your outfits, as always. I'm awed by all those books you read! Wow! I remind myself that I do work 45+ hours a week!

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    1. You have retirement to look forward to and all the reading you want!

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  2. Happy Birthday to your grandson Isaiah. Fourteen is all sarcasm and eye-rolls over here. I'm glad to hear from your experience they grow out of it.

    It IS hard getting back to a routine after a few weeks off. I'm running indoors so I can't even blame the weather or dark but oh...so hard to do! I hope the walk you lead gets good weather.

    All of your outfits are wonderful, and I especially love the skirt in your first photo. Scooters! That's brave-I'd be terrified to try one.

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    1. Thanks Goody,

      And oh yes! And the tone of voice as if you couldn't possibly know what you're talking about...it'll pass!

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  3. Wow! Lovely outfits as usual and such great accessories. Best outfit is the yellow one, but I do love yellow! But you do look so good in that colour! Great to hear all your news and glad you've got your phone back! What a simply wonderful cake! Happy Birthday Isaiah! Ah yes, books, I probably read about the same, I get anxious if while I'm reading one book there isn't another book nearby. Also your walking regime sounds amazing and is quite inspring - you'll get back to it I'm sure! And finally, hoping that Firefox will work for commenting rather than Safari! Very best xxx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Glad to hear you've sussed the comments thing. I've noticed that blogger is not sending me Google notifications about comments received but I can live without it.

      I have to know what's next on to be read pile too!

      Hope your week has gone well.
      xxxxx

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  4. Clever you to get back to your walking in such a disciplined way. Hope your grandson enjoyed his birthday, the cake looked yummy.

    As usual, if you out me in a corner and tell me to choose an outfit, the mustard one would be my choice, you look absolutely gorgeous in it. And you know, I don't think I've ever seen an outfit repeated in your blog. Do you repeat IRL? Do you refer to your back issues to to check for repetition? Or for inspo?

    But let's get on to wardrobe reorg! I was enthralled. It all sounds so logical and an easy system to follow. Please come over an organise mine! Silly pleas apart, you have given me some inspo for WHEN I sort out my cupboards. Thank you for sharing this.

    Hugs and have a fab week, x.

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    1. Thank you Mary!

      I do wear the same things on the blog but as I always nearly wear 3 items of clothing it's easy to switch one or two of them to produce a new look. I have started to keep pictures of outfits I like on me and put them into albums for AW wear and SS wear and that way I can keep a record of things I've worn.

      Good luck with clearing out the cupboards - I found it very therapeutic!

      Hope your week has been going well.
      xxxxxx

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  5. Happy birthday to Isaiah! They do grow up quickly, don't they? Can't believe my Godson started his first year at uni! Well done on re-organizing your clothes storage. I don't have them all in one place either. I would so love a walk-in wardrobe! My favourite outfit is your yellow London one. You do look amazing in yellow. I'm in awe of the number of books you've managed to read. I really must do better. Those scooters look so much fun! xxx

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    1. Ann, maybe one day our wish will be granted and we will have a walk in wardrobe where we can keep all our clothes and shoes in neatly organised sections. We can always dream...

      xxxx

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  6. A belated happy birthday to Isaiah!
    I soooo love your style- I'd love to own all these ensembles. Especially love the top grey outfit and the mustard yellow is divine.
    I have to get back into an exercise routine & regularly reading too!
    xox

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    1. I can't imagine exercising in your climate Bibi! I tried going for a walk in Spain once and nearly melted...
      xxx

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  7. lovely to hear that you're back to your walks and enjoying them so much!. I also miss my walks when I can't go out for whatever the reason.
    I love your outfits!, the red&grey one is particularly fabulous, because of the mixed prints, matchy accessories and coolness!!. Also loving the yellow outfit and that 'check, spots and stripes'one!. And you rock in your kimonos, both blue&red and violet one look fabulous!.
    Glad that you get your mobile back!, and lovely to see your grandson birthday cake, mwhaha so cute!
    besos

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Monica - long may we keep on walking....
      xxxxx

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  8. Hello Veronica, I love you in red, black and white with all of the pattern mixing. What a magnificent red lip color! Including your scenes of the UK in the blog is a big plus for me having lived in England and Scotland for a total of 8 years. Thanks for all of your sharing and good luck on your new volunteer adventure. What an inspiration you will be to all who enter. Cheers, Judy

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    1. I'm so pleased you like the pictures of places I've been and walked to, Judy. I'll try to include more just for you!

      My red lipsticks are cheap, matte ones. Usually from Wilkinson's (Wilco) Essence range of cosmetics - 2.30 per lipstick; or our local black hair products shop has brilliant matte lipsticks for 2.99. That still doesn't stop me looking for the perfect red lipstick elsewhere...
      xxx

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  9. That patchwork skirt is lovely!

    Reorganizing ones closet does wonders for our spirits. I really need to do mine again. Bravo to you for getting yours done. It takes lots of work and energy to get through.

    I miss my daily walks in the winter. I can't wait till I can get back out there, my pug too.

    That barber shop is TINY!!! Ha! I wonder if it is in the World Records.


    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I felt really good after I'd one it and I can find everything now!

      Here's hoping you get out walking soon...
      xxx

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  10. Fuzzy or not, all your outfits still look great.

    Being able to see clothes in a drawer or wardrobe makes such a difference. I'm not a fan of decluttering (I *like* my stuff, that's why I have it) but I do think the idea of rolling/folding things so you can see them all is a really good idea, and I do it with my knit tops/T-shirts. I hope it works for you!

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  11. Yes, the rolling folding thing has been a revelation since I started doing it a few years ago. The thing ids I have so much stuff that it's not just one row or layer of tops. for example but two! I have to remember to look underneath the top row...

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  12. There really is something so satisfying about organising your clothes isn't there? I love the last kimono.

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  13. you look pretty with different kinds of beautiful clothes.
    have a great day

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A weekend visitor and an exhibition

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