The final countdown

Today is going to be bedlam in our house, therefore I've put this post together sooner rather than later as I think my bedroom may end up looking like the remnants of a jumble sale. At the end of the post I've finally got a few frocks to show you after all those promises, but I must admit that some would have benefited from an iron. 


Maybe the expression on my face says - "Not long 'til I'm being whisked off on my hols!"

Does this happen to you? The minute you've made the appointment to have your hair cut it suddenly looks the best it's been in ages.

Let's talk about the coat first, shall we? I bought this from a charity shop in September and whisked it straight off to the dry cleaners for specialist cleaning. It took about a month to be posted back to me and ever since then I've been trying to show it off to it's best. It's got a lovely veined effect which shows up better in a close up later on, and has a distressed look that has probably just come about through the passage of time. I changed the belt as the other was too big. 

And let's not forget the boots. New, and having their debut with these wonderful tights which my sister Sandra sent me. I fancy they're called Argyle check rather than tartan. I know these boots will obviously look amazing with jeans, but wanted to try something a little bit different initially.


The beautiful woollen shorts came from ASOS via a charity shop in Penzance a couple of years ago. I like the feature of the side zips which conceal the pockets - very nifty.





I'm a regular in most of the charity shops in Penzance, so it was a lovely surprise to find that one of them had upgraded an area of the shop into a vintage section. Not unusual elsewhere, but pretty cutting edge for us out on this far peninsula of Cornwall. In one corner an old fashioned wardrobe was decked out in all sort of finery and hanging inside I came across this gorgeous suede coat which hails from Cypress. I slipped it gently off its hanger and slid it over my shoulders. I was soon the happy owner of this exquisite piece. A bit of neglect was apparent, but nothing that couldn't be sorted by some specialist cleaning. The coat is in the running as the holiday coat, but I have others to consider.

So, on to the frock situation. These are a few that might make the final cut, but at the moment it's as clear as mud.


Two beautiful beaded numbers. The peach chiffon one is new, but marred slightly by the fact that someone said it was a bit Bollywood, hmmmm. Can I let that put me off?

I have fellow fashion blogger Suzanne Carillo to thank for leading me to discover this stunning skirt by Anthropologie. It was in the sale, (sold out now)  which did reduce the sting somewhat.

This is the green beaded dress I wore to my 40th birthday bash - truly vintage now methinks.

I wore this gold maxi dress on our last cruise. Does that mean it ought to stay at home this time?

And this maxi dress hasn't had an outing since I bought in on eBay last summer. I can imagine Melanie from Bag and a Beret wearing this to an exotic soiree, with elbow length gloves, whilst brandishing a cigarette in a very long cigarette holder. 

The gold knee length dress is lovely with the gold beaded crochet top, but again has already been cruising. And the dark green 50's frock has never been worn, but looks amazing with my black net underskirt underneath. To be honest, it seems like I've got a whole lot of trying on to do to help with the decision making. Wish me luck!

I'm scheduling my posts to continue to go live on Wednesdays and Sundays for the duration of my holiday and so dear readers it would be great to know you'll still pop by to see some new outfits. Some are from last summer which I thought might be a bit cheering during the last weeks of the winter. I hope to also post some new shots from our holiday on Instagram which is under the same name as my blog - it would be great to hear from you there too. I'll be checking my comments on both and provided I have network will respond, so do keep in touch x

Coat: charity shop. Boots: Office shoes (sold out but these are similar) Shorts: charity shop. Top: eBay. Tights: gift. Belt: Zara. Bag: charity shop. Rings: charity shop.

All of the dresses shown are old, vintage or from eBay. The striped skirt is now sold out.


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24 comments

  1. So many beautiful dresses Anna.I would love the chance to wear such glam finery for one evening, let alone several.I will be stopping by to catch up on your post's and will look you up on Instagram. Cant wait to see the holiday pic's. Have a fantastic time.
    Laurie x

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    1. Laurie, thanks for your good wishes. I know I'm very lucky to have this lovely holiday ahead of me. Steve's ready for a break after his long, hard winter and I know we'll have a fab time x
      Anna

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  2. Ooooo, have a lovely holiday.
    I am not at all envious...nope, not a bit!!
    Your extensive evening dress collection is divine (that green maxi is a definite one to pack and the Bollywood number...don't let anyone put you off)
    I hope to see plenty of post-cruise outfit posts....lots of glam!

    As for your OOTD....Boots? Swoon, Tights? Drool, Shorts? Hip hip hooray!!!
    The belt (I can't believe it is from Zara...looks EXPENSIVE), the bag, the coat...in fact everything is right up my street.
    Fab!

    XXX
    Samantha
    P.S Bon voyage!!

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    1. I love your generosity of spirit - nope, not a bit envious, hahaha. Had a major crisis with green dress yesterday and put my heel through the back of it! Moving quicky on, I think the Captain my see me in my pink blouse and pink/gold skirt as the zip got stuck on the first maxi dress. I knew it would be bedlam. Bollywood number has indeed made the cut. Coat and shoe crisis continues this morning... Thanks for all your lovely comments and good wishes. See you later x
      Anna

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    2. Am gutted too. Am having it repaired, but won't be fixed in time.

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  3. Oh my goodness Anna, what a cornucopia of delights you have there!

    Personally, I'm in love with the gold maxi, the dark green and the peach one - I would love to see you wearing them. The other ones and the skirt are pretty amazing as well. What difficult choices you have to make. Or - is there anyway you can bring them all? Would you wear them all?

    Love the coat,tights,top, boots and bag. The shorts look great on you but they're something I'd never wear as they wouldn't suit me. You look like the bee knees in them!

    I'm so looking forward to the cruise blogs and the reveal (I hope) of some of those gorgeous dresses!

    Have a fab time

    xxx
    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks so much for all the kind words Veronica. Have packed about 6 dresses for the evening after having a few crisis moments along the way, see above. Anyway, if I see something wonderful to buy in the interim to swell the ranks, then I can assure you I will. I'll keep in touch x
      Anna

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  4. Your collection of dresses is spectacular!! Maybe you should take them all and wear them each night---even if it's not formal night! As for that coat...quite a stunner. I have one that used to be my mother's---it doesn't have that interesting design though---but your picture made me realize I should change out the belt (duh!!)---thanks for the idea! jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Jodie I went with your idea and took 6 evening outfits and will be known as that women who likes to dress up a lot! Rain and wind here this morning so not at all sure as to which coat/shoes/boots combo will be walking out the door in 2 hours. Wish me luck x
      Anna

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  5. Oh wow, I just want to try all these on! What wonderful dresses they ALL are - take them all! I especially love the Bollywood one - go for it! You have amazing colour sense with your patterns, too, Anna - I'm so impressed!

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    1. Bollywood has made the grade! Two green maxi dresses are heading off to be repaired - but had to get over that very quickly. Will wow the captain in my Christmas party outfit which received many accolades from you all therefore I know is good enough for the occasion. See you when I get back x
      Anna

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  6. So many great choices! I have to say that personally I NEED to see you wearing that green one with the bow. Gah! What a dress! Don't forget the long gloves! I also think that the peach chiffon is stunning. Hooray on the Anthro skirt! I swear that you can I could switch out wardrobes and each of us would be quite happy.

    About the outfit you're wearing here...LOVE!!! It's a good thing we don't thrift shop together, there might be some serious fist fights going on. I'm really drooling over the patterned turtleneck. Must be vintage right? I'd borrow that whole outfit but might not be so willing to give it back.

    Have a wonderful trip! I'm following along in IG now.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Read about the maxi dress saga above, boohoo. Am happy with the collection I put together and will have a final snoop around the shops this week before we sail on Sunday...Turtleneck was from Amsterdam via eBay - it's fab isn't it? Having a final brogue challenge this morning - too many colours and not sure which coat yet either. Must dash, see you soon x
      Anna

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  7. My hair always looks best the day before a trim, go figure. I so love the coat...and that bag...I'm drooling! I'm thinking the green beaded dress as well as the green 50's dress are my favorites...tough choice though. :)
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.com

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    1. The haircut went well, so I'm pleased that I had it done after all. I've brought the green beaded dress , but not the other one as I tripped and caught my shoe in the hem! It's fine as I'm sure I have enough dresses for the whole cruise as it is. Lovely to hear from you again x
      Anna

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  8. Oh yes. Good hair on haircut day? It's the universal haircut rule. Happens to me every time. You are such an expert at pattern mixing! I love it. And actually a Bollywood dress is a very good thing. Wear it and dance!

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    1. Am very happy with the cut Connie which is a relief. Pattern play for me is just about seeing the connection between the colours regardless of the pattern. And the Bollywood number is packed and ready to go!
      Anna x

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  9. I really love the shorts, the top (glad Suzanne asked the question so I don't need to), and the tights (nice choice Sandra).
    It's blooming wonderful you have so much evening-wear Anna. Yes, take as many pieces you can; and I'm so happy to hear "Bollywood" has made the grade too :)
    Buon Viaggio Cara,
    baci Sxx
    sarsaparillasal.blogspot.com

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    1. Great to hear from you again Sally. The frocks are are packed and am just going to have one final scout around in London tomorrow to see if there's just one more I might need...Am going to pop over to catch up with your news now x
      Anna

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  10. I really love the shorts, the top (glad Suzanne asked the question so I don't need to), and the tights (nice choice Sandra).
    It's blooming wonderful you have so much evening-wear Anna. Yes, take as many pieces you can; and I'm so happy to hear "Bollywood" has made the grade too :)
    Buon Viaggio Cara,
    baci Sxx
    sarsaparillasal.blogspot.com

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  11. Better late than never, but I wanted to thank you for wishing me a happy birthday back in December x

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  12. I see so many beautiful pieces I don't know where to begin.Let's start with the coat. Which is awesome. I think changing the belt was a good thing. Lovely belt this is. Matches beautifully with the bag. I really like the shorts with that fabulous top too. Of course I would have worn a solid coloured pair of tights but I will admit yours do look nice with them (haha.. forgive my conservative nature). As for the rest.. I will hold my horses until I see them on you, but that horizontally striped skirt... what a wow factor.
    Greetje

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    1. Greetje I could see you in these shorts with a nice dark brown pair of tights, which would look just as lovely. But you know how I like to add a little twist. The cruise went well and the outfits all were great, maybe not all getting the showcase they deserved however...
      Anna

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