Like my new shoes?

Well, they're not exactly new, more like new-to-me, but that's just the same in my book. I found them in a charity shop in Harrogate in April and this was their first outing. I love the shape of the heel. What do you call it? Anyway, I think it's quite a cute style for £5.99.










I'm wearing a leather jacket which was a wonderful purchase in a Truro charity shop for the grand sum of £10. The black blouse is from Uniqlo (this is similar)and was £9.99 in the sale. Belt and trousers are from H&M. My beautiful yellow jelly "Candy Bag" is by Furla and is available in so many mouth-watering colours (see here for my other favourite), that I had to close the page quickly to avoid temptation of another. Sunglasses are by Quay Australia. Silver rings are charity shop finds, and the olive green real pearls are by Almost Perfect in Cornwall.

"It's always Friday" is what the mother of a friend of mine used to say. I must admit I thought it was a bit of an odd saying when I was a girl. But as a working woman who juggles a full-time job with family, home, blogging, book club, sea swimming, yoga and the wistful notion of downtime, I have suddenly found that "It's always Friday" in my life too. It hardly seems any time at all that I was publishing last Friday's post, and here I am again. We all lead such busy lives nowadays. Is it rivalry, one-upmanship, and our basic competitive nature that pushes us on to do more, be more, have more? Even living on this idyllic little island, I'm aware that we are still affected by outside influences - oh, there's no escaping the power of the Internet, even in paradise. 

One important area of my life seems to be that of personal development, and more recently taking control of the increasing amount of stuff that I/we as a family have collected over the 27 years we've lived in this house. I keep hearing of friends and family who have moved house which resulted in a huge de-junking process. Much as I might like to blame my new found hobby of fashion blogging for the amount of stuff bursting out of every cupboard, the fact is this that snowballing has been part of our lives since my husband and I got married 35 years ago. History shows that Homo Sapiens have always been hunters and gatherers. My husband and I are typical specimens of the species; he hunts and I gather. But I've reached that stage when something has to change. I want to reclaim some control, and to this end I've enlisted the help of these three books.


1. Stuffocation. Living more with less by James Wallman. Buy here.
2. The life-changing magic of tidying by Marie Kondo. Buy here.
3. The miracle morning by Hal Elrod. Buy here.  

Book 1 was a brutal confirmation of all that I already knew. Of course I know I'm suffering from stuffocation, but the truth of the book was too much for me to bear. Our future as mapped out in these pages looks too chaotic, over whelming and downright scary for me to finish it. I expect the author will go on to show the reader how we, the individual, can contribute to change. I'm just not brave enough to read on. I will gird my loins and finish, just not yet.

Book 2 has been much more motivational, and I can report that some of the changes are already taking place. I haven't quite mastered the clever folding technique, but am excited at the prospect of the life change ahead. The idea of tidying once, properly and it will always be tidy, is proving itself to be true - my knicker drawer has never looked so good!

Book 3 looks like an amazing system, one which my daughter advocates and is practising herself. As yet I've not found time to embrace either the book nor the lifestyle. But somehow, just having the book around makes me feel I could be on the right track.

Some cynics might argue that buying three more books just adds to my stuffocation problem and yes, the irony of that does make me smile. Personally, I see these as building blocks for a way out of my particular problem. I've resolved to implement a new system within the household. For every item introduced into the house, I promise to move another out, for it to be sold, given away or donated to charity. On top of that, the tidying technique will continue within which there is a huge element of clearing out and moving on too. I'm doing what I can, as I can, when I can. There's not point in looking for a huge stick to beat myself up with. These three books are much more productive and may even act as inspiration for you too. And on that positive note I wish you a wonderful weekend!

Anna x

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23 comments

  1. Although I am an avid collector or stuffocator, I am also an avid organizer. I can see though that my collections have started to take up too much space in my house and I have just opened an Etsy shop to sell off some of my precious vintage pieces. Just to create some breathing room.

    We used to move house every 1-2 years and every time it was a massive decluttering event. I like that we have put down some roots but at the same time can see what living in one place for 12 years does without a massive clean out.

    I have cut back in household buying but that is offset by the clothes. I would never want a closet with 30 items in it. I know that. At the same time I do need to curtail my consumption. As a thrifter it is easier to lose control because the prices are so reasonable, which of course you know all too well.

    That first book sounds like a wake-up call. I might need to check it out. Sometimes it is good to be "scared straight".

    My favourite piece in this outfit is the jacket. What a sweet deal!

    I love the shoes as well and am envious of anyone that can wear sling-backs. They don't stay on my feet.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  2. Talk about throwing temptation in my way...I've just skipped across and back to check out your new shop. I think I could maybe just visit for a bit of window shopping, and press my nose against the virtual window from time to time. Great to hear from you x
    Anna

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  3. I think I need to read the Stuffocation book too!!! I drown in stuff. Just went on chArity shop expedition with our flute group and coming back with 12books and 2shirts!! Your shoes are gorgeous!!!Xx

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    1. Stuffocation could be the watchword of the week Kezzie x Glad you like the shoes, I'm delighted with them as they're quite a bit of elegance compared to my normal brogues. Am heading over to say hello soon.
      Anna x

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  4. Well---there's an advantage & disadvantage to every "job", don't you think? And as much as I love shopping, there does need to be a time when we say enough, right? Not that you can't buy more, but how much do you need to keep? (not just for clothing, of course, but everything!)
    When we moved 6 months ago, it was a great realization for my dishes & glasses. How many mugs did we really use in the time between running the dishwasher?
    It's a very cleansing process in my opinion---if I lived closer, I'd love to help you out!
    As for the outfit----a perfect 10!! I love it, I'd wear it, I covet it!!
    jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Jodie I couldn't agree with you more - the whole process is very cleansing, and empowering too. My husband and I keep trying to find the same days off so that we can begin the massive loft clear out. And I would definitely enroll you onto the team if you did live closer!
      Anna x

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  5. I LOVE your shoes!

    I've been very conscious about buying very little in the last few months in an attempt to create a bit more space. We live in a very small house with very little storage space, and it feels cramped very easily.

    Marie Kondo's book is on my list of books to get. I think I'll read it on vacation and then hopefully return full of energy to organize my life more before the fall quarter starts! :-)

    Have a wonderful weekend, Anna!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

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    1. Marie's book will make great holiday reading and I know you'll come back inspired and ready to start. These shoes are so sweet aren't they? I need to find another couple of outfits to style them with. Watch this space.
      Anna x

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  6. Anna, your outfit is really nice. The shoes are very glam and go well with the jazzy trousers, leather jacket and black blouse. Love the jelly bag! Real green pearls - well jel!

    Re the accumulation problem - having been very poor throughout much of my married life; once divorced I made up for the penury by accumulating - books, clothes etc. I have since learned to give away books I have read and to keep only those I might want to reread or haven't read yet.

    As for clothes I know I have too many.I like variety and one way is to have lots of different clothes! I agree with Suzanne, though, that when 'thrifting' it is easy to buy and have too much. Therefore, I try to operate the 'one in one out' rule and occasionally have a big clear out - usually when swapping from one season's clothes to another. I think I have got my 'stuff' to manageable levels and as for home stuff I am a neat freak and have to have everything in place and its place. Good luck with your decluttering!

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    1. Veronica, I think you summed it up well, when you said you've got your stuff to manageable levels. That's all I want. I don't think I'll ever be a minimalist, but being neat and on top of things is my aim. Thanks for your lovely comments on the outfit.
      Anna x

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  7. The jacket and purse are really great! I'm looking on line for a quick summary of the 6 morning habits so I don't have to read the whole book to get the info! Thanks!

    Juia
    www.whenthegirlsrule.com

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    1. Julia do let me know how you get on with that summary! From what I read so far it can be totally transformational. Good luck x
      Anna

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  8. Stunning!! Those pants are shoes are perfect!

    Adi xx
    www.fancycorrectitude.com

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    1. Thank you so much for dropping by and giving me your comments Adi, I really appreciate it x
      Anna

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  9. Anna, it's far too early in my history of following you to presumptuously tell you to take those darling shoes to your closet and start letting them and your current wardrobe inspire you.You KNOW your going to find some great combinations that maybe need just one little accessory or two to make a fabulous outfit.
    I could be completely full of baloney here but thought I'd give it whirl for the sake of the 3 books you featured. I'm a big fan of shopping for it's therapeutic value and also guilty of being an over-"stuffed" consumer.
    That said, I'm thinkin those shoes would be GREAT with any black and white striped item, blk&wht polka dots, blk&wht tatorsall or buffalo plaid or a large blk&wht floral print. They strike me as an updated spectator shoe but more versatile.

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    1. Marilee it's so good to have such comprehensive feeback from you so early in the game - I love it a bit of participation. You've maybe not come across my monthly feature "As suggested by..." but I can assure you that you'll get your namecheck when these shoes make their next appearance with one of your ideas. Thanks so much for joining the merry gang x
      Anna

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  10. Anna, it's far too early in my history of following you to presumptuously tell you to take those darling shoes to your closet and start letting them and your current wardrobe inspire you.You KNOW your going to find some great combinations that maybe need just one little accessory or two to make a fabulous outfit.
    I could be completely full of baloney here but thought I'd give it whirl for the sake of the 3 books you featured. I'm a big fan of shopping for it's therapeutic value and also guilty of being an over-"stuffed" consumer.
    That said, I'm thinkin those shoes would be GREAT with any black and white striped item, blk&wht polka dots, blk&wht tatorsall or buffalo plaid or a large blk&wht floral print. They strike me as an updated spectator shoe but more versatile.

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  11. I love the shoes! And the pants. And the jacket. And the whole thing. Living with stuff? My weaknesses are clothes and art supplies. I'd like to say I'm getting better but a success one week is crushed by a relapse the next. I know that having fewer things in the end would be a relief. Good luck on this process. I hope it works for you!

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    1. Thanks Melanie. The process has begun, and does indeed feel like a bit of a relief when you oust the malingerers. Those uninspired "just-in-case" things that were a bargain, but aren't really exciting enough to even make it to the start line. They're all bagged up and on their way. And lots of them, not just the odd one or two. And hey, that'll make room for more...LOL
      Anna x

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  12. I just commented on IG on this outfit. It jumped at me in your pictures below. I said very suave and I mean it.
    Greetje

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    1. I know you don't throw compliments about wildly and therefore do appreciate this lovely feedback x
      Anna

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  13. Hi Anna!
    If only I could wear heels! You better believe I would wear these! They are sleek, love the scalloped detail and the slingback style is one I used to wear. Nice!!! Love the whole outfit, the rust/orange printed pants are a great color palette and I would love a deal on a leather jacket like this. You look great! Interesting books too, I know it easy to gather much especially when doing a fashion blog.
    Thanks for linking up with turning heads tuesday!
    jess xx
    www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

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    1. Thanks for your great feedback Jess, I appreciate all that you say. Your shoe collection is so large that I hardly have noticed the lack of heels, although I'm aware of your restictions. Have a great weekend!
      Anna x

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