Saturday quickie

I don't often post on a Saturday, but this bank holiday weekend is a bit of a jumble with no post from me on Sunday, but a new feature is coming along on Monday. I won't spoil the surprise, but suffice to say that it's a new joint feature which will make a regular appearance on the 1st of every month.  

















I think that the only new piece here is the plether top which I bought earlier on this month in Harrogate. I'm sure you've seen the rest before. The lace peplum top is a summer favourite of mine as are these wedge sandals which elevate me to giddy heights for the day (and are unbelievably comfortable too thanks to the soft straps). I wore the culottes last summer (see here) when they gave me a bit of a confidence crisis. This time, thanks to lots of lovely comments from my readers, I decided to just wear the blooming things and get on with it, and as if by magic I felt so much happier in them. I think the important thing about wide cropped trousers like these is to get the rest of the outfit in the right proportions. The fitted top is shape defining and the peplum frill gives rear coverage as well as adding an extra feminine touch. It's the first time I've worn this as a complete ensemble and I like it. Hurrah!



Details - culottes: Jean Muir, shoes: New Look, plether top: H&M, peplum top: H&M, rings: old, necklace: gift, sunglasses: Quay Australia.

See you on Monday!
Anna x

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As suggested by...Bun

I love how this feature has evolved from initially, where my readers suggested I wear something again that they've seen and liked, to now being where my readers send me something of theirs that they think will suit me. It's the very best kind of collaboration! If you have a piece that's needing a new home, that you think will fit in with my wardrobe and personal style, then drop me an email. Next month I could be putting your name in the intro.










The piece in question is this beautiful jacket which my dear friend Bun suggested she send to me as it didn't work for her. The style of it reminds me of one I have already, (see here) and I was therefore quick to accept. The woollen jacket is by British brand Moloh, and fits like a glove thank-you Bun! I love the button cuff detail and the nipped in waist, as well as the colourway. I don't have much red in my wardrobe, so this gives me the chance to bring out some special accessories, such as this Lulu Guinness mini-clutch. You won't believe it, but yes I did find this mint condition piece in a charity shop and have been waiting for the right outfit to showcase it. Best of all, this dear little clutch opens up to reveal a cotton shopper inside! Cute and practical as well as designer - you can't ask for more!

Deatils - jacket: Moloh, skirt: charity shopped, shoes: Debenhams, blouse: Country Rose, tights: Dorothy Perkins, belt: chariy shopped, mini-clutch: Lulu Guinness, necklace: M&S, pink rose ring: gift, pink and silver ring: charity shopped, pink and silver bangle: gift.



Anna x

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Fringe jacket


When I came across this gorgeous little beauty in a charity shop in Harrogate the question did occur to me "Is there a cut-off age for wearing fringe jackets?" and no definitive answer came back. For many women they might be saying teens, 20's or whatever, but for me the test is to try it on and if it makes me smile and want to do a little dance then I buy it. I'm not one to conform as you know, nor am I out to shock or be totally outrageous. In my teens I came across the saying "Dare to be different" and that still chimes me now. I just want to be me; dressing to have fun; wanting to look good in my eyes; maybe even inspiring others; all of that makes me happy. 










The wide trousers were bought at the same time and by pairing these together I felt they helped to create a hippy chick vibe which I love. The generous dollops of orange in the shape of these bold accessories add a great pop of colour and I finished with these metallic pumps which have sat (forgotten) in the box since I bought them from TK Maxx many years ago. Working in an art gallery gives me licence to be expressive in my dressing without raising too many eyebrows. Many moons ago I worked in a bank meaning I had to be so conservative with what I wore, but honestly, I found it all pretty depressing. I don't think I could go back to that kind of restrictive dressing again. Hopefully I won't have to.

Details - trousers: River Island, jacket: prettylittlething, tee shirt: M&S, handbag: Topshop, shoes: Ras, belt, bangle and rings: all charity shopped, necklace: old, sunglasses: Quay Australia.

Wanna see that little dance?





Linking with

Wishing you a great week!
Anna x

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Ping-Pong Piece no 2

Yes, it's the 20th of the month and time for this regular feature with my blogging friends Ann and Samantha. It's my turn to choose a piece for us to style and I've chosen the most ordinary of jackets, the blazer. My reasons being that a) most of our readers will either have or have once had a blazer, b) I wanted to alter the preconception of this conservative article of clothing (I'm surely not the only one who thinks navy and nautical when you mention blazer?), c) it's a chance to show you all sorts of interesting versions of the blazer, d) to offer up a variety of ways to wear it that aren't in the least mundane. Also, I've invited my friend and fellow blogger Julia to join us in the style challenge. 


Julia is a breath of fresh air in the blogging world: exuberant, fun and refreshingly honest that her body type doesn't conform to the norm as far as mainstream fashion goes, but will be damned if that means she's to be excluded from the party. She champions all the lovely ladies who, like her, are apple shaped as well being generously blessed in the bust department. I love her for all these reasons and more. I've know her since she started her blog last year and am so happy to see her blossom as time progresses and her confidence grows. Julia is wearing a longer length blazer in cornflower blue. The blazer and her gorgeous coral handbag are artfully tied together with the floral dress. The one constant throughout Julia's blog is her dazzling smile - she just exudes happiness! See Julia's blog, When The Girls Rule here and follow her on instagram here.

Details -
Jacket - Calvin Klein
Dress - Worthington
Shoes - Franco Sarto
Handbag - Liz Claiborne



Samantha is also sporting a blue blazer, hers being a striped version. Never one to miss the chance to mix her patterns, Samantha has added a spotty print mini skirt to ensure this look won't drift into the boring category. And as if the pop of red in brooch and handbag aren't enough to drum the point home, she adds a final punch with those stellar boots! Find Samantha's blog Fake Fabulous here and follow her instagram here.

Details -
SHOES: Topshop
TIGHTS: Gipsy
SHIRT: Urban Outfitters
BLAZER: Primark
BROOCH & EARRINGS: Gifts
BAG: FIORELLI
SKIRT: Boden


Ann's pink blazer has done a bit of Ping-Ponging itself - once handed over at a clothes swap party, the remorse was too much for Ann who instantly regretted it. A couple of years later it appeared almost as if by magic at another swap party where she snatched it back and isn't planning on letting it go again! Ann's styling is anything but conservative here. Trainers, micro mini skirt, tee shirt and pretty pink sunnies all say casual with a capital C! Find Ann's blog Kremb De La Kremb here and follow her on instagram here.

Details -
Sunnies--Thailand Night Market in Hua Hin
Earrings--Betsy Johnson (and one sadly just broke!)
Necklaces--TJ Maxx
Tank--Florence Market
Blazer--H&M and then a swap!
Denim Skirt--DIY from second hand shop
Trainers--Adidas


This beautiful blazer was a Christmas present from my husband (guided perhaps by my daughter). It's been too cold to wear it until now, so the timing couldn't have been better. I've ended up all Great Gatsby meets New Romantics, wearing pleats, frills and pearls to compliment the intricate pattern of the jacket. Lace tights and burgundy Oxfords finish the look.











Oh dear! How disappointing that I've ended up with Nora Batty tights on the last shot. This really wasn't the image I was after.

Details -
Blazer: Vila Clothes
Blouse: Jo-Ed Sophisticates
Skirt: charity shop
Belt: charity shop
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell, California
Tights: Topshop
Pearls: Debenhams
Rings: charity shop

Linking with -
Laurie of Vanity And Me

Anna x

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Easter exhibition night

Our first show of the season took place last night with resounding success, I'm delighted to say. The gallery looks fantastic, filled with a diverse collection of paintings and new glassware produced for this exhibition. You can view the show online here and I'll give you some inside shots of the gallery at the end of the post. But let's start with the team who performed like a well-oiled machine to make the evening run perfectly - Ruth, Polly and Heather.


Strike a pose for the blog ladies!







This vintage dress was a purchase in September when I was away on the mainland. I kept it to wear over Christmas, but then decided to save it for our exhibitions instead, and I'm glad I did. It's an 80's piece with huge shoulder pads, this wonderful ruffle hem and is Italian made by Gina Bacconi. The shoes are by Jessica Wright which I bought in TK Maxx in my recent post here. My necklace is by Magpie Vintage and rings are charity shopped. 

The exhibition features paintings by Tom Holland, Wendy McBride, Gary Long, Jon Evison and Richard Guy. Rob Braybrooks is showing work in woodcut from beech which is quite unusual. In addition we have a glass collection created by Will Shakspeare which are sketches of the landscape/seascape. 






The gallery window overlooks New Grimsby bay with the islands of Samson in the distance to the left and Bryher to the right. The tide rolls in, the tide goes out, but this ever changing view never fails to enchant.

Linking with -
Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb


Anna x

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