No-one can be more surprised than me to discover that it's two years since I posted my first feature on the blog (see here). When I started out on this adventure I really had no idea how long I could keep up a good head of steam, as it were. Would I get bored? Would you get bored? Would I run out of outfits that were worthy of a photo shoot? Would I run out of ideas to keep you interested? Today these very same questions still loom over me and all I can promise is that when the joy of running this online diary starts to wane, I'll bow out gracefully before the ratings become too embarrassing to read.
In the meantime I will take a moment to gush and say thanks to my readership without whom this whole thing would be pointless. Thank you for coming back time after time to follow my antics and for the occasional email you send me out of the blue to talk to me about your life and what the blog adds to it. Hello to my lovely reader who returned from abroad to settle in Truro and was excited to visit all the same charity shops as I do - maybe we'll bump into each other one day. Hello to my far flung readers in Australia and New Zealand who are always out of sync with our season and yet still join me to see the outfit of the day. Thank you to my readership in the far East who surprise me with a massive hit of 3000 or so every six months - I wonder if I'm the subject of some college course or a network who follows me? Hello to Angela, Joan and Jude with whom I have become friends through their support by email. And a huge thank you to the blogging community for welcoming me into the body of the kirk. Your comments keep me on the right track, and encourage me when I'm not sure about my clothes or even my choices in general. The blogging world is huge and I realise that my blogging community is tiny in relation to that, but that somehow makes it all the more special. We all search out our niche, our crowd, those that we identify with most and I'm so happy to be part of a blogging family, who like many families may be too busy to catch up from time to time, but always, always regroup and are there to support each other.
Last of all, let's not forget that a blog is only as good as its photographs and mine are always better when Polly is around to do the honours.
Thanks to her for her ideas, advice and technical skills and most of all for her ability to make me laugh! Poor Polly is a captive audience, forced into the position by default, but takes on the role with enthusiasm and good humour every time. In these last few shots she captured the fun when the wind decided to play havoc with my skirt and despite my warnings she just carried on snapping anyway. Thank you Polly x
Outfit details - top: H&M, skirt: vintage, Jaeger, net petticoat: eBay, shoes: TK Maxx, belt: Dorothy Perkins, clutch and rings: charity shopped, bangle: gift, necklace: Noel, sunglasses: Quay Australia.
Anna x
Congratulations Anna.You can count on me to read for as long as you post. I love your colourful style. xx
ReplyDeletewww.vanityandmestyle.com
Dear Laurie, thanks so much for your constant support - you're part of the family I refer to.
DeleteHave a fab weekend x
Anna
Congrats on your blogiversary Anna! You have a lovely blog and gorgeous Instagram page. I'm glad I found you-you and other fashionistas of a certain age have inspired me to try to launch something on my own soon-something different than my other blogs thus far. Big kudos to you -from ���� Canada!!
ReplyDeleteHello and welcome Karen. It's great to get to know you and to have you comment is a bonus too. I look forward to hearing about your new blog, so do keep in touch.
DeleteMany, many thanks for your vote of approval x
Anna
Congrats Anna! You are very inspiring as an over 50s blogger because you have such an eclectic and vivid style. I love this skirt and the pics where the wind shows it billowing are fab! Kudos to Poll too for the great photos which showcase the Isles of Scilly so brilliantly.
ReplyDeleteDear Gail, it's great to hear that I inspire you - that's all I had ever hoped for when I first started the blog. Age is not an issue as far as I'm concerned. It's all about a sense of style and I do think that we can sometimes loose our way at certain stages of our lives. After babies I spent years in baggy sweaters and leggings as it was the only practical way to dress. I find my job has liberated my sense of style and love to share the outfits of the day with my readers. Thanks for you kind words x
DeleteAnna
so lovely that you decided to share these pics with us, I always enjoy Real Life and your fabulous attitude! Congrats!!! I'm glad that Polly carried on snapping!
ReplyDeleteLove that you're wearing a petticoat under your pucci-style skirt, mwahaha! those details are not usually shown!
Lovely!
besos
Thank you so much Monica. My blog is all about keeping it real and no more so than in this feature. Good ol' Poll for clicking away regardless of my rebukes! The underskirt was indeed my saving grace.
DeleteHave a great weekend x
Anna
Ha ha! That was quite the epic battle between you and that gorgeous skirt. Looks like the skirt may have won this time.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blog-versary! Keep on enjoying yourself : )
bisous
Suzanne
Yes, Suzanne, the skirt was having it's day, that's for sure!
DeleteThanks for your ongoing support and for the inspiration you give me too x
Anna
Congrats on two years in Blogland. Just as well you wore that petticoat!
ReplyDeleteTwo lovely years of gathering friends like you Fiona, thank you x
DeleteAnna
Congratulations, my dear! You've been a breath of fresh air for me - I've so enjoyed watching you and your island adventures. Here's to blogging! Love this bright, fun outfit - the colours are wonderful! Thanks to Polly for her photos!
ReplyDeleteHere's to blogging and friendships made in the name of that too my dear! As one of my primary sources of blogging inspiration, my success is your success. Hurrah, too for lovely Polly x
DeleteAnna
Happy blog anniversary!πππππππππand I love your skirt! Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely of you to drop by with your kind words today Nancy - I do appreciate it x
DeleteAnna
Happy blogiversary! Love the skirt.Tessa xx
ReplyDeleteTwo years in blogland have been fun and greatly helped by snowballing friends along the way. Thank you Tessa x
DeleteAnna
Hurrah!! that by some wonderful stroke of luck I found you out there in the world Anna! I feel lucky that your choice to engage in blogging has allowed me to know you!! I love your passion for ocean swimming, colorful fashion stylings, interesting and beloved friends and co-workers, your beautiful island home and your artful career drawing me back to reconnect again and again. I'm quite honored to be called a friend Anna. Blogging is a lot of work and I know that your enthusiasm for doing it must be difficult to maintain at times. I'm just so grateful that you do!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and thank you for your blog!
Polly's photos are a delight. You in your black crinoline and cheerful summer skirt are simply charming!
This outfit styling and the one in your last post inspired some copying on my part with items already in my closet. Hurrah for you Anna!
Your enthusiastic support is a blessing Jude. I'm so grateful to have gathered a following like yours to bounce ideas back and forth and give me such honest input from afar. My daughter encouraged me to start the blog for all of the reasons you mention - the scenery, my swimming, my job and friends and of course my joy in dressing up - I really ought to have given her a shout out too. That said, she has been thanked many times already.
DeleteThanks for your constant support and your kind words of encouragement when I need them, and for your all the suggestions you send me of your brilliant finds. Such are the joys of blogging x
Anna
Congratulations on this two-year anniversary! It has been a delight to share in your island adventures and your fun, eclectic, colourful style. These photos are a fantastic case in point. Massive thanks to Polly too, the artist behind the lens. These photos with the wind are wonderful and you knew not to stop. Thanks for blogging, Anna. I raise a glass.
ReplyDeleteAn honour to have you lavish such praise Mel. You've always been so kind and supportive too, and for that I'm very grateful. Polly is a gem, a dear friend but most of all, a brilliant photographer.
DeleteCheers to you too!
Anna
Congratulations on two years of blogging! I bet it has flown by. Congratulations to Polly for taking fab photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful skirt that it is and how clever to wear a pouffy petticoat underneath to preserve your modesty. I loved the yellow bobbly clutch bag as well.
Have a great weekend
xx
You're right Veronica, it has indeed flown by. Thank goodness for the petticoat - I dread to think how that might of played out otherwise! The clutch was a great little find wasn't it?
DeleteWishing you a fab weekend too x
Anna
Raising a glass to celebrate your blog anniversary. Your colourful style and sense of humour shine through in every post.I have enjoyed this journey with you as well as a peek at your island life.Todays post was wonderful , your skirt is so bright and cheery , the petticoat saved the day. So glad you posted the shots of your battle with the wind. All the best for many more blogging adventures.
ReplyDeleteDear Jill, blogging has brought me so many friends and I consider you as one. Thanks for your generous compliments and for dropping by as you do.
DeleteHave a wonderful weekend x
Anna
Congratulations Anna :)))))))))))))))) And your skirt .... IS JUST AMAZING. Love the pics - have a great day - Margot :))))))))))))))))
ReplyDeleteHello again Margot, how lovely to hear from you on this special post! The skirt was a rather wonderful find and such fun to wear here.
DeleteHave a great weekend x
Anna
Many congratulations, lovely Anna! I am SOO glad to have got to know you AND been honoured enough to meet you!!! Here's to many more years!
ReplyDeleteYou cracked me up with your Marilyn Monroe moment!!
CONGRATULATIONS Anna! You put such a lot of thought and energy into your posts, lots of great outfits, stories and history and photos (I have been LOVING your photos on Instagram lately). I love these photos, of that gorgeous tulle and colourful skirts blowing around in the wind - all so spontaneous and naturally fun. As we put on our winter wear,it's now refreshing to see you dressed for warmer weather - and hoping swimming in warmer weather! xx
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