Leather and fur




Hello again! How are you settling into 2018? Made any New Year's resolutions? I've not. All too often I set my sights on new goals and promises of improvements and then feel bad when they peter out after a few weeks. 

This year I'm taking a new approach to life. Gratitude is the way forward I've decided. We're constantly bombarded with images on TV and social media telling us what we need and how we ought to look to achieve happiness which, in my opinion, only causes us to feel disgruntled with our lot. Instead, I'm counting my blessings for all that I have.


What do you see? A crazy Scottish woman? Or a joyful soul who has started her day with a positive activity that enhances her well being? After my swim I always take a moment to give thanks for the opportunity to swim safely, to reconnect with nature and revel in the sights and sounds of the big outdoors. Never do I feel more alive than at this moment.


This was the view from my kitchen window just a day later...


It's almost a year since I bought these leather trousers (from TK Maxx) and yet I've only worn them a couple of times. I suppose green leather joggers (yes, real leather) aren't that easy to slip into the everyday.



I've been so keen to feature my new sock boots, but have been finding it difficult to put the right outfit together. Every time I came to do the photo shoot, my perfect pair of jeans seemed to be in the wash. I must speak to the maid about that. Anyway, these joggers were my next item of choice.


One thing that does seem to be an everyday item for me at this time of year is the turtle or polo neck sweater. I always feel chilly, (maybe something to do with that cold swim in the morning?) and rely on a high neck jumper to keep me cosy. I came across this version in Primark and proceeded to buy the same one in grey and black too. Primark is brilliant for basics like this.


The little fur gilet is a hand-me-down from my daughter and is the ideal length for this get up. I'm wearing my much loved Vivienne Westwood pendant (a gift from my husband) and the rings are both charity shop finds.


The fur coat was another TK Maxx find, by The Boutique Collection and has been a wonderful addition to my winter wardrobe. My thanks must go to my dear friend Ann who encouraged me to try this on when we were shopping together in London in October. She spotted it while we were browsing the aisles in TK and insisted I try it on. I had my eye on a huge furry coat in baby blue, but it was very over sized and just swamped me. Ann prompted me to try the green, "So your colour!" and she was right. I love it and can see it will be a Christmastime favourite from here on.


I recently read about the gratitude jar; you write one blessing from your day and pop it inside. The best part of this is to have it to call upon when you're feeling low and need a reminder of all of the joys in your life. A simple but effective way to give yourself a lift. 

Best wishes until next time!
Anna x

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26 comments

  1. I love the gratitude jar. Years ago I kept a gratitude journal I should probably start that again.

    Those booties are my favourite piece of this outfit. A close second is that teddy bear coat. I thrifted a vintage faux fur coat in brown from the 1950s. It is wonderful but it weighs about 10 lbs. It does keep me warm when it is -25 C though. It's the only thing that really works.

    I love that you bought bright green leather jogging pants!

    Suzanne

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    1. I bought my girlfriend a gratitude journal once and she loved it too.

      The boots will hopefully come into their own as spring appears. Fur does have to be my favourite thing about winter and I know I'll be sad to pack this away in a couple of month's time, but in the meantime I'm enjoying this green furry friend.

      And yes, how could I resist green leather pants like these?

      Anna x

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  2. Holy cow those green trews are making me green with envy!!!
    LOVE this look Anna.
    XXX
    Samantha

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    1. Hahaha, thanks Sam! They're pretty awesome aren't they?

      Anna x

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  3. The leather trews look fab on you as indeed does the entire outfit. I'm a cold mortal too and often to be found in polo necks at this time of year, glad you do too as a friend of mine laughed at me and said it was only me & Putin that wore them! How very dare he!
    Happy New Year!

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    1. How very dare he indeed!

      I've branched out of late and bought a striped polp neck jumper and can see this might be the way forward. At least is looks as if I'm making a bit more effort.

      Anna x

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  4. Oh Anna, as much as you look gobsmackingly gorgeous in your swimsuit and wandering around lanes with just a suggestion of winter coat, I'm shivering here at the thought of it! I suggest you get back into the warm, pop a note in your pretty jar that you are grateful that your poinsettia is thriving post-Christmas, then put snuggle up in a rug next to your fire, which is what I will be doing in about 30 seconds! Keep warm and keep out of the storms that rage around us, hugs x.

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    1. Such lovely advice Mary. The gales have put paid to my swimming of late with only the odd day rather than every day being a sea swimming one, but I'm still happy with that.

      You'll be pleased to hear that the log fire is roaring and I'm snuggled up making the most of some down time.

      Hugs to you too my dear!

      Anna x

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  5. I think I will copy that! No, I am sure I will! Gratitude! Yes, that is my word from now on! You live that near to the sea? Oh, you have know idea how envy I am. Well, not envy because I am happy for you that you live like that. But the english coaster (South) is very special to me. BTW, anything that says Vivienne Westwood is holy!

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    1. A bit of gratitude would serve us all well Nancy - it really does open up your eyes to the bountiful lives we are blessed with.

      And yes, we're just yards from the sea. In fact the other day after yet another storm we had seaweed strewn across that road and right up to my gate, which is maybe a bit too close for comfort!

      Anna x

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  6. Bright green leather and faux fur, it's hard to think of a better combination, except of course when you add those cool pattern booties to the mix. Those are incredible! The thought of swimming in the cold alone makes me shiver. Hahaha. Your gratitude jar is a great idea!

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    1. I can't wait to get these boots working hard with the rest of my wardrobe Melanie, I'm sure there must be lots of things to wear with them.

      The thought of sea swimming makes me shiver too, which is why I never think about it, just do it like a chore that has to be done. For some reason that seems to work.

      Anna x

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  7. The gratitude jar is a great idea and reminds if something that is sometimes done in classrooms where all the classmates write down something they like about an individual and then the individual child reads them out loud - something to do with boosting self esteem, I think.

    What fabulous green trousers and of course the wonderful green fur coat - a match made in heaven. The boots are simply lovely. I like the fur gilet with the trousers and you're so right about Primarni for basics. With me it's long sleeved stretchy tops in a range colours to go under or on top of various other things...
    xxx

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    1. I've heard of that too Vronni and it can only bring about good for all concerned.

      This leather and fun combo pretty much sums up my ideal winter outfit, with all the textures as well as big comfort factor too, finished off with a splash of colour by way of these boots.

      Anna x

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  8. I'm a huge fan of turtle necks and wore them all the time until I started wearing scarves instead. Having my neck covered in winter is mandatory.
    The shot of you standing on the windy beach ready to dive in for your morning swim is so incredible Anna! The resolve to do this activity daily (weather permitting)is exceptional! You are quite a complex and very admirable woman.
    The green leather paints seem very fresh and combining them with white fur makes such a pretty, happy winter look. Cheers the senses!!

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    1. Now, you see Jude, I have so many scarves, but have yet to master the knack of making them look natural. I always look so odd, contrived or just basically uncomfortable in a scarf and yet I have such a lovely colourful collection of them. Boo hoo - what to do?

      I'm sure I'm not complex, more like a pleasure seeker and strangely enough swimming does seem to impart a huge amount of pleasure once you get used to it. Wild swimming and colourful clothes are the sources of real joy for me and best of all they are quite benign, doing no-one any harm at all.

      Anna x

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  9. so fabulous leather trousers, and they look even more fabulous with your booties and Green coat!, that's a really cool coat! and it looks warm!
    Turtlenecks are great in Winter, they add lots of layering possibilities!
    besos

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    1. Oh thanks so much Monica! We are both lovers of colour and I could imagine this coat would be just the kind of thing you'd wear too.

      And yes, layering is the way forward at this time of year.

      Anna x

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  10. Loving those green joggers! Wow, some fancypants! They look great with the booties. I have been enamored with stylish print booties this year myself. I love your thoughts about gratitude. i set goals for the year, but also take stock of what i have in life. Wishing you a Happy 2018!
    stop by and linkup if you have time, love to have you there.
    jess xx
    www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

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    1. Hahaha, yes these are indeed mighty fancypants Jess! You'll be seeing more of the boots too in the springtime and maybe I'll be seeing some on you as well?

      I've been a bit remiss with my linking up of late, but will swing by next week, I promise!

      Happy 2018 to you too!
      Anna x

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  11. Happy New Year Anna, I totally agree that we should be reminded of all we have to be grateful for in our lives. You love so good in those fab green pants , furry vest and booties. The Vivienne Westwood pendant is pretty special, I remember you telling me about it when I found my VW cardigan .

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    1. And a Happy New Year to you dear Jill! I'm sure we're all grateful for our lot in life which is much more healthy than wondering what else we need to buy to enrich and fulfill ourselves.

      I'm not big on collecting designer goods, but this pendant is quite special to me.

      Anna x

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  12. I don't think I've ever seen green leather trousers before but these look amazing on you! I love the boots and faux fur too! I'm addicted to high neck jumpers too lately - I don't like having a cold neck!

    Emma xxx
    www.style-splash.com

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    1. Lovely to have you drop in Emma and thanks for the comments. I worry that I may still be wearing these polo neck sweaters all the way into the spring. We're being blasted by gales at the moment and it's just soooo chilly!

      Anna x

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  13. Funky trousers Anna, love them. And the fur gilet is super, just right for this weather. x Jacqui
    www.mummabstylish.com

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    1. Thanks Jacqui. I seemed to overlook these trousers for months and now I've fallen in love with them all over again!

      Anna x

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