This is the first time I've worn this checked trench coat (a charity shop find, originally from Topshop). Styling something for the very first time gives me carte blanche as I have no set idea of how it ought to look which is always exciting.
My first thought was to pick out the orange and use it for my accessories. The scarf - I think I'm having a senior moment here and am stumped as to what the correct description is for those circle scarves (never ending perhaps?) - anyway, the scarf is deliciously soft to the touch and also has a lovely shade of contrasting green which I adore. You may have seen my orange ostrich skin bag a few times before, but I appear to have "rested" it over the winter months and now here it is all bright, and bubbly and rarin' to go. The scarf is thrifted and the bag by L Credi was from TK Maxx.
The ankle boots are new, well when I say new, I actually bought them last summer in the sale at Sainsbury's when Sasha and I were allegedly buying a hot chicken for dinner. It was our favourite way to shop; to be on a legitimate mission aka getting something to eat that often entailed us doing a slight detour of the clothes section just in case someone had relocated the hot food counter next to Gok's most recent offerings. Again, this is the first outing for these babies too. They're imitation suede and despite the pointed toe are quite a wide fit so are uber comfy. And best of all they were only £5 in the sale!
The geometric print trousers are from H&M and I've had them for a couple of years now. The fabric is synthetic and therefore really stretchy which is very handy as I was having a bit of a bloaty day when I took these shots. Sometimes these just skim over my thighs like a dream and might even need a belt, but this time it was more a "thank goodness these have stretch in them!" moment.
And here's the final part of the pattern clash, a lovely bit of leopard print. In my eyes, this is more pattern play than clash as I think it all works so harmoniously. What do you say? Note the little sprinkling of orange by way of the rings - charity shopped of course. The gold chain necklace was a present, the sunglasses are by Quay Australia and my watch is in rose gold and is by Michael Kors.
I'd spent the whole day at work thinking this outfit warranted a photo shoot, but it was only at the end of the day that I finally found time. The winter sun was weak and also dancing behind the clouds making for an interesting challenge throughout. From shot to shot, I was altering the timer to try to capture the golden light before the next cloud came along. Sometimes the shot was fine, but often I'd forgotten to compose my face and would have a questioning/worried expression which wasn't the look I was aiming for!
This time last week I was about to start on a Mindfulness workshop that was being held on the island over a few days. It was a trial run for one that is going to be offered commercially later on this year. I'm going to feature my experience on the blog, but - and hey you'll appreciate this - I'm not wanting to rush into it. Joking aside, I'm trying to implement some of the skills I learnt and one of the main things I know I want to attend to is the crazy speed I lead my life. It's ironic given that I live on this incredibly peaceful and idyllic island, but as an employee I still have deadlines and budgets just like any other job and that's before you even touch on all my personal goals.
Apart from that I have a new group post coming up on Monday, so please do join me then. In the meantime, I'm going to be taking my time to catch up on some outstanding projects on the home front as well as saying Hi to some of my fellow bloggers who I've neglected to visit of late. If you want to find some new style inspiration then do take a look at my blog list on the right for the ones I love. And last of all, I'm going to link up with one of my favourites, Catherine, below. By following the link you'll be led to lots of new bloggers too as well as reading one of the best blogs on the block.
Linking to -
Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb
And finally... I want to introduce you to one of my favourite instagram accounts featuring Julie Alpine of She wears the trousers. I love Julie's wit as well as style - do take a look.
Anna x
Utility scarf, dahling! Oh how I am familiar with those total blanks! Love the mix and yes, I'd already spotted the orange rings link.
ReplyDeleteHave a mindful week, x
Oh Mary, it seems you nearly got that right! I was on the right track too, but now will always think of Buzz Lightyear and his cry of "To infinity and beyond!" which will act as an aide memoire for this.
DeleteHave a lovely weekend my dear!
Anna x
Oh Anna, that's spellchecker for you, I did type in infinity but forgot to check my work before posting. That in itself is a senior moment! The misspelling of darling IS intentional, however ... X.
DeleteI just hate spellchecker! Never mind dahling, I knew what you meant x
Deleteyou rock those mixed patterns, and I love your orange accessories, so fabulous!, and your checked coat with those cool trousers, they work together so nicely!. You look gorgeous in the evening golden light!
ReplyDeletebesos
('never ending' is a good name for this kind of scarves, we call them 'infinite' in Spanish!) ;DD
Thanks for all those lovely comments Monica. We both love strong colours and this outfit really benefits from the splash of orange.
DeleteI knew that never ending was wrong, but the right word escaped me!
Enjoy your weekend!
Anna x
Infinity scarf. I don't know where The Pouting Pensioner got utility scarf from. Ha! Or maybe you do say that over in the UK. I learned when I lived there you have lots of sayings and different words than North Americans.
ReplyDeleteI love the mix of patterns. Great job!
Suzanne
I think Mary had the notion of the word, but not exactly the right word eh? Anyway, thanks to you and the others for stepping in and helping me grasp the blooming word at last!
DeleteHave a fab weekend x
Anna
Circle scarves like your orange one are called infinity scarves - they are also incredibly easy to make for yourself - lots of tutorials on Youtube should you want to go down that road.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your response. I'm hoping that Infinity scarf will never elude me again!
DeleteSo good of you to drop in.
Anna x
I think you're looking for the word infinity scarf, at least that's what it's called here in the states. I love the pattern mixing, a bit daring for me but really well done. I'm chuckling over your faces while you set your camera timer. I've been fiddling with mine lately and find I'm so concerned about where I'm standing vs. the lighting vs. the background that I forget to smile or forget to take my glasses off! Oh, the life of a blogger! Hope you're enjoying your quiet and peace before your busy season. I look forward to Monday's post!
ReplyDeleteI was alone in the house when I wrote that post and so had no-one to quiz, but I think I'll remember this from here on in.
DeleteYes, the joys of blogging eh Julia? I may moan a little, but it's still good fun and I do like to have a challenge.
Lovely to hear from you again!
Anna x
I'm pretty sure you mean an infinity scarf and this orange one is very special. This outfit is like a delicious layer cake Anna. There are so many lovely textures and patterns to enjoy. The muted tarten fabric of the coat feels classically British and was a great thrifting find. The pants are such a cool pattern and you show nary a trace of bloat my dear! :-) That bit of metal on the toe of your booties is kind of sexy! Lookin' mindfully faboo Anna!!
ReplyDeleteHurrah for you and so many others for furnishing me with the perfect word! Your feedback is always fulsome and so very welcome Jude, so thank you for that. Yes, I too love that metal trim and can see what you mean.
DeleteHave a lovely weekend!
Anna x
Aaaaaah! I had the same coat years ago! I have it away because Gerben didn t like it at all! And no one wore a plaid coat then! That should defenitely be a reason to wear something!I often regretted my choice to give it away and now more then ever! I hope you want to join my Fancy Friday linkup party!
ReplyDeleteOh dear Nancy, I know that feeling of regret so well! Sometimes we just have to get over it and buying a replacement can often help. I'm quite keen on plaid and tartan, but that's because I'm Scottish I suppose.
DeleteI've been across to your blog and have linked up, thank you!
Enjoy your weekend!
Anna x
You always give me such inspiration when it comes to print mixing Anna!! I think it raises our style to a whole different level, and makes me feel so creative!!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
I completely understand what you mean Jodie - I too feel at my most creative when I've pulled off some great pattern play!
DeleteHave a fab weekend!
Anna x
This is a cracking outfit, Anna, and that was before I saw the 'leoprint' as Mary calls it! I loved everything you wore. The boots were a brilliant buy; I would have snapped those up too at a fiver; that's charity shop prices!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the mindfulness workshop.
I do hope you manage to slow down a bit in your life; it's not good to be always going at a manic pace. I'm busy often because I'm doing things for other people - usually my family. I have had to learn to do less as I've got older; I used to, for example at the weekends in my working days, do the food shopping, unpack it , put it away, do the housework, wash and hang up the clothes, pick up or drop off a grandchild at football; cook the dinner... I just can't do that much nowadays so I find will only do two of those things in a day and I don't feel guilty about it all!
Have a great weekend.
xxx
It was lovely to finally bring this trenchcoat into play and get such good feedback, so thanks for your positive comments too Vronni.
DeleteYou're absolutely right about the manic pace, but I would find it difficult to just do the 9-5 of a job and then watch TV. I still have lots of energy and somehow exercising does give me more. I think the main issue for me is about focus and acheiving a sense of balance in my life. Thanks so much for your concern.
Have a lovely weekend!
Anna x
I do think the outfit works magnificently! The trench is lovely and the ORANGE is a marvellous pop to include! Your 'Gok detour' made me laugh! Whenever we end up in Sainsbury;'s I ALWAYS slope off to the clothes!!!
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks Kezzie! I was worried that the outfit and the backdrop were all too much of the same tone, but at least the pops of orange gave it some definition.
DeleteI wonder what percentage of women are like us when they're in the supermarket - what a clever move of these giants to lure us away from the weekly shop!
I hope you have a great weekend x
Anna
What a brilliant pattern mix. I'm a chicken when it comes to that, only do the most "safe" mixes! You rock orange like no one's business, Anna!
ReplyDeleteGetting caught up on your posts - and sending you a big hug for all the good thoughts and lovely comments over the past two weeks.
S.
I adore this pattern mixing and love the different textures too. Great bag.
ReplyDelete