January jumpers with the Style Not Age collective


Hello and welcome to our January challenge with the Style Not Age collective. I chose jumpers as this month's theme as I thought it would be our go-to item at this time of year. We've all had a pretty challenging time just getting our shots in on time as the weather seems to have played havoc everywhere this weekend. But hey, here they all are, so let's start with Hilda shall we?


Hilda's sweater is all about the back view and rather nice it is too! The ladder back with a deep V certainly lifts her jumper out of the ordinary. Skinny jeans and heeled boots round things off nicely. See more on her blog Over The Hilda.


Skinny jeans too from Emma of Style Splash and she's taken various shades of yellow as her feature colour for sock boots, hat and that cute graphic print jumper. Do hop across to her blog to read her back story.


When I first met Jacqui she told me that she has a three colour rule when she's putting a look together and today these are black, white and fuchsia which has proven to be a great combination. See more on Mummabstylish.


You could say that I'm following Jacqui's three colour rule too this month as well as taking a leaf out of her book with an injection of fun by way of the brightest of bubblegum pink, surely the perfect antidote to winter. My son Jamie bought me these sock boots for my Christmas and this is the first time I've worn them. They're the same as my beloved red ones and are also by H&M. My jumper is by ME+EM and is pre-loved, jeans are by Lee and are a lovely fit with a touch of stretch.


I've had this suede two tone belt for years now. I bought it from Benetton in Truro, another shop in the city that has recently closed down. However, it has at least been re-opened by another clothes retailer. As my nearest and most favourite retail centre I have a great interest in the city of Truro and it's future. And forgive me, but I'm just gonna have a mini-moan now about my most favourite of shops, TK Maxx. On my recent travels I've been in branches of TK in London, Manchester, Dundee, Edinburgh and Truro and I have to say how terribly disappointing the Truro branch is with regards to shoe stock. Years ago the entire width of the back of the store was full of shoes. Each size had its own rack which spread across the rear of the shop, ranging from 3 to 8. That's at least 6 islands of shoes and sometimes my sizes, a 5 and 6, would have two islands. I was in the shop a few days ago and was saddened to see that their entire shoe stock has been shrunk down to two measly racks. At the checkout I asked the assistant if they were running down their stock completely and was told it's a chicken and egg situation. Seemingly they aren't allowed more stock because their sales have fallen, and yes their sales continue to drop as the selection becomes smaller and smaller. I'm just about to write to them (a good old fashioned letter) to say my piece rather than just rant on to you.


My sweet little handbag was a recent charity shop find, costing all of two pounds. I took it abroad with me and it was the perfect size for keeping all of my valuables close at hand. Not only that, but it was ideal for both daytime wear and evening outings. I took it out to dinner and also to a party in Cape Town and this bag didn't look in the least out of place at either venue. Someone even asked me if it was a designer piece! My other accessories are two pink resin rings, both pre-loved, which my photographer and I omitted to get close-ups of, as well as a silver Tree of Life pendant and of course my obligatory Quay Australia sunglasses.


You can hardly tell from this sunny backdrop at the time that yesterday we had a gale raging across the island, could you? Steve suggested this sheltered spot, the walkway to the bird hide, timing it just right to capture the late morning sun. I'd been up early, keen to unpack my bags and get a sense of order before going back to work today. I also wanted to get back into my morning routine, so after spending some time on my blog, I waited for daybreak and got my swimming things together. I've missed my daily sea swims and am keen to get the old routine established again. I donned fleecy over trousers, big woolly jumper, fur-lined jacket, boot socks, fur lined boots, bobble hat and gloves and jumped on my bike to head to Appletree Bay.


The sea was wild, all white tops and choppy waves. 


The sun was just emerging from behind the clouds as I arrived at the beach. I watched the waves surge in and suck out again. I watched a bit longer. And then I decided that my first swim ought not to be quite so daunting - the tidal run was about 15 to 20 feet, which makes even just getting into the water a scary business. I love sea swimming, but I'm not as brave as I'd like to be. 


So I took a few photos and cycled back home again. In the distance, beyond Cromwell's Castle, I could see the waves pounding over Shipman's Head on Bryher. So no swim today then? Ah, well, maybe not. A couple of hours later when the sun was shining and the tide was high, I did a first swimming wise. I literally ran from my house in my swimsuit, out across the road and into the sea at the slipway below my kitchen window. I swam across the bay towards the quay and back. Not a big swim, but certainly a brisk one, but more importantly, a safe one. The bay was protected from the strong Northerly wind and was relatively calm. Job done!


And that's it for our January style challenge. I do hope you'll take a moment to check out the other ladies in full on their blogs. If you want to see more of these, then the December challenge is here, November here and October is here.

Thanks for dropping by. It's lovely to be home again and I'm so keen to hear from you all. Please leave me a comment to just say hello - it's great to know you're out there!

Have a super week!

Anna x

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16 comments

  1. I love the pops of hot pink Anna! Your trip looked amazing, can't wait to hear more about it! You're very brave swimming in the sea - I won't even go out of my depth in a pool!

    Emma xxx
    www.style-splash.com

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    1. The boots are the stars of the show in my opinion. It was a fabulous trip. Must start editing some of those photos soon - am still a bit shattered to be honest!

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  2. I agree with Emma, brave to swim at this time of year and a teeny bit mad. Many of my friends swim about 8 months of the year, but are not as brave as you are. Great pics by the way and your jumper looks COSY. And I love the bag and boots too.

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    1. How polite of you. I know it seems bonkers to swim in the sea during the winter, but I follow a lady on Instagram who is swimming in the icy waters of Vermont currently which makes me seem perfectly normal!

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  3. Wow - well done on your swim Anna. Love the jumper and your boots are stunning, I need to get something similar. My soft pal pink ankle boots are similar and I wear them often and have matched them with many outfits. Great challenge today Anna, I've loved it. Jacqui Mummabstylish

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    1. I thought this challenge would be a great one for this time of year. I just love sock boots and am annoyed at myself for not buying a black and white spotty pair that I lifted up in TK Maxx last week - what was I thinking?!

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  4. I find it very comforting that you spend time on shore, observing and judging the safety of any swim location before you take the plunge. I also love the image of you running out of your house and down to the shore to slip into the sea ( at safest location "C"). Hey Anna, we didn't reach our sixties not to USE the common sense we've hleened from our years of living.

    I like those great pops of bright pink against your pale blues and whites too!

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    1. I used to be very scared of swimming as a youngster and even now I can get spooked in the water if something brushes against me unexpectedly. By taking my time and checking the state of the sea I get less surprises with tides and currents. You're right - there's no point in getting older if you don't get wiser!

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  5. Firstly, welcome home - it is good to have you back and see you posting. I hope you had a lovely holiday. I know this post is about jumpers but love your pink boots and Emma's yellow boots. Have a great day - Jill x

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    1. Thanks Jill. I've had a wonderful break and am so happy to be home again. Emma and I seem to have similar taste in boots, meaning I'm quite covetous sometimes!

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  6. Ooh, that's a nice chop on the ocean! I'm glad you swam safely.

    Love your pink sock-booties - how many pairs does this make now?? ;-P

    The yellow leopard jumper/velvet boots make my heart sing!

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    1. Hi Sheila, am not firing on all cylinders yet, but thanks for dropping by honey. Will pop over for a catch up with you soon. I seem to have lost count of the number of sock boots ... oh dear!

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  7. I like this feature! The jumper variation is lovely- I like how you all took at different angle (lady in yellow is my favourite!) and chose different details! Your bag is brilliant- what a find! I have the same problem with size 8 shoes in TK Maxx- there's virtually none! It's most vexing!
    Wow, the sea looked choppy!!x

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  8. I agree Kezzie. Jeans and jumpers could have all looked a bit samey-samey, but the ladies all did their own thing. Emma seems to be queen of the accessories this time, I agree. I'm feeling very bah humbug about my local TK Maxx ...

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  9. what interesting and colorful outfits!, love how every jumper is differently styled and look like something new and fresh! Inspiring!
    Lovely to see you in your new pink booties!, its color is so cool!
    And glad to read you've had your swim safely!.
    besos

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    1. Inspiring it music to my ears Monica, as that's exactly what we women want to do. And yay for my pink boots - I love 'em! x

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