Dress up Friday, again



Happy Friday!

Hello my lovely readers and thank you for coming back. As promised, here's my second offering of Dress Up Friday. I'll be honest with you - it's great to have the chance to dress up again. After 4 weeks on furlough, I'm chomping at the bit to put on my finery and this is the best reason I could find. The trend is gathering momentum on Instagram for this feature, so why not check it out when you get a minute.




I'm missing the routine of work. The daily dressing up is always a joy, rarely a headache for me. I like nothing better than to rummage around in my colourful clothes collection finding the pieces that reflect my mood of the day: sometimes playful, sometimes arty or bohemian, others I'll strive for a sleek professional look with a quirky touch making it all mine, but never is it a chore. 




The flower strewn top and silver ankle boots are from TK Maxx, but aren't recent purchases. Delving deep into my closet revealed this fabulous pleated skirt (from Tu at Sainsbury's and also old) that has pale golden tones that shimmer to silver depending on the light. The waistband is elasticated making for an easy to wear fit. 




The leather boots are by Buffalo and cost me £50 a couple of years ago. I still love them as much as ever, probably because they defy the expectations of what a woman ought to wear when she's classed as "older". I do wonder if the rebel in me will eventually fade away or if it's just part of my character.




This fluffy feathered handbag is almost vintage by now. I bought it in a boutique on Ghandy Street in Exeter many moons ago. I only bring it out every couple of years and yet it gets me lots of compliments whenever I do. The handles are suede, the lining is satin and has a popper to close it. If I were a handbag, then this would be it - totally over-the-top and attention seeking! The rings are both pre-loved. The rose gold knot bangle is by Kate Spade and the other one I bought at the Barbican Centre a couple of years ago.




Radley sunglasses.








Today's outfit surely has twirl appeal!




I'm happy to say that my focus has been better this week meaning that I've managed to get lots done on the spring cleaning front. I've finished the entire upstairs of the house and am now based in the kitchen. I bit the bullet, attacking the oven first of all. I couldn't bear to show you how bad (filthy) it was with baked on grease on the racks and glass door making it a two day marathon clean. I don't like those heavy chemical cleaners that tell you not to get it on your skin and have lots of fresh air so that you don't inhale the fumes - yuk! 



First of all I soaked as much as I could in the bath for two days (racks, side bars and glass facing), refreshing the water every 12 hours. I used Biotex as my pre-soak. Yes, I know it's meant for clothes, but it  also works like a dream on this most tricky of jobs. After soaking, it really didn't need too much elbow grease to bring them back like new. I dread to think how long it's been since I cleaned my oven, but I would like to try to make it a weekly habit now. The only problem will be when I return to work and become that crazy over-run creature again. Will I be able to sustain that routine? The alternative is not to allow anyone to use the oven ever again!




The highlight of our week here in the UK has been the celebrations for Captain Tom Moore, fund-raiser extraodinaire who has prompted us to dontate over 32 million pounds for the NHS through his walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday on Thursday. Captain Tom embodies all that is great about Britain, proving his grit and determination despite his frail stature. He has stolen our hearts, lifted our spirits and shared his gentle philosophy, that the sun will shine again and we will all be okay. We have taken this humble hero to our hearts and are all the richer for his presence in our lives. Hurrah for Captain Tom!

                                                                                       Anna x

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18 comments

  1. This is such a pretty and modern outfit. I love it. All items are special and so good. Yet all together they do not compete with each other, but sing in harmony. That is rare. You did a great job.
    As for the cleaning of the house...hmm, haven't gotten very far yet: the cellar is done and one shelf. Loads more to do but I hate household work.
    The Biotex suggestion is a good one. I remember moving into a house where there was a thick green scale in the toilet wash basin. With hot Biotex and a scrub I got it shining again.
    Love the rose gold knot bangle by the way although of all items, the bag takes the cake.
    Greetje

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    1. Lovely to hear from you again Greetje and thanks for your kind comments. This outfit more or less came about by itself. I gathered a few colours and textures together and this seemed to work best. The rose gold bangle is a long time favourite of mine, not least because it's a reminder of our trip to NZ where I bought this at the airport in Singapore on our stop-over. Happy days!

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  2. You look so pretty! I love the entire outfit--the top--if I had seen it would have wondered how on earth to wear it. Yay! on cleaning your oven. I know what a task that is, I never would have thought to soak the pieces in the tub. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Cheers Kim. I'm so pleased with the response to this little outfit as you never can tell if it's too much to wear metallics during the day like this.
      I'm very happy to have a clean oven now and will be trying hard to keep it that way - at the moment I'm cleaning it all after every use!

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  3. Ooh, I LOVE this whole look, Anna! That top is fabulous, and goes so well with the metallic pleated skirt. Elastic waist and super-swooshy? Mine, hand it over, woman, ha ha! Love the booties in particular - they are a nice change from the expected "girly" shoe, for sure. I suspect that, like me, you will always rebel, especially when told how we "should" or shouldn't dress. F**k that, no one tells me how to dress!

    Good job on the oven! I never clean mine either (don't care!). I think you can also crank the heat up intensely on the oven to burn everything off. I'm not trying it, though!

    Hope you are doing well, my dear! Keep on dressing up - I know I am! It's one of the best things that I've done: to keep playing in my closet and making real outfits, even if I'm not working or going anywhere. It's been great for my mental health. I also have never found it a chore to make outfits. It's calming and soothing for me.

    Hugs to you! Happy weekend!

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    1. I must admit this really lifted my mood to wear this fab ensemble. I'm not one to be swayed by what others think of me and don't think I'll ever change. The boots were the perfect finishing piece - so glad you approve of that twist.

      Cleaning the oven has been a real surprise as to how it's affected my mood. I'm basically quite a 1950's housewife and do love to have everything spick and span. Working full time means it's always a case of trying to catch up all the time and therefore this gift of time isn't to be squandered. I love to see things all neat and clean and will be beavering away in the hope that I can get through the entire house before I have to return to work.

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  4. You always have the best 'textured' clothes! and texture is my thing! great way to balance the metallic with a softer top!
    xo Eva

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    1. I'm delighted that you love the textured top. I love mixing fabrics as it makes for an interesting combination.

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  5. Fantastic outfit! Of course,you never fail me. Ovens are the worst things to clean aren't they, I hate to do that, that and ironing. Hope to see you on my Fancy Friday link up party.

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    1. Thanks Nancy!

      Much as I hated having to spend two days cleaning the oven, I'm so happy to have done it. Having a dirty oven was like a personal shame - I'm so old fashioned!

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  6. What a gorgeous Spring outfit, Anna! Both the skirt and the top are fabulous, but the bag really tops it all. I too never find it a chore to create outfits. In fact, I still do even if I'm just staying at home. What's even better is that I've now got the time to be more creative! If only we had somewhere to go ... xxx

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    1. Like you Ann, I do enjoy having the time to be creative and love to find new combinations within my closet. The permutations seem to be endless when you have lots of time eh? x

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  7. I love all of these pieces Anna; the colours are beautiful together. My favourite is the lovely, silver skirt with fab, swishy pleats. You look great.
    You’re never too old to wear heels; they add height, glamour and sophistication in my book! Yay, for high heeled, silver boots!
    If I’m still mobile at 80 years old, I will be wearing heels!

    Wow.. your oven looks clean.
    I guess we will all let things slip when we return to work. But... we’ve dressing up every day to look forward to.
    X Phyl.

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    1. We seem to both have a cup is half full attitude Phyl x

      I've discovered that I can only be me, not a copy of something I've seen in a magazine or even how I think I ought to be. I suppose we're all like that - it's what makes us individuals.

      You've no idea how much joy it gives me to pop out to admire my clean oven. I'm a reformed character and am going to make it a habit to clean it every day - washing up will now include oven racks and all! Done daily will be less of a chore too x

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  8. What a pretty outfit! I really love the combination of textures and the colours go so well together!
    Can I let you into my dirty secret....



    ...I've never cleaned an oven...

    xx

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    1. Hahaha, I really do understand as it's such a drag once it's grotty. However, having reclaimed mine is making me positively evangelical! Oh the joys of a clean oven xxx

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  9. what a fabulous outfit, I love the different textures (your top, your skirt are both so interestingly textured!) and love the pleated skirt shine and the boots! and love the amazing accessories, particularly the cool handbag, such a cute piece!
    besos

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    1. I'm delighted to have this massive vote of support for what was a thrown together kind of outfit. Thanks Monica x

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