5 years of blogging - a mega post!




Thanks for joining me today!

I'm amazed to think that I've been larking around like this for five years now and still you guys are here with me! Thank you so much for keeping on coming back to follow my antics, my ups and downs, my work, home and island life all wrapped up in this twice weekly update. 




Although I'm mostly known for my colourful outfits I thought it might be good to feature a more sophisticated, elegant version of Anna's Island Style today. And nothing says elegance more than the chic combination of black and white, does it? 




The bubble sleeve jersey top was purchased in February when I was last on the mainland. Apart from charity shops, my go-to high street shop is always TK Maxx and didn't fail me in its offerings. I bought this and a white version, both slight variations on this theme and equally lovely coming in at £15.99 for the white and £17.99 for the black. This one is from By Clara Paris.




I paired the rib knit top with these off white trousers that were another bargain, this time from F&F at Tesco a couple of years ago. They were in the summer sale for £5. The material is man made, but a lovely heavy weight that drapes well and is virtually crease resistant. 




Oh how my heart soars when I see these shoes! I had them packed away for the winter until recently and goodness, how exciting it was to rediscover them. I bought them in TK Maxx and the brand is Nine West. The elasticated band of black contrasting beautifully with the white leather pointed toe, plus the fact that they are all day comfortable put these in my all time top ten pairs of shoes.




The tartan clutch and rings are all charity shop buys. My black and white sunglasses are long time faves from Quay Australia.




So that's the outfit of the day, but what about the past five years? I've spent some time looking back through both my photos and blogs from this time and my first observation has to be about my personal appearance. I don't mind the ageing aspect, but it's probably no surprise ('cos I'm a woman and afflicted by the vanity gene) that I hanker after my slimmer self of five years ago. Oh golly, how I hope I knew how slim I was at that time! I certainly had an air of happiness - hopefully that was because I knew how nicely my clothes hung due to the lack of back fat, soft waistline etc. 



From July 2015, see that post here.


Another July 2015 post here.



This outfit was from September 2015 and you can see the post here. I was only five months into my blogging dairy and Polly was my photographer of that time. Oh happy days! Oh skinny days! My most popular post of 2015 can be viewed here - it's called These arms. Do you remember it? I might have been dismayed at the less than perfect arms on display below had I not written the ode to those limbs the previous year.




The votes are in and a travel post is the most read feature on my blog for 2016 - you can see that feature here. I must admit this vintage designer ballgown is one that I have such fond memories of wearing. I can't recall if Steve and I danced that evening, but I certainly floated on air all night long. 




The most popular blog post of 2017 was in response to my radio debut with Johnnie Walker on Sounds of the 70's. I've only listened to this once and can't bear to again as I sounded high as a kite! The beach shot above is from another popular feature, Ping Pong Piece from July 2017 - see it here.




In 2018 I turned 60 and tried my hand at modelling, namely with JD Williams. The Christmas campaign was one of three I did with them and was my most read feature that year - catch it here. 




2019 brought a challenge of very different kind when I decided to swim around my island home of Tresco. The resulting post was my most popular one of the year - read about my crazy escapade here.




And so, here we are half way through 2020 and thus far, my most popular post of the year is Escape from storm Ciara as featured in my February post here

I do hope you've enjoyed this whistle stop tour of the past five years of Anna's Island Style. If you're new to the blog, then this may provide a wider viewpoint of what may initially appear to be a fashion blog, but the brushstroke is broader; effectively it's my online diary. 

And finally, a thank-you to my readers, old and new, for without your feedback, emails and stats I wouldn't be able to gauge how I was doing. It's as much a pleasure to share my island life with you now as it was when I started five years ago. Will I still be blogging in another five years? Who knows. But in the meantime, thanks for joining me on my colourful journey!

                                                                            Anna x

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18 comments

  1. Happy Blogiversary to you Anna. I've been admiring your style for the last year or so. You never fail to inspire me with your chic outfits and sunny spirit.
    I also enjoy the pics of your beautiful island. Thank you.

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    1. Hello and welcome Juliana! I'm delighted to hear from you and am so happy that the blog provides you with some positive ideas and and a sprinkling of joy.

      Take care x

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  2. Happy anniversary! Your posts always bring me back to my beautiful England!

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    1. So kind of you, thanks Nancy. It's lovely to have you as one of my regulars!

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  3. Based on your best-of's, I think I must have found you in 2016 - where does the time go?? Happy 5th Blogoversary, Anna! I love your black and white outfit, especially those Nine West shoes. I've very much been leaning into black and white dressing lately. I also look back at my older posts over the past 12 years and look at how skinny I was. Menopause is really making shape change - my waist is definitely thickening, curse it!

    You look so beautiful in all of these pictures, and it reminds me what a wonderful thing these diary/blogs are! We're not just about outfits, but recording our lives! Here's to another 5 years, Anna! Hugs to you, my dear!

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    1. I think it was me who found you Sheila thanks to Mel of a Bag and a beret. I was hooked from the start and loved your sense of joie de vivre with regards to your ever changing style. Having you as a mentor was liberating as well as inspiring.

      Menopause brings with it many challenges and the slowing of my metabolism has a lot to answer for! Eating less, doesn't fix all as it used to. I know I need to increase and intensify my exercise too :(

      Thanks for your lovely wishes and regular visits x

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  4. Happy Anniversary Anna.
    I discovered your blog last Summer via your feature in Simple Things magazine and I’ve been hooked ever since. I love your style and the way that you put colours together, as well as your optimism for life.
    I hope that you will blog for many years to come and continue to inspire us more mature women with your wonderful outfits. X

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    1. Thanks so much Phyl. It's rewarding to have feedback like yours as it helps me to know if I'm hitting the right spot. Inspiration is vital for us all to flourish and I'm delighted that you're finding some with me.

      All the best x

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  5. Happy Blog Anniversary Anna , my that time has flown. It is always interesting looking back over the blog posts , how we have changed , hair, bodies ,etc. and style changes. I always love your joy of wearing bright colours but today you looked stunning in black and white. xx

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    1. Thanks for this Jill. As you're the master of monochrome I'll take that compliment, thank you!

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  6. Happy 5th Blogoversary, Anna! I really thought you'd been blogging for even longer. I celebrated my 4th in March. Anyway, I loved seeing your retrospective, you look fabulous and stylish in each of these photos. I too have been mourning my slimmer self of only 4 years ago - oh, that dreaded menopause - but that's life, I guess. Love your celebratory black and white outfit of the day, by the way! Here's to many more years of blogging xxx

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    1. I too, had thought you'd been blogging for much longer, hahaha! Despite the body shock, I did love going through these past posts and seeing everything that has happened over the years x

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  7. Great to see your blogging odyssey - your most read posts have been very varied! You're still very slim and can wear everything! Love your chic monochrome outfit.

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    1. I noticed that too, that none of these were actually about a favourite outfit which was a surprise to me. You're very kind saying I'm still slim - it's always relative though don't you think? It's spurred me on to try to claw my way back there again... x

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  8. Happy blog anniversary Anna! I like all the stories, you're telling us. And I love all of the fotos, you share! And, not forget to mention: I absolutly love your Island!
    All the best from rainy (we have been waiting for a very Long time for some rain) Cologne,
    Susa

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    1. Thanks so much Susa! It's a pleasure to share all the aspects of my life with my readers and even more rewarding to have feedback too, so thank you for that.

      We've had a smattering of rain which is good for the garden :)

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  9. Congratulations Anna, what a feat! Your outfits all resemble you - a positive, exciting iconic trend setter, oh and my friend! Well done Anna. x Jacqui

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