Fun with pattern play

Hot off the press - this is today's work outfit! A comment from my blogging friend about last week's offering was pretty accurate about my rather tame trousers; so thank you Sheila for your constructive criticism! It spurred me on to work a bit harder with this week's post.

I spent more time on curating the outfit than ironing this time and I do believe it paid off. There's nothing new here, but that's not to say that it's not a fun offering. I'm delighted to say that this does spark joy for me and was much appreciated by a couple of lovely ladies too while I was serving them at work. One of them remarked that she would never have put these patterns plus the necklace together, but what a raving success it was - praise indeed for my pattern play!

The jacket and trousers are both by Zara, both second hand, and the H&M shirt was a charity shop buy some time ago, but I think this may be its first appearance on the blog. The necklace is from Topshop many moons ago and the purple stretch belt is very old too. Once again I'm wearing my two Emily Nixon rings as is my wont at the moment.

My sunglasses are old too, but still rather lovely - they're by Radley London. I'm not sure this is the most flattering of my snaps but it does show up the pattern play perfectly.

It's the first time this year for me to wear sandals; these were featured heavily last year I fancy as they're pretty much my favourite sandals of the moment. I bought them on Vinted and would love to find them again in another colourway, but no joy as yet.

Fiona did the honours taking the photos today at the end of our working day. We were caught up in the end of day rush hour although our idea of rush hour and yours will probably be many miles apart. Anyway, Fiona attracted attention as she was kneeling down for some shots and a lady approached her enquiring if she was on her knee proposing to me... We were quite tickled by that.

                                                                                    Anna x

Drinks party

Wednesday evenings are our drinks party nights at Gallery Tresco and this was my outfit from the latest one. I have a quick break after the dayshift, drink a cuppa and then I search for inspiration as to what to wear for the evening do. My outfit is usually led by the weather, in particular the temperature as I hate to be cold, but also dread to overheat. 

It had been a beautiful sunny day which turned into a golden balmy evening so that formed my decision to opt for this lightweight duster coat. I altered it two years ago (see the full post here) and don't seem to have worn it again since.

I was about to say, I can't imagine why I've not worn it, but really I think it's because it's so dressy and I really don't have many occasions to swan about in it - apart from Gallery parties! Anyway, I've set myself the challenge to get more wear out of it this year.

Underneath the coat I'm wearing a pair of nicely fitted (Primark) trousers that I was about to cull, but I decided to try them on first and - they look absolutely fine! The only problem with them is that they're a manmade fibre and have to be ironed on a cool setting plus they were very creased from sitting packed up in a suitcase for months on end. All in all, it took amost 25 minutes to get them smoothed out enough to wear. Maybe that's why I was getting rid of them...

The cream lace bodysuit was a Vinted purchase from either last summer or the previous one, but whichever it has been a really useful addition to my wardrobe as I wear it lots. I added a stretch beaded belt, very old from Tu, as the colours seemed to tie in well and I seem to be partial to a stretchy belt to pull a look together. None of my jewellery is new, but the necklaces were spot on colourwise to wear with the shimmering coat. The short one with cowrie shells is by Julian Warrender (bought from the Gallery) and the long one is my much loved Dancing Girl from years ago, by Charlie Dodge, also from Gallery Tresco. Both my rings are by Emily Nixon. Sunglasses are old, from Radley London.

I was delighted to pair the jacket with my MOMA fabric boots as one of the toes has the same fabulous turquoise shade as the coat. All in all, the outfit is very me and therefore I rated it as a success, and that's all that matters. I don't rely on compliments or feedback from others - of course, that's lovely and a bonus - but all I need is to see something in the mirror that makes me smile (or sometimes even dance) and I know I've got it right. 

And finally, I must thank Rachel for taking my blog photos after the party was over. We'd had a successful evening with not too many guests and most of them were happy to stand outside with a drink in hand, chatting and enjoying the view. It was a lovely end to the day - happy guests and Rachel and I wandered off home to bask in the afterglow of a job well done. Oh, and here's that view...

Thanks for swinging by and do come again!

Anna x

Muted shades for March

Hello and welcome to this month's Style Not Age challenge! This month Jacqui chose Muted shades for March, a lovely choice indeed. I've shopped my closet for my outfit but it'll be new to you as the cardigan and jeans have been stashed away from some months now. First though, let's do the honours with my fashionable friends to see what they came up with.

So here's Jacqui's outfit, a lovely combination from Cotton Traders. The muted shades work so well with Jacqui's dark hair and colouring. Hop across to read her blog post on Mummabstylish. 

More muted separates from Emma... The multicoloured cardigan is from Vinted, trousers are from ASOS and trainers are by Puma. Check out her back story on The Style Splash blog.

Hilda is sporting a pale pink two piece from Vinted along with jeans by Frame. She was attending the launch of a spring collection from Avoca. See more about this on Over The Hilda.

My jeans were a charity shop find, the brand is Berksha and they are super comfy thanks to the back of them being elasticated - oh dear, is this my age showing? The cotton cardigan is from TK Maxx and is the perfect spring layer as it's lightweight and such a pretty colour.

My floral Dr Marten boots are making a regular appearance on the blog and I have no apologies for that as I love 'em!

The pop of blue thanks to my Oliver Bonas sunglasses add a certain charm to the outfit. The rings are both old and preloved, but are still a great addition to the look. The gold chain necklace is also an old piece of jewellery.

It was such a treat to see the sunshine when we took these snaps last weekend. Fingers crossed that Easter will bring some equally lovely weather too. Thanks for swinging by!

                                                            Anna x

That beautiful Boden suit

Hello, and how are you? I'm late posting again this week and it'll be no surprise to you that work is still holdinng me hostage as I try to catch up with being open to the public. But hey, here I am sporting my beautiful Boden trouser suit!

Last seen on the blog when I went to Paris (see here) the suit really does deliver the wow factor and has had a few airings over the months, always with lots of praise. The vibrant colours and soft velvet really do make it an eye-catching outfit. We were hosting a family event in the gallery that day and I thought it fitting that I should wear this flamboyant outfit for such a creative event.

We host "Paint the Day" several times a year and it's always well attended. It's a very simple format; we provide paper mounted on boards plus a variety of paints, pens, pencils, charcoal and graphite for anyone to take away and capture the island in their own way. It's a lovely way to create an opportunity that may not happen otherwise. The resulting works are then displayed alongside our current exhibition and I always point out that they can each boast to have had their artwork exhibited on the wall at Gallery Tresco, even if it's just for a day or two.

I'm more aware than ever that I must wear my lovely outfits now! Age and time are, if not exactly running out, then at least they do seem to be galloping along. At the same time however, I am working hard to dejunk all sorts of things, including clothes, from my home as I simply have too much of everything. 35 years of living in the same house and golly what a lot we've gathered!

I teamed the suit with a shocking pink linen shirt, pre-loved, from M&S. Perspex pink rings are both old, as is the bejewelled white belt.

The bright blue sunglasses are from Oliver Bonas and add yet another pop of colour, not that it was really needed. The big silver link chain necklace is old too.

The embroidered canvas boots are only of their second outing. I love them so much but do worry about getting them marked or damaged - but of course, that stupid because there's no point in having them if I don't wear them. Doh!

I'm so blooming lucky to have the perfect job that allows me to dress up in whatever I fancy. There's barely a day goes by without someone remarking on the view and what an amazing workplace or else that I'm perfectly suited for the job as I'm wearing a colourful/snazzy/quirky outfit. I honestly never take it for granted. I'll leave you with a fab beach scene from a walk I had last weekend. Thanks for dropping by!

See you next time!

Anna x