A complete riot of colours

This was one of my most colourful outfits of the week, worn on Friday as it was such a beautiful, bright and sunny day. I never choose my outfits in advance, waiting instead to see what the day brings, what kind of weather is on the horizon and therefore how I ought to dress to be my most comfortable. I love to mix things up with my outfits, rarely choosing to wear exactly the same thing time after time. 

My vintage Jaeger button front skirt was a wonderful charity shop find from years ago. Best of all it has pockets too! I love the wild pattern of it and was pleased to see the marriage of colours between it and the patterned bodysuit which was languishing in my closet. Pairing these two together tricked many people into thinking this was a dress. 

The red flouffy petticoat came into its own here underneath the skirt, adding volume and of course, a great dash of fun. I chose the red stretch belt to deliberately tie in with the underskirt as the eye travels from one to the other seeing this clever connection.

I didn't manage to get a good shot of my sandals - this was a last minute shoot before I was due at work. The beaded sandals were from TK Maxx and are sparkly and multicoloured which was perfect for the look of the day.

My green jeans jacket is very old, by Benetton and yet is still a favourite of mine. It also has pockets plus stretch therefore is a winner. My necklace is old, not sure from where, and my sunglasses were from Oliver Bonas at Paddington Station last year.

And this pretty much sums up how the outfit made me feel all day long! Dressing for fun, to please myself, to add colour to the everyday - these are all my motivators. How lucky am I that I have the opportunity within my working life to express myself this way and be accepted - this is my norm and thank goodness for that!

                                                                                    Anna x

July and shopping my closet

I'll cut to the chase and tell you that it's not been the best of days today. I've lost a key at work, an important one, although at least not the only one, but lost somehow. Then later at home I couldn't find my best tweezers - completely gone, not in the usual place, not anyplace in fact. But what really confirmed me having a bad day was on returning home after a day of manning the desk, I'd popped upstairs to spend a penny and when I looked at my reflection as I washed my hands I discovered that I'd forgotten to finish my make-up and had spent the whole day wearing only blusher and lipstick! Not a scrap of eyeshadow or a sweep of mascara!! Maybe not earth shattering for you, but I'm one of those women who won't be seen outside without full make-up on. Am sharing all of this with you in case it's part of a gradual decline into something more ominous and a darned sight less funny. Ever the drama queen me!

But this was funny: me enjoying the fact that a cyclist had just managed to avoid knocking Fiona over as she stood in the middle of the road to take my photos. It was a tad risky on her part, but she likes to live on the edge does Fiona! Anyway, on to the outfit of the day, shall we? The jeans jacket is by Bennetton and must be at least 10 years old. I love the colour, plus it's got stretch, and pockets. Pretty much my dream jacket then.

The jumpsuit is one I bought in Manchester 5 years ago in H&M. I've recently made small alterations to it meaning it fits much nicer now. The neckline was previously too wide so I've added some darts in both back and front for a snugger fit. I've added an orange stretch belt to give a bit of definition to what is quite a baggy outline.

Shopping my closet includes my jewellery, so nothing new with rings (pre-loved) or necklace (from Topshop) or even sunglasses (Radley).

My brocade trainers were from TK Maxx many moons ago, the brand is Replay. Super comfy as all of my Replay trainers are, hurrah!

Let me introduce you to Jill who's my latest sewing friend. Jill and I got chatting in the Gallery the other day after she complimented me on my dress. We nattered on comparing stories and then later that day we met up again and this time she was wearing her new homemade dress. The pattern is from the V&A website and the fabric is from Liberty no less. Isn't it fabulous and didn't she do well with the contrasting sleeves and placket!

Jill is here on holiday on Tresco and is a true vision of loveliness! I'm thrilled at how sewing has brought lots of new people into my life already. It was super to meet you Jill!

                                                                                          Anna x