In the run up to Christmas...




Hello and Happy Christmas to you (in case you don't call by again this week)! I'm back to work for a wee while and that means work outfits are on my mind, particularly those with a festive feel. The eagle eyed among you might remember these rather racy wet-look trousers that I bought in May during my only trip off-island this year. The brand is Pull and Bear, but I found them in TK Maxx in Truro. Well, I tried them out the other day with a gold lurex cardigan (H&M) and pre-loved blouse and am now wondering if the pants are simply too racy for a Gallery Manager? Do leave me your thoughts...




I'm very keen to wear them, but sometimes living on this tiny island leaves me feeling a bit unsure of what's happening with fashion trends out in the big wide world. And dare I ask the question as to whether a woman of my age ought to be wearing wet-look pants full stop? 




One way around this might indeed by to close my eyes to avoid the looks of shock from those I encounter... Or maybe just laugh it off?




Or perhaps just gazing into the middle distance with a cool, confident air might be the answer?




As for accessories, I'm wearing a very old chain necklace from Primark, a gold flower ring, a present from a girlfriend and a large chunky ring from TK Maxx.




One thing that's for sure, is that I do love the pairing of my tartan M&S boots with the skinny pants! 




On the home front, I can report that the Christmas tree is up as are the decorations and the final batch of fudge has been made and packed, so progress is being made. The turkey is due to arrive on Tuesday as is the gammon joint along with the final order of Christmas supplies. Like most of you, we'll have enough food to feed a small army. As for my Christmas day outfit, well I really don't have anything lined up this year. I do hope that inspiration strikes by the time the big day arrives!

Finally, let me just take a moment to say thank you for dropping by today and any other time you've called. As the year draws to an end I'm feeling all sentimental about my readership and how lovely it is to have your comments and feedback. For those of you who have actually beaten a path to my door (aka the desk at Gallery Tresco) during the past 12 months - it's been great to see you and have a chat in person!

I hope you have a great Christmas, that you manage to see family and friends as planned and that our lives aren't too disrupted over the festive period. Take care!

                                                                                    Anna x

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Camo jeans and gold lurex cardigan




Hurrah for March and this glorious weather!




Hello lovelies and how are you today? We've had the most amazing spell of weather over the weekend, prompting me to go further afield for my photo shoot. This low tide sandbar is normally under water so it was lovely to capture the view of the islands from a different viewpoint. 




My casual weekend look of camo jeans and Converse boots is a lovely easy-to-wear pairing, but I wanted to pep it up and what better way than to add a mighty old dose of gold lurex! I know that this may not be in everyone's comfort zone, but it was great fun to wear and gained not one raised eyebrow from those I met along the way. The cardigan is a pre-loved piece by H&M. The white and gold Karl tee shirt was a TK Maxx purchase ages ago.




I'm wearing Radley sunglasses along with two rings both airport concession purchases from years ago. The statement necklace (old) is from Topshop. I love how my camera surprised me with switching on the flash as I stepped towards it!




It was so good to take time away from home; to forget chores and sewing and the Sunday dinner waiting to be cooked. And best of all there wasn't a soul in sight. How grateful I am to live here!




I make no apologies for sporting my Converse boots again, so soon too! It's the joy of rediscovering them after they'd been hidden in the back of the cupboard for months. I've fallen in love with them all over again.




I'm so aware that time is slipping away as my return to work looms large on the horizon. The mental battle continues as I try to find that balance between projects I want to finish at home and my desire to embrace the big outdoors while I have this free time. No matter what I do, I have this nagging doubt that perhaps I ought to be doing the other...

                                                                                                 Anna x

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Sparkling my way into 2021




Happy New Year!




Hello and welcome to 2021 a la Anna's Island Style! I've decided to start as I mean to go on, with lurex sparkles and wild animal print finished with these over the top yellow sunglasses. You got my memo about no shrinking wall flowers here, didn't you?




This outfit is what I actually wore to work in New Year's Eve although no-one really saw it as I had no customers at all. I packed up goods and did some admin and before I knew it, it was time to go home to celebrate with my family. It's been such a weird year that I was really happy to have an early night and just move on. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to feel that way.




The ensemble is made up from pre-loved and high street purchases from the past couple of years. The gold lurex cardigan is by H&M and was charity shopped, the black lurex roll neck is charity shopped but has no brand label, the leopard print jeans are by Zara, fave patent boots are from Topshop and last but by no means least are the new yellow sunglasses from Quay Australia which Sasha bought me for Christmas.




The gold petal ring was a present from a friend and the other jewellery is pre-loved. The cowboy belt was from H&M several years ago.




I just love these crazy yellow sunglasses. I put them on my wish list for Sasha along with a couple of other pairs and was delighted that she chose these. Wild and funky and just such a lovely cheery colour - what's not to love about them?




I've lost track of how often these Topshop cuban heel boots have appeared on the blog, but golly they've not lost their charm have they!




Many thanks to Fiona for turning up to take photos once again. Her cajoling and forthright observations make the whole thing a joy.

I'd like to send you good wishes for 2021 and hope that you stay safe and well.

                                                                Anna x

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Gold, brocade and the Christmas party outfit


Hi, hello and draw up a chair, why don't you!

How are you? Are to catching up on some of those Christmas chores? Well, don't worry. Neither am I! And the blog seems to be like a poor relative at the moment too, limping along behind the ever growing to-do lists. But never mind, I'm here now and you have my complete attention. 



Today I'm channeling that festive feeling by way of this gold lurex cardigan which I bought in the big charity shop haul in London last month (see here). The brand is H&M and it was a snip at £6. I've added some more depth to the outfit with the addition of brocade, twice - once on these red pre-loved trousers (Oxfam) and secondly with the black and gold boots from River Island.




The gold lurex cardigan is really weighty making it feel more like a jacket. I like the popper fasteners, but do wish it had some pockets - oh how I love the slouchiness of a pocket! My blouse is another recycled item, this time by Jacques Vert. The embellishments in gold and sequins add another layer of fancy to this already fancy pants ensemble, but hey - it's the festive season isn't it?


I wonder if someone might get the hint as I model this ring today? It's made from the sea glass washed up on our shores. I collect bags of this a couple of times a year and send them off to a couple of artists who then create jewellery for the gallery. 


Another pre-loved purchase is this red leather belt by Tommy Hilfiger, but it looks as good as new and well worth the £5 I paid for it.


Fiona and I were trying to capture some indoor shots, but the lighting issue (too much sunlight flooding the scene) and camera settings were an interesting challenge for both of us. Later on that evening we were back here at the New Inn attempting to get some photos of my Christmas party outfit.


Automatic flash wasn't quite what we wanted ...


No flash didn't work either.


The lighting here was better, but blurry and you couldn't see the whole outfit.


What do you mean, "suck your tummy in"?


How's this?


Yes, the fringing shows up better like this!

My fab black glitter boots were from Topshop last year, as were the sparkly tights. The pre-loved skirt (Oasis) was from the Crisis Centre shop in London too, and the lurex top is ancient, but second hand. 


My sparkling rings are pre-loved and the handbag is almost a vintage piece by now as it's about 20 years old. The island party was very well attended, so much so, that I didn't know half of the faces there as they were from behind the scene at the various eateries on the island. I had a lovely evening, catching up with locals and dancing for as long as my boots would allow me.

                                                                                             Anna x

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