I'm loving these autumn hues

Hello again! How was your weekend? First of all, let's get the lockdown subject out of the way, shall we? Are you fed up at the prospect of weeks at home again or is the rise in the number of COVID cases starting to worry you too? Personally, I don't think there was ever going to be an easy way to get through this winter and if the predictions are accurate then this could be worse than the first wave of the virus. Last night's radio news reported that there were 132 new deaths from the virus in the UK within the past 24 hours. The very next report was to say that the police in Bristol were still trying to break up an illegal rave in a warehouse in Yate involving 400-500 people! This element of the population don't watch or listen to the news (social media is their source of information), nor do they want to accept any involvement or responsibility in the spread of the virus. I call them the "It's not me" movement. Will they adhere to the lockdown restrictions? I wonder ...

Anyway, moving swiftly on. I've gone all autumn colours with this my last work outfit of the season; rust, orange, brown and chestnut shades make an unusually subdued palette of colours for me. Sometimes I surprise myself at the marriage of items which make up an ensemble, but it's good to expand my repertoire. My friend Jilly loved this - classy and elegant, stylish and understated - was her wonderfully gushing appraisal. Thanks my dear, I'll take that!

Despite Jilly's comments, it was almost impossible to look anything but windblown when Fiona and I stepped outside to capture these shots. The latest storm was about to batter the islands and so we ventured no further than a few steps from the Gallery door.

And so, on to the details. The sharp wool jacket was a hand me down from my sister - it's by Jones New York and oozes style indeed. One day, when I too retire, I'll probably pass it on to someone who can do it justice within the work place. The polo neck sweater came from H&M, I think. The beautiful skirt is a vintage piece bought from Oxfam in Truro last year. The brand is Mondi, made from wool and polyester which gives it a lovely drape, and of course the winning feature has to be the pockets!

The overstitched boots are by Riva and were charity shopped quite a few years ago. I don't wear them often and yet looking at them now, I do wonder why? I added these argyle tights to tie in with the sweater tones and to stop this descending into a predominantly brown outfit.

I swear I must have had this suede tassel belt for over 20 years, but it's still a joy to wear when the right outfit comes along. Today, this surely has to be the right outfit!

Rings are: orange one pre-loved: gold one was a gift from a girlfriend. Watch is by Michael Kors and the beetle brooch was purchased from the Gallery a good few years ago.

Somewhere under that mess of hair are a pair of co-ordinating sunglasses by Radley London.

And just in case you didn't catch this on Instagram the other day, I was surprised and delighted to find that I'd been featured in the new online magazine Forty and Beyond Mag UK. Not only is it great to find a new publication for the over 40's, but to be considered worthy of being included is very flattering. Hurrah for them in recognising the value in this often overlooked demographic to the point that they were inspired enough to create a new magazine. Of particular interest to me was the timely article on lockdown anxiety. Click on the link above to take a look inside.

                                                                                             Anna x

Charity shop finds

Hello again!

It's great to have you join me again today. I've had this outfit sitting in my draft box for a while and thought today was the right time to bring it out. We all know the ripples from the Coronavirus are being felt across the globe and are affecting almost every business now. Yesterday I heard that the future of many charities is under pressure, with the threat of collapse due to their lack of income. Events like the London Marathon produce a large percentage of income for most charities every year and without that and so many other fundraising events it leaves their future hanging in the balance. Small animal charities are the most vulnerable with worries about how they'll feed their livestock within the weeks and months ahead. Such a worrying time. As you know, I'm a huge fan of charity shopping, in fact, it's a mainstay of my wardrobe and I do wonder if the high street shops will survive once Covid-19 has passed. 

My outfit comprises of two items from the Oxfam shop in Truro. The oxblood leather coat is from Next and although not brand new, it shows no signs of wear and is a beautiful quality of hide. I paid £40 for it and see it as a great investment piece. 

The nutmeg vintage skirt is by Mondi, made from wool and polyester, fits like a dream and best of all still had the original tags on it. It cost £19.99 and again is another real investment buy. I suppose the skirt encapsulates all the best reasons to charity shop: it's unusual, stylish and an absolute bargain.

The fabric has a lovely drape, the pleats sit nicely and of course, the bonus has to be these pockets. I do like the button feature down the front too. My bronze and black sock boots are by Zara from a couple of years ago.

These are some of my last work outfits before I was furloughed. From here on I'll be going back through my draft box to find those ensembles which I might have bypassed previously, but beggars can't be choosers now!

Lora did a great job taking these shots on this particular day as I had given her the camera with the setting on the wrong place. When we got to the jewellery shot it wouldn't focus - stupid me for leaving it on the Scenery setting!

Nothing new with these rings as I've had them both for ages. H&M leopard print cardi is old too.

Yet another new pair of Radley sunglasses, (aren't they fab) paired with this chunky tribal necklace from Topshop last year.

A week into my furlough now and I'm still trying to create a work structure on the home front. One thing I've found is that too much news and social media definitely affect my energy levels. It's draining to have the reality of our world events come at you hour after hour. I'm limiting my news updates to once in the morning and once in the evening. The same for social media. And I'm letting the days roll by with less have-to's that I thought. I'm cooking and cleaning and swimming and resting, but not in any of the tight regime I previously would  previously have done.  I'll often find myself looking out at the island view from my window where there's not a sole in sight. Most of the time Tresco is like a ghost town. I expect you're finding life so very different too. Do drop me a line, leave me a comment and let me know how you're bearing up.

In the meantime, I'll be searching for outfits to keep us both entertained.

Anna x