Spread The Joy




The title of today's post is inspired by Gaby Roslin who has recently released a book by the same name; see it on Amazon here. I heard Gaby on Radio 2 yesterday and she really struck a chord with me, especially when she commented on pink and orange being her favourite colour combination and I was wearing my outfit of the day already! Anyway see how my day unfolded...




The first photo shows the view from my garden, but also features our boat Leah Dancer in the foreground. This boat has been a huge renovation project over the past two years, culminating in it finally being launched in September. Apart from the day job, Steve and I have worked every weekend and most evenings over this summer to finish this labour of love, but it has meant us giving up many other things to acheive our goal. For me, the joy of my life, my sea swimming became a luxury I simply couldn't afford. We both made compromises and they were worth it. But now, thank goodness, I'm back in the groove and swimming on the high tides which this week have been in the morning. I met three other ladies crossing the bay yesterday morning and we stopped to say hello and, lovely morning!




Another joy I've recently managed to reinstate is my lunchtime walking with my friend Fiona. We both seem to have had equally busy summers and now at last are taking some time back for ourselves. Walking and talking is great fun, good therapy too and a great way to build up a bit of fitness. We walk a circuit of the island, but not across the North End, which takes us approximately an hour, giving us our 10,000 steps along the way.




And so, on to the outfit of the day. Like Gaby, I love pink and orange together which makes this another favourite of mine. The pink trench is really old now, but is still a source of joy, especially as it was a wonderful charity shop find at only £5!  Pairing it with my new orange handbag (see full details in my previous post here), makes the whole look pop.




One simple move that Gaby advocates is to jump, yes just jump, then jump and smile at the same time and see how effective that is in bringing an immediate sense of joy. I did a bit of that whilst up on the ramparts of the Old Blockhouse after work. My camera had a job trying to capture these shots of course, being a moving image, but at least you get the idea from this shot.




My pink and blue floral dress was another thrift shop find, from last year but this is only the second time I've worn it. It was a toss up between these silver brouges (very, very old from Office) and pink tight and boots. The shoes won for the simple reason that they're much more all-day-long comfortable. 




I'm wearing a long sleeved thin thermal layer (old, from M&S) underneath to keep the autumn breeze at bay. My rings are second hand and sunglasses are by Radley London.




Counting your blessings is another source of joy and taking time to stop and stare is an easy way to do this. The beauty of this place never ceases to amaze me. I can't imagine living anywhere else.




Milky autumn sun dancing behind the trees.




Home again in time for tea! So that was my day, and I do hope you enjoyed sharing it. I was at work too, but never seem to document that much as it's pretty much the same backdrop most days. Winter works are on the horizon though meaning I'll be getting out and about more, so hopefully will get some snaps of that in due course. I hope you're well, I hope you're finding the joy in your life and sharing it with the ones you love.

Have a great weekend!

Anna x

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The feel-good factor




Hello lovelies! How are you doing? And more importantly what have you lined up for the weekend? It's well over a year since I've been on the mainland and I can't imagine what it's like now that restrictions are being lifted across the UK. Have you been clothes shopping yet? And if so, how was it? Do share!




This was a work outfit of mine from this past week. We've had a wonderful run of sunny weather, but with a chilly east wind, hence the need for tights. I long for bare leg weather, but I suppose it's only spring after all. The bell sleeved smock harps back to the 60's from when I was barely a teenager. This one was a charity shop find and as is so often, it has no label. The fabric is a heavy weight jersey, perfect for this time of year. 




A wide smock that barely covers the knee can be a bit challenging. Do I end up looking as wide as I am tall? Am I a bit chunky around the knee area? Is this a style more suited to a young girl? Yes, all of these questions came to mind when I saw some of these photos. The fashion critic that resides in my head talks much louder than any straight talking girlfriend could. The truth is, sometimes it's not about how an outfit makes you look. Sometimes it's about how it makes you feel. And this smock dress always makes me feel good. So hurrah for the feel-good factor!




I chose purple tights to tie in with the floral patterned dress, adding these silver brogues (by Office) for a bit of razzle dazzle. 




Pre-loved rings and a mixed metal necklace finish the look along with my Quay Australia sunglasses. I'm listening to Tony Blackburn's "Sounds of the 60's" as I write this which seems very fitting. The song "What  a wonderful world" by Louis Armstrong is a great way to start my day. 




My thanks go to Fiona again for taking these photos. This post work shoot took place in front of our local church in the early evening sunshine. My first week of being open to the public has rushed by in a flurry of happy hello's from guests who were so grateful to be back on the island. Our numbers have increased staff-wise too with lots of youngsters wearing ear to ear smiles as they can't quite believe their luck at landing on our sunny island paradise - and getting paid to be here too!

I'm just off to the beach now for my early morning swim. The plan for me this weekend is all about housework. A big spring clean is long overdue and I'm ready for it. I love to clean if cleaning is my own chore. If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well is my motto. And with that I'll leave you. 

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Anna x

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