Monochrome madness

Hurrah for Friday! How wonderful it is to be teetering on the edge of the weekend! I'm running on low at the moment, counting the days until I finish the season. It's only a week away now - a week until I can relax and take some time off. It'll be a treat, that's for sure.

But in the meantime, this outfit of the day is all about black and white and how it doesn't have to be as boring as it might sound. My mish-mash style is a wonderfully riotous blend of era's that represent me, but only for today. The chameleon in me will have reinvented herself by tomorrow you understand.

The houndstooth check skirt is a quirky mix of two different sizes of checks and what's more surprising is that it's by M&S. Purchased second hand from the Cornwall Air Ambulance shop last year, it was in almost mint condition and a fantastic find. I'm always on the lookout for the unusual, but didn't expect M&S to provide it.

My Michael Kors studded jacket on the other hand, wasn't second hand, but was a thrilling find at TK Maxx a few years ago when Steve and I were overnighting in Truro on our way to Venice. The metal studs on the jacket make it so weighty that I had to box it up and post it back home to myself as it was taking up too much of my luggage allowance. It's a funky jeans jacket, perfect for lifting any outfit out of the doldrums, not that you could say that about this one!

Pre-loved rings and this mixed metal necklace add a bit more fun to the look. Black and white sunglasses are by Quay Australia in case you didn't know.

These rather fabulous two tone oxfords are by Church's and of course the most striking part of them has to be the dazzling blue soles. I've had them for two years now, but don't wear them often as they are so blooming special that I don't want them to get damaged. It's not really about keeping them for best, more that I want them to last forever, and being Church's they probably will!

Note how the creative director arranged for a perfectly coordinating black and white boat to drift past at just the right moment. 

And finally, just a little bit of larking about for Fiona and I before we left the premises. The Lighthouse had been a great backdrop for this shoot. A tiny lull between bookings had allowed us a day to make use of the house. We had a taste of living in the lap of luxury and goodness, how special we felt.

There was a musical sound track to this, Ain't no stopping us now, and the only thing that did stop me was the dodgy mum dancing! 

Coming up on Monday will be our monthly style challenge for the Style Not Age collective so do please swing by to see what we're up to this time.

Until then, have a great weekend!

Anna x

Another burst of colour

Hurrah, it's Friday! How are you? I'm ready for some down time that's for sure. The season here is drawing to a close and golly I'm looking forward to having a break. It's been a weird summer for all of us hasn't it? 

Last weekend Fiona and I took ourselves off to the other side of the island and had fun taking these shots around Old Grimsby at Raven's Porth beach. 

I'm continuing my theme of colour therapy today, this time using Emerald green to lift and energise my mood. I've created a suit using this cute little green jacket with round collars and 3/4 length sleeves paired with these rather outrageous leather joggers. The jacket is second hand and the trousers were from TK Maxx.

My favourite Quay Australia sunglasses always add a dash of glamour to an outfit.

Black and green make a great contrast, giving a sharp look to the outfit of the day. I added this bejewelled bag to inject a bit of sparkle to the otherwise flat colours. The bag is in the shape of a turtle - you can see the gold feet and head. I found this in a boutique when I was in St Andrews a couple of years ago while visiting my sister. The round shape is big and spacious and is perfect for stashing a spare pair of shoes in as well as all of the obvious!

I'm wearing my much loved Vivienne Westwood orb pendant along with these charity shopped rings. The black ribbed polo neck with gilt buttons is a long standing mainstay of my winter wardrobe. It was great charity shop find many years ago and just seems to wash and wear without showing signs of age. (Oh how I wish I could say the same about me, hahaha!)

 

It's a joy to have brought these patent leather cuban heeled boots back into play again! These were from Topshop, last year I think.  I came across them in the sale - they were the last pair on the shelf and luckily in my size! I'll try to limit the times I wear them on the blog, but honestly in real life I wear them lots. They're all day comfortable as well as looking sooooo cool!

The backdrop and I are vying for attention here. Behind me is the view out towards St Martin's and the Eastern Isles, one of my favourite summer escapes. 

Those of you who know Tresco will recognise this as the gateway into the newest rental property on the island. Fiona and I played fast and loose around there, making the most of the pretty surroundings. The Lighthouse is in a wonderful setting, right on the shoreline and the interior of the large beach house is finished to the highest of standards. See here for more images and details about this amazing addition to the island's cottages. 

We enjoyed the vacant possession of the property for a couple of hours, reveling in the house and its incredible views. Oh how the other half lives! You'll see this backdrop crop up again over the next couple of months as I showcase some other outfits. What great fun we had!

                                                                         Anna x