Isobel coat from the Lighthouse

Hi there! How are you? Today I want to share my new Isobel coat, gifted to me by the Lighthouse Clothing Company. Sunday was a windy but bright and sunny day - that kind of fierce wind that blows right through you - so I decided to take a walk out onto the headland of Tresco to give my new winter coat a proper testing. I'm delighted to say that it was toasty warm and windproof, aside from the promise of it being waterproof and breathable.

I chose this coat not just for the lovely colour (Sea Kelp, find it here), but for the length which is ideal for my height (5ft 5in). Anything longer would be below knee length; not good for striding out with a bit of rock climbing to boot.

When my son and I left home it was raining, just a light drizzle, but enough to trick me into thinking I didn't need my (bright blue) sunglasses. Stupid of me really as I could have popped them into the very spacious pocket. Anyway, after walking half a mile or so, the clouds cleared, rain stopped and we were bathed in the late afternoon sunshine. Much squinting on my part followed as Jamie did the best he could as photographer-of-the-day in the whipping wind.

As you'll see the coat isn't just fully padded but also has a cosy fluffy lining which extends into the hood as well - such a bonus for a weatherproof jacket. I love that extra feature!

The coat also has a drawstring waist in case you want to be even more snug. 

As for the rest of my outfit, well there's nothing new here at all. The turquoise chunky knit jumper and matching boots were both from Vinted in the past year so you'll probably have seen them on the blog before. The fab green jeans are by Twiggy from M&S, another Vinted buy from this year. I recently found the long beaded necklace in a charity shop in Truro though and I'm pleased to say that the smattering of small turquoise beads ties it in perfectly with today's look and I added a blue plastic ring, another charity shop find, to finish things off.

My other news is that Gallery Tresco has now closed for the winter and I'm already deep in winter works mode. The island may seem to have shut down, but behind the scenes all of the permanent staff have lots to do over the next few months to get ready for the 2026 season. My final week of trading was very healthy meaning I still have lots of paintings to pack up ready for shipping to the mainland. Thereafter I'll be tackling my (dreaded) annual stocktake as well as clearing the decks ready for a new carpet to be laid. Before Iong I'll be searching for the boxes of decorations to prepare for our Christmas opening...

One final bit of news is that my husband has recently celebrated 50 years of working for Tresco Estate, or rather Tresco Island as it is now known. He's also just turned 68 and assures me that he's not ready to hang up his workboots yet. Steve's one of those lucky guys who loves his job and is in no rush to take up the call of armchair and slippers. We're very proud of all that he's achieved in his lifetime - if you ever visit Tresco you'll see his legacy at every turn as most of the young woodlands have been planted by him. Well done Steve, you're a living legend!

                                                                        Anna x

Sunshine and showers

Hello again! Today I'm trying to find a plus with the British weather and that can only be the excuse to buy a new weatherproof jacket and wellington boots. The orange jacket is by Barbour and cost me £40 (brand new from Vinted) as were the Joules wellies. 

My ongoing wardrobe clear-out has extended to the downstairs coat cupboard now where I'm dejunking like a frenzied idiot, getting rid of coats that I've had for years despite never wearing them. In their place I'm replenishing my coat collection with all sorts of lovely (and mostly orange) coats and jackets. I'm suddenly aware that my next milestone birthday will see me becoming 70 and am trying to buy coats that will be useful to me at that time of life. Mostly, I'm slightly worried that I'll be an true OAP by then and may not be able to afford a good winter coat or two.

My friend Fiona and I hooked up for a lunchtime walk yesterday, timing it perfectly between the showers. It was still a good chance to test drive my boots as we hopped around the large puddles that have grown to almost mini-lake size after this dreadfully wet winter. The jacket was on its first outing too and proved to be light and yet fully windproof too. Steve has a few, very old, Barbour jackets and all of them are very heavy, never mind terribly dull in that boring old greenish brown colour.

This look is great compromise of style and functionality. The jeans are new too (from Vinted) and are by Twiggy for M&S. The fit is great as they have a bit of stretch in them, perfect for our yomp around the island. The white top is old as are the sunglasses.

The wellie boots are so cute, don't you think? I couldn't help but show them alongside our local daffodils. Spring is truly here!

My Zara necklace was a birthday gift last year and the rings are pre-loved and also very old. Easter has come and gone and the island is full of happy families enjoying island life despite the changeable weather. Personally I'm fed up with the rain and am very keen to do my clothes changeover, but can't justify it yet. In the meantime, my love affair with Vinted continues as I find temptation only a click away. My other passion currently is sewing and I hope to post some images for you to see next time. I've upcycled a pair of pink corduroy jeans and am working on a beautiful summer duster coat that's too big and is proving a battle to alter. That said, I do so enjoy the challenge of how to approach these items to make them fit. 

Thanks for joining me and Happy Easter!

Anna x