#Ping Pong Post no 9

Welcome again to our monthly style challenge where an item of clothing traverses the globe between my friends Samantha of Fake Fabulous who lives in Scotland and Ann of Kremb de la Kremb, a resident of Hong Kong. It's been nine months since we started Ping Pong Post and you can see how it all began back in March see here. This month it was the turn of Samantha to proffer up something - her pink dotty jacket was a fabulous challenge - let's see if we'd be foiled or if we'd flourish shall we?

The inclement weather didn't dampen Samantha's enthusiasm for her weekend spin on the pink jacket. Samantha's Scottish home is prey to chill winds and more rain than it deserves, but she works around this with a cosy pashmina and clever layering featuring shades of cream, navy and burgundy reflected in bag, boots and over shirt. I love the rosy pink glow created by her brolly which enhances her lovely, healthy complexion. Samantha is growing out her signature pixie cut in favour of a longer, shaggy style which suits her pretty features so well. Follow Samantha on Instagram here.

Shirt: Second Female

Poloneck: M&S

Jeans: Topshop

Shoes: Mini Boden

Bag: Charity shop

Ring: My daughters!

Ann too, has changed her hairstyle this month and is looking equally cute with this swept back look. She's added polka dots and snakeskin print to a black and white palette to showcase the pink jacket. The simple mini skirt paired with fantastic Stella McCartney patent, platform shoes almost steal the show were it not for those beautifully tanned legs of Ann's - the result of a recent beach holiday methinks! Metallic nailpolish and toning jewellery are her finishing touches. Follow Ann on Instagram here.

Shirt is Target

Top, Sams

The tie is Zara as is the snake bag--but from the girls department.

The suede mini is Forever 21

The shoes are Stella McCartney

Oh, the strings are from my buddy Ben from a market here in Hong Kong.

And the hair tie I found in a random jewellery shop in Kowloon. 

I must admit I thought the jacket was a fantastic offering this month. The fit was great, it had a little bit of stretch and the colour was a the ideal springboard for creativity. My initial thought was to add some jeans as I'm aware I don't dress down very often for the blog. I pulled out a couple of pairs, one black drainpipe and the other a dark blue cropped. Hmmm, not sure. The pink frothy blouse nearly leapt out of the wardrobe next and that really helped move things along. I remembered seeing these studded leggings of Sasha's when I was rooting around in a drawer the other week. Once I'd recovered them, the boots were a no brainer. The finishing touches of this tartan clutch and the belt were both trophies from my last charity shopping episode in September see here. Lots of silver jewellery was my final nod towards this rock chick look - at my age? - YES!

Thanks to Samantha and Ann for the Pink Pong Party this month (Ann's take on this) - it was great fun. Next month we'll be showing a bit of razzle dazzle thanks to Ann, right on the cusp of Christmas. Hope you'll find a moment to swing by for a look.

Jacket: Sam's

Trousers: borrowed from my daughter

Blouse: charity shop

Boots:Office

Clutch: Ness 

Necklace and rings: charity shop

Watch: Michael Kors

Linking with

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish

Cherie of Style Nudge

                                                   Anna x

Something simple

Sunday, and for my third post in three days, I thought I'd serve up something simple. Well, simple in my eyes, anyway. Yes, I may have a bit of pattern clashing going on, and a pop or two of bright yellow, but that's tame by my standards. Today's look is more classic than wow, more everyday than party, but sometimes we have to take a breather. This slight lull is giving me time to rally. For what, you may ask? Well more of that later...

Sunglasses by Quay Australia. Photography by Polly x

I'm not a huge consumer of magazines, but I do like to pick one up as a treat most months. Red, Elle, Grazia, and the occasional Vogue are all great for both fashion and features. This month's front cover of Good Housekeeping caught my eye, thanks to the fab shot of Mary Portas. Mary is a woman after my own heart. A great business woman, with huge verve and energy for her cause, be it reviving the high streets or rejuvenating charity shops, Mary is above all things a true style icon. The biggest compliment I've had recently is to have been likened to Mary by client when we were discussing fashion for the older woman. I was enthusing about my latest shopping coup, explaining how you can find absolute gems in all sorts of unexpected places on the high street. I was bubbling with details of my favourite charity shops in Cornwall, giving her hints and directions, hands flapping and gesticulating when she said "I know who you remind me of - Mary Portas!". I'm not usually very good at accepting compliments, as they often fly past me as if they must be aimed at someone else. This time however I managed to capture it and respond with a "thank-you".

So there we go. I've survived my three day, self-imposed, madness of daily posting. Yes, I know of bloggers who somehow manage to post almost every day of the week, but I'm not them. This weekend was the exception, but it has been fun, none the less. Wednesday will bring a very unique post to the blog, something that by its very nature can only be a one off. Expect a whole lot of imagery. I'd love to tell you more, but don't want to spoil the surprise.

Jacket is old, by Zara. Trousers are Topshop from their summer sale (final reduction here). Top is old, by H&M. Shoes are old, by Topshop. Pendant is Vivienne Westwood (sim). Rings are charity shopped. Watch is by Michael Kors. Sunglasses by Quay Australia (these are nice). Candy bag by Furla.

Linking this week with

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Cherie of Style Nudge

Jess of Turning Heads Tuesday.

Anna x

Last year, this year.

If you're a long term follower you may well remember this jumpsuit from last summer. I wore it to an opening night party at the gallery see here. This year I've drafted in a whole lot of long gowns for my partying and therefore this has been demoted from posh to everyday. I'm sure this is what we all do isn't it? The dress that starts out being for a special occasion, once the event is over can't keep it's place at the top of the heap forever, can it? Granted, if it's all sparkle and sequins, then it may always remain as evening wear, but aside from those, I'm always happy to demote so that I can get the wear out of it.

To change things up I've added some different accessories, namely this colourful beaded belt which I'm wearing with the clasp at the back to give the rear view a bit of interest. While we're on the subject of rear views, I just have to say how unflattering this jumpsuit is in that department. Let's see, I hear you cry, but no! A woman has to have some pride, please. Suffice to say that I appear to have yards of arse in this ensemble (sorry if that was a bit coarse). If I'd know how this area was not to be highlighted I wouldn't have drawn attention to it by adding this back to front belt. Hey ho, the deed is done. The daytime debut of the jumpsuit was warmly received with lots of compliments on the fabulous cut and print. Early on in the morning I started off wearing my black and white floral jacket too, but it was soon warm enough to dispense with the extra layer. The other difference I introduced this time is the accent colour of turquoise which seems to work well against the russet tone. Last year, this year, I think the styling works well with both, but I prefer this latest version. What do you think?

Jumpsuit is from F&F at Tesco (this one is nice), jacket from Zara (I like this new version), shoes from New Look(similar), handbag charity shopped, sunglasses from Quay Australia, belt by Tu at Sainsbury (sold out) and my jewellery is old/charity shopped.

Linking with 

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish. 

Sammy of Bargain Baglady 

Anna x

Showers and flowers

It seems impossible for me to write up a post without referring to the weather. A visitor recently pointed out how their focus whilst here on holiday was all about the tides and the weather. We are indeed ruled by the tides and the need to be in the right place (quay) at the right time to catch the vital mode of transport, the boats. And being stranded without a car also focuses the mind on the weather as a whole day out can be blighted by forgetting to bring an extra layer of clothing. So you'll understand the influence with today's outfit. Showers means in this case a layer in the form of this flowered jacket from Zara (via a charity shop) which has been well worth the pittance I payed for it. Endlessly versatile in both colourway and pattern I keep leafing it into my daily outfits with ne'er an apology.

Those in the know will tell you to always keep an eye on the boats. The boats indicate which direction those grey rain clouds are coming from - they always face into the wind giving us a heads up as to what's in the pipeline. This vantage point today lets us see the weather ahead. Talking of which, I'd better get inside before that next shower arrives!

Today's outfit features the jacket from Zara (similar), skirt from H&M (similar), shoes from New Look (similar), tee shirt from M&S and handbag from a charity shop. Sunglasses are from Quay Australia, and all the silver jewellery is charity shopped. The fab orange nail polish is by Rita Ora at Rimmel in Tangerine Tent.

Linking with 

Dawn Lucy of Fashion Should Be Fun 

Anna x

Could this be the perfect little black accessory?

I decided that I wanted to have a bit of different look for my photo shoot this week, so took myself off on my bike for a tour of the island. The obvious feature was to find a fab beach view of which we have many. The view behind me is of St Mary's, the main island of the Isles of Scilly. I've lived on these islands for the past 38 years. Those 38 years mean I'm classed as a local now. My children were born here making them islanders, but not Scillonian. Seemingly to be given that status you have to have parents and grandparents all born on the islands. Complex hierarchy system eh?

The misty background was great, and the windswept look was genuine, but I wanted something else.

I really like this elephant's graveyard of timber otherwise known as the log pile, but my monochrome outfit blends rather than pops. Time to move on.

And here it is, my perfect little black accessory. This cute two seater chopper would be ideal to hop over to the mainland on a day trip for a spot of shopping. Well, a girl can dream, can't she?

The island may be small, but is very geographically diverse meaning there are plenty of nooks and crannies to feature. Today was another snapshot of what we have to offer despite being only one mile across by two miles long. The world famous Abbey Garden is behind me. This garden attracts thousands of tourists every year, many of whom arrive on cruise ships to see the huge variety of tropical plants and trees which thrive in our mild climate. One of my fellow bloggers Kezzie (see her blog here) is taking a cruise of the British Isles this summer and will be visiting the garden as part of her cruise itinerary. She and I plan to have a bloggers meet up that day and also hope to fit in a sea swim together on her whistle-stop tour. Learn more about our beautiful group of islands here where you can find help to plan your trip.

This was the sight which met me this morning as I headed off to the beach for my morning swim. A big cruise ship was being brought into the island's shallow waters by pilot boat. All of the passengers will be ferried into the various islands over the course of the day. (Kezzie, this may well be the kind of craft you arrive on in a couple of month's time.) This is Appletree Bay where I have my daily dip, and in the distance you can see the large cruiser anchored up.

My sweet jacket is by Zara (via charity shop) and the trousers are from my go-to shop for clean cut trousers, H&M. The patterned top is also from H&M. The sandals are from TK Maxx and the brand is Sixtyseven these are similar. I picked up the tiny bag up in a charity shop in Penzance. And my old faithful sunglasses are by Quay Australia. All my jewellery was found in various charity shops in Cornwall. 

Linking up with 

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style 

Anna x