We're having a heatwave!

Hi there! Oh my goodness, how wonderful it is to live by the sea in the middle of a heatwave! A sea breeze makes the high temperatures so much more tolerable and for that I'm very grateful. I'm managing to fit in my daily swims around work; the water temperature is also a blessing as it's still cool, with the odd warm spot. I'm currently swimming along the length of Appletree Bay and back which takes just over 30 minutes. This year I've ditched my previous routine of wearing earplugs, cap and goggles where I would swim out on breast stroke and back on crawl. But this year I've swapped that for a heads-up breast stroke and the simple reason is that it gives me a more relaxing swim as I'm not always checking for boats, paddleboards etc - this way I'm seeing everything all the time and can swim around/away from any interruptions.

And so, on to the outfit of the day. The dress is broderie anglais, light as a feather, therefore perfect for the current heatwave. The buttons don't go all the way to the hem therefore I added these colourful shorts underneath. The brand is called Budgy Smuggler and these are booty shorts - see them here. The print is called Techno Parrot.

Orange and blue are a fab pairing and the multicoloured shorts add another wonderful pop of colour. 

I found these fab fluffy sandals on Vinted last summer, but somehow they didn't get many wears. We have a holiday coming up soon and I thought these might work as crazy slippers. When I wore them to work recently Rachel greeted me with "Morning Barbara!", aka The Good Life. Consequently I'm veiwing them as more like posh slippers rather than funky sandals.

The blue sunglasses are from Oliver Bonas, bought last year. They're my go-to glasses currently as I just love the cheery colour which really makes a statement. My beaded necklace with gold discs was bought a few years ago from the Charlie Dodge jewellery range which we stock. 

I'm suddenly a convert to shorts under dresses. No worries about inadventently flashing one's knickers; instead these booty shorts show that I have nothing to hide!

Steve and I had a bit of downtime here on Saffron Bay after work the other evening. There's a magic hour between 6 and 7pm when the beaches empty as everyone is making tea for the kids or getting ready to go out for dinner. It's the best time to find an empty beach to call our own. A bottle of beer for Steve and a bonus swim for me before we head of home and we've rounded off a working day nicely!

                                                                            Anna x

Sunset Shades, our SNA challenge for August

Hello again and welcome once more to our Style Not Age Challenge for August. We're sporting Sunset Shades this month as chosen by Emma and my offering was shopped from my wardrobe. Let's catch up with my fabulous fashionista friends first though...

Hilda sent one of her holiday snaps and she too has shopped her closet. Her sunset shade top fulfills the remit perfect and doesn't she look carefree and lovely! See more from her on Over the Hilda blog. 

The holiday theme continues with Jacqui and her outfit which she bought in Sicily. The silky two piece is co-ordinated with pink sandals and orange handbag - all sunset hues. Catch up with all Jacqui's news on her blog Mummabstylish. 

Emma's sunset shades are both from River Island, recently rediscovered in her loft - what a joyful find! See more of this fabulous outfit on her blog Style Splash. 

This was my work outfit from Sunday. I suspect it looks more beach than workwear but I so love it that I decided what the the heck and wore it anyway. I did get quite a few compliments so I maybe wasn't so wrong.

The broderie anglaise dress was a charity shop find costing me £5. Worn on its own it is indeed the perfect beach cover up but by adding my (made by me) petticoat it changes the look to something more dressy. 

My two-tone bejewelled sandals were a Vinted buy earlier on this summer and goodness what a lot of wear I've got out of them already! I do love them so much. And not only that, but they've comfy too.

Nothing new with my jewellery either. The pink and orange necklace was a Zara purchase from years ago but works well with today's look and the perspex rings are very old too.

Steve did the honours with this month's SNA photos. I'd stepped outside to take a photo of the sunset from our house and decided that the warm evening light might be flattering enough for this capture session.

As ever, thank you for dropping by to catch up on our latest challenge. Hope you're still holding on to summer weather. We've been hit by the predicted stormy wet weather overnight. Let's hope it'll pass soon. Take care!

                                                                        Anna x