We love...

Yes, it's the 20th of the month and that's time for my monthly style challenge. Previously Ping Pong Piece held centre stage here, but the girls and I have called it a day. After 18 months of collaborating we felt the time had come to bow out gracefully before we outstayed our welcome. Samantha has launched a weekly link up so do pop over to see how she's getting on with that and Ann is busy as ever sharing her savvy style as well as her DIY projects.

And me, well I'm delighted to introduce you to my daughter, Sasha, who is joining me in our new style feature called "We love..." As mother and daughter we share a passion for clothes, shoes, boots, handbags and all things sparkly. We'll be popping up on the 20th of the month to show you that there needn't be a generation gap where style is concerned. This month "We love florals" so let's get going!

Sasha and I not only love clothes, but we love clothes shopping together. We are ninjas of the sales and experts of rummaging in charity shops finding all sorts of bargains together and for each other. When I suggested that we do this monthly style challenge together Sasha immediately had her own ideas of items we've doubled up on. We have an overlap on many favourites including our passion for brogues, embroidery and all things metallic which will be featured in due course. Clothes sharing may be a contentious issue for some mothers and daughters, but not us - we are constantly passing on pieces to each other (my top today is a prime example). 

Florals was on obvious starting point for the feature as we both own an abundance of this most feminine of prints. Winter florals may well crop up over the next few months as we embrace darker tones and deeper colours that are trending. And that's where I'm going to enjoy Sasha's input most of all, as current trends tend to pass me by, but not so with Sasha. She truly has her finger on the pulse knowing what's rising, waning and completely over. Her insight will be great even though I'm sure my own style radar will remain the same. It's exciting to have her on board and I do hope that you appreciate her flair too.

Outfit details -

Sasha wears overshirt and jeans from New Look, sunglasses from Primark and shoes by Guess. I'm wearing a top by H&M, pre-loved jeans, mules by Red Kiss, sunglasses by Sainsbury's, all jewellery pre-loved.

Linking with -

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Samantha of Fake Fabulous

Laurie of Vanity And Me

Anna x

Transitional dressing

I really don't profess to be a style expert. The blog features my take on fashion with little regard for age appropriateness as I wear what makes me feel joyful and I hope that this may be an inspiration to you. Transitional dressing isn't something that I feel particularly clever at - I much prefer the clear cut demarcation between summer and winter. This rather grey area for me is perfectly reflected in today's outfit which coincidentally showcases many shades of grey. The breezy start to the day informed my choice of top with a high neck to keep the chills out, but the fact that the sun was shining meant that the gallery would probably heat up to boiling point by the afternoon. With this in mind, I chose these lightweight silk palazzo pants which are cool and easy to wear. The fabric mules are in a wide fit and minimal heel - just because you want to be stylish doesn't mean you can't be comfortable!

This weekend finds me rotating my summer and winter wardrobes (see? no spring/autumn clothes mentioned there) as I try to second-guess the weather. The process is little short of bedlam this year, but more of that another day. A friend was delighted to hear that I'm putting my summer clothes away as she said that pretty much guarantees an instant upturn in the weather. On the strength of that, I may keep a few lighter pieces to the side ready for the Indian summer. Oh, such are the joys of transitional dressing!

Outfit details - top: H&M, trousers: Jean Muir, mules: Miss Selfridge, sunglasses: Quay Australia, silver disc ring: pre-loved, silver and gold band ring: Diana Porter.

Anna x

Quite contrary

They say it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind and as such I find myself being rather contrary since my last post. I'm no longer convinced that summer is a state of mind when the cold North wind is blowing as ferociously as it is currently! Hence I'm wrapped up in a cosy turtle neck and trousers today.

The simple roll neck is a perfect canvas for my long two toned metal necklace. I've added rings, preloved, in silver and gold to pick up the alternate shades of metal. 

These trousers are a recent purchase from TK Maxx and are reflecting what seems to be theme in my transitional wardrobe. Black and grey are featuring heavily as you'll see over the next few weeks with these fabulous trainers being the building blocks that I worked up from. They're black and a glittery silver which may not show up very well in the bright sunlight and best of all are incredibly comfortable!

Sasha has done the honours with today's photography giving Polly a day off. We've dodged just along the beach at New Grimsby from our normal location to try to escape the wind, with an element of success. I'm so lucky to have this kind of help from both of the girls and know that my blog wouldn't be half as good without them. It's going to be a real bonus having them around all this winter too. Thank you, my lovelies!

Outifit details - trousers: Massimo Fabbro, sweater: old, trainers: Steve Maddon, necklace: Du Barre, rings: preloved, sunglasses: Quay Australia.

Anna x

Gingham and florals

Yesterday started off with a mere glimmer of sunshine in the sky, but that was all the encouragement I needed to roll out a couple of my favourite trends from the summer before they have to be packed away. The gingham and flowers are in perfect harmony especially when paired up with monotone accessories.

I find myself at this time of year fighting a sense of panic that I still haven't managed to show you all of my purchases from the current season. It seems so sad to have to pack up these colourful delights without them making their debut. My blogging friend Sheila of Ephemera always makes a point of wearing her new purchases as soon as possible which makes perfect sense to me now. 

I think I had, somewhat foolishly, believed that after the heatwave in June, we would be blessed with another burst of sun where one day followed on after the other, joining up to make something that resembled summer - no such luck eh? If we have the occasional bright day, be aware that I'll be subjected you to something bright too, for my own satisfaction. Today's outfit may be familiar to you, but previously seen as separates which are married joyfully in this ensemble. The black and white accessories tie it all together - black belt, shoe boots and petticoat and the white jumbo pearls, sweetly finished off with my favourite black and white sunglasses. The shoes are in fact brand new though - from Tu at Sainsbury's in the July sale for £8, yippee! 

Outfit details - skirt: H&M, top: George at Asda, shoes: Tu at Sainsbury's, belt: Dorothy Perkins, necklace: Debenhams, petticoat: eBay, leather jacket: preloved, rings: preloved, sunglasses: Quay Australia.

Anna x

My 15 minutes

Andy Warhol's quote that we'd all have our 15 minutes of fame came true for me recently when I was featured with the legend that is Johnnie Walker on his Sounds of the 70's radio programme last Sunday. My sister Dianne was somewhat bemused as to how the presenter who has interviewed a plethora of music icons came to interview me. Well, I have to confess to wondering why I made the grade too, but how is much easier to explain. Johnnie's wife, Tiggy is a yoga enthusiast who attends a yoga retreat on the island every year and as such we have become friends. 

In June Johnnie and Tiggy were here during the heatwave enjoying life far away from the fast lane that is their norm. Steve and I took them off-island to one of the uninhabited islands for a picnic which unfolded into one of those blissful, idyllic days that remain crystallised in the memory banks. We ate our simple picnic, sipped on chilled beer and shared our life stories. Johnnie thought the tale of how I arrived on these beautiful shores merited some further exposure, but I thought it was just the blazing sun and beer taking their toll on his sense of judgement - flattering at the time, but not really expected to come to anything. 

The day rolled on and the sun shone relentlessly until we needed to escape and so we motored gently home to retreat to the cool of our granite cottage where we cracked open a bottle of elderflower gin, a Father's Day gift from Sasha. After quite a few "one more for the road" as is my husband's forte, we ended what was a nigh on perfect day. Imagine my surprise, when Johnnie turned up at the gallery a couple of days later to inform me that he was going to be interviewing me at the end of business and for me to get my tracks ready. With no Polly to flap to (it was her day off) I decided to scribble down some ideas and get on with the chores of the day. Just after five o'clock Johnnie turned up and we ensconced ourselves upstairs in my office overlooking the bay, windows flung wide open to enjoy the beach life right on the doorstep.

We chatted about these fabulous islands which remain unspoilt and how lucky we feel to be here during this heatwave. We talked about this and that until Johnnie got his phone out and said we'd do the interview. It didn't feel like an interview at all - I just spoke about how I came to arrive on the Isles of Scilly with Johnnie interspersing some questions and prompts. If you follow this link you'll hear the programme that went on air last week with the comments that came back from listeners as well as Johnnie giving my blog a big shout out which was a lovely bonus. There is a shortened version too that you can listen to here. 

My fifteen minutes of fame was over in a flash, but when Steve and I finally got around to listening to the show over dinner last Sunday it did feel like a walk down memory lane for us. I had to cringe at the moment when I sang (oh dear, I really can't sing), but not only sang, but managed to sing lyrics to a completely different song that I'd referred to. Johnnie thought it was charming and funny and refused to edit it out despite my pleas. The programme showed me as I am, gushing, full of joy and sometimes hurtling off in all sorts of crazy directions. One of the nicest comments that came through on my emails in response to the show was "I love your love for life". Maybe you can find a moment to listen to either version.

I hope you have a lovely week and I'll be back soon!

Linking with -

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Ashley and Laurie of Vanity And Me Style

Samantha of Fake Fabulous

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish

Anna x

Still shining!

The huge grin is because every sunny day from here on is a bonus. I apologise to those of you outside of the UK - our default setting is to mention the weather at every possible juncture and is the starting point of any conversation that may be faltering in an awkward social situation. Sun for me means another chance to air yet another summery outfit and this one today was a great bargain.

I paid £9.99 for this vibrant and zingy fine cotton lawn dress which was brand new with the label stating $125. Oh, I do love a bargain! My sandals are from F&F, the belt, broad orange bangle and rings are all pre-loved, necklace too old now to recall and my sunglasses are by Quay Australia.

The cone shaped bracelet is a new addition to my accessories cache - the maker is Jackie Brazil. It's great to find something to wear with my old faithful orange perspex necklace.

I adore the brand name being printed on the fabric.

I'm currently away in Cornwall, so must apologise if the islands are awash with rain in my absence. Today I'll be sitting in the dentist's chair for two very long hours as I start a course of treatment to keep hold of as many teeth as possible as I enter into my 60th year (or is that really my 61st?) - no matter. I'm having work done and it won't be my favourite way to spend time on the mainland. In addition I'm going to be giving a helping hand to Sasha who is returning to the island to live for a while. Another chapter of our lives is about to begin which is always exciting. 

My next post will be at the weekend where I'll be sharing another bit of news... until then, have a great week!

Anna x