5, 15 & 25

Yes, 5, 15 and 25 are the dates of the summer shows at the gallery this summer. During July and August we host 6 exhibitions in 60 days which is quite a turnaround. Polly and I work harder than ever to keep the gallery running smoothly and looking at its best. Our visitors love attending the opening night parties and we thrive on the additional challenge these nights bring. Without our back-up team of helpers we wouldn't cope and so first of all I want to say a huge thank you to them all, Polly included, for everything they do over these next two months.

At the end of the evening the girls still look as cheerful and fresh as at the start - thanks (L to R) Max, Polly and Ruth for your support!

The show we opened on Wednesday was for Ellen Watson, Ramie Leahy and Imogen Bone and can be viewed online here. Each artist sold work and received acclaim for their paintings which made a wonderful display. The sun shone and our clients spilled outdoors to enjoy the view in between making their purchases. We couldn't have had a better start to our summer exhibition period.

The following evening we had a party to say a fond farewell to a local family. Alex and Nicola along with their sons George and Harry have lived on the island forever it seems and are now making a fresh start in mainland Cornwall. They will be sorely missed and will leave a huge gap in this tiny island community. It's sad to see them go, but we all have our own path to tread. We wish them every success and much happiness in their new life. 

On evenings like this we locals always say how we wish we got together for reasons other than a family leaving or a funeral. It seems to take these sombre events to bring us out en masse and yet we'd all prefer to come along for no other reason than to say hello and how ya doing? Food for thought.

Outfit details - I found this orange lace jumpsuit by Darling in TK Maxx and must admit it was a dream to wear. Shoes are from Primark, necklace was a gift and the other jewellery and belt are all charity shopped. Sunnies are from Quay Australia.

Linking with -

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Anna x

Cream shift dress

I wasn't sure how to follow up the rather unique post from Wednesday see here, so decided to play it pure and simple. This cream shift dress was charity shopped last September and this is the first time I've thought to wear it. However, something seems to happen to me when I put on a shift, I look so formal that everone thinks I'm off to a wedding. I suppose a lot of that must be down to how I accessorise it, but a shift seems to dictate smart as far as I can see. I have another shift dress that I wore last week and I ended up looking like the mother of the bride. I'll post that another day, just to give you all a laugh. I do like a good laugh at the shots myself!

Today we open our final summer exhibition so I will look a bit different by the end of the evening. Another posh frock will be pulled out from the depths of my wardrobe along with several shoe options just to complicate matters. The bedroom always looks like carnage after this last minute rush. I usually have something in mind for the show, but it doesn't always work out right. I do have two maxi dresses that may be good, but until I try them on with all the right accessories, I won't actually know. Wish me luck and will see you with the last round up of the summer shows and the frock of the day - all to come on Sunday!

Dress by Mani (charity shopped), bag by Fleur (likewise), shoes charity shopped, rings old, necklace by Debenhams, sunglasses by Quay Australia, bangle by Kate Spade New York and rose gold watch by Michael Kors.

Linking with 

Dawn Lucy of Fashion Should Be Fun

Anna x

Summer show: 3 of 6

Last night's opening party of the third summer exhibition had to take place without any of the artists present due to various reasons, but as they say "the show must go on" and on it did. The evening was still a success and the artwork looked fantastic. See the featured artists Ellen Watson, Neil Pinkett and Amanda Hoskin's work here in detail. The weather proved to be a mixed bag, but we enjoyed a really lovely evening with a fine turnout considering the blustery wind and showers. In between these we managed to take a few hasty shots.

The breeze played with my lace maxi skirt and I played along with the fun. The evening was coming to an end and I was relieved that it had been a success for all involved - time to have a light hearted moment with the girls. Ruth, Polly and Max were once again worth their weight in gold providing great support throughout. 

Next time we will be out in force will be for the 4th summer show which takes place on 6th August. How quickly the summer seems to be slipping past us! My regular readers will not be in the least bit surprised to learn that both my skirt and top were charity shopped. The shoes are from H&M (no longer available, but these are lovely). In addition to my beautiful Michael Kors rose gold watch and Kate Spade rose gold bangle I'm also showcasing two rather special pieces of jewellery from Cornish jeweller Emily Nixon, this seaweed frilly ring and matching bangle in silver and rose gold. See further details here. 

Anna x

Summer show: 2 of 6

Fast forward 10 days and here we are again with our second summer show night. We had a very busy evening at the gallery with a steady flow of guests attending the opening night party to see the paintings created by Imogen Bone, Theo Crutchley-Mack and Melanie Max - see all of their work here. Theo's paintings were showcased for the very first time as part of a prize awarded to him on graduating from Falmouth University's School of Art (see his full story here page 65). Theo's next project, if the funding is approved, will be a trip to the Falklands to paint another group of islands so much more remote than these.

Theo and his family had enjoyed a lovely summer's evening with us, made all the better by Theo selling his first two paintings on his opening night. Cheers to that Theo!

My thanks go to the great team of helpers this week - Polly, Max and Heather who took care of the guests and beavered away behind the scenes to ensure that everything ran smoothly. Thank you ladies for all your hard work.

Polly towered above me tonight with these amazing wedge sandals. She went off dancing later, but I think maybe not in these sky high babies!

At the end of the evening there was a moment for me to stop, enjoy the view and reflect on what had been another successful opening night. Two down, four to go.

My dress this evening has come from Enjoy Clothing in Truro who specialise in vintage clothes like this and also fancy dress outfits. The frock label states Borghese by Toplet and I think is from the 70's. Shoes are a Spanish make, Carmen Poveda which I came across in a charity shop recently, brand new and a truly joyful find. Necklace was from Debenhams some time ago, rings from a charity shop. The fab orange nail polish is from the Rita Ora range from Rimmel, called Tangerine Tent. 

This week I'll be linking with

Catherine from Not Dressed As Lamb

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Cherie of Style Nudge

Anna x

Summer show: 1 of 6

And suddenly it's time for our summer exhibitions. I can't believe how quickly this has come around again, and also it makes me realise how quickly these summer shows will keep coming and going in the blink of an eye. Here I am with (from left to right) Pamela Harrington, Maggie O'Brien and John Bampfield. The link to their work is here.

We were blessed with a great turnout of guests for the event who enjoyed the artwork on display as well as the fine evening with the high tide view across the bay to Bryher. Polly and I were joined by Ruth on the right and Max as seen below. Our assistants for the show play a vital role in helping to keep things running smoothly and it's good to know that they will be here for every opening night of the summer exhibitions. Thanks ladies!

My pink glitter shoes were pretty much the star of my own show, made all the better by the fact that they were a recent bargain at £5 in a charity shop with all the labels still intact. Brand new, rose gold, glitter shoes - I really couldn't have dreamt that one up could I? My dress is also another brand new find, from H&M (again via a charity shop) and doing me proud to go perfectly with these fancy shoes. My necklace is from Magpie Vintage see their website here for the most wonderful collections of vintage pieces reworked into contemporary styles. I'm wearing my gorgeous Michael Kors watch as usual with my rose gold Kate Spade bangle. My pink ring was a gift and the sparkle ring is from a charity shop.

Thanks for joining me again and I do hope you have a wonderful weekend. See you on Sunday!

Anna x