Crazy librarian

Ooops, I noticed too late that my tights were wrinkled!

This bowling bag was a great charity shop find.

I love cable knit tights, but they do tend to go a bit Nora Batty on me.

The necklace is an Emily Nixon piece. It's smokey quartz and sterling silver; quite weighty, but it's nice to wear real jewellery sometimes.

I love this textured top. It was only £4 in the sale and already cost per wear is down to pennies!

OK, this may just be me, but I think I'm channelling a crazy librarian in this outfit. That's how it feels anyway, and I really love it (and what's not to love, if it means being surrounded by books, books and more books?) What's funny is how I commented in a recent post that I thought midi skirts don't suit me (see here) and suddenly today here I am wearing the same skirt and top and I'm feeling completely in the groove.

I'm spending a fair bit of time checking out other fashion blogs at the moment and really like that they're all so different. I think the adage of opposites attract means that I enjoy seeing the understated and elegant, yet don't believe I can quite carry that look off. Would you come back for a second view if I went all plain Jane? I think to work something simple you really have to be blessed with everything else being wow - you know, dazzling white teeth, fabulous hair, skin, nails, the lot. Sometimes I remember to do my nails, sometimes my hair shines, but I'm nearly 60 so I ain't gonna have youthful, glowing skin again and don't get me started on these teeth! 

I think there are times in our lives when we take stock of ourselves, regroup and redefine ourselves. I've done the working girl, young mum, ambitious juggler and now after a moment of thinking I was going suffer empty-nest syndrome, I'm an over 50's blogger who is stretching across the globe networking with others of my age. This has led me to find all kinds of women doing their own thing including - at the other end of the style spectrum - the likes of Mel of Bag and a Beret. This cool cat has the most wonderful collection of clothes. Mel's all-singing, all-dancing, zany posts are better than any fashion show and twice as funny. Mel is just one of many fashionistas who are inspirational to the likes of me, the novice blogger. It seems that in the world of fashion blogging I'm in middle ground, and that's comfortable, gratifying. Amidst this older set I'm holding my own; nestled in between the lurex and the leather I can speak my own voice through the medium of clothes. This is where you'll find me every Wednesday and Sunday proffering the latest version of myself, and maybe you'll join me.

Cardigan: Fenn Wright Manson. Skirt: River Island. Top: H&M. Shoes: Office. Tights: H&M. Handbag: charity shop. Necklace: Emily Nixon. Bangles: charity shop. Brown ring: East. Cream flower ring: charity shop.

Linking with
Not Dressed as Lamb # I will wear what I want
Not Dead Yet Style Visible Monday
Elegantly Dressed and Stylish

Welcome to my island home

View across Old Grimsby bay to Blockhouse Castle.

Blockhouse cottages are nestled below. I lived here with my husband when we were first married 34 years ago, and I have fond memories of those days.

This new development, the Sea Garden cottages, has replaced the Island Hotel at Old Grimsby.

Looking towards St Martin's from the vantage point of the Blockhouse Castle.

Same vantage point, but looking towards the Eastern Isles.

The cows were a favourite subject for my artist friend, Kathy Todd, when she lived here.

This little chap was keen to have a look at me looking at him.

I live here at the foot of the hill with this idyllic view across New Grimsby bay to Bryher.

Here comes the inter island freight launch delivering all the goods.

And this is the view from outside my house.

It's 6 months since I started my blog and I thought it might be nice to show you all some of the sights around my home. I travelled to the Scilly Isles in 1978 as a backpacker looking for a summer job, and never left. I love living on an island, and can't imagine not being within striking distance of the sea. We Brits seem to be obsessed with the weather, but that's nothing compared to what it's like if you live on an island. If it's foggy the planes might not fly or if it's blowing a gale then the ship might not sail. Conversely when the sun shines, we rave about how lucky we are, and seeing the sunset above, you can surely understand why. We have a boat instead of a car, and the rush hour comprises of a mix of tractors, bikes and golf buggies, with a jet boat bringing the children across from Bryher for the school run. 

The Isles of Scilly are a popular tourist resort drawing people from not only the West Country, but all over the UK and also from Europe and beyond. Our mild climate benefits from the warm waters of the Gulf stream, but as a hardened sea swimmer, I never seem to find that particular drift myself when I'm splashing about out there! The islands have very little pollution meaning that the quality of light here is extraordinarily clear, therefore is a real draw for artists and photographers alike. We also have a huge influx of bird watchers come here in the autumn to chase a rare specimen which has been blown off course from another country. 

These islands seem to weave their magic around our visitors with a very high percentage returning year after year. Accommodation gets booked up by regulars who re-book mostly before they've even left. Island life is community spirited, and we work for a common aim - to make our little islands thrive. It's a privilege to live and work here and a joy to have such a beautiful, healthy environment to raise a family in. My children are all grown up now, but they benefited from a close-knit upbringing, where their schooling was on the islands amongst life long friends. Island life is a blessing, and those of you who also live this kind of life will echo my sentiments, I'm sure.

Zebra print tights

I have to say that going into autumn is never an easy time for me. I suffer a touch of S.A.D. and the winter months loom large. We, in the Northern hemisphere,watch the sun heading South and for many it's a journey we wish we could take too. In February of this year Steve and I travelled to New Zealand to visit friends and it was such a wonderful bonus to find ourselves slap, bang in the middle of summer. To feel the sun on your back relaxes all of those muscles that have been hunched up against the cold all winter, and the warmth of the rays on the face has the same soothing effect. Small wonder we all look so damned good in our holiday snaps!

I've found a new backdrop today as the sea is starting to look a bit grey rather than the twinkly temptation it was during the summer months. Also, this pampas grass is great to offset my zebra print tights. I bought these in a bundle from eBay a couple of years ago, but today is the first time I've worn them. I love this textured pencil skirt, but thought it might look a bit boring, so enter stage left these amazing tights, swiftly followed by my rose gold brogues (I still get a little thrill just mentioning rose gold and brogues all in the same sentence). I think this fluffy jumper is a great zingy colour and I must admit I'm a sucker for fluffy numbers as you'll no doubt see over the forthcoming months. The jacket was a recent charity shop find, and just needed some new buttons to bring it back into life. Suede jackets like this used to be called "car coats", but I have no idea why. Do you? Please let me know if you do.

Jacket: charity shop. Skirt: charity shop. Sweater: Tesco. Blouse: charity shop. Tights: eBay. Shoes: TK Maxx. Cream flower ring: charity shop; Tan flower ring: Dorothy Perkins. Handbag: charity shop.

Linking with
Not dressed as lamb #I will wear what I want
Not dead yet style Visible Mondays
Kremb de la Kremb
Elegantly dressed and stylish

The poncho

As we reach progress further in autumn, I'm having to concede that an extra layer is a necessity rather than an option, sadly. I suppose it does give me the chance to bring out all of my winter woollies including this fluffy poncho which can't really make it's mind up. Is it just a big jumper or a fully fledged poncho? Whichever, it's very snuggly and was a cosy buffer against the onshore wind during our early morning photo shoot.  I've paired it up with these rather lovely tweed trousers which have a sleek satin lining, again a little protection from the chilly weather. They were my bargain of day when I was last shopping at TK Maxx. The label price was £415 with a reduction down to £59.99 - oh, how I love a bargain! With a mid rise and slouchy pockets, they pretty much ticked all the boxes and when I tried them on the leg length was ideal for me too. The deal was done!

I've worn them today with my two tone heeled brogues which have been waiting in the wings for their blog debut. The extra height is just what I needed to stop the trousers looking a bit heavy, even chunky on my less than lithesome thighs. Another debut piece is the extra long necklace which is in perfect proportion with the oversized jumper/poncho. Thanks go to my sister Dianne for this, and its matching bracelet, yet to be shown. And the finishing flourish had to be the vintage leather handbag, a recent charity shop find which is a real classic. Autumn is upon us and I'm good to go.

Poncho: TK Maxx. Trousers: No 21 (TK Maxx). Tee shirt: M&S. Shoes: New Look. Pendant: gift. Handbag: charity shop. Brown stone ring: East. Diamante ring: charity shop.

Linking with
Not dressed as lamb #I will wear what I like
Not dead yet style Visible Monday
Kremb de la Kremb