Anna meets Alison

Last month while I was away in Harrogate I happened to meet three fabulous fashionistas. See these lovely women here. These were all chance meetings, two of them on railway stations, giving us no time to stop and chat unfortunately. On my trip back home, I scrolled through my camera and was delighted with the images I'd captured, but one thing came to mind - I knew nothing about the women who had put these fab outfits together. It sparked my imagination. If only I'd had time to ask them some questions, to find out more about them, how much more interesting that would be. Even though I'd given them my contact details, none had been in touch. The photos of each of these women had gained a great response on my Instagram feed. I like that, and would love to continue with this theme. So today's post features another woman with her very own sense of style. Alison is married to a local man who grew up on the Isles of Scilly, but latterly moved away. She and her husband return here on holiday every year as many times as they can. Alison and I met up the other day for a photo shoot in the rain (it was still fun) and afterwards I posed some questions. Here's how it all went...

With her pink gamine haircut and fabulous red dungarees, Alison immediately looks like a woman who knows her own mind. And she does. So much so, that Alison would rather make her own clothes than compromise her standards by spending money on something that's not quite the perfect fit. So let's hear from the lady herself.

Anna: How long have you been gripped by the sewing bug?
Alison: I started sewing two years ago. Up until I was well into my teens, my Nana made clothes for me – I remember sending her fabric when I was away at college and a few days later a maxi skirt would arrive in the post. Because she was so good at sewing, I hadn't really bothered to learn, happy to watch her create things for me. When she died, I inherited her sewing box, and now, many years after her death, her haberdashery items have come back to life.

Anna: What got you started?
Alison: A little spark of creativity got me started – I went on a day course to make a  bag and loved everything about  it. By the next day I had bought a sewing machine and a week later I had made my first dress. And now I make all my clothes – with the exception of underwear (the learning process has begun though), knitwear (knitting takes too long) coats (one day I will make a coat, I have bought the pattern) and shoes (not even going there). It's been a whole year since I have bought clothes and in that time I have learnt a lot about the factory production of clothes and the ‘sweat shop’ conditions so it feels right to be making my own for all sorts of reasons.

Anna: How would you describe your style?
Alison: My style …. Not sure I have one! Wacky, quirky and colourful are words I have heard to describe me! I am a casual dresser but like to still look smart and well put together. For my work I wear a uniform, so out of work I like to mix and match colours and patterns with brightly coloured tights.  This spring, I made quite a few skirts and I love wearing a spotty skirt with a striped top, pink tights and a pair of my beloved Chelsea boots. I guess that's my style – uncategorised!

Anna: Where's your favourite place to shop?
Alison: My favourite place to shop is any fabric shop or haberdashery! I particularly adore Guthrie and Ghani in Moseley where I can spend hours looking through patterns, fabrics and notions.

Anna: Flats or heels?
Alison: Mainly flats out of choice. I am all about comfort and a poorly knee has meant that heels can be tricky. I wear heels for work but am always glad to take them off and get back in my ballet pumps, Chelsea boots or Superga sneakers.

Anna: How long have you been sporting this fab pink hairstyle?
Alison: My hair ….. for many years I have wanted to have my hair like Annie Lennox but never been brave enough. It's always been cropped short but to go blonde would have been a huge step from dark mouse colour. However, coming up to my 60th birthday I thought ‘what the hell’ and I spoke to my (also wacky) hairdresser and she agreed to have a go. So 9 months ago I got bleached big time and discovered pastel conditioners by Bleach London. Some days I am blue or silver but most days I am various shades of pink – as the mood takes me. I feel more me with pink hair.

Anna: What's the day job?
Alison: I work as a Peripatetic Registrar. I travel to  hotels and wedding venues conducting marriage ceremonies. It's my perfect job. I adore it – wedding days are magical and joyful and they have the added bonus that I get to see lots of beautiful outfits. I am also a funeral celebrant - it's a huge honour to conduct a perfect farewell for someone and to make a difference to a grieving family. I take great pride in both my jobs. 

Anna: Any other passions?
Alison: I like the simple things in life –  quality time with my family, good times with my special friends, preparing good clean food grown on our allotment, listening to Motown, and lazy days doing very little.

Anna: Three things from your bucket list?
Alison:I don't have a bucket list! I have never been ambitious or wanted to do anything grand. I am really not interested in travelling, sky diving or bungee jumping. I live for the here and now and am more than happy and content with what I have. 

Anna: Describe your perfect day.
Alison: My perfect day ….. taking a trip to Surrey to see my two boys, their gorgeous girls and a pug  – we natter, chatter and laugh and walk to a lovely pub for food and drink. All is well in my world after a day like that.

Anna: Three words that best describe you?

Alison: After speaking to several of my girlfriends the three words that kept coming up are: loving, funny and creative.

Thanks Alison for stepping up as my first interviewee.  

Alison is wearing dungarees and top which she made herself. Coat: Hellweathers from Seasalt. Sneakers: Superga (TK Maxx). Bracelet: Fay Page.

Anna x

Fogbound in paradise

The tourists were seeing another side of our paradise island today as we were surrounded by fog. Or maybe not seeing, was more to the point. When a warm weather front collides with a cold one over the top of these tiny islands, then inevitably we'll be shrouded by fog until the pressure changes or some high winds blow it away. However, Polly loves a bit of fog, as the dreamy, wispy backdrop helps to make colours pop, which was perfect for this floral dress.

I have worn this dress once before but not styled quite like this. So let's draw back, start at the beginning and see the full effect shall we?

Yes, it's time to air this red petticoat again. I think we may suffer from a bit of over-exposure to it this month, but I can't help that I'm in love with this red floufy (Sheila's word) delight (a customer declared it delightful today). We have an exhibition coming up next week and I think I may be pairing this petticoat up with a lacy offering in a very feminine, overdone way for that dressing up extravaganza.

My new yellow Candy bag is so right with this dress. Not only is it a great colour match, but the size is spot-on too. It's cute and just rounds off the whole look perfectly.

Heck, that was a whole lot of photos wasn't it? Polly did such a great job, and those colours surely did pop, that I had difficulty leaving some of these out of the mix. This variation is another hit with me, but maybe not with everyone I came across today. I suppose I might have blended in better if I'd been sashaying down Carnaby Street, but here on my little island home I certainly drew more than a few glances. As I've said before, I really dress to please myself. It's a bonus if others like it, and a real bonus if they actually say something nice. That's the wonderful thing about running a fashion blog. I don't feel like an oddity or out there any more. When I check out some my favourite fashion bloggers strutting their stuff, why I look positively tame by comparison. Check out Sheila, Suzanne or Melanie to see what I mean. 

Friday's post is going to be another first for me, but you'll have to drop by again to find out what that means. Thanks to those of you who have emailed me with your ideas for my feature "As suggested by..." as it will be your turn soon. I now have the next three months lined up and would love it if you keep your thoughts coming. I'm so pleased to have your feedback and will enjoy getting these things out and re-styling them with something appropriate for that month. This month also heralds my first anniversary of blogging and strangely I'm struggling as to what to wear! Yes, laugh, please do, at the irony of this! I have a couple of things in mind, but am not sure which way I'll go with this. I've still got a little while left to give it some more consideration. Perhaps I need to take the pressure off and just treat it like any other day. Phew, that feels better already. Thanks for dropping by and I hope to catch up with you all again on Friday x

Jacket: Lulu and Red Boutique (charity shop). Dress: Vintage: Charity shop. Petticoat: eBay. Tights: Enjoy Clothing. Boots: River Island: Handbag: Furla. Watch: Michael Kors. Rose gold bangle: Kate Spade New York. Blue rings: charity shop.

Linking with 
Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish 
Cherie of Style Nudge 
Sheela of Sheela Writes 

My thanks go to the photographers

Today's post relies on a host of photographs taken by a handful of friends and family who have stepped in when asked. I'd like to say a thank you to them all here, as without them this blogging malarkey wouldn't be as easy or as much fun.

Thanks to Jamie for this shot of Sasha and I after our lunch at the Ruin Cafe the other day.

And to Sasha for capturing this idyllic view afterwards.

To Chris and Val for joining Kate and I on a breezy afternoon to take a lovely series of shots of two friends enjoying a companionable dip together.

Kate is a regular visitor to the island and this year we've pledged to fit in as many swims as we can every time she's here.

Thanks go to Jane, a friend I made on the yoga retreat here last year. She and her family stumbled across us after our morning swim and we imposed on her son to take some snaps before they headed off along the shell-strewn beach to continue with their walk.

Green beach was decorated with ribbons of shells which whooshed and clattered as the tide rose and fell over the top of them. Nature's gentle musical accompaniment for us while we dressed.

Thanks are due also to Kevin's wife Lorraine for taking these photos of one very serious looking training session for someone and a sunny afternoon dip for the other.

"I'm not racing" I said as we stood on the shoreline. But as Kevin set off his stopwatch the competitive streak in me took hold. My front crawl is fine in a short burst, but not at his speed however. We maybe set off together, but it didn't stay at that level pegging for long. Kevin was an absolute gent though and periodically stopped to wait for me as I resorted to my steady breast stroke.

Kevin was buzzing. I waded back to the shore as he headed off for another couple of laps of the bay. We both swam in the Scilly Swim Challenge in 2015 (Kevin in the fast group and me in with the plodders). Now Kevin is in training for this year's event. Well done that man! Read my full account of the most memorable of days here.

And so onto the main event. My biggest thanks must go to Polly my wonderful blog photographer and Gallery Assistant. Polly is a whizz with all the tricks my camera has to offer. She bubbles with enthusiasm for her daily chore and helps in making my blog the sleek, polished showcase that it is. Thank you Polly for all that you do x

Oh, and let's not forget my thanks to all of the locals who cheerily add that special something as they photo-bomb us during our early morning shoots - thanks to another Kevin...

...and to Charlie who insists we capture his best side too.

This relaxed pose comes from knowing that dearest Polly will be doing her utmost to getting the best shot every time. Thank you Polly. Thank you too, to all who drift in and out of my life bringing such pleasure and rich memories. Until next time x

Jacket: Gap. Faux leather jeans: H&M. Polo neck: M&S (charity shop). Pink brogues: H&M. Handbag: charity shop. Silver rings: charity shop. Rose gold bangle: Kate Spade New York. Watch: Michael Kors. Sunglasses: Quay Australia.