As suggested by...Judy

This monthly feature is a great way to say thank-you to a reader who's been in touch. I love to read your comments, to hear what you think about the outfit or to get your thoughts on whatever I've evoked or inspired you to say. Some readers prefer to be less on show and often send me a message by email. Judy has contacted me both ways and you'll see her comments under the name of Marilee in previous posts. During our chats Judy came up with the idea that I feature some tartan as she recalls my very first post where I wore my, rather ancient, red tartan tights as a slightly anxious looking newbie. See that post here. I can't believe I've neglected my heritage for so long and that I have to be prompted to show you the finest of materials from my homeland.

Yes, Polly was still at the helm here, making me erupt with laughter at her constant efforts to stop me talking.

I do hope that Judy is happy with the tartan styling today, but would also like to think that I've not delivered something as traditionally Scottish as she had imagined. Yes, I toyed with the idea of getting my kilt out, and hey it might look fab with this shot of cerise, but the trousers were my first idea, and I'm rather pleased with the outcome. 

Outfit details - jacket: Kate Moss at Topshop (charity shopped), trousers: H&M, blouse: charity shopped, boots: Office, belt: charity shopped, necklace and silver/pink ring : charity shopped, other rings, gift.

Linking with

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Cherie of Style Nudge

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish

This is my weekend offering for you as I failed to post yesterday and didn't want to keep you waiting until tomorrow. Winter posts may well be a bit fits and starts like this for various reasons - weather, opportunity and of course, lack of Polly. I still have a few outfits waiting my draft box to help eke things out over the next few weeks, but they'll soon be gone. Trying to get out and about in good daylight is the real challenge when I'm at work all week, but I do hope to get a session in today provided the weather improves. It's currently grey and damp as I write this, and I'm going to delay my morning swim until the high tide as it's my day off. Maybe the sun will make an appearance by then. I'll leave you with this shot I took yesterday morning on my way to the beach. The sun was just rising over the Great Pool. Have a lovely weekend and see you all next week! 

Anna x

A birthday lunch

It was my husband's birthday a couple of weeks ago and as usual it proved very difficult to buy a present for him. He didn't want anything, had all that he needed, don't waste your money etc, etc. Anyway, I decided to book a birthday lunch at our local beachside restaurant, The Ruin. I then arranged to bring our daughter home from the mainland to join us as a birthday surprise. This turned out to be the perfect present.

It's not easy to turn up for a surprise lunch when you have to catch a plane and a boat without letting anyone know, but Sasha pulled it off. We spent a lovely couple of hours enjoying the delicious food and drink. The birthday boy was very pleased, if not a bit surprised that we had managed to keep Sasha's arrival a secret from him.

My CK jeans were a lucky find in a charity shop, brand new, and just £4.95!

Sasha did the honours and took a few photos for me. The weather had gone very windy and chilly that day, but luckily the rain held off until we got back from our lunch. My woolly winter coat was a great defence against the cold, along with the cute little gloves that I found last winter in a bargain basket in a charity shop for 0.99p. I thought the satin shirt created a fab partnership with my boots, dressed down with these brand new (perfectly fitting) jeans.

Details - jeans: Calvin Klein (charity shopped), coat: Palermo, shirt: Next (charity shopped), boots: ASOS, bag: Candy bag, Furla, necklace: Magpie and Butterfly, rings: charity shop, belt: H&M. 

Am late posting today, as I spent this morning watching the news from America. I'm still reeling. I can't imagine what it must be like for the country to wake up to this result.

Anna x

Mighty monchrome

I'm a flighty type when it come to dressing, as you'll surely know by now. One minute it's all Barbie leggings and leopard print bikini top and the next, this simple monochrome look. I love being a chameleon. This skirt has been showcased recently in the post "As suggested by ...Joan" and I won't apologise for that as I love it so much. Today's offering is a variation on that theme - I thought it would be fun to pair the skirt with this satin jacket, after giving my other satin one an outing recently. I know it won't be jacket weather for much longer!

This sweet knitted top was a gift from Ann of Kremb de la Kremb recently. One of the perks of our global game of clothes ping pong is that we often include an extra piece that may work for one from the other. Ann sent me a couple of things - this very fine sweater which fits me perfectly and the other was a midi length skirt that Polly snaffled as it was a bit too big for me. I love the simplicity of the top which works perfectly when put with all of the pattens going on here. The shoes are new, from H&M sale some time ago and are downright copies of the ones my daughter bought last winter. Thank goodness she's not upset when I copy her style, and neither am I if she copies mine. 

Details - jacket: New Look, shoes: H&M, skirt: H&M, sweater: gift, tights: Walford, belt: H&M, rings: charity shop.

Linking with -

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Cherie of Style Nudge

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish

Anna x

Frills and flowers

Apologies for the dull light in these shots today, but Polly and I decided it was worth a try to capture this outfit. I didn't realise that I was channelling Adam Ant until I looked through these later, but I still love the ensemble. The jacket was a hand me down from my friend Maggie and has been a great addition to my wardrobe since I inherited a couple of years ago. I love the mix of fabrics and textures that give a richness to the overall look.

I fancy that these skinnies and my floral boots have married behind my back as I can't seem to bring one out without the other. The texture of jacket and boots work beautifully too. And for the final flourish, well the frilly blouse is the homage to the very beautiful Adam Ant that pulls the whole ensemble together. 

Outfit details - jacket: gift, boots: ASOS, trousers: Papaya, blouse: eBay, necklace: Noel, rings:old.

I turned the camera onto Polly at the end of our session. Doesn't she look so cute in this dress and boots combo? She leaves the island tomorrow after working at the local supermarket for the past couple of weeks. Polly's hobby of running is what keeps her fit and healthy, and boy look at those shapely, toned legs - what a great advert she is for her sport! Polly will be back again next year, and in the meantime I've got a backlog of photos to use and then my trusty tripod and timer will work out fine (as it did last winter). Thank you Polly for doing such a grand job and I look forward to regrouping in the spring!

Anna x