Biba dress

It's a perk of the job getting to dress up every day to go to work, but some days my wardrobe doesn't offer up an idea of who I want to be. Today was one of those days, so the least amount of co-ordinating seemed like a good idea. This Biba print dress is a real easycare item and yet looks very sleek. Jazzy tights are always a simple way to add personality to an ensemble and they led me to unearthing my huge purple patent bag - how had a I left this hidden away for so long? And finally to ring the changes I left the brogues at home and have gone with a more feminine kitten heel. 

Trench coat : Jessica Simpson. Dress : M&S (charity shop). Thermal top : M&S. Tights : old. Shoes : Office. Bag : TK Maxx.  Rose gold bangle : Kate Spade New York. Hand of Fatima : Noel. Necklace : charity shop. Garnet ring : gift. Russian ring : wedding band. Blue Topaz ring : gift.

Monochrome, a departure from the norm.

This is Appletree Bay, my beach of choice for my early morning swims and you can see why. Over the past year the scene has been even more beautiful thanks to this amazing painting by Anthony Garratt. My photo shoot took place the evening before it was to be taken down and sent off to it's new home on the mainland. 

As a big fan of colours I have to admit a monochrome palette is not a common departure for me. However, I have over the past couple of years come to understand why black and white basics can be strong essentials in a woman's wardrobe. I think I shy away from them as I have quite pale skin and both colours can be quite draining. At this time of year I have a slight tan so can take black against my face a bit easier. This wonderful retro top was a find last summer when I was scooping up armfuls of loot in my favourite charity shop in Truro. I have to bulk buy as my trips are so infrequent, and I am aware that I must look like someone who has just discovered the joys of charity shopping and simply can't stop!

Jacket : Zara. Trousers : H&M. Top : charity shop. Shoes : Office. Rings and bangle : all gifts. Necklace : old.

Opening night for our May show

Opening night at the gallery is a special evening for the artists and I like to dress up to honour the occasion. This dress is a real old favourite of mine. Every year, at least once a year, when I'm culling all the excess from my wardrobe I bring this out and try it on. On the hanger it looks really mumsy and the scoop neck is not the most flattering on me, but add a bit of jewellery and hey presto, it's a goer! It's also the perfect dress for when I'm feeling a bit bloaty and hides a multitude of sins (don't laugh, we all have those days).

Dress : Betty Jackson. Tights : Topshop. Shoes : Dune. Necklace : Debenhams. Cuff : charity shop. Rings : old. Hand of Fatima : Noel.

Yummy chocolate brown trousers

Those who know me will agree that I'm not usually understated in my style, but sometimes it's good to do something different. I fancied a more sophisticated look today and it's funny that these are the days that I seem to attract the most comments on my clothes.

The trousers are a gloriously soft suede which have been lovingly stored away for over 20 years. I bought them in Etam (ah Etam, I hear some of my peers say) and they were in a sale, but even then they cost me an outrageous £25. What is interesting is that at the time they were too small, but I bought them as a clothes carrot. There will be many readers out there who have done the same, I'm sure. And here's the joy, not only do they now fit, but it coincides with suede trending again, hurrah!

Cardi : Fenn Wright Manson. Trousers : Etam. Lace top : charity shop. Shoes : Hobbs (charity shop). Pendant : Noel.

Get the tux out

 I'm meeting up with some girlfriends for dinner on the mainland so am trying this old tux on to see if it's the right thing. I've had to move the button across as it's a bit big, but I think it still passes muster. The trousers are a very sleek fit and I think really compliment the jacket so it looks like my lovely friends will be seeing this outfit later.

Jacket : Whistles. Trousers : Karen Millen. Lace top : charity shop. Brogues : Office. Clutch bag : TK Maxx. Pendant : Vivienne Westwood. Opaque ring : New Look. Blue Topaz ring : gift.

Solitary swim

Sunday 14th June

Kate and I had planned another long swim together this Sunday, but an overnight stay on the mainland had been extended for her due to weather conditions. I'd spent most of the day watching things improve and then seeing the tide rise made me decide to go it alone today. I knew that having the safety kit in place would mean it was fine to be out in the boating channel alone, but it was the first time I'd ventured out over a long distance without company. The boys on the slipway gave me a few words of encouragement as I tested out my new goggles and then without further ado I was off.

The chill of the water is always a bit of a shock initially and really challenges my breathing. I can think of nothing else apart from gulping a mouthful of air every time I surface. Relax and breathe, relax and breathe, relax and breathe becomes my mantra. Gradually it doesn't feel quite as cold, the breath not so urgent. The new goggles are a bit steamed up as I didn't prep them, but am keen not to stop to adjust them. A couple of times I catch sight of a boat in the distance heading towards me. Don't panic, just veer slightly towards the shoreline in case it wants to cut through the neck on the high tide in which case I'll get a close encounter with a lot of wash. Both times, the boat alters it's course and moves back into the main channel away from me. Perhaps the safety kit is working, maybe I'm more visible than I think.

Passing through the neck across the long weed is a marker in my progress as is the buffering about as the current pushes and pulls me. I feel like a cork bobbing about without much control. Gradually this eases and I'm out in the main channel between the islands, alone. I can monitor my progress as the shoreline drifts past me, familiar rocks and bays receding as I swim steadily onwards. My breathing is settled, steady and strong. I no longer have to give it my concentration and my mind wanders. My gran once swam the English Channel - is that a memory or a dream? Whatever it is, it acts as encouragement as I round an outcrop of rocks, the final milestone before I turn into Appletree Bay, the home strait. I had hoped to continue further around to Carn Near but the early summer evening traffic is still steady and the line I would take is too busy for me to feel confident on my own. As I near the beach I'm pleased to arrive and happy to have achieved my first solitary swim. The walk home is a time for reflection and pleasure at my small success.

Off to Scotland

I'm heading homeward for my niece's wedding in Scotland at the weekend and this may look like I'm travelling light, but that's just my hand luggage for the flight North. As always I will be factoring in a stopover in Cornwall to hoover up any prize finds in my local charity shops. Today's ensemble has paired up two of my current favourites, the Boden trousers and the yellow jacket. I think they just look fab together. The splash of orange adds a bit of zing and yet another pair of brogues make the whole thing practical for hopping on and off boats, planes and trains. Mainland here I come!

Jacket : charity shop. Trousers : Boden. Top : Miss Selfridge. Shoes : TK Maxx. Necklace and rings : old. Holdall : Thailand.

New Boden skirt

Goodness me, how I love this outfit! Each of the elements are fab in their own right, but put them together and bang, they look amazing. Boden make this style of skirt as a mainstay, and I do seem to succumb at least once or twice a year, but usually I try to hold off until sale time. However, this print is so me I couldn't risk waiting in case it was all sold out. The marrying of skirt, tights and new silver brogues makes my heart sing and the addition of my huge purple bag is the icing on the cake. So here we have this month's favourite photo shoot (so far).

Skirt : Boden. Jacket : Benetton. Shirt : Austin Reed (charity shop). Tights : Topshop. Shoes : Office. Bag : TK Maxx. Necklace : Zinc White. Rings : old.

The joy of brogues

My favourite shoes are brogues and as far as I'm concerned they never go out of fashion. You magazine of 10th May featured actress Sarah Gordon sporting a pair of similar brogues by Christian Louboutin, however I fancy they may cost a tad more than mine did. Mine are from Bertie and I've had them for about 2 years now. I usually wear them with black and white tartan trousers, but they also look very cute with a dress as you can see. The splendid silver lily ring was a prize find in a rummage basket on the counter in a Truro charity shop for the grand sum of £12. I'm dedicated to finding the best bargains, even in my charity shops!

Yesterday was a bit of a downer for us locals as this amazing painting which has been such a fabulous backdrop for my photo shoots was returned to the artist, Anthony Garratt in Bristol. This piece along with three others had been on loan for a year as the outdoors exhibition "Four". Three of them were dismantled and shipped to the mainland to be relocated, but one remains here permanently. Over the next few weeks I will be sharing the last of my photos featuring the paintings and happily will still have access to the 4th one which I'm sure you'll get to know as well as you do this one. Thanks Ant, you've really added a bit of glamour to the launch of my blog x

Dress : Gok Wan at Sainsbury. Top : M&S. Shoes : Bertie. Necklace : Dorothy Perkins. Glass ring : Dorothy Perkins. Silver Amaryllis ring : charity shop. Handbag : retro shop, Ireland.