Brooch pile revised

One of the downsides of being a perfectionist is that I'm always in competition with myself. I know I can always do/be better and this reaches into every corner of my life. Take my brooch pile jacket from earlier on this summer see here. I was delighted with how this came together, but after a couple of wears I felt it could maybe benefit from a tweak or two. So here we have the new, improved version...

I wore the jacket on the mainland recently and it really drew quite a few compliments. The jacket dazzled and shone and I basked in its reflected glory. The need to improve it has passed now - it's as perfect as it needs to be. My shrink will be impressed with my progress.

Jacket from Gap, dress from TK Maxx as are sandals (these are nice). Watch is by Michael Kors and sailors knot bangle is by Kate Spade New York, rings are all gifts. Sunglasses are from Quay Australia.

Linking with

Dawn Lucy of Fashion Should Be Fun 

Anna x

As suggested by ...Julie

Once again it's time for a reader of the day to steer my outfit choice. A very kindly worded email from Julie has prompted me to bring out this 70's psychedelic blouse again after she saw it some time ago see here and thought it could do with another outing. This was a great suggestion allowing me to go all out with my favourite of all games - yes, pattern play. The blouse and trousers (or shirt and pants if you're across the way) are maybe a bit bright for some, but spell out fun in my book.

The recycled paintbrush necklace is by Zincwhite. Fab isn't it?

Thank you Julie for this recommendation which has given rise to such a jolly summer outfit. It's great to have a hand with the daily decision making and if you have a favourite piece you'd like to see again I'd love to hear from you. Please do contact me either in the comments below or by email through the contacts box in the sidebar or here through my Instagram account. I love having your input, your feedback or suggestions and even questions are all very welcome.

Blouse is by The Old Welle via charity shop, the trousers (no label), shoes are from Topshop and the bag is a Candybag. The jeans jacket is from Benetton (no longer available), necklace Zincwhite designs, sunglasses are by Quay Australia and rings are charity shopped.

Anna x

Check out these beauties!

Gotta be brief today, am in a bit of a rush. Will counter this by showing you these phenomenal palazzo pants - oh I do love  a bit of alliteration! These beauties were a bargain find in the New Look sale a few years ago for a snip at £5. I had to reline them as the lining was a bit clingy and now are so very flowy and whooshy, that they make a lovely swishing sound as I waltz about in them. I feel like a schooner in sail (is that what I mean?) as they flow about beautifully. Enough chat, now some snaps.

Must dash as I've got lots to do and so very little time to do it in! The top was a gift, trousers from New Look, but nothing similar currently, shoes were from New Look (similar). Rings are charity shopped, green pearls are from Almost Perfect, my perfect rose gold watch is by Michael Kors and rose gold bangle is from Kate Spade New York.

This week I'll be linking with these lovely style icons

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Cherie of Style Nudge

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish

Thanks to you all for joining me and taking the time to sit down and read this waffle of mine. I do enjoy your company, your feedback and seeing my readership grow. My aim is to inspire you to venture into the world of colour, to entertain you, and engage you in this lovely life of mine. Wishing you a great week ahead and I look forward to meeting up with you again soon.

Anna x

Showers and flowers

It seems impossible for me to write up a post without referring to the weather. A visitor recently pointed out how their focus whilst here on holiday was all about the tides and the weather. We are indeed ruled by the tides and the need to be in the right place (quay) at the right time to catch the vital mode of transport, the boats. And being stranded without a car also focuses the mind on the weather as a whole day out can be blighted by forgetting to bring an extra layer of clothing. So you'll understand the influence with today's outfit. Showers means in this case a layer in the form of this flowered jacket from Zara (via a charity shop) which has been well worth the pittance I payed for it. Endlessly versatile in both colourway and pattern I keep leafing it into my daily outfits with ne'er an apology.

Those in the know will tell you to always keep an eye on the boats. The boats indicate which direction those grey rain clouds are coming from - they always face into the wind giving us a heads up as to what's in the pipeline. This vantage point today lets us see the weather ahead. Talking of which, I'd better get inside before that next shower arrives!

Today's outfit features the jacket from Zara (similar), skirt from H&M (similar), shoes from New Look (similar), tee shirt from M&S and handbag from a charity shop. Sunglasses are from Quay Australia, and all the silver jewellery is charity shopped. The fab orange nail polish is by Rita Ora at Rimmel in Tangerine Tent.

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

Hello summer. Goodbye summer!

I wonder if my most recent post jinxed things? The British weather is unpredictable at its best, but now I've told the world we're having a heatwave see here, the mist has crept in, quickly followed by rain and the temperature has dropped. Surely I can't be held personally responsible for the demise of the great British summer?

Anyhoo, here I was basking in the sunshine one early morning in my summer neutrals. I know I'm renowned for my bright, colourful dressing, and for that reason only I like to opt for something a bit different occasionally. This sweet grey and white top was gifted from by my sister Sandra and is the perfect match for my white linen skirt with the sprinkling of grey spots. I've finished the whole look off with my black and white striped courts and some silver jewellery. Summer neutrals, I'm loving 'em! 

My outfit comprises of the top which was a gift and skirt from a charity shop. Shoes are by New Look, watch is by Michael Kors, silver necklace, bangle and rings are all charity shopped.

Linking with

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Cherie of Style Nudge

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style 

Anna x

We're having a heatwave!

Yes, the UK is having a heatwave which means that here on the Isles of Scilly, there are a whole lot of unprepared visitors who have swapped their lily white skin for a lobster coloured, shiny, UV blasted version of themselves. The lack of industry pumping out pollution over our skies allows the sunlight unfiltered access to us mortals below with painful results at times. Our local shop has run out of suncream in every factor but 50 - unfortunately it really ought to be 50 that everyone is applying here! My solution is to slap on cream after my shower every day and on a scorcher like today cover up with a cool maxi dress. 

What is the huge shiny orb in the sky?

Incredible though it may seem, yes, Polly assures me it's actually the sun. That coy, pale disc often seen shyly peeping through the clouds has been shining like a good 'un for days!

Time for a celebratory twirl I think!

I charity shopped this colourful maxi dress last September when I had a huge shopping spree weekend with Sasha in Exeter. Its first outing was in Palermo when we were on our cruise in February see here. The frock garnered such a lot of compliments today, that I'll have to bring it out a bit more often now I know it's a winner. 

The other winning piece is the wonderful handbag my friend Suzie brought me when she was visiting us last month all the way from New Zealand. She used to live here on the island for many, many happy years, but is now settled with the love of her life in New Zealand complete with dog, cat and homestead with veg garden and small flock of sheep which Reg shears himself. The handbag was made locally and features feathers, pieces of Paua shell and carved bone. I didn't realise I needed a summer handbag until she gave me this, but now I'm using it all the time. Thanks again Suzie!

The belt is a charity shop scoop from last year too. Shoes are very old, so old that I can't read the print inside to see what the brand is. Sunglasses are by Quay Australia, and my nail polish passion is Rita Ora for Rimmel in Tangerine Tent which matches these two thrifted rings beautifully. Watch is by Michael Kors and rose gold bangle is by Kate Spade.  

Linking with 

Dawn Lucy of Fashion Should Be Fun 

Anna x