Black trouser challenge 4

Week four of this challenge brings the cost per wear down to £10 which is a figure that I like, and I've not run out of ideas yet either. This is a non-sponsored post, done for the sheer joy of testing myself to see how many variations I can come up with over the next few weeks.

You could say I'm getting into my stride with these now. (Sorry.) But anyway, I'm having fun and that's what it's all about isn't it? This jacket is an old favourite of mine and Angela's too (hello!) but the fact that the top button doesn't close means I might have to get on the bathroom scales again to see what's amiss. 

Classic cream and black could sound a bit unadventurous, boring even, but the ruffle hems and mini pleats put paid to any nonsense like that. And just to ensure there's no trace of the mundane these lovely leopard print courts are a winning move. As the day warmed up I removed the jacket to reveal this pretty lace top. Lots of textures and fancy embellishments is what this outfit is all about and it has me in my element. Every time I stride out in these fancy pants I get a real spring in my step. They're a great blend of classy, stylish and a tad sexy too - what a winning combination! 

Details are - trousers: River Island, jacket: S'NOB, lace top: charity shopped (no label), shoes: Salord Jover, all jewellery: charity shopped, sunglasses: M&S (old).

I'll be back on Sunday so do swing by for the latest.

Anna x

National Selfie Day - #Gemfie

Did you know it's National Selfie Day today? For many, today will be celebrated for being the Summer Solstice with much dancing around standing stones and bathing in the early morning dew. But for me, well I've been enlisted by Gemporia to help celebrate National Selfie Day. The company offers a comprehensive range of gemstones in every kind of jewellery. I think there's something so very decadent about wearing gemstones. I'd love to spend a day browsing their storerooms playing with all those twinkling, shiny stones in every colour of the rainbow. Ah well, a girl can dream...

I've been gifted this beautiful citron gemstone ring for the occasion and as you can see I'm rather pleased with the choice of ring for my #Gemfie. I love a big cabouchon stone and this one will be such a great addition to my jewellery collection. I did in fact get two of these citrine rings as you'll see later. They arrived in lovely packaging after a very speedy dispatch thanks to Hannah . Some of the staff at Gemporia joined in the #Gemfie campaign too as you'll see.

These girls must have such fun working with these wonderful jewellery collections - can you imagine all the trying on you'd have to do when a new supply of stock arrives? If you're a fan of all things shiny and sparkly then do take a moment to check out the Gemporia website where temptation surely awaits you. 

Outfit details - top: so old, I've forgotten, trousers: Stanley Market, rings: c/o gemporia, watch: Michael Kors, sunglasses: Sainsbury's, sandals: Miss KG.

Anna x

Ping Pong Piece no 4

Here I am again with this joint feature from Samantha and Ann in our monthly style challenge, the start of which can be seen here. I must admit that this has to be my all-time low as far as these go. When Ann came up with her suggestion of cut-offs, well my heart sank. I don't even own a pair of this type of shorts. Yes, I know that's easily remedied by chopping up a pair of jeans, but hey I don't want to (grump, grump)! In the spirit of our Ping Pong Posts of the past (see here) Ann very kindly sent me a pair of hers and this is how I got on.

My outfit details are -

Shirt: charity shopped

Cut-offs: Ann's

Sandals: River Island

Sunglasses: River Island

Watch: Michael Kors

One of the new twists to our PPP feature is the addition of a guest and this month Ann has invited Ruth to join us.

Now here's a girl who doesn't look in the least bit peeved at having to wear cut-offs! Ruth's beaming smile says it all. This girl is revelling in the challenge as she sports these cute floral shorts. Her black sandals and white bag tie in with the striped off the shoulder top. How easy she makes this look eh? Ruth's blog My Little Nest is here and you can follow her on instagram here.

Ann's shorts have the look of well worn, much loved favourites don't they? I can understand why this was her choice this month and if I looked as good in shorts then I'd want to wear these too. This doesn't seem so much styled, as just an every day at the beach look and it's all the better for that. Truly casual, very cute and yes, you've nailed it Ann! See her blog Kreme de la Kremb here and her instagram here.

Ann's details -

Tee--Forever 21

Tote--Louella Odie 

Cut Offs--DIY Wranglers

Samantha's gone for white shorts too with a neutral spin by way of these simple sandals and sweater. I'd say that Scotland may not be suffering a heat wave at the moment as she's added a toning scarf to keep out the summer chills. I'll understand if you've not noticed anything apart from her amazing legs! Catch up with Samantha on her blog Fake Fabulous here or instagram here. 

Samantha's details -

Cut offs - DIY

Jumper- John Smedley

Earrings- H&M

Glasses- Asda

Shoes- Clarks

Scarf- A gift.

I'm off for a little paddle now the ordeal is over,  but want to tell you that I'll be back tomorrow with another new post - yes, nothing from me for ages and then two posts in a row! I hope you can join me. 

Anna x

Black trouser challenge 3

Here it is, the third variation featuring these fabulous black trousers from River Island. I wonder how many of you will see the appeal of black and gold done this way?

What's interesting about this offering is that much as a chic, more sophisticated styling was maybe lacking, I still felt this outfit was more fun than ever. This just seemed to bring out the high spirits in Polly and I. I felt playful and the shoot did spiral downwards...

Now, it may be that ankle boots and cropped frilled trousers are not a marriage made in heaven for some of you and that's okay. I wasn't really sure about this move when I put these together, but I was drawn to at least give it a go. I'm completely on the fence now. The first person to tell me they don't like it, and I'll be agreeing. I think it's that flash of bare leg. Polly, on the other hand, loves this look. These boots are new and I just couldn't bear to pack them away for the winter without at least one outing. 

Details - sweater: H&M, trousers, boots and sunglasses are all from River Island, necklace: gift, rings: charity shopped.

My next feature will be Ping Pong Piece on the 20th so please do pop back to see what the subject of the day is.

Anna x

Paradise and a U turn

Today I was whisked off to paradise by my doting husband. We took a couple of hours off work and tootled off in our little boat to Samson, one of the uninhabited islands that make up the archipelago of the Isles of Scilly. Summer has been skirting round us for some time now, interspersed with gales and fog, but by late afternoon we truly felt like it had arrived. 

That's our boat on the left and the yacht in the centre was conveniently moored up in front of us just to add an exotic touch to our view. This shot was after our picnic tea. Steve had indeed sung for his supper by first of all taking some shots for the blog. So without further ado, here's what we achieved.

We spent a leisurely few hours catching up, discussing local news and generally making time for each other. It was good to step out of our normal routine and take a moment to enjoy the life we have here on these beautiful islands. We never take our lives for granted, but we know that we don't get out and about as much as we ought to. So this summer hopefully you'll see more of our picnics and boat trips too.

My own news included the fact that I've been approached to feature some jewellery on my blog. If you're a regular reader you'll know that I've been unwilling to go the way of sponsored posts and collaborations in the past. Well, it seems I'm about to make a U turn. As I'm heading towards my 60th birthday I've come to the conclusion that I can in fact change my mind without loosing my job as blogger extraordinaire! I have to be realistic about my blogging life span and would hate to get to the end of the road and regret not making the most of the opportunities that come along. I'm aware that I'm crossing a line in the sand and that some readers and fellow bloggers may not approve, but this is something that I feel happy about and the time feels right too. I'm sorry if I lose respect or readers as a consequence, but Steve and I chatted today and this really isn't such a big deal in the grand scheme of things is it? I'll still be choosing what I feature and how, so things ought not to look much different.

And finally apologies to those of you who were expecting to see the third episode of my black trouser challenge. It'll be along very soon, I promise!

And suddenly it's midnight and time for me to get off to bed. Thanks for joining me and I do hope you'll keep coming back in the future.

PS Everything I'm wearing today is charity shopped, and I love it all!

Anna x