Keeping it simple

My regular readers will know that I like to keep mixing things up. I'm a bit of a chameleon who likes to be unpredictable. In all honesty, I suppose my clothes are my armour, but I think that's true for all of us. We present the image we want the world to see, who we want to portray, the side of our personality we want to project on that particular day. Today's outfit maybe shows an understated look where it doesn't have to have all bells and whistles to say volumes about me. By keeping it simple I'm in a different zone, feeling a bit Zen.

I bought this top on my recent shopping expedition to Truro see the full story here. It's a M&S top found in a charity shop and I've paired it with an H&M skirt which again came from a charity shop. Both were brand new with labels on, which is the best kind of find of course. I'd bought the skirt in April, but hadn't managed to match it up with anything in my wardrobe. When I came across the top I knew it was perfect, as despite it looking a tad like a crop top, the pencil skirt is very high waisted and therefore the two were made for each other. I often have to play the waiting game with charity shop purchases. I try not to rush into searching for the right thing to co-ordinate with something else, as it invariably means paying full price for something that may only be worn for a special occasion and never come into play again. When I was younger I was much more impatient, driven by needing it now and fuelled by a sense of urgency. Patience seems to be a bonus of the ageing process, and I say hurrah for that.

The final mention has to be of this fab new nailpolish "Breakfast in bed" by Rimmel. Much as I've been harping on about being patient, I have to say that when it comes to waiting for my polish to dry, I'm hopeless! Thank goodness the market is flooded with 60 second polish, as that's about as long as I can hang about in the mornings, blowing and dithering around, trying to pick things up by my fingertips and still managing to smear the blessed stuff. I love this icecream coloured shade and think it's spot on for today's outfit.

The last elements of my ensemble are shoes by Nine West (these are a peep-toe version), handbag (no brand) and yes, from a charity shop, as are the silver rings.

This week I'll be linking with

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish

Cherie of Style Nudge

I'll make my apologies in advance for the sporadic blogging that may have to take place over the next two months. We're into our summer period now at the gallery and that means we host one exhibition every ten days. It's a huge challenge, yet great fun too for Polly and I. However I think I may have to post outfits without my usual chit chat, or at least less so, as I'm a bit time-poor. I ask that you still pop by, drop a comment in the box and please don't desert me! I'll be responding and posting as best as I possibly can. And to those whose blogs I visit, apologies if I'm not the regular visitor I'd like to be. Have a great week and see you all on Wednesday.

Anna x

As suggested by...Erin.

Welcome to the third feature of this name where you chose the theme of my outfit. Erin emailed me to say that she really loved these snakeskin print boots and asked to see them again as I've only worn them once before. I had hoped to put a link to the first time I wore them but in the editing I managed to cock this up magnificently and have now lost that entire post from my archives. Showing it would mean I have to republish the draft of a January post in the middle of July. I'm sure it's all irrelavant in the grand scheme of things. It's the first of July, so let's just keep forging on eh?

I'm delighted to be ask to style these beauties up again, particularly as it's not an obvious choice now that the weather has turned mild (at last). At the first hint of sunshine most of us are happy to pack up our boots and bring out the sandals. I'm the same, but still, I do have a few pairs of boots hanging about that have the chance of making one more appearance just as these have today. The colourway is what makes these so easy to translate into a summer outfit. As you see they really don't look out of place with my cream jeans and embroidered top.

And look! Here's my paintbrush necklace again. I'd completely forgotten about this beauty as it was packed away in its box out of sight. Apologies for the whole walking montage that follows. I thought I'd introduce a slight variation to the blog today, but who would have imagined that walking could prove to be so problematic? Just that simple putting one foot in front of the other thing, you know, like I've been doing all my life, but somehow it seemed to be so difficult today. Anyway, I couldn't decide which looked the most authentic and so will leave it for you to decide.

So here you have it Erin. I'm really pleased with this fresh feeling outfit and think these boots are the perfect finish. I really hope that you agree. 

So for those of you who are new to the blog, I'd like to invite you too to take part in this monthly offering. If you would like me to style up a particular piece again but in a different way, then please drop me an email, or message me on Instagram or leave a comment at the bottom of the page. I love to read all your comments, and particularly if you want to spark the next installment of this feature. 

Today's outfit comprises of embroidered top from Tu at Sainsbury (all sold out now I'm afraid) jeans are from M&S, boots are c/o J D Williams, paintbrush necklace is from Zincwhite, sunglasses are from Quay Australia, watch is by Michael Kors, handbag is from Accessorize many moons ago, bangles from a charity shop, brown ring is old and the nude ring is from Boots.

Linking with 
Cherie of Style Nudge
Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish
Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb
Patti of Not Dead Yet Style 

Weekend in Truro

I had a legitimate reason for hopping off the island over the weekend as it was time for my annual eye check (2 hours well spent here). Sasha and I made up for lost time however with a sprint to the finish line in what was another marathon shopping spree for me. The ladies in the Truro charity shops welcome me like a local celeb as they know I'll be spending more than 30p on a tea towel which does make Sasha laugh. She has been known to stand behind me at the desk explaining to waiting customers about island living, limited retail opportunities, and my infrequent visits culminating in these bulk shopping buys. So you know the drill. Here's the luggage before and after shots, and the rest will follow.

The large holdall belongs to my son, but it's great for taking on the ship where it will travel squashed into a container therefore needs to be sturdy. Notice that it's not quite full yet, and it does hide a Russian doll effect - a bag, within a bag, within a bag - ready for the spoils. 

And here they are on my return at Truro railway station where three bags have turned into five. Said holdall and spare bag (note only one, I still had another in reserve) are now both busting to the point that I can't actually lift the large bag, but it does have wheels for such eventualities. Only one more manoeuvre to make on and off the train and then it's helpful taxi driver round to the docks to get this home.

I travelled by Scillonian this time which takes about 2.5 hours and wasn't too rough on either journey. The ship sails in all weathers apart from the most severe gales and I do take precautions against sea-sickness as I'm not the best of sailors. Stugeron tablets and Seabands on my wrists work as a good combination in my case, along with staying up on deck and keeping my steely gaze on the horizon. While those around me may flounder and flail, I have to focus on my own well-being.

Leaving the islands behind as we head across the Atlantic to mainland Cornwall.

Land ahoy, and the very welcome sight of St Michael's Mount. A 40 minute train journey takes me up country to Truro where Sash and the shops await. Next morning, armed with empty bags, I was out at nine to see what I could find. Sasha joined me about lunchtime and we headed off to our favourite shoe shop, TK Maxx.

I love the jamboree that is TK Maxx's shoe department. All sorts of colourful footwear lie abandoned as if there had been a sudden call to arms and everyone had flee'd. We had a great time trying on, discarding, discovering and finally deliberating. I can reveal that Sasha is now the proud owner of the turquoise sandals and the (high heeled) beige suede boots in the centre. My shoe shaming comes later. 

We had lunch at the Lounge in Truro which had a fab atmosphere as well as a great range of delicious food. We ate in the restaurant downstairs but the seating area upstairs was quite funky too.

We hit the shops big time after refuelling and I think the term shop 'til you drop probably comes into play here. Eventually we admitted defeat when we couldn't carry any more. Our evening was spent comparing our finds, trying on and for me, a great deal of packing. On Sunday after my eye appointment we went out to Hubbox for lunch then mainly chilled for the rest of the day as I made ready for the journey home. 

All too soon it was time to head back home. The trip was on a full ship when I travelled back but I was happy to find my favourite spot on deck to hunker down. We passed the Minack theatre at Porthcurno (see it clinging to the rocks above the left of the cove) before leaving the mainland and all its retail temptations behind.

A bank of cloud sits heavily across the Cornish peninsula.

And finally the Isles of Scilly can be seen in the distance. St Martin's is the first to show.

The Firethorn is motoring towards St Mary's to collect the passengers from the Scillonian to take them to the off islands.

Home again and it's time to spread out the loot and take stock of everything. I have some repairs to do on the yellow maxi dress, the black lace dress and the olive and brown maxi skirt in the centre of the pic. The clothes tally reads like this - 1 wet gear coat, 1 sports top, 1 swimsuit, 2 handbags, 1 maxi skirt, 2 maxi dresses, 4 dresses, 2 pairs of culottes, 1 shirt, 4 pairs of trousers, 3 skirts, 2 pairs of shorts, 6 tops and the shoes...

My final count up of shoes was 20 pairs. Gasp if you will, but four were for Sasha, two for Polly and one wasn't quite glamorous enough to warrant inclusion in the photo (chunky plain brown sandals for wearing to the beach). Of these only two were full price from TK and 11 pairs were bargain basement prices from charity shops with the most expensive being £9. Who needs 14 pairs of shoes in one fell swoop, you may ask? Well clearly I do! Many of these were brand new and must have been a bad fit/gift/wrong choice for the owner, but are a great addition to my summer wardrobe. 

I've just remembered that I bought a fuchsia coloured silk jacket in a charity shop that's by Jaeger. It's currently at the dry cleaners, and I can't wait to feature it with my black hat. Seems I forgot to photograph my two new hats, one in black and the other white. My next shopping trip will be in September when I'll be updating my autumn/winter wardrobe. I hope you've enjoyed my lastest spree and would love to hear your thoughts. Have a great week!

Anna x

Sunday mish mash

Apologies for this mish mash post, but I'm having a weekend away. I've lined this up as a bit of a stopgap until I get back to you on Wednesday. I thought I'd use up some of my stock of island views in the hope that you might enjoy the scenery. In addition I've recently had a visit from my friend Kate so here we are in our latest swimwear after an evening swim just before I left for the mainland. Wishing you all a lovely, relaxing weekend and I hope to have something new and perhaps not-so-new to show you on my return.

Thanks for dropping by. It's great to have your company and I do hope you've enjoyed this post.

Anna x