Summer show: 4 of 6

I can hardly believe that we're more than half way through the run of our summer shows already. Polly and I are in the flow of hanging a new show, hosting the opening night party, selling and packing the work ready to dispatch and then before we know it, it's time to take it all down and start again. Details of the work for this particular show are here. Nick Botting, Rosemary Trestini and Gary Long have all been inspired by the islands so do take a look at the link to see the resulting works. And an opening night couldn't take place without my team of lovely assistants, so take a bow, Ruth, Polly and Max -

We rallied outside the gallery for our obligatory photo shoot and the weather put on its blustery best just to add a bit of interest to the shots. As skirts flapped and flew, we grabbed and clamped down what we could amidst shrieks of laughter.

The dress of the day for me is a small mending success by way of my new found sewing skills. I bought this (H&M) frock which was brand new (rrp £79.99) but due to the broken zip was retailing at £7.99. These brand goods are coming through a Truro charity shop that is in receipt of their "rejects" the best of which my daughter and I scoop up from time to time. My sewing teacher would be proud at my efforts. I carefully unstitched the broken zip, and lovingly pinned the new one in before machining it in place. The skirt has a nude lining as far as the knee, so looks more racy than it actually is. And that's it - four exhibitions down, two to go! 

The dress, as I say, is from H&M, the gold beaded top is so old that I can't recall where I bought it, the shoes are from Primark, handbag is Accessorize (again, very old though), necklace comes from Magpie Vintage, nude ring is from Boots and yellow ring is Martin James (airport stock).

This week I'll be linking with

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish

Cherie of Style Nudge

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Anna x

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