Day off, down time.

I'm aware that I may come across as spending my every waking minute dolled up, but that's so not the case. At the end of a working day I love to kick off my heels and get into something comfy. My alter ego is slouchy, snuggly, duvet-loving and the exact opposite to the hard working, sea swimming, dressed up self you normally see. On my day off, it's good to dress down and show that I'm not at work which is important when you live and work only 50m apart. My favourite item to chill out in has to be these flowy, floaty trousers with a cute tie front. I bought them in New Zealand, in Russell, on the Bay of Islands on the North Island in what I think they call an "op shop" - our version of a charity shop. I wore them endlessly on that holiday as the loose, unstructured fit was perfect for our camper van lifestyle. They look great over a swimsuit too.

Even though it's my day off, I still like to inject a bit of colour and fun into my outfit. The pattern clash is divine with these separates too, made all the more perfect by the addition of these playful rings and nail polish. Even my espadrilles add another dimension to the pattern play, yet the colours all are in total harmony to me. The top is new and has been sitting on the sidelines since I bought it in Sicily when we were on our cruise in Feb see here. It's a vintage piece that was part of a huge find from an eccentric lady who had collected clothes over decades, but never wore them, just had them housed in her dressing room, waiting. When she died, her sister took boxes and boxes of beautiful pieces,still in tissue to the store. The shop owner thinks this came from the swinging 60's. Needless to say, I love it.

Trousers and top (see above). Shoes are from TK Maxx (brand is Giamo these are similar). Rings and pink bangle are gifts, silver bangle is charity shopped. My summer favourite nail polish is Rita Ora by Rimmel in Tangerine Tent.

Linking with

Dawn Lucy of Fashion Should Be Fun

Footnote

As I publish this today I'll be getting ready for my first ever bloggers meet up. Kezzie of KezzieAG is coming to the islands on a cruise. We hope to meet up and tour the Abbey Garden, whereupon she would like to join me for a sea swim (note to Suzanne: this was Kezzie's suggestion not mine). With any luck I'll have some photos to show you on Sunday. Until then, have a great weekend!

Anna x

Last year, this year.

If you're a long term follower you may well remember this jumpsuit from last summer. I wore it to an opening night party at the gallery see here. This year I've drafted in a whole lot of long gowns for my partying and therefore this has been demoted from posh to everyday. I'm sure this is what we all do isn't it? The dress that starts out being for a special occasion, once the event is over can't keep it's place at the top of the heap forever, can it? Granted, if it's all sparkle and sequins, then it may always remain as evening wear, but aside from those, I'm always happy to demote so that I can get the wear out of it.

To change things up I've added some different accessories, namely this colourful beaded belt which I'm wearing with the clasp at the back to give the rear view a bit of interest. While we're on the subject of rear views, I just have to say how unflattering this jumpsuit is in that department. Let's see, I hear you cry, but no! A woman has to have some pride, please. Suffice to say that I appear to have yards of arse in this ensemble (sorry if that was a bit coarse). If I'd know how this area was not to be highlighted I wouldn't have drawn attention to it by adding this back to front belt. Hey ho, the deed is done. The daytime debut of the jumpsuit was warmly received with lots of compliments on the fabulous cut and print. Early on in the morning I started off wearing my black and white floral jacket too, but it was soon warm enough to dispense with the extra layer. The other difference I introduced this time is the accent colour of turquoise which seems to work well against the russet tone. Last year, this year, I think the styling works well with both, but I prefer this latest version. What do you think?

Jumpsuit is from F&F at Tesco (this one is nice), jacket from Zara (I like this new version), shoes from New Look(similar), handbag charity shopped, sunglasses from Quay Australia, belt by Tu at Sainsbury (sold out) and my jewellery is old/charity shopped.

Linking with 

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish. 

Sammy of Bargain Baglady 

Anna x

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