As suggested by... Emily

Emily has been a regular reader since the blog started, sending me the odd comment on facebook when she particularly likes something. She has asked that I feature the jacket that's shown on my Anna's Island Style facebook page as I've not worn it for a while. Emily, I'm delighted to oblige, especially as the temperatures here are just beginning to cool down now. Mornings are feeling much more autumnal, but by lunchtime I often have to change my entire outfit as I've pitched it wrong for the greenhouse environment that is our Westerly facing gallery. As the afternoon sun creeps around to shine in the windows, Polly and I start to glow. It's all about adding layers at this time of year and therefore the jacket fits in very well Emily.

The purple dress is new and seems to work so well with the structured jacket. I love the flirty skirt, and the ditsy pattern play against the jacket pattern is also great fun.

Apologies to you if you've been checking out the blog for this post since Sunday. I encountered Internet problems on Friday as I was packing to leave for the mainland and eventually had to just walk away. However, I can report that my weekend was full of little highlights, including some rather lovely charity shopping, swimming in the Art Deco Jubilee pool in Penzance with my daughter, and also a one-off photo shoot with an artist friend... All of this will be covered on the blog in due course.

Thank you Emily for this month's suggestion. If any of your out there would like me to feature your favourite piece again, please do get in touch by your method of choice - via the comment box, email, facebook, instagram whatever - I'd love to have your ideas. 

Jacket S'NOB, dress is H&M (thrifted), shoes Topshop, handbag NW3, watch is thrifted, perspex rings were a gift, necklace is old.

I'll be linking with these lovely ladies this week -

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Cherie of Style Nudge

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish

Anna x

Warm summer breeze

I must be brief today as I'm heading off to the mainland in a few hours and I still haven't packed yet. A weekend mini-break visiting family and friends in Cornwall, and yes maybe just a smidgeon of (charity) shopping too. So let's be quick. Here's the snaps. Featuring this wonderful paisley print maxi skirt which was, no surprise here, from a Truro charity shop. It encapsulates all kinds of lovely for me - maxi (perfect for those days when I run out of fake tan), paisley (one of my favourite of patterns), elasticated sparkly waistband (no worries about post-lunch bloat and also a bit of bling thrown in for good measure) and not too long (so no need to pick it up as I bolt up stairs to my office as it's just the right length), so all in all, my perfect skirt!

It never ceases to amaze me when I come across a find like this in a charity shop. Why would anyone get rid of something so exquisite? Well yes, I know all the obvious answers, but even if it didn't fit me any more, I'd still want to have it around, maybe as a cushion cover or even to frame a square of the material as a mount for a beautiful photograph. The fabric is light and floaty, the colours lend themselves to marrying up with so many tones and shades of the rainbow. In short, I love it. Here's the rest of the outfit.

This next run of shots are a bit of comedy which fits in well with that Friday feeling I think.

Oh I do hope that you've had a good laugh at these. I did shriek with laughter when I scrolled through them the first time. Is it a bustle or hidden contraband? Good on Polly for capturing these lovely playful shots. She's also captured the new sunglasses I bought in the sale at Sainsbury last month. Cute aren't they? Wish me luck at the shops this weekend. Sunday will be my monthly feature "As suggested by..." so do swing by to see what's been chosen this time. Until then, have a great weekend!

Skirt by Blu Deise, pumps thrifted no brand, top Evie thrifted, bag thrifted, sunglasses by Sainsburys and gold tipped shell necklace by Charlie Dodge.

Anna x

What can you do?

The question refers to when you think you've got a great outfit to show and yet it photographs so badly. That's not down to a rubbish camera or a bad photographer, as you know that's certainly not the case. No, I think it's to do with the proportions of the separates that defy good imagery. Anyway, I'm going to pick the best shots of the bunch and hope they come across as good as it makes me feel.

Looks quite promising doesn't it? A bit of orange, a bit of pattern clashing, my favourite perspex rings, what's not to love? Well, the problem arises from the fact that the trousers are culottes, very wide ones at that, which when you take into account my height of just under 5ft5in, then it becomes a challenge to see this ensemble as quite the cool that I'm feeling.

So far so good? Ready for some more?

Still OK?

Oh, I don't know if I can face you.

Just a moment while I prepare myself.

Damn, Ian just zipped past for his moment of fame!

I'm not sure I can look you in the eye. I so love this outfit, but it breaks the rule. You know, the - If you're short you can't wear wide cropped trousers - rule. Oh dear, what can I do? What can I say to make you understand? It makes me feel so good, yet looks...?

If I were in the mood to completely mock this outfit I could even go so far as to say that the shoes may look like boats with these trousers being the sails flapping in the wind. Heck, I'm on my way to self destruct at this rate!

This was Polly's final shot of the day. Maybe I don't look quite as squat as in the others? OK, enough of this negativity! Here's my favourite outfit. I totally love it. Love the perfect fit of these high waisted culottes. Love how wide they are in the leg. Love that they're made of the most lightweight silk that flows around me like a caress when I walk. Love these funky, sharp sandals that echo the same colours as the trousers. Love the neon brightness of the shirt, in the most orangey way it could be. Love the collar clips. Love that it only cost me £3.29 in a charity shop. It really doesn't matter that I'm neither tall nor willowy. What matters is that I want to share this with you and say, Hey, you don't have to be perfect or wear perfect clothes, just love what you wear!

Culottes are by Jean Muir, London (charity shop), shirt from Motel Rocks, shoes are by Sixtyseven, tee shirt from Topshop and rings are charity shopped. My new nail polish is by Rimmel, called "Darling you are fabulous!" which is surely reason enough to buy it! 

Anna x

My right royal post

I'll get straight to the point - we've had a very royal visit this week on the Isles of Scilly and I was lucky enough to be one of the small number who gathered on Old Grimsby quay to catch a glimpse of the lovely couple. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a brief visit on Friday, slightly hampered by the fog in the early morning which resulted in a quick reshuffle to their plans, and an impromptu tour the Eden Project before flying in  to the island by private helicopter. They enjoyed a walk through our local and equally famous Abbey Garden before departing from Old Grimsby to motor across to St Martin's for a guided tour of the island, to then leave a couple of hours later. I managed to extend my lunchtime so that I could place myself strategically to snatch a few photos of the memorable visit. An event like this in our tiny island community is a rare and welcome highlight for visitors and locals alike. Despite our remote location we are still part of the UK after all.

This was the "crowd" awaiting the arrival of William and Kate.

Great excitement as the vehicles arrive.

We were all very British. No shouting nor pushing, we just waited and hoped to share a word. As William walked towards me I said Hello and he said Hello back. Very ordinary in our daily lives, but still a tad special when coming from a future king. Kate was chatting as she proceeded along the line of visitors and locals. The crowd was hushed, hoping to hear a snatch of her conversation. As she neared I clicked away trying to capture the perfect shot.

Close up, Kate is as beautiful as she looks in the press. Like Diana, who stood on this very same jetty 34 years ago while heavily pregnant with William, she too had the crowd hanging on her every word. They both wore the same engagement ring. I was lucky enough to be there then and here I am again now, was what went through my mind at that moment. As she turned and walked towards me I stepped forward and said "It's so lovely to meet you" to which she replied "You too". 

At this stage the royal couple were heading towards the jet boat. Some children started to call out "Bye Catherine" and she turned to acknowledge them.

And off they went to St Martin's. We locals all returned to our jobs, homes and chores like any other day. The visitors had a wonderful story to add to their holiday adventures. The young royal couple hopefully had a day they might want to repeat. Perhaps with their children next time? Who knows.

Apologies to my readers who may not be fans of our Royal family. Normal service will be resumed on Wednesday.

Anna x