...and the second one

Following on from Friday's post I said I wanted to show you another summer outfit and this is it. Somehow this splendid orange and fuchsia ensemble was overlooked in the flurry that was July, which I can only put down to the fact that our summer exhibitions had me on the run.

Nothing here is new, but that doesn't mean it's not worthy of showing. I've had the skirt for yonks, maybe more than 10 years and I think it may have come from Dorothy Perkins. I'm one of those sensitive skinned types who always snips the labels out at the first sign of an itch. Not much good if you're a blogger with a poor memory though!

The handbag was a charity shop find from last summer I fancy - a perfect match for today's outfit.

These sandals are pre-loved, but couldn't be more a more perfect match for the skirt, don't you think?

And this'll be me singing as I do my spinning around.

The clothes chaos still continues at home this weekend as I do battle with far too many boxes and suitcases that have been evacuated from Sasha's bedroom now that she's home again. I must have gradually taken over every cupboard and wardrobe of hers, but done it so slowly that I didn't really notice. Under her bed offered a wonderful space for storage too, so you can imagine the bedlam that remains as she is now tidily ensconced in her rightful place. So today I will continue with my seasonal changeover and hope to pack up what's left to stash in the loft. With my summer clothes neatly stored away I will be forced to look to tweeds and brocades, brogues and boots, fair isles and fluffy sweaters, gilets and jackets, furs and coats for my inspiration. I'm sure the transition into autumn will be much easier when I actually find some suitable pieces to wear. I've already come across a pair of cowboy boots that have sparked a rather fabulous autumn look - see that later on this week.

Outfit details - skirt: Dorothy Perkins, shoes: Laundry by Shelli Segal, top by M&S, handbag: no brand, sunglasses: Sainsbury's, all jewellery either gifts or pre-loved.

Anna x

Autumn equinox

Yes, today we mark the official start to autumn or if you're reading this in the Southern hemisphere then you'll be embracing the spring equinox. For us in the North this day heralds the start of shorter daylight hours and longer nights. In some ways I'm being dragged, kicking and screaming in rebellion as I say goodbye to summer, but I know that in a few weeks time when I'm togged up in brogues and snuggly tights I'll be, once again, in my element. I have a couple of last minute summery outfits to show you and here's the first...

Longer shadows and golden light signal the gradual change that's been taking place lately, but I've been making the most of the odd warm day to bring out something you've not yet seen this year. The maxi dress was a recent find in a charity shop when I was in Truro. Orange and turquoise are my two favourite summer colours plus the fact that this is a vintage piece makes it top of my "Best finds" list of the year. I've plucked some zingy turquoise accessories to emphasise the sea colours by way of these metallic mules, the beaded belt and two long turquoise necklaces as well as the bangle and ring.

Last weekend I announced that my clothes swap over usually brings on a change in the weather and bang, right on cue, it did! My friend Rachel was right in her prediction. Accordingly my bedroom is the scene of clothes chaos where the seasons are held in limbo, summer, autumn and winter all gloriously melded and mixed together in a jumbled rainbow of colours, textures and fabrics. I daren't move things forward as the days here are still producing the soft, warm, golden light which is so flattering to the skin. Yes, these are interspersed by windy, blustery, sometimes rainy and even foggy days too, but my attention is always focused on the single day when we are becalmed and autumn pushed back for another 24 hours. Sasha and her friends spent yesterday lounging on the beach and by the end of the day she was sporting a sun kissed look that she hadn't managed to achieve in her whole summer spent on mainland Cornwall. Hurrah for the joys of Scilly!

Outfit details - dress: Kivenil, shoes and tee shirt: Primark, belt: Sainsbury's, Dancing girl pendant: Charlie Dodge, long necklace: old, bangle: gift, ring: pre-loved, sunglasses: River Island.

Anna x

We love...

Yes, it's the 20th of the month and that's time for my monthly style challenge. Previously Ping Pong Piece held centre stage here, but the girls and I have called it a day. After 18 months of collaborating we felt the time had come to bow out gracefully before we outstayed our welcome. Samantha has launched a weekly link up so do pop over to see how she's getting on with that and Ann is busy as ever sharing her savvy style as well as her DIY projects.

And me, well I'm delighted to introduce you to my daughter, Sasha, who is joining me in our new style feature called "We love..." As mother and daughter we share a passion for clothes, shoes, boots, handbags and all things sparkly. We'll be popping up on the 20th of the month to show you that there needn't be a generation gap where style is concerned. This month "We love florals" so let's get going!

Sasha and I not only love clothes, but we love clothes shopping together. We are ninjas of the sales and experts of rummaging in charity shops finding all sorts of bargains together and for each other. When I suggested that we do this monthly style challenge together Sasha immediately had her own ideas of items we've doubled up on. We have an overlap on many favourites including our passion for brogues, embroidery and all things metallic which will be featured in due course. Clothes sharing may be a contentious issue for some mothers and daughters, but not us - we are constantly passing on pieces to each other (my top today is a prime example). 

Florals was on obvious starting point for the feature as we both own an abundance of this most feminine of prints. Winter florals may well crop up over the next few months as we embrace darker tones and deeper colours that are trending. And that's where I'm going to enjoy Sasha's input most of all, as current trends tend to pass me by, but not so with Sasha. She truly has her finger on the pulse knowing what's rising, waning and completely over. Her insight will be great even though I'm sure my own style radar will remain the same. It's exciting to have her on board and I do hope that you appreciate her flair too.

Outfit details -

Sasha wears overshirt and jeans from New Look, sunglasses from Primark and shoes by Guess. I'm wearing a top by H&M, pre-loved jeans, mules by Red Kiss, sunglasses by Sainsbury's, all jewellery pre-loved.

Linking with -

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb

Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Samantha of Fake Fabulous

Laurie of Vanity And Me

Anna x

Transitional dressing

I really don't profess to be a style expert. The blog features my take on fashion with little regard for age appropriateness as I wear what makes me feel joyful and I hope that this may be an inspiration to you. Transitional dressing isn't something that I feel particularly clever at - I much prefer the clear cut demarcation between summer and winter. This rather grey area for me is perfectly reflected in today's outfit which coincidentally showcases many shades of grey. The breezy start to the day informed my choice of top with a high neck to keep the chills out, but the fact that the sun was shining meant that the gallery would probably heat up to boiling point by the afternoon. With this in mind, I chose these lightweight silk palazzo pants which are cool and easy to wear. The fabric mules are in a wide fit and minimal heel - just because you want to be stylish doesn't mean you can't be comfortable!

This weekend finds me rotating my summer and winter wardrobes (see? no spring/autumn clothes mentioned there) as I try to second-guess the weather. The process is little short of bedlam this year, but more of that another day. A friend was delighted to hear that I'm putting my summer clothes away as she said that pretty much guarantees an instant upturn in the weather. On the strength of that, I may keep a few lighter pieces to the side ready for the Indian summer. Oh, such are the joys of transitional dressing!

Outfit details - top: H&M, trousers: Jean Muir, mules: Miss Selfridge, sunglasses: Quay Australia, silver disc ring: pre-loved, silver and gold band ring: Diana Porter.

Anna x

Quite contrary

They say it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind and as such I find myself being rather contrary since my last post. I'm no longer convinced that summer is a state of mind when the cold North wind is blowing as ferociously as it is currently! Hence I'm wrapped up in a cosy turtle neck and trousers today.

The simple roll neck is a perfect canvas for my long two toned metal necklace. I've added rings, preloved, in silver and gold to pick up the alternate shades of metal. 

These trousers are a recent purchase from TK Maxx and are reflecting what seems to be theme in my transitional wardrobe. Black and grey are featuring heavily as you'll see over the next few weeks with these fabulous trainers being the building blocks that I worked up from. They're black and a glittery silver which may not show up very well in the bright sunlight and best of all are incredibly comfortable!

Sasha has done the honours with today's photography giving Polly a day off. We've dodged just along the beach at New Grimsby from our normal location to try to escape the wind, with an element of success. I'm so lucky to have this kind of help from both of the girls and know that my blog wouldn't be half as good without them. It's going to be a real bonus having them around all this winter too. Thank you, my lovelies!

Outifit details - trousers: Massimo Fabbro, sweater: old, trainers: Steve Maddon, necklace: Du Barre, rings: preloved, sunglasses: Quay Australia.

Anna x

Gingham and florals

Yesterday started off with a mere glimmer of sunshine in the sky, but that was all the encouragement I needed to roll out a couple of my favourite trends from the summer before they have to be packed away. The gingham and flowers are in perfect harmony especially when paired up with monotone accessories.

I find myself at this time of year fighting a sense of panic that I still haven't managed to show you all of my purchases from the current season. It seems so sad to have to pack up these colourful delights without them making their debut. My blogging friend Sheila of Ephemera always makes a point of wearing her new purchases as soon as possible which makes perfect sense to me now. 

I think I had, somewhat foolishly, believed that after the heatwave in June, we would be blessed with another burst of sun where one day followed on after the other, joining up to make something that resembled summer - no such luck eh? If we have the occasional bright day, be aware that I'll be subjected you to something bright too, for my own satisfaction. Today's outfit may be familiar to you, but previously seen as separates which are married joyfully in this ensemble. The black and white accessories tie it all together - black belt, shoe boots and petticoat and the white jumbo pearls, sweetly finished off with my favourite black and white sunglasses. The shoes are in fact brand new though - from Tu at Sainsbury's in the July sale for £8, yippee! 

Outfit details - skirt: H&M, top: George at Asda, shoes: Tu at Sainsbury's, belt: Dorothy Perkins, necklace: Debenhams, petticoat: eBay, leather jacket: preloved, rings: preloved, sunglasses: Quay Australia.

Anna x