Another reprise on the brown theme

Yes, another dose of brown!

Hello again! I'm not one to take defeat lying down and therefore I'm facing the brown challenge head-on again today, this time by adding a suggested pop of colour by way of my winter coat by Covent Garden. The brown on brown had mixed reviews the other day, both on the blog and on Instagram, so I decided that I'd push the boundaries further by adding leopard print to the mix as well as this mustard coat. Less brown, more print, more fun, more me.

The star of the show today has to be my fabulous new handbag (a Christmas present from my dear hubby). The Paul Costelloe leather and leopard print bag was a happy find in TK Maxx which also means it was a cut price bargain too. (Hubby paid, but I found it). It's my bag of the moment, my latest crush and I'm more than a little in love with it.

The granite backdrop works as a perfect camouflage for this animal print fest, don't you think? The gold flower ring was another Christmas present and the diamante ring was an airport purchase last year. The bangle was a charity shop find for a pound - yes, £1!

The necklace is from Topshop and the cardi is from H&M, although a bit ancient now.

It was another dreich day, but Lora and I dashed outside when the skies opened up momentarily to reveal a watery winter sun. I know I'm not alone in feeling the post-Christmas slump currently, not helped by the dull weather. The rest of the outfit reads like this - jeans are by Zara, as are the boots and I'm layered up with a thermal long sleeve top by M&S underneath the cardi. Sunglasses are by Quay Australia.

So that's it guys. Did I redeem myself? Are we all agreed that a fair old dollop of leopard print has the ability to pep us up out of the brown doldrums? 

Thanks for dropping by. See you again soon!

Anna x

Brown - boring or understated?

What camp are you in with this?

Here am I, posting this almost monochrome outfit on the first Sunday of the new year and I do wonder if this is a fashion faux-pas? Am I merely feeling a bit blah that the celebrations are over and the decorations all boxed up again until next Christmas and worst of all, it's a Sunday?

This work outfit was my way of a) celebrating the fact that I can fit into this dress again after a spell when it was too small, and b) testing myself to see if I can overcome my prejudice against the less colourful items in my wardrobe. I think what swung the vote in favour was this new-to-me coat (Karen Millen) that I bought from the Crisis shop in Finsbury Park in November. I was so keen to give it an airing during the festive period and do think it looks fab. But maybe I ought to have added a bigger splash of colour beneath it?

By wearing this vintage necklace (another new-to-me) I thought it did brighten the plain dress up a bit, but was it quite enough I wonder? 

I did consider wearing this velvet and lambswool coat for the Style Not Age challenge a few days ago - it does fit the bill perfectly for the theme of Winter Opulence. I love the luxurious feel of the coat, don't get me wrong, but I'm just not a big fan of brown that's all. 

The dress is a vintage piece from Marks and Spencer and is made from Pure New Wool. It's a classic shape in the most troublesome of colours - chocolate brown could be seen as elegant and understated, but it also might be seen as middle-aged, safe and boring. As ever, I may be accused of being too harsh. Please do feel free to step in here with your opinion.

The double buckle belt is a ploy of mine to add a funky edge to the ensemble. 

As is the use of these autumn hued Argyle tights and the overstitched ankle boots by Riva.

Such indecision isn't the best way to start the year off is it? I spent the day feeling a lesser version of myself in this. And so it came as no surprise to me to have someone comment on how very brown I was looking as I was queueing at the local shop. I had to agree. And now the jury is out. Will I be wearing this again, in part or all together? You tell me ...

                                                                           Anna x

The Ted Baker skirt gets to party at last!

Welcome to my first post of 2020

Hello my dear friends. Have you had a lovely time over the festive period? I do hope so. I've had a super time, both at work and at home. Today I hosted a New Year's party at the Gallery giving me the perfect excuse to finally allow this gorgeous Ted Baker skirt time to shine. The skirt has featured twice on the blog before (here and here), as a Cinderella piece never quite making it to the party. Today however, it finally debuted. Not only that, this rebirth is, in my humble opinion, the best style version too.

I bought the skirt back in the summer of 2018 from TK Maxx when it was reduced from £200 to £50, proving to be too much of a bargain to be missed. But somehow that top line price meant I kept it for best, forever waiting for that special occasion to bring it out. The trouble with putting that invisible label of "special" onto something makes it well nigh impossible for the perfect event to come along. 

The robust wind played with the floaty tulle of the skirt.

Now that I've broken the spell, I can't wait to bring the skirt out again. It drew lots of compliments both for the pattern and shape and it felt such a feminine piece to wear. 

I came across these beautiful Italian courts when I was in Truro in the spring. From a charity shop and brand new, the £20 asking price was another bargain I found irresistible. The moment I saw them I knew how beautifully they would match with this skirt. Too matchy-matchy? I beg to differ.

The left hand ring was from an airport concession and the other is a pre-loved piece. Sunglasses are by Quay Australia. 

The chiffon blouse is a well worn favourite of mine (from TK Maxx) and the belt is a second hand buy.

I'd love to claim that this fabulous Ted Baker skirt was the star of the show today, but the truth is that the Tresco Choir stole that accolade. They performed at both of the parties held in the Gallery over the festive season as well as lots of other venues and were the highlight of every event. 

Fingers crossed that the video uploads!

Anna x

Winter Opulence, our Style Not Age Challenge for December

Welcome to this month's Style Not Age challenge.

Hello to you and thanks for dropping by. This month's theme for our challenge was chosen by Emma and goodness, what a lovely idea to opt for Winter Opulence. We've all taken to this one like ducks to water so without further ado let's see how Emma starts this off shall we?

Emma looks positively regal in her velvet dress with teeny velvet bag and that crown like headband. Find all the details on her blog Style Splash. 

Jacqui's take on Winter Opulence is all about lace in the shape of this rich red lace dress, styled simply with red suede shoes. See more on her blog Mummabstylish.

Hilda has chosen a double helping of fur to compliment her gold brocade skirt for her sumptuous look. Catch up with her on her blog Over The Hilda.

At the mention of Winter Opulence I immediately thought of fur - but which of my many pieces was the dilemma? I've not yet showcased the velvet and fur coat which I bought in London in November... But no, maybe not. This silver fur jacket captured my attention as I rummaged through my wardrobe. 

It's a hand-me-down piece from Sasha, the brand is New Look and is quite old I think. Anyway, I like the short length as it feels young and a bit more funky when paired with this satin jumpsuit, pre-loved from H&M. 

The satin bowed trainers (new with labels) were a recent purchase in London. The brand is Kelsi and I've found the same ones online here. I thought the silver pumps were a great match for the silvery hued jacket. 

My bejewelled turtle handbag continues with the Opulence theme perfectly don't you think? I bought this in a boutique in St Andrews almost 12 months ago, but there's no label to show the brand/maker.

No brand with the necklace either I'm afraid. I bought it in London too at the Crisis shop in Finsbury Park. The necklace was one of many bargains I found at only £6.95. I can see this will be a great asset to my jewellery collection. Both rings are pre-loved too. And my sunglasses are by Quay Australia.

Fur, satin, velvet, lace and brocade - we've pretty much covered the who gamut of Winter Opulence here. What do you think of our outfits for this month's challenge? Do drop me a line or post a comment if you have something to add. Next month I'll be starting us off with our first challenge of the new decade. What on earth will that be I wonder?

Until then, I'll wish you all a very 

Happy New Year!

Anna x