Lollipop

Each year the same story: I find winter OK in December, try to be reasonable about it in January - after all it is only mid season -, somehow bear through February, and by March I am at the end of my tether. Simply can't take the cold and greyness any more. As much as I love spring, this isn't exactly it. So far we had 2 or 3 sunny days in March, and for the rest what I call "cement weather". 

Today started pretty much along those lines, but for some shy rays making a weak statement mid day, however the afternoon turned out positively sunny. So I pretended it was warm enough for short sleeve (it wasn't, my sore throat is the proof of that) and took some photos of the latest knit projects completed by mum. 

Here is one of them, in a lovely pink and cream Shetland wool. 

The idea of this project dates a while back, and but the time it was finished I had forgotten how the original pattern looked like. 

I notice now I didn't do my collar up like in the original image - I shall try that next time I wear the blouse, to see how it sits. 

I am pleased with this, it's a sweet little blouse, if anything I would have liked the waist band tighter - mine just hangs there, as opposed to really hugging the waist, but hey, I think I'll live with that. I believe it was a happy choice of colour too, and if anyone thinks I look like a lollipop, so be it. At least I said it first :)

Dotty, spotty and nautical - a modern flirt with 1930's casual chic

My best friend came to stay for a few days and we were out and about each day enjoying the good weather she always brings with her. Here we are in Ross-on-Wye, for a spot of riverside walking. Any excuse really, just to wear the perennial nautical inspired attire that has become a summer staple, generation after generation. Regardless of specific fashions, there seems to be a never diminishing fascination for blue and white, dots and stripes, faded cotton, kind-to-skin-linen, raffia and straw. Here is my version of it, nearly entirely modern, but hoping to mimic the style of the early 30's dames who mastered this "cool and casual" look to perfection.

Outfit: 

soft straw hat, thrifted by someone in my family, ended up with me;

Gap Breton top, love the boat neckline, a detail that needs more prominence in my wardrobe;
boxy linen jacket from Monsoon, I've had this a few years, an impulse purchase that is still going strong;

spotty Accessorize silk scarf, worn as a belt;

the LK Bennett linen trousers you've seen a couple of posts ago, only a few weeks old but worn a lot already;

navy tennis shoes, one of 4 pairs which I am rotating this summer (I am one of those crazy people who, when they like like something, they buy it in all the colors available...)

50's/60's raffia bag, the only vintage contribution to this outfit.