Windmills and a Dress

I was really pleased to find this dress in my favourite charity shop a few days ago. It cost me £4.50 but I like the length and the colours with the floral design. I would have prefered slightly longer sleeves that is only a minor point.

We have been doing some day trips over recent weekends and by pure chance came across this wonderfully preserved windmill in a remote part of the Somerset countryside, south of Cheddar.

We had a picnic in the windmill grounds with the peace only disturbed by bird song (including a lovely cock pheasant in the field across the road). It was far better than trying to eat in a busy touristy location!

Then we had a bonus when a local person opened up the mill and allowed us to see inside. The original workings were still there dating back to the 1800s. There was a lovely musty smell. We could climb up narrow ladders (luckily I was wearing flat shoes) to see the upper floors and Hannah and Henry could learn about the various stages of how the grain was ground into flour.

Entry was free (although we gave a donation) and we spent a happy hour there. It just proves that there are some real gems in England if you seek them out.

Orange Skirt

I didn't intend to post today but heavy rain has prevented us from our planned outing in the countryside. I got soaked leaving Church after Morning Service.

This outfit is unusual for me - a bright orange skirt. As you probably know I work in an office where the corporate dress code is black and white - so the majority of my skirts are black, knee length so I can wear them at work and at home. However every now and then I feel like a complete change and was tempted by this bright number which cost me £3.50!

It is slightly shorter than I normally wear but I don't think it goes against my modesty standards too much. It tones well with the black tee which I have had for some time.

I think this skirt will get quite a lot of wear during the next few months.

Do you ever have the urge to buy something completely different occasionally?

Summer Holidays

The Schools broke up on Friday for the summer holidays. We are not going away this year for a long break but will be having some weekend trips. It is one of the drawbacks of changing jobs to find my colleagues had already pre-booked leave during the next six weeks! Anyway, Hannah and Henry will be staying with relatives and taking part in some activity camps during the break from school so having to work will not be too much of an issue.

I was looking at some holiday photos recently and it is amazing how many different places we have been lucky enough to visit during the last ten years.

The most romantic must be Paris. We visited Paris shortly after we were married and spent a long weekend there.

The highlight of our trip was a cruise along the River Seine during the early evening when the Eiffel Tower and many other buildings and landmarks were lit. It was truely magical.

Our most picturesque overseas holiday must have been to the island of St Lucia. It was a winter break just before the children arrived and the natural beauty of the island was absolutely stunning.

As a keen gardener, I really appreciated the colours of the tropical gardens and St Lucia is blessed with a rainy season which results in lush natural vegetation. It was amazing to see fruit that we buy in supermarkets growing in their natural habitat. The temperatures were about 80F most days and the humidity was quite high. There was a wonderful market in Castries the capital and the charm of the island had not been spoilt by tourism as is often the case.

Sadly no new charity shop bargain this week so I will do  a brief post on this top which I bought a month or so ago.

It only cost me £1.00 and it is really a size too big but the belt helps avoid the impression that I have suddenly put on weight! The button front makes it a little different. I still have not made up my mind if I really like it or if it suits me. As it was so cheap it does not really matter if I just wear it around the house or for gardening.

What do you think?

Flowers and Lace

My hanging basket display is now at its best. The stand holds four baskets and they contain mainly geraniums and petunias. They need watering each evening when there is no rain and regular dead heading. I enjoy gardening as I find it relaxing after a day in the office. I am able to unwind in the open air and sometimes some digging can enable you to get rid of frustrations.

We also grow most of our own vegetables. It is so satisfying to be able to be able to go outside and cut a cabbage or pick some beans, prepare and cook them and have them on your plate within an hour. You know that they are really fresh and have not been sprayed with chemicals.

My latest charity shop purchase is this top. I think it is more suited for evening wear rather than for work. I rather like the lace trim and it will give me another option if we have an evening out. It cost me £3.50 and it did not have a label so it could have been handmade.

Sun Hat

I am not a hat person. In fact I have very few hats - just two in the back of my wardrobe which I bought years ago for weddings. However it is very hot and sunny in the UK at the moment between torrentail thunder storms. A sun hat became necessary and this is it! The wide brim protects my neck and the floral decoration gives an interesting finishing touch.

 

How are you coping in the current heatwave?

Summer Dress and Belt

A quick outfit post this week. As we are promised a heat wave in the UK next week with temperatures over 30C, I thought another dress found in my local charity shop would be appropriate. This dress cost me a mere £3.50. It needed a small repair  to one seam which took me 10 minutes and then it was as good as new. I thought that the contrasting tie belt gives it an interesting finishing touch.

Classic Cars and a Pastel Outfit

We all love looking at vintage and classic vehicles so we went along as a family to see a local rally last weekend.

This Chevrolet was the favourite of both my daughter, Hannah and my son, Henry. Hannah couldn't wait for people to move out of the way so that she could take this photograph.

My husband's favourite was this late 1930s maroon Austin saloon which was in immaculate condition having been carefully restored.

My favourite was this rare Riley Coupe which dates from the 1940s.

For my outfit in this post I have chosen a summery pastel combination. The pink skirt has been in my wardrobe for some time and I think it is just the right length to accord with my modest standards. I have a feeling that it might have come from a High Street store rather than a charity shop. The matching top was from a charity shop. I like the pattern on the white section which makes it more interesting.