Friday 25 May 2018

SUMMER DRESSING


We've had some prolonged sunshine for the past couple of weeks or so, which was welcome after such a long cold winter  - so let's hope it lasts!

That means putting away the boots and woolly jumpers for a while and getting out our summer wardrobes - mixing and matching the old with some new items to keep everything fresh.

Anne C is  trying desperately hard to rationalise her  wardrobe after years of hoarding clothes she no longer wears "just in case".  This  varies from corporate suits which she no longer needs, to clothes which don't fit (some too big from weight loss, some from the 80s which she will never slim down to and are no longer suitable!) Some have ended up on eBay while others have gone to the charity shop.

Anne H has always been much more rational about her wardrobe choices, so hopefully her good wardrobe ethic is rubbing off.


This blue outfit is new - actually not a colour she wears very often - but she already has the same dress in black, fuchsia, red and lipstick pink - nothing like finding a style you like and getting it in every colour!  This is from James Lakeland in royal blue, bought at Simply Devine boutique, and can be dressed up with heels, statement jewellery and a hat for a wedding or a special occasion, or worn with sandals or flip flops for summer holidays.

Unfortunately there is no special occasion looming so we're sticking with a casual approach.  The blue sandal with diamante disc fronts are also from Simply Devine in Tadcaster, owned by her good friend Liz Devine-Wright (yes that really is her name, she was Liz Devine and married her own Mr Wright). Only her hats, handbags and pashminas are online, but she does stock dresses and jewellery but as these tend to be single items, they are not available online, only by personal visit to her shop in Tadcaster.



Anne H's geometric print top in black, cream and beige is from her wardrobe, bought at Zara a couple of years ago and has a deep vent in the back which makes it particularly suitable for  lovely balmy summers evenings.  She has accessorised with a simple silver necklace with scallop effect from COS .  They have a sterling silver curved necklace still on sale which is similar and a bargain at just £35.


Her jeans have been stolen from her daughter's wardrobe (how great to have a daughter who is the same size!) and are Pepe Boyfriend Idoler  jeans in a lovely heavy weight denim, available to purchase at £90.   Her two strap sandals are from John Lewis and are the Jessie block heel sandals currently available at £69.  They are really comfortable with cushioning and a 5.8 cm heel height that makes them ideal for walking. They are actually dark navy but that is really hard to tell, but they also come in black.



Back to Anne in a vibrant yellow lace long-line vest from Matalan, which she is wearing over a white cami, and a bargain at just £12 since it is a reasonably good quality lace.  She has teamed with trusty her white linen trousers from M&S which she has had for years - similar ones here.  They are a little baggy now, but will be perfect for holidays in the sun when she can't stand anything which is clingy in very hot weather.  



The white top was bought months ago but never worn, and features a gold pattern on white chiffon, with a dipped hemline, and came from TKMaxx.   (She has only just realised you can buy online from TKMaxx, thinking that you could only buy whatever was in the local stores!) She has teamed with skinny jeans (but not too skinny) from Florence & Fred@Tesco - another budget buy at £12.50. The wedge shoes were from Nine West, also no longer available.








The silver and amber earrings were a great find for Anne because one of the holes in her pierced ears is much larger than the other so tiny earrings are not an option as either the stone or the butterfly goes straight through her ear lobe! These have a long hook and no fastening and came from Azendi quite a few years ago, so no longer available.


Anne's chiffon green top was purchased last year from John Lewis and is from the Marella range.  A similar style is available in Navy in the Johnny sheer long sleeve top, while her jeans are also from John Lewis and are the curvy straight Coco from the DL1961 range which are still available to buy in this wash and a darker wash.  Both her buys were from the sale last summer and great additions for a summer wardrobe to wear on cooler evenings.


New to her wardrobe are these black leather mules from TopShop which are the Nicky tubular mules available at £46, quite dressy and a great addition to the summer wardrobe.  She first spotted them on her daughter Lizzy who has the Lilac version as shown here so can't claim credit for this choice.


Even the bright pink garden table and chairs is from John Lewis who have a fabulous summer range at the moment, including this EMU Arc en Ciel  range which is this years equivalent of the one seen here.

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Friday 18 May 2018

CHOOSING JEWELLERY TO SUIT YOUR NECKLINE


We were inspired to look at necklines and jewellery this week after seeing a graphic online about what jewellery to wear with each neckline, but having had a play around in our jewellery boxes, I think it's safe to say that you can wear more than one style with each neckline - a lot will depend on the occasion.

Then there's the question of wearing costume jewellery against more classic pearls or gold and silver- and this might depend not just on the event, but also on your budget.

Since both of our mothers are sadly no longer with us, both of us have extensive jewellery collections - much of it inherited from older family members.



Anne C tends to go for statement costume jewellery pieces, and her pearl and turquiose necklace is no exception.  This is a piece from Bizermani, a Greek company, but theeir website translates into English.  She has a favourite shop in Thira, Santorini, which she visits every year on holiday and is building up quite a collection of their pieces.

Sometimes you look at a photograph after it's been taken and realist that something didn't work, and although the necklace looks fine with a classic V neck, the drop pearl and bow earrings don't actually go well with the overall look.  Next time it will be either smaller pearls or turquoise studs with this top and necklace!






Same top - which is a silk wrapover front which Anne has had for years, which she has accessorised with a beautiful glass necklace with matching earrings and bracelet, which she bought from an Asian jeweller whom she mentored when she first set up in business some years ago as part of a Women in Business programme. Unfortunately she is no longer selling jewellery, which is a great shame, as Anne loved her products and has several other items bought from her. The ring was a gift from the other Anne a couple of years ago, and was bought for her in Tropea, Italy.




Anne's black drape neck top is from COS and cries out for statement necklace that matches the sweep of the neckline adding drama to the overall look.  This one is also from Greek jeweller Bizermani and is unusual in that it is part lace, part bead, and sits comfortably on this scoop neckline.


This statement red necklace was bought at a charity event and came from Conwy Pearls.  Anne fell in love with this rather over-the-top piece, but it is a limited edition as all her stunning pieces are handmade (she's just had a look at the website and is now drooling...)

It would work well with a low neckline, but the ivory top from Phase Eight is the perfect foil for the colour and contrasts well. The simple red petal earrings with diamante centres aren't a set but they do complement the necklace.







Another top from COS with a higher crew style neck is ideal for accessorizing with either a short necklace that complements the neckline like this striking purple one that Anne purchased a number of years ago.  It works equally well with a longer necklace like this colourful chunky one that was also purchased in Greece.



This black stone with diamante drops and matching earrings is shown off on a square neckline, with a top from Weekenders - unfortunately no longer in business. This set also came from the previous Asian jeweller.





Finally, this  classic cream silk shirt from Whistles cries out for creamy vintage pearls like these from Anne's mum with their age giving them the most beautiful patina  She has added some small pearl earrings bought in the Far East with bangles and pearl ring from Pandora.

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Friday 11 May 2018

EARLY SUMMER WARDROBE ADDITIONS


Finally the weather has picked up and we've had some long-overdue brilliant sunshine!  So with summer holidays and sunny days looming, I have done a little seasonal shopping ready for summer (and I hasten to add, I have actually sold quite a few previously-loved items on eBay to make some room!)


I absolutely love this Galerie Saint Gil white jacket which I bought on a recent trip to New York.  The shop was opposite our hotel on the corner of E50th Street and Lexington Avenue, and I had told my daughter every day I wanted to pop in and look round, and literally the car was waiting at the hotel entrance when I finally went in and saw this fab jacket. They had some gorgeous clothes but sadly I didn't have time for a proper look - probably just as well because it saved me maxing my credit card!

Although unlined, it is extremely stylish, with an asymmetric front, dipped hem, feature sleeves and contrasting button.


I was also delighted to see that it had been drastically reduced - originally retailing at more than $800 though to be honest I don't think it was worth that since it is unlined. However, I love the style and have teamed it with smart black trousers from Marks & Spencer for a mono look.  If I wear it for a day out I would probably add a bright scarf and matching handbag to give a pop of colour and lighten up the mono palette.



For this photoshoot, I am wearing my studded Office boots - unfortunately bought a couple of years ago, and accessorised with large gold-tone earrings and watch from Olivia Burton (bought on the flight home!)





The summer top (below) looks yellow in the photo, but is more of an acidyellow/lime green with a gold sequin feature neckline from Julien Macdonald at Debenhams.  I like the double layer - a fitted bodice with a chiffon overlay as the latter covers up any lumps and bumps - of which I have many! It is currently in the sale reduced to £31.20, but only available in a size 8.


This is one outfit which will definitely be going to Greece with me for two visits this summer.  I have teamed with white jeans, but often take white leggings with me on holiday as they are lighter when the weather is scorching.

The dainty butterfly earrings are perfect for summer, but I have had them for so long I can't remember where they came from.





This pink outfit is a bit of a bargain basement buy!  The top was from an eBay trader, so brand new, and would probably be good for travelling since I often find planes quite chilly. The top is an asymmetric design in cotton and silk.

I have teamed with pink jeggings from George at Asda - a bargain at £12.50 since they are quite thick, and the pink suede boots were from Primark last winter.




The pink pearl and diamante earrings are from my favourite shop - Simply Devine - while the pink ring is another item in my jewellery box which has been there for years.


I should add that since we took the photographs, I have cleaned out the dead plants from the pots and the azalias are now in bloom and are stunning!
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Friday 4 May 2018

EXPERIMENTING WITH COLOUR


After 40 years of friendship, the other Anne's love affair with colour is finally rubbing off on me, and with her help I have been experimenting with colour.  

More than 25 years ago I had a colour analysis done so I immediately went rummaging around in a drawer to see if I could find the little file that I was given as it seemed an interesting place to start my journey with colour.


I am basically  supposed to go with a SUMMER palette which would include soft colours, nothing with sharp contrast,  and favouring soft hues of blue, rose and off white.  I should avoid yellow and anything with a yellow hue and go for beiges and browns with a rose undertone.  As I am fair, I should wear soft colours close to the face but can mix with the brighter spectrum.  Which is all a gross over-simplification but hopefully you get the drift.  

SOFT NEUTRALS 
This is supposed to include soft white, rose toned beiges and browns, greyed navy and blue greys.  


First up is a light blue jumper from Hoopers in Harrogate. The photo is not helped by the lighting in the fitting room which does cast a green light over everything, but I think it does work although it doesn't over excite me.



I really love this pale pink top from COS and think this is a flattering colour for me.  So much so I have a new jacket in pink that my daughter bought me and I am really looking forward to wearing that in the coming weeks. 


Soft greys/silver also work and is a colour I have a fair amount of in my closet - as my daughter always says it matches my hair!

BASIC COLOURS

Apparently I should incorporate burgundy, raspberry, grey-blue, deep blue green, blue red and water melon.... please don't ask me what water melon looks like as a colour, I have no idea. 


Of  all the clothes  we tried on this was probably the closest to a colour on the palette, and I do think it works as it sits within the raspberry/mauve tone.


This bright purple top doesn't quite have the right amount of blue in the hue and so it is too vibrant for my skin tone (Actually I like this one on you Anne ! (Comment from Anne C).


I actually really loved this bright pink top and it felt fabulous for a summer wardrobe, but it would be considered a no no as is too strong and lacks a blue undertone.  I might ignore that though.

This turquoise is also too strong and lacks the sea-green tone which is better for me.


COLOURS TO AVOID 

Step away from reds with a yellow undertone, oranges and yellows other than a soft lemon would appear to be the rule.  I must say having looked at the next set of colours on me I think that is probably correct as they really do overwhelm my colouring.


I think the fact that I have fairly strong make up on does help this look but I am not sure I would go for such a powerful orange again.


I was pleasantly surprised by the yellow,  maybe as it is a buttery yellow it has been helped, but again I am not sure it is something I would choose to buy. I would definitely avoid any acid yellows and have previously tried the lemon tone but really didn't like it.


I know this is not a true orange as we tried to soften by choosing one with some pink in, but again I really am not keen.  The make up is not as strong and the lighting does drain the colour but I do think it makes me look very insipid.


I didn't think this top looked that bad in the shop but it really does not flatter in this shot.  By the colour rules I should have a brown with a more blue undertone rather than this which tends towards yellow.  There is only really one brown on the colour wheel so maybe something I should just avoid at all costs.

I would love to know what you guys think and if you favour one colour over any other.  We need to continue our investigation and try to find the specific greens and blues that the analysis recommends. It is all well and good saying you can wear these colours but it is really not that easy to find them.




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