Whilst I'm no fan of the Autumn, the colours of the season are an endless inspiration when it comes to getting dressed.
My amazing Callicarpa, a birthday present from Liz & Al back in December 2020, is a perfect match to this Dilli Grey midi dress.
As you can see from how my dress is wafting around in the breeze, we were in the grip of Storm Debi on Sunday and, after spending most of Saturday raking up leaves, the garden was once again hidden beneath them. Worn with my dress when we nipped out for a Sunday morning chazza rummage were my £3 cowboy boots, a vintage Moroccan leather bag (Vinted) and some charity shopped jewellery.
On Monday the fallen leaves provided the inspiration for my brown-hued outfit. You've seen the vintage India Imports of Rhode Island maxi skirt on my blog many times, the taffeta checked blouse (originally Zara) caught my eye in a charity shop the other day. I'm not usually a fan of ruching but loved the Victorian vibe of the sleeves not to mention the £3 price tag!
It's very dark beneath the canopy of enormous London Plane trees at the bottom of our garden, hence the grainy images. I've clipped the front of my hair up circa 1993 , that almost blonde strand of hair is usually at the front.
I wore another pair of Afghan tribal earrings (turquoise and brown is one of my favourite colour combos), my now rather knackered looking Toast cowboy boots (eBay, 2020) and a charity shopped vintage leather belt.
I was almost in camouflage with today's (Tuesday's) outfit, a vintage 1960s Treacy Lowe for Holt Renfrew tissue silk dress (found in a Devon charity shop by friends in 2017).
There's a pond somewhere under those leaves!
My brown Proper Topper hat (handmade in Shropshire, bought new from the maker on eBay) added a bit more seasonally appropriate colour.
I really ought to get these leaves up but having spent both Friday and Saturday tackling them I'm starting to lose the will to rake.
The earrings were a present from Liz & Adrian, handmade in Ireland using Walsall leather (the finest!), the vintage Indian screen printed silk scarf is from my vast collection & the beaded belt was a charity shop find.
The on-off torrential rain, gloomy skies and high winds made taking photos of our eBay stock a bit of a challenge but I eventually managed to upload twenty items. Poor William's not been keen on the Diwali fireworks, they were so loud on Sunday night it felt like we were in The Somme.
I devoured books over the weekend, travelling to 15th Century Venice in Philippa Gregory's
Fools' Gold, moving on to the dying days of Apartheid-era South Africa in JM Coetzee's
Age of Iron and the on to the English Restoration in Sara George's
The Journal of Mrs Pepys.
Although fictional, The Journal of Mrs Pepys an enjoyable companion piece to The Diary of Samuel Pepys which I inherited from my 2 x great aunt Dorothy (one of Mary Alice, my maternal great grandmother's, eight siblings).
I've not opened this book since I was a teenager and had completely forgotten Dorothy's doodling...
There's a few newspaper clippings tucked between the pages, one from 1905 (the year of the book's publication) and another from 1922 when the Pepys memorial window at St. Olave's church in London was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of London.
I'm not sitting on a fortune, you can buy one of these 1905 Macmillan and Co. Ltd., Globe Edition publications for around £13 on Abebooks. I won't be retiring just yet!
On the subject of books, we've tried another Katy Beskow recipe (find it
HERE), this time using her
15 Minute Vegan on a Budget.
Tea-infused chana masala! Chana masala is a household staple (and a favourite) but the addition of half a pint of black tea gave it an interesting depth of flavour. We've got the rest for tea later and having not eaten since our post swimming Spoons breakfast at 8.45am this morning I'm already salivating at the thought of it.
After finishing
Cambridge Spies on Friday night we binge watched the excellent M15 thriller series
Red Election.
We're now a third of the way through
Informer. I'm not sure how I missed this BBC drama the first time round but it's gripping stuff (find it on the BBC I-Player). The
soundtrack is pretty special, too.
Tomorrow's looking like the driest day of the week so we're dusting off our membership cards and heading to a National Trust property with our trusty flask and a bag of cheese sandwiches. I'll report back very soon.
Thanks for reading!
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Gorgeous Autumnal outfits Vix. I get lulled into a false sense of security at this time of year, believing that the Autumn colours brighten up the gloom, forgetting the long winter months after Christmas! So my advice would be to leave the garden carpeted with them for as long as possible (it's not to avoid raking you understand ;-) )
ReplyDeleteYour blog inspired me to get hold of a copy of the 5 Ingredients Vegan cook book. It's great isn't it? The lemon shortbread is delicious and I used the rapeseed oil we had in the cupboard!
I can't believe we missed The Informer either. Must try and catch up on that. xxx
Thanks, Claire! I know, its proper grim after Xmas, isn't it? At least there's been a bit of sunshine to brighten the gloom in between deluges. I like your thinking, I could ignore those leaves until it gets proper chilly, then I can warm myself up raking.
DeleteThat 5 Ingredient book is so good, we were really impressed with the shortbread. Have you tried the bread yet? xxx
The beer bread? No, not yet, but Gareth's on it. xxx
DeleteIt didn't hang around once we made it, slathered with lashings of butter! x
DeleteTwo words - leaf blower! Are all the progs you mention on Amazon? I've managed to get another month free. I'm watching Masterchef and I used to really like Marcus but he's getting on my one last nerve this series. Even more than Gregg Wallace!Grace Dent looks 10years younger! How'd she manage that??!!x
ReplyDeleteThe noise of those things when the council do the avenue are bad enough, we'll be falling out with our neighbours!
DeleteInformer's on Amazon Prime, I think. It's proper exciting. I love Paddy Considine, he's a Midlands lad.
I never watch cooking stuff - people keep telling me to watch Boiling Point - but after years of working in that industry it still brings me out in a cold sweat. I really like Grace Dent, used to read her column when we used to buy The Guardian. I've heard that she's in Get Me Out of Here, not that I've watched that since Bez was in it. xxx
Seeing all those leaves has made me feel much, much better about my own garden (which does not help you at all, sorry).
ReplyDeleteThe chana masala looks nice, you’d recommend the Katy Beskow then?
They drive me nuts, I was feeling quite smug about the front of the house, the drive and the bit outside the gates but I might as well not have bothered after all that wind!
DeleteOh yes, Katy Beskow's books are well worth snapping up. The Five Ingredient Vegan is especially good although liking her budget & comfort food publications, too. xxx
Especially since the lockdowns, I've really been trying to appreciate Autumn and Winter more. I know our lockdowns were mainly in the Summer, but that's why I feel the need to try to make the most of every season. But it's hard 🙁
ReplyDeleteI do agree about the colours of Autumn though, they're definitely up my street. All your outfits are just fab!
I don't know that much about Pepys. Is his diary easy to read?
I've decided I must get one of Katy's books. The food looks delicious. She's got a fair few, hasn't she?
Looking forward to your National Trust post. (I see they saw off the ghastly wreckers, thank goodness). Xx
Same here, Annie! I used to do my best to ignore the colder months dreaming of our next Indian adventure. It is hard to be enthusiastic about Autumn and Winter when it's so dark and damp most of the time. A National Trust trip should help us appreciate the beauty a bit more.
DeletePepys' diary is well worth a read, a fascinating insight into 17th century life although more something you'd dip into daily rather than immersing yourself into for hours on a beach as the language, as you'd expect, is very dated. I love reading about those every day details though, what people ate, what they wore and - in Pepy's case, all his nights out in the pub!
Three cheers for the National Trust, I love that how it endeavours to be inclusive and appealing to all and how the gammons get annoyed by it calling it "woke". xxx
Well done on the Holt Renfrew find! I used to get some of my clothes there back in the 80s when there was much less of me! They are sort of the Harrods of Canada. Old money, or wannabees as well. There shoe and handbag departments are fantastic. They closed in my city and the nearest is now 3 hours drive away.
ReplyDeleteIt's strange where clothes wind up. I once found a beautiful skirt by a very posh brand in value village, Aquascutum. Unfortunately, it was tiny
Love your book selection
Hello! When my friends found me that dress I researched Holt Renfrew and looked like a very posh establishment, those Treacy Lowe dresses sold for hundreds back in the early 70s so not in the reach of "normal" folk! I bet the handbag and shoe departments were a sight to behold, a bit like Birmingham's Rackhams department store back in the day.
DeleteAquascutum! Once loved by the royals. Yes, I'd love to know how some of these fancy garments end up in not very posh places.
I love how books enable us to travel the world and through time without us having to shift from our armchairs! xxx
I read Samuel Pepys diary. I'll put The Journal of Mrs Pepy on my reading list.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
It's a fascinating read, isn't it? You'll enjoy The Journal of Mrs Pepys. Her description of wash day is enough to make you happy that you weren't born in the 1600s! xxx
DeleteYour writing style is captivating. Thank you for making the topic so engaging!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Deletefabulous dresses, the colours in the garden being totally complimentary! We watched The Informer a while back, it's exceptionally good could almost watch it twice! I found a pair of earrings like your silver/turquoise ones in a chazza recently (mine has brown stones) for 3 quid. Had been oggling similar in Yashar Bish at much bigger price. All good things come to he who waits as they say - but I waited a couple of years! Autumn is my favourite time of year, the leaves are wonderful - I hope you have been kicking them! I would. If you put them in plastic bin bags with air holes you will have some fabulous mulch for your garden in a few months time. Betty
ReplyDeleteThe leaves have been far too wet to kick around these parts, they're slimy and stick to the rake making getting them up even harder! We've been for a lovely walk around a National Trust property today and the colours are absolutely glorious although I'd rather be prancing around in a backless dress and flip flops than thermals and mittens!
DeleteI remember you sending me a link to Yashar Bish and loving the jewellery, I'm glad you found a cheaper alternative. Once you find one pair they're like buses and bargain Afghan earrings will be popping up everywhere.
Liz always takes a few bags of leaves off our hands. Jon built a cage thingy in the garden for composting down the leaves. There's more than we'll ever need! xxx
PS Informer is so good, I'm not sure why I missed it the first time round. x
DeleteThe Outfit Photos are amazing, i want see them in a Fashion Magazin. To put black Tea in the Chana Masala is a new Idea for me, sounds very special.
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks so much! Tea in a curry sounds very strange but works really well. xxx
DeleteHello Vix, I hope you had a good Wednesday outing. It was dry and sunny today here - lovely! I adore your checked ruched top. You made me laugh with 1993 hair comment - I have lots of pictures of my best friend from school with hair just like that! :) I would just leave the garden leaves be, they are a beautiful backdrop to your fab autumn outfits. I must check out Informer - Paddy Considine is a formidable actor. Poor William, I hope calm has been restored after all the fireworks xXx
ReplyDeleteHello Lulu! We had a smashing day yesterday - bit chilly and the sudden gusts of wind kept knocking my hat off but it was beautifully bright and so good to be outside for a few hours without a rake surgically attached to my hand!
DeletePaddy Considine's one of those actors. I'll watch anything with him in, I know I'm in a safe pair of hands. xxx
Hi Vix. It's reet cold me duck..keep thinking of festivals, holidays and the sun! Think of you every autumn with the leaves : ) Love the colour of your nail varnish and would like to paint a wall that colour. Haven't seen Informer and will certainly have a watch. PC went to college with my friend. She saw him around a few years ago and he remembered her and had a chat. Dead Man's Shoes is one of favourite films. It's amazing that you have so much family history Is Mr Woolberforce wearing his collar again? You made me laugh with the circa 1993 hair comment as well! : ) Louise (Mids) X x
ReplyDeleteAlright, bab! Great minds think alike, that's all my head's filled with too!
DeleteThose bloody leaves! It looks like the rain might hold off until after lunch today so i might give them another go when i get back from my swim.
The Informer is so good, I'm not surprised it won a shedload of awards. That's good to know about lovely Paddy, remembering your friend. He plays an amazing role in this, keeps you guessing.
After losing three in a week, Mr W's managed to keep his chartreuse velvet collar on for three weeks - he looks naked without it. I love hearing the bell tinkling, it stops him sneaking up on me!
I was all about the quiffed up front back in 1993 when I was growing out the serial killer fringe! xxx
Such lovely outfits, Vix and I love your new additions; the checked top and new boots. Loved the fab leather earrings from Ireland, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a methodical woman was your Great Aunt Dorothy and a great doodler. It must have been so good to open the book again and find the newspaper clippings. I love Pepy's diary; I have it on my Kindle but I must look out for Mrs. Pepy's diary now!
I vaguely remember trailers for 'The Informer' but will put it on a list of must views - I love Paddy Considine. We've started watching this week 'Dignity' - a German/Chilean thriller based on true events. Recommended.
As for the bloody leaves they get everywhere!
xxx
Thanks, Vronni! The leather earrings are really cool, lovely and lightweight, too.
DeleteDorothy & one of her sisters came of age during WWI and due to the shortage of suitable young men never married. They lived a life of luxury in a grand Victorian villa in Stone in Staffordshire and were passionate about history, art & literature. "Maiden Aunt" always sounded like a pitiful poor relation but I think those sisters lived the life if Riley!
The Informer is absolutely brilliant. I love Paddy Considine, too. I shall put Dignity on my list! xxx
Forgot to say, I find I can't get on with Orhan Pamuk's books. I tried 'My Name is Red' and gave up after about 50 pages in and with the most recent of his I tried, 'Snow' I've given up after a third of the way through. I don't why that is but have tried twice now and failed. So many books and so little time...
ReplyDeleteOrhan Pamuk's writing style reminds me of Salman Rushdie's, it's quite heavy going and unless you can switch off from any distractions, rather confused and intense. Life's too short to read books you're not enjoying! x
DeleteAutumnal colours are my favourites, so I'm swooning over your outfits, which of course are as fabulous as always. I'm loving the Victorian vibes of the brown-hued one, and doesn't your clipped up hair look amazing?
ReplyDeleteDove Cottage's garden hasn't even seen a rake yet, it's been far too wet to sweep up leaves. There's even an empty plastic window box which Storm Ciarán kindly deposited on our garden path from who knows where.
I'm loving the sound of The Journal of Mrs Pepys. Currently reading Wonder by Emma Donoghue! xxx
Thanks so much, Ann. The colours I love seem to sit really well in the Autumn light, what few hours we have of it.
DeleteI'd had to wait ages to start the raking, like at dove Cottage, our leaves have been a sodden mess, like cornflakes left in the milk for too long. Some of them seem almost welded to the footpath outside, I'm hoping the council come out with their machine very soon.
The Journal of Mrs Pepys is a really good read, The Wonder is absolutely brilliant, I'm happy that you've discovered Emma Donoghue, her writing is so good! xxx
Ordered 15 Minute Vegan on a Budget and 15 Minute Vegan Comfort Food through Abe Books (thanks for the direct link, Vix - I get easily sidetracked). Just hope there's not too much tofu as I don't really like/want to eat it.
ReplyDeleteIn other news, I stalked a beautiful top (that I'd been watching all summer) down in a local charity clearance outlet - so happy was I - until I discovered, once I got home that it has one of those plastic security tags in the side seam . Don't know if they can sort it out - gutted :(
Looking forward to a NT travelogue - hope the weather was kind
Elaine xx
Hello Elaine! Those books aren't heavy on the tofu, I'm not over keen either and Jon refuses point blank to eat it. We've loved everything we've cooked so far.
DeleteWhat a shame about that top. Have you left the chazza shop tag attached? Might be worth going into a proper shop and asking if they could remove it for you. If you double bag the top it shouldn't set off the alarms (I'm not a shoplifter, it's a tip from a mate who used to work in Topshop!)
The weather was lovely yesterday - and today's been good, too. I'm just sorting through the 100 photos ready for a blog post. xxx
I think the top was donated with the tag on (M+S donate surplus stock to this chazzer) - I don't think it is activated as nothing went off yesterday! I'm hoping if they can't sort it they'll offer a swap for similar value item.
DeleteGood to hear about the tofu - it is one of those foods that you have to read the label on to make sure it is not GMO in origin and it can be quite a highly processed product - which I always try to avoid.
At least the alarms didn't go off! My hip has a tendency to set shop alarms off, it's really embarrassing! xxx
DeleteI completely share your love of the callicarpa. We've got one as well and the colour of the berries are totally gorgeous. Arilx [blogger playing silly beggars again!]
ReplyDeleteThe colour is unreal, isn't it? xxx
DeleteYour outfits are always so gorgeous, Vix, right down to the rings, belts and other glorious accessories. Your hair looks lovely clipped up and you really suit that Victorian puffy sleeve look! Anne of Green Gables would be envious of those sleeves! Good to see sweet William, lolling about with your books. Vizzini had a start when our new mattress was delivered today - he dashed for his hiding spot...in the bedroom. The look of terror on his wee face as he scrammed for a new spot! Poor boy.
ReplyDeleteI've read a JM Coetze book for our book club many years ago - I get good ideas from what you and Vronni buy! I just finished (I think) my 40th book of the year!
Thanks so much, Sheila! I do love a statement sleeve and the Anne of Green Gables reference.
DeletePoor Vizzini and the scary mattress, don't cats hate change? William was delighted with a piece of bubble wrap which was wrapped around an online purchase which arrived yesterday, he spent an hour snoozing on it - obviously far superior to his freshly washed wool blanket!
Well done on reading 40 books so far this year, that's amazing considering you work full-time, too. JM Coetzee's writing is hauntingly beautiful. Vronni & I have similar taste in Tv and books! xxx
It's been a year filled with medical adventures since I last commented, but here I am (a bit singed around the edges), delighted to see you and Jon flourishing in style. Please convey my greetings to the new feline-in-residence, Mr. William Woolberforce. He has great paw prints to fill but he appears up for the job.
ReplyDeleteAn annotated edition of Pepys Diary introduced me to an era of British history that isn't fully covered here in the States. The idea of a Mrs. Pepys POV of the period is enchanting -- shall look for the book. * I envy your knowing the writer of the notes in your book. Unlike some collectors of old books, I welcome the notes of previous owners as a sort of conversation across time, and the pressed flowers, notes, and clippings tucked into the pages as tiny gifts. Your Great-Aunt Dorothy was quite the pencil sketch artist. Beth Waltz
It's great to hear from you, Beth! I've been wondering where you were, I hope you're feeling a lot better now and thanks for the comment you left on a post earlier this year.
DeleteWilliam is really starting to settle in and rather than stick to the kitchen, utility room & lounge he's finally exploring the house and trying out new places to sleep. Jon's made the fatal error of sharing some chicken with him and now he expects it all the time.
The Restoration is such a fascinating era of British history. I was obsessed with Charles II as a child and was delighted that he'd visited so many places nearby. I'm keen to read Robert Harris's latest book, Act of Oblivion, set during the era,
I love finding pressed flowers, annotations and doodles in the pages of old books, they're like a time capsule. xxx
Hmmmm, my comment vanished from the other day! I love your Autumnal hues (and I, as a fellow Autumn-loather sympathise!). Your new Zara top is great and I do get the Victorian thing! I really liked the Mrs Pepys book- it's one I found at my Grandad's house when we cleared it out. However, I never read the ACTUAL Pepys diaries! Maybe I should as I enjoy diaries!xx
ReplyDeleteHow weird! Blogger is a law unto itself, sometimes!
DeleteI don't get why anyone gets excited about dark mornings and nights, endless grey skies, constant rain and needing to put the heating on, weirdos!
I really enjoyed the Mrs Pepys book, I shall have to revisit Samuel's diary again - trouble is that the print is so small - I've not got the eyesight I had as a child! xxx
I love your reading recommendations.
ReplyDeleteWeekend reading is the best, isn't it?
You look stunning in these earthy Autumn tones.
Personally, I love Autumn. To be fair, Mediterranean Autumn is easy to love.
We have had a glorious sunny day today. The sky was magically blue!
I get that you love Autumn living beside the Med, Ivana! xxx
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