Aloha from Hawaii!
small voice of reason coughs quietly in the background. *ahem*
Alright, small voice of reason. I’m not REALLY in Hawaii – I wish! I’m a little closer to home, than those beautiful islands. Let’s start again, then.
Salut from the South of France!
Or it was when these photos were taken. We popped over to the in-laws in France on Thursday pour le weekend as it was the annual summer gathering of TallBrownFox’s towering clan. 18 people in all, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, ages ranging from 3 to 70+. And 18 was a quiet year as we were missing a few people who couldn’t make it!
Although I was in France, these cute, Hawaiian print shorts made me FEEL like I was in Hawaii.
Aloha literally means “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life” and these shorts are certainly brimming with life and colour. I don’t own many pairs of shorts, simply because the number of days in the UK where you can wear shorts without getting frostbite tends to be few and far between. I saw many gorgeous shorts earlier in the summer but I refuse to pay silly money for a garment which, let’s be honest, is hardly yards and yards of material!
I only bought these just over a week ago. I certainly wasn’t intending on buying more shorts but the tropical print made me smile, especially as this type of print is very current. I knew they would be perfect to wear during our long weekend away.
It could also have been due to their price. They were very purse friendly; £5 in the sale.
It could also have been due to their deep pockets. I have deep love for deep pockets.
The loose pleats made the shorts comfortable and easy to wear. And
comfort was desirable with the mercury rising in August. When it’s this hot, you need clothes that hang more away from the
body.
The high waist and the tropical print gives them a 40s/50s feel allowing me to channel my inner Rita Hayworth.
Didn’t that woman have the most fabulous pair of pins? And as I edge nearer to my half century birthday next year, I don’t think my pins are too shabby either!
Just imagine the fountain I’m gracing is a swimming pool.
I kept the accessories simple as the vibrant colours of the shorts take centre stage. A multi-coloured bracelet in tones of hot pink, red and coral, highlighting those colours in the shorts. I added a daisy flower necklace on a silver chain; a delicate necklace to match the delicate pattern of the embroidery anglaise top.
I couldn’t believe my luck at how the top’s colour matched beautifully with the mint in the shorts.
I’m continuing my love affair with wedges. I dread to think how many pairs of wedge-type shoes/boots/sandals I own! These ones fit well with the vintage vibe of the shorts. Wedges are probably the most iconic women’s shoe from the 1940’s.
Back then, wedges were thick soled with a heel that was sturdy and just high enough to give the legs a lovely shape. People walked much greater distances in those days, reflected in the lower height of heels compared with today’s skyscraper ones. They were also a very feminine shape with either slingback straps, peep toes or adorned with embellishments like bows.
Like the shorts, they were a recent impulse buy in the sales. I was in store collecting an online order and to get to the click and collect point you had to walk through the shoe department. A journey fraught with all sorts of temptations as the shoe sale racks were lined up on either side of the walkway, like venus fly traps ready to snare me.
I was doing so well, eyes front, not looking left or right when bah, the peripheral vision kicked in. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw these on the sale rack that said ‘Size 3 & 4’ in big red letters and was instantly smitten. I picked them up to try them on and darn it, if they weren’t a pair of size 4. Drats and double drats. Oh well, c’est la vie, I thought. If I had a penny for every time that’s happened, I’d be rich enough to have my shoes hand made for me. By elves. In the finest silk.
But the shoe goddess hadn’t quite finished toying with me. As I carried on walking, there was another sale rack and HURRAH, another pair.
‘Don’t get too excited.’ said the small voice of reason.
‘I know.’ I said, ‘but they look small enough to be a size 3.’
‘Please be a size 3.’
‘PLURLEEZE be a size 3.’
I tentatively picked them up and… bring out the gospel choir to sing the Hallelujah chorus, they were a size 3.
Whenever I buy an item I always weigh up how much I’ll wear it, how many other items in my wardrobe it will go with, and what’s the quality like i.e. will they last or fall apart? These were a no-brainer. They’ve hardly been off my feet (except for when I’ve been in the shower, or the pool) and the summer colours make them versatile. They were reduced from £50 to £35. Still expensive perhaps for a pair of sandals for some people but they are leather.
I love the detail of the white stitching on the sides and the slightly thicker sole under the ball of the foot makes them über comfortable to wear.
In the cool of the evening, the extended family went en masse to play boules. Boules in France is practically the national sport (ssh, don’t say that in front of a French football or rugby fan though) and is definitely a national obsession! Every town, village and hamlet, however minute, will have a boules court. It is fiercely competitive!
Despite numerous visits to France this was my first official game. I’d like to say I’m a natural, that I thrashed my opponents and that I had life time membership of the local boules team bestowed upon my shoulders from the village Maire (Mayor)…
… mais non, non et non.
I lost both games I played. I think I was the best dressed though, certainly the most colourful!
The upside was, I wasn’t the worst player on the leader board. I was only the second worst player! As the song goes, ‘the only way is up, baby!’.
Peacocks Hawaiian Print shorts – sold out but similar here
Bhs Petite Broderie top
Hot Pink & Coral Bracelet BHS
Daisy Flower Necklace (old)
White wide brimmed sunhat, first seen last month at the Flower Show was bought from a pharmacy in Australia when on honeymoon there.
Clarks Coral ‘Rusty Lady’ Leather Wedge Sandals
Rita Hayworth Photograph by Peter Stackpole from AllPosters
Do you feel confident wearing shorts? Do you go for the more the vintage look? And have you ever played boules?
Linking with / Creative Mondays / Confident Twosday / Turning Heads Tuesday / Garay Treasures / The Wednesday Pants / Color and Grace / Brilliant Blog Posts / Throw Back Thursday / Fashion Should Be Fun / #iwillwearwhatilike /
Being in France is really better than Hawaii (the food, the wine)!! Great deal on the shorts…I love the Rita Hayworth lounging too!!! And great attitude on the boules!! Overall a perfectly fun time! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I'll certainly give you the food and wine – I ate far too much cheese at the weekend! I'm getting rather good at this lounging lark. I might have to give my 'Greta Garbo off into the distance stare', a spin!
love the colors in those shorts, and those SHOES!
b
Thank you. They are fun aren't they?
So cute and colourful…
Your feet are so petite (as they should be!)
I am a 4 but need to buy a 3 in open heels (so as not to have any gappage). Call me crazy but I think some shoe brand's sizes are growing?? Much like dress sizes. I used to be a 10-12…fast forward 20 years, 3 pregnancies AND a stone heavier and suddenly I need to buy an 8 (Makes no sense to me!!)
Anyway, have you tried TkMaxx for shoes? They sometimes have small 3's …and 2.5's too (in proper grown-up shoes)
My neighbour is a 2, so I know the pain of not finding a shoe to fit.
I often buy kiddies shoes too ( I have skinny feet that are hard to fit)
Cute short culottes are MADE for petite ladies and show off your fabulous figure!
XXX
Samantha
Fake Fabulous
I'm all over the shop with sizes, Samantha – very frustrating especially if you have to order anything online as I often end up having to order various sizes. Yes, I keep my eyes peeled in TKMaxx for shoes and in fact this summer have snapped up two pairs of sandals from them but it's very hit and miss in there. My feet are quite skinny too and so many shoes these days are wide fit! Glad I'm not a size 2!!
Printed shorts are so fun for warmer months! I Like how you styled them with color in your shoes and top.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thanks Amy. I'm going to get alot of wear out of them. Another excuse to go on holiday!
Cute outfit, love the colourful vibe!
Marina x | Marina-Simone
Thanks Marina. The colours are perfect for summer.
how fun to be in hawaii! I love your fun shorts! such a cute print!
kelseybang.com
Er, I'm afraid I wasn't in Hawaii, Kelsey. I wrote I was in France! But the shorts made me feel like I was in Hawaii and yes, they certainly are fun shorts.
Definately a Rita Hayworth vibe with your printed shorts and those great wedges. I too love a wedge , height but still comfortable.I have played boules with friends , always a lot of fun , my success a bit varied. Sounds like a great weekend.
I don't quite have the luscious locks of Rita but never mind! Sounds like you're a better boules player than I am!
I wish we had gone to France. We have definitely procrastinated for over a week at home. If it wasn't for le tunnel difficulty, we probably would have just hopped in the car.
You look marvellous!! Very very pretty and feminine and pocket rule!!! Nice to have relatives in France!
The shoes were clearly meant to be. I almost bought some TARDIS BLUE suede wedge boots on Monday. We went to a designer outlet village and they were in the Clarks sale shop for £15!!!!!!! I own the same pair in caramel and they are so comfy!!! Somehow, I didn't buy them. Regretting it now in terms of their loveliness!!!
We tried to play Boules in Croatia last yesr, great fun!!
Hurrah for Belsay Hall, I loved it!Xx
Oh Kezzie, that's a shame, sounds like they would've have been perfect for TARDIS Tuesday! Glad you loved Belsay Hall. Out of the 4 or 5 places we visit in Northumbria it was one of my favourites along with Cragside.
We almost went there too. Wrothbury right?x
Yup! We stayed in the tiny village of Alwinton so Rothbury was only about half an hour's drive away. As we'd done Bamburgh Castle we had to do Cragside because of the connections between the two. Glad we did, as Cragside is stunning and the grounds are incredible.
These are such cute and pretty shorts! Look like a skirt actually. It is amazing how the top's colour matched that on the shorts! Beautiful jewelry to accessorize the look and the wedges look comfy to wear and are really lovely.
You're right, they do look like a skirt, which is probably why I liked them. I couldn't have got a closer match if I tried with the colour!
super cute summer outfit!
stop by and chat with me ♥ http://storybookapothecary.com
Glad you like it. Thanks for stopping by.
Love your shorts, and the colour of your top is so lovely!!
Thanks for sharing t Creative Mondays
I do love all shades of turquoise, aqua and mints. They are so perfect for summer.
Your shorts are adorable! I love the tropical print. Definitely perfect for Hawaii…or the south of France! I have never played Boules but it looks like fun. Even if you didn't win, at least you were the best dressed!
-Katie
http://hellokatiegirl.blogspot.com/
Exactly! If you're not the best player, be the best dressed!
Fab look!
Made in Mauve ☆ Bloglovin
Thanks, I'm really pleased how it came together.
Nice shorts 🙂 Kiss kiss from France, *-* Sand. *-*
http://www.taimemode-fashionblog.com
Merci beaucoup!
I love those fun and vibrant prints on you!
Red Reticule
I'm hoping we get a few more weeks of summer so I can wear them again. Not quite the same temperatures in the UK as in the South of France!
Those shorts are lovely, like you said the print really works well with that tee!
And your shoes are a great find, they also look perfect for summer! 🙂
I'd played lawn bowls which I assume is the same or very similar thing? I'm no good at it of course though, haha!
Away From The Blue Blog
Not quite. In bowls you play on a green and roll the balls. Boules is on a soft court and you throw the ball to get near the jack but the principle of getting as close to the jack as possible is the same. I'm so pleased the sandals. I'll be wearing them out at this rate!
Hi! Love the texture of the top and the colors you are wearing here. Hawaii or South of France, neither are too shabby! hehe. Pretty look.
Thanks for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
I'm loving how much embroidery anglaise there is around at the moment. I love wearing it. I have some long sleeved ones ready for Autumn!
What a cute summery look … and yes, great legs, my dear!
Thanks so much for being a part of Fun Fashion Friday!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
And thank you for featuring me! All those years of doing Pilates has paid off for the legs then!
What a fun pair of tropical pants! I think the accessories are just as cute as well.
Thank you for linking up to "Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me" I hope you can join again this coming Tuesday!
Rachel xo
Please stop by Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me link up here
Shorts should definitely be fun! I'll be there on Tuesday.
I love it, this is so cute. I like your Hawaiian pants. Have fun in France. 🙂
http://www.chicuturnonglitz.blogspot.com
Thanks, the stay was short and sweet. Can't wait to go back.
Love all the pretty colors of this outfit! Hope you had a great vacation!
Thank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you next week.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
The colours are so cheerful, aren't they? Definitely recharged my batteries when we were away!