Once in awhile you’re thrown a curve ball. This happens. It’s life in all its messy glory. However, it means certain things get either pushed to one side or pushed out all together. Last week we were supposed to away on holiday but ended up having a staycation instead for various reasons. Ah well, Copenhagen will have to wait for another time.
To cheer ourselves up, TallBrownFox and I made sure we did some fun things on our staycation and one of them was going the The Proms. The positives about a staycation are
there’s no new language to grapple with and mispronouce.
you come back to a comfortable bed every night.
you get to visit places in your own back yard.
One place in my own back yard I’ve not visited for awhile is Kew Gardens, so off we duly trotted for the day. We’re lucky in London that there are wide, open spaces to visit; ‘green lungs’ I call them. Every Summer, Kew has a theme and this year’s is ‘Spice of Life’. There
are daily, free walking tours around the Gardens to learn about their
collection of herbs and spices. Did you know that Mango produces a
spice? Read on and you’ll find out what it is….
The day we visited was warm rather than hot, ideal for wearing my floaty watercolour floral shirt. I’d bought this a couple of years ago on a trip to France. The soft tones of the pinks, purples, reds and turquoises remind me of a watercolour painting. Being short-armed, I have to turn the cuffs over but that’s a minor detail. The print always makes me think of Summer. As the shirt is quite see-through I wore my teal cami underneath and also to highlight the turquoise in the print. The great thing about a pattern shirt like this is the different colour combinations you can do. The hot pink cami from my Hot Pink & White post would work equally well with the shirt.
My white jeans are rapidly becoming a summer wardrobe staple. I’ve only been blogging two months, yet this is the third post I’ve done wearing them. And so far, so still looking white!
Here I am inside the famous steamy Victorian Palm House. Steamy not because it’s risque you understand (now, now, behave) but because of the temperature inside. The glasshouse contains exotic plants from the four corners of the globe, such as the towering palms growing behind me.
Yes, I braved the tiny spiral staircase and walkway that runs around the top half of the glasshouse just for you to get this shot! I’m not holding on for dear life, no, I’m perfectly happy, just take the picture please and quickly!
Clearly all this heat went to my head (and frizzed my hair, darn it) and made me think I was ready to conquer the even higher height of the TreeTop Walkway.
Don’t look left.
Don’t look right.
Just look straight ahead and you’ll be fine!
Back down on terra firma, bottom safely seated on the steps to the entrance of the Mediterranean Garden. I’m feeling rather pleased with myself, considering me and heights aren’t the best of friends.
Deep breaths and let’s relax with some photos of my accessories. The gorgeous turquoise necklace is from… Gorgeous Statements! I have the same necklace in pink but I fancied wearing the turquoise one as it’s a stronger contrast to the pinks in the shirt.
I’m carrying on the gallic theme of my shirt with my mock croc
shoes. The slip ons were bought on our visit to family in France back in May. I’d
tried similar slip ons from Kurt Geiger earlier in the Spring. Sadly it
ended in tears, due to me possessing narrow feet. The slipping and slopping
when trying to walk in them made me look as if I was a drunken sailor trying to iceskate.
Maybe French mademoiselles have narrower feet? Who knows? These English feet fit very happily inside them though.
And if you’re wondering what spice comes from Mango, here’s what it is! Amchoor. Did you know? I have to say I’d never heard of Amchoor before. A couple on our guided walk knew. They were of Indian heritage and said they used that spice all the time in cooking.
Have you like using exotic spices in cooking? What are your favourites?
Shirt & Mock Crocs Slip ons from France (old)
Monsoon Teal Cami Top (old)
Brooke Blue Necklace from Gorgeous Statements
Silver Bag thrifted for 99p!
Linking with / Fashion Should Be Fun / Throwback Thursday / Garay Treasures / Color and Grace / The Wednesday Pants / The Wednesday Blog Hop / Turning Heads Tuesday / Confident Twosday / #iwillwearwhatilike
Love your flowered top 🙂
Thanks for linking up to the Wednesday blog hop
Thanks for hosting Claire.
How funny…I have a shirt like your blouse….it'll be showcased on the blog in two weeks!!! So, of course I love yours!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
We're shirt twins, Jodie. Can't wait to see your one!
Bummer about the change of plans but looks like you made the best of your staycation! I love this pretty floral blouse and never knew the mango is also a spiced. I bet it's yummy!
Alice
http://www.happpinessatmidlife.com
Stop by for a chance to win up to $75 credit to Jord Watch!
Would love to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
We did make the best of it in the end and I love botanical gardens so it was rather fitting I wore my floral shirt!
Oh I didn't know mango made a spice also! You learn something new every day 🙂
Shame you didn't get to go on your planned trip, but sounds like you still made the best of it locally! I really like that floral blouse with the blue tank underneath 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
I love learning where things come from so it was fascinating. We managed to do some fun things during the week.
Looks like you lade the most of your staycation. But just in case: Copenhagen is a wonderful weekend destination, and Norwegian flies from Gatwick for next to nothing…
We did. Good to know you can do Copenhagen in a weekend. Thanks for the tip!
I love your choice of colors! That floral blouse is beautiful!
Red Reticule
Thank you Bogi. The colours are gorgeous, aren't they?
A staycation can be lots of fun! My hubby started a new job, so no traveling for us this summer either. Your outfit looks cute, Dear! And I adore those sneakers! Thanks for sharing with Fun Fashion Friday!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Indeed they can Dawn! All the best for your hubby's new job. I'm so pleased I was able to find a pair of sneakers that fit my ridiculously narrow feet and in silver too!
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. What a great idea how to wear a sheer blouse
Thanks Nicole – adds another colour as choosing white or ivory underneath wouldn't been rather boring!
What a lovely floral button down, I bet it is so versatile too.
Rachel xo
Garay Treasures
Extremely versatile. You can pick out so many of the colours, and play around with them.
Another beautiful outfit and another lovely necklace too! Glad you enjoyed Kew and the proms but hope you did have to queue (ho ho) too long!x
Boom, boom! Love the pun, Kezzie. I do love my necklaces – my weakness!
I love your sheer top and the floral of course, your shoes are so neat, I think I have the same in maroon, You go on such great outings, I enjoy reading them as well.
Thank you for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
I thought you'd enjoy the floral! The shoes are so comfy for a day on your feet. We try to make the effort to go out otherwise it's so easy to let life pass you by.
What a cute casual look! Love the shoes, bag and necklace, but the whole outfit really works xx
Thanks Anna. It was such an easy outfit to put together and wear. Can't wait for next summer so I can wear it more often!