I was looking forward to last weekend. Not because I’d be able to put my feet up and relax. Far from it! I was going to be exercising the ‘little grey cells’, as a certain Belgian detective would say. It was back to school for me for the whole weekend, as I attended a 2 day specialist course for Pilates for the Older Person.
I work with quite a few older clients; some of whom are physically fit for their age and others who have limitations because of age related issues. Also, I’m seeing first hand how the effects of aging along with the loss of mobility and cognitive skills is impacting my own elderly parents, so this is a subject close to my heart.
I was super organised the night before. I’ve no idea where this spurt of super organisation came from but if it appears again, I’m going to bottle it, sell it and become a millionaire. I was a good student and packed my school satchel or rather my burgundy polka dot satchel, the night before. It’s a distant relative of my blue and white polka dot tote from last week. I’m nothing if not consistent! They’re both oil cloth bags from The National Trust; this one being preloved though.
Notebook and pen, brain fuel snack box of raisins and obligatory dark chocolate squares (I get scratchy if I don’t occasionally munch on some dark chocolate squares) and I even included an apple for teacher!
Doesn’t the colour of the satchel go so well with the jeans and the scarf?
Satchel packed, I was ready to put the rest of the outfit together. First day of the course was going to be theory based – understanding gerontology – which is the scientific study of the problems of ageing from the clinical, biological, historical and sociological aspects. My usual business attire of leggings and lycra were for the Sunday.
I love it when old favourites come together to make an outfit. Everything bar the scarf, has lived with me for a while and are old friends. The jacket is at least 10 years old now but still going strong, the t-shirt I bought two summers ago, boots a few seasons ago.
As I was up bright and early to head into town, a light jacket and scarf was required. There’s definitely an early morning nip in the air now. But the jacket is light enough that I won’t roast when the temperature warms up during the day.
Plus the jacket has built in, air conditioning! I can fold over and button up the jacket sleeves, as I’ve slightly done. And if more cooling needed? Just zhoosh them right up to the elbow! And extreme cooling? The technical department says; take the darn thing off!
The wooden necklace is the oldest item I’m wearing. I’d hazard at guess of at least 20 years and where it came from is lost in the midst of time. It’s quite a simple design, nothing flashy about it but all the more perfect for that, as it’s just the right length for round neck t-shirts. When I whip off the scarf, there’s still an eye-catching detail at the neck.
Some women are shoe hoarders collectors or bag collectors and although I like both, I’m not an avid collector. I don’t lust after the latest ‘it’ bag. However, I profess to being somewhat a scarf hoarders collector. One of the things I do look forward to about Autumn is that I can start to wear scarves again and I’m always on the look out for new and unusual ones.
This one was a holiday purchase from a local French market when we visited family in May. The guy on the stall was wearing the blue one in this design. He’d tied it around his neck in such a Gallic, insoucient way, I was totally charmed into buying the red one! A snip at a few euros.
These are the first pair of ankle boots I’ve worn this Autumn and are one of my favourite pairs of booties. I like the cross over detail at the front; they have a cowboy feel without screaming the theme tune to ‘Rawhide’.
A little buckle posing went on as the satchel buckles admired the booties buckles and the buckles on the booties reciprocated the admiration.
Seasonal skinny jeans
Jacket (old)
D Perks Navy Hearts & Birds t-shirt
Wooden Necklace from that Emporium of I Can’t Remember!
Scarf from French Market Stall this summer
National Trust Polka Dot Satchel (preloved)
I’ve my ‘I’m listening very intently’ face on here. Didn’t need to wear it at any point over the weekend, as I was hanging on every word that our 2 excellent educators had to say.
Turns out my hearts t-shirt was extremely appropriate to wear. Did you know that the symptoms of women’s heart attacks are often missed as they’re different to men? 40% of women don’t experience the classic signs of heart attack such as the clutching of the chest, so often portrayed in films and on TV. Symptoms include shortness of breath, stomach aches/nausea, tiredness and dizziness.
Statistically, women are more likely to die from heart disease than from breast cancer.
So ladies, make sure you go to your breast screenings when you get invited, look after your bone health but ALSO keep your hearts healthy with good diet and exercise. Here endeth the lesson.
Find out more about my Seasonal Skinny Style Challenge
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You are quite the funny girl!! Being a scarf hoarder/collector really just depends on your perspective…and how many you have!!! Love the outfit!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
True, although when all the drawers in the house are filled with them, TallBrownFox might disagree with you!
Great outfit, great writing. I love that you did a workshop on the topic of pilates for older adults.
Okay, now I'm going to be singing Rawhide in my head all day. Hahaha! And hearing that whip crack. But yes, I see what you mean about the booties. I like them for the same reason you do. Your technical department is brilliant. Haha.
Ha, ha, couldn't resist the Rawhide and as I knew that would get some folk! The technical department can be abit brusque at times, especially if you interrupt them on their tea break but generally, they hit the nail on its head with their advice!
Love the writing and the booties. I want in on that whole organizing/bottling scheme. I love the fact that you take chocolate squares with you. I have a stash of dark chocolate granola bars in my car. Just in case!
bisous
Suzanne
You will be my first sale, Suzanne, I promise! Nothing comes between me and my chocolate squares. Always good to be prepared!
Love your burgundy pants. They look great with the booties! I always love being in a learning environment. Sounds so cool!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thanks Amy. I do love the rich Autumn colours. Weekend was great. Learned so much.
You're funny!! "that Emporium of I Can't Remember!"- ba ha ha ha!!!!
I love your outfit, the colours are just SO complimentary!!!! You look truly cool and that bag is the bee's knees!!!x
It's amazing how many things come from that Emporium, Kezzie! I was chuffed with the purchase of the bag. And it got compliments at the weekend too!
Your course sounds really interesting. I've always fancied the idea of pilates as I was told it is not related to any spiritual meditation but is very good for the body-is that right?x
Correct, no spiritual links. Joseph Pilates believed in a holistic approach to life and how the body works so he did set great store by eating well, getting good sleep etc… as well as exercising. He was quite ahead of his time in that respect. He worked alot in rehabilitating people after injury. Pilates is body conditioning from a holistic perspective, taking into account how nothing in the body works in isolation. We are a series of moving parts that need to intergrate to move well together and be in balance. It focuses equally on strength work, stretching and control, involving good breathing patterns and alignment.
Love the burgundy pants, and matching accessories! 🙂 I have a similar pair, although I've never worn them with my burgundy scarf. I'm wondering now if I could get an extra wear in of my scarf and the pants together….it's quite a thick winter blanket scarf and it's warming up nicely here, but I'm eager to give it a go! 🙂
Glad you had fun at your course too!
Away From The Blue Blog
I'm sure they'll be a day where there's a dip in the temperature enough to try it! If not, you've got it lined up for next Autumn/Winter.
I am in my 40s and really starting to feel the affects on aging. My body does not bounce back as quickly as it used to and I am making sure I am taking care of it now so I can still a lot as I get older. Your satchel adds so much to your beautiful outfit!
Thank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you Thursday.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
It takes a little more effort in our 40s, but important to take that effort. The satchel was a fun find and so right for the outfit.
Great outfit and love the colours definitely got an autumny vibe!
Thanks Sam, yes the colours are really autumnal.