You might have noticed that it’s been
somewhat all quiet on the Western front with the blog the last week. It’s been a week of hunkering down and conserving energy.
Whilst our American cousins across the pond were celebrating
Thanksgiving, I was quietly giving thanks for two events that could
have turned out to be far more serious than they were.
First, we had it confirmed that Tall
Brown Fox wouldn’t be made redundant just before Christmas. This had
been hanging over his head for the last month. Sadly, several of his
friends and colleagues did not escape the brutal cull at the company.
Whilst I’m thankful that Tall Brown Fox wasn’t made redundant, I
feel so sad for those who have lost their jobs just at the year ends,
especially as some of them have been at the company for over 20
years.
Second, my Dad was taken to hospital on
Thursday suffering chest pains. What could have been a suspected
heart attack turned out to be an irregular heart beat. Fortunately,
my brother was staying the week with my parents on a visit and was
able to go with him in the ambulance. I’m thankful that he was
there.
Not only has life been somewhat
embattled this week, the weather this weekend decided it had had
enough of the ‘Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness’ and went into
winter mode with a big, fat W!
Freezing temperatures, howling winds and driving rain aren’t conducive to outdoor shoots and despite a valiant effort to take some photos outside, we knew when we were beaten and we scuttled inside. Moving a chair and dusting a sideboard was peanuts compared with trying not to get frostbitten fingers!
Do you like my rubber plant? It’s rather magnificent, isn’t it?
Despite the un-Autumn like weather, my
last Seasonal Skinny of the Autumn, is a celebration of Autumn
colours and wildlife – a last hurrah before next’s week handover to
the Winter Seasonal Skinny. I was hoping for a bright Autumn day to
match but Mother Nature doesn’t always play ball.
You may remember a few weeks ago that I
posted a photo of this tree when it was at it’s crowning golden
glory. It was the inspiration for this week’s style challenge using
gold, brown, burgundy and russet.
Before critters start to hibernate for
Winter, we’ve a last glimpse of some woodland wildlife. A roedeer
peers out, ears pricked for the sound of any rustling in the leaves.
An owl gazes sagely from it’s wooden perch. As much as I love
graphic tees, I won’t buy them unless they have a really eye-catching
design or they strike a personal chord with me.
I saw this one way
back in August (it’s from the Tu range at Sainsbury’s) just as some
of the Autumn ranges were trickling into the stores. With the
colours and the design of the graphics, I thought it was just perfect
for the coming season. Tall Brown Fox and I like nothing better than
escaping to the country for long woodland hikes so the feel of the
tee really resonated with me.
You’ll have to excuse the odd look of my glasses. I assure you they aren’t dirty. The TV was on in the corner and I didn’t realise until afterwards that the screen was reflecting against the lenses! And it seems I’m being photo bombed by the rubber plant!
Arghhh, this would never happen if I was a seasoned blogger!
Moving swiftly one. One of the many things this blogging
malarkey has reinforced is how can I be just that little bit more
playful/creative/daring with my outfits. Yes, a bracelet (or this
case 2) here and an unusual necklace there and oh, why not a vintage
tapesty, bamboo handle handbag as well. All lovely touches, I’m sure
you’ll agree but the addition of the low slung belt gives it more of
a punch.
I originally had added it as a
necessity rather than in a flash of inspiration. When outside, the
boyfriend cardigan kept wrapping itself around me one second and then
flying away the next all due to the wind! I put the belt on to keep
it in place but the material bunched up too much and I felt lumpy.
Once inside, I whipped it off and put
it on under the cardigan and
‘BAZINGA!‘
as one of my favourite TV
characters would say!
On it’s own, the top potentially could
be edging towards twee-dom, especially with the tapestry bag. The
belt pulls it back, giving the outfit some edge whilst not
detracting from the evocative graphic tee.
The colour of the boyfriend cardigan looks slightly different in real life – oh the joys of indoor lighting. It’s more camel than mustard, with a bronze undertone more like the disc of the belt.
I have a secret passion for bamboo handle handbags. They always remind me of my Grandma! Growing up in the 60s and 70s, I remember her carrying handbags that had bamboo handles. I loved the feel of them, thought they looked so elegant and dreamt I’d have some handbags just like that when I was all grown up. Well, sometimes childhood dreams do come true!
My Grandma would’ve loved this one with it’s delicate clasp, big hoop handle and floral tapestry pattern.
Seasonal Skinny
Tu at Sainsbury Graphic tee A/W15
New Look Camel
Drop Pocket Boyfriend Cardigan
Necklace (old) from a market stall lost
in the midst of time
Green Bracelet (old)
Dorothy Perkins Gold
Glitter Bracelet – currently reduced
Vintage tapestry bamboo handbag (e-bay)
Bhs Suede Shoe Boots (old) I wore them with my Swirling Leaves Skirt last month.
How did you celebrate Thanksgiving?
And even if you didn’t, what are you giving thanks for as we move
from Autumn to Winter?
You can read all about my Seasonal Skinny Style Challenge here.
Linking with / Style Stories / Visible Monday / Style Nudge / #iwillwearwhatilike / Confident Twosday / Turning Heads Tuesday / My Refined Style / Throwback Thursday / Fun Fashion Friday /
Just as you I always get attracted to t-shirts with interesting prints. And the first thing that caught my eye on your photographs was t-shirt (the second was the magnificent plant). I like how you styled it with the belt. And that pretty necklace is another great find of yours.
Love that Olga. Tee first and then plant! Glad you like the belt with it – I was pleased with how that worked.
I love a tee with personality like this one. Great skinnies and boots too. And best healing wishes to your father. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
That's a great way of putting it – personality! Thank you Patti. He's on the mend but it was abit of a shock for him.
I love this look….the colors are so perfect for the season!
Laura
http://www.24-7style.com
Thank you Laura. They are gorgeous Autumnal colours.
It must have been quite stressful for you lately, having dodged the bullet, or rather two. I'm glad things are looking up now. Even if Mother Nature is having one of her moods…
Wasn't Mother Nature just having a tantrum this weekend! It's not been the easiest of weeks, that's for sure. Thanks Tiina, we've turned a corner.
Glad to hear those two events turned out for the most part good…
I love how you made your t-shirt look more interesting with the belt! And the plant photobombing—-funny!!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thank you Jodie. It could've been sooo much worse so I'm grateful for that. Glad you like the photobombing plant!
So pleased that you're back Jacqueline and that the news is good. I've been dropping by to check your page from time to time and wondered what was afoot. Anyway, the skinny challenge is going strong as ever, so well done. The cute handbag is my particular star of the show. You always find such interesting little bags and they really do add personality to your outifts. The boots and jeans are very leg lengthening – ultra flattering.
Anna x
Anna's Island Style
Aw, bless you Anna, for popping by and wondering what was afoot. I was rather pleased with finding that handbag on ebay – a little gem. I never really realised before but I do seem to like bags with personality! Glad you think the outfit is leg lengthening – at my height I need all the length I can get!
Wow, you all have had a lot going on. I'm sorry! I'm glad your dad is alright and your husbands job is safe. Layoffs are so hard. On a positive note, I love your autumn colors!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thank you Amy. It's been a tough week but life is like that, isn't it? I just feel so sad that friends have lost their jobs – not easy at this time of year.
But we cheered ourselves up with some beautiful Autumn colours.
The cincher to this outfit is…the cinched waist! Nice move there! You're petite so it's best to show it!! Also, I have to say, your indoor shots turned out quite nicely, and yes, that is a magnificent rubber plant!
Jacqueline here's to December! I'm glad the rough stuff of November is over. May things only look up!!
Thank you for linking up.
Love, Ann
Ha, ha Ann, love your opening phrase! The indoor shots definitely turned out better than expected so it's good to know that I have a fall back as rain in this country is like snow in Russia – to be expected!
Thank you again for your lovely words. Here's to a better December, indeed!
The weather is AWFUL!!!
I am contemplating some indoor photographs….BUT, Indoor shooting is VERY hard.
The light is crap (sorry, there is no other word suitable!)
But my most challenging part is finding a place in my house that is uncluttered.
The house is full of children and adults and all of the related "stuff".
You have done a great job here….how did you get the light to look like real light?
Have you invested in those aforementioned Photographers light stands??? Hahahaha
Whatever you did it has worked!
Away from photos….
I am sorry to read about your worries and troubles.
So stressful for you and TBF.
Life throws us some tricky situations at times. Just as living should be getting easier (being older should have some benefits at least!) things start to go belly-up with our parents or health or whatever else has the potential to go wrong.
I always expect the unexpected now, and try to carry on as normal (whatever that is).
Keep going and keep smiling….there is nothing else for it!.
XXX
Samantha
Fake Fabulous
You're absolutely right, Samantha, the light is crap! Thank you for your kind words but the wall does still look yellowy green when in fact is off white! And you can see the marks on the carpet where the feet of the armchair were! And I did have to move quite a few bits and bobs!
I think it was part fluke we got it to look vaguely like real light and partly moving the tripod around to find that sweet spot where we got the most light, just behind the main overhead light. We had all the lights on in the room and uplighters and it was still early afternoon so some natural light coming through the window. After that it was playing around with auto contrast and colour on Picassa! There were more shots that ended up on the cutting room floor than got through though! I'd love to get some light stands but TBF draws the line at that – ha, ha!
Life certainly does throw some rotten tomatoes and it is difficult when parents get elderly and unwell. Thanks for your kind words. You're right all you can do it expect the unexpected which is the norm now and just deal with things as they arise!
I love the print on your shirt and of course you look great, especially standing next to the rubber tree! It sounds like last week was full of some very stressful situations, but I'm glad your dad is okay and your husband's job is safe. I hope you have a wonderful start to your December!
Thank you for your kind words Katie. It was a little full on last week! Here's hoping this month will be better!
What a week you have had, so pleased to hear your Dad is OK and your husband's worst fears did not eventuate.
Taking photos indoors is something I have never really mastered , so you have made a great start.
Love your printed Tee Shirt and long jacket over your skinnies. The bag is a treasure , filled with memories.
Thank you Jill. I might have to work more on indoor shots now winter is really here. Daylight hours seem to fly by and be so short! Yes, the bag was a great find on e-bay!
So glad to know the job wasn't lost and that things are looking up. Thanks again for co-hosting Jacqueline and for taking the time to visit and comment on several blogs (so appreciated!!!!!).
Rachel xo
Garay Treasures
You're welcome Rachel. I didn't get round them all but I probably visiting about 30! Not quite as spectacular as how you do but it was fun!
Oh my, your bamboo handle bag brings back memories…for some reason, it reminds me of those preppy wooden handled bags that had interchangeable cloth covers that you could button on and off. Anyway, your bag is much prettier than those that I remember, and not at all preppy. I love the fallish, golden touches in your outfit, and the necklace is so striking!
I remember those Ginger! Isn't it wonderful how pieces can trigger great memories. Thank you for your lovely compliments.
Love, love, love Sheldon…I recently found a "Bazinga" graphic tee for my hubby. So glad the Tall Brown Fox is still employed and I hope your father is feeling better.
There is nothing I despise more than trying to get indoor shots. We have close to zero natural light in our house so it is virtually impossible to get good ones.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
I knew you'd love Sheldon! Great you found a "Bazinga" tee. Thank you for your kind words. It's a relief as things could've been so much worse.
It's so tricky at the moment weather wise – and indoor shots are so hard!
Sorry to hear about your dad being rushed off to the hospital, glad he is fine. You did well taking pictures inside, I have done it before and they usually turn out too dark. Love this look, those burgundy pants are smashing on you, but I am really liking your shirt Glad you posted a closer view and the print and colors are just perfect for fall. Love the color and uniqueness of your necklace. You know how fond I am of pieces that are different and beautiufl! Stay warm 🙂
Thanks for linking up to Turning Heads Tuesday!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylishcom
Yes, you're a girl after my own heart re different and beautiful pieces. I don't need them to be expensive either. Some of my favourite finds have been from market stalls and charity shops! The print of the tee is lovely, so I'm glad a shot of that came out.
I love the Sheldon reference! Your outfit is adorable….really loving that pendant, too! So sorry to hear about your recent misfortunes. Here's to brighter days and great holidays! I hear what you're saying about the weather not cooperating for shots. (I'm new to blogging too and don't have a collection of stock photos yet to draw from when needed.) Nonetheless, i think your shots turned out great! Keep up the good work!
Another TBBT fan! Glad you like it Regina. Indeed, here's to brighter days. Good luck with your blogging journey.
Glad to hear your dad is okay. Love the pretty fall colors of your outfit!
Thank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you next week.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Thanks Alice. Never easy when parents fall ill.
Glad you like the fall colours.