Memories of raiding my Mamgu's jewellery box

 Hello!  Greetings from a warm evening!  Many children have memories of raiding their Mum's jewellery boxes and wardrobes to play dress-up. Do you?  I always think of my Nan, who we called Mamgu (Welsh for Grandmother because they had a house in Wales).  She had several jewellery boxes on her dressing table including one of those boxes covered in shells!  I  have a tactile memory of it! I loved all her costume jewellery- blingy gold chains, pretty necklaces.  My sister has a lovely ring of hers- it was crystal hearts (I am slighly envious in a sense although this is silly as I don't really wear rings, which we always used to try on.  When she died in 1996 (I think?), I ended up with most of that costume jewellery.  Her life was a terrible loss and it always seemed so sad, because she had suffered from hepatitis for over 20 years (via blood transfusion) and had survived all the horrid steroids she had to take and the end seemed so unexpected at the time since she had defied all the odds.  I don't even know/remember what it was she died of in the end. She was so wonderful and supportive of my sister and I, in every way: emotionally, financially, musically, socially.  Even now, when I get the hiccups, I put my fingers in my ears and swallow, just like she told me to do when we were sitting in the car outside the Vets once.  I remember, just after saying this, her telling me at the time that she was just tired, so tired, so tired of her skin being so wrecked by the steroids and I still remember, at the age of 14, the pangs of compassion and intense love I felt for her at the time, in fact just writing this is making tears flow out of my eyes.
I felt like I was party to a secret tiredness that she hid from the world at large, she was always so positive and it felt like she had confided at me, was sharing a secret with me.  I was suddenly aware of mortality at that point.   How strange to feel so intensely, a memory like this from so long ago...

Anyway, I do digress, the reason this revelry comes to mind, is that last night, in my usual procrastination, I decide to do a bit of tidying rather than marking my grammar books.  As I moved objects around my pigsty bedroom, I came across her dusky-pink fabric jewellery box that I have, that contains many of the necklaces and chains that I have of hers.  There are some that I wear regularly, but these included things that I don't really wear, but keep for the sentimentality, and others I had forgotten about.  As I held each precious item in my hand, I smiled as in my mind's eye, I saw that young 5,7,11,13-year old who stood at that built-in dressing table and cooed at the treasures like that magpie that I was, am.   The necklace pictured above, always particularly makes me think of notably her, as I've never seen another one like it.  I took it out and put it to wear it today.   I'd like to offer that same sweet memory and delight to my own young relatives, perhaps my own young niece, in a few years, might come and visit eccentric aunt Kezzie and raid her jewellery box to play treasures.   Do you have memories of your grandparents like this?

 Today was so beautiful, so lovely.  It was serendipitous that I found Mamgu's necklace as it totally fitted with what I had planned to wear today, anticipating a Thursdays are for thrifters with the lovely Meagan at Brass in Pocket (Alas not!  Where are you my dear?!!) . As I wore Mamgu's necklace, I wore with it a mostly thrifted outfit, perfect for the sun.  This gorgeous orangey/pink silk floral kimono top was a charity-shop purchase, originally from a (for me) posh UK shop called Reiss. I bought it at a time where there were loads of pretty-looking kimono tops in the shops, but they were all synthetic material- I don't really like that type of thing, but I love silk- it's perfect for summer! It also reminded me of the lovely Agatha-Christie looking girl I loved at the Chap Olympiad, 2010.  I almost decided to put it in my 'cull' bag yesterday, but thankfully tried it on and decided that it was so unusual and pretty, that I'd keep it, despite it being a size too big for me!

 The skirt is also thrifted/charity-shop Gap. The mock-tortoiseshell hoop earrings another delighful find in Mamgu's box, that were also a charity shop purchase.
The boots are Tescos as are the tights.

 You may scoff at the black tights in such sweltering weather, but I didn't want constant comments regarding this:

Can you believe that this was just from standing up too quickly on a train and whacking it on the side of the seat?!  It even shone through black tights!

The day was lovely on the whole.  Despite waking horrendously late, with a headache, I had a good morning in Reception, doing estimating numbers of ants with the children, some phonics and enjoying being outside in the Knowledge and understanding area.  A lunchtime recorder club rehearsal was great.  Even the terrifying prospect of teaching Year 2 a medley of 9 songs from the 1990's (Chumbawamba, Steps, S-Club 7, Spice girls, Whigfield, Oasis, Britney Spears, Eiffel 65, and er- the Macarena),  as part of our Jubilee celebrations, was fun and successful!  It's always hard trying to sing pop with young kids, as the pitching is totally not suited to them! We watched my Year 4 class give a Cornet performance (brilliant), I enjoyed a cute picturebook about evolution  and my drumming club totally nailed a Samba practice for our Jubilee picnic next week!  Finally, I came home to mark books in the garden, which in itself was delightful.

Now, as I finish school prep and pack for the weekend, I have a favour to ask you.  Which dress do you think I should wear for the wedding? I can't decided.

Either this beribboned dress from Coast.  I last wore it for my Mum's wedding in 2008 or 9? (sorry Mum!) and that's the only time!

 Or, this cute collared mint with pink polka-dots pleated dress from Joy Louche.  Bearing in mind, I am in Northumberland, outside, playing my flute!


I've just suddenly realised why this wouldn't  focus! No flash!



Please help! 

I hope that you have a lovely day and that you enjoy the sunshine and take some time to relax and look at the clouds!