Animated cardigan inspired

I read and follow Jess's blog: Animated Cardigan. I got to know her blog through the Style Imitating Art challenge (eek, just realised, I haven't posted my last 4!!!) and she's really cool and has just a brilliant chilled, funky style. She wears girly skirts and all that but they don't look overly girly- they just look cool!!! Anyway, so she posted this outfit which I really wished I could recreate.  Sadly, I don't have an amazing rainbow scarf (WHY??) but I did have this vintage Aquascutum skirt which I figured I could use as a basis for a nod to Jess's outfit. So I teamed it up with White Stuff circle tights and this really old Peacocks stripy tee (as I don't have a plain grey top)- and then since I don't have cut-out tan shoes, I matched the top to these blue and white pumps (Primark pumps are really good for swing dance!) and added a lacy grey belt and rainbowy butterfly scarf my work colleague gave to me for my birthday.  This may not be as cool as Jess's outfit but I love the fact that she inspired me to pull together these elements through her outfit as a starting point- one of the kids even told me I looked nice, so that's a start!


There's some close up details for everyone (Shamu, the tights shot esp for you!)

This week has been a fine one all in all. My orchestra starts back next Tuesday- we're playing Beethoven's 9th symphony (that's the one with Ode to Joy in it) and I am excited as this is the only Beethoven Symphony I have not played- my orchestra has done the entire cycle over the last decade! Yes, I realised I've been playing with KCO for 10 years this November!  I absolutely adore my orchestra- it's honestly one of the main reasons I have remained in the London region. As a flautist, finding a regular seat in a good orchestra is hard! There's usually only 2 or 3 flutes in an orchestra and especially getting to play principal flute is harder.  If you go out to the countryside, you have to wait until someone dies until you can get a place! Seriously, it's really hard! And also, to find one that does varied and challenging repertoire who have a good string section! I'm not dissing any orchestras at all, I'm just saying that it's hard to get get a flute place in an orchestra with a large string section who have the time to practice and polish! If I played viola in one, I'd be one of them! In addition, we have an amazing conductor- who despite conducting at the Royal Opera house and many prestigious gigs, still feels this amazing loyalty to this orchestra and puts in so much hard work!

This morning, CBC's phone rang at 7.55am to ask if he could cover some cello teaching at a Music School he used to work for.  We groaned in sadness but wanted to help out.  Ah well, swimming and hair-cuts will have to wait as he's off to a rehearsal in the afternoon and then meeting friends in London.   I, in stark comparison, whilst wishing I had the motivation to find out which bus I can get to the local swimming pool, am sitting here eating Branflakes and Prawn Crackers, drinking Earl Grey, typing blogs and listening to the whirr of the washing machine! I may just get dressed soon!

Hugs to you, enjoy the sun xx