TARDIS Tuesday- Amy Pond in The Pandorica Opens and Series 5 Promo

 hjhj

Image borrowed from
https://impossipondrobe.livejournal.com/tag/amy%27s%20choice?utm_medium=endless_scroll

https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/eowyn/4158581/522567/522567_original.jpg

I mentioned last week that I wanted to attempt some closet cosplays of some new characters or outfits just using items in my wardrobe.  I didn't mention any modern Who characters or not many.

This morning (I'm writing this Sunday), as I was getting dressed, I happened to glance at one of the boxes in my wardrobe and spied a lilacy/pink cashmere jumper I've owned for about 14-16 years at least and remembered I'd seen a cosplay by a girl called Lucy of this outfit and thought I could easily attempt this from my wardrobe. So I quickly put it together as I got dressed.

I broke it down into items I would need to grab

1.  Lilac/pink v-neck top

2. Black/navy vest

3. Black waterfall leather jacket

4. Black trousers/jeans

5. Black headband

6. Red cable knit scarf

7. Red handwarmers

8. Black biker boots

9.  Initial necklace

Quite a few items in one outfit but all adaptable!

Obviously, I started with my cashmere jumper.  This comes from the Tescos finest collection. They had cashmere at super reasonable prices. At the time, I bought this jumper and a similar pink and red jumper for my sister (who coincidentally was staying with me this weekend!).

Next, I added some ASOS black trousers (not the regular skinny ones I wear but the slightly looser more comfy ones I charityshopped in Saffron Walden). Underneath, I wore a black vest top. I do have a navy one but it had the wrong neck line to work.

I have Black Ugg leather biker boots (fully shearling lined)- they cost me £25 from Barnardos about 3-5 years ago and were an absolutely brilliant buy! You can wear these ones in the rain, unlike regular Uggs!

There are a couple of other cosplay items I used in an alternative role.  I don't have a black leather waterfall jacket but my All Saints black waxed denim jacket from last week's cosplay worked well enough. It's a good windblocker despite only looking a light jacket.

I utilised a Yaz item too for this outfit. Amy wears a gold 'A' initial necklace so I wore my Yaz Khan K floral initial necklace for this. It's obviously not super similar but in a closet cosplay, works well!

Funnily enough, also I have a red scarf which I have used for another Amy cosplay, I couldn't find it. It's more of a pashmina though so not similar. For Christmas from my work colleague, I received a lovely orange cable knit scarf from Joules which I'd worn yesterday and figured it looked the part even if the colour was not.

I wore my pale blue TurtleDoves cashmere handwarmers/fingerless gloves but forgot to actually wear them for the photo!!! Doh!!! They actually have cable knit red ones which I think are lovely!!! So tempted by them but must resist! I did contemplate cutting the ends of a pair of CBC's old red cycling socks which are in a bag in the spare room (trying to find a use for the many socks he has culled...not found one yet unless they need stuffing at school for some sort of DT activity) but when I thought of it, my sister was in the spare room getting ready!

I wore this for:

• Brunch in Leigh on Sea sitting outside
• Rehearsal in College Hall for Orchestra
• Walking around Leigh.

How did it do?

The cashmere jumper and black jacket combo was a really good combo for a warm outfit along with with the cable knit jumper and sheepskin biker boots. Despite sitting outside the cafe for over an hour (in January), I was not cold and even donated my scarf and fingerless gloves to my sister. It was also lovely and warm in the orchestra rehearsal.  Obviously, the orange scarf and pink jumper are a little bit of an odd combination but I don't mind!

xx

(Swiss) Fungi #17

Oops! It appears I missed out a post from my Swiss fungi series!

Here it is!

I ought to work a bit more on my ID skills (and buy that book I read in 2022) but these ones look delicious! Like a mixture between a pancake and a crisp!

I should pay more attention to the underside of the fungi (as helps with IDing).  The one has great gills.

This fungus looks familiar, like one I photographed in Northumberland .

I was intrigued by the red layers of this one. 

I enjoyed the different strata on thi one.

Coprinas Comatas- Spent Shaggy Inkcap

I did know what this one was! It's a Shaggy Inkcap but at the end of its life.

Such a long stalk/stem. CBC spotted this one.

We were in a dreadful hurry running through a forest path downhill as I spied this as we were trying to reach the hourly bus in order to get back to our chalet in order to be able to get changed and go out for dinner in Gstaad but I stopped to photograph this tiny clump. No idea what it was.

This was a Puffball or an Earthball (or a golfball???)

Gstaad-Gsteig was really the best region to visit for spotting interesting fungi!

I would very much like to go back!

xx
 

TARDIS Tuesday cosplans

 I've learnt a lot of terminology from Instagram and social media- some of it I like more than other! (I loathe the phrase, "I reached out to...." to describe receiving an email). Cosplans is a word I see alot.A term used to describe ones future plans for cosplays you would like to attempt.

I don't have any particular wishes or items I am seeking particularly but I'd quite like, this year, to try and create more cosplays from my wardrobe which may not be 'accurate' per se but that nod towards the original.  I like doing this- it's great fun!

I've had a little look at one of two episodes from Classic Who for example and think these might potentially consistute some cosplans!

Vicki Pallister: Galaxy 4

https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/Vicki_Pallister

The above outfit seems like I could possibly do something based on it fairly easily with a tunic dress.

https://olddoctorwho.com/companions/steven-vicki-first-doctors-companions/

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FRichardHarris73%2Fstatus%2F1697947962884665651&psig=AOvVaw32XYejNz2dPpGZpYK8z8oT&ust=1705357436274000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBYQ3YkBahcKEwiwz9jX9d2DAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAw

Ah, this Romana debut outfit is one I would love to try.   Not going to lie though- you're probably going to be seeing my dressing gown for this!

https://doctorwhoworlduk.com/victoria

Victoria's outfit from Fury from the Deep is one I think I could easily do something with! I've never attempted an outfit from this 2nd Doctor companion before!

www.alisonhuntertherapy.co.uk

https://theultimateguidetothefashionofdoctorwho.wordpress.com/2017/05/15/victoria-waterfield-the-enemy-of-the-world/

https://aminoapps.com/c/doctor-who-cast-crew/page/blog/romana-iis-outfits-ranked/6qpR_leSzukZwpj3n1ZVGYpKqKDpLlg15

The Creature from the Pit

I watched this brilliant story this evening- it was so clever and I love this Romana 2 outfit! Again, my dressing gown may be making an appearance!

https://aminoapps.com/c/doctor-who-cast-crew/page/blog/romana-iis-outfits-ranked/6qpR_leSzukZwpj3n1ZVGYpKqKDpLlg15

Romana- The Horns of Nimon

Here's another Romana outfit from The Horns of Nimon.  I'm looking forward to watching this episode as I've never seen it! I have items which would work for this!

https://theultimateguidetothefashionofdoctorwho.wordpress.com/2017/09/26/sarah-jane-smith-pyramids-of-mars/

Pyramid on Mars

I've actually done a closet cosplay of this one before but I've got a garment which will work much better for it!

Rose Noble - The Star Beast

https://theultimateguidetothefashionofdoctorwho.wordpress.com/2023/08/31/rose-noble-60th-anniversary-look-plus-size-summer/

Here's one New Who episode outfit- I can definitely do something with this Rose Noble outfit!

http://doctorwhotoys.net/sarahjanesmith.htm

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1030453/

I've attempted about 3 Sarah Jane Adventures outfits and I think this is one I can build from my wardrobe.

And that's it so far!

Any ideas?

Which one of these would you like to see first?

Hope you are well.

xx

TARDIS Tuesday - Nightmare in Silver

Hello! Welcome to another edition of TARDIS Tuesday.

After 2 weeks of Classic Who, I thought I'd return to contemporary Doctor Who and revisit an old favourite Clara Oswald outfit.

Image borrowed from The Doctor Who site

It featured in one of Jenna Coleman's early episodes 

I'm staggered to discover the last time I shared this outfit in November 2020. Can it really be more than 3 years?!?!?!

I wore this outfit for my Stepmum's birthday lunch.  We went to a pub in a village called Eynsford. It was nice food but we had to wait such a loooong time for it to arrive.  There was also a lot of young children in there. They behaved well but it was quite noisy! It was lovely to see my Dad, Stepmum, Sister and her boyfriend only a few weeks after we last saw them and next weekend, my sister and her boyfriend are coming to stay- CBC and he after going to watch De Peche Mode and meanwhile, she and I are going to go out together in London!

This outfit features 3 screen accurate items (the same as last time)- the skirt (from Urban Outfitters) although I've sized up on it, plus the All Saints Axelle jacket. The third item is the Luftwaffer Hat badge which is attached to the jacket.

The jumper is almost identical to the original one from French brand, Sessun (100% Merino wool) but this alternative one is from Boden.  It was a lovely jumper to wear on a cold day as the merino is thin but warm.

My boots are from Clarks (bought new from Ashford Designer outlet) and have a cosy fleecy lining- also good for  a cold day.

Had a perfectly lovely Saturday performing a Haydn symphony no.80 and Mozart's 18th Piano concerto with pianist, John Reid. The wonderful conductor was Tom Seligman who was our former conductor of KCO but he's moved to Germany now. He came back for a few days and asked a few of us to form a small orchestra for the day. Oh how I have MISSED him!  He's such a special conductor and having been conducted by him for over 20 years in various forms plus a good 10 years of him conducting every concert, it just felt right! 

Felt a bit of a twit though. On Saturday morning, I got up, made us porridge, did all the washing up from previous nights, made us sandwiches and then had to hurry CBC.  We were really last minute.  We jumped out the car at the station and the ticket office was shut! I had to try and use the machine. CBC, from the platform called me, and I realised the train was on the platform!  I ran as fast as I could, but had to cross the bridge.  The doors shut and the train departed...with CBC on it and me running shouting, "WAIT, WAIT!" as I ran down.  I couldn't believe it and I was having absolute panicky hysterics about being late for the rehearsal and CBC deserting me!!! Some people on the platform told me  to relax as there was another one in 20 minutes but I said, "My husband is on that and I have his ticket!"  I called CBC who told me I should have just got on the train without buying a ticket and thought I was coming! We had a heated discussion and he agreed to get off at the next more main station to wait for me.  After all that, we made it to the rehearsal on time. Google maps journey planner is overly cautious in terms of timings (and our Central and Victoria line came immediately.  Felt pretty silly about my hysterical reaction but I was always on edge after trying to hurry up CBC to not be at the station at the last minute and  when I'm late, it's one of the things that gets me super anxious and stressed.  Ah well, all's well that ends well. 

xx

Fungi #16

Back in October half-term, in a bid to make use of our sadly-neglected English Heritage membership and to get a fractious CBC out of the house, I dragged him to Belsay Hall and castle.  There are a few walks you can do on the grounds.  I kept my eyes peeled for fungi, it being Autumn!

Earth Ball, Turkey fantail

Happily, I did see a few examples, Belsay came up trumps!

Here was some pleasantly-hued Turkey fantail fungus. I see this a lot but I'm always on the search for more colourful examples. Sometimes it can be almost purple!

I often see this ugly-looking fungus- cannot remember its name!

Happily, this curious fungus was a new one for me. It's called  Black Bulgar,

Above, we have some of the tiny  Purple jelly Disc which I've only seen once before in Swallowship woods near Hexham.   

This one above may be Sulfur Tuft but I am not sure.

This little pair reminded me of those Fried Egg sweets. Can you see some more Purple Jelly Disc?

I'm not sure if this one is a spent Earth Ball or something else but it was very ugly!!!

Have you seen any interesting fungus? I'm hoping to see some Jelly Ears again!

xx

Friday (no) blues

Hello!

Hope you are having a lovely week.

My last two weeks have been quite successful on the whole.

School has been busy but positive.

Monday, I started Year 4 recorder club for the first time since March 2020!

Because of Covid, bubbles and then having no hall, I've not been able to do this for 4 years.  Finally, after getting sorted with school and my room and getting our hall decorated (the floor was ruined by the flooring and construction they had to do to turn it into 4 classrooms- the projector also had to be used to replace the one in the dining room which was on its last legs so it took almost a term to get it back.

I have a good number- about 24 in total including two children in year 1-2 who I would NEVER have thought would do this (will still reserve judgement on their longevity of enthusiasm and good behaviour! :-) )

The first session went quite well.  They were a bit rough and ready (and blew their recorders far too hard!) but it was nice to get started and they were super excited!

In all my year 4 lessons this week, they were learning to write out their melodies they had been composing up onto the stave.  I sold it to them as they were going to write up and 'publish' their work in a book for the class book corner (after asking one of recorder club to fetch their lovely new shiny books I had given them).  I was mostly pleasantly surprised with their work...mostly!

One lovely thing has been that some the year 6 children who seem to want to spend all their play and lunchtimes in my room asked last Wednesday if they could come and sit in my room whilst I taught year 2 (they have 45 mins of lunchbreak when year 2 come in).  I agreed as I realised they could earn their keep. We were doing group work and the 3 children brilliantly led groups with great results until they had to leave to go back to class.  They asked if they could come next week and help again.  Since I was doing group work again, but more complicated, I agreed. This week, I arranged it so they could go into lunch immediately.  6 of them turned up at my door so they all had a group each. The year 2 children ADORED having them there and the kids really loved the challenge of having to be 'teachers' for their groups.  They said it was hard work but they enjoyed it and I said to them, "Imagine what it's like doing that without any help!" and they agreed it sounded so hard! The class I had after break (without any helpers) was SO much more difficult.

They came back the next day and helped me with the final year 2 class! They loved challenging themselves and as they'd already taught the activity the previous day, they were able to hone their teaching skills.  My deputy head thought it was brilliant to allow them to do this as it was a chance for them to apply their own learning.

Did I mention that I appointed 2 orchestral managers for our school orchestra. Two very efficient girls (from the above group) wanted to be involved in orchestra but not to play.  I appointed them managers and they are superb- they act as librarians, register takers, they chase people who don't turn up, they help set up and it's so nice to have a way of involving them and giving them 'work experience'.  Today, we had an audience who wanted to come along and see what happened in orchestra!

Our local education authority are holding the first 'regional primary choir of the year competition' which is exciting as it's so nice to have a experience and trip to offer the children for the club though a bit scary!  It was the first choir of the year and I had 30 children including quite a few new ones (as well as loyal returnees). If I can just tackle the noisiness of some of the back row, it should be good!  One of my old university friends is in charge of the festival so it will be really nice to see her again!

Last Thursday was a brilliant day! I had a course at the London Symphony Orchestra's education building, St Luke's, entitled Opera in a Day.  It was enormous fun and great to see Rachel Leach again, the leader of their education programme (she ran my music training in classroom music with the LSO).  I had a lovely lunch of Paella from Whitecross Street market and afterwards I went to swim at the Ironmonger row baths. After some dinner at Wagamamas, I headed off to my Gamelan rehearsal in the city, only a short walk away. 

I had 2 orchestra rehearsals this week with an orchestra I've not played with for over a year. It was nice to be back though the music was not as thrilling as I might have hoped!

Oh, I thought I'd share an outfit from today!

I've put together quite a few pleasing outfits this week (well, new combinations I haven't tried...that worked!) and I quite liked this one.

It features:

Charity-shopped WhiteStuff shirt, 

Lovely glittery, striped skirt I bought in Antwerp or Bruges' Think Twice 3 Euro day

Very old F&F at Tescos cashmere cardie.

Navy leggings from Aldi.

Men's purple Clarks Brogue boots 

Purple Accessorize beret and Lovarzi Doctor Who fairisle scarf

Esoteric London sample sale moon earrings

ASOS purple dangly bead necklace.

I had a discussion with one of my year 6 girls at play as she wanted to know where the items of my outfit were from and she asked why I bought clothes in charity shops and I gave her the usual spiel of 

• More eco-friendly to buy used
• You get nicer clothes than you might be able to afford new
• You can look different and unique compared to everyone else
• Find your own style

She liked that so hopefully, if she had a previously negative view of buying in charity shops, she knows her favourite educational style icon buys from them, and might consider it in her future!

I have very little coat variation at the moment as my Seasalt Janelle coat is perfect for this cold weather!

Hope you are well!

xx

TARDIS Tuesday- Vicki Pallister from The Rescue (an Ang collaboration)

 Greetings friends!

Hope you are well!

For TARDIS Tuesday, I thought I'd make a return visit to Classic Who companion, Vicki Pallister and her debut episode outfit from The Rescue.

I last wore it for its debut blog appearance in November 2022

Let's have a look at it:

https://galacticjourney.org/january-10-1965-a-little-breather-doctor-who-the-rescue/

https://www.doctorwho.tv/characters/vicki

Images borrowed from
The Ultimate Guide to the Fashion of Doctor Who

We've got the mini dress with zigzag neck piping,  sort of grey tights and black knee high boots.

One of these days, I will wear this when I've just had my hair cut!

This dress came from a charity shop and then the wonderful Ang added the gold trim for me back in 2022 after we met (when again???!).  This dress is really warm and really easy to wear- it's loose and cosy. I wore this for a trip out to Chelmsford last weekend.  Grey leggings and my charity-shopped Ugg boots (but waterproof biker ones! Well worth the £25 I paid around 4 years ago.) made for a cosy, easy outfit.

Hope you are well!

xx

Fungi #15

 It's been a little while since I shared some pictures of fungi I have spotted on my travels so I thought I'd share a few examples from my travel to Northumberland in October.

I'm not sure what the ones are below but they were found in the woods.

Below, I wasn't sure if this was a lichen or an early stage of a fungus but I liked the 2 colours.

Are these Velvet Shanks?  I'm not sure.

Here's a Common Earth Ball above and below.

I'm not sure what these are below but they're a bit hairy!

I thought these might be Trooping Funnels but I'm not certain.

Do you recognise any of these?

xx