TARDIS Tuesday - Sarah Jane Smith and the Android Invasion

 It's been a little while since my last TARDIS Tuesday.  I've not been remotely organised at getting an outfit ready as well as photographing it!

Yesterday, I suddenly had a brainwave at creating a completely new cosplay from another one and other items in my house.  I'm not sure what made me think of it but I do recall that @Peribrowncosplayer from Instagram recently posted her version of this outfit which put it in my mind but I didn't think  I could do this outfit because of the colour...

It's worn by Elisabeth Sladen who played Sarah Jane Smith.  This was worn in an episode with Tom Baker called The Android Invasion.

The fact that it features a sailor collar means it is right up my street except for the colour.

https://www.deviantart.com/docbuffflash82/art/Sarah-Jane-Smith-The-Android-Invasion-PNG-882784044

You can see it's quite a distinct shade of pink.  With white accessories- a beret, belt, sailor collar and scarf and shoes..

https://uk.pinterest.com/elizakingteacher/sarah-jane-outfit-ideas/


I bought a white sailor cardigan from Miss Patina recently. It arrived on Thursday (when I was home from school) but I didn't realise it was here as Royal Mail didn't actually ring my doorbell, nor did they put through a card. It was only when I checked my email on Friday evening wondering when the parcel was arriving that I saw it was due on Thursday and had been delivered to 'your safe space'.

It turned out they had put it behind my bins (which is not my safe space and is also exposed to the elements.  Royal Mail are dumb!  The cardigan is lovely and I am super chuffed with it! But suddenly, on Saturday, I realised that although the colour wouldn't be exactly right, I did actually have something that might work for this outfit.

So...without further ado...

Cast your mind back to January 2024, when I debuted a new cosplay of classic Who companion, Romana played by the delectable Mary Tamm which happened because I found bought a salmon-coloured pair of trousers and a shirt in my local charity-shop (I'm still super proud of this as I've never seen anyone else attempt this outfit!) 

I realised that I absolutely could make this work.  Unfortunately, I couldn't be bothered to iron it which I probably should have.  

I layered my new cream sailor cardigan (which I had worn for church on Sunday morning) under the salmon shirt. Next, I found a stretchy cream belt and turned it backwards so the clasp was at the back (actually though, hers seems to have a dark clasp like mine) I rolled up all the sleeves.

I didn't really have any suitable shoes but my Clarks funny-dream are light so would do the trick.

For my version of her beret, I took my Accessorize mohair baker boy hat and turned it round so it resembled a beret.

The white scarf proved a problem as I couldn't find my one anywhere (one I bought for my Helen of Troy world book day outfit) and didn't really have anything else.  Then, I remembered that I have detachable sleeves from my white cycling jersey which I tied in a knot and tucked into the top of my shirt. Any false move and they would be falling!

And that's my complete, rather-creased, outfit! Although it's salmon/apricot-hued rather than pink, I think it does the trick!

What do you think?

On the subject of Sailor collars, last year, I bought an orange gingham sailor collar top from Primark which I was delighted by but it seems sailor-collars are a thing this year- I've seen them in several shops including Next and M&S.  If you want to see how much I love a sailor collar, you can explore my previous outfits here

Much love to you.

xx

A few Summer outfits

Hello there!

We are several weeks into term now.  I was really sad on Friday at school because we are really late starting clubs because the person who does them was away. And then, the payment for clubs has gone up by a lot.  And when I looked at sign up for my clubs, I had only 4 signed up to Drumming Club, 9 to year 3-4 choir and only 11 for choir.  And I've been told the deadline is Monday. I miss the old days where I was able to just run my own things and I'd have big numbers. I cannot run any of those clubs with those numbers, I just can't. Anyway, I did raise my concerns so I hope and pray that perhaps something can be done.  I feel really despondent. 

This weekend, I have a gig on Clapham Common. We are playing Balinese Gamelan for Colourscape.

I found a few photos I'd taken of some outfits I really liked so I thought I'd share them before the seasons change:

A few times, people have told me red really suits me and looking at this outfit, I agree, it IS my colour!

Incidentally, the first time CBC and I danced together, before we got together, I was wearing a red dress!

This LK Bennett was charity-shopped a while back and I really like it. It's knitted but the short sleeves make it different. I teamed it with my Nan's gold necklace. It's funny because when she died some 25 years ago, I took her dressing table box of costume jewellery, nothing expensive and I kept most of it for sentimental reasons. This chunky necklace was never my taste but this year, I've found myself drawn to it and wearing it this year.

These Lucy and Yak trousers were charity-shopped earlier in the year.  It was funny because my friend Jen had a pair of Alexa trousers by Lucy and Yak a few years ago and I really, really liked them - they looked so comfortable.  I've been watching them on Vinted for a few years, particularly in the Sunflower pattern, which always sell well. When I saw them in a charity shop when I was hanging around waiting for CBC, I was so happy because I could try them for size. The size S fitted me perfectly and I made a donation to charity!

The Rieker lattice shoes (charity shopped of course, about 4 years ago) have been the shoes I've worn the most this Summer.

To complete the outfit, I added my Rochester-charity-shopped jacket and an ASOS wool hat.

I carried the jacket and shoes into the following outfit worn for a Thai meal out along with a Majorcan belt and my Sari-recycled dress from Padstow.

The shoes continued into this outfit featured a black skirt with Indian dancers which was, yes, you guessed it, charity-shopped and a crocheted top I charity-shopped (naturlich!)  only this year.

I have neglected these brown Asos sandals, back of a cupboard in a shoe box under other shoes but it was nice to wear them again.

The garden Crocs ruin the look somewhat of this Laura Ashley dress! CS-ed of course! 

Here's an outfit from Northumberland. All CSed. The linen and cotton mix cardigan was my only purchase in Hexham. It was £1. The skirt is from Fatface originally and is a comfy jersey. 

Plus CSed straw visor. 

Finally, the rainbow dress in another incarnation, with a Dorothy Perkins t-shirt and my Moshulu sandals. 

Any favourites here? 

Amazing Grace (the rainbow dress remix)

 It's Summer so it must mean the return of the Madras rainbow checked dress which I bought in a charity shop at least 16 years ago. I've always aimed to style it differently every time it features on me. Here's my last post  and here's the post where I shared 12 different ways I've worn it.  I have to point you in Ivana's direction as she is brilliant at sharing different ways she has worn certain garments and Sheila who loves a flashback to a garment she has worn in several ways

This time, I wore it as a Skirt with a t-shirt I bought at the Christian Resources exhibition around 20 years ago that says 'Amazing Grace on it.  The skirt worked well with it as it picks out all the colours of the flowers spelling the slogan. Added in my Lotus blue pumps.

I've worn this dress is several different ways but I realise I haven't just worn it like a top so that's my challenge next time I wear it on here!

Do you have any ideas for how I can style it?

Leave a comment below and I'll give it a ago!

I had a lovely time with my Mum today.

I got up for church which was lovely and then came home. I ate some breakfast and then I cycled to the station to get the train to Mum's.  I took over some camping stuff for my niece who is doing Duke of Edinburgh soon including my walking shoes!!   Mum made us some lovely lunch of Asparagus Soup (homegrown), then Seabass with salad and then fruit salad! It was delicious!  

She showed me her finished cardigan she made from a pattern I bought her. Isn't it lovely! 

We saw my niece briefly too. I came home and made some salads for our lunch this week and then made some yummy vegetable pasta for dinner.

Hope you are well.

X

Some Two colour recent outfits

Sorry, been a bit busy!   We have special visitors to school tomorrow and Wednesday.  Other things going on too.

Here's some summery outfits I have enjoyed these past weeks...

Every item in this outfit was charity-shopped over the years except the jewellery.

I enjoyed the combination of blue and teal.

Red and white this time.  This dress was a happy find in Barnardo's, Hexham. I've wanted one like this for ages!

The earrings were a charity-shop purchase which went nicely with my Swarovsky Star necklace, a present from a child in my first class.

White and dark blue.   The top was White Stuff via Charity shop and only bought last week. I like the scalloped sleeves.  The denim trousers with their balloon legs were also new. Very expensive and I had no intention of purchasing anything but we visited a new independent shop on their first day in a new location and I was persuaded...

Oops, broke the 2 colour rule but wore the new trousers in this sailor combo on the day we almost got a cat but didn't!

Right, I MUST go to bed!!x

 

TARDIS TUESDAY My favourite Romana

Had a LOVELY weekend!!! We went to Rochester on Saturday and Sunday, went over to Mum's.  All lovely. More on that anon.  For TARDIS Tuesday, I am featuring an old favourite. It was last featured in August 2023 on here.

IMage borrowed from this Pinterest

You can see it in all these different images.

IMage borrowed from this Pinterest

Worn by Mary Tamm playing Romana in her second story, The Stones of Blood, it's very Kate Bush!

Here's my 2025 iteration, worn on Sunday to go over to Mum's! 

I am wearing a charity-shopped burgundy top and an eBay-purchased red tier skirt.  Both are super comfy to wear and good for a warm Spring day.

They are hard to spot but I wore a thin gold chain necklace and a gold bracelet to match Romana's.  The chain was my Nan's.  The bracelet a present from a child.

I added this gorgeous jacket bought in Rochester on Saturday from the Demelza charity shop. It's from a Marbella based brand and I saw it hanging in the shop window and pounced! It's quilted on the inside and features a thick brocade material and embroidered flowers and ric-rac.  I ended up wearing it all day in Rochester as it was cold in the shade and I'd left my jacket in the car. Super pleased with the jacket as I've been wanting something like this for a while! Vix, it's your fault!

 Here's Mummy and I together. We went over to hers to see her as she wanted to give CBC his birthday presents and she's cracked a bone in her wrist.  She made a delicious crustless asparagus quiche using her home grown asparagus!  She served it with her own homegrown rocket and beetroot as well as tomatoes and Sauerkraut. Such a fresh-delicious lunch.  We took over a less-healthy chocolate cake from Waitrose.  We were both sad to leave hers!

If only weekends were longer!

xx

My 2 Totnes cardigans

Remember back in August, I shared a post showing what I bought on my Cornish holiday. This included 2 vintage cardigans from Totnes market.

I've been really enamoured with them and really glad I  bought them- both have already had a lot of use. I have been throwing one on each night when I get home and wearing them over whatever I have been wearing at the weekends.

Since both got worn this weekend, I thought I'd share them.

Outfit 1, worn on Saturday:

The whole outfit, bar my hat is second hand.

The Tam O'Shanter hat is Isle of Skye tartan bought on Kirkwall in the Orkneys in Summer 2016 on my cruise with Mum.

The blue top was Zara (Charity Shop), Indian skirt (CS),  Vegan blue Dr Martens (Insta 2nd hand sale), cardigan (Totnes vintage market stall) and finally the gorgeous black sheepskin (?) gilet/waistcoat (CS)- I'm not sure if the gilet is Toscana sheepskin or it is fake as it is reversible so there's no washing indication but it cost £15 in the charity shop so I'm wondering if it is genuine- it is exquisitely soft and fine and keeps me so warm. I can't tell from the smell- anyone got any ideas how I can tell apart from setting fire to a bit of it to see how it burns???  If it's real, I got an ABSOLUTE bargain- if it's synthetic, I was conned!

Saturday morning I was SO CROSS. I went to bed at around half midnight and was exhausted, having not had as much sleep as I needed this week. What time did I wake up? 5am!!!!! WHY???? I lay awake for hours until I gave up and got up around 7.40am to go downstairs to do the washing up and make tea.   After various bits of tidying and pottering, emptying the compost etc, I went to shower and CBC and I made porridge.   I then carried on with some sorting as well as a bit of reading and then decided to do my Summer/Winter wardrobe changeover. I keep the out of season clothes in 2 enormous (I mean ENORMOUS) suitcases kept in my Spare room wardrobe.  The switchover took a couple of hours and also involved some sorting and culling- managed to cull about 20-25 items- I find this hard- I like the things I own but I also like the new things.  I decided to cull some things that a) I didn't wear so much including a gorgeous Monsoon sequinned circle skirt and clothes which I find I don't enjoy wearing so much e.g. if they are too tight around the armpits, synthetic, make me sweat or I don't like the fabric so much. I have realised in recent years, I am quite hypersensitive to materials and how things fit or feel (Ha, my stepmum could have told me this - she still has nightmares about me and, quote- "That wretched white cardigan!" that I was always trying to get out of!).  However, often, I don't realise what something will feel like or how I will fear, until I've worn it for a day, or a couple of times.

I was still working on this but CBC and I decided to go out and get some lunch. We headed to one of our numerous local garden centres.  This one has a newly expanded restaurant which has been shown as being really popular. We've tried to go before but the queue was epic and the restaurant was full. Luckily, as we were going close to the end of serving, we got a table easily.  I ordered a breaded chicken escalope with garlicky chard and potatoes and CBC a butternut squash risotto.  We ordered hot chocolate and chocolate milkshake respectively. Mine was delicious although the chard wasn't super garlicky and could have been more plentiful (I'm a huge garlic AND chard fan!). CBC's was tasty but smaller than he would liked. Whilst waiting and eating, we played Qwirkle. I bought this game back in July after having bought it for my sister for her birthday and LOVING it.  CBC is always willing to play it which is an absolute bonus as usually, he's not so up for playing so many games with me!  I bought it from Mr Wolf Hexham as it was recommended to me by the WONDERFUL Mrs Wolf who I am very friendly with when I go to visit.  I have subsequently bought it from her repeatedly (SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES not BIG BUSINESSES!) via my Mother In Law when she visits or gifts- it comes in a handy little pouch so it fits in a handbag easily- it has been on every holiday with us subsequently and my Taiwanese friend LOVED it and kept asking to play in on holiday which I adored as I will play a game at any time, any place). 

It was quite a tense game and the final score was

197 a piece! YES, we tied for the first time ever!

We had a quick look round the garden centre- I was tempted by some LARGE Jingle Bell garlands- they clanked like cowbells- but at £28, I decided to forgo it- would have loved them for the music room!  The garden centre is stocking Field and Fare freezer products which are unpackaged so you can bring your own container for them.  We bought some fishcakes and Chicken Kiev, frozen fish.

Back home, I sat down at the piano and FINALLY got started on my Christmas song/carol- well, I got the first chorus lyrics and melody written and the accompaniment worked out, just need to work out the verses- CBC was pitying the neighbours as there was a lot of stopping/starting and repeating the same chord over and over again as I tried things out.  To ensure neighbourly relations are peaceful, I left it there and  continued with the wardrobe changeover c;earup and sorting and later, we had some Thai food whilst watching Outer Banks on Netflix.

This morning, I got out of bed at 8.57....church starts at 9.15am.  I was at church by 9.17am having cycled!  

The service was a really beautiful service and Steph who led the sermon gave such a powerful sermon.

My main two takehomes from this were:  We take each day as it comes.  In the Lord's prayer, we ask for our daily bread, not our weekly bread and we must react to God's placement  of us. Trying not to worry about next week doesn't mean the same as not being prepared for what is coming.  Also, revisiting the past and imagining different outcomes or choices can be a form of self-harm - I needed to hear that as I often end up thinking about what I should have/would have/could have done.

Had lovely chats to friends after the service, including my lovely neighbour Morris who is 97.  I took him round some Lily O'Brien chocolates 2 weeks ago as he was unwell and able to attend church and he was so grateful and said he'd never had chocolates like them before.

I came home and got started on the washing up from last night (yes, I am a slattern..) whilst listening to a lovely Radio 3 programme with Rupert Everett and his Desert Island discs  and then decided to do some sorting through the cupboards and try to get rid of some out of date baking ingredients and try and rationalise the chaotic pantry.  It's a bit better.  Chucked a few things to compost and also packed a few things for school as flour can be used for Playdough and 15 year old mung beans and aduki beans can be used to make shakers.  I then made a pot of tea and crumpets.  Next I rehoovered the floor and then washed the kitchen, utility room and hallways (they really, really needed it) as well as getting on my hands and knees scrubbing stains with sodium bicarb and an old toothbrush. I  folded up clean washing and put it away and then hoovered the living room whilst imprisoned by drying floor and polished the piano and repositioned the house plants.   CBC came home from cycling and thankfully, the floors were almost dry and he was careful (usually, he tells me not to be a drama queen when I freak out when he walks in and makes a mess).  I washed the upstairs bathroom floors and then hoovered the dry floors to pick up the extra bits that were revealed by washing and hoovered the bedroom.

I then went into the garden and pulled out the remaining tomato plants and bean plants, weeded the raised bed, pulled out the canes, raked leaves and put them onto the raised bed to mulch (wish I'd gone to collect more oak leaves from the field behind our house as there weren't enough to cover the bed...I will then put compost on top and then maybe put cardboard on top- if CBC doesn't moan - he has Opinions about things like this looking messy (even if the advice came from an expert) -picked the last pepper. I then came in and ate some brie, chutney and crackers and sang some songs and played piccolo and piano with CBC for some carols and then went to practice my piccolo for my orchestra rehearsal tomorrow (poor neighbours).  A bit more tidying and then finally, the house was looking calm and more ordered. I have found it really hard to function as the house has felt and looked so dirty and messy and I feel soothed by having done all this cleaning and sorting, even if I haven't 'rested so much

Ah, what was I wearing? Well, the OTHER Totnes cardigan of course! You read the post title right?

This is the gorgeous Alpaca Stained glass pattern one.  My bassoon-playing friend, who owns alpacas and is an alpaca wool geek, told me that this jumper probably retailed at around £400 so I got an absolute bargain for my £35 shell out.  The white top underneath was charity-shopped.  My burgundy cashmere shawl was from H&M about 14 years ago and is one of my top winter favourites.  I have always said I prefer Summer and its sartorial choices but actually, I ADORE my winter favourites and look forward to wearing them.

My black trousers are from Seasalt, bought from their EBay outlet in the Summer after my cycling accident ripped my favourite black trousers (Ang, I just haven't sent them yet!!! I just need to get everything to the post office!) - they are super comfortable and thick material. Finally, I wore my Leggero Gortex and leather boots. I bought these in October 2020 and have worn them through thick and thin, 4 winters and they are still going strong. I paid £160 which is the most I have ever paid for a pair of boots/shoes/garment but I think the cost per wear is probably in pence now as I have worn them so much. What will I do when they wear out? (which they show no signs of doing)

It's now Sunday evening and I am finally doing school work (oops,should have done before now)  before we will eat Thai left overs, but I am feeling satisfied with my weekend endeavours.

 

I hope all is well with you.

xx

 

3 outfits

 It was a fun weekend which I shared. 

A swim in the river, a concert, dinner at our local Chinese, church and tidying the house!

I thought I'd share my outfits from the weekend:

Here is my outfit from Sunday, worn for church.  It's my Mum's 1980's Laura Ashley dress which now fits me well! I wore it with my Lotus blue pumps, Swarovski necklace and a stretchy belt! It's weird the way it looks plain above. As you can see below, it is patterned!

Here's what I wore on Saturday night to go out for dinner! Yes, I wore two of my charity shop purchases bought mere hours before.

The teal dress with wings, the white cotton crochet top plus a pair of Kurt Geiger shoes (charity shopped earlier this year) plus a charity-shopped glass aurora borealis beaded necklace (years ago!)

Ann and Sheila wanted to see more of the wings! Here they are!

Here's what I wore on Saturday to go to the concert. Bernie Dexter poppy-field dress with a Monsoon cobweb cardigan plus my Rieker pumps!

I had my first ensembles this week at school.

All 3 have been really positive and the majority of children seemed really happy to be there and enjoyed it! One amazing experience was that there is a boy who has SEND and he often struggles to stay focused and not become very (EXTREMELY) loud and emotional.  He had been signed up for choir and I was a little worried about how he would be and to my and the lovely TA who stayed to help him, he did not utter one thing the entire time, did not fidget, did not want to leave,  but joined in with all the songs and seemed really happy.  It may not last but I was so happy, for him, that he was able to be there for it and enjoy it!

xx

TARDIS Tuesday- Attack of the Cybermen

Dear All,

Thank you so much for your kind and supportive messages last week in reference to my moaning post. I really appreciate it. I felt much better the next day after some sleep! More on Treasure Island another day.

I got my hair cut on Saturday! I decided I wanted to have it cut so I randomly went into a hairdresser in town as I was there shopping and had about 10 inches chopped off.

Therefore, it was a no-brainer what I would wear for TARDIS Tuesday.  Which character has a short bob?  Well, Clara at times but the main contender is Peri Brown! And I realised there was a Peri outfit I haven't featured since August 2021! Couldn't believe it was quite so long!

It's this PANK (in the words of Sheila!) outfit of Peri's from Attack of the Cybermen

https://theultimateguidetothefashionofdoctorwho.wordpress.com/2017/03/27/peri-brown-attack-of-the-cybermen/

You can see what it features without my having to tell you so, without further ado, here's my 2024 rendition:

It features this pink top and shorts which I charity-shopped in 2021 for £6.25 in total.

The belt came with a dress I bought from Lindybop a while back and the bracelet is from Primark about 15 years ago. I wore my Rieker (charityshopped) lattice ballet pumps.

 CBC really dislikes this outfit but I really like it and find it comfy, even if pink is not my colour I've worn these two items as separates out but not out in this combination! Not sure I'd dare wear this out!

TARDIS Tuesday- Clara in The Snowmen-

 I cannot believe it has been 4 years since this outfit has been on TARDIS Tuesday (despite my wearing the outfit a few times!) .  Last seen in August 2020, the Summer of Covid, it is a barely seen outfit of Clara's in her 2nd appearance in Doctor Who.

It features a black silk polka dot blouse from Jigsaw, some navy shorts from Whistles, a tan belt and a red satchel.  We are not sure what shoes she wears.

https://www.facebook.com/ClaraOswaldCosplay/photos/the-snowmen-modern-outfit-jigsaw-bib-tab-shirt-in-blackwhistles-mim-tencel-short/146884895501986/ 

This outfit, for me, has remained the same every time I wear it, except for changing the shorts as I grew out of my old navy shorts.

I love this outfit for a Summer's day- it covers up your arms whilst remaining cool. My polka dot blouse is an alt from Whistles (and was charity shopped for £4) plus some navy linen shorts (around £3 charity shopped).  I forgot to accessorize but added some cute Miss KG shoes I bought in a charity shop in Highbury around a month ago.  Finding nice shoes in a size 8 second hand is quite rare!

It was very nice to get outside for these photos as it had been raining heavily. I got completely soaked cycling home from the station after my rehearsal in London on Sunday. CBC openly laughed at how wet I was when he opened the door to me.  I showered and changed into this!

I wonder if it will be another 4 years before it makes a return appearance on here? I do hope not!

Here's a little close up of the lovely shoes!!!

xx