A proclamation on the future of bright blue

You do realise now, that any time there is any slight appearance,I will be attributing all mention of blue to the TARDIS! Such is my life now I have committed to weekly Doctor Who-inspired outfits! Mwa ha- Mad cat lady no, Mad Who lady- yes!xx
Yes, this is what being friends with Maricel does to you. Embrace it ladies (and gents- not forgetting Shamu, Gary and WOMOTM and any other male readers/friends/family I have neglected to mention).

So a proclamation:

Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye, who so ever heareth this, that all shades of bright blue shall hereafter be known as TARDIS Blue and should the shades of cobalt, electric blue, royal blue, school blue, cerulean blue and so forth be worn, that they shall hereafter be collectively referred to as such. 

And so on.  So why the mention? Well, I have been feeling Two Birds Inspiration Monday guilt, not been joining in with Inspiration Monday so I when I saw that the inspiration was something I could readily see and think of, I immediately clocked the appearance of TARDIS Blue in Cindy Crawlford's outfit.



Which I decided to reverse, since I have a similar shaped and material thrifted jacket and a suitable-TARDIS-coloured top.
Wore simple denim coloured trousers (which look as wrinkled as a prune- NOT a flattering look), similar boots and voila.

Yet, tis all about the extra secret details to make it my own...


TARDIS sign necklace and Crown and Glory TARDIS blue jewelled headband- secret extra allusions!

I should add that this necklace is NOT good to swing-dance in- either you garotte yourself or a partner or smack yourself in the face. CBC and I decided to beat the Sunday night blues (otherwise known as 'Going back to school misery')  and head down to Southend for Retro Sundays swing dance night. It was in a new venue, an O'Neills and it was a great venue. Lots of old acquaintances from the dance class we attended in Southend were there so it was very jolly and definitely boosted morale dancing.  I felt decidedly underdressed, everyone was in dresses and makeup (girls) but who cares, the point was to dance!

I have really enjoyed my half term, we've done lots- swing dancing, pancake parties, walks in Suffolk, dinner with friends, charity-shopped, sorted out electricity bills, wedding album, tidied, hoovered, cleaned, made bread, got up hideously late, had some downtime,reading, eating, relaxing and now it is back to the grind.  I just have to think of Ecclesiastes when he says, there is a time for everything in heaven and on earth- a time to work a time to relax (paraphrased) - the nicer part is more appreciated because of the not so nice part.  Plus, it is my birthday in a week so I do have something to look forward to.  I'm thinking Kiddie-style swimming outing to a place with flumes and waves in Colchester? Good idea???? xx


Now over to the linkin' lovelies:

Perfect Patti for Visible Monday

Terrific Two Birds for Inspiration Monday

Marvellous Maricel for TARDIS Tuesday



Sorry, I have been doing work, the above and stuff today so will try to reply to comments asap.xx

The 6 degrees of Separation of TARDIS Tuesday and Inspiration Monday

I should begin this post with a disclaimer that I reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally would like this coat!  Carey Mulligan is the inspiration outfit for this week's Inspiration Monday with the Two birds and she's looking fine!

Alas, I don't own any coat remotely like this, or even a jumper like it, so I decided to play with the general colours of the coat and outfit- TARDIS blue! Excellent, that's two linkies in one! Again!

Aware though that my outfit does not resemble this...

Skirt and cardie- thrifted/charity shop, top- F21, Shoes-Reidke from Shoeshop
in Haltwhistle, necklace- gift

One more nod to TARDIS Tuesday and Doctor Who is my necklace.  This is a TARDIS key from the Paul McGann 'era' of Doctor Who.  When I was in my totally mad Doctor Who stage (yes, there was one worse than the present), I received a few cool Doctor Who presents including this TARDIS key which has lain in my shoe hanger (one of those plastic ones) in its presentation box since then, not actually ever worn, just kept! The TARDIS key has evolved over the years but a few doctors used this model- read about it here or see all the different TARDIS keys over the years here.





Hope you had a lovely day.  I had a very, very, very busy day today. Mondays always are but then I had to fit in a final Singing Assembly practice for our KS2 Carol service in between two lessons in KS1 so no break. It's been really hard this year because I am only in KS2 on one morning a week so I can only do my Singing assembly on a Wednesday yet I have to somehow produce an impressive Christmas production on 20minutes week (if I am lucky) for 6 weeks lasting an hour and a half. 12 songs, 12 readers. One me, one rehearsal a week.  I felt a bit disheartened since the KS1 and Foundation Stage productions were brilliant but they can spend all afternoon rehearsing for days in addition to my teaching the children the songs in assembly. KS2- just me.

We had a rehearsal for Orchestra at lunchtime and then I went straight to Year 6 for music- they learnt to play Silent Night and O little town of Bethlehem on the tuned percussion and very well they did too! Not bad for a last minute lesson!

After school the Orchestra and recorder clubs performed to their parents.  I just wish the none-too-few rude parents who talked ALL the way through would think and listen and actually encourage their children by applauding loudly, not the damp squib that they produced.  Sigh.  Still the children were really good!

Oh and the blog title?

Carey Mulligan is wearing this outfit for Inspiration Monday. She starred in Blink, one of the most famous New Doctor Who stories. TARDIS Tuesday Celebrates Doctor Who outfits- BING!

xxx

Linking to TARDIS Tuesday with Maricel at My Closet Catalogue




And of course, the fabulous Two Birds and Inspiration Monday

Buy 1 Doctor Who character, get another one free (with added lions.)

I haven't joined in with the Twobirds Inspiration Monday for ages and I felt really sad about that- I like to support my friends' link-ups (especially the Birds, who have been loyal friends for several years now) as well as being a great place to meet other bloggers!  The last couple of looks have not being always doable for me, or I've forgotten to save the image and then I've forgotten, but I made a point of saving this photo last week, knowing I could definitely do this look in my own way.




 I also thought how I could tie it in with TARDIS Tuesday with Maricel at My Closet Catalogue as the dress is definitely very Clara-ish, I'd been planning a Cosplay involving my Tartan dress

Image borrowed from the Fashion of Doctor Who

Obviously, I don't have the right colours- I WAS planning to wear my black short-sleeved shirt underneath it but it was SO cold on Sunday that I didn't dare do bare sleeves so substituted a polo-neck top (in navy though, so the colours are right...)


Need to get the Clara-esque pose right- she stands with her legs awfully far apart,don't you think? I think I'd feel a bit silly doing that!

FYI, none of the items I'm wearing are current (all at least 3-6 years old) but I'll share anyway, the coat is Debenhams petite, the top and boots- M&S, leggings Primark and the dress- thrifted/charity-shopped.





Well, anyway, I thought I was all set for TARDIS Tuesday but by the time I'd taken the photos, gone into the shed to find craft-supplies, made a cymbal resonate for 10 seconds by screaming at finding a LARGE spider in a box and done a few other things, the weather had totally changed from the delightfully sunny impression above to DOOM, GLOOM and rain, clouds and wind! Therefore, I deemed it prudent to bundle up all nice and warm for heading off to our town's Christmas fair-the whole high street is closed off to traffic and it turns into a street market- the Rotary club organise it and I think they do a brilliant job!  Then I wandered along in the fake snow flying around, looking all Tom Baker-esque!  I've posted the coat and scarf together before when I dressed up as Tom Baker for Melanie Follybird's Doctor Who Style inspiration aaaaages ago


The town fair was great!  We had a good wander around and looked at lots of stalls.  We bought a few things (I bought CBC a Christmas present- he ALMOST bought me one but I was indecisive over it!), We ate a fair few thingsI ate a foot long Bratwurst (sadly no photos!), we listened to some rock n roll Christmas music and debated whether to impromptually lindy-hop (we didn't) and we went and sang some carols in the church on the High Street, though I'd missed my church's slot to lead.  I do love that church! It's right at the centre of the High Street, where it should be and it is the Hub for Street pastors in the evenings!

I thought I'd share a flavour of the fair by posting a few photos here- enjoy!


Everyone in the community is there.

Lots of things to eat.

Carols in the church all day- mince pies and tea too!

Ducks a plenty! We bought my Mum a wooden one last year.

Delicious leather books!

He's making a list and checking it twice.

Duck!

Pie!

Dislike the spelling (CHRISTmas) but the craftsman ship is good!

Ahh, reminds us of our trip on Beauty!

Tinsel backdrop to Rock 'n' roll!

SUCH a treat to see a beautiful sky!

3 lions on the roof

Loving some of the Street Pastors dressed up!


xxx

Have you visited any Christmas markets or fairs? Does your community put on an event?

Thank you for your nice comments recently.

Lizzie, thank you SO much for all your comments- I really wish I could reply but please be assured I read all your posts and wish I could respond to them! Oh and Alexander McCall Smith is splendid!

Linking up with
Inspiration Monday Two birds boutique


Creative Mondays with Claire Justine

TARDIS Tuesday with Maricel

Robins meet polka dots

Glamorous celeb outfit meets Primary teacher duff-imitation on the stairs of a dark and dingy school.
I had 30 seconds flat to take these photos as I nipped to the hall to fetch my Memory-stick and case which I had left up there after orchestra and go over to the other building to find out what lesson I was covering for the Year 2 NQT this evening. I haphazardly propped the camera on the windowsill, after walking along operating the self-timer from the hall computer and took the two photos and scarpered just as our male secretary came up the stairs to visit the facilities. I tried to look nonchalant as I shoved camera and ID tag in bag.  I knew this was my only opportunity to take a picture and I so wanted to join in with IM Monday with the Two Birds as I haven't done for weeks now and I do like these!

I had white shirt possibilities for this outfit but this would have involved ironing (yuck!) so it had to be this new cardigan from Primark. Add the cute Robin infinity scarf (sorry, no time for close-up but I can assure you they are cute).

I was productive after school today.  We had a meeting which I took minutes for which was over surprisingly quickly, so I went over to see aforementioned teacher but their phase meeting still hadn't finished so I made a decision to try and do something nice for one of the other year 2 teachers. She hasn't really got any powerful vocabulary words up yet and is frightfully busy with other things with no spare LSA time so I thought I'd print, cut and laminate the words for her. She was really grateful and I'd decided to try and do the same for the other teacher I cover.
We have to go through our Performance Management review this week and have to think of what our targets are for this year and I am wondering if I can create Guided reading resources for teachers for some of the books that I haven't done yet, so I can have a target that is non-music based as well.  Hmmm, not sure, got to think it out but I have loads of literacy ideas so I'd like to try and do something with those ideas!

Also managed to photocopy lots of music for orchestra. As our theme is WW1 this term, I've been teaching the children WW1 songs in assemblies and the choir are doing a whole concert of songs so I decided to do an arrangement of a song called 'Keep the home fires burning' for Recorder clubs in three parts (hard, medium, easy) and for orchestra, I've created an arrangement of Mademoiselles from Armetiers. Now this song might possibly have slightly dodgy connotations (not too sure of the morals of these mademoiselles), so I have simply called it, "WW1 soldier's song" because it really is a cracking tune and it works well as a piece.
One of the reasons I was feeling down last week was that one of my brightest musicians (and one of only two cornet players in the school) said he didn't want to do orchestra. The rule is that they are expected to do orchestra as part of their musical development as they have been learning for a while, particularly very able musicians and I have faced many reluctant boys over the years- which is always hard work to keep them going.  He's such an enthusiastic musicians so I felt really down about it.  But this week, I had a chance to chat to him, be really enthusiastic, cheery and joky with him about it, telling him about my experiences with playing the viola when I didn't really want to and touch wood, he seemed happy this week. I consequently felt less gloomy. Orchestra is going well so far- we lost nearly all our players from last year except for 7 children after such a successful year and I knew it would be hard to build up. But a few weeks on and we have 28 children who are getting on ok including some able musicians, some who find it harder and so I have hopes of progressing with them. Sorry if I bore you with school stories - I try to keep things not related to the school as a whole but as my experience as I like to remember these moments.

This week is quite busy. I have to go and purchase 30 recorders tomorrow for my year 3's, two of my orchestra rehearsals and a few more tasks to fulfill! Life is never dull!

The previous weekend was really ok. I did housework on Saturday morning and then went off to London to play recorder for Choir of 21st century in Victoria.  It's nice to see fellow musicians and to perform with such a super choir.  I enjoy the rare opportunity of playing recorder with an orchestra. In between the rehearsal and concert, I headed off to Piccadilly to visit the Cath Kidston flagship store, where I may or may not have bought something (I did) and to visit Irregular Choice in Carnaby Street  where I may or may not have purchased something (I did).  Heading back to the concert, I had the loveliest surprise as my dear friends who live in Petworth had come up for the concert. It's always such a treat to see them and I was delighted as we had no idea each other would be there.  We went for a lovely cup of tea afterwards in Pret.  I do love how music binds friendships regardless of age. They may be 70 and 80 respectively, but we are good friends!
Sunday, I went to church where I discovered our team rector used to be the vicar the church we visit from school and we went to Papermill Lock for lunch. A nice little walk and then onto school work whilst listening to Rebus on Radio 4! I'm hooked and now want to read some Ian Rankin!!!

How was yours?

xx

P.S.

Thanks for your Doctor-related comments and love of Croatia.

Lizzie (Elizabeth Rebecca), you should definitely visit Croatia- teacher holidays yay!!! I also enjoyed your blogs this week about the things you've been up to and it's good that Alan has been able to look after you!

Those of you who also like Dr Who but got a little bored with it, I too missed a whole chunk of Matt Smith- I haven't seen most of the Amy/Rory episodes- I should watch them now I am back into it.

Dormouse- I made Chick-pea curry tonight. Not done your one yet, but it was delicious! Now got to get on with your recipe.

Katie and Fabrizia- Watch Dr Who!!!

Martha- I like Clara's bossiness but I can see it would be a bit annoying!
Vix- yes I really liked him too and wish he'd stayed the Doctor for longer!

Candy- I KNOW! Super costumes eh!?!

Maricel- Yes, I am so glad I'm not the only one who was So over the romance! Kindred spirits!

Jump, Neon-girl, jump!

Sometimes, it is hideously fun to act childlike.  Bushes in funny shapes make me think of mazes and Alice in Wonderland!  I bought a wonderful book a while back called the Amazing book of mazes that documents and photographs some of the best mazes around the world- I've only visited a few in my time, a Northumbrian Maize-maze , Hever castle, Leeds castle and that's pretty much it-but there's a wonderful excitement at the thought of going to one.  I'd really like to go to Longleat which apparently has a Maze-helpline for anyone who's lost in the 1.6mile long maze.

Consequently, when I was wandering in the arboretum, it made me think of maze and the thought that a white-rabbit might perchance run past me clutching at a large pocket-watch bemoaning his tardiness. Alas for these photos, it didn't quite happen or that'd have been the blog coup of the century!

Harking back to camp, (sorry about my mixed up chronology recently, I'm posting on whim between my various adventures) I ended up wearing this rather bright ensemble one day which caused someone to mock-grab at their eyes and say, "I'm blinded!!".  It IS a bit neon isn't it!?!?!  Add my turquoise crocs which I was wearing before walking into the arboretum and taking the photos (isn't that TERRIBLE blog snobbery that I didn't want to wear my fake-crocs!?) and you have rather a neon combination.

I was also delighted, when putting this together, that this was about as close to the Two Birds inspiration Monday outfit as I was going to get this week as I am rushing between far-off places.  Gwen Stefani is wearing a rather interesting stripy top which I am totally and utterly pretending I was really trying to imitate two weeks ago when wearing this- in a psychic/tenuoous-sort-of-I-knew-it-was-coming kind of way!

Here, I somehow seemed to be playing hide and seek with myself and yes, it was a maze-moment with the bush!

And when you are being a bit-childish and sneaky (i.e. other campers prowling around the outskirts of the arboretum- me trying to nonchalantly pretend there was no camera, I was not posing, nor being strange), there is always the need to jump.

And, since I like to segue into something totally unrelated, I've had a wonderful couple of days in Northumberland and I am very sorry to be back down-Saaaath!  Thank you to WOMOTM for being a wonderful host- we really miss you.

xxx


Linking up to Visible Mondays with the ever-super Patti
and
Two Birds inspiration Monday with the fabulous Megan and Nora.

Yes, this is what I was aiming at! Plus, she has bright shoes!

Don't you step on my blue suede shoes!

Firstly, I would like to know if all those hats belong to her?  Or is she in a hat boutique? And is that a horse hoof in the background? Why is there a horse in the room? Anyway, onto the main affair. I really liked the look of the Two Birds inspiration this week- lovely shade of blue and white and of course a nice hat and instantly knew I had items I could use to recreate this. Both are also items I don't wear very often thus making the endeavour even more profitable/noble (so noble am I- in the rescuing of unloved articles).  The hat,well that is neither here no there- it is black and white patterned but always looks grey in pictures.



Irritating that the light in the garden was really hard to get the colours and textures of this outfit right.

I'll tell you why I don't wear the top very often.  Look at the ruffle- that is a PAIN to iron and we all know I don't like doing ironing.  I remember buying this in Oasis in 2002- very excited I was because it was cheap in the sale. Then I disappeared off to Bali for the year, having not worn it. When I came back, I went off to Music camp and ended up wearing this top for some musical we did where we had to do some sort of Latin dance and I thought ruffles were suitable (Hmmm, Prince Charming more like) and wore it with a lurid turquoise floral sarong.

The dress (for it is a dress) was from Monsoon's Fusion range and was also exciting because I love a good white frock and it was 70% off.  But it has ties at the top for straps and I don't always get it right when tying it plus it doesn't lie well with bra straps (sorry TMI) and I don't like strapless with white! Plus, it always looks creased.

Ha, here you can see the detail on the hat- it is not grey! Oooh, and an Oasis necklace I've had since about 2000, which I TOTALLY copied my friend Zoe in buying (she had it in pink!)

You can see the floral embroidery detail here (and creases).  Please also note the toe-nail polish which matches the lady in the inspiration picture's blue- I am nothing if not a slave to detail ;-)

And yes, as aforementioned, kindly do not step on my blue suede shoes, they are peep-toes and it would surely hurt. Thank you for your concern.*

xxx



*Doesn't quite have the smash-hit feel to it now, does it?!



As well as the lovely Two Birds, I am linking up to Visible Monday with fabulous Patti.

Striped sunflowers

Tw
I do love a good set of stripes!!! The Two Birds inspiration for today's Inspiration Monday was the above lady with stripes and a short skirt!! I knew that I'd have to make mine school appropriate so decided to don black leggings to complete the look.  When I bought this stripy and lacy sunflower top in TK Maxx around a year or two ago, it was completely on a whim. I just saw it and loved it, didn't bother trying it on. It's quite hard to get your head into (tight neck with no give) but once on, v comfortable.  The skirt is from Forever 21 but it's Canadian F21- my work colleague gave it to me as it was too small for her. I wasn't totally sold on it at first but I really like it here. Finally teamed with Aldo heels, white lacy headband and daisy earrings.




Today, I taught my year 6's music for the last time.  Well, one class is off to play the Gamelan next week but I will be accompanying them but not teaching them and the following Monday is school concert rehearsal.  When I look back at the HORROR class they were in year 1 and think how much affection I have for them now, it's really funny! They were my first year 1 classes I ever taught and year 1 is my least favourite year group to teach, so the fact that they were naughty, made it even harder, particularly as I was new to teaching music. They have grown as musicians and I love the genuine liking and passion for music they have- boys who think classical music is cool and always used to come to me after singing assembly to ask for copies of the music so they could sing it at home.  I feel genuinely sad to lose them and that's the whole class, not just some of them.  One of the 'cool boys', when I said that it was their last lesson said, "I have to say that you are the best music teacher we've had," (at which point I replied that they'd only had another teacher for one term before me, 7 years ago!).

Tomorrow, my senior recorder group is staying after school till 5 to practice and prepare for their recorder exam. I've gathered some snacks and juice for them and it was all going to be so smooth for their exam on Thursday until I discovered my school is closed on Thursday because of the strike (My union is not striking). I'm not saying anything to do with the strike but I am reeeeeeeeeally annoyed that it's got to be rescheduled- hoping the examiner can do next week instead. Lucky it's our AST and she is kind!

I had a marvellous weekend in Herefordshire which I will share with you anon.

Hugs to all.
xxx

My version of the LBD

In my book, an LBD is a Long Black Dress. As a musician, I have been wearing the things since I was about 13 and joined  the Symphony orchestra in my local borough. Over the years, I have seen a variety of different models come and leave my wardrobe.  Some have stayed the long-haul and others stayed for a mere couple of years.

So when I saw the Two Birds Inspiration Monday look coming up, I knew, since I had a concert on the Sunday night (i.e. 29th June), I would take (HUGE) liberties with the look and come up with my own version. Her one is entirely too skimpy for me anyway!

So my LBD (Monsoon) is flowing as opposed to her clean lines and I have transferred the blingy gold jewellery to the beaded gold bodice of my Grecian frock.  Added an ornate headband, Nan's sparkly flower necklace and pewter Melissa pumps (not seen) and my look was complete!

The concert was a triumph!  We had virtually a full house with at least 300 (not sure of the capacity), well received.  We played a new commission by our resident composer called 'Refractions' and a Stravinsky mass and the choir sang a Strauss song. The second half was Beethoven's 9th Symphony which was 65minutes of absolute concentration for me- very little rests. But it was splendid! Oh how splendid it was to finally complete my cycle of Beethoven symphonies!  It is an amazing piece- so joyful and exuberant and clever in the writing! I didn't have any nerves tonight strangely,which is probably because I didn't have any HUGE solos (though there were lots of exposed bits for my part).

Wonderfully, I had 10 people in the audience coming to see me! Most excitingly, my Dad and younger sister came. It's not often they can come to something so I was so touched and glad they made it, especially since they aren't classical music fans as such! I didn't want to let them go at the end!

Tonight, I am at yet another orchestra rehearsal. Less exciting repertoire- Schumann-boring, Powers- too few notes, Mozart - short, Elgar- YUCK!

xxx

Monochrome Maldon

Finally managed to remember (and have suitable items) to join in with the Two birds inspiration Monday. This is Maria Menounos sporting a summery look. I liked this and thought it manageable though none of my white skirts were the right type so I opted for the old 'dress as skirt' trick adding a top.  Meant I didn't flash my midriff but I think we're all glad about that! Less is more.  Oh and of course, hat is necessary on such a hot day!




Despite the fact we have the dreaded R word to finish, CBC and I decided to go for a short trip out to stop ourselves going totally insane!  We headed off to Maldon, the lovely fishing town on the river Blackwater, where they make the famous salt flakes! CBC would like to live here. I am a little more practical thinking that it would be REALLY hard to get to work from here (as I don't drive).The train stations are miles and miles away.

It was a gorgeous day and if you had kids, this was the place for you (and it was too)- there are so many lovely facilities for families on a hot day- sprinklers park, pirate-ship climbing activity centre, remote-controlled boat lake, more climbing frames, fields, sand-pits and more.  We enjoyed it too and had a Rossi-ice-cream walking along the very-depleted looking river admiring the naval craft. I almost wish I'd gone with a sailor dress.

We had a jolly meander along the side of the Blackwater. I went on a sailing holiday at the age of around 5-6 sailing from here. I remember little about it except the boat was called the 'Silanight'




There are many boats, but sadly, The Hydrogen, the cafe boat we visited last time we were here (see February/January blogspots), was out on a dinner day trip so we couldn't stop for tea.

The coolest kids' adventure zone!

















Definitely have to head back here soon with more time. I want to visit Truly Scrumptious  a lovely vintage tea-room that has antique shop and vintage clothing shop in the attic. Under the premise of going to the bathroom, your husband may just not notice you bought a 50's dress!!!

Hope you are all well.
xx


Ass well as the Two birds, I am linking to:


What I wore to church with Carolyn McAfee