TARDIS Tuesday- Ace McShane from Battlefield

 Back in July 2017, I found a black All Saints wrap top in my local Sue Ryder charity shop which led to my very first TARDIS Tuesday featuring Classic Who companion, Ace, the teenager who travelled with the 7th Doctor. It was quite an easy outfit to put together and she wore it in Arthurian-themed episode featuring Jean Marsh as Morgana and the Brigadier! This was one of my favourite episodes as a child.

Image borrowed from this Pinterest. Original images belong to the BBC

She wore the black top with a green top underneath, fitted black trousers and flat black shoes or boots.

Her hair was worn with the sides lipped up and a green hair scrunchie putting the rest into a pony-tail.  She wears some sort or gold or bronze triangular earrings.

Gif borrowed from The Fashion of Doctor Who

It's been such a long time since I attempted this, I was worried it might not fit....

Here I am in ALMOST the same outfit from 2017.

That black All Saints top is now VERY tight.In fact, I could only do one of the hook and eye clips on the inner bit.

The ubiquitous black trousers are here again- I wore these 2 weeks ago for my previous Ace outfit AND the black Clarks boots. They are boring so that's all the text time they get.

Alas, the green vest top I wore last time is AWOL! I searched but have no idea where it is.... annoying.

What could I do instead?

Well, I did have a green t-shirt which was WAY too high-necked so instead, I turned it upside down and stuff the neck area into my trouser waistband and secured the bottom hem  so it looked like I was wearing a green top underneath... this admittedly did not help with either the tight fit of the top or the tight trousers but I think you will admit, it looks the job!

I used  the Gif maker at https://gifmaker.me/ to try and create the, "Aaaand BOOM!!" Gif from above! Couldn't really be bothered to move the table though so enjoy an array of waterbutts,buckets and watering cans behind me!

You can't really see them particularly well but I am wearing a pair of dangly Dalek earrings. Perhaps I should have swapped to some larger gold ones like I wore last time but I'm happy enough with it.I pinned up the sides of my hair and found my green velvet hair scrunchie. The pictures of the back looked rubbish though so you'll just have to trust me on this!

TARDIS Tuesday- Clara from Face the Raven- the alts that fooled the cosplayers!

 Hello!

I last wore this in March 2020 at the start of Lockdown 1!!! I was interested to read my post where I wore it- food was mentioned a bit!!! I went to look at Hazel's blog because apparently she prompteds some of the food discussion and saw my slightly hysterical (in a good way) comment but discovered she had posted again! Yay

I wanted a warm cosplay and decided to wear this for church on Sunday morning.

It was worn in Clara Oswald's death episode- where she died!

She only wore it for a short amount of time as it then gets covered in detritus and she changes but it's a cute simple outfit

It consists of a black sweater from French designer, Claudie Pierlot with a white pleated frill at the hem and a bright green piping at the neck.

She wears it with skinny jeans and her Black Ash Cool wedged trainers

Nothing has changed since the last time I wore this outfit except that happily, I found the skinny black trousers that I always wear for Clara's jeans!

I still love the fact that I managed to find a sweater that was so similar plus a green t-shirt to wear underneath! It's fun to trick the cosplayers into thinking you have something Screen accurate! I like the texture on this jumper and since it is not merino wool, I'm not so worried about getting holes in it!

It's not the most interesting outfit but I am fond of it!

Hope all is well with you.

Tonight (when this is scheduled to post), I have an orchestra rehearsal for my concert on Saturday (in Nottinghill) and I have realised there is a Malaysian restaurant around 2mins down the street from the venue so I am going to go early and get some dinner there so I am not doing my usual 'bolting down some food on the train'  routine! Here's hoping I manage to get there in time!

xx

Nocturne in black and gold: the falling rocket

Whistler- Nocturne in black and gold: the falling rocket

I love this painting by Whistler- Nocturne in black and gold: the falling rocket. At first glance, it looks dark and mainly black but you look more closely at this and it is full of so many hues of blue as well as the beautiful fireworks. I'd love to see it in person.

It is this week's choice for Style Imitating Art with Salazar at 14 shades of grey.

If you don't know the premise of Style Imitating Art, Salazar, Jess or Jen take it in turns fortnightly, to pick a painting. They post it on their blog and then anyone who wishes to take part then puts together an outfit and sends it to whoever is hosting that week and they put together a post of all the looks. It is so fun and inspiring to see the different takes on the look- it is surprising how diverse we get! I've taken part fairly regularly for a good few years now, at least 3 years (just checked, since September 2012), if you look at my Style imitating art label, you'll see a variety 

So here's how I interpreted it.  My galaxy dress resembles a night sky of fireworks so I took that as my centre and wore it with a black top underneath, black cardigan over it and black blazer over the top (yep, got that layering for church) with a cashmere scarf.   Silver sequin ballet pumps were a further nod to the glittery nature of fireworks in the sky. 

Couldn't be bothered to adjust the exposure on these photos and try and make them more flattering so you get the knackered old bag look today!

My mum came over today (thank you for taking the photos Mummy) and helped me sort out the garden stuff ready for moving. We emptied all the pots and planters of their compost and emptied the entire compost heap onto the one bed at the back. It is really high. Seems such a shame but I can't take it with me. The landlord is going to have some really nourished earth there. Hope he doesn't look too closely and see all the bunny poo under the surface which was in the compost heap from my smuggled poo shenanigans from last summer.  We've lined up all the pots and canes and things to go against the back of the house. Also lined up the strawberry plant, raspberry, mint, then Olive and fig tree and the lavender in the bicycle planter.  It was a real help to get that done. It was so kind of her to make the time to come over and do this, particularly as she's in agony with some awful lower back problem which is making it hard for her to walk. It was so nice to see her as well. Never underestimate the joy of being with your mum!

I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and worried about the move at church today over the packing and all the admin of man with van etc and worries over whether I was causing issues for the people whose house we're moving into. Two friends, a couple, whose daughter I bonded with over Doctor Who were so lovely to me.  They gave me honest, loving hugs (the kind that really make you feel better, you know they really mean the hugs) and tried to think how they could help.  Later tonight, they phoned and said that He had talked to another church guy and said that they'd organise a few of the men to bring cars and hire a van and help us move. It was so giving and kind and thoughtful of them to think of it. I was so touched.  I stressed over the decision (as I do with most things). In the end, I decided I would go  ahead with booking my man with van (for various reasons) but wasn't that a wonderful kind gesture. It really touched my heart and made me think of how loving and sacrificial that was of them. They've often done similar things to people not only in the church, but in the wider community, to strangers or people who need help. Moving house for people, painting the fences of a school, cutting all the hedges of a residential care home and many more humble gestures of support.  

 Our new abode is currently having electrics rewired and new windows at the back done. It will probably still be in process as we arrive with maybe a lot of dust and chaos, so I am doubly grateful that the people who are renting to us (church friends) have been so kind as to let us rent it even though it is causing undue stress to them. I'm anxious about stressing them out and worried they're regretting letting us move in and just anxious in general, so if you do have the time, please keep it and us in prayers. Or general positive thoughts if you're not of the former kind.   I know to trust in the Lord, but I find it hard not to stress anyway,the thoughts do seem to dance into my head uninvited.

Hope you have the best of weeks.

xxx

Pink alpacas

 It's very funny- it shouldn't work this way, but you know when you are a slightly quirky dresser OR you are a bit of a shopaholic, or you talk about clothes too much- people like to give you clothes.

I, by rights, should not be given any more clothes. I have far too many. Yet people associate you with things they get rid of. Like Vintage Vix gets people sending her things they see and they think of her and the chazzers save her the quirky stuff.
This jumper is a case in point.

 I've talked about my friend E in Petworth who I've stayed with. She's more than double my age and she's given me various vintage items she's got rid of over the last 10 years or so.
She brought this vintage alpaca jumper for me to music camp one weekend.  It's totally insanely bright and toasty as hell! It's almost 40 years old apparently and from Peru. I last wore it on the blog back in 2012, here when E gave it to me! I wore it in a bit of a mad cat lady way!

 On Sunday, I came home from church absolutely freezing and I wanted to wear something a bit warmer, so I changed into this. I was sort of inspired by an old blogging pal Lauren at Someonelikeyou here who teamed a reindeer  sweater with a black velvet mini-dress (except hers is skinny and svelte and stylish-looking!)- in my head, she wore it with a scarf (that's most of her other outfits around it) and so I thought I'd team my jumper with a mini-skirt and scarf- I wanted to wear these new fleecy leggings I'd bought as they are so cosy but I don't agree with leggings as trousers, so the skirt merely protected my modesty!  Underneath, I wore a long-sleeved green top that E had given me in about 2004!!! The skirt was a cast off from my Canadian work-colleague S who gave it to me when she moved home. Cosy socks were necessary as these were leggings and how appropriate these ones matched! Cosy or sad, pick your preferred option!
I truly was cosy and happy wearing this all Sunday. Yeh, it's not the most stylish thing ever, but maybe a little bit cute!?

 Last week, I dismantled our Christmas wreath in the garden, clipped all the foliage into the compost and laid all the artificial elements on the garden table...and forgot about them.

I noticed this poinsetta on the ground.  Picking it up and putting it into my mouth within the space of starting the 10 second timer and the click of the shutter, alla pseudo-romantic dancer, not my best move-urgh, it's been on the GROUND all week!!!

I realised that as I took the second photo!

I hope all is well with you and it all goeth well!


Outfit details:

Jumper-vintage Peruvian, gift from E
Scarf- gift from CBC
Skirt- F21 gift from S.
Boots- Clarks
Socks- gift
Hare Necklace-Wolf and Moon

Take care and stay warm and safe.

xxx

Turquoise tigers

Hello there! How are you? Well, I hope.  Thanks for all your positive comments on my last post. There are, of course, difficult times or frustrating lessons, but the overall feel is positive!

Today, I am not sure why exactly I am sharing these except for the fact that this is the type of scruffy outfit I like wearing in the summer when I'm not doing anything particularly smart or of consequence. I was wearing this on a Sunday doing some gardening, I wore it for church too on a morning I wasn't really bothered about dressing up.
The skirt has spots and tigers over it and I found it with Sophie and Hazel on our Ipswich charity shop crawl. It's lovely floaty and light and has tiny pleats in it. The cardigan is another old charity shop find and with its weird-pockets becoming the hem, it's not one I wear for smart occasions.  The necklace is the same colour and also comes from a charity shop. To stick to a simple 3 colour palette, I wore these bronze lace-ups to tie in with the tigers.

Nothing particularly stylish or noteworthy but it works for me!

We had a wonderful Lake District walk today which I will tell you about soon but it is SO nice to be up north again with my lovely family.  We returned from the lakes and J made a delicious roasted vegetable risotto with a box of veg we bought at Doddington Hall farm shop last weekend.  It's funny, but since CBC has become a non-meat eater, I find myself loving the vegetarian choices like this.  As you've often noticed from my food posts, we didn't eat much meat anyway, but I find myself often nowadays finding meat a bit hard going- I can't seem to get through it.

We're hoping to do a few fun things up here in Northumberland as long as the weather holds out- the forecast seems to suggest rain is imminent and all-powerful. Or something like that! Delightfully, a dear friend from my home town is moving to Hexham this week so we are going to meet up! I hoping for a bit of Farne island action too as well as a trip to the Cheviots too. And a trip to Haltwhistle outdoor pool which I've only been to TWICE in my entire 6 year relationship with CBC and visits to here!

Hope all is delightful with you.

Much love,
xxx

Little white one

One of these days, I'll tell you about the original, 'Little White One'.  About 2 years too late.
My neighbours bought an adorable little white kitten a few months ago. Ever since I saw her (apparently it's a boy but the 'she' pronoun has been too long in my vernacular regarding this kitty) first, I have adored the kitty but she/he was always a little shy of actually being stroked and would bounce around the lawn crazily but never would deign for contact.

Fast forward to a week before Easter, my neighbours, two along,  gave me a lift to the station in the rain and I discovered they were off to Canada for two weeks.  Little White One was being fed by the neighbours on the other side but was obviously lonely as she started trotting along when I arrived. Finally, she allowed me to stroke her and was adorably affectionate and enjoyed a cuddle. Over a few days, we established a rapport and she came running whenever made that kissy kissy noise that we humans seem to think our feline friends like. She'd follow me and even crept in the backdoor a few times.

On Friday, when CBC and I were on our way out to a friend's, she was walking across our lawn. "Baby!" I cried and she rolled over and then sat on the grass.


Having asked CBC to take one or two shots of me (yes, ignore the hair, I know!) , she ran over and insisted on being in the shots.

Begging and mewing for a cuddle...


Gazing up at me affectionately.

Until this last photo where she grew audacious and high-fived me!

This isn't the most interesting or amazing outfit but I quite liked the new blouse I ended up buying with a Sainsbury's voucher I had. I think it will make a nice comfortable alternative to my other black shirt/blouse. Also, I don't think my crazy skirt which my dear Canadian teacher friend gave me has even been seen on the blog.

Do you have neighbours with friendly cats!
I must ask what her/his name is!!!
xx

Update: His name is Prince!!!

Umbrellas on the Sele

Thank you for your kind comments on my Photo Scavenger Hunt.  As you could probably tell, I was in Northumberland till Tuesday, now I am back!




Easter Sunday,  I had attended a joyful, packed Easter service at Hexham Abbey with my lovely Mother in law, J, and I was wearing the lovely birthday present, an Emily and Fin dress she had bought me (not shared on the birthday blog post as it hadn't arrived then).  She commented on how nice it looked at which point, I cheekily said, "In which case, you had better be my official photographer!".  She very gleefully (possibly tongue-in-cheek?)  said she'd be delighted!




I was really glad that the Abbey backs onto the Sele, a beautiful park in the centre of Hexham that has a delightful quaint old-feel about it.  We headed into there and she soon proved herself a great photographer, not impatient, suggesting different places and poses and we had a great laugh. I will definitely ask her again, she was very dilligent!





I should, at this point, say how much I liked the dress she chose for me. I like Emily and Fin because their dresses are 100% cotton,which I prefer SO much more to viscose and all those synthetic dresses around. I was delighted when she gave me this because I would never have chosen a tulip dress shape like this, being pear-shaped, I tend to favour looser skirt bottoms, so it was something different and since I'd given up shopping for Lent, was a welcome addition to my wardrobe!  Incidentally, my Father-in-law, the famous WOMOTM, bought me an ASOS voucher which I have, post-Lent, bought another Emily and Fin dress with! Watch this space.













The Sele is lovely and the sun was beautiful. It made a fun diversion on the way home.  We were even lucky enough to see a small patch of Bluebells too!








FYI, the jacket is thrifted Next, Cardie Primark, Shoes-Riedker, Umbrella- Tiger

****

Today, I spent the day with my sister and my little Niece, K.  CBC dropped me off on his way to his piano exam and a very lovely time I had too.
We went swimming and I was astounded to discover my 5-year old niece is able to already swim lengths. She swam 10 lengths all in all as well as numerous widths. I am amazed that she has done this with my sister alone. I couldn't swim at all until I was 10 and only a lenght when I was 11!

We went back and had lunch, watched a dance show on DVD and then I played Hide and Seek with her. Let me tell you something sad I discovered as an adult. You are BIG! So much bigger than you are in your mind. You are not the size of a child anymore. All the places you could once squeeze into are now totally out of the question, you cannot fit in them.  You will put your back out if you try to contort yourself into position.  You move rather like a bulldozer, not the svelte cat-burglar you once were.  You run round in a panic trying to find somewhere to hide, SOMEWHERE you will fit, and end up behind doors. You look like a mountain hiding under the duvet and are instantly discoverable. The airing cupboard is no-go, behind the sofa is a joke, you feel like you're going to break your neck trying to get under the bed and move the speed of a snail, divans are your enemy.

The only advantage you have over the 5-year old is that you have learnt to breathe silently! Aha, one advantage!

Bye for now!
xx

Red-haired angel

Saluations Mes Amigos suss (mixture of languages there!)!

Source

I'd never usually consider posing on my blog in a hoodie, but you know, with TARDIS Tuesday, I'm all up for the variety! So, above, you see Amy Pond from the episode, Time of the angels and Flesh and stone- two episodes featuring the scary weeping angels. Simple enough to recreate from what I have already- red hoodie, black mini-skirt, grey tights, Converse trainers, brown headband, forgot the black socks.  

But any reference to Amy Pond cosplay (what dressing up as a character is now apparently known as) seems to say that the red hair is obligatory.  So..... da naaaaaaaaa!!!!

"Gasp!!! She has red hair!!" whispers Amy!

Source

Alas, I have always wanted bright red or genuinely ginger hair but I was not blessed with those genes.  I rather like it!

CBC's not at all keen on dyed hair so I haven't really gone there...though wish I could!

I discovered I could mess around with my hair colour in Pic Monkey- you can pay for the premium service to use the hair dye function but I discovered you can use the lipstick function to equally good measure!

Back to school today! We had a rather busy weekend of cleaning and cooking which I will tell you more about soon but all to good purpose.  Rather nervous about tomorrow- I am running a parents' workshop for our parents in Reception to teach them some songs and games and ideas for how they can use music with their children.  Not done anything like this before so still doing my usual procrastination as I fret over it. Of course I know it will be fine but you know, I don't know WHAT exactly what they do with their kids in any way musically and don't want to patronize them in anyway!!! Also, have not taught their kids music as I don't teach Reception this year- I am very sad about this fact!

Hope all is well with you.
xx


Linking to TARDIS Tuesday with Maricel

Pond life

In terms of Doctor Who appreciation, I'm a new convert to Amy Pond. I was (and am) still definitely a Clara Oswald girl but since WOMOTM and J bought me the Matt Smith Doctor Who DVD's for Christmas, I've been working my way through and LOVING Amy Pond. I missed most of them first time round because of the Digital Switchover meaning I didn't have TV.

I picked this look from the annals of Amy which she wears in Vincent and the Doctor which I genuinely do think is a fabulous DW episode, I howled and howled at the end, along with Vincent VanGough.

image from Coolspotters

Image from BBC shop

And here, based on items already owned, is Kezzie Pond.

The lowdown is Charity-shopped teal velvet jacket (originally nice Fairtrade company Bishopstone)
Red sweater- given second hand by friend.
Red Scarf- £1 dodgy Ilford clothes shop
Skirt Primark
Boots: eYe.

Clearly, since it is/was (when these were taken) the middle of Winter, I was NOT going tights-less (and let's be honest, with the length of this skirt, rather too short to risk. I am wearing shorts underneath) .  I lack the pose and the hair (oh woe, short hair does not help Clara and Amy cosplay) but not a bad attempt from my wardrobe.  I've never paired teal and red before so that was a bit of a revelation.

This was taken in my local park. It is SO well used by the community, it was very hard to take this shot. I had gone for a walk and was determined to include a photo that isn't in my garden so had to do a quick timer on the park-bench routine. This was only vaguely anonymous bench.

Hope all is well with you.x

Linking with TARDIS Tuesday with Maricel 



and Visible Monday with Patti

By St Martin's

We headed into London today to meet some friends for dinner (more on that in another post) and it was my chance to wear my main Christmas present from CBC- this green Lindybop dress. Alas, CBC had bought it for me in the wrong size but the replacement fits well.  I can recommend Lindybop from my experience so far- 100% cotton frocks, good sizing, reasonable pricing, very comfortable and very pretty.

Here I paired it with Clarks shoes and black tights then added a thrifted black Peterpan collar blazer and added a River Island white fur colour I bought in the sale. Abbacino handbag (charity-shopped/thrifted) to finish off, and wore my hair up (bad move- ears accentuated!)

It was luckily a crisp day, fairly bright so we had a fairly warm time of it.

The restaurant, Les Deux Salons, was near St Martin-in-the-fields and English National Opera and of course Trafalgar Square.

It was really nice to go up to London in daylight and to see those particular friends.  One of them was saying that since they bought their flat 2.5 years ago, it has gone up in value by £150,000. Isn't that absolutely ludicrous about house prices in London. I didn't not realise JUST how crazy the increases have been! They are very lucky to have bought it when they did (and done it up themselves) as they both work in universities and otherwise couldn't ever have afforded somewhere in London

After dinner, CBC and I headed towards Trafalgar square where our first sight was of the fourth plinth with its blue cockerel that mocks slightly, all the statues of people.


Then we saw the French silent protest against the events of the week in France. It was truly surreal seeing all the people standing in silence with their I am Charlie signs.  It seemed very peaceful.  It has been an awful week for many people around the world and my heart and prayers go out to ALL involved,  or indeed, those who may be blamed by association of faith (which is like saying all Catholics belong to the IRA)  but particularly in Paris and I cannot say anything more other than what has been said but that I wish people, who have issues, could deal with them in a decent, human manner. Satyrists, particularly in this case can be very, very hurtful and offensive but that's what I thought libel cases and suing someone are for. Do things in a human way and within the confines of the laws.  I sometimes feel we are dealing with very dangerous children- makes me think of Lord of the flies.  I hope and pray that the events of the months that follow will have love and compassion at the fore. I don't know how that can be achieved, but I can only hope and pray it will be so.


We saw Boris Johnson speaking as we were there.



I hope you are all well and safe, sending you hugs.

xxx


Linking to Visible Monday with the ever wonderful Patti at Not dead yet style

Creative Mondays with Claire Justine