TARDIS Tuesday - Polka dots for Pudsey Bear

Last worn in 2020

Hello!

I am wearing what I SHOULD have worn for TARDIS Tuesday last week if I hadn't wimped out of wearing it on Tuesday because I hadn't slept well. However, all worked out as it turned out we were all wearing Polka Dots on Friday for Children in Need so I already had an outfit ready to wear.

Here's the inspiration:

Image borrowed from ClaraOswaldcosplay.com

In a "See it for 2 seconds" moment in a rather dodgy episode called In the Forest of the Night, Clara is wearing this River Island polka dot top with collar and bracelets.  We don't know what else she wore with it as it's never shown. However, this was always right up my street as I love collared tops and polka dots although I owned it for a few years before I wore it due to a snipping incident which required fixing.

I wore it with black trousers and my grey Clarks shoes- these have been repolished and heeled and are looking a bit shabby now but they are comfy 

I added a black polka dot wired headband and merino wool grey cardigan (charity shopped)  and funnily enough, another colleague had an almost identical outfit on!

One of my lovely Year 6's who is one of Sad Frog's new crew this year came in with spot sticker which she had embellished a white t-shirt with brilliantly. She came and added spots to Sad Frog so he was involved! Sad Frog's fans in the other class were amazed to come in and see him all spotty!

Friday was a good day at school-mostly- my year 6 classes worked hard and got on well. Orchestra went well. In the afternoon, I called a music shop to ask questions about ordering a new Timpani skin and then interviewed two lots of six pupils for Pupil Voice- this is something you have to do as a Subject Leader in school. Interview children to find out what they think on a range of issues/subjects.  This time my focus was Most Able, Gifted and Talented pupils so I called 2 of the highest attainers from each class from year 5&6 and got some good useful feedback. I typed it up, complete the report and got it sent off which was a relief.  

I then went to fetch A, an autistic girl in Year 5 who is obsessed with my guitar and ukele and gave her a little 5 minute lesson to play a chord sequence on the Ukele. She picked it up really quickly and was euphoric! Really glad I did this as I have now used it as an incentive for her to work hard and not disrupt lessons and she is excited.

I had a hilarious impromptu moment. One of the reception teachers had asked me about outdoor musical equipment.  We talked about how expensive it is and how things just get trashed and broken (unless supervised) and I mentioned using old large metal tins as make shift steelpans or darbukas.  To my joy, after some searching, I found about 6 different sized tins and took them back to the classroom- they were delighted and right there and then, the teacher, myself and the nursery nurse (both are musical) had an impromptu improvisation on the tins and it was a real moment of joy and musical cohesion for all of us.

I then headed home and wrote a pair of poems about house plants and then CBC and I heated up left over NettleSoup (I made a massive batch the previous Sunday) and left over pizza and watched a Christmas film called Hot Frosty. CBC thought it was dreadful but I LOVED it!

This week after 2 weeks of no evening rehearsals or plans, I have 2 rehearsals this week. Monday night with Forest Phil playing piccolo for Scheherezade and then a rehearsal with Covent Garden Chamber Orchestra on Wednesday- we are playing with a choral society in Chelmsford Cathedral on Saturday.  It's a  bit of a dull gig for me as 2nd flute in this particular Beethoven Mass involves lots of rests and not many interesting tunes but hey, it's my first time playing with the orchestra and I get to see my lovely friend Caroline who is playing 1st flute.

Hope all is well with you.

xx

TARDIS Tuesday- Sarah Jane Adventures Multiple appearance outfit

Hello friends!

I hope you are well.

Today's TARDIS Tuesday is a mixture of two fairly recent cosplays I shared on here worn by Classic and New Who companion, Sarah Jane Smith, played by the late Elisabeth Sladen. You can see them here and here (where my hair was the perfect length!)

The great thing about this cosplay is that it was worn by the character in multiple episodes AND the separate pieces were worn in other episodes too!

The main three episodes the whole outfit featured were: 

Day of the Clown, the Curse of Clyde Langer and Enemy of the Bane

Let's have a wee look at it!

All  images come from Gretchen's amazing Sarah Jane blog- 

https://sjscloset.livejournal.com/1750.html

https://sjscloset.livejournal.com/10722.html

It's easy to break this outfit down:

Turquoise/pale blue Joseph collared jersey top, Karen Millen pinstripe waistcoat with fake lapels, dark washed jeans, knee high boots.

I really like Sarah Jane's outfits from the Sarah Jane Adventures as they are really smart, have an overall idiosyncratic appearance and work well for school, particularly for performances. I last wore this waistcoat for the Royal Albert Hall concert last year.

And here's my version: 

As you may have realised, I decided to try and imitate Sarah Jane's poses from the stills above.  These outfits as as screen accurate as I can manage as the top half of the outfit has only been IDed- not that I'd be worried about obtaining screen accurate boots or jeans!  FYI, my boots are my eYe boutique ones bought well over 17 years ago- they've been reheeled and the zip refitted.  The jeans are my Clara Into the Dalek ones. They are from ASOS and really comfortable.

The Karen Millen waistcoat has a great back view- I'm planning to wear this outfit on Wednesday for the Primary Choir of the Year competition which I am taking my year 5-6 choir to perform at. If people are going to be seeing at my back view, they might as well have a nice outfit detail! Not, I hope, that they will be paying any attention to me. I will, instead, be wearing a pair of Black pinstripe trousers instead.

The Joseph top is really soft and easy to wear.  It had a really high RRP price as Joseph is a designer brand but luckily I bought mine for about £6.00!

That's a bible in my hand! It matches her book well.

This particular bible has a lovely story to it. When I was studying in Bali, I was craving English reading material.  I mentioned to one of my friends online, that I wish I had brought a Bible with me and my lovely friends Rob and Amy bought one and sent it to me in Bali. I worked my way through most of the Old Testament which I hadn't done before.  Leviticus was hard going!

I'll keep you posted on the Choir of the Year competition. This round is to try and gain a place in the Final in April!

TARDIS TEASDAY Name of the Doctor

Today's outfit inspiration was last featured on here in March 2022 and was one of my first favourite Clara Oswald outfits from when I first started TARDIS Tuesday.  It has featured several iterations on this here blog

Image borrowed from:
The Ultimate guide to the fashion of Doctor Who

This is SUCH an iconic Clara look. 

A cute tartan dress from NW3 Hobbs, a dormouse necklace also from Hobbs, some burgundy wedge shoes from F Troupe and some opaque tights.

So here's my 2023 iteration:

I LOVE this dress!

There's not a huge amount to say about the outfit that is any different from last time except that I really do love this dress. It's classic, comfortable but looks cute.  I count myself very lucky to have been able to find this dress in my size for not too much and I thought it was the perfect choice for our excursion on Saturday.

To finish the look, I added my handmade dormouse necklace from My Pretty Little Earth.  I decided to wear my maroon Clarks brogue boots as I wanted to keep my feet nice and cosy.

So where did I wear this outfit?

Well, we went back to Mrs Salisbury's in Maldon for Christmas Afternoon tea.

This time last year, we went there for afternoon tea with my Dad, Stepmum and Sister. I dressed as Matt Smith's Doctor in an outfit he wears to accompany Clara in this outfit.

Mrs Salisbury's a wonderful tearoom and cafe in Maldon town centre in Essex and they do Christmas AMAZINGLY!

CBC's younger sister and her husband were supposed to be coming to us this weekend and we had booked to take them to afternoon tea at Mrs Salisbury.  Alas, her husband became very ill on Friday night so they were unable to come. We tried to find someone else to take their space but sadly, were not able to find someone.  

Here was our delicious tea.  CBC had the pescetarian version and I had the regular one.

We each received 6 sandwiches each, I had a pig in blanket, he had a prawn cocktail, we both had a salmon and cream-cheese roll, a scone each, shortbread, clementine tart, mint chocolate mousse, blackberry pavlova and red velvet cake.

We had a hot drink on arrival. I had spiced apple, CBC had Winter Pimms (you could also have Prosecco). We ended up with an extra glass for free as there was a slight mixup with our food order.

Unlimited tea - I had Chocolate-and-coconut and Jasmine Pearl.

Here's how the entrance looks. This place is called Bright's Path.  Doesn't it look magical.

Here's us at our table. We had a nice view down into their new orangery where there were more people enjoying their tea.

My favourite part was the sandwiches.  I actually didn't eat any of my cakes or scone, just my sandwiches and savouries plus the mint chocolate mousse.  We took the rest home in my three handy plastic tubs I came prepared with.

We were really sad that J and S weren't able to come and stay with us, J said she felt like Cinderella all day.  I'm glad that CBC and I were still able to to enjoy our tea. On the way home, we went over to visit our friend N and spent the evening with him.

On Sunday, I had an orchestra concert in Woodford which went well but unfortunately, I started to get a a cough and chest on Friday night.  Today, I've struggled with my voice at school - you really need a voice to teach my job. I hope I can get through these next few days!

 

Hope all is well with you!

TARDIS Tuesday- Sleep no More and Series 9 promo Clara

Hi there!

I thought I'd take a break from my Summer spins on Classic Doctor outfits (mainly because I haven't thought about one!) 

Today, I am sharing a Clara outfit. Most of it was from an episode entitled "Sleep No More" but actually, the version I am doing here today was from the Series 9 promotional images featuring Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi.

I had a few previous goes at this outfit.  Back in May 2019, was the last time I wore it. 

Let's have a look at it!

https://troughtonismydoctor.com/2016/01/20/doctor-who-series-9-review/

It features an expensive outfit:

It had a skirt and a top from French brand, Claudie Pierlot, a Merino wool jumper from Gap (not featured in the Promo images), a necklace from River Island or H&M, some black tights and some very painful-looking black leather monk-style shoes from &Other Stories.

Here's my version of it:

I started with the top which the lovely Ang customised for me to look like the Screen accurate one.  Mine was a charity-shopped top from M&S with a pleated collar made from another charity-shopped top.  Ang was clever-enough to make it look really similar.

Ang also customised a skirt for me to look similar by adding scalloping!).  However, it's lost its colour in the wash (after my paintstaking painting job!) and looks very odd and patchy so needs a repaint. Quite a while back, I found a Claudie Pierlot dress in the same material for a reasonable price (and thanks to lovely Alison, Dormouse for sending it to me from France!) and  ended up buying it.  You can see it below- The scalloping is around the arms instead of the hem.

I wore it under the top and added my identical triangle necklace.

The final item is the Monk shoes. They are the same brand and almost identical to the Screen-accurate ones but for one difference.  The screen accurate ones are the most ridiculously high 

YUCK! However, they also made a flat version of the shoes and I was fortunate enough to get them back in late 2019.  They were a bit small so I had them stretched (before our lovely cobbler retired). They are super quality leather and I was lucky to get them for about £14compared to the RRP of over £100

I very much like this outfit.  The t-shirt is in a more practical material (i.e. cotton) than the screen accurate one which is in synthetics. Whilst the dress lacks the scalloping (which is round the sleeves instead...I suppose it might be possible to reposition it though I quite like the sleeeves), I do like it.

With the exception of the tights (which are light), it is quite a good Summer oufit.

What do you think?

xx

TARDIS Tuesday Clara Oswald from Time of the Doctor and Breathe

Hello there,

I hope you are well.   Thank you to those of you that said you would participate in my 40th birthday celebrations in 2 weeks (Click here if you don't know what I am talking about!). I am excited to see what you come up with!

I can't believe we went from a week of bitter cold with snow all week to a relatively warm day and rain which washed everything else away!

Luckily, yesterday, (Valentines day), after a really arctic walk through many snow-clad fields, I decided to take advantage of the snow and photograph my TARDIS Tuesday outfit in the snow- since it's probably the only chance I'll have in the next year or so (or two or three) to photograph a Clara Christmas outfit in the snow.

It was worn in Matt Smith's swan song episode, The Time of the Doctor, by Clara Oswald and is one of her most recognisable and loved outfits.

Let's see it:

Image borrowed from Mariah's Cosplay site

She wears a crochet collar blouse (from Urban Outfitters), a pointelle Cardigan from Yumi, a red tartan wrap skirt from Karen Millen, black and gold leather boots from Topshop and a gold spike necklace and bracelet.

Image borrowed from Styles and Smarts

Image borrowed from this Pinterest

Last time I wore it was here  (December 2020) and  here (November 2018) and here October 2014

It's evolved a little each time I've worn it and this time, it has had one little upgrade:

Hurrah, here it is in the snow!

I'm wearing all the time items I wore last time except I have an upgrade on the skirt.  I wasn't planning to upgrade the skirt but my friend C, who is a German cosplayer, has been unemployed for many months and she'd managed to get the screen accurate skirt and had tried to unsuccessfully sell this amazing alt (it's almost identical but a bit longer).  She'd offered it to me a little while back but I had a good alternative (without the wrap around style) so I had declined but when she offered it to me again, I bought it to help her out. Actually, it does fit my waist a bit better than my previous one.

I have one more upgrade to do on this outfit which involves a dyeing job on a green version of the cardigan which I obtained about 3 years ago but I still haven't had the guts or inclination to actually get on and dye it!

I thought it was quite a nice Valentines outfit so I donned it after our walk but CBC is less than impressed if something is a 'copy of Clara', he says he prefers outfits I've put together my self rather than copying hers so I ended up swapping the blouse for a black Cashmere jumper with a white bow on instead which was more cosy and comfy.

In the words of Sheila, here's the stuff-

these Topshop boots, a handmade necklace from my friend Susie, a spike bracelet I charity shopped and a carefully preserved green Christmas Cracker hat.

The entire outfit was acquired second hand except for the hat, necklace and cardigan (which is my black concert Cardigan)

What do you think?

x

TARDIS Tuesday- Clara in Face the Raven

Hello there,

Today's TARDIS Tuesday is a bit of a last minute one- one I haven't worn for ages and one that is really comfortable!! I need to wear it more.

The inspiration is from Clara's Swan song (or, rather, Raven song?) episode, Face the Raven. She also wears it for Hell Bent and in Twice upon a time (er- smelly?).

She wears a grey jumper from Topshop that has a built in lace shirt.  She wears it with tight black jeans and some black suede wedged trainers from Ash.

Image borrowed from BlogtorWho

And here's me:

I have the same sweater but mine's a bit big for me.  That makes it more comfy! I wore it with my ubiquitous black trousers that make it into every Clara cosplay requring black jeans.  My trainers are also from Ash as well but I didn't wear them for school- a) because we can't wear trainers and b) because I am worried it might rain!! And I look very haggard. Sleep needed methinks!

What do you think? Would this be your type of outfit?

xx

TARDIS Tuesday- Clara Oswald from The Time of the Doctor and Breathe

Image borrowed from Mariah's Cosplay site

This week in TARDIS Tuesday, I am going to use what is probably Clara Oswald's most iconic or easy recognisable outfits for my inspiration. It is one of the very first Clara looks that I had a go at and it has been a while since I gave it a go again.

Image borrowed from Styles and Smarts

The outfit consists of a white lace collar shirt (from Urban Outfitters), a black Pointelle cardigan from Yumi (the pointelle pattern is of bows), a Karen Millen red and black tartan wrap around skirt and some black boots with gold detailing from Topshop- oh and some spiky bracelets and necklace.

The picture below shows some details.

Image borrowed from this Pinterest

And here is my updated version:

Happily, I own the exact same blouse- I wore this outfit for the Remembrance day services, hence the addition of the Poppy which I thought went very well with the outfit.

I coincidentally own a Yumi pointelle cardigan, though of a different pattern which I picked up a few years ago at Braintree Freeport on discount because I thought it would be a nice smart cardigan for concerts, not realising it had a Clara link at the time.

My skirt is from Matalan (though bought second-hand for less than a fiver) and although the shape is slightly different, the print and material is spot on so I am happy to have found this.  There are, however, a dozen or other perfectly good Tartan skirts that would work for this look.

I bought the same boots second-hand from a Cosplayer and I really do like the way they look, even if they are higher than I am used to.

The final additions are the spiky necklace and bracelet which I picked up in a charity shop.

The final crowning glory (ha, get it?) is the green party hat which, happily, came out of my cracker last Christmas- it has been carefully preserved!

What do you think?  Is this an outfit you would wear?  Any other comments or suggestions?

Style Imitating Art outfit- Arrow shirt collar by J.C. Leyendecker

Here we are again at another Style Imitating Art outfit.  This week's host is Salazar at 14 shades of grey blog.  She chose this interesting piece.

In the words of Salazar, our host this week, "This is an ad for Arrow shirt collar by J.C. Leyendecker, one of the most famous American illustrators before Norman Rockwell – in fact, Rockwell considered Leyendecker his idol and mentor. Leyendecker is best known for his “Arrow Collar Man”, which is modeled after his partner, Charles Beach."

It lends itself readily to an outfit by featuring people so who am I do ignore such an obvious hint.

Here's my outfit. I did try taking photos outside but the heat was intense that I gave up swiftly.

I went, obviously for a white collared top and decided to add a black silk ribbon from another top to it to mimic the lady tie worn by the female in the picture.

I decided to take my cue from the man's dark green patterned tie and wear this green patterned maxi skirt I had made in Bali 12 years ago this month- It was good for the warm day as it is very light

 You can spy my rose-gold bracelet in the picture to mimic the lady's jewellery and I also wore my grey cotton pumps- there are some brush strokes of grey around the edge of the painting.

Finally, I mentioned the other day, that I have several of these wired hair-bands so I decided to add this peachy one to finish off the outfit (AND keep my hair out of my face- much needed right now!

What do you think? How might you have interpreted this picture?

If you want to join in, you still have time.
Email Salazar at 14shadesofgreyblog@gmail.com by Tuesday night in order to feature in the round up. And do go over and see how everyone else interpreted it!

x

Style Imitating Art- Celestial skies

jghg
I have failed to be organised enough to come up with an outfit for Style Imitating Art for a good few weeks so I am pleased to have remembered this time!  Erin at Loop Looks chose this image for our inspiration this time.

Source by M.Caballero

Isn't it a beautiful sky!  I knew INSTANTLY what I was going to wear.  I have this Miss Patina unicorn-collared top with Constellation and starry print (with cute starry buttons!) so I knew that this was perfect! Bizarrely it looks blue in this picture whereas it is more purply in real life.

Black Merino wool thermal long johns from Aldi plus an old black skirt were included to represent the silhouette colours and I just added the brown boots because. Black would have been better but I was in a hurry on Sunday morning!

 Here's a close-up of the shirt. Alas, I had positioned the collar wrong so the Unicorn's face is obscured. Not to worry- he's not really necessary for this interpretation.

What do you think?  Head to Erin's blog to see how others interpreted this picture.

What would you have worn from your wardrobe for this?

xx