Stripes and Phones

 Sometimes, I get ridiculously over-the-top emotional and irrational about things and feel bit bit like I'm going a bit mad. I hate myself for it, beat myself up over it and then realise, my hormones are probably responsible.  Something happened today- something which in about 99% of people's worlds would be a nice thing, a really nice thing.   I reacted to it negatively with exasperation- stroppily (not directly TO anyone but outloud in my house to CBC) and then felt utterly miserable with how much of a horrible person I was/am, how ungrateful and (and please don't tell me, I'm not, because if you knew the details of the situation, you would think I was indeed not good) and then got annoyed again.   Sometimes, I need to just shut up and realise when my hormones are in their bad place and not say anything or do anything- then I won't have these horrible feelings about it.  The only people that know about my reaction are my Mum (who I cried down the phone to and incoherently rambled about it twice) and CBC (who was impatient, then understanding, then impatient again) and my friend Lara (who was the rational voice of calm and reason that made me feel better about the situation and how to react to it).

I wish I didn't get so ridiculously emotional over really stupid things! I remember last July getting totally stressed over something and blowing it out of proportion and it always seems to coincide with hormones but because of the medication I have been taking for the past couple of years, I am a bit hazy with where I am so I don't realise when it might be a time where I am going to get irrationally emotional until it has happened.

I don't like myself when that happens- CBC is a saint to put up with irrational emotion me.  Perhaps that makes up for me being patient with him being an irrational grump bag at times- perhaps we balance it out?

Anyway, that doesn't really segue into the rest of the post at all but I took some photos of an outfit from when we still had snow. I'm not sure when it was but it was before Half Term- possibly the Saturday.

The snow week, I kept cosy all week by wearing mainly cashmere and wool jumpers. It was nice to be able to do that when I wasn't rushing around because I was cosy without getting too hot in my cashmere!

This dark pink jumper was charity-shopped a few years ago and I remember the first time I wore it was for the first rehearsal with one of the orchestras I played with- I had to travel on the rail replacement and I wore this jumper with this Cath Kidston telephone skirt (bought 2nd hand)- I always seem to pair the two together

That day, I suddenly remembered I had these stripy thick tights which sort of went with the top and decided to wear them.  This is unusual because I have been avoiding tights like the plague for the last few years and sticking to leggings and socks as I am fed up with saggy tights having to be hoiked up all the time.  But I'd forgotten that these tights were a delightfully well-fitting pair (from Tescos) and that, in fact, I liked wearing certain woolly tights- it was a bit of a revelation for me because I felt really guilty about all the tights I have but don't wear.  Tights aren't exactly the type of thing people would want to buy 2nd hand from a charity shop and it'd be a waste to cut them up for something if they aren't ripped etc. A couple of years ago, the lovely Ann and a friend Becky did actually help me out by taking some barely worn (as in, as soon as I wore them for the first time, knew they didn't work for my leg length and shape- again tights aren't really something you can try on in a shop!) tights, 

The final items in this outfit were a charity-shopped black velvet Kangol beret and my Clarks Ben's purple Brogue boots.  Adding a pair of earrings and necklace from Esoteric Londonw which I won, I was set for the day but not just a boring jumper and trousers outfit!

It seems hard to think we had all this snow 2 weeks ago and none now!

A bit like the fact that in just over a week's time, we'll go from lockdown with me teaching a class of 10 children back to me teaching 540 different children every week. I'll be glad to see them.  One nice thing from today, despite the crazy hormones and trying get my work done was this message I got from a parent.  I save them here to remember happy things when I look back on posts and remember good things:

"Hi hope you are well just to let you no I’ve uploaded E's music work there is a few lol she really been struggling with not being at school and the work and music really seems to help her and shift her mood so thank you so much x "

And there it is, the ray of sunshine that makes all the difference.

TARDIS Tuesday: Hunt the hidden Daleks!

It's one to those TARDIS Tuesdays where you think I am just parading around in one of my ubiquitous floral frocks. You might be right- I own this Closet dress in about 6 different patterns- very sad that the shop that sells these near school is closing down as the proprieters are retiring- I've shopped with them for well over 15 years.

Anyway, onto the main event.

 Why TARDIS Tuesday?

Number 1, TARDIS blue tights (SO annoying- have to hoik them up every 10 minutes and no, I can't be bothered to be dignified about it and wait until no one is around- cannot stand the sensation of saggy tights)
Number 2, TARDIS blue accents on dress.

Number 3- Erstwilder fish brooch is a highly suspect reference to the underwater nature of the last two episodes.
Not convinced?

Ok, bring out the big guns: Dalek cufflinks! (You were wondering where the daleks were hidden, weren't you?!)

I've had these for many years now as this charity-shopped shirt required cufflinks (it too is old), but a certain CBC borrowed them one day in need of cufflinks and it took me several years to get them back!

I'm sorry if you think my text accompanying an outfit is verbose, I feel like it comes across that way sometimes.  I know some people are minimal about it, but I think it's nice (and necessary in tenuous cases such as this) to justify and explain my sartorial choices!

An InLinkz Link-up

An old salty tale

I think I've been having nautical withdrawal symptoms. Definitely time for a camp sailor outfit!
You'd think this wasn't suitable attire for helping someone move house but I tripped over trouser legs all day Sunday when wearing something "More practical!"

Cardigan from Collectif
Polka dot dress- Joy Louche
Shoes- Faith
Tights- Primark
Headband- Crown and glory


I've not really made anything of April Fools in School before but today, as I was searching for a new song to teach in Singing Assembly, I looked in the Harlequin 'Songs through the seasons' and found a song called 'April Fools'- it 's been the only time Singing Assembly has fallen on April Fools day so I took advantage!

One of the kids (Gifted and talented musician) tried to trick me (and succeeded!) by telling me she'd broken her cornet so I decided to wreak my revenge.  That year 4 class were reading their books whilst the children were logging their school dinner choices on the computer and so I whispered to the TA and got the class quiet and talked to her about photocopying the test papers because Miss had asked me not to teach music and do a science test instead. Some of them cottoned on and were disappointed but then I had to obviously state it and asked them to get their pencil cases out as we had to do a science test. Cue groans and moans all round, especially from my little joker who told me she was devastated but said that at least I was going to be with them for it.

As the TA said she was fetching the papers, I said they'd have all lesson and then said, "Nah, it's just a trick, line up!".  Some of them, like my joker said, "I can't believe you did that Miss, you are a really good actor!" and some didn't cotton on until the class had lined up to go to the music room! They all agree it was a rotten but a convincing joke!

After break time, I tried the same joke on the other class. Usually we go straight to the music room from the playground but I made them go back to class, get their pencilcases out and told them about the test. Their own teacher came back in and I said to her loudly, "I'm just telling them about that test that you asked me to do!" She cottoned on and did some very convincing acting and scolded them for not remembering she'd told them about it yesterday and said they had to revise and if anyone didn't get 90%, we'd move their names down the colour chart. They all looked askance until we said, "No, April Fools!" and highfived each other! Ha, tricked them again.

The downside was, they tried to trick me ALL through the music lesson (they failed) and then their teacher in the afternoon. They're the April fools as they didn't know the Midday rule! Ha!


In the afternoon, I was unexpectedly called to cover Year 2 and ended up teaching RE and then PE. Not really that sad to miss year 3.

RE was great fun as we were learning about the Torah and watched a short animated version of Noah's Flood, after which I got the whole class involved in after, acting it out! Great fun- God stood on the desk, Noah and his sons and their wives all had to round up unruly animals from round the class and get them onto the carpet and bolt them in (one VERY mischievous sheep who gave Shem some trouble!) - we then had counting to 40 with God playing a tambourine and sending the dove to search for something green (she chose a pencil box!). We then had a go at some Hebrew writing. PE worked out as great fun as we were practising batting skills.

Finally, after school went to meet my friend M in Romford where we had rather tasty Pizza and then a fantastic Ice-cream sundae and came phone, catching up on phone-calls on the return journey (I'm off to Petworth for a few days in a week or so!) and then N coming round to fetch his spare-key to return as he hands over the rental property!

All in all, a jolly old day!
xx

Linking to Hat Attack with my headband

Summer fruits Bunny hop

Sometimes, a warm comforting get-up doesn't have to mean having to lose your sense of fun!
We went out into the country and I wore one of my many rabbit jumpers- this one is the most arty-- the others are more comic critters. I wonder why I favour bunnies more than other animals?

Rather resembling a summer pudding, I took inspiration from the bunny's rather fetching bowtie (bowties are cool) and added summer-pudding striped knitted tights and a raspberry organic beanie/beret that came in my stocking last year from J and a swivelling disc-necklace, a stripy silk scarf and glittery purple scarf and finally an oversized red-currant Duffle coat that my Mum bought me for Christmas some years ago. It was never my ideal duffle, being rather large for me, but actually I've grown to love it for its ability to make me feel like a child dressing up!

The day was glorious and I'll tell you a bit more about it another time. Sufficed to say, it was one of those glorious halcyon days that winter sometimes surprises you with.


CBC and I are finally getting round to actually putting together a photobook of our wedding photos (a year and a half later!) . He favoured an album but I really wanted to get one of those printed photo books.  We found a Groupon deal for a 100 page one and we're slowly assembling it.  What's your opinion on this? I often think that photo albums can get tatty over the years as the adhesive dries out but who knows what the longevity of these photo books is? Only time will tell.

Hope all is well with you.
xxx

Who will buy my sweet red roses?

Pink actually, but never mind!



I wore this outfit in a bid to wear a light dress in a wintery way!

Do you know, these tights are ancient- I've honestly had them at least a decade. I always end up as Nora Batty but they are so soft and cosy and not too tight (if that makes sense with tights- knitted ones usually feel tight! and I shall be sad if they come to their end. I own probably another 30 pairs of tights (as in ones that are long term rather than evil flimsies that die after a few turns).  They're totally frumpy but I don't care- they do what they say on the tin- keep my legs warm!

Do you have a favourite pair of tights at all or am I the only one

AND, because I am nosy, what is your FAVOURITE tights colour/pattern?

xx

Black watch over Northumberland

We have just returned from Northumberland where we spent the weekend for WOMOTM's introductory birthday to his octogenarian years.  Happy Birthday to wonderful WOMOTM! It was a really delightful weekend, just the antidote I needed, zooming off to Newcastle on Friday night. I was (and still am) as smug as can be that I managed to get in to Eastcoast's sale in August right after the e-mail came through and gain us £12 singles to Newcastle each way, meaning CBC's and my entire journey totalled £48! AND we had Friday night and Sunday night tickets. This is truly unheard of!

I spent a good proportion of all train journeys sleeping as I have been suffering from some headaches but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of my family's company and a super walk on the Saturday plus an amazing lunch on Sunday. I'm definitely going to share the place we went to as it was really great.

CBC and I slipped outside for some fresh air whilst dinner was being prepared and enjoyed a walk along the field.  He took a few photos for me. I am increasingly enamoured of comfy brushed-cotton shirts and dresses, just the ticket for the Autumn plus mustard tights and those DMs again. LOVE these shoes-perfect for muddy fields!!!

This is the start of a busy week of WW1 performances for me- I am chuffed that my choir has almost a mini-tour of our WW1 repertoire.  We are performing on the steps outside of school tomorrow as a taster for all the parents whose children aren't involved. Tuesday is our official concert in the evening with a performance to the school at 11am; Thursday we are heading off to a residential care home to perform and the following week, we are heading to a local special school to perform to them.  It's going to be busy but I really hope, a success- they've done so well to learn around 24 songs in about 7 weeks! I am glad to have had a rest before this ensues.

Just to look at these green fields behind me- makes me glad to have this sanctuary and family I can return to when I am in need of open spaces.

Thank you WOMOTM and J, I miss you already.
xx

Linking to Visible Monday and Creative Mondays
and




Ahrgh and I forgot about the wonderful Share in Style with Ms Papelicos, Sacramento- whose theme this week is shoes!

My mandolin would make a better head than this one!

I confess that the September blues made my buy a few things I shouldn't have. Besides my clock skirt, some shoes from Irregular choice, some Flapper Doodle collar clips and a tan hat, I also ended up buying one or two dresses too.  I shouldn't have, I know, but I did.

I was most excited by this tartan dress which I found in Primark and was really happy about as it is made of the softest brushed cotton and has three-quarter length sleeves which are great and unusual for me to find something I like in.

Wearing this for school on a Thursday when I teach year 1 PE was not the smartest move I've ever had.  I had to prance around the playground demonstrating leaping,turning and moving in a variety of ways. And then I noticed the Head walking round with visitors....

I wasn't feeling too wonderful that day and I hadn't brought a coat (idiot) as it had been warm. I slowly froze in the music room during my non-contact time until I borrowed a crochet granny blanket from Nursery and a very nice polka dot trench coat from the stylish TA who bequeathed me my smart satchel.

I absolutely adore piling on the red accessories so loved adding the belt, necklace and lurid tights. Sorry you can't see just how red the tights are.

One of the many things I detest about winter/autumn is the dark.  The light is appalling in my house so taking pictures is rotten and I'm never home before 7 so it's too dark for outside.  I wanted to photograph the dress but you just saw I was having face issues.

I found a solution....

I was inspired by Patti's 'Guitar Hat'!


Excuse the tip that I have made of CBC's study.  This is one of two mandolins I have inherited from my Grandad. When  I was about 10, my grandparents decided to try and learn the mandolin so we went with them to Hobgoblin music in Crawley (to the shop owned by my friend Lucy's lovely friends, Sarah and Nicola. I'd love to meet them again. I don't know their surname, wish I did) and they chose two mandolins. Every time we went over to their home, I would take a mandolin down from the hooks on the wall and play it. The good thing about the mandolin is that it is the same strings as a violin- E, A, D, G but you use a plectrum.  The German Romantic composer, Gustav Mahler who is an old favourite of mine wrote a part in his 7th symphony for Mandolin and guitar in one movement. At my first summer music camp, we performed Mahler 6 and I played viola but wished oh I wished, I had known and brought one of the mandolins. Someone else played that. I bided my time and the next time I played that symphony, I was prepared and pestered the conductor about the mandolin and managed to bag the job.  I played 3rd flute which fortunately doesn't play in that movement so I was able to sit in the flute section and just pick up the mandolin for that movement. It was a great surprise to those around me when I first did it as they weren't expecting it!
I also call that 'The Star Trek symphony' as there is a moment in the 1st movement that sounds like the beginning of the Star Trek credits.


Listen for the Mandolin.


Listen to 11:50 and about 6 seconds in, listen for the trumpet play the first bit of Star Trek! Of course, Mahler came first!


Hope all's well with you!

xxx

Animated cardigan inspired

I read and follow Jess's blog: Animated Cardigan. I got to know her blog through the Style Imitating Art challenge (eek, just realised, I haven't posted my last 4!!!) and she's really cool and has just a brilliant chilled, funky style. She wears girly skirts and all that but they don't look overly girly- they just look cool!!! Anyway, so she posted this outfit which I really wished I could recreate.  Sadly, I don't have an amazing rainbow scarf (WHY??) but I did have this vintage Aquascutum skirt which I figured I could use as a basis for a nod to Jess's outfit. So I teamed it up with White Stuff circle tights and this really old Peacocks stripy tee (as I don't have a plain grey top)- and then since I don't have cut-out tan shoes, I matched the top to these blue and white pumps (Primark pumps are really good for swing dance!) and added a lacy grey belt and rainbowy butterfly scarf my work colleague gave to me for my birthday.  This may not be as cool as Jess's outfit but I love the fact that she inspired me to pull together these elements through her outfit as a starting point- one of the kids even told me I looked nice, so that's a start!


There's some close up details for everyone (Shamu, the tights shot esp for you!)

This week has been a fine one all in all. My orchestra starts back next Tuesday- we're playing Beethoven's 9th symphony (that's the one with Ode to Joy in it) and I am excited as this is the only Beethoven Symphony I have not played- my orchestra has done the entire cycle over the last decade! Yes, I realised I've been playing with KCO for 10 years this November!  I absolutely adore my orchestra- it's honestly one of the main reasons I have remained in the London region. As a flautist, finding a regular seat in a good orchestra is hard! There's usually only 2 or 3 flutes in an orchestra and especially getting to play principal flute is harder.  If you go out to the countryside, you have to wait until someone dies until you can get a place! Seriously, it's really hard! And also, to find one that does varied and challenging repertoire who have a good string section! I'm not dissing any orchestras at all, I'm just saying that it's hard to get get a flute place in an orchestra with a large string section who have the time to practice and polish! If I played viola in one, I'd be one of them! In addition, we have an amazing conductor- who despite conducting at the Royal Opera house and many prestigious gigs, still feels this amazing loyalty to this orchestra and puts in so much hard work!

This morning, CBC's phone rang at 7.55am to ask if he could cover some cello teaching at a Music School he used to work for.  We groaned in sadness but wanted to help out.  Ah well, swimming and hair-cuts will have to wait as he's off to a rehearsal in the afternoon and then meeting friends in London.   I, in stark comparison, whilst wishing I had the motivation to find out which bus I can get to the local swimming pool, am sitting here eating Branflakes and Prawn Crackers, drinking Earl Grey, typing blogs and listening to the whirr of the washing machine! I may just get dressed soon!

Hugs to you, enjoy the sun xx

Under the blossom tree

I had this overwhelming urge to nip into this charity shop on Friday  (BAD BAD Kezzie! No clothes needed- money not to be spent!) and had great luck in picking up this brand new skater skirt (tags attached)  and gingham top both for £1.49 in the Age concern sale- both will be great swing dance items! As I dressed on Saturday morning, I was delighted to find the skirt was the perfect length and shade for my red tulle petticoat! I then decided to go all matchy with red and electric blue. CBC called me Supergirl, the man who reduces the bread in the COOP (who I met at Hylands house coincidently) asked if I was trying for Dorothy!  There were also several girls who giggled at me as I walked along the car park though that could have been due to me tottering along in heels like I was about 90!!! Honestly, after walking the AGES to the car after visiting Grandad, I could barely walk!!!

Hylands house was glorious in the sunshine- I would have happily stayed for hours if we hadn't had to get to Grandad (which I was glad to do).  As it was, a 15 minute stroll was very restorative and gave many beautiful sights for my hungry eyes!  There was a wedding in the house itself so I couldn't get close for a photo!  Think Pemberley and you can imagine it!

It was quite a competition to get my photos taken under this tree.  Everyone seemed to want their photo taken under it! Look carefully to the right of the photo below and you'll see the edge of a small child- now THAT girl surely will be a blogger when she was older!  Posing like anyone's business- shoulders thrown back, hands on hips!  She shamed me with her brazen confidence!

THANK YOU SO much for your kind thoughts, prayers and comments regarding my Grandad.  So heartening to know you were and are all thinking of me.  I went to see him last night and am going again tomorrow.  The consultant was worried about him and thought me might not make it out this Sunday BUT since Tuesday, he's perked up a bit, has been starting to eat (and kept some down) and his speech seemed a bit clearer. The consultant was surprised and pleased.  He is a fighter.  He's still very ill, he has pneumonia on his left lung and he's got AWFUL phlegm and his esophagus is damaged so he's finding it hard to keep food down as it's blocking his throat and choking him but he's still going and he's always pleased to see me.  I am still very concerned about it but I am more rested with it. Please continue to pray as he's got a long way to go and I know you've helped!!!




Linking to Hat-attack  with wonderful Style Crone!  I LOVE this hat I am wearing in the shots- I bought it in a charity shop in Hexham and I love its 20's vibe- I love the fact I can add all different scarves and ribbons to it to get a different look! Worn here with charityshopped scarf and here with spotty headband.  Here I am this time wearing it (hard to see) with a red polka dot ribbon sent to me by Jille! Check out the Style Crone please- She has a SUPER hat on!

I am also linking up to beautiful Citizen Rosebud for the first time with Secondhand first  with my three charity shopped items- hat, skirt and top. You can't see also, my yellow satchel was also recently located in a Charity shop in Ely! I really am trying not to buy new things if I can!

 

and next, Fashion Item Friday with the fabulous Renae who is currently donning some amazing turquoise shoes in her current post!


and I'll also be linking up to Visible Monday with the gorgeous Patti who's got a really interesting article on a plastic surgeon which is very thought-provoking!


These are all lovely bloggers, so do go and visit and link up if you can!!

Pretty tights

I love pretty tights!  I have an awfully large hoard in my house which I keep all stuffed into a big Pearl Lowe basket beach bag!  The other day, I was looking at a Blogger's post in which she was wearing the most adorable tights that reminded me of 101 dalmations which she listed as being from ASOS.  Now I have scoured the ASOS website for tights on numerous occasions, including in the recent sale, but never actually bought any from there.  So, I headed over there and typed in tights and 471 styles were found.  Ok admittedly, socks and tights get bunched up together but that is a LOT of tights for one shop to stock.

I decided to scout through and find the ones I liked best to share with you!

Firstly, these gorgeous spot ones are only £3.00 in the sale- even I don't mind that and they are a good-quality make. I like the sock-style!

Pretty POlly House of Holland spot tights

These bit spot ones are super cute too!

Gypsy big spot tights

I've had my eye on these cat ones for ages but am too scared to buy them because I am pretty sure I will ruin them in one sitting and that would break my heart (well, not quite- I'm not THAT sad!) and for £8, that's a risk I don't want to run!

All over cat tights

In the Suspender-style, these elephant topped tights are so adorable but would have to be worn with very short skirt- not sure I could do that very often! Adorable though.

Elephant over the knee tights

I thought elephants were exciting but SQUIRREL tights? My cup, it runneth over! Also £8.00

Squirrel top tights

These bird print ones are so pretty and feminine.  I could imagine The Brunette  buying these!

Swallow print tights

These Paris skyline ones are really adorable but that skirt looks like it's barely covering her bottom so er- sadly, I might not buy these (though tempted...)

Paris skyline tights

I love the cartoony quality of these ones and could imagine wearing these with my cartoon bag and primary colours for a comic-book style.

Bricking it tights

Again, cartoony sweetness- these eyes are so fun!  Would I maybe ruin these too soon?

All over eyes tights

Ok, so that's enough swooning over tights.

It doesn't end there though.  Oh no...

For every pair of lovely tights, there are several monstrosities:

Urgh- NINETY POUNDS????? REAAAALLY??? I'll just get some £2 ones and rip some holes down the back?

Wolford Zehra fishnets

These aren't so bad. In theory, a er-sweet idea. But would I pay £40 for tights which my Reception children would pick at? Nope!

Jewelled tights

Would you buy any of these?  Any more from ASOS that you like? There are lots more but these are my favourites!

xx

Images from www.asos.co.uk - I love them!