Posts

Showing posts from November, 2020

Beautiful Blue, Calming Blue. Royal Blue by you. Dress of the day 154. Blue blob blouse. blue cardigan. blue skirt.

Image
  The blue blob pattern blouse is by Canda label of C & A department store. Photo by Trevor Sharot. Blue is said to be a calming colour. Blue also looks good with blue eyes and vivid royal blue suits my skin tone. Blue, the colour of blue seas, reflecting bright blue skies on a summer day. Royal blue, rich blue. An opulent colour. The blouse label says it comes from C & A. Goodness. I went to C and A with my mother when I was a teenager. Is C and A still around? Apparently, yes. C & A C and A department stores started as a textile company in the Netherlands in Sneek. The letters C and A come from the initials of the founders, brothers Clemens and August.  I loved them when I was single and in the UK because they had small size clothes which were sophisticated, and affordable. Their stores spread all over Europe, to China, Mexico and two south American countries. The blue blouse The blouse is 100% polyester, easy to clean and crease-free. Made in Korea. It is a summery and c

Dress 153. Pink with Palms. Pink (top) with (silver) Palm trees. Blue skirt (reversed) and sandals

Image
Pink top with silver palm trees. I also have this silver palm trees design on a black top. I bought it from a catalogue. J D Williams. The brand name is Marisota. Hot pink. 100% viscose. Soft and comfortable.  One colour was on special offer. I liked it so much that I bought the other colour at full price. I was looking for a plain colour skirt to go with the patterned top. Black did not go. I tried the royal blue cardigan. Perfect, rich colours. Now, what about a skirt? I had a skirt which was dark blue one side, the back, and pale blue with seahorses on the front.  Seahorses on pale blue did not go with silver palm trees o vibrant pink.  I turned the skirt around. The dark blue side of the skirt went perfectly with the pink top. Fine for a photo, so long as I faced forwards. Fine when sitting at a desk.  But surely I could never wear this outfit, out and about? I turned sideways in front of the mirror to look at the back. I now had the pale blue with seahorses. Pale blue was not as g

Dress 150. Brown swirling around orange on white, reversible dress by Paramour. Orange hat posted (mailed) from Shanghai.

Image
 Peach white dress by Paramour, reversible. Orange party hat from Ebay. Blouse with embroidered collar. Rust colour silk waistcoat with long waist ties.   With white blouse with embroidered collar. Orange brimmed hat. Rust red waistcoat with front waist ties. Reversible Dresses The Paramour reversible dresses are sold from a shop in Bourton on the water, where Covid-19 has cut down the opening hours but, as they say on their website, they are open 24 hours online. They offer a good choice of reversible Paramour dresses and reversible tops at about 22.99 pounds sterling plus postage. What I like about Paramour reversible dresses is the capped sleeve. Many reversible dresses have no sleeve. The short sleeve looks more elegant. The Orange Hat Absolute bargain at only two pounds ninety nine pence to the UK from Shanghai, postage free. I ordered two, one from a UK supplier charging slightly more as I wanted to be sure of delivery whilst I was in the UK.  The second one from overseas arrived

Dress 149 Three reversible dresses for a weekend away, or one week holiday.

Image
  Angela showing three reversible dresses Angela showing three reversible dresses. That provides six outfits. Enough for a long weekend: one day dress and a change for the evening for a long weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.  Or for a week's stay. Arrive and leave in the same dress.  Wash it on the evening of day one, with a week to dry. On Facebook my long-standing friend Fiona, who I know from Writers' Holiday, an annual event held in Wales, recalled, "You once arrived at Writers' Holiday wearing three dresses!" Did I really? I had forgotten that. I think I vaguely remember taking all my clothes our of my carry-on airline suitcase for a journey by train from London, England, to Wales, in February. I put all my books in the bag and there was hardly any room for clothes. Just shoes and underwear. I opened the front door and the cool air hit me. I needed something warm. I put on a cardigan. On the bed was the reversible dress I had taken out of the suitcase. I tri

Dress 148/154. 148:Red Lace jacket with bell cuffs over contrast green silk Patra top. Plaits and a glass of bubbly. Dress 154. Red theme: red lace top and red apples.

Image
Photo by Trevor Sharot. Hair clip cum brooch The small orangey red fabric flower hair clip also has a pin on the back which converts it into a brooch. Red Theme Red lace top, with red lace glove and red apples.  Red Lace Jacket The red lace jacket with bell sleeves was so pretty. Too good to throw away. But it was tight on the arms. Maybe I bought it in a sale. I have lost a lot of weight, but not enough to wear tight slim sleeves. So I slit the under seam. The red lace goes well with a sophisticated black evening skirt. When the jacket is worn over red, the lace effect is hidden. I found a pink top. But the pink was too dark and it clashed. The lining was pale pink. I reversed the pink top and the pale pink showed the contrast of the red jacket. The jacket kept slipping off. it showed too much cleavage. So I reversed it. The green apples and grapes worked well in yesterday's photo, so I added the two red apples for this picture. Black Skirt Even more useful when travelling than th

Dress 147 Diagonal colours silk skirt and green top, with and without starburst filter

Image
About the Author Of This Post Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.  Please see my other blogs and posts and share with your friends the links to your favourite posts. travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com  

Dress 146 Apron made from plastic bag. Protect your clothes with plastic bags when eating.

Image
I was in a hotel room, faced with Indian breakfasts during lockdown. Fearing stains on my outfits, I wondered what to do. My aprons were at home.  What could I improvise? I needed plastic protection. A plastic bag. I tried a little one, but it quickly slid off my lap. I looked around and saw a big bag. The bag was  from Valudollar store in Singapore, a large bag. The handles went over my arms and up over my shoulders. Protection for the front of my silk top as well as my lap. Useful Websites https://shopsinsg.com/valu-variety-stores-in-singapore.html About the Author Of This Post Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.  Please see my other blogs and posts and share with your friends the links to your favourite posts. travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

Dress 145 Red lace sleeve bolero with looped tie and tulip/flute glass of white wine

Image
About the Author Of This Post Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.  Please see my other blogs and posts and share with your friends the links to your favourite posts. travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

Green Reversible Dress by Casamia. Dress number 152. Going green with green apples and green grapes.

Image
  I have chosen green apples and green grapes to strees the green theme. The dress also has hints of magenta, purple, yellow and powder blue.  The matching scarf only matched the other fuschia side, but that is my favourite of the two colour schemes. The blue belt helps accentuate the waist. The belt is elastic. The buckle clips. The necklace can be twisted into any shape. I have twisted it to fill the neckline. The ear-ring on the left of the picture (my right ear) is green sequins, clip-on. I looked around the room for something green to go with the dress. I saw red tomatoes, red apples, green apples. I picked up the two green apples. Then I saw green grapes. The photographer laughed.That made me laugh. The green and cream sandals were brand Cushion-Walk, leather lined, upper and sole man made. Hook and loop closure. https://www.casamiaexclusive.com/short-sleeve-dress-with-sweeping-hemline.html Casamia clothes are sold through Amazon and from their own website. In November 2020 there

Reversible Green Dress For Travelling. (Dress number 151.) Fuschia, green and blues side. matching scarf.

Image
  Angela wearing a reversible green dress which comes with a matching fringed scarf. Photo by Trevor Sharot. Dress by Casamia. Sandals Green and cream two-tone sandals. The Cushion-walk sandals have three adjustable hook and loop straps, two across the toes, one around the ankle. Size 4E - yes they come in wide fitting. Useful Websites Casamia and similar dresses DRESSES https://www.casamiaexclusive.com/short-sleeve-dress-with-sweeping-hemline.html Pink, cream or black skirt and matching top in pink cream or black, one p less than thirteen pounds, yes, twelve ninety nine pence. Plus postage. Sonia fashions https://www.amazon.co.uk/Womens-Summer-Printed-Cotton-Fabric SANDALS Cushion-walk sandals https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cushion-Walk-Open-Wedge-Sandals-Slingback CUSHION-WALK https://www.shoezone.com/Brands/Cushion-Walk https://www.amazon.co.uk/Womens-Shoes-Cushion-Walk/ https://www.crazyclearance.co.uk/shop/footwear/brand-cushion-walk https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/Cushion-Walk-Womens-Sandals

Red Santa Hats (Dress 144) Reindeer Hats, Christmas Tree Hats And Clothes For Winter Parties

Image
 Angela in Santa hat. Angela Lansbury in red santa hat. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright. To complete the red theme:  A Santa costume or any red t-shirt or top.  A white blouse. A red and white false collar or dickey, from China. I bought through ebay. Red lipstick. Rouge - or spread lipstick on cheeks using moisturiser to thin.  Red accessories such as red ear-rings, rings, tie-pins, bracelet or watch.  Buy a red elastic hairband or wrist band. Red socks. Buy or find ones saved from a Virgin Atlantic flight. Alternatively use red dye on a white pillowcase and cut it up to make accessories such as, a neck scarf, a headband, a bow tie, a hair bow, a choker, a tie belt, a belt, a tie on bracelet, false sleeves, mittens, fingerless gloves, a patch on the back of gloves, bows on the ankle straps of sandals, gaiters, football socks. Football Team Outfits In Red Liverpool Manchester United Every year I add one item to my collection of festive hats. We used to go out for a Christmas dinner

British Policeman's Hat & Clothes to wear, dress 142,: English, Scottish, Welsh - and back in time through British fashions, movies and music

Image
  To show your ancestry or affinity with the UK or recall a holiday or plan one, you can get all kinds of clothes bearing the union jack. Here's a tartan, very British. What else is British?  Football teams. The flag of England, a red cross on a white background. It forms part of the Union Jack flag. Best time to buy bargains? From British supermarkets the week after a football match featuring the England national team. A couple of days after Shakespeare's birthday. Speaking of whom, tee-shirts with pictures of Shakespeare. Anything from Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, or Charles Dickens.  Clothes with the Union Jack flag. White Wedding Dresses White wedding dresses, made popular by the British royal family. British - surely white wedding dresses are universal? No. The Chinese like red. In Asia, white is the colour of mourning. British English I love to hear English with an upper class accent. I especially like the characters in the film The Ladykillers. Every word is clear. Eve

Red Sequin Cowgirl hat (dress 143) for Setting the American Atmosphere For Talks about Travelling the world

Image
  Why do I wear  a red, pink, orange or leopard skin spots cowgirl hat? I would prefer to wear a cowgirl hat with cowgirl boots. However, whenever I wear a hat, even with the most incongruous outfit, I receive numerous compliments.  They are cheap to buy online. They fit any speech I give about the USA, or American accents. They suit me. The brim protects my eyes from light. If I am in lockdown since Covid-19, or in quarantine, a hat can cover my hair, whether it is merely untidy and uncombed, or needs the roots tinted.  Men can similarly wear hats to cover uncombed hair, grey hair, or a bald spot. Rock and Roll hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Photo from MusikAnimal in Wikipedia. A cowgirl hat is ideal wear if you want to sing American songs in karoake, dress up for a fancy dress party, or talk to Americans online. One of my contacts on the Polyglot community asked which language I like to hear.  Let's start with American clothes and accents. In New York you get Yiddish. But le

Dress 140. Hearty Kiss in red + blue. Where to buy cutwork collars, false fronts (dickeys) and detachable cuffs.

Image
  Hearty Kiss in red and blue with lace collar. Photo of Angela Lansbury by Trevor Sharot. The blouse with the pretty collar has the label Intermode. I cannot find them. I think I bought this in Singapore from one of those tiny stores which look like a garage inside Far East Plaza in Scots Road from the bridge walkway across the road. Desk Bell Desk bells with the words Ring for a KISS are widely available. Balloons The heart balloon must be saved from a meal out on Valentine's day or sold off cheaply at Tesco's the day after. Collars and Dickeys I looked all over the internet for lace collar, embroidered collar and cut-out collar. You can also search for dickey. If you can find the Chinese websites, they have a dozen styles. They fabrics range from thin and flimsy to stiff and scratchy through absolutely gorgeous with colourful motifs and embroidery.  From America you can get modern and vintage collars at ten times what I would pay for a blouse. On the other hand, if you wore

Summer is over in the Northern hemisphere, so what about next year's Scare and Scarecrow Festivals?

Image
  In London, England, we were able to eat small Chardonnay grapes from our garden for dessert. Alas we were not quick enough with the netting to protect the other vines. We were distracted by the joy of our son's wedding, and all the revisions as the Covid-19 rules reduced the numbers of guests and change of venue for the sit down meal.  Many people avoided crowds and instead went for walks or runs in the countryside. Another way to protect crops, popular with farmers is Scarecrows. You might drive past them without a second thought, but they are heavily embedded in culture as well as crops. The Wizard of Oz, made in 1939, starring Judy Garland, features the character of a scarecrow. I bought a scarecrow at a Motorway Service station in the UK, not in 2020 but in a previous year. Walton village in England in August 2020, the UK bank holiday, cancelled their annual Scarecrow festival because they did not want visitors. However, to entertain local children they held a contest for sca

Dress of the Day with Angela, 139. Scarecrow and Angela in bows and hats.

Image
  Dress of the Day 139; Scarecrow and Angela with bows and hats. Smile with Angela. Nov 17 2020 Terrific Tuesday. I bought the scarecrow at a motorway service stop. I remember they had a boy and a girl scarecrow. I thought a lady scarecrow was more unusual. It is item number TY6835. from KTS. KandyToys Limited, Hill Barton Business Park, Sidmouth Road, Clyst St. Mary, Exeter, Devon, EX5 1DR tel: 01395 234600 enquiries@kandytoys.co.uk For garden scarecrows:sold as a pair: see waltons.co.uk I was going to show them but the terms and conditions forbid derivatives and I won't trouble them with correspondence as they say they are busy - good for them, during Covid-19. Waltons For reduced price scarecrows, sold singly at half the price of a pair, see Amazon. The scarecrows were Scarecrows they are also sold on ebay and etsy.  Useful Websites https://www.kandytoys.co.uk/ About the Author Of This Post Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.  Please see my o