Dress Of The Day with Angela

  Shop Selling Scarves, Hats & Gloves I bought the hat, and the scarf, sold separately, from St Luke's. The series of shops raises money for hospices. Cost of the Hat and Matching Scarf The items both cost £1, so £2 for the pair. The Label - F and F I found the scarf first and quite liked the pale pastel rainbow. It  might match  raincoats or jackets in both pale pink and pale blue. It would also add jollity to black or white.  But I usually go for brighter colours. Besides, the tassels were a bit bedraggled. The scarf had no label. I hesitated. Where was it from? Then I saw the matching beanie hat. Hurray. A set!  What's more, the hat had a label. The heading of the top of the double layer label inside the hat said F & F. Who was that? A supermarket, I was sure. Which one? Not Sainsbury. I recently realised that the manufacturer or seller puts their company name and address at the end of the label. Way down, beyond the ten language instructions on how t...

 Tesco Top Details Size UK 12. The label says that the label itself (not the hat) is made from recycled bottles! Marks Hat Details Marks & Spencer. Autograph.  Made in China. The label warns, don't hand wash, don't dry clean, don't tumble dry and don't iron.  The technical term for a hat like this, ifyou want to ask for one in a shop or search online, is a fasinator. It consits of a headband with elaborate decoration on top. It does not hide the hair, but adds height to the wearer, and completes a co-ordinated look if in a colour which matches or co-ordinates with clothes. I remember thiking it cost a lot of money compared with a full size hat, more money for less fabric.  However, it is well made, does nto fall apart. And it adds interest to an outfit. I have worn it many times. Useful Websites Marks & Spencer Tesco

  Angela Lansbury, the author, wearing a Christmas jumper, brand F & F. Selfie Photo by Angela Lansbury. You used to be able to buy Christmas themed jumpers only from party shops and specilists, but nowadays supermarkets and chain stores seem to have lots of seasonal jumpers, as well as ear-rings. Brooches which flash lights are in novelty and souvenir shops. Holly has prickly green leaves and red berries. The leaves and berries are still there in Christmas time in the UK. Six set of holly designs have little red bobbles attached instead of the flat red knitting yarn berries. This Christmas or winter jumper is from F and F.  I expect prices to come down on Christmas goods after Christmas Day. Time to stock up for next year. The White blouse You can dress the jumper up for the evening and parties, or down for daytime, by adding a blouse. Cotton for daytime. Silky and shiny for the evening. Also plain black or white. Or red or green.

Harrovians toastmasters club. This year I went to Harrovians. The two leaders of the meeting, husband and wife, were in matching jumpers. I thought that was very effective. I then received a notice from the sister club of which I am also a member. Time for me to get out my Xmas outfit. Years ago I would not have bought a seasonal outfit. I thought it was a waste of money to buy seasonal items which you only wear once to a party. Too twee.  Might offend non-Christian friends. Then, one year I saw one in a sale.  Now, when asked to dress in Xmas theme, I can oblige.  In theory I should keep it in a suitcase up in the attic or an outroom such as a store room, maid's room, scullery/utility room.  The suitcase would be labelled Xmas with a all the decorations.  However, I tend to keep most things out. This works well if you want to find it in a hurry. I did. iwent to my cupborad of thick woolly jumpers and found it immeditely on the top of the pile. Xmas jumper Backg...

Traditionally in the UK you eat soup by tilting the plate away from you. The reason is to prevent soup being scooped up and dripped onto your clothes. Very sensible.  Out at a restaurant, last night I heard a commotion when other people knocked over drinking glasses and got liquid on a lady's dress, her chair, and her bag on the floor. The important thing is to avoid getting stains on your clothes. Or your bag. Or the tablecloth. Or the upholstered chair!  Or the carpet. Drinks and Glassware To avoid knocking over glasses, don't over-fill them. Given a choice, and no preference, drink water rather colourful drinks. When catering for an event, buy or supply white wine or pale drinks. Use heavy tumblers rather than stemmed glasses.  To prevent items falling off forks, or out of your hands or dripping. Bring crockery together. Move food away from the edges of tables.   The Indians eat with their hands, which is their tradition. The French dunk their croissants in c...

  Angela Lansbury wearing the emerald green dress with a co-ordinating mother of pearl necklace. Photo selfie by Angela Lansbury. The Green Dress The green dress had no brand label. However, the washing instruction says: Made in the UK. 100% polyester Lining 100% polyester. Size 16. When you wash it, it dries quickly. Red Belt This time I wore a red belt, red sandals, to go with my red lipstick, all lively red. I intended this to contrast with other outfits based on the almost monochrome, neat all-green dress, featuring a green belt and brown shoes. Green Necklace & Ring The necklace which I have called green mother of pearl is probably abalone from New Zealand.  I added a green ring.  White Nail varnish My nail varnish is white which makes a change from red. I put it on the night before to be sure of being ready.. It comes from Tesco in London, England.   Useful Websites You can buy cheap abalone ear-rings, and one size rings, on Shein for under 5 dollars. ...

 Brand Adidas Would you believe, a multinational German company, second largest sportswear company in the word after Nike.  Anyday - Waitrose /John Lewis - their budget line. Autograph - Marks & Spencer - their luxury line. Canda - C & A Clockhouse - C & A Atmosphere - Primark F and F - Tesco George - Asda Jaegar - owned by M & S, see Jaegar in Wiki Levi's Nike world's largest ... North face Nutmeg - Morrisons Papaya - Matalan Per Una - Marks & Spencer Tu - Sainsbury's Wrangler Yessica - C & A Shop/Store/Company/Retailer Asda - George C&A's brands include   Angelo Litrico, Avanti, Canda, Clockhouse, Here+There, Palomino, Rodeo (ski and snowboard clothes), Westbury, Yessica, Yessica Pure and Your Sixth Sense . Damart Co UK /Damartex -  Marks & Spencer - Autograph, M & S Maternity, Per Una (and others for shoes, beauty products, home wares) (St Michael) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Marks_%26_Spencer_brands Matalan - Papaya ...

 I have started unpacking and re-packing. Packing List - Deleting Items My husband suggested that he revises his packing list for a hiking holiday every year by striking off the list any items he did not wear. Unpacking  - Washing I am unpacking. Washing anything which might otherwise set the stain, need to be washed and be wet when re-packing.  Unwashed items can attract moths. I have saved a laundry bag from a hotel. A plastic laundry bag can last for years. One friend said she simply washes everything. No need to sort. Count days No need to over-pack. Count the number of days and nights. If you need to wear something twice, and items take two days to dry, you can wash items from the first two days on a five day holiday. That means packing only three items instead of five.  The item you wore travelling on the first day can be worn on the way home.  Rehearsing The week before, I wear (and wash) every item. Then, if I don't have the matching shoes, or underwear,...

 My Union Jack mug, made in China for Tesco. Photo by Angela Lansbury. The sticker underneath says it was a Queens Jubilee mug. Union Jack Mugs and Accessories You can buy other UK mugs and souvenirs from Amazon and Ebay and souvenir sellers in central London. Marks & Spencer and others sell tote bag, clutch bags, cuff links and button covers.  Union Jack mug on Amazon  Useful Websites https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sterling-Product-BCM002B-Coffee-milliliters/dp/B07VNGSG2T/ref=asc_df_B07VNGSG2T/?tag=googshopuk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Jack

  The white ghost item in my left hand is not a butterfly catcher nor a spider catcher but a trick or treat bag held out at a distance, for Covid-19.  Photo by Trevor Sharot. In the picture of me in the doorway you can see: St George of England cross on Wellington boots; black full length lace slip by Marks & Spencer; From Waitrose supermarket in the UK: Trick or treat, black bucket bag showing pumpkin, orange trick or treat bucket bag with black cat face design; gold horn head-dress, small red trident,  plastic skeleton hand (arm outside picture); synthetic orange pumpkin spectacles. You can make a ghost from an old net curtain on a string. Add two of your smallest black buttons for eyes. No buttons? Look inside all your shirts, blouses, jackets, coats. Use Tippex or other white paint on the buttons for a glint in the eye, or the edge of the eyeball. Angela in purple-edged Halloween hat. Spooky spiders' eyes and siders web back ground with the words Happy Halloween....

  Angela in black pirate hat, Halloween hand puppet in green felt, from Tesco Angela wearing black pirate hat, cut white blouse, white ghost , image, black cape blazer, notice decorations, Halloween letters canner on board, Toastmasters meeting, Angela gestures, probably for Table Topics - impromptu speaking I was at a hotel for a Dracula weekend and discovered that we had a fancy dress  party on the Saturday night. I did not have a costume, so I made one from a hotel white sheet and pillowcases and went as a ghost. Useful Websiteshttps://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g2750/easy-last-minute-halloween-costumes-diy/