This is it, folks… I got dressed up and went out-out.
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It’s ma birthday, it’s ma birthday… my blogiversary too!
Well, it was, last week, on Thursday. I always make Keith take the day off on my birthday so we can do something together – this year, of course, we didn’t really venture very far: a well-loved local café that does great pizza with a cream tea afterwards was the plan.
We managed the pizza, but unfortunately had to draw the line at the cream tea (both too full). It was a gorgeously relaxing day, spent getting “dressed up” with clothes and makeup and EVERYTHING. Then there was the obligatory dog walks, a movie on Disney+ (my choice: Thor Fraggle Rock, even better the second time) and a couple of cold ciders. The day couldn’t have been more perfect.
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The key parts of this outfit – jacket, blouse and trousers – were all found in a summer clothes storage bag I’d had under the bed. Due to lockdown I’d hardly needed any variety of summer clothes at all, so you can imagine how pleased I was to find a bunch of stuff I’d vaguely forgotten about.
I’d missed the pleasure of putting together an outfit, clashing a few patterns, and choosing accessories. And a bag! I used a summer bag! Oh, the joy…
Recreate the look:
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Nearly everything’s past-season I’m afraid, but the pearl phone pouch and the Cotton Traders straw bag* are still available. (The bag was a gifted sample from Cotton Traders from an event last year, and it seems they’ve switched up the design a bit. This half-moon straw bag is more like my own.)
A summer styling tip:
In searching for outfit alternatives, I realised that searching for floral jackets or blazers doesn’t yield many results, and anyway when the weather’s hot you don’t want to be wearing something that heavy.
A great tip is to wear a button-up soft blouse open as a jacket – you can find loads of floral blouses or kimonos (like this one or this one) that can double up as lightweight jackets/cover-ups.
And with that, I bid you a good weekend… I’m away in North Devon next week to the detox retreat, follow me on InstaStories for lots of sunshine (hopefully), seascapes and countryside!
Stay safe XOXO
P.S. I KNOW it’s not called Thor: Fraggle Rock. But my blogging friend Michelle Tyler called it that when it came out and the name stuck ; -)
Jacket: Dorothy Perkins (love this as an alternative)
Blouse: Lulus (similar)
Trousers: M&M Direct (similar)
Sandals: Office (I like these)
Bag: Cotton Traders*
Sunglasses: Asos (similar)
Phone pouch: Asos
Earrings: & Other Stories (love these)
Thank you so much for joining my #link party. It’s a great outfit and just right for birthday celebrations – I hope you had fun. Jacqui x
Author
Oh bless you Jacqui – thank YOU! x
Happy belated birthday and blog anniversary! I completely forgot about my 9th blog anniversary a week or so ago…I’ll make up for it next year! I love the mix of prints and colours in your outfit! The pearl crossbody bag is gorgeous! Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
Author
Amazing how quickly nine years goes, isn’t it Emma…?!! And thank you, hopefully I’ll stick to my new routine and link up more often x
How could I miss this read!!! Loved the outfit!!! I am sooooo bad at clashing patterns!!! I suffer from a matchy-matchy condition since I was a kid. I love the outfit on you but I don’t feel I can recreate it on me! ☹️
Author
Thanks Pilar – I think I have the opposite problem, in that I can’t stick to just ONE pattern…!!!!!! 😉 lol
Wow double celebrations, congratulations and belated birthday wishes!
Author
Thank you so much Sonali! 😀
I’m spending time catching up on blogs I’ve been missing and HAD to see yours! Happy belated birthday and Blogversary! Your outfit is perfect–you are always the best at mixing patterns and making it WORK! It is truly a strange year everywhere…
xx Darlene
Happy birthday and blog anniversary! I know I am about 2 weeks late, but better late than never, I suppose. I am loving this fun colorful outfit. The print mix is brilliant! You look fabulous as always, my friend.
Shelbee
Isn’t finding stuff you’d packed away like buried treasure?!? Especially when you’re still in a season you can wear it! Sounds like you had a lovely day – and don’t we appreciate even simple pleasures like a cafe meal OUT now like never before? My birthday is tomorrow, fellow Leo, and it’s a BIG one – I’ve survived to see 60! Been celebrating for days already, with a big finale Saturday night. And yes, I, too, can’t wait to hear all about this visit to detox retreat.
Happy Belated Birthday beautiful Leo Sista! Mine was on the 27th:) You look amazing in this outfit xx
I’m loving this boho outfit and those sunglasses. You suit your hair long too. Happy blogaversary to you.
Alison xx
Happy birthday C Loving all the boho vibes here. And I want those sunglasses!
I really wish that I was confident enough to wear bold prints like these, I am such a neutral kind of person!
Danielle
The Reluctant Blogger
Happy birthday! This is such a pretty look. I really like your print clashing and sandals. I know what you mean, I was just talking to a friend this week about “doing everything up at once”–hair, makeup, outfit… Oh, the simple joys!
Author
Thanks so much Kimberly! The sandals (bought last year) are sooooo comfy 🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for last week, Catherine!! It sounds like you had the perfect day. I still don’t know what movie you’re talking about though??!! What is Thor Fraggle Rock??
You look absolutely gorgeous. I love everything about this outfit, the colours in particularly. But my favourite thing? How happy and relaxed you look <3 <3
Hugs from a WAY too hot Algarve,
Suzy xx
Author
Thanks Suzy my lovely! It’s Thor: Ragnarok, the third Thor film (try saying THAT three times quickly out loud, lol)…!! I can never remember the Ragnarok bit so Fraggle Rock is always easier to say 😉
Belated Happy Birthday! I’m so glad you got go out and celebrate your birthday, and in a happy summer outfit! The coral color is so pretty.
Michelle
Author
Felt pretty special to go out-out, Michelle! Thanks lovely x
I love the pearl bag with the coral pants and white sandals, looks very beachy, and the light blouse as a topper looks so breezy. Happy Birthday Katherine! I look forward to a report on the detox spa.
Author
Thanks Liz – it’ll be my fourth visit so I know the place inside out by now! x
Light and lovely. The new hair colour really suits you. Our lockdown was way shorter than yours, but the first time that I ventured out – eeks scary!! I went backwards to the start of your blogs in lockdown having an enjoyable read, so yes, your blogaversary is important xxxx
Author
Thanks Ratnamurti – it’s definitely been an easing out of lockdown so hasn’t felt too weird. The dressing up bit was weirder, to be honest! 😉
Thank goodness you’re back in full fashion flipperies! Your hair has grown during lock in and so has mine. I’ve got used to it now so may keep it. I really missed your BLOG and your lovely style – you’re looking great and I love the outfit xx
Author
“Full fashion flipperies” – love it!!! 😉
Thank you Janet… yes the hair has grown soooo much, I’m going to want just the minimum taken off but I have a feeling my hairdresser will tell me more needs coming off!
First thing I thought : cream tea after pizza!?? Ha ha, but sounds like a perfect birthday party. I always want to spend mine with the 2 of us, normally we are in the UK then. Happy weekend!
Author
Yeah, the cream tea was a bit ambitious, Nancy!!! 😀
lovely! airy! breezy! i like the combo!
i have not yet ventured into pattern mixing…but what i like about the latest trend in pattern mixing, is now everything goes! meaning it doesn’t have to match in some way!
xo eva
Author
The trick is to make sure at last one colour is repeated in both patterns, Eva… though saying that, I’m not sure I’ve really followed that advice here, lol!!
Thank you my lovely xx