The idle hours

 

Trench - H&M

Shirt - Jumble sale, 20p

Waistcoat - Jumble sale, 20p

Trousers - Gap sale

Shoes - Charity shopBag - jumble sale - 50p

I have just come back from a long weekend at a friends farm near Bristol. I had a really realxing time and did many country-like things including; canoeing, collecting duck eggs, sleeping in a caravan, and eating never ending Easter biscuits. I didn't take any photos for the blog however. So instead there are these photos from from the second part of last week's surprise trip away. They were taken at the very lovely B and B we stayed in near a little place called Rode. The building was built in the 1800s and when we arrived we were allowed to chose our room, plus for breakfast the following day we were given some champagne with breakfast. All things conducive to a happy stay there. This outfit is very simple but super comfy. I really like wearing trousers and not jeans for a change and these Gap cotton trousers are great. I did feel a little bit 1980s with the shirt/floral waistcoat combo but never mind. These shoes are the ones I took on my trip to America last year and I am rather sentimentally attached to them; I feel like they tread a fine line between quirky and ugly but still I love them regardless. Once we left the B&B we drove on to Longleat. I'm not sure I have ever been there, except maybe when I was very young. I really enjoyed it, although having a monkey sit on the bonnet of the car was slightly surreal. I hope everyone has been able to make the most of the long weekend and the glorious weather this week.

Another Circus

Top - Jumble sale, 20p

Necklace - Charity shop

Skirt - Charity shop, £1

Cardigan - Primark

Shoes - Urban Outfitters

Listening to  ~ Regina Spektor  - on the radio ~

These photos are from my weekend trip to Bath (and beyond). The trip was actually a surprise courtesy of my lovely boyfriend. He is generally the one behind the camera although I never mention him. Anyway we had a great time, basically eating our way around town. On the friday night we went to same-same which had a great low-key laid back atmosphere. Then on Saturday we went to a little flea market  - the old cattle market - which was right by where we stayed. I picked up a pretty blouse which I will show later. Then breakfast - a brownie is obviously breakfast- at the very tasty Boston tea party. We then wandered around plenty, visiting the Circus, the Royal Crescent, Victoria Park, and the Fashion museum. They had a display of vintage wedding dresses dating back to the late 1800s in honour of the soon to be royal wedding. Despite various changes in fashion they were mostly fairly similar. Most interesting to me was the way styles repeated themselves. Some of the more romantic and ostentatious dresses of the late 1970s could have come from a century earlier. They also had a display of photos from the house of Worth (I think) of ladies in their dresses from the 1920s/30s, such as the image above. I have to say the simplicity of that era is my personal favourite, for wedding dresses at least. Appropriately someone had just got married there - (the museum is housed in the assembly rooms) and as we left there was confetti all over the floor. After that we had a late lunch at the Raven, famous for it's pies. Honestly they were so good, if you get a chance I highly recommend it. More wandering and then some strudel at Hansel und Gretel, which I mentioned in my previous Bath post. We left in the late afternoon for further adventures. Bath is such a great place to visit, that city always treats me well.

Big skies

 

 

Shirt - Jumble sale

Cardigan - Jumble sale

Necklace - vintage, gift

Jeans - Uni qlo

Shoes - Charity shop

Listening to - California Analog Dream ~ VondelPark ~

There is something about being under such big skies that I find hugely relaxing. That plus sunshine, a fortuitously placed ice-cream van and hazy sunshine. These photos are from Friday's visit to Devil's Dyke. There are geographical explanations for the existence of the huge empty valley, but it takes it's name from myths such as the below;

Local folklore explains the valley as the work of the devil. The legend holds that the devil was digging a trench to allow the sea to flood the many churches in the Weald of Sussex. The digging disturbed an old woman who lit a candle, or angered a rooster causing it to crow, making the devil believe the morning was fast approaching. The devil then fled, leaving his trench unfinished.Source.

Either way it is quite a breathtaking place. We meant to go for a long walk around the downs but we didn't quite get around to it. As well as Devil's Dyke we spent the morning in Brighton, eating bagels on the  beach and visiting my old favourite shop, Snooper's paradise. For possibly the first time ever I left empty handed, since I am attempting to be good and only make well considered purchases, and save money for holidays. I know everyone is commenting on the weather, but it truly feels like Summer, (not even spring) has arrived. I hope it lasts! This outfit was mostly thrifted last week and seemed more interesting in my head than in reality. Still I'm happy with my finds. I hope everyone had a great weekend in the sunshine.