Dear friends. When Emma set this month's Style Not Age Challenge - Stripes and Dots - I initially thought it was an easy one. But not so. I've been so ruthless with clearing out my wardrobe that I've given away everything I had with dots and stripes!
Dear friends. You're never too young to get started with reading! Our granddaughter Olive, above, has already got her library card and enjoys hearing stories (above, with Jane, one of her grannies). But an alarming report this week said that in the UK, 1 in 5 adults are still functionally illiterate. That's over 7 million people.
Dear friends. With costs spiraling for everything, one of the things I'm keen to do is economise when I buy clothes or cosmetics. But I don't want to buy clothes on the cheap, and perpetuate "fast fashion," with all the unethical and unsustainable methods that implies.
I do rummage in charity shops, but I'm also mindful of the need to sustain the high street and all the jobs in retail and fashion, so you have to balance the two.
I'm looking for pieces that will last, and from retailers with published sustainable policies.
When Cotton Traders got in touch for a potential collaboration, I was initially dubious. I'd always associated them with sweatshirts and raincoats that were a bit too practical.
I was pleasantly surprised when I browsed their site. Lots of colourful designs, particularly in knitwear and coats.
When they offered four items of my choice, I decided to find gaps in my wardrobe and find garments that solved a particular clothing dilemma.
When I did my winter clothes inventory recently, I realised I had too many coats and jackets for my needs, so I sent a few to charity shops. But what I didn't have was anything in faux fur.
Now arguably, I don't need a faux fur coat, but I do love them. So I chose this Sofia coat in Champagne. It's very warm and very soft. While I've dressed it up here, with a skirt, rose gold boots and layered pearl necklaces, it would be just as good dressed down with jeans or leggings.
Now this is a dilemma for many of you, because I know not everyone loves a Christmas jumper (sweater). I classify them in 3 tiers:
Dear friends. October was a very busy month. Four Meet Ups, John's birthday celebration, two Kettlewell Colour Club outings, a visit to Battersea Power Station, a sky dive and more. Let's "dive" in.
Dear friends. We learnt this week that the Collins Dictionary word of the year is "Permacrisis," defined as an extended period of instability and insecurity”.
Certainly in the UK we seem to veer from one crisis to another. This week it's the shameful conditions of a refugee camp and the nation's water companies cheerfully releasing sewage into the sea, as voted for by their coastal MPs. Not to mention the new prime minister planning not to attend the COP environmental talks. And the clocks going back.
Here at Mutton Towers, we're fed up with the permacrisis. This post focuses on a different set of Very British Problems, and lots of colour.
