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Wednesday 24 April 2024
In Love with Vintage Retro
Friday 19 April 2024
Amazing Pages: Books Read in April
Dear friends. Another stack of books for you today with 5 stars for two outstanding Irish writers. Joining the lovely bloggers of the southern hemisphere for #WhatsBeenOnYourBookshelf.
Don't Let Her In by Joanne Ryan
Dear friends. A leafy suburb where people tend their gardens and wash their cars. A peaceful place. Not in the hands of Joanne Ryan. Poison pen letters are going unchallenged because they speak the truth. Newcomer to the road, Lena, finds someone is conspiring against her. It all ends in an apocalyptic reckoning.
Thrilled to be in the blog tour for Don't Let Her In.
Thursday 18 April 2024
Tell Us About: Your Personal Style
Dear friends. When Sue from Women Living Well After 50 set this month's Tell Us About challenge, I was thinking it would be easy. After all, I have often written about Personal Style.
I planned to write about how wonderful it is when you discover "your" style, and you dress in a way that pleases you. That's what my summary said, when I sent it out last week to the other bloggers.
Saturday 13 April 2024
Six on Saturday
Dear friends. A much needed improvement in the weather this week has seen big progress in the garden. I'm sharing 6 photos for #SixOnSaturday. Several take part in this, and a good blog with which to start is Garden Ruminations.
1. Clematis Montana
I know this is a bit of a "Marmite" clematis for many. I have 3 intertwined on the back fence, two pink and one white.
I call it "the monster," although its flowering is always a spectacular highlight. This year the flowers are more even. Last year we pruned it late in the summer, which I knew would affect the flowers, but it was out of control. I know one of them is the variety Rubens, which I think is this one, with darker green leaves and a pretty fragrance. It was planted in 2012.
2. Tulip Purple Flag
My tulips have all gone over now except for this one. I tried it to compare with Negrita. It's shorter and has untidier leaves. I'd prefer Negrita in future, it really is the perfect purple, and is a true perennial if planted in the garden. (Here's Negrita in my garden if you want to compare).
3. Narcissus Tahiti
4. Auricula
5 Tiarella Spring Symphony
6 Heuchera Lime Marmalade
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Friday 12 April 2024
Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan
Dear friends. Today's spotlight falls on a police procedural with an intriguing angle. One of the officers is a creation of Artificial Intelligence, manifested as a hologram. But AIDE Lock is treated as simply one of the investigating team. Here is an outstanding thriller, with an exciting conclusion.
It's my stop on the blog tour for Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan.
Wednesday 10 April 2024
Inspired by Beautiful Birds
Dear friends. I love taking part in outfit challenges as they get the creative juices flowing, and remind us of unloved clothes sitting in the wardrobe.
Today's challenge lasts for a month at the Kettlewell Colour Club on Facebook, and it's Birds of a Feather. Here are three outfits inspired by plumage.
Monday 8 April 2024
The Divorcées by Rowan Beaird
Saturday 6 April 2024
The Results are In: Books Survey 2024
Dear friends. Many thanks for all the responses to the Is This Mutton 2024 survey about our reading habits. It was the best response the annual survey has ever had. It shows how universal books are, across every age group and demographic.
So what did we find out?
Friday 5 April 2024
Nowhere to Hide by Keri Beevis
Dear friends. Today's book spotlight is on Nowhere to Hide by Keri Beevis. It packs a real punch. Today is my stop on the blog tour.
Wednesday 3 April 2024
Life Lately: April {2024}
And #WowOnWednesday
FOR CREPEY SKIN THIS IS THE BOMB!
RoC RETINOL CORREXION
A LIGHT TINT THAT REALLY DOES CONCEAL
WOW ON WEDNESDAY
LAST WEEK'S FAVOURITES
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enterSaturday 30 March 2024
March: Rain Doesn’t Stop Play
Dear friends. March is supposed to arrive like a lion and depart like a lamb. Unfortunately it has remained lionine. But I didn't let rain ruin the month. Highlights include a trip to Plymouth, John Singer Sargent art exhibition, a ballet and a retro 70s pop concert.
Friday 29 March 2024
Kookaburras, Cuppas & Kangaroos by S. Bavey
Dear friends. Today I'm pleased to share the adventures of a Yorkshire Lass down under. Elizabeth Isle left 1960s England for Australia for the adventure of a lifetime. She was part of a cohort known as the "£10 Poms" who were encouraged to emigrate by the Australian government.
This charming memoir is written by Elizabeth Isle's daughter Sue Bavey. Today is my stop on the blog tour for Kookaburras, Cuppas and Kangaroos.
Publisher's Description
Fueled by her spirit for adventure and with her £10.00 ticket in hand, Elizabeth Isle leaves 1960s England, determined to see it all, not just Australia and New Zealand, but as much as she can on the way, too. She surrenders her passport to the Australian government and must find work to support herself on the other side of the world from her family and friends. There can be no going back for two years. Join this intrepid young woman on the adventure of her lifetime. Share her amazing experiences, discover what exotic animals await, get travel tips and meet her new friends through her letters home and over plenty of cups of tea. Beware - the travel bug might prove infectious!
My Thoughts
Sue Bavey had a lot of material to work with: her late mother wrote a travel journal and also sent airmail letters.
Elizabeth boarded the P&O ship SS Orcades on 6 February 1960, bound for Fremantle, Western Australia.
Three weeks later, Elizabeth was met by her mum's friend, "Auntie" Elsie Fawcett and her husband and son. They had also emigrated from England and had been farmers in the wheat and sheep belt. Now retired, it was agreed that Elizabeth would stay with Elsie (and budgerigar Joey) for six months while her husband went to India. She would have use of his car.
Elizabeth was thrilled to find a toy koala on the bed and roses and scent on the dressing table.
For the next three years Elizabeth's life is a whirl of holidays, travel and work. Her jobs included being a secretary, waitress and house maid. She makes many friends and after six month becomes "an independent Pom," living in boarding houses with other girls.
A two week camping holiday saw Elizabeth and her friend trying to put up a tent so badly that they were invited to stay in the house instead.
Holiday adventures included prawning and a very long trip around Tasmania. Her modes of transport included boats, buses, trains and hitch hiking. Coral "hats" were tried on during a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. A holiday in New Zealand saw Elizabeth travelling again on the SS Orcades.
After a swim in a dam, Elizabeth was horrified to find her clothes and towel had been eaten by ants while she was swimming.
She was bemused by the Aussie men carrying bags like the old-fashioned doctor's black bag, rather than briefcases. She also noted that the lorry and bus drivers all had a steel hand stuck out on a pole in order to indicate direction. "They drive like madmen here."
A Christmas was spent in Brisbane. "It seemed very strange to me to have Christmas in the middle of the summer heat - 101 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade - and also to have to get up at 4am on Christmas Day to see Cora and my uncle and exchange presents before they went off to milk their cows."
She was intrigued by all the wildlife and highlights included seeing an endangered marsupial called quokkas on Rat's Nest Island, and blue soldier crabs on a trip to Bribie island. "Look at them marching along like a little army, pincers at the ready!" she remarked.
Her ticket home cost £150 and she made the most of the trip, including stops at Tahiti and Florida, USA, and going through the Panama Canal.
Arriving home in July 1963 Elizabeth was thrilled to see her family. "What a sight for sore eyes they were. I felt deliriously happy and a little overwhelmed after being away for so long."
A very charming travelogue taking us back 60 years. The book will be enjoyed by all expats and Aussies, plus those whose families were also "£10 Poms."
Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/KookaburrasCuppasRoos
About the Author
Sue Bavey (writing as S. Bavey) is a British mother of two teenagers, now living in Franklin, Massachusetts, having moved to the US in 2003.
Writing as S. Bavey, she won a gold award from Readers’ Favorite for her grandfather’s biography: Lucky Jack (1894 – 2000), which she wrote during COVID lockdown. She also has a number of non-fiction stories published in various anthologies.
A free prequel to Kookaburras, Cuppas & Kangaroos”, called “A Yorkshire Lass: The Early Years” is available for free download from www.suebavey.com.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Things and the author for the advance eARC in return for an honest review.
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Wednesday 27 March 2024
Date Night Look with Cotton Traders
Dear friends. As Easter approaches, and spring gets into its stride, I've created a good outfit for date night or for any of the seasonal festivities.
In my latest collaboration with Cotton Traders, I've found the perfect lightweight coat for spring and autumn, and a top quality pair of ivory trousers (pants) for all year round.
I'm wearing the wool-look Unlined Coat in Pale Rose (also available in soft sage). It comes in sizes 8 - 24, although sizes 24 and 20 in the pink are currently sold out. It's true to size, and it definitely looks like wool. It feels really soft.
My trousers are Cotton Traders' Textured Jersey Trousers in ivory. They're also available in navy. They're in two lengths, 27 and 29 ins. I'm wearing size 10, 29 ins (I'm 5'4). They need a heel at this length, but I prefer trousers to puddle over shoes, rather than have ankle or shoe showing too much. I would recommend sizing down. The 10 was a little large on me around the waist. Unfortunately they don't come in a size below 10.
Both pieces are very good quality. I like to have several coats in different colours and I keep them for years.
The trousers are very versatile, being white. They're an on-trend wider cut, and I can see myself coming back to them time and time again.
My husband prefers this kind of outfit for a date night to a dress or leather trousers. Like a lot of men he likes a natural look and this outfit is chic and clean, perfect for a restaurant or theatre. The pink boots, top (Kettlewell) and necklace give it visual appeal. My bag, in stone, is from Pom Pom London.
Spring as we're finding can be very cold for the first few weeks. An unlined coat is exactly the right weight for this type of weather.
What's your formula for a "date night" outfit? Do share in the comments. Scroll down below the link-up to find the comments box.
Disclosure: I was gifted with two items of my choice by Cotton Traders in return for an honest review. My editorial opinions are my own, and unedited by brands.
NOW IT'S TIME FOR WOW ON WEDNESDAY
WowOnWednesday is one of the bigger link-ups, and you should see a boost in your traffic from IsThisMutton, a blog with a high domain authority.
Readers can find new blogs to enjoy and bloggers can find new readers. It's a win-win all round, provided you all visit posts that appeal to you, and share the love by leaving a comment or two.
LAST WEEK'S FAVOURITES
What did women wear in the 1930s? From Nicole at High Latitude Style. One of my favourite decades!
Anna from @LookingFabFifty shared on Instagram her white dress bought in Amalfi in 2016
Beauty Favourite: Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Review from Alison at Midlife and Beyond.
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enterTuesday 26 March 2024
10cc at the Royal Albert Hall
Dear friends. It's a sobering thought that when 10cc had their first hit, in 1972, I was 11. Many hits, and different band formations later, and I find myself in London's Royal Albert Hall, looking forward to hearing that amazing back catalogue.
We arrived early as we had a booking at one of the venue's restaurants, Coda by Eric Chavot. A lovely way to start the evening. As we made our way to the 3rd floor, we could hear "Cry" being performed by the group in a warm-up. It made me excited for the concert.
Monday 25 March 2024
Ode to Iris
#StyleNotAge Challenge
Dear friends. The last Monday of the month means it's the Style Not Age challenge, and this time Anna from Anna's Island Style has challenged the collective to deliver an Ode to Iris.
Who else but Iris Apfel, the colourful businesswoman and celebrity who died recently aged 102.
Saturday 23 March 2024
The March Garden
A Year in the Garden, #sixonsaturday
Dear friends. Welcome to March in my "year of a garden." By March the garden is officially waking up and buds are bursting forth.
The picture at the top was taken this week, shortly before we set off for a bike ride. The daffodils and tulips are starting to come out. I like to stagger both of them by planting varieties that flower at different times.
I get very excited when I see the growth starting on favourite perennials like this phlox, I will trim last year's dead wood down.
I always order my spring bulbs from Peter Nyssen in August. It gives me something to look forward to. I used to have purple and yellow bulbs to go with the early flowering forsythia hedge. It's the only time I have yellow in the garden. Bu the hedge is very old, it was there when we moved in (2005) and it's quite woody and doesn't flower much now.
Finally the auriculas have good leaf growth. I bought a plant theatre a few years ago with the idea of growing several types of auricula. However, I read they were very temperamental, and I was afraid it would become an obsession.
As soon as it warms up a bit with a few continuous sunny days, I have a few jobs to do: cleaning the shed and washing its window; sweeping up; the usual weeding; dead heading. Not to mention cleaning and varnishing the garden furniture, which is hidden under the black cover.