Hello , back again after a self imposed break to catch up on things at home and to re-assess how I feel about continuing the blog. I often find a short break gives some clarity and this time was no exception.
The break gave me time to look at why I started the blog over seven years ago . I started as a challenge to my technically challenged self as I turned 60 and if I’m honest to prove to my sons that I could.
My intention was to never be a money making blog ( just as well) or influence others but to connect with other women around the globe. It is this connection that I have missed over the last month and as a lover of fashion also seeing what my Northern Hemisphere friends are wearing going into Summer.
So the decision is made I will continue the blog and promise to be more consistent with both posting and connecting with my fellow bloggers.
What have I been up to over the last month , working 2-3 days a week , spending time in the garden as weather permits , re-organising a couple of rooms , a seasonal wardrobe reshuffle and a day trip to Hobart a couple of weeks ago.
John and I had a very enjoyable day catching up with our son Zac for lunch at our favourite Italian restaurant and a play with little Harry later in the afternoon. I also did a bit of research on Hobart’s street art for a visit with my friend, Elizabeth from Brisbane, in June. We found a lane way with some excellent street art so of course a photo was in order.
One of my projects has been converting my late daughter’s room in to a guest room. My daughter India died of a brain tumour in 2001 and up until last year her room remained as she left it. We didn’t need the space and it was just too painful to undertake the packing up of her treasures. The first step was taken last year packing away those treasures in boxes ( the sorting is still to happen) and placing them in the attic. Not wanting to spend much money and as it was still in good order the floral sprigged Laura Ashley wallpaper stayed .
I decided to decorate with items I already had , in this case a variety of hat boxes . I have also made use of a stand to have my seasonal hats on show. I will admit to being inspired by Judith , The Style Crone, who has the most amazing hat room , with way more glorious hats than I could ever dream of.
Winter has well and truly arrived here with a series of frosty mornings and clear, sunny days followed by milder grey days. I am not a great fan of cold weather but I do love Winter dressing , layers , warm jackets and coats, gloves, scarves and hats . I discovered this mustard coloured vintage wool jacket at Red Fox Vintage last Summer and fell in love at first sight , both for the colour and the embellishments.
The jacket looks as good coming as going with its ruffle trim.
I paired the jacket with my old favourite black Moyuru skirt , black suede boots, leopard gloves, Preen sunnies and a vintage hat.
Joining Gail at Is This Mutton , Jacqui for Mummabystylish and Nancy for Fashion Friday Link Up.
Lovely photos as always Jill (and John). A big step in clearing India’s room and I am sure it will make a lovely guest room.
Keep going with you blog-I have missed it.
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Thank you so much Cheryl , I have passed your compliment re the photos on to John.
It was a big step clearing India’s room , one we were finally ready to take, but I am pleased with the result and know it will be a lovely guest room , hope the guests don’t mind the hats.
Glad you enjoy the blog Cheryl , hope all is well with you and Tony, we really must catch up sometime.
I had a 2 week break because of my holiday. I blog for the same reasons as you, and when I started again to write last Monday it felt like a warm bath. I hope it will for you too. Can’t imagine how painfull it must feel too clear out India’s room. I wanted to write more about you clearing that room, but it doesn’t feel at place. So I leave it at that…… enjoy your day Jill.
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I love that Nancy , yes it did feel comforting like a warm bath , being back blogging again. I think many of us blog for the connections we make with like minded friends around the globe.
Thank you for your kind words my friend. xx
I’m so glad you are going to continue with your blog. I absolutely love it, as I’m also a fan of dressing up to the nines. I’m 69 live in rural Victoria, 40 minutes drive north-west of Ballarat. We lived in Melbourne for the last 50 years, moved to the bush when Covid hit. We bought our house because it had an acre of established gardens, huge deciduous trees, a creek with an old stone bridge and we are surrounded by angus cattle, sheep and rolling hills. It is total bliss as both my husband and I are avid gardeners. I make all my clothes, have done since I was 12, so I’m pretty good at it now! I can copy anything that takes my fancy. I love your style, you are great inspiration. I have even planted lots of Russell Lupins because of you. Long live all those who refuse to dress ordinary, always be bold and stand out from the drab.
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Thank you so much Marlene , I am so pleased you enjoy the blog . It is wonderful to connect with a fellow Aussie who also enjoys dressing up to the nines. Moving to rural Victoria after so many years must have been quite a challenge but it certainly sounds like you have settled into your little piece of paradise. It would be so much fun having an acre of established gardens to make your own. Enjoy those Russell Lupins, they will multiply everywhere. Couldn’t agree more – stand out from the drab. xx
I’m glad to hear that you’re going to continue with the blog, Jill!
I love your mustard jacket with the frill / trim all along the bottom. It certainly is unique!
Hugs
Suzy xx
P.S I’m so sorry to read about your late daughter, I can imagine it must be very difficult to convert her room into a guest room.
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Thank you so much Suzy , I have missed the blog and my fellow bloggers. I am thrilled with the mustard jacket , the details and colour called my name. xxx
Lovely mustard jacket! I am glad you are back as I always enjoy reading your posts! The guest room is coming along and it makes sense to decorate it with hats and hat boxes: your collection is really impressive and part of who you are.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
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Thank you so much Mirielle , I am rather delighted with the mustard jacket , it is a beautiful addition to my wardrobe. I am pleased with my revamped guest room and the hats and their boxes have worked out well.
I’m glad to hear you’ve decided to continue blogging, Jill. My blog was started 5 years ago and while its origins are different than yours, I too never intended to make money, or influence, or whatever. I am happy to have found some kindred spirits from all over the globe, and they are the reason I keep blogging in the first place.
I am not a fan of cold weather either, but I love having distinctly different seasons. Apart from everything else, it gives us the opportunity to have seasonal wardrobes!
Your outfit is stunning and quirky as usual. You’ve got such a unique style!
The hat display in your newly created guestroom is fantastic. Kudos for packing up your late daughter’s things. I can’t begin to imagine how painful this must have been. Sending loads of hugs xxx
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Thank you so much Ann , it is the connections with kindred spirits that I too value. Fortunately our Winter weather is cool but never really bitterly cold . I am the same and enjoy dressing for the changing seasons. I was rather thrilled to find this recycle jacket , both the colour and the details called my name.
I am pleased with the guestroom , I know India would love my hats. xxx
I’m delighted that you’re continuing with your blog, Jill. I often get overwhelmed by it when I’ve had a break and panic when I fall behind with comments and replying to those left on mine but I have having a little corner on the internet where I can share my life and meet like-minded people.
I do admire you for clearing India’s room. It’s a beautiful space and her presence will still be there even if her possessions are no longer on display. How lovely that you can use it to store your hats. Rummaging through your marvellous collection must put a huge smile on your face.
A glorious outfit from the incredible mustard jacket to your trademark quirky shoes.
I thought about you and your John yesterday. We were at Dudmaston Hall and the local MG group had a drive out, there were some gorgeous motors! xxx
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Thank you so much Vix , I am pleased I took the break it gave me time to re-assess my reasons for blogging and they are much the same as yours, connecting with like minded people.
As hard as it was clearing India’s room I am pleased it is done and I now have both a spare room and a hat room in one.
The mustard jacket was one of those lucky finds and I just love it , I have now been contacted by its original owner.
I can just imagine a line up of MGs at Dudmaston Hall , they enjoy a day out. xx
WE HAVE SOME OF THE SAME BOOKS AND BOXES!
HA!
SOUNDS LIKE YOU DID A LOT WITH YOUR TIME OFF!
GOOD FOR YOU! I THINK MORE OF US SHOULD TAKE TIME OFF AS IT DOES GOOD TO RE-CHARGE AND NOT BE MARRIED TO THE COMPUTER!I AM off to the POST OFFICE to see if my dress from AUSTRALIA has ARRIVED!The company has the name INDIA in it!!!
XXX
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Oh , I am keen to see you in your new dress from Australia , not sure I know that company .
Not at all surprised that we share some of the same books and boxes , our interests cross over in many things.
I think it did me good to take time away from the blog and yes I did achieve quite a lot in the house and garden but it is good to be back. xxx
I am so glad that you continue blogging, dear Jill! You are one of my most favorite bloggers and inspiring women out there – and to many of us you ARE influential. I blog sparingly in the last year or two, and after a break it’s always hard to get back into writing and commenting, but I don’t plan to stop – I love sharing with you, my blogging friends!
You gave India’s room a new chapter of life, and that’s wonderful, however uneasy it must’ve been… I love your hat display, and your collection is marvelous! Judith is such an inspiration to us all.
Your golden mustardy jacket is an amazing find, and you look so beautiful in your unique gorgeous style!
Lots of love!
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Dear Natalia , how lovely it is to hear from you again. After my little break I am pleased to be back blogging again and reconnecting with my blogging friends. I have missed your blog and your wonderful writing but I know you have been busy with your Russian language programmes.
As difficult as it was doing India’s room I am pleased it is now a guest room/ hat room – I think India would approve.
I am delighted with the mustard jacket . Love to you too. xxx