Hello everyone , hope all is well in your corner of the world.
Last weekend I celebrated my sixty ninth birthday and a rather busy weekend it was too. On Saturday we drove to the town of Sheffield for the annual MG Car Club concourse . While John was busy judging cars I took myself off to explore with the intention of photographing the many murals that Sheffield is famous for. In reality this is the only photograph I managed as I ran into an old friend and over coffee we chatted the morning away until it was time for the special high tea that was organised by local car club ladies.
At least I did manage a car appropriate mural , showing an MGA.
On Sunday morning we headed out to the pretty town of Longford for their annual Longford Blooms , showing many private gardens. As a keen gardener I always enjoy looking at other gardens and getting ideas for my own.
Black and white is always a favourite of mine and it was finally warm enough to wear these oversize polka dot Alembika pants and black and white Vivienne Westwood cardigan ( a recycle find a few years back).
The gardens are varied from this formal garden in a heritage property to pretty cottage gardens.
There are also many stalls selling all manner of garden related products and several specialised plant nurseries. I came away with two more oriental poppies to add to my collection.
I was rather taken with this pretty cottage garden that belongs to a local artist.
I am trying to convince John to build a structure just like this one near the cottage (garden shed) , wish me luck.
A close up of the buttons that make the cardigan special ( the orb is a Westwood trademark I believe). The rubber necklace was a gift from a Brisbane friend and is made by Mika also in Brisbane, Dior sunnies and daisy earrings recycle finds.
After spending the morning enjoying the Longford gardens we travelled down to Hobart to stay for one night at the Tasman , a new rather luxurious hotel . We headed out to Maldini , one of our favourite Hobart restaurants for a birthday dinner.
The evening was on the cool side so I wore a black Paule Ka knit and a cropped leather jacket with my Bread and Butter tulle skirt.
I have to admit I saw the skirt worn by Valerie , (Idiosyncratic Fashionistas) on Instagram and loved it but as Valerie is in New York I didn’t expect to ever find it in Australia. You can imagine my excitement when Tiffany Treloar in Melbourne posted the same skirt and in my size .
The skirt is a Renaissance print on three layers of tulle . Unfortunately it didn’t show well , hence my later close up.
On another note it is also the blogs 9th. anniversary . A big thank you to all my followers, I treasure our connection.
Joining Gail at Is This Mutton and Nancy for Fancy Friday.
Happy birthday! The gardens you visited look amazing and that skirt is stunning! What a wonderful getaway.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
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Thank you so much Katherine, the gardens were all rather lovely. I am so pleased with the skirt.
Happy belated birthday to you! Sounds like a perfect way to celebrate it. I think your rubber necklace is gorgeous. But that tie skirt is devine, wow, what a treasure!
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Many thanks for the birthday wishes Nancy. I was a bit spoilt . The rubber necklace was a gift from my friend Elizabeth when she stayed with me last year, I just love it.I agree the skirt is divine.
Here’s wishing you a very Happy Birthday and some lovely pix here of gardens. I love looking at other people’s gardens. And OMG that Bread and Butter tulle skirt is just amazing. I know I say that sort of thing quite often about your skirts but that one is just THE most beautiful skirt I’ve ever seen – stunning. Off now to look that brand up!!!
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Thank you so much Penny for the birthday wishes.
That’s exactly what I said when I first saw the Bread and Butter skirt on Instagram , love at first sight.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jill, and congratulations on the 9th anniversary of your blog. And this post is no exception. I love it. David and I visited Sheffield a few years ago, such an interesting place with all the murals. I also love the artist’s garden, very creative, and your own beautiful, creative garden. I’m sure John can create something stunning for your cottage.
That tulle Tiffany skirt is STUNNING! You look gorgeous, hope you had a wonderful time in Hobart. Thank you for a wonderful post.
Elizabeth. xx
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Thank you so much Elizabeth for my birthday wishes . Glad you also enjoyed the blog’s 9th. anniversary post.
The murals at Sheffield are quite an attraction . I did enjoy the gardens and will continue to try convince John.
We did enjoy our mini break in Hobart.
Happy Birthday, Jill! As I had no idea of your age, I actually said, “Get out!” – you have good genes! 🙂
What a lovely way to spend the day – the mural is awesome trompe l’oeil, and the gardens are gorgeous.
I’m swooning over your Vivienne Westwood blazer/cardigan – I have an older grey wool blazer by her and it has the same “Holy Hand Grenade” (my ode to Monty Python) image on the buttons and woven into the lining. That skirt reminds me of the gown that bursts into flames in one of the “Hunger Games” movies – it’s stunning!
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Thank you so much Sheila for the birthday wishes.It was a most enjoyable weekend and I was spoilt.
The cardigan was one of those lucky finds and I do love its buttons. Now you mention it the skirt does look a bit like the one in Hunger Games.
A belated happy birthday, Jill, and congratulations on your 9th blog anniversary!
Love the mural and that pretty cottage garden!
The Vivienne Westwood cardigan is fabulous – and how wonderful that it was a recycle find! – and the Bread and Butter tulle skirt is an absolute stunner! xxx
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Thank you so much for the birthday wishes Ann . The mural was most appropriate for the weekend. The cottage garden was pretty with lots of quirky touches. The cardigan is still one of my best ever recycle finds.I am thrilled with the tulle skirt and am looking forward to more styling options.xx
How exciting to find that skirt! And to have an iconic VW cardigan with the orb buttons! Sounds like you had a lovely birthday. Every birthday is special is my mantra! Thanks for linking
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Thank you so much Gail , I was so excited when I found the skirt after admiring it on Valerie. I found the VW cardigan a while ago now for not much money and it is one of my best ever recycle buys.
I totally agree with your birthday mantra . Always my pleasure to join your link up.
Happy Birthday to you! I absolutely love the pretty cottage garden you visited, just the kind of gardening I like, chaotic and cluttered (just like my wardrobe!)
Love that mural and your spotty outfit. I have to admit that I’ve never been a fan of those net skirts but yours is stunning, I could be a convert! xxx
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Thank you so much Vix for your birthday wishes. It is my sort of cottage garden too , lots of interesting touches and not too neat and tidy.
All the murals are so cleverly done and this one is no exception.
I’m late to the tulle party and really fell for this arty one. xx
I AM SO LATE!!!
HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO YOU!
I KNOW IT WILL BE A GOOD YEAR FOR YOU!
XXX
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Thank you so very much Elizaeth for your kind wishes. I also have a feeling it will be a good year but with some changes not sure quite what just yet.