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Friday 4 May 2018

My Six Steps to A Lunch Outfit


Yesterday was a good day.  Nay, scrub that,  it was an especially exciting day. 
A birthday lunch/catch up with a friend.  One of those truly lovely days. 

 The morning started jitteringly, however.


But by lunchtime I'd met up with my friend J wearing this ensemble and carrying this gift bag.

Here's how I jittered to get to that outfit.


It started with this.  A navy jacket with jeans.  Ivory blouse.  Pearl jewellery.  All seemingly fine.  But no,   The Photographer didn't like it.


Despite dressing it up with a scarf, he still didn't like it. After interrogation  enquiry I discovered the reason was that I apparently looked "like I was wearing my dad's jacket".  And perhaps TP is right.  It's a suit jacket from my working days and perhaps its masculine line is softened by wearing the matching pencil skirt.

So back to the drawing board, or in this case the wardrobe.


I swapped the jacket for a cardi and instantly the mood was lighter.  Lifted.  TP smiled again and all was well.


The scarf is a pretty silk whisp of butterflies and I love the colours.  Each time I wear it, I'm so thankful I bought it even though it was a bit pricey, a bit over my pensioner's scarf budget.  There is something very special about the drape of a silk scarf eh?


I slipped on a white t shirt and thought I could perhaps get away with the jacket if I tied the scarf differently.  I couldn't.


I then tried the scarf as a belt as the jeans felt loose and hangy.  "What ARE you doing?" TP demanded enquired.
Me: "I'm using the scarf as a belt, it's what I did in the 60s."
"You were a different shape back then" was TP's response.  
Well, I couldn't argue with that so I went hunting for a real belt which turned out to be quite fortuitous, as it happens.



I delved in a drawer I rarely frequent and found a belt.  But there next to the belt was a little bag containing pretty aqua necklace and earrings. They've been AWOL for a few years.  
Ex-ci-ting!  And the set went absolutely perfectly with the cardi and scarf.  And the gift bag* matched the cardi too! And that made me happy.  And happy is what I call a good day.
(Plethora of "And"s in one paragraph - done.)


All bagged up and wearing an outfit  approved by The Photographer With Fashion Views, off I went to lunch.
Lunching in an outfit that went from dad dressing to fresh aqua hues in just a few easy steps.

Is this how your outfits come together too?
I know some put outfit hangers together days in advance.  Me, I'm more your organic dresser.  Your flat pack dresser - sometimes a screw might go AWOL for minutes (or much longer in the case of our Strandmon chair's washer and today's necklace!) but as in my example here, I eventually get there.

*Now, here's the thing.  I recycled the gift bag that my friend had given me last year HERE.  



So we've agreed to bounce this pretty birthday bag back and forth for the foreseeable.  Well, at our age we've got to make up our own fun.  Do you do this sort of thing?  With gift bags?  With hostess wine?  With Christmas cards?  Something else?

And do you remember the scarf-belt, ladies?  As worn back in the 60s and early 70s?  Or am I showing my age, again?


A la perchoine.



And by popular demand (Susan H), here are the food shots from our lunch.  I didn't post them because the focus isn't too good.


My half=eaten blurred prawn cocktail starter.


My friend's poached salmon with fennel and nutmeg.


My chicken jalfrezi.

Bon Appetit!


28 comments:

  1. We must be a similar age because I do remember (and wore) the scarf belt. My waist, along with the rest of me, has expanded since then and I don't think I have a long enough scarf these days. Love the aqua colour on you and the bag idea is wonderful. Such fun!

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    1. Oh so funny, Pieta! I'm twice the girl I was back then.
      Thanks so much for your nice words. Hope Oz is cooler for you now; our temps are cranking up to what you probably describe as winter -just wait till you get to Scotland! Hugs, my lovely, x

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  2. Amazing in this bedazzling aqua! So I know abouts your age but Mary, you look in your forties! So chic with your hair up and that sweet lock hanging down! Stunning, just stunning!

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    1. Now, really, Mrs Nine ... 40s? You are just too sweet for words and your flattering remarks have floored me! Thanks from the bottom of my heart, hugs my pretty young slip of a girl, x

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  3. Love your scarf! Very bright and cheery! Yes my hubby is the same way when I get dressed and ask for his opinion. So lesson learned find girl friends to chat outfits with! Lol 😂 But some days feel like it's a lot of work to figure out what to wear and how to wear it. We all have pieces we think will work together only to find out it's a dud! Sigh... Oh well, such is the life of loving fashion yeah? Happy Friday!

    Maureen | www.littlemisscasual.com

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    1. Thanks so much, sweet Maureen. Luckily we have our virtual girlfriends to talk outfits with too, eh?! Happy weekend to you, x.

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  4. Oh that TP! He is right! I love the end result and how fun to actually match the gift bag for your friend! I do like the scarf tied as a belt though, I think that is a fun look. I don't own a silk scarf but I'll be it feel very luxurious. I re-use gift bags all the time, have a trunk full of them because I hate wasting them.
    Hoping you and the fashion conscious TP have a marvelous weekend! Just so you know your buddy Brian over here has NO opinions when it comes to fashion. He's color blind, grew up with no sisters, and a mom who dressed frumpy. Completely the opposite of how I grew up, ha!!!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. Oh that TP, alrkght, he seems bang-on with his views. Reading Brian's background, TP had just the one brother but his mother was a smart lady and made a lot of her own clothes (we did that, BITD). Although I think he and I may see colours differently, so 1 out of 3 ain't bad!
      But my dear Kellyann, you NEED a silk scarf. You need to feel one, see how it hangs so beautifully, and see what it does to an outfit. See what it does to YOU! And they are keepers for life. I splurge on average every 10-20 years! Mine aren't "names" they're just darned good.
      Wishing you happy weekend hugs, x.

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  5. Mary, TP was so right. When I first saw the jacket, I thought it was fine, but when I read his opinion, I had to agree! And OH MY! COLOR! I hope you are beginning to realize that you look beautiful in color. The sweater and scarf look dreamy! The cardi! The scarf! So pretty. I hate to say it, but after seeing these photos, I would never wear that jacket again. ;-) I think you have trained TP to be a very good TPWFV. Perhaps a bit blunt, but right on the money. I still remember an outfit from the 70's with the scarf around the waist...with bell bottom jeans, of course. And yes, you know I have to try, try try before I get to the The Outfit. Hope your lunch was wonderful! Pictures?

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    1. I'm starting to think TP is ALWAYA right when it comes to fashion, Susan, who would have thought?!
      The jacket is really nice in IRL but I'm starting to think that it's one that should have stayed in the boardroom!
      And for you, sweetie, I've just added the food shots.
      Enjoy.
      Happy weekend hugs to you, xo.

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  6. Another hysterical post! No matter how this outfit came about, it sure turned out cute! Love the spring colors!

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    1. Oh how I do love getting you giggling! Yes, Amy, there is something about spring and its colours that makes me whole again.
      Happy weekend hugs to you, x.

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  7. Food looks delicious, even if it is fuzzy.:-) Have no idea what the chicken is, but it look good. I learn so many new things from bloggers!

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    1. Susan, it's so good! Jalfrezi is an Indian dish and it's my favourite style of curry,just the right heat. Something for you to try on you London trip, maybe? They can be a little hot for some. Enjoy!

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  8. After all that hard work, you deserved an amazing lunch!

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    1. Thanks, Michele, so pleased my hard work is recognised!! Wishing you a fabulous week, hugs x.

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  9. Just discovered you. Love the outfit you finished with. I remember wearing scarves as belts as well. Actually tried to do it again recently, but like you realized the figure isn’t quite the same as it was back then.

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    1. So pleased you found me, Sinda (what a glorious name!). Oh so funny that you've also tried to bring the scarf belt back into your life, the only difference is that I had to TOLD it wasn't a good look on me any longer! Hope you pop in again soon, hugs x.

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  10. That color is just beautiful on you sweet Mary! And the scarf and jewels are perfect. Don't tell TP, I even liked it a belt.😉I think passing the same gift bag back and forth is a stellar idea! Happy Sunday! XO

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    1. So sweet of you, lovely Lisa. The scarf thing will be our little,secret 😉. Finding the perfect necklace hidden away was the glace on the gateau!
      Go forth and have an amazing week, hugs x.

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  11. I love the cardigan you swapped out for! It's a beautiful color and looks fabulous on you! The scarf and necklace are perfect with it!

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    1. Thanks Laura and I'm so glad you appreciated the scarf and necklace additions, the colours worked perfectly together. Hugs, my lovely, x

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  12. The aqua colour suits you and you look very nice in all the photos, Mary.
    On Sundays evening if I have enough time, I think about my week's outfits and carefully hang the combinations in the wardrobe. But , for some unknown reason, during the week I hardly wear the clothings as I had planned ...

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    1. Thanks, Dan. I was so impressed to read of your weekly outfit planning ritual, then fell about laughing when you finished with your comment about hardly ever wearing the pre-prepared OOTDs! Hugs, my friend, x.

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  13. I agree with Tp Mary. Have you lost weight since wearing the jacket last? The mint really suits you and it matched the gift bag! I do remember scarves as belts and still very on trend in my eyes. Fab look in the end!
    Laurie xx

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    1. Yes, you and TP are right and I have a shorter, more fitted navy suit jacket that would have worked much better. Thanks for liking the colour, it's an uplifting shade. I do like scarves worn other ways so I'm prepping a piece on that. Funny how one post spawns another eh. Hugs my holidaying honey, x !

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  14. Well I'm glad all is well in TP fashion world and he was happy. I think he guided you well on this occasion. So what are going to do with the jacket? Is it chuck or keep. You could try belting it. I do like the softer look you went for and a big yes to finding lost items.

    https://www.muttonstyle.com

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    1. Thanks AM, and TP is gloating, another success! I like the belted idea because I really don't want to say bye to the jacket, the fabric is that fine new wool and it's well made. Watch this space!?
      Happy weekend hugs, x

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