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Saturday 16 March 2019

Dressing for Sombre Occasions




This past week I've been to two sombre occasions ... and no wedding.  The rest of the week has involved some house clearance and a lot of jobs around my house.


 I have such a long list of housey things to do pre-holiday that I hardly find time to read others' blogs right now, let alone comment.  Sorry, fellow bloggers 🙁.   So when I eventually go on holiday next month I've promised myself a HUGE blog catchup fest!



Let's crack on ...


The Outfits


I seem to have only got out off my scruffies for sombre occasions this past week, so my outfits are black based, as I'm a traditionalist.  Are you?


These occasions are one of life's sad inevitables.  Some dress colourfully these days as it is often pre-requested by our loved ones.   If this hasn't been suggested, I willingly dress sombrely.
I don't want to make light of the occasion by talking about outfits here today but I post about my everyday and this is how it has been lately.  And I find it helpful to have a go-to outfit at times like these when my mind is in another place.




Occasion #1


Black Zara frockcoat, which has become my sombre go-to.


Worn with a Madeleine asymmetric cashmere jumper.  And chunky pearls.  I did say I'm a traditionalist eh.




Occasion #2


Madeleine cashmere cardi.


The silk square was the only break in my external outfit's blackness.


Then I had to add a fur muffler as protection against the Storm H winds.


The black jeans, pearls and silk square works well with a grey long-sleeved T for a less serious occasion.

So, sad times indeed.


And brighter times.


To cheer myself up I had fun comparing photos 11 years apart but with same pose and hairstyle.  I make my own fun.



The Bed


The Bed arrived at the beginning of the week.  I have yet to open the push-button under bed storage; I'll share that with you when I post the makeover post.



And the makeover post won't happen until I sort out nightstands for the narrow bedside gaps.  Until then, I'm using a couple of side tables pilfered from the front lounge.




The Candlewax Spillage


So, we had a little accident in that front lounge recently.  A candle pedestal got knocked and spilled hot wax on to the carpet.
Now, this also happened 15 years ago.  Back then I used up a whole Saturday afternoon and two kitchen rolls, sitting on the floor ironing up the wax.

I was rather putting off this latest clean up as a result.   I started mumbling that maybe now was the time to think about putting down a hardwood floor, easier to clean up the spillages.
Then TP said he'd have a go with the steamer.  To be honest I humoured him but really didn't think the steamer would have any impact on the wax.
But it did!  The wax totally disappeared after just a few short minutes running the steamer over the messy mishap.  I was gobsmacked!



Not a trace of candlewax is left!

(Of course, TP should have taken a before shot.  Sorry about that.  I have since put in place some emergency training for him and I hope he'll know what to do next time we deal with a mishap!)


I've sung this little steamer's praises on this blog before but I'm going to shout out its praises this time!  Vax steam cleaner!!!!

It works brilliantly on wooden floors, tiled floors and walls.  It cleans carpets, including little cat carpet mishaps.







If you don't already have one of these babies, then think seriously about getting yourself one.  Now!!




A la perchoine, 
Mary x.

29 comments:

  1. That's a great tip about the wax Mary. Who'd have thought? Your bedroom is coming along very nicely I see. I can't believe how similar our bedrooms are! xx

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    1. I was amazed it worked! Now come on Laurie, I'm desperate for a peek at YOUR bedroom progress!
      Have a fab week, x.

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  2. The bedroom is looking good. I am envious.
    So sorry to hear about your recent sombre occasions. I too am a traditionalist when it comes to such occasions. A couple of years ago we lost a very old and dear friend to cancer and were asked to wear cheerful clothing to his funeral. I did my best, although it was outside my comfort zone, but found that a lot of attendees had elected to wear black or dark outfits. I am sure dear Mark didn't mind though.

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    1. Thanks, JayCee. And so interesting to read of your experiences, especially that some don't feel comfortable with the bright clothing dress code and choose to ignore it. Thanks for sharing this.
      Hugs, x.

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  3. The nice thing about blogging is that we're always here and never go away! I'm sorry you have had such somber occasions to attend lately. I agree with wearing black unless otherwise specified. I've been to some funerals where black is basically banned and others where that's all that was worn. It's good to have options.
    How wonderful that TP was able to get that wax taken care of with a steamer, what a brilliant idea. I am gobsmacked too!
    Have a wonderful week my friend!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. Soooo sweet, my dear friend. And so interesting that you too have experienced that many don't feel comfortable in coloured outfits, and some just do their own thing. Thanks for sharing this.
      And TP is over the moon that he's impressed you!
      Hugs, happy week to you, x.

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  4. Oh dear this year seems to have got a lot of sombre occasions for most people, we have had 2 already, my sister in law has had 4, and there still seems lots of illness around, lets hope things soon improve.

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    1. Oh Polly, you too? I guess we have to accept this new territory we're entering and this event starts to become our new "going out" eh.
      Thanks for popping in, have a nice week.
      Hugs, x.

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  5. Thanks for sharing Mary - love the outfits. Have a super week. Jacqui Mummabstylish

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    1. Thanks Jacqui and you have a good one too.
      Hugs x.

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  6. Hopefully you are coming out of sombre times and can look forward to new awakenings. Love - Jill stylishatsixty x
    www.stylishatsixty.wordpress.com

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    1. Oh yes Jill, I like the idea of new awakenings!
      Wishing you a great week, hugs.

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  7. I tend to dress in darker colors like black or navy if I am not asked otherwise, too. I think it is because traditionally black is the color we wear and because it matches my mood. I hope you have some happier occasions soon!

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    1. Thanks, Laura and yes, so right, mood dressing is what we are drawn to at times like these.
      Happy weekend hugs x.

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  8. I am a traditionalist for the sombre occasions and I'm disconcerted when told to dress brightly because it somehow doesn't feel right to me. Looking forward to seeing the switch-on for the under bed storage! Thanks for popping over to #WowOnWednesday.

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    1. Totally with you on feeling disconcerted in bright colours at funerals.
      I’ve made the mistake of not taking a photo of the storage space before I started filling it!
      Happy weekend hugs x.

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  9. I thought your sombre outfits were both smart and elegant and it's always useful as you say to have one ready to grab and go.

    I love your sunny yellow bedding!

    I have a vax steamer; not the same as yours but mine is very good too and I'll remember that tip about candle wax...

    Have a great week.
    xxxx

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    1. Well that’s the thing, eh, black is instantly elegant.
      Funny thing is my Double Cousin saw the post and sent me a photo of HER bed - exactly the same duvet set!!! Her message was that not only do we end up wearing the same clothes (twice at funerals alone!), makeup and hairstyles, our bed choice is the same too!
      Glad you’re happy with your steamer too.
      Happy weekend hugs, x.

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  10. We have had lots of funerals to go to in the last 6-7 years so I do have some outfits I pull out for those occasions.
    I love that pic comparing yourself 11 years later. Fun!

    Mireille
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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    1. Hi Mireille and welcome!
      It’s a sad fact that we do need to have some stock outfits ready for these occasions and dressing thoughtfully shows respect, IMHO, so mustn’t let the side down eh.
      Wishing you a fabulous weekend, x.

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  11. Those black outfits are a must in all of our lives and yours are tres chic my dear. I love that tip about the wax - always good to have these details for one's own disasters!
    Have a lovely weekend x

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    1. Oh thank you sweetie, I like tres chic! I’m still reeling from the great cleanup job the steamer made of that disaster!
      Have a fabulous weekend, x.

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  12. So sorry about your somber occasions. I, too, err on the side of dark colors. Your bedroom really looks like it's coming along, it always feels so good to get things freshened up. And, Yay! on the candle wax, I wouldn't have thought about a steamer, either.

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    1. Hi Kim, interestingly it seems from the comments that most of is feel more comfortable in black at funerals. I’ve told TP I want a good turn out of black at mine!
      Kim, it’s great to look at homes with fresh eyes eh. I’m feeling so pleased with my little surge around the house. Tired, but pleased!
      Have a fabulous weekend, x.

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  13. hmm. Didn't know that about cleaning wax. Yea! on your new bed! I bet you are excited! I could use a new duvet, the pups have made it a bit less attractive than it once was! Anyhow, I am a traditionalist when it comes to wearing black to these occasions, like you said unless mentioned. You look lovely in black and I love the silver, the scarf.. great neutrals on you.
    thanks for linking!
    jess xx
    www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

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    1. Go on, Jess, treat yourself to a new duvet. I put a blanket over the top to protect mine from Bertie the cat.
      Thanks for your sweet words, hope you have a super sunny Saturday, x.

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  14. Hi Jess, so pleased with the new bed and the storage well underneath is practically full now with the out of season stuff! I guess we don’t realise how much we need a new bedding until we get it, but remember to put a pup-protection throw over your new pretty duvet!
    Have a fabulous weekend, x.

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