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Friday 12 June 2020

BBQ Linen

Hello my lovelies!

It’s cold and it’s rainy here today.
It’s hard to believe that this is June when I look down at the jeans and jumper I’m wearing as I type.  I was wearing less in April!

Let’s look back to a warmer day, to proper summer weather when a cool linen dress is just the thing for a family bbq, they’ve been a lovely weekend tradition since our bubble buddying began. 

So here I am heading off to a bbq on a much drier and warmer day. 


It’s easy to keep cool in this coffee coloured linen dress ... with pockets!
Gotta love a dress with pockets, especially in retirement when I’m reliant on pockets, as my handbag engagement is rare.   And if it’s not cross-body or over the shoulder then it doesn’t happen.  Ever.

At first I used to fret over what to do with my hands without a handbag crutch.  Hands felt like me back in my single days at a function, flitting around the room searching for some kind soul to engage with.
But it’s surprising how quickly you regain your no-handbag “balance “ and find you CAN walk without the crutch.  What is essential is to get in the zone and walk with a sense of purpose and confidence.  Pretty much the same technique I used to walk alone into a room of mingling strangers.
Ditching handbags definitely requires some mental training!

Of course, when you’re working there is lot of daytime stuff to carry around and a bag is necessary.
But many of you working girls have had a taste of retirement life recently eh? In Lockdown, as pretty much in retirement, one doesn’t go out-out and so handbags are totally superfluous as there’s no need for one to carry bits and bobs anywhere.  So handbags are a double whammy no-no for me during this time.

Yes, pockets are the way forward for this retired gal, and the deeper the better.
Phone in one, tissue and lip balm in ‘tother.  Simples.


I packed a printed linen shirt layer for when the sun drops.   But I didn’t need it; even as the sun slipped behind the neighboring house the temperature was still comfortably warm.
Definitely not like today.  I want my summer back!
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My accessories are a sunhat, sunnies and yes, a chunky necklace - I’m wearing jewellery!
Jewellery has come out rarely during Lockdown but this day felt special enough to push the boat out. 
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My “handbag” essential was my mum’s old basket which I used to carry my hostess gifts: freshly baked bread and banana cake, and Prosecco of course.  There’s a limit to what those two pockets can handle!
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Where do you stand on handbags?
Do you love them?
Or do you find them rather superfluous and irritating these days?

A la perchoine, 
Mary x. 



#retirementdressing #over70style 
#over70fashion 
#over60style 
#agelessstyle #whatiwore #linendress #alexonshirt #linen shirt

9 comments:

  1. Love your BBQ outfit. Oh for some warm sunshine again! I had bought a couple of pretty new handbags just before lockdown in anticipation of my imminent holidays. They are now sulking at the back of the wardrobe and probably will not see the light of day for quite some time.

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    1. Well, Jay, they'll feel like totally new bags when you stumble on them again. Bring them out for a staycation on the IoM!
      Hugs, x.

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  2. Love the dress and necklace, very stylish! Well before we retired to a small rural community a designer handbag was my thing! So I have morphed to a very comfortable backpack type handbag when we go out on our coffee trips into town to during lockdown hardly needing a handbag except when going to a supermarket. I bought a £2.50 Primark cross body bag months ago and during lockdown have used it all the time, just room for credit cards and phone (no cash needed these days).Isnt it strange how cash is still in my purse 12 weeks since I drew it from the ATM, normally it would have lasted me a week! Nothing to spend any money on though is there really? I do find as you do Mary now that if out to friends houses (and thats very exciting these days!) I dont use a handbag and feel quite liberated! Hope you have a fab weekendx

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    1. What have you done with your designer handbags?!!
      Yes, there's a feeling of freedom without a bag. I too bought a cheapo at Primark a few years ago and it's perfect for summer supermarket shops and airport travel-through (neither of those happening though!). And I am with you on the cash thing too, I've not touched what a took out a few months ago either.
      Thanks for popping in, Hugs x.

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  3. Hear hear! Change (coins) in my right trouser pocket (or jacket when it's colder) and doggie bags in the left pocket (with my phone and debit card). One of the wonderful 'perks' of retirement; not needing handbags all the time. I love your linen summer dress. Particularly love the shape of it and the necklace is perfect with it. I find myself wearing scarves as jewellery in winter and chunky necklaces in summer. I hope your weather warms up soon!

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    1. Yes, we retired ladies need deep pockets! Glad you approve of the dress, a Bexhill find. Hope you're not needing scarves in Holland right now.
      Hugs, x.

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  4. Love the dress, I love bags and always carry one also love your basket, I have a collection of vintage baskets

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    1. Thanks Polly. It's great to hear from you again! I'd love to see your vintage basket collection, they've got such soul eh. Bags are probably like marmite. Glad you're getting wear out of yours.
      Any grapes yet?
      Hugs, x.

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