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.