Help ! - my style went "Slightly Off Kilter"

Usually I know exactly what suits me and can discard much of what I see for sale with a razor sharp eye.

My style is fairly classic but casual too - there are few prints in my wardrobe but quite a bit of tailoring and layering... And above all fairly plain.  However, in the past two weeks I have not had my eye on the proverbial 'style ball' at all it seems and I've lost sight of what I know (or knew) to be my style.... And I went "SOK".....

I purchased these two items : 

Exhibit A :

And Exhibit B :

Now, whilst both on paper (or in the photographs) may look good they really are not "quite me"...  Camouflage pants perhaps may suit some but I felt a bit "pseudo army girl" in them or that I was off to a fancy dress party... 

And the leather boots - far too complicated not my usual style and too much going on.  Fringing, buckles etc.  Absolutely NO!  How could I have got it so wrong twice in quick succession?  

Anyway, I have replaced the above two items with these :

Far better - plain khaki green no fancy patterns

AND these

Here's another angle of the boots :

Neutral and plain - my normal mantra

Phew..... that's more like it!  

Do you ever take your eye off your normal style radar and go completely off piste so to speak? Hope I'm not the only one - at least my mistakes have been remedied fairly fast though and I feel like I'm back in control again.

P.S. - so sorry I have had to put word verification on my posts - I was getting inundated with spam comments - any ideas for an alternative? 

In the spirit of Chelsea Flower Show

Here are a few photographs of my own little garden in the English countryside.  Very small but I love it and even mowed the lawn this evening in honour of the great Chelsea Flower Show.  I haven't been for about 15 years but this year I have a ticket and cannot wait.

Roses just coming up after their winter prune each side of the back door

Love the green of this Japanese maple

Violas in the hanging basket

Again one of the roses - healthy growth but I hope flowers will be good

Love how aquielegas self seed everywhere

Newly mown lawn....

Looking through the back wooden door

The wisteria is very late this year

Bluebells to the right of the front door

Planted this rosemary last week - it's doing well

Hoping to pick up lots of ideas and more inspiration at the greatest flower show in the world this week.

A few more photographs from New York

A quick post showing a few of the many photographs we took in New York. What an amazing city - it has certainly changed since my last visit but that was around 20 odd years ago.

Meanwhile, since my return life's been a bit of a whirlwind. Rushed up to the north of England to see my daughter before her exams and then back home via an evening in London. There I had the pleasure of a wonderful meeting with not only one but two of my favourite bloggers together.  Susan (Deja Pseu) of 'Une Femme d'un certain age' AND Alyson from 'That's Not My Age'.   I know, how completely lucky was I ?  Both fantastic, interesting and gorgeous women. 

And if life couldn't get any better I am off for a day and a night tomorrow to Paris!  Will let you know all about that later on.

Above - Mr NT on The High Line - showing some scarf action

Me in my (NBP) - new best park. Bryant Park

9/11 beautiful tribute park.

Favourite building. The Chrysler.

This was too good for words. A million calories a slice

Gardens at the Frick.

And lastly my NBP. Again. 

Dear New York. I want to return already. 

A post from NEW YORK

Yes, I am here in the Big Apple.

Can't quite believe it and having such a fabulous time enjoying all the familiar landmarks, shopping (a little) and eating (a lot). Mr Neutral Territory and I are having a rendezvous to celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary on Thursday but 'wifi' In our hotel is rather slow and a bit hit and miss so I'll post more with plenty of photos when I return. I promise.

Indigo Antiques - back where I used to work...

I'm always happy to go back and help out at this gorgeous place and the weekend before last they had a Spring Open Day and asked me to work for a couple of days.

Lots of wonderful things to see (and the customers bought loads too so we were busy ringing up the cash tills all day).  Delicious drinks and nibbles were served - probably one of the reasons Indigo Open Days are always well attended.  And here to follow for you to feast your eyes on : lots of  photographs of the gorgeous 'Spring-like' showroom just before we opened the doors : 

www.indigoantiques.com

Clearing Clutter and Sorting Stuff

So sorry I have been absent recently - not a post done since Easter time...  Naughty.

I have had an excuse though as I've been doing the above - Clearing Clutter and Sorting Stuff....  

At the moment this seems to make up the main part of each day.  The cottage here in UK has to be cleared and what is left is going into storage (which = $$$ so the more I clear the less it will cost!)  Some belongings are coming back to Australia with me which makes me happy...  And, I'm even more happy because my daughter is coming back to Australia too.  (Visas willing!)   

My 'sabbatical' here has nearly come to an end (well, beginning of July actually) and the light at the end of the tunnel can be glimpsed for my daughter with the end of her University days in sight.

So true

I was reading a really good article a few years ago about "downsizing" / clearing clutter and I was so impressed with the piece I kept it (yes, more clutter!).  However,  I've  been referring to it rather a lot recently and so much of it makes perfect sense.  I thought I would share some of the points that the author Jo Foley made just in case you are thinking of undertaking anything similar :

• If you decide to downsize / sort your "stuff and clutter" DON'T leave it too late - it needs stamina and do it at least 5 years before you think you need to.
• Allow plenty of time - getting rid of your stuff is a time consuming business.
• DON'T expect to profit from downsizing. People, shops and dealers are not desperate to take or buy your stuff.  People are more and more picky these days.
• Don't fool yourself - it's very unlikely you are harbouring a treasure. Anywhere.
• Start off gently and train yourself to get rid of something every day. Then a bag a week and ultimately a bag a day.
• You may even have to pay people to take things you don't want. Don't worry if they make money from it - it's out of your house and away from your life.
• Look on websites where you can give away things for free - like the special section of gumtree.com.
• Don't be sentimental about clothes and baubles but do be about your children's school reports, photos, your first doll,  your Dad's medals etc. and keep these in ONE treasure chest.
• Ask others for help and advice.
• Throw your home open to nieces, nephews, godchildren etc and invite them to take what they want to set up their homes.

Anyone got any other good tips?

Happy Clearing.....

Why do I have so much of it?

Easter Greetings

Cheep, cheep, cheep!

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter break.
Loved these cute little yellow chicks all squished in together - especially their beady eyes.

And look what arrived on Thursday morning :

  Lovely flowers.- from Mr NT .. I know - v. lucky....

And a beautiful candle too - 

Have a happy time whatever you may be up to..... x