Friday 22 August 2014

Blow and glow


The wanderers have returned from South Wales, everyone was delighted to be reunited (that rhymes), and we have the Bank Holiday weekend coming up - excellent!



 
In a last hurrah before the girls came home, Owen and I went out with friends to Bakewell, another of the Peak District's picturesque towns.









It's a lovely place, with plenty of attractive buildings and architectural details to catch your eye...



but the River Wye, with all its water fowl and fish, is the real star of the show.




The five arch bridge over the river was originally built in the 14th Century, though obviously it has required a little reconstruction since then.



 I feel rather autumnal in this outfit. which reflects the weather; there's a definite chill in the air.



 The sequins on my sheer top seem to echo the honesty seed pods, don't you think?

Or am I being fanciful?


1970s homemade maxi dress - Ebay
Sequin top - jumble sale
Shoes, bangles and pendant - charity shopped
Striped bangle - gift from Fiona



Charlie and Willow kept me company in the garden.

The cats line up in an organised row for their meals. They aren't as well behaved at other times.






On the way home from Bakewell, Joanne took us through a car wash. 

Cue singing (of course)...



 and maybe a bit of giggling.

And that, my friends, is how you accommodate Bakewell, cats, and 1970s disco in the same blog post.

Enjoy the weekend! xxx


                                                      

39 comments:

jemma said...

What a gorgeous looking place - have a lovely bank holiday weekend!



Jemma | Jemma In Words

mondoagogo said...

My great aunt always swore the best place to eat fish & chips was inside the car inside the carwash. I've still never done it (I hardly ever get into a car, let alone a carwash), but it's always been on my list...

That dress is nice, such a great shape. And nowt wrong with being fanciful! (although I think you are right, they do)

Anonymous said...

I wonder if your son is a bit disappointed he doesn't have you all to himself anymore. I bet he loved it.
I love seeing photos of your world, and your fanciful dressings. That fabric pattern on your dress is my favorite floral pattern. When I lived in the house before this one I even bought carpet for the stairs in that pattern but larger.
The whole outfit is gorgeous, especially with that striking bangle bracelet!

Veshoevius said...

It's criminal I have not been to the Peak district! I must go!
Love this maxi! Such a wonderful print and yes - in colours very evocative of autumn. Looks great with the sequin bolero. It's been pretty chill down south too :(

Vix said...

I haven't been to Bakewell in years, Dad used to love walking in Dovedale and Mum, me and my brother would spend hours wandering the streets and window shopping the antique shops. I don't remember it being that lovely.
That dress you're wearing is beautiful, what a great fit! love the sparkling, Honesty sequin top, just the thing to ward off the chill.
How come the cats aren't having a hissy fit? Ours have to eat at different ends of the kitchen . You're obviously a better parent, I'm Jeremy Kyle material.
Hope the gang had a great trip!
Love you! xxxxxxxxxx

Virginia at A Sewing Life said...

What perfect golden light from your day at the River Wye. If I'm not very strict with myself, I might start feeling a touch of jealousy for your fine day out. Glorious dress, and your hair keeps looking fabulous.

freckleface said...

You're the master of pulling all those strands together in a blog post. A consummate professional! Wow, you and your new apprentice have been all ovver't'shop! How wonderful! The girls won't want to leave him alone ever again for fear of missing out. Glad they had a fab time in South Wales. It's a few years since I've had a wander around Bakewell, it was part of a camping trip in Derbyshire. But what am I blithering on about? I need to gush over you in that wonderful dress. You look utterly amazing. It fits you like it was made especially for you, gorgeous! Xxxxxx p.s. Didn't know you were a cat whisperer!

Goody said...

My only knowledge of Bakewell is with respect to the pudding-looks like a lovely place.

Yes, there is an autumnal look about your outfit, but still with a bit of summer fun. Maybe the cute sandals poking out have me fooled. I started packing away the very summery clothes, but haven't brought out any of the transitional fall items yet. Somehow a Hawaiian shirt just feels wrong come September (to me anyway).

hippyatheart said...

Bakewewll looks amazing, really worth a visit. Wales must be a wonderful place, love the cozy architecture! Your maxi frock is divine and how cute are your cats!?

diaryofapennypincher said...

Lovely Autumnal colours in your outfit today. Thanks for the Bakewell info, we are using it as a stopover on our way up to Yorkshire very soon!

Patti said...

I know! My cats are quiet and orderly as they eat. Then they unleash hell. (I lurve them). it's wonderful to see what a time you've had with Owen, and your part of the world looks so gorgeous. And so do you. xox

Kezzie said...

Awww, your cats are so cool!!!
oooh, River Wye- envious....
xx

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous print on that dress! Very boho! I wish we had a little chill to the air here, it's been pretty steamy! :)

Angels have Red Hair said...

I think Owen will be sad that his sisters have returned ... he's probably been loving having you all to himself :0)
xx

ArgentGal said...

I think it's a purrfect mashup! That dress is amazing. The colors and the fit are fantastic.

Jazzy Jack said...

I LOVE your photo collages! Definitely similarities between seed pods and sequins. Or I'm fanciful too. Let's be fanciful together:-D
Enjoyed this little trip to see the river Wye.
You are cooling down but we're not warming up yet...hmmm. There is some excess heat hiding somewhere!
Thanks so much for your lovely encouraging comment on my latest post. I do appreciate it! XO JJ

Unknown said...

I had forgot it was a bank holiday :-) It looks a beautiful place and a bit like Shropshire where my folks live. Love the photo of all your cats eating. Have a great weekend, dee xx

Mother of Reinvention said...

How wonderful having so much natural beauty near by. I love your photos and your lovely dress. Autumn is almost upon us. Feeling a nip in the air in the mornings here too. My favourite time of year. Xxxx

Vintage Bird Girl said...

Glorious bridge, birds and frockage! Xx

Sue said...

Another picturesque tour, I am in heaven with all those glorious photos you took. So the one on one time is up, glad you and your lad got out and about. Now the girlies are back home!! Your cats are gorgeous all lined up for their dinner.

Mrs Bertimus said...

Car Wash is one of my all time fave songs and brings back memories of a fab karaoke night from my youth...but that's another story for another day! X

Jayne H said...

How fab for everyone to do nice stuff and then enjoy telling everyone all about their adventures.

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Unknown said...

Very autumnal in deed. And you very much suit all of the autumnal tones. Rejoicing all round! XXX

bonsaimum said...

Great photos. Wish my cats were that orderly.

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

Oooh yes your beautiful jacket's sequins do echo the seed pods and maybe it's not so much fanciful as jolly well fancy. Like Lloyd and Floyd in Car Wash! It's lovely that you and Owen had some precious time together, you and he built some lovely memories together this summer. I love your beautiful garden lady and four pussy cats all in a row - oh so lucky! xoxox

Forest City Fashionista said...

Bakewell is a very pretty little town! I enjoy the reports of your rambles as I get to see parts of England I would otherwise never get to see.

I really like that dress - it fits your curves like a glove! Hope you enjoyed your long weekend!

Suzanne said...

That maxi is wonderful. Especially the colours.

Very pretty photos as well.

bisous
Suzanne

Helga said...

Jaysus that frock is lovely!!! Fanciful, schmanciful, YES it does!
I am gagging with envy over the beauty on your doorstep-it's all so bloody gorgeous!!!
The darling pookies! My Peepers is behaving badly, I think she needs a playmate. And a challenger at the food bowl.
Loving YOU! XXXXXXXXXXX

at my dressingtable said...

Once again Curtise , wonderful pictures ,wonderful dress, what more can I say , have a great bank holiday ! best wishes xxx

Krista said...

Blow and Glow I thought this was about a crazy night of partying :) Talk about picturesque, these are some gorgeous images, it almost looks fake its so dam pretty!
I think your dress is reflective of the change in weather but I still see your toes so not yet are you ready for the change. I can't believe too that you have 4 cats, Cristi has 5 ladies you are crazy! and if you and I lived close by you would have 5 because Ash would be yours! She killed a snake yesterday. A snake!
Lotesoflovexxxxoooooo

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Curtise,

Your dress really does herald Autumn with its bronzed tints and tones. It looks wonderfully well on you and we are pleased to see the addition of some more vibrant colour in the bangles in order to hang on to the last vestiges of summer! Where did August go?

Bakewell is so very pretty and it looks as if you enjoyed wonderful weather there. From what we hear of the UK forecast, the Bank Holiday will be somewhat wet but as you are all reunited there will surely be fun to be had by you all!

Sunny days here still in Budapest.......but no Bank Holiday. Still, the nights are chilly and your sparkly top would be perfect to fend off the cool breeze. Hoping you are having a lovely time!

Fiona said...

Better late than never eh?
Look at those heavenly blue skies...what a contrast to today, it's been pissing down ever since I got up. Bakewell is so picturesque, what a lovely place to spend the day(Did you go in Bloomers for some tarts? I love 'em) The autumnal tones in your frock are perfect with your hair and I'm pleased the bangle is getting so much wear. xxxxx

Señora Allnut said...

fabulous post, you look gorgeous in your pretty printed dress (and such a beautiful print!), love to see some landscapes, picturesque details and who doesn't like some cute cats and disco music?
besos & música

Rachel said...

Some lovely photos of Bakewell Curtise! There are some gorgeous coffee shops I keep meaning to try out xxx

Natalia Lialina said...

Love the gorgeous rich floral pattern of your dress and the name of the plant - Honesty! The sequins echo Honesty very well indeed. :) I'd love to walk the streets of this lovely old town some day, and who knows, maybe you will be by my side! With love xxxxxxx