So, we have reached May Day already! Today’s post is a kind of catchup with all of the scarves I have been wearing lately.
Here they are…
From the top left: Sous le Charme d’Orphée detail 45cm, A Feminist at Heart 90cm, Au Royaume d’Helios 70cm, Au Pays des Oiseaux Fleurs 90cm and two different ties of Etriers Remix bandana. All are by Hermès apart from A Feminist at Heart which is by Karine Assaf.
Here are larger images of the scarves. Apologies for the poor quality photo of Au Pays des Oiseaux Fleurs.
Sous le Charme d’Orphée Detail by HermèsA Feminist at Heart by Karine AssafAu Royaume d’Helios by HermèsAu Pays des Oiseaux Fleurs by Hermès (90cm)Etriers Remix bandana by Hermès
On my daily walks I love looking at all the beautiful flowers in my neighbours’ gardens. The daffodils are now over, but other firm favourites of mine are bluebells. There are loads of the blue and the white varieties around here and we even have some pink ones in our new garden! Anyway, I decided to wear my cute bluebell earrings, which were a Mother’s Day gift from Younger Son, on many days…
Some of you may have noticed that I have been able to get my hair cut at last! My lovely hairdresser came to our home, which was great. I feel a lot more like myself again. In addition, I am very pleased to be able to write here that I have been going for walks every day since I last posted on the subject of exercise. I can now manage to walk quite quickly around our neighbourhood for around 20 minutes in the late morning/ early afternoon. As the weather warms up I may not be able to continue walking regularly because heat affects my lung condition very badly, so I will have to think about how I might take some exercise.
This is my weekly post where I write about the books that I have been reading. Last week I hadn’t quite finished my book, but now I have… and what a book it was!
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrew’s
The book was This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews, #01 Maggie the Undying series.
This is the blurb…
“When Maggie wakes up cold, filthy, and naked in a gutter, it doesn’t take her long to recognize Kair Toren, a city she knows intimately from the pages of the famously unfinished dark fantasy series she’s been obsessively reading and re-reading while waiting years for the final novel.
Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic, and mayhem? Her encyclopedic knowledge of the plot, the setting, and the characters’ ambitions and fates. But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed (though many will try!), the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she’s coming to love—a motley band that includes a former lady’s maid, a deadly assassin, various outrageous magical creatures, and a dangerously appealing soldier. Soon, instead of trying to get home, she finds herself enmeshed in the schemes—and attentions—of dueling princes, dukes, and villains, all while trying to save them and the kingdom of Rellas from the way she knows their stories will end: in a cataclysmic war.”
I chose this completely at random and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the book. Here is my response on Goodreads…
Wow, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the sequel! I hope that it isn’t too long a wait. OK, the idea of a modern day character being transported into another world is definitely not a new idea, but waking up in the world of a favourite book? Now, that is a new one for me.
I found the plot a real rollercoaster with some terrific turns and surprises, the setting was interesting and the main characters were well drawn and intriguing. I am definitely going to look at other work by this husband and wife writing team whilst I wait for the sequel to this great book!
I also finished another book during the week, but I’m going to write about it in next week’s Reading Roundup because it is part one of a trilogy and I may finish all three by next Wednesday!
Welcome to my blog where I share my adoration of beautiful scarves and my love of reading. Today I have a reveal for you…
Ooh! The orange box again in it’s cute outer cover!
OK, I’m teasing you with another photo of the box and it’s bolduc ribbon.
Now we can peek inside. What’s this? A green bandana?
Now we can see a quarter of the scarf and the green colour appears to shade from darker to lighter. Intriguing!
So, this scarf has two colours, shading between blue and green! I love this 💙💚💙💚.
Let’s see an image of the whole scarf…
Etriers Remix bandana designed by Françoise de La Perrière for Hermès
Yes, here is the Etriers Remix bandana designed by Françoise de La Perrière for Hermès. It is 55cm with the colours Bleu/Blanc/Vert and the purchase code is HO44351S 07. The scarf is also available in another colourway: Rose Bonbon/Blanc/Orange.
These are the images from the Hermès website…
I waited until I had a haircut to take modelling photos. Here is one…
Outfit of the day 22/04/26 with Etriers Remix bandana
I think it worked nicely with this turquoise top from Lands’ End, navy cord trousers and blue topaz earrings from Blue Nile. If I had been going out, I would have carried my gorgeous Massaccesi handbag in jade.
These are the earrings and the handbag…
Blue topaz earrings by Blue NileHera handbag by Massaccesi
Finally, I have added the Hermès images of the other colourway…
Etriers Remix bandana by Hermès, colourway Rose Bonbon/Blanc/Orange
I think that is everything for now. To be honest, I am not sure about writing a Scarf of the Moment post for this design as it is an Hermès classic and has been used very many times. I think it would be too taxing for me to work all the versions into a blog post. What do you think? Ideas are very welcome!
Well, this week’s post is very short: I haven’t actually finished my current book in time to write about it! I will probably reach the end either tomorrow or on Friday. So all I can say is…
Hello and welcome to my blog! This week I have really enjoyed my daily walks around my local area. The houses here are a mix of bungalows and large detached homes, built over the decades from around the 1950s onwards. Each house is different but most have lovely front gardens with a riot of Spring flowers. The daffodils are now over and tulips and gorgeous blossom have come to the fore. It is so lovely and uplifting to walk past.
Although I can only manage to walk for about 20 minutes each day, I do walk quite quickly and am beginning to really feel the benefits of taking this exercise in the fresh air. There is very little traffic here so I can keep well away from exhaust fumes.
Each day I try to wear something colourful for my walk, often with a scarf, and also put on earrings and other jewellery. This also helps to lift my mood. OK, I still need to arrange an appointment with my hairdresser, but I will try to do that soon!
Here are the two beautiful scarves that I have worn this week…
Les Secrets de Minos by HermèsCloud Forest Silk Scarf by Clarissa Hulse
The two scarves are Le Secrets de Minos by Hermès and Cloud Forest Silk Scarf by Clarissa Hulse. Here are larger images of the scarves…
Les Secrets de Minos by Hermès Cloud Forest Silk Scarf by Clarissa Hulse
The link to my Scarf of the Moment post about Les Secrets de Minos can be found here and there is more information about the pretty Clarissa Hulse scarf here.
I have an extensive earring collection and just worked out that it is 50 years since I had my ears pierced! Anyway, these are the earrings in the two images above. The left hand pair are by Skagen and the ones on the right are by Blue Nile…
Sofie Sea Glass Blue Organic-Shaped Stud Earrings by SkagenBlue topaz earrings by Blue Nile
This week’s post covers the two book series that I have read since my last Reading Roundup…
Saga of the Light Isles by Juliet Marillier
The first book in the series is Wolfskin. This is the blurb…
“All young Eyvind ever wanted was to become a great Viking warrior–a Wolfskin–and perform honorable deeds out in the name of his War fathergod, Thor. He can think of no future more glorious. And the chance to make it happen is his when his older brother Ulf is brought the tale of a magical land across the sea, a place where men with courage could go to conquer a land and bring glory to themselves. They set out to find this fabled land and discover a windswept and barren place, but one filled with unexpected beauty and hidden treasures… and a people who are willing to share their bounty.
Ulf’s new settlement begins in harmony with the natives of the isles led by the gentle king Engus. And Eyvind finds a treasure of his own in the young Nessa, niece of the king, seer, and princess. His life will change forever as she claims his heart for her own.
But someone has come along to this new land who is not what he seems. Eyvind’s heartfriend, Somerled, the strange and lonely boy Eyvind befriended so long ago has a secret–and his own plans for the future. The blood oath that they swore in childhood binds them in lifelong loyalty, and Somerled is calling in the debt of honor. What he asks might just doom Evyind to kill the only thing that he has ever truly loved.
Will the price of honor create the destruction of all that Eyvind holds dear?”
This is such a beautifully written tale of a young man’s journey to adulthood and the development of his character. Set in a fantasy version of Viking Norway and Orkney with magical elements, the clashing of cultures is deftly handled.
I found the book absorbing and interesting, having visited Orkney many years ago during my time as a student of archaeology (we worked on a Viking settlement).
On finishing Wolfskin, I went straight on to the sequel, Foxmask. This is the blurb…
“At his coming of age, Thorvald learns a shocking secret about his parentage, and sets out on a perilous voyage in search of a father he has never known. His loyal friend, Creidhe, was never meant to be part of this desperate journey. But love works in strange ways. In the Lost Isles they find a population gripped by terror. The Unspoken sing away the souls of the newborn and the chieftain of the isles answers to nobody. Creidhe and Thorvald become enmeshed in a battle for survival, in which they find themselves on opposing sides. For the future of the islands depends on a visionary child: the powerful seer Foxmask.
Snatched away in infancy by a young kinsman, the boy is held in a place protected by ancient forces of nature. Before the summer is over, Thorvald and Creidhe will learn truths about themselves and about the world that will change them both forever.”
Once again, I enjoyed entering Marillier’s version of Viking/Orkney/Faroe Islands historical fantasy. She writes beautiful settings and, in this book, created a very flawed “hero” and a lovely “heroine”. The plot was complex with moments of extreme savagery but also love. Some of the darker elements were difficult to read, but were important parts of the story.
I was left wishing that there could be a third book as I wasn’t ready to leave this magical and beautiful world!
I only finished Foxmask last night, so now have to decide what I will read next. A complete change, I think! I remember reading Marillier’s Sevenwaters series many years ago and will certainly read more by her in the future.
This week’s Friday Post is quite short. To be honest, after a good week with daily walks or Chair Gym sessions (depending on the weather) I had a bad night and feel rather tired today.
So, I will show you the scarves that I wore over the last few days…
Here we have the gorgeous Hermès’ Dans un Jardin Anglais and the Tulipomanie gavroche again and a more inexpensive silk scarf with a lovely pattern of lilacs. The latter was from seller on Etsy.
Here are some clearer images of the scarves…
Now I am going to trim Lovely Husband’s hair. I hope that I don’t make a mess of it!!!
Welcome to my blog and this week’s post about my reading journey! I have now finished the final book in an amazing trilogy…
Empire of the Dawn by Jay Kristoff
The book is Empire of the Dawn by Jay Kristoff, #03 Empire of the Vampire. Here is the blurb…
“From holy cup comes holy light; The faithful hands sets world aright. And in the Seven Martyrs’ sight, Mere man shall end this endless night.
Gabriel de León has lost his family, his faith, and his last hope of ending the endless night – the Holy Grail, Dior. With no desire left but vengeance, he and a band of loyal brothers journey into the war-torn heart of the Augustin Empire to claim the life of the Forever King.
Unbeknownst to the Last Silversaint, the Grail still lives – speeding towards Augustin’s besieged capital in the frail hope of ending Daysdeath forever. But deadly treachery awaits within the halls of power, and the Forever King’s legions march ever closer. Gabriel and Dior will be drawn into a final battle that will shape the very fate of the Empire, but as the sun sets for what may be the last time, there will be no-one left for them to trust.”
I am left almost speechless on finishing this book and the series. Kristoff has written one of the most dark, dangerous and absolutely brilliant series that I have ever read in all of my decades of reading.
Now, was this trilogy a good choice for someone who suffers with dark and deep depression? Yes! I can’t really say any more without giving away too much! I am now totally stumped. What on earth can follow this? How do I choose the next book to read? Anything will pale after reading all three of this trilogy one flyer the other!!!
After that incredible reading experience, I really wonder how Kristoff is going to follow this series! I wonder what he will write next. All I know is that I will be watching closely to see what he publishes.
I am now well into my next read, but my brain is still processing the amazing books that I have read so far this year. I am so happy that my reading mojo has returned.
Welcome to my blog, friends and visitors. This week I am feeling very pleased with myself. Yesterday marked a whole month since I started trying to improve my health and fitness! Every day I have managed to either walk around my local area or use the Chair Gym on windy or wet days. OK, my walks are only 20 minutes and the Chair Gym sessions are only the basic 15 minutes, but this is from a base level of virtually nothing! Lovely Husband is a retired Physical Education teacher and I have been closely following his advice, which is to take things very slowly.
I just hope that I can keep this going. The exercise has certainly helped to lift my mood, for the most part.
Over the last couple of weeks I have also tried to wear something nice when I have left the house. On most days I have worn a colourful outfit with a lovely scarf. Some have been from my Hermès collection, others have been inexpensive favourites. I have put all of the photos into a collage below. Can you spot the expensive ones?
As you can see, I still haven’t managed to go for a haircut! I don’t think I have let my hair get so long since the dreadful days of COVID. Let’s hope I can get this sorted soon.
Welcome to my first Reading Roundup post for April! The days are brighter and golden daffodils are shining in the sun. So, what am I reading?
Relentlessly grim, dark, bloody fantasy with the most horrific vampires that I have ever encountered in all my years of reading!!!
Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff
Last week’s book was the second part of Jay Kristoff’s epic series Empire of the Vampire: Empire of the Damned. Here is the blurb…
“Gabriel de León has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost.
After turning his back on his silversaint brothers once and for all, Gabriel and the Grail set out to learn the truth of how Daysdeath might finally be undone.
But the last silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by children of the Forever King, drawn into wars and webs centuries in the weaving, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the truth of the Grail revealed.
A truth that may be too awful for any to imagine.”
It took me a while to read this huge book, but it was worth it! This is my response on Goodreads…
Is it good for me to read a book like this in a series like this when I am suffering from a dark and deep depression? I think that many people would advise me against this. However, immersing myself in this relentlessly grim, gloomy, vicious and violent tale seems to have an unexpected effect. My own worries pale into insignificance as I read such a bloodthirsty book!
I think this second part of the trilogy was even better than the first. Another point of view character comes to the fore and this lends the reader a different perspective. Our hero continues to struggle with his nature but occasionally shows some dark humour. We are also given moments of hope amongst the relentless darkness and some great surprises.
The writing of this series is brilliant and the world building is excellent. I can’t wait to see how this all turns out!
I am now reading the third part of the trilogy and, so far, it is just as good as the first two books. The big question is: what on earth do I read next? How can anything follow this amazing series?
Former professional school librarian, now retired through chronic illness. Trying to keep cheerful by reading, drinking lots of tea, blogging my new life, and my love of bling!
The Librain
The Librain......retired 
Just found your site via the baobab scraf, which I have in pink, like you, and dearly love (even if…