What a gorgeous day! It really feels as if Spring is here. We did go out today and, as we drove along, I felt uplifted to see daffodils, crocuses and tiny green buds on the hedgerows at the side of the road. This is my most favourite time of year, with such a feeling of promise.

We went to the garden centre which has recently had a make-over, but left pretty quickly after a short stroll as it was so busy. I couldn’t believe how many people were queueing in the café and we didn’t want to wait as I tend to collapse if I have to stand still for very long. So we went to a pub on the way home and I had a cup of tea (as always) and Lovely Husband enjoyed a beer. Pubs have changed so much since I was eighteen. I can imagine the look I would have got from bar staff back in the 1970s if I had dared to ask for tea! Some pubs were even reluctant to serve women at all in those days.

I based my outfit on a tiny rectangular scarf (22 x 89 cm) that I have had for more than thirty years. It is a little gem, designed by the renowned designer Richard Allan, who once worked for Jacqmar. Of course, I knew nothing about scarves when I bought it from John Lewis all those years ago. The scarf is a lovely silk twill with rolled navy hems and a houndstooth pattern in navy and cream. I wore it in a simple criss-cross knot using a MaiTai horn scarf ring:

• Navy and cream silk scarf by Richard Allan – John Lewis.
• Navy cashmere v-neck jumper – John Lewis.
• Navy cotton v-neck, long-sleeved, t-shirt – Sainsbury’s.
• Indigo jeans – Cotton Traders.
• Gold dangle earrings – have had these for years.
• Cream leather and gold bracelet – Tory Burch.
• Tan leather ankle boots – Ted and Muffy.

Outfit of the day 07/03/17 with Richard Allan’s houndstooth scarf

I do have other accessories that go with this scarf and they would also compliment the horn scarf ring:

• Horn and cream lacquer earrings – Quecraft via Etsy.
• Horn bangle – Pia.

Horn and lacquer earrings – Quecraft via Etsy

Horn bangle – Pia

Reading

Since I last posted about books I have finished an ebook and a print book and have given up on an entire series!

I really enjoyed the ebook version of  The Kill Sign by Nichole Christoff and wish I could read more of her series. Our library ebook catalogue only has this one book, sadly.

The Kill Sign by Nichole Christoff

Many years ago I tried to read a fantasy book Faith of the Fallen by Terry Goodkind, but gave up because I couldn’t stand the poor writing and also his political/philosophical views that he makes far too obvious. More recently, in fact over the weekend, I wondered if I had been too biased or harsh and tried again, this time with Wizard’s First Rule the first book in his famous fantasy series, Sword of Truth. Well, I gave up again! The writing was so dire that I simply couldn’t get further than a few chapters. So, that is that for me –  no more Terry Goodkind. I am sure it won’t bother him as his numerous readers and fans have bought enough of his books to make him very wealthy!

I did enjoy reading the third book in Jane Casey’s series about DC Maeve Kerrigan: The Last Girl. I have only one left to read and so I must request this from the library, although I will be sad when I have finished the series.

The Last Girl by Jane Casey

As I finish, or occasionally give up, I always write a short review on Goodreads. This way I can track my reading and make sure I keep up with my favourite authors’ output and don’t miss books in series. The site also gives useful suggestions and I can see what my friends are reading too.