Well, I must admit that I haven’t finished a book this week! I am enjoying my current ebook, but it is taking me longer than usual. Maybe I am too absorbed with other matters.
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
Anyway, I will now go back to reading…
The next post should be on Friday and I might have something to show you, if it arrives in time.
Love and best wishes,
Anne
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It was so crisp and sunny today as we set off for yet another hospital appointment. Just the right weather for my gorgeous Liberty of London cashmere and silk shawl. It has such beautiful colours and is so lovely to wear, with its warm and snuggly feel.
I had to have some tests for my heart, which are linked back to the occasion in August when I was taken into hospital by ambulance after having a scary incident. The tests were rather uncomfortable and messy, but I continue to be so grateful for the NHS and the wonderful practitioners I have been so fortunate to meet. When we have the results of all of the various investigations, I will write it up on here.
This was today’s outfit…
Outfit of the day 20/01/20 with Liberty’s Hera shawl
Today’s outfit:
The outfit was finished off with my navy leather Hotter shoes (as we expected quite a long walk from the hospital car park), my waterproof navy jacket and the wonderful dark blue Africa leather Massaccesi Selene handbag. What a lot of navy!
I just knew that I wouldn’t be able to let the January sales pass by without purchasing something – I don’t have the willpower! Let’s hope it arrives before Friday’s post and that it fits! No more hints from me, though – LOL!
Love and best wishes,
Anne
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I did it! We went out together on Tuesday!
It’s funny really. Only a couple of years ago, I was laughing on this blog at the thought that visiting a garden centre was the highlight of my week. At that time, Lovely Husband and I would drive out on an afternoon, several days per week, to walk around one of our many local garden centres, have a cup of tea and a snack, and then drive home again. It was the only exercise that I could manage and LH was trying his best, as a former PE Teacher, to help me not lose any fitness that I had. Now, managing to get to one garden centre in several months feels like an achievement!
Going out is still very difficult for me. Trying to pick a day when I feel fit enough is hard enough, but actually leaving the house causes issues. I find the outside world both frightening and confusing. Although my sight is a lot better, the hustle and bustle of people, traffic, the wind in the trees, the colours and shapes, flashing lights etc., are overwhelming. I must force myself out of the “safe” bedroom and outside the house, but it is hard.
Outfits of the day: 14/01/20 and 17/01/20
I wore the outfit on the left on Tuesday: Lands’ End navy cotton jumper and cord trousers, navy shoes, cobalt blue earrings and my new Hermès scarf Plumes en Fête. Today, I am dressed in the outfit on the right which is an old John Lewis turquoise cashmere v-neck (the colour never photographs accurately) with an even older Indian silk scarf. The two knots shown are the asymmetric wrap (on the left) and the cowboy cowl (on the right). I had better make a proper collage with the Plumes en Fête outfit so that I can add it to the Scarf of the Moment post that I uploaded a few days ago.
I have yet another hospital appointment on Monday with more tests on my heart, so I will try to post when I get home.
I do hope that you all have a great weekend.
Love and best wishes,
Anne
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Well, I have only finished one book this week. My concentration issues have been pretty bad and I have also had problems with memory. My review will explain why.
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
The book was Three Women by Lisa Taddeo. Here is the blurb:
All Lina wanted was to be desired. How did she end up in a marriage with two children and a husband who wouldn’t touch her?
All Maggie wanted was to be understood. How did she end up in a relationship with her teacher and then in court, a hated pariah in her small town?
All Sloane wanted was to be admired. How did she end up a sexual object of men, including her husband, who liked to watch her have sex with other men and women?
Three Women is a record of unmet needs, unspoken thoughts, disappointments, hopes and unrelenting obsessions.
This is my review as written on Goodreads:
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is another of those love, indifference, or hate books! I didn’t hate it, in fact some parts were quite interesting or entertaining, but my overall impression was definitely “meh”. I cannot really see the point of the book. It is supposed to be non-fiction, but the way that the three women’s lives were interleaved, felt much more fictional in tone – with cliff hangers and some sensationalism. It was all too sad and grey, with very little to make me feel that I could care about the women.
I also found it hard to keep each woman on track in my mind. The chopping and changing between the three became confusing. It was rather unnecessary because there was no link between them. But, some people love the book, so maybe my verdict is unfair?
I urge you to read the wide range of reviews of the book on Goodreads and on other sites. It is highly rated by many people. Others feel similar to me. So, please don’t be put off if you have the book on your “to read” list.
Oh! I do need to find a great read on our library’s ebook site. There’s no chance of me managing a print book yet, so I am stuck for the time being. Never mind, onwards and upwards!
Happy Reading to you all!
Love and best wishes,
Anne
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The wind is blowing wildly outside, but I am cosy and warm under the winter-weight duvet with my iPad, a cup of tea and a biscuit, trying to write a blog post. Our weekend began very quietly, as Elder Son was away on one of his trips, but it ended noisily when he came home full of excited chatter! Normal living for us has been restored.
Friday’s post, about my newest scarf (Hermès’ Plumes en Fête), has had an amazing number of hits, which is very gratifying. I am still to wear it outside the house, however, as my health is too poor to venture out. It seems that I am comfort dressing at the moment. That means wearing mostly pyjama trousers with thick jumpers and a woolly scarf, rather than one of my “posh” silk ones. Lovely Husband is trying to encourage me to wear my better clothes, jewellery and scarves indoors, even if we don’t go out and I really need to scrape together some energy to do this.
I have been able to undertake some “useful” tasks this afternoon to help with our household, which make me feel better. LH is rather computer phobic, so at least I can do this kind of work – writing letters and emails, updating hospital visits and lists of medications, or organising our finances. Typing on the laptop is still quite difficult as I can’t automatically remember where the correct keys are. This iPad keyboard is much easier. Oh, the things that come so easily when you are fit and well!
OK, I think that is enough from me today. If I do manage to go out this week, I will definitively write about it here and I will also upload a Reading Roundup post too.
Love and best wishes,
Anne
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This first Reading Roundup of the year covers the last books that I finished in 2019 and the first of 2020. Unfortunately, I have to tell you that I am still struggling with book reading since the stroke at the beginning of September. Although my eyesight has improved quite a lot – the “cloudy” parts are much smaller – I do have issues with the central area of my vision. This means that I still cannot read print books, even with my glasses. With ebooks, I can adjust the font size and can just manage to decipher the words enough to be able to read fluently. As books usually have such dense print and not much clear white space, I cannot cope with them. Websites, magazines and newspapers are much easier for me.
The main problem, however, is with my memory. Long-term memory function seems to be fine, but short-term memory is not what it used to be. This has a real impact on my reading in that I cannot remember clearly what I read the day before. This means that I often have to go back and re-read parts that I have already finished on previous days. It also has the effect that I struggle to remember the plot of a book when I have finally reached the end, for more than a few days.
I am writing this so that visitors to this regular part of my blog understand why my book reviews are getting so short. OK, I was never the best reviewer even when I was well and working! I freely admit that. I love books and reading – these have been my life, but I am aware of my limitations. I tend to react to a book in one of three ways – “Wow!”, or “Meh” or “OMG! That was terrible!”. So, please excuse me for the Reading Roundup posts at the moment. I will try my best, but I am not going to make this into an obligation or burden for myself. This is only a personal blog, after all!
The Blame Game by C J Cooke
Right, so bearing all the above in mind, here is the first book: The Blame Game by C J Cooke. This is the blurb:
He said he’d do anything to protect her.
She said she’d do anything to protect her family.
And they both said they would forget what happened twenty-two years ago.
But now it seems that there is someone who will stop at nothing to make them remember…
Who is playing the blame game?
Well, that doesn’t tell us much about the book! It was quite a complex tale, weaving past events into a story of severe trauma. This is my attempt at a review – for more and better reviews, please have a look at Goodreads:
The Blame Game by C.J. Cooke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was an interesting book with a lot of twists and turns. A family – mother, father, son (with ASD), daughter – appear to be on a holiday in South America. Things seem to be fairly conventional and then events happen which overturn everything. Interwoven with a traumatic past, the book switches between the present and the historic point of view and the plot accelerates to a gripping conclusion. It is difficult to say much more without giving too much away.
As a mother of a son with ASD, I found the portrayal of this very interesting and useful for the plot!
Envy by Amanda Robson
My last book of 2019 was Envy by Amanda Robson. This is the blurb:
She wants your life – and she’ll do anything to get it…
Erica has always wanted to be exactly like her neighbour, Faye: beautiful, thin, and a mother. But Faye’s life isn’t as perfect as it seems – she has a terrible secret, and slowly but surely, it is threatening to destroy her and everything she holds dear.
When Faye’s daughter Tamsin goes missing after school, the police turn to Erica. But is Erica the only one who has been enviously watching Faye? Or is there another threat hiding in the shadows…?
An unsettling, claustrophobic thriller about jealousy, greed and desire from Sunday Times bestseller Amanda Robson.
This was another random choice from the Public Library’s ebook service. Here is my short review:
Envy by Amanda Robson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
The book started off quite well, with what appeared to be an attractive, confident woman being watched and stalked by a disturbed and damaged one. As the story developed, it became interesting and gripping as many of the initial assumptions were overturned and I began to enjoy the ride. The plot, however, deteriorated in the last third until it became almost ludicrous, with characters being completely turned into something else. Not for me!
The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse
Well, at least my first book of 2020 was far better. In fact it opened my new decade of reading with a nice fanfare, although perhaps not quite a full firework display!! It was The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse (apparently the start of a new series). This is the blurb:
Bringing sixteenth-century Languedoc vividly to life, Kate Mosse’s The Burning Chambers is a gripping story of love and betrayal, mysteries and secrets; of war and adventure, conspiracies and divided loyalties . . .
Carcassonne 1562: Nineteen-year-old Minou Joubert receives an anonymous letter at her father’s bookshop. Sealed with a distinctive family crest, it contains just five words: SHE KNOWS THAT YOU LIVE.
But before Minou can decipher the mysterious message, a chance encounter with a young Huguenot convert, Piet Reydon, changes her destiny forever. For Piet has a dangerous mission of his own, and he will need Minou’s help if he is to get out of La Cité alive.
Toulouse: As the religious divide deepens in the Midi, and old friends become enemies, Minou and Piet both find themselves trapped in Toulouse, facing new dangers as sectarian tensions ignite across the city, the battle-lines are drawn in blood and the conspiracy darkens further.
Meanwhile, as a long-hidden document threatens to resurface, the mistress of Puivert is obsessed with uncovering its secret and strengthening her power . . .
Now, that is a proper blurb! It actually tells you something about the book you are going to read!
The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have read other Kate Mosse books and have had a patchy experience, but this one was a really good, enjoyable and meaty read. The historical background was interesting and I found that I already had some useful knowledge. There was a good balance between story telling and historical explanations. The characters were well-drawn and interesting. I was also pleased to see that there are more books in the series which will appear in the future – with, perhaps, an answer to the intriguing start to the book?
I do wish that I could be well enough to visit the areas of France that Mosse writes about, particularly Carcassonne. The countryside and the scent of flowers would also be wonderful to experience. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
I have now started another book, which I plan to write about in next week’s Reading Roundup post: Three Women by Lisa Taddeo. Until then…
Happy reading to you all!
Love and best wishes,
Anne
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First of all, I must apologise for not uploading a Scarf of the Moment post about my new Plumes en Fête today. I struggled over the weekend and couldn’t manage to write the post and take the necessary photos. Instead, I will try to have it ready for Friday.
I hope that you all had a good weekend. Mine was a little different. Lovely Husband drove me to my usual hospital where I had a heart monitor fitted. This was a planned investigation that had been proposed back in August, when I was taken into hospital with heart issues. I had to wear the paraphernalia from Saturday lunchtime until this morning when we drove all the way back to the hospital to return it. I am not sure how long we will have to wait for the results.
Anyway, when we arrived back home, we had lunch and then had to write some letters and emails to family and friends with updates about my various health issues and other matters. I am now really tired, so have returned to bed to read, write this post, watch TV and eat a mince pie with a lovely cup of tea!
Here is today’s outfit…
Outfit of the day 06/01/20 with Hermès’ Sweet Dreams
Today’s outfit:
I did manage to do something useful for the blog over the weekend. Browsing through, I realised that the Scarf of the Moment post for my Savana Dance gavroche needed updating. So, I worked on it for a few hours, changing the format of the post to match more recent additions, writing new sections, inserting links and uploading images. There are still a few tweaks needed, but it is virtually finished.
OK, that’s all for now. On Wednesday I will write about the books I have read over the Christmas period.
Love and best wishes,
Anne
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Oops! I nearly forgot to write this post as I was so absorbed watching a TV programme! As I promised to write about my Christmas presents today I had better get on with it…
This year, instead of asking my chaps for a few items, I asked them all if they would contribute towards one larger present… and they did. So, this gorgeous handbag from the wonderful Massaccesi company is the result: midi-Victoria in dark teal Flor and Nappa leathers, navy lining and silver hardware. The Flor leather was only offered for a very short time and is really stunning. I have only taken a few photos so far, but this will give you an idea of how it looks. I will try to take some better ones on a sunny day.
Victoria Midi in Teal Flor – Massaccesi
Victoria Midi in Teal Flor – Massaccesi
The midi-Victoria is a smaller version of the full-size Victoria, which I already have in amethyst pebbled leather. I won’t be able to carry as much clobber in this daintier bag, so it will be stored for special occasions.
As well as this amazing handbag, I bought myself a lovely Christmas present – yes, another Hermès scarf! I had been looking through the designs for the new Spring/Summer 2020 season and a particular one caught my eye as I wrote on this blog before Christmas. I have never been a patient person, so I dashed to the French H site and ordered straight away, as the new scarves had not appeared on the UK site and I was afraid that there would be a price increase in the new year.
Anyway, I won’t do the usual full reveal, but here are the first photos…
Isn’t it absolutely amazing?!? Feathers in silk: Plumes en Fête 90cm silk twill by Hermès, Spring/Summer 2020. And, no, I don’t intend to wear the handbag and the scarf at the same time!
I am planning to write a full Scarf of the Moment post on Monday as everyone is getting excited about all of the new season’s offerings. If you would like to know more, please look at the Purse Forum – …The Hermès Spring/Summer 2020 Scarves…
Well, I think that’s all for now! I hope that you all have a lovely weekend.
Love and best wishes,
Anne
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I just want to wish you all a very Happy New Year! May you have a really great 2020!
Today is this blog’s third birthday too. I am glad that I revived the blog in 2017 and used it to improve my writing skills and to give me something useful to occupy myself after I retired. Although I have now reduced the frequency of posting, since the stroke in September, I will try to keep to three posts per week.
On Friday, I will show you my Christmas presents, all being well, and then continue with a Monday, Wednesday and Friday pattern, with Wednesdays being used for Reading Roundups.
Anyway, here is a quick photo of today’s slightly more festive outfit…
Outfit of the day 01/01/20
Today’s outfit!
Well, that’s all for now. I hope to be able to post again on Friday.
Love and best wishes,
Anne
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Image credits
I think this post will be the last before Christmas. We won’t be very busy next week, but we will have a visitor (Younger Son – hooray!!!) and lots of lovely food, presents and as good a Christmas as we can. So, I will take short break and then return with a post about gifts (assuming that Father Christmas manages to negotiate our log burner at the bottom of the chimney).
I have put together an outfit or two for the festive period. A couple of velour tops caught my eye on the Lands’ End site (nicely reduced 👍) and I also bought some glittery shoes! I am trying to make an effort 😀!
Velour tops in purple and teal – Lands’ End
Here are the shoes: Jilian Low Wedge Flats Shoes by Dream Pairs in silver glitter.
Jilian Low Wedge Flats Shoes – Dream Pairs
I thought that I would make an outfit with either navy or black velour trousers, which I already own, and jazz it all up with my crystal and silver sparkly bracelet, brooch and earrings. I also own some quite “blingy” (is that a word?) rings. I don’t care about restraint and being tasteful at Christmas time! Anyway, I will try to get a photo, if it is possible.
Jewellery options
So… I do hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and I will be back when I have had a break.
Love and best wishes to you,
Anne
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