Outfit of the day 28/05/19

Posted on 28/05/2019 by The Librain

I think we broke a record this morning! Lovely Husband drove me to my appointment with my main consultant (who, by the way, is excellent) and we arrived to an almost empty waiting room. We only had to sit for a few minutes before we were called in. Usually, the waiting area is heaving and we have to wait for ages, sometimes even hours!

Anyway, the really good news is that I have actually lost a little bit of weight since my last visit, and my blood pressure is totally normal. The doctor made it very clear that I have to make myself exercise to prevent the very serious consequences of becoming totally bedridden with muscle wastage and loss of bone. He appreciated that this is extremely difficult for me to achieve, but emphasised that, somehow, I have to try to force myself. Lovely Husband, who was a PE teacher, is fully on board, as you would expect, and I have told him that he must kick me up the bum (metaphorically speaking!), if I don’t.

So, I must get my exercise chair out of the garage, blow off the dust, and use it regularly. Also, I really must walk around the area as often as I can. Yes, I know I have said and written this lots of times before, but I have been given a real wake up call!

Today’s outfit was one of my favourites and one of the nurses remarked on my obvious love of purple and lilac!

Outfit of the day 28/05/19 with Hermès Jaguar Quetzal scarf

Today’s outfit:

  • Purple cotton mix crew-neck top – Lands’ End.
  • Pale lilac cotton mix crew-neck cardigan – Lands’ End.
  • Indigo cotton straight leg jeans – Klass.
  • Violet resin and gold Medusa earrings – Grand Tour Collection.
  • Blue iris leather and pale gold Vara bow wrap bracelet – Ferragamo. This matches the scarf’s contrast hem.
  • Silk scarf, 90cm, in mauve, violet, blue and yellow – Jaguar Quetzal – Hermès. I folded the scarf into a triangle then rolled it to show off the gorgeous denim blue contrast hem. It was secured with a purple lacquered horn anneau infinity scarf ring from MaiTai.

To complete my “explosion” of purple shades, I carried my lovely amethyst pebbled leather Victoria handbag by Massaccesi. I had intended to wear my new Hotter trainer shoes in polar white (a very pale greyish mauve), but it was drizzling, so I changed them for navy shoes instead.

I was very tired when we arrived back home, probably from all of the walking around the car park and hospital, so have been in bed since, but I am determined to do some exercise tomorrow. I will let you all know how that goes.

Best wishes,

💜💜💜💜💜

PS. If you would like more information about the gorgeous Hermès Jaguar Quetzal scarf, please have a look at this Scarf of the Moment post.

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Outfit of the day 27/05/19

Posted on 27/05/2019 by The Librain

We had a very relaxing weekend all in all. When I say relaxing, it may not have been for our neighbours. Lovely Husband has his ”music night” every Sunday evening and his favourite music is rock, played very loud. He usually listens to three albums in a row and switches it all off by 10.30, so next door have agreed that he can do this (very accommodating of them in my opinion!). I also like very similar bands (most of the time) so I listen from the bedroom above. It is impossible to concentrate on a book with all of this going on, so I tend to browse random sites in between frantic attempts at air guitar!

Anyway, last night’s performers were The Editors, Blue Oyster Cult and Suede. LH and I are huge fans of Suede’s latest album, The Blue Hour. I wish we were both well enough to go see them.

Today, I decided to wear my lovely kimono from One Hundred Stars. It is very comfortable and even LH approved:

Outfit of the day 27/05/19 with One Hundred Stars’ kimono

Today’s outfit:

  • White cotton sleeveless vest – Lands’ End.
  • Beige stretch cotton chinos – Lands’ End.
  • White enamel and rose gold Ianthe pendant – Liberty of London.
  • Pink, beige, cream and black viscose/modal Crane kimono – One Hundred Stars.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my main consultant. I will have to be very honest about my deteriorating health situation and try not to cringe or cry when they tell me my current weight. I am really dreading finding out. It is obvious that I am continuing to gain weight because so many of my clothes from last Summer are far too tight. I really don’t want to have to buy more from even larger sizes. Oh, this is so depressing and I had better end this post before I say any more.

Best wishes,

🧡💚❤️💙💜💛

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Outfit of the day 24/05/19

Posted on 24/05/2019 by The Librain

I seem to be writing almost the same thing each day: once again I have been too ill to go out and had to miss my counselling appointment. I had quite a good night’s sleep and wasn’t woken up by coughing, but I felt very weak and breathless this morning and unable to get out of bed. Later on, after breakfast and my huge load of medication, I did get dressed and then went downstairs to sit with Lovely Husband for a couple of hours. Now, as I write this post, I am back in bed again and will read for most of the afternoon and evening.

My new scarf, Hermès’ Musique des Dieux, has been hanging up overnight so that some of the creases would drop out and also to air it a bit. It has obviously been well worn in the past (it dates back to 1996), and has traces of makeup and other marks. I couldn’t find any damage, apart from one tiny thread pull which can hardly be seen, so it has been a good purchase for the price I paid. I will have to be brave and wash it soon, which does make me rather nervous, but there is plenty of advice about this on The Purse Forum.

Anyway, I did wear a nice outfit for a few hours because I wanted to try out both this scarf and my new shoes. If we had gone out, I would have worn my jeans instead of the joggers.

Outfit of the day 24/05/19 with Hermès’ Musique des Dieux scarf

Today’s outfit:

  • Fresh lavender cotton sleeveless vest – Lands’ End.
  • Blackberry cotton mix round neck cardigan – Lands’ End.
  • Navy cotton joggers – Cotton Traders.
  • Silver and crystal earrings.
  • Polar white lace-up trainers – Brooke – Hotter.
  • Silk scarf, 90cm, in lilac, purple, green, blue, black and white – Musique des Dieux – Hermès. Tied in an asymmetric wrap using a MaiTai mother-of-pearl scarf ring.

Lets hope that we all have good health and enjoyable weekend (Bank Holiday in England).

Best wishes,

💜💜💜💜💜

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Update 23/05/19 with an unexpected reveal!

Posted on 23/05/2019 by The Librain

I am very unwell today but have been lifted a little by an arrival in the post! This is a “grail” that I have been hoping would come along for quite a long time. As it was an eBay purchase, there is no interesting parcel or iconic box to show you, so I will go straight into the first picture…

The folded scarf…

More folds…

And still more…

Here it is arranged on the bed. Lovely design and colours – lilac, purple, mauve, blue, green, white and black…

Here is the image from eBay of the whole design (the colours in my photos above are more accurate)…

Hermès fans will recognise this as Musique des Dieux, designed in 1996 by Claudia Stuhlhofer-Mayr. As I am ill today, I don’t have enough strength to take modelling photos to show you or write any more detail, but I am planning a proper Scarf of the Moment post. I will explain why this is a “grail” scarf for me in that post.

Best wishes,

❤️💙💜💚💛🧡

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Reading roundup 22/05/19

Posted on 22/05/2019 by The Librain

I completed one very thick book this week. It was Mark Lawrence’s The Wheel of Osheim (#03 in his The Red Queen’s War trilogy). What a book! Please check out last week’s Reading Roundup post for more details of the previous two books in the series.

The Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence

Before I write any more, here is the blurb:

All the horrors of Hell stand between Snorri Ver Snagason and the rescue of his family, if indeed the dead can be rescued. For Jalan Kendeth, getting back out alive and with Loki’s key is all that matters. Loki’s creation can open any lock, any door, and it may also be the key to Jalan’s fortune back in the living world.

Jalan plans to return to the three w’s that have been the core of his idle and debauched life: wine, women, and wagering. Fate however has other plans, larger plans. The Wheel of Osheim is turning ever faster, and it will crack the world unless it’s stopped. When the end of all things looms, and there’s nowhere to run, even the worst coward must find new answers. Jalan and Snorri face many dangers, from the corpse hordes of the Dead King to the many mirrors of the Lady Blue, but in the end, fast or slow, the Wheel of Osheim always pulls you back. In the end it’s win or die.

This last book in the trilogy appears to bring the story arcs of Lawrence’s first series – The Broken Empire – and his second series – The Red Queen’s War – together in a final conclusion. Of course, the author could decide to revisit this world and his wonderful characters – I certainly wouldn’t complain!

Anyway, I simply had to give the book the full five stars and here is my review – it was very difficult to write as my head is still spinning!

It’s official: Mark Lawrence has now joined my very select list of favourite authors. Make way whilst I read everything he has ever written! Then I will wait with bated breath for him to write even more amazing books!

OK, so it’s now obvious that I loved this final episode of his The Red Queen’s War series. I loved the excitement, the sheer adventure, the surprises, the interesting way this book was crafted, the brilliant characters and, probably most of all, the laugh-out-loud black but joyous humour. Because I really did laugh aloud…

”Come!”…
”Come? You just took my bloody sword. What am I supposed to use? Bad language?”

The character development is great and the weaving together of fantasy and science fiction gives us a cracking plot. I really can’t write any more without giving something away. So, please read Mark Lawrence…

…but just let me get in front of you in the queue…

A Book of Bones by John Connolly

I have one more book by Lawrence left to read, but my next book will be A Book of Bones by my absolute favourite author, John Connolly. I cannot wait to get started so will tell you about it in next week’s Reading Roundup.

Happy Reading to you all!

Best wishes,

📖📚📖📚📖

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Update 21/05/19

Posted on 21/05/2019 by The Librain

Apologies! I am unable to write a proper post today as I have been so very busy. The day has been spent sorting out my new laptop (think I have almost finished) and ironing, in between having loads of rests.

I will post the usual Reading Roundup tomorrow, all being well, and perhaps write up the laptop saga on another day. Now, I need to sort out what I am having for dinner and read more of my book.

Best wishes,

💚❤️💙💜🧡💛

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Update 20/05/19 with some new shoes!

Posted on 20/05/2019 by The Librain

The weekend was quite good as, despite me staying in bed rather a lot, I did manage to get some useful things done and had nice chats with both Lovely Husband and Elder Son. I read loads, watched some good TV and continued trying to sort out my new laptop (more about that debacle in another post).

I was looking through my rather large shoe collection the other day (accumulated over many years) and realised that most of my warm weather footwear is either quite old and worn, or heeled rather than flat. With my various health issues and weight gain, my ankles and feet are quite swollen and I cannot walk well in heels these days. My sandals can do another year at least – I have three good pairs in navy, tan and metallic. I did notice a gap in terms of summer trainers or other flat shoes. As I also have wide feet, I have some difficulties in finding nice footwear, although I have found some good sources. Hotter have a reputation for being “old lady shoes”, but I think that they have found some better designers in recent years. Their shoes are also very comfortable indeed!

As Hotter had a good offer in place when I visited their website (link in the sidebar), I ordered these two pairs. They arrived on Friday and are perfect for my needs…

“Daisy” and “Brooke” by Hotter

The trainer style is advertised as “polar white”, which I thought would be a bright white. It is, however, a kind of very pale greyish mauve and a really nice colour to fit with my clothes and accessories. The pull on style is in a soft navy nubuck and these will work very well with jeans or my linen trousers. In fact, I am very pleased with both pairs and have started wearing them in the house before I go out next time.

Well, that’s all for today!

Best wishes,

🧡💛💜💙❤️💚

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Outfit of the day 17/05/19

Posted on 17/05/2019 by The Librain

I am now back home after my counselling session, and lunch, sitting in bed writing this post. Generally, this week has been a pretty good one and I feel contented. For today’s outfit, I turned to my favourite purple shades, from the palest lilac to amethyst to rich deep purple. My handbag was the lovely Massaccesi Victoria in amethyst pebbled leather. I also have a very appropriate, for me, piece of jewellery to show you.

Outfit of the day 17/05/19 with Teapot and Cup necklace

Today’s outfit:

  • Purple cotton mix crew-neck top – Lands’ End.
  • Pale lilac cotton mix crew-neck cardigan – Lands’ End.
  • Indigo cotton straight leg jeans – Klass.
  • Purple and white crystal and gold stud earrings.
  • Purple enamel and gold Chain skinny bangle – Halcyon Days.
  • Gold, silver, crystal and enamel Teapot and Cup necklace – Bill Skinner via eBay.

Yes, when I found this necklace on eBay, I simply couldn’t resist! As you must be aware, if you read this blog or know me in real life, I am an absolute tea addict. These days, I spend my time with a large pot of tea next to me all of the time. I couldn’t exist without tea. I love tea!

I think you will get the idea…

So, this necklace is perfect for me and I wore it today with pretty minimal jewellery so that it had a real starring role in my outfit. The necklace shows a tiny silver teapot, cup and saucer decorated with enamelled flowers and crystals. Here is a larger version of the image…

Teapot and Cup necklace by Bill Skinner

I also bought a couple of other items this week, in preparation for the Summer, and I will show you those on Monday.

Happy Weekend to you all!

Best wishes,

💜💜💜💜💜

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Outfit of the day 16/05/19

Posted on 16/05/2019 by The Librain

We actually went out for a pub lunch! Hip, hip, hooray!!!

It was my hairdresser appointment again this morning and I staggered around a couple of shops afterwards. I so rarely shop in real-life establishments. Anyway, I was very tired by the time Lovely Husband came to pick me up and I said to him, at first, that I wanted to go straight home. After thinking for about 10 seconds, I changed my mind, so we then drove out into the countryside.

So, I am back home in bed with a nice hairdo, a full tummy and drooping eyelids, but feeling very pleased  😀! LH has been sleeping in his reclining chair downstairs all afternoon. Oh, the joys of old age – ha, ha!

Here are the photos. First, before my haircut…

Outfit of the day 16/05/19 – before the haircut

And after…

Outfit of the day 16/05/19 – after the haircut

Today’s outfit:

  • Cobalt cotton mix crew-neck top – Lands’ End.
  • Cobalt cotton mix crew-neck cardigan – Lands’ End.
  • Indigo straight leg jeans – Klass.
  • Blue resin and silver earrings.
  • Cobalt enamel and gold Curb Chain bangle – Halcyon Days.
  • Cream enamel and gold Byzantine bangle – Halcyon Days.
  • Silk scarf, 90cm, in blues, white, green and orange – De la Mer au Ciel – Hermès. Tied in a necklace knot.

It has been very warm today with wonderful blue skies. The English countryside looked so beautiful as we drove through and our back garden (if I squint slightly to avoid the weeds),  is also lovely.

Counselling tomorrow.

Best wishes,

💙💚💙💚💙

PS. If you would like to know more about the De la Mer au Ciel scarf design, please look at my Scarf of the Moment post.

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Reading roundup 15/05/19

Posted on 15/05/2019 by The Librain

I have enjoyed two very large fantasy books this week: Mark Lawrence’s Prince of Fools and The Liar’s Key (books #01 and #02 from his The Red Queen’s War series). Currently, I am reading the final part of the trilogy: The Wheel of Osheim.

Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence

I actually read Prince of Fools back in 2016, but decided to read it again as I had found the rest of the series on our Library’s catalogue and had put in requests. In the end, I am glad that I did this as I couldn’t really remember the details of the story, just the basic outline. Also, it’s a great book, so well worth enjoying for a second time! Anyway, this is the blurb:

I’m a liar and a cheat and a coward, but I will never, ever, let a friend down. Unless of course not letting them down requires honesty, fair play or bravery.

The Red Queen is dreaded by the kings of the Broken Empire as they dread no other.

Her grandson Jalan Kendeth – womaniser, gambler and all-out cad – is tenth in line to the throne. While his grandmother shapes the destiny of millions, Prince Jalan pursues his debauched pleasures.

Until, that is, he gets entangled with Snorri ver Snagason, a huge Norse axeman and dragged against his will to the icy north…

Back in 2016 I gave the book four stars, but didn’t write a review on Goodreads. This time I increased the star rating to five and wrote the following:

I loved this book. Such a great mix of blood thirsty adventure, gruelling quest, larger than life characters, magic and black humour. Jalan is such a well-written character. Although I am sure that I wouldn’t like a real-life version, he is such fun to read. I really like the way that the author gets inside his head and shows the reader Jalan’s thoughts, unpleasant and cowardly though they may be. He is such a contrast to Jorg, in the previous series, and also to the usual brave and knightly fantasy heroes in most books of this genre. How he gets into and out of scrapes is such fun!

The other characters in the book are well drawn also, with plenty of variety and development. The plot is exciting and full of adventure. I do hope that the rest of the series lives up to this cracking beginning!

This book and this author are highly recommended.

The Liar’s Key by Mark Lawrence

As soon as I finished the first book, I grabbed the second one, The Liar’s Key, straight away and immersed myself in it. Here is the blurb:

The Red Queen has set her players on the board…

Winter is keeping Prince Jalan Kendeth far from the longed-for luxuries of his southern palace. And although the North may be home to his companion, the warrior Snorri ver Snagason, he is just as eager to leave. For the Viking is ready to challenge all of Hell to bring his wife and children back into the living world. He has Loki’s key – now all he needs is to find the door.

As all wait for the ice to unlock its jaws, the Dead King plots to claim what was so nearly his – the key to the underworld — so that his dead subjects can rise and rule.

This time, I gave the book four stars and wrote this review:

I enjoyed this book, but was a little disappointed to find out that it wasn’t quite as good as Prince of Fools. I was also surprised because this book has won awards! However, it is still really worth reading and I did award it four stars. Perhaps Mark Lawrence raises the game so much with his writing that, when he creates a book a little less brilliant than before, the resulting offering jars?

Anyway, my issues were quite small, really. The journey in the first half of the book becomes a bit tedious, although Lawrence uses various devices to help the reader along. Jalan’s homecoming is very amusing and the second half has a change of pace. It all just seemed a bit too long! The humour wasn’t quite so good either and it was so clever in book one.

A little bird has told me that the final book, The Wheel of Osheim, is totally amazing, however, so I will pick that up right now…

The Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence

The third book, The Wheel of Osheim, was waiting in my book pile as I completed the second and I have now read the first few chapters. Great so far! I will tell you about it next time. If you are a fantasy fan, I really recommend Mark Lawrence.

Happy Reading to you all!

Best wishes,

📚📖📚📖📚

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