Wednesday 19 March 2014

Out of the blue


If red is the colour of energy, good fortune and happiness, then shades of blue and green must represent calm and relaxation. 
 
 
Which is what I need this week.

Bring on the maxi skirts!
 


1970s maxi skirt and beret - flea market
Cardigan, top, scarf and bangles - charity shopped
Boots - retail (sale)
 
 
 
1970s Canadian-made wool maxi skirt - gift from Shelley
Jacket, scarf, beret, tights and bangles - charity shopped
1960s tapestry bag - vintage shop in Birmingham (on a bloggers' day out)


I've been feeling really tired this week; I always have a slight dip after a big event of some kind. I recognise the cycle and allow it to be, making sure I get in a couple of early nights.

I gave my apologies to the teacher in whose class I usually volunteer, and headed home. I just intended to bake a birthday cake for Simon (the man of the house) and had no other plans.
 
 
 
 
How serendipitous that I was home; I got a call out of the blue from a very old and dear friend who was in Sheffield today. She now lives in France, and I haven't seen her for ages, so it was brilliant to catch up.





J and I were at university together, 1982-5. We talked kids, grandkids, France, cats, friends, memories, vintage, charity shopping, flea markets, vide greniers, and an afternoon just wasn't long enough.

Don't worry, the cake got made too. Coffee and walnut. 
I'd show you, but we ate it all.
 



This evening, we went out for a celebratory Chinese meal. 

Our walk to the restaurant...
 
 
 
 
...through the urban jungle.
 



Eldest bought these for Simon;
 


 
just what a middle-aged man wants for his birthday.
 
We may have sniggered. A lot.
 



So; our bellies are now ridiculously full, and Vix has predicted we will all be in bed by 9 o'clock.
 
She's probably right. She has witchy powers.
 
Night all!
 
xxx

42 comments:

at my dressingtable said...

How lovely for you to meet up with a old friend and catch up !.
Curtise you look divine in all your outfits ,I love maxi skirts!.
Hope you feel less tried soon, with Best wishes xxx.

Krista said...

Blue is calming and I love it on you! Good to listen to that voice in your head that says, ok time to chill. The skirt from Shelley is a work of art, so pretty! Drop by's from old friends are medicine for the soul I'm so glad you gals had a catch up even if it was quick. She has a pretty smile!

Your kids are getting even more crazy for the camera, what is eldest doing throwing up gang signs and seldom seen with the I smell shit look, they make me laugh!
Happy Birthday Simon:) Great gift!
Loveya
xxxoooo

Señora Allnut said...

you look gorgeous in all those blue-green shades, love your teal canadian maxi and love your hippietastic maxi too!, and your bijouterie and accessories!!, you rock that jean jacket, lady, you Rock indeed!!
So great that you met with your old friend, that's really touching!
besos & happy blues

Sue @ A Colourful Canvas said...

Must be true about blue. I could feel myself relaxing as I saw your photos! Thank you!

And sweet serendipity! Being home when your friend came to call. I love it when that happens, and I love reading about it just as much!

I know exactly how you feel. So much energy goes into event planning and execution, that the mini crash after is inevitable, at least for me.

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous pic of you and your kids - full bellies and all! Blues and green are so calming and sometimes we have to take note and just slow down a bit. Lovely outfits and so nice for you to catch up with an old friend. XXX

Angels have Red Hair said...

I love days like that ... when something unexpected ... but really great happens. I also like days when I don't have to cook dinner and I get to go out for Chinese instead.
I also, also like that picture of you and your friend ... you look really happy.
xx

Gracey the Giant said...

That wool maxi skirt is amazing. I love wearing blue. Maybe because I'm so high-strung that I need the extra relaxing vibes.

Shawna McComber said...

What lovely outfits and they all look great on you. I love blue. (but then I also love red and green and purple but I'll save that for when you are wearing those colours)and I think it's nicest in mixed shades and patterns. I also love a surprise visit from a friend, though it's pretty rare. How fun! I'm glad you had such a good time. The photo of you and your friend is such a good one-two lovely ladies. Get lots of good sleep now!
xo

Vix said...

I bet you are! It'll be Thursday when you're reading this!
Gorgeous photo of you and the kids and also of you and J. What a lovely surprise when you're feeling done in and knackered. I bet a good old gossip got you feeling right back on track.
Blue is a wonderful colour on you (what isn't?) Love both those outfits especially the maxi from Shelley with the raunchy centre split. Perfect for running for the bus.
Fantastic walk to the restaurant. Wonder what we were invited to tickle. Seldom Seen's face is priceless.
Hope Simon had a top day, he couldn't not with rum balls on the agenda.
Love you! xxxxxxx

Melancholy and Menace said...

Such gorgeous colours in your outfits, i have yet to see you in anything that doesn't suit you. You always look so stylish.

Your family are adorable by the way :) I hope your husband had a perfect birthday.

What a wonderful surprise all the way from France too :)

Enjoy your evening xx

Jayne H said...

Sounds like you have had a lovely day. Sleep well.

Patti said...

You look so happy, and I'm so glad you took some relaxing time. Even though you are one of the most energetic women I know, you need some tea and cake too. Happy birthday to Simon. The children look full of fun! xox

Becky said...

That floral maxi is gorgeous! The cake & chinese food & rum balls sound delish. How luck you were to get to catch up with your friend :)

Mother of Reinvention said...

Your clothes are amazing. I love blue and green tones.I especially love the teal one. xx

Veshoevius said...

Your blue/green looks are just fabulous! I love the way you combine all those textures, prints and colours - they are surprisingly energising to look at rather than calming. Love the little blue beret - like a little bolt of electric blue.

Natalia Lialina said...

Happy Birthday Simon! Beautiful sophisticated wife, adorable kids, birthday cake AND rumballs! Now, that is one lucky gent!!
I looove you in maxi skirts, they all are fantastic, and you wear them like a Queen! I love green and combination of green and blue. You are very wise to take it easy- you need it, please indulge yourself.
Meeting with a good old friend is so good! I just had a similar experience recently (I wish I had photos). You look so happy and relaxed together! I always love looking at pictures from your life. Love seeing your kids! Have a good rest!

Instant Milk said...

SO pretty!

xx

Connie said...

Blue and green are ocean colors and you definitely look like a mermaid here. Old friends and birthdays and KIDS. All really good reasons to feel a bit tired. Adorable picture of you and the kiddos!!!Take a NAP!

Helga said...

I do love a good snigger session!!!
Rumballs rhymes with Bumballs! BAHAHAHA!
Ahem.
Happy Birthday to Simon!
Yay, the maxis are out and blue as my eyes......it takes me AGES to get over big events, or just a big night out. I just don't have the energy I used to have!
Fancy J living in France! ooo la la. Sounds ridiculously exotic. Lovely to have a huge catch up after so long! And cake.I'm not much of a cake girl, but coffee and walnut is much nicer than the usual sweet stuff!
Those kids are frightfully expressive!!! I love the shot of Seldom Seen coming out of the tunnel.
You make me want to pull on my denim jacket and prance about....I've been wearing it a lot lately, and I always think of you.
LOVE YOU! XXXXXXXXXX

silvergirl said...

I am all for some calm and relaxation
Love both of these maxi's
That aqua one looks like a gorgeous hue.
Glad you got to catch up with a friend,that is always the best
Brett

Sheila said...

Mmm...your blues are wonderful! I am craving bright true colours right now, probably as an antidote to the grey clouds!

Happy Birthday to the gentleman, and who doesn't like rum balls (heh heh)?

Goody said...

That teal maxi is beautiful, and it looks great on you.

Thank you for your comments on my posts today-they provided a well-needed laugh.

Speaking of laughs, your kids have a skill for pulling faces at the camera. That graffiti is the best. Ours just says stuff like, "Just quit trying."

Beth Waltz said...

What a lovely spectrum of blues! And smiles! A delightfully soft landing after the Big Event.

50 and counting said...

Blues are my favourite.

Canada used to produce some beautiful woolens in women's wear. Sadly it's nearly all been outsourced to Asia.

Tantalize me, which company made it?

50 and counting said...

Blues are my favourite.

Canada used to produce some beautiful woolens in women's wear. Sadly it's nearly all been outsourced to Asia.

Tantalize me, which company made it?

Izaraj said...

Wonderful, energetic colors of dresses! Wow!

Miss Magpie said...

I love blue and green I give you my seal of approval ;)

I'm adding my own words like Blankety Blank to the 'Tickle my'

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

It's turned chilly again so it's a perfect time to step out in warm maxis and warmer tights. I love the psycadelic bottom one best. You can't go wrong with blue.
Good for you for taking a day off from school. It certainly paid off. Perhaps you should bunk off more. xxxx

Peaches McGinty said...

Happy Birthday Simon! rumballs is a gift that just keeps giving! I love the pics of the kids! a bit of serendipity is a wonderful thing, how fab to catch up with your friend (I have learned something new too 'vide grenier'!) your blue hues look divine, the chevron (?) split maxi is captivating me, you are gorgeous in both outfits, though you have inspired me to seek out my denim jacket which Abby 'borrowed' years ago (it's in her room, apparently there is a floor there, we just have to dig) enjoy your rest and chill time x x x

Olga Rani said...

What amazing prints all of your maxi skirts have! One is brighter than another. How great it is to meet an old friend after all those years! And love how your kids make faces to the camera, always fun!

Forest City Fashionista said...

Now, what middle-aged man wouldn't like a good rumball on his birthday, I ask you ;)

A nice serendipitous moment to be home when your friend is able drop by for a quick visit. Nothing like a good gab with an old friend. And you're wearing the maxi! I think I used to wear the slit at the back but then the zipper would be on the wrong side. Glad to see it got an outing.

Nice shot of Seldom Seen in the tunnel.

Diane said...

Your days always sound so lovely. You look fab as ever and your photos are gorgeous. Your kids look very much like you xxx

Anonymous said...

LOVE the Canadian skirt! You wear it well, Curtise. How nice that your old friend connected with you out of the blue - people just don't do that any more, especially by phone. Lovely family photo at the end. Xo

Fiona said...

Sounds like it was a top day even if you were tired. An old friend turning up out of the blue, rumballs and a chinese..what more could anyone ask for? Dying to know what the blacked out graffiti originally said. I'm sure you could supply some suggestions Curtise, with your Carry On scriptwriters mind. Hope you feel re-energised after your day out in Chesterfield. Loving the Canadian skirt..how warm would that be and the lovely silver bangle. xxxx
PS The kids are a riot.

Mrs Bertimus said...

What a lovely day indeed!
And those maxi skirts...swoon! X

freckleface said...

Happy birthday to Simon. Lucky man to get homemade coffee and walnut cake, mmmm. I reckon you are a bit of a demon baker. Did you sing too, and give him the bumps? Yes, calm and relaxation are exactly what are needed after a big push like you had last week. It takes me days to get over even a late night. Bit of a wimp. Such a lovely pic of you and your friend J, you look so content to see each other. Old friends are the best. I love seeing you and the kids together. I imagine lots of noise and laughter. Finally, what a marvellous pair of maxis. You're rocking them to the max! Xxxxxxx

Kezzie said...

SO nice for you to catch up!!! The berets and blue combos are gorgeous!! I love your sense of style, SO cool! Love the cool shots of your kids, especially your son!!! I was in bed by 8.30 last night after getting back to school at 11.50pm with 27 very tired children!!! xx

Unknown said...

I look forward to your maxi-skirt posts. You look so tall and lovely in them. Love the blue. All of it, and especially your white blouse with the blue print. A favorite.
Kids are fabulous as well. And as always. Looks like you had a grand time, and it's important to overeat when you have Chinese. Else you'll be hungry again in an hour, you know ...
Have a great weekend, Lovely Curtise!

Melanie said...

That must have been a nice surprise to have a catch up with an old friend.
Love all the blues and greens, you look fab.
Happy birthday to your Simon!
xxx

The Adventures of a Shopaholic said...

I'm in love with your maxi dress outfit!: )

Marianna,
THE ADVENTURES OF A SHOPAHOLIC
THE ADVENTURES OF A SHOPAHOLIC ON FACEBOOK

Rachel said...

What a lovely picture of you all. Gorgeous!
How do you find all these lovely outfits? I never see any clothes like these on the flea market! You must have the knack for it! xx

Pennyblossoms said...

Ah, yes, rum balls...always worth a good snigger.
Mr B brought me back some Dickmanns from one his trips abroad years ago. They caused quite a lot of sniggering too! Such a good word - so I'll type it again
snigger
Z xx