July. The Highs, The Lows, The Epic Purchases.

Well that was July, it certainly had it's moments and frankly I could have done without them, but as thankfully it wasn't all bad, I'm not going to think, about or talk about, the shit stuff.

The fact I am sick right now and displaying all the usual signs of being run down (let's just say my currently look is bubonic plague chic) means some TLC is due fast. When my body does this to me I have learnt to listen.

So on to good things. I had a great day out shopping with Soo and a lovely dinner out with friends, who surprised me with a belated birthday bottle of prosecco on the table when I arrived. My friends are the best.

I also finally managed to take some of my holiday time, I am seriously in danger of losing it as the academic leave year ends in September!?! I had squirreled 2 weeks away anticipating another house move but as we have put that off for a year I had those 2 weeks to play with.

I had great plans for my week off, great plans, I'm sure your guessing by now I didn't achieve them, AT ALL. Well maybe one or two.
I got one day out in the garden

I *finally* cleared the path right to the bottom of the garden, it's only taken a year. Now I just have to start moving sideways to the left.....

How gorgeous is this clematis that now has the room to flower and flourish?

Also how awesome is this spinning seagull Himself bought me in Penzance? He's been going great guns in the miserable weather we have had lately

It was my Mother's birthday so I took her out for lunch, it rained so we sat inside the lovely riverside pub we had chosen and I ate delicious macaroni cheese. I ate it again the next day as it goes, also with Mother but this time at a garden centre.
When I think on the fact I had decided to eat sensibly on my week off, I actually ended up pretty much eating my body weight in cheese.
But as it was my birthday the week before and, are you sitting down? I did not eat any cake!?!*&!%! I guess I was allowed to make up for it with much cheese.

Whilst I was out with Mum I bought some wine. Now to set the scene my Dad really knows a thing or two about wine. Not in a pretentious wine snob anything less than £20 a bottle is beneath me way. But he was good with wine and I don't think he ever bought a bad bottle. He tried to teach me but sadly it wasn't to be.

I still go out and buy wine because I like the look of the label or because it's on an offer. It's safe to say over the years I have bought MANY bad bottles.
No prizes for guessing what made me choose this bottle!

It was Himself who bothered to read the label

and then took great delight in pointing out the 'wine based drink' on the back, I opened it with a sinking heart. As it goes, well chilled, it wasn't that bad. I've had better and I've certainly had worse. Having said that I don't think I'll be buying it again.

I finally sorted my cds since moving a year ago. yes, yes they are alphabetical, come on now, I'm an ex-librarian for god's sake.
I made random discoveries like Nephew Number One *still* has all bar one of my Gary Numan cds and apparently I have 5 Placebo albums even though I have always assumed I don't really like them. Hmm.

I also finally took myself into Oxford outside of work hours and to the Ashmolean Museum to visit their Raphael exhibition.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, both from the point of view of the fabulous and fascinating exhibits themselves and the deep joy of wandering round people watching and shamelessly eavesdropping their conversations. Bliss.

It reminded me just how dreadfully long it is since I last sat and just sketched random things around me. I got a £5 voucher from Paperchase for my birthday so this week I used it to buy a lovely A5 sketch book (and a unicorn keyring with the left over!)

So here we are in August so I shall end this blog with my July purchases. It's going to take a while so sit back, put up you feet and marvel at my epic spending....

I shall begin with a couple of gifts to ease you in.

Birthday brooches

Birthday deer. Spotted by Himself in Penzance, I am beyond thrilled with this beautiful gift. Himself knows me well.

Ok so I did also buy some bits in the Accessorize sale (not pictured.) two nautical style scarves, a pearl bead choker and cherry print socks as I recall.

July was going ok, I had managed to resist various sales I was quite pleased with myself, then I got an email saying the Collectif sale had started........

The frock I have been stalking on their website was in said sale but dear readers I resisted! Oh yes, I held my nerve and sure enough I got an exclusive 'extra 30% off' email not long after. Well as you can imagine that frock hit the checkout faster than Usain Bolt out of the blocks. I still haven't got over missing out on the burgandy tartan one in January!
This is it

My holiday frock for Bournemouth, if I can hold out that long that is. As it goes it actually isn't stretch cotton like my other Dolores dresses but Jute?? I don't think I've worn jute since the sack race at infant school, but I'm game for such a delicious frock!
Oh and I may also have purchased another colourway at the same time, you know saves on postage and all that.

I wore it to work this week and I am seriously in love. having said that I do need to adjust the elastic in the sleeves because at the moment they are so tight I was losing the circulation in my armpits.

I ordered something from the Hell Bunny sale but they couldn't find it in stock so they refunded me and I bought this dress from another website sale instead. It's very red and orange and it makes me very happy.

I also bought a necklace and earring set which I repainted when it arrived

much nicer than the weird metallic paint effect it originally was. I thought that was it and my purchasing for July was done until I got ANOTHER exclusive Collectif email to say all sale items had an extra 50% off.
"Hmm" thought I "I'll just have another wee look, what harm could it possibly do?"

These may have arrived on Monday......


Just in case you think I'm neglecting my handbag purchasing skills, think again

£2.80 for this cute little 60's box bag.

Finally the best until last. To set the scene; I had to dive into town for some bits and pieces the other Sunday. On the way home I have to pass the British Heart Foundation shop and unlike most other charity shops it is open on a Sunday. This bag was directly in my eyeline through the open door. I literally burst in, snatched it up and galloped to the till, startling the bored looking hipster serving who clearly thought I was completely insane. Did I care? No way Jose! and especially not for £3.49

Behold this glorious, glorious piece of  1980's.

How magnificent?