Wardrobe

As I am away this weekend, I thought I would squeeze in a quick wardrobe post.

Moving seems to have triggered a complete wardrobe reboot. Last week I found a pair of designer Lola Cruz sandals in Oxfam, £6, beautiful soft black leather with chunky gold metallic heels. They were reasonably comfy, even on the cobbles of Huntly Street where we went for a meal at Yorokubi Japanese restaurant.

I also allowed myself a basics stock up of two bras from Bravissimo and three tshirts, one grey, two white from John Lewis. So much better than the M&S ones which are very poor quality these days. I don’t often wear white but am trying to get some really plain, versatile things in my wardrobe.

My aim for my wardrobe is to have comfy, simple things in a range of limited colours which makes it easy to get dressed and look good. Fear not though, I am still doing my vintage inspired sewing!

Streetscapes

I feel I am branching out from just buildings and am getting more interested in streetscapes. This is the view from Aberdeen Central Library. Up to the right are Plan 9 Comics and my favourite charity shops. Lots of corner buildings are topped with towers or domes and I like the eclectic mix of houses and modern tower blocks here.

I like using graphic pens to recall an urban look in the drawings.

Oxfam Only

My project of buying most of my clothes from charity shops continues apace. When I moved I actually got rid of about two thirds of my wardrobe so I can replenish it. I recommend a good clear out, and a focus on the idea of capsule wardrobe.

I buy new things to experiment with; I like Cancer Research as everything is under £3. This week I got a colour blocked tshirt in white,  navy and grey, and a dull pink sweatshirt with small gold glitter flecks. I like metallics. If these don’t work they just go back, but it lets you try things and see if you actually wear them, which you can’t really tell when you buy things. I also made a purple jersey jumpsuit and am starting a navy dress with white spots.

Regarding capsule wardrobe I have come to the feeling that my basics are black, grey and navy and my colours are green, blue and purple.

Some vague signs of spring bring out the mac instead of the coats, lighter scarves and cardigans instead of jumpers. The wool skirts go into deep store in the spare room wardrobe and the cotton and linen skirts come out.

Spring Flowers

I wanted to try out my new sponge. So this is a wet on wet picture in inks. On an extra thick watercolour paper so it doesn’t get buckled. The splashes were a happy accident.

Round the Back

Alleyway in Aberdeen

Belmont Street

An experimental ink sponging technique to try and capture the historic but slightly seedy Belmont Street in Aberdeen. These houses with their higgledy piggledy windows probably date from the c18th. In the centre is an arch leading down a long steep flight of stairs to the Denburn. This is Patagonian Court. When the street was built the Denburn was a major river that ships could sail up, carrying goods from South America. The river was later filled in for the railway. 

Wardrobe Update

The day before Yesterday was my birthday so I went on a birthday shop. I did buzz through the charity shops, Cancer Research has everything £3 and under and I got a dark blue nubbly jumper (ex H&M) and a necklace with varied beads in turquoise, silver and coral colours. Costume jewellery is always a good buy second hand as it is expensive when new and jewellery fashions seem to change all the time. I like beads or chains with interesting pendants. 

In the real shops I popped into the sale at John Lewis and got a grey suede cross body bag from Fatface. Cross body is better for posture, thus necks and backs feel better. I like grey, as a subtle neutral which is a bit more spring like. 

My main birthday present was a new ipad but I still need to find a blogging programme which works with my existing blog. So I am writing this on the old one for the time being. Watch this space.