Hello everyone
Would you believe it, I began this post (last week) when the weather was unsettled and wet, and not particularly warm, and I was going to talk about how I really must wear the dresses that have been lying unworn at the back of my wardrobe. It just hasn’t been warm enough to wear them.
But this week, it’s completely different and we have another mini-heatwave with several days around 26C (78F) and beyond. And as luck would have it, I have a recurrence of the 100-day cough – I think I’m nearly over it, but it’s been 2 weeks of incessant coughing – and that’s why there’s been a bit of a gap since I last posted a blog. So here I am with yet another cough (not Covid btw, I tested myself and was negative) so haven’t done much in the way of outings or exhibitions. Mind you, very soon I’m planning to get out my cruise dresses and you will see what I am aiming to wear during the day and in the evening.
Anyway, despite the cough I have worn some of my dresses, especially through these last three days of what we think of as incredibly hot weather in the UK, plus getting out and looking at several others. Here are three of them.
Here is the first one.
This is a Zara dress bought from a charity shop for £7.00.
I love it as it’s cool to wear and is in very good condition – it has probably hardly been worn.
I’m wearing this dress with my new off-white trainers bought new from Zara, but could easily wear some dainty black sandals, which you’ll see in the next few photos.
The second one is a Mango dress and like the one above is made entirely of viscose so is cool to wear in the heat.
It’s really long and I think I shall wear it in the evening on the cruise.
Mr F was making me laugh!
It’s also super comfortable, and btw cost all of £9.50. The third dress I bought new from New Look, but it was from a sale and cost all of £9.99.
Now this one I nearly returned to the shop as the back is as low as the front, but actually in this heat it feels fine.
This is a 100% cotton dress.
I really like the bold black and white print. I think I shall take all three dresses on my cruise and wear them in the evening. Three cheers, it is just a month away!
Well that’s all for now as this blooming bug has left me feeling rather tired and listless. Hopefully I’ll be back next week with my usual amount of energy. Thanks for reading to the end, and do tell me how you’re coping with hot weather or, if you’re reading this in the Southern Hemisphere, the cold.
With love Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
Lovely dresses Penny. Have a great holiday and thanks for sharing your news xx
Thanks Vivien, the cruise is just about a month away – so I have got several appointments fixed and have begun thinking through what I am taking. I have a better idea now than I did last year. Also need to sort out Mr F!
Thanks Vivien 😊
All look nice on you. The sandals are perfect. Just can’t see trainers with such pretty dresses. I’m old school. 🙂
I hope you get better soon. Have a wonderful cruise!
Elaine Ness
Thank you so much re: the dresses. Actually regarding the white spotted dress and shoes, I would wear the white trainers during the day and sandals at night. When I go up to London white trainers are everywhere!
The cruise is just one month away so am thinking through what to take.
Thanks Elaine 😊
3 great dresses! This week I am wearing my shorter ones. This is my last week of giving myself a theme! It did feel good to make sure everything got a little action in the rotation of being worn. We have had a lot of overcast days and rain but this week the heat is back. I cannot wait for fall! My favorite dresses here are the first and the last but all 3 look so comfortable!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I’ve read a lot in our media about the heat in the States – glad to hear you’ve escaped it for a bit! I agree with you that the first and last are best and am thinking about the second one – whether to keep it or not as it’s not as flattering as I thought. It is comfortable but that’s not how I judge my clothes!
Thanks Mireille 😊
You look very stylish in all 3 dresses, Penny. My favourite is the last one, that bold print is gorgeous! I hope you feel better soon.
Thank you for the kind words about the dresses, and yes, I agree with you about the 3rd dress, especially now I’ve compared it with the second. The bold print is very striking.
Thanks again 😊
Three great dresses on you – looking very svelte. Looking forward to seeing the cruise prep. Thanks for linking.
Yup – lining up my clothes and making those decisions is all part of the pre-cruise planning! Delighted to link up – thanks for hosting it, Gail 😊
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Hi Penny, Those dresses are all lovely on you, I particularly like the last one. Sorry to hear about the cough,I still think it’s a hangover from Covid . I have exactly the same nagging dry cough and it’s been there for a year! I cough for about an hour after I get up in the morning. I have never smoked so I can’t even blame that!
Nice to hear you are planning ahead for your cruise ,it’s part of the holiday isn’t it. We are going on one but not till January, but I have my cruise drawer where I put in special outfits , and try not to wear them now. Are you going with Saga? we are. I love being surrounded by people our age, with lots of history and experience and happy to talk about it. Best wishes from Judy in Brighton
Thanks Judy and I realise now the 3rd one is the best. Yes, I also agree that Covid has left a lot of people with a slight productive cough in the morning, but thereafter I’m fine. I’m also fine now – took 2 weeks to get over it. I hear from others that although our granddaughter was the source a lot of people have had this same cough with the post-viral tiredness. It must be the cool weather we’ve been having.
Oh wow, Judy, you too like Saga. We think Saga is amazing for all the inclusive features and especially the people you meet on board. I have never met a more friendly cruise line – it really is the best. Interesting you are doing a winter cruise as I have avoided them ever since I went on one where everyone, simply everyone, had a nasty cough. You could book 3 back-to-back Caribbean cruises – we went for just one in the middle and found out that someone had brought the bug on and then everyone caught it. We were fine until we got home and then Mr F got it. So ever after I have avoided that time of the year. Btw, it was not Saga. Saga is just the best.
I too have a cruise-wear stash which I don’t ordinarily wear – getting them out now.
Thanks again Judy 😊
Ah dresses! Love them. And we have that heatwave too so finally can wear them. Love the Mango one a lot! Best wishes worth your health.
Love each of your dresses. They will be perfect for the cruise evenings.
Sorry to hear that your rotten cough has returned.
I hope that you feel much better soon.
I find this very hot weather too much, I feel so very listless, my asthma doesn’t like it either. Using my blue inhaler more often lately. I am happy when it’s 20c. Hot enough for me. Enjoy the cruise planning, getting prepared is part of the fun, I think.
It’s interesting taking photos of dresses you think are not quite right or maybe, one thinks, absolutely right. I now realise that the 3rd dress is lovely and now not so sure about the 2nd. I shall have to think about that one.
I know, this weather is too hot for me too, it’s the humidity that goes with it. I agree I too like the low 20s and nothing more than 24C or possibly 25C but only with a breeze. I think the UK is very unprepared for the increasing heat due to climate change especially as everyone loves opening windows and/or having large windows. Over the years in my grandchildren’s time, housing will have to have smaller windows and external blinds.
I really love the cruise planning – getting out my cruise stash now!
Thanks Carole 😊
Oh interesting, that you like the long Mango one – after looking at the photos I didn’t think it’s particularly flattering, will have to think about this!
There’s a lot of bugs around which I’m sure has to be because of the cool unseasonable weather we’re having. Thanks goodness for some better weather although it has been very humid over the last few days which isn’t particularly pleasant, but, I have worn a couple of dresses – yay!
Thanks Nancy 😊
Oh, do not take that last dress back! It shows off your beautiful collar bones so well! I am sure you will be the belle of the boat! I hope you are soon feeling better. Lingering coughs interrupt so much especially after covid when everyone looks at you suspiciously! I am only two weeks away from visiting Ireland and Scotland. I’ll wave in your direction…which way would that be?
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Actually I realise looking at the photos that the 3rd dress is the best and I’m now wondering about the 2nd one! The cough is practically gone and I am almost back to being 100% – took 2 weeks. There’s a lot of bugs around due I think to our recent cool weather.
I’m down at the coastline, what is considered to be south to south-east of England. I shall wave back at you – enjoy those beautiful countries 😀
Sorry to hear that you have not been feeling well Penny. Feel better! Such nice dresses and they look like you can wear them for in other then hot Summer weather. I am always tempted by pretty summery dresses but in reality don’t wear them that much. I am really trying to wear what I have in my closet already. I have just returned from my favorite place, Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Even with less than great weather we managed to have a good time. Light rain did not make for ideal beach days but all other activities were enjoyable, in fact the overcast and misty weather kept temperatures down. Already making plans for next years trip but that’s a long way off. Have a wonderful time on your cruise! Love, Darby
There’s a lot of bugs around all due, I think, to the poor and very cool weather we’ve been having lately. I’m practically over it now – which is a relief! It’s been good to get out the summer dresses though, many of which I’ve had for several years. But it was only 4 hot days – it’s been strange summer with very few of these hot days. Our little mini-heatwave is practically over now and we’re back to grey skies and the damp!
Good to hear you had a lovely time in your favourite vacation spot. We aim to go on one very short trip after our cruise which will take us into mid-September. I do love the sorting of the clothes one has to do.
Thanks Darby 😊
Sorry to hear the dreaded cough has returned but pleased you are feeling somewhat better.
I do like all three dresses on you but especially like the black and white , it is so striking.
Rest and recover so you will be in fine form for your cruise.
All the best, Jill.
I do feel much better Jill and am glad to hear from others that it wasn’t just me as there are a lot of people saying they’ve had the same thing. It’s all down, I think, to the poor weather we’ve been having recently.
Re: the 3rd dress, I agree and especially after looking at the photos I now realise that the 3rd dress is by far the best. Black and white again!!! I’m now thinking about the 2nd dress as I don’t see it as at all flattering. A photo session can be really helpful when deciding outfits that suit ones image and body.
I am doing very little over the next few weeks and definitely avoiding the little ones! But I am thinking through the packing of the clothes – I do love that part!
Thanks Jill 😊
Hello Penny,
I have just read your reply to my comment and have gone back for a second look. I agree with you, maybe its a bit too long and is it also a tad too big on the top. Just my two cents worth, hope you don’t mind. Glad you are feeling better.
Regards, Jill
So sorry you are not feeling up to par, but hope that will change soon. Love all 3 dresses. Guess I am the outlier as I love the 2nd one the most! Love the length on you! Yes, it is really hot here in the states, today is 96F/35C with not much activity going on in my neighborhood presently. Have fun planning your cruisewear. Claire from across the pond…..
I am much better thanks. I hear that there’s a lot of bugs around, all down I’m sure to the cool weather we’ve been having. We haven’t really had a proper summer as this little mini-heatwave is practically over – that was 4 days!!! Like the States no-one goes out in the heat of the sun, but that’s us Brits not going out in temperatures 20 degrees cooler than you get!! We really know nothing about true heat in this country!
I will have the greatest fun sorting out my cruise clothes. Btw, how interesting you like the 2nd dress. After looking at the photos I was thinking the 3rd dress is the best and the 2nd wasn’t as flattering I’ll really have to think about that. But it’s all useful feedback and shows that taking a photo of an outfit is helpful.
Thanks so much Claire 😊
Sorry to read about the dreaded cough. It haunts me every so often after Covid – enervating and irritating. The last dress is great and suits you so well. My main thought was that your hair looks wonderful – you’ve found a keeper hairdresser.
That hairdresser is definitely a keeper, I really trust him to get me back to how I want it – phew, so relieved!
I now realise from the photos that the 3rd dress is the best. The cough is practically over – it was the tiredness that went with it that was so debilitating. I hear from others that there’s a lot of it about.
Thanks Jennifer 😊
You look lovely in all these dresses Penny, you have a great eye! The final black and white one is my favourite if I had to pick but you should do well taking them all on your cruise. Enjoy the summer!!
Debbie from Debs-world.com