Hi everyone
Here’s a tale about British weather! On Wednesday we went off to our local independent cinema to see Barbie. Have you seen it? It’s so good. It’s funny and witty too, and there are many references to other films, including the greatest start to a film ever with a guffawing reference to 2001. Margo Robbie is the best Barbie you could ever imagine and Ryan Gosling is just – Ken. I loved it and btw, Mr F accompanied me and thought it was great too as he loved the references to 2001, and thereafter thoroughly enjoyed the film.
So, for starters it is not a film for little girls, in fact, I think youngsters might be very confused by the entire film. Oh, and did I say there was a some reference to feminism and the patriarchy. Well, good for that film, it had its serious side as well. And anyone who doesn’t like that – all I can say is, really?
Anyway, we happened to go to the film on Wednesday, which was one of two days this week when it was actually hot. We have had such a very cool summer this year, and I had four thin cotton dresses for hot weather in my wardrobe I still hadn’t worn as the weather just hasn’t been warm enough. That number is down to three as I got out this dress.
In honour of Barbie I tried to wear as much pink as possible and while the spectrum of pink was sometimes pushing towards red, note that I wore a pink/red dress, pink trainers, pink socks, a pink bracelet and necklace, pink ring, a red/pink hat, my pink specs, and my very pink backpack. There were other members of the audience who also wore pink. Altogether I think we made good show of it. What a fun time we had, oh and did I say that Barbie was an excellent film!! And if you think, nah it’s not for me, give it a try you might be surprised. It really is a well made and fun film. By the way, the only item clothing from a charity shop was the hat.
Two days later and the heat seemed to have disappeared. I was meeting a friend for lunch in nearby Seaford and the day was cool and cloudy and pouring with rain. Not a day to wear a dress, so out I got my charity shop jeans and then I thought, now what about that wonderful green Zara jacket that I bought in a charity shop several weeks ago and not worn as yet?
We were going to have lunch in a new restaurant in the High Street, so I thought let me be dressy in a casual way. So I also got out my lovely green shoes.
I also wore a green bracelet, necklace and ring and took my lime green backpack. Underneath the jacket, I wore a black t-shirt and in honour of Barbie, it had the slogan WOMAN-UP on it!!!
I set off to the train station in the gloom and rain, with my umbrella and rain mac. By the time I arrived at my destination the rain had stopped, and the sun was struggling to come out, and in the afternoon by the time I got the train back it was hot, hot, hot with not a cloud in the sky and my word, was I warm!
So here’s the lesson we Brits learn from knee-high. The weather is usually neither too hot or too cold, but it is often wet and windy and very very changeable – so be prepared for that! It was great to wear that jacket but it is still slightly too early in the season to wear. Oh, and alway take a bag big enough to take your umbrella and that thin mac you had to wear at the beginning of your trip, which I did!
By the way, I had a fantastic time in Seaford’s local charity shops with my friend and bought 8 items which you will see soon. But the next post will be the two dressy outfits I bought for my next cruise!
That’s all for now. I hope you all have a good weekend.
With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
That jacket is a lovely colour and I do like your hair with a bit of wave in it. Mine has gone very soft and curly ; I really curse it in damp weather as I look like a poodle!
I went to see Barbie with my daughter and I thought it was hilarious. Not so the lady next to me who was probably very irritated by my laughing. What her little girls made of it I’ve no idea.
As you say the weather is very changeable at present. Last Sunday we were eating lunch in my daughter’s garden and the salad leaves were literally blowing off the plates then we had 3 really fine warm days this week. Yesterday I went by train to meet a friend in Somerset and it rained heavily in the morning and was misty and overcast almost all day. I’d forgotten how cold it is on trains – should have had a jacket or a wrap as well as a raincoat. We went to The Newt for lunch which is an amazing place with wonderful views which would have been so much nicer on a good day. It would take me too long to describe it but you can see it online. I don’t think I’ll be staying in the hotel though, seriously expensive!
Thanks re: the jacket. In our area Zara donates to the Red Cross charity shop and another charity shop has donations from an exclusive high-end shirt brand. Most of the Zara items are too way-out for me but have just bought a nice new white Zara blouse at £6.50 which is amazing and a win for me and the charity shop of course.
Barbie was just so funny and the beginning which referenced 2001 sold it to Mr F who thereafter loved it as much as I did. But I know the couple of women (who were perhaps a little younger than me but not much) did not get the reference and were a bit shocked at the girls smashing their dolls. I could feel the person sitting next to me shuddering and she said, quite loudly, ‘well this is a bit violent’ while I was laughing and clapping at the cleverness of it all. Not sure they got Barbie at all.
Weather is going to be hot this week and then not the next – and so it goes! Thanks Lynda 🙂
I love the jacket too! Beautiful colour and I like the cut. Also, your hair looks great too. It’s been a *weird* British summer to say the least.. glad of a few better days this week.
This weather has been so very changeable. In Lewes it’s cloudy and grey at the moment but over the next few days it’s going to be quite hot, and then – colder!!!
Thanks re: the kind words about the hair – still working on it though! Thanks Jen 🙂
Love the green jacket and shoes, Penny. I’m just back from a short trip to Kent. Having lived in north of that county on several occasion through our 47 years of marriage, we thought we knew all the places to enjoy. I’ve been enthused by your holidays at Dungeness, so on this trip I was determined to visit this amazing desert wilderness. It didn’t disappoint. As Arnie says ‘I’ll be back’ (or have I got that reference wrong).
Thanks re: the green jacket and green shoes. The jacket was a great charity shop find and the shoes are from an independent shoe shop in Lewes which has a lot of shoes from the continent. The green shoes are still on sale there!
So glad you liked Dungeness as it is so very unique. I wonder if you managed to get a snack at the Fish Shack. Here’s the link to the place I stay in. https://www.wiwurri-dungeness.co.uk
Wiwurri is so much better and far cheaper than any of the AirBnb’s that are around which seem horrendously expensive and soulless too. Thanks Jane 🙂
Thanks for your response Penny and the link to the holiday let. Regretfully we didn’t get to eat at the Fish Shack, it was full and people waiting. We went instead to the F&C pub further along (disappointing) as Mr T is one of those who suddenly has to eat NOW! He expends a lot of energy and is very slim. I’ve taken a screen shot of your reply so I don’t lose the let details. Many thanks!
Love your Barbie outfit! I had heard about the movie on Front Row on Radio 4, where it was described as philosophical and feminist, as well as funny, which intrigued me. I persuaded a friend to go to see it with me – I could tell she wasn’t that keen, but she went along to please me. She absolutely loved it, as did I. We sixty-something women were hooting with laughter, but the girls behind us, who had come along full of excitement at the start, sat through the whole thing in stony silence! As you say, not a film for little girls. I didn’t pick up on the movie references that you mentioned, so I’ll obviously have to go and see it again! I loved Ryan Gosling’s performance – he definitely stole the show!
Hi Helen, here’s a link to the film references https://movieweb.com/barbie-movie-references-easter-eggs/#the-wizard-of-oz-1939 The most obvious one was at the beginning with the very large doll referencing the monolith at the beginning of 2001 – with the music too!!! Mr F was so delighted he just sat back and enjoyed the film thereafter. Of course, this would not be noticed by anyone who hasn’t seen 2001 but we thought it so clever.
I agree Barbie was far more suited to an older audience! And Ryan Gosling…..!
Lovely Barbie outfit, Penny! It reminded me of the time my husband bought me an all-colours sparkly ABBA wig during the interval of a tribute concert – and they were very good, too – and suddenly I was the new best friend of all the much younger dresser-uppers nearby! I expect they thought they’d better show some support for the old girl old enough to remember the real group!
Isn’t it funny? The weather is the staple of our conversation and yet despite a lifetime of putting up with its wilfulness, we are still constantly caught out by it! Carry a mac/umbrella and the sun shines. Leave them at home and it lashes down! Hang out the washing and be on standby to dash out to beat the first big drops while forgetting an upstairs window’s open for the rain to blow in that way! No wonder most of us pack wellies and a thick jumper along with the sun cream and sun hat when we go away! Even on cruises! You be sure to remember that later this year! x
I packed my case with so many cool weather clothes and actually wore very little of that. I wore my new fleece on deck but over a single layer of a long-sleeved t-shirt. All my other cool weather gear wasn’t needed – but at least I had it to hand. And you are so right if I hadn’t brought it all I might have needed it!
I do like the sound of you wearing that ABBA wig! Thanks Zepherine 🙂
Hi Penny! Love the red dress/Barbie outfit and the green jacket/green shoes outfit!! You are fortunate to be so slender! Everything looks good on you! And…do I see a new hairstyle…with bangs? At least that’s what we call it in the States. You look terrific…in the outfit styles (dress and pants), the colors, and the new haircut!
Funny that you should be writing about weather today. I have battened down the hatches as I prepare for the West Coast’s first “tropical hurricane”! The only thing similar was an event recorded in the 1930’s. “Hurricane Hillary” is traveling north from Mexico and will be arriving along my small coastal town around noon tomorrow. By that time, it’s fingers crossed for a downgrade to a “tropical storm”. Coastal communities are piling sandbags and building berms along beaches in preparation for this very unusual weather event. Rain forecasts are giving measurements of rain usually forecast for one year! It seems the brunt of the storm will swerve inland and bypass my area but we will still receive rain. While we do need rain in Southern California, it is hazardous when it comes pouring down onto such dry land. Not enough time for absorption. Flood warnings are being broadcast on local news stations.
Praying for safety and wisdom. There are always those souls who love to “go look” and travel to the most hazardous areas…in a fire, rising waters, or this storm.
My flashlights are ready. Powering up my electrical devices. My car’s gas tank is full and I’ve gone grocery shopping. Already, today (Saturday), the clouds have rolled in this afternoon after a bright sunny morning.
Hping that we Southern Californians are over-preparing…Charlene
Oh Charlene, we have all read about this Hurricane coming your way. I believe it has downgraded a little, but still expected to bring a lot of rain and then flooding. Fingers crossed you stay safe through this event.
We Brits are really funny (as in peculiar) about the weather. We complain about it all the time – it’s too hot (it is humid heat though) or it’s too cool, or too windy, or too wet. And yet we don’t have really bad weather. I fact, we know nothing whatsoever of the huge extremes that come to so many countries. Last summer was a foretaste of the hot summers that will eventually come our way, but this summer has been dominated by the Jet Sream’s move giving us a very cool, wet and windy summer.
I do hope you stay safe – thinking about you Charlene today ( Monday). So glad you are well prepared. Let us know how it went.
Wishing the very best to you, and your neighbours, over the next few hours 🙂
Oh my, Penny! We had an earthquake!! A 5.1 magnitude in an inland town just north of me. I was actually sitting on a small stool working on organizing my closet when things started to shake and, especially, roll! I’m dog-sitting my grand-dog and she came running to my side. What an experience!
Actually, I’m a veteran as I’ve lived in California all my life. The biggest was the Northridge earthquake 6.7 in 1994. The epicenter was about five miles away from our old home and the shock came around 4am. I was airborne in my bed!
Yesterday, the rain was consistent but slowed down in the evening. We received emergency warnings via our phones for flash floods.
This evening, I’ll be driving sixty-five miles to the Los Angeles international airport to pickup my son and his family. Weather predictions say the storm will have moved on. Praying for a dry drive and safe travels for all of us! I’m actually planning to leave early and do some shopping while closer to Los Angeles.
So…I’m good! We’re still standing and standing on solid (so far) ground. Concerned about my small Fall vegetable plantings being flooded out but the house is sturdy! Thanks for reading this…Charlene love
Wow, Charlene – just wow! You are absolute proof that we Brits know nothing whatsoever about ‘weather’!
Wishing you a safe journey tonight – take care XXX
Charlene, my thoughts are with you at such a troubling time for our planet Earth. Stay as safe as you can.
Jane T.
Thank you, Jane. We are back to sunny blue skies today. No damage here.
I totally missed the 2001 reference. I guess I will need to see the movie again! I went with my granddaughter (aged 14) and four of her friends. My daughter had warned me I shouldn’t expect to sit with them. In fact, I wouldn’t be wanted. When we walked in, I asked A where she wanted me to sit…if a couple rows in front would be ok. She seemed rather bemused by that but said, “OK.” After sitting for a moment or so, she said, “Granny, we want you to come sit with us.” That certainly warmed my heart.
As for the movie, I loved it for many reasons. I loved the nostalgia because I recognized some of the fashion. I loved it for the storyline because it was just enough fantastical to be entertaining. But, most of all, I loved it for the message. I sat there and cried after Gloria’s speech because it was so very true. I don’t think my granddaughter or her friends got that part of it. I will have to talk to my granddaughter when she comes over next to do some sewing to see if they picked up on the importance of being seen and not marginalized. While I can see why some were offended (looking at white middle aged and older men in the US), I think, overall, it was a splendid movie, and I hope it garners lots of awards.
Your attire for the movie was perfect! I especially love the pink trainers! Oh, I have a pair of fuchsia ones and should have worn mine that day. You look especially fabulous in that green (?) jacket. I remember our first trip to London. We had no idea. We were out walking along the Mall and got caught in a downpour. We were soaked to the skin. From then on, we always remembered to pick up two umbrellas from the concierge.
I hope you have a wonderful week. We are going to have our hottest and most humid week yet. I was hoping we were going to bypass that, but it’s not to be.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Here is a link to the movie references. https://movieweb.com/barbie-movie-references-easter-eggs/
I totally got the 2001 reference with the large Barbie and the music too! At that point Mr F realised that the film would absolutely suit him down to the ground and he just relaxed and enjoyed it so much. I also got the offer to Barbie of the two shoes and its reference to the Matrix, and Neo having to choose either the blue or red pill and the different worlds they would reveal. Not having seen Rocky I didn’t get the coat that Ken wore. But I absolutely guffawed at the reference to Pride and Prejudice!! This film had such depth. I will btw, wait to see Oppenheimer as 3 hours….? But utterly fascinated by my daughter’s response to it as she said that seeing Barbie first made her realise that Barbie was by far the better film and that there were a lot of men on horses in it!!!!! Oh wow, I think I get what she was saying!!! I will see it when I can stream it.
Awww, so lovely that your 14-yr-old granddaughter wanted you to sit next to you. And always take a small umbrella with you when visiting England, or anywhere in the British Isles for that matter!
Thanks so much Marsha 🙂
It’s so hard when the weather changes so much. It’s like you have to take a change of clothes with you, LOL.
I still haven’t seen the Barbie movie but all of my friends have loved it, so I’ll be there soon enough.
Those green shoes are marvelous Penny. I just adore your style and love how you get such great deals on things,
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Yes, we in the UK always need that compact umbrella close to hand! And my backpack can always take the cardi I wore over the dress that I didn’t need. Basically we have to be prepared for any kind of weather!
You will love the Barbie movie and it has far more depth than one might expect from a film about a doll. It really is good, oh and funny as well!
Thanks Jodie xxx
I love the way you put both of these outfits together Penny! I am usually more conservative with color. However, I am happy to report that even though it is still so hot and summery I have bought a coat. I have been reading all about your collection of interesting coats and have finally decided to be more adventurous and have purchased a coat in a color called “iris”. It is a blue/ purple shade, a color I have always loved. I happened to see it on a shopping channel and it came on my size. The sleeves were a bit long and when I took it to the tailor she even remarked on what a pretty color it was. For years I have had my black wool coat which I will still wear of course and a couple of down “puffer” coats which is what most people around here wear all the time. I am not a fan of winter but perhaps this will make it more bearable.
Summer has always been my favorite season but this year has not been the best. We had the smoke from the wildfires early on, we had the record breaking heat as did I suppose most of the world. Many years we have drought but this year there has been an excess of rain. Still, I have enjoyed sitting out on my small terrace in the mornings before the heat got to be too much. And this weekend was really nice, managed to get out to the country today see see the pony. Socially it has been quiet as well. Family were away a good bit and two of my friends became grandparents on the same day so were not available for our usual dinners. But for such a wonderful reason! This week I plan to take my children, spouses and grandchildren out for a family dinner before the grands go off to college. Charles will begin his college adventure and Penelope will start her last year of undergraduate. So that is it from New York, with love, Darby
I love the sound of the colourful coat you’ve bought and hope it brings much joy when you wear it! I used to love winter and thought it a very cosy season, now I’m rather dreading the change in temperature and the oncoming bugs and viruses. Fingers crossed we both stay well.
Summer is also a challenging time for many around the world. Here we had the shift in the Jet Stream giving us a typically British cool wet summer. Tomorrow is going to be another hot day and then many cooler days follow. I’m wondering if it is the last hot day of summer? Who knows as we might get warmer weather in September.
That family dinner sounds so good. My grandson might be off to college next year, although he might take a ‘gap’ year. They grow up so fast, still I do have my son’s two little ones to enjoy. And you have a Penelope!
Thanks so much Darby – have a lovely week 🙂
Hi Penny, it was interesting to hear your take on the Barbie movie . I have heard so many mixed reviews , not managed to see it myself yet , not sure if it is still showing here but will catch it sometime.
Shame about your Summer weather in the UK , especially as it has so hot elsewhere.
The Zara jacket looks so good on you Penny and I do really love those green shoes.
Hope you do get a few warm days so those dresses get an outing .
Yes, do try Barbie and if it isn’t on anymore you can always watch when it’s on a streaming platform. The film has much depth to it and is very clever along with being very funny too. We (as in Mr F as well as me and me) both loved it. He appreciated the references to other films and, you know, it really isn’t a film for little girls as most of it would go right over their heads as it’s quite philosophical and of course, feminist and for that three cheers!
The shift of the Jet Stream has given us a very cool wet summer, but we have one hot day tomorrow! However, I can’t wait to wear the green jacket more often, it was just a little bit too hot for last week’s hot day!
Thanks Jill 🙂
You excelled at the Barbie film – that pink and slightly red outfit is sublime! The chartreuse (?) Zara jacket is also perfect for this wretched weather.
I wasn’t 100% on Barbie, I felt it had a strong feminist message but was as subtle as a sledge hammer.
I wanted to see Oppenheimer today but the showings are all quite late.
Thanks for linking! x
Zara donates many items to our local Red Cross charity shop – they’re often a little way out, which is probably why they haven’t sold but I see a lot of young women trying these on. It’s a win-win all-round as I have bought a couple of these items and of course, they are new.
I adored Barbie. I think the thing is once you accept that Barbie herself, as in the doll and her world IRL, is over-the-top and totally unsubtle then the film and accepting it as it is follows. So I just dived deep into the Barbie world depicted in the film and the message within it. I also just loved all the references to other films – we thought that so clever and that’s what sold it to Mr F. Would go over the head of most younger people and all children, and any who hadn’t watched the films e.g. I didn’t get the Rocky references as I hadn’t watched those films. Link for 10 of them. I mean theMatrix…But sat next to two women who didn’t get the first one about 2001!!!!
https://movieweb.com/barbie-movie-references-easter-eggs/.
Fabulous Barbie outfit, Penny – well done! So sorry about your wash-out of a summer in the UK. Ours has been pretty typical, and now we’re in the normal “dog days” of summer when it’s too hot and humid to do anything outside except what’s absolutely necessary, until mid-September. When I worked in a bank, summer was when people brought in rolled change, that they’d sit in the air conditioning and roll when it was too hot to want to go outside!
Thanks MaryK – that film was so good!
The thing is we have so little air con in the UK. Very few, if at all, will have it in their own homes so, the only places that have air con are a few buses, and a few shops. Then you come out of these shops into what feels like a bowl of soup!!! We’ve had hardly any of those days here this summer. But today maybe….!
Thanks MaryK 🙂