31 In Style

Spring Bling

MiuMiu sunnies sequinist

Spring is billowing around me in all her floral finery at the moment, but rather than appreciate it, I have anxiety… the persistent gnawing feeling of being behind, far behind at everything.  I’m not as active on my blog or social media as I’d like to be, for starters.  As soon as I get a schedule neatly mapped into my calendar, my son gets sick (first year at nursery) and I have sleepless nights on fever-watch, which kills my desire to enthuse about clothes the next day.  And then, of course once he’s better, I catch what he had because I’m exhausted from worry.  I’m also not seeing quite the results I want at the gym at the moment, because there is always a dinner party, a birthday, or a vacation which derails my good efforts (at this age, it only seems to take ONE dinner with drinks to put a week’s worth of effort in the bin).  I have a To Do list a few pages long, and there are very few lines drawn through any words to announce completion.  Instead, they seem to be brazenly holding their place on the page.

This happens to me every year:  First I’m always relieved and thrilled at the arrival of spring;  relieved because those grey days in February where the sky feels like a leaden shield and there is not a breath of movement in the damp air are finally over.  I’m thrilled at the electric yellow-green buds of leaves in the bushes promising some blue skies for the next few months.  I get excited at the enormous pink magnolia tree in front of my house which is always in peak flower on my son’s birthday at the end of March (I used to hate the tree, but now that it has been christened The Alexandre Birthday Tree, it can stay).  Inevitably, the thrill of the buds goes, the freshness fades, and I have WEEKS of sweeping all of the litter that only those of you with a magnolia tree on your property can fully appreciate (those petals are like little pink banana peels).

The only way to cope with my Spring Anxiety is how I cope with just about anything.  Add a layer of shiny stuff, and soldier on.  Glitter, sparkle, crystals, gold, silver, whatever.  Sparkle is a neutral in my book, and not only goes with everything but makes everything better.  So here, I’ve draped myself in what looks like plunder from a Spanish galleon, to show my Spring Anxiety who is boss.

galleon full length camel coat glitter shoesSunglasses: MiuMiu Necklace: Cécile Jeanne Cuff: Hermes Rings: Pomellato Trousers: Winser London Coat: Zara (old) Glitter shoes: J Crew (old) Photos: Lottie Anderson

gold galleon necklace front

“Fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life”- Bill Cunningham

necklace back gold

bracelet necklaces sunnies sequinist

hermes cuff pomellato rings

J Crew gold glitter heels

I’m giving myself a small spring mantra: progress is progress, pay more attention to the change rather than the speed at which it is happening.  I’m going to try and accept my impatience as the blessing and curse that it is.   I’m going to try appreciate the beauty of the flowers on the tree rather than focus on all the brown slippery petals (currently) on the ground.  I’m going to look at any progress on the blog, progress at the gym, progress on my side projects, and progress on the stack of books waiting by my bedside, as positive.  All progress is positive, even if it isn’t at the pace I’d like.   Slow progress is still progress. Show up and Bling up.   That is my personal antidote to Spring Anxiety this week, and I wish the same for you if you’re suffering from a mild case of the Spring bah humbugs as well.  xx

Linking up to Patti’s Visible Monday, Catherine’s #iwillwearwhatilike, Vicki’s Brilliant Blog Posts  and Birdie Shoots this week for some cheery inspo.

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31 Comments

  • Reply
    Michelle
    April 3, 2016 at 10:40 PM

    I have to steal that necklace now! It is the epitome of the word “showstopper” & then some! The back even??? Gold is really doing it’s thing right now for me too…
    You look a million bucks baby xxx
    p.s. If it’s any consolation I hear a lot of women saying they feel exactly the same way as you described. Including me – telling myself that is, “I’m behind I’m behind” ugh & now we have 2 weeks with the kids so it won’t get any better for a while. I might join you in blinging it up instead haha

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 3, 2016 at 10:50 PM

      Thanks, Michelle! I love the necklace too; it is many years old and many years loved. Bling makes everything better, I’m convinced! xx

  • Reply
    Laurie
    April 3, 2016 at 11:51 PM

    It’s not only in spring I have the “bah humbugs” I am running late on everything most off the time! But I have learned not to let it bother me so much now.
    The necklace is absolutely gorgeous, as is your whole look

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 3, 2016 at 11:56 PM

      I’m not the only one, then! Thank you, Laurie xx

  • Reply
    Patti
    April 4, 2016 at 12:14 AM

    oooh, that necklace! you look so chic. Spring does bring more work, I agree – but it’s so lovely! xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

  • Reply
    Michelle
    April 4, 2016 at 7:41 AM

    Love your ‘show up and bling up’ approach. I usually adore Spring, but this year I’m just not feeling it. Maybe it’s because most things are blooming late, maybe it’s because my to do list it a bit like yours or maybe it’s because I haven’t been too well recently. Whatever it is, I think I’ll take a leaf out of your book and slap some sparkle on it!

    Hope your feeling more yourself soon.

    Michelle xxx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 4, 2016 at 8:25 AM

      Thank you Michelle, I hope you’re right as rain soon too, sweet lady. I’m sure both of us being unwell has dampened our enthusiasm for the joys of Spring! Bling up, babe xx

  • Reply
    Liz
    April 4, 2016 at 8:51 AM

    Lisa, so beautifully written and articulated. It’s all very bittersweet at times isn’t it! You look amazing as always. And your necklace is stunning. Very unusual and a real statement piece. Happy Monday xxxxx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 4, 2016 at 12:48 PM

      Thank you so much, Liz! Happy Monday back to you, sweetie! xx

  • Reply
    Stevie Wilson
    April 4, 2016 at 1:07 PM

    Great post.. self-awareness and adjustment is Inspiring!

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 4, 2016 at 1:18 PM

      Thank you so much, Stevie. I’m pleased you liked it! xx

  • Reply
    Annette
    April 4, 2016 at 1:34 PM

    Stunning, Lisa!! I love your jewellery and have a similar long vest and love pairing it with black.
    But I am lacking glitter shoes – they are perfect with this look!

    Lack of time and not enough exercise are a big thing here too…

    xx
    Annette | Lady of Style

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 4, 2016 at 3:56 PM

      I remember you wearing yours the first time I met you, Annette! Now to find you some glitter shoes… xx

  • Reply
    Abby
    April 4, 2016 at 2:37 PM

    Love, love, love! – love the necklace, the jacket, the shoes! Even the quote. And can so relate to the spring blues. Gets me every year without exception. What a great idea to approach it with a bling attitude! Beautiful pictures- as always! xx Abby

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 4, 2016 at 3:58 PM

      Thank you, Abby. Bling is cheaper than therapy! 🙂 It was SO great seeing you yesterday, love xx

  • Reply
    Jan
    April 4, 2016 at 2:50 PM

    The sky is “a leaden shield” in Chicago today of the deepest variety. It’s 35 F and raining – snowing over the weekend, with more of that promised this week. But your post reminds me that it’s life. Alexandre got better, spring will come, the important things on the list will get done, not likely on the time schedule we demand of ourselves. Would we have time to smell the magnolia trees if we kept to the chop chop pace we believe we should? (Do magnolia trees smell?)

    This was timely on a Monday after an overindulgent weekend with a houseguest here. I woke up mad at myself, not sure why I ate pizza and French fries after a virtuous 10-day cleanse. I don’t stay virtuous for long. A bad day or two undermining the valiant efforts efforts, indeed. Your post brought the promise of spring, but also friendship, as I was comforted that we’re all in this together.

    I first came to your blog and enjoyed it because of your divine fashion sense and knowledge and the peek at its more obvious elements like the gorgeous necklace, and the not-so-obvious, but heavenly details like the little green strips on the backs of your shoes. But I come back here again and again because you write about meaning and life along with it. The way women really feel is always here.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 4, 2016 at 4:03 PM

      That may be the nicest comment I’ve ever read, Jan. You are such a darling. I am thrilled that someone who writes as beautifully as you do enjoys my blog. You’re so right; it IS life…Spring comes, it goes, Alexandre gets better, and nothing slows down for the things that pique my mood!

      We ARE all in this together, and I’m lucky to have someone as lovely and wise as you in my orbit. xx

  • Reply
    Suzy Turner
    April 4, 2016 at 2:59 PM

    That really is the most spectacular necklace! Gorgeous!
    I know Spring is supposed to be here but I’m just not feeling it… at all. I live in Portugal where it’s supposed to be warm but this year we’ve had the fire lit all the way up until late March and, actually, we could do with it on at the moment. It’s miserable and raining yet again outside and it’s freezing indoors. I’m currently wearing a long sleeved turtleneck, a thick warm jumper AND my husband’s fleece and I’m barely keeping warm! Although now it’s my nose and feet that are cold! And how can I even think stylish when I’m looking like this!
    I totally hear you, Lisa. But I hope things get better, and warmer, soon!
    Suzy xx
    http://www.suzyturner.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 4, 2016 at 4:05 PM

      Thanks Suzy! I wish you warmth and blue skies (inside and outside!) ASAP. You’ll be making me jealous with photos of fuschia bougainvillea all around you in no time, I’m sure. xx

  • Reply
    Suzy Turner
    April 4, 2016 at 4:09 PM

    Oooh yes, you just gave me an idea for a future photoshoot lol!! Thanks 😀
    xx

  • Reply
    Toyas Tales
    April 5, 2016 at 1:12 PM

    Unfortunately no matter how much we try to plan life gets in the way. Take the time you need to adjust . I love your outfit and you accessorized it will. The sunglasses and necklace are the perfect finishing touches.
    LaToya
    http://www.toyastales.blogspot.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 5, 2016 at 9:03 PM

      Thank you so much, LaToya! xx

  • Reply
    REBECCA
    April 7, 2016 at 1:08 PM

    Wow so in love with those Miu Miu sunnies and those layered necklaces – Have a lovely weekend ahead!

    Rebecca
    http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 7, 2016 at 4:09 PM

      Thank you, Rebecca! xx

  • Reply
    jodie filogomo
    April 7, 2016 at 3:35 PM

    Show up and Bling up—I love it!
    But really, aren’t we all behind in something—it is the fast paced life of nowaways!!
    You look amazing and those shoes—wowza!! jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 7, 2016 at 4:09 PM

      Awww, thanks so much Jodie!

  • Reply
    Ada
    April 8, 2016 at 5:41 PM

    Hello Lisa, I am Ada. I just discovered your blog and love it. You are so sophisticated and chic in this outfit. I love the long tan vest and those glitter pumps. Beautiful lady!

    I run a linkup on Thursdays that I would love for you to stop by and join my current linkup too. It is live today. Welcome by. =)
    Thanks and enjoy the weekend! Ada. =)

    http://eleganceandmommyhood.blogspot.com/2016/04/thursday-moda-6-continues-with-cold.html

  • Reply
    Anastasia Nicole
    April 11, 2016 at 1:02 AM

    I love everything about this look, but that necklace is life affirming! I love how it looks amazing even from behind. I wore an off the shoulder top last night that begged for something like this.
    xo
    A

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 11, 2016 at 9:32 AM

      I also love this necklace; I’ve had it for years and still wear it a lot! I wish I’d bought it in silver too. Thank you Anastasia. We need to find you a whole galleon-full of necklaces to wear with your top! xx

  • Reply
    CHERIE
    April 20, 2016 at 1:37 PM

    Recently discovered your blog! It’s so nice to meet women who are interested in style and fashion no matter their age. I know I want to be wearing heels and leopard at 99! Love your black and camel (one of my favorite combos) and the necklace makes it! Make sure to come on over to STYLE NUDGE and link up your look on THE SHOE AND TELL Fashion Link Up, NOT just for shoes!

    Cherie
    STYLE NUDGE
    http://www.stylenudge.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      April 20, 2016 at 8:02 PM

      Thanks so much Cherie, I will do! xx

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