No place like home

I seem to have been all over the place this summer. The nature of my work means that summer always sees me touring the far flung corners of the county I live and work in. This year I also seem to have done quite a bit of going further a field to visit family and friends, celebrate birthdays and just catch up. Even when I haven’t been travelling that far from home I seem to have been staying out long beyond my usual bedtime. Dear Heart and I don’t tend to take ‘holidays’ and the last five summers have been dedicated to house renovation, so such a lot of ‘play’ seems odd.

My summer so far:
Dancing in Leamington Spa and Nottingham, climbing Glastonbury Tor and wander round Abbey, 90th birthday party, 18th birthday party, Bloggers meet up, meet up with Dear Heart’s friend from Xbox Live, visits to numerous pubs and bars, midnight bowling, cocktails and cupcakes party, live jam night, lots of BBQs, farewell to house party.

I’m really beginning to appreciate the joys home and of having a routine. The routine bit makes me think about Autumn. I have always enjoyed the ‘return to school’ atmosphere in September. A chance to shape up after the madness of summer. A better time of year for making changes and fresh starts than January. I fear that I am wishing my life away by anticipating the nip of cold in the air in August.

I’m going to work at appreciating summer while it’s still here and really enjoy waking up in my own bed in my own house. I’ll also make more of an effort to keep up and stay in touch the people I’ve been to visit or been out with. Organise some visits for later in the year. Life should be about balance, not contrast. Everything in moderation.

And the living is easy

It all seems so much easier when the weather is warm. Normal rules are suspended or so it seems. The weather might not last so don’t waste time doing non essential things.

Wake up and roll out of bed. Throw on minimal, simple clothing. Chuck a bit of fruit and veg in a box for lunch because you imagine even wanting to eat again (although drinking is another matter). Consider applying make up and them wonder what the point is when it will only melt. Eat lunch in park and do a spot of people watching.

Evening rolls around. You leave work and sit in the garden. Change your clothes for something more comfortable (and less hot). You opt for water rather than vodka because it’s so hot. You wash some clothes (because you only have three garments that are actually suitable for this weather) and they dry in a flash. You leave the rest of the housework because you’re too busy sitting in the garden.

You eat something snack like for dinner because it’s too hot to eat a proper meal. You drift off to bed earlier than usual just so that you have an excuse to lie down and shed some more clothes. Listen to the voices coming through the open window from nearby gardens. You sleep badly but that doesn’t matter because nothing happening the next day seems urgent.

A hot summer is like a dream to be wandered through and carry to the winter.

The average temperature

I smugly planned my summer wardrobe based on hearing that temperatures would be ‘higher than average’ this year. Oh good I though assuming that a knee length skirt, t and flip flop type sandals would cover me for the gloriously sunny days that were clearly ahead.

Then I had a look at the Met Office website. It occurred to me, you see, that my idea of average temperature and theirs may differ a little. And I was right. Alas the average summer temperature in the UK is 14.1C. Check it out for yourself on the Met Office summer forecast page

So time to re-jig my thinking a bit. I don’t fancy cold legs all summer long. Definitely don’t want to be in tights even if they are flesh/black/brightly coloured. I’m not certain about the leggings under a dress look. Partly because I’m not certain about the sort of shoes that go and partly because I’m just not sure about the look generally.

So jeans are back in worn under summer dresses. Shrug type cardigans are my new favourite thing for topping the dresses. I’ll have a handy big bag with me and if it get warm the jeans can come off.

Shoe wise I have decided that I no longer want wear shoes that carve my feet up and make them sore. So I’m putting shoes that hurt in the charity shop bag or shoe bin. I’ve bought a pair of wedge from Oxfam. These are not only comfortable but keep the hems of my jeans high enough off the ground that they don’t drag in puddles.

I like the idea of summer as much as anyone but one must be realistic about these things. Which makes me think – why are all the glossy magazines selling the fantasy of summer when they could be explaining how to wear skimpy summer wear when it’s 14C?

Things I Love Thursday

Sunny weekends - Last weekend was amazing and it felt like a total break from work. Lots of garden sitting, good times with friends and easy food. Hot weather means fewer clothes to worry about, washing loads that dry in no time and lunch in the park.

Sunglasses - I don't leave the house without mine even in winter. They are my favourite summer accessory. Even a very serious outfit can be made more fun with sunglasses. Instant glamour!

My summer clothes - I am always astounded by my summer wardrobe but I just cannot believe the stuff I have. Great items in good colours. I feel like a vintage queen.

Other stuff - Peanut butter and watercress sandwiches, figs, campbeds, browsing and not buying, requesting a vegan meal, stuff from Lush, wearing long skirts under dresses.

Some enchanted evening

Yesterday evening was one I've been hoping for all summer. The weather was warm enough to sit in the garden in shorts and feel comfortable. No running inside for a cardigan because there was a chill breeze. We had music playing while we ate dinner. After eating Dear Heart and I sat and shared a bottle of wine and talked until it too dark and late to stay outside any longer.

I'm sure summers in the past had many nights like this. Ones were you walked home from a pub or club or friend's house and didn't care about the time because it was delightful, warm night and it seemed like morning would ever come.

But then it's easy to reflect on past happiness. The real trick is recognising that you are happy at the time and enjoying the moment.

What to wear this week

I’m still getting into my stride as regards summer clothing. I really like to plan in advance what I am going to wear so that I don’t have to waste time in the morning. Last week I had a few days where I was very uncertain so I am going to lay it out here. I’ve checked the weather for the week and it doesn’t look very good. I may however utilise a tip I read somewhere about wearing a summer dress but carrying tights and a cardigan in your bag.

Monday – Black and white floral skirt, green top, linen jacket and green shoes

Tuesday – Jeans with red dress and white sandals

Wednesday – Black linen skirt and red sleeveless t shirt and thongs

Thursday – Jeans with white blouse (this is one of my home made, pattern free efforts) and black velvet jacket in case the temperature plummets

Friday – I will be at an exhibition so I will wear a linen skirt and jacket with a scarf. My DM sandals broke last week (I have had them for years) so if I haven’t managed some kind of repair I’ll need to think of something else to wear.

Saturday – Usually I wouldn’t worry about what to wear on a Saturday but I will be at work doing a summer reading promotion. This will require me to dress like a holiday rep/travel agent. I think I need some extra research for this

I‘m intrigued that I mentioned red several times here and that I am wearing red today (my red ‘in cahoots with the sun’ dress – Yeah I made it myself by Eithne Farry). What does a craving to wear red, when green is my colour of choice mean? I think I need to browse a few colour therapy websites

I do hope the week turns out warmer than predicted. I really crave a few lunch times in the park and dinner consumed ‘al fresco’.

The curse of the roller disco

I fully intended to post an entry about celebrating my sister’s 30th birthday the day after. However, we spent the evening at a roller disco. Roller skates and alcohol are a dangerous combination (particularly when you have no natural sense of balance). I came off better than my Brother-in-law (looking forward to signing the plaster cast on his wrist).

My sprained elbow is improving. However, I find myself reaching further than it will allow me at times. Over the last couple of days I’ve replaced a book on a head height shelf, found I couldn’t raise me arm high enough to get the book on, but neither could I bring my arm down. Solution? Use my head to head butt the volume into place.

My behind is also rather bruised and clearly needs to have more fat on it (hello vegan cupcakes).

What else have I been up to?

• I’m up to book 12 of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. A big thank you to the lovely friend who made me read them when I wasn’t sure.
• I’ve discovered Facebook.
• I wore the dress I made my Mum’s old skirt. I’ll post a picture here soon.
• I changed my summer clothes over on Saturday, slightly earlier than last year. It was just as well I did as I certainly couldn’t lift a suitcase off a wardrobe at present. Alas when I tried to dress for work this morning I discovered that all linen trousers needed ironing (never a talent of mine even without a sprained elbow). Having located a pair of trousers with a patterned weave (excellent for hiding creases) I then discovered they are enormous around the waist. Clearly I need dessert more often.

I think I’m in something of an energy slump so I’m going to go with the flow for the next week or so and assume that high levels of energy will return as my bruises fade…