Perfume

 I discovered Saint d'ici perfumes in early 2020. I fell in love with one called Mousseum:

Spring 2021

 'Florals for Spring, ... groundbreaking'  a famous line from the film The devil wears Prada.

After a tragic and unsettling year I personally long for lightness, softness and beauty which flowers universally are known for. Their symmetry, the pattern, the golden ratio, colours and scents make me so happy. I however find Summer in the UK where I am, the best for flowers.

Image copyright Aesme Flowers, London, UK

Image copyright Desert Vintage, Tuscon, USA

I am in love with this dress above, its by Chloe, I dream of a deep Summer evening gathering with candles and  starlight while wearing this dress.

Autumn 2020

Dear Reader,

I hope you have been keeping well and hope you are doing ok.

I myself have been occupied with my baby born earlier this year and working, which I am grateful for as I can have a roof over my head and feel ok. I feel more grateful for moments at home, be it cooking a meal, sitting in the garden, which I rarely appreciated before. Have you been appreciating quiet moments?

I have revisited films and TV programmes I used to love, The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and Merlin (BBC TV series), The Bridge (Nordic Noir, Danish & Swedish TV series). Also I had time to binge watch a series I kept intending to watch,  The Line of Duty (BBC TV series). 

I have a small allotment, due to my knee operation two years ago and my pregnancy I was unable to commit to this personal project of mine, I am planning to make 2021 a success for my allotment at least.

Flowers, root vegetables like onions, potatoes, carrots and garlic are planned for the following year. I have a lot to do, weeds have taken over and the hard work put in last year has been swept away. Who says we can tame nature?

Those who have followed me for a while know about my love for vintage clothing, much of which is not designer or labelled. I am going to create some posts and a documentary of the pieces, about the fabric, design and so forth, its something I have been meaning to do for a while - sounds grand but it isn't really! I'm channelling Natalie Joos's previous blog Tales of Endearment, which had made me fall in love with vintage many moons ago.

Take care and best wishes,

P

Reflections

Photo copyright- Polly Ali

Nostalgia

Photo copyright- Polly Ali

In these extraordinary times I find myself thinking about the past, not always consciously. Anxiety has created some trigger points for me where I get flashbacks of bad experiences and unhappiness from family, ex friends, colleagues and workplaces.

This situation has also triggered me to get flashbacks of happier times, travels and holidays, hobbies I used to pursue like photography, art and discovering new places, when I used to explore cities alone particular ones being London, Paris & Lisbon.

Photo copyright- Monsoon clothing website, accessed 14th April 2020

I believe these times are making us all appreciate the things we have and what we have experienced, the dreams we have already lived.

Changes

H&M Conscious SS20, copyright H&M

It may seem trivial posting about style and fashion while a pandemic is raging across the world. I just wanted to share that I’m impressed by the recent campaign by H&M, I’m not sure how longer I can  enjoy things like this.

Uncertain times

In these uncertain times please be:

- Kind
-Support others, reach out to friends and family, check in on them
-Support small businesses and local businesses
-Never take anything for granted

When this storm passes I hope societies around the world will rethink and rewire to create better societies and better social structures. The current ones do not serve us well in times of need or for the ones in need.