24.8.10

deep greens and blues are the colours i choose



Found this amazing lush place, in the rain, on the grounds of Cowdry Castle, in West Sussex, on Sunday. We were planning to give Shini a hand bringing her clothes to the blogger's car boot sale, and her phone went dead on Saturday and meanwhile we thought we were doing a favour for our friend's new younger wife, while he was in Norway lecturing for a month. Shini was completely gracious about having to switch gears and lug it all onto the Tube. So we took off @ 9:30 a.m. only to find out, just as we neared Brighton, she cancelled on us.

Hence us stumbling on this amazing place.



Shot myself in the window of Joseph, yesterday, in an old dress I've saved that was my mother's. I never wear it but I love the fabric. Wore it with my old black brogues from Barney's, NY, some black cotton ankle socks, one shoulder bag (brown leather) is Coach, the cotton turquoise bag which I carry everywhere (it's perfect for my camera, long as I keep it in a zip lock bag so I don't spill water on it) is from Accessorise. Oh and the cardigan is Massimo Dutti.

Was going to ask Mr. Dude to do a proper photo shoot, not just a quick shot in the middle of the street while being run over by black taxi cabs, but he said 'I didn't want to hurt your feelings, but I don't think it's your best look, Jill.' Felt this was too big & baggy, prefers me in cleaner, more fitted stuff. What do you think? I like both, these days.


For those of my blog friends like Roz, or Jazmine, I don't expect you to get the reference to this post's title. The song was recorded well before you were a twinkling in your mama and your papa's eyes. It's the cover song to the all time great album, Sweet Baby James, by James Taylor. My own sweet friend in NY, Lisa, or the original Polka Dot, reminded me of this line in her comment for the last post. I haven't got the song out of my head, since.



What I didn't realise at the time - which he mentions in another lesser known, earlier version, shown here - is that he wrote it as a lullabye for his nephew, who was also called James. Now it all makes sense.

"There's a song that they sing when they take to the highway, a song that they sing when they take to the sea. A song that they sing of their home in the sky, maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep, but you know singing seems to work fine for me."

I mean, beat THOSE lyrics with a stick!

11 comments:

styleeast said...

Before I read your comment that Mr Dot didn't think this was your best look, I took one look at it and thought THAT is what I want to wear for my day trip out of London on Saturday! I'd been deliberating what to wear (I like to plan ahead). I love it.

Another gorgeous post, can't believe that first photo is from this country, it looks too lush and green x

jazmine rocks @ jazzabelle's diary said...

oh, i absolutely love what you are wearing, i think the shape of the dress suits you quite wonderfully.

thank-you for linking me, you are so kind. this was indeed well before i was a twinkling in my mum and dads eye. my father was still a twinkling in his parents eyes back then, hehe!

love, jazmine. x

p.s. you have email!

jill said...

NO! (to Jazzabelle). I was thinking that might be the case. How scary is that! Just goes to show: age is so irrelevant.

Jennifer: I'd love to loan it to you. If only I could get it to you in time.. you'd look great in it. Let's have a think of a way to do a drop off before you go. Yeah, that place was amazing. It was basically the moat around the castle, how cool is that! xo

the style crusader said...

i love what you are wearing too. it looks very vintage-y. which - clearly it actually is. i would have loved to see a more clear shot of it - but both photos you included are so beautiful and quite tripy. xx

Anonymous said...

Wow! your photos are amazing!!

Your mom's dress is lovely and looks great on you.

^-^

Matthew Spade said...

i love what you're wearing too, a pic in a window has never looked so cool. so clear too. i feel like i've missed loads on your blog but i;m back!

styleeast said...

Aww thank you Jill, that's so sweet of you! But aside from the logistics it probably wouldn't fit me anyway nor look as good as it does on you! So I'll instead cobble together an inferior version of my own, inspired by your lovely outfit, I've got just the dress in mind though it lacks these gorgeous vivid colours. Lots of love x

Anonymous said...

That is a GREAT look for you. Elegant and timeless. And thank you for the post! - Lisa Dot (US)

Veshoevius said...

In issues of fashion choices, the advice of menfolk are seldom to be trusted. Follow your heart. - Veshoevius Maximus

Carrott said...

I really love that dress, and the colours are wonderful. You've inspired me to wear blue and turquoise, something new since blues doesn't always look great on me. xxx

adrielleroyale said...

I say what a sweetie to be so gently honest! :) Men do typically seem to like us in more form fitting clothes, but sometimes it is so nice to loosen up I think. I love the colors and it looks so comfy and pretty!