Hello again
Good news! Our hot weather is just about to lessen this weekend, however, the much needed rain is not forecast for another 10 days. It’s been a long, long heatwave, which is very unusual for the UK, and temperatures in our flat have been high even with blinds down, curtains closed and our wonderful rotating column fan placed in our living room and on most of the day. Consequently, I continue to wear lightweight cool clothes indoors as well as out.
One outfit I’ve been wearing a lot is a very old favourite of mine. I bought the skirt in December 2017 in Tobago when I was on a cruise in the West Indies and had, as usual, brought the wrong clothes. They were mostly too heavy a cotton. Mind you, it is difficult, don’t you think, to pack for hot weather when it is freezing cold – remember this was December. Here is a pic of me on that holiday in Tortola, the capital of the British Virgin Islands wearing the skirt that I felt I had to buy in the market place in Tobago. It was, and is still, wonderfully cool as it is made from that thin cheesecloth material.
As you will see I wore it throughout the cruise!
And another shot of me in the same skirt in one of the beautiful tropical gardens that these islands had.
Below, on board the ship.
And visiting one of the lovely colonial houses in St Lucia once owned by my friend Olivia’s great uncle.
Yes, during the cruise I had the opportunity to visit Olivia, who is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We’d trained together as psychiatric nurses at The Maudsley hospital in London and I’d visited her in 1999, that time not on a cruise. So this was another visit 18 years later!
That’s not the colonial house, which was rather magnificent! But it had a great view.
This 2017 cruise was a good one and we went to: Barbados, Tobago, Grenada, Dominica, Antigua, Tortola British Virgin Islands, Grand Turk, St Martin and St Lucia.
I’ll tell you a story about Antigua – it always makes us laugh! We were on an excursion around the island and the guide stopped at a spot that looked over a beautiful bay towards another hill. And on that hill, in a superb position, was the home of the guitarist Eric Clapton. The guide told us about Clapton’s charitable work on the island: the scheme he set up to get people off drugs and another one that helped local people into employment. She was full of praise for his contribution to the island and said how loved he was for his philanthropy. After about at least ten minutes of this eulogy we went back to the coach where once seated a couple turned to us and said, ‘Who is this Eric Clapton? We were stunned, truly stunned, but polite and told them, ‘Well, yes, he is a pop star but perhaps one of the greatest guitarists of all time’. Oh.’ They said. ‘Never heard of him’ But afterwards we had such a giggle, I mean, they were the same age as us. Where were they in the 60s and 70s!
Eight years later here I am at home.
And with the same top.
By the way, I am over the moon. You can’t really see this in the photo above, but I’ve started wearing a teeny bit of eye makeup again! Oh bliss and joy, I can’t tell you what that means to me. No words will describe the feeling of loss I had when, after using eye makeup since I was 15 yrs-old (not at school, of course) I found I could not wear anything near my eyes after the two cataract operations. Finally, over a year later, I have put the teeniest, tiny amount of eye liner on the under lid of my eye and my face hasn’t flared up but tolerated it well. Oh, wow, perhaps I can retrieve the face I am used to seeing in the mirror for nigh on 65 years! Heavy eye makeup was my signature look. I am so pleased and happy about this.
Anyway, enough from me. I hope you are all tolerating the heat well and keeping cool. But do tell if you too have a much loved outfit for cool weather.
Much love from PennyX
Penny, you look amazing as always. The skirt is lovely, and must have been such an asset this summer.
I am very lucky to live in Aberdeenshire, where our highest temperature has ‘only’ been about 26C – and we were all complaining about that! I simply can’t imagine how people coped in places like London. My sister-in-law lives in Hampshire and said she couldn’t leave the house for days on end.
If it’s hot, around the house I mainly wear loose cut-off trousers or some cotton ones I bought in a charity shop years ago. If I go into town or out for coffee I wear one of the cotton summer dresses I have picked up along the way (some are daughters’ cast-offs) – I really prefer these as none are tight round the waist, and I don’t like ‘tight’ at the best of times. My favourite is a white and blue one, originally from Top Shop.
What I find most difficult is footwear. I have very loose joints, and if I wear sandals they don’t give enough support and my feet ‘roll’. This happened to me last week in a car park with potholes (which car park doesn’t have potholes?) and my foot was quite painful – but trudging around in supportive walking shoes makes ones feet so hot.
Our son and daughter-in-law have been struggling with their newborn son in this weather – they live in Aviemore, which is actually much hotter than it is here, because we are relatively near the sea. The Highlands are colder in winter and warmer in summer. Their house is small and the baby isn’t settling well in the heat. I do feel for them.
I see today that there is a terrible forest fire in the Cairngorms – the cause hasn’t yet been discovered, but so many people persist in using those disposable barbeques, or leave glass bottles lying around (often broken) after they’ve left. The fire is quite near the osprey reserve, though the BBC says it’s not threatened yet – I do hope it doesn’t move over there.
I hope you enjoy the lower temperatures when they come. Do you remember the scene in The Jewel in the Crown, when the monsoon finally begins and Daphne opens her window and literally drinks the rain, so wonderful is it to feel cool again?
Yes, we are going out on fewer days which I find awful as I really need to exercise my joints. But no, not on the hottest days. Unless you know you are going to another air conditioned place – it’s so unhealthy.
I too have to have very supportive sandals and luckily found a pair in our independent shoe shop in Lewes.
And I too do feel for your daughter-in-law and son with their new-born. We will have to do something about our bedrooms. We have one of these https://www.shopdimplex.com/products/dimplex-mont-blanc-cooling-tower-fan which is very good. I see it is sold out on the Dimplex site. But on Amazon there is this version https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dimplex-Ion-Fresh-Cooling-Tower/dp/B0F1Z1LYDD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19HI5AQIPAQM5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UPorR_YtiMqVmXLnpyq38mC5L4Om35lsOID1pZN5aEjClLcP8eHqwIXxc36XdSsweUq140CLDDdn5kAuSnPme5QE3GwqhMpXiPZwxQRz6mE87bu7GOay0rOgAkh6Bz38XoaguiVFpTeS0nLqq3Bf2ONXe4-SXPcvowlrMEEjwTE8bSYVZI41Hy6VbaG14up09mW2QZm22eb3yKmjvzikzQ_Us0fKmgOZghR5r3E5R3E.ZryBelu5k7r6UbpvrdY0t6loRoZ_X9ppRmSUPg7YN04&dib_tag=se&keywords=dimplex+tower+fan&qid=1784278724&sprefix=Dimplexs+tower+%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.0fa28f01-6fca-4422-af4e-d52d5ad71bfe
These wild fires – they are so frightening and also so very polluting. Sorry to hear about the Cairngorms one.
Yes, won’t it be brilliant to have some rain!
Thanks Rosemary 🙂
I love that skirt, Penny, it has a real 70’s vibe. Fancy not having heard of the legend that is Eric Clapton!! Can I ask the make of your rotating column fan & if it was terribly pricey. We don’t often swelter in Scotland so don’t usually need a fan but our bedroom is stifling even with curtains drawn all day. So glad you’re getting back to your beloved eye makeup.
And that skirt is so cool to wear! We have one of these https://www.shopdimplex.com/products/dimplex-mont-blanc-cooling-tower-fan which is very good. I see it is sold out on the Dimplex site. Perhaps you can find it elsewhere? But on Amazon there is this version https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dimplex-Ion-Fresh-Cooling-Tower/dp/B0F1Z1LYDD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19HI5AQIPAQM5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UPorR_YtiMqVmXLnpyq38mC5L4Om35lsOID1pZN5aEjClLcP8eHqwIXxc36XdSsweUq140CLDDdn5kAuSnPme5QE3GwqhMpXiPZwxQRz6mE87bu7GOay0rOgAkh6Bz38XoaguiVFpTeS0nLqq3Bf2ONXe4-SXPcvowlrMEEjwTE8bSYVZI41Hy6VbaG14up09mW2QZm22eb3yKmjvzikzQ_Us0fKmgOZghR5r3E5R3E.ZryBelu5k7r6UbpvrdY0t6loRoZ_X9ppRmSUPg7YN04&dib_tag=se&keywords=dimplex+tower+fan&qid=1784278724&sprefix=Dimplexs+tower+%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.0fa28f01-6fca-4422-af4e-d52d5ad71bfe
Oh yes re: makeup. I have missed the smoky eye look! Thanks Anne 🙂
Hello, Penny
It really is ‘Phew!’ weather, isn’t it? Fortunately for us, our house is north-facing so going into the front room is bliss, and going down the cellar is even cooler – I reckon we could rent it out! – but even so, we’ve been taking it easy. We have fans in our bedroom plus I keep an old-fashioned hand fan handy (try saying that quickly!) and have a smaller one in my handbag. As for outfits: shorts! Always; at home and going out. I do love the swirl of floaty skirts and dresses and do wear one or the other when appropriate, but decent shorts and a nice t-shirt do it for me for everyday when going out. At home, I probably look a right ragamuffin in my ‘olds’, but at least I’m cool! So now you know what a scruff I am at heart! 😉
As an aside, where our daughter lives in Middle America, severe heat sees air-conditioned buildings such as public halls and churches opening their doors during the day, offering shelter to those sweltering at home without air con. Isn’t that a good idea! Mind you, the downside is having to go back home to a probably even stuffier home having been closed up all day. Would that that kind service could happen here, but it won’t/can’t: no air con as the norm.
I am so pleased for you being able to wear eye-make again. Not having a reaction to it surely means your overall general health has improved along with that of your eyes. For some people, me included, cataract operations can take a while both to settle down and to show significant improvements. It looks like you’ve reached that stage. Yay! And feeling good along with looking good is an added bonus. Yay! (again).
Take care, Penny, and stay cool.
Zepherine x
Hi Zepherine, it certainly is phew weather! A north facing house is the best thing to have. But I see lots of new builds with black cladding and huge windows. All that will have to change. Like you we have fans, actually 3: a rotating tower fan and 2 desk fans which we can carry around and put not only on our respective desks but on the arm of a chair and direct it to any part of your body. We find these invaluable.
I do believe that the way we build our housing will have to change, but all the old housing stock might eventually have to have air con. And that will be the way of the world – sad really. I do think of my little grandchildren: the ones aged 5 and 3. The little one wilts in heat.
I bet you look fab in your shorts. I wear those whilst at home but that skirt is amazingly cool, probably the coolest item I have.
And three cheers for eye makeup! Even if it is just a touch it makes a bit diference. Thanks Zepherine 🙂
We generally spend the summer in the UK to avoid the stifling heat in SW France. This year we have returned to another heatwave! In France, we have shutters that help maintain cooler temperatures inside. I can remember as a student in the 70s I loved the sun and heat, but I am sensible now and avoid the sun if possible. We have been walking Zeph very early in the morning and late at night, usually sticking to wooded areas!
I love your skirt; it definitely has a 70s vibe!
Eric Clapton used to live in our Surrey village and used to play in local charity cricket matches. On one occasion, one of my sons persuaded me to ask Eric to autograph his school cricket bat, which he did!
Lately, I haven’t been notified when you publish a post, so I search them out! June x
Yes, we have friends who have a place in Spain and they return to the UK for the summer. They don’t though, go in the winter as their place is in a village half way up a mountain in the Sierra Nevada.
Oh my word, didn’t we all sunbathe without ever thinking of the consequences. Not that we knew much at all about skin cancers – or had the sun block creams we have now. It was all Ambre Solare, which is about factor 0! I miss that smell though.
So glad I’ve got that skirt. And bless Zeph, all dogs must be feeling the heat.
Apologies June. We had awful IT problems at the start of this new blog, but not recently. We will look into the problem you are having.
Thanks 🙂
Hi Penny, I can fully understand your joy at being able to get back to your signature look. I feel almost naked if I can’t wear makeup and put it on even when I’m just going out to the shops. I very rarely use mascara or eye shadow becuase it irritates my eyes, but I usually wear foundation, blusher, and definitely lipstick. Fun Fact: lipstick wasn’t rationed during WWII because it was considered essential to morale.
Your cheesecloth skirt is also just the job for this hot weather and it looks very elegant. Talking of which, do you remember when cheesecloth shirts were all the rage? I think I must have had one once, but sadly, it hasn’t survived. At the moment, I’m trying to stay cool wearing loose cotton dungarees and tee shirts. Hope it’s cooler for you near the coast. All the best, Penny x (https://pennyhampson.co.uk/)
I bet you look good wearing lipstick. I remember using lipstick a lot but now I simply can’t as no matter what I do the lipstick runs up off my lips and I look like I’ve smeared strawberry jam all over my mouth ! Consequently eye makeup made up for that . It is lovely to start wearing it again – it’s just a little for now, but it is a start!
Cheesecloth blouses – yes indeed! I remember them well.
Today for the first time in 2 weeks it is such a nice temperature.
Thanks Penny 🙂
I love that you still wear that dress: it looks like a great one for hot weather. Luckily here, we are back to our summer rain storms most days which helps with cooling the temperatures and with getting our yard green! I am loving wearing my dresses and skirts this summer and am planning to wear all my skirts (or most of them) over the next few weeks!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
The grass on my little strip of lawn is bone dry and very brown now. We’ve had so little rain and have to wait another week for it. It must be so nice to have your yard greener now.
I look forward to seeing your many summer outfits.
Thanks Mireille 🙂
I hope the heat wave breaks soon for you. It’s going to be one of the hottest today. Add in the humidity, and it’s just miserable. I go out in the early (for me) morning and early evening to water plants and take care of the yard. Well, I’m in and out all day with the dog, though the poor guy is panting almost from the moment we go out. We don’t have much shade around us, unfortunately. But, we do have air conditioning. For those climate change deniers, I grew up in an unfair conditioned home, and our first two houses didn’t have it, either. We opened windows and used fans. These days, we also use ceiling fans for cooling.
That skirt is gorgeous and works with so many tops! You look lovely in all of them, and I’m so glad you’re able to wear some eye makeup. I feel downright naked when I go out without it. I had to chuckle at not knowing Eric Clapton. Even my grands know him!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Today while the sun is out and we have blue cloudless skies it is also delightfully cool, which is wonderful. It isn interesting to wonder how people managed in the States before air conditioning became ubiquitous, but I guess the temperatures were not quite as hot as they are today. And you too opened windows – like we do or used to do. It still feels odd to close the windows! It would be really unusual to find air con in a British household, but we do have it in larger shops and big stores. When I go to the cinema here in Lewes, each screen has good air con and it is just bliss. And then you have to go home!!!
I didn’t think twice about the colours whenI bought that skirt. It was just, is this going to be cool to wear. I’d packed nothing that was suitable for the Caribbean! But I’ve kept it all these years and it is the coolest garment in my wardrobe.
Eric Clapton rules!
Thanks Marsha 🙂
I love that skirt, Penny. Cheesecloth was my go to wear in the 1970’s, hippie clothes were often made of them. They washed well and we’re light to wear.
Most of my male pals were Clapton fans back in the day, “Eric is God” were the signs everywhere. Don’t quite know how those folks missed him. I do like the song Layla but the guitar solo was boring to me at gigs.
I have ‘dry eye’ so make up hadn’t beenon my face for two plus years now. Not can I wear my contact lenses. As an older woman I miss my heavily made up eyes so much. When I look in the mirror I see a pale woman who looks like my grandmother.
Cheesecloth was quite the thing wasn’t it. I guess everyone who is old enough to be young (!) in the 1970s would have had something made in cheesecloth.
I suppose that couple were more inclined to classical music but even so to not have heard of Clapton at all – amazing!
Oh yes, snap. I too have dry eyes and have to put in eye drops x4 a day plus a hot mask every night – forever I guess. But after trying a little bit of eye liner my face didn’t flare up. Fingers crossed that continues as I slowly apply a little more. I know exactly how you feel about looking in the mirror and seeing this pale face looking back at you. You’ve made me think about writing a blog about being pale!!!
Thanks for this and for the comment 🙂
These last few days have been very hot here in New York and now we are dealing with the smoke from wild fires in Canada. It is hazy and you can smell the smoke, even see the ash deposits. That skirt does remind me of ones I did wear in the 70’s. I purchased a skirt a little while ago. It was on sale and is made by a company which is local. I think it was 28 dollars. So far I have worn it a few times, out to dinner with family and last weekend to a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at a beautiful estate on the Hudson River. Actually made more special as my son in law had a part in it. In a bit more than a week I will be on vacation. going to Chincoteague Island. as I have done for the last 30 years.
I am happy that you have been able to wear eye makeup again. I have also been easing back into it, my dry eyes have not been so irritated so cautiously starting to make it part of my day. I know how you feel, it is so much a part of how we present ourselves to the world.
Love, Darby
We’ve been reading about the fires in Canada. They sound and look very alarming and fancy it blowing down as fare as New York. I always associate Canada with cold weather and a lot of snow, but of course, we have wild fires now here in the UK. There’s a particularly bad one around Manchester, and there you are, there’s a very bad fire in the Cairngorms in Scotland. Challenging times, Darby.
I love that your daughter and son-in-law are so involved in the arts. It must be very gratifying and uplifting for you – and well worth dressing up for. I too have dry eyes but am careful and put in soothing eye drops x4 a day plus I do a hot mask every night. Mind you I haven’t been doing the mask on the hottest nights.
Thanks as ever Darby X
That skirt is so pretty.
Thank you so much Joanne 🙂
Congratulations on being able to decorate your eyes again . I don’t bother every day but love it when I’m ‘ going out ‘ – it just gives me a lift . Like you I’m not enjoying the heat . We live in an old house & manage to retire to the cool sitting room but don’t want to hide there all the time . It’s sad for the garden too , the roses were gone in a day . Early mornings are nice though , watching the birds queue for their baths . I seem to be wearing the same dress every day around the house . It’s a knee length , cap sleeve T shirt style in navy & white striped cotton -£10 from a local cheap bargain shop . Not sure it was a wise move , my husband reckons I should always shop there in future !
Oh yes, just a little eye liner made all the difference to the face that I saw looking back at me from the mirror! It does give you a lift.
And that heat, it has beens tricky to manage and we are thinking of all sorts of solutions including a site visit for a form of air con that is just an exchange of air with a small pump. A friend has had it installed in her house and it was interesting to experience it. Very reasonably priced too. Survey is not until end of September because as you would expect, they are inundated with enquiries.
Even early mornings were not particular cool, but today what a difference. Isn’t the cool air just lovely?
I too have worn and worn old favourites like the Caribbean skirt.
Thanks Wendy 🙂
That skirt was definitely a keeper , it does remind me of one I had in the early 1970’s .
I hope by now a cooler change has made things more comfortable . I used to always enjoy hot weather but not these days.
So pleased you are finally able to enjoy wearing your signature eye make up again . I know how much you must have missed it. For me it is not so much the eyes as my red lipstick.
I did chuckle about the couple not knowing Eric Clapton .
Today is the first morning, for well over two weeks, to be delightfully cool. Long may that last. I too liked hot weather, but think Spring and Autumn are my most favourite seasons. Winter is OK as I do love winter coats, but now Summer is to be dreaded. My little strip of a garden has suffered so as it is south facing. And our south facing sitting room was horribly hot. I always think Australians must be used to the heat by now. But for us, this heatwave has come as a bit of a shock especially as it has lasted so long.
And yay and three cheers to wearing just a little bit of eye liner! Yes, indeed, fancy having never heard of Clapton – where were they!
Thanks Jill 🙂
Hi Penny. I love your colourful skirt and tops. What a bonus that it is cool. I used to love the cheesecloth skirts and tops we wore in the 70s. I’ve not seen cheesecloth around for years. It all seems to be double gauze these days. Since I sew, I’ve been making dress after dress as I don’t find waistlines comfortable in the heat. I bet Seasalt dresses are flying off the rails. This weather is really too hot for me, coming from the NW but now living in the SE. I’ve been hiding behind closed curtains, with fans going. The column fan sounds good. What make is it? I’m pleased for you that you can wear eyeliner again. I’m finding eye makeup looks less and less good on me as I age. I spend a lot of time painting out the dark circles round my eyes 😄 and half the time that has to do. Let’s hope the heat breaks soon, but not with monsoons please as I’m at risk of flooding. Something else to dread.
The 70s were very much about cheesecloth clothing and I went around looking like a hippie but not really behaving like one! How wonderful to be able to make your own clothes. I used to but not now and I haven’t got a sewing machine anymore – gave it to my daughter.
A column fan is really really good. We have one of these https://www.shopdimplex.com/products/dimplex-mont-blanc-cooling-tower-fan which is very good. I see it is sold out on the Dimplex site. Perhaps you can find it elsewhere?
On Amazon there is this version https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dimplex-Ion-Fresh-Cooling-Tower/dp/B0F1Z1LYDD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19HI5AQIPAQM5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UPorR_YtiMqVmXLnpyq38mC5L4Om35lsOID1pZN5aEjClLcP8eHqwIXxc36XdSsweUq140CLDDdn5kAuSnPme5QE3GwqhMpXiPZwxQRz6mE87bu7GOay0rOgAkh6Bz38XoaguiVFpTeS0nLqq3Bf2ONXe4-SXPcvowlrMEEjwTE8bSYVZI41Hy6VbaG14up09mW2QZm22eb3yKmjvzikzQ_Us0fKmgOZghR5r3E5R3E.ZryBelu5k7r6UbpvrdY0t6loRoZ_X9ppRmSUPg7YN04&dib_tag=se&keywords=dimplex+tower+fan&qid=1784278724&sprefix=Dimplexs+tower+%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.0fa28f01-6fca-4422-af4e-d52d5ad71bfe
Today (Sunday) is delightfully cool – hope it is where you are. Thanks Trish 🙂
34 degrees celsius in Oslo yesterday! Very unusual, I can’t remember such temperatures and I am almost 60!
Oh my word, Anne! We visited Oslo and the Scandinavian Islands, two years ago in September. And remembering our first cruise in 2012 when it snowed in Flam, I took lots of cool weather clothes with vests and socks and never wore them, it was so hot!! I had to buy some hot weather clothes whilst on the cruise!
But 34 C. That is worrying. Here in the UK we too are having abnormally high temperatures for almost 2 weeks now. That’s unheard of as well. I rather fear that climate change is happening faster than predicated. My poor grandchildren is all I can say! I do hope our elders and betters understand what is going on – and DO something. But it has also got to be thought through in America and China. Fat chance with Trump in charge. I’ll stop now or I’ll go into a rant!
Thanks Anne 🙂
I completely understand the urge to rant about Trump! I chose not to have children, and my husband was a climate activist in the late 60ies so he is not surprised about the current state of affairs (he is quite a bit older than me and unfortunately now in a rehabilitation facility after having suffered two strokes in the last year). Today there is torrential rain here, a huge relief!
That skirt is amazing! Great colours together. I also wear heavy eye makeup, so I can imagine that not wearing makeup makes you feel not yourself. Enjoy your weekend.
So glad I bought that skirt all those years ago.
My look always had that heavy eye makeup look. And that look I had hoped would be mine until, well, whenever one …. So to not wear it like from last year was a huge blow. But having started wearing just a little and tolerating it, perhaps, fingers crossed I can soon add more! Three cheers if I can do that.
Thanks Nancy 🙂