Pope, Colours, LED Gadgets

 

 

Dear friends.  I bet you didn't expect to see those 3 topics in a headline. Welcome to a Life Lately edition where I share a few everyday outfits plus thoughts on an ecumenical matter, and a new gadget each for both me and Mr Mutton. 

John's new toy is a tiny drone - above, we're trying it out in a local meadow. The idea is it will accompany us to Scotland on our upcoming cycling holiday.

The Passing of a Pope 

I'm not a Catholic, and my belief has been wavering after the recent resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who I'd always admired.  Nevertheless, I was sad about the death of Pope Francis. Pleased for him that he died peacefully, and unexpectedly quickly at the end.  I believe it was significant that he joined his maker on Easter Monday, the same as Jesus,  on the rare occasion of all the calendars aligning on Easter dates.

Unlike many Popes before him, and senior clergy in general, he wasn't devoted to the material riches of his office. He lived a simple life, in the most simple vestments.  He spent his birthdays with beggars. He seemed genuinely drawn to people who have been dealt a poor hand in life. 

Some of his pronouncements were refreshingly modern, although they were just that - pronouncements, with no solid action.  I expect his successor will be an old-school conservative. Just what Catholicism needs (not). 

Wearing Bright Colours Every Day

Regular readers will know I am seasonally analysed as a Spring and wear the warm, clear and light colours that suit me best.  I don't always wear them every day for various reasons, the biggest one being that if I'm cooking or cleaning, I don't want to stain my clothes. But I'm trying to ensure my wardrobe of brights gets worn more often. 

The fact John has a new drone and wants to practice with it is an incentive when we go out for a walk.

Above:  wearing a preloved Kettlewell Jesse top with their apricot short tie wrap and mint jeans from Perfect Jeans. Vegan leather bag from Fenella Smith.

I'm not a big fan of scarves yet I admire their ability to pull colours together.  I love the silk scarves produced for the four seasons by Karen Russell at My Season Jewellery. Above:  the swirls scarf features all the colours in the Spring palette.  You can adjust it to focus on certain colours.  Wearing it with lime short tie wrap and true teal essential V neck.  

Karen also sells jewellery, as the name of the site suggests, and has just introduced some pretty blossom necklaces and earrings with three different colourways for each season. I'm wearing one with blue and yellow flowers with my tonal blue outfit below.  Devon skirt in Aquarius, new, from Kettlewell with new Jasmine top in Chinese Blue. 

Will This Gadget Rejuvenate Me?!

I've always been a bit sceptical about the various LED light devices that are flooding the market. But I had a rethink after seeing a 75 year old woman on Instagram who looks fabulous. @nadja_eat_move_ has a blog where she shares her diet, exercise and skincare tips.  She is a devotee of CurrentBody, and uses the neck/decolletage version on her arms as well. Her arms are impressively toned, thanks to light weights, with no crepiness. 

I have bitten the bullet and invested in the facial version of the latest CurrentBody 2 plus the Neck/Decolletage mask. I've taken some bare faced close-up photos and will do the same again in a few months' time, to see if there's a difference. 

Each mask takes 10 minutes to complete its cycle on clean, bare skin, and you use them 3-5 times a week. I'll probably use them before I go to bed, when my face and neck have been cleansed.