LittleLoveLetters

Barn Door

2010-12-31T00:01:00.000Z

Cardigan: Vintage
Jeans: Topshop
Shoes: Topshop
Shirt: Very old Primark.

Sometimes the worse looking days turn out to be the nicest days; When rain falls from heavy looking clouds and you just stick a big old cardigan and hope for the best. Chilly walks down grey, remote country lanes can lead to unexpected places and finds, such as discarded false teeth and dilapidated barns. If only everyday was so fruitful.

Photos: MM &L3

Hotel Mabor

2010-10-24T00:35:00.000+01:00

Hat: Topshop
Top: Unknown
Trousers: Very Old Primark
Shoes: New Look, Customised.
Sunglasses: Vintage

So here are some more of the pictures from Portugal that I have been meaning to post for some time now. These are a little more 'touristy' and reflect the more traditional side of our holiday.One evening we wandered into the main town where there was a really great Ice cream parlour that sold pretty much every flavour you could think of, a fountain, and small fair ground with an old fashioned merry-go-round and candy floss vendor. There is always something quite magical about a fair ground, with the lights, noise and movement. It's a shame I'm too old for all the rides.

Top: All Saints thin knit t-shirt
Skirt: Urban Outfitters
Belt: Vintage
Earrings: Unknown (and I lost one on the beach)

Daddy... I Want a Pony!

2010-10-13T17:41:00.000+01:00

Luella Fall 2006

Luella Fall 2007

Luella Spring 2008

Luella.... How I miss thee. Luella has always been, pretty much, my favourite designer. Of course I'm fond of others such as Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Charles Anastase, Erdem and (of Course) Karl Largerfeld for Chanel; but there was always something about Luella that made it different. Maybe, it was that the clothes were all so wearable and fun, it seemed accessible as well as being luxurious, or maybe it was that no one was doing anything like her when it came to whimsy as well as style. Her collections always seemed so...cool, I usually dislike that word when it comes to description but I really can't think of a better way of articulating it. I love the inter-play between classic, lady-like tailoring and cute floral's and cartoon prints with a hard edge.

  I was really hurt and sad when her label ended in 2009. I had always dreamed that one day I would own my own little piece of Luella. I remember on a couple of occassion's going into Urban outfitters just to browse her latest collections, and always leaving empty handed and sad because I couldn't afford a £200 cardigan. I even found a nude, leather Giselle Handbag in TKMaxx last year for a low (but still expensive) price, now I wish I had bought it, but alas, I am stingy.
  I really hoped her label would continue some how and she would keep inspiring me and high street trends for years to come.
  So it made me very cheerful when, through a happy accident, I discovered she had written her guide to English Style...I'm hoping it will pop through my letter box next week when it's released.

This nugget of information set me off on an Luella eBay clothing adventure, and Oh My Gosh! I got myself a white cashmere Love!Love!Love! jumper from the Spring 2008 collection, and for a really good price, I also acquired the Luella and EJF collaboration t shirt, which is sooo lovely in real life, and means I can finally stop wearing my sonic youth t shirt all the time.
I will hopefully post some pictures of them both soon...

Luella Fall 2008. My favourite ever collection... I want to dress like witch all the time.

Luella Spring 2009

Luella Spring 2010. The collection..How amazing is that pink Dress and A-line powder blue coat?

All Pictures from Style.com.

The Corn..

2010-10-02T23:28:00.001+01:00

Skirt: Zara
Sweater: Zara
Belt: Vintage
Bag: Vintage, Charity shop thrifted (it's an old fishing tackle bag!)
Ring: H&M
Shoes: Primark (£3!)

And so Fall is finally here.. as it gets colder and the nights draw in I believe it may be time to break out the tights and sweaters, Hurrah! Zara has become by go-to shop for fall pieces, their current range of knitwear and skirts is beautiful as well as wonderfully made and classically styled. I have recently decided however, to spend less time in high street stores and return to my old charity shop haunts. There is something really satisfying in finding an item by chance and falling in love with it. I put this new resolution into practice last week and happened to come across a silver Anya Hindmarch purse for £1.49 and a pair of brown, leather, granny ankle boots for £5, both of which are excellent. I also picked up a couple of new books including Zadie Smith The Autograph Man in hardback for £1.50. I loved On Beauty and White Teeth so I am really excited to delve into this one.

These photos were taken in a corn field not far from my house, I have been meaning to take some pictures in here for a while and was extremely pleased that when I finally got round to it the corn hadn't been harvested. For me the uniformity of the lines in the planting of the seeds creates a weird juxtaposition between nature and human agriculture, the wildness of the corn and its leaves, but in perfectly straight, equally proportioned rows.

Photos: MM

Apartment 711

2010-09-12T13:20:00.001+01:00

So, little over a month ago I went on holiday to Portugal, we stayed in a place called Praia da Rocha in the Portimao area. I went with very few expectations. Of course there were the typical tourist beaches, shops and restaurants, but what I really enjoyed was when we ventured away from the main tourist drag and went into the suburban town. The mix of old and new, affluent and impoverished was really interesting to explore and photograph. Some of these broken down buildings had such beautiful garden areas with little barbeque's cooking up lunch, and dogs running around unleashed.
There were also a lot of high-rise flats, each one was unique to its owner and with window boxes and vibrant colours. They had much more character than any other the modern buildings which all looked the same, too clean and angular and ostentatious.

Whilst we were there it was also extremely hot (so warm in fact, that there was a series of forest fires in other areas of the country), this was incredibly limiting when it came to comfortable dressing, it was easier and cooler to wear as little as possible while still remaining decent. I mainly stuck to cotton dresses and shorts with bikini's (of which there are no pictures, thank god, I hate typical holiday bikini shots). It didn't even get cooler at night (which made sleeping in a non air conditioned room unbearable), pretty much rendered any of the evening wear I took useless. It was comforting to return to England, and cardigan wearing. I think I like sleeves too much.

Dress: H&M
Shoes: New Look
Bag: Vintage leather, from a shop in Portugal
Sunglasses: RayBan Wayfarers
Belt: Vintage
Photos: MM & L3

Lasts up to six weeks

2010-08-28T22:28:00.002+01:00

An old shoe is better than no shoe.

T-Shirt: Sonic Youth American import
Skirt: Topshop
Belt: Vintage tooled leather
Bag: Cambridge Satchel Company (Skeleton charm from an old necklace)
Shoes: Vintage, Claire II T-bars
Jacket: New Look, with Vintage fur collar added by me.

I am looking forward to Fall (I have decided I like the word Fall better than Autumn) I like it when it gets a bit colder at night and I need to wear a cardigan when I go out for walks through the woods. There is something magical about the colours of the trees and the feel of the air. I think September is my favourite month. I love the transition the seasons go through and the expectation of winter mixed in with the rush to make the most of the last of the summer. I am also looking forward to Fall because I feel strangely comfortable dressing like a granny. I love chunky knitwear, mumsy skirts and practical boots with socks. I am DESPERATE to find a nice midi length dress (this might be it, but I am unsure of the hemline detail) I like it when it feels like a season is made for you, it makes getting dressed all that more exciting.

I am also looking forward to Fall because for me it means change it more ways than one. I have recently given up my job to concentrate on my degree and the more creative endeavours which actually excite me. I'm lucky enough to be in the position where I can survive without a steady income for a couple of months and I plan to spend the time wisely; reading, writing and rediscovering the things I love to do. I am also going to take a photography course, so, finally I will actually understand my camera properly.

P.s The Perfect dress turned out to be this one, the hemline is just the right length, what with me being so short and all.
Photos: MM & Lthree

Big Yellow Taxi

2010-07-04T00:07:00.001+01:00

Wide Leg Trousers: Topshop Petite
Clog Sandals: Topshop
T Shirt: H&M
Waistcoat: Kate Moss Topshop, First season drop.
Sunglasses: Vintage
Ring: Accessorize
Necklaces: Short: Vintage (from my mum), long: Vintage (gifted)
Belt: Vintage

Joni Mitchell listening, and hot weather make me want to dress like I've come from the 1970's. The urge to be in wide open spaces, lying under trees and watching the birds makes it difficult to drag myself to work or do much else to be honest. The tree these pictures are taken under contained the most incredible bird nests I've ever seen, it was like a small town, each was so established and so precise in it placement, the picture above really doesn't capture the magnitude of it.
I really don't think there is anything better then being outside when the sun shines, surrounded by nature and not doing much else. The colours of the summer are so inspiring, the greens mixed with the bright explosions of the colour from the wild flowers make me want to fore go black and grey and wear brighter and more varied shades like these trousers.
These Topshop wide leg trousers are pretty much the best item of clothing I have bought this year, I seem to wear them all the time. They are so comfortable and cool in the heat and they give you more freedom then a skirt.

Photos: M.M

J'adore Tim Walker

2010-06-06T23:10:00.001+01:00

Unknown Tim Walker with Blue Lamb.

I cannot put into words how much I love Tim Walker's work. I think it's his use of nature that gets me the most. His work makes me feel the way I do when on a summers walk, relaxed and warm and joyful and excited by what is around the corner. For me his use of colour and natural aesthetic really bring the fashion to life. I don't think there are many fashion photographers out there who make fashion fun, which in my mind is what it's meant to be, I think there is nothing worse then when 'fashion people' take it too seriously and take all of the pleasure of out it. Surely the point of dressing up in all of these clothes is to feel good and to enjoy wearing, and looking at them. Everyone always looks like they are having such fun and I don't think the whimsy of the shots detracts at all from their subject which I think is a real accomplishment.

Vogue UK Tim Walker for Hermes 2009

Vogue Italia 2009.

I think I have a thing for cinematic photography which is another reason I love Walker so much, all of his shots seem epic even when they are just portraits, the attention to detail makes them like mini works of art, or short films or stories. I was recently gifted his AMAZING book Pictures (thanks Thom, x) which is, honestly the best book I own ( it should be for £70) there is such a vast amount of pictures (obviously) and sketchbook work to look and that I can't even contemplate the work that must go into each shoot, spraying sheep purple of making large scale swan replicas. It all sounds and looks like good fun though. Maybe one day I will accomplish photos that meet his brilliance. In my dreams! (Though he does come from Devon too, so there is always hope, eh!)

Vogue Italia 2009 Unknown 2009

Normal Service Will Resume Shortly...

2010-05-25T16:33:00.000+01:00

One photographer with a broken arm, one very busy blogger.....I will return in a couple of weeks.

Vacation.

2010-05-05T00:30:00.001+01:00

These photos were taken in the tiny village of Bucks Mills (it's even smaller then the village I live in) which always reminds me of the village in The Prisoner, it has a sort of eerie feel like no one really belongs there. While in the summer there is always a few tourists milling about, in the winter the place is totally deserted due to the large amount of holiday homes and small amount of things to do. I just think the place is kind of perfect.

Vacation season it upon us, and I for one cannot wait to see the sun (preferably in a foreign climate). I want to go on one of those holidays where there is the need to take a trunk and a hat box; maybe a tour of Italy on a luxurious train where a waiter serves your cold Pimms and you take lunch in the Buffet carriage. You'd meet a mysterious man who would whisk you off to a tiny island, where he keeps his private yacht and you'd have the beach all to yourself, something like Talented Mr. Ripley but without the identity theft, murder and Matt Damon. Holding on to this fantastical idea I have been thinking a lot about the perfect Swimsuit/Bikini and other holiday accessories. After much searching I found a lovely high-waisted black bikini from American Apparel which encapsulates the 1940's/50's feel I'm after (it may make a blog appearance over the summer) and a Topshop Swimsuit which has a really retro feel. Paired with some vintage tortoise shell sunglasses and a large straw bag I should feel just like Gwyneth.

Dress: Topshop
Hat: Vintage (I can't remember where from though)
Sunglasses: H&M
Necklace: Made from an old brooch.

Inspiration:

Gwyeth Paltrow and Jude Law in Talented Mr. Ripley.

American Apparel high waist Bikini.

Portmeirion: The Set of The Prisoner.

Untitled Inspiration.

2010-04-28T20:54:00.000+01:00

Untitled Film Still #48

Untitled Film Still #62

Untitled Film Still #14 Untitled Film Still #7

Cindy Sherman is one of the photographers I admire most, with her Untitled Film Stills series being one of my favourite sequences of shots. I find the way she uses disguise, and costume to totally transform herself really astounding. Each picture is so unique from the next its hard to believe that its really her in every shot.

Untitled Film Still #54

Untitled Film Still #21.

Dino Pop.

2010-04-19T23:43:00.000+01:00

I love how wonderfully tacky Seaside resorts are. The mix of the nature of the beach with the completely man-made Amusements and hot dog/candy floss stands defies comprehension. I can never understand why people decide to come on holiday to these places, as while I find them fascinating I wouldn't want to spend two weeks of my summer here, slotting pennies into fruit machines and eating Mr. Whippy. Surely a day trip would be enough?

These sorts of surroundings make me think about 1950's teddy boys, and proper old school rock n roll. Its as if the bright lights and golden sands hide a dirtier, seamier underground where people struggle to make ends meet and take solace in music, drinking and getting into scuffles. It's like Grease, but without the pink and poodle skirts (I'm thinking Sandy post make over). These fictional characters live for the weekend, when they can go out swing dancing, smoke fags and not get up until noon. Their outfits make it abundantly clear they are not tourists, and even on the brightest of days they sport a leather jackets, and jeans, never giving in to the sunshine, longing for the cold, dark nights.

Jacket: New Look
Top: Topshop
Jeans: Topshop
Shoes: H&M
Bag: Vintage
Sunglasses: H&M

Inspiration:
Teddy Boys and Girls.

Brighton Pier.

Grease

Call Me.

2010-04-09T14:48:00.000+01:00

Does anybody actually use Telephone boxes anymore? This one didn't even accept money. There is something very appealing about an old, red Telephone box. Before the phone box turned into the haunt of the heroin addict and homeless they had a real old school Movie charm. The phone box brings about thoughts of making heartfelt calls to someone you love only to hear the pips at the vital moment, or taking shelter inside on a cold, stormy, night when your Nash Statesman has broken down and there is no one in sight to turn too.

As a child I remember my Aunt having one of the proper red phone boxes in her garden and it always fascinated me, I never remember it working but I still liked to go in there and make fake phone calls relaying very urgent made-up news. There is something so regal and self important about them, like a beacon of safety and reassurance when your in doubt.

I found the ring I'm wearing in a charity shop last week for £1. The little gloved hand on it is really unusual and has thus far divided opinion. Personally, I love it. I think there is something kind of funny about wearing a tiny hand on your own hand.

Dress: Topshop
Jacket: New Look
Ring: Charity Shop
Clutch: Vintage
Shoes: New Look.

Inspiration:

Nash Statsman 1955

Cindy Sherman Untitled Film Still No.48

Christopher Kane SS10.

Garden Party.

2010-03-21T22:35:00.001Z

Office Mule Clogs.

On my unplanned shopping trip last Saturday I wandered into H&M without much of an agenda, but then the new Garden Collection caught my eye. I've been awaiting its arrival since Christmas and most of the pieces are pretty great. Unfortunately they didn't have the beautiful red, ruched, strapless dress I was really after but I did invest in a pair flowing, floral print shorts (for £14.99) which, until it warms up I'm going to pair with black tights and my new £15 Office clogs and then bare legs in the summer and on holiday(!). I also picked up an Organic Cotton fifties style headband and two pairs of sunglasses. I have a bit of a sunglasses obsession; I think I have about 20 pairs. I'm always on the look out for the perfect pair that I will wear forever but as yet I've not found them. These do come pretty close though. They have a sort of 1940's style with a modern twist. For that reason I felt it necessary to buy both a black and tortoise shell pair.

H&M Collection Shorts (Mine are strangely button-less)

I also added to my vintage bottle collection this week with this cute little deer Avon bottle. Avon ones are always the best looking but the worst smelling. They used to make really crazy ones, like dogs smoking pipes and china, perriot clowns. Perfume bottles now are so boring in comparison. Or maybe I just like tat? I'm not really sure.
Also pictured is the book the chatty train man donated to me and the Garden collection headband.

The H&M Garden Collection dress I'm really after. Christopher Kane inspired Topshop Dress I've bought.

The master photographer returns next week so outfit posts will recommence. Hurrah!

Go Here----->

2010-03-21T16:56:00.000Z

www.magneticmechanism.com

its good.

Vinegar and Brown Paper.

2010-03-19T23:15:00.000Z

Hurrah! The long awaited perfect satchel arrived just in time for my lecture at the weekend. It came wrapped in brown parcel paper tied with string, which made it really exciting to open, like getting a rations package or a new knitted jumper from your great aunt you haven't seen in years. I am delighted to inform you that it is exactly what I hoped it would be. I think its going to get even better with wear. To me leather always looks better cracked and aged, it gives it character and shows it's been loved in a way fake leather can never achieve. The 14" was the ideal size, it holds all my A4 size books but isn't too bulky against my child-like stature. I debated for ages whether or not to get it embossed and in the end went for it. I chose to have it blindly embossed though so it isn't too showy or obvious.

The only thing I'm left thinking about now is what to put in the slide viewer on the front. I'm thinking maybe a small photograph or pattern but nothing I've found so far has looked right. It looks a little bare empty doesn't it.

Dining Out.

2010-03-18T23:21:00.000Z

Last week after an aborted cinema trip and a half hearted attempt to go see a band, we settled on a decadent gourmet meal in the local supermarket cafe. It turned out fish, chips and beans with milky tea was just the ticket, espicially when followed with a drumstick lolly and refresher bar. Sometimes the most random evenings can turn out to be the best ones, plus it isn't very often you can get a two course meal for under a fiver.

I kind of love tacky cafeterias with seats bolted to the gound and food on yellow plastic trays. I don't really know why, maybe it's because they always seem to be the setting for exciting rendezvous in movies, or maybe its because theres no pretention. Everyone there is just their everyday self. Also the people watching is incredible.

I meant to post these pictures over the weekend but it turned out to be a really busy one. I had a course lecture on Saturday which also turned into an impromptu shopping trip (which I will post about tomorrow). The most interesting part of the day however, turned out to be the train trip home which due to the vast amount of Saturday shoppers meant I had to sit next to the chattiest man in existence. Its not that I don't like chatting to people, but after a four hour lecture (which, to be honest went no where) I was looking forward to quietly reading my book. Anyway, it transpired this chap was the most knowledgeable person regarding literature I have ever met. So an hour later I came away with a great deal of infomation on Barak Obama's autobiography, a list of books he thought I should invest in and a new copy of E.M Forster's A Room with a View. I think I might make a start on it over the weekend if my ever increasing cold doesn't let up.

I think its time for my 'I'm poorly' cardigan and a large cup of honey, lemon and ginger.

Scents of Smell

2010-03-10T23:35:00.005Z

The smell of my mother is one I will never tire of. I think the the ultimate smell for me. Though I will never wear it myself its one that I will always keep a bottle of.

                                                                                                                                                                                    In my continual search for the perfect scent I've accumulated a fair amount of perfume but I always return to a few favourites which have left lasting impressions. Chanel No 5 is one I wear very occasionally, usually for really special occasions'. The last time I wore it was about 6 months ago to a meal at the Glasshouse with my boyfriend. Its a smell that reminds me of love.


                                                                                                                                                                                     I also love Classique by John Paul Gaultier, its heavy floral scent makes me think of summer walks and hot days in long grass fields. Its definitely one of my favourites.

The Real McCoy Exeter

Nina By Nina Ricci is one a wear on a daily basis, mainly because its a really cheerful smell. It's sweet without being sickly and isn't to overpowering. Its a really youthful smell so I don't think I'll be able to wear it forever but for now it will do for days out to The Real McCoy.

Burberry Brit is my all time favourite perfume, there is something about the combination of fruit and wood that really hits home with me. To me it smells like sunshine makes you feel and despite the chav packaging I love it. I try to resist wearing it everyday as I don't want to get bored of it. It holds really good memories of walking through Pittville park in the spring sunshine and sitting on the benches by the lake watching the ducks.

Ever since I can remember I have loved perfume. I have vivid childhood memories of making perfume from rose petals and daisies to give to my ever grateful mum. I'm sure they smelt truely terrible.
To me fragrance is a really personal and emotional experience. It's not so much about smelling nice but finding a combination of scents that define you. I think someone's scent can leave a lasting impression both good and bad. My mother always wore Lancome Poeme and to me that will always be her smell. I still keep a bottle hidden away, and all I have to do is take a quick sniff and I can remember everything about her. I guess that's why I have such a passion for fragrance, I want to recreate the lasting impression she did. For me fragrance is like music, in the way certain songs are attached to certain memories and emotions certain smells hold particular associations.
I find the composite of perfume really interesting and when I'm feeling particularly geeky I like to go online and look up the top notes, heart and base notes of different brands and I was lucky enough to be able to complete a course on perfumery at work. I'ts a smelly persons dream.

The Perfect Satchel.

2010-03-06T17:24:00.001Z

Asos Tuck Lock Satchel

Mulberry Alexa
Clarks Temple Beam Bag
Topshop Leather Buckle Satchel

For about six months now I have been looking for the perfect satchel. I didn't want it for fashion purposes but as a bag large and sturdy enough to keep all of my weighty coursework books in when I go to lectures. I also wanted something to keep my camera in when out and about that wasn't one of those hideous polyester camera bags that scream 'There's an expense camera in here!' I initially tried ebay but everything was either to expense or not great quality, and to be honest I don't really trust ebay. I always think you have to know exactly what you want otherwise you can end up really disappointed. Next I tried fashion websites such as asos, Topshop and even Clarks (at least you'd be guaranteed quality) but nothing really matched up to what I wanted except for the Mulberry Alexa; which at £795 was a tad over what I was looking to pay.

Then while endlessly googling satchel sites I found The Cambridge Satchel company. They make the satchels that kids used to wear to school in the 40's and great leather sheet music bags. It was pretty much exactly what I wanted. They are leather, simple and come in a lot of colours and sizes. I've plumped for the 14" vintage brown leather satchel. Even better is the embossing service they offer, so this week I can expect a very exciting delivery which will literally have my name on it.

The Cambridge Satchel Company 14" satchel.

Foxy Style

2010-03-03T17:21:00.004Z

Unique A/W 10.
Photo: Marcio Madeira / FirstView.com

I have totally fallen in love with a/w10 collection from Topshop Unique. I don't usually like the Unique range but I think this is just amazing. Its got an Animals of Farthing Wood/Fantastic Mr. Fox feel with a lot of military tailoring thrown in which all sounds horrendous on paper but somehow looks really right. Apparently Katie Grand did the styling which I guess explains the animal hats (I want a fox one), large eyebrows and textured layering. I guess what I like about it the most is that its all wearable. It reminds me of the simplicity of Chloe but with the English quirkiness of Luella (R.I.P) mixed in. I loved Luella and I don't really think anyone has replaced her. I always thought her collections were really original but actually wearable and fun and surely that's what Fashion is all about, having fun with the way you look. To me getting dressed should be enjoyable and about discovering what makes you feel good not whats 'cool'. I defiantly think a pair of those shear-ling boots would make me feel good, and the khaki short suit, and some of those socks, and a fur hat. I'm not sure about the eyebrows though.

Talking of Fantastic Mr. Fox...

I think it says a lot about a film when you want to have the costumes of an animated character. Everything about the foxy world looked so appealing, which is totally ridiculous as it was just like the real world only much smaller. I think maybe the scale is the key. I've always loved miniature things, I always wanted to be a 'Borrower'. Sad but true. But to say I enjoyed the film is an understatement. It was one of my favourites of last year and will most certainly be a DVD purchase very soon. I love all of Wes Anderson's films, but I think this might, for me, even top Darjeeling Limited.

Hocus Crocus.

2010-02-20T15:38:00.005Z

Its a lovely, sunny, snowy, bright and freezing day. It made me think about this dress. I bought it about 8 years ago from The Real McCoy vintage shop, I think it was about £35 which seems pretty cheap now. It didn't then. I was initially going to wear it to my prom but then for some unknown reason I didn't (the dress I did wear pales in comparison, believe me) and its been sitting in my wardrobe, unused, ever since. Last year it was resurrected however, for use in a short film I was in. It's really beautiful and it fits perfectly, the cut of the back looks really special and the fabric is the ideal weight. I have dreams of wearing it in the summer walking through meadows, or to a garden party. I know neither of these will ever happen, as its totally impractical for walking in and no one holds garden party's since we are no longer in the 1930's. I keep thinking about shortening it but I think it would be a shame to cut up something so old and it might loose some of its magic.
If you want to see the short film look here, there is some other pretty special stuff too.

P.s I got these shoes and not the Hasbeens.

Ahoy!

2010-02-18T22:34:00.006Z

Dress: Vintage, with buttons added by moi.
Knackered Cardigan: Topshop.
Tights: Topshop
Shoes: Vintage, from a Shop in Bristol (can't remember the name).
Coat: Very old Topshop.
Hat: M+S
Bird Necklace: Accessorize.

It rained a lot when we took these photos, it was also mighty cold. They are taken on the quay wall in Clovelly and at the huge Court house. I'm not really sure if I'm allowed to stand there but never mind. This is my favourite ever dress, I think it cost about £15 and had broken buttons when I got it, which I replaced with the bright red ones. I'm now thinking of changing these for blue or gold ones, mainly because a couple of days ago I stood on one of them when the dress was on the floor and broke it. Serves me right for leaving it lying around. Nautical is going to big again this spring/summer (isn't it every year?) and in light of this I got myself a lovely little sailor style top on Saturday when I went to my Shakespeare lecture. The back of the collar looks really fantastic when you pull it out over a cardigan or dress.

I would normally wear it with jeans but I'm really bored of the leg wear most of the country's population live in. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with jeans (I have many, many pairs), I'm just saying that I am bored of wearing them. I find it really difficult to make them look interesting and I nearly always end up wearing them with flat shoes because pairing them with heels just seems to negate the comfort factor. I'm going to keep my eye out for more interesting styles/colours etc but being short in stature I don't hold out much hope. I think it might be time to move into the world of skirts and the many possibilities they hold. Maybe a nice red prom one??

On the Street Where You Live

2010-02-16T11:23:00.008Z

The village I live in (Clovelly, incase you intersted) is totally unique. The streets are cobbled, you pull your shopping down on a sledge and you can't even have a satellite dish on your house without permission. All of this is brilliant. It makes me feel good to think that places untouched by the modern world still exist.
In the summer there is nothing better then swimming off the large stone quay and walking along the coast path through the woods to Mouth Mill beach, where if your lucky you'll be totally alone except for the seagulls and phesants.

Of course there are car parks and about a million tourists in the summer holidays, but during the winter the silence and desolate streets make it magical, as well as perfect for photos.
There are times when I wish we had a cash point or even a shop that sells more then pasties, ice creams and donkey models (we have a lot of donkeys) but I will mourn the day a Tesco Metro opens and they install a chair lift down the really steep street.

In other news The new Alexa Chung collection for American brand Madewell debuted yesterday and it looks great! I pretty much want eveything, even the stuff that would look ridiciulous on me such as the long skirt and velvet shorts (I have very mixed views on velvet), shame its only avalibable in America, but then I guess if it was over here there would be about a million Alexa wannabes running around and it would be like Kate Moss for Topshop all over again. I can't work out if thats a bad thing or not? Surely Better Kate and Alexa then Coleen and Jordan?

Photos from: What I Need Now.

A Few of My Favourite Things.

2010-02-14T17:52:00.010Z

A few of my favourite things:
My Perfume Bottle Collection
Alice Necklace from Kath x
Tim Walker: Pictures
Flowers by the bed
Baking
T.H

The First Days of Spring.

2010-02-14T16:22:00.005Z

The last week or so Spring has started to arrive, though its still been really cold the Snowdrop and Crocus's have begun to come out. I think spring is my favourite season, its like everything is waking up ready for summer and there is more colour in the world without the over saturation and yellow heat (or muggy rain) of summer. This in turn makes me want to wear more colourful clothes to keep up with the season. I have been looking for a dress which is a really delicate floral print without being to floaty or modern, and the I think the dress above fits the brief perfectly. I'm looking forward to wearing it with a long battered cardigan and my new clogs, hopefully I wont look dutch. I do like tulips though.

Its been a very busy week for me so I'm looking forward to the extra weekend I have on Monday and Tuesday, I plan to catch up on my book reading, maybe dye my hair and hopefully take some new blog pictures if the weather holds out.
I'm also going to finally order myself a pair of Swedish Hasbeens super highs which I've been desiring for the last few weeks.

I also have an essay to write this week on A Midsummers Night Dream which I really reccommend giving a read. Shakespere has always seemed quite scary to me but this play has really changed my opinion. For something written in the 15oo's it still comes across as being very contempory and actaully quite funny. If nothing else the film is worth a watch just for the great costumes of both the fairies and human characters.

Caravan Girl

2010-02-05T23:21:00.006Z

Caravan Girl

A&E

There aren't many women (or even clowns) who can carry off a harlequin costume and party hat and still look elegant, but somehow Alison Goldfrapp seems to manage it. Her aloofness not only comes across in photos, but also Goldfrapp's music. It's all very sophisticated while still having a sense of humor. Happiness.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel.

2010-02-01T20:18:00.011Z

Cardigan: H&M
Blouse: Vintage, Charity Shop
Skirt: Topshop
Shoes: £3 Primark Bargain.
Watch: Vintage Casio from ebay

These pictures follow two trips out for dinner, one with friends as my belated birthday treat (Thank-you Kath and Lyn) and the other with family just because (Thank-you dad).
Going out for dinner is one of my all time favourite activities, I think because it combines getting dressed up with eating, in my humble opinion you can't get any better then that. I think I'll try to do another post soon about cooking, which is another of my favourite things do do I guess because its like dressing food up instead of yourself. Interesting thought and maybe slightly odd.

I have new dark hair which I am still not really sure of, it was quite a shock going from almost white to bark brown, I'm enjoying the change but don't think it will last, I get bored too quickly, blond goes with more and I feel kind of dull. Oh well.

After my 1940's post I really started to look into 40's and 50's fashion more, I've always loved both decades but have been wary of actually dressing in a way which is influenced by them as I think its very easy to end up looking like your in costume (which is fun, but not always practical).
To compromise I've taken to wearing high waisted skirts in heavy fabrics with delicate blouses such as the one below which was a charity shop find. I've also dug out my camel coloured, tailored trousers and paired them with simple black pieces and a leather jacket with a vintage fur collar attached. It makes me feel like a pilot, but in a good way. All I need now are some goggles, oh and a plane.

On a non fashion related note I have started reading some new books this week which I can't recommend highly enough. First there is The Liar by the lovely Stephen Fry and second is Blankets by Craig Thompson. Both were birthday gifts (I got almost 100% books this year which is excellent) and both are great. My next reads will be Brideshead Revisited By Evelyn Waugh and about a ton of Shakespeare for my Degree. Should be an interesting mix.

Image

2010-01-21T17:02:00.006Z

I like pictures better than real life.

Land Girl

2010-01-21T15:16:00.009Z

Chloe ss10

Land girls at work

A 1940's Wartime wedding

The women of Paris during the occupation

I'm currently really into the functional and prim dressing of the nineteen-forty's, I love the nipped in waists of trousers and the use of natural colours. The utility style of the clothing seems to be perfectly balanced by extremely feminine accessories such as the large bows and headscarves, it makes me long for long dark lustreus hair. There is something about Land girls I find really appealing, the masculine outfits with perfectly quaffed pin curls seems to be the perfect combination. When I saw the Chloe Spring/Summer collection it really reminded me of the Land girl uniform but softer and more wearable. The socks are a particularly nice touch, though I'm still searching for the perfect pair of high waisted wool trousers to wear with a patterned head scarf and newly brunette hair.
The picture of the women of Paris during the German occupation is marvelous don't you think? Even throughout the height of the war they still remain the pure definition of glamour. I particularly want a pair of those sunglasses but may have to settle for these instead. It all brings back memory's of Inglouious Basterds and 'Allo 'Allo! but more politically correct. 'Good moaning.'

In the land of Oz,

2010-01-13T15:35:00.004Z

The thaw has begun which makes everything look saturated, not just in water but also light. The sun has finally broken through the previous weeks vast gray sky. I've taken advantage of this sudden surge of and slight warmth and been for a long walk (wellies were compulsory).
Along with the typical beauty of the sunlight in the trees I also found a man-made beauty: The mug on the wall by the car park.
I like the thought that in the cold, dark morning someone couldn't bare to part with their warm cup of tea on the long meander up the cobbled street to the car. I was really tempted to take the mug as a memento (its a good mug!) but the thought of that person returning after a long day to find their beloved'ed mug gone made me feel bad so I left it to be claimed. I may go back tomorrow to see if its still there though.

p.s I apolgise for picture quality, I only had my phone as the camera was at home charging.

Snow too deep for red pumps.

2010-01-12T14:26:00.014Z

It has snowed a lot here over the last week or so, and while its been super cold its also been beautiful. There is something about snow that brings out the child in people, its magical watching full grown men and women speed down a field on a childs body board followed by thier young child shouting for them to go faster. Its also a fantastic opportunity to take some photos in a fur hat and very innapropiate shoes. I had failed to take any other suitable shoes with me to Thom's. Typical.

I am actually wearing white tights in these shots, its not my bare legs but I'm pretty sure if I had of been sans tights my legs would of been a very similar colour.
Hat:Vintage (Charity Shop)
Coat: Vintage: The Real McCoy
Dress: All Saints
Shoes: Topshop
Brooch: River Island