Waiting for (proper) Autumn...

So as far as im concerned i have been quite patient for Autumn to come into full effect...very in fact, although i keep watching for the leaves to change and have swapped my wardrobe around to include cardigans and tights, we have only had a slight smudge of rain...so this is my statement..Hurry up!! Im waiting!! Since our Summer is usually a scorcher (and this year is no exception) i know Autumn is already here but im ready for lazy nights at home with warm socks and tea, dodging rain showers and skys filled with gold, brown and yellow!

I did treat myself to a new Dangerfield mid-arm cardigan yesterday though so i thought i would give it a test run today, i love subtle details so the little raised spots and scalloped edging is setting my heart a flutter! I paired it with my op shopped cream skirt and vintage faux fur hat!

I hope your weekend is full of wonderful plans i am visiting family and catching up for alot of coffee and pie with the girls! Happy Friday!

(Wearing - Vintage skirt, bag & hat, Dangerfield cardigan & op shopped heels)

Flashback...

In the next few weeks Vintage Valley will be having a birthday...four years (whaaaat) i will have been blogging for and what fun ive had in that time! I look back at my first posts and i dont even recognise myself, its really been an amazing space to slowly help me become the woman i am meant to be (weird as that sounds) there are also a few other birthdays too, Duke will be turning one (acts like he is 50 that guy) so ill be doing a special post to celebrate all the joy he has brought me in that year! (even if he does flick seeds all over my tiled floor)

While i was looking through my archives on the blog i found these images from the very first Vintage Valley shoot i did with Meghan Plowman, i look back and giggle at all the big plans we would chat about and encourage each other to take risks and follow our dreams, and now she is doing so amazingly and achieving everything and more she had ever hoped for and i couldnt be more proud!

Aside from me having Auburn hair in these photos alot has changed in my life since then and im super excited for whats to come!

(Wearing: Vintage suspenders, shorts and blouse)

Ships Ahoy...

While cleaning out my closet a few weeks ago i came across this dress from ModCloth, a year or so ago they so wonderfully asked if i would do a Travel Bug feature (back when i had red hair!) See their post HERE

Whenever i wear it i feel like a little bit sailor moon/sailor and it has everything i find cute in a dress bow, nautical and a full skirt! (LOVE)

I have big plans to take it out on the town a little more, i feel sad that i kept it in the wardobe for so long!

I hope you are all going to have an amazing weekend! I have lots of plans that of course include dancing and another Vintage Valley beginner vintage hair workshop at Sudio Bomba! Too much goodness to handle! XX

(Wearing: Pink dress from Modcloth)

Rottnest...

On Friday i left Perth to travel over to Rottnest Island on a very rocky boat to watch two very close friends tie the knot! Since i probably wont have much of a chance to take holidays this year i was looking forward to a few days off! They married on a beautiful Saturday morning, not a gust of wind and the sun was shining in a polite mild manner! i love going to weddings where the company is good, the cider is flowing and the couple were just meant to be!

So the normal thing to do on Rottnest is to bring your bike since no cars are allowed on the island, but in fine form i decided to not bring Gertie and walk most of the time! On Sunday when everyone was still recovering from the wedding (it was a miracle i wasnt out for the count too) i decided to take a walk around the island, i trekked past a few lighthouses, the amazing pastel salt lakes and made friends with a few Quokkas! But around half way through i realised...im pretty lost! With my phone battery dying i was pretty sure i was going to have to search for my own water and go primal but i ended up following a few tourists around and making my way home....3 and a half hours later...

To the wedding i borrowed a friends Bernie Dexter dress, i had an amazing dress on lay-by for ages but at the last min they left me standing out the front of their shop wondering why they werent open the night before i had to leave (trust me to leave it to the last min) So my friend came to the rescue! It was such a pretty print though..and matched the tropical surrounds perfectly!

It really was such a relaxing weekend! i came back with my soul & belly full and with a touch of sunkissed skin too!

(Wearing: Bernie Dexter Dress, Cotton On Flats, Mimco clutch)

Summer Days...

Summer is wrapping up pretty nicely I would say! I have been drinking iced tea and enjoying warm nights before the chill hits! We have the most gorgeous Autumn season in Perth I can't wait for my street to turn shades of red and yellow...this skirt is one of my favourites I found it op shopping many..many moons ago it has layers of tulle and stripes that make me feel like a high school cheerleader (nothing wrong about that) I hope your week has been amazing!

Xx

Lately...

What a crazy whirlwind week i have had, i am just about ready for this weekend to start..lots of dancing and gin & tonics please!! I thought i would share a little of what the past few weeks have entailed via good old Instagram!

1 - Today's hair and makeup (wearing my trusty 50's fruit dress)

2 - Amazing decals and vintage mirror in Mr Sparrow, so cute!

3 - Fresh flowers for my apartment!

4 - My fav grey pencil skirt and a 60's brooch fastened to my waist.

5 - Just before our 1920's Charleston performance i had severe butterflys right as this photo was taken!

6 - Our dapper partners for the Charleston routine (they scrub up alright)

7 - My two loves, Duke and Gertie!

8 - Fresh Apple, Orange and Watermelon juice...yumm!

9 - My great grandmothers pearl set, she is on the right in the photograph! They are my most treasured heirloom!

10 - Currently on my bedroom shelf, i have been teaching myself Ukulele....im pretty terrible but i am slowly getting there!!

(Follow me on Instagram: @allyvintage)

Peppermint...

You cant possibly imagine the squeals that came out when i finally got to hold a copy of the Autumn Peppermint edition in my eager little hands! I am not one for being able to hold good news to myself so i was quite proud that i didnt let a peep out since late last year about one of the photos by the incredible Christine Lim making the cover of one of my favourite magazines, let alone a spread on the inside too!

After Christine and I were set the mission to complete the shoot on a day of our choosing, we decided to go for it and shoot five outfits in two hours in our local Kings Park, what followed was absolute hilarious chaos, running around trying to catch the sunlight while kids are playing soccer and family's are taking afternoon walks, all the while trying to keep it PG rated changing outfits in my car and trying to pin curl my hair in my revision mirror! I still giggle when i think about it...but we did it, and the photos turned out amazing so thats a true test to the talent of Christine!! Thank you for making me look like i had hours to get ready when it was just a quick change in the car :)

Opportunities like this seem so surreal to me, i keep waiting for someone to say "oh wait, this is not for you its for someone else" all i can put it down to is if you are passionate about something it will shine through to other people and nothing but good things will come! As well as all this magazine excitement i have a beginner vintage hair how-to class kicking off on Sunday (first one for 2014 huzzah!) cant wait to be pin curling and sipping coffee with some vintage loving lasses!

I also want to say a big thank you to all my readers and genuinely lovely people i have met either through blogging or instagram, it really is an amazing community to be a part of and i know i gain a lot of encouragement and genuine support from you all!

Xx Ally