Gingham & Grey...

Last week while flicking through the racks at Lucy in Disguise i found this adorable puff sleeve gingham dream, i of course wore it dancing that night and managed to do a fair amount of twirling... even if i felt that it was more suited to frolicking in green fields singing "the hills are alive".

There is something so "yes" about finding the perfect gingham dress..i have another one in pink which i have worn like crazy, i think it may be just as simple as this gal just loves a good pattern! I paired it with some super comfy flats and an Alannah Hill cardigan with the prettiest beading, it is so light and breezy so its perfect for this warm transition weather we are having at the moment!

We also have a long weekend coming up which i am so excited about i am launching something pretty wonderful will be doing lots of dancing and date nights with my love...also i am going to THIS event to style hair and do a dance performance too so things are about to get busy and brilliant! 

Happy Friday! Xxx

(Wearing: Vintage gingham dress, op shopped belt, Alannah Hill cardigan, Target flats)

Vintage Hair Inspiration...

Yesterday i was so excited to see Vintage Valley was featured on Buzz Feed alongside 26 other incredibly inspiring vintage lasses and their hairstyle tutorials!

Click HERE to have a browse and see if you can spot me (pssst...im number 21) Xx

Book Review: Art Deco Hair

Inside my small apartment I have hoards of vintage hairstyling books and manuals, all of course claiming to be authentic to the era, the majority of them I have looked at once, thought ‘oh yeah, so easy’ put the book down, made a cup of coffee, settled in front of the mirror and attempted the style multiple times only to end up hurling my comb across the floor in defiance loudly stating ‘what a load of nonsense’

So when i found this Art Deco Hair book by Daniela Turudich tucked away on the shelves of my local bookshop I swear to you time may have stopped for a while, I sat in that book shop trawling over the pages and muttering to myself like an absolutely loony! And so I determined it simply had to come home with me.

Like all the books claiming to be era authentic this book actually is, it provides the history and methods behind each style and puts it in terms that anyone can understand! I nailed a 30’s soft finger wave first try (I may or may not have washed my hair for a few days just to keep the style, I was so happy with it..TMI? haha)

So i thought i would share a few pages out of the book and these don’t even do it justice (it is 320 pages long) I have been told also that it is a little difficult to find this book loitering around a bookshop so if you see it online jump on it!

I simply can’t begin to express my love for this book and so all I can say is if you are a 20’s – 30’s hair enthusiast…buy it!

2014 i have some big plans for you...

Looking back at 2013 i would have to say it was filled with both trying and amazing times, i ended a relationship, worked my way through bouts of anxiety,learned alot about who i was, met some incredible people, started swing dancing which has snowballed into an obsession and genuinely became...happy and content with life! I'd say it was my bridge year...getting across it means that 2014 is going to be pretty swell.

I know people get right into making goals and plans, but im a fly by the seat of my pants kinda gal...i dont make big plans i focus on today! So in light of the things i learned last year ive made a list of things to possibly avoid and repeat during this already amazing year.

Avoid - Using questionable condiments from my fridge to make a late night pasta...it wont end well (sniff test does not suffice)

Repeat - Befriending people while waiting in public places...the stories they tell are priceless.

Avoid - Dating websites...i have seen enough shirtless men and bed/pillow photos to stay in the "horrified" section of my brain...forever!

Repeat - Splashing out on an expensive vintage dress..just because..as well as the "purchase high" i didnt and still dont regret it.

Avoid - Wearing tight delicate vintage pencil skirts to work, the seams will split...and no cardigan around the waist can fix that mess.

Repeat - Go on an un-planned trip, hit the open road with a playlist (to sing super loud to) and a passenger seat filled with snacks.

Avoid - Ruining potentially an amazing vintage dress because i became scissor happy..and assumed my sewing skills were far more advanced than they are.

Repeat - Writing down things that inspire, motivate and captivate me every day, looking back at my little journal has been amazing.

Avoid - Constantly double booking myself..i have a "fear of missing out syndrome" and will agree to come to everything..and then end up letting someone down anyway!

Repeat - Allowing people "in" sometimes its nice to let people do things for me, just because..and making it easy for them to do so.

So there it is...if i was to set myself one goal, id say it would be to swing dance in another country..somewhere, but ill keep you posted on that one!

Xx

Accessorising: Flower Love

I have been completely obsessing over the idea of accessorising with pieces that make an impact but are still pretty and natural, I have been wearing brooches in clusters on the waistline of my pencil skirts and draping colourful scarves through the belt on my dresses!

One amazing idea is pinning fresh flowers to your outfits! I spotted the photograph of the pink dress a few months ago and it has stuck in my mind ever since, after that I then I started seeing it everywhere!!

It’s just such a cute and fresh way to add a little colour without going too crazy!

 Love it!

(All images from MyVintageVogue)

Duke...

Over the weekend i fell in love...with Duke! Is he not the most handsome little creature?

After a hard start to the year and having to say goodbye to my beloved Boots which i now only see every now and then, my little apartment was feeling a tad empty as i am used to always having life around me either pets or people.

Living by myself does have its perks but was lacking a little something..and since a pup is out of the question and fish dont hug Duke is the next best thing!

He took a day or so to get used to my loud noises and constant chatter but he is now jumping around and chirping away! I was so surprised at how much personality he already has and i am thinking i can teach him a few little tricks..eventually!

So instead of turning into a crazy succulent collector im now a bird lady...who would have thought!

 Xx

The Creatives...

Last Friday i was very lucky to be featured on a new amazing project called The Creatives a Perth based hub of inspiration which is set to take off in a big big way!

The ladies who are behind this ingenious idea are some of the most energetic and creative people i have been lucky enough to meet, you know..the kind of people who light up a room and get everyone doing slightly embarressing things in a complete moment of incredible spontaneity..it makes you wish you could fill your life with only moments like that!

So you know when they launch a project its going to be a hit! If you are based in Perth Western Australia and want to be a part of this little corner of internet gold be sure to get in contact!

I also answered a few questions on their blog so pop on over if your curious!

I hope your weekend was as swell as mine..filled with too much Mexican food, good wine and lots of napping! (Bliss)

(Wearing: Vintage dress from MoMo's)

Winter Inspiration...

Firstly i would like to apologise for my lack of outfit uploads lately, i have been taking a bit of time to film some hair tutorial videos which i will be uploading very soon so it has taken a litte more time than i had hoped!

I thought i would share with you a snippet from my mood board for Winter i have always taken alot of inspiration from photographers in the 50's especially John Rawlings who shot all of these amazing images, he always manages to capture a very real aspect in his fashion shoots they are so relaxed and models are always dressed immaculately!

The fourth image is something i am already recreating i just love it! The wool dress paired with a crisp white shirt, red golves and matching hat! Its like a combination of all your favourite deserts in one! I think this Winter will be filled with grey and mustard tones, leather wrist length gloves, cherry lipstick and 1940's suits!

(All images photographed by: John Rawlings)

Player Cards...

I had such an amazing weekend! After a morning of bike riding (3 hours to be exact) and visiting one of my most favourite vintage shops MoMo's where i sifted through incredible dresses while sipping caramel infused coffee! I rode home and stopped off at a small tucked away antique shop only to find these original 1930's player cards in near perfect condition i am going to arrange them in a gorgeous vintage frame to display so they dont get any damage from my clumsy hands.

The hair styles in these cards are just incredible and i already have a few styles i want to give a go, i am also pretty chuffed that i managed to get a Bebe Daniels card! (score)

(P.S - after my riding efforts on Saturday...i literally was unable to move properly the whole day Sunday.. i looked like a little old lady haha!) obviously not as fit as i thought i was.

I hope your Monday so far has been magical Xx

Kate Spade...

Its no secret that i have a little crush on Deborah Lloyd, her designs for kate Spade are constantly in my dreams (that meaning i dream that i am surrounded by Kate Spade purses and shoes..and a ton of pastries...don't judge my choice on the pastries..you can roll around in hamburgers and kittens while a scantily clad pirate with washboard abs gives you a foot massage if you want..and i will totally totally get it!!)

I wanted to share a few pics of the Kate Spade Fall 2012 collection, if you haven't already seen them! I am completely loving the focus on spots and my all time fav pairing of black and red! swoon..



And to top it off they have also released a few snippets of the upcoming Spring 2013 collection...oh...my..grape juice!!!

Happy Thursday XX (All images from kate Spade)

Jean Patchett...

I love these images of Jean Patchett, she was a model between 1948 - 1963 and was an icon of French Vogue Couture, in my Monday crazed madness i usually spend an hour or so dreaming over outfits, trawling the internet for photo ideas and updating my inspiration board so i thought id share whats inspiring me today, its official.. i need that green dress in my life!!!

Happy Monday XX
(All images from myvintagevogue)

Gil Elvgren Before & After

I still find Gil Elvgren's before and after images amazing! im sure you all know or have seen his work before but i was flipping through his images this morning and thought i would share a few for whoever hasn't seen them.

Gil was an amazing American painter during 1930's to 1970's, his work is still very much admired and sough after (me being one) im mainly fascinated by the changes he makes from photo to painting, the light is basically the same and the facial features but changes like background, hair length and waist sizes are usually made, as the photos are only a reference for the model he still uses his imagination which i love.

Well i better get back to it instead of dreaming my time away! ill be back tomorrow with an outfit post!!

 XX

Only A Paper Moon...

I wanted to share with you another obsession of mine, vintage paper moon photographs. i mean what's not to love? i will admit some vintage photos creep me out..the very surly straight faced awkward ones are a little too weird for me (i feel like they are staring through my soul...in a creepy im watching you way)but the paper moon photos are so full of joy and sillyness you cant help but think they are having an awesome time when these were taken!

Paper moon photos were usually taken at arcades or carnivals and were started by the man in the moon craze in the early 1900's the photos started to end roughly around the 1950's and i love that there are still images around that show a lighter side of portraits back then.

Ive taken to looking for ones to add to my collection and hopefully will have a nifty little box filled with them soon!

*The first photo is by far my favourite her smile is too adorable, and reminds me of my grandmother a little!

You can see more of the photos at the Only a paper moon flickr group and Boston Bill Flickr account. which is where i sourced these images!

 XX

wish list...

I have just finished a little inspiration folder for Autumn/Winter outfits, im a little weird like that!! i keep these poor images locked away in stashed files all over my laptop (i sound like a creepy stalker). But in reality i love having them one click away i can be having the most frustrating day when nothing looks good, i feel like my thighs have grown overnight or my imagination has disappeared and then these pretty little images bring everything back to life!

I am not the typical Autumn dresser as im always drawn to brighter colours i end up wearing them during the colder months too, i still like to pair a canary yellow dress with a navy cape! it adds colour to an otherwise dreary day (and come on! is this yellow dress not on your wish list now ahhh)

Im also going to be wearing flowers on my belts, hanging cute scarves from my purses, sourcing more amazing hats (and making sure i water proof them) and wearing bright coloured cardigans! who says Autumn/Winter needs to be drab!!

(All images are from myvintagevogue)