Kelly Doust introduces readers to her wonderful world of reviving and customising vintage pieces, while bringing a modern and unique twist to wearing vintage clothes – Dita Von Teese
Two groovy mags and a Mad Men wedding
Check out these two new-ish magazine titles being published in the UK - Sew Hip and Cloth. With modern fabrics and fresh designs (featuring instructions on making everything from knickers to necklaces, and customising clothes to canny recycling) this is definitely craft for the younger, more fashion-loving Crafty Minx. Subscribe online or pick up copies in a decent newsagents’ (my all-time favourite store for the mag-obsessed is magnation).
And the woman surely responsible for driving a whole new generation towards revamped vintage, Christina Hendricks (oh Miss Holloway, are you trying to seduce us?) got hitched last year, and I’ve just seen the pics (I must have been living under a rock at the time). If you haven’t already, clock the to-die-for frock and vintage bridesmaids’ outfits, which are so mercifully stylish. We likey!
Cloth's latest issue
Regretsy if you want to LOL
My fab web designer Lyndsay of White Pixels told me about this site recently when we caught up for coffee – it cracks me up.
April Winchell set up Regretsy to feature the worst items to be found on Etsy. I’m not one for pointing out other people’s crafting mistakes (lord knows I’ve made enough of my own) but there’s something for everyone here… or not. She’s even written a book about it – good for some light relief.
This party’s got to stop
Rupert Thompson's new memoir
I met one of my favourite novelists when I was a book publicist, and have always remembered how much I enjoyed Rupert Thompson’s company over a few days at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival. So of course I was eager to read his first memoir.
This Party’s Got To Stop is one of those rare books which make you stop and stare into the distance every few paragraphs or so, savouring its poignancy and perfection. It’s an extraordinary story about his father’s death, but conveys so well the seeming randomness of events, and our way of dealing with grief and the unexpected. I’m totally immersed in it.
New Polli pendants
The Owl & the Pussycat pendant by Polli
I’m going through a bit of a jewellery moment, and my latest obsession is gold. When I was younger, you wouldn’t have caught me in it: I found gold way too gaudy, and was more about the silver, leather and fun resin or wood beads and bangles you could buy on the cheap from Thai street markets. But I think I’ve grown into it, maybe in the same way you grow into pearls. And the faux kind is even better, if you ask me. Think about arms full of clinking Indian bangles and sparkly accoutrement – the perfect way to jazz up an otherwise plain outfit.
Polli have a beautiful range of kohl gold jewellery which I’m just loving at the moment. Check it out – they wear well, aren’t anywhere near as exxy as the real thing, and update your look with each new season.
A poem for mothers
I’ve been packing up old clothes of Olive’s to re-home them and it struck me, once again, how quickly she is growing… talking a little now, and curious about everything. ‘Whassat?’ is the common refrain, as I explain for the umpteenth time it’s a dress or a pillow or a key.
My friend Sophie sent me this Kate Llewellyn poem recently, and it’s too true, and lovely, not to share:
You used to lean
on that cot rail
and wait
with the vigour of a flame
to leap into my arms
two feet tall and two years old
a sagging nappy
archless feet soft as cats’ tongues
and trodden underneath
a thick and clammy waterproof
warm from sleep
the sheet ruched at the end
toys heaped and confused
neglected as the dead
a duck stuck in the corner
I could see the basket of your ribs
your hands were opened
and all your bones and life
leapt up to mine.
*Shoes above by Embroidery Baby.
Love on the wireless
My new Roberts Radio
It is a little-known fact that I once fancied myself as a radio dj. True – I even hosted an hour-long show on FBi once called ‘Artspace’, a pretentious little program I conceived the idea for. It was meant to be about the latest comedy gigs, art shows, plays and various other happenings around town, but was actually just an excuse to secure free, opening-night tickets to the aforementioned events. Canny, huh?
Way back in high school, I was positively addicted to listening to the morning show with Mikey Robbins and Helen Razer on Triple J. I even set my alarm at 6am so I could listen to the beginning, and surreptitiously carried around a Sony Walkman (remember those?) for the rest of the morning so as not to miss a thing.
Since I’ve been working from home, I haven’t really listened to the radio much as our stereo’s a bit rubbish and doesn’t get a great reception, but I really missed the morning show on FBi and The Hack, my regular listen-ins on the journey to and from work. I was listening to CDs and podcasts instead.
No more! James presented me with this a couple of weeks ago, for no other reason than the fact I’ve been pining for an old-school Roberts Radio for the better part of ten years.
Now I’m addicted to digital ABC Radio National, Classic FM and Koffee (an easy listening channel with no chat) and ABC Jazz (which you have to say with a long drawl… jazzzzzzzzzzzzzz) and my earlier loves, Triple J and Fbi occasionally, when I’m getting ready for the day (but rarely while I’m working).
My, how times have changed.