Bedtime reading
My bedside reading has once again turned to coffee table books. I can’t seem to focus on novels now I’m home and writing again… hopefully not a permanent problem.
Two new favourites are the V&A book of Horrockses Fashions, and Perfect English Cottage from Ryland, Peters & Small. The first of these makes me want to run off to 1950s Roma with a suitcase of full-skirted frocks; the second to a bolthole in the countryside where I’ll finally have the time on my hands to bake cakes and learn to crochet. Either way, I should probably appreciate how gorgeous Sydney is this fine mid-winter, and get on with the business of enjoying it. But who can resist being transported to the fairytale world of books?
Horrockses Fashions was one of the most respected ready-to-wear labels of the late 1940s and 50s, and the V&A publishing team have done it real justice with this mix of fabulous frocks, fabrics, illustrations, archive photos and advertising. It’s laid out beautifully – not in that static, uninspiring way some vintage clothing books are – and the story’s an interesting read, too. I can highly recommend it for all vintage afficionados.
And to Perfect English Cottage, by Ros Byam Shaw. Deputy Editor for US fashion and lifestyle magazine W, Shaw really knows how to inspire, and I love her descriptions of these eighteen beautiful homes and their owners – so quirky and intricate, with lots of tips and details on how to achieve a similar look. I’m hooked. Talk about fairytales… it’s Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs without the wicked witch. A particular favourite is the former country home of Virginia & Leonard Woolf, which graces the cover. Delicious reading through and through.
Two groovy mags and a Mad Men wedding
Cloth's latest issue
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.
Kirstin Ash jewellery
Kirstin Ash pendants
Jessica of Coco Repose visited last week for morning tea, and was wearing the most amazing necklace by Kirstin Ash. This is really beautiful vintage-inspired jewellery, made with rare papers and prints from earlier eras. I’m definitely buying… the only question is, how to choose just a few pieces, or even one? Seriously gorgeous.
Heart & wishbone pendant by Kirstin Ash
Various Kirstin Ash pieces
The clever woman herself
Antoinette Fleur
Speaking of illustrations, I’ve been investigating the work of Antoinette Fleur, a French artist my friend Olivier introduced me to through his blog, Dossier 37. Olivier tells me her drawings are published in all the top French magazines and super-popular in Europe.
I haven’t seen her work before – at least, I wasn’t aware if I have – but think there’s something so free and spirited about Fleur’s fashionably illustrated girls, don’t you? I am loving them.
Felicity Hall needlepoint kits
Silhouette needlepoint by Felicity Hall
Since The Crafty Minx was published in the UK in April, I’ve been receiving more and more emails from UK readers, which is very exciting. Felicity Hall got in touch to alert me to her divine needlepoint kits, which I love so much I couldn’t resist popping them up on the site here, in case you fancy ordering them direct from the UK.
They remind me a little of The Six Week Boutique kits I featured here earlier: very fun and funky.
Cuban car rectangular needlepoint kit
'In the frame' cushion by Felicity Hall
Three Swallows needlepoint
The Society Inc.
I love these belljars, specimen bottles and numbered linen napkins, all available from stylist Sibella Court’s beautiful concept store, The Society Inc. in Sydney’s Paddington.
Her range of paints for Murobond is gorgeous also, with new ones added every few months, and if you subscribe she’ll send you out a lovely inspiring newsletter every once in a while.
Do it in Paris
Flowery dresses and pretty accessories for a successful garden party
Are you all addicted to this site after my last mention? How I love the look today!
Accessorize clutch
To bring a little Sacré Cœur sunset to your evening, how about adorning a favourite item with silk flowers, as per this Accessorize clutch suggested by Do it in Paris?
Life is sweet, non?
This week’s inspiration…
Crushed roses and velvet
Comes in the form of these lolly-like fripperies: a silk rose, sequinned starfish and a tattered black feather or two… what to do, what to do? I’ve already wasted a good half hour this morning calculating; turning them over in my hands, and wondering.
Michaela picked up the unusual sequins up for me from Spotlight when last there – see here for her solution. The silk rose is from Diva and the starfish, or firework burst, or whatever manner of shape the black sequinned business is, was picked up on my travels somewhere (along with the feather and Whitman’s sampler tin full of leftover bits and bobs).
See here for another flight of fancy with feathers and studs.
A tin full of possibilities
Imagine these beauties washed up on the shore
Bright and shiny
Shake your tail feather
