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
Down the rabbit hole
In the mood
Wherefore art thou, past week? I know you occurred, I can see the evidence in my diary, but for the life of me I’ve no idea where you went. A royal wedding, trip to Melbourne, editing, ogling at fashion week and other plans afoot… that would do it. Mainly, I prepared mood boards for the next book, so Natasha can shoot them in a week or so. A little sneak peek above: feel the romance? Hope so.
Melbourne was brilliant. Caught up with old friends, spoke at a couple of events, and squeezed in a spot of shopping – all in under 30 hours. Could have continued chatting with the women I met for much longer. Time, you are a cruel mistress.
And now I’m off to Calico & Ivy to learn to crochet. I told you, this is the year!
Delightful guests from the Bookgrove event, Ocean Grove
With Erica & Alice, Bookgrove
Let them eat cake
Make like Marie Antoinette and spoil yourself rotten today (just avoid any nasty revolutions). I’m off to the French Film Festival for a little Gallic bliss xK
Say it with meaning
Amanda's wedding dress
This is my gorgeous editor, Amanda Carmen Cromer (Amanda edited A Life in Frocks and just finished work on Minxy Vintage).
I’ll let her tell you about these images:
This was my grandmother’s 18th birthday frock, crafted in 1932 by their family seamstress. Silk, hand-stitched, and too big in the waist and bust for me, I had an open back created after taking in the fabric. She died aged 94, on my birthday – and I met my husband after her funeral, so I didn’t really think of wearing anything else!
Vogue’s Colour Fiesta
Vogue Australia's new March 2011 issue
Check out the new issue of Vogue for a piece I’ve written on honesty & friendship – Friendly Fire, p178 – but you must buy it for so many more reasons. For a start, it has the most breathtakingly gorgeous cover I’ve seen in years, taken from Fashion Editor Meg Gray’s Mexico-set story, Viva la revolucion. But it’s also bursting with the most fabulous new-season fashion. I want that entire Prada confection on the cover, just to begin with. Today I will be combing the markets for bold colour, stripes and ethnic prints.
Crafty Mornings with Kerri-Anne – soon!
Oh dear, blogged too soon: I’ll be doing regular craft segments on Channel Nine’s Mornings with Kerri-Anne, but not tomorrow – the first appearance has been postponed.
I’ll be appearing once a fortnight shortly, doing craft segments for easy projects you can follow from home. Some will be familiar, and others brand-new… please stay tuned for more news.
Hipstamatic, baby
I know it’s très boring to bang on about how much you love your iPhone, but I’ve gone all gaga over the old-school effect of the Hipstamatic Camera app… this is what all our family pics from my childhood looked like! Who needs high-def when you can be livin’ in the seventies?
New family member, Harry Fish
Cocktail hour with the neighbours
Feeling vintage
Manning the book stall at the Coffs Harbour Vintage Fair
We’ve just returned from a few days in Coffs Harbour, where I was speaking at the Vintage Fashion Fair and reading from A Life in Frocks. Thank you to the lovely blog readers who travelled from near & far to say hello, and to organiser Jeanette Luke, owner of From Here to Eternity, for inviting me to attend.
If you’re in Sydney this weekend a couple of the same dealers – including Coco Repose – will be trading at Becky Sharp’s Vanity Fair vintage market, held from 10-5 at the Paddington RSL on Saturday. Go forth and plunder a fab frock or two…
From Here to Eternity's Vintage Swimsuit exhibition
Jess Guthrie's Coco Repose stall
Feathered friend in stunning fuscia, Coco Repose
Frocks event in Coffs Harbour
If you happen to be in Coffs Harbour during the first week of January, come along to the Vintage Fashion Fair, where I’ll be locally launching A Life in Frocks. I’ll be talking, signing and selling books all day (and squeezing in a few days’ holiday nearby). Hope to see you there.
Christmas made simple
Easy ivy wreath
With work keeping us busy up until the very last moment on xmas eve, we’ve gone decidedly low-fi this year. A simple wreath made from ivy cuttings and stripy ribbon for the door, ham on order, a house full of flowers picked up from the fabulous CarriageWorks Markets on Saturday, and handmade stockings cobbled together from No Chintz remnants – need it be any more complicated?
As long as we keep the pancakes coming on xmas morning, Olive will be content. My biggest indulgences this year? A pantry full of cold-pressed olive oils, dukkah, pickles, exquisite condiments and the traditional drunken pud, plus a fridge full of champers and French cheese.
Hapiness is.
A handmade stocking
Gorgeous summer hydrangeas
Blow!