Balanced on the Biggest Wave

Outfit - All vintage

The end of the year approaches so fast. In the shopping centres I can hear the faint sound of all too familiar Christmas carols. I can feel that subtle sense of urgency emitted from others around me as they plan their holidays and gift buying, and the summer cicadas are starting to sound in the late afternoons. The days are long and comprised of heat, haze and humidity. Past experiences dictate that this time of year should be filled with excitement and joyful anticipation. Yet tonight as I hear the dull ache of thunder in the distance I am reminded of the many decisions that I must make before the sands of 2014 run out. 

Since I was a little girl I've had a recurring dream, and I had it again last night. I am standing on the shore, in the street, on a hill. Sometimes with others, sometimes alone and upon looking out to the horizon I am confronted with the image of an enormous tidal wave, black and approaching quickly. There is nowhere to run, there is no where to hide, only a short moment to speak my mind and speak my heart before the world is engulfed whole. They say that dreams such as these are supposed to symbolize a build up of pressure in one's life or the coming of a significant change. Really, I don't think that that's too far from the truth. 

I've never been a very decisive person when it comes to opportunities that have the potential to change my life or carve out my future. I over-think things and it seems that my head and my heart are in a constant state of conflict. I envy those who can put their entire faith into a single choice with confidence. A palm reader once told me that my lifelines are broken but will someday merge. She said it meant that an immense change will come my way throughout the years and that whether I take it or not will determine who I become as a person. I am quite a skeptic but I cannot help but think: Is this, what I am confronted with now, that change? Who will I become? 

Time will tell. 

Title: "Breathe" - Pink Floyd

Look Through My Window

The walls are bare at the moment, and the sun looked so pretty shining through the window in the spare bedroom. So I thought I'd revel in the opportunity of such good lighting to take some snaps one of my favourite dresses at the moment. It is from the brand Revival, by Dangerfield, which incorporates a lot of vintage inspired elements in its designs. You can view the dress here. It makes me think of something that Marianne Faithfull or Sylvie Vartan would have worn in the 1960's. Yet, upon wearing it in front of the boy for the first time he could not help but call me "Madeline". Who am I kidding though, the dress is called "Croissants for Breakfast" after all! Wearing the dress I had a lot of fun prancing about and making my best attempt to channel my inner 1960's wannabe model. The boy's cat, who happened to be in the room at the time and even got cuddled in a couple of snaps, was quite confused to say the least. I imagine that it must have been quite an odd sight for her to see!

Showing my face so clearly on my blog isn't something that I've done much of in the past. In my pictures I'm usually always looking down or off to the side. I wouldn't call myself photogenic, and when having my picture taken by others I can't help but feel shy or embarrassed. However, I'm beginning to become more comfortable in my own skin and have been feeling lately that perhaps it is time for a change, and that I should allow myself the freedom of having confidence in myself and enjoying the experience of what taking pictures can be.

Title: "Look Trough My Window" - The Mamas & the Papas

Watching the Skirt

'Granny' skirts are something that I wear a lot of. I can't resist a high-waisted skirt that goes down to my knees with zip and button at the back and is made out of that awful thick, fuzzy material that itches when the weather is too hot. They are just my cup of tea. Here I am wearing one of the latest ones I picked up as mentioned here. It is bright orange with a purple criss-cross pattern - what a skirt! I wore it with a pale pink peter pan collared blouse, vintage bag and my beloved vintage Ferragamo shoes, which meant I was constantly looking down at my feet to admire them all day. Does anyone else do that when they wear that one perfect pair of shoes?

Quite contrary to what some may think, wearing 'granny' skirts actually makes me feel quite youthful. Whenever I wear them I feel like I should have my arms wrapped around a pile of text books, walking through long locker lined corridors with the sound of a bell chiming in the distance. I can't help but feel like a 1960's school girl about to leave for the bus ride home. Think Lucy from "Across the Universe" (if you've seen it) here. It's such a cute little scene I think. Though the high school I attended had a strict uniform code, I always imagined that this is how I would have dressed if we had had a choice, granny skirts and all. 

Title: "Good Morning Good Morning" - The Beatles

First Outfit Post of the Season

And so my holidays have finally begun, at last! I've been making the most of my time so far, lounging about in my pajamas, finally beginning to read a book and doing some cleaning out of my chock-a-block wardrobes.

The other day I wore one of the latest additions to my mass of clothes: a bright green polo shirt. It's not vintage or anything, but the colour is the most perfect green I've ever seen, and oh so 60's feeling. I wish the lighting in my room wasn't so bad so you could get a more accurate image. I always feel that the outfits photos I post on this blog never really do the clothing items much justice (thanks for putting up with them all!). Anyhoo, I wore it with a houndstooth scarf tucked in and was inspired by our Twig the Wonder Kid of course, in a shot from one of her Twiggy Dresses promotional shoots.

Hmm. Perhaps I should have worn my white tights. Then my outfit would have been even more Twiggy-esque.

Image

Skittles Legs At Last

The other day was so chilly it called for tights, at last! Out of my skittles-rainbow collection I opted for mustard coloured tights to go with this dress of mine. Perhaps I should have picked something a little more flamboyant though as a few people at University said that the colour of my legs had 'tripped' them out momentarily until they realized that I was actually wearing tights! I am also wearing a 'new' vintage bag that I bought whilst down in Bathurst (something else I had to somehow stuff inside carry-on luggage for the plane trip home along with all these). 

Because my studies have recommenced, unfortunately I haven't had many opportunities to go out hunting for vintage treasures. I did though the other day spend the afternoon having a snoop in some of the local antique stores and charity shops. I found this black vintage bag for $5.00. Call me a complete cheapskate, but I will always try and refrain from buying a vintage bag unless it is below this price. I do have reason for it though. I have a lot of vintage bags, and plenty more than I've ever shared on this blog. For me, sticking to such a strict limit prevents me from bringing home hoards and hoards of vintage bags and purses, and makes the buying process a lot more selective. It also helps me stick to a controlled budget, especially since vintage handbags are quite prevalent in my local area.

You most probably cannot see it but the bag pictured has beautiful woven detailing upon it. The handle is very soft and very comfortable, yet sturdy, and as I tend to carry my handbags at my elbow this ticks all the boxes for me! I also purchased this beautiful vintage suede coat that reminds of something that Brian Jones would have worn for only $5.00 as well, and two 45's. David Bowie's "Drive In Saturday" single and an EP by The Who. You can see more of my record collection here.

Do you set yourself any 'rules' while out hunting for vintage?

A New Dress and Other News

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! I'm now right into my studies at the moment and having been trying to better organize my time to complete assignments by their due dates. So far, so good but things are getting busier. I hope that I can keep my posting up. I'm also hoping to get back into my piano. 

Anyhoo, I've recently acquired a nice little stack of vintage dresses and accessories and I will hopefully be posting some pictures of them soon. This is a dress I bought amongst them. Not vintage, but I thought it was just too sixties looking to pass up. I'm very glad I bought it. Whilst having lunch with the boy wearing this I tell you, I received many a weird look from a fleeting stranger. More than usual. Not entirely sure why though. Perhaps it is because the dress is so shiny!

In other news, these are also the last pictures you will be seeing of me with long hair for a long while. On Friday I just got the chop! It was a bit of an impulse decision but I'm glad I did it. I shall be explaining more on that soon tool! Hope you have all been keeping well!

Old Makeup, A Mug, Broken Shoes and A New Table

Not long ago my sister came up from down south to stay with us. Before she went back home we all went to the movies together and saw "12 Years A Slave". Have you seen it? My goodness, what a movie. It certainly makes an impact upon you and I found it very emotional to watch. This here is what I wore. One of my latest wardrobe additions, a mini dress with a pattern on it that I couldn't resist. If you were to look inside my wardrobe you'd find an armful of dresses with curtain-pattern-looking-prints on them. Not only did I give my old signature 60's makeup a whirl but also these fringed, suede sandals. I'm not big on sandals, or flip-flops (or as we Australians call them, 'thongs') for that matter. I'm sure most Australians would call me crazy for that. It's been said before. But I quite like these. Not sure where they came from, they were given to me by my Dad, but I'd never worn them before and thought they'd go well with my outfit.  With just my luck when I came out of the cinemas I discovered the right sandal had been broken whilst we were watching the movie. Drat. Superglue?

In other news I got this gorgeous mug the other day at a local second hand store for 50 cents. It wasn't in a set or anything, just on its own as it has a little chip on the rim, but I thought it looked lonely and deserved a nice home where it could be appreciated so I bought it. It's now been sitting on my desk for a week for I think it's so groovy looking. Are you one for buying things in a set or do you not mind the odd knick knack here and there? The last picture is of the top of a lamp table that my cousin made for me. It is made from camphaloral tree and the patterns in it are so beautiful. 

Blonde Haired Woman in a Bright Green Skirt

During an outing on Friday afternoon the boy had to make a quick trip to the printers. Having not been for what seemed too long, I took the opportunity to visit all the second hand stores in the area, five to be precise. When it was time to come looking for me, by chance having no credit left in his phone, he had to pop his head in the door of each store and ask the person at the counter "Has a blonde haired woman in a bright green skirt by any chance been in here?" Of course each of them said yes, and typically I was found in the last store.

Outfit:

- White lace blouse

- Vintage green skirt

- Vintage white purse

- Scarf from Catherine (see here)

- Black ballerina flats

- New hair cut with Françoise Dorléac in mind

Whilst in this last store, a Salvation Army charity shop, I began conversation with one of the women who worked there. I was informed that the next was the shop's birthday and to celebrate everything would be half-price. Rather excited I made plans to come back again, but had a quick look inside anyway. And goodness I'm glad I did.

Earlier that day I had only been looking at my vintage collection and noticed that I had not any vintage maxi dresses. Whilst browsing I came across this beautiful cyclamen coloured dress. Really, the camera does not do this dress justice. It was a great find for me because I'm quite short, and maxi dresses never seem to fit me, but this fit just right. And for only $7.00 it was a steal. I could have waited and got it the next day for only $3.50 but I was too afraid that it would end up in the clutches of someone else. I also bought myself three burnt orange espresso mugs and saucers by Gempo Fine China - Japan for only $1.50. Pity there was no fourth.

Coming back the next day I found many things:

The above pair of shoes -  $1.50.

They are very tiny, at size 5. I couldn't believe I could fit into them.

It made me wonder, if I can fit into these why can't I fit into these?!

Brocade dress - $5.00

Cisada dress with original tag still intact - $2.50

It has splits right up the side which at first did not appeal to me, but after thinking of pairing it with a pair of black tights like Edie here in a similar looking dress I fell in love with it.

Powder blue chiffon blouse from Suzy Speed - $2.00

Vintage white wrist length gloves - $2.00

Vintage white over the elbow gloves - $3.50

Not So Sunny Afternoon

At last I have sorted out the dilemma with the camera. And it took me all afternoon! Damn, you have no idea how much frustration I have for Windows 8! Please tell me that I am not the only one who despises it! But I suppose I shall grow to it. Painstakingly. Eventually. I finally uploaded some of the pictures from the Local Marketta Launch. It took me long enough! Have a look if you like.

Anyway, today I went out with my sister to help her find a nice rug for her unit. And whilst looking for her I became so distracted and began selfishly looking for myself, well, because I saw the most beautiful carpet I have ever seen: This beautiful orange, ornate, psychedelic rug, and for cheap too! If only the boy and I had waited. We could have had this amazing rug of incredibleness in our unit instead and for a lot less than what we paid for the one that we have now! This Union Jack one was pretty spiffy too.

I spent the rest of the day helping her place her newly bought rug in her unit, as well as her outdoor seater, and trying to figure out how to function my laptop all the whilst listening to my warped 1967 copy of The Kinks' LP "Sunny Afternoon".

This is what I wore:

- 1970's vintage blue wool top

- Vintage cream coloured skirt with a split in the leg

- 1960's vintage white heels with bows

- Plastic white bangle

- Vintage white handbag

(Please do ignore the cables)

Like my shoes?

I found these lovelies for only $4.00 at a local charity shop and they are the most comfortable vintage shoes that I own. They originally came with clips on top, but I think they look much better like this.

"Sunny Afternoon" warps round and round on the record player that sits on the bookcase. (No, the bookcase is not complete yet! It still has a little more organizing to go.) I hadn't played it in so long, as my collection was at my parent's place, that I'd forgotten about the warp in it!

I hope that your afternoon was not near as frustrating as mine was!