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?

The Ponytail Problem

Just another outfit post. Would you believe that it is winter time over here? I probably look like I'm dressed to go out for a summer stroll along a boardwalk, ha! Don't worry it's not that hot here in Oz, the day still calls for a cardigan and occasionally tights. I bought this beautiful minty coloured skirt the other day from a charity store for only $1.00, would you believe it? The fabric feels so lovely and it is a perfect fit. I've decided to call it 'Audrey' as it reminds me of something she wore in "Roman Holiday". I've got a lot of outfits planned for this one. 

What you may have also noticed is that I actually have my hair up in a ponytail! A blue moon occurrence and I bet you've never seen it before. Way back when I was in high school I would wear my hair in a simple ponytail everyday. Every. Single. Day. I was a late riser and I didn't have the time or bother to model exotic styles and whatnot to school. I saved all the effort for the weekends and holidays when I'd dress up in my crazy 1960's costumery. Anyway, because of this hair monotony I would get teased by some of the other girls that put their time into doing their hair and makeup (something I also didn't wear in high school). I didn't think it impacted me much then, but when I think about it for the past few years since leaving school I've refrained from wearing my hair up. I know it's ridiculous, but in the back of my mind I always have that small thought that I look silly, or boring, or plain, or just 'same old Lucy'. 

I'm slowly getting over it though! On a much brighter note (apologies for my earlier pessimism!), I've been digging the red lippy lately, and have been wearing it to University almost everyday. It's funny, it's always this time of year too that I begin wearing it. Must be an unconscious winter thing. 

Vintage Maya

Since moving back from our old place I've realized how bland it was there. Yes, we had those beautiful pop-art-feely red walls, but the boy and I never really decorated. We didn't have anything hanging on the walls. No cushions on the couch. It was all very plain. So I've recently been pining over creative home decor, inspired by the vintage that I know and love, with statement patterns and colour palettes that can liven up our next place together and overall make it feel like a 'home' rather than just a place of residence. And so, I was very pleased to come across Vintage Maya. 

Vintage Maya is an online boutique that sells a large variety of vintage inspired product, from home decor to fashion items, with a bit of a modern flare to them. Each product is selected with care from artisans and independent designers from around the globe. This coincides with the website's philosophy of beauty, love and artistry and that "everything we choose is an extension of ourselves to express who we are and who we want to be"; something that I am quite passionate about and feel is necessary when building a home or place for yourself. 

Palazzo and Mazzini Pillow Cover Set         //        Sakura and Magnolia Pillow Covert Set

These pillow covers are just new on the website. I can imagine that some of you may think that I am strictly into the 'mod' scene of the 1960's, but that is not the case. I am also inspired and infatuated by the richness of designs that came into play around the late 1960's; exotic patterns, fabrics and colour palettes from places like Morocco and India and also the Art Nouveau movement. And I must say that these covers remind me exactly of that, even though the designs from these have actually been inspired by the architectural beauty that is Palazzo and via Mazzini in Turin and mother nature's delicate sakura and magnolia flowers. I think these would be perfect to brighten up the next home we find, and the calm cool colours would also be a nice change from our old aggressive red walls.

Mangolia Pillow Cover // Remilly Pillow Cover // Rosenborg Pillow Cover // Montebello Pillow Cover // Tivoli Pillow Cover // Mazzini Pillow Cover // Sakura Pillow Cover // Palazzo Pillow Cover

I've also had my eye on the lookout for quilt (or duvet) covers. We used to just have a big blanket covering our bed, so next time around we want something a tad bit more luxurious than that! Vintage Maya also stock quilt covers and bedding sets, so they have also been serving me for some lovely bedding inspiration! It's not often that I come across bed sets that I really like (hence the old blanket), but I must say that I do like the simplicity of the Nordic Gray and White set and the Francia White Mint set.

Do check out their website. Though what I've displayed here may not quite be your taste there is plenty more variety to choose from or have a squizz at. There really is something for everyone and I can imagine some of the products would make great gifts. I myself may have already picked out some presents from some of my family members!

*This has been a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Sugar, Sugar

Here is a little post describing some of the things the boy and I got up to whilst down in on our trip. Unfortunately the boy was unable to take his camera down with us, so we were left without pictures other than a couple taken on his iPhone. But I shall still share with you a couple of the things we got up to.

On the way down there, feeling quite peckish we stopped by at a sweet shop. Just looking like an old country building and on the side of the road on its lonesome without the company of any other buildings, we were very surprised upon entering as to how big it was! And how much candy they had there! There was an immense selection of sweets, home made fudges, toffee brittles, sugared drinks and home made jams and relishes. Better than anything that we have here in the city! The boy and I went a little nuts and bought ourselves a care package of sugary snacks from our childhood days and sweets that couldn't be bought back home. Among these were coconut ice and a generous collection of packets of sugared almonds (my weakness). 

It was a very lovely change to visit the cinemas down there. I am a huge popcorn eater. Give me a jumbo sized bucket and somehow I will get through it well before the movie is through. Hands down, they had the best popcorn I have ever had. And the fact that they didn't have jumbo size was probably a good thing! Another groovy thing was that they had amazingly flavoured choc-tops like jaffa, cookies & cream and even rainbow! Perhaps it may sound a silly little thing to you, but it was quite exciting for the boy and I seeing as all we have up here are vanilla and chocolate! We saw both "Maleficent" and "How to Train Your Dragon 2". Both were very enjoyable.

Located in one of the original buildings of the town was an Ore, Mineral and Fossil Museum. We took a gander over and were amazed at what we found. Incredible minerals from all over the world in gorgeous clusters and formations, and colours that I would not have imagined. It was quite fascinating to learn about how the different kinds formed, and how being exposed to varying conditions impacted upon the chemical makeup and structure of each mineral. I think perhaps I found pyrite (believe it or not) the most interesting in it's perfectly geometric cuboid growth pattern. In all honestly, after coming out at the end of the day what we saw was so incredible it almost put diamonds to shame. We also saw many fossils, such as insects encased within amber, opalized wood and shells, a cast of the complete skeleton of a tyrannosaurus rex and much more. Would definitely love to visit there again. 

To read about my adventures in the vintage hunting department, click here!

As some of my Australia readers will know, Bathurst was a gold mining town way back when. And so there are quite a few old gold mines as well as other gold mining towns scattered around the bush in the area. One of these is now a ghost town, and has been for years. Technically it is still inhabited by ancestors of the people that lived there over a century ago, but the locals still like to title it as a ghost town as the population is so sparse. I found it very fascinating to explore the town, read about its history, study the architecture of the buildings and designs of the mining machinery and just wander really. I feel quite at home in places that emit an eerie atmosphere. We also visited a two hundred year old cemetery near by which I found very insightful, yet very emotional. On a lighter note, we also went gold panning! We had not luck, but I'm pretty sure I contracted gold fever. It almost had to be pulled away from the creekside I was that determined to have my little Eureka moment! I did find some pretty crystals, but I was such a clutz that I dropped them all back in the creek by accident. Oops.

Of course, being such a beautiful town we took many walks. The majority of buildings are all from past eras and the park in the centre of town was lovely, well looked after with flower gardens and housed an incredible fountain. We passed a protected pond with koi, ducks, geese and swans. There were also two cygnets there which were was very nice too see, I had never seen any before myself. Being winter time, the roses around town were all in bloom and the people were very friendly. We also saw a little possum family living in one of the parks which was great!

Again, I apologize for not having any picture to share with you all. But I do hope you enjoyed reading the post if you managed to sit through it!