Schools for the Deaf in 1950s ... and Ballet

Skimming Blogger search stats is a rather amusing way to waste a few seconds.
Yet I'm still scratching my head over how someone landed on my blog while looking for 1950s deaf schools.
Nevertheless, real life has been a little more interesting than some people's strange internet habits these past couple of days.
For a start, it's been deliciously "wintery" here in Brisbane.
Snort away, I realise how utterly ridiculous autumn temperature ranges from 7-19 degrees celsius must seem to people living in climates that enjoy four proper seasons.
But it's all relative to what one is used to isn't it?  After all, I can stomp around in Docs and long sleeved shirts to avoid sun damage when it's 30+ degrees if necessary.

Early yesterday, this was the morning view from the back deck where I enjoyed my coffee.

Later in the day, my attempt to distract about 200 school girls from their soccer matches was a partial success.
It was The Stylist's special request that I "dress crazy" to come and watch her game ... I told her I would just wear my normal clothes, yet I must have looked like a neon orange field line marker judging by the sweet gasping faces.

Yesterday The Phoenix bought last minute tickets for The Stylist and I to see the ballet Coppelia last night.
So she and I got to wear fur and tights and sleeves.
And go out.
At night.
Woohoo!

I found her owl patchwork bag in an op shop this week for $4.  It's brand new and she loves it.  Win.

The wee lassie is rocking one of my 1940s fur capes and my comic tights.
I love that she can wear some of my gear now, no doubt the next thing will be shoes at the rate she's growing.

Killing time at the train station and on the empty train to South Bank.

Once we got to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (with bright pink blusher intact) we were very pleasantly surprised that the ballet patrons had bothered to dress up for the occasion.
This good news follows sharp on the heels of the rant in my last post, complaining about the casual culture that seems to be poisoning our DNA.
Bravo to heels, sparkle, hair-dos, bling-bling and eyebrows, it was a feast for the eyes!

There was a children's story time telling the story of Coppelia and colouring-in between acts, which was lovely as there were people of all ages attending.  A little girl told her mother at the next colouring table: "I want all of that lady's outfit!"
Clearly a child of discerning taste.

Not a very exciting shot, but as you can see we were seated in "the gods" because it was a last minute ticket race, yet it didn't hinder the performance in the slightest, the theatre is so beautifully well-designed.
The theatre filled up quickly while the wonderful orchestra warmed up.

And these are some of the images I nicked off the intawebz of the Queensland Ballet's performance coz obviously no pics allowed during the performance and rightfully so.

I hope you have a fab weekend, tomorrow's Mother's Day here and we've got a full house tonight. 
Baci, D xox

The Right Attitude to Rain

Alexander McCall Smith's book titles have always intrigued me.
I can't help thinking of one his books set in Edinburgh when I reflect on the past week, which has been yet another period of deluge after deluge of rain.

Lots of time spent indoors, cleaning, organising, making stuff, getting long-overdue shite done, I do believe I've quite mastered the right attitude to rain this week ... 

Remember THOSE vintage ballerina sheets I bought from Vinnies late last year, then the lovely 1970s pattern lovely Tamera sent me last week?

Well today they met, hooked up and spent the day giving each other pash-rash.
The thought of making a skirt or a frock out of the sheets just felt terribly wrong and I couldn't do it.

These super-pants shall be known as The Nutcrackers due to the effect they had on the locals this afternoon.

I have a modest-sized fan club of elderly gentlemen in town, who today were chasing me down the street with proposals of marriage, comments such as "I hope you don't mind me looking, but your outfit sets off your figure beautifully", to one of my "boyfriends" who stood on the street and saluted me.

I think it's hilarious and sweet ... The Phoenix tells me "you've gotta watch the old buggers, they know exactly what they're up to".

Heheee!!

The Stylist and I have this move we do called The Grinch, from the Jim Carrey movie - he does this when he's trying to find a flattering outfit.

Tomorrow I'll take in the waistband and make a slight adjustment to the zip accordingly as they're a wee bit big in the waist, but hellz I'm happy as a ballerino (ballet dude) in tights showcasing his bulging package onstage!

Green silk scarf - gift from hostess-with-the-mostest, Tamera

Johnny Cash earrings - Create Beautiful Beads

Vintage patchwork bag - Two Squirrels Vintage

1930s satin bra - Etsy shop, Auvergne Memories

Necklaces, vintage brooches, bangles and rings - op shops and craft markets

Nutcracker pants - match-made by me!

Green velvet wedges - Nine West sale

May the right attitude to rain continue!
I hope you're all enjoying a satisfying week lovelies.
Baci,
Desiree xoxo

Shattered, Patched, Loved And Worn

I'm pretty sure this morning's snap outfit was my sub-conscious at work, after some serious late-night perving over Vix's patchwork curtain tutorial.
I woke up and simply had to get some patchwork on me!

These trews are part of a 1930s two-piece set.
The matching top must have been made for a small child, I can't even get it over my head, so I think I'll pass it onto The Stylist who is sure to rock it.
But the pants ... oh the pants!
Each piece of silk is hand stitched to the next with embroidery thread and attached by hand to calico lining.
I was pretty sceptical about them being from the 1930s, as the colours are so vibrant.
But on inspection it's clear these pants are pretty ancient: the silk is shattering, the elastic is disintegrating and there's one blue patch on my arse that sheds constantly ... sharing the love.
They're very high-waisted so I've hitched them up with a belt.
The pants are so delicate and I'm glad someone had sense to line them, otherwise they wouldn't be here in 2012.
They were probably made for some stage show.

One woman in the street today (???) told me I should cover up the shattered silk with brand-new fabric.
What?
Cover it up?  
Err no!  What's the point?

I treat these pants with great care and respect as I love the beauty and history of old clothing that's damaged and falling apart.
To stick a label on it, I guess it's all very Miss Haversham-Steampunk. 
But to me it feels like the fabric is telling the story of its life, I'm just the voice.
You can see in these pics how much these pants have lived.
Oh and who doesn't love a pair of flares?

Do you wear old shite you love that's falling apart?
Where do you draw the line?

1980s sequinned top - gifted by the beautiful Heather of By the Sea

1930s patchwork pants - eBay

Headband - more at Sassy Vamps!

Leather bangle - gifted by sweet Erica Louise of Recycled Fashion

UJ ring - gifted by Miss Dani-Long-Legs (happy birthday sweetie!)

All other jewellery and 1960s handbags - thrifted

Melissa VW Wing shoes - Amazon

I hope you get to mix it up a bit and have an utterly fabulous weekend:).

Baci,

Desiree xo

Frock Wars

Hey you know when you get dressed to go out and I dunno ... do some stuff?
Well I got my Friday Frock on and when I came back home I didn't get a chance to snap some pics coz The Phoenix took it all off.
Oooh errrr!
I was too knackered to put it all back on again ... but since I so enjoyed Friday's frock-up and de-frocking I decided on an outfit rerun today.

 I've outed this hat-tacular 1960s, patchwork-print, cotton beret I snaffled from an expensive op shop recently for $8.
Normally they have the most insane rip-off prices but I thought eight bucks was rather generous of them as they would normally charge at least $35 for something like this.

 I'm never too busy to stroke the pussy. Ain't she loverly?

 I love the hip-tastic gored skirt on this dress.  I always feel compelled to do some extra swingy hip action while wearing it.
And of course, Rough Vera would approve of my double-bag style.
The green tights are new from Sock Dreams - I love their tights so much!!

 Why the bindhi?  Why not?

Sparkly glitter shoes have special magical powers and cause people to weep in the street.
It's was so lovely to evoke some powerful emotions again while out and about this morning.

 There are many label whores out there so here's the label of my one dollar, 1970s, dead-stock dress.

Love that hat label font.

I wonder what I have in store for me today?
Happy Monday everyone!!
Desiree xo