The Day Nelly Came to Visit

Standing in the supermarket queue this morning in my nightie, my mobile rang and surprise, surprise, it was our lovely Nelly of Vintage Australia.
She was in Brisbane for her grand-daughter's eye operation (a success!!) and making her way over to squeeze in a flying visit to see me.
Scramble!!
Yes, I was wearing my nightie, but a 1930s little pink number with my 1920s tailcoat.
Nelly got to see the sort of thing I wear to the supermarket;).
This gorgeous woman is an angel.
She and her husband are the primary care-givers for their grandchildren and Nelly is full of love and compassion for her massive tribe.
She whirled in like a glamourous dervish with her beautiful daughter and her remarkable little 4y.o. grand-daughter - a breath of fresh air.

Nelly arrived with gifts.  Masses of them.  I took one look at this gorgeous leopard-print hat and decided it needed to be worn NOW!
Our tiny model was happy to pose for pics then needed to move back into the shade to protect her eyes.

At last we have some pics of this beautiful, glamourous woman.

Yes, I'm excited!

After the gals left proudly wielding their list of op shops to stop off at on their 380km drive home, I decided eye-liner was needed to wake me up to give you some close-ups of today's jewellery.

The gold crocodile bracelet is also from Nelly and I absolutely love it!  The earrings and Twin Peaks pendant are from Etsy and the hologram and agate/feather necklaces are from Original Seed's scrumptious shop.  She also makes kimonos in the most gorgeous fabrics!

Nelly, thank you so much for going out of your way to visit me, introducing me meet to two very special people in your life and for the beautiful vintage treasures.

They will be worn and loved.

Desiree xo

Do It All In Bed

There's plenty of time to think in bed.
Especially when you're not allowed to do much else between the sheets.
I spent a couple of days snuggled up under the quilts in my favourite spot over the weekend, after a wee op on Friday.
Blogger was down.
So I read, watched an obscene number of movies and had a guilt-free web trawl.

There are plenty of online temptations for Australian shoppers considering our dollar today reaps US $1.05, compared with US $0.63 two years ago.

Our media outlets report it's a great time to travel, while local retail and tourism giants are doing their best to beat us up with the guilt stick for spending up overseas.

I realised for the 1000th time that I'm very happy with the lifestyle I've chosen.

There is some tweaking to be done, such as a much-needed holiday, but apart from that, as a consumer, I think I'm on the right track.

Op shops and flea markets are always my first port of call for everything.

After that I look online for books, secondhand clothing and new shoes.

Winter's coming so during the past fortnight there's been quite a bit of op shopping (thrifting) such as an oil heater for Number Two Son's room.

I bought three lovely, little-used woollen quilts and cotton quilt covers to keep wee tootsies warm.

A kitchen table and chairs so we don't have to eat off the coffee table anymore, plus books galore for us all.

While I was resting up after the GA had worn off, I decided my look would be "1940s Lady in Convalesence During Afternoon Visiting Hour".

Waddaya reckon?

Here's the lowdown of my budget look:

Liberty of London silk scarf - $3

1930s peach silk cape - $15

Sexy bra-cup slip - $2 ;))

MAC Russian Red lippy - $10 (online - instead of $35 retail!)

Blue ring - a buck(?)

Revlon Gold Coin nail polish - $11 (discount chemist - I NEVER pay this much but I love it!)

These pics remind me of the David Byrne film True Stories and the utterly mad woman who lives in her bed.  The film is a  wonderfully dry observation of western society and consumerism in the 80s - even more relevant in 2011!

Kitschy, Kitschy, Koo

Thanks a lot Blogger.  Not.
I'm reposting these pics due to Blogger's Friday the 13th spazzy, spack-attack.
But thanks for all your lovely comments before things went tits-up anyway.
You readers always make me smile.
BTW, I realise that some of you don't have blogs and come along for a visit anyway and I just want to say thank you to you all.
Send me an email so I can say hi back or if you feel like a bit of a chinwag.
If you're reading this Tralala and AB, yeah I'm talking to you too:).

I'm wearing a 1960s gold, raw silk wiggle frock - yes, they make you wiggle!!  Plus a 1960s tartan cape part of a kilt suit, layered lilac tights and VW Three-Straps.

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DIY leather driving gloves; gold leather thrifted belt; white, mesh bag with (I think) a lucite handle; Mona Lisa earrings and some old brooches.

Last week's thrifted treasures - 50 cents each or for a pair - weeee!

I hope this week's blog glitch hasn't bugged you too much and you have a splendid weekend!
Desiree xo

Let's Play Paper Dolls

Each year on our annual family camping holiday, Mum would give me a book with a pop-out paper doll and paper clothes.
I remember as a child, sitting in the shade of our tent spending hours playing with my treasured new "toy".
I didn't have a Barbie doll, but paper dolls brought me more than enough joy.
Today I took part in the Paper Doll Project.  
The title alone was enough to lure me in, but I didn't fully realise the potential for fun until I paired up with my partner Julie of OAGJ.
Julie's job was to dress me in this black kilt that I've always liked but never worn.

I've always found the length a bit tricky; between knee and calf-length and I must admit I did feel a bit guilty for lumbering Julie with something so old-fashioned.
But the darling took the bull by the horns and went through my blog archives to find things to go with it.
This is what she came up with.
Isn't she clever?

Julie chose my 1950s bustier and Collette Dinnigan black lace dress.

She chose this 1970s teal velvet jacket and one of my furs as a choice of winter cover-ups.

The Stylist added some floral decorative elements and helped me out with pics today.

One of Julie's stipulations was that I wear some kind of hat.
Who am I to deny Julie her hat pleasure?

I bought the watch pendant for 50 cents at the Salvos on Saturday.
Bargain!
The yellow silk scarf was a gift from Sarah Misfits.

Back view: thank god my arse doesn't look humungous.  Kilts can do that to me.

The Stylist insisting I balance on one leg in my 1980s red suede stilettoes.
I layered thrifted teal tights with black fence-net tights from eBay.

Vintage grosgrain bag with 1960s white bobble earrings and 1950s veiled headband.  Love.

I'll definitely be doing the Paper Doll Project again and can't wait for the next challenge.

I hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday:).

Desiree xo

I Choose to Go Frock Myself

I've bid "au revoir" to my collection of jeans.
It's not forever, it's my latest challenge.
I don't normally wear them until the onset of cooler weather, then I leap into them as they're a novelty in this climate.
But I've just gone off jeans.
I want to be a frock-er.
I want to be frock-tastic.

"Oh but jeans are a must on frigidly cold days" I hear a little voice saying.

Well, yes they are and they can look booty-licious.

But they bore me.

I want to spend the winter in frocks, skirts and proper trousers.

I've been so inspired by Helga and her frocking good outfits and colourful legwear that jeans seem so ... so, so.

Should be some interesting times ahead considering I live in the draughtiest house in the southern hemisphere.

I'm basking in the morning sun on this lovely autumn day in my 1940s peach, rayon dress and fur cape, with a 1980s gold Whiting and Davis bag, leopard-print belt and VW Three-Straps.
I quickly snapped these pics off before flouncing off to a pre-op appointment at the hospital - they had a cancellation and I have my "lady bits" seen to next Friday.

Why yes, those ARE bags under my eyes!
I'm the walking dead today after Number One Son's 22nd birthday yesterday spent cooking, noshing and leaping about dancing 'til late with the kids AKA The Wild Ones.

So, my denim was packed up today and put away for winter.

You might know that Terri started her blog with the personal challenge to inject more colour into her outfits and limit the amount of grey in her wardrobe.  She's done an amazing job!

I feel the need for a autumn/winter challenge, so my denim ban begins today.

My self-imposed ban means I'll need to assemble some sort of tights collection to keep my pegs warm as it gets cooler.

Feel free to recommend any fabulous online hoisery stores!

Have you ever implemented any sartorial self-limits?

Gifts and Gratitude

When I started blogging almost a year ago, I hadn't anticipated being on the receiving end of such kindness and generosity.
I'm overwhelmed by your encouragement and words of support, especially when I share something that I figured only very close IRL friends would lend an understanding ear.
Thank you so very much, I feel very lucky.
Speaking of luck, today I received a parcel from the gorgeous Sarah of Misfits Vintage after winning her beautiful bag giveaway.
The darling included some little unexpected surprises including this utterly STUNNING kimono, printed with beautiful leaves in shades of my favourite colour: green!

Sarah also sent me a yellow silk scarf, which I've attached to my bangle here, plus a gorgeous stretchy sparkly bracelet (on left wrist) and delicious wee hanky (in the bag!).

How cute is this bag with its double clasp, jangly beads and dinky little chain strap?

I made a very brief stop at my local Vinnies this morning and found this strapless jumpsuit for $9 by Brisbane designer Sacha Drake - weeee!
The fabric is incredibly soft and I love the way it sweeps and drapes.
It's been ages since I've thrifted any clothing, it's been mostly little bits of jewellery and bags.
VW Wedges make yet another appearance - sorry, I will change my shoes one day;).

The 1950s cocktail head piece was an eBay find.
I love the combination of a black veil with white and green flora.

This is my Gloria Swanson pose a la Sunset Boulevard.
I'm sure her character, the has-been actress, Norma Desmond, would have appreciated the drama of a kimono and fluttery scarf - hehe.
Norma Desmond: "We didn't need dialogue.  We had faces!"

Thank you so much Sarah, I hope I've done justice to your beautiful, gifted treasures.
BTW there's a spot of light reading for you lovely readers, I did a wee interview for Smashion here.
Thanks Smashion!
Desiree xo