Frocked Off

You may recall the stunning Sarah Misfits taunting us with her incredible collection of vintage faux furs a couple of weeks ago.
It caused many heart palpitations in those who helped decide on which of her treasures to cull.
I suggested she could probably live without her leopard-print and white fur jacket.
So she sent it to me.
Can you believe that?!!!  
I thought she might consider selling it, but no, the darling has gifted it to me and I have been wearing it around the clock, even in bed as it's been a tad chilly here in Brisneyland.
Thank you so much darling Sarah!

Isn't it simply divine?

Happy, happy, happy!

 As for today's Frock on a Friday, last week this was a handmade 1940s or 50s taffeta evening gown.
I bought it from eBay recently and when it arrived I discovered the seller must have been completely hammered when they measured it for listing.
It was listed as measuring bust: 36 and waist: 28.
It arrived as bust: 34 (barely) and waist: 24 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Excuse me?  That's a massive difference - I don't think I've had a 24-inch waist since ... ever!

I fumed a bit, frolicked about the house wearing it as a cape, then ... unpicked the skirt from the bodice.

Tah-dah!  Now I'm glad it didn't fit, as it's way more versatile as a skirt.
I'm wearing it with a daggy old singlet, two leather belts linked to make one long belt wrapped twice around my waist, 1960s purple satin gloves with the hands hanging out, gold VW Melissa's I snagged for a bargain-ous $60 on eBay and a pendant from Vix.

The Stylist and I went and did the grocery shopping and I wore this outfit with the jacket, but sans gloves because they got in the way.  
It was like the parting of the Red Sea ... who'd have thought a taffeta skirt and fur jacket could cause such an uproar?  Bloody hilarious.
The Stylist isn't fazed by my public oddities - I hope she will grow to be a confident and strong woman.

Have you got your frock on honey?
Desiree xo

Glorious Girdles

Lots of things used to scare the willies out of me as a kid.
That's normal right?
But for some reason, the vestiges of womanhood were some of the scariest of all.
Such as huge, flacid, beige bras flapping menacingly on the clothes line alongside enormous granny knickers resembling chopping boards.
Or my nana posing for a photograph outside wearing a white all-in-one girdle.
Eeek to an eight-year-old!

This is the type of thing my Nana wore.
I thought it was a torture device. I mean really, why couldn't she wear Holly Hobbie undies like a normal person?
Since the passing of those frightening childhood memories, I've worn girdles as skirts.
I love the way they fit and the feel of the gentle pat-pat of the clips against my legs as I walk.

They're fun and a wee bit risque, which is actually rubbish when you consider how many women wear camisoles, bra and corset-style tops as outer wear.
You can just see the girdle's metal clips hanging below the jacket.

 During last weekend's vintage and designer pop-up market I fell in love with a navy, red and gold brocade jacket.

It seemed just the thing to go with my latest vintage girdle purchase from LaMeow Vintage's Etsy shop.

  I'm wearing the jacket with a 1960s beaded and sequinned wool top from a local flea market, Black Milk Liquids, F21 booties and thrifted Glomesh earrings.  And yes, I'm double bagging it again today.

 The headband was handmade by a really lovely girl at a suitcase rummage The Stylist and I spotted on Saturday.
We made a bee-line and bought a floral headband each.  I've worn mine everyday this week.

 The top's an orgy of beads!

 I love to do a bit of a shimmy in this top.  
How could you not shimmy with all those beads just hanging there?

 A close-up of the super-comfy girdle and leggings.

Two happy, purring cats:)).
I hope you're enjoying your week my lovelies.
Desiree xo

On Location

It's a rare thing for me to get outfit pics taken while I'm out and about.
The opportunity just doesn't present itself all that often.
I love to see blogger pics of a grand day out so I finally get to share a couple today.
The Stylist and I went to a monthly pop-up vintage market in West End.
It's becoming a tradition that we really love.

 Comfort plus in a 1930s lingerie onesie I refashioned into a much more wearable top; Black Milk Leg Bone leggings; 1970s jacket from a Melbourne market; thrifted black lace scarf, feather earrings and necklace.

 Time for brunch ... mmm.

 Coffee, orange nails and green rings.

 Chorizo with asparagus, spinach and eggs ... damn fine!

 This chap caught my eye from the next table.
He was more than happy to be photographed and relished showing me his huge gold rings; necklaces and hat decorated with enormous crocodile claws and teeth, plus his massive croc skin belt.
What's in the bag?  A two-metre rolled up pelt - eek!!!
Turns out he's a crocodile farmer - no surprises there!

 Almost time to go home.

The Stylist bought herself some cherry earrings and was happy to show off her early morning multi-colour manicure where she used nearly every colour I own.
She's inspired me to do the same.  Thanks sweetie!
I hope you're having a wonderful weekend too:)
Desiree xo

Golden Years

Locals around these here 'burbs copped an eyeful of blinding gold when I ran a couple of very early morning errands.
Bless 'em, it must be such a shock to the system when a woman prances by looking like a circus ring-master at 8am.

 It was the first time I wore a pair of Black Milk gold sequinned leggings that I treated myself to a few weeks ago.
I took a chance on the leggings after hearing good reports of them and I'm glad I did.  Not only are they super-soft, the sequins are tiny and don't cut in so they don't feel like being wrapped in cut glass (wot?).

 I wore my 1930s silk PJ top (I used to think it was a camisole but realised my mistake after buying a couple of pairs with similar tops), also a 1920s tailcoat and 1940s bag, all from eBay; velvet hat from a flea market; pendant from the lovely Vix.

 The sequins are tricky to photograph but I think it's because they're not a bright gold and they're sewn in a squiggle pattern, not all over.

Time for a couple of style tips from a golden-oldie.
Tip #1: If you've had a series of horrendous, restless nights and wake up looking like crap, wear something shiny or spangly - preferably several such items at once.
I could say that the light will reflect off your face, making you look 10 years younger.
Not true.  It will shock all those around you into believing you are a tight-rope walker on day-leave from the looney bin and they will not notice your crows feet or neck crepe.

Tip #2: Red lipstick is an accessory.
Now my dear ones, go out into the world and share the love.
Desiree xo

Goodbye Bogan

According to the laws of nature, my family and I are mere visitors to our home and its generous garden.
The place really belongs to the likes of this guy, Bogan the lizard.
Turn a corner and you're likely to stumble into a Bogan-like creature, one of his big, ugly mates or a couple of huge blue-tongued lizards.
Bogan measures 50cm from nose to tail.
I know this because he's dead and I measured the once-gentle creature as we plan a suitable funeral for him.
I've never been a fan of reptiles but there's something about Bogan's knarled beauty that's melted my heart.
He was always good company when I was outside and his quiet presence made me more thoughtful about where I stomped my big honking feet.

Just around the corner, there's some scraggy tart sunning herself just like Bogan used to.
In her slip!

The 1940s navy slip gets a lot of wear; I thrifted the satin reversible jacket for $1 and the vintage sunnies were $2.  VW Melissa Lady Dragon shoes were $50 in the Melissa sample sale and the bag was about five quid from UK eBay.

If this is winter, then bugger summer!  Bogan would frequently keep one beady eye on me during outfit shots.

I hope Bogan has left some Baby Bogans behind to hatch this spring.

The screw-on earrings were a gift from Chris when I purchased a few lovely bits and pieces from her Etsy shop full of delicious vintage goodies.

Thrifted bangles; the Indian ring is from Chris's shop.

I just wanna give all my new followers a lovely arse-squeeze for popping over.
Thank you and you're welcome;)).

Double Baggin' It

I once knew an old woman named Vera who always carried two handbags.
She also sported a grey beard and blew her nose on her petticoat, which frightened the bejesus out of me as a kid.
Yet the fact Rough Vera needed two bags to carry her shite in utterly fascinated me.
What was in one bag that couldn't be carried in the other?
Sandwiches?
Shaving gear?
Snotty slips?
I channelled Rough Vera today when I couldn't decide on one bag and decided there was method in her utter madness.

 First of all, there's the colour co-ordination thing with two bags - you can really go for it with any combo you fancy.
Then there's the 21st century lifestyle crap stuff like mobile, iPod, business card holder, Tic Tacs, massive bunch of keys, notebook and pen, all of which cannot possibly fit into one vintage handbag.

 Makes sense to have one vintage bag for wallet, hanky and lippy; the other for essential modern crapola.
The white bag is 1950s ostrich skin from a Melbourne flea market and the brown lizard-skin one arrived today, a bargain from Make Do Style's latest eBay clear out:).

 I s'pose I should talk about my outfit.
I'm wearing a 1930s slip and suit with fur collar, both from eBay; 1920s beaded cap also from eBay; comic tights from Mytights.com; VW Melissa Temptations from Amazon; earrings from Etsy shop, Bookhouse Creations, which specialises in Twin Peaks-themed jewellery; plus thrifted necklace and gloves.

 Lipstick is MAC's Ruby Woo.

I seem to be draping about a lot in these pics.
Honestly, when I put on a vintage suit, I can't help but go into 1930s starlet mode and pretend I'm Jean Harlow.
This suit has soul.  I can feel it.
So do the handbag twins.
Thanks for the inspiration Rough Vera.
Desiree xo

What Do You Do With a Lad Like Jack?

Give him a Friday treat, that's what.

This is really only a treat if you fancy horror movies, which I'm not a big fan of ... except for The Shining.

So when this psychotic little number popped up in the Black Milk shop I just knew I needed a bit of Jack and his lunatic smile in my life.

Oh, and guess what?
It's a dress.
Which means it qualifies for Frock On A Friday.

Kids!  Dinner's ready!

I've layered the dress with an old children's kilt, vintage cardigan, Black Milk leggings, a 1930s cocktail hat, 1980s snakeskin clutch and 1960s men's patent leather shoes.

I love the big buckles on these super comfy shoes.

Oh my stars I can't believe it's a dress!

Little Johnny will take one look at me and hide.

Yesterday I decided to wear it with this Edwardian silk petticoat and 1940s fur cape.

I'm sure Jack would pull this old frozen-in-ice trick if he saw his face on a dress!
The lovely Vanessa of Nessbow interviewed me earlier this week about personal style - she's a darling and asked some very interesting questions.
Thank you Vanessa!