A Very Girly Sunday

Don't you just love it when the creative urge hits you BANG right between the eyes?
I'm still obsessing over making head pieces and I've been stuffing my craft basket with ribbons and lace picked up from op shops and dollar shops, waiting for the urge to strike.
And it finally did today.
This afternoon I created my first 1920s-inspired lace head piece.
Tah-dah!

It's made from a length of electric blue lace with pink ribbon sewn along the bottom edge and it has a ribbon-covered small length of elastic so it's easy to pop on and off.
The ribbon streamers are purely decorative and secured with silvery metal vintage buttons.
The Phoenix says it looks like I'm wearing a very, very lovely pair of knickers on my head.
So obviously I'll be making about a dozen more - hehe!!

A mild, rainy Sunday with the children out and about, it was the perfect opportunity to watch the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
And I LOVED it.
But it's very tricky putting blackest-black eye make up on and reading subtitles at the same time.
It's even harder to rectify the mistakes!
The Phoenix is lucky enough to speak Swedish so he doesn't have the eye make up vs. subtitles problem - haaaaaa!!
Nevertheless, I won't be bothering with the latest version of the film - I just know I'll be disappointed.
I adore Scandinavian movies and don't want to spoil the perfection of the Swedish film.
Yesterday The Phoenix wheeled down to the post office and picked up a surprise parcel from my favourite pink person on the planet, Krista, of Peetee's Palace!
She made me a gorgeous, gorgeous pink and orange necklace that I'm absolutely in love with, a pink skull-bead bracelet and gifted me a beautiful orange silk scarf.  

The darling also made a special parcel for The Stylist who will get to open it in the morning - we are gonna look rockin' in our new jewellery!
Thank you darling Krista, a handmade gift is so very, very special to me:)).
I hope you're all enjoying a relaxed and happy Sunday.
Baci, Desiree xoxo

What a Bunch of Poseurs!

Holy crap!
What happened to my hair?
Daily washing after salt water or chlorine swims, that's what.
My hair hates being washed, even with super gunky conditioner - the dirtier the hair, the happier we both are.

My favourite cafe is cropping up quite a bit lately, but it's such a lovely peaceful spot, the coffee is awesome and I always find someone fascinating to yak away with for an hour, even if it's me;).

 The Stylist on close-up duties today.

 Number Three Son goes incognito as Mr X sipping a caramel milkshake.

 Mentos necklace = genius!

 More simplicity today, but I surprised myself by managing super comfort in 70s stretch poly ... unheard of in a Brisbane summer.
The heatwave has abated for now:).

1970s jumpsuit - thrifted ($3)

VW Melissa 3-Straps - courtesy of Suzanne at the Melissa VIP sale ($20)

Red rose headband - homemade

Floral granny bag ($2) and crochet bag (50 cents) - thrifted

Earrings - craft shop

 Time for some yoga warm-ups before the kids go for a swim.

 At left, the Suspicious-Scuttling-Soft-Shell-Crab-Pose; at right, the Pose-Pose.

 On the left, the Squashed-In-An-Elevator-Pose and right, the Comfy-Armchair-Pose.

 The Nose-Pose.

 The Stylist caught me rifling through the 20-cent basket on today's op-shop trawl.

My nails are fashioned in a new style called the School Holiday Manicure.
It's very now.  The nails and cuticles deteriorate rapidly over an eight-week period.
I'm sure it's a huge trend for Aussie mums.
Do you like the Lego dashboard ring I bought from a craft shop today?

I made this wee messenger bag for Number Three Son about five years ago and it still goes everywhere with him.
It's made from vintage barkcloth, denim and paisley brushed cotton and is covered in badges he has collected over the years - of course, quite a few are missing in action.

Everyone needs a pink rubber watch don't they?
Well I thought so when I found this one in the dollar shop today.
Score!!
I've been lucky to snaffle the laptop at all this week - it's doing the family rounds, it's been having a purge and generally in use constantly - except by me!
I plan on hiding in the garage for three hours so I can have a lovely catch-up with you all - wish me luck!
Desiree xo

Lady of the Lake

I'd rather go naked than wear clothes.
Yep, we're having a bit of a heatwave here.
The options are: swimsuits, or full commando around the house with just a cotton kimono for "modesty".
The kids are on their eight-week summer break after all and I don't want to scare them too much!

Thank goodness we live near the sea, so a bit of a float in salt water is part of my daily ritual.

OK so sometimes I HAVE to put on some clothes, but I'm actually enjoying my brief minimalist period:).
I'm still double-bagging it though - I just cannot do the full minimal thang!

Swimsuit and skirt: Black Milk

Sunnies: shop in Fitzroy, Melbourne

Granny bag, crochet bag, necklaces and earrings: thrifted

What more do you need when you're melting, than an angry tiger to roll around in the water with:).

Swimsuit: Christmas present from The Phoenix

Sunnies: thrifted

May your summer days be cool and your chilly days be cosy:)).
Big sweaty hugs to you my friends,
Desiree xo

Two Many Frocks

Happy New Year all you gorgeous frockers!!!!
So I've finally pulled my finger out and got it together to do my first post for 2012.
And I'm being a right ole' blogzilla for this Frock on a Friday.
Two frocks in one day, yeah!!

 The Phoenix says hello and happy new year!

This frock was probably once a maxi but I love it at this length ... just right for what felt like our first day of summer.
At last!

1970s frock - flea market

1970s leather boots - on sale at shoe hospital

1960s orange vinyl bag - Dandelion Vintage on sale

Pink floral headband - made by me

Brolly and bangles - thrifted

Earrings - craft stall

 Yep ... got a bit brush-happy with the eyeliner today ... oh it feels good to just pile it on!

 Number Three Son took on photographer duties today ... dear of him.

 I love me diamantes!!!

 The little man and I.

Then it was off to the post office to pick up an amazing huge-arse parcel from the gorgeous Suzanne of Idee Fixe who so kindly offered to do a spot of personal shopping for me at the latest Melissa VIP sale a few weeks ago.
LOOK!!!!!!!

VW Melissa Lady Dragon Balls ... I'm in love!!!!
The Phoenix in true male style suggested I could use a Christmas bauble if I knock the balls of my shoes ... naughty!
So an outfit change was definitely in order so I could wear those babies to take The Phoenix to his specialist appointment this arvo.
Any excuse;).

 Just thought I'd give you a close up of the embroidery detail and brocade fabric on my slip-as-frock.

 1930s peach silk slip - Dandelion Vintage on sale

Necklaces and brolly - thrifted

Floral headband - moi

Earrings - Etsy

Here's to even more wild glam this 2012 darlinks ... go for it!!
Baci,
Desiree xoxo

I Have Always Depended on the Kindness of Strangers

The irony of Blanch DuBois's famous line in A Streetcar Named Desire is I've never depended on such kindness.
But what I've learned in 2011 is there are very kind and generous people, many that have never met each other in the flesh, who have been just so.

What has this thing called blogging unleashed into the stratosphere?

A cacophony of supportive voices, cheers of encouragement and shrieks of delight at the miracle that has been born ... 
Thousands upon thousands of personal style and fashion bloggers who have discovered the joy of camaraderie, friendship, sisterhood and love.

Today I wore gifts from two bloggers, just two among many who selflessly think of their blogger sisters they've never met, or met just once or twice.
The bonds of friendship forged through blogging take place at the pace of the writer.
Nothing is forced, we each own our private space: our blogs.
Blog as the medium.
Blogger as the instigator, holding out the hand of friendship.

Yes well, enough of listening to me talking out of my arse.
Today I gave yesterday's shorts/culottes another whirl when I took The Stylist out to spend a gift card she'd been given.

 Just.  Have.  To.  Pick.  Up.  That.  Stick.  Oh jeez ... my back!

I really felt like I was about to take off in this pic!

Yeah suckers, move outta the way coz mama's got precious cargo on board and she's armed to the hilt against the suburban scourge to defend her wee hen.

The headband is so big it brushes the roof - now that's power!

The Stylist quite enjoys a bit of on-board entertainment ... Haaaaaaaalelujah!!!!!!

DIY top and 1970s bag - gifts from the lovely Erica Louise

Tribal necklace - from the unstoppable Aminta

Zambesi shorts - flea market

Red headband - me

VW Melissa's - Amazon

Sunnies - Melbourne

Are you with me?  Have you been gobsmacked this year at the kindness and generosity of virtual strangers?

Baci,

Desiree xo

Going Loca for Espania!

OK so I'm ready for that big move to Spain I promised myself as a 19-year-old hitchhiker.
I fell in love with the people, the land and the food, and swore I would return one day.
Well ... it's not going to happen just yet, but the temptation is even stronger after getting my Christmas swap parcel all the way from Spain today, from the gloriously off-beat queen of style, Aminta.
The swap was organised by Aminta herself and my Spanish heart throb, Sacramento of Mis Papelicos.
Thank you for pulling this swap together ladies and Aminta, I think I adore you more today even more than I did yesterday!!

I ripped open Aminta's parcel with glee and put the gorgeous heavy tribal necklace on straight away, as it went with the purple kaftan I was wearing this morning.
The 1970s green-blue pleated blouse was screaming "style me, style me" and how could I refuse?

 The Stylist recommended I calm down with a nice hot cuppa.

But it was very, very difficult to keep still for the photos.
Bless her.

Just making sure you cop an eyeful here ... at the VW Melissa Temptations II I picked up half-price in the Melissa Australia two-day sale just before Christmas.
Hey, so who doesn't love a shoe bargain?

 Just in case you missed them in the previous four pics - haaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

 Zambesi shorts - flea market

1950s cardigan - Christmas gift from The Phoenix

All bangles, earrings, necklace and teal tights - thrifted

White fence net tights - eBay

1950s cocktail head piece and leopard-print bag - Dandelion Vintage sale

Shoes - Melissa Australia

I already have this cute little guy jammed between the pages of the book I'm reading right now:).
Thank you so much Aminta!!
Oh and I've got a pic feature on the Brazilian, Plastic Fantastic blog  ... what a wonderful surprise!!  Thank you to Penny for putting this one together ... I loved translating from Portuguese and reading the comments.
Apparently I am either loca and disgraceful or I have every right to dress however I like at my age ... I'm so happeeeeeee to have generated a bit of discussion.  
Now that's what blogging is all about ... weee heeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
Go loca!!
Molti abbraccio e baci,
Desiree xoxo