Caught by the river

Top - Gap, a few years ago

Skirt - Jumble sale, vintage Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - UO, a couple of years ago

Bag - Charity shop

Well summer is getting along, and I don't really know where I've been. The sun has barely been present but summer feels like more of an attitude than anything else. Being in London as I am, there is of course the Olympics going on, and on Saturday I got a little taste of it all, with the cycling event route going right past my front door pretty much. There was even a giant Wenlock mascot for us to take photos with. I didn't get any photos of the cyclists (they are pretty fast) but the one of the crowd sums up the general atmosphere. One of the best parts was actually all the police going past on their bikes, doing regal waves and high-fiving the crowd. The festive atmosphere lasted all day as the circular route meant they passed back through in the afternoon. Whilst waiting for them we went over the river for some art supplies, and a very quick photo by the Thames. I would quite like to visit the Olympic park, but no tickets for me. Has anyone else been?

Clover

Dress - Handmade by me

Shoes - Office (sale)

So the last month kind of swept past. A few things have happened since my last post such as -

- A mini heat wave and wearing sundresses and sandals

-Visiting this National Trust house and not taking photos

- The diamond jubilee and attendant festivities such as wearing role family masks and going to Battersea park in the rain to watch the flotilla

- Watching moonrise kingdom (amazing as expected)

- Barbeques and birthday fun times

- Several new vintage and other wardrobe additions - like these tennis shoes for running around in this summer - if we ever actually get one.

- Designing Women, a totally brilliant exhibition. I went yesterday which was the final day, swept up an hour and half before it closed but it was so worth it. I love that whole design style/era and  really enjoyed seeing these beautiful textiles up close. I was left totally inspired.

- Sewing the above dress. It took me about a month but I really wanted to try and finish it properly and not be fast and careless. I even hand stitched the hem. The fabric is vintage and a gift from my Grandmother and I intend to wear it next time I visit her. the pattern is actually an abstract strawberry print and not too far away from the style of some of the Designing Women artists.

That's about it. I am really hoping for some warmer weather as my abundant collection of sundresses needs to put into action. How is everyone else coping with the unseasonal weather?

Gorse

Jacket - Gap, gift three years ago

Top - Jumble sale

Cardigan - Uni qlo

Skirt - Jumble sale/shortened

Tights - New Look

Boots- Clarks

Bag - Jumble sale

Necklace - Charity shop

I can't quite believe I am still wearing tights at the tail end of May, where is the sun? My mum actually got me these tights and some other colours on sale, I like the strange mustard-y colour. Plus they go with my latest jumble sale bag, found yesterday. It's Etienne Aigner and was only 50p. I went to a few jumble sales yesterday but didn't really find anything too spectacular, it is really getting tough to find anything pre-1980's in these places.  On the other hand, I did find a small haul of 1970s Puffin children's book with the most interesting illustrations. I think they might look good framed too. I am undecided on this necklace - I am not usually into such bold jewellery. I think i chose it  because it reminded me of some great 70s necklaces I saw in the British design exhibition at the V&A, which is very much worth visiting in my view. Not much else really, I've been trying to really embrace all that living in London has to offer and trying to find my place within that. On that note I off to the South Bank for dinner now. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Cinnamon

Cardigan - Gap

Necklace -COS

Silk top - Jumble sale

Quilted skirt - Comptoir des Cotonntiers/charity shop

Vintage tights - Gift

Shoes - Henry Holland/Debenhams

Well the weather acting like its Autumn is making it hard for me to know what to wear right now. I keep wanting to wear light pastel coloured things but end up back in darker colours and more cold weather wear. It's not so bad since it means I can wear this skirt. I found it in a charity shop and took it in a little at the sides and now I really like it. It's a not too in your face floral pattern and it's quilted, I like the different textures. The silk top is a great colour but it has obviously suffered some bleach or something and has some green marks on it. I was thinking of trying to dye it or bleach it another colour, anyone have any experience or tips about dying fabric?

Polesden Lacey

 

 

Trench Coat - H&M

Shirt- Liberty via a charity shop

Cardigan - Gap

Jeans - H&M

Boots - Jumble sale

Bag  - Jumble sale

Listening to  - Dum Dum Girls - Rest of our lives

More National Trust! This time we visited Polesden Lacey, an Edwardian House and gardens. We accidentally went on a day when the house was closed, but it was still interesting to explore the gardens and see all the tulips. There were some garden games in one part, where I took an embarrassingly long time to throw a rope hoop over a stick. I think we will have to go back to look into the house, which is meant to be a particularly good example of Edwardian interiors. Just a simple outfit for the hit and miss Spring weather. These H&M jeans were a suprise answer to some higher waist+slim leg jean I have been after for a while. The shirt is one of my mini collection (is three a collection?) of Liberty shirts. I like the tiny flower print and there is a discreet ruffle trim to collar and cuffs, it's the small details that make me love vintage so much.

Snuff said

Shirt - Jumble Sale

Pinafore - Jumble sale

Belt - Charity shop

Shoes - H&M

Listening to - I'm his girl - Friends

I feel I should apologise for the silly blog title, I just couldn't resist. By way of explanation - these photos were taken Saturday when we visited a Snuff Mill. We didn't actually go in it for some reason, but explored the park and empty house nearby. The whole area is National Trust but open to the public and is called Morden Hall Park. It's a pretty place, the white iron work bridges and little ponds in particular. The house in the pictures looks fairly old but is out of use, and looking inside it seems like it was perhaps a hotel, I'm curious about it since it's unusual to find unused buildings on National Trust sites. This outfit is certainly basic, I have been drawn to clean lines and work wear lately which may explain it. I had been after a pinafore type dress for a while after seeing all the great ones Isla wears. Luckily I found this Laura Ashley number in the great jumble sale I went to in Feb. Amusingly the lady who sold it to me said ' You do realise this is a maternity dress?' I said yes I was going to take it up and in, which I have. got to see the potential in clothes that may not seem right straight away. Although it is still a bit loose. The belt I've had for years and recently rediscovered in a Spring clean. I like it when you find forgotten favourites.

That 70s top

70s Top - Charity shop in Devon

Jeans - Were my mum's/altered

Shoes - UO 

Listening to  - Forget - Lianne La Havas

Sunshine, blossom trees, flowers, summer clothes!

Yes I am happy Spring is finally showing itself around here. I think this is the first weekend I've ventured out without a cardigan for many months. I do wear a lot of cardigans though. I've had a very soothing weekend basking in the sunlight. Today was very lazy and we just wandered around town, had some pretty good lunch and lay in the park reading. My kind of Sunday. Although I meant to do some sewing/altering which I haven't quite managed. It's good to finally be able to wear this very 70s top. I found it maybe a year or two ago in a Devon charity shop. It has a matching high waisted maxi skirt with embroidery around the hem, however the waist is about 23 inches and so no good for me. One of these days I may make it a knee length skirt by taking the waist down but I have more pressing alterations before then. I am fond of the colour and the giant sleeves but I am quite uncomfortable in anything cropped so I had to wait until I found some high waisted jeans. Luckily my mother obliged by giving me an old pair of hers, I just took in the legs and now I have perfect high waisted jeans. I also think it's funny these are actual 'mom jeans'. I think I should probably have worn my clogs too, just to get a more 70s vibe altogether. Happy Spring everyone!