Travelling

So I am home once more. I had the most amazing time. The West Coast is just beautiful. I don't want to bombard you with a thousand (that's how many I actually took) photos, so here are a selection of my favourites. My trip encompassed, San Francisco, L.A, Las Vegas, San Diego and a few national Parks (Grand Canyon, Bryce, Yosemite, Arches, Zion) . My favourite spot of all though was Monument Valley, such an incredible place. I saw some breath taking landscapes during my visit -  Bryce anyone? plus  mountains, rivers, beaches and canyons and many memorable sunrises and sunsets.  Also thanks so much everyone for your well wishes and travel tips.  I  really can't wait for my next adventure.

Muki Point, Glen Canyon

Venice Beach

L.A skyline

Pacific Highway

The Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco

Yosemite

Bryce Canyon

Zion

Arches

Rachel, Nevada

Lake Powell

Route 66

Grand Canyon

Monument Valley

San Diego

Fly Away

Hat - H&M

Dress - Jumble Sale, 20 p

Socks - 99p store

Clog sandals -  Charity Shop

Rucksack - TK Maxx

So I'm off! I leave at 6am tomorrow morning for an 11 hour plus flight to L.A. Then I'm spending three weeks roaming about the West Coast. I can't wait. I hope to return feeling inspired and refreshed. If anyone has any tips about places  to go to (especially good vintage shops) or things to do I'd love to hear any recommendations you've got. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer and I'll see you when I get back.

Humble Jumble

I love a good jumble sale. Rummaging elbow deep in other people's old clothes isn't for everyone, but really there is just no better place for bargains. I think all the items in this post added up came to less than £4. I think my best baragin was the suitcase. It cost a whole 50p! Unfirtuenately the previous owner wrote their initials on the base. I mean the R is right, maybe I should alter the rest to fit me name? I love the fact the case has the date it was made (1966) stamped inside it. I wonder who R.G.J was and where they took this case. The pale blue floral dress is another favourite, it was my first find and with the case the best thing I found. It's handmade possibly in the 1970's and it is a pretty perfect fit, it even still has it's original belt. The bag looks like it has never been used, I love the little ship motif. The black button front skirt and navy dress were both calf length, but chopping the hems off has modernised them suitably. I love the logo on the N.R.S book and how you can see it on the gates in the photo. Plus the sweet little bookmark inside., spread the word about the N.R.S! I looked it up and it is still going, they have some dedicated rose gardens in Hertfordshire. After buying that I had to buy the pink porcelain rose too. I was so happy with the sandals too, I've been after some and they only cost 30p. The only non thrifted item is the little top with lace collar. I've been after some simple light summer tops so I made this one. It was my first attempt at bias facings, but I think it just about worked. Plus I had that one piece of lace and it was the perfect length, obviously it was meant to be!

Nature Trail

Necklace - Made from an old belt buckle

Skirt - Jumble sale

Belt - Charity shop

Shoes - River island sale, with changed laces

These photos are from a little nature walk I went on. I saw these strange looking bugs everywhere, they didn't seem to mind having their picture taken, I looked them up and I think they are called red froghoppers, which is a pretty brilliant name I think. Also sorry for my lack of posts, since last week I've been to the Grace Kelly exhibition at the V&A, which was interesting.  I enjoyed learning that the costumes she wore in High Society were given to her as a gift from the studios and made up part of her wedding trousseau. Apparently this rarely ever happened, studios usually kept the costumes. On Saturday I attended a friend's wedding, it was a beautiful day but I forgot to take any photos, hopefully I can unearth someone elses. I originally went shopping for a new (vintage) dress to wear but then I thought, why not wear something I already have, since I'm hardly short on dresses. The one I chose is a long standing favourite that I also wore for my 22nd birthday. On a different note, I will be going away on 27th July for about a month, I'm very excited! I will be visiting San Francisco, L.A, Las Vegas, Yosemite and various other places. If anyone has any tips or recommendations on places to see/things to do, I'd love to hear them.