Capes

Ever since I saw this red cape featured in the 'Red Riding Hood' ghd ad campaign I've been looking all over for a similar cape. I've previously purchased sweater-type capes, but have been looking for something more substantial to keep out the winter chills.

And so to ebay I went, and was lucky that my search revealed this gem from Tin Roof Vintage. After a not-so-furious bidding war, I am now the proud owner of this little beauty, and actually looking forward to venturing out in the cold. Now all I need is some leather over-the knee boots, but i think I'll pass on the axe.

Photos from Tin Roof Vintage

Vintage gold clutch with hidden treasures

So, today has been pretty uneventful. I mostly spent the day trying to organize my clothing and accessories, but it seemed to take me forever as I kept on finding items which I had forgotten about, and then rediscovering the joys of them all over again ( I love it when that happens, it feels almost as good as buying new things).

While I was doing a quick bag inventory, I remembered about this vintage evening clutch that I have been meaning to post about since I received it as a Christmas gift. It has a hard, box-like structure, is slightly bigger than my hand and is surprisingly heavy for its size. When i opened it on Christmas Day I remember thinking, 'wow this is really beautiful, but why is it so heavy?' The answer was to be revealed on opening it......

TA DAAAAAA.....! On opening one side of the bag, I revealed an inbuilt mirror, a coin holder, a lipstick holder, and what I assume is a section for holding old school cigarettes (or as I use it for.. credit cards). There are also three clips, which pivot on a hinge to hold a comb.

The other side revealed a lighter, and a space ideal for (more) credit cards or money, or if you have one, a really tiny, thin mobile phone.

Apparently, the bag was from the 1920's and so I love to think of all the glamorous outings it would have had. Hopefully it will be able to add a few more glamorous moments to its life at its new home chez moi.

Christmas presents past

 I was really lucky as a child, as my Grandmother Eileen was always really into fashion. We used to enjoy several shopping trips in London together, and I used to love it when she went on big shopping sprees for her annual cruises on the QEII. She would also drop by and deliver me a fresh batch of fashion magazines each week, which I would sit and pour over for hours. Sadly, she died about five years ago, and I miss her greatly. Still, I take comfort in the many pieces of clothing and jewelry that she has passed on to me over the years, and one of my favorite pieces, is the gold locket that she used to wear everyday. The photos inside are of my brother and I as children, and its always good for a laugh to look at them.

My other favorite vintage hand me down present was from my Godmother, Sue, (AKA 'Auntie' Sue) who was my Grandmother's best friend. On my 21st, she gave me some of her vintage evening bags, my favorite of which is this beaded and sequined small white clutch. I've been using it often since I was given it, and in fact took it out to my birthday dinner this year.

Its really well made, and the beading is very detailed, so here's a close up:

The bag also sparkles a lot in the right light, so its perfect for the Christmas party season.

Beautiful chairs that look like beautiful dresses

I've always had a thing for statement chairs that are beautifully crafted and designed, and the limited edition Alexander Mc Queen egg chair above is no exception. It also struck me however, that a lot of the pieces that i am drawn to in the furniture world, also remind me of runway looks from over the years.

Take the chair above for example, and the look from Gareth Pugh below, and they kinda sorta resemble each other.

(Photo from Style.com)

Here's a few more fashion and furniture pairings that sprang to my mind;

This 'Eames Chaise' by designers Ray/Charles Eames in 1948.......

.........and the gorgeous white jersey cut out dress from a Gucci, mid 90s Tom Ford season.

The 'womb chair' designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948.........

......... and of course Jil Sander dress from the Fall 2009 collection.

(photo from Style.com)

Of course I could go on, and, on, but i will spare any readers the pain of listening to the thoughts from my fashion obsessed brain. I'm not sure if its just me, but fashion inspiration seems to be coming at me from all angles at the moment. Let's hope it continues into the new year at least.

Wild Thing Necklace

Whilst rummaging around a junk shop a few weeks ago, I found this rather tacky, yet quite cool leopard pendant. At only $5 (which is only about 3 GBP) I instantly decided to get it.

Whilst we're on the subject of leopard jewelry I'd like to point out how much I'm loving the Panthere de Cartier ring, below. It is often seen adorning the glamorous, super stylish fingers of Rachel Zoe, and sadly due to its $14,000 or so price tag, I don't think it will be coming anywhere near my hands anytime soon.

As if the ring itself wasn't already bling-tastic enough, it also comes comes covered in diamonds, for that extra-luxe touch.

Slightly more budget-friendly however, yet equally worthy of admiration, is this different leopard ring from Kenneth Jay Lane, available from net-a-porter. There are also cheaper versions available at ASOS, and other high street stores, so I think i'll be heading there to get my big cat jewelry obsession in check.

Vintage grey metal clutch

Another vintage find from Revolver in Albuquerque (see earlier post), is this metal, gray, sort of chain-mail clutch from the early 80s. I was attracted to the colour as whilst you often see them in black (in fact my mother used to have one years and years ago) you don't (or at least I haven't) see them in many other colours. The metal chain strap is detachable, so it can be worn on the shoulder or (as is my preferred method), carried as a clutch.

Discarded Vintage Library Books

Whilst attending night school at a junior high school in the US one evening for a Japanese Class, I saw a cart buried in books with a sign on it that read " Old library books, FREE, help yourself! ". So, I had a rummage around during a break from my class and found these two gems.


The first, entitled "The Concise History of Fashion and Costume", was published in 1969 and has some amazing sketches, illustrations and photos.There are loads that i love, but here are my favorites;

(i'd love to own this coat)

Lanvin sketches from 1931

Photograph from 'The Evening Standard' 1968

Yves Saint Laurent sketch .

Interestingly, after this sketch, there was an article about the 'new' see through clothes, and how these would 'for obvious reasons' not become popular. 

If only the author could fast forward to today.

The book is a small-ish hardback book, and has this very sixties print on the front and back. Best of all though, it has its library index tags on the spine, and still has its 'due date' stamps inside the cover. 

My second free find of the evening, was entitled "Heavens to Betsy!" and has nothing to do with fashion at all. It basically contains everyday expressions and phrases, and attempts to explain their origins.The author is a bit wishy-washy when trying to pin down the origins of some of the phrases, however I love the randomness of it , as well as the illustrations (by Tom Funk - what a great name) on page 144 of a 'Bear with a sore head', and on page 89 of 'Putting on the dog'.

Vintage Orchid Brooch

And so.. here I am in New Mexico. Albuquerque to be precise. Ahhh... the beautiful scenery of the Sandia Mountains towering over the desert.


Anyway, onto Central Avenue, in the Nob Hill District, where I stumbled upon a great vintage store 'Revolver', owned by a fellow Brit. The shop is crammed with racks and rails of women's and men's vintage clothing and accessories, and I found this beautiful orchid brooch in one of the many jewelry cabinets towards the front of the store. I happened to be wearing a nude/flesh pink coloured cardigan/shrug thingy from Reiss, and the two seemed to go together rather nicely.