Ode to Dog

I recently purchased this sweet little doggy pyjama case from a car boot for £4. I leapt on him with such glee that I think the man selling it thought I was a little bonkers (not that I mind that). Anyway I initially thought I might sell him and took to calling him Dog so as not to get attached. This however failed miserably and he has lived on my bed for over a week, slowly becoming a fixture. 

Here is my ode to dog in the form of photographs inspired by one of my all time favourite paintings 

Lady with an Ermine

With a heavy dose of Hungarian folk dress mixed in for good measure

Sources: 1, 2

Outfit Details

French silk headscarf, originally my great Aunt's

Floral Headdress by Penny MacBeth, based on a traditional Hungarian design.

1970s Broderie Anglaise bed coat via a charity shop

Embroidered necklace with a detachable painted eye brooch by Penny MacBeth

1930s dog pyjama case, via a car boot

The Lost Explorer

These images are inspired by a Technicolour version of Tim Walker's film The Lost Explorer which I saw at a screening at Somerset House last year. It was played alongside The African Queen, a Technicolour masterpiece starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. I think viewing the films one after the other has mixed them in my mind forever more and these pictures represent the amalgamation of the two. I've always quite fancied the idea of being a great explorer; getting lost for months at time and discovering rare blooms and strange animals. 

My dress is a Liberty print dress made in the 70s by a really great boutique called Origin, my mum found it in our local Oxfam. The print is Icanthe Tana Lawn, it's so lovely and reminds me of all the exotic plants one might find in the jungle. 

 The African Queen



The Lost Explorer

                     

Sources: 1, 2

Linking to Second Hand First at The Citizen Rosebud

Outfit Details

1970s Icanthe Tana Lawn Liberty dress made by Origin via oxfam

1970s cotton scarf via a car boot

1909 silver bracelet made by Smith & Pepper Ltd, originally my grandmas

x

A Pre-Raphaelite Dream

Today I'm living in a Pre-Raphaelite dream. The glorious Turkish coat I'm wearing is one of my favourite items in my wardrobe it was a gift from my mother two birthdays ago and it truly is a dream to wear. It sadly went terribly mouldy in my last flat however in a sort of devil may care way I threw it in the washing machine and it came out perfectly! Phew! 

This collection of photographs were inspired by the wonderful work of Julia Margaret Cameron, in particular these two

and this wonderful photograph by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson 

Images Sources: 1,2,3

They were also in part influenced by Leighton House which was the painter Frederic Leighton's home. Its truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited and if you haven't been (or heard of it) I can't recommend it highly enough.  Below is the Arab Hall which is my favourite room, it takes my breath away every time I visit. I always want to sit on the little seats by the windows however, they are cordoned off and have pine cones on to deter people like me!

I hope you enjoyed this foray in to my current mood. 

I will unveil more pieces from my wardrobe soon, I've found so many lovely things whilst unpacking!

Outfit Details

Antique Turkish coat from Istanbul

Embroidered hat by Penny MacBeth

Paisley head scarf from a charity shop

Paisley shirt Gap via a charity shop

Hand necklace from a charity shop

Bangles gifts from various friends

X

Bedroom Tour

Hello!

 I mentioned previously that I had moved to a new house. I was living in London but it was really getting me down so I decided to make the big move back to Cornwall. It took a lot of time to sort everything and I can say with some certainty that I won't be making a big move again for a while (I just have too many clothes to pack!) I am so happy to be back by the sea now though and its lovely having fresh air and friendly faces and all those things that are often absent in the city. My new house is delightful too, so I thought I'd give you all a little tour. We still have a few bits of decorating left to do so I'll start with my bedroom which is finished.. 

As you can see I own quite a lot of scarfs, hats, necklaces etcetcetc! It was quite a squeeze getting it all in but I have just enough space to move around freely and I have to say I love being able to see all my clothes, otherwise I find I only end up wearing half of it! The postcards hanging from the ceiling are actually peg fairy lights from habitat, nearly the best thing I've ever purchased and all the furniture is from Ikea. The only thing I have left to purchase for my bedroom is a nice jewellery cabinet/shelf/box. It's proving very difficult to find one big enough to house everything but small enough to fit in the tiny space I have left; any suggestions would be gratefully received!

Lastly I leave you with a picture of my bed. The bedspread I got from Enjoy and it's actually a patchwork curtain, it was too short for my window but too good to leave behind so it now lives on my bed!

X

Linked post with #PoCoLo

Morning Light

I found the perfect spot in my new home to take pictures, the light pours in and it makes me feel altogether saintly and great. My mum bought me this treasure of a waistcoat for Easter and today was its first outing, I love the embroidery, especially the little birds carrying flowers in their beaks.  

Its been really lovely unpacking all my things in my new place, they were in store for over 6 months so I had forgotten so many things! I found so many wonderful scarfs and printed dresses, I feel like I have a whole new wardrobe.  It also great because its prompted me to have a bit of a clear out and begin afresh, new beginnings and all! It is a little hard to part with certain things - mainly hats (I have so many, probably over 50!) 

I'll post some pictures of my new home very soon. I'm just putting the finishing touches to it all and starting the garden. We're going to build a cob oven too (much more on that at a later date!)

x

Outfit Details

 1960s Chinese embroidered waistcoat from Enjoy

Handmade 1970s dress in folk floral pattern

Turkish headscarf

Pom pom headdress based on a traditional Hungarian design made by Penny MacBeth

Beaded necklaces from h&m

                                        

New Beginings

Summer is slowly swinging in and in turn I've started some new ventures. Namely I purchased my own home, there will be more on that later. The second big venture is my mum and I have opened a department store, well an Etsy one! It's called Mrs MacBeth's Department Store and we stock all manner of delights. So far we have opened the Millinery, Jewellery and Vintage Departments and there are many more in the works so keep your eyes peeled! We just started a blog, it'll follow all of the goings on in the department store.

Here's a little tour of Mrs MacBeth's to give you an idea of what goes on inside...

Lally cashing up an order

Admiring the latest items in the Jewellery Department

Penny having a well earned rest with Marmaduke the shop's cat

Lady Mary Cloche Hat  

Dangly Heart Earrings

Lady Rose Headband

Bargeware Plate

Phew! Time for a cup of tea yet?

1950s Baby Dress

Still Life Tray



Hope you enjoyed the tour of Mrs MacBeth's, hopefully see you there soon!


Stay tuned, lots of updates to come. X