The Earthly Paradise

I recently spent the weekend in London. Whilst there I visited the William Morris exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery and it has re-ignited my love for Morris and his band of merry followers. If you haven't visited (and are able to) I thoroughly recommend it. Not only are there a delightful and delectable selection of objects but it is all curated in such a loving and thoughtful manner, it left me feeling utterly inspired and with a long list of people, objects and themes to research!

I particularly loved two items; this beautiful iridescent vase by William de Morgan and this sweet wallpaper designed for a nursery by C.F.A Voysey called The House That Jack Built.

Sources: 1, 2

On my arrival back in Cornwall, the tree branches were bare and a crisp chill had set in the air; winter had arrived. These photographs were taken in my mum's garden and are very much inspired by the pictures of Morris, his family and friends in the garden at The Red House. 

 Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

I wanted to celebrate that beautiful cusp between Autumn and Winter and my mum's garden is the perfect place to engage in such celebration. My mum's grassy lawn is a wonderful array of moss, clover and strange yellow mushrooms which make padding across it like walking on thick pile rug, close up snaps of it form the border for these photographs.

The outfit was inspired by Morris and Burne-Jones in the picture above and a little by the outfits of the children in The Secret Garden (both book and film).

 Source: 6

  I've been after a pair of velvet breeches for many years, these ones were a recent find at a Vintage Flea Market and they are an absolute dream; the perfect fit and colour. The tweed waistcoat is another recent find. Purchased in Oxfam, there is also a matching tweed jacket, I haven't taken them off since I bought them last month. I've recently taken to a sort of dapper gent look, I've always enjoyed dappling in cross-dressing but for some reason this year I've felt particular drawn to menswear. The shoes were also from Oxfam, a lady had donated her entire collection of brogues to the shop and I bought two pairs, both hardly worn and only half a size too big (one has to suffer for dandyism!) There were another pair, a slightly lighter brown, which I wish wish I hadn't left behind, I'm just secretly hoping somebody I know has bought them for me for Christmas!

The shirt is Bavarian, I bought it in the summer from a friend's car boot sale stall. It's striped cotton and has little embroidered chickens on the front; I love the voluminous sleeves, they feel so theatrical. The cravat belonged to my mum in the 1980s and has been the source of much fighting between my brother and I. I originally owned it, then he nabbed it for a Halloween costume (a dead Lord Byron) and now I have reclaimed it, all be it with a little more fake blood attached.

This post has taken inordinate amount of time to put together due to a number of dull details that I shan't bore you with but I will say that over the last few days I have gained a greater appreciation for the transiency and effervesce of life and objects. This weekend for several reasons I will be staying as far away as possible from my computer. I'm going to take a long walk, inhale deeply and appreciate the details because as William Morris said 'the true secret of happiness lies in the taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.'

I hope you all have happy weekends and enjoy being outside: the crunchy leaves, the damp dusky smells and the crisp, fresh air.

Linking to Visible Monday

Outfit Details

Striped and embroidered Bavarian shirt - Car boot sale

1950s tweed waistcoat - Oxfam

Ex-theatre green velvet breeches - Vintage Flea Market

Cravat - belonged to my mum

Vintage brogues - Oxfam

Vintage faux fur hat - Car boot sale

Red Christmas bow - The Range

1960s reversible tartan cape - Charity shop

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Tea Reading

Until yesterday I hadn't given all the much thought to tea reading, well apart from the professor of Divination -and more specifically Tassomancy- in Harry Potter, Sybil Trelawney. A number of people used to say I looked like her due to my thick black rimmed glasses, I'm sure it was meant as an insult but I rather liked her. 

That aside, yesterday I was asked if I'd like to read people's tea leaves at a tea festival next weekend held at Gyllyngdune Gardens in Falmouth. I said yes (of course!) It's the most beautiful location but also what an exciting prospect. I've long been interested in the performative aspects of fortune telling, and although I hadn't given all that much thought to tea reading I am now on a mission to learn!

These pictures are a little taster of what I might wear for the occasion and the expressions I might make on learning your fortune. They are of course inspired by the aforementioned Sybil Trelawney but also in part by Holman Hunt's paintings, in particular this one of his first wife Fanny, for his use of colour and mad eyes (though I have to say Fanny's expression is a little more restrained than his usual models, see The Awakening Conscience).

Sources: 1, 2

If you'd like to practice the art of tea reading (or Tasseography, Tasseomancy or Tassology as it's also know) you will need:

A round tea cup with sloping sides and a saucer

Loose tea (preferably a tasty, aromatic one with smallish leaves)

An open mind

A question you'd like answered

Begin by brewing your tea. Sip it until you have roughly an inch of liquid left. Clear your mind and breath deeply. Think of the question that you would like answered. Swirl the cup counterclockwise three times (clockwise if you're male). Tip the excess liquid and tea leaves into your saucer. Read the leaves left in the cup starting from the top and working down. The outer rim suggests the present and the base is the future. 

Here is a list of basic symbols to help you on your way:

Outfit Details

Silk embroidered smock dress - Gift from my mummy

Floral velvet 1960s skirt - Kilo shop in Poland

Head scarf - Charity shop

Wooden beads and feather necklace - Charity shops

Greek silver owl pendant - Belonged to my maternal grandmother

Eye brooch - Topshop sale (years ago when I worked there)

Pom pom scarf - Gift from a friend

Claddagh ring - A shop in Galway

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I did it again and forgot one very important influence on these images; the painting, The Death of Thomas Chatterton by Henry Wallis

Source: 1

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

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