Vestment

I bought this baroque beaded vest a couple of summers ago, and usually wear it open with a crop top. But during the colder months, I realised I could get away with belting it and wearing it as a dress; I think this probably makes is less boho and lends a more refined edge, more in tune with my style. I believe it's from the late 60's, the longer length and ornate pattern touching on hippy style but retaining some tailored structure. Worn here with a white turtleneck (I lived in this all winter), topped off with an Edwardian paste star brooch. I wanted to add some patent accessories, opting for a decidedly retro hat-box bag by Liberty of London, and the shiniest and pointiest of shoes. It's a weirdly 1960s tinged, monochromatic-mod look for me, no?  

Vintage vest, H&M turtleneck, Liberty of London bag, Signature shoes. 

Patent shoes when they were box-fresh and dangerously pointy

Black and Blue - part two

Following on from my previous post featuring this blouse in a daytime look, here's a peek at how I styled it for a wedding party a few weeks ago. As the blouse is kinda boxy and fussy, I kept the silhouette streamlined with a basic black pencil skirt, adding black and white accessories in the form of triple-strapped Mary-Janes, Ianthe printed Liberty bag and pearl-rimmed sunglasses. 

Top - Bolongaro Trevor; skirt - ASOS; shoes - ASOS; sunglasses - ASOS; bag - Liberty of London; all jewellery - vintage

France 2012

After a long absence, hopefully a somewhat normal service shall resume here at House of Harps. I've been busy finding, buying, decorating and moving into a new flat. We're nowhere near finished yet but I will try to find the time to update when I can. For now, a few snaps from my summer holiday to the south of France. The summer months aren't terribly exciting for me- I prefer the layers and warm colour palette of Autumn and Winter- but I did my best to maintain elegance during the intense heat!

^ the villa we rented came with a cat; pretty awesome idea. Mischka thoroughly enhanced the holiday.

^ trompe l'oeil paintings covered this town

^ my Zara sandals sparkled so much in the sunshine

^ really thin château 

^ spot of shopping in a 1920's fringed shawl converted into a blouse

^ pretty badass car... the couple driving around in this looked like they were having the time of their lives. 

^ inappropriate bikini shot... the water was so so blue

^ my boyfriends Liberty bug shirt I bought him for our anniversary. 

Cowboy Brogues

I've spent the past couple of weeks obsessively wearing all my velvet and furry items, squeezing every last wear out of them before Spring comes. The past couple of days have been pretty mild, so I guess its bye bye to my fur coat, at least until the Autumn time.

The shoes in today's post pretty much haven't left my feet since I bought them. Brogues are rather ubiquitous these days, but these bad boys are so damn cool I couldn't say no. They have a really clunky, quite ugly, heel and are gloriously pointed. Side on, their profile reminds me of cowboy boots. But brogue cowboy boots. For the businessman cowboy.

Those of you who have read my blog for a while may remember my penchant for Liberty of London goods, specifically those with the Ianthe print. I have four Liberty handbags, each made with the Ianthe print (that seems pretty obsessive, but they are gorgeous)....and now I have a delightful Ianthe print sheer burgundy t-shirt to prance around in. Please Liberty, let me be a spokesperson for your products, and send me free stuff :-)

Vintage fur coat, vintage shoes, scarf (M&S), cardigan (Topshop), velvet trousers (asos.com), t-shirt (Liberty of London), vest (asos.com)

Red metallic eyeliner...? Yes please!