Pepto Pink

So admittedly these photos were taken nearly a year ago, but I've had a busy year! And I like to think my style defies being too time-specific and trend-led. The blouse I bought many years ago, but interestingly does fit into the ruffled, asymmetric, 80's tinged vibe we've seen a lot of recently. I bought if for the glorious pewter damask fabric, but it has languished largely unworn in my wardrobe due to the awkward elasticated neckline and the fact that I was never quite happy with how it sat when tucked into my normal high-waisted skirt/skinny trousers. So I've done the unthinkable (for me) and worn something untucked. Paired with a Pepto Bismol pink roll-neck, sparkly pink socks, and green jewellery, this look has reignited my love for the blouse. 

ASOS blouse, Benetton trousers, KG shoes, self-made and antique jewellery.  

Tulle-bi-telli Time-jump

Ah, remember when the tree was up and frost glittered the landscape? Ok...so it was nine months ago, and I haven't posted since late last year, but I've had some time off work and finally am getting round to posting again. My excuse? It's been a busy year: new flat; dreamy new job; kicking poor mental health in the butt; saying goodbye to my childhood home of 25+ years as my parents moved out and relocated to an actual different country (the trauma is real). So here is Christmas 2017, when I took the opportunity to wear my 1920s assuit tunic for the first time (I toyed with wearing it to a friends wedding but felt it a little dark, and perhaps a touch too dramatic). I believe the figural pattern indicates a Coptic rather than Muslim design? Any experts please chime in.  

As it is a tunic with mostly open sides, you can really play around with how you wear it. I belted the front section and left the back loose to create a cape effect. I also wore it pulled up higher at the front so the v-neck didn't interfere with the neckline of my top underneath, thus creating a deep V at the back as well as a longer length. Festive red tights to contrast the tulle, and black lace-up sandals finished the look off. It was a dream to wear, though I was perpetually frightened I'd rip it! 

1920s assuit tunic, ASOS shoes

Marbled Mood

A rather disco-tinged silhouette here, weirdly 1970's for me; I guess its indicative of me trying to loosen up and try new styles. This blouse was so unusual in its pattern that I managed to overlook the ugly colour-way, and embrace its bishop-sleeved, pussy-bowed glory. The pattern recreates those fantastic, feathery, marbled papers you find in antique books, in shades of muted taupe, brown, beige... from a distance it just looks a shiny pewter though. Worn with burgundy accessories and purple nails for a jolt of colour.     

Vintage blouse, M&S shoes, ASOS trousers, self-made bag, vintage and handmade jewellery.

Ancient Summer

Summers over, so here's a quick flashback to a couple of outfits I never got round to posting- both with an Ancient Greek tinge and a rust/black/white colour palette. including literally the only t-shirt I own 😏 First up is my unashamedly over-worn pleated skirt, which I like to pair with monochromatic elements. The t-shirt is Fausto Puglisi who is a rather flashy designer not immediately identifiable as someone I would typically be drawn to, but I love the t-shirts clash of antiquity and neoclassicism, transposing a photo-realist depiction of the ancient Greek statue of Discobolus upon modern iterations of the Greek key and other border ornaments. Secondly, is the most amazing shirt by Vivetta, which I treated myself to whilst studying last year. I was actually writing an essay on Fortuny at the time, and reading the autobiography of Isadora Duncan who famously dressed in free-flowing Grecian clothing, so I felt utterly drawn to the neoclassical theme of the shirts embroidery.    

ASOS Skirt, Fausto Puglisi, Vivienne Westwood bag, SixtySeven shoes.  

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ASOS skirt and shoes, Vivetta shirt, vintage bag.

House of Homps

There's a definite chill in the air now, so what better time to share some snaps/outfits from my holiday to the south of France a few weeks ago? We stayed in a little town on the Canal du Midi called Homps, and enjoyed some fantastic weather, wine and scenery. I spent a lot of time wearing as little as possible, and a lot of time photographing the area rather than myself, hence only two outfits to show (but I can assure you I did wear a colour other than mustard). 

Vintage cover-up, 1920s blouse, ASOS trousers, Topshop sandals, antique belt and jewellery

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This is me in 'casual mode', wearing treggings (the absolute worst portmanteau), and flat sandals (!) for a day walking around the incredible Abbaye de Fontfroide. The necklace is a 1920s celluloid and French Jet piece I recently got for my birthday; and the star brooch is an Edwardian paste beauty, a stone from which I lost on the morning of our departure meaning I had to reluctantly walk away without finding it 😩 Tracking down the exact shade and size of paste to replace it is going to be a mission, but I can barely look at it now without feeling sad/annoyed.

Zara blouse, Benetton treggings, SixtySeven sandals, vintage and antique jewellery. 

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Les Halles des Narbonne

Plaque outside Narbonne Cathedral

Gate at the Abbaye de Fontfroide

Ceiling at the Abbey

Another gate at the Abbey

Reassembled stained-glass at the Abbey

The best part of any Abbey- the cloisters

Cloister model facing the real thing

Doing my best tourist pose at the within the cloisters

15th Century painted timber beams at the chateau in Capestang

And lastly shots from the glorious medieval church at Capestang, the Collegiale Saint-Etienne, which was decrepit and lovely with so many details.