Serpentine

I have recently become a bit obsessed with snake bangles, particularly the celluloid versions of the 1920's and 30's. Snakes were popular motifs within Victorian jewellery, symbolizing eternal love and infinity. During the 1920's the fashion for snake jewellery was revived, along with many other exotic designs inspired by Egypt and beyond. Here are a few examples of such snake bangles, which typically featured rhinestone eyes and tiny metal stud-work.

1930's celluloid and amethyst rhinestone $42

1920's cream celluloid with rhinestones £58

Black celluloid with green rhinestone eyes SOLD

1930's cream and navy celluloid with rhinestones SOLD

Translucent red celluloid with rhinestones SOLD

Green lucite with studs and rhinestones SOLD 

French Art-Deco celluloid with studs and faux emerald 

Faux tortoise celluloid and rhinestone $425

Dual-headed lucite and blue rhinestone $150

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And finally, my very special snake friend. He is a gorgeous translucent red-orange with emerald green eyes, clear paste and tiny studs. Also pictured is an embossed silver snake clamper bracelet, whose age I am unsure of.

Midi-Mosaic

I'd been eyeing up this skirt for quite a while, unsure about the midi-length and wearing a striking print on my pear-shaped figure... but then it went on sale and I decided to get over the restraints I impose upon myself. I love the ancient mosaic print and envisage wearing it in the summer with strappy gladiator flats and a black crop-top. 

As we're still waiting for the sun come to out, I paired it with a roll-neck and leather jacket, on a rather windy day. I guess this print is 'inspired' by Dolce and Gabbana's SS14 collection which featured Sicilian coins heavily, however ASOS tend to do a much better job of being subtle in their catwalk rip-offs than other high-street retailers *coughZara*.  

Vintage jacket, ASOS skirt, Marks & Spencer shoes, Vivienne Westwood bag, vintage jewellery

(excuse the cat fluff, it covers all my things now)

Green Granite

Had a little trip to Aberdeen recently to visit family and attend my baby nephew's naming party (he's too cute). We stayed at the rather lovely Caledonian Thistle hotel, a great base for looking around the famously grey city (architecturally as well as meteorologically) . Vying for most fabulous Auntie award, I wore a silky shirt with an ornate monochrome print with a green pleated mini and my current shoe loves; monochrome mary-janes. I managed to style my newly short hair into quite a bouffant, still getting used to it!

Skirt: vintage; shirt: Zara; shoes: ASOS, belt; antique.

Aberdeen's coat of arms and motto 'Bon Accord.'

Shameless hotel room selfie; love the pattern on this shirt. 

A few more layers and untamed hair back at my Aunt's house. Layers are essential when in Scotland, it basically never gets warm. 

Parisian Escapades

The boyf and I took a little trip to Paris recently. We managed to cram a lot into our four days there, unfortunately I forgot my camera charger so I had to be a bit restrained with my photo taking. Rest assured I wore many a fabulous outfit, however I've only got photographic evidence of one. 

Squinting in front of the Sacre Coeur 

We saw extraordinary art at the Pompidou Centre, including pieces by Dali, Bacon and this Tamara De Lempicka beauty.  

Kisses on Oscar Wilde's grave

The Grand Palais was a highlight for me, it is incredibly ostentatious and over the top in its beauty. I had to visit it twice I loved it so much. I wanted so badly to get inside and see the iconic glass vaulted roof, however, the Chanel set was still being removed. 

Walked around the 'golden triangle' of designer stores; I was such a geek and had to take photos of store fronts. Dior had glorious visual merchandising.  

Paris Fashion Week was wrapping up whilst we were there. Having walked through the Tuileries Garden one day we came across a massive commotion which turned out to be the aftermath of the Valentino show. People were photographing and crowding round the models as they left; it felt a bit weird/intrusive but I was rather excited to see these beauties in real life. Fei Fei Sun was serenely gorgeous. 

The fabulous behinds of Mijo Mihaljcic and Ashleigh Good 

Whilst caught up in the hysteria, a few people approached me to take my photograph. Once I got over the embarrassment, I obliged. I've only found one photo online however, from Vogue Ukraine. Is this the fashion bloggers dream? Perhaps, but I felt totally awkward... And not too enamoured with the final shot!   

I'm wearing a vintage green velvet coat; antique gloves and bag; vintage ermine tail scarf; and Kurt Geiger silver croc-embossed loafers (which are my absolute favourite shoes right now). 

New Hair, Old Dress

Late last year I chopped off a large amount of hair, after much consideration and procrastinating. I just needed a change and wanted to stop damaging my hair with so much straightening and back-combing. You can see my inspiration board over on Pinterest. I wanted to utilise my naturally curly hair for some sort of nonchalant 20's bob.

Back to the outfit, I wore a vintage royal blue velvet dress for Christmas 2013, complimented with gold accessories. The boat-neck, dipped v-back and a-line skirt all make for a very mid-century silhouette, something a bit different for me, but who could resist such gorgeous blue velvet? The belt is a rather interesting addition to my antique belt collection. It's an expanding design made up of a body of interlocking copper springs woven with thread. The back of the buckle is embossed with 'The Martin Patented' which after a bit of googling tells me this particular design was originally used in men's tennis belts, an example of which can be seen here.

Went for a silver theme on the tree this year, got some cute mini violas (or violins?) and some Fabergé egg style baubles.