I particularly enjoy this time of year because we celebrate on Christmas Eve too. My dad is half Czech (I'm actually quarter Czech, quarter American and half English), so we follow the eastern european traditions too.
Another great family tradition of ours is to use the same decorations on the tree that we've used since I was little. We have homemade angels, traditional czech figures, tacky icicles etc.. But what inspired this particular post is the copious amount of glitterballs we have hanging on the branches. This gave me the idea to dig out all the diamante brooches I could find, to shoot in front of the christmas tree.
This grey jumper is a woollen Jaeger one I found in a local charity shop. I seem to keep coming across beautiful Jaeger pieces, it really is one of my favourite british design makes. Most of the the very sparkly diamante brooches belonged to my maternal great-granny. She collected costume jewellery as well as some spectacularly awful plastic beads and brooches! (Though even they have their own nostalgia value in their own sweet way.) So I have her to thank for my absolutely massive accessories collection! The earrings were part of a set given to me for christmas.
I also got a few other vintage pieces that I'm looking forward to sharing on this blog as soon as possible! As well as some amazing books on fashion, including one showing all the drawn vogue covers from 1910 to the 1940s. I'm also starting to make my way through the classic films I recieved. The Red Shoes is a cinematic masterpiece that I recommend to everyone! It may sound cliched, but it is completely breathtaking- especially the 17 minute ballet sequence.
I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. I know I'm trying to make them last as long as possible! I'm filling up as much time as I can with drawing, making and customising. I even made my mum her christmas present! (I customised a t-shirt with green and cream buttons and an appliqued felt and silk pocket.)
I just wanted to say a quick thanks to everyone who commentedon my last post, I really appreciated it! I'm so sorry that I haven't replied to many people recently, but I'm working on it..
It's finally snowed here in the Midlands, although there has only been a sprinkling over the gardens and nearby hills. But there was enough for this shoot!
First, let me just explain the title. Today is the 21st of December, making it exactly midwinter! Or the winter solstice, whatever you want to call it. And it was certainly the weather for the day.
Nearby, there are two beautiful lakes that you can walk around. And on a day such as today, we had to take advantage of such amazing conditions. And just for the record, I don't actually tramp around the countryside in high heels and floor length dresses! My trusty rucksack filled with vintage pieces and other niceties is dragged along too.
The particular things taken along today were lots of lovely silk items. The cream dress is silk (I think) from a flea market, the long shirt dress is a silk Laura Ashley piece that my mum found in a charity shop ages ago. The cream blouse was my 92 year old great grandma's which she had when she was young. It was then passed on to my mum when she was in her late teens, and then it finally found its way to me about 2 years ago. The brown leather belt is a Hilfiger found in a charity shop a couple of days ago- I love the stitching detail around the edge.The boots are brown suede ones that used to be my mum's. The furry hat is making another guest appearance after featuring in my coats post. The necklace is a thrifted one, the silk scarf too. I know that these layers of silk don't look very warm. But underneath that I had about 4 layers on, including skinny trousers and tights!
The lake was completely frozen over apart from a patch where all the swans were happily sitting. I got some lovely pictures of them afterwards.
I realised its been a while since I last started a debate, so I've decided to start one inspired by a question posed by Tavi from Style Rookie. She asked about what kept you inspired and made you love fashion.
This started me thinking. I feel that being more confident in fashion has made me be an all round more confident person. That's one of the reasons (among many) that I feel that fashion, in its many forms is a definite part of my life. I have no problem walking down a rural high street in a fifties tea dress, a vintage coat and a big floppy hat. I don't mind what people think of the fact that I read classics, spend my spare time doing creative projects and don't watch TV very often. Being confident in one area of life has increased more confidence in others.
I also realised that fashion is something that can let you blend in with the crowd or completely stand out. And for some people, either type can give them more confidence.
So what do you think? Has fashion increased your confidence or taught you something? Or your general opinion on this topic? I'd love to hear about your views and ideas.
Thanks to dad for wielding the camera!
And a final thanks to those who commented and responded to my latest installment of blogger designs, I really appreciated it!
Last weekend I found this great faux fur hat in one of my favourite charity shops, which gave me the perfect justification to lug around two big coats and some heels on a family walk in the hills... This is a spot that has been frequented by us many times over the years, and what I love about it is how one minute you are following a path in the middle of nowhere and the next you are confronted by a TV mast towering on the crown of a hill. What a great contrast.
The vintage black coat was bought at a flea market stall, and is the only real winter coat I am willing to wear all the time for actual warmth! The trapeze shape is beautiful and I love the detailing of the wool. The matching hat was given to me by my paternal Grandmother, who doesn't love a floppy hat? The brooch was also hers.
The rusty red coat is my 92 year old great-grandma's and is the last truly vintage item she had in her wardrobe. Just donated to me! I believe it was worn at my mother's christening. Again, very warm- the way coats used to be made to last. The faux fur hat as mentioned before came from a charity shop and the shoes are from a charity shop too. Unfortunately, they look fantastic but are the most uncomfortable things to walk in ever! Both pairs of gloves are family donated. (Another great-granny's, along with the brooch) The dress in both of them is from Beyond Retro, and I have just discovered it from the second time as it was skulking in the back of my wardrobe for about 3 months.
COLLECTION OF WORLD'S BEST WALLPAPERS
WOW WHAT A BEAUTY
AMAZING NATURE
NATURE OF GOD
JAZZ OF LIFE
COOL PHOTOS BANK
BEAUTY OF WILDLIFE
BEST PHOTOS OF THE WORLD
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