Vintage Ladies Picnic

You know how last post I was all... I'm gonna wear all those winter pieces one last time? Yeah, so, I'm wearing sandals this post (hi blue toenails!) and a cotton dress. Whatever! It was for a picnic day at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, so of course I had to wear sandals and a giant 50s straw hat.

I met up with some gorgeous ladies for a casual picnic sharing sweets and cheese under the shade of a tree, overlooking the gorgeous Sydney Harbour. We had some very silly laughs, took some ridiculous photos, and there may or may not have been a parasol fencing session (hint, there was). Now that's what I call the perfect way to spend a Saturday!

Thank you to Naomi of Lila Jean Vintage for the outfit photos!

Wearing...

Vintage 50s dress, Zara sandals, Jessamity Vintage 50s hat, Wild Fell Hall Vintage 40s Lucite brooch, Daisy Jean Floral Agatha's Orb resin earrings.

Frida

When Naomi of Lila Jean Vintage said, "Do you want to see the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exhibition?" I was all over that. I love visiting the Art Gallery of NSW, and expanding my (limited) knowledge of the art world, and I love strong female artists, so, match made in heaven.

Before I get down to all the clothes here, I wanted to say I really found the exhibition not entirely what I expected... less art, more photographs and personal history. But what paintings there were I really fell in love with. I was particularly taken with a Calla Lily vendor by Diego Rivera and the way in which Frida never shied from her own image. I love her for it. I also learned some unusual things about how symbolic fruit in still life art is... thanks for that Naomi!

Of course, you knew it'd happen the minute I mentioned Frida... I had to theme my hair and capture my outfit too. One of the wonderful benefits of spending time with a fellow outfit record keeper is that we are always up for a quick outfit shoot! I wanted to choose something with a distinct style nod to dear Frida, without looking like I was going to a dress up party... I hope I succeeded. You've seen this skirt more than once, but always with black. And as I promised I'd keep re-styling classics, well, of course I had to try it with a bold, warm tone like this vintage cropped sweater. I wanted to wear some cute matching wedges, but being on our feet for hours I went for practical black flats. Yes, I've officially gotten old...

Wearing...

Deerfield Vintage 50s sweater, Violetville Vintage 50s corduroy skirt, Dinosaur Designs bangles, Art Deco celluloid earrings, Daisy Jean Florals Penelope Peony, NineWest flats.

Photos kindly by Naomi of Lila Jean Vintage

Back to the Fifties... again!

Well, after the glum little vintage girls of last year, left stranded all dolled up with nowhere to go, this year Miss Mary Weather smiled once more on the Fifties Fair!

Sunshine abounded, and Naomi of Lila Jean Vintage and I were both thrilled to get our glad rags on and head to the fair. A little shopping, a lot of chatting (and lines for coffee) and bumping into lovely ladies ensued. And of course outfit photos!

Normally I buy something new for the fair... but this year I told myself to just wear something I already owned, so I pulled out this gorgeous Suzy Perette number I bought last year. It's actually nice to re-wear things! I'm so guilty of wearing a nice evening dress once and then hiding it away!

Speaking of this outfit, I am putting a note here to remember that next year I should not wear THREE petticoats and a panty girdle. Trying to use the portaloo was a nightmare. Picture me in that little box, trying to hold up three layers of petticoat and my skirt while trying to undo the eye and hooks on my WKD panty girdle and then trying to do it up again after (which ended up with me clipping my petticoat to my panty girdle and having to undo it and start again) and then wash my hands all while trying not to actually touch anything. You needed to hear this story, because... well, yeah... I'm all class.

It's always such a pleasure seeing so many well dressed people, having silly photos with friends, and listening to the live music! Until next year Fifties Fair, you beloved Vintage Christmas!

Wearing...
Retro Fit Pattern Suzy Perette 50s dress, 50s clip on earrings and rhinestone cuff, My Vintage Hat Shop 50s net and straw hat, Wittner heels, Vintage 50s op shop bag, Prada sunglasses, 50s Cashmere cardigan.

Thanks for the pictures Lila Jean Vintage - you can follow Lila Jean Vintage on Instagram here.

P.S. If you love this design of Suzy Perette dress there are several fabric variations out there - though I've never seen this fabric before or since!

Sunshine Sunday

When my dear Nora of Nora Finds contacted me to say Unique Vintage had sent her this dress but it didn't fit right and would I like it, I admit I was a touch excited. Cue a few weeks later and this dress made it's way from chilly London to mid-30s celsius weather in Sydney. With both of us now owning the same dress, you know what happened next... Oops, we're blogging the same dress. You know being vintage blogging besties it was just bound to happen!

For me, I decided that being a stinking hot time of year, I wanted to make this dress scream summer. Rather than go down the black patent leather route to match the belt, I instead decided to make this one bright and cheery. Cue tiki inspired hair flowers from Daisy Jean and my poppy coloured wedges with the ribbon embellishments. I also swapped out the belt for a red one of my own.

This was the perfect outfit for a sunny evening down at the park, listening to the geese honk whenever I got too close to the pond's edge and watching the world from under my parasol and basking in the sunlight. Exactly how I like to spend sunny Sundays. I will miss warm evenings when the weather cools down - of course, then I could probably take a leaf out of Nora's book and style this dress for cool weather... Doesn't she look like such a babe in it?!

Love WTP x

Wearing...

Unique Vintage Bernie Dexter Red Poppy Saturday night dress, ASOS belt, Miss Albright via Anthropologie wedges, Daisy Jean Florals custom flower piece, Jord Ely in maple watch

Fit* I love Bernie Dexter dresses, but sometimes find the fit off depending on the cut. For reference, I am currently measuring 36-27-38 and this dress in a medium fits well - form fitting but not uncomfortable and still room to eat a huge Vietnamese noodle bowl... uh, anyway... 

Talk&Spoon kitchen tea

Firstly, if you don't already follow the gastronomical adventures of my dear friend Ellen of Talk&Spoon then you should. Visit the blog or follow along on Instagram. Your mouth will be watering in no time for everything from fancy meals to cheap eats. 

Secondly, she's getting married next month and her lovely mother and maid of honor hosted a stylish event to celebrate on Saturday. I was busy most of the time as photographer (yes, I'm that friend), but I luckily could grab a snap with her. Congratulations to you my delightful, beautiful friend! 

Vintage Girls meet up

I feel like everything has been a total blur lately what with personal stuff, Daisy Jean 2016, and so many plans before Christmas that are all dependent on other personal stuff. So, I'm a little late to the posting party for this outfit which was from Saturday! The Round She Goes market was on, and so myself, Bonita, Harlow, Jessica, Tanith, Missi etc all met up for a shop, a chat, lunch and photos. I was so happy to finally meet Harlow who travelled interstate just to join us, as well as meeting Jessica, Tanith and Missi. What a great bunch of ladies and so fun to have lunch together and share experiences about everything from our undergarments (we love you Von Follies range) to dress unicorns. 

I wore my sweet 1940s novelty print gnome dress with a hat I've had for yonks but never got around to wearing because it's shade of blue never seems to work with other outfits. It was clearly destiny these two end up together. And bonus, these Wittner wedges were SO comfortable for all day walking and talking and shopping... 

Really, truly, I thank my lucky stars all the time that blogging has introduced me to so many awesome ladies. You can check out the girls' social media here:

Bonita ~ Lavender and Twill

Harlow Darling ~ Vintage at Heart

Jessica ~ Little Henry Lee 

Tanith ~ Tanith Rowan Design

Missi ~ Curve Creation 

Love WTP x 

With thanks to Bonita for these photos! 

Wearing...

Wildfell Hall Vintage 40s novelty print dress, Allen Company 50s hat, Wittner Hike wedges, Boylerpf Art Deco enamel earrings

The day I fell in love with a Chevrolet

This was the perfect outfit on a warm spring Sunday to visit the Rock 'N' Roll & Alternative Markets at Sydney Uni. It was such a bright, hot, sunny day that I was terrified of getting burned. Thank heavens for sunscreen! I was glad to see plenty of vintage for sale, and plenty of vintage ladies. It was so good to see all those beautiful faces from Instagram and real life. I behaved in a most dignified way towards my wallet too, only picking up my 'Way of the Welt' brooch I posted on IG which I admit I had planned from the very beginning to get. 

And of course, outside I found a white 50s Chevrolet. OMG, where do I get one of these? Now I totally get why Lana Del Rey is always referencing them haha. 

Wearing... 

A Typical Girl Vintage 50s blouse, MC by Alexander McQueen belt, Pin Up Girl Clothing Jenny Spanish fan skirt, Wicked Magpie 50s bakelite earrings, The Vintage Mistress Enid Collins inspired bag, 50s sunnies, Miss L Fire wedges. 

The 2015 Fifties Fair that wasn't...

So in case you were living in a hole over the weekend, the biggest vintage event of the calendar year here, the Fifties Fair in Sydney got cancelled due to the heavy rain the night before making it unsafe. NO! So many sad, pouting pin up lasses and lads in Sydney on Sunday morning as the announcement came through. I was sad too, because not only had I already left the house when the announcement came through, but the humidity also STOLE my curls from me. I left the house with curls, by the time I got to the train they were gone. So, double sad. 

Still, it wasn't a waste of a day - in fact, I had plenty of fun!  I was already going to meet Bonita of Lavender & Twill at the fair for a catch up, so we adjusted our plans and met for brunch and shopping at Newtown where it seems a whole bunch of people had already descended in their dressed up but no where to go glad rags. It was really quite a happy day! Bonita took some photos of my sort of assembled look - I forgot to put on my gloves and sunglasses for you to enjoy and of course my curls had long died. Oh well! 

Wearing... 

The Sweet Life Vintage 50s Jerry Gilden dress, Melissa heels, Thrifted vintage bag, The Vintage Drawer opal lucite earrings, My Vintage Hat Shop 50s hat. 

Buttons and Friends

I have wanted a dress with jumbo buttons for ages. There's something so squee-worthy about small saucers as buttons, and this 40s dress from Wild Fell Hall Vintage did not disappoint, especially when teamed with my beloved celluloid hand brooch and the left overs of my curly hair from the ball.

I went with Nora of NoraFinds and Bonita of Lavender & Twill on Saturday for a spot of shopping before dinner at Doughbox Diner. It's so nice making new friends, and catching up with old. 

Wearing...
Wild Fell Hall Vintage 40s button dress, Anthropologie Marais wedges, Asos belt, Mimco bag, Artful Oldies 1940s celluloid hand brooch

Friendship (Garden)

Oops sorry for the radio silence kids. I've been glued to my bed, sucking eucalyptus drops and blowing my nose in extra thick and large tissues, and snorting saline solution to kill the sinus infection from hell. It's still not dead. Damn you, Sinus Infection! Of course, I figured, everything feels better with prettiness, so I'm sharing some beautiful images from Raab Imagery that were taken last month (holy heavens!) with my lovely friend Nora. She's shared her fave images over on NoraFinds, so here's mine! We had a great time, surrounded by the tranquility of the Chinese Friendship Gardens (these are in the centre of the city here in Sydney, can you believe?) and Harry was a pleasure to work with.

One of the absolute loveliest things about vintage blogging and the vintage community is how many wonderful people I've met and friends I've made. Wearing and loving something other than what is 'So this season!' in the shops can sometimes feel like a lonely undertaking, but with people like Nora, well, it's okay that you look like you're about to go to a wedding when really it's just Sunday, and why wouldn't you want to wear a petticoat, gloves and hat on a Sunday? Actually, I wear a petticoat most days too. It's all cool kids, it's all cool. 

Also, stop by on Friday, I've got another hair tute for you ;)

Wearing...

Dear Golden 50s dress, thrifted gloves and hair scarf, Gorman sandals, Vintage Fabulous earrings, brooch and bracelet. 

Rose Seidler House Fifties Fair 2014

What could be a better time to return to outfit posts than the Fifties Fair? Feels good to be back on here wearing something so fabulous. I snapped a few pics at home before I left because I wasn't sure if I'd get any decent photos there, though I'm sure plenty of other people did! I posed for photos galore. 

I love the vibe at the fair... they're my people. Everyone is always in a fantastic mood, with compliments flying, and sharing tales of your outfit with people. Not even the rain could dampen the spirit. I had a lovely chat with two ladies who wanted to know how I wear vintage on a daily basis, and another chat with a lady who used toilet rolls to pin curl her hair! I also made two little purchases which I will be sharing on here soon - can't wait to show you!

I bought my hat purposefully for the event. Of course, I think I cursed it, as it decided to rain for awhile during the middle of the day. Oh well! The Melissa shoes were also a brilliant purchase for the grounds - what between all the mud and wet, I wasn't worried about destroying my shoes. 

Wearing...

The Vintage Drawer 1950s Alex Colman dress, Jessamity 1950s hat, Dear Golden 1950s cashmere cardigan, my grandmother's screwback mid-century earrings, Allen Company 1950s needlepoint purse, Mel by Melissa heels