Because they are pretty things in their own right it's a bit sad that they don't often get seen - so I thought I'd share them on here.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Three Sweet Petticoats
I have been lucky to get my hands on three lovely petticoats in 2013. They are not of the ginormous frouffy type. Alone, each petticoat doesn't give much oompf but that has it's benefits. I can wear one to give a nice shape to a skirt or combine all three for some power-puff.
Because they are pretty things in their own right it's a bit sad that they don't often get seen - so I thought I'd share them on here.
Because they are pretty things in their own right it's a bit sad that they don't often get seen - so I thought I'd share them on here.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Tea, Punch and Flummery Flops!
A while ago now, I played hostess to a tea party for a bunch of my girlfriends. It was months ago now but never too late to blog a thing. Right?
The venue:
I held the party in my home, which is a beautiful old Queenslander house. Though it was a little bit squishy, we all fit into the dining area with a table full of food and a sideboard for drinks and crockery.
The guests:
I had some of my favourite girls around, nine guests in total. The only rule I specified on the invitation was that a dress was mandatory! This wasn't a problem for the dress veterans who came in their own flavour of fashion. We did have one guest who was wearing a non-historical-costume dress for the first time in her adult life bought especially for the day. (Insert shocked face here)
Sassy D wore a gorgeous black vintage hat with a 50s frock and cardi while her sister Classy K was beautiful in 20s style. PoisonedKitty wore a very cute outfit in the gothic lolita style (a Japanese street fashion) while Little L wore her own personal brand of vintage meets sweet gyaru style. I tried to steal her hat... but she was too protective of it for me to get close.
The menu:
Drinks included Stockholm Blend tea (my favourite!) and punch made from the recipe I've already blogged about here.
Tea was served in a fine china tea service I inherited from my Nana with a Japanesque pink carnation pattern on the side (with a few non-matching trios to make up the numbers beyond what the tea service catered for!).
Punch was served in a large punch bowl my sister had inherited from my Nana and kindly loaned to me for the day with dainty sized matching punch cups.
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Food included afternoon tea favourites like egg and lettuce sandwiches, brie and cranberry sandwiches, chocolate cake with chocolate ganache icing and scones with lemon and vanilla jam (generously bought along by a friend), Parmesan and tomato pesto pinwheels, lavender shortbread and a flummery charlotte. There was also a gorgeous berry tart generously bought by another guest.
The outfit:
I've already posted a full shot of my outfit for the day (a while ago, just after the party happened).
I wore a navy dress with red and olive paisley print over it. My favourite brooch, a Victorian-era bar brooch with little pearls and rubies pinned the front flap of my dress closed. I was still sporting my neat and newly cut hairdo, topped with a midnight blue hat which I'd scored for $5 from Retro Stop when it was closing down.
Black gloves and black pumps completed the outfit.
The Great Flummery Flop:
I had hopes and dreams pinned on the flummery charlotte. I had found the recipe in one of my old 50s cookbooks and loved the picture of the dessert. I was charmed by the idea of serving such an unusual and sweet looking dessert. In my mind's eye, guests would enter, appreciate the gorgeous pink flowers and then be distracted by the flummery charlotte beside it. They would be intrigued and would eagerly want to try a bit of that tasty treat. "Oh! I really must get the recipe! What is it called again!?"
Yes. My imagination really is like that.
It seemed simple enough. lady finger biscuits, banana slices across the bottom and then 'flummery' filling ontop. The recipe didn't include how to make flummery - it only called for an instant flummery mix made by a company that no longer exists. My mum offered me a recipe to make my own flummery but I had 'better ideas'. I would substitute instant chocolate pudding, the kind you just add milk, whip and then chill. Easy peasy. Instant dessert success!
In reality, the dessert looked like some unimaginably foul brown mix loaded ontop of unevenly stacked biscuits. Guests admired the flowers but then turned suspecious eyes on the ugly duckling dessert beside it. Only I and one other person tried it. It tasted awful. (Note to self: Never have instant chocolate pudding again. That which tastes awesome to a kid is not necessary awesome to an adult's palate.)
Now is the perfect season to hold a tea party, with temperate weather and that lull before Christmas parties start in earnest. How about you play hostess at your own party soon.... just forget about the flummery charlotte!
The venue:
I held the party in my home, which is a beautiful old Queenslander house. Though it was a little bit squishy, we all fit into the dining area with a table full of food and a sideboard for drinks and crockery.
The guests:
I had some of my favourite girls around, nine guests in total. The only rule I specified on the invitation was that a dress was mandatory! This wasn't a problem for the dress veterans who came in their own flavour of fashion. We did have one guest who was wearing a non-historical-costume dress for the first time in her adult life bought especially for the day. (Insert shocked face here)
Sassy D wore a gorgeous black vintage hat with a 50s frock and cardi while her sister Classy K was beautiful in 20s style. PoisonedKitty wore a very cute outfit in the gothic lolita style (a Japanese street fashion) while Little L wore her own personal brand of vintage meets sweet gyaru style. I tried to steal her hat... but she was too protective of it for me to get close.
The menu:
Drinks included Stockholm Blend tea (my favourite!) and punch made from the recipe I've already blogged about here.
Tea was served in a fine china tea service I inherited from my Nana with a Japanesque pink carnation pattern on the side (with a few non-matching trios to make up the numbers beyond what the tea service catered for!).
Punch was served in a large punch bowl my sister had inherited from my Nana and kindly loaned to me for the day with dainty sized matching punch cups.
.jpeg)
Food included afternoon tea favourites like egg and lettuce sandwiches, brie and cranberry sandwiches, chocolate cake with chocolate ganache icing and scones with lemon and vanilla jam (generously bought along by a friend), Parmesan and tomato pesto pinwheels, lavender shortbread and a flummery charlotte. There was also a gorgeous berry tart generously bought by another guest.
The outfit:
I've already posted a full shot of my outfit for the day (a while ago, just after the party happened).
I wore a navy dress with red and olive paisley print over it. My favourite brooch, a Victorian-era bar brooch with little pearls and rubies pinned the front flap of my dress closed. I was still sporting my neat and newly cut hairdo, topped with a midnight blue hat which I'd scored for $5 from Retro Stop when it was closing down.
Black gloves and black pumps completed the outfit.
The Great Flummery Flop:
I had hopes and dreams pinned on the flummery charlotte. I had found the recipe in one of my old 50s cookbooks and loved the picture of the dessert. I was charmed by the idea of serving such an unusual and sweet looking dessert. In my mind's eye, guests would enter, appreciate the gorgeous pink flowers and then be distracted by the flummery charlotte beside it. They would be intrigued and would eagerly want to try a bit of that tasty treat. "Oh! I really must get the recipe! What is it called again!?"
Yes. My imagination really is like that.
It seemed simple enough. lady finger biscuits, banana slices across the bottom and then 'flummery' filling ontop. The recipe didn't include how to make flummery - it only called for an instant flummery mix made by a company that no longer exists. My mum offered me a recipe to make my own flummery but I had 'better ideas'. I would substitute instant chocolate pudding, the kind you just add milk, whip and then chill. Easy peasy. Instant dessert success!
In reality, the dessert looked like some unimaginably foul brown mix loaded ontop of unevenly stacked biscuits. Guests admired the flowers but then turned suspecious eyes on the ugly duckling dessert beside it. Only I and one other person tried it. It tasted awful. (Note to self: Never have instant chocolate pudding again. That which tastes awesome to a kid is not necessary awesome to an adult's palate.)
Now is the perfect season to hold a tea party, with temperate weather and that lull before Christmas parties start in earnest. How about you play hostess at your own party soon.... just forget about the flummery charlotte!
Monday, October 28, 2013
Garage Sale Trail 2013
"Now in its second year in Queensland, Garage Sale Trail is supported by
the Queensland Government and eight local councils around the state. The
event provides an irresistible opportunity for Queensland communities
to come together on the same day - Saturday 26 October - to de-clutter,
make or donate some extra cash and form new neighbourly connections."
I first heard about the Garage Sale Trail when scanning through a newsletter from my local council. The hippie, bargain hunter and vintage treasure seeker in me all cheered simultaneously.
What a great event for councils to support! Sellers get to de-clutter and earn a little bit of cash, buyers get a treasure and a bargain and councils (and everyone really) get the benefit of less things going unnecessarily to landfill. Win-win-win!
My good friend and fellow blogger Melissa Loh suggested we go on the trail together and I was super keen to have such fine company along the way. We both scoured the Garage Sale Trail website for promising sales and ended up with a decent trail of 19 - there could have been many more but it got a little overwhelming with so many to choose from.
We did our pre-event preparations like seasoned veterans. We printed out our trail and map, numbering and colour-coding everything by open times.
We created a 'must-take list':
With all of our groundwork done - there was nothing left to do but get a good night sleep and set our alarms for 'rediculously early'.
It was an early start to the day. We hit our very first sale at 6am. The lovely seller had advertised her sale as being a "clothing hoarder's de-stash" and her sale lived up to the promise. Mel and I both walked away with dresses and I snagged a vintage hat and a vintage white cardigan.
We hopped from sale to sale, sometimes walking away after a brief browse, sometimes staying 15 minutes. We sometimes oooohed. Other times ewwwwed. Sometimes ummmmmmed and occasionally ahhhhhed with the starry eyed look that treasure hunters get when they find the motherload of loot.
We stopped off for breakfast at Bungalow in Hawthorne for breakfast and had a cold-drink and toilet stop at the Ithaca Bowls Club in Redhill. We called it a day just after noon and went home to check over our collected goods. We visited a grand total of 11 sales!
My goodies included....
Sewing goodies:
Homewares and stationery goodies:
Magazines and books:
Accessories:
Clothing:
The cheapest purchase: the white frilly skirt was in a 'giveaway' box. $0.
The most expensive purchase: the 60s party dress which was $25.
The best bargain: the 1920s sewing pattern which was $2. (I kid you not.)
The worst 'bargain': this is a toss up between the beige skirt which was $4ish - but doesn't fit and the dragonfly brooch which is missing a gem. At the time I thought I would find a replacement but now I am not so certain.
The Garage Sale Trail is an annual event and I already look forward to next year's run!
So lovely readers, did any of you hit the Garage Sale Trail yourself? Did you pick up any bargains or treasures?
I first heard about the Garage Sale Trail when scanning through a newsletter from my local council. The hippie, bargain hunter and vintage treasure seeker in me all cheered simultaneously.
What a great event for councils to support! Sellers get to de-clutter and earn a little bit of cash, buyers get a treasure and a bargain and councils (and everyone really) get the benefit of less things going unnecessarily to landfill. Win-win-win!
My good friend and fellow blogger Melissa Loh suggested we go on the trail together and I was super keen to have such fine company along the way. We both scoured the Garage Sale Trail website for promising sales and ended up with a decent trail of 19 - there could have been many more but it got a little overwhelming with so many to choose from.
We did our pre-event preparations like seasoned veterans. We printed out our trail and map, numbering and colour-coding everything by open times.
We created a 'must-take list':
- tea
- muesli bars
- measuring tape
- smartphones for navigation
- car phone charger
- shopping bags
- plenty of cash!
With all of our groundwork done - there was nothing left to do but get a good night sleep and set our alarms for 'rediculously early'.
It was an early start to the day. We hit our very first sale at 6am. The lovely seller had advertised her sale as being a "clothing hoarder's de-stash" and her sale lived up to the promise. Mel and I both walked away with dresses and I snagged a vintage hat and a vintage white cardigan.
We hopped from sale to sale, sometimes walking away after a brief browse, sometimes staying 15 minutes. We sometimes oooohed. Other times ewwwwed. Sometimes ummmmmmed and occasionally ahhhhhed with the starry eyed look that treasure hunters get when they find the motherload of loot.
We stopped off for breakfast at Bungalow in Hawthorne for breakfast and had a cold-drink and toilet stop at the Ithaca Bowls Club in Redhill. We called it a day just after noon and went home to check over our collected goods. We visited a grand total of 11 sales!
My goodies included....
Sewing goodies:
- a 1927 Needlework manual which includes detailed instructions on drafting up patterns
- a 1940s glove knitting pattern book (though I had told myself that buying more knitting patterns was banned)
- 2 x 50s sewing patterns
- a 1920s Butterick pattern. (The BEST buy of the day).
- brown and white gingham. I have plans to make this into an embroidered skirt or apron.
- buckles buckles buckles! Some of these I suspect are bakelite.
- four little blue buttons in the shape of flowers.
Homewares and stationery goodies:
- A Johnson Brothers village scene plate. Future breakfasts will be in style!
- A pretty cottage scene tea towel.
- A white piece of linen - edged and ready for some embroidery work.
- A fake leather letter writing keeper with pockets for envelopes, stamps and paper.
- A tin full of postcards of bohemian Paris poster images.
Magazines and books:
- A promotional cookbook from what looks like the 20s.
- A 1954 Home Journal (sans patterns)
- 2x 1953 Homes and Gardens magazines.
- 2x 1970s Vogue Pattern magazines - no patterns but some fabulous styling photos!
Accessories:
- Red suede-look belt.
- Teal beaded purse.
- a olive and cream pheasant scarf.
- 2x embroidered handerchiefs
- a dragonfly brooch
- a little vintage mountaineering brooch
- 60s leaf-look hat.
Clothing:
- 1960s chiffon party dress
- white frilly skirt
- beige skirt (sadly this doesn't fit)
- beige and white striped 70s does 40s shirtwaist dress
- vintage white cardigan - I have plans to bead the heck out of this!
- a navy and white embroidered skirt and top set.
- a brown and blue striped 70s dress.
The cheapest purchase: the white frilly skirt was in a 'giveaway' box. $0.
The most expensive purchase: the 60s party dress which was $25.
The best bargain: the 1920s sewing pattern which was $2. (I kid you not.)
The worst 'bargain': this is a toss up between the beige skirt which was $4ish - but doesn't fit and the dragonfly brooch which is missing a gem. At the time I thought I would find a replacement but now I am not so certain.
The Garage Sale Trail is an annual event and I already look forward to next year's run!
So lovely readers, did any of you hit the Garage Sale Trail yourself? Did you pick up any bargains or treasures?
Late Winter Outfit
I'm playing catch-up with blogging at the moment so though it's now Spring in Brisbane, this outfit was worn for a day in the office in late Winter.
Skirt: Brown, beige and chocolate Jazten Skirt (Love Vintage Fair '13)
Blouse: Beige blouse (selfmade Simplicity 5885 60s pattern)
Cardigan: Black frilled cardigan (Target)
Shoes: Black strapped pumps (Target)
Hat: Vintage black fur-feel hat (Cassie's Corner, Love Vintage Fair '12)
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Has Anybody Seen My Gal?
Before putting this movie into the DVD player I knew only three things about this film.
1. It was a musical.
2. It was based in the 20s.
3. It had Rock Hudson in it which automatically qualified it as worth watching.
I had admired Rock Hudson's performance and handsome, manly demeanor in Pillow Talk, which I reviewed earlier this year and had no objections to seeing his gorgeous dark eyes and solid chin line on my screen again!!
The basic plot of the movie? Well... let's explore this by way of a 'choose your own adventure' pathway.
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It is the heady days of the early 1920s. You are an old man with a substantial fortune, one of the largest in America. A bit of a hypochondriac, you believe yourself to be close to death and keep yourself locked up in your big ol' mansion. On this particularly fine day you invite your lawyer around to finalise your will. You have no family whatsoever of your own so the question of who to entail your fortune on is a big one.
Do you leave all your fortune to:
a) A charity caring for orphans
b) The national art gallery
c) The unknown living family of the woman who scorned your proposal all those years ago. After all - her rejection was what prompted you to leave and make your fortune.
We'll chose C!
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Your lawyer tells you this is a foolhardy idea. After all, what are these people like? What will they do with your money? Perhaps they're a lot of filthy bootleggers who will use your fortune to peddle alcohol to the masses! Your doctor turns up and irritates you immensely by insisting that you're not on your deathbed and that you should get a hobby - like painting.
Do you choose to:
a) heed both their advice and use that fabulous fortune to travel to Europe and study painting under the great artists of the time.
b) travel to the town where you grew up so you can meet the family you intend to give your fortune to, instill yourself in their home by sneaky means and use this close proximity to learn about the family and their foibles.
c) curl up in bed and sign off on the will.
Hmmmmm. Tricky decision. I'm partial to option A but option B sounds like a much better movie plot! Lock in B Eddie! (Sorry non-Australian readers- a bit of an Aussie TV reference there).
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Everything is going well. A little too well. The charming family you have infiltrated are nice people, particularly their sweet teenager daughter Millie who reminds you so much of her grandmother who you dated. It's almost time that they'll kick you out of their home and you'll have to return to your lonely old rich life.
Oh dear! What to do?!
a) leave town, use that fabulous fortune to travel to Europe and study painting under the great artists of the time
b) go home, sign off on the will entailing your fortune on these good folk and leave it at that.
c) arrange for your lawyer to visit, providing a cheque for $100, 000 anonymously donated to the family. Then stick around town to spy on the family to gauge how this sudden mysterious wealth changes them. After all, you're filthy rich. Your conscience can afford to meddle cruelly with others lives...
Let's face it. C is too tempting an option and it would make for tension in the storyline of the film.
There you have it.... the basic premise of "Has Anybody Seen My Gal?"
Despite the old rich protagonist being a bit of a self-important jerk at times, I really enjoyed the movie, it's plot, dialogue, the actors and most of all, the music. There were some fab songs which were woven into the movie in a way that didn't feel like the usual musical routine of "oh! Stop the acting! Stop the dialogue! Stop the movie! We're going to put a song in here!". Lastly, I'm pleased to announce that Rock Hudson didn't disappoint. Not in the slightest!
Historical costumers be warned! Like most old films, the historical accuracy of the costumes is.... lacking. I did love some of the outfits worn by Millie, played by gorgeous actress Piper Laurie. Pseudo-20s outfits with cloche hats abounded. More than her outfits I loved her hairstyling from the curled and shaped back to the darling feathered fringe.. oh my!
.jpeg)
If I were to use one word to sum up this movie, it would be "fun".
1. It was a musical.
2. It was based in the 20s.
3. It had Rock Hudson in it which automatically qualified it as worth watching.
I had admired Rock Hudson's performance and handsome, manly demeanor in Pillow Talk, which I reviewed earlier this year and had no objections to seeing his gorgeous dark eyes and solid chin line on my screen again!!
The basic plot of the movie? Well... let's explore this by way of a 'choose your own adventure' pathway.
.jpeg)
It is the heady days of the early 1920s. You are an old man with a substantial fortune, one of the largest in America. A bit of a hypochondriac, you believe yourself to be close to death and keep yourself locked up in your big ol' mansion. On this particularly fine day you invite your lawyer around to finalise your will. You have no family whatsoever of your own so the question of who to entail your fortune on is a big one.
Do you leave all your fortune to:
a) A charity caring for orphans
b) The national art gallery
c) The unknown living family of the woman who scorned your proposal all those years ago. After all - her rejection was what prompted you to leave and make your fortune.
We'll chose C!
.jpeg)
Your lawyer tells you this is a foolhardy idea. After all, what are these people like? What will they do with your money? Perhaps they're a lot of filthy bootleggers who will use your fortune to peddle alcohol to the masses! Your doctor turns up and irritates you immensely by insisting that you're not on your deathbed and that you should get a hobby - like painting.
Do you choose to:
a) heed both their advice and use that fabulous fortune to travel to Europe and study painting under the great artists of the time.
b) travel to the town where you grew up so you can meet the family you intend to give your fortune to, instill yourself in their home by sneaky means and use this close proximity to learn about the family and their foibles.
c) curl up in bed and sign off on the will.
Hmmmmm. Tricky decision. I'm partial to option A but option B sounds like a much better movie plot! Lock in B Eddie! (Sorry non-Australian readers- a bit of an Aussie TV reference there).
.jpeg)
Everything is going well. A little too well. The charming family you have infiltrated are nice people, particularly their sweet teenager daughter Millie who reminds you so much of her grandmother who you dated. It's almost time that they'll kick you out of their home and you'll have to return to your lonely old rich life.
Oh dear! What to do?!
a) leave town, use that fabulous fortune to travel to Europe and study painting under the great artists of the time
b) go home, sign off on the will entailing your fortune on these good folk and leave it at that.
c) arrange for your lawyer to visit, providing a cheque for $100, 000 anonymously donated to the family. Then stick around town to spy on the family to gauge how this sudden mysterious wealth changes them. After all, you're filthy rich. Your conscience can afford to meddle cruelly with others lives...
Let's face it. C is too tempting an option and it would make for tension in the storyline of the film.
There you have it.... the basic premise of "Has Anybody Seen My Gal?"
Despite the old rich protagonist being a bit of a self-important jerk at times, I really enjoyed the movie, it's plot, dialogue, the actors and most of all, the music. There were some fab songs which were woven into the movie in a way that didn't feel like the usual musical routine of "oh! Stop the acting! Stop the dialogue! Stop the movie! We're going to put a song in here!". Lastly, I'm pleased to announce that Rock Hudson didn't disappoint. Not in the slightest!
Historical costumers be warned! Like most old films, the historical accuracy of the costumes is.... lacking. I did love some of the outfits worn by Millie, played by gorgeous actress Piper Laurie. Pseudo-20s outfits with cloche hats abounded. More than her outfits I loved her hairstyling from the curled and shaped back to the darling feathered fringe.. oh my!
.jpeg)
If I were to use one word to sum up this movie, it would be "fun".
Friday, October 18, 2013
Awesome Hat Day
A conversation with a workmate about our fabulous fur hats led to the design of a fundraising day at work called "Awesome Hat Day".
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The idea was that people wear hats and donate a gold coin (or just donate if they be hat-shy) and all funds collected would go to Blue Care.
Blue Care (more commonly known as the Blue Nurses) is a not-for-profit organisation run by the Uniting Church to help improve the lives of the infirm and elderly. They help people in a number of ways including at-home visits by the Blue Nurses, community programs to help elderly connect and the operation of a number of nursing homes. Their at-home visits allow many elderly people to remain in their own home rather than be relocated to nursing homes.
On the day I took in a hat-box full of hats for those who didn't have one or forgot. We raised a decent little sum of $160 for Blue Care and I got the chance to wear my super-amazing 60s soft sheepskin hat.
I knew that a big furry hat required an outfit to match. You can't wear a hat like that with jeans and sneakers...
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The idea was that people wear hats and donate a gold coin (or just donate if they be hat-shy) and all funds collected would go to Blue Care.
Blue Care (more commonly known as the Blue Nurses) is a not-for-profit organisation run by the Uniting Church to help improve the lives of the infirm and elderly. They help people in a number of ways including at-home visits by the Blue Nurses, community programs to help elderly connect and the operation of a number of nursing homes. Their at-home visits allow many elderly people to remain in their own home rather than be relocated to nursing homes.
On the day I took in a hat-box full of hats for those who didn't have one or forgot. We raised a decent little sum of $160 for Blue Care and I got the chance to wear my super-amazing 60s soft sheepskin hat.
I knew that a big furry hat required an outfit to match. You can't wear a hat like that with jeans and sneakers...
.jpeg)
Dress: Black 40s dress (Denisebrain Etsy)
Cardigan: Black frill-collared cardigan (Target)
Shoes: Oxblood red heeled boots (Joanne Mercer)
Accessories: AWESOME HAT - a 60s brushed sheepskin hat, pearl earrings, silver and pearl brooch, navy and polka-dot scarf (all thrifted except the earrings).
Monday, September 9, 2013
Proud as Punch of This Fruit Cup Recipe
Fruit Cup (Mrs T. McGregor Smith)
pg 87
- 1 pineapple (topped and tailed with skin removed)
- 1 lemon
- 3 oranges
- 250ml fruit juice (I used guava nectar)
- 250ml strongly brewed black tea
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 250ml water
- 1.25L bottle of lemonade.
Serving suggestions include the addition of crystallised cherries to the serving glasses - or fresh blueberries and fresh mint leaves as I did.
I had a mighty large punch bowl to fill and a large number of guests to serve so I doubled the recipe. Unfortunately it was way beyond the needs of the party so I ended up having to discard the leftover drink a few days afterwards.
The recipe produced a very delicious beverage which was well received all 'round at the party it was served at.
I'd be interested to make it again with a different flavoured fruit juice rather than guava to see how the flavour changes. I also have plans to make it again sometime with more black tea and a bit less lemonade. If you try this recipe with the recommended peach juice I'd love to hear how you liked it!
About Mrs T. McGregor Smith
I've recently had the great opportunity of talking with a lovely lady of the City Tabernacle Baptist Church, Glenys. As a long-term member of the church she was able to remember some of the ladies who are listed in the book or provide a few interesting facts about the families they came from. She was also able to give a definite date for the book - 1941.
If you are reading this entry - thank you again for all of your help Glenys. It was lovely meeting you and getting a chance to look through the church.
Mrs T. McGregor Smith's husband was a life deacon of the church (which means he served the church for 20 years without a break). Her home, named "Earlwood" was in Ashgrove, Brisbane. She had a daughter, Alma who was engaged to Eric Ballinger in 1942.
In 1936 she spent the Christmas holidays with Alma at Chelmsford Esplanade at the Gold Coast. Can't you just imagine mother and daughter reading together on the deck, sipping a glass of her favourite fruit cup or enjoying the golden sand and salty spray of the water in their cossies?
Sunday, September 1, 2013
A few different looks for early August '13
August bought a lot of great memories for me.
I became an Aunty for the 7th time, got a new hairstyle, had a lovely afternoon tea with a number of girlfriends, went to see a play Tequila Mockingbird, went strawberry picking with friends, made cheesecake with my Mum's recipe, did some awesome thriftiness expeditions and made some headway on making a vintage styled picnic tablecloth.
Phew!
So here are a few outfits I wore during that busy month.
Dress: Black dress (Jacqui-E)
Jacket: Burgundy velvet cropped blazer
Shoes: Ox blood knee-high boots (Joanne Mercer)
Accessories: vintage beret hat, vintage pink pearls.
Dress: 80s sundress (thrifted)
Top: pink cardigan (SES)
Shoes: pink ballet flats (whittner)
Accessories: white Mimco headband, vintage pink cut-glass necklace (Recycology Love Vintage Fair '12)
Dress: 50s Dacron dress (Remember When, Love Vintage Fair '13)
Shoes: black pointed pumps (Target)
Hat: midnight blue 60s hat (Atomic Martini Vintage)
Accessories: victorian bar brooch
Dress: 40s violet wool dress (gift from the beautiful abimused)
Top: black frilled cardigan (Target)
Shoes: black Mary Janes (Naturalizer)
Hat: 50s black cap (Cassie's Corner, Love Vintage Fair '12)
Accessories: yellow sheer nylon scarf (thrifted), gold leaf brooch (Cassie's Corner, Kustom Kraft Markets)
Top: white singlet and 60s crocheted cardigan (lifeline)
Pants: dark blue jeans (Levi's)
Shoes: mint kitten heel sandles (Windsor Smith)
Accessories: Katie Hill bag, green glass necklace (thrifted), multicoloured headscarf (thrifted)
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Can You Keep a Secret? Local Vintage Store Visit
Recently my Saturday morning thrifting expeditions took me to the South side of Brisbane, near the Greenslopes area.
So I thought it was high time I dropped in to a vintage store I had heard of 'Can You Keep a Secret?'.
The store is located on a main arterial road (653 Logan Road) so I thought it wiser to park on a nearby side street than try to get a main road park.
The store-front and the footpath setup was charming and attention grabbing.
How awesome are those red suitcases?!
Inside there was a good selection of vintage garments - with a whole room set aside for vintage for the boys. I enjoyed the range of homewares around the store but couldn't say with any certainty if they were for show or sale because nothing was priced. Either way, the vintage treasures really set a fantastic atmosphere for the store.
At first browse I thought that the whole shop was filled with clothes from the 70s or later - but a second browse found a few 50s and 60s garments. I thought that some of the later era gear was a little overpriced but was pleasantly surprised to find reasonable prices on the earlier dresses. (50s dress in nice condition for $80).
Everything was well organised, nicely presented and the overall feel of the store was welcoming and pleasant.
Apparently there is a tea room in the establishment but I mustn't have ventured into that area. Must return another time to investigate!
Can you Keep a Secret?
653 Logan Rd, Greenslopes
Facebook page
So I thought it was high time I dropped in to a vintage store I had heard of 'Can You Keep a Secret?'.
The store is located on a main arterial road (653 Logan Road) so I thought it wiser to park on a nearby side street than try to get a main road park.
The store-front and the footpath setup was charming and attention grabbing.
How awesome are those red suitcases?!
Inside there was a good selection of vintage garments - with a whole room set aside for vintage for the boys. I enjoyed the range of homewares around the store but couldn't say with any certainty if they were for show or sale because nothing was priced. Either way, the vintage treasures really set a fantastic atmosphere for the store.
At first browse I thought that the whole shop was filled with clothes from the 70s or later - but a second browse found a few 50s and 60s garments. I thought that some of the later era gear was a little overpriced but was pleasantly surprised to find reasonable prices on the earlier dresses. (50s dress in nice condition for $80).
Everything was well organised, nicely presented and the overall feel of the store was welcoming and pleasant.
Apparently there is a tea room in the establishment but I mustn't have ventured into that area. Must return another time to investigate!
Can you Keep a Secret?
653 Logan Rd, Greenslopes
Facebook page
Saturday, August 10, 2013
July's outfits '13
So, I wore so much more vintage in July than these few shots... but it's always a trial to get photos which aren't at the end of the day when the lighting is bad and I look exhausted. I have to send out a huge thanks to workmates who have taken most of these shots for me.
My outfits have been largely based on cardigans lately. Thought the Brisbane Winter has hit late, it still isn't cold enough to pull out big jackets.
My outfits have been largely based on cardigans lately. Thought the Brisbane Winter has hit late, it still isn't cold enough to pull out big jackets.
Skirt: 50s rose print skirt (Recycology - Love Vintage Fair Bris 2012)
Tops: white singlet and apple green cardigan, both SES
Shoes: pink ballet flats (Wittner)
Accessories: pink glass bead necklace (Recycology), pink and green crystal brooch (Myer), 50s pink expandable bracelet (gift), pink feather and pearl headband.
Skirt: Sage green pleated skirt (Atomic Martini Vintage)
Jacket: black swing jacket (Target)
Shoes: pointed toe black pumps (Target)
Accessories: black headband and green bakelite bracelet (Remember When)
Dress: 50s blue eyelet dress (Cassie's Corner)
Cardigan: black frilled cardigan (Target)
Shoes: pointed toe black pumps (Target)
Accessories: pearl earrings, black opaque tights
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Kustom Krafts Brisbane Retro & Vintage Markets - Sandgate July '13.
It had been ages since I had been free to attend a vintage market so I was pleased to find myself at the entrance to the Kustom Krafts markets at Sandgate again in early July.
I had a limited budget so buying new dresses was not on the cards. That was fine by me because I had a mind to buy brooches and other accessories.
I had a great time browsing the stores. There seemed to be a lot more stores selling homewares this time which I think was a good move. One stall in particular took my attention, Beautiful Trash. The stall had a nice range of glassware, china, figurines and other vintage homewares at very reasonable prices. I didn't buy anything because I was saving my cash for brooches but I was sorely tempted by a few pieces.
I also had eyes for some of the pretty vintage dresses that Cassie's Corner had on the racks. Cassie is always my first stop at the Kustom Kraft's markets and this time was no exception. She always stocks an excellent supply of brooches. I browsed through them for ages before choosing a pink poodle brooch and a more sensible gold leaf one.
I then discovered a recent addition to the Brisbane Vintage stall holders, Vintage Affairs. They had a all kinds of goodies to interest me, from recycled fabric, scarves, hats, dresses and jewelry as well as a few Australian Home Journals (my addiction!) The kind folks running the store willing to let me haggle on prices so I could take home a black feather bandeaux as well as a hair scarf and red flocked handkerchief. I was stoked!
I must admit I was at first little nervous about my outfit. Though I loved my thrifted 50s frock, it was the first time I'd tried wearing the belt over cardigan style. However I received a few compliments which settled my worries.
I had a limited budget so buying new dresses was not on the cards. That was fine by me because I had a mind to buy brooches and other accessories.
I had a great time browsing the stores. There seemed to be a lot more stores selling homewares this time which I think was a good move. One stall in particular took my attention, Beautiful Trash. The stall had a nice range of glassware, china, figurines and other vintage homewares at very reasonable prices. I didn't buy anything because I was saving my cash for brooches but I was sorely tempted by a few pieces.
I also had eyes for some of the pretty vintage dresses that Cassie's Corner had on the racks. Cassie is always my first stop at the Kustom Kraft's markets and this time was no exception. She always stocks an excellent supply of brooches. I browsed through them for ages before choosing a pink poodle brooch and a more sensible gold leaf one.
I then discovered a recent addition to the Brisbane Vintage stall holders, Vintage Affairs. They had a all kinds of goodies to interest me, from recycled fabric, scarves, hats, dresses and jewelry as well as a few Australian Home Journals (my addiction!) The kind folks running the store willing to let me haggle on prices so I could take home a black feather bandeaux as well as a hair scarf and red flocked handkerchief. I was stoked!
I must admit I was at first little nervous about my outfit. Though I loved my thrifted 50s frock, it was the first time I'd tried wearing the belt over cardigan style. However I received a few compliments which settled my worries.
Dress: Home-made dacron fabric frock with original belt (thrifted)
Cardigan: 60s knit cardigan (thrifted)
Shoes: Wittner navy and white wedges sandles
Accessories: Thistle and heather brooch (Kijaro Vintage), long pearl strand (gift), vintage navy scarf in hair (Chapple Street Bazaar), pearl earrings, 60s cane bag (La Bella Donna)
Monday, July 29, 2013
A Very Thrifty start to July
My sister-in-law, the ever effervescent and hilarious Grosby asked me to take her out for a morning of thrifting. Knowing it would be an absolute lark I readily agreed and arranged to pick her up early the next weekend we were both available.
We hopped between garage sales across a bunch of suburbs in Ipswich City. I've lost count of how many we actually went to in total. Grosby bought a few items, including a coveted game of Labyrinth that had been a favourite of hers when she was young. I came out with quite a few items myself!
That day taught me another thrifting lesson:
Take your time and look carefully at everything. Then take a second look!
I had quickly browsed items for sale on the tables, inspected a lamp and decided there was nothing for me. I had actually said my courteous thanks to the lady holding the sale and was about to walk out when I noticed a washing basket filled with what looked like vintage men's trousers. A bit of digging came up with three vintage scarves, two 60s knit tops and a 50s home-made dress.
I paid $7 for the lot. The seller was happy to see her Great-Aunt's clothes go to someone who would wear them. Win-win.
We continued on to other garage sales. Some we left empty handed but that only fed our fever for more. Definitely the best buy of the day was a leather Glastonbury bag (doctor's bag) in perfect condition for an incredible $20.
I must admit that I find a kind of thrill in the element of the unknown that is central to thrifting. Will that next stop be full of great buys or instead will there be nothing to inspire? Will you find that perfect lamp that you're keeping an eye out for or will you find something else, entirely unanticipated?
As well as my fashion goodies I bought a few items for around the house - an enamel dish to join a few other enamel items in my laundry, three tins for my craft room and a copper planter which I hope to pot with a fern and put in my bathroom.
I wasn't looking for a tea light holder but I came across a little antique stained glass cup which reminded me so strongly of the stained glass windows at my Grandfather's house that I was immediately attached and knew I wanted it.
I hope Grosby enjoyed the morning as much as I did and I really hope we get the chance to do it again sometime soon!
We hopped between garage sales across a bunch of suburbs in Ipswich City. I've lost count of how many we actually went to in total. Grosby bought a few items, including a coveted game of Labyrinth that had been a favourite of hers when she was young. I came out with quite a few items myself!
That day taught me another thrifting lesson:
Take your time and look carefully at everything. Then take a second look!
I had quickly browsed items for sale on the tables, inspected a lamp and decided there was nothing for me. I had actually said my courteous thanks to the lady holding the sale and was about to walk out when I noticed a washing basket filled with what looked like vintage men's trousers. A bit of digging came up with three vintage scarves, two 60s knit tops and a 50s home-made dress.
I paid $7 for the lot. The seller was happy to see her Great-Aunt's clothes go to someone who would wear them. Win-win.
We continued on to other garage sales. Some we left empty handed but that only fed our fever for more. Definitely the best buy of the day was a leather Glastonbury bag (doctor's bag) in perfect condition for an incredible $20.
I must admit that I find a kind of thrill in the element of the unknown that is central to thrifting. Will that next stop be full of great buys or instead will there be nothing to inspire? Will you find that perfect lamp that you're keeping an eye out for or will you find something else, entirely unanticipated?
As well as my fashion goodies I bought a few items for around the house - an enamel dish to join a few other enamel items in my laundry, three tins for my craft room and a copper planter which I hope to pot with a fern and put in my bathroom.
I wasn't looking for a tea light holder but I came across a little antique stained glass cup which reminded me so strongly of the stained glass windows at my Grandfather's house that I was immediately attached and knew I wanted it.
I hope Grosby enjoyed the morning as much as I did and I really hope we get the chance to do it again sometime soon!
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