Monday, September 15, 2008

Life As I Know It

Yesterday as you may know, I attended a spring party at Fashion Hayley's. We were asked to wear our own interpretation of the fashion trends for this spring. Given that I am not much of a trend type of girl, I must admit I found this one a bit tricky. So I went for a floaty silk chiffon dress (trend floaty), and threw in a fab little hair bow with an anchor (trend Nautical) I picked up at Worn Wild by Sugar Doll. Yes, that's the whole outfit I posted yesterday. I was going to tell you all about the day then, but my bed was more appealing than another hour online. :)




I whipped up a batch of scones to contribute to the festivities, which were rather difficult to sneak out of the house once Miss Four has seen them. For some reason I always love carrying things in baskets. Food, mail, flowers... I have this romantic image in my head of some provincial French girl that does all her shopping that way, or perhaps even a 1940's housewife heading down to her well staffed grocery store. How they ever carried any sorts of decent groceries in baskets I'll never know. Although with all the home delivery of milk and other essentials, as well as a daily shopping routine, perhaps that was all that was needed. But I digress. I took my basket of goodies over to Fashion Hayley's and proceeded to spend the afternoon in very fashionable and leisurely company. Even Hayley's dog Hatchiko was in a party mood dancing around and sharing his attentions amongst us all. He was so delightfully friendly and fluffy, I wanted to sneak him into my basket and carry him home.




The last few days have been so diabolically windy here, (although given the state of Ike and his trail of destruction I cannot complain) so I have had to think of ways to save the hair. Heading off to the party I actually channeled HRH Queen Elizabeth (or perhaps Grace Kelly) and wore an old fashioned head scarf knotted under the chin! I've graduated from hair spray to hair lacquer in this weather, but am still sticking to my favorite old brand. My Nana always used Cedel and even the smell of it makes me think of her. But aside from its fabulous holding power, the reason I continue to add it to my shopping list is its simple, old style packaging. I was particularly taken with the lacquer packaging as it matches my dressing table. I was a little perturbed today when I picked it up at the supermarket, to see that they have now changed the packaging! It is still basically the same but rather than a paper label it is now printed on the aluminum which changes the colours shades quite dramatically, and takes away from the retro style I love. A small thing I know, and there are far worse things to worry about, but it is amazing the little things that can throw you. (Should any of my Australian readers feel similarly, you can email Cedel, as I did, by clicking here.)


Today was a morning of errands and an another afternoon of dental horror. I'll skip that part because it still hurts. In between food shopping I managed to pop into the hardware store to confuse myself with more colours for the great bedroom makeover. I'm still leaning towards a dusty shade of blue, but it is just colours everywhere here. In amongst all the palette brochures showing happy families with large hairy dogs and front yards full of Agave plants, I was pleased to discover a selection that was retro inspired. It drew colours from the walls of old diners, rotary telephones and jukeboxes. Now that was much more my speed, and I found just looking at these distinctive shades in combination a most relaxing experience. I think that just made the decision for me.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

It was great to meet you yesterday, even if I did feel underdressed walking down the street with you either! I hope you noticed the two ladies who commented how pretty you were as we walked past :D I love that retro bedroom colour scheme too. I've been meaning to paint my bedroom for ages and have never got around to it.

fröken lila said...

i never really gave it a thought until i read your blog today - is it not a bit weird to be always like halv a year behind in fashion-trend-issues, compared to europe and the us, i mean? i guess most people don't care about that, btu i'm still wondering anyway..

Skye said...

^I think we're actually six months ahead now - somewhere along the way the trend cycle sped up here, so we get the trends first (just usually in a different season).

You looked absolutely gorgeous yesterday - so springlike. Red is definitely your colour!

Candice DeVille said...

Robyn: It was great to meet you too. I want to find out more about your band 'cause that sounds right up my alley. And yes, I did notice those ladies, that was very sweet.

Froken Lila: Well the trends come over here in various ways. Generally they do take a while to reach the mass market, but for those of us who live in the international online world, things are immediate and can be translated to suit the season we are in. Often times because of the time difference, we find ourselves originating trends rather than picking them up at the tail end. It also isn't of so much importance in Australia as we (being an island) are a more isolated physically, which creates a bit of a fashion microcosm. I think there may be a post in that.
Skye: Yes, things do work a little differently here. And thank you, I love red. :)

Elizabeth said...

Retro is definitely your speed, and perfect for you, SKM. I hope to hear all about the bedroom makeover as you go.

Smaggle said...

Oh wow I totally use Cedel! Except mine is pink. And I think it's natural for us to be a little behind the times with fashion because our weather is so different. We don't have the seasons to support new season fashion.

Candice DeVille said...

enc: I had been a very long drawn out process so far. I think I'm going to spend the day painting, only to get as far as buying more colour chips to stick on the walls. Oh well.
Lady Smaggle: Yes, I usually use the pink one too. It is the best day to day hairspray and so pretty.

KittyMeow said...

Hello! New reader here - I love your style so much :-) I couldn't help but notice that embroidered pattern on the cloth in your basket - Are you Hungarian?

Candice DeVille said...

Kittymeow: Hi there and welcome! What a keen eyed observer you are. But no, I'm not Hungarian. Just a lover and collector of beautiful things. I've done my sleuthing and know that you are though. ;)