Swanky Panky

While standing upon the ladder today, paint brush in hand, I stayed focused on my task by day dreaming about other lovely things that I might like to furnish my bedroom with. Well, they are less about the room and more about me, but I'm sure they'll look beautiful living in there.

Fleur De Lis soap by LoreLuna
So much better than a pump pack and highly impressive on its decorative quotient. Even better it is only $4 plus shipping!

Felted Collar by Rudman
I know we are coming into spring here but there is still a chill in the air. My mother kindly knitted me the most divine cashmere collar just like this in teal, which I sadly promptly lost. I have quite a soft spot for these, and they make your neck look extra long and elegant.

Tattoo Man brooch by Mamas Little Babies
As a fan of carnivale, tattoos, lowbrow and the bizarre; this brooch fits the bill just perfectly for me. It reminds me of the illustrations in the old Coles Funny Picture Books. (Does anyone else remember these treasures?)

Personalised baking tags by Farouche
I love these colourful Victorian decorations, and what better way to present your own home made delicacies to friends? Farouche has the most brilliant range of tags, labels and cards. I'll be stocking up big time before the holiday season is upon us.

Skull Tricorn by Noxenlux Chapeaux
Can you tell it was Pirate Day yesterday? I still have pirates on the brain, but then that happens quite often here. I'm in love with this feathered tricorn hat, and would have a lot of fun creating occassions to wear it.

8 & A Half Dress by Desira Pesta
How yummy is this dress? Cocoa coloured with peppermint stripes, ruffles and bows.

Bow Belt by Desira Pesta
You can see the there is a similarly designed belt on the Cocoa dress above, but this shot shows it even better. What a perfect addition to a summer dress. I'm imagining it with something white and flouncy in eyelet lace. Very French farm girl.

The Macarbe and the Beautiful

Illustration by C Serpent Art

Meet the first of my Worn Wild interviewees, Charlotte from C Serpent Art. Who would have guessed that this gorgeous blonde pixie is the host of such dark inspirations. With a talent for pen and ink illustration, Charlotte is taking her art to a more wearable level and is now producing brooches and scarves featuring her delicate subjects. Drawn to the Victorian fascination with the macabre, Charlotte incorporates antique anatomical imagery, cross dressing touches and deadly flapper girls to create her unique brand of illustration. C Serpent Arts began as a small market stall and is now branching into online sales so we can all enjoy her work. You can find both her illustrations and her wearable art on Etsy and on her own online store.

Charlotte and her wares






Covet Couture - Strap skirt and D-ring Strap Skirt.

When I met Simone from Covet Coture, my first reaction to her collection was, "Okay, so there's inky black, midnight black and coal black." While not all that stimulating viewing layed out on a table, the beauty of her clothing became apparent when properly presented. (Isn't that always the way, it looks nothing on the hanger..) Simone focuses her designs on form, finding ways to highlight a woman's best assets, no matter her size, even providing sizes up to XXXL! She showed me the pride of her collection, a simple fishtail skirt but using straps and d-rings to bring it in in just the right places. What this means is that you end up looking Gina Lolabrigida and not Rosanne Barr. While you could chose to wear these as shown if you're a purist, the separates had a versatility about them that I loved. I could see wearing the strap skirt with a burgundy pussy bow blouse for a bit of Secretary does S&M. Based in Perth, Simone runs three stores; Mame Clothing, Covet Couture and Burlesque Baby.

Simone showed me through the various shades of black on offer.




Handmade Bee notebook by Crypt Trash

The work by Caroline of Crypt Trash is delicate, beautiful and begs to be seen. Her work encompasses jewelry, fascinators, poppets and my personal favorite, customized notebooks. Drawing inspiration from Victoriana curiosities, Carnivale and Voodoo just to name a few, creates an intriguing melody in her wares that sings to you from each piece. Caroline doesn't work by seasons or collections, simply gathering inspirations and materials as they cross her path. While she has been at it already for four years, it isn't all money for jam. As with so many of the designers I met that day, a driving passion and the chance to indulge her creativity keeps her going. While she isn't yet eyeing off millionaires row, Crypt Trash is stocked in a few NSW and ACT boutiques, and even makes a cameo appearance at certain burlesque shows. I'm adding Coraline's wares to my list of fabulous place to buy all kinds of presents for friends, and not least because of her tag line. "Crypt Trash - Gifts for the Curious". Excellent.

Update: You can now find Crypt Trash in the PERIL store in Melbourne.

Baby Birds fascinator by Crypt Trash

Swanky Panky - Some Words On Happiness

This may seem an odd diversion from my usual style and fashion based posts, but I do think that happiness also plays a part in the search for style. It is not so much that being chipper makes you a stylish individual, but that the attitude needed to cultivate your own happiness is a very attractive quality. The study of happiness could become a rather serious and philosophical discussion, but rather than taking that tact, I present you with some cheap and cheerful ways to be your own little ray of sunshine.

Good Old Days Moleskin - Tea for Bini on Etsy

"Because for all you know, these could be the Good Old Days." Tea For Bini. I love the idea of this customised Moleskin. Many people keep a journal, but to keep a journal of random moments you can look back on as the Good Old Days, is such a wonderful idea. Whether you choose to write detailed prose or simply sketch the moment, take the time to make something that will unlock your memories in the future. Stick in the feather you found at the park on your picnic date; the swing tag from the dress that makes you feel pretty; kiss the pages with you favorite shade of lipstick. If your pennies are otherwise engaged, make you own customised number from a 50 cent school note book, wrap it in brown paper and knock off some magazines from your neighbors recycling.

Humidor Fragrance - From Perpetual Kid

Sometimes our surroundings are not as pleasant or as aesthetically pleasing as we would like. (You may be living in chaos or incarceration, Google Analytics doesn't give me quite that much info). While I am a very visual person, sometimes it is good to close your eyes and remember to treat your other senses. Fragrance is a wonderful mood alteration tool. You may choose to indulge in the more traditional route of essential oils, but I also like the idea of tying fragrance to a happy memory. Personally, I love this Humidor cologne as it reminds me of happy childhood camping days, where the old man that owned the site used to sit around telling us stories and gifting us his cigar boxes. They become some of my most treasured possessions. Perhaps your grandmother loved to wear Yardley's Old Lavender or always smelt of fabric softener from perpetually doing laundry. Add some of these to a handkerchief, close your eyes, breathe deep and remember with a smile.

Love Letter Necklace - from Citizen Fox

When Valentines day seems a distant memory, words of love may be sadly absent from your day. Don't leave your heart to fate and take matters into your own hands with this delightful necklace from Citizen Fox. Wear it close to your heart as your own personal talisman and allow it to make you feel just a bit more special. And while your feeling the love, make sure to spread it. Compliment a stranger, smile at the person who enters the lift, send a real love letter via snail mail - with sparkles!

Photo credit - fotologic on Flickr

Experience the joy of creation. No matter you age, circumstance or financial status, everyone can create something wonderful. Check out these links for inspiration on how to create everything from something as simple as a handmade card to a fabulous pair of speakers from a vinyl doll!

• Threadbanger
• Crafty Vixens
• Instructables

You have your mission for the week; and please share any cheap and cheerful remedies you have with us all. So come on - get Happy!

Swanky Panky Goes To The Dogs

I've been a bit lax with our Swanky Panky in recent weeks, but I haven't forgotten you. This week my pooches are on my mind as they both have birthday's in July, and around here Dogs must have parties too. (Yes, July & August is all party party around here. Imagine; a house full of Leos!) So here's my picks for spoiling your pooches in both big ways and small.

Lucky Dog tank from Finn & Sootie in Melbourne



"Chewnel" chew toy from Finn & Sootie - Melbourne



Strawberry treat toy from Mutt Space - Sydney



Birthday treats from Trixie & Peanut - USA



Cherry hair clips from Trixie & Peanut - USA



Furrari bed from Trixie & Peanut - USA

Swanky Panky

I'm doing some online fantasy shopping today as I am heading out to my brother's birthday evening and just feel like something other than what is presently in the wardrobe. When I found this dress by Jason Brundson, I knew it was the one. Luckily I couldn't buy it online to satisfy my instant gratification tendencies. Truthfully, almost all his latest designs made me rub my hands in glee. (And Jason, if you are by chance reading this, your designs would look much better on me than these girls. So when you need an ambassador, give me a call.) Instead I am fantasizing about how I might style this number as the runway look does nothing for me.

Firstly the shoes. Everyone seems to be buying gold runners or gold pants these days, but that trend really isn't for me. Instead, these Luzzi gold heels are more my speed. A little bit vintage and a little bit hoochie, but worn with the demure neckline of Brundson's dress they'll work a treat.


For a day time option I love these emerald green, suede peep toe platforms. With these shoes and that dress, I can just picture myself acting as Mr. Cary Grant's (circa 1950) personal secretary for the day. " Yes, Mr. Grant. Of course I can take dictation."


And because I couldn't arrive at the office with the wind blowing through my perfectly coiffed hair, I think a little mystery is in order in the form of this Hot Hollywood hat.



This pill box style Bell Hop Hat from Topsy Turvy Designs on Etsy won me over big time. With the gold heeled, plaid shoes - this would be my choice for party night on the town.


So now that is all in order, I am off to raid my wardrobe in the hope of creating something just right for the night. And Jason, my publicist is awaiting your call.

Swanky Panky

Given my recent adventures in outfits of drama and decadence, this weeks Swanky Panky finds yet another way to take your glamour factor up a notch - with a stunning Chapeau. While this post will most certainly make my Northern hemisphere readers jealous, those of you in Melbourne will be rubbing your hands with delight as I introduce Boring Sidney.

"With a BA in Apparel Design and a Minor in Costume Design, Belle has had the opportunity to design costumes for some 25 plays or musicals over the last 18 years... It was in the theatre that she learned the art of Millinery. It is with a love for the bizarre and quirky, a solid sense of humor, and a driving need to create, that she started Boring Sidney/Belle Millinery 10 years ago." - Boring Sidney

I think I would possibly wear this Marlene Dietrich while taking covert meetings with a Private Eye, comissioned to discover the secret shopping haunts of my fashion nemisis.

Lightweight canvas and denim cloche Sunny Days hat, for those of you currently enjoying Summer and sick to death of the same old raffia numbers.

1930's style hand blocked hat Ingrid Bergman in Teal is just so lucsious and lady like. In this number you'll never have to carry your own groceries again.



This off beat Steam Punk number really tickles my fancy. With the goggles it makes me think of women first learning to drive and how wonderfully socially inappropriate they were. Remove the goggles and you have yourself one snappy versatile hat.

So until you are fortunate enough to add one of these beautifully crafted pieces to your collection, give the lonely hat in the back of your closet a much needed make over with a quick trip to the craft store. You'll discover one of the secret beautifiers of hats - they make you walk taller, adding inches to you height and making you feel slimmer. And if that doesn't make an addict out of you I don't know what will!

Swanky Panky

I'm a Leo, as is nearly everyone in my household, including the dogs! So with all of those birthdays on the horizon, I have started shopping around for some appropriate gifts. I thought I might even sneak one in for myself too.

Kamio Cheerful Lion letter set from Kawaii UK Limited.

Kidrobot Zoomie little lion toy from Kawaii UK Limited.




The Lion and the Mouse sadly not currently available, but check out her other super cute designs at One Red Robin on Etsy.


Kimba The White Lion cutting board from Printfection.com.





Lioness Wristlet from Resurrecting Victoria on Etsy.




UPDATE: I just had to add this stunning Eleanore necklace from Wendy Brandes Jewelry. It is indeed fit for a Queen.

Swanky Panky - Good Versus Evil

Let me preface this weeks issue of Swanky Panky by saying, my intention is not to offend but to beautify and entertain. I'm just blessed with a wicked sense of humor.


I love a little irreverence in my accessories. Lookin Good For Jesus - Lip Balm and matching King Sized tote. Available from Jest Jewels.




Whether you fancy yourself as Snow White or The Wicked Queen, this is the nameplate necklace to end them all. Also from Jest Jewels.



And for those days when the Queen is feeling particularly evil, this Lemon scrub soap from Cute As Hell will be better for the complexion than poison apple alone.



What does trouble smell like? According to Eve L, "How about Cannabis, White Flowers, Whiskey Tobacco and a good dose of brand new, stiff leather... black leather, of course!" From Perpetual Kid.


Lastly, but quite possibly my favorite of all, is The Good Book, also from Perpetual Kid. What a way to get filled with the spirit.

Swanky Panky - In The Bedroom.

Swanky Panky is short but Luxe this week, as I am on a mission to revive my boudoir. My furniture is now a lovely glossy black, with beautiful cut glass handles and I have spent the entire weekend stripping the walls of there horrid early 90's Liberty Print wallpaper. The undercoat is a vast improvement on that nasty nana pattern. So of course having now gone through the rigors of stripping the old, I am thinking about replacing it with the new. I just love a bit of drama in the bedroom.

I am so in love with these divine designs from DeGournay (not to overload on the alliteration there). Exquisite hand painted papers, with prices to match, these may only grace my room in my dreams. I adore chinoiserie, but the somewhat Deco monkeys are just the perfect bit of crazy for me, and I know Shanghai Lil would approve. (There's those damn monkeys again!)

This flocked black velvet on duck egg blue background, stopped me in my tracks. It says, "Come on in Sir. Now bring me my Cuban and a deck of cards." I can just envisage this creating a perfect backdrop for some bedroom antics worthy of Scarlet O'Hara.

Image - Girl Meets Glamour

For a more demure, but no less dramatic option, this stunning Peacock Wallpaper by David Qian (sadly not yet commercially available) is just gorgeous. I think that something this beautiful would have to inspire you every morning.

While on the animal theme, these Othello Hooks, by Lladro are almost too fabulous to hang your hat on. But now, after all that stripping in the bedroom, Mama needs a rest! So it's goodnight from me while I dream some more decorating dreams.