Addition & Subtraction

Over the Christmas period I had a little time to indulge in my favorite hobby; Op Shopping (that is thrifting for those of you not from these fair shores). Everywhere I go one of the first things on my entertainment agenda is a visit to these little gold mines in the hopes of unearthing what to me will be treasure. Some days I am blessed by the rummage gods, and other times I find myself scraping and attempting to put a better spin on things that are really just trash. Such was the case on my most recent visits. It was slim pickings but I did find this very cute, rigid straw bag. It is a deep chocolate straw and nice and wide. Perfect for something summer weight, but still looking a little more formal than the usual raffia offerings.

Bag - Grand total of $1

I also made another score on the vintage front with a visit to Nana. It seems one never comes away from these occasions empty handed. My Nana is one of those ladies who still wears hats and gloves to church on a Sunday, so her collection is tightly held. Recently she decided that other than her spiritual outings, she no longer has anywhere very fancy to go that requires the more fancy of hats. Thus, I'm now the proud owner of a natty little blue cocktail number with netting, and the most divine navy and white creation that reminds me of a sea anemone. I said something along those lines to Nana when she showed it to me, but she seemed a bit offended. Perhaps her knowledge of marine creatures is a little limited, or the hat held some greater significance... we'll never know.

Cocktail hat modeled by Harajuku Lovers perfume bottle.

The sea creature for my head.

Now I'm not entirely sure that stores entitling themselves as "Antiques and Collectables" fall into the realm of thrifting, but they can be treasure troves nevertheless. So on a relaxing Saturday afternoon the other week, the Mr surprised me by assembling the family for an outing of coffee at a little playground that also happens to adjoin just such a store. Perfect; latte for him, swings for the girls and lots of old things and dust for Mama. With only $20 in my pocket, my eye sight narrows, honing it on the bargains within. And so it was that I came across this little box, (the style of which has been on my aquisitions list for some time) and set of yellow beads. There is something very cheerful about them both in a girly summery kind of way. And although the beads are yet to have an outing, the box is helping me fight the battle of the ever growing accessories collection.

And now, with all of those acquisitions out of the way, it is back to my purging. I think my wardrobe has an eating disorder.

Fancy Fillies

Super Kawaii Mama and Porcelain Blonde

What a delightful and civilized way to spend a Monday morning. Today I met up with Porcelain Blonde for morning tea at the stunning Langham Hotel. With Miss One as our third, we enjoyed lots of delightful pastries, a wonderful view and very accommodating staff. After Miss One's efforts with the chocolate eclairs, we had to put the cleaning staff on notice!

Given that Melbourne's weather has recently taken a turn for the frosty, I had the opportunity to wear this gorgeous emerald green vintage jacket. A beautiful piece of 80's couture that after a little TLC, is now one of my favorite pieces. Yes, I probably should have taken some more detail shots, but I was having too much fun today to stop for all that messing around. So next time I promise.

Outfit Details: Vintage Couture Jacket - Maxi Librati, Skirt - SES, Shoes- Luca & Marc, Diamond studs and Monkey Brooch.

Porcelain Blonde taking Tea with Miss One.

And what a fun time we had! Strolling along the boulevard, we spied the gilded poles of the carousel and I couldn't help but make a beeline for it in all its kitschy glory. With a quick word to the operator, we hopped aboard, being careful not to lose our stilettos between the boards, and chose our ponies. And what a laugh! Riding around to that delightfully cliche carnival music in all our finery, we drew quite the crowd. Whether we seemed mad or amusing, it was smiles all over; and that is the best anti-age remedy I know.

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!

Anyone Fancy a Bonnet?

As I get ready for the big Easter weekend away, I start to wax lyrical to the girls about my perfect Easter Bonnet. So, as all of the most stylish and hip people do, I headed on down to Etsy for some shopping goodness. And Oh MY! I stumbled upon the most perfect and fabulous hats I think I have ever seen.

The Costumier and Milliner extraordinare, Kim Brown-Dye of Topsy Turvy Design on Etsy brings us this sumptuous visual feast to whet your appetite for an Easter chapeau. Based in Oakland, California; Kim handcrafts costume accessories and stunning millinery for stage, film, play or just for your personal pleasure. And there is none of that 'of the rack' stuff here. Kim creates everything made to measure just like they did in the olden-days. So if you have a hat-hankering or you fancy yourself a little extra bedroom action, skip on over to her official site www.topsyturvydesign.com and be prepared for your heart to race.

P.S (I may be a little too late here in Australia to organise anything for myself this Easter, but come Spring Racing Carnival here in Melbourne, I'll be a head above the sea of wobbly, DIY fascinators! Thanks Kim, I'll be in touch!)