.........Highland Fling!

This year we're planning a two week road trip round the Scottish Highlands and Islands. So in tribute to that (and also partly to do with me being Scottish!) here's my post about my favourite fashion must have .... tartan!

Emma Stone wearing a cute little tartan jacket with simple skinny jeans.
Photo courtesy of the Telegraph.

A few months ago I found a stunning red pure wool tartan scarf which has been my constant companion over these colder months.

Here are some tartan things I'm coveting this year...

Tartan converse!
Photo courtesy of Amazon.

Photo courtesy of Amazon.

I didn't think I'd like the head to toe tartan look but quite fancy this leather collared skater dress from Missguided. I like the orange colour and it also comes in a more muted navy and green tartan.

Photo courtesy of www.missguided.co.uk.

Photo courtesy of www.missguided.co.uk.

I love having something to look for when doing my usual charity shop rounds so bring on the tartan search!

........New Hair!

As part of my "New year new me" plan I went for a bit of a change at the hairdressers. I went for the same old blonde but spiced it up a bit with some bright copper chunks put in underneath and on the bottom layer of my fringe.

Fearne Cotton was my inspiration for the length after seeing this photo. As I wear my hair both straight and naturally wavy I thought this length would be a nice change to give it more body. My hair looks quite bushy and full when it's wavy but it's an illusion as it's quite thin really.

At first it was a bit hard to get used to but I'm loving the fact that it dries much quicker now it's shorter. Quicker to wash too! 

Ta ta for now!

.........Summer House Studio Space!

Hi!

At the beginning of last year we decided we would make the grown up decision to turn our front reception room (then being used as a rarely used arts and crafts room) into an actually usable reception room aka the new lounge. 

Of course I didn't want to get rid of the craft space completely so we decided to build a summer house studio at the end of the garden. It always looked very bare down there and we thought it would add some interest to the garden. 

Here's how it went...

The pieces of the summer house were made from untreated solid wood so we decided to use our festival trading marquee to protect it all during the build. 

The base is down.

Its actually starting to look like a building!

The paint goes on to protect the wood.

Ta dah! All finished and weather tight. Complete with different coloured door and windows to our original plan as we chose maroon at first but then worked out that it would look like a certain football team's colours from a City not too far away. Ha ha!

Toby enjoying the new room.

Finally have a purpose for this amazing log that Tom found in our log pile a few years ago. The perfect doorstop. So amazing to have that shape naturally!

As always happens when you have an empty space in your house the summer house quickly got filled up and unfortunately was left like that for a few months. Just before Christmas we decided it was time to finish it off properly and invest in all the wiring etc to give it the last thing needed to make it come alive - power! It took a few dark cold nights with torches to get it all set up but now it's all finished and is so cosy and snug I didn't want to go back in the house!

For the past 8 years or so I have been avid textile artist dabbling in weaving, feltmaking, knitting, crocheting and hand and machine embroidery. That many subjects involves a fair bit of equipment so the summer house was a perfect size for a studio. It also gives Tom a space to use when he's doing his silver clay jewellery making and painting.  

We have light!

One of my prize posessions - a handmade table top weaving loom which was made by a female weaver in the 1950s.

While sorting out all my things I found I had three almost identical old typewriters! Once I know which  one works and which one I can get ribbon for then I can hopefully whittle it down to one and sell the rest.

My fave recent purchase all the way from Bruges Flea Market. Old  metal bicycle tax discs. 

Here's to a year full of crafty goodness in 2013!

.......New Year New Style!

Happy New Year!! Here's to an exciting 2013.

After closing my vintage shop down last year I have felt a bit like I'd lost a bit of my personal style. Being a vintage trader gave me quite a lot of pressure to wear pure vintage all day every day and I had two choices - choose an era and generally stick to it at all times or pick vintage pieces that I liked and mix it with items already in my wardrobe.  

   

When I started buying vintage for myself I didn't go for the whole specific era style and stuck to safer routes such as old leather knee high boots and tan leather handbags. These accessories were easy to mix in to my wardrobe of mainly high street clothes. For those who like the uniqueness of shopping for vintage items it is easy to find items which suit your particular style without going too crazy. There are those people who live their lives in the fashion style of their favourite era and I have to say hats off to them as I know it can sometimes be difficult and impractical. My favourite era has always been the 1970s as I am a bit of a hippy at heart. I try and keep to this when I can by adding some boho items to my look such as peasant blouses and maxi skirts. I think it's important however you dress to stick to styles that suit your shape as body shapes have changed alot over the decades.

 

Now I no longer have the pressure of looking like a vintage trader 24/7 my eyes have been opened a bit more to current styles and trends. I am still an avid charity shopper and its so much fun (and sometimes quite a challenge) to try and recreate looks from scouring the charity shops. It's also amusing when trends come back around that you still wear, such as the current huge velvet revival (much to my partner Tom's disgust).

This year I'm determined to make changes to my life and my wardrobe starting with a clothes clearout of major proportions! I have a bulging wardrobe and way too many clothes that I never wear or when I do wear them I feel uncomfortable. Time for a change! I've decided to stick to items I love, even if it means literally wearing them out.

I've come to terms with the fact I'm 32 now and have to choose which fashion trends I go for very carefully as to not look like a 12 year old. I'm going to focus on things I already love such as skinny jeans (coloured and denim), chunky handknit cardis and vintage hats. I'm quite content with the fact I can't carry off pretty vintage shirts buttoned up to the neck, my hair shaved off on one side and leopard print creepers.

 

 

One of my main challenges is my work wardrobe. As I generally spend most of my life in some form of denim it's quite hard choosing outfits for work. My office is quite relaxed so no need for power suits or anything but I like to look quite smart whilst still staying true to my personal style. This vintage plaid pencil skirt is a staple item in my work wardrobe together with my Russell and Bromley brown leather brogues.

 

 

 

I'm looking forward to the clear out. Stay tuned to see how I get on with my style revival for 2013.

 

PS I'm carrying on the new look for 2013 by getting my hair cut and coloured tomorrow. Again time for a change so excited about my new do!