Obsession

This year I've become a complete devotee to Vintage Brooches. I wear them everywhere, with everything - on my uniform, on my scarves, canvas bags, on a ribbon head band etc... They capture attention, they can make a statement and/or serve decorative purposes, and brooches definately add an "umph" to an outfit.

You may think of (I certainly used to) as brooches being relegated to a ye olden day realm, worn by matronly looking women with severe buns in horid navy ankle length dresses.

Well, I can assure you they aren't: in recent years many popular costume jewellery brands have seen a revival in brooch manufacture: David Jones stocked names Lumiere and Angelique produce vintage inspired jewellery, with gorgeous brooches to match. While Urban Depot, Remedy and Harry and Gretel all on Oxford St, Leederville stock whimsical modern fashion brooches.

^ available from Remedy - cute is it not?

Vintage brooches on the other hand, are easily tracked down at op shops. The Good Sammy's on Rockeby rd and my personal favourite the Salvos (behind the Subiaco youth centre) have a plentiful supply of vintage brooches. Ebay is also good, but I suppose it lacks the discovery or "thrill" factor of hunting down a special item, which op-shopping frequently rewards you with.

Here are a few of my op-shop and ebay finds (all in the last few months !)

(Sterling SilverMarcasite Brooch) (1980s Butterfly Brooch) (Late 1960's Porcelain Brooch)

Have you got any creative ideas on how to wear brooches ? Please Comment

Delivering the Goods

When it comes to gifts, I'm a big fan of presentation - what shows your care and consideration more than a carefully wrapped present ? (I'm a fan of alliteration - as cheesy as it is)


Make sure you pull your wrapping paper as tightly as possible around the
folds, get the best affect before neatly taping.

A colour co-ordinating bow is a charming addition.

Real ribbon is a must when it comes to bows; it can be reused over and over again by the giftee, rather than the plastic curling ribbon that always ends up on the floor or in a bin. And for any creative friend ribbon is a gift in itself as it can easily be transformed into a hair accessory, embroidery material, a book mark or bracelet.

One problem with decorative wrapping is that buying ribbon, wrapping paper and a card can be an expensive task, that's why ribbon can be one of the best op-shop finds. You can buy whole reels of ribbon in the haberdashery section for a few dollars, or vintage lace which looks just splendid.

For a personalised card, you can't go past old postcards, they sell for cents - take the images from the postcard and make your own highly personalised touch.
As I was on a quest to wrap a friend's present today, I found a great stationary brand: Frederica, which produced this vintage catalogue inspired wrapping paper: http://www.frederica.co.uk/

Flamin' Woman

She bares slim porcelin shoulder as her flame coloured hair flowing wildly accross your box. She's the nameless Readhead woman on your matchbox and this year she turns 101 and she's a vintage icon.

Long before Hollywood's blonde bombshell a term popularised from the 1933 film "Bombshell" starring Platinum Blonde Jean Harlow, red heads were being immortalised as the epitome of beautiful -just, look at the art of from the rennaisance to the 19th century; Millais' Ophelia, Waterhouse's The Lady of Shallot or Rossetti's Lady Lilith.

With hundreds of years under their belt as sex sirens, it is obvious red heads are a great vintage accessory. Remember Billie Burk ( Glinda, The Good Witch), Katherine Hepburn, Judy Garland and undeniably Mad Men's Christina Hendricks radiates old school glamour.

So if you're looking for a vintage inspired change; go red!

10 Traits of a Vintage Lover

1. You consider markets as treasure troves

2. You must visit this newly "discovered" Op-shop; no matter how grungy

3. Your clothes are older than you

4. Resin/Glass Beads are your accessory of choice

5. Your wayfarers are the original thing

6. It's glomesh - it's great (same thing for beaded bags)

7. You collect doilies - they are an endangered species

8. You watch the Antique's Road Show

9. You are a fan of faded florals

10. You have it on wax or vinyl