I titled this post Accidentally Holly for two reasons, first being I accidentally looked like Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and second being I accidentally looked very Christmassy in this outfit! Luckily, not too Christmassy as my coat wasn’t red. I don’t know if you agree but my turban somehow looks like Audrey’s beehive here and I quite like that first picture looking like a movie still.
I am ridiculously giddy with excitement to finally show you this interview with the fabulous vintage Egyptologist Colleen Darnell in this latest installment of Around The World with Vintage. This blog series aims to highlight vintage lovers from all over the world and promote cultural diversity in the vintage community. This time Colleen takes us on a journey to the ancient Egypt. You must have seen her on Instagram or heard her on the Dressed podcast but on ATWWV I ask her a few questions focusing on her academic work and interest, as well as the influence of Egyptian culture in vintage fashion. I feel a kinship with this lady as we both use our platforms to promote women in science as well as vintage fashion, so I was really pleased when she agreed to an interview. Let’s get started!
I’m so pleased to present to you my latest design collaboration with Australian milliner Tanith Rowan!! Our project last year was a hit and we wanted to create more turbans based on the original design so this time we kept it similar but with different colours and an even more lush fabric. The berry-inspired turban and matching dress clips are just perfect for the coming cold weather. It really is so satisfying to finally be able to share these gorgeous pieces with you and I sure hope you love them! This collection will be on sale on Tanith’s Etsy shop but I will update you as soon as they are live.
It’s hard not to feel adorable in this Sweet Thing dress. It’s brown (one of my favourite colours), it’s fitted (I need to embrace my curves more!), and it definitely is the perfect dress where sexy meets cute. I couldn’t believe that I could wear it without shapewear, but it did sit nicely on the body and was very flattering! It was the right choice to wear to my late wedding anniversary lunch and drinks – it was casual enough for the day time but was formal enough for the nice places we went to. And even though it was sunny, I brought some umbrellas (on my hat) just in case.. cos it’s London!
Sometimes the most beautiful backdrop is just around the corner of your house waiting to be found. Sometimes it is next to the busiest park and somehow looks like the most peaceful quite corner. Photographs can do two very different things – capture a place and a moment as it was, or as the photographer wants you to believe. Instagram has fooled us again and again with these “perfect photos” – a solitude moment in Fontana de Trevi, quiet picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower, or in this case a peaceful corner in East London. Angles, lighting, and editing can do wonders – just a good reminder to not believe everything on the internet haha!
Just like the condiment, sometimes mustard is the key to spice up your life. I recently acquired this classic pinafore and for its first outing I decided that mustard will give it an extra kick. It’s vintage, it’s comfortable, and I even think it looks professional enough for work. While I am on the home stretch of my current job I might have to go for interviews, run a workshop, or meet other creatives soon. Looking professional is very important for me and is always a part of the “fake it til you make it” philosophy I live by. I swear I’m not making excuses for buying this pinafore.. hehe.
It feels appropriate for me to title this post The End of the Tunnel as I am mentally finally seeing the light. I am in the last month of my job and am really looking forward to taking time off. There are so many things I want to explore while I’m off but I’m also considering using the break to work on this blog. I am nervous, of course, but I know I need time off to recuperate and rediscover colours in my life. Just like I can spice up my dress with new dusty pink heels and headscarf, I just need new perspectives and some time to see the light.
It’s funny how I needed blue lipstick to feel alive. I wore this to have brunch with some Australian friends and they know me too well they didn’t even bat an eyelid. The lipstick is a new liquid lipstick I got from Anastasia Beverly Hills 2 for 1 sale when I thought it was my chance to finally try something quite different. I was pleased to find that the lipstick shade matches my new headwrap perfectly. and even happier when I realised it matches my 1940s dress! So meant to be!!
The hot weather is getting a little bit too much – I know, I know, I sound ungrateful! But I can’t sleep at nights, I’m hating my commute, I am paranoid about skin cancer, and now my feet are bloody swollen from the heat! So believe it or not, this outfit was a desperate attempt to stay fashionable in the heat. Practically wearing underwear (well, slip and a lace dress) to go out I put on my hat to shield me from the sun and wore these boots because they were comfy and they were big enough to accommodate my swollen feet! Oh gosh, guys, can this heatwave end already?!
I struggle to type this post as I am not sure I have anything worth writing. Summer seems to make me lethargic, but maybe it’s not summer it’s just exhaustion after moving apartment. I’m happy to report that my new place has been good – more space and more natural light and it has really been good for my soul. I have been enjoying meditating under the morning sun, decluttering and learning that we do actually prefer to live more minimalistic, and finding local spots to eat, drink, and shop. A new change is definitely what we needed and while it was so stressful to move we are happy that we now have begun a new chapter. So I apologise that this post is mostly just pictures but I promise I will be back with my ramblings soon enough.
Spitfire Alice A Gra 
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