I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees

When I was very young we had a massive garden, or it felt massive at the time, to my 4-year-old self. It had a big old tree in the middle of the sloping lawn and the wild strawberries that grew by the fence. I don't remember much, but I do recall climbing the tree beside the house after dark, getting covered in sap and then crying because I couldn't get down on my own. That was the last time I had a garden. Recently, after I graduated from high school, my parents moved back into a house with a garden and every time I'm back home I love to spend time in it. No massive trees but plenty of birds and bees and things to look at.

This outfit is probably much simpler (just a nice way of saying plainer) than most that I post here. But with the heatwave simple is best otherwise I run the risk of ending up as a sweaty mess sprawled on the tiles trying to cool down (I do that anyway, but that's beside the point). I also made a small capsule wardrobe for the 4 weeks I'm away so I toned down the statement pieces and chose easier-to-match staples.

The shorts are a pair I made from fabric I picked up from a charity shop and the pattern was drafted by following the the pattern of another pair of shorts that I picked up. The fit was so perfect that I had to copy the hip to waist fit and the dart placement. Overall I made them a little more high waisted (never too high) and longer on the leg. I'd make a few slight changes to the pattern; lower the back, straighten out the front, and put a little more room in the butt area of the crotch curve.

shorts//handmade    top//People Tree    shoes//thrifted

The Grand Eagle Ball

On the second of July 2013 I travelled back in time 86 years to 1927, at the Grand Eagle Hotel. This was a special event created by Secret Cinema, that brought to life Laura Marling's new album. I managed to get tickets to the last of the events, on extra night put on after the success of the earlier. I'd heard rumours and it sounded so good that I couldn't resist. 

The invitation read:

The pleasure of your company is requested at the 1927 Eagle Ball to be given at the Grand Eagle Hotel, taking place throughout June with a very special performance by Laura Marling. We have reserved you a room for the night. The Master of the Hotel, Thomas Undine and his trusted hounds will be in the Hotel Reception to welcome you. Be prepared for adventure, exploration, romance, secret music and other strange curiosities at the most eagerly awaited Ball of the year.

All should bring one of the following: A suitcase of unwanted clothes. A briefcase or satchel of unwanted books. An instrument. An old Record.

All should bring the following: Flowers for Josephine Undine, the Mistress of the House. A small secret gift for a stranger. A photograph of an old lover. A Map.

Mr Thomas Undine

Indeed there were many curiosities to be found within the walls of the grand old Victorian school building, that the event was hosted in. Everything from the Drawing Room, a room for drawing a miniature of oneself and sticking it up on the wall, to the room at the top of the tower which was full of doves! The evening of exploration, watching short films, watching musicians play in the smaller rooms, and sipping champagne culminated in The Ball, a performance by Laura Marling of past and current songs. It was great. I've signed up the all the mailing lists and I can't wait for the next secret cinema event!

Although cameras and phones weren't permitted at the event there were professional photographers wandering about. Much to my surprise one of the photos that popped up online recently was of me! (Third photo from the top). Which is part of the reason why I decided to share this, so that you can admire my costume. (I will take any opportunity to show off this dress, I love it to bits. Almost literally to bits, some of the beading is fall off, oops!) I had planned on making my own dress for the ball but I didn't finish it in time, as is always the case. This is my only other 20's themed outfit so I went with it. I'd already worn it once a week earlier, to my university's summer ball (also prohibition era themed), where I worked behind the bar. Below is a photo of me from that night. (Note the sparkly hair, I practically drowned it in glitter).

All the photos (apart from the bottom one) were found here. You should click through to see all the other many curiosities there were. It really was like being transported into a new magical world.

dress//thrifted    bag//thrifted    fur shawl//gift    headband//handmade    jacket//thrifted    shoes//TKMaxx

Oranges and Lemons

It's been a while. I missed my blog, I missed taking photos, I missed the interaction. On the other hand it's been a welcome break, a chance to feel free of pressure to post and reply to comments. I guess rather than trying desperately to document my life I've just been living it. (Ew, since when did I become a soppy puddle of cheese?) Well I'm back and having left London I officially have even less to do than before which means I can go back to photographing all the time. I have lots of things to document (maybe I should consider a profession in professional document keeping, like working in the natural history museum).

Also my hair changed colour! About a month ago, at the time of the last blog post. It was blonde for a while and now I'm trying to restore the natural golden undertones and build up my hair colour again. The orange is... very orange.

Also if you follow me on twitter or instagram you'll have seen many photos of my newest flatmate, Lemon the cat. She's tiny and adorable and I love her. I should also mention that she recently gave birth to four little mini Lemons. We almost certainly have homes for all of them, we've had more than enough interest. More pictures of them soon, mostly on twitter but maybe I'll sneak a few onto the blog just because I love my kittens!

dress//vintage and sewn    hat//belongs to my flatmate

New Zealand sunsets by the sea

I hear that on Thursdays it's commonplace to post photos from yesteryear, so I've decided to partake in this ritual and bring you photos of my summer holiday from last year. As you may, or may not, remember, I went to New Zealand last summer because I'm half Kiwi and we go back ever few years to visit the family. We spent a few days in the north of the North Island, in a house by the sea. It was unseasonally warm (it was the middle of winter after all) which is why I'm wearing short sleeves and showing off my bare legs. I've included a photo of a fern so that you will be truly convinced that this was New Zealand and not just Europe.

skirt//handmade    shoes//thrifted    top//Urban Outfitters 

Lastly, I was invited to attend the last of the Ben & Jerry's Sundae School, an event to hear Liz Earle and Safia Minney (of People Tree) talk about ethical beauty and fashion and, importantly, eat lots of ice cream! The event is happening on Monday the 3rd of June (this coming Monday), at No.11 Cavendish Square starting at 6.30pm for stuffing faces with ice cream and the talks start at 7.

Join me!

The lovely people organising the event (no, not Ben and Jerry themselves, alas) have given me five pairs of tickets so that you (lovely readers) can join me for ice cream and ethical discussion. If you've in London on Monday then please join me, just let me know by leaving a comment or sending me an email and I'll add you to the guest list. Although I doubt there will be five replies, I'm giving out the tickets on a first-come-first-served basis because the event is so near.