Oracle Fox

Utterly inspirational lady with a super cool blog, uniquely stunning style and she can skate board too. Somewhere I have been visiting quite a lot recently, Oracle Fox provides constantly beautiful inspiration posts and if you look back through her personal posts you will get an idea of how inspirational her own style is too. This Australian girl's style is second to none and if that wasn't enough she is also a contemporary artist (the Oracle Fox header is her own artwork and you can find the link to her artists website on the blog) This girl is seriously talented!

Gorgeous! Visit Oracle Fox here.

connect

My younger sister's short film, which incidentally has now been picked up by the British Council and will be promoted at International Film festivals, is available to catch now. This is a good time for the many amazing short films that are produced as people are more open to the idea that a film doesn't have to be a feature length blockbuster to engage them - sometimes the most beautiful and well-developed stories, and characters, can be found in a short...

My beautiful sis...

Check out the IMDb here.

glastonblurry

So, as an unofficial honeymoon (we are going travelling for 3 months very soon) we went to Glastonbury - with a group of about 30 of our friends so not exactly the most romantic of places but we had an amazing time!

Glastonbury is a great - and surprisingly cheap - place to pick up vintage; lots of sellers with beautiful clothes in a creative environment is sure to yield some great picks. I picked up a straw boater (£3) and a stunningly gradiated, pastel coloured summer dress (£5) which I cut a few inches off as it was originally was calf-length - I KNOW it's the new thing and I will probably regret cutting it short very soon but it really is the most unflattering length on me; well, we can't all wear everything regardless of whether it suits us or not just because it's THE thing to do now can we?!

vice or nice?

For serious style credentials not generally seen on your average girl on the street, something that will spark that ever coveted 'OH where did you get that?!' from all and sundry visit Bitching and Junkfood's stunning online world. A collective of upcoming and extremely talented designers, as well as BaJ's own in-house labels 'Remade' and 'Two Weeks', this site is full to the very brim with unique and outstanding pieces. My favourites include the Neurotica vine print maxi dress, prettypretty floral cut out cardigan and the Rachel Freire High-Vis Suspender Trio (which I would absolutely kill to own!) although not so sure about the human hair drop earrings...?! Whatever you fancy, there'll be something for you so check it out.

They also have new and vintage clothing in their East London studios and available as stylists (as if you couldn't tell by their gorgeous shots on the site)

life through rose tinted glasses

Continuing with my 70s theme, I am trying hard to get hold of some red heart-shaped glasses. They remind me of Kubrick's 1962 film version of Lolita and that iconic poster.

Some on ebay for cheap so buy buy buy for that laid-back hippie style!

etsy finds

New purchase made from Etsy.com... so excited for these snakeskin print harem pants to arrive at my door!

Anyone else completely addicted to the wonder that is this website? Like ebay but you don't have to fight other people to get your fix of vintage or amazingly crafted clothing and accessories OR try and set your alarm to go off at 3:22 in the morning just to get your last bid in. And when you receive your goodies through the post, they are usually wrapped up in beautiful little packages - so cute!

Here are some of my favourite sellers, please check them out and support original, handmade crafts and well-sourced vintage pieces.

Whichgoose - Stunning and ethereal hair accessories handmade with love by this very talented woman (who also looks exceedingly lovely modelling her creations). Have bought many a hair comb and crown here, all of which satisfy my occasional need to get all dressed up like a fairy princess and wander about town as if I am skipping through a field in the countryside. PERFECT for festivals and general summer time, my 'May' natural vine crown was a winner at Glastonbury last year, and I am looking to this store for more this time around.

Thyme2dream - Fairy and elf-inspired jewellery to make each day that little bit more magical. Love their fancy ear cuffs, bohemian ear wraps and circlets, made with colourful beads, curling, looping wire and a lot of creativity. Available as seen on the shop page or as custom pieces for that special and unique piece that you're hankering for, you're sure to find something to charm you!

KnitKnit - Lovely things to be found in this quaint shop with a knitting and felting slant. The Knitted Power Chord is a dream buy... wear it as a necklace, bracelet, wrapped like a scarf or use as a belt - whatever you do with it, you're sure to get more than a few comments! The Felted Cameo necklaces are equally as charming if you're after something a little different...

iheartnorwegianwood - For the sexiest way to accessorise, choose a harness from this amazing shop. This era's corset, the harnesses are the perfect way in which to pull together an outfit - imagine one layered over a silk maxi for pretty/hard look or worn with a little t-shirt and harem pants for a more casual daytime statement. The chain harnesses are my favourite but with the many different colours in the elastic ones, there are loads of options to pick from whatever yor style.

Persephonevintage - Find upon find of vintage goodies available in this shop, the ethnic print skirt, leather shorts and heavily detailed cropped jacket below are just three examples of the high quality vintage pieces that this place seeks out and then stocks for your shopping pleasure; new season trends are always reflected. Wonderful, wonderful stuff - ah to have limitless money to spend here...

Ashaloo - Simply stunning jewellery for the bohemian within. NEED the Gold Shimmer Chain Headpiece in my life - and for my wedding! Equally gorgeous for everyday wear to glam up your normal wardrobe, or for a classically elegant touch to a goodtime outift, this shop will sort you out. The chunky knuckle rings, body harnesses and cuffs are amazing too, ah too too much that I want from here. Now stocked at the influential SpanishMossVintage as well (a true mark of success in my books)

leolucaescobar - More inspirational vintage pieces to be discovered in this shop on Etsy, one of the greatest - I think - for vintage shoes; on-trend espadrilles, clogs and wedges are all here as well as the usual pretty printed dresses, gorgeous blouses and quirky bags - buy buy buy!

summer shorties

Saw the shorts that I need for summer today, there was a fashion pop-up style shop appearing in Hamilton House in Stokes Croft featuring loads of lovely clothes from local designers... At the back I discovered these flowing cotton printed shorts (which I'm pretty sure were called 'Azalia' by Motel...) in a mixed pastel shade that were just perfect for lazing about in the sun. One slight problem - I didn't buy them!!! I am trying to save money and in a bid to be good, I passed them by perhaps assuming I would relent later in the day and go back to claim them as my very own. That didn't happen. And now I'm truly sad about losing them. After a quick search online I can only find them in a parrot print or darker shades, none of which will match up to those originals... That will teach me to trust my instinct and spend at will for fear of losing out again.

festival fashion

H&M are doing a Festival Fashion Against AIDS collection, I for one will snapping up some of those statement trousers - all the rage now and definitely a lot cheaper than the coveted silk leopard-print Chloe ones! Pair with a sheer cropped blouse and you'll be festival-ready for sure.

Collection drops 20th May instore, on your marks...

clip-clopping into summer

Clogs to wear with ankle socks, clogs on their own, clogs for leather shorts with vests, clogs for dresses alone...

Now that my winter boots have broken, to be fixed, only to break again I think I will turn this loss into a positive and use the boot money to buy myself a pair of lovely (if slightly ugly... I love ugly footwear!) clogs. Zara's are the best that I've tried so far - now should I go for the fringed ones or the clumpy strapped pair? Decisions decisions!

it's getting hot in here...

Went to my first session of Bikram yoga last night... WOW is it hard work or what?! Seriously, if you think it's all meditation and calm soothing poses think again! I felt hot, sweaty, sick and dizzy all in the space of 90minutes and very hot room.

Fingers crossed the next one will be better and I will then be the proud owner of a body that can happily wear this...

(my newest purchase - love it!) To be honest I have worn it already regardless - eek watch out Bristol until I am fully in shape! Until then I am wearing it strictly with long maxi skirts - not brave enough for shorts yet... plus I'd freeeeeeeze!

spring inspiration

Courtesy of Antonio Marras SS10 show, here is what is inspiring my look to start off the year in style. I only wish that sheer layers and knee high pop socks came with built-in thermal properties... dressing like this is going to do nothing for the horrendous cold that I already have, nor for my ever-freezing body temperatures!

Enjoy the romantic, floaty images from the catwalk below and imagine yourself walking through a meadow in late July, picking flowers to put in your hair and enjoying a glass of wine whilst reading a really good book in the quiet of the country... I like the way the image these pieces conjure up juxtaposes with the stark reality of the situations in which we'll wear them in the snowy, cold city. These soft and sheer dresses, stockings and draperies paired with a big sheepskin coat or leather jacket and some heavy duty clogs would be a damaged-perfection dream come true!

Be brave and layer up soft, sheer pieces under your winter coats, scarves, gloves and hats!