Any Old Thursday…

Me with my first find (Steve’s old leather jacket), Steve with his Jones Sewing machine and reference prints.

Steve and I took this past Thursday off for a change and used the lovely winter sunshine as an excuse to mooch around Spitalfields Market. I figured it’s always fun if not a bit hit and miss. I started the day right by rummaging in the back of Steve’s closet and scoring this leather jacket for free! It’s fine, he doesn’t wear it anymore anyway…er. Bit of breakfast then onto the market.

Crowning glory – soon to be made into pillows

The first thing I found was this regal bit of crown printed fabric. I talked the girl down to £4 and am well pleased with both the amount I have to play with and the Westwood style repeating motif. I’m going to pick up a couple of pillow forms this week and make throw pillows out of it. Not sure what I’ll do with the rest yet.

Jones Family C.S. Machine manufactured around 1914

Steve’s big find for the day was this beautiful, but in need of a clean up, Jones Family Sewing Machine. He’s always wanted one and at £30 this was a steal especially as it’s in working condition! He bought it purely for aesthetic purposes due to the incredible painted decals but a little research also turned up a few neat facts. Brothers John and William Jones started Jones Family Sewing Machines around 1860 and it still survives today under a name most sewers recognize: Brother Sewing Machines. This particular model, dated around 1914, has ‘As supplied to Her Majesty Queen Alexandra’ on the shoulder decal. The story is that the Princess of Wales used to sew on one of Jones’ machines and was so impressed with it she sent a testimonial to the brothers praising the machine’s reliability and quality. They, it appears, were equally impressed with her, putting her name on this machine.

Sweet Sounds – songs to fall in love with 

I have always had a soft spot for musicals thanks to my grandmother, and in turn the sheet music from the same era. Sadly I can not read music but I sure appreciate the dreamy covers. I always stop into a little shop on Church Street to admire the framed ones they have for sale but these are more my price range at £5 for three. Amazingly I almost missed the ‘You Were Never Lovelier’ one!! Steve’s sharp eye caught it and I’m beyond thrilled. It’s been a favourite for ages and of course the name behind this blog. 

Tropical birds and human anatomy

The market is always full of old prints. Before cameras carefully made drawings were the only way to share knowledge of new species of plant and animals as well as the growing understanding of how our own bodies worked. Now they are collectible as wall art or in Steve’s case reference for his artwork.

Not a bad take for an afternoon hun?

Cross My Heart

Andrea Fulerton Nail Tattoos in ‘Crosses’

I’ve seen these in stores for ages and finally Superdrug started selling them for £2 a pop so I thought I’d give them a try. I must say I’m well pleased at the results. Although it took me ruining a few to get the hang of putting them on properly (they are very declicate and tear easily). Once on they look fanatic and are staying strong with no signs of wear after a few days. They also don’t look like stickers, but rather well done paint effects. Totally worth £2!

Link Lover – Tumblr

So I’ve finally got around to working again on my beloved blog and I’ve started with updating the link section to include some of my very favorite tumblrs (the Tumblr and Fall section). They are all absolutely worth checking out and here are just a few of the reasons why…

Total ginger mega babe and original Diner girl Cherie Trump shows you all the reasons why waitresses rock.

Like cowboys, great music, and amazing graphic design? So does Rob.

Imagination, wishes, astrology, and the loveliest photos around. Check out twin dreamers Lou Lou and Federica.

And finally, fun and lively drawings with character by the witty Thomas Greatorex.

Enjoy! and please add your own suggestions for great Tumblrs too!

Daisy Chain

Daisy Nails

Despite being a dark and very cold(!) winter day I’m dreaming of brighter seasons. Inspired by my very favourite flowers I tried out a little sponge effect background with hand painted daisies. Not perfect but I do feel a bit warmer and slightly nearer to spring time…

Happy Halloweekend!

I love the holiday, all of them really. I love decorating my house, and theme dressing, and of course theme painting my nails. It makes me happy.

Blood and Bites!

Jack-O-Lanterns and Glitter!

I found both these ideas through good old Google images. The nails are from this adorable Northern girl’s blog which for the life of me I can’t find again to credit (sorry!) and the toes are from the amazing Kayla Shevonne who has about a thousand tutorials I’m dying to try. Go check her out!

 

HoH Inspired

Inspired by the fun new House of Holland collection which I loved I painted my nails a sparkling pastel pink with Barry M’s black shatter over top.
It’s not quite the same as his cow print but I’m really into the final effect. The sparkle pink is from NYC and is called ‘Gramercy Park’ which of course has got me all excited for my trip to New York in just two weeks! it’s also why I’ve done this post from my iPhone (my first of the kind) just to make sure I’ve got the hang of it for blogging from my travels. Excited!

Like Annie Hall, New York In Fall…

The ladies and I are off for 2 weeks of girly good times in less then a month! A week in Toronto followed by a week in New York. I got so excited I made a mood board. Two in fact. Warm layers with a nod to my skate boarding youth for Toronto and frantic colour clashes with glamorous fun fur coats for New York.

Fall in Toronto 2011 mood board

Fall in New York 2011 mood board

Now how will I pack it all!? Yikes.

Shacklewell Arms Jumble Sale!

I will be selling some of my lovely clothes and such at the Shacklewell Arms in Dalston this Sunday! Come by and drink bloody Marys, listen to good tunes, get your nails done, and find a fab new outfit. Best Sunday ever right!?

Absolutely Nailed

My lovely friend Charlotte is just as obsessed with painting her nails as I am (one of many silly interests we share) but she has taken her love of nail art one step further and created a whole blog dedicated to nothing but! Absolutely Nailed shows Charlotte’s handiwork (pun intended) as well as daily inspiration from around the web and the hands of our friends.

Charlotte’s music notation sensation

Space Nails!!

My own current fixation – the perfect space manicure! This is the second time I’ve tried it. Not quite right yet but closer. Third times a charm maybe?

Palm Trees & Leopards (even more nail art)

It shows no signs of stopping people!! I just keep finding more things to paint on my nails…

Acid Green Leopard Print Nails

Both of these are from a few weeks back but I’ve been busy and just getting around to posting them now. Better late then never. The acid leopard print came out particularly well I thought. I also found it very funny when someone recently pointed out that  Beyonce on the cover of Dazed had the same nails. Amazing. Think I’m going to do this one again soon, only with a bright yellow background instead. It’s actual much easier than it looks.

Sunset Palm Tree Nails

The palm trees were a challenge and I totally love a challenge. I also love how these worked out. Perfect high summer fun. Thinking of doing a western style cactus silhouette next…yee haw!