Mirror Mirror on the wall – a winter must have

Talking about coordinating my clothes in winter reminded me that I am yet to get myself a standing mirror for my bedroom. I do have a full length mirror but downstairs.  So I  find myself having to bring several jackets downstairs to see which one looks best with my outfit and then match up shoes. Many a times I dress upstairs then come downstairs glance in the mirror and think how horribly wrong but when I'm running late its a toss up between facing more traffic or rushing  out of the house looking as if I dressed in the dark.

So a full length mirror is the first accessory on my winter must have list this year. This solid rubber wood leaning mirror from John Lewis has some unique features which really appeals. More than just a mirror it offers space for hanging clothes and somewhere to rest my shoes. Now I can really plan what I’m going to wear day to day and hang it out the night before on my mirror. There even space to lay out my fashion accessories like jewellery necklaces, leather belts and silk scarves all in advance. If I needed to convince myself further that this was the mirror for me then aesthetically the dark wood blends so well with my existing bedroom furniture. A winter must have indeed.

Time to bring out the winter wardrobe

It is the end of another week of school but for me it was the official start of Autumn. Temperatures of 10 degrees yesterday morning was a gentle reminder for me that summer is officially over. My daughter complained that her hands and head were cold and I made a mental note to myself to put her gloves and hat in her bag from Monday.

It is time I’m afraid to get the suitcases out and pack away our summer clothes to make room for winter coats like this red wool coat , woolly cardigans, scarves, hats and gloves. With so much more to put on in the morning coordination is key as the wrong jacket or coat can really glamour up or glamour down a look. Let’s not forget as well how footwear can also make or break an outfit. No more strappy summer leather sandals or flip flops but practical ankle boots, knee high boots and warm platform shoes.  So lets' get those shoe boxes, and storage solutions out and start packing.

Old Summit Antique Show Highlights

{charming display of personalized items}

It has been awhile since I have posted some shots from an antique show I have attended ~ for that matter it has been longer than I realized since my last posting ~ time has just gotten away from me! It isn't that I haven't been going on my weekend antiquing trips, it is just that I have gotten lazy with preparing the photos ~ sooner or later I will get around to it, but maybe things won't end up being in chronological order ~ oh well, will that really matter?

{This would have been a great shot if I had moved that giant tag!}

Last weekend was the Old Summit Antique Show at John Knox Village ~ it is one of my favorite shows in the area ~ great antique dealers and lots of interesting and unique items to look at. The lighting in the auditorium is always a challenge when taking photos ~ I usually end up with quite a few duds, but that is what Photoshop is for!

As usual, as I sorted through the images I liked, I have ended up with a few themes: displays/vignettes that I admired, great graphics, alphabet items, and then just a couple of interesting things. So, in addition to those above, below are some more lovely vignettes I spotted at the show . . . .

{section of piano keys used as a backdrop}

{Sumptuously spooky settee}

Then there are always all the graphics to notice at these shows ~ it's a good thing I have a camera so that I can take all of them with me ~ I'd be in some serious trouble (not only would I be on Hoarders, but I would be in debt as well) if I bought all of the stuff I love! I don't even like black licorice, but if this box were sold with it, I would buy lots!

{amazing cast iron stove grill}

{Uncle Wiggily, not Uncle Wiggly as I had thought}

{box of vintage flash cards ~ some with silhouettes}

Alphabet items are also something I am always drawn to ~ this puzzle was kind of weird as the diecut pieces are an alphabet, but they don't seem to have any relationship to the image the puzzle makes. I also wondered why it is a "Victory" puzzle - perhaps it helped support the British troops?

{my favorite ~ just love this little tin alphabet plate!}

{sweet little beaded birds on a pincushion}

{hand stitched felt placemat ~ love the simplicity of this piece}

{can never resist anything with drawers or compartments ~ this would be great in a kitchen!}

{quirky price tag holder}

{whimseys ~ both big and small}

{Cool silver globe pieces ~ wish I had asked what they were used for}

Yikes, it is 1am ~ where did the night go?! Tomorrow morning I am planning on getting up early to go to Antiques on the Common ~ another fun antiques show held under tents out in the country ~ can't wait! I'm sure I will have some great things to share with you from this show too! Happy Weekend to all!

Anniversary gifts for her

I do look forward to my wedding anniversary every year with much anticipation. Each time I wonder, "what is he going to get me this year?" He usually manages to surprise me with some great gift ideas but I know that I would hate to be a man buying anniversary gifts for me, as I know I can be fussy and not very good at hiding my disappointment I'm afraid.

Why is it men find gift buying for valentines day, birthday etc so challenging? I don't know. Simply give the woman what she wants is what I say. But my guess is that gifts for her usually go wrong when shopping for it is left for the last minute like picking up a gift in the train station 10 minutes before your train.

I remember my teenage years spent working in department stores for Christmas and the fear and desperation on the face of some men as they hunt for the perfect gift for her on christmas eve.   Not good enough guys all I can say is thank god for returns and exchange policy and gift vouchers.
Here are some tips on getting the perfect gift for her:

-Don't panic buy. I know you men love gadgets and technology so start by putting reminders in your phone, desktops etc re these important gift buying occasions.

- Keep a record of what you have given your wife, partner, girlfriend in the past if you are in a long standing relationship

- Most importantly, remember what she did not like the last time.

- start thinking about gift ideas way in advance and shopping weeks before the event to avoid buying a ridiculously expensive, meaningless or inappropriate gift - like earrings when your loved ones ears are not pierced.

- luxury gifts are great but ensure that it suits her personality as this really shows that you have put some thought into it.

- think outside of the box and look for unique gifts. If you do go for jewellery find some unique and unusual womens jewellery gifts.

We Back

retail therapy - a great back to school gift for mums

Kids are back to school and many mums, myself icluded, must be feeling so relieved.  Honestly I think I am now recovering from the sheer exhaustion of it all.   It's as if I have been Waiting To Exhale

and now I can finally breath.  At times like these I simply want to treat myself and what better way than a bit of retail therapy.  So as not to be frivilous I tell myself  "well I do need some new knitwear, woolly jumpers and cardigans for the pending autumn/winter.  Not to mention some roll neck tops and knee high boots, black preferably.

Shopping time is limited but I am bombarded with so many special offers via email that I simply cannot resist but take a look.  While there is so much I can think of that I need, I'm simply going to treat myself to this V neck sleeveless polkadot dress    This wrap dress is simple, elegant, timeless and polkadots are one of my alltime favorites. Team with this charm necklace for a great look.

victoria beckham lastest collection for spring 2011

Sleek, silhouette, sophisticated, classic, wearable are just some of the words that come to mind  when describing victoria beckham's latest collection for spring 2011.  Whether you are a fan of Victoria Beckham or not, you have to admire her collection.  It is so wearable!!!!

Posh spice has obviously chosen to appeal to a select clientel the slim sophicated women who values timeless classic fashion that would simply never date her look.  Some might say that her collection is an extention of herself as you could see here wearing every piece from her spring collection.  Goosh even some of the models look like her.  But then these runway pieces hardly ever showcase plus size clothing on plus size models.

Photos from http://www.style.com/

Some of the dresses do look like more of the same from her fall 2010 ready to wear collection but this season she has extended her collection to include a line of Victoria Beckham's handbags - well made and chic - a little on the big boxy side for me but then again you can carry everthing but the kitchen sink in there.  The shape of the bags are a gentle reminder of  a doctors bag from the olden days.  I must say that the circular tummy hugging feature in the strappy white cocktail dress does not appeal to me.  It just screams pregnancy garment and you must have an incredibly flat tummy to carry that dress off successfully.

If you are a classic dresser then I'm sure you would not mind having a few of these pieces in your wardrobe.   If Victoria keeps this classic sophistication trend going then she could become one of my favorite fashion designers right up there with the legendary Ralph Lauren.

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