Pelicans, polka-dots and yachts!

Dress - courtesy of Blue Velvet Vintage
Shoes - Novo

February has been a bit of a wild month, lots of rain and gale winds - and we have been told there's more to come with a cyclone brewing along the coast. Today however was a perfect beach day, the sun was almost out and the water was so warm - but also full of jellyfish, lots of jellyfish. In fact, if you look carefully at the fifth photo, that blue lump near my feet is one of the many that had been washed ashore. I have no idea what's been going on this summer but swimming has been a bit risky with all of the jellyfish floating around!

A few weeks ago the lovely folks at Blue Velvet Vintage offered me the chance to review one of their dresses, and let me just say that I had to think long and hard because they have so many beautiful things! Blue Velvet Vintage has a great selection of vintage reproduction brands as well as authentic vintage pieces. This adorable polka dot halterneck is actually one of their own designs from their house brand Classic Dame and known as the 'Starlet' halter swing dress. The Classic Dame dresses are all made in the USA and each one is made in a limited amount to ensure quality control.

I was most impressed with this dress! The fabric is a lovely mid weight cotton and was extremely comfortable to wear all day, and the sturdy metal zip at the back made getting in out of the dress nice and easy. My favorite thing about this dress however is how incredibly flatting it is, I felt absolutely fabulous wearing it and got compliments on the dress all day long!

Monet's Palette

Dress - Bernie Dexter
Shoes - Novo

Taking these photos yesterday morning got me thinking about the whole process of taking blog photos, and wondering about how other bloggers take theirs. Is this something that as a blogger that you have wondered about too? For me, I am always impressed by bloggers who go out right into busy cityscapes and shoot away, coming up with incredible dramatic shots and a stunning location. I follow a lot of different blogs and everyone has their own thing, from shooting in their own garden, to the inside of their homes.

For me, I would describe taking outfit photos as a secretive process. I find a quiet spot with as few people as possible and try to look as casual as I can - well, look like I'm not having my photo taken. I would be lying if I said that the whole process doesn't at least make me somewhat anxious! There is always that impending fear of someone asking why I am having my photo taken or why I am dressed the way I am. So we try to be as discreet as possible, and we joke about it being 'ninja photography' by which I mean there is a five minute frame to take photos and get out without being seen.

So now I am curious about the other bloggers out there - what is your experience taking blog photos like? Is it a similar process of secrecy or is it just me that finds the concept of taking blog photos in public a bit daunting? Have you got any funny stories about taking blog photos, or are there some moments that make your face burn to recall?

Repro Sportswear!

Top - Freddies of Pinewood
Shorts - Tara Starlet
Shoes - Novo
Sunglasses - Wildfox

Last year I found myself in a rut when it came to exercise. Previously I had religiously gone on 12km walks and occasionally ran, but it got to the point where I couldn't handle how mind numbing it was. I couldn't stand the sight of my spin bike or treadmill and the thought of spending an hour each day on something so tedious. I don't hate exercise, I just hate being bored! However in a desperate attempt to get fitter, with it being the new year and all (what a cliche!) I ended up joining a gym for real this time, and getting a membership at a swimming pool and tennis court.

I've learned now that for me to be able to exercise I really need to mix it up instead of doing the same thing over and over again, and so far it's working! I am really enjoying playing tennis in the mornings and swimming laps at night. The best thing is that all of these facilities are on my university campus so that I can't use the excuse of being too busy with uni and work not to exercise.

Since I am playing tennis a lot I figured I might start posting some of the vintage inspired athletic outfits that I have been wearing lately! Both this top and shorts are by British vintage reproduction brands; Freddies of Pinewood and Tara Starlet. This top is made of the softest material that is extremely comfortable, and the shorts are nice and stretchy and easy to move in  - perfect for running back and forth on the tennis court! However I will note that these are not the shoes that I wear when I play, I brought them with me to change into this morning to do the grocery shopping in afterwards. Normally I wear my not so glamorous, well worn pair of Asics sneakers.

Lemon Yellow Gingham Playsuit by GracefullyVintage!

What do you wear on a 39 degree day? For me this playsuit was an obvious choice! These photos are from last weekend when after another very hot day I emerged from the air conditioning to go and water the plants in the little plot that I rent. My modest patch of tomatoes and herbs isn't exactly impressive, but I was excited to see that one of the tenants had a thicket of raspberries that were growing so well. In June we are going overseas again and I can't wait until I can go to the forest again and pick wild berries!

My friend Kayla from GracefullyVintage made me this beautiful playsuit set for Christmas after I fell in love with the one that she made for herself. When I started this blog it was just a way of cataloging my wardrobe and something to entertain myself with, I never expected that I would actually end up meeting one of my best friends as a result. After talking on Skype every week for three years now, this year we're hopefully going to visit each other and hang out in person, which is something I am extremely excited for!

My Obsession with Rayon

Dress - Trashy Diva 'Sweetie' Dress
Shoes - Novo
Glasses - Wildfox

So that's three rayon dresses in a row that I've blogged this month! Even cotton feels too heavy at the moment - this past week we've had days where it's reached 39 degrees. I can tell you that there is absolutely nothing less glamorous than pincurls going limp from sweat and having to peel my dress off my skin when its absolutely drenched.

There is a reason I don't leave home without a parasol, it is less of a fashion statement and more of a necessity! Luckily I do own a number of rayon dresses now, all of them by Trashy Diva, and this morning I managed to track down another rayon dress in the Sweetie style on Ebay...despite having placed myself on a ban from buying dresses this year...

Rayon is the quintessential 1940s fabric, it was hugely popular during the war and post war period as its production was not affected by wartime shortages the way fabrics such as wool and silk were. The 'Sweetie' dress is a reproduction of the iconic 40s shirtwaist dress and probably my all time favorite Trashy Diva style! I love the way the cut accentuates an hour glass figure, the contrasting buttons and belt buckle.

Parrots!

Dress - Trashy Diva
Shoes - Novo

Every now and then I pop into the local garden center to pick up some plants to replace the ones I've killed. I love plants but I am terrible at remembering to water them so normally I will buy three things and if I'm really good two of them end up surviving. At the moment I am looking at buying some nice luscious green plants to put on our veranda and turn the area into a nice spot for drinking cider and cocktails, however I might have to get some plastic plants as well as real ones to complete the look. Knowing my complete inability to keep up with watering, the plastic plants stand a better chance!

I've had this Trashy Diva dress for nearly four years now, I think, and it was the first one of their dresses I ever bought. I wear it a lot and it's still going strong with no signs of wear - a testament to how well made Trashy Diva dresses are! The reason I will always buy repro is because I know I am getting a quality investment piece that will last me for years and will remain timeless while fashion continues to change.

Black Kimono

Dress - Trashy Diva (currently on sale!)
Shoes - Novo
Parasol - Ebay

I wanted my first post for 2015 to be a little different and dramatic - and I feel that this dress is exactly that! On the weekend I went to the theater to see an illusionist performance and because I love dressing to a theme I thought this dress was appropriately glamorous and magical. I am in love with the way the silky fabric swishes and swirls when I move and the cut of the sleeves. Normally black isn't a colour I reach for on a hot day but this dress is wonderfully airy and cooling. My favorite thing about it though is that I instantly feel like a 1940s screen siren the moment I slip it on!