Bound Up In Leather

"Thoughts, hopes, dreams,

My deepest secrets hidden forever.

A place to put my souls desires, 

My heart bound up in leather"

~ Alyssa

My new found love of vintage clothing is definitely becoming a bit of a thing. I have discovered some of the most amazing, unique, one-off pieces, all of them bought for a fraction of the prices I've previously spent on clothes. This gorgeous leather jacket is the latest addition to my tiny, albeit growing, vintage collection.

Hailing from the 1970's, in a black and red colour-way, with an edgy Country & Western vibe, this jacket is the epitome of cool! Made from the softest leather, it features two front pockets, front zip closure, red patch detail to the front and back, and gorgeous contrasting cream stitching throughout. It is a unique, one-of-a-kind jacket from my favourite fashion era and I love it!

You can't help but wonder about the story behind such a great old jacket. Who owned it? How did they wear it? Are they still alive today? Did they love it as much as I do? How did it end up for sale at Peekaboo Vintage? My mind goes into overdrive, wondering and imagining, and I am always so happy to become the next part of the story.

I styled my jacket with one of the first Emma Manley designs I ever bought; the timeless Slasher dress (blogged here) and the most amazing Isabel Marant boots on the planet.

Get The Look:

Jacket: Peekaboo Vintage Leather Jacket (similar)

Dress: Manley 'Slasher' Dress (similar)

Boots: Isabel Marant 'Andrew' Boots in black
Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Thoroughly Modern Milly

"Good-bye, good-goody girl,

I'm changing and how!

So beat the drums cos here comes thoroughly modern Milly now!"

~ Dick Scanlan

This seems to be how it generally goes for me with the more expensive Isabel Marant clothes; I fall in love with a pretty dress I can't afford, I wait (im)patiently for the sale, if I'm very lucky I get a phenomenal sale bargain for a gorgeous piece that is (alas) always at least three sizes too big for me, and my poor tailor then has to remake the entire dress to fit me. That's exactly what happened with this Marant dress.

I first saw the gorgeous Milly dress when I was shopping with a friend in Richmond. I knew from the very first glance that the long, impatient wait for the sales had just begun. Again. I waited and waited, and eventually my patience paid off; I got it online from Barney's, New York (one of my best sale bargains ever!) but oh my word, my poor Tailor then had a mammoth job to shrink it down to Hobbit size! 

It was so worth the long wait & all the effort, I absolutely adore it. In a delicate, silk chiffon material, Milly features an all-over red, blue and cream ikat print. It has gathered flutter sleeves, a round neck with pleat-trim on the front keyhole slit, and is cut for a very relaxed, floaty silhouette. A belt gives the voluminous dress a bit more structure.

I styled it here in the true Marant way, with bare legs and the most fabulous pair of boots. The hugely coveted 'Andrew' boots (also by Isabel Marant and currently on sale!) are made from a cool suede-leather combination; they have a pointed toe and a very unusual pyramid shaped heel. The slouchy design and cuffed top make them the perfect off-duty addition to any look.

Get The Look:

Dress: Isabel Marant 'Milly' Dress in midnight (similar)

Shoes: Isabel Marant 'Andrew' Boots in black

Belt: Twenty8twelve 'Penfold' Belt (similar)
Photos: Anna Saverimutto Photography ©

Dress Up - The Best Of 2015

"Pearls & boas, dressed to the nines,

Lipstick on pursed lips, trying to stay in the lines.

Big wobbly high heels, on tiny, precious feet,

Little girls playing dress-up, aren't they sweet!"

~ Laura Taylor Mark

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©
Anna Saverimuttu Photography ©
Mike Lawrence © 
Additional Photos: Phill Griffith & David Ufton   

Heart & Dagger

“Cut deeply by the sharpness of your words

There is a dagger in my heart;

You put it there.

But you still have me.

Your cold, dark eyes watching

Tears of pain stream down my face.

In this moment no kindness, no compassion, no love.

But you still have me.

Lost in your words that bleed me, I forget how to speak;

We are alone and we are together

Our new song waiting to be written.

And you still have me.”

~ Fiona Ufton ©

'Make Believe', Natalie B Coleman's AW15 collection is absolutely breathtaking. Inspired by the characters and worlds in Enid Blyton's 'The Enchanted Woods' books, Natalie has produced a whimsical, romantic collection. Each piece is evocative of treasured childhood memories, but at the same time, remains feminine, and very grown up.

This gorgeous shirt was the first piece to grab my attention; it is a bold, statement piece, quite simply a magnificent work of art! Covered all over in glistening white sequins, it has long sleeves, concealed zips at the cuffs, hook closing to the front, and a dramatic heart & dagger sequined logo to the front.

I styled it here with a pair of skinny jeans, and my favourite Isabel Marant boots. It's a cool, edgy look but believe me, the shirt looks equally fabulous tucked into a classic black pencil skirt for a more dressed up look or paired with a sexy mini for a cute, playful look. My wonderful sequin shirt is a classic, investment piece that will never ever go out of style.

Get The Look:

Shirt: Natalie B Coleman Heart & Dagger Sequin Shirt in white

Jeans: J brand 'Songbird' Skinny Jeans (similar)

Shoes: Isabel Marant 'Andrew' Boots in black 
Photos: Anna Saverimuttu Photography ©

Nothing Gold Can Stay

"Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf,

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay."

~ Robert Frost

I have this lush shirt in a few different colours, and I wear them all the time. They are the coolest, most versatile, easy to wear shirts in the history of shirts. So if you're thinking of buying a shirt, spare yourself the hassle of searching and just treat yourself to this one. You won't regret it, I promise.

From Emma Manley's wonderful AW15 collection, the 'Maya' shirt is available this season in black (so chic), navy (it's the new black) and gorgeous gold (so opulent). I chose the gold one this time as it's very different for me, and it's the perfect colour for Autumn. It's such a decadent shade, and it immediately makes me feel very glamorous.

I styled my shirt very simply with a great pair of skinny jeans, my favourite Autumnal coat (blogged here, without the detachable faux fur collar), and the hugely coveted 'Andrew' boots by Isabel Marant. I love dressing for Autumn, it's my favourite season by some considerable way!

Get The Look:

Shirt: Manley 'Maya' Shirt in gold

Coat: Antipodium 'Intersection' Leopard Print Coat (similar)
Jeans: J Brand 'Songbird' Skinny Jeans (similar)

Shoes: Isabel Marant 'Andrew' Boots in black
Photos: Anna Saverimuttu Photography ©