Paul & Joe Sister

I am currently on the look out for holiday clothing. I am off to Milan and my summer wardrobe is looking a little tired. Exhausted even. Although I adore vintage, synthetic fabrics are not great for hot climates!

While browsing the net I was drawn to the Paul & Joe Sister collection. Lots of bohemian, folk and vintage influences. Just my cup of tea.

I have always been a fan of Paul & Joe. The only two old items of clothing I have kept - despite no longer fitting me - are by Paul & Joe. They are so beautiful I can't seem to let them go. The first is a floral silk blouse with butterfly arms - I remember the day I bought it, a payday treat on my Selfridges staff discount. I wore it that evening on a night out in Soho. The other, a cream silk vest top, was purchased in Selfridges, Birmingham, during a girly shopping day with my friend Clare. I recall wearing it to my 30th birthday party at The Grand Cafe, Oxford, with white linen trousers from Joseph.

Maybe, one day, my gorgeous niece will inherit them. Although she has quite a few years until they will fit her!

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Musings

It's hot. So hot I have been waking home in the shade. And so hot I failed to notice this breathtaking painting in a Cowley Road shop window. Until this evening. It is not for sale, but I want it. I am going into the shop tomorrow to demand (politely) they sell it to me. Wish me luck.  

The Queen, corgis wearing crowns, union jack bunting etc. I can't get enough. I adore all British iconography - the tackier the better. I spotted the fabulous tea tin (below) at the Oxford Flea Market last week. I regret not buying it. I go every Thursday during my lunch hour and I always see something I want / need. The Flea Market is definitely in my top ten list of amazing things about Oxford.   

I am especially fond of Cath Kidston's Diamond Jubilee Collection. The Oxford branch have a wonderful display table full of Royal kitsch goodness. My personal favourites are the Jubilee tea towel and the Royal patch wash bag.   

This is the window of Pod on the Oxford High Street. All shops are doing the 'Royal thing' and the charity shops seem to have saved all their Queen related items for the Jubilee. Forward planning - I like it. 

And finally, I love love love the Marks and Spencer Diamond Jubilee tins. They were an absolute must have to join my ever growing collection, and as I couldn't decide between the two, I got both. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Queen for giving me an extra day off work. I hope everyone has a great Jubilee Weekend and the sun continues to shine. 

Friday Photographer ~ JoGo

I am still in Cornwall for my Friday Photographer post. Cornish dwelling Paperdolly was featured last week, and this week, heading east towards Devon, is the lovely Jo.

Jo captures the Cornish coast and surrounding area in a wonderfully dreamy style. She often picks up on tiny details, especially wild coastal flowers. Here are a few of my favourites, for more please visit Jo's Flickr stream.

A Rain Coat and a Vintage Donkey

The rain is easing, but not enough to brave the outdoors without a raincoat. These photographs were taken in Abingdon on Saturday, where I indulged in a coffee shop crawl, lunch with friends, a photography exhibition and a browse in the charity shops.











I found the little donkey at Helen & Douglas House charity shop. I recently saw the very same one in an antique shop for £15, so I was thrilled to snap this one up for a mere £2.50.







A sneaky photograph of my man - who took the photographs of me. He will be surprised to see he is on my blog!

Raincoat - M&S

Dress - Boden

Bag - The Leather Satchel Company

Jeans - Levi's

Boots - Ash

Scarf - TK Maxx

Luke Skywalker and Lana Del Ray

I have 195 blog posts to read in Google Reader, a large chicken ready for the oven, wet hair and the washing machine on the go. I am calling today my admin day, you know, a day to catch up on emails, photo editing, cleaning, and most of all, staying in.

I can't seem to get this Lana Del Ray tune out of my head. 6 Music played nothing but last year, then, last week it was playing in a shop. Welcome back ear worm. It is currently my screen saver or hold music, replacing Warpaint.

I have been watching Star Wars, from the start, with my man. I had seen the first three, many times, but not the new ones. I recall being taken to Brighton, as a child, to see The Empire Strikes Back. I took my teddy and fell in love with Luke Skywalker. Didn't we all?

So, like Mary Poppins, on with my jobs. Enjoy your day.

Friday Photographer (Olympic Torch Edition) ~ Paperdolly

The Olympic torch is arriving in Cornwall today. How exciting! And to coincide with this momentous occasion, I decided it was appropriate to feature a Cornish photographer on my blog.

Shevie is the owner of Fine and Dandy, a fabulous shop in Marazion, Cornwall. The shop is the kind I dream of, filled with colourful vintage and kitsch goodies, specialising in the 30s, 40s and 50s. One day I will shop there, and people as far away as Plymouth will hear the excitement. But for now, I can just look at the beautiful photographs, and continue to dream.

Here are a few shots from Shevie's kitsch and colourful dining room and kitchen. She has an enviable collection of vintage plastic toys. I especially love the floral oil cloth and matching boots. So chic! 

You can find Fine and Dandy on Facebook and you can find Shevie / Paperdolly on Flickr. I hope everyone has a great weekend!