Round-up of 2015

I have loved seeing everyone else's 2015 roundups so much, that I have jumped right on the bandwagon with my own little roundup.

I'd like to start by boasting that I quite remarkably completed my 10 #vintagepledge garments!! Can't believe that I managed it! 

This year I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone with hairstyles and tried some new and fun styles. 

My favourite dress this year!!! 

I finally have a dress that I feel great in and don't ever want to take off! This was my 'Spring for cotton' dress for 2015. 

I'm so proud of myself for making this dress!!!

Definitely my favourite vintage piece I own. It is super bright, streamlined and eye catching. 

I do have to wear it on a brave day, but it always looks stunning!

Such a sweet look, I embraced my inner child with hair ribbons and frills galore. 

This dress was worn much more throughout the warmer months than I could have hoped, and suited the Chelsea flower show perfectly when I visited. 

My most challenging make this year. I gave myself too little time but I managed it by the skin of my teeth. 

My Marilyn dress got so many compliments at the wedding I wore it to, and I do so enjoy a compliment!!!

Another first this year was attending a national vintage event-Goodwood revival. 

What an incredible experience! 

Wearing a vintage 40's suit. 

This playsuit used 4 vintage patterns to complete the look. 

Perfect to take on holiday, I love this playsuit so much.

My playsuit was taken from elegant to fun in a flash. 

I had a blast on holiday taking the pictures for this post. 

(Surprisingly difficult to look like your having fun whilst balance precariously on a slippery rock )

I finally learned to knit! I have struggled learning this skill but got the knack doing a Craftsy course

And last but not least I sewed up my first formal dress. Not quite a ball gown but the dress I wore to a christmas ball. Not yet blogged about, though seen on Instagram. 

So much fun to dress up in something special.

I feel invigorated to do more next year after looking back on this year's achievements!

And at on that positive I wish you all a Happy, Healthy, New year!!!

X O X O

Christina

Miss Dixie O'Dare Sew-a-long

Whilst the participants of the Miss Dixie O'Dare Sew-a-long whipped up cute summer dresses, I slowly made this wool tartan version for a more winter friendly outfit. 

The sew-along was super easy and I really enjoyed taking part. It is a reassurance to know lots of other ladies are sewing the same garment and if you have any problems plenty of people will help you out.

Outfit details:
Dress-Me made
Shirt- Old, Baytrading co.
Earrings-Vintage
Brooch-Vintage, Etsy
Tights- Marks and Spencer
Bow belt- Me made
Bow hair tie- Me made
Boots- Marks and Spencer

If I may draw ones attention to the centre front pattern matching. 

Yes I did that!!!

Yes it took forever to do that!! 

I really love this scalloped edge. It is so sweet and feminine. 

This sweetheart locket brooch has been super useful. I can wear it with everything and it always looks elegant. 



Pockets make everything better! Not that I ever put anything in my pockets. For ornamental purposes only. 

I made the pockets bias cut so they could be seen, otherwise they disappear into the fabric.

I had some nice velvet ribbon left over from the belt so I made this sweet little hair bow.
You can never have too many bows!

As you can see, the buttons along the back are not working buttons, there are poppers underneath.
Total cheat but I don't have a machine to do buttonholes-
Ain't nobody doing that by hand!

I'm super pleased with my little tartan dress.
In fact I had a similar style for school when I was very young. My dad pointed that out to me when he saw it. So funny how you go back to things that you loved from your childhood and recreate them subconsciously.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas. 

X O X O

Christina

My First Vintage Coat

My first vintage coat! A milestone for me with wearing vintage. I'm really surprised by my choice, I usually opt for a closer fitting, princess style, but the colour called to me.

Such a lovely classic collar, and original plastic buttons. 

A coat must have pockets!! These are super chic, set secretly into the front seam.

And princess length sleeves... I'm in love!!!

Someone doesn't like ironing, that person is me! 

A duster coat was very popular in the late 50s to early 60s. It sits close to the body over the shoulders and bust but falls straight towards the hem. There is no waist definition at all which is what makes this an unusual choice for me. 

I had to get a cute vintage updo into the look. With so many layers being worn in the winter I do like to have hair up and out of the way, wih the added benefit of a sprinkle of glamour.

I need to practice hiding Bobby pins, but I think as long as the pins match it doesn't really matter. Especially for a casual, everyday kind of a look. I can even get away with this hairstyle at work without any raised eyebrows, which is a plus.

A brooch instantly adds sparkle to any garment, I love the gold teamed with burgundy.

My concern with a red coat would be what colours to wear with it. But much like a red lipstick, you just put it with everything and somehow it just works!!!

Outfit details

Coat- vintage, beyond retro

Brooch- vintage, gift

Earrings- vintage, bang bang clothing exchange

Scarf- hand crocheted by me

Handbag- coach

Trousers- granny section, marks and Spencer's

Gloves- marks and Spencer's

Boots-marks and Spencer's

I don't own many vintage pieces. I am very particular about damage which can be an issue when buying vintage. But surprisingly for something of this age, the garment is in pretty good condition. And by golly is it warm! 

Snug as a bug in a rug!

X O X O

Christina

The Autumn Leaves

The temperature here has dropped along with the leaves. It is a lovely time of year, when the colours are rich and the air is crisp.

It is necessary though, to dress appropriately. I often find that my personal style can go out of the window whilst trying to stay warm, so this look is my rendition of cosy elegance.
A look that is comfortable and warm but still looks classic.

I recently finished crocheting this scarf, I wanted a wider, longer scarf that I can wrap up high to snuggle in to.

In the colder months I'm always drawn to reading the classics!
And a leather bound hardback copy feels all the more luxury compared to my usual electronic Kindle device.

All that is missing is a Starbucks hot chocolate. With whipped cream and vanilla syrup thank you!

 That warms my cockles!

This outfit showcases my newest make. A teal, cashmere mix 1/2 circle skirt. Super easy to sew as the fabric is very stable and handles well. It uses half the fabric as a full circle skirt and is more manageable to wear everyday.
I would really like to wear this skirt with a petticoat sometime and try a less practical outfit.

Brrrrr..... it was very cold and windy for these pictures!

This scarf was super easy to crochet, it is basically one massive granny square.
(Please note that I only know how to crochet granny squares and nothing else at all!)

The Orange leaves are totally irresistible!
Isn't Autumn just charming!

Outfit Details

Hat- white Angola beret,Glitz4Girlz

Scarf- me made, granny square style, hand crocheted, with looped tassels 

Sweater- Collectif

Skirt- me made, 1/2 circle skirt in cashmere

Gloves- black leather, Marks and Spencer

Tights- grey, fleece lined, Primark

Boots-black leather, from Marks and Spencer

Brooch- vintage sweetheart locket brooch

Though this is more of a modern look than usual, I wanted to show something of my more practical, everyday clothing. There are only so many occasions that I can wear totally frivolous vintage looks.
I hope that I have managed to maintain a classic look.


X O X O

Christina

Craftsy Course

I have always been a terrible knitter, and yet- look at what I knitted!!!

I followed a Craftsy course- 'My First Sweater'.

I found the course to be easy to understand, very clear and enjoyable to follow.

If you are not familiar with Craftsy, it is a website of video courses often focusing on one particular skill or project.  Once you pay for the course, all of the video content remains in your library for you to go back to at any time.

I shortened the pattern to make the length hit the waist. This is my favourite length and is very difficult to find in the shops. 

I played around with some embroidery around the neckline. The flowers work very well in the front, but not so well in the back. It was awkward trying to embroider on knitwear. I could do with a little more practice I think. 

I have used an assortment of autumnal shades for this cardigan to add to my small but slowly growing collection of colder weather clothing. 

I have an astoundingly small amount of colder weather clothing for someone who lives in a country that is basically winter for 9 months of the year! I'm hoping to rectify this with some cute cardigans in different colours. 

The button band was quite the challenge. I had to re do this quite a few times before I got it right. Once I figured it out, everything came together like a dream. 

I went with a bracelet length sleeve for a more elegant look, otherwise I always manage dirty cuffs with full length. 

The raglan sleeves were surprisingly easy. Infact overall the entire cardigan was very simple. The process was broken down into short steps that were explained in great detail. 

I had to get some shots by these autumn leaves. You can see my inspirational colour palate perfectly portrayed by nature. 

I can't recommend this course enough. I have always struggled to grasp knitting as I'm not great with all of the counting. Somehow I have managed to knit a beautiful little cardigan.

I don't want to take my new cardigan off, I feel like a little girl who wants to wear her new shoes to bed!

(I am in no way connected with Craftsy, and received no payment for this post. I just wanted to share with you all my new skill and how I managed it.)

X O X O

Christina