Chucking on a dress is all too easy so, for the last few days I've challenged myself to try a bit harder and wear one of my many vintage skirts instead.
Here's a 1970s Marion Donaldson cotton maxi worn with an Indian block printed gauzy cotton blouse, another purchase from the Vinted seller getting rid of the clothes from her youth. She bought it in 1975 and, I suspect, it probably didn't cost lot more than the £3 I paid for it. I remember my Mum buying Phool dresses from Debenhams in Birmingham for £5 each back in 1976 (yes, I do have a memory like an elephant!)
Although this vintage Indian silk bed cover (a present from Liz & Al) is beautiful, it probably wasn't the best choice for a background on which to photograph my jewellery.
This early 1970s Anokhi midi skirt (from the Oxfam stall at last year's Womad festival) is a few sizes too big but nothing a few strategically placed safety pins can't sort out. The B Young high-necked, shirred cuffed blouse was £3 from the Shelter charity shop in 2022, it was a part of a large donation from a posh boutique which had closed down and originally retailed at £69.99. Jon spotted the 1970s Italian sheepskin hat when we were charity shopping on Friday, a much longed-for black addition to the brown & white ones I already own.
The vintage Anokhi skirt and heavy cotton shirt aren't a set but blend together perfectly. Both were purchased from different sellers from eBay back in 2020.
I spotted the pendant in the clearance charity shop a couple of weeks ago. A girl can never have too much Indian tribal jewellery!
This 1970s Phool skirt is part of a suit I bought from an online seller back in 2019, the embellished plum blouse was a Zara bargain from their 2022 sale (from £45 down to £5!). I spotted this Fatface block printed bag with leather straps (£2.99) in the Compton Hospice shop down the road from Wightwick Manor last week, a souvenir of a lovely day out.
You'll need very sharp eyes to spot it, but there's a new addition to the antique Charles Horner charm bracelet Lord Jon bought me for my birthday, a vintage sterling silver Bambi, snaffled from the display cabinet in Shelter for a mere 99p!
Two weeks into 2024 and I've just finished my fourth book. As Meat Loves Salt was astonishing, darkly violent and vengeful, set during the English Civil War, a period in history I've always been fascinated by. Liz's husband Al is currently re-reading The Air Loom Gang and kindly treated me to a copy which I devoured over the weekend, the true story of James Tilly Matthews, the UK's first recorded paranoid schizophrenic; a mind-boggling tale of madness, espionage, counter espionage and conspiracy theories in the 18th Century. It really needs to be made into a film.
I've been learning about some Arts & Crafts artists previously unknown to me this week. Erika & Annie mentioned Phoebe Anna Traquair in their comments on my Wightwick post and Elaine sent me a link to a book on Abebooks, which I promptly purchased. I've been drooling over her astonishingly beautiful work along with the stunning Arts & Crafts creations in Simplicity or Splendour (also from AbeBooks).
Simplicity or Splendour has a marvellous chapter how the followers of the Aesthetic movement dressed, which I'll share in a future post but, inspired by this picture of stunner, Jane Morris, in said book, I posed on the chaise for a photo before we went out last night.
Last night we walked over to Liz & Adrian's and caught a taxi to The Avion, Aldridge's branch of Wetherspoons, where we met up with Liz & Al. The pub is a former cinema, which was opened by George Formby in 1938. It's always insanely busy and I don't think we've ever been there and got a table straight away and photographing the bespoke Spoons' carpet in nigh-on impossible.
After a few beers we popped into the offie for some booze before crossing the road to Laboni (an anagram of Albion, the owner's a West Brom fan) for an Indian feast.
A good night was had by all. Here's to many more nights out this year, they were sadly lacking in 2023.
And back to books and other cultural pursuits...here's what I'm planning on reading this week... Beyond Black, a darkly comic ghost story by the much missed Hilary Mantel and William Morris by Himself
Last week we went to a members only screening of Poor Things at the cinema and loved it so much that we've going back to watch it again this week (although its best avoided if you're not a fan of sex and profanity!) In my opinion it's a far superior tale of female empowerment than the rather lame Barbie.
You look splendid in the black and white photo. So Pre-Raephalite. Have you ever been to The Red House in Bexley Heath, Kent? I used to live near there and visited a lot . It's lovely it was built for Morris and when I lived near there it was a private home and visits were by appointment. Not sure if that is still the case. Lovely skirts and accessories. I had a wonderful silver and enamel brooch by Charles Horner but sadly lost it. Heartbroken. A good second hand book on Morris is by Christine Poulson. I loved Poor Things Emma Stone is absolutely amazing. Regards Sue H
Hello Sue! Thanks for commenting! The Red House is mentioned in the Simplicity or Splendour book, I'd love to go, I've only been to Kent once, it's a long drive but its an idea for a weekend away. What a pity about your Charles Horner brooch, I love his designs, I'm always hoping I'll find one of his hat pins in a charity shop. Poor Things was wonderful, I've never seen Emma Stone in anything before and thought she played her part brilliantly. xxx
I hated that Barbie movie so much . I so wish I could join you on your charity shop adventures and I do miss my fantastic British curries .I have 8 Canadian curry places in my town but only go to one owned by a wonderful Sikh family who do cook authentic curries and sides .Us Brits love our Indian food something my Canadian neighbours tend to turn their noses up on ..more fool them !I have all the Indian spices and often make my own .Today its a thai red curry tho . Loved all your pics and book info today .Gorgeous silk bed cover .Snowing hard today ..hubby just had to unfreeze the car doors ..its minus 16 but bright blue skies and sun between snow showers .Sending thanks always for letting us share your adventure filled life . Linda in Windsor Ontario.xxx
Hello LInda! It's lovely to hear from you. I wondered if I'd offend anyone calling Barbie lame. I just don't get why so many women were raving over it (did they really like it or was it a case of not wanting to have a different opinion to everyone else?) and I was very pleased that Poor Things got the Golden Globe instead. Goodness me, minus 16! We've got snow and minus temperatures forecast until Wednesday but nothing to what you have to live with. We do love our curries, don't we? Laboni is fantastic and being able to bring your own drink helps keep the prices down. Several of our pubs are now Sikh-run desi restaurants, there's one due to open just round the corner from us soon, I can't wait to try it out. Loving the sound of your Thai red curry. How wonderful would it be to meet up for charity shopping and samosa chat one day? xxx
Dammit, you found ANOTHER fur hat-poof?? I'm insanely jealous! Your skirt collection is gorgeous, Vix - love your Victorian-era styling, with all that gorgeous silver jewelry (swoon!). Your feast with friends looks like such a fun day - turning an old cinema into a pub is a brilliant idea! I am busily planning for our next adventure for us and our pals - the Victoria Film Festival Gala is back!
I get the Barbie backlash - I think there was so much hype around it. I loved it, but on second watching, it didn't hit me the same way, and I think it's because it really slams its points home (again and again) in a very obvious and pointed way. I am okay with that, but it's good to know that "Poor Things" was so much better - can't wait to see it!
I know, I did think of you and your quest to find one when Jon showed it to me. Its arrived just at the right time, too - it's sub-zero and snowy here at the moment! I bet the Victoria Film Gala is an amazing experience. Barbie was mildly entertaining but all the hype about how empowering and revolutionary it was made no sense to me, like you say, it slams the points home in a very obvious way, Poor Things is so much more clever (and way more stylish, no cliched Barbie pink either!) xxx
I haven't been to a movie in ages-sounds like a good day followed by Indian food. I did some thrifting with my daughter and she found work out wear, a dress and a blouse. The skirt is so nice for you.
Thanks, Sam! I'm amazed at how much almost new workout wear turns up in charity shops, I've amassed a brilliant selection of garish leggings and cute crop tops, probably because people who join gyms don't want to be seen wearing the same outfit too often. I love the cinema. Back in the 1980s our local cinema only charged £1 so I used to go alone (cheaper than heating my student bedsit) and saw almost everything they screened. I'm an expert in 1980s films! xxx
Will look out for 'As Meat Loves Salt' as it sounds good, and the Civil War is a period often overlooked when it comes to history programmes on TV. Much as I love the Tudors, I think we could do with a break from 'em. 'Beyond Black' is terrific and wonderfully creepy, I think you'll enjoy it. As for films, I watched 'Barbie' over Christmas. A 'meh!' kind of a film. Not offensive, not particularly funny, I honestly didn't get what all the fuss was about. Maybe I'm the wrong generation. It was Sindy for me! Valerie x
Hello Valerie! As Meat Loves Salt was excellent, I loved it. If you haven't read them already Philippa Gregory's Earthly Joys & The Virgin Earth are also gripping reads, centred around John Tradescant, gardener to Charles I and how his family struggles when they fall out of favour following the Civil War. I'm loving Beyond Black so far, I might have a reading day today as it's too cold to stand outside taking stock photos! Your synopsis of Barbie is very similar to mine and I was Team Sindy, too. A neighbour's daughter had a Barbie and I thought she looked deformed, massive boobs and feet too small to keep her upright! xxx
You're absolutely right: putting on a dress is easy and wearing skirts is much more challenging. Nevertheless, I find myself drawn more to skirt than to dresses lately. In fact, I often feel as if I'm neglecting my dresses! Lots of fantastic creations here and I cannot possibly choose a favourite. Your recreation of the Jane Morris picture is sensational, and I'll definitely be checking out Phoebe Anna Traquair. Her name vaguely rings a bell ... xxx
Yes, skirts and blouses are a challenge, aren't they? You sometimes feel you're cheating by chucking on a dress although, in hindsight, they're not the best option when you're stripping off at the baths, 1970s blouses always seem to have about a billion buttons! Its sad that Phoebe Anna Traquair gets so little acknowledgement, her work was amazingly lovely. xxx
Love the Jane Morris homage! I'd never heard of Phoebe Anna Traquair either. Hats off to you for making the effort with skirts. I have some lovely skirts, but rarely rind a top to suit which is incredibly frustrating. If I do find one that works, I then find I don't have the right jacket or coat or the weather's too cold for the one that does work! Not sure how this is possible when I have a rail full of clothes. :-D That Spoons looks amazing! xxx
Thanks, Claire (aka Birthday Girl)! Yes, Phoebe Anna Traquair sadly seems to have been forgotten, her murals and enamelled jewellery are incredibly beautiful and she was a talented illustrator, bookbinder and embroiderer, too. Skirts are a challenge, it's all too easy to go for the 1970s classic and wear them with a poloneck (like I'm wearing today), pulling out a blouse and realising its a good match feels like such an achievement. The Avion is a great Spoons, I'll have to snap the loos next time, the stained glass is gorgeous. xxx
OOooh SUCH eye-candy Vix - love all your gorgeousness . For more Jane Morris inspo (love your photo) have a look at National Portrait Gallery - they have a suite of photos of Jane, which I believe was commisioned by Rossetti https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp03187/jane-morris-ne-burden?search=sas&sText=Jane+Morris
I've ordered a copy of The Air Loom - thanks for that!
I'm inspired to try and wear skirts-that-are-difficult - I do tend to just shove one under a garment that isn't long enough.
Hello Elaine! There's some gorgeous photos in that link, isn't there? Such a striking woman. The Air Loom is mind-bendingly good. It reads like a novel, no distracting footnotes and lots of interesting illustrations, I hope it fascinated you as much as it did me. I like the idea of wearing a skirt under a dress that isn't quite long enough, ,they're good over dresses, too - especially on days as chilly as this! xxx
Think you"d find this interesting, Vix https://wellcomecollection.org/articles/Y3T6_xAAACK_Tn-F "A workhouse for the poor, an asylum – these were convenient repositories for ‘troublesome’ women; sending them away was one way to effectively stitch their mouths shut".
That is absolutely fascinating, definitely a forerunner to our 21st century Craftism and my lockdown embroidered banners about not being a shitter and cleaning up your litter! Agnes Richter's Little Jacket is gorgeous, makes me want to embroider one of mine with Anti Tory slogans! xxx
All this culture vulture stuff is exciting and the Jane Morris pose was fun. You had some lovely skirts on this week and I love the way you put patterns together and they work so well. I like the Bambi charm :) I hope it's lucky for you. My weekend was mostly swimming, digging manure into my allotment, trying on my clothes for a hand luggage only trip coming up in February and watching Such Brave Girls (I binge watched the series, it is very, very funny imo and as you don't mind the rude/sweary stuff you will love it I think). you can still get it on BBC Iplayer). Betty
I'm trying to read one of my many reference books/ biographies as well as a work of fiction, Betty! I spent most of yesterday reading the William Morris book, it was so interesting to read about his experiments with using natural dyes to make carpets and upholstery fabrics, it makes me love his creations even more knowing how much work he put into creating them. I was excited to spot that tiny Bambi, I'd love to buy a charm for my bracelet on all my travel adventures this year (not that I've booked anything yet! You're very wise to start thinking about your minimal packing for Morocco already, travelling light requires lots of careful thought but once you've mastered it you'll never want to take a big case on holiday ever again! I've bookmarked Such Brave Girls, it sounds absolutely brilliant. xxx
Hi Vix, many thanks for sharing more of your ' passions' with us. I too am a big fan of all things William Morris and Jane Morris. I eagerly look forward to learning more about the Aesthetic style of dress. These women always strike me as ones that I would have liked to have met and known and not just because of their fabulous choices in clothes ! What pictures did they love? What books were they reading? I too have a Charles Horner piece-an enamelled silver pendant and love it. Lots of great book recommendations for us too. I am a ' dyed in the wool' dress wearer and smile when people ask me how many dresses I have. Life is for wearing dresses not counting them!
Hello Alysia! It's so exciting to "meet" like-minded women with similar passions, isn't it? I spent a wonderful few hours reading William Morris by Himself yesterday and really got a sense of both him and his relationship with Janey. Wouldn't it be wonderful to go back in time and ask the women of the movement about their favourite pieces of art, their books and their thoughts? I like the sound of your Charles Horner pendant. Dresses are for wearing, you can never have to many or feel guilty about bulging wardrobes of clothes! xxx
Poor Things looks amazing I think I am going to have to go and see that. Wetherspoons have their establishments in some fantastic buildings don't they and sometimes give them amazing names. The one we used to frequent quite a lot was The Palladium in Llandudno, which was an old theatre and beautiful inside.
We have very similar tastes in films, Sue! I think you'll love Poor Things. Several people have told me how lovely the Spoons is in Llandudno, I think we need to do a road trip! xxx
Poor Things getting a bad rap for omitting any ref to Glasgow and instead set in Victorian London!My eldest thought Barbie film was completely anti-male!Maybe cause his wife dragged him to see it when he really wanted to go see Oppenheimer! Glad she did cause it meant he could take me to see it at The Everyman!You look supreme in that Jane Morris take off pic! A painting there for sure! Can't for the life of me find a skirt to go with my fab new boots that I bought from you. Well, I found one but it made me look like the back end of the pantomime horse!!xxx
The be honest the setting for Poor Things is so fantastical I don't think it resembles any particular city or era, I'll see if I can recognise London when I see it again tomorrow. It's an amazing looking film, I loved it. I bet your son was sulking about not seeing Oppenheimer - far preferable to that silly pink Barbie film, like Sheila says in her comment, it seemed to slam the points home in a very obvious way, I suppose if you'd gone thinking it would be a soppy film about vacuous pink things it might have made you sit up and take notice but knowing it was being lauded as some great female empowerment movie, it fell far short of the hype. We only watched it at home after a few drinks, there's no way I'd have splashed out a tenner on seeing it. Funnily enough my artist friend is inspired to copy that Jane Morris homage! I'm thinking an embroidered cord skirt or one of those button-up 1970s style denim skirts Marks & Spencer did about three years ago would look amazing with those boots! xx
Loving the skirt and top combos - all fabulous. The new fur hat is fab and I really enjoyed the close up pics of the jewellery. In the first photo of your jewellery where it's all silver, I have the same earrings; I think I bought them when I was doing my MA somewhere between 1993 and 1995. Phoebe Ann Traquair was a new name for me, too. The Arts and Crafts books look wonderful and I loved 'Beyond Black'. Your Jane Morris homage was amazing but oh boy she looks miserable! That looked like a good night out! xxx
Thanks, Vronni! Fancy you having the same earrings, they're Rajasthani and dead comfy considering the size of them. Phoebe Ann Tranquair seems all but forgotten, her work was incredible. That book was a couple of quid, well worth snaffling a copy if you spot one. You'll be blown away by her jewellery. Loving Beyond Black. Hilary Mantel was such a great writer. I'm excited about the follow up to Wolf Hall scheduled for sometime soon. Jane did look very pensive in those photos, you'd think with all the action she saw at Kelmscott she'd have a permanent smile on her face! xxx
I shall have to add as meat loves salt to the list, I've always been intersted in th English Civil War era, there is a lot of history from that era around this part of Oxfordshire, my Mum dug up a musket ball in her garden last year. Did you watch The Devil's Whore when it was on? I LOVED it! (and it did spark my passion for Michael Fassbender.)
As Meat Loves Salt such an enthralling read, G! I've just forwarded my copy to a friend or I could have offered it to you. I don't know The Devil's Whore but I've just googled it and as I love Dominic West, Maxine Peake & John Simm I think I need to put it on the watch list! xxx
Hello! I'm sorry you deleted your comment but its led me to your excellent book blog, i've added you to my sidebar as I think a lot of my visitors may enjoy it. x
My dad loved a kind of crazy song called "When I'm Cleaning Windows" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfmAeijj5cM) sung by George Formby. Don't know if it is the same gentleman, but I'm guessing so given the era!
Dear Vix, your vintage skirts are as fab as your dresses! and they offer a lot of possibilities to mix and match and have fun!. Love those skirts and blouses and accessories you've put together!. Totally agree that a girl can't have too much Indian tribal jewellery!. Those burgundy and plum and berry shades are really beautiful! And so Gorgeous in that black&white photo, even if a little bit melancholic. More inspiring to see you having a nigh out with friends! ;DD Those books look really appealing, same for the film (steampunk atmosphere and some women empowerment!, doubled fabulousness!) besos
I'm glad someone else is Pre-Raphaelite-mad right now... I've fallen properly down the rabbit hole. I do wish more of the women's correspondance has survived; the accomplishments of both Jane Burden and Lizzie Siddall seem to have been shunted to one side in order to reduce them to muses for the men in their lives.
On a visit to Wightwick several years ago one of the volunteers was telling me about how the Pre-Raphaelite women were almost erased from history. I've been hunting down books about them ever since. It's really sad how nobody even knows the name of the women who sat for some of those glorious paintings. xxx
.jpg)
As meat loves salt has stayed with me for many years. One of my favourite books.
ReplyDeleteIt's an incredible read, Jacob was such a complex and troubled character. I can see that making a good film, too! xxx
DeleteI'm loving the tan boots seen in a couple of pics. Are they a recent addition?
ReplyDeleteVicki, you've got eagle eyes! Yes, they're from Clarks' clearance sale, they're called Pique Up and I love them! xxx
DeleteGreat Photo inpired by Jane Morris. I enjoy your Outfits with Skirts. I love the mix of patterns.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! xxx
DeleteYou look splendid in the black and white photo. So Pre-Raephalite. Have you ever been to The Red House in Bexley Heath, Kent? I used to live near there and visited a lot . It's lovely it was built for Morris and when I lived near there it was a private home and visits were by appointment. Not sure if that is still the case. Lovely skirts and accessories. I had a wonderful silver and enamel brooch by Charles Horner but sadly lost it. Heartbroken. A good second hand book on Morris is by Christine Poulson. I loved Poor Things Emma Stone is absolutely amazing. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteHello Sue! Thanks for commenting! The Red House is mentioned in the Simplicity or Splendour book, I'd love to go, I've only been to Kent once, it's a long drive but its an idea for a weekend away.
DeleteWhat a pity about your Charles Horner brooch, I love his designs, I'm always hoping I'll find one of his hat pins in a charity shop.
Poor Things was wonderful, I've never seen Emma Stone in anything before and thought she played her part brilliantly. xxx
I hated that Barbie movie so much .
ReplyDeleteI so wish I could join you on your charity shop adventures and I do miss my fantastic British curries .I have 8 Canadian curry places in my town but only go to one owned by a wonderful Sikh family who do cook authentic curries and sides .Us Brits love our Indian food something my Canadian neighbours tend to turn their noses up on ..more fool them !I have all the Indian spices and often make my own .Today its a thai red curry tho .
Loved all your pics and book info today .Gorgeous silk bed cover .Snowing hard today ..hubby just had to unfreeze the car doors ..its minus 16 but bright blue skies and sun between snow showers .Sending thanks always for letting us share your adventure filled life .
Linda in Windsor Ontario.xxx
Hello LInda! It's lovely to hear from you.
DeleteI wondered if I'd offend anyone calling Barbie lame. I just don't get why so many women were raving over it (did they really like it or was it a case of not wanting to have a different opinion to everyone else?) and I was very pleased that Poor Things got the Golden Globe instead.
Goodness me, minus 16! We've got snow and minus temperatures forecast until Wednesday but nothing to what you have to live with. We do love our curries, don't we? Laboni is fantastic and being able to bring your own drink helps keep the prices down. Several of our pubs are now Sikh-run desi restaurants, there's one due to open just round the corner from us soon, I can't wait to try it out. Loving the sound of your Thai red curry.
How wonderful would it be to meet up for charity shopping and samosa chat one day? xxx
The food makes my mouth water.
ReplyDeleteIndian food is so good especially on a cold night after a few beers! xxx
DeleteDammit, you found ANOTHER fur hat-poof?? I'm insanely jealous! Your skirt collection is gorgeous, Vix - love your Victorian-era styling, with all that gorgeous silver jewelry (swoon!). Your feast with friends looks like such a fun day - turning an old cinema into a pub is a brilliant idea! I am busily planning for our next adventure for us and our pals - the Victoria Film Festival Gala is back!
ReplyDeleteI get the Barbie backlash - I think there was so much hype around it. I loved it, but on second watching, it didn't hit me the same way, and I think it's because it really slams its points home (again and again) in a very obvious and pointed way. I am okay with that, but it's good to know that "Poor Things" was so much better - can't wait to see it!
I know, I did think of you and your quest to find one when Jon showed it to me. Its arrived just at the right time, too - it's sub-zero and snowy here at the moment!
DeleteI bet the Victoria Film Gala is an amazing experience.
Barbie was mildly entertaining but all the hype about how empowering and revolutionary it was made no sense to me, like you say, it slams the points home in a very obvious way, Poor Things is so much more clever (and way more stylish, no cliched Barbie pink either!) xxx
I haven't been to a movie in ages-sounds like a good day followed by Indian food. I did some thrifting with my daughter and she found work out wear, a dress and a blouse. The skirt is so nice for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sam! I'm amazed at how much almost new workout wear turns up in charity shops, I've amassed a brilliant selection of garish leggings and cute crop tops, probably because people who join gyms don't want to be seen wearing the same outfit too often.
DeleteI love the cinema. Back in the 1980s our local cinema only charged £1 so I used to go alone (cheaper than heating my student bedsit) and saw almost everything they screened. I'm an expert in 1980s films! xxx
Will look out for 'As Meat Loves Salt' as it sounds good, and the Civil War is a period often overlooked when it comes to history programmes on TV. Much as I love the Tudors, I think we could do with a break from 'em. 'Beyond Black' is terrific and wonderfully creepy, I think you'll enjoy it. As for films, I watched 'Barbie' over Christmas. A 'meh!' kind of a film. Not offensive, not particularly funny, I honestly didn't get what all the fuss was about. Maybe I'm the wrong generation. It was Sindy for me! Valerie x
ReplyDeleteHello Valerie! As Meat Loves Salt was excellent, I loved it. If you haven't read them already Philippa Gregory's Earthly Joys & The Virgin Earth are also gripping reads, centred around John Tradescant, gardener to Charles I and how his family struggles when they fall out of favour following the Civil War.
DeleteI'm loving Beyond Black so far, I might have a reading day today as it's too cold to stand outside taking stock photos!
Your synopsis of Barbie is very similar to mine and I was Team Sindy, too. A neighbour's daughter had a Barbie and I thought she looked deformed, massive boobs and feet too small to keep her upright! xxx
Delete
You're absolutely right: putting on a dress is easy and wearing skirts is much more challenging. Nevertheless, I find myself drawn more to skirt than to dresses lately. In fact, I often feel as if I'm neglecting my dresses!
ReplyDeleteLots of fantastic creations here and I cannot possibly choose a favourite.
Your recreation of the Jane Morris picture is sensational, and I'll definitely be checking out Phoebe Anna Traquair. Her name vaguely rings a bell ... xxx
Yes, skirts and blouses are a challenge, aren't they? You sometimes feel you're cheating by chucking on a dress although, in hindsight, they're not the best option when you're stripping off at the baths, 1970s blouses always seem to have about a billion buttons!
DeleteIts sad that Phoebe Anna Traquair gets so little acknowledgement, her work was amazingly lovely. xxx
Love the Jane Morris homage! I'd never heard of Phoebe Anna Traquair either.
ReplyDeleteHats off to you for making the effort with skirts. I have some lovely skirts, but rarely rind a top to suit which is incredibly frustrating. If I do find one that works, I then find I don't have the right jacket or coat or the weather's too cold for the one that does work! Not sure how this is possible when I have a rail full of clothes. :-D
That Spoons looks amazing! xxx
Thanks, Claire (aka Birthday Girl)! Yes, Phoebe Anna Traquair sadly seems to have been forgotten, her murals and enamelled jewellery are incredibly beautiful and she was a talented illustrator, bookbinder and embroiderer, too.
DeleteSkirts are a challenge, it's all too easy to go for the 1970s classic and wear them with a poloneck (like I'm wearing today), pulling out a blouse and realising its a good match feels like such an achievement.
The Avion is a great Spoons, I'll have to snap the loos next time, the stained glass is gorgeous. xxx
Beautiful outfits. I love that photo of you posing as Janis.
ReplyDeleteHow great you found new Arts & Crafts characters to learn about.
Thanks, Ivana! xxx
DeleteOOooh SUCH eye-candy Vix - love all your gorgeousness . For more Jane Morris inspo (love your photo) have a look at National Portrait Gallery - they have a suite of photos of Jane, which I believe was commisioned by Rossetti
ReplyDeletehttps://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp03187/jane-morris-ne-burden?search=sas&sText=Jane+Morris
I've ordered a copy of The Air Loom - thanks for that!
I'm inspired to try and wear skirts-that-are-difficult - I do tend to just shove one under a garment that isn't long enough.
Elaine xx
Hello Elaine! There's some gorgeous photos in that link, isn't there? Such a striking woman.
DeleteThe Air Loom is mind-bendingly good. It reads like a novel, no distracting footnotes and lots of interesting illustrations, I hope it fascinated you as much as it did me.
I like the idea of wearing a skirt under a dress that isn't quite long enough, ,they're good over dresses, too - especially on days as chilly as this! xxx
Think you"d find this interesting, Vix
Deletehttps://wellcomecollection.org/articles/Y3T6_xAAACK_Tn-F
"A workhouse for the poor, an asylum – these were convenient repositories for ‘troublesome’ women; sending them away was one way to effectively stitch their mouths shut".
That is absolutely fascinating, definitely a forerunner to our 21st century Craftism and my lockdown embroidered banners about not being a shitter and cleaning up your litter! Agnes Richter's Little Jacket is gorgeous, makes me want to embroider one of mine with Anti Tory slogans! xxx
DeleteAll this culture vulture stuff is exciting and the Jane Morris pose was fun. You had some lovely skirts on this week and I love the way you put patterns together and they work so well. I like the Bambi charm :) I hope it's lucky for you. My weekend was mostly swimming, digging manure into my allotment, trying on my clothes for a hand luggage only trip coming up in February and watching Such Brave Girls (I binge watched the series, it is very, very funny imo and as you don't mind the rude/sweary stuff you will love it I think). you can still get it on BBC Iplayer). Betty
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to read one of my many reference books/ biographies as well as a work of fiction, Betty! I spent most of yesterday reading the William Morris book, it was so interesting to read about his experiments with using natural dyes to make carpets and upholstery fabrics, it makes me love his creations even more knowing how much work he put into creating them.
DeleteI was excited to spot that tiny Bambi, I'd love to buy a charm for my bracelet on all my travel adventures this year (not that I've booked anything yet!
You're very wise to start thinking about your minimal packing for Morocco already, travelling light requires lots of careful thought but once you've mastered it you'll never want to take a big case on holiday ever again!
I've bookmarked Such Brave Girls, it sounds absolutely brilliant. xxx
Love all your skirts and the food looks phenomenal.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hena! xxx
DeleteHi Vix, many thanks for sharing more of your ' passions' with us. I too am a big fan of all things William Morris and Jane Morris. I eagerly look forward to learning more about the Aesthetic style of dress. These women always strike me as ones that I would have liked to have met and known and not just because of their fabulous choices in clothes ! What pictures did they love? What books were they reading? I too have a Charles Horner piece-an enamelled silver pendant and love it. Lots of great book recommendations for us too. I am a ' dyed in the wool' dress wearer and smile when people ask me how many dresses I have. Life is for wearing dresses not counting them!
ReplyDeleteHello Alysia! It's so exciting to "meet" like-minded women with similar passions, isn't it? I spent a wonderful few hours reading William Morris by Himself yesterday and really got a sense of both him and his relationship with Janey. Wouldn't it be wonderful to go back in time and ask the women of the movement about their favourite pieces of art, their books and their thoughts?
DeleteI like the sound of your Charles Horner pendant.
Dresses are for wearing, you can never have to many or feel guilty about bulging wardrobes of clothes! xxx
Poor Things looks amazing I think I am going to have to go and see that. Wetherspoons have their establishments in some fantastic buildings don't they and sometimes give them amazing names. The one we used to frequent quite a lot was The Palladium in Llandudno, which was an old theatre and beautiful inside.
ReplyDeleteWe have very similar tastes in films, Sue! I think you'll love Poor Things. Several people have told me how lovely the Spoons is in Llandudno, I think we need to do a road trip! xxx
DeletePoor Things getting a bad rap for omitting any ref to Glasgow and instead set in Victorian London!My eldest thought Barbie film was completely anti-male!Maybe cause his wife dragged him to see it when he really wanted to go see Oppenheimer! Glad she did cause it meant he could take me to see it at The Everyman!You look supreme in that Jane Morris take off pic! A painting there for sure! Can't for the life of me find a skirt to go with my fab new boots that I bought from you. Well, I found one but it made me look like the back end of the pantomime horse!!xxx
ReplyDeleteThe be honest the setting for Poor Things is so fantastical I don't think it resembles any particular city or era, I'll see if I can recognise London when I see it again tomorrow. It's an amazing looking film, I loved it.
DeleteI bet your son was sulking about not seeing Oppenheimer - far preferable to that silly pink Barbie film, like Sheila says in her comment, it seemed to slam the points home in a very obvious way, I suppose if you'd gone thinking it would be a soppy film about vacuous pink things it might have made you sit up and take notice but knowing it was being lauded as some great female empowerment movie, it fell far short of the hype. We only watched it at home after a few drinks, there's no way I'd have splashed out a tenner on seeing it.
Funnily enough my artist friend is inspired to copy that Jane Morris homage!
I'm thinking an embroidered cord skirt or one of those button-up 1970s style denim skirts Marks & Spencer did about three years ago would look amazing with those boots! xx
It's me, though i.might as well call myself Annieonamous if Google keeps this up!!pffft!.off to check out cord skirts!
DeleteI knew it was you! Blogger is being very odd! Try Vinted, there's some lovely ones that keep popping up in my feed! xxx
DeleteLoving the skirt and top combos - all fabulous. The new fur hat is fab and I really enjoyed the close up pics of the jewellery. In the first photo of your jewellery where it's all silver, I have the same earrings; I think I bought them when I was doing my MA somewhere between 1993 and 1995. Phoebe Ann Traquair was a new name for me, too. The Arts and Crafts books look wonderful and I loved 'Beyond Black'.
ReplyDeleteYour Jane Morris homage was amazing but oh boy she looks miserable!
That looked like a good night out!
xxx
Thanks, Vronni! Fancy you having the same earrings, they're Rajasthani and dead comfy considering the size of them.
DeletePhoebe Ann Tranquair seems all but forgotten, her work was incredible. That book was a couple of quid, well worth snaffling a copy if you spot one. You'll be blown away by her jewellery.
Loving Beyond Black. Hilary Mantel was such a great writer. I'm excited about the follow up to Wolf Hall scheduled for sometime soon.
Jane did look very pensive in those photos, you'd think with all the action she saw at Kelmscott she'd have a permanent smile on her face! xxx
I shall have to add as meat loves salt to the list, I've always been intersted in th English Civil War era, there is a lot of history from that era around this part of Oxfordshire, my Mum dug up a musket ball in her garden last year. Did you watch The Devil's Whore when it was on? I LOVED it! (and it did spark my passion for Michael Fassbender.)
ReplyDeleteAs Meat Loves Salt such an enthralling read, G! I've just forwarded my copy to a friend or I could have offered it to you. I don't know The Devil's Whore but I've just googled it and as I love Dominic West, Maxine Peake & John Simm I think I need to put it on the watch list! xxx
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHello! I'm sorry you deleted your comment but its led me to your excellent book blog, i've added you to my sidebar as I think a lot of my visitors may enjoy it. x
DeleteMy dad loved a kind of crazy song called "When I'm Cleaning Windows" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfmAeijj5cM) sung by George Formby. Don't know if it is the same gentleman, but I'm guessing so given the era!
ReplyDeleteMy Dad used to love that song, too! Thanks for the reminder Brenda! xxx
DeleteDear Vix, your vintage skirts are as fab as your dresses! and they offer a lot of possibilities to mix and match and have fun!. Love those skirts and blouses and accessories you've put together!. Totally agree that a girl can't have too much Indian tribal jewellery!. Those burgundy and plum and berry shades are really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnd so Gorgeous in that black&white photo, even if a little bit melancholic. More inspiring to see you having a nigh out with friends! ;DD
Those books look really appealing, same for the film (steampunk atmosphere and some women empowerment!, doubled fabulousness!)
besos
Thanks, Monica! xxx
DeleteWow, Vix, I did a double take of the black and white photo of you. You definitely belong in that book. X
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jess! xxx
DeleteI'm glad someone else is Pre-Raphaelite-mad right now... I've fallen properly down the rabbit hole. I do wish more of the women's correspondance has survived; the accomplishments of both Jane Burden and Lizzie Siddall seem to have been shunted to one side in order to reduce them to muses for the men in their lives.
ReplyDeleteOn a visit to Wightwick several years ago one of the volunteers was telling me about how the Pre-Raphaelite women were almost erased from history. I've been hunting down books about them ever since. It's really sad how nobody even knows the name of the women who sat for some of those glorious paintings. xxx
Delete