Weekend Viewing: Art Deco Icons

For those of you looking for some visual entertainment on this rainy weekend here in the UK, you can have a peek at Art Deco Icons, a series exploring British architecture of the period.

It's available here on the BBC iplayer, and the first episode looks at Claridge's Hotel in London.

Between watching this, and the episode of Kirstie's Homemade Home where she looks at Burgh Island Hotel, I have decided my future fantasy home will contain an art-deco bathroom.

1950s' Cake Plate

Another car-boot sale purchase from last summer. I think it was 50p, I bought it for the tea-party I had for my birthday, and further investigation of the mark on the back shows that it probably dates from the mid 1950s. It's the perfect size for a cheesecake, and I've used it quite a few times over the past year.

What a rainy day here in Wales! I've been so busy lately with a) work, b) looking for work, and c) working around the workmen doing their work, that I haven't done much sewing, or visiting of charity shops, or watching of old films. I'm hoping to rectify the bargain-shopping tomorrow when I visit a friend, so I'll get back to you soon with any purchases!

If you're off to Glastonbury like my other half is, make sure you take your wellies!!

Poirot Fashion Special: Peril at End House

This feature-length episode is a real treat, in terms of locations as well as costumes! The art-deco 'hotel' above is actually an apartment block in Torquay, Devon. People actually live there.

Now on to the clothes. First up, Miss Lemon, looking divine in this grey-sleeved number. Love the hat too.

I think this next picture is one of the few times we ever see Miss Lemon in evening wear. A pity there's no full-length shot.

Daywear....

Even the extras and minor players in this episode are super stylish! I love the hotel receptionist, and the hotel guest in the green print beach pyjamas.

Now let's have a look at the two main female characters in this story. That's Nick on the left, we're supposed to find her charming, vulnerable and beautiful. Freddie is the red-head in the middle, she's supposed to have a more acidic exterior. Out of the two wardrobes, I have to say I like Freddie's best! Which do you prefer?

Nick's wardrobe:








Freddie's wardrobe:

Did this give you some inspiration? I'd really like a little black '30s hat like Miss Lemon's, a pair of tropical print beach pyjamas, and a little fur cape for evening. What's your fantasy Poirot fashion shopping list?

Miss P xx

Make Do and Mend Project 2

A speedy makeover for my second project - a charity shop dress in a beige colour wasn't getting much wear. I used Dylon's machine dye, in dark green. It's hard to capture the colour on camera but it's a really lovely, deep, jewel like colour. I love it!

Apologies for not being as active on the blogosphere lately - it's a combination of the lasting effects of the kitchen ceiling leak and the subsequent building work, plus I am snowed under at work in the real world as my job nears the end of its contract. So that means lots of job-hunting too - job angels hear my cry!

I'll be back after the weekend with some more Poirot to make up for it.

Hope you're all having a good week!

Miss P xx

Secret Sewing: First Make Do & Mend Project

So here is the first project I've tackled as part of Make Do & Mend. The dress had originally been mint green, but I dyed it a deep red some time ago. It still wasn't quite right though and has been languishing in a store-room. I felt the length was a little too long and the front kept slipping down and exposing my bra.

So, I shortened the skirt (had to separate the skirt and bodice for this, as the hem is scalloped and embroidered, which I didn't want to lose). Next step was to tackle those too-long straps - I decided to go for a pinafore style and add buttons at the same time as shortening them.

It's much more wearable now - I'm very pleased! This length works better for me as I wear a lot of knee high boots, and it looks better to have a little bit of leg in between the boots and the skirt!

I have to confess also that the buttons weren't already in my stash, but they were a present from my other half who found them at a car boot sale, so I didn't spend any money. He's amazing at finding things. Just give him a list and a couple of hours and he will return victorious!

Project 2 is also completed, and 3, 4, and 5 are on the way - watch this space for more updates soon!

Make Do and Mend!

I'm planning on some serious sewing this weekend - I have 3 days off, and a stash of clothes that don't fit properly, or need mending. So I am going to work my way through as part of Make Do and Mend 2011.


Sorry for being quiet recently - with regards to the ceiling leak and boiler crisis, we finally have a new boiler, and hot water and heating again (this is important even in June in Wales, it's really not very warm at all!) but I still can't move back into my bedroom for another week or so, just waiting on the carpet now. It's been an open house for tradesmen of all descriptions for the last ten days, I can't wait for it to all be over!

Voting Help Needed!

Hello lovely readers!

My other half has very excitedly been nominated for the Mojo music magazine 'New Voice' award!!!

I have a personal favour to ask - I need your help to place a vote for him! All it needs is a visit to a website, and a click - are you up for the task? Here are the details:

Christopher Rees has been shortlisted for a MOJO Honours List 'New Voice' Award. The shortlist of 10 will trimmed down to 5 by public vote. The five artists to receive the most votes will then go through to the final round of judging in front of a MOJO-approved music industry panel.

Click here to vote! Or visit http://www.mojo4music.co.uk/ and follow the link for the 'New Voice' competition.

Many thanks - I've been having an awful week with plumbers in and out on the house sorting out a leak in my kitchen ceiling! But hopefully it's nearly sorted and normal service will soon be resumed!!

Outfit Post: Weekday Wardrobe

Here's what I wore the other week when the weather was a bit colder again, and a bit rainy too!
NO vintage - I had a week off!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend - my week has been stressful to say the least, a leak in our kitchen ceiling has led to all kinds of chaos, so I'm intending to relax for the next few days and have a go at a bit of make do and mend.

Working from home outfit - blouse: H&M. Skirt: Warehouse. Black t-bars: M&S

Working out in the community outfit - shirt: Tesco. Jeans: New Look. Shoes: Monsoon.

Lunch with my other half's parents outfit: Topshop dress: charity shop. Cardi: car boot sale. Shoes: Primark. Bag: car boot sale.

Out and about on errands outfit - Skirt & belt: New Look. Top: M&S, charity shop. Boots: Jones the Bootmaker.

'Need to look professional' outfit for more community-based work - Dorothy Perkins dress: charity shop. Shoes: Primark. Cardi: Asda.