Monthly Archives: April 2014

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It was a Bright Cold Day in April, and the Clocks were Striking Thirteen

Well, not quite, I mean it is a bright, cold day in April, but this beautiful wedding gown is the antithesis of 1984 dystopia.

Much more a utopian dress; blissful, heavenly, idyllic even.

1930’s Glamour springs to mind.
Elegance and femininity, think Jean Harlow and Greta Garbo. Ivory silk and chiffon.

It’s a couture dress by an English designer called Sophie English.

All very patriotic that.

It’s never been worn, but worry not, nothing awful befell the bride to be, it was made as a sample, and for a smidgeon of the cost you can look like a Hollywood Star on your Wedding Day.

Incidentally, the blog title is a favourite opening line of mine.

Along with… you know what I’m going to say don’t you…. #predictable:

‘it is a truth universally acknowledged….’

Fellow bloggers, what’s your favourite opening line?

4 Comments

April 7, 2014 · 11:32 am

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Feeling Blue?

These are lush.
And very bright.
Bright turquoise glass beads knotted as a necklace.

Maybe they’re more ‘Celeste’ – a bright sky blue. Or possibly ‘Pearl Mystique’ with a hint of teal.

Actually, I’m going for ‘Cerulean’.

Cerulean blue, first mentioned as a colour in 1590, derived from the Latin word ‘caelum’ meaning heaven or sky.

What do you think?

Anyway, this heavenly necklace doesn’t go back to 1590, but it is vintage.
And it can be yours, right here.

If you want to get AHEAD, get A HAT

As a follow on to an earlier post, this item of loveliness is also trending due to the popularity of a TV series.

Anybody heard of Downton Abbey?

Hats are in.

Susannah Buxton, the former fashion designer for Downton, was nominated for an Emmy for costume design. The department is now run by her former assistant, Caroline McCall. According to Buxton, Downton Abbey clothes don’t strictly adhere to the period, but use the same aesthetic while trying to make Downton style attractive to modern audiences. She says it’s more a translation than historically accurate.

Ralph Lauren’s Fall 2012 show opened with the theme song of Downton Abbey. Models wore skinny plaid trousers and narrow cut blazers. Lauren’s spring show was more of a flouncy pastel affair suited to garden parties and formal dinners. And of course, where Mr Lauren leads, PoshPedlar follows.

The hat I offer here is more Lady Mary than Dowager Countess, it is absolutely gorgeous.

Vintage caramel straw, with a faded rose corsage and delicate net to finish. Top quality, super condition.

Perfect for that summer wedding with cream trouser suit, in fact any shade of pastel will do.

Each episode of Downton costs £1 million to make. You can buy PoshPedlar’s hat for a lot less here.

7 Comments

April 5, 2014 · 5:58 pm

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A Tad Mad Men – Cocktails and Curves

Vintage clip on earrings. About 60 years old. From the 1950’s – 1960’s.

The good old days.

Beautifully made with cream and crystal clear glass bugle beads.

So if you’re a would-be Betty Draper, or maybe you just enjoy the nostalgia of vintage, and hanker after a time when drinking, smoking, misogynist bigots roamed the streets, these lovely earrings are for you.

“In May 2010, Miss Hendricks was voted “The Sexiest Woman Alive” by female readers of Esquire magazine. Two months later the size-14 actress, who plays the feisty secretary Joan Harris in Mad Men, was declared a role model by Lynne Featherstone, the UK Equalities Minister.
Criticising the “overexposure” of skinny models, which she said was causing a crisis in “body confidence” among young women, the Liberal Democrat minister declared: “Christina Hendricks is absolutely fabulous.
“We need more of these role models. There is such a sensation when there is a curvy role model. It shouldn’t be so unusual.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8290407/Mad-Men-star-Christina-Hendricks-sparks-rush-for-breast-implants.html

Cocktails and curves, and you can buy them by clicking on them!

3 Comments

April 4, 2014 · 5:36 pm

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Pearls of Wisdom

“Happiness is a by-product of an effort to make someone else happy.”

I am going to make you very happy with these gorgeous vintage daisy clip-on earrings.

Some people clean their pearls in salt water.
I like to swipe mine with a clean cloth lightly dipped in olive oil.

Occasionally, I roll my pearls over my forehead.
My make-up free forehead. Sounds bizarre. Works a treat.

The natural oils in skin bring out the lustre of the pearls.
Which is why pearls should be worn. They improve each time you wear them.

Pearl earrings widen your smile, and actually make your teeth look whiter.

What’s not to like?
Happy days.

Buy them here.

2 Comments

April 3, 2014 · 7:21 pm

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Under Starter’s Orders (SOLD)

Under Starter's Orders

This is a Harris Tweed handbag darlings.

Perfect for a day at The Races.

It’s the Grand National this week. My 50p each way’s on TeaForThree.

The bag is elegant with super quality brown leather finish, and practical; Harris Tweed is waterproof, so whether you’re hunting, shooting, fishing, or just dashing out to Tesco’s this is the perfect bag for you, and it’s only two clicks away!

Harris Tweed, or Clo Mor (The Big Cloth) is the only fabric in the world governed by its own Act of Parliament.

From start to finish the cloth is in the hands of skilled and experienced artisans who oversee every stage of production utilising generations of knowledge to produce a product worthy of the name Harris Tweed.

Furthermore a 1993 Act of Parliament underpins the unique status of Harris Tweed and decrees that genuine Harris Tweed must be made from pure virgin wool which has been dyed and spun on the islands and handwoven at the home of the weaver in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.

Harris Tweed is about quality and style, history and heritage. It is the fabric of choice for many of the world’s leading designers as well as their most discerning clients. When you buy Harris Tweed you are guaranteed the best, safe in the knowledge that the Orb secures a perfect cloth for years of use.

Protection: The Harris Tweed Act 1993 enshrines in law that every meter of Harris Tweed will conform to exacting standards and adhere to the legal definition of Harris Tweed. Where you see the Orb Mark, you are guaranteed the cloth is authentically produced in the Outer Hebrides as outlined by the Act.

History: For well over a century Harris Tweed has been woven with skill and care by crofters in their own homes just as it is today. From the gentry of early 20th century high living to the catwalks and couturiers of today, Harris Tweed has long been the choice of the discerning.

Indigenous: By law all Harris Tweed must be produced in the Outer Hebrides and nowhere else. Each inch of wool is dyed and spun in an island mill and every yard is handwoven in the home of a Harris Tweed weaver. These skills are passed down from generation to generation of the island’s community with pride.

Natural: Low-impact production and reliance on natural materials throughout, Harris Tweed is a truly ecologically sound textile. Biodegradable, VOC absorbent, non-allergenic, energy efficient manufacture…Harris Tweed is truly a fabric for the 21st century.

Provenance: Made of 100% Pure New Wool, Harris Tweed is dyed, blended, carded, spun, warped, woven, finished, examined and stamped only in the Scottish Outer Hebrides by local crofters and artisans.

Practicality: Harris Tweed is warm in winter and cool in summer. It resists water and wear and tear with ease, cleans easily and can be repaired with the simplest of tools.

Longevity: You may pay a little more for your Harris Tweed but it pays you back by standing the test of time. The cloth never goes out of style and simply gets better with age.

Artisanal: Woven on treadle powered looms, Harris Tweed is crafted by hand without the aid of automation or electricity. Weaver’s skills take months to learn and years to master and every step of the Harris Tweed process is in the hands of skilled islanders, from dyeing to delivery.

Beauty: Harris Tweed is literally dyed in the wool, with separate pigments of wool carefully blended to special “recipes” before being spun. Just one single yarn can contain several different colours in order to obtain the perfect tone or hue, each reflecting some aspect of our natural surroundings. Heathers, mosses, lochs, mountains and sky, all entwined to make beautiful Harris Tweed.

Style: The world’s best designers, fashion houses and artists have embraced Harris Tweed, showing their appreciation through their wonderful creations with every passing season. And Harris Tweed is not just restricted to catwalks and couture, bespoke interiors from household soft furnishings to five star hotels are also enjoying that rare touch of luxury only Harris Tweed can bring.

1 Comment

April 3, 2014 · 9:30 am

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Monet Monet Monet

We’re talking Michael Monet here, not Claude.

Although there is something quite impressionistic about the finish and texture of these lovely earrings:

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cmon/hd_cmon.htm

Around the time that Claude Monet was putting the finishing touches to his water lillies at Giverny, Michael Monet was launching his costume jewellery business with just $4 to his name.

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/costume-jewelry/monet

You can be part of the Monet narrative with these fab drop earrings. They are wonderful quality, and in excellent condition, signed, and perfect for the costume jewellery collector.

2 Comments

April 2, 2014 · 10:44 pm

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Belle of the May Ball

This beautiful dress in turquoise chiffon is quite simply stunning on.

If you want to turn a few heads at your end of year Prom, Graduation Ball or Summer wedding, this ticks all the boxes. It’s floaty, and fabulous, and you’ll feel a million dollars in it.

It’s a steal, a deal, a sale of the century, and you can buy it here.

Cautionary note – not suitable for punting in.

Vintage Cloisonne enamel flutterby earrings

These hoop earrings are lush.

Depicting flowers and butterflies, they are beautifully made, super quality, and perfect to complement any outfit.

Very on trend, the colours are vibrant, just what we need after a very monochrome winter.

Butterflies are amazing insects aren’t they? They taste with their feet, and drink from muddy puddles, some butterflies live for only 2 – 4 weeks.

Romantic creatures featuring in ancient myths and legends, their beauty and fragility are renowned.

These stunning earrings will last a little longer than 2 – 4 weeks, and you can treat yourself here!

2 Comments

April 1, 2014 · 1:23 pm

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Vintage Beaded Cape (SOLD)

This stunning cape/collar is hand embroidered with iridescent glass bugle beads and palest green sequins.

Perfect cover up for a summer wedding, or to jazz up your festival frock, or even afternoon tea at Downton, whatever her ladyship prefers.
It’s very elegant and in perfect condition. And you can purchase it here.