Blog Archives

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The Co-operative – here for you for life

I met a lady from far away, whom, whilst showing me her wares, (a cardboard suitcase oozing vintage scarves) whispered I should visit a market in a Northern town.

Two scarves (one polka dot polyester, one lilac silk) and 47 miles later I park here:

Hope Mill. Or rather Hope Mi.l, according to the sign on the fir green door, not so much dark and satanic as dank and sagging.

The smell was overwhelming, growing stronger as I paced towards the bustle of the Market Hall.

Fish and Chip Shops. Attacking from three different angles. Enough vinegar to pickle the whole town.

Stalls set out in a square grid. Anything from armless Action Men to rampant bronze lions. With a great deal of CD’s, chipped plates and Chinese fakery in between. But it was good. Interesting. Very busy, and shouty. Lots of activity; banter, buying, bartering. I bought. Earrings, cufflinks and two bulbs of smoked garlic. I put back a Losol jug. Which I now regret of course.

It began to rain. I asked a woman with dreadlocks and creamy cappuccino skin to suggest a decent cafe.

And did she:

The Bear. Deli downstairs, eatery upstairs via a staircase Scarlett O’Hara wouldn’t sniff at. Was once The Co op, when once the Co op stood for Caring and Sharing. Unlike now. Help yourself why don’t you?

Pink lemonade in a silly ballon and celeriac soup in a bowl with basil and bread like this:

They like their chow in this Northern town. And they’re happy to share it. The ‘Incredible Edible’ project plants orchards and vegetables in unused spaces around the town. For everyone to partake. Cherry trees in the car park, and flocks of herbs along the canal.

What a marvellous idea. Prettify brown sites, rally a community, eat your greens.

Simple. Cooperative.

Secrets of the Vatican Vintage Visionaries

1950’s Italian micro mosaic ear clips. Yellow roses.
Yellow roses for friendship.

Micro mosaic jewellery can trace its roots back to The Vatican.

The recipe for the minute tesserae, or enamel shards used to make this magnificent jewellery is a closely kept secret in the Holy See.

Centuries ago, in order to preserve the magnificent frescoes, which were sadly deteriorating due to the pervading damp, mosaic techniques were investigated in order to replace the artworks.

28,000 tesserae colours were developed to accurately replicate most of the Basilica paintings. By 1770, nearly all of them had been successfully copied in mosaic.

Even now, tourists visiting St. Peter’s are often oblivious that the artworks they’re viewing are mosaic and not painted.

Decades later, these skills were transferred to those making souvenirs for the noble elite on the Grand Tour. The vignettes were usually of classical subjects, temples, and doves being most popular.

Fast forward to the middle of the last century and micro mosaic jewellery was being produced as gifts for tourists.

You can buy these gorgeous Holy earrings here.

1 Comment

April 11, 2014 · 6:24 pm

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Cheshire Cherry Blossom

“Rather than turning over a new leaf, prune your tree so that new leaves continue to blossom.”

Photograph taken this morning at Denzell Gardens in Cheshire.
Click on the photo for an interesting read about North West England’s heritage.

Let me know if you recognise the species… some kind of Cherry?

6 Comments

April 9, 2014 · 7:44 pm

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What rhymes with amethyst?

Not a lot apparently.
Only rather alarming looking words ending in …cyst.
So it’s hardly surprising that there is little in the literary canon about the good old amethyst.
It just isn’t poetic enough.
Let’s try another approach. Take a look at the etymology.
Oh dear.
From the Greek ‘amethustos’ meaning ‘sober’, the amethyst will guard against drunkenness.
Here then, is a beautiful amethyst necklace for the lush in your life, a lush not fond of poetry.

Oh, and the Lady at The Telegraph, loves all things purple, especially the amethyst. It is the gem to buy in 2014.

1 Comment

April 8, 2014 · 8:43 pm

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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.