No love for A Single Man

Los Angeles: tick

1960s: tick

Fashion: tick

Style: tick

All things that I love...

But something in A single man left me feeling empty. As I fidgeted my way through until the end, I realized that something wasn't quite right. Style over substance perhaps, but even the camera angles, lighting and overall look of the film started to grind me down. Having read rave reviews and been told via friends how amazing this film is, I was slightly disappointed as the final scene ran. The characters annoyed me, the continuos changing of light which altered alongside Firth's mood confused me, and the repetition of certain frames brought about a restlessness in me during viewing. I could admire the costumes, the set, the music and the beauty of the characters, yet, this did not suffice my overall outlook of the film.

Coming soon...

A Manchester Egg

On an evening out in Manchester I tucked into a pickled egg, coated in a pork meat and a black pudding crust, served with chutney and salad leaves. This was the perfect snack to give me some energy and take me into the night ahead. Well done Soup Kitchen for allowing a new and tasty invention in your establishment. I have never been one for black pudding, however this tasty little treat was delicious, I recommend to all.

Throw-away-fashion

As the clothing market changes, so to do the charity shops. Not so long ago I used to rummage around the Oxfams, Sue Riders and Age Concerns, crammed to the door with rare finds, hunting for that something special, giving it a new home, and handing over your money knowing it was going to a good cause. I once came across a vintage Chanel quilted bag, original pair of Ray Bans and a Burberry mac. Now however, the rails are full of Primark, Top-Shop and Next cast offs. Cheap, throw away fashions that I do not wish to buy originally, let alone second hand. I am some what disappointed that Nana fashions no longer hide behind the Charity shop doors, it makes me wonder where these vintage "made in England" treats are now hiding... I guess everyone is more interested in making a quick buck. The joy of rummaging around, trying things on that smell of moth balls, finding an old hankie in the pocket of a cashmere cardi just no longer exists.

German style

My new sandal: German style, I intend to wear them with socks, denim shorts and a vintage t. A dressed down, European outfit, to go alongside my Dutch girl look. Think back to those holidays with your parents, when your father (in my case mum's boyfriend) used to appear, wearing socks with his sandals and you would cringe... I now realize that this is the look I myself am trying to achieve! Mine are nautical navy and I have Sue Rider to thank for them.

Summery time

New summer-time listings coming soon on Ebay from yellow_polkadots

Bidding has begun, click here to see what's on sale!

Nana-Nancy's words of wisdom

As the sun shone brightly in Yorkshire today, sitting and basking in the warmth, my Nana-Nancy informed me "I've never been one for sun worshipping" and on that note we ventured back inside. NN is going to turn 85 years old on June 8th, she looks ten years younger than this, I therefore intend to listen to her wise words. In we went to read Marie Claire, smoke Silk Cut 100's, drink cups of tea and eat cherry tomatoes.

A girl from Holland

CC has clogs

Braids in her hair

Frilled white blouse

Rosy cheeks

Smile on her face

Off....we....go

x

On the radio, we heard this...

Sunday sale of jumble

Getting rid of old things, sending them to a new home, to be worn and loved by somebody else.

Rain, please do not rain on our parade.

S and S

Too warm for tights, too cool for bare legs? CC recently received two pairs of socks; one knee high, one ankle, one glittery, one with bows.

Socks with shoes, socks with sandals. Love love.

Tuesday

Blue nails

Bicycle tails.

Tasty noodles

Intricate doodles.

Delicate flowers

Buns baked less than an hour.

New lacy bras

A flick through the stars.

Tuesday came and went

Time with her mother well spent.

x

Yellow_Polkadots

HK Vintage Fashions now on sale

selected with love

Yellow_Polkadots

x

Alfresco dining

What glorious weather England could bask in this weekend. Warmer than Corfu? Tan lines to prove this. Amazing.

CC and ST made the most of this, providing a bbq for friends in the warm May sunshine. Hot pants were worn with vintage Hong Kong blouses, Ray-Bans and Chanel espadrilles (courtesy of HK Oxfam). Marinated meats, home-made potato salad, char-grilled corn on the cob, all washed down with refreshing Mojitos.

England, you look even prettier in the sunshine.

Dove trousers dove trousers

Are winging their way to me...

Home Thoughts from Abroad

Oh, to be in England

Now that April's there,

And whoever wakes in England

Sees, some morning, unaware,

That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf

Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,

While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough

In England - now!

And after April, when May follows,

And the whitethroat builds, and all the swallows!

Hark, where my blossomed pear-tree in the hedge

Leans to the field and scatters on the clover

Blossoms and dewdrops - at the bent spray's edge -

That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over,

Lest you should think he never could recapture

The first fine careless rapture!

And though the fields look rough with hoary dew

All will be gay when noontide wakes anew

The buttercups, the little children's dower

- Far brighter than this gaudy melon-flower! Robert Browning

Exhibition Alert

Oh là là I cannot wait to see this! 'High Kicks & Low Life: Toulouse-Lautrec prints' beginning this Friday, May 14th (also my birth date). The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, is hosting an exhibition by the artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, featuring prints that show the glamour and style of 19th century Parisian theatre and daily life.

For more details click here

Fashion Fancy

Its rare that I spot something in a shop that I love, yet this colourful and quaint little range recently caught my eye and I can actually say I love it all. Ladybird brooches, fringed clogs, pastel-sugar colours, birdy-prints... so pretty, so British, super nice. I'll take one of everything please. N.W.3 thumbs up from CC.

Now where did we leave the car...

What-a-lovely-little-family

It's bleak up North

Not a soul around

Only the comfort of the clouds

Bleakness living on

and on

Bank Holiday = Blackpool

Fish and Chips

Sea Air

Big Tummies