Blue and white wares

This elaborate concoction of blue and white beads is fit for a summer of flitting about a Greek island, robed in an empire-line gown and delicate leather sandals.

Alas that adventure is not on my horizon!

I strung this necklace together, inspired by the blue and white Chinese porcelain beads. The heart-shaped focal bead features two peacocks, tails spread and touching beaks. Lapis lazuli; both blue and white pearls in varying shapes; dumortierite and sodalite (both of which are cheaper substitutes for lapis lazuli); blue crystal quartz, and Indian bone beads make up the rest of the necklace. The beads on the earrings are suspended from sterling silver chandelier findings.

There is something luxurious
in wearing beads that are
so fragile.

There is something luxurious in wearing beads that are so fragile: there is the danger of destruction if it should slip from my fingers; a weight round my neck in more ways than one.

An Eastern European Refugee

How gorgeous does my sister Blossom look in these photos? So youthful and carefree at 15 years of age. When I interviewed her on Father’s Day, she sighed over them. “Oh, to be that young again!”

Her boyfriend bought her this dress because she looked like a refugee from Eastern Europe with no nice clothes. (That’s because she actually was.) It came from a boutique in Oakleigh or Clayton, she says, as did most of her clothes: there were few chain stores back then. The red and white print dress is piped in black, and fondly she pointed out the peasant-style lacing on the bodice.

Her boyfriend bought her this dress because she looked like a refugee from Eastern Europe with no nice clothes.

Of course, to be fashionable back then a girl had to wear a mini. “Lucky you had the legs,” I say, imagining a host of women whose figures would be better served by a more modest hemline.

“There weren’t many really large teenagers back then,” Blossom answered.

She recalled a school friend once remonstrating her for her overly long uniform. Blossom’s response to this unjust criticism was that she couldn’t possibly show the tops of her suspender stockings! As an impecunious refugee, she hadn’t yet moved on to more modern pantyhose.  

I wonder what other delightful memories lurk in Blossom’s head?

What I actually wore #0024

Serial #: 0024
Date: 08/02/2009
Weather: 22.5°
Time Allowed: 5 minutes

I was making the trek out to the eastern suburbs to spend the afternoon with my family to celebrate my birthday. The special occasion warranted a new outfit, which meant my new summer dress. I was in love with its ethnic embroidery and black tassels, (and cream or white with black is always a favourite combination), but it was an unseasonably cool day for the cotton voile. I decided to wear the loose pants I’d bought in Dubai. Going for a Cossack look, I wore my hair in one long plait.

The black wedges have a dramatic cut, and feature red piping on the edges, a colour picked up by the red jade in my earrings.

I was quite gratified when one of my sisters actually exclaimed on the day that I looked like a Russian peasant coming in from the fields, in my smock and baggy trousers. Close enough!  

Items:

Dress: Country Road
Pants: Staff
Earrings: red jade and Murano glass
Rings: Roun
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: Unique

Spring Posies

As the days brighten and become warmer, many of us will be shedding our dull winter cocoons and slipping into something a little more in keeping with the season’s spirit. Spring clothes and floral prints are synonymous with one another, but sprigs of delicate flowers aren’t for everyone.

Which prints does the ungirly girl wear? Brighter colours, harder edges. A small selection, above, were inadvertently hanging together in my walk-in-robe, as they had just come out of winter storage: a vintage 80s batwing silk top, embroidered all over with gold and silver sequins, and roses that remind me of the Mills & Boon logo (I look like a mirror-ball when I wear this out); a geometric chevron print in the bright blue of a new spring sky; large sprigs of flowers toughened by their navy silhouettes, and bands of black at the neck and hem of the dress.

So throw off your coat and out you go into the spring sunshine! And don’t forget to stop and smell the roses on the way.

The Russian Princess (an excerpt)

Chapter 1

Bringing a tankard of ale to the coachman who was waiting impatiently, the tapboy glanced curiously at the window of the opulent carriage. Just as he did so, a gloved hand appeared between the folds of lace, and pushed the curtain aside. A white face peered out. Not white from fear, Ned realised immediately, but naturally fair – so pale that he could almost fancy the young woman was a ghost. Dark curls peeped out from a straw bonnet, and her shawl swirled with strange colours and patterns he’d not seen on a lady of quality before. Her eyes appeared to be enormous as they darted about curiously, taking in her surroundings.

The yard of The White Hart was nothing out of the common way; Ned knew that. There was not much to look at indeed, unless she enjoyed the sight of the ostlers scurrying about as they exchanged the horses. She must have agreed with him, for her hand began to lower the curtain – but not before her eyes fell on Ned, standing transfixed, while the coachman slowly downed his refreshment. Her chin lifted haughtily at Ned’s impertinent stare, and then the lace curtain abruptly fell.

“Here, lad! Take the cup! What are you staring at?”

Ned was shaken out of his trance, and embarrassed, he lifted his tray so that the coachman could relinquish his tankard. But curiosity got the better of him, and he asked boldly, “Who is she?”

“Not for the likes of you, lad!” the coachman snorted in amusement as he lifted the reins. “She’s a Russian Princess, and we’re off to London. You’ll not be seeing her again!”

Left standing in a cloud of dust, Ned gazed after the carriage as it bowled out of the yard, through the gates and on down the London road.

~

For a real Regency romance, pick up a Georgette Heyer book today! The Toll-Gate is one of my favourites: romance and adventure on the high-road rolled into one. Here's what Queen Magazine had to say about it back in 1971 when this edition was printed:

‘Georgette Heyer is famous for her delightful Regency romances, and there is a modern sophistication about her handling of them that makes them irresistible. She has innumerable admirers already, but there must still be some who only wait to be awakened to her spell. Let them wait no longer before joining the happy circle of her readers.’