gathering spriggs

A Nostalgic Look (back)

Hello once again, friends. How did this weekend treat you? 

Mine, you ask? Still recovering from the Antiques and Artisan Market (some booth images). It took more out of me than I realized. Thusly, my little ducks aren't quite back in a row just yet (i.e laundry piles, unswept floors, boxes to unpack, garage to clean/organize) But a girl could always use a little treat between chores... So here is one mine that I am regifting, wrapping with a satin bow and giving to you today. The masterfully styled nostalgic lookbook from British clothing company, Darling. 

I was instantly transported to my teenage years when the long awaited Laura Ashley catalogue would arrive in the mail and my heart dripped with yearning for walks in the garden on long, fresh, romantic Spring days.... Then I awoke with a start from this daydream, realizing that what once was is made new again! And it hit me... "Search for vintage Laura Ashley on Etsy!" Oh, Yeah! Baby! ...And they're back!

Its true! My dream dresses from the early nineties are alive again! 

So perfect for Easter... now which one...hmmmmm.....

What has awakened your heart today??

images: darling

Havin' Fun with House of Dots

With fashion on the mind this week, stumbling upon the Dutch company, House of Dots, has me wanting to click my heels and burst into a Sound of Music song! How fun! I love their vintage inspired design poised in a modern, cheeky setting. That blue polka dot number has me excited about vacuuming. Not many things inspire me to do housework. Maybe I need some Kelly green shoes to complete my dish washing today!

How about you? What sort of great design gets you inspired to do great things?

images:house of dots

 

Tea party in Wonderland

 

Hello dearests! How was your weekend? Busy? Relaxing?

Mine was a wonderful mix of both. Staying in on a raining Saturday and Sunday I was out all day at a Alice in Wonderland inspired fashion shoot where I was invited to provide table styling and props. Here are a few snaps of the day I took whilst the real photographer was busy doing his job. Of course those images will be stellar, but wanted to share with you right away my vantage point of the day. Although overcast and very cold, we trudged through (not minding the mud on our boots or in this case 4-inch stilletos) all for the sake of art. In between takes the models would throw on their coats and run to the heated cars waiting nearby. 

The shoot was the vision of fashion designer Jennie of Vicious Threads who contacted me a week ago to see if I could join the team along with fellow local Etsian Meran of The Sai-Sai Shoppe who created the mini hats for the models. 

Collaborating and trudging through an isolated landscape with plastic totes in hand reminded me of the years in art school schlepping around large art installations and costumes for performance pieces ... all in the name of art. and a shared experience. Priceless moments.

Hopefully I will have the professional images to share soon. I've given up trying to edit mine to perfection. They all seemed to come out kinda grainy today. So thanks for sharing this moment with me even if it is a bit rough around the edges. 

That's why I love you so much! 

ps. Also a huge thanks to my dear friend Eve Peach for loaning out some of her beloved teacups and butterfly teapot for the shoot.

Kelsey Genna and Begonia House

 

Speaking of blooming this week, how about the blushing work of designer Kelsey Genna? Her new collection for Spring is fresh from the hot house. When I discovered her via the Daydream Lily blog, I was instantly smitten. This New Zealand designer has been selling and promoting her work since starting design school and with Begonia House as her thesis collection she already has full exposure! Truly brilliant and effective for someone not yet 20. 

Genna's story causes me to muse over the entrepreneurial spirit of our online marketplace. I wonder how much she learned from school versus pioneering through cyber marketing. What is becoming of classic means of education? My mom, ever the non-traditionalist, has been homeschooling for nearly 20 years now and instilled alternative approaches to education mixed with a do-it yourself mentality in us. However, I being the rebellious daughter that I was, opted to return to traditionalism and was adamant about getting a college degree. Then I read books like The Art of Non-Conformity and realize maybe my mom did know a thing or two. Go figure. Just when I thought I had out smarted her. 

So what do you think? Has the internet (along with a desperate entrepreneurial spirit) replaced our need for traditional classroom settings? 

 website, lookbook, etsy, blog, boutique

images: 

Begonia House- March 2011

Model- Georgie Wright @ Kirsty Bunny // Photography- Kelsey Genna // MUA- Dara Wakely // Assistant- Kerry Taylor

 

Holiday Glitz and Glamour: Jewelry Roundup

Its that time of year for donning our best attire and christening our winter jackets with all that glitters! So here is Part 1 in a little round up I am starting for the coming weeks featuring some of my favorite glitzy adornments.  What are your favorite accessories for the holidays? Please let me know your favorites or if you make or sell accessories and I can feature your treasures next week! 

Bee Vintage Redux

Gathering Vintage

Frieda Sophie Jewelry Design

Miss Babacilu

Things I Love Thursdays: Its a Wrap

 

When Natalie of Stansberry Designs emailed me this week to share her vintage inspired Fall collection, I was instantly inspired to concoct a post with all of my favorite wraps for Fall. Plus there is finally a nip in the air here in Nashville and the leaves are beginning to turn so I must go pilfer through the closet for all my winter accessories. But these collections have me convinced that I may need a few more additions this year. How do you wrap for winter? I live in a pretty mild climate so I am still learning how to layer appropriately but love the idea of some wooly pieces mixed with knits. How about you??

images: top-stansberry designs collage-otto knits, thai elephant, two sea side babes, bottom- lazybones

Nicholas Lawn Fashion Photography

Happy Monday dear readers! A new week has dawned for me and I am returning back to work this week after a several week hiatus from spraining my ankle. School starts this week and my husband returns to teaching.... September is upon us and I feel the changes in the air creeping up. Exciting changes. Fresh renewal. I love when the seasons are on the cusp of change and you say goodbye and hello all at once. These images from Nicholas Lawn felt like the perfect fit for such a transition. I especially love the nostalgic  vibe in these shoots. So what about you? Are you transitioning too? Do you feel change in the air?

Kerry Cassill, Textile Designs

How about a little eye candy this afternoon? Love, love these designs from talented textile designer Kerry Cassill that I discovered via Shelter. Wow! What a burst of summer color. This woman is amazing with bedding and unique clothing designs. I'm inspired once again. Love this orchid color! How about you?

imgaes: kerry cassill

Wanderlust : the Mediterranean at Sunset

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you ever fantasize about places which you have never been?? Well, I have long been dreaming of visiting a beach in Portugal ,but its been especially recent after seeing this. And the colors of the sea have been whispering in my ears as I stroll on nature walks and feel the sunshine at my back : Orchid and Persimmon-  sea and sky meeting at dusk. So what about you? Are you dreaming of exotic locales or planning your summer vacation?  Can you feel the sand between your toes yet??  (For more of this color scheme that I did not include here, visit my Orchid and Persimmon gallery)

images: 1. Miguel valle de Figueiredo 2. Ureshii 3. Flower Belt & Cannelle-Vanille 4. Gap Interiors 5. Collage: Fleur Fatale, Miguel valle de Figueiredo, Sarsmis 6. Trek Nature  

Heather Chontos

 

 

 

 

  

Hi friends, just a quick pop in to say thanks for all your precious comments. I love hearing everyone's ideas about color and how many reactions come from certain colors. Im actually thinking about doing more color inspired posts, because I heart it so. I took color theory in college and it was by far one of my favorite classes! Here is another stylist I have been following lately , Heather Chontos. She is all over the place lately doing fashion, interiors, lifestyle, art direction. Oh, yeah and she is a painter and illustrator too!! Omg. How do these women do it? If you have the secret please let me know!

images: heather chontos