Ensemble du Jour - 9-28-12

On Friday, I took off work to go to my favorite antiques show. It's twice a year and each time I go, I find something great.  Past purchases have included structured bags, great hats, linens and gold cases.  I don't always go with a plan in mind but I usually end up with something great.

The show is held in a big farm field so boots are necessary.  I went with a bit of a "modern Victorian" look wearing my ruffly Betsey Johnson knee-high boots and a mini-straw hat headband.

''I should have brought a parasol as I usually do, because it was warmer and sunnier than I had anticipated.  But it all worked out for the best, because I found a darling French flax (I think) parasol which I promptly put to good use.

I also found a beautiful ladies English boating hat and two Fall hued table cloths which I will be using in my bakery booth next month. 

I'm always excited to wear my new purchases and we had great weather on Sunday, so I paired my new hat with white and coral Zara dress which I topped with a navy blazer from Anthropologie.  I also wore white wingtip oxfords and another previous show purchase, a white wicker purse.  It was perfect for a bookstore visit and stroll outside.

(I have got to set up my good camera with the timer and tripod!)

I hope I don't have to put these away until Spring.  Maybe there are a few more warm Fall days ahead.

Talent, Style and Inspiration - a Fascinator Story

I'm not sure if I've expressed this before, but I love love LOVE hats and fascinators and hair accessories of all kinds.

And I love that the lovely Kate Middleton is bringing them back in a big way.  And my absolute favorite thus has been the vibrant red straw fascinator with the maple leaves that she wore in Canada.  Obviously she is gorgeous, but the combination of the jaunty design and wearing angle, striking color and outfit pairing made it perfect.

I had to have it!

So I did a bit of research and found that the creator was Sylvia Fetcher of milliners Lock & Co.  Right away I gave them a call and was promptly told that this piece was custom made for the Duchess and not for sale.  Darn royals!

But lucky for me, I also have access to a custom milliner - my very talented friend Mary of Pretty Good Things.  So, we discussed a plan - we wanted something equally striking, red with maple leaves, but it had to be inspired by, not a knockoff.  Different shape and materials and her unique vision led Mary to create a little masterpiece just for me.

Isn't it stunning!?!?  I don't even have it yet but I'm so excited to wear it!

What's great about the process is that she shared her vision and progress with me throughout.  I was able to select the overall color (in case I wanted something other than red), how I wanted to wear it, and even placement of the lining and embellishments.

In the end I ended up with a beautiful piece that will be so much fun to wear, as pretty as the inspiration piece but one that has a personality of it's own.  And that is what's great about working directly with artists of all types!

By the way, I'm not a huge royal family watcher, but have to admit, I love Kate and Will as a couple.  They both seem so gracious and equally in love with and comfortable with each other.  I just watched this video of them from their Canada outing and they seem sweet.  I guess I'm a fan!

Full Circle

I don't have a huge commentary to add about the gorgeous and glorious wedding.  I'm just a bit sentimental because I remember the "first" wedding.

I'm no royal-watcher or that obsessed with their lives but these two do seem very sweet and in love. I have to admit that I teared up a bit at their secret smiles and side glances. And of course their kisses.

Loved the dress, loved the uniform and, of course, I loved the hats.

Congratulations to Kate and Will both!

Tempting Toppers

I'm very excited to be getting/have purchased some new delicious little fascinators to perch upon my noggin.  I do have a vintage piece I recently scored that I need to shoot but the pieces below are from two of my favorite talented designers. both available on their dedicated sites and on Etsy.

First up, from Topsy Turvy Designs, is the slightly wicked Candy Apple.  Kim's designs are lush, detailed and simply amazing.  I need to find a way to get one of her tricorn hats into my life.   The apple, I've had my eye on (sans fly) and will be a dark counterpoint to my Agent Lover Cake hat.

I also snatched up two other adorable pieces from Mary at Pretty Good Things. She has somehow managed to bring all my whimsical dreams to life with her pieces. 

I've had my eye on a Bun-Bun piece and her latest sale allowed me to nab it.  I think I need a black velvet one too.

I also grabbed the Meadow facinator too (on sale for only $5!).  I have Oh Deer! piece (super adorable - see it on me here) and a version with a hot pink base and pink butterflies... this combines them both!

It may be Winter but I can wear a green meadow all year long!

Images courtesy of their designers.