Strike.Match

Frightastic? Spooktacular!

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:42:00 +0000

Happy belated Halloween folks. Today's recipe is a little bit French Queen, a little bit dead. You guessed it, it's Marie Antoinette!

While I'm not awesome enough to do things the real way, I did manage to throw a little bit of something together with some stuff I had sitting in the pantry/available from your local party store. That plus the magic of the internet and you have the ghost of freshly beheaded royalty ready to go!

Ingredients -

Hair
- Comb/brush for teasing
- A whole can of white hair spray

Neck
- Tissues
- Liquid latex
- Make-up (concealer, eyeliner, maroon eyeshadow)
- Fake blood
- This tutorial (Instructables is kinda my new BFF).

Clothing
- Something with an appropriately poofy skirt that isn't too slutty. Pretty sick of slutty Halloween costumes... Mean Girls messed up a lot of impressionable young ladies.

Here's one I prepared earlier!

Hope you all had a super awesome time!

Early In Life I Was Visited By The Bluebird Of Anxiety

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 10:36:00 +0000

My computer keeps blue screening... I wonder if it would be as traumatic if it was a nice light blue rather than such a bright agressive blue. But yeah... time for a new computer! If I lived in the States (which I don't, but probably should) I would purchase this computer. Macs can go and eat my hat because this beautiful Dell laptop has vintage-y birds all over it. Love. The artist is Jason Holley and he also has other really awesome designs for Dell.

In other news, seen on the street (ie Facehunter)...

I'm not entirely sure whether I love or hate this jacket. It's certainly captured my attention though!

Attachment Is The Great Fabricator of Illusions

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:28:00 +0000

The word 'glom' (which means to steal or to attach to) is a word that I first came into contact with during the movie, Josie and the Pussycats. It's the perfect word to describe how I've been feeling lately... I've been 'glomming on' to other peoples style, mainly people that I have internet style crushes on. It's a bit disappointing really. I've always prided myself on being different but I guess because of the overwhelming style presence on the internet at the moment, I'm feeling a little lost... and as a result, clinging to the life ring that is other people's style.

You know you're doing it when you:

a) Buy something because you've seen them wear something similar. You get it home and realise that it makes you look like a maiden aunt going to church (and not in a good way).

b) Get completely confused about your colourways - you start to drift towards colours that suit them and nine times out of ten, these colours make you look washed out and ridiculous.

c) Finally, all of your outfits don't feel quite like you. And there is nothing quite like the feeling of mood/outfit/occasion symmetry.

Ways to detach yourself from the style weakening grasp of the glom -

1. Go to your wardrobe and pick out the most 'you' item. At the moment, my thrifted military/band jacket feels pretty much amazing. Build an outfit around it. Ask yourself why you like it. It's kind of a ten second cheat way of defining your style.

2. Read one of those dodgy colour analysis, Color Me Beautiful books. Sorry about the dodgy different spellings of colour but I'm Australian and we have 'U's' in everything! Anyway, it's not hard and fast but they can be helpful.

3. Step away from the computer. I know it's difficult (well, it is for me!) but I think that everyone's style will say thank you for it. More originality, less glomming!

PS. Just a tiny gripe for the week - I'm getting sick of reading bio's of bloggers who describe themselves as avid thrift shoppers or vintage lovers and then you look through the last three months of their posts and they haven't worn any vintage/thrift! Don't hop on the band wagon if you can't play an instrument!

Tongue pokes at them!

The Tragedy Of Life Is We Wait So Long To Begin It

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:21:00 +0000

The light seems different up here.

More to come. :)

Altered The Colour of My Mind

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:37:00 +0000

About two months ago, I was reading through an old Vogue and there was one of those small stories in the first few pages with a headline "Navy is the New Black". For someone like me whose outfits are black-centric 99% of the time, this is unthinkable. However, it must of had some effect because ever since then I've been thinking about navy.

The cumulation of this was the purchase of a 1950's navy eyelet dress. While it was a bit big, it was nothing a bit of tacking didn't fix and I love it to death. It's the most perfect shade, a blue navy but not too blue or too dark. Simply an elegant shade. The buttons too are lovely, rhinestones that catch the light and make it a little bit too dressed up for day (but that probably won't stop me).

For it's second outing (the first being a night out and not too great for picture taking), I paired it with a matching rhinestone brooch and a wide eighties era velvet stretch belt which somehow suits it better than any other similar aged belts I own. Oh, and my new lace-up heels from Barkins (which has surprisingly good shoes).

My other new purchase this week was a 60's/70's jewellry box, lined in mustard velour. While it doesn't sound to appealing, the outside is a lovely eggshell colour and the inside shows my increasing collection of jewellry off nicely.

I'll leave you with a few pictures from my latest obsession, Shorpy Photo Archive, which I found via Sally Jane Vintage. These pictures are amazing!

As I Recall It Was A Horror Film

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:17:00 +0000

Since I've last posted pictures, so much has happened.

So, so, much.

New dresses! Poor attempt at frames! These dresses are interesting. None of them are made of natural fibers (usually a big deal breaker), but they all had such charming detail and now they seem to be the first thing I reach for. Possibly because of my increasing aversion to ironing.

Also a while back it was my boyfriend's birthday (on Friday 13th!) so we had a Halloween themed party. It was a blast, which is an adjective not used often enough.

Have a delicious week!

Pull Up Tonight's Darkness Like A Quilt

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:31:00 +0000

Since my camera is out of action....

Here's a bit of a crazy brain thread of what's going on in my head.

1. Lobsters

2. Schiaparelli (both Elsa & Gogo)

3. Quilts (again...)

4. My love of everything ever posted on this blog. I love the way that vintage isn't something kept in the closet for a special occasion, instead it's celebrated everyday.

Hope to be seeing you soon, with a brand new outfit/look at what I bought post!

Life Is A Do-It-Yourself Project

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:01:00 +0000

Sometimes I feel as though my tastes are constantly changing and then other days.... well, I realise how they are pretty much exactly the same.

Like when I was in high school, my favourite classic film star was Audrey Hepburn, hands down. You think Blair Waldorf is obsessed? Trust me I was worse. And then about half way through last year, Katherine replaced Audrey as my number one Hepburn. I blame a chance siting of Philadelphia Story. Tonight I sat at home knitting a ridiculous jumper and watching Stage Door. Pure bliss.

So that was my example of change and here is an example of well..... a rut.

And the embarassing truth? There about another four pairs around the place that fit in the same mould.

If You Start Soon Enough, You Won't Have To Run To Catch Up

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:01:00 +0000

Catch ups.

1. I was lucky enough to be featured as Vintage Queen #10 on the Queens of Vintage website. It's a pretty super cool site (and not just because I'm on it!). It's like a daily online magazine, a bit like Who What Wear for vintage lovers. I'd probably check it out.

2. I don't do this often, but especially for all of you Australian fashion lovers out there, check out this site. For Australian Fashion Week (16-20 March) there will be nterviews with awesome Aussie designers like Lover & Akira & Willow. Super rad. Plus there are heaps of other cool films/video clips from around the world.

3. Finally, Alexa Chung blows my mind.

And I may have said finally but I lied. I've been having this horrible affliction lately where every vintage item I want to buy/fall in love with is pale baby pink. Which is a colour I tend to look horrible in. Woe is me.

Poetry Is Thoughts That Breathe And Words That Burn

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:21:00 +0000

Sadly signing up with Bloglovin means that everyone sees how impatient I am when I press enter immediately after typing in my quote-y title. So please forgive me for being such a technological dunce.

This week has been incredibly busy, I've been working my way through Missa's package and I think I've nearly worn everything. Sadly however, I haven't been remembering to take pictures of everything. Frowny face.

But I did take pictures of this amazing blouse. It has the best puffy sleeves and cute pink rosebud buttons going up the back. I haven't as yet been able to find the perfect navy skirt to match it but because it's a pretty bluer navy shade you can pair it with black without looking colourblind. Yay!

Wearing - thrifted blouse from Missa, thrifted black skirt, thrifted sage tights, thrifted shoes, gift necklace.

Also there is new stuff in the store and heaps more to come.

A Parcel of Fortunes

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:04:00 +0000

It's interesting you know, when you receive gifts from other people... while you might continue to fall into the same shopping traps (another pair of black round toed shoes), they see 'hidden' obsessions that you obliquely may not have realised that you even had. They might find and fill all sorts of holes in your wardrobe that you didn't know about. And finally, they might just provide the secret ingredient to the perfect ensemble. Thanks, Missa.

This dress is just perfect. Apart from the magnificent colour, I have a vest which matches it perfectly and it fits like the proverbial glove. Also featuring in this outfit is my favourite celluloid brooch and my DIY sailor collar (of which I have been planning to do a post about for at least half a century).

Here are some of the other wonderful goodies that came my way. I am forever grateful and look forward to playing with these marvellous pieces.

Novelty Has Charms That Our Minds Can Hardly Withstand

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:10:00 +0000

Lauren = sucker for ridiculous prints. Perhaps you've noticed that the pieces I love most are fairly outlandish, novelty prints. The best way I've discovered to track down these pieces is to type words like "kitsch" and "novelty" into the ever generous etsy search engine. I've found a few awesome pieces typing in the word "crazy" too.

Here are some pieces that I'm obsessing over at the moment.

ABC Seersucker Babydoll Novelty Print Top from ShopGoodGrace

50s Catalina Jacquard Cardigan by TheGreenWallpaper

PALM TREES Navy Cotton Vintage 50s Skirt, XS from Empress Jade

I think the reason I love these pieces so much is because they have such personality. That being said, they can be ridiculously memorable. I'm not sure I'd mind though.

Hopefully, in the next few days I'll post again about the fantastic package I'm going to receive from Missa, the queen of thrift swaps. I'm so, so, so excited.

True Love/False Love, Mushrooms/Toadstools

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:32:00 +0000

What a fast weekend. Over in a flash. Perhaps it was something to do with the weather.
Or perhaps it's magic?

Inspired by - Picnic at Hanging Rock.... The book is far far creepier than the movie.
Wearing - Cream crocheted dress - thrift, cream lace jacket - thrift, cream petticoats - inherited/thrift, shoes - thrift.

Time Is A Circus, Always Packing Up and Moving Away

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:02:00 +0000

I'm in love with things that have charm. I don't care if they are careworn/falling to bits. Like this jacket. It's missing so many bits here and there, a touch of braid, a few buttons.

But when I put it on, I feel like a princess.... or a lion tamer.

Also probably not the best pictures of my fringe. The fan was going so fast and it sort of blew everything away. I'm getting used to the fringe but I have to get up five minutes earlier to straighten it. Oh well!

The circus was the first part of title, the packing up and moving away is the next. I just recently moved out of home and it seems that soon I'll be moving away from this town. It's sort of bittersweet, I've always wanted to leave but not really. Does anyone have any advice that will stop me from being so incredibly scared of the months ahead?

Our Thoughts Are With You

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:25:00 +0000

But though they worked like Trojans all,
The fire still went ahead
So far as you could see around,
The very skies were red,
Sometimes the flames would start afresh,
Just where they thought it dead.

An excerpt from The Bushfire - An Allegory by A. B. Paterson

It's been a bad day. I can only hope that things get better for eveyone who has been affected by these dreadful occurences.

We Began A Great Adventure On The Fringes

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 05:40:00 +0000

I think I'm in love with Keira Knightly.
I think I'm in love with this outfit.

I need an asymmetrical buttoned shirt.

I just cut myself a fringe as a result.
I hope I didn't just make a huge mistake.

Dressing Up, Dressing Down

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:45:00 +0000

I haven't been posting as much as I want. I work full time and have been doing so for around six months now. When I'm dressing for work I tend to stick to the same shapes, patterns and pieces. All the clothing that I love and feel like myself in, tends to get left for afternoons and weekends.

Why? Why should I force myself to wear dowdy or "professional" clothing that a) doesn't make me feel happy and b) doesn't really show any personality.

I've recently come to the conclusion that dressing up, creating an outfit is something that I enjoy and I want to do it everyday. These are supposedly the best days of my life. I want to live them my way and as petulant as it sounds, wear what I want. I don't want to look back and shudder at the days I spent in black suits and striped poly cotton blouses.

Crochet shirt - thrift, black skirt - ? (some really bad chain store) , mango tights - thrift, black shoes, thrift, brooch - gift.

To Market, To Market

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:39:00 +0000

This weekend I finally got around to waking up early... which is pretty marvellous for me. And what did I do with this magnificent re-claimed morning? Why I went to the markets!

That being said the markets in my small town aren't that exciting. While there were some fantastic fruit and vegetables about, there is nada in the way of clothing or jewellry that wasn't of the crazy hippy type. Not that that sort of jewellry doesn't have it's place, it's just not what I'm lusting after at the moment. No, the reason why I went was because of the magical, mystical sewing stall. It's the most lovely thing I've ever seen. All it is tables covered with ribbon, lace, buttons, appliques, flowers and fabric but it's definately a reason to get up early.

I've never been a huge fan of JayJays (which for non-Aussies is a local denim chain store) simply because I find everything of theirs quite indecent. Shorts are missing inches and the skirts hardly deserve the name. However, I found this denim shirtdress on the old $10 rack and decided to give it a go. Unsurprisingly, I wouldn't have been able to wear it as a dress but I'm hoping it will be quite versatile as a lightweight trench! Now it just has to get colder so I can wear it more!

The brooch is one of those 'too crazy' finds that you buy because you think they are funny. It's a crazy little caricature of a cockatoo which reminds me a little bit of Ken Done.

Birds of A Feather Flock Together

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:52:00 +0000

I've been slowly acquiring a small collection of 1950s vintage dresses. This latest one is the dress that I got for Christmas. I've spoken before about my love of bird prints and so this dress seemed perfect. It even has their scientific names (which for a nerd like me, is adorable!)

I was also fascinated with the colour scheme - on the cream background, is grey, rust brown and... neon pink. But some how it works!

I wasn't really going out, so I attempted to dress it down with some grey men's style brogues, a brown woven belt and a cream button down vest (all thrifted). One day though I want to find a crazy neon pink bed jacket to pair it with.

And I finally got around to taking a picture of my skirt! I think it's from the 50's because of the metal zip, but then again, someone just could have used a vintage zip in their home sewing (I do it all the time). Either way I love it! The material is the best, a great mixture of brown and black (which I can't do half as well as the lovely Lavender and Yolk) and a splash of orange. A great thrifting start to 2009!

Envy Is The Art Of Counting Others Blessings

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:41:00 +0000

Or in my case, looking on Etsy for too long. This post could also be entitled - Things I Love But Will Never Own.

Amazingly, amazing Vintage Wicker and Plastic Handle Poodle Bag. This reminds me so much of something that Nicole from Fashion Forestry would love. Sometimes I think I want to be her. Is that weird??

ROSE CREPE vintage 30s PLEATED square neck BOW gown dress S M

This dress is fairly awesome. I love the colour and all the awesome details. It reminds me why I'm going to start buying quality over quantity. Though I don't know that you can get this sort of quality anymore. Why is that? Isn't there the market for it anymore?

Vintage Eisenberg Scarf Clip Very Early, marked Sterling pre 1935
I just love sparkly, sparkly things. And this one is fancy, fancy, fancy too!

In relation to the last post and the dress that I made:

I didn't draft it, but I didn't use a pattern either, if that makes sense. I guess I kind of do use a pattern because I'll look at the shape of a similar bodice, but lately I've been doing things by eye and with the use of my new dressmakers doll.

I think I looked at a 1970s pattern for the bodice but completely changed the neckline (so it could have a collar) and made it so there could be a zip at the back. And then added the separation down the front so I could have buttons!

The skirt I just measured my waist, multiplied the measurement by three (plus seam allowances) and then cut out a rectangle this long. I then did knife pleats around the the whole thing. They're actually super easy.

I think that it turned out better than some of my other stuff too because I actually bought the material new for once (Spotlight) instead of buying secondhand and having to cut things out weird or use different fabrics for facings.

That being said, I still reckon it's 85.6% luck...

Next Years Words Await Another Voice

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:12:00 +0000

A veryveryvery belated New Year's post. I spent forever and ever making this dress only to take absolutely horrible photos of it. Which sucks. An explanation though. These photos were taken after I'd been swimming (in the dress, don't get me drunk) and then walked home. So it's a tiny bit shrunken. Which makes me look like I'm all legs. Again.

Overall though, my New Year's was great. Friends, scandals, swimming. Perfect.

Also I went op shopping and have broken my four month op shopping curse and found a very lovely skirt. Which I will show you. But I don't want to talk about my curse too much because I'm scared that I'll jinx it. So no more will be said about that.

A-Tisket, A Tasket, A Green and Yellow Basket

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 01:45:00 +0000

I hope that everyone's weekend has been going well. In between lolling on my mattress and eating delicious, delicious Pringles, I've been looking for more things to put in the store and thinking about how great life will be when my two latest purchases arrive. For once, they aren't items of clothing.

For my birthday, I wanted two things: this book and the Buffy Monster box set.

Last night, it was my friend's 20th/24th respectively and I had a marvellous time, eating Mars Bar cheesecake and sitting in the rain (it wasn't actually raining, raining, just lightly spitting). Speaking of which, spitting is such a weird descriptive for light rain. This is what I wore.

Blouse - thrift/altered, skirt - thrift, collar - selfmade & shoes - Shoobiz. Also RIP Shoobiz I was pretty cut when I heard on the news that they are closing all their stores. Please someone tell me that I misheard or that it was all a horrible, horrible dream.

You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:11:00 +0000

I don't know if I'm meant to tell people this, but I love musicals, unconditionally. From Meet Me in St Louis to South Pacific to movies that aren't really musicals but in which the characters at certain points.

My favourites though have to be when Warner Bros decided to 'bring back' the musical in the early 1930s. The first two that they released were musicals about making musicals or 'shows' as they are referred to and are entitled 42nd Street and Gold Diggers of 1933, respectively. My favourite character in both is played by Ruby Keeler. She plays the ingenue in both and I love her wide eyed charm.

Also, I should mention that if you live in Australia, the musical section of BigW has both these movies for the sweet, sweet price of $8.87 each. I've always found it difficult to find old movies here (I've been looking for Grand Hotel for about 4 years now) but lately, BigW have really upped their game.

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:01:00 +0000

A little bit of something else.

I wore this last year. It's one of the many reasons why I haven't been posting to much. I've more a slave to the sewing machine than to the 'internet' machine, as the lovely lady at the Salvo's called it one time. I can't wait to be elderly.

In my new living room!

On the other side of my new living room! On the right of the photo is my bedroom and on the left is my new walk in wardrobe. I should really get around to showing off the place.

Black leaf dress: self-made, thrift fabric
Belt: gift bakelite buckle + ribbon from Spotlight
Shoes: thrift/vintage.

I hope everyone has had a lovely, lovely new year and thanks for all your lovely comments.

Funny How The New Things Are The Old Things

screw_your_courage@hotmail.com (StrikeMatch) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:37:00 +0000

Long time, no see.

Vanilla Dress: self-made, vintage fabric
Red bird brooch: thrift.
Shoes: thrift, recently re-coloured.
Luggage: New for my birthday!

A perfect outfit for running away.