Springing up with Daisies

This last couple of weeks have been chock-a-block with work stuff, and more of the boring side of the work stuff too. So this weekend after running errands and a nice lunch I was desperate to CRAFT. It was just necessary before I could do a single other thing. Do you have that sometimes?

With the sunshine that was out I was inspired to do something about my summer wardrobe.

I decided that these lovely shoes deserved some flashing up

I got busy with some embroidered daises I have, first paying about where to put them with the help of masking tape. Then I stuck them down with a hot melt glue gun.

I was careful to stick down every petal. I tried to convince myself that it was for security but it might more because I love glue guns

How about a daisy chain around the ankle? 

I did think that it is possible that the flowers may droop without enough support, but I figure I can always iron them, being careful not to remelt the glue, and if need be, attach a piece of stiff felt behind them.

I decided I didn't want any at the toe, and I was happiest using the power of three* both on the strap and on the wedge. 

Got anything stuck on your shoes lately?

Shona x

(*Three items make up an attractive composition for decorating anything - very handy tool that)

And the St. Patrick's day winner is...

From our 43 entries our Random Number Generator came up with Ange from Redressing!
Congratulations Ange!! Do send us your address to shop@heydayonline.co.uk so we can get your Green treats out quick smart.
I hadn't been to Ange's blog before now, but I have nosed around her lovely webshop.You can also  find her on Twitter: @redressingWe can see from your profile picture that you do like green!

St Patrick's Day Giveaway!!

St Patrick's day is nearly here again (17th March) and I have a wee giveaway to share with you all...

It is a never-been-out-of-the-box Irish Linen Handkerchief and a small four leaf clover pin

The pin has fabulous green stones in it. It will be perfect to wear on St.Patrick's day, or indeed, any day that you need a bit of luck!

We are going to finish the competition at Midnight Sat 10th March BST, so that we can get the winners address and get the goodies in the post (hopefully) in time for St.Patrick's day itself. It means you only have a few days to enter so don't delay!

The competition rules are straight forward and offer three chances to get involved...

• For one entry, leave me a comment below. 
• For another entry, you can retweet my give away.
• For a third entry, post about the giveaway on your own blog!  Three chances! Whooopee!

Please take careful note that each time you enter you must leave a separate comment. Don't leave me one comment saying you've done all three things, as it will only be counted once! 

If you commenting to say you've retweeted or blogged, please post the link.

The competition will close THIS Saturday 10th March 2012 at Midnight BST

Overseas readers, please note that if you win, the items may not get to you on time for St.Patrick's day itself, but we hope that you will love a bit of shamrock anyway.

Shona x

In Search of Charm - Stoles

I found this at a charity shop. Charity shops have great books, but you knew that already eh!?

Don't you love the front dust cover? It was published in 1962 - which you can just about tell from the fashionable hot pink and orange blots!

Mary Young was the principal of the "Mary Young Model School and Agency in London", so she knew a thing or two about looking stylish.

Here she talks about stoles, and how one could arrive at a party and then run through a "sequence" of positions until one finally leaves "with the stole drifting behind her as though it were being blown back by the breeze"  Ohh, so alluring! I would have to practice the transitions beforehand

I get on quite well with stoles, though not normally to sit through a whole party with. They are handy at this time of year as a scarf under your coat and then a wrap against a chill. I always take one to the movies as they seem to have the air conditioning turned to arctic. 

I was at a wedding once where the bridesmaids, under the advice of the stylish Mother-of-the-Bride (Italian, of course) used stole position number 6 to wonderful effect throughout the whole ceremony. Theirs were fine, thin silk scarves, and looked just amazing from all angles.

Do you have a favourite stole position? 

Shona x

Earring Stash

Fiona over at Straight Talking Mama posted about popping all her vintage earrings into zip lock plastic bags. It was funny because I too had just gone through that process and realised it is a darn clever way of keeping them tidy.  

You might remember I used to hang my earrings on pin boards, but that ended up being silly when they fell off, and when I am in summer and going to shows, it would take time both putting them into zip lock bags for travelling and then unpacking them when I got home. Enough of that! 

So I changed my system and now I have a little set of drawers that fit snuggly in a shelf and house all my earrings by colour group. To maximise space I have another couple that house my make-up and brushes, hair clips and nail polishes etc.

Some favourite earrings. The mustard roses are modern and I changed them from pierced backs to a clip back, because they are too heavy and fall forward when they were pierced.

The pin boards now house multi-coloured earrings that I otherwise couldn't find

And my trusty rusty sheriff's badge (bought in Texas, so it's REAL). I haven't worn it yet, but I like to know I have it if I ever need it, like for a shoot out or something

Shona x

More coat pics and a handy tip

Hi gang! This week has run away with me. I'm sure you all know that feeling. 

The seasons too are slipping by and in fact London is now feeling wonderfully spring like, in fact it is warm enough to go without a coat if you are just venturing out during the day

So before it gets far too warm, I do have two more snow pics to share.

The first is another photo of the coat that I'm working on. Some of you were interested on seeing it with the collar open, and here it is in all it's glory...

Look! Pockets!

And...
Did you know, there is a clever little way to stop a run in your stockings from spreading?

Simply dab a little clear nail polish at both ends!
Let it dry while holding it like this so that the polish doesn't stick two sides of the stocking together. It works a treat.

I hope you all have a great weekend. 

Shona x

Beaded Bag and other stuff

Hey lovelies!

Wanna see some recent purchases? These are from the Hammersmith Vintage Fair last Sunday?

Oh, Ok then...

First up, I fell head over heels with this stunning beaded bag. I have never fallen in love with one of this type until I saw this one. It has something to do with the large scale roses I think. It will make a perfectly handy evening bag as it is big enough to include phone, purse and patch-up-make-up and it can hang from one's wrist without being bothersome. Others of this type are more petite, but sometimes you just need to take more stuff.

If this has got you inspired, I happen to know that Penny Dreadful is frantically listing a history lesson worth of beaded bags in her shop right now.

And then we have a gorgeous glass belt buckle with daisies on, circa 1930s. I have a feeling this could inspire a complete outfit, plus hat. Ohh! Hang on... No wait... I already have the perfect hat for this!

Surprise Surprise!

We also have MORE buttons on a card (a girl can never have enough buttons) and a 80s orange, gold and white broach. I intend to pretend it is 30s deco and I can just see it on a smart summer jacket lapel.

If that wasn't enough, I also found a reverse carved ring!! It only fits my pinky finger, but I like it there. 

Now, sneak preview shop information alert... That leopard print fabric that I have used as a backing is the fabric that I'm using in a new Mary dress. It is looking lush girls...stay tuned for more!

Shona x