South Riding inspires a sewing project

Did anyone else have a ganders at this on Sunday? The Beeb's new period drama, set in 1934 and based on novel by Winifred Holtby (who died shortly after finishing the novel, so it was published posthumously).

I have to say I rather liked it... a good main story line and lots of sub plots to get my teeth into, plus some fabulous "real" costumes... I love a good costume drama that portrays real life. Don't get me wrong... a good swoon over a glitzy frock and perfectly coiffed tresses is enjoyable too. But watching South Riding made vintage dressing suddenly seem far more accessible and made me feel like I was doing it right in an every day way... For instance, my hair... It does not stay pristine and curled like Lady Percy's in Upstairs Downstairs (but oh how I wish it did)

Hair crush

But, when curled and post a dose of blustery wind it does end up looking somewhat like this...



Headmistress Sarah Burton, played by Anna Maxwell Martin

OOO and look at that coat! the collar the colour (and a rather smashing little two piece beneath too!)! I loved all of Anna's wardrobe and am now hunting out replicas.. especially a little green blouse she wore with a pointed hem so it looked a bit like a waistcoat.... she teamed it with a fitted and flared navy blue skirt... oh my it looked the biz, and perfect for everyday wear. I've been having a hunt to no avail... but am thinking as a first sewing project if making such a blouse would be fairly simple? How about a calf length 30s skirt too? Seamstresses... please give me your thoughts!

Another drool worthy outfit was her suit she wore in the opening scene...

The same waistcoat hem feature on the top, and a lovely length skirt. So chic but rather real and normal. I loved the use of colour too. Throughout the programme muted hues were mainly used for costume... so this dramatic red and white splash when you first see Miss Burton really created an impact.

Can't wait till Sunday now!

Gem x

Outfit post and a warble about people being mean

Ello all, 

Just a quick outfit post. I know it's that day today, if you like celebrating it I wish you a good one, if you hate it we shall sweep the whole thing to one side and I bid you a happy Monday instead :) 

Anyway... I wore this ensemble on Sunday. Set my hair all by myself and it came out alright for a change.... huzzahs ! I'm wearing my new Bluebird dress from Adelines Attic. I was supposed to be being a good girl this year when it comes to clothing purchases, but this little beauty was too good to miss! I also have a stunning Puttin' on the Ritz number to show off, which was a birthday purchase. But that deserves a seperate post too :)

Dress: Adelines Attic -  Shoes: Remix - Belt and bangle charity shop

I added the belt as I finally managed to lose a few inches so things are a little baggy atm,which is great ,but also means I have a lot of alterations to do (and what if those inches creep back on again?!) I think a lovely thin belt in kelly green would look great with the dress... along with a green hat and some green suede 1940s sling backs... need to keep an eye out for a pair (which is tricky with my size 6 feet). Ooo yeah I forgot to show you the sleeves... the sleeves...

Oooo, I stared at these so hard the first wear I got a crick in the neck!

In the evening I went to see Chris play with harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra who were accompanying "The Jiving Lindy Hoppers" It was awesome. 1920s/30s jazz with some mean dancers performing to the songs. If you get the chance to see the show (normally called The Cotton Club Revue) I'd highly recommend it. Or just look out for the Lindy Hoppers who do shows across the UK, they are really fab.

The Theatre audotorium was named after Bruce Forsyth and there was a big plaque on the wall to let the audience know this, so I had to do a Brucey pose!

Good game good game!

Also, I know I promised to record "You Rascal  You" but I'm not happy with the version I recorded so another will be posted soon, so to tide you over I've popped this little ditty up wot I did the other day. I also found a movie making kit on the computer so I'm  all  crackly and sepia toned now too! (BTW I sniff towards the end of the song... it's supposed to be me being sad, not holding back a runny nose as the chap thought!)

TTFN

G xx

Northampton... land of shoes... and some wonderful architecture

Last weekend I went to Northampton with the wonderful Jeni and Bethan. A proper girls weekend was had which was really lovely (and went far too quickly).

On Saturday we went to an amazing Rennie Mackintosh house called 78 Derngate, home to Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke, a model maker and his bride Florence Jones.

Jeni and I outside 78 Derngate... even the porch light oozes style!

The house began life as a typical early-nineteenth century brick terrace, built some time between 1815-1820. However this was to change in late 1916 when the Lowkes hired Alexander Ellis Anderson and Charles Rennie Mackintosh to transform the building from a rather poky and old-fashioned house into a modern and convenient home. The results can be seen today following the houses painstaking restoration, which began in 2002.

If you ever find yourself in Northampton you must go here. I have never seen decor like this, it is truly jaw dropping and, when you think about it, really ahead of its time, such interior design wouldn't look amiss in a current copy of "House Beautiful"!

The hall lounge. The lattice work to the right is the staircase wall which really opens up the space

Jeni aint alf a good photographer, don't this look professional? Me posing my backside off behind the stair lattice screen. I was flukily wearing my late Edwardian blouse which picked up some of the colours in the wallpaper.

The guest bedroom. look at that wonderful furniture and amazing striped walls

I can't find a picture of the Master bedroom which was decorated in a beautiful eau de nil textured wallpaper, with dusky pink Macintosh rose pattern border and matching carpet. It also had a sweet little wash stand in the corner, the room was so pretty without being over feminine, it gave me lots of ideas for my boudoir!

In 1926 the Bassett_Lowkes moved into their new home "New Ways" which is a breathtaking example of very early modernist architecture designed by Peter Behrens. The house still stands in Northampton, and can be seen by peering through the front grilled gate. how I'd love to sneek a peek inside this beauty. Bethan kindly drove us to the building and parked up so we could take a quick snap!

What's hiding behind here then?

OOOOOO...It has deco style turrets... DECO TURRETS!!

After visiting Derngate we also popped into Northampton museum, which is a splendid place. Full of amazing shoes from all periods (as Northampton used to be the main manufacturing town of shoes I expected to see some, but not this many!) There were some real beauties on display that any vintage lover would covet. Upstairs there was a history of Northamptonshire, which included a marvellous dress up section. So we dabbled in some extreme vintage couture, whattaya think?

Yesterday Girl goes Iron Age

Anglo Saxon Gem and Bethan

In the evening we were terribly cultured and visited the theatre to see Daphne Du Maurier's "The Years Between" at the Royal and Derngate Theatre (which is an amazing venue... really, amazing!) 

It's one of only two plays Du Maurier wrote in her career, portraying the story of a marriage torn apart by the Second World War, which I've heard is semi-autobiographical. Overall the production was rather good and very sleek (no between scene change black outs... hooray!).The protagonist, Diana (played by Marianne Oldham) stole the show for me, she had such charisma and a real command of the stage. I did feel that her polish and power blew some other cast members into insignificance, for instance, the man she's supposed to love came across rather one dimensional and watery, hardly the type of chap a woman like her would set her cap to. Then again, that may may be the fault of the script, and I was having trouble picking up all the lines as my ears were misbehaving that evening!

The set was a work of art, a wonderful large library with panels that opened and closed depending on the scenario and some of the costumes were wonderful... such as a pair of the leading lady's trews! However, some of the cossies were dire... 30 denier black tights in 1945? Mint green 1980s court shoes and black kitten heel mules? LONG tanktops? OK I can understand the shoe issue, as vintage shoes in larger sizes are a nightmare to source and bloomin pricey... but a replica could have surely been found, especially with a museum half dedicated to shoes in close proximity!? The tights and looooong tanktop I do take umbrage to... but then maybe no one else apart from vintage aficionados and ex "luvvies" would notice?!

Anyway, I've nattered away too long. In short, if you find yourself in Northampton with two lovely ladies and  you all visit some museums and the theatre, the you'll be sure to enjoy yourself.... 

Thank you Jeni and Bethan for such a lovely weekend.

Gxx

P.S
I leave you with something to ponder... Not just a talented designer and architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a bit of a dish. At least I think so!

Smoulder!

Dream woollies

I think many of you will agree with this piece of clothes porn and have possibly blogged about it too.
How many times have I watched Poirot and dreamt that I could own this cardi that Miss Lemon is wearing. The same top is worn by Ann Shapland in "Cat Amongst the Pigeons". Do any of you know of a place that may well stock a pattern for this little gem I wonder? Oh how I want it!

G x

If you like a Ukulele Lady... Ukulele Lady like a yoooooo!

Hellooo...

I finally plucked up the courage to post a bit of uke strumming on here (it also helped working out how to record on my camera with sound... clever girl aint I?! However, I'm afraid the sound levels are a bit off and the picture quality is a bit fuzzy)

So, for your delectation I present "I Wanna be Loved by You" composed by Herbert Stothart and Burt Kalmar and sung by Marylin Monroe in the film "Some Like it Hot" also sung by the most heavenly Ms. Annette Hanshaw in her Betty Boop style voice... which I decided to give a miss for this recording!

N.B: This is not perfection... just a bit of fun. the dress however is perfection. Courtesy of the delicious Baroness V.V of Adelines Attic

Coming soon... "You Rascal You" composed by Sam Theard, covered by many artists/bands including Louis Armstrong and Ambrose and His Orchestra

G x

P.S
I'll be posting the draw results tomorrow :)