Turn and turnaround

On the same day that I went off afternoon-raspberry picking, I also unearthed this beautiful pleated, reversible skirt in a local charity shop in the morning. This got me thinking - the thrill of finding raspberries, and discovering a new item for my wardrobe share some similarities. It's that sense of accomplishment, of bringing something home that you took the initiative to find. Maybe some things, such as the urge to forage, just never change. Whether we're searching for wild food (there was nothing more thrilling as a child than to find a cache of blackberries to gorge on. As Seamus Heaney put it - "... sweet/ Like thickened wine: summmer's blood was in it.") or clothes, are we just still driven by our primal urges - in whatever guise they now appear? What do you think?

So maybe it's apt that as I write, with a cup of coffee to hand, the smell of simmering raspberry jam is wafting up the stairs...
Back to the clothes - the item in question 'foraged' here is a vintage skirt, checkered on one side, striped on the other. It;s a clever design, as whichever way you're wearing it, the other pattern peeps out from the pleats. It also fits perfectly and gives me a distinctive fifities feel.
Here I added a vintage thermal vest layered over a grey t-shirt. Oh, for the days when even thermals were stylish! And that's before I even start rhapsodising about silk knickerbockers, camisoles and slips from bygone eras...
 The belt is my mum's, bought in a charity shop and the gold necklace was from ebay, as part of a bundle of clock-related jewellery. I have a slight fascination with accessories that integrate time-keeping into their structure - give me a vintage watch or a white rabbit-esque pocket watch over a Rolex any day! (Even if the vintage watch doesn't actually work!) The cardigan slung over my shoulders in one shot is my favourite for warmth (another local charity shop.)
The gloves are from the the large collection (mentioned many times before) amassed from various late family members and the vintage red vanity case was given to me by my paternal grandma. It  was probably one of the first retro items to infiltrate my room - though my foraged collection has now completely taken over! I think my clothes may be planning house-hold domination if  any more are acquired. It's like continental drift, the tide is already lapping at the landing.
I know I've said it before (and will most likely say it again) but I really love the fact that some of my late relatives live on in the items of theirs I now wear - I'd say they account for at least a quarter of my wardrobe and accessories. I may not have known them in person, but I know what they wore, the fabrics they preferred and the styles they liked. It's a very tangible connection to my family tree.

These photos are a mix of both my mum's and dad's endeavours behind the camera, at one of our favourite local locations - complete with china teacups and beautifully old books!

Talking of books, I've finally started  'As I walked out one Midsummer Morning' which I am thoroughly enjoying. The imagery is sheer poetry in its use of surprising descriptions of settings and people. I've also just finished reading 'Lord of the Flies,' I found it an intriguing mix of gripping and bleak. I'd love to hear any opinions or responses to it.

I'm off to the Big Chill (music festival) tomorrow. Very long time readers will recognize this as my second year in a row! Last time the highlights included seeing LAMB, Emmy the Great and Marina and the Diamonds - in a comparitively small audience - she's now one of the 'new big things'. Marina Diamandis had an amazing stage presence, and I can imagine that, from the viewpoint of a photographer, she would make a fascinating subject infront of the lens.
So apologies for another dose of non-responsiveness in the next few days. I have had so many wonderful comments that I want to take the time to reply to properly once I get back. Promise!

An additional note - also enjoyed spending time yesterday styling and taking Alice in Wonderland/ Through the Looking Glass photos of a good friend of mine. Can't wait to sift through and post them!

Turn and turnaround 2010-08-04T08:35:00-07:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: Unknown