To Fitzroy

Such beautiful weather this weekend. We caught the tram into Fitzroy to buy factory remnant fabrics for heidi and seek. We visited Bird Girl and Meet Me at Mikes looking for Peppermint magazine. The first issue was free so they'd all been snatched up already.

Peppermint revolves around responsibly-made and environmentally-friendly fashion and culture, so I'm pretty eager to get my mitts on a copy. I ordered one from their website instead, only $5.95 including postage. Can't wait to get it!

This was my first time in Bird Girl, too. It's the cutest little shop on Brunswick Street where the clothing (made from recycled and vintage materials) is designed, made and sold right there in the shop, which is also their studio space. Their clothing is so intricate and unique, probably better described as wearable art. Many pieces are made from a combination of different textures, with buttons or lace placed just so, and edges left raw or pinked. Gorgeous shop definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

Brooch giveaway!

My process for making clothing is quite freeform. I first pick out fabrics that complement each other. Sometimes I have a basic idea, which I cut out the pieces for. Then I lay the pieces together to see what looks good. Often it ends up completely different to what I originally had in mind, because I might change my mind during the sewing, too. With reconstructions, I usually try the item on, then test the look of fabrics by pinning them together until I come up with something I like.

This is the method I used to make the brooches, but it didn't work out as well as I hoped. As often happens with me, I am less impressed with my work the next time I take a close look at it. Out of the eight brooches I made, there are only two that I like enough to present for this giveaway. I'm going to take a different approach in future - I'll sketch ideas first and then create the ones I like.

Tangerine disaster

Heart flower

Click the images for a larger picture.

These brooches were made from fabric scraps and second-hand yarn. Just comment with your opinion of them, your favourite and your email address to win the one you like best. I'll randomly select the winner in a weeks time.

Free shipping extended

Free worldwide shipping extended until the 16th/17th. From the heidi and seek Etsy shop. Ends Tues 16th at midnight EDT in USA/Canada, which is Wed 17th at 2pm EST in Australia.

Etsy Buy Handmade heidiandseek

Style behind the scenes

I thought it might be fun to do some style posts occasionally. Plus I can (hopefully) prove that you don't have to look dated if you don't buy with the trends.

"Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months."
Oscar Wilde

I chuckled.

Black tee - not sure.
Top - second-hand Topshop
Skirt - second-hand Armani Exchange
Socks - sockdreams.com
Boots - Josef Siebel

Ellie liked her new friend a lot. They doubled high-5ed. A lot.

I later put on tights and a red and black houndstooth cardigan. The weather forecast, purporting a 20 degree day, failed to indicate that it would still be damn chilly outside. At least Ellie was toasty in fleece.

Those Josef Siebel boots are my favourite shoes ever. I've had them since like 2003, and they've lasted as my retail work shoes and through general wear until now. They need new laces and a regular polish, but aside from that they're still fully in tact and as comfy as they were 5 years ago. When these conk out, if I can find any others from Josef Siebel that aren't incredibly 'mature', I'll be all over that.

Speaking of lasting fashion items, a brand that you shouldn't expect to last is Urban Originals. Early this year I paid over $100 for a handbag that was significantly marked down from David Jones and the bloody thing is already falling to pieces. Just another example that price isn't much indication of quality. Trying to decide whether I should find a replacement on Etsy or make one myself...

And yes, that is CARPET in the kitchen. What. Would you believe I didn't realise this until after we'd inspected and accepted the place? It's awesome trying to clean thrown and smooshed broccoli off it.