Etsy Picks: Desperate Romantics

Is anyone else watching the BBC's new period drama, Desperate Romantics — the ever-so-slightly fictionalised version of the lives of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood? As ridiculous as it is, I'll forgive its extravagant dramatics, because to quote the show itself:

"[The PRB] were inspired by the real world, yet took imaginative licence. This story, based on their lives and loves, follows in that inventive spirit."

I laughed a lot when I saw that.

Lizzie Siddal, PRB muse, as portrayed by Amy Manson. Her hair makes me swoon. Or would, if I actually ever did that...

Anyway, I've had the googlies over these guys for years, and in honour of that, my next batch of Etsy Picks is based around their work:

The Lady of Shallott Pendant

This was my favourite painting in the world for a long, long time and why did I never think of looking for jewellery of it before?

Joan of Arc Necklace

Poor ol' Millais is sorely under-represented on Etsy. He was a staggeringly talented guy (who entered the Royal Academy of Art when he was eleven).

Ophelia Pendant

Are you a Shakespeare fan as well as a Waterhouse fan? Well, this is for you, then! Why can't I paint like this...?

Rossetti Necklace

Yup, you can have the man himself adorning your neck! In all his pompous glory!

I think I'll be ordering some of these once I get some money in my hands. Speaking of which, I'm starting a new job tomorrow — wish me luck!

I love...

...the things you can discover in the backs of random shops at times.

How to Dress Up a T-Shirt

I wish I owned more interesting t-shirts. I'm developing a bit of a fondness for them lately, even though they're never going to dominate my wardrobe.

Wearing them, though, poses a bit of a difficulty, because I always feel so mucky and drab when I do. So, without further ado, I present to you...

How to Make a T-Shirt More Stylish

There are three basic ways to do this, although they are by no means the be-all and end-all of t-shirt wearing. They'll help make things a bit more interesting, though — so just think a little harder before you confine your t-shirts to the realm of trainers and jeans.

1. Layer it up!
Look as though you put in a bit more effort by layering a t-shirt over any of the following:

long-sleeve top, short-sleeve top,
collared shirt, light hoodie,
shirt dress, lace top,
matching colours, contrasting colours... &c.

joan!ta

Or under any number of other things:

cardigans (my favourite), blazers,
cropped jackets, boleros,
scarves, suspenders/braces,
denim jackets, enormous shirts,
dungarees, waistcoats,
dungaree dresses... &c.

thecatspyjamas

2. Tuck it In!
Let it all hang out if you'd like, but if you want to up the style factor of your tee, try tucking it into your skirt or jeans. It'll instantly make your look I think t-shirts look incredibly good with high-waisted shorts and a pair of tights, too.

Nubby Twiglet

3. Belt It!
The problem with lots of t-shirts is that, while the print may be gorgeous, the shirt itself is shapeless and unflattering. Add a belt for an instant waist — put it over the t-shirt, over a cardigan over the t-shirt... whatever floats your boat.

Gala Darling

I admit that I really don't wear t-shirts very often, so do any of you more experienced folks have expert tips that I've missed out on?

Also, where do you like to buy your t-shirts? Not sure where to start? Try:

• Threadless
• ThinkGeek
• Glamour Kills
• Alternative Apparel
• Topshop

(This post was featured on Lovelyish, so take a gander for some more comments over there!)

Perspective

As great as fashionable do-dads are, there's always a sense of inadequacy that accompanies an interest in them. Looking at pictures — in magazines, fashion blogs, whatever — creates a huge desire to wantneedbuyNOW, and heightens the belief that if you could only have that one thing, whatever it may be, all your failings would be rendered obsolete.

I fall prey to this pretty often, I must confess. But I do have a solution! For those moments when you feel that your clothes aren't stylish enough, your hair isn't quirky enough, your shoes aren't individual enough, your makeup isn't statement enough, and your eyebrows don't perfectly express your sense of personal aesthetics... I present to you, perspective. In handy, animated GIF form!


(If the image isn't displaying fully for you, click on it to view it outside of this blog.)

If I Was A Boy

Sometimes I like to imagine how amazing I would be if I was a boy...






...But then I remember that I can just dress like that if I feel like it, anyway. I had a fun day trawling through menswear sales with my brother yesterday.

All images from the ever-inspirational Hel-Looks.

Odd Molly Uncorporated

There's a shop in Limerick called Sequoia Lane, and carries some absolutely beautiful stuff, including Odd Molly clothing. LOVE. I go in and drool over this dress on a regular basis:

The price tag is a bit hefty for me, unfortunately. But I can dream...



Take a look at the site for more, if these have caught your fancy. I'm going to resume my licking of the screen now, if you don't mind.

Etsy Finds: The Company of Wolves

Ever since I researched Neil Jordan's The Company of Wolves for a class last term, I've been really taken with all things Little Red Riding Hood. Extra points if they're a bit sinister and weird (i.e. the film, the short story it's based on, or old versions of the fairytale).

So, as homage to this little obsession of mine, here are some Etsy finds based on the same theme:

I kind of desperately want one of these necklaces from bowerbirddesign and trashandtrinkets.

Sweet or edgy, take your pick between these two hoods from enjolive and encouragementaward.

Two cuter Red Riding Hoods from infinitales and matilou.

Anyone know of any other stories/films/art to fuel my current interest?

Daily Outfit: City Adventures!

I went exploring (and eating) the city with m'friend today, and now I'm completely pooped. Good times. Cameraphone pictures ensued!

Outfit details:
Dress & top - H&M
Tights & shoes - Penneys/Primark
Bag - Urban Outfitters
Totoro necklace - sci-fi shop in Sweden

Do you think it's okay to take a nap at half nine in the evening...? Probably not. Oh well.

Natural Curly Hairstyles

How to Love Your Curls:
A Straightener-Free Guide to Having Frigging Sweet Hair

I have spent time unfathomable trying to tame my hair, and this is certainly not a unique plight. My curls were the bane of my life for a long time — Make them sleeker! Tidier! Edgier! Get rid of them altogether! JUST DO SOMETHING, PLEASE! I would have sold my soul if I could have had straight hair in return. Short hair was my answer for a while, since it can only go so crazy when it doesn't even touch your shoulders. Since I've been letting my hair grow long again, though, I've had to learn to embrace its floofy bigness once more. I've decided that I'm tired of trying to subdue it, and am making it my mission to spread the big hair love instead!

In doing so, I've put together a list of tips — geared towards low-maintenance people who don't fancy getting up an hour early for a date with the hair straightener.

Tip 1: Above all else, look after your hair!
This is obviously good advice for anyone, but curly hair is more prone to dryness and breakage than straight hair, so be nice to it if you want it to be nice to you. I'm not talking a crazy hair-care routine here; just try not to shampoo it more often than you need to, and condition it regularly. Avoiding hair straighteners, blowdrying, and metal hairclips (because of breakage) is also advisable. The healthier your hair, the nicer it will look on a day-to-day basis... duh.

Tip 2. Just say no to masses of mousse.
A little goes a long way, is all I'm saying. There's nothing more off-putting than a head of "perfect" curls that feels as though it's been dipped in glue. I favour creams over mousse, in general, since I think they feel much more natural in the end — especially when applying to dry hair.

Tip 3: Back away from the brush.
Give your hair a good rub with a towel, then brush or comb it - parting it as you normally do - and now don't touch it with any sort of implement again until it's dry. You can run your fingers through it a few times as it dries, but don't touch that brush again! This will give you the neatest, shiniest curls with minimal effort. It took me about seventeen years to work that one out...

Tip 4: If you have to blow dry, keep it steady.
Leaving hair dry naturally isn't always an option, I know. So if you must, move the drier as little as possible as you're using it. Waggling it around makes your hair dry faster, I know, but it also separates the strands of hair and stops them curling properly.

Tip 5: Look for inspiration. Look hard.
This is really the most important part of loving your curls — it's all about accepting them, and not trying to turn them into something else.

Tips for straight hair are everywhere these days. Curly hair tips... not so much. And so many of those that do exist are about making your hair as frizz-free and close-to0-straight-hair as possible. It just gets boring (not to mention disheartening) after a while. But never fear! There is inspiration to be found, you're just going to have to take a bit more initiative and keep your mind open.

My favourite source of inspiration is vintage photos, because they remind me how fickle fashion is, and of the subjectivity of beauty. Stylish curls these days are tame and sleek, but...

Olive Thomas

Straight, sleek hair wasn't always all the rage, and it's great to look at vintage photos to remind yourself of that. Take a look at these curly ladies for some great ideas:

Louise Carbasse

Unknown source

Mary Pickford

So have some fun with hairbands, clips and hats, stop worrying if your hair is as small as it can possibly be, and embrace the floof! Just maybe watch out that you don't go too far... (On the other hand, maybe there's someone out there who can look amazing like that.)

Where do you look for inspiration for your curly hair? Or, if you've got straight hair, do you ever find yourself lusting after curls? Do share!

Bee Arr Bee

Sorry, sorry, sorry for the absence, but I'm deep in the depths of an amazing book and honestly couldn't care less about clothes right now! Brb.

Blog Crush: Portrait of a Lady

While I'm sitting over here without a working camera to my name (argh!), I'm busy developing some mad blogcrushes.

First up, Portrait of a Lady, for her impeccable and endlessly interesting style, historical inspirations, and amazing hair!



Pop over to the blog if you want to see more.