I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers

The title quote from L.M. Montgomery uttered by the flame haired Anne Shirley pretty much sums up exactly how I feel about this time of year.  Autumn is the season I start to grow back into my own skin.  I am calmed and comforted by its presence.  Autumn is my time.

This year October has seen every single weekend completely booked up with weddings, family events and other social arrangements which all seem to have lined themselves up one after the other.  This combined with dealing with 2 children with a combination of chicken pox, the usual coughs and colds, and the worst teething pain I've ever known a baby to suffer, means that I have not had time to even check my reflection of late let alone operate in blogland.  I am finding solace in the thought of my forthcoming holiday where I will be hopefully be able to spend a few days drinking in visual beauty similar to that depicted in these photographs.

All photos found on this blog 

I hope you are enjoying the change of season wherever you may be.

xxx

Inspiration : Through Johanna's Eyes

The Captive

Black and Blue

She Wolf

The Crystal Spire

Lightning

The Hunt II

The Little Mermaid Saves The Prince

Fields of Stone

The Crystal Spire II

Little Blue Riding Hood

Moth

Searchlights

Snakes

Skeletal Lady

La Belle Dame Sans Merci

Cave

Emerald Queen

Grimalkin

Blacker Than a Vole

Mermaid's Grotto

I occasionally talk about art on this blog but not often.  It's something I really wish I had a talent for but alas, none to be had for me.  Not the case with Johanna.  Something about this very talented artist and blogger really appeals to me.  The themes she explores of fairytales, folklore, and female strength and savagery give lots of food for thought and like the best art, it inspires conversation.  Also, there is something quite impish about her style.  A definite sense of the dark side but tempered by a tongue in cheek edge.  Not unlike the high camp theatrics of the hammer horror genre.  Edgar Allen Poe through an Art Deco lens.  

I've followed Johanna on and off for a few years now but it's a blog I always come back to.  As well as her obvious talent for art, I love her personal style and her kitschy apartment.  

Blackadder fan art?  Yes please.  

All photos found on Johanna's blog

Where's your mama gone

So as most of you know I'm pregnant right now.  Whatevs.  I'm 32 weeks, permanently exhausted and absolutely huge.  Like comedy sketch, stick a pillow up your dress huge.  I can barely sit upright due to exhaustion and when I'm not working or you know, doing necessary living stuff, you'll find me in a state of deep slumber

 Towards the beginning, while I still had the energy, I scoured the web for maternity wear inspiration and found it to be pretty damn scant.  Why do terms like 'classic' and 'understated' seem to go hand in hand with articles on pregnancy style.  Ugh.

I say thank goodness for bloggers

I found Bianca's blog Goodnight Little Spoon completely by accident and it's since become one of my favourites.  Bianca was pregnant when I discovered her blog and I was very impressed with her creative maternity wardrobe.  Little did I know that before too long I'd be referring back to it for inspiration.  I just love her use of colour, her cardigans and the quirky finishing touches.  

Colour, cardigans and quirky accessories are also all staples of one of my favourite blogging ladies Marissa of The Shades of Monet Chronicles 

Longtime readers will know what a big fan I am of Marissa's style (see this post).  Recently I just loved how she sailed through her pregnancy without missing a beat.  She looked exactly as unique and beautiful as she always did.

I've managed to get by so far without buying too much in the way of maternity clothes.  A couple of dresses and some mama tights notwithstanding.  Even though the way I look has taken a back seat lately.   Still, thank goodness for the unique and talented ladies of blogland to keep me and similarly placed ladies of expanding girth inspired with their colour, creativity and uncompromising uniqueness.    

xxx

PS.  The lovely people at DotComGiftShop have featured this blog as one of their '15 hip vintage blogs' - hop over this way to take a look

PPS.  I won the Modcloth Polyvore thingy from my last post.  You can see my set along with previous winners here if you're so inclined

There is no order in my room

At the moment I am stuck in renovation hell.  The master bedroom is currently in the process of having a false ceiling fitted due to the existing ceiling becoming unstable.  This follows hot on the heels of 6 weeks of fitting out the attic and a full replastering of the bedroom walls.  Needless to say my home looks nothing like the above picture of fragrant vintage darling Pearl Lowe in her perfect vintage bedroom in her perfect vintage home.  My house is dust ridden and in a continuous state of upheaval, putting paid to my increasing urges to nest. 

I am trying to overlook my personal frustration by focusing on the end result.  To that end, I have spent many a spare hour on Pinterest, Tumblr, Flickr etc, seeking out inspiration.  Those of you who have followed this blog for a while will know I can't resist a bit of bad taste.  The look I am aiming for could be described as 'kitschy boudoir stripped down' or 'kitschy boudoir lite' if you will.  I want the best of both worlds.  I want flamingos and lurid 70's florals set against a backdrop of pure white walls and furniture.   I want clean lines and lightness accented with candy pink, turquoise and orange.  I haven't found any pictures that are exactly what I am after so I have put together a collection of images that have inspired me in different ways* Hopefully putting them together in one place might give me a coherent 'moodboard' to work from.

Any further sources of inspiration/links you think I might like would be gratefully received.  I can't wait to share the finished product with you.

*All photos found on Tumblr apart from 6-9 found here, 10 & 11 found here & 15 found here

If any of these images are yours please email me and I will be more than happy to credit you :)