Looking-Glass River

I am wearing:

1920's embroidered Kimono: 

The Yard sale of my old school lolly pop lady. True story!

1940's satin nightgown

1930's flower crown

Indian slippers

All from Beyond Retro

Gold and Pearl earrings: Present from Craig's mum

Gold cord around my waist: Present from my Gran

Photo's by Craig

Craig and I escaped the heat and had a little picnic in my new favourite place. 

The New River walk, runs the length of Essex road and comes out at Newington Green. I discovered it on a walk home from work and I still can't get over how this beautiful place exist's, tucked away behind London's busy street's.

I have been watching Lord Of The Rings for the first time ever! I KNOW, I can't quite believe it either. 

 I am of course totally in love, especially with the Elves. When I first saw Galadriel I think I cried a little and don't get me started on Arwen!

The New River walk seems like the kind of place that would be in Middle Earth, I looked out for Treebeard but I think he must have been sleeping. ;) 

I am off to The New Forest for the weekend, back for the Jubilee.

I hope you all have a wonderful time. 

Kelly-Marie xx

Work: Kylie Minogue - Time Bomb video

I was the cast wardrobe assistant for Kylie Minogue's new video 'Timebomb'. Directed by Christian Larson  and produced by Jacob Swan Hyam as part of the RSA Films.

I had to spray paint this jacket to get the neon colours and dress all the extra's in various outfits. 

I would like to say a huge thank you to the amazing Lydia Kovacs, head of wardrobe and who I assisted.

 We had such a great day, the cast were so much fun and the video is fantastic. I know I'm probably a little bias but I LOVE the song. Can't wait to go out and have a dance to it.

The video is below, enjoy.

C is for Craig

   

I am wearing:

1940's 'C' college cardigan: 

Once belonging to Craig, now belonging to me

Faux fur stole ( For the record I never wear real fur) 

1940's lace detail dress

1930's feather detail hat.

1960's camera satchel

All from... you guessed it! Beyond Retro. 

Brown Brogues: Kate Kanzier.
Photo's by Craig

 These photo's were taken about a week ago when we thought we might never see the sunshine again.

Thankfully that's not the case and I'm now sweating just by looking at these pictures of me in knitwear.

A lovely summery outfit post will be coming your way soon. 

This outfit was inspired by this picture and my collection of 1920's school annuals and story books.

My 'C' stands for Craig.

If you don't already know Craig is my boyfriend. He is the manager of the Beyond Retro Dalston store,  the brain behind Sleep All Day records and the drummer in the band Weird Dreams.

You can listen to Weird Dreams here and their debut album 'Choreography' is on Itunes and Spotify.

They are currently doing a small European tour and are in Paris right now about to play David Lynch's Club Silencio!

We are all huge Lynch fans so I am very proud of them and just a teeny weeny bit jealous that I couldn't go along with them.

They are also supporting Girls at The HMV forum in London on Monday night.
Very exciting!

Okay shameless 'boyfriend band plugging' is now over, but if you like the Beach boys, 60's girl group's and David Lynch films go and have a listen, I think you will like them.

Hope you all have lovely weekends ahead of you.
Much love
Kelly-Marie xx

Happy Birthday Beyond Retro

Beyond Retro is celebrating it's Tenth anniversary! 

Happy Birthday Beyond Retro! 

Our 10th anniversary windows have gone up at the Dalston store and below is the evidence that Kristofj and I blew all those balloons up ourselves!

Photo's from my Instagram

Lot's of exciting things have been happening across all the UK stores and tomorrow the Soho store is hosting this talk by the amazing Amber Butchart of Beyond Retro past and Theatre Of Fashion/ The Broken Hearts present. 

I have worked for Beyond Retro for Five of it's Ten years and am very excited to tell you that for the first time EVER this is happening...

So go get yourselves some bargains!!  

Hope you all have wonderful weekends. 

Kelly-Marie xx

Presents in the post

I have received some beautiful post recently and I wanted to share it with you. The above wax flower crown you might recognise from my last post.

It was a bargain Ebay find, I got it cheap because the seller had only uploaded one picture and the description was very brief. It was photographed along side the picture of the bride but did not say that it was part of the auction, I was hoping it would be. 

When it arrived not only did it come with the picture it also was accompanied by the matching veil and this stunning box too! I am so happy to know that I own a small selection of this ladies special day, exactly how she wanted it stored all these years.

Aimée and I have been discussing how hard it is to get these wax flower crowns cheap. I guess they are especially sort after with the rising popularity of vintage themed weddings. If the finishing auction goes for a lot of money I always like to imagine it has gone to the home of an actual bride. They must have a lot more money than me to spend for their special day, and it makes loosing out a little easier.


Sadly the veil has seen better days as it's disintegrating. I'm going to save the corner lace and work into something.

Now on to my next postie present which came in the form of a surprise from the lovely lady Rebekah of Forgotten Stitches.

This parcel literally made my week. So kind and thoughtful. The postcard is even April themed which is when it arrived. I have never gone fishing before but I like to think that if I did, I would look like this. ;)
 

A beautiful 1930's hair slide that I haven't stopped wearing since it arrived. 

One of Rebekah's stunning Peach poppies, to add to my beloved Red ones. 

... and this beauty. Now all I want to do is get married. Sigh.

Rebekah I can't thank you enough for your beautiful parcel, it made me so happy and you are too kind.

Keep on the look out for Mr Postman as I'm in the process of packing up your gift from me. 

If you all haven't done so already go and have a look at The Forgotten Stitches shop and blog. Also check out Rebekah's Pinterest, I spend way too many hours looking at all her lovely inspiration and re-pinning. 

Hope you are all having wonderful weekends. I don't know about anywhere else but London has had some sun! Fingers crossed it is the return of our Spring. 

Kelly-Marie xx

Flora

May

Between the lilac and the rose-

The drifting tide of blossom flows;

An ecstasy of pink and white

Scenting the quiet aisles of night

As though the branches of the trees

Had caught the foam of coral seas.

The world is young, both man and maid

March in it's eager cavalcade.

In city street and scented lane, 

The golden age is born again;

And there is hapiness to win,

For summer is a'coming in. 

      

I am wearing:

1940's night gown: Beyond Retro

1920's wax flower crown: Ebay

1920's Orchid flowers : Avarcia

Edwardian Four leaf clover, heart pendant: Chicvintage Boutique

This outift was inspired by:

The Goddess Flora

Titania especially this Titiana

Beltane

May Queen 

Anne Anderson illustrations especially Briar Rose.

and of course the many Edwardian and 1920's floral beauties that can be found on my Tumblr.

The poem was taken from my 1944 Green Fingers book by Reginald Arkell

All photo's taken by Craig in our garden, this is the view from our back window right now.



If only it would just stop raining. Hope you have all had a wonderful Bank holiday.
Kelly-Marie xx