this baby is finally paying off

I love vintage Fisher Price toys. The Chatter Telephone, the little people: classic, adorable design. Sometimes I get lost in an eBay hole looking them up, but they can get really expensive. When Grug emailed me to let me know that Fisher Price have rereleased some of their classic toys from the 1960s and 70s, my first thought was, "I'm so glad I have a baby right now so I can pretend I'm buying these for him!"

The record player and the TV are adorable, but I restricted myself to the two that I think will get the most play, not the ones that would look best on my shelves. I cannot live without this milk wagon, and I think the sorting and removing and replacing will be fun for Peanut:

AND IT HAS CHOCOLATE MILK. AND ORANGE JUICE. And I cannot resist the idea of Peanut banging away on this piano like Schroeder:

We're going to give them for him for Christmas, which seems fitting as neither the toys nor the holiday are really for him at this age, they're all about us pretending they're for him.

My mum also found him an old Chatter Telephone which he likes, although he would have absolutely no idea what it is. I love the idea of babies playing with toy versions of completely obsolete technology. Someone less lazy should write an essay about it.

my etsy favourites: things i'm not allowed to buy

I have too many Things. Some big things, but mostly small things, things that don't have any use and take a lot of dusting. My husband was looking for some Useful Thing the other day and found a ceramic cat playing a violin. For some reason this was the last straw and he is now convinced that I have too many things. (I agree, but that cat has REAL WHISKERS. And several bandmates. I'm not getting rid of the cat.)

So when I see Things on Etsy that I want, I add them to my favourites. It's like walking around a shop, filling your cart and then abandoning it. It's almost satisfying.

Plus, I have all these Things ready to buy when I move into a mansion.

asos curve

I've bought a couple of pairs of pants and a skirt from Asos Curve and I've been really happy with them. Now I'm looking at summer clothes and since I can't afford everything I want I thought I'd post about them. Blogging therapy instead of retail therapy!

Printed Dress with Pussybow, $90.89

I have to say I am not a huge fan of the term 'pussybow', but I do love the way they look! This is the style of dress that suits me best, an empire line. This looks like a cute work dress and comfy for summer.

Colourblock Dress $74.36

This would do nothing for my figure but I love it anyway! I don't think I'm brave enough to buy it without trying it on, though.

Heart Print Trousers, $41.31

What is wrong with me? I hate high-waisted trousers, I hate printed pants... but these are calling to me. I can't pull this off! Leave me alone, printed pants! 

Bow Dress with Empire Line, $66.10

This also comes in a dark purple but I am crazy for orange right now! This is super-cute but I don't know how it would look with my fat tummy. On the other hand who cares.

Tea Dress with Scallop Detail Collar, $49.58

This looks super-cute on the model but I'm not sure where the waist would hit me because I am a shortass. The midi-skirt I bought is almost ankle length on me!

Mustard Skinny Jean, $57.84

I have never bought or even tried on skinny jeans, but these are MUSTARD! Please talk me out of buying them. I think I really want mustard yellow leggings but I am pretty sure there is a gulf of comfort between leggings and skinny jeans.

inspiration: alain gree

I just discovered the amazing French illustrator Alain Grée via the delightful Draw, Pilgrim! Vintage children's illustration (1950s-70s) is my favourite art form and a huge source of inspiration for me.

 Image from glenmullaly @ Flickr

Grée was born in Paris in 1936 and is still alive and working today! He has published over 300 books, mostly in the 60s and 70s.

Image from Linzie Hunter @ Flickr

Grée's work combines a naivety of shape with a bold colour palette that makes me feel so happy.

Image from samsmyth @ Flickr

There's a 50-year anniversary book (with stickers!) but I've only been able to find it on Amazon France. I may have to make an order!

Image by Jane Foster

Who are your favourite illustrators? I have so many, I might have to make this a series!

street style: miss l

 

Today's street style is courtesy of Miss L, another adorable friend of mine who agreed to let me take photos of her outfit. I am obsessed with her shoes and have been looking for fringed boots everywhere! Sadly they were bought in Europe a few years ago. At least that's what she tells me.

I love Miss L's style because she's never concerned about what's in fashion or what other people will think is sexy or cool. She dresses for herself and I love it.

want

Yesterday while waiting for the bus I saw a lady wearing something I have never seen before: cowboy boots, but tiny! Ankle boots, but cowboy! MINI COWBOY BOOTS.


Nicole Passionate


South Juliet

This may be old news to you, but it's a revelation to me. I want to go boots shopping RIGHT NOW! I am so ready for autumn, even though it's still around 30 C (86 F) in Perth. Luckily I am broke, so no boots for me (YET).

I read a bunch of webpages about ankle boots, because I have never owned any, and they all said that if you're short and fat you should stay away from them. But I really want these boots, and who cares anyway. I will be a little fat cowboy in my little fat boots, and I will be happy.

Anyway this is making me want to dress in long, shapeless dresses and dusty boots and long hair and a faraway look in my eyes. I call this look Prairie Lunatic:

P.S. If you are a disco star, you can get the Nicoles in silver and invent Space Prairie Cowboy Lunatic Chic! Please do this so I don't have to.