Vintage Icons: Jean Shrimpton
What can I say? She's cute as a button, carefree and independent and she can make a cardigan seem sexy! Jean Shrimpton is loved by a generation of Australian women for shaking things up in 1965 when she shocked conservative Melbourne ladies simply by flashing her lovely long legs. We've come a long way since Jean declared, "I feel Melbourne isn't ready for me yet". Can you imagine anyone calling this demure young lady "scandalous" these days?
"There she was, the world's highest paid fashion model, snubbing the iron-clad conventions of fashionable Flemington with a dress five inches above the knee, NO hat, NO gloves and NO stockings!"
- The Sun News-Pictorial, Nov 1 1965
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Childhood Memories: Dress-Ups with Tammy
Hello dearies! I've just been doing research for my vintage book reviews and you'll never guess who I found? My old friend Tammy! Oh, Tammy and I would spend hours playing dress-ups and make-believe back in the eighties. She's a paper doll, you see, and came to me in this Little Golden Book from 1974. Don't you just love her cute red shoes and jaunty travel case?
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Fashion Fancies: I Heart Spoke + Spool
Oh, how I love thee Spoke + Spool! This new Australian clothing label, by Alia Parker and Laura Pike, is tailored with love for cyclists... of the gentle, indie persuasion, of course! Handmade from recycled second-hand clothing, these highly original designs have stolen my heart. I especially adore the aptly named Cutie Pie Lederhosen. Girls, I'm dusting off my pedals as we speak.
"I rode my bicycle past your window last night
I roller skated to your door at daylight
It almost seems like you're avoiding me
I'm okay alone but you've got something I need..."
- Melanie Safka
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Sweetness in Store: Say Hello to Zinnia Pony!
Hello! My name is Zinnia Pony. I'm looking for someone who loves smelling roses, chasing butterflies and dancing in the rain. I am handmade from 100% cotton fabrics in sweet aqua blue and hot pink. My ears are lined with pink gingham and I was adapted from a genuine 1950s sewing pattern. You can adopt me now at Wolf and Willow. Nice to meet you!
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Lovelies Update: Hello Vintage Hair Pins!
Hi friends! Today, I have a lovely coincidence to share with you. You might remember this post, in which I was admiring some pretty pastel brooches over at Oh Hello Friend? Well, in honor of my recent Lovelies Award, I was asked to choose something from the Pretty Prize Box and was delighted to find this adorable set of vintage hair pins (the very same ones that I had been admiring!). So, my wish came true. Aren't they sweet?
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Vintage Icons: Brigitte Bardot
As a young girl growing up in Paris, Brigitte Bardot dreamed of being a ballet dancer, but her breathless beauty was destined for the silver screen. To me, this Parisian pixie is the ultimate beauty icon. I can see how her golden locks and endearing, cheeky smile would have captured hearts in the fifties and sixties. I mean, gosh, what an irresistible combination! But it is her genuine love for animals and her passion for defending their rights that inspires me the most. Keep up the good work, Bebé x
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Field Journal: A Clue and a Question (and a Prize!)
Why hello there, readers. I'm ever so glad you stopped by, because today my Field Journal assignment is to pose a question to you! I'd like to know, who was your childhood hero and why? At the end of the week, I'll send a little prize to the reader whose answer takes my fancy. I shan't say who my own childhood hero is just yet, but I will leave you with this little clue:
"I plan on solving this faster than I can get to the bottom of a cup of Darjeeling"
p.s competition is now closed, darlings! The winner is the lovely Jessica for her wonderful story on Grandma Rita. Congratulations Jessica!
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Sweetness in Store: End of Summer Sale
Have you heard? Wolf and Willow is having a wee little weekend sale! Here you will find one-of-a-kind vintage inspired clothing, soft toys and bedding for children, all handmade with love in Australia. All items are now reduced - some up to 30% off! Do pop by and check out the end of summer styles, from tiny 60s playsuits to soft and sweet 50s toys. Sale ends Monday.
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Field Journal: A Lofty Literary Goal
Today's Field Journal entry is all about setting goals... of the lofty persuasion, of course! Faced with this little task, I imagined a future me holding fabulous art exhibitions, creating wild costumes for an extravagant theatrical circus, traveling to exotic destinations – even joining the aforementioned circus! But I kept returning to my simple, lifelong dream of writing a book. Well, two books to be precise. One full of pictures, and the other, a novel. It's something I've dreamed of since I was knee-high. And so, here I go, throwing caution to the wind (in the form of a polka dot scarf) as I begin my masterpiece on a perfectly pink vintage typewriter. Wish me luck, dear friends!
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Peachy Prints: Mermaids & Matchbox Cars
Aren't these retro-inspired block prints by Seattle illustrator Amanda Kindregan simply charming? They remind me of dusty little golden books, old Hanna Barbera cartoons and children's annuals from the fifties. The idea of a mermaid with freckles makes me giggle. Tee hee!
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Flickr Fun: Gingerlilly Tea Parties
Today, I'm taking you on a little trip down fairy lane, to the pretty pink dollhouse in the woods that is the Gingerlilly Tea Flickr page. Oh, I hope you enjoy these delightful fairytale photos as much as I do. The short, sweet profile lists owls, deers, glitter, cardigans, woolly tights and wax seals as favourite things. I'm intrigued and inspired; two of my very favourite feelings!
"Your shadow looks just like a partridge!"
"Oh Tolly. Sometimes it's hard to tell whose shadow comes out with you"
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Etsy Love: Sea Unicorn
I've just stumbled across the cabinet of curiosities that is Sea Unicorn, where you will discover original handmade jewellery arranged in delightfully weird categories such as "fairytale remnants", "secret forest nymph" and "quirky intentions". In addition to a smashing collection, Sea Unicorn was recently nominated for Best Etsy Shop Pictures, and you can see why!
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Fashion Fancies: Karen Walker Jewellery
Look who I adopted in my lunch break today! Translation: I found a copy of Karen Walker's latest jewellery catalogue in a dress shop and am pinning the pictures up on my moodboard as we speak. Love this styling! These figurines are the sort of thing I dream of finding in my local flea market. I especially love the little boy and his dog, dont you? I wonder if they are vintage or not? It's hard to tell; they are so squeaky clean and shiny.
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Vintage Icons: Pattie Boyd
I adore this dreamy girl-next-door photo of young English model and photographer, Pattie Boyd. She was only 19 when she met George Harrison in 1964. He famously asked her to marry him almost immediately, and when she laughed, he asked, "Well, if you won't marry me, will you have dinner with me tonight?". Cute. She was said to have inspired many of the Beatles' love songs. In the early sixties, she sported peacoats and polka dot headbands and later, the iconic mini skirts and bucket hats.
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Sweetness in Store: Retro Lucille Playsuit
Have you seen Retro Lucille? She's my latest 60's number for Wolf and Willow. Can you imagine how much fun I had making this? The groovy geometric print reminds me of blue skies and honeydew melon. It's just perfect for playing under the sprinkler on a hot summer's day (that's what Aussie kids loved to do before the drought) and eating orange Frosty Boys. More on playsuits later...
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Etsy Love: Monorail Sketchbooks
Allow me to set the scene... I'm at Monorail, and the shop announcement reads: "Welcome! Hope you see something that hysterically screams your name...". I scroll through, eyes twinkling with delight, until I spy this handmade vintage storybook sketchbook, with it's dapper little rabbit illustrations played out in matchbox red and black. Why it's simply perfect for my new field journal project! But oh, the little animal portrait buttons are cute... and now, the problem is, what here doesn't scream my name?
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Vintage Icons: Dear Grandma
Today, I'd like you all to meet a very special vintage icon. A jazz singer, a seamstress, a dollmaker... and a beautiful, stylish lady. This is my Grandma, Emily, on her wedding day. I remember drawing pictures in her garden and playing card games at her table. She made nice sandwiches and gave the best bear hugs. I dreamt of her recently and she told me she quite likes how I've grown up. I think her wedding shoes are just the prettiest things I've seen!
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Childhood Memories: Pearl Pinkie & Sea Greenie
You'll never guess what my gorgeous mum discovered yesterday in a dusty old box of lost childhood toys and broken this'n'that? Why yes, it's another delightful Australian fairy book! Published in 1935, Pearl Pinkie and Sea Greenie (a tale of two rock sprites) was illustrated by Pixie O'Harris. You can find these gems and more in my Flickr storybooks collection. Enjoy!
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Sweet Shops: Little Miss Heirlooms
Have you met my friend Little Miss Heirlooms? Priscila is a self-taught interior designer and flea market junky, just like me! Her shop is brimming with rediscovered vintage treasures, which she lovingly collects especially for little ones. She also has a very sweet little blog, on which W&W has been featured!
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