Street Style Competition

Firstly I have to give credit to the lovely Perdita over at Perdita's Pursuits for blogging about this rather cool little contest. Wooden Hill Vintage are about to launch their vintage store and to celebrate are hosting a giveaway where one lucky person will win a £50 gift voucher to spend at www.woodenhillvintage.com.

All you have to do to enter is visit their facebook page and upload a picture of yourself in your vintage finery, or send them a pic via twitter @woodenhillvtg. The winner will be the one with the most likes on their snap. I'd be everso grateful if you voted for me : ) If you enter yourself do let me know!

Oh yes and whilst your over there if it takes your fancy you can now like Smashingbird too!

She's back! (for a little bit anyhoo)

As I mentioned in my post on saturday this weekend I spent with my favourite sister (ok, she's my only sibling, but she's still my fave!), who has just returned from the not so snow covered mountains of Val D'Isere. We met up at 2pm with a big group of her nearest & dearest girlies and had a lovely lunch at Prezzo's (Gorgonzola Pizza = yum!) where I probably should have taken food pics, but as you all know I'm crap at photos!

Next we moved onto a rather trendy bar/restaurant/club place where copious amounts of wine was consumed and Em being the caring big sister was craftily only giving me small glasses (did I mention I'm  a complete lightweight?). Here I am in outfit post mode, doing my best until someone who shall remain nameless hollered "POSER!" at me, so what's a gal to do? That's right, give 'em my best Blue Steel!

What I wore: vintage 70's purple floral chiffon sundress (£6 from Scope), Purple suede & patent Terry De Havilland Wedges, Red leather and gold studded vintage bag (50p bootfair), 70's gold small chain belt and my usual charity shop jewels.

I'm pleased to say Em & I are the only ones that lasted the night right through until 3am! Even though a very very generous chap bought us a bottle of champagne, which at 1am was received with mixed reviews! Plus there wasn't a kebab insight. (the queue was too long ; p )

Thank goodness for small measures and Party Feet.

Weekend

I do hope you are all enjoying this fine weather we are having! This weekend has been just lovely, I have bootfaired, jumble saled and charity shopped. Plus a bit of gardening where I caught the sun a wee bit (red nose!) and the mossies have had a right field day nibbling me.

On sunday night I met up with a couple of girlies for a night out, I was sadly sober (designated driver), but I had a blast. I have a busy week ahead, I'm snapping stock tomorrow so I can finally start listing.  Plus I have to plan the menu for my tea party on Friday, which means lot's of baking - wooooohoooo!

Here's what I wore....

Firstly a bit of a squint - it's very sunny you know!

Vintage Biba 70's lilac vest, plain lace trim white vest, H&M 70's style flares (love these - got them in black too, super tight), D-Havz gold & nude wedges, vintage leather whipstitch bag, Old England gold chain watch, vintage jewels. 

P.S. Sarah @ Misfits Vintage, this is a 99 - yum!

The Low Spark of High Heeled Girls

Feeling rather inspired by the general glitziness of the shoes in my last post. I decided to do a little fantasy shoe shopping for some glam rock inspired shiny footwear.

The criteria: must have serious sparkle with at least one of the following -  super high heel, ankle strap, platform or wedge.

First up these super sandals with the most fab star pattern on patent silver with a nice chunky wooden heel by the ever desirable Chie Mihara, available at the Chie Store from €156.52

Brocade, purple, big bow? Oh yes its Irregular Choice. I love this brand they are soo much fun, the insoles are a gorgeous deep jade satin. The soles always feature a cool pattern too, these Metallic Bow heels have an Alice in Wonderland print box and sole. Get them from Amazon for £65.

Here's is another pair from Irregular Choice I just couldn't resist. They look like Elton John could have designed them in 1974. The wonderfully named Devil's Desire can be found on the Irregular Choice shop for £79.99.

I'm a sucker for a wedge and a big bow, soo kitsch. These champagne satin wedges have a giant bejewelled bow at the toe, also available in black. Gabrielle by Carvella at Kurt Geiger, £100.

And finally, how could I not have feature a little something by the Shoe God himself, Terry De Havilland. I have just found out about this new range he has designed especially for John Lewis to celebrate the relaunch of their fashion floor at the Oxford Street flagship store. I'm very happy to see some platforms in the range not just wedges. Have a butchers!

Nadine Platform Sandals in Black Suede with Gold detail, £265

Lydia Wedges in Silver Leather & Snakeskin, £250

Wishful Thinking

As the sun has been shining just a little down here in the Garden of England. I thought I'd share this rather summery little scan I took from a 1973 issue of Petticoat Magazine (cannot remember the exact month, sorry!). Just a little dash of sparkle oh yes and some seriously hot Terry De Havilland wedges. Enjoy!

Update: Forgot to add that the first pair in the top pic are by Biba - looovvely : )

New Years!

Firstly I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and thank you for all your visits and sweet comments this year, they are all appreciated sooo much! 

Here's hoping 2011 is filled with love, happiness, prosperity & beautiful shoes.

So I finished my last post with the promise that I would post a picture of the dress I was planning to wear on New Years. Well at 6.30pm last night I had an outfit disaster. I had delicately hand washed the dress a couple of days before and hung it to dry but it still needed to be ironed. Nightmare situation - I had the heat super low and used a clean cloth to protect the fabric but the damn steam iron dribbled onto the satin and left awful watermarks on the skirt and sleeves. I don't have any decent dry cleaners near me so I'm hoping I can sort it with another gentle wash and a dry iron! fingers crossed...

So this is what I ended up wearing: Bus Stop peach satin jacket/dress, Dollyrockers cream crocheted dress, D-Havz gold & nude wedges and vintage peach Boa.      

I don't usually go out for New Years but I had a really great night, even though I was totally sober (was driving), I still had a good old dance! 

The Hello Lover Shoe Award

I have been tagged again by the lovely Christina at Fashion's Most Wanted for The Hello Lover Shoe Award, the rules are that you have to show off seven pairs of your favourite shoes and tag another seven bloggers to do the same. Most of my readers will know I can't resist a little shoe porn and I decided to play around with my new iphone camera app Hipstamatic which gives really cool old style pics, sorry it messes with the colours a bit tho..... anyhoo here we go!

Terry De Havilland Brown and Orange Snakeskin Ankle Strap Platforms

These are my favourite ever pair of shoes, I bought them to wear to my sister's wedding two years ago, like most of TDH's shoe designs they are a remake of a 70s design, and they are just gorgeous. I got them for an absolute steal on ebay.

Purple Suede & Leather Op Art Vintage mid 60's Mary Janes.

I used to only wear vintage shoes, specifically from the 60s. I have moved onto modern shoes now (albeit in a vintage style) as I just couldn't bear them falling apart all the time. I still have a number of old shoes but really only save them for special occasions. These are super, perfect 60s shoes. You can't really tell from the pics but they are a deep cadbury's purple. I love the matchbox heel and almond toe.

Nude Suede & Gold Snakeskin D-Havz Platform Wedges.

From the D-Havz fusion line, I am still kicking myself for not buying these and the black and orange version on Miss Selfridges' website a few years back when they were in the sale for £8, I ended up finding these on ebay sometime later. These are super high and sexy! Also quite comfy...

Miss L Fire Brown Platform Sandals

Another great "retro" brand, the styles are usually quite 40's/50's but occasionally there are some fab platforms. I love the crochet flowers at the toe and the leopard insole. These are also surprisingly comfortable. They also came in black at the time.

Office Black Suede & Leather Detail Dolly Shoes

These are one of my pairs of everyday work shoes, the suede isn't too practical but just look at the cute heel and leather detail.

Vintage 60s Petrol Blue Biba Canvas Boots

I have posted these before but from a distance. The tightest boots you will ever wear, still in great condition. I always get compliments when I wear these, even though practically nobody I know has any idea what Biba was! I also have a pair in cream which are unworn and if I can't afford Mr De Havilland to make me a pair of custom shoes I think I'll wear them when (and if!) I get married!

Vintage 60's Gold & Gemstone T Bar Sandals

I have had these for more years than I care to remember, and I still break them out every summer. You can still find these on ebay US in all sorts of colours and with different heel heights.

So there you go, seven of my favourite pairs of shoes. I could have gone on believe me! Below are the bloggers whom I pass this award onto, if they wish to accept it of course!

Ms Arscott

Laurakitty 

Miss Peelpants

Shrimpton Couture

Summer Sunday and a Year

Lost Muse

Lola Vintage

Smashingbird is One Today!

Today marks one year since I started this blog. It has been a pretty tough couple of years in my personal life. My fella and I have been trying to buy the shop we work in and the process has taken an absolute age, but it seems that in the next couple of weeks we will finally be working for ourselves, *fingers crossed*, posting on this blog has been a welcome break and distraction to all my boring business woes. 

I started Smashingbird as a hobby to post beautiful pics, wish list items and mini reviews of the films and the music I love. I have been overwhelmed by the support and sweetness of the blogging community and appreciate all your lovely comments and visits to my blog sooo much! 

Here is a list of some my favourite posts from the past year

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

Country Girl

I've been a naughty girl!

Jools

There's always time for a bit of Bowie

Anjelica

A big ol' slice of birthday cake and hugs to you all!

I've been a naughty girl.....

Ok, so I gave in and got myself a pair of Terry's in the sale. I'm going to justify this by calling them an investment piece, but honestly I just couldn't resist them. They are even better in real life, the colour is gorgeous cadbury's purple. Don't you love it when you get a shoe bag, the box came in the special carrier bag too! Yes, I'm easily pleased.

Do excuse the poor pics, my camera is terrible and I can't afford a new one because I keep doing stuff like buying 6" purple suede wedges just in time for winter.

Oh Mr De Havilland you are spoiling us!

As I have mentioned a few times before, I just adore Terry De Havilland shoes. They are soo fun and sexy, and I love that they are pretty much replicas of original 70's designs.

I do keep a close eye on his website as the sale section can be Just check out some of the amazing bargains to be had right now. Somebody please themselves buy a few pairs, as I don't think I have any budget for delicious shoes this month! Although the purple Margaux's are seriously tempting me......

Gabriella Black was £400 now £200

Suzi Pink was £400 now £100

Margaux Purple was £379.99 now £95

Margaux Wave Silver was £380 now £190

All images from www.terrydehavilland.com, click on the link below to go straight to the shoe

I dream of this...

Petticoat Magazine - 1973, model wears Satin Dress from Biba, Lace Gloves from Nostalgia, Bracelet from Emeline, Necklace from Adrien Mann and Perspex Shoes by Terry De Havilland

Current Loves

Pretty Things - Parachute (1970) Until a year or so ago I had never listened to any later Pretty Things material, I've always loved the Get the Picture album, and their mid 60s heavy r&b sound. Then my fella suggested I listen to Parachute and I still just can't get enough, it captures perfectly the mix of psychedelia and heavy rock of late 60's London. Most people rave about their earlier album SF Sorrow, which is very good but this album is their greatest offering in my opinion.

Sarah Moon - Pirelli Calendar (1972) The set of photos shot by Sarah Moon for the 1972 Pirelli calendar have to be one of my favourite sets of images, I just adore the soft focus, feminine sexiness. Click on the title to go to a flickr stream featuring the entire set.

Cloverfield (2007) This may seem like a strange choice compared to the rest of the post, and I know from talking to others that have seen this film it really gets a divided opinion, but I am a big Lost fan and got this because of the JJ Abrams connection, and oh my I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, it is such an exciting film and an innovative concept.

Terry De Havilland - Milly Wedges Ok so I am always lusting TDH shoes, but these are my most favourite style available currently and I love the colours and think the work so well with vintage and modern outfits. However, they aren't cheap at £400, but are so delicious and iconic, they will last forever. Roll on the sales!

The woes of vintage shoes

I really love vintage shoes, but I find it really hard to wear any of mine lately because they always seem to fall apart on me, and I just can't bear it, I've tried all my local cobblers, and none have been able to glue the soles back together either securely or neatly! Also tried loads of different glues myself over the years and found one half decent one which I think is for metal & plastic (the most flexible one I tried - so no cracking).

It's great that you can get beautiful vintage style & reproductions such as those by Terry De Havilland, but these can be very pricey unless you are lucky enough to find them in your size in the sale section, and there are the odd pair on ebay, but I have been put off by certain celebs wearing the Margaux Wedges and the fact that Matalan have a very cheap and plastic looking version in at the moment!

I have been lusting after these new shoes for ages they really remind me of classic Biba 40's style platforms with that cute bow on the toe and red snakeskin detail and I have just seen them on sale for £29! But they only have the black in size 3 or 7, can my size 4's squeeze into the 3's? I have another pair of Miss L Fire platforms in size 4 an they have a bit of room, should I risk it? They are rather loverly.