Welly Weather

It's very snowy in Aberdeen at the moment. I'm going out to a birthday party tonight and was trying to explain the classic British look of party dress, cardi and wellies. Strangely, I couldn't find a picture, although Vogue and suchlike are always depicting grungy ballgowns...

Anyway, I did my own. You can make up your own story for why this posh girl in a ballgown is standing thoughtfully in the mud.

Face at Forty-ish...

In a conversation at the weekend, my Mum Pauline remarked that there comes an age when you have to stop wearing make-up, and I countered that I was reaching an age where you feel the need to wear it.

As part of my towards forty project, a picture of my eye. I love my green eyes, inherited (well, not the eyes, the colour) from my Gran Jo. As you age, however, they tend to get a bit bloodshot, eyelids droop and creases appear beneath. To be fair, my eyes were often bloodshot when I was young too, but that was mostly hangovers.

Anyway, what make-up do I feel the urge to wear now?
I discovered on a trip to Boots, that make-up comes in a variety of hi-tech forms now. For instance, this Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstain is actually a felt pen! Amazing. Good to draw in thin and faded lip bits but too dry for all over. Mine is in Blushing, which is a natural pink. Also lined up on the desk are: Benefit Sugarbomb (brilliantly natural blush colour) Max Factor Masterpiece Liquid Eyeshadow (stays on and doesn't go crepy), Max Factor Mastertouch Undereye Concealer (light and doesn't clag round eyes) and Benefit Ooh La Lift (undereye tightener and highlighter.) Moisturising Eyedrops are also good for those bloodshot days.

Things I've buzzed away include: shimmer eyeshadow (makes your eyes look like they've been mummified) thick foundation, matte lipsticks and powder (except on my red nose).

I also have two top tips; one from my boss: curl your eyelashes and then mascara them to make your eyes look bigger. And secondly; check out this brilliant website from Lisa Eldridge with gorgeous make-up videos, from the helpful to the outrageous!

Incongruous Buildings

I drive past this lovely building every day, on my way to work.

Dating from 1905, it houses the Broadstraik Inn. Apparently, the inn offers excellent local food, although I haven't eaten there yet (add to project list). I often see people drinking beer outside when I drive home in the summer, and I envy them.

To me, this Arts and Crafts buildings look like it would be more at home in the depths of the English countryside, although maybe you differ and see shades of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Sadly, I haven't found out any information on the architect or anything, an overlooked gem.

Does anyone else love any incongruous buildings, ducks out of water buildings? Or know of any more examples of Arts and Crafts architecture in Aberdeenshire? Answers on the back of a postcard please....

Another Vintage Handbag

Another vintage handbag for my growing collection! This one was found while on a charity shop trip with my friend Sarah Rooftops.

It's in gold fabric, and is a bit structured. To paraphrase the film Crazy People (1990) 'Boxy is Good' in the world of handbags, if not Volvos.

My three great handbag style icons are Grace Kelly, the Queen and Mrs Thatcher. The latter, while totally evil, did sport some awesomely intimidating handbags. And give rise to the saying 'a handbagging'. Here's a link to an article on the cultural meanings of Mrs Thatcher's handbags, among others.

More Street Style

A winter street style spotted in Aberdeen today:
Giant felt hat, fur coat, yellow heeled boots, studded black leather gloves.
I often spot cool people on the street between the art gallery and the town centre. I'm impressed by anyone who dares wear an unusual hat.

I seem to be seeing more fur coats of late, which worries me. I'm hoping they are all fake or second hand...I keep seeing second hand fur everywhere and it is fabulous, but I worry that any fur wearing will promote this horrible industry.
I do have a vintage dress with fur collar though. I think of it as my un-PC dress.Here's a link to one of my favourite style websites with a bit on fur collars, anyway.

Why blog?

I was wondering, but blog stands for web log. I suppose a blog is like an online diary or journal, except mine is more like a sketchbook.

When I was doing art in school, and later at art college, we were encouraged to keep a small sketchbook for things we found interesting or inspiring. My blog is sort of like those much loved books and I try to share these teeny snapshots into my life with friends and family here.

My husband Alistair encouraged me to start a blog with my own pictures as I had been gripped by a long creative block since leaving art college in 1996. That's a long time, but I worked so hard there I felt my creative juices had been drained dry, which made me very sad. As well as the blog, most of my rediscovered creative energy is channelled into my work (a castle is a very inspiring place to be) cooking, vintage shopping and reinventing my wardrobe and occassional knitting.( I can't spell occassional though).

I try and keep my blog light and fun, although that's not because watercolour is just a medium for pretty pictures. One of my favourite artists; Paul Nash, produced amazing watercolours as a war artist in WW1 and 2. It's also because I am quite a private person and don't want to air my inner agonies or deepfelt beliefs with the world at large. Anyway, like it or loathe it, here it is; my blog. (I've also been told off for using far too many commas, but hey, it's my punctuation of choice.)

Beautiful Car

As you may know, my work is often the home of many lavish weddings.

Today, I was delighted to see the wonderful retro cars the bride had chosen. There was this 1957 Mercury Montclair Turnpike, a white 1948 Oldsmobile Convertible and a 1960s VW minibus!

She was co-ordinated with them in a fabulous 1950s style chiffon dress with diamante embroidery.

I got a look in the car, which had bench seats and a wonderful retro dash with many futuristic dials.

Here is the company's website for any car enthusiasts/wedding planners.