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.

More Fortyisms

Apologies; I have used this picture before. But it perfectly illustrates my latest forty-esque rambling.

On the left, a vision of sophistication and elegance. On the metaphorical right, me, dressing like a children's TV presenter from the 1980s.

In the middle, a useful wardrobe purge of the multi-coloured (eyesore) the horizontally striped (make your boobs look massive) and the plain weird (extra long plunge front jumper with differently coloured sleeve motifs).

And the oft heard resolution not to impulse buy stuff in the sales. And that if it also comes in black that can be an option too.  And that confidence and personality doesn't have to manifest itself in outfits that are damaging the retinas of any passer by...

Ultra Hamster

For fitness enthusiasts: Ultra Hamster in a retro weighlifting leotard. You never see those anymore, or hear the word leotard much either.

As a kid I always envied the gymnastics girls in my school because of their shiny, super-hero-like leotards.

Here is a link to the history of the leotard, with interesting bits on fashions in fitness wear.