Vintage Fair

On Saturday I frocked up and visited The Way We Wear Vintage Fair at Albert Hall . I had heard amazing things about these markets but have never been,  I was hooked as soon as I saw my first vintage lady. The lady at the door was dressed in the most devine 1950s style with hair and makeup styled to perfection!

Walking into the beautiful hall was like stepping into a time machine with a blur of fashion from the last 200 years. 

The stalls were all beautifully presented. My favorite was Coco Repose by Jessica Guthrie. Jessica has a polished selection of books, shoes, hats, dresses and lots of delicious little treasures. You can check out her pretties here.

The fairs are also held in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast & Hobart. Lock in  29th-30th June in your diary for the next Canberra The Way We Wear Fair!'

For more details visit  thewaywewearfairs.com

Amazing changes

A little while ago I had the pleasure of meeting a group of women who are doing a course on exploring their passions and dreams for their future, and establishing themselves in their community.

Over two sessions I talked with them about style and confidence. I shared my believes that when you are dressing for YOU, wearing things that you love and have confidence in choosing how you present yourself to the world amazing things happen. 

The group was comprised of all ages, different cultures & backgrounds, mothers, students and professionals.

I saw these women again five weeks later at a cocktail party they had arranged to celebrate their achievements and I was totally amazed. They had taken a little sprinkle of my knowledge and encouragement and taken on their wardrobes with gusto. Each of them was so expressive and proud. Their style wasn’t dictated by trends; I could see they had created their looks with thought and passion from within. The most moving part for me was realising they are now proud and happy when they stand out from the crowd.

These ladies are now pursuing their dream careers in work placements, study and some have even already secured paid work.

Suitcase Love!

I am in love with old suitcases. A passion my partner doesn't share- When I set them up next to the couch as little side tables he thought I was moving out! He just doesn't get they are just as useful as a beautiful 'thing' to decorate your house with!.

DesignSponge

Painted suitcases at
ModernCountryStyle

Make Your Own Floral Suitcase
by Elsie
at A Beautiful Mess

Feathers Lace and Pearls

Here's a sneak peek of the new neck piece collection that will be hitting the shops soon. I had soo much fun creating them, I got out all my pretties- pearls,feathers , old copper zippers, laces and LOTS and LOTS of fabric! Each piece is a one-off and totally unique. Retail prices range from $80- $150.

White Au-Naturel Necklace

Powder Blue Weave Necklace

Like a Virgin Necklace

Rounded Renegade Necklace

Silk 'n Pearls Collar

The Blue Beast Necklace

I'll keep you posted on stockists :)

Like a Virgin Necklace

I've just started working on a new jewelry line with reworked textiles and came across many clever yet beautiful DIY weaving techniques and refashion inspiration.

Enjoy

x Tahlia

Annelise Albers woven washers necklace

 DIY Totorial at Honestly WTF

 DIY rope necklace by Honestly WTF via Refinery 29

Master the art of weaving on the Tying it all together channel on You Tube

Necklace made from tights at Smaggle Style

Take a leaf out of their book

Chicken's big day out!

I’ve just arrived back in Australia after a brief visit to Bali, Indonesia. Despite being criticized for it’s overwhelming tourist population altering its identity, I still found it to be a totally eye opening experience.

Toward the end of our stay, as we begrudgingly started to think about  going back home, I realized  I was going to miss the Balinese mentality the most. The kindness and curiosity, the lack of anger and frustration.

The first time I jumped in a taxi I wanted to just close my eyes and hope for the best. The weaving, dodging and lack of lines and signs on the roads and the constant tooting! If you beep your horn in Aus you can expect a finger sign and a scowl from the other car. In Bali it seemed road rage was non-existent. I started to realise what had originally looked like chaos was actually a very polite obliging system that accommodated for the crawling pace and narrow roads. Everyone was so confidant, they had so much trust.

The Balinese have such a jovial nature. When faced with hostility or wild western tourists going too far they reacted with a smile, a joke and their incredible hospitality.

Coconut!?

I’m more aware now of the needless anger and frustration when on our roads and am working on not letting other peoples anger affect me so much. We choose to be angry, just as we choose our thoughts that shape our point of view. 

x Tahlia

migration museum

Last week I found myself wandering through the Immigration Museum. It wasn’t something I intended to do, the amazing grandness of the building sucked me in and I was so glad it did, it far exceeded my expectations.

The exhibit was incredibly moving. It offered an insight to experiences I could never fully understand.

 I recently conducted a two day style and confidence workshop for an amazing group of women who have sought refuge in Australia. I’m so lucky to be a part of their journey in becoming independent, confidant and empowered women.

Immigrants have had an incredible impact on shaping Australia. Just look at the Coles Myer Group.  I discovered the founders were two Jewish brothers who faced exactly what today’s migrants experience. The business was originally comprised of door to door sales of buttons and fabric ...'not every one welcomed a Jewish hawker" . 

The challenges immigrants face are mind blowing. Leaving behind your family and friends, your job, everything you know and trust. Going to a country that speaks a different language, facing isolation, racism and the unknown, all for a chance of equal opportunity.

I was born here. I don’t feel  being born here gives anyone the entitlement to say who can come and who cannot , being born here simply means you’re lucky.

Ricardo Knitwear -
A Melbourne based  company  founded
by Polish migrant; Richard Charlupski
 who arrived in Au. in 1950 . He established his
business 8 yrs later.The company
was largely reliant on Italian migrants as Charlupski
believed they were the best in the industry.

Old fashioned life jacket in an immigration ship
display. (I'm not sure what year the set up was based on but
it was very eye opening. They had a horrific medical kit complete with
hack saw! Another eye opener was the toilet,
which was more like a wooden box with a hole on top; complete with sound effects)   

Simcha and Elcon Baevski
Founders of Myer

Melbourne's Lovely Buildings!

I've spent the last two days with my neck craned upwards, bewildered at the beautiful buildings that line Melbourne's streets. Their have been far too many near misses with lamp posts and pedestrians!!

Flinder's St Station

Weekend Sewing

Finally finished this trench coat refashion!