Music in My Ears

Well, well. So here is another abject lesson in following you heart when you fall in love … most especially important when you are shopping in a market on the other side of the world!

I fell for a pair of giant silver hoops suspended with little bells from a shop deep in the heart of the souq in the Djemaa el Fna in Marrakesh. They were very expensive, and informed that I would most likely find similar earrings in Essaouira for less, I held off purchasing them. What a mistake that was. There were none to be found there, and I passionately wished I had bought the earrings in Marrakesh.

Back home, yielding to the pangs of long-lost love, I became crafty. I tracked down some giant sterling silver hoops from a seller in Queensland, and then I found lots and lots of little sterling silver bells from other eBay sellers. By the time I added up the total, you betcha – they cost just a little less than the original pair in Marrakesh. Ka-ching-a-ring!

I don’t know what it is about bells that I like so much – I have another necklace that jingles with every step, and a vintage skirt that tinkles rather elusively (I caused much mystery in the office today when I wore it – it took time for people to track down the source of faint music). I’m reminded of that old nursery rhyme Ride a Cock-Horse to Banbury Cross, only I’ve written a new version for the occasion:

With hoops hanging with bells on her ears
She shall have music whatever she hears …

Two-For-One

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I don’t like sparkly jewellery unless it’s really enormous. Since really enormous sparkly jewellery is also really expensive, I take mine fake. Take this mammoth cocktail ring for instance. It’s huge. One jumbo-sized brilliant is surrounded by lots and lots of little diamonds around the band. If it was real, I’d have to be some maharajah’s favourite concubine or something.

But what fun! It is also an excellent weapon of self-defence. Not only does it give my punch an extra edge, but should I be mugged in bright sunlight, the blinding flash of this colossal rock would first incapacitate my would-be assailant. So really I get two-for-one: it’s not only a ring, but it’s a weapon … but it’s a ring … Great, huh? What a bargain. 

Bangle Arms

Celebrating the Roaring Twenties in a Special Series

I wonder if Nancy Cunard had really long, really skinny arms? Otherwise how on earth did she fit on so many bangles at a time? I love that look as seen in the 1920s portrait of her by Cecil Beaton (click here for my homage to the pair) – it is somewhat tribal; decorative without being frou-frou. I’m reminded as a child I had a fascination with those African tribal women who wore metal to rings around the neck ... except that bangles require no long-term commitment. 

I’ve wondered if some of Nancy’s bangles are really curtain rings or something, or if costume jewellers actually created extra large bangles that could be slid up the forearm? I can’t understand why they don’t do that now. My collection comes from all over: bone from India, wood and stone Vietnam, stone from Spain and vintage galalith (a type of plastic similar to Bakelite) from America. The only thing is, I don’t actually wear more than one at a time because I find them annoying. Hmm.

Neck Lace

It sounds incredibly girly for someone who professes herself to be so not a princess, but I really love lace, and pearls. Usually not together (but I couldn’t promise that one day I might not confound all expectations and wear them together after all).

This necklace, in altogether a different way, combines both pearls and lace: the artificial pearls have been tatted to create a lace-like pattern. Tatting is actually a technique for handcrafting a very durable type of lace, in which thread is looped and knotted in a pattern of rings and chains. It is often used as trim or edging on garments and household linen. This vintage 1950s pearl choker literally is neck lace!

There are lots of lovely versions to be found on Etsy – search ‘pearl collar necklace’ for the best versions, and you will also see an array of vintage Peter Pan style collar necklaces that are very much in vogue at the moment. 

Put on Your Red Shoes

I have liked the Facebook pages of a number of shoe emporiums, news that should surprise nobody. One of them once posed a question about red shoes, and one lady remarked what could anyone possibly need with more than one pair of red shoes?

Dear lady, it’s not a question of need, I could have explained to her. It’s desire of course. There is something bewitching, something utterly entrancing about red shoes. I am always attracted to them; they make my heart go pitter-pat, and I own many. Some I have worn to death and sadly had to lay to rest in the trash – unlike poor Moira Shearer in the film The Red Shoes, at least they didn’t dance me to my grave.

There is something bewitching, something utterly entrancing about red shoes …

There were the enchanting three-quarter red boots with little tassels swinging at the sides, and the low-heeled pumps that walked their little soles out for me. I shall always remember them fondly. And how could I forget the strappy cherry-coloured sandals of my childhood that twisted into a knot on top? There is an old photo of me wearing them, dressed up for a family wedding with my hair curled and pleased as punch with my beloved red shoes.

These 40s style raspberry red suede heels are by Wittner, and I bought them last year. I love them so much I wish I had purchased two pairs. The first time I wore them (to view the Grace Kelly exhibition last winter) I was in agony, but I have since worn them in and they are quite comfortable. Comfortable enough to dance in because let’s face it, red shoes are made for just that. David Bowie said so.