The Grandmother’s Chest

I had been searching for an antique white cotton lace blouse for years. By antique, I mean the turn of last century. I had no particular reason for that bee in my bonnet, I just liked the idea of owning something that old, fragile, and hand-made.

I have also always liked lace, and unless you can afford couture, most lace today is made by machine – and even worse, using synthetic or poor quality thread. I particularly dislike that cheap lace made in China that trims all sorts of inexpensive garments, especially when it pils – ugh!

The store front (click for larger version)So while I was wandering the fascinating and twisty streets of Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic, I was thrilled to discover a vintage boutique, called L’Arca de L’Avia (The Grandmother’s Chest). Housed in what might have historically been storage rooms, the boutique is dominated by the stone arches overhead, so that one feels like one is entering a vast, subterranean treasure trove.

It really was like an Aladdin’s Cave, bursting with vintage stock – impossible to take it all in. At the back of the store was a bridal centre, where they made new, or altered old, gowns. They had a large collection of vintage veils and other bridal accessories.

The lingerie section had a few 1920s and 30s slips and nightgowns, as well as a large selection of Victorian white lace blouses.

To the left of the door was a section devoted to nineteenth and early twentieth century lingerie, including two racks full of white lace blouses. They were all delicate and beautifully made, and in pristine condition. The prices ranged from around €75–100, which I thought wasn’t too bad considering their quality. I would never even see anything like this in Australia. After exploring the rest of the store, I returned to them and found three I liked.

I would never even see anything like this in Australia.

Looking into the second chamber, which stored all sorts of haberdashery (vintage lace, buttons, feathers), and precious accessories in glass display cases, such as antique fans and purses.

After trying them on I couldn’t choose between them, and for such a relatively expensive purchase, I decided to consider them for a day or two. Returning on my last rainy afternoon in Barcelona, (pleased I was able to actually find the store again), I made my selection. There was only one tiny thing wrong with the blouse: the ribbon that pulled it tight at the waist was sewn down on one side of the placket. The helpful shop assistant exclaimed in dismay and told me she would fix it, if I could return in a couple of hours. Certainly I could, I assured her. I would come after a visit to the national art gallery, but before the Spanish guitar concert.

And that is how I brought home to Australia my little piece of Spanish treasure. (Here I am wearing the blouse.)

All Those Lovely, Lovely Beads

Wooden beads as green as giant peas

A month ago I took my smashed DSLR to the clinic (which is still there, being repaired), and on my way home passed an unprepossessing charity shop. I wandered in, because you never know what you’ll come across, especially when you’re not looking for anything in particular. (That is a cardinal op-shopping rule.)

I didn’t find anything in the shop … except a vintage set of bright green wooden beads on a petrified elastic string that was one swing away from choking curious and unsupervised infants. They wanted $1 for them. They could have it.

Nice wooden beads are so hard to find, at least here in Melbourne. I cannot sufficiently kick myself for not purchasing some in Porto when I had the chance – but there was so much choice I couldn’t choose between all those lovely, lovely beads. Vintage wood beads especially are nice, because the colours are subtler than the garish modern versions found in some craft shops, and also for their attractive patina of age.

I have already remade the beads into a new necklace, teaming them with some black onyx round beads and two vintage silver (although not sterling silver) beads I bought in a souq in Marrakesh. Stay tuned…

Spicing Up Winter

Ugh. So I’ve been back three weeks. Jetlag hit me this time like it never did before. I was exhausted, but I still had to drag myself to the theatre three freezing days a week to perform the duties of my part-time job. I work from home the other days, and these last weeks have been crazily busy. Hence my slackness and reprehensible neglect of SNAP.

Anyway, at least I found some very comfortable shoes to walk in through the frosty Botanic Gardens each morning. I found them in my closet that is. I bought them last summer, secondhand for $12; put them away, and forgot all about them.

I remember I was uncertain about buying them – as cute as a button as they are with their T-strap and nutmeg-coloured suede – I was put off by the then sticky heat of summer. But I had a strong suspicion come the colder months I would be glad of them. I was right.

And now I’m back on SNAP too, hooray!

Adventuring we will go

Lost

So off I fly tonight! Barcelona here I come, for five days. Then it’s off to Portugal for ten… and after that I’ll catch the ferry from Spain to Morocco, where I’ll spend 14 marvellous days. Undoubtedly I’ll be getting lost in those souqs more than once, snapping photos all the way.

Found

They will go adventuring with me overseas, and fortuitously they fit in perfectly with my holiday wardrobe of the same colours. I want to travel light and leave room in my baggage for souvenirs, so I'm taking just a few separates in these colours.

I hadn't intended to go for a nautical theme at all; it was just happenstance. And even more serendipitous that I came upon these cotton trousers in a charity shop earlier this week – for the bargain price of $5.

And just because I’ll be travelling for a month doesn’t mean I won’t be posting regularly so come back and visit. But first, wish me Bon Voyage! 

BYO Reindeers

The real deal in BanffI was amused last night to find these shoes on Facebook, on the page Your Next Shoes. They often post fascinating creations by Jeffrey Campbell. Some of his shoes are quirky and amusing, some downright hideous and ankle-breaking, and public opinion is always polarised.

At first sight of these Skate Shoes, I laughed. They are the perfect footwear for a Christmas in July party. Anyone up for it? BYO reindeers.

Thanks to Anna Wolniak for the use of her winter background landscape, found on Stock.Xchng.