Dear Hunting

These charming beads look like sharpened pencil tips!In the past year or so I have got very lucky with one of my favourite contemporary jewellery labels, Elk, finding quite a large number of necklaces, and one bracelet, in thrift stores. To date, I have found seven of the label’s wooden bead necklaces, all ranging from between $4–$10, which at 25% or less of retail price is some bargain hunting!

By chance, most of the necklaces have been in the grey–blue colour range, and all of them feature wooden beads, either simply strung on a single strand, or quite intricately woven. I don’t wear them more than one at a time of course; they are quite sculptural, stand-out pieces on their own, and look great against simple shapes and block colours.

Now I just need to add a pair or two of earrings to complete the collection.

Photos: December 2015

Five of my other Elk necklaces in shades of grey and blue, and one red

Mission Brown

A while back I had bought a little leather crossbody bag to replace a very similar one that after many years of use had worn out. It’s a convenient, lightweight and tiny bag I like to use shopping when I don’t need a tote. The replacement bag is lovely Italian leather, soft and supple, but there’s just one thing wrong with it: it’s red. Scarlet. Pillbox. Bright, in-your-face, lipstick red.

Now, I love red, and it is one of my favourite colours, but in these more minimalist days I came to realise that what I really needed was a tan leather bag. A red crossbody bag had become just too cute for me. I wanted something that was more discreet, neutral; something that went with everything.

… in these more minimalist days I came to realise that what I really needed was a tan leather bag

It became my mission to find a new one. Because I felt a little guilty buying another new bag when for all practical purposes there was nothing wrong with the red one, I decided I would hit the op shops (thrift stores) first. Some weeks of desultory searching went by, and then last week I hit paydirt. Sort of.

I found this tan leather wallet with a wrist strap in an op shop. It is by Roxy, unused, fits my phone inside, and cost only $8. I don’t love it, particularly not the embossed logo on the front (which friends assure me is discreet and barely noticeable), but it is perfect for use as a lunchtime purse (if not for marketing), and will do until something better comes along.

Ironically, it is too big to fit in some of my smaller handbags, so I have to decant the bare necessities into a coin purse.

The mission continues!

(Photo: December 2015)

The Rain in Spain

A bleak rainy week is upon us Melburnians, which is the perfect time for yet another umbrella to shut up shop.

Truth to tell, this cheap little brolly from Bershka broke one of its wings a long time ago – I just couldn’t bear to part with it. I hate throwing away souvenirs, even if they cost €5 and were bought in an emergency.

A couple years ago I was in Barcelona for a few days in the middle of summer. Some freakish rainy weather hit (Audrey did say ‘the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain’), but I couldn’t bear to spend a lot of money on an umbrella that I would only use for a few days.

So I spent probably an hour hunting high and low for a cheap one (I recall rejecting a stylish €35 brolly from Mango on the grounds that the last Mango umbrella I bought – in Vietnam – broke in the first storm in Melbourne on my return) until finally, and discontentedly, I settled on this frilled and spotted version.

I can’t remember when the spoke broke, in Europe or after my return, but I know the umbrella was still pretty new. And so I couldn’t throw it out, not after its ridiculous history: all that trawling in the rain to find it, and dragging it all around Europe and all the way back home …

For two winters I persevered and wrestled with it, but no longer. I had a big clean out of my closet at the end of January, and I decided this brolly had to go – the old must make way for the new. It was a wrench, but it had to be done.

I promise tomorrow I will actually put it in the bin. 

A Fashion Miracle

Back in February while I was on holiday, my niece and I did our annual trawl through the country thrift stores (or opportunity shops as they are called here in Australia). I came across many opportunities to increase my wardrobe.

One of the first delicious little bargains I happened upon was this pair of unworn navy patent leather mary-jane heels. In. My. Size. For $12.50. This is a fashion miracle! They might not be the Holy Grail of Shoes – the black mary-janes by Manolo Blahnik of SJP fame – but they are pretty damn close. I feel blessed. 

Heartbreak Summer

This Indian summer has turned wistful – or maybe that’s just me, knowing that autumn weather is really just round the corner. But no matter the season, sunglasses are always necessary, and I always carry a pair in my bag.

These Cross My Heart sunglasses from No A have become my favourite this summer, not least because they merge seamlessly with the themes in my fine artwork! Also, I love round glasses – small, vintage style ones and oversize versions like these. But more than anything, these are just irresistibly funny.

Sometimes I forget when I am wearing them in the busy streets or crowded trams, and wonder why the person opposite me is staring so hard – and then I remember and chuckle inwardly.

You can still own a pair yourself, although they are now available only in tortoiseshell.

Picture Note:
The beach photograph was taken by myself a couple of years ago on Rainbow Beach, Far North Queensland.