AskBronny Blog

Hello Kittens!

Happy New Year. I hope your festive season was full of laughter, love and happiness.

Now I know I've been a very naughty girl by neglecting this blog. I am sorry if you thought I had abandoned you, but, to be honest, there has been quite a lot going on in my world and you all deserve an explanation.

I've been hiding a little secret:

I am going to be a mamma!

At present, I am 18 weeks along. It has been a bit of a bumpy ride as this is not my first pregnancy since my wedding back in May last year, but we are now all happy and healthy and looking forward to a little bundle's arrival in early June of 2010.

So now you understand my lack of outfit posts - nothing in my vintage wardrobe quite fits anymore and alas, it may be a while til I regain some semblance of a waistline! While I have always loved the glamour of vintage, I am finding that this unfortunately didn’t extend to maternity wear styles of yesteryear!

So I put it to you, darlings - what would you like to see here on Ask Bronny, from Vintage Verve in 2010?

I don't want to bore you with baby or pregnancy related things (there are so many other wonderful blogs out there that cover these topics), unless you are interested in how I am going to try and translate my personal style around my ever-expanding…. well….. my ever-expanding everything!!

Your comments and suggestions will all be read and taken into consideration so please do leave your thoughts in the comments section of this post.

xx VV

A little while ago, I came across quite a magnificent find: an original copy of The Australian Home Journal from 1954! 

First seen in the 1940's the shirt dress has been a staple fashion classic ever since. Above, we see the 1954 take, including the belted waist and flared skirt, as well as a more tailored look.

Here are two examples of the modern shirt dress, from Spiegels in the US and Dorothy Perkins from the UK.

Now, if you are like me, you are starting to think about this year's Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, and more to the point, studiously observing the latest trends to incorporate into your look.

One thing I have noticed is the emphasis on statement shoes and legs. Observe:

Bright red with polka dots on dark legs and Mary-Janes with bobby socks! I loved that gorgeous petti-skirt in contrasting royal blue too.

Diamante studded wedges with patterned stockings (I am still undecided about the open toes with stockings look - what do you think?)

Another fantastic example of statement pins! I just love these stockings - fishnets with roses!

More Mary-Janes with bobby socks. You can get those delicious Vivienne Westwoods here.

Creating interest in one's legs is never a bad thing Kittens!

What's your Spring trend?

Hello Kittens!

You know, I enjoy being a mixture of an old fashioned girl in a modern world. Don't get me wrong, I love my wireless broadband and my iPhone. I also enjoy my coffee machine and my Dyson vacuum cleaner that removes all traces of my puppy-cat's fur from my lounge room rug (but I digress). I also (as you well know) love vintage; and I'm not just talking clothing, Kittens.

Sometimes I truly believe the old fashioned way is the nicest. Case in point: Receiving pretty packages. 

Last week I received some cute little pieces I had bought from LeeLoo, an online store featuring treasures from a select group of emerging Australian designers and artists. Now I must admit to being a bit of an online shop-a-holic, so I am always delighted to find a purchase that arrives in style:

I love to incorporate vintage into my everyday, which I did with this cute little coin purse and cameo necklace, all made with vintage or reclaimed materials.

How do you add a touch of vintage to your everyday, Kitten? Share with the rest of us!

Hello Kittens!

Now, it has occurred to me that I am not particularly gifted in terms of wit, charm or wisdom. I wouldn't suppose that anyone might find me as fascinating as the next girl. However, one does get asked by friends and acquaintances on a regular basis for the sources and inspirations for my, shall we say…eclectic style. This is how my blog, Vintage Verve was born.

I am always drawn by the romance of yester-year, particularly the first half of the 20th Century. I love to search out treasures, with my favourite hunting ground generally being eBay and the fab little Op Shops found in and around Melbourne.

I find that when it comes to Vintage lovers, most fall into one of three camps: The Purist (who only wears or collects genuine vintage), The Enthusiast (who likes the style of vintage and wears reproductions) and The Fusionista (the blending of the two).

I believe I fall into the latter. I wear both genuine and reproduction vintage, but I love to incorporate individual pieces into modern everyday wear.

In in the multitude of same-ness fashion that we see in public and in our stores, vintage pieces (and outfits) lifts our clothes from the mundane everywhere to the creative and individuality that gives us true style.

How do you incorporate vintage into your wardrobe? Do you go all out and dress in a single era outfit or perhaps your passion is for a particular fashion item like shoes or handbags? Tell me all Kittens!