Thursday 14 May 2009

Vintage Loveliness, Family Goodness and Inspirational Architecture...

I have mentioned a couple of times in the last week or so that it was my confirmation on Sunday. It was lovely as my parents, several close family friends and my godparents came down to attend, and, of course, my best friend was there, as always. 

Getting confirmed while at uni was really important to me, as if I go into academia, I'll most likely do church history or theology, so being involved in college chapel life is a big part of what has made this year really, truly, one to remember. We have *the most gorgeous* early George Gilbert Scott designed chapel, adorned with truly beautiful carvings and a roof covered in paintings of obscure saints - this means I spend most of my time in there, neck craned back, staring at the ceiling, trying to identify the saints above me based on my very crude knowledge of iconography!
image copyright 2008 St John's College, imported from www.joh.cam.ac.uk/chapel_and_choir

Anyway, enough about that, here's the photos of *the dress* I wore... which is far more important ;-D 
Me, chattering away about something. Looking rather pale, but that's usual, so not giving away my completely shattering - physically and emotionally - previous 48 hours... Oh, the WONDERS of MAC concealer and foundation, NARS blusher and Max Factor mascara ;-D


These were all taken in the lovely gardens, overlooking the Cam, of the Master's Lodge in college... (The mothership is in green and my daddy is the big guy between Will and me.)

Since, I believe, it was Mother's Day *everywhere except the UK* quite recently, I thought I'd show you a picture of my mother and I... She's my rock and my confidante. I am quite a daddy's girl too, but I couldn't do without talking to my mum most days. Silly huh. She and I are quite different but equally, we are *exactly* the same in so many ways... Though she's far more *chic* than I could ever be! Something to do with the rail thin, ex-model / alpha-female, senior-partner-lawyer thing lol.  I also find the deathly pale vs. healthily tanned / nut-brown from 2 seconds in the sun contrast hilarious... Shows what years living in Jamaica will do ;-D

This is probably my favourite picture... Sitting between the two men in my life may have been a bad plan... ;-) Hilarious!

This silky floral shift dress is *absolutely* my favourite thing in my wardrobe now... It's vintage from the 1960s and, as far as I can tell, handmade. I love the subtle, wide boat neckline, the high waist (- mine falls higher than average, so "waisted" stuff often looks crap on me -) and the unusual colours - the orange flowers matched my watch and nails ;-D. It was perfect for the weather and the ceremony (though it was covered up by a massive floaty white piece of cotton  - a surplice - for the service - all members of college have to wear one on Sundays, Saints Days and for special services like this one... It's just college variant academic gowns for others!)

I got the dress from a website called Love Miss Daisy Vintage, which I have to say, is probably the best online vintage emporium in terms of service and quality I've so far encountered. They have some really beautiful pieces, in great condition and which are extremely good value - prices range from £18 to £100+ for dresses... I stalk their new uploads most days, and yearn for quite a large percentage of things! Today, I gave in and ordered a skirt and completely unneccesary cocktail dress to compensate for the pain of revising the 1948 UN convention on Prevention and Punishment of Genocide! Laura of LMD is so so lovely, and you can add her on twitter (@LMDvintage ) to ask questions and just generally chatter! :-D This site is *seriously* worth your time, and they're featured in quite a few magazines and on celebs so the stuff is only going to get *hotter*! I'm greatly amused by the fact that my new dress is going to be in the July issue of Woman & Home hehe.

Thanks tonnes to the Novelista Barista, who gave me an award yesterday!

She has a really lovely blog, so you really should all check it out. I think the rules run to something like - I'm supposed to give out 15 of these, but I'm just going to give it to the people who immediately spring to mind, irrespective of numbers :-D

So, Claire, Laura, Winnie, Tina, Liz and Casey... Have this award, you are all AMAZING! 

Also, thanks to everyone who commented such lovely things on the last post... The location was in fact, not a castle or park, but one part of the (massive) gardens of my college, down by a stream-tributary of the River Cam. It's my new favourite place as it's sheltered from the wind and covered in daisies! Nice place to revise on a warm day :-D

Right... Talkking of revising, I should be doing that now... 

Xxxc

29 comments:

Lily said...

What a lovely dress! You lucky duck I can never find anything vintage that I like and will encompass my girth. I found this GORGEOUS 1950s dress in immaculate condition but the bastard is too small! Torture!

I am also deathly white and I have come to the conclusion that the best way to deal with it is to make it your "look". Nicole Kidman and Liv Tyler are both as white as us and do they look bad? Embrace the pale!

alice_eve said...

i know how important is it to get confirmed, i was confirmed too when i was about 13....you dress is amazing, and it looks like you have a lovely family! you looked gorgeous too :)x x x love the blog, thanks for the website tip! :D

Children of the 90s said...

I love the dress! It can be hard to find really great vintage stuff, but looks like you lucked out :) It's so pretty!

Also, I love that you call your mother "the mothership", haha.

$ouLphate said...

lovely dress!

DaisyChain said...

Thanks for the award doll! Your dress is gorgeous, congrats on your confirmation!

Rain said...

Great vintage dress! I really adore your last picture, between the two men, hahahahha.. Your facial expression is so funny!

btw....there are so may blogs, I'm still exploring....so what are the links of coco & kelley's blog?

thanks
xoxo
rain

Tina { Luphia Loves... } said...

gorgeous dress!! the colour & print is so lovely, that' such a lovely photo of you & your mum too, you're right, she's so chic!! :) my mum has the most amazing model like legs that never got passed onto me, she' a still a size 8 at 50!

and thanks for the award, you're the sweetest :D

good luck revising, I'm off to do that too now...

Couture Carrie said...

Congrats on your confirmation and on your award, too!

That chapel is... well... divine!

And I adore the pics of you and the fam :)

xoxox,
CC

erika sorocco said...

Your dress is absolutely fabulous. I am going to that site right now - maybe I will find a bit of vintage splendor for my wardrobe, as well.

Congrats on the award and your confirmation! :)

H @ Narnia's Closet said...

ooh what a lovely dress, perfect for spring! and as soon as i saw that pic of that church i was like "GOTHIC CHURCH PROBS FROM ENGLAND! COOL RIB VAULTING!" oh my... art history is over but i can't get it off of my mind..

Claire said...

Why thankyou m'lovely!!! I have stopped revision for the evening so I am going to do some online window-shopping!!!! Hoorah!!!!

Winnie said...

Wow congrats. It looks like it was such a gorgeous day and your family look great. Your mom so suits that green! I wish my mom would wear more colour!

That chapel is completely and utterly gorgeous, you're so lucky to be able to study your church history/architecture and have such a fantastic specimen!

Oooh and thanks for the tag!!

Hope Adela Pasztor said...

i love gothic architecture and your dress is lovely!

http://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Congrats and congrats!!! Your dress is lovely!

Lindsay said...

I'm pale and proud, too! That only means we should be skin cancer free in about...oh, 20 years or so! :o)

The dress is SO lovely... the orange is unexpected, its great! Congratulations!

phamzy said...

lovely dress! i love your mom's green jacket!


http://ckuf-info.blogspot.com/

Victoria said...

Thanks :)
you have amazing hair, dear ! I'm glad u had a nice confirmation!

Elizabeth Marie said...

What a pretty dress! You look so happy, as you should be! Congratulations on your confirmation!! XOXO

chalortte said...

I love the second image , your dress is beautiful !
lucille

Zoe said...

Congratulations on the confirmation. Love that dress. I'll check out that website ASAP.

Unknown said...

Dress is so cute xoxox

Melissa said...

Nothing says lovely like a vinage dress.

GraceFace said...

Your dress is absolutely GORGEOUS, I am very jealous! And you look so happy in the photos, which makes the dress look even prettier!
If I'm ever in Cambridge, I fully plan on stalking your cathedrals, they are beautiful...

Emz said...

Congratulations! I love your dress =) It's absolutely gorgeous!!! Congrats on the award too!

Anonymous said...

LOVE that dress. You look fabulous! And that picture of you between the two gents is soooo cute (my fav too). I added you to my link list and would love to do an exchange cause I heart your blog loads!

xoxo
J

www.talkprettytome.blogspot.com

Shes Dressing Up said...

Beautiful dress, you look gorgeous!

Beauty Standard Blog said...

i'm a catholic myself and even though i didn't have my confirmation, i think it's a really big deal and important to do it. you look amazing, your skin looks flawless! and your whole family seems great.
congratulations!

La Mimi said...

You and your mommy look so cute together:)

Francheska L said...

youuu areee tooooo beautiful !