Simple tee, statement accessories

In the colder months, my vast collection of floral print dresses goes into hibernation to be replaced by black skinny jeans, simple tops and statement accessories. Now this is what I'm talking about:


Clockwise from left: Cos purse - 20 Euros, Topshop Boutique cat tee - £28, Monki leather-look purse - 8 Euros, Whistles triangle ring - £12, Topshop metallic brogues - £32, Tatty Devine fine cat ring - £120

Christmas no. 1

No, I'm not talking about Little Mix's debut, this Christmas no. 1 was a day spent with the husband; opening presents, eating bite-sized and plate-sized food and repeatedly losing at Scrabble in preparation for the real family event.


My favourite present combined two great things - Tatty Devine jewellery and cats - and my new friend coordinated perfectly with the Christmas Lurex sparkle jumper I picked up from Barnardos' stall at the the Brighton Retro Fair.



Other gifts seemed to follow a theme, celebrating great artists who are no longer with us - RIP George Harrison, Michael Jackson and Amy Winehouse. I've been playing the latter's posthumous release Lioness: Hidden Treasures on repeat over the last few days, revelling in the mix of classic covers (Amy's raw vulnerability on 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow' is heart-renchingly beautiful), stripped-back versions of Back To Black songs and previously un-released tracks full of wit and charm.


As darkness descended and candles were lit and rabbits illuminated, Christmas dinner saw us make use of a collection of my ever expanding vintage crockery - vegetables were served in the Midwinter Sienna tureen and there was finally call for mid-century milk jugs thanks to some delicious gravy.

Scrabble defeats aside, a tip top day.

Custard cable-knit

Looking to add to my collection of winter woolies with a colourful cable knit, I've spotted some covetable cosy pieces in River Island, Zara and Topshop this season. However, as is always the case, the more I saw these on others, the less I wanted them.


Once again I'm glad I held off on a pricey high-street purchase, because yesterday I snapped up this custard/mustard-coloured cable knit for just £5 a the Art Junky fair in the Phoenix Gallery. Such a bargain and the perfect piece to compliment my Tatty Devine autumnal leaves necklace.

Autumn in spring

While I don't want to wish the spring and summer away, today's outfit was an autumnal treat.


New Tatty Devine 'fallen leaves' necklace, snapped up in the Bank Holiday Sale for £15, rust-coloured silk pussy bow blouse from Hove Oxfam (£8), trusty black Topshop skinny jeans from the old Duke Street Traid (£8) and gold Faith brogues (£5) from a Loved, Worn & Reborn fair. Total cost - £36.

Silhouette necklaces

An image of this Yves Saint Laurent necklace (£1,010!), featured in the November issue of Vogue, reminded me of a few similar, cheaper, silhouette necklaces that have caught my eye of late.

I can't work out if they're childishly charming, or a bit creepy. There was something about Tinkerbell, for example, that always freaked me out. Especially Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell - scary stuff...

Anyway, I spotted wooden silhouette necklaces such as the one below in a few pretty little boutiques in Cornwall in June, and have since become a little bit obsessed with the Stolen Thunder website.

A friend of a friend, Maggie Angus, has also starting selling acrylic jewellery online, and has some fun jive and ballroom dancer necklaces in her collection.

And I couldn't write about silhouette necklaces without bigging up Tatty Devine - the experts in iconic acrylic jewellery. This swing girl necklace is one of the Best Of Tatty Devine, which they describe as "a set of 50 favourites modelled by some of our best friends and favourite folks".