by Candice DeVille | Dec 2, 2014 | 1940, daily outfit
My treasured vintage Pake Muu
Inside my vintage clothing collection there are a few prized possessions; this is one. This dress is an original 1940’s Pake Muu, designed for elegant holiday lounging. It is a cotton dress with a long zip up the back and is extremely fitted with no stretch. Sadly, this is the last time I wore it , as it is as the seams have become to old and fragile, the fabric is now tearing beyond repair. This illustrates one of the key reasons I buy such pieces in the first place; they are so beautiful that if I can own them and make patterns from them, then they can live on for many more years.
As a hostess dress, this is one of the most flattering and comfortable garments in my wardrobe. It has a simple elegance not seen in this century, the kind I always long for. Many of these original dresses can be seen for upwards of $300 online, but in my opinion, if you are a keen sewer and like to work from the detail of an original piece, they are a great investment.
Outfit Details
Original 1940s Pake Muu via Etsy
Yellow bakelite bangle
Leopard print Tiki heels – Pinup Couture
Lips- MAC Russian Red
Shot on location at – Porter Davis World of Stye Bali Room
by Candice DeVille | Nov 28, 2014 | Travel
Thanks Bupa for “sponsoring our Travel Insurance “
I have the biggest packing challenge of my life ahead of me.
From Melbourne spring, to Dubai, then from Dubai straight into winter in New York. All this and only two pieces of luggage allowed.
If I were just doing a basic, pared down tourist style adventure (who are we kidding, I never do that), it would be easy. Instead I need to pack for safaris, swimming, cocktail parties, spa days, conferences, photo shoots and walking in the snow! Organisation isn’t the half of it.
I have called on all my packing expertise and fashion knowledge for this one, pairing up silks, merino wools, layers of stockings, pashminas and scarves, with plenty of bling and one huge dramatic coat.
When you consider that I also have to pack a load of photography and video equipment, this becomes a precision exercise. My worst nightmare is arriving some place without all the proper plugs, chargers and cables. They are much harder to buy in an emergency than a pair of sparkly heels.
The extent of my travel wardrobe is such that I think it deserves it’s own post, but the most important thing I’ve learnt over my years of travel is this; weight. Not just the weight you are allowed by airlines, but also the weight you are prepared to lug around.
Let’s take for instance, that one time I was in Tokyo at midnight in the rain, with two 40kg suitcases, handbag and carry on, no umbrella and no cash for a cab. New swear words were invented that night as I vowed to never again travel with so much weight and certainly not in stupid two wheeled suitcases that failed to navigate gutters and almost cut my legs off!
Even empty, many of my suitcases weigh in at 7 kilos, and I’m not about to loose precious packing weight to some clunky monstrosity. I can thank American Tourister for the most beautiful hot pink, ultra lightweight, one finger-gliding suitcase that will be a godsend on this trip.
by Candice DeVille | Nov 27, 2014 | Style Inspirations, Travel
While I was wondering what to wear in Dubai I realised this; if I could only ever wear one style of pants for the rest of my life, these would be it. Palazzo pants.
The King (or Queen) of Pants. With the right heel these can make you look taller, more carefree, effortlessly chic, and hide all manner of ‘sins’.
Over the years I have made more of these than I care to count, and with my upcoming trip to Dubai I am making even more.
With the weather and culturally appropriate dressing in mind, I’ve put together some inspirations boards for the kind of looks I’d like to wear while I’m away. It may not be Dubai you’re headed to this holiday season, but these looks will take you stylishly to any cosmopolitan location.
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by Candice DeVille | Nov 25, 2014 | sponsors, Travel
Having a good imagination makes planning for an overseas holiday so much easier. Such is the case with my upcoming trip to Dubai.
Since I first heard that I was one of the very fortunate to be invited by Dubai Tourism to experience the wonders of the UAE, I have been dreaming, planning and shopping. Yes, I know I should probably save myself for all the incredible markets and malls over there, but I do like to be prepared.
Whenever I hit a new city, the very first thing I like to do is visit a large upscale mall. Why? Well I find that it is one of the quickest ways to get the vibe of a city. To people watch and see what sort of pace they move at, which stores hold the balance of fashion power, and to gauge the level of daily glamour; the place I feel most at home.
With that in mind, a visit to the Dubai Mall is high on my list of arrival priorities. It is the largest shopping and entertainment venue in the world! Yes, if I were a millionaire I’d probably go wild with my credit card and valet to carry all the packages, but the mall holds another rich appeal for me. The Aquarium!
You may not know this about me, but I have always been obsessed with aquariums. I’ve kept fish of some kind ever since I was a child, and they grace my back on a permanent basis. I adore watching the sway of the grasses and corals as fish dart in and out. Jellyfish are a particular favourite, with their iridescent lights and wispy tentacles. I can often be found sit sitting, mesmerised, watching these creatures float by.
I’ll be staying at The Address Downtown Dubai, essentially right in the heart of the Mall and Souk district. Unlike so many cities I’ve visited, what has me giddy with excitement about Dubai is the seamless mix of the old and the new. Just like myself and this blog, there seems to be a strong sense of connection to its heritage, yet all set within a sleek futuristic version of that world. I will confirm this upon my arrival, but I have the distinct impression that the blend of old and new in Dubai will directly echo who I am.
For all the luxury and glamour of the city streets, I also plan on swathing myself in white muslin and khaki dresses to take on the Desert Safari. To ride side-saddle on a bejewelled swaying camel as the sun sets over the honeyed sand dunes. Having ridden a camel before I realise that the reality of these animals is a little different, but imagination is a wonderful thing.
I’ve already bought the most perfect pair of golden diamanté sandals and oversized 70’s style sunglasses to match the regal vision in my mind.
To add to this fantastic vision of Dubai, I am planning to head to the Atlantis Palms where they have the Aquaventure. Not only does the Palms have the sort of incredible architecture I’ve only ever seen on a 1930s Hollywood set, but I’ll be able to swim with dolphins! My mind is almost totally overwhelmed with the possibilities of just what will happen when I get here. With such a surrounding and the incredible array of aquatic life, it seems only right that I bring my Esther Williams swimsuit for the occasion.
I’m already enjoying this trip and I haven’t even left Australia! Just travelling in my imagination to ensure that I am prepared for anything means my house is now covered in clothes. The contest of my wardrobe, my shoe closet and my accessories chest are all working over time creating little travel tableaux.
I can’t wait to share this amazing adventure with you!
by Candice DeVille | Nov 24, 2014 | Hair
Last Thursday I posted an image on my Facebook page of my Mother and I at Christmas when I was a child. I think I must have been about three years old and I had my signature heavy fringe hairstyle. In Australia we call those bits you cut at the front of your hair “Fringes” not “Bangs”, but for the sake of this global audience I’ve included both terms.
Anyway, throughout most of my childhood I sported this look, and I wasn’t until I was sixteen that I grew them out, preferring the Morticia Addams look. I cut them in once again at about nineteen when I desperately wanted a Pulp Fiction hair cut, (not a wise choice for someone with thick naturally curly hair), and then again when I was pregnant with baby number one. Those two most recent time I came to the conclusion that it just wasn’t for me, but I know realise that other factors were at play in my dislike of the look. (The lack of a straightening iron and a very puffy face). So I decided to play around again last week.
About twelve months ago, I popped out to the shops to make the purchase of a synthetic (and therefore inexpensive) set of faux bangs. For $14 I purchased my jet black fringe and headed home to see what I could do with it.
Out of the packet they are very long, generally with an inverted ‘U’ shape. Never wear them straight out of the packet. Instead the best way to get a feel for what you want is to try them on.
Try different positions for the base, making sure it is back far enough to secure properly into your own hair; I like to secure mine right at the top. Then have a bit of a play with it uncut, to determine the ideal length for your face. Now while I advise seeing a hairdresser to do the next bits, this is something that, as a hairstylist, I did myself.
Once I had tied my own hair securely out of the way so there was no chance of accidentally cutting any stray pieces, I securely clipped the fringe into the position I wanted the base to start. Then I cut in the ‘U’ shape I wanted. However, all these fringe (or bang) pieces are very flat, not giving the bounce I’d like. Being synthetic, they don’t advise heat styling, but I was prepared to risk my $14 to test this out for you.
Using my curling wand set to the low temperature of 115 degrees celcius, I curled the piece to get just enough lift and bounce. I allowed plenty of time for the heat to penetrate and handled it with care.
The overall results are fantastic! In fact I’ve been so happy with how these turned out, looking natural and bouncy, I’m very tempted to cut it into my real hair! Still, I like the versatility of having my hair in this long midi as it makes it better for creating tutorials for you.
But what do you think, like it?
And for those who asked on social media, heck yes faux bangs are a legit thing! Have fun with your hair!
