by Candice DeVille | Sep 5, 2014 | 1950, daily outfit
Spring time!
Time to freshen up the wardrobe and start busting out my favourite colours. I don’t have a lot of green in the wardrobe, but as you can see, it features quite strongly in my decor.
This gorgeous two piece ensemble is by Jack’s Daughter here in Melbourne. Everything is hand made from original vintage fabric and trims. Jenny is an absolute gem, making pieces to order and with such attention to detail that I now have at least ten of her creations in my collection.
I also treated myself to some new spring jewellery I’ve wanted for so long. The perfect earring and clamper bracelet set from Chronically Vintage. Jessica has a superb selection in her Etsy store, but this yellow bracelet (earrings not shown here), really took my breath away. I’d never seen these sets in this colour!
It may be Spring and only just starting to warm up, but you may have noticed that Lola is being her usual lazy self and hiding out in these shots. The warmth of the sun through the window and the safety of her chair, means she’s not budging for anyone!
Outfit Details
Silken 2 piece vintage reproduction dress – Jack’s Daughter
Kelly Green cardigan – Trashy Diva
Vintage Yellow clamper bangle – Chronically Vintage
Yellow daisy earrings – Lovisa
Shoes – Take 2 Markets find
by Candice DeVille | Sep 3, 2014 | Travel
Gastronomy; the active study of food within culture and the delight of many a traveller. Also known as the fancy way to say, “I love food!”
When first heading across to New Caledonia, I had no idea what to expect when it came to food. Imagining the local produce mixed with French influences just left me confused. What a happy discovery this was.
The good people at Arc en Ciel Voyagers were well prepared for a day of delights, warning me not to over do it on the sumptuous breakfast buffet, and off we went to begin where so many good journey’s begin; with chocolate.
Anyone who follows my Instagram will know I am no stranger to a sweet treat or two, so it will come as no surprise that the aroma of fresh chocolate is a bit like a drug to me. Toton Jules is the prime example of a small French chocolate shop, filled with colour and trays of glistening crafted treats. Each morsel perfectly aligned in rows like shiny, seductive soldiers. Red hearts that kept the secret of their sticky insides close, professing their love for me before they’d even touched my lips. Yes, chocolate does make one a bit poetic.
The tea geek in me fell instantly in love with the bright antique design of these gorgeous canisters. A tea originally made and owned in Russia, now the preserve of a French company and matched perfectly to your afternoon delight. Brightly coloured sugared almonds lined the shelves, looking less like something to eat and more like beads to match my outfit. That must have meant I’d reached my sugar limit; so then……..
…..wine!
We are no strangers to good wine here in Australia. So much so that growing up, my bedroom window looked out at the vineyards in the distance. My wine cellar at home remains amply stocked at all times of year. But you know what it isn’t full of? French wine! How could it be that it never dawned on me that coming to New Caledonia there would be French wine (and cheese, but my goodness how much heaven can one take?).
Unlike the menus in Melbourne, the prices of French wine here had me double taking. No I didn’t need to earn another days wage for a bottle, but was instead tempted to see how I could fit an entire case back in my luggage. Some people get like this in jewellery stores, with me it was here as I looked upon rows upon rows of red and golden hues.
Taking a trip to New Calendonia is worth it for the wine stores alone.
After treat upon treat, it is only right that I show you some of the actual sit down dining experiences.
There are two types of Gastronomes who will enjoy New Caledonia. The type of who are able to sit back savouring every mouthful, discussing in their best Master Chef speak, the merits of each dish. Then there are those who are extremely glad that there is a local fashion for Muu Muu’s, as every mouthful is so good it brings tears to your eyes. That is me. (Yes, you’ll see the Muu Muu I bought in another post)
See these gigantic creatures? These are snails. Not your garden variety or even five star restaurant variety. These are the most giant, delicious creatures you can only ever experience when you visit The Isle of Pines. So delectable and limited in supply, these fellas may not be taken out of the country. In fact, I’m told that serious snail aficionados come to the Isle of Pines with the sole purpose of eating these by the plate full.
Our group was extremely privileged to have these platters prepared in our honour, and I personally, was even more so when many declined their second serving. This made it all the more enjoyable for me as I had the happy task of ensuring they went to a good home. With fingers glistening in melted butter and garlic, I assure you, I gave them a good send off. I cannot express enough praise for the Chef at Le Meridan Isle of Pines; his choices and execution are simply sublime!
Heaven, just simply heaven.
New Caledonia is the place that you dream about while sitting at your desk. Whether that is dreaming of lunch, sand, sunshine wildlife or even just napping with a belly full of wine as the sun goes down. But don’t just dream, wake up and go there!
by Candice DeVille | Aug 28, 2014 | daily outfit
First off, I’m so sorry for the big posting delay! Not only have we be trying to get the new URL change over for the site happening, but then the stupid internet connection goes on the blink! For a week!! My schedule this week has meant I haven’t been able to work around it by heading elsewhere, until today.
Right now, I’m sitting in the Qantas lounge on my way to the Gold Coast for the Pro Blogger Event!
I’m super excited about this one and thrilled to be one of the speakers this weekend as well. A whole weekend filled with bloggy friends, old and new; it’s rather like being able to visit your home planet. More about that and the gorgeous QT Hotel where we’ll be staying soon. Onto outfit business.
Knowing that I’d be leaving the grey Melbourne skies behind and heading up to the Queensland sun, I had to add a few new dress to my collection. Today’s outfit is a beautiful light weight vintage silk dress from Japan. They were all so beautiful and airy when I saw them on the dealers rack, that I had to have more than one. Now having put them through their paces I know I’ll be back for more.
They are perfect for layering and for travel. Just pop a petticoat underneath, a little cashmere sweater and even stockings if you need extra warmth, then it’s easy enough to lighten up when the sun comes out.
Outfit Details
Vintage silk Japanese dress – Frizzy Vintage.
Belt- Elastic cinch belt I’ve had for an age.
Bangle- Op shop find.
Cowboy boots – Retro Star Vintage.
Earrings – Forbidden Charm.
Lipstick – MAC Russian Red.
by Candice DeVille | Aug 19, 2014 | sponsors, Travel
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“The mornings are slow, warm and fragrant with jasmine. Bowls of steaming ramen and a french press of perfectly brewed coffee sit perched on my breakfast tray. My cybernetic butler smiles and opens up the drapes to reveal glistening waters, swaying palms and meerkats playing by the sea. “It’s going to be a marvellous day.” I think to myself, slipping into my swimsuit and soft pink scarf.
A lazy start reading e-books, drenched in gentle morning sunlight seems like just the thing to get me started. Then perhaps a luxurious massage before heading into vintage town to shop for all the amazingly priced pieces, and arm loads of fresh flowers to bring back to my villa. The bargains are so plentiful I can barely fit them into the huge boot space of my 1956 Cadillac, so a convoy it is to make sure that each find has a space.
As we turn the corner from Vintage St into Thrift Store Heaven Ave., the street is partitioned off to give plenty of room for dancing to one of the multitude of bands. Petticoats flash and boots crack on the tarmac as the song reaches its crescendo. With perfect timing the cocktail and dumpling carts arrives to nourish happy, but weary dancers. It must be time for a massage again.
Arriving back to the villa side pool, freshly cracked coconuts await my return. Nestled among a bed of Singapore orchids, the sight itself at once relaxing and luxurious. The koi swim slowly, their tales splashing through the sheet of the waterfall, droplets landing on my butler and narrowly avoiding her armload of laksa.
The sun slowly sinks behind the horizon, tiki torches come alive and the sound of island drums heralds the arrival of the dancing girls. All dressed in our favourite Pake Muu’s, my girl friends and I call to our partners to hurry down from the balcony so they don’t miss the show. With charming grins, the men step back to reveal a small procession of perfectly dressed monkeys, each holding coloured boxes filled with unearthly coloured glitter lucite jewellery. Knowing our Omni-cam is recording every moment of the evening, down to the smallest wink or smile, I sit back and enjoy the show.”
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by Candice DeVille | Aug 18, 2014 | Accessories, sponsors, Vintage Shopping
It’s wonderful the people you meet at local vintage fairs. These shows aren’t just good for the frocks and the chats, but for uncovering the hidden gems in the vintage vending world.
While I sat at my stand I spent most of the day eyeing off pieces at the stall directly opposite me. A black cloche hat with a waterfall of feathers, a large silver bow with strategically placed diamontes, and the perfect little leopard print pill box hat. When I realised I could wait no longer and simply had to add the leopard print to my collection, I wandered over to make the deal. While handing over my paltry sum for this pretty piece, I struck up a conversation with the stall holder and owner Marsha Byron. Here was a lady with a familiar sense of drama and a passion for fabulous I could well relate to.
Marsha began to tell me about how she and her daughter had set up their business, Designer Showcase, when the passion for vintage jewellery over took them both like wild fire. Seeing its beautiful construction, the settings both delicate and decadent, and learning its history, became something they longed to collect and share. Like me, they both have an enduring passion for beauty but are quite miffed (is that a nice way to say it?) about the trend for “cheap”, imitation vintage jewellery.
When shopping at your local mall in Australia, you’ll now find fewer than three retailers who all sell these sorts of pieces. Sourced in bulk overseas, tarted up with the marketing wand, then sold off to you at the “bargain” price of $49.95. Your “new vintage” jewellery may last the night if you’re lucky (I’ve tried and can say every single one has needed repair after the first wear), but it’s not a patch on the real thing.
A week of so later, I went to visit Marsha in her studio amongst black velvet cushions of jewel encrusted pins and displays of dripping milk glass adornments. It’s easy to see why I stayed nearly four hours.
Simply referring to the Designer Showcase pieces as “Vintage” is a bit of a misnomer, as there are pieces in this collection from Victorian times. While not all of the very oldest may still be wearable in their original form, Marsha takes a sensitive hand to rework some of these pieces into new forms. A lonely earring becomes a cocktail ring, a hair slide can become a statement brooch; and so the story continues.
This story has a lovely ending / beginning for us too, as I’m proud to announce that Designer Showcase Vintage Jewellery is now an official sponsor of Vintage Current! This means that we’ll have the inside track on all kinds of lovely pieces for you, competitions, giveaways and even more beautiful pictures.
With prices beginning at approximately $20-$55 for earrings, brooches around $30-$60, necklaces at $30-$100+ for those super special special pieces, this is my new Australian online go to for all occasions. So don’t waste your hard earned pennies on “cheap” new tat, go vintage all the way!
