Ribbon and Thread - Day 12, Whatever Tickles Your Fancy

My fancy is always tickled by the awesomeness of Etsy. I can get lost in its quirky, creative pages for hours on end. If you want to feel that this global village is a little smaller, then all you need is a little smaller then all you need to do is order something from one of its variety of sellers - you will receive service beyond anything you would expect from any local store. I have yet to receive a piece from a blessed etsy seller that was not originally (and beautifully) packaged, with a personalised note - long live customer service and the human touch.

And so I would love to invite you to meet (and browse the wares of) my new favourite etsy seller: Ribbon and Thread. I am a huge fan of the handy canvas holdall and own a varied collection myself - cute, good for the environment, better than the crappy old plastic packet - Bags for Life are the way forward, and this stylish collection is too good to turn down. Hand made (with much love) by my dear friend Bridget, each one is hand painted with unique designs. The totes are trendy, arty and well made. Being, sadly, artistically mediocre at best myself, I marvel at what Bridget produces. Next payday I will be putting in my order (I am a sucker for the London print) and I urge you to do the same - the fun Bubble design for a friend to haul around her vintage shopping finds, the sneaker design for a college student's book bag, or one of the birds for Nana's knitting.

Hayley in Wonderland...

My outfit today is a vague tribute to Alice in Wonderland. I went to see this surreal cinema experience yesterday and, despite my own over hyping of the whole event and my unflinching love of Tim Burton (damn you Helena), it still managed to totally overwhelm me. Mr Depp's hatter was the maddest with a very real dash of melancholy and clarity, that is so characteristic of the mentally unstable. The red queen was ever the tyrannical despot, and yet unlike her animated counterpart, Helena Bonham Carter managed to eek some sympathy out of me. Her sister, the white queen, is played by Anne Hathaway, of the plus sized eyes and mouth. Something about her is so watchable, and I loved all the white (but they didn't have me convinced with the plum lipstick). Alice (played by Mia Wasikowska) is an ethereal flower, pale and pallid in reality, only ever blooming in Wonderland. A woman before her time, you can't help but feel sorry she can't stay having tea with the heroic hatter.

And so we have striped courtesy of tweedle dee and tweedle dum, a heart courtesy of the red queen, and the shoes and bow for little Alice herself.

TuTu Fabulous

From something a little serious to something a lot frivolous! These are the first, sneak-peek pics of my magical birthday tutu! A few years ago I was flipping through channels and landed on the enviable image of Amy lee (of Evanescence) in a fantastic deep red tutu - it was mighty Cinderella goes Shirley Manson, and I fell a little in love. And so with my 26th (oh God) birthday approaching, I decided I wanted one of my very own. Where to turn but to the joys of Etsy and the expertise of Kristin of PrincessDoodleBeans.

Kristin, the designer and maker of many a little (and big) girls dream, was brilliant to work with. She patiently answered my million questions, indulged my many mind changes, and completed this wonderful work of tulle whimsy in record time. And so, now, it is winging its way to me via UPS and soon I should get my box full of flouncy, gauzy goodness!

Roses are...Maroon

My first official post...I'm nervous! Ha ha! Also hats off to bloggers who manage to get an attractive an non-blurry full body shot. I have not been so lucky, so until I get better at this may have to take the outfit in sections - eek! Also decided to head inside before I got anymore nosey neighbours peering out of their lace curtains to see me striking somewhat silly poses in the hope of getting a good shot!

So here I am in one of my favourite skirts. Its a great colour, and at the bottom (as you can see) has the prettiest ribbon detailing, which changes it from a nicely cut skirt, into a romantic piece of whimsy. I have had it for years, but have always had a bit of a problem finding a top to match. White seemed a little too crisp, black a little too gloomy for day wear. And then, by fluke, I realised the other day that at the bottom corner of this lemon yellow top is a little flower in exactly the same shade as my skirt. So yay! I have paired it with pink ballet pumps and my giant maroon rose pendant.

The top is by my favourite designer, Maya Prass. She is from my native country, South Africa, and makes the most beautiful, feminine clothes in all the world. She uses a loads of different textured fabrics, with floral prints and flourishes and always manages to cut her clothes in the most flattering way, complimenting a woman's body! How refreshing to actually have a designer in the world who appreciates curves! Alas, as yet she does not have an online store, which makes my stay in London harder than it needs to be...but maybe one day!