Riding Boots

I am constantly in persuit of the perfect riding boots. I see them in vintage stores and they're too small, I see them on the high street and they just aren't what i'm looking for, I see them in designer shops and the calf isn't big enough... Maybe i'm not meant to have some of these boots, sad times!

If I had smaller calves I would love these leather riding boots by traditional English shoe maker Church's, £460.

These riding boots from Zara aren't half bad, £109

The rubber riding boot, a great alternative to wellies.

Wooden boot trees help keep the shape of the boots when they're not being worn.

Boot Trees- They look like prosthetics!

Tights

These are some of the most interesting tights I have ever seen!

By Bebaroque, £80- Although these tights are lovely I think the wearer has to be very careful about what they put them with, they could so easily make a black outfit gothic or a colourful ensemble look like costume.

Tights with pearl and diamante applique, £110 by Bebaroque.

These tights wouldn't be at all out of place in Gwen Stefani's 'What you Waiting For' video. They would look amazing with an all Vivienne Westwood outfit (as sported here by Gwen), teamed with...

Black, python Christian Louboutin 'Bloody Mary' shoes. 

Tights available from Urban Outfitters and Liberty's.

Murphy Beds

In this age of compact living I don't understand why the Murphy Bed (also known as the pull down bed) isn't more popular. Invented in 1917, the Murphy bed was at it's most popular in the 1920s and 30s. I love the idea of folding my bed away in the morning and instantly expanding the size of my room. The Murphy of today appears slightly dated but with a few updates eg. in material, the Murphy could become a studio flat essential.

The Murphy Bed 

How it works- Just open the cupboard and pull down the bed, so simple.

Charlie Chaplin getting to grips with his Murphy

The Murphy bed of today, defo in need of an update.

Antler Hat

If I could wear this leather antler headband without it looking like costume, I would buy it.

Topshop Unique, £80

Scrabble Card

Some assorted Scrabble pieces from a charity shop in Shoreditch, card board and some 'all purpose' glue = 

a wonderfully fitting card for a fellow Scrabble enthusiast. 

Sooo easy to make- You can get assorted Scrabble tiles from old sets on Ebay and in charity shops. I like to mix up tiles from different sets.

Zara

Zara.com may well ring my downfall! The new autumn collection is full of pieces to covert and never has it been easier to shop a collection. The website is well set out, easy to navigate and gives you every possible angle on a garment so you are in no doubt as too what you are getting. The most impressive thing about this service is the delivery method. Unlike with other websites (Topshop, Net a Porter) the delivery time is catered to suit you. In the morning they email and send you a text specifying the hour in which delivery will take place and offer you the option to change this time to an hour or day which is more convenient.

And most importantly the entire collection is online. I need never go into a Zara again!

Some of my favorite pieces...

Sheepskin lined leather biker jacket, £219

My next purchase- Brown leather lace up ankle boots, £79.99. I'll wear them with a grey wool dress and opaque black tights or oatmeal coloured ankle socks.

My newest purchase. Love chelsea boots for this winter.

Paper Dolls

Paper dolls have been around for over 200 years but they were at their most fabulous in the 50s when their subjects were the stars of film and TV. These dolls gave everybody the opportunity to style their idols.

  

'Ricky!'- Luciel Ball is one of the women who apitimised 50s glamour.

Probably my favorite actress of all time, Doris Day. This paper doll from 1955 shows what a style icon she was and continues to be.

The Doris Day wardrobe- I wish I could have these outfits made, they are so my taste (even the clown suit!!)... I NEED to learn how to sew.

The doll that ignited my interest in paper dolls. Rita Hayworth, a gift from New York.

Get the Hayworth look

Love this navy Chanel inspired suit.

Selfridges update the paper doll to showcase pieces from the new seasons collections.