Splat!

Designer Heidi Merrick gives new meaning to the painter's smock with her Carlisle blouse. Visit her website for more Art Attack inspired Spring 2010 pieces. Splat.

A charming Skulk of Foxes

I was lucky enough to stumble across A Skulk of Foxes today - an enchanting Australian jewellery line featuring a clutch of woodland creatures. The acrylic brooches will look delightful on a winter coat and I'm jonesing for the antler studs made from recycled scraps of silver. Enjoy.

Rabbits, birdies, squirrels and more are available here.

For more foxy fancies go here.

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

Whether in San Francisco or not, arranging blossoms in your barnet is always a delightful way to start your day.

Gold Saturn's cute headbands come with ready made flowers attached. Just add some feathers for their 'if pocahontas lived in haight ashbury' look. Or, embrace your DIY self and get back to nature with some daisy chains.

Channel your inner mother nature and clash different floral prints with your floral garland for a thoroughly modern look. Or, be kind and rewind to the 70s like Nicole Richie and co. with a white top and relaxed jeans. Best of all, become a rock star and wear your headdress a la Bat for Lashes lady Natasha Khan. Here she is choosing some lovely poppies for hers. Maybe.

Ebay your heart out: Bunnyhut Vintage

One of my pet hates when vintage shopping on ebay is sellers who use the term 'avant garde' to excess. Bunnyhut vintage is one such culprit. Luckily, they're also one of the best out there for delightful dresses.

If you're willing to sift through their 80s cardigans and other 'avant garde' items from the same era you may just spot a gem.

Glistening brightly at me from my computer screen is this amazing sequin dress with sheer leopard spots. I want it now.

Competing for my affection is this cute and compelling quilted 'scooter dress.' I can't even ride a bike but I'm willing to try if it means I get to wear this dress.

Race you!

In Appreciation of Aprons

I often wonder why the apron has never made it out of the kitchen and into the closet of its female owners.

A few years ago, on a rummage through the stock of a vintage emporium, I found myself drawn to their collection of half aprons (you know, the ones that start from the waist and haven't been worn since the 1950s). Rather than the usual gingham check and floral embroidery you might expect, these beauties were made from chiffon, lace and silk and were more sexy than homely.

I found my friends trying on fur coats and riding boots and asked them how they would feel if I began to pair my mini dresses with an apron. "What do you mean?" asked the friend who has known me forever and should have known better. "What is that?" asked the foreign one.

"An apron" I said, "isn't it brilliant?!" They looked at me fleetingly before returning to the racks. My head hung in shame, I returned the sheer black frilly apron with gold sparkles to its home. Four years later, I wish I'd bought it.

Aprons - pretty and practical. What's not to like?