In honour of this weekend's Domestic Sluttery picnic, my outfit pick really couldn't be anything other than a picnic ensemble, could it?
Living up to my tradition of dressing like I'm wearing a costume rather than an outfit, I decided to go totally predictable with this one. We stasrt a bargain gingham sundress (also available in pink) worn over a pretty cotton petticoat, so hopefully there'll be a cheeky flash around the bust and hem. This is teamed with a clashing floral print denim jacket. Normal denim would have looked a bit too 'prairie chic' for my liking, so adding a clashing (but fairly subtle) print gives it a bit of edge and stops it being quite so twee.The look is finished off with some gingham plimsolls, because as much as I love sandals and heels, when you're lugging a picnic basket halfway across a slightly muddy Regent's Park, you need practical footwear. Lacy socks are, of course, completely optional!
Gingham sundress £8 from New Look
White petticoat slip £20 from Oasis
Floral print denim jacket £45 from Topshop
Gingham patch detail plimsolls £30 Babycham at Very
Luxury picnic basket £150 from John Lewis
Friday, 18 June 2010
Etsy Pick: BannBee Old-Fashioned Undercrackers
Oh, be still my beating heart. Just when I thought I'd had my fill of swooning over retro-inspired scanties after we showed those gorgeous For Luna swimsuits the other week, I stumbled across the beautiful wares of BannBee on Etsy. An independent lingerie label based in East London, every item is inspired by vintage shapes, designs and fabrics, handmade to order and, unlike numerous other retro-style underwear designers, the finished products actually come at an affordable price too. Like these 50-style high-waisted knickers with nude mesh, black piping and a black floral panel, which are only $30USD.
If you're a floral fanatic, then how these high-waisted rose print knickers, which are $23USD.
Or, embrace your inner Bet Lynch with these high-waisted leopard-print lovelies, complete with a saucy sheer ruched bottom and detachable suspender straps for keeping your stockings in place! They're $30USD, and since BannBee is based in the UK, shipping for all the above will only set you back a further $1.50USD. Bargain!Picnic time: Picnic Plate Picks For Every Budget!
Whether you're coming to the Sluttery Picnic on Saturday or planning your own picnic funtimes, alongside the food, what you eat it off is equally as important. Unless you like sharing from one tupperware box.
Feeling a little more flush? This set for four people from John Lewis is £45 but includes everything you need bar the food. It even comes with a cheese board.
And because you might want to show off some of your food creations, why not take along a cake stand? Truly Scrumptious make this lovely disposable (though I suspect reusable if it doesn't get hit by a frisbee) cake stand to hold your sarnies and cake!
Happy picnicking!
Picnics with your friends are best when they're cheap and cheerful and you don't get much more cheap than Poundland who can supply you with this set for the grand total of £8 to cover 6 people.
If you're after something a little prettier, you could do worse than buying a few of these plates from Dobbies. They're only 83p each!
If you're after something a little prettier, you could do worse than buying a few of these plates from Dobbies. They're only 83p each!
Feeling a little more flush? This set for four people from John Lewis is £45 but includes everything you need bar the food. It even comes with a cheese board.
Thinking of having a romantic picnic a deux? This Henley hamper from Picnicware has space for a bottle of wine which is all kinds of civilised.
And because you might want to show off some of your food creations, why not take along a cake stand? Truly Scrumptious make this lovely disposable (though I suspect reusable if it doesn't get hit by a frisbee) cake stand to hold your sarnies and cake!
Happy picnicking!
Bag Lust: Red Telephone Bag
Ring, ring! "Hello, operator? I need help! For I have fallen for a bag which I fear may make me look like an insane child. And yet, I can't help but covet it...."Yep, this telephone bag, brand new from Lunacy Boutique, is enough to make me go a tad (Lady) gaga, but I'm not sure whether anyone over the age of ten could carry off with aplomb. Complete with telephone handle, cord and plastic dial, it's sure to attract comments wherever you go, and although some of those comments might be about your eccentric taste in accessories, you'll still be the centre of attention. And whilst it's definitely not one you could grab for a slobby scramble to the corner shop, imagine it with 40s tailoring and victory rolls, and I reckon it could look rather chic. What do you think?
It's £65, and is available for pre-order from Lunacy Boutique now.
Thursday, 17 June 2010
A Brush with Science
Now, I'm not the most scientifically-minded person in the world ("what is the internet? Is it a giant cloud?", "HOW does the moon affect the tides?", "describe wind for me"...) but I do like things that make cleaning more fun. Cleaning is so boring that a lot of the time, I just don't bother doing it. But after a while that annoys the other people living in Sluttery HQ.
What we really need are robots to do cleaning for us. And now there is one! Hurrah! Those clever guys at the Science Museum obviously read Domestic Sluttery because they've invented Mr. Cleaning Brush Robot. He's a bit like a giant KinderEgg toy (y'know, when they used to be good) and once you've put all the parts together, painted him and given him a name, he'll do your sweeping up for you with 'robotic efficiency'. Or, he'll scare the cat.
He's £15 and he's not quite advanced enough to do your laundry yet, but it's a start. A very promising start to never having to do housework again. Well done, Science types. Well done.
Wallpaper Wednesday (ahem): Anthropologie Wallpaper Clock
OK, it's not Wednesday. I've forgotten all of my days and am clearly in some kind of prolonged gin hangover. But, I couldn't wait a whole week to show you this Anthropologie Grandfather Clock (yep, they're winning me over). It's not just wallpaper! It's a clock too! I love the old style Grandfather clocks, but I'd never actually want one in my house, they don't really suit my style.
This is a cute way to update the idea, and i could always do with more clocks around the house. And more calendars it would seem. Like this? it's yours for £55.
BBQ for Beginners: Whiskey Grilled Pineapple
Confession time: I didn't invent this recipe. But actually, I don't care. Because it's so good, I decided that it needed sharing. It was a very simple dish we had at a BBQ at the weekend, and despite us being more excited by the grilled bananas, this turned out to be the highlight for us. Gooey, sweet, boozy. Everything the Domestic Sluts want from a dessert (before we have another burger). Really really easy too.You'll need:
- Pineapple slices
- 100ml of water
- 50ml whiskey
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp brown sugar
Mix the water, whiskey cinnamon and sugar together in a bowl. Add the pineapple slices and marinade for about an hour (longer if you feel like). When you're ready, just grill on the BBQ or a normal grill for a few minutes until sticky. Enjoy everyone's yummy noises. And if the marinade mixture ends up on a cocktail with some gin, trust me, that wouldn't be a bad thing.
Flickr image from kimbereleykv's photostream.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
