Something for the weekend: The man that fell from space

In 1960 Joe Kittinger set the record for the world's highest parachute jump, jumping from capsule at a height of 31 kilometres. Literally from the edge of space. And in over 50 years no one has broken the records that were set.

If you have never seen the footage that he shot on his way down before, it is astonishing. And beautiful. The plaque on the door of his capsule said "this is the highest step in the world"

Have a brilliant weekend x

Beware of the Leopard

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,

I'm not sure I'll ever get bored of leopard print. 

It can be right amount of retro chic. Or a good healthy dose of trashy. And even provide lashings of rock and roll to the dullest of winter days. And inspired by these pictures I think I am also going to be digging out some turquoise and red accents pretty sharpish. 

How do you wear your faux-leopard skin?

(There will be some personal posts coming soon - we are off on a BIG adventure this week. So watch this space x)

Something for the Weekend: Oracle Fox

All images from Oracle Fox

I'm sure you must have seen Mandy's blog Oracle Fox by now. But she had to be first in this little series because she steals my heart nearly every time she posts. Her fashion insight combined with the beautiful images of her surfer girl lifestyle makes me flutter. Plus she's just done a clothing collaboration with Billabong... well it must be a real struggle. 

Have a look, it really one of the internet's happy places.

Inspiration

For your delectation (and, I have to admit, especially for my lovely Mum who particularly likes these posts *waves*) here are a couple of links to articles and blog posts that I thought were absolutely brilliant this week. Some stuff to provoke a little thought this weekend:

The amazing Craftivist Collective gagged one of Anthony Gormley's statues on Crosby Beach to raise awareness of social inequality

The Ecologist published a great guide to having a greener Christmas. I love love love the idea of radish carving (yes radish carving) too much.

The fantastic Sadie from Lost Boys and Lovers shows how to recreate looks from the Free People catalogue with sustainable, vintage pieces

and the incredibly talented Keri Smith (of Wreck This Journal fame) wrote about how we can all reduce our reliance on big corporations

I hope you enjoy them. Have a fabulous weekend whatever you are up to, I've got Saturday off so the Aussie and I are off to London and the Royal Academy of Art. Can't wait! x

Inspiration: Camper Vans & Caravans

You might have seen me warbling on about it on Twitter, you might have even seen a picture of her already. But we made a very special addition to our household last week...

We bought a camper van! 

You won't believe how excited we are. I genuinely think that this will make a huge enhancement to our lives. The flexibilty and the freedom and the adventures we will be able to have.

Our new girl deserves her own introductory post soon. But, since we made the decision to buy her, I have been collecting ideas and images of how we might make our modern girl feel a bit more homely...

Checks...

Patterned Cushions...

Cosy blankets...

Floral Curtains...

Clashing patterns

A home from home...

...Well a girl can dream can't she?

 All these pictures (and their sources) can be found on my Pinterest page.

Festival Fever: Vintage Festivals // Glastonbury

For the last couple of weeks I've been asking people to nominate their favourite festival moments and one from each decade from the 1960 to 1990s will be coming up over the rest of the week. However, in people's responses one word kept coming up over and over again...

Worthy Farm opens its doors to the public today and hosts possibly the most famous music festival in the world. Not bad for a dairy farm in Somerset.

Here's a glimpse through the years at what makes Glastonbury what it is...

All the images are from here

If you are off to Somerset this week have a brilliant time and a very safe trip. I am so so jealous  x

Festival Fever: A 'Why Don't You' Special Edition

Hello lovelies, this is coming to you via the power of a scheduled post, I should be in Cornwall by now, recovering from my exams. A massive thank you to all the guest posters and your fantastic comments. I will get back to you all on my return.

In the meantime Festival Fever continues. Do you want something unique to take to your music festivals this summer? Worried about how you will manage your hair in a field with no plug points? Want to make your tent stand out from all the thousands around it?

Here's a selection of DIYs that might hit the spot...

 Make your own Floral Crown with James from Bleubird Vintage

Never lose your tent again with this Bunting DIY from the Bothered Owl

Suffering from hairdryer and straighteners withdrawal? Elsie's summertime twist would be perfect to see you through.

Or try out these beachy waves from Beth at B.Jones Style 

(I have quite thick hair and when I first tried these twists I did as many as Beth and my hair was less beach babe, more 1980s perm. Not a strong look.

Since then I do larger twists, about four on each side of my head. So try it out and see what works for you, but it does work!)

And I just think this is amazing. if you want a tote bag that will stand out from the crowd, this amazing recycled pouch bag DIY is over on Life After Money

Any great DIYs that I have missed? Please let me know below, I love a good DIY and would love to put together a second edition of this. Have a great weekend x

Inspiration: Anna Denise

Hooray, we're on the mend here in Firebird towers. Thank you so much for all the very kind messages. Will hopefully be up and running to enjoy the last day of our football season on Sunday (which is a very important event in this house, I'm sure you understand!)

I'm spending today catching up on my Uni work. I am so pleased you liked yesterday's Anna Prager photography - you could look at them from one point of view of distorting context and being a fabrication - I think there was something glamourous, frivilous and just plain fantastic, but still with a great degree of depth, about them. And I think there is a lot of room for taking some pleasure from the 'unreal' in this world.

Today's dose of inspiration is very different and is someone reflecting on their day to day reality, but in a very individual way. When I first saw pictures of Anna Denise's art journals I was completely blown away, her illustrated Moleskine journal pages are just beautiful....

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Aren't they wonderful? The illustrations are amazing but I also love the use of other media and things she has collected that reflect what has been going on in her life.

You can see more of Anna Denise's journals on Flickr and on her blog she gives a tutorial and shares some wonderful tips for starting your own art journal. I really want to give something like this a go in the future - it seems a wonderful way to document life and create a fantastic keepsake for the future.

(If I spotted Anna Denise's work on your blog recently, please let me know because I would love to give you a shout out. I'm afraid it has complete escaped me where I first saw these)

Do you keep a diary or journal? How do you document life's little adventures?

Inspiration: Alex Prager

While I get over this lurgy and dose myself up with cold cures, I've lined up a double dose of inspiration for you...

Alex Prager is a modern California-based photographer. Where do I need to begin about how much I love her photography? The vintage-styling, the cinematic feel, the bold use of colours...

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If I ever got to the stage where I could make some sort of 'lookbook' for Firebird, I think this is everything I'd want it to look like. It is some serious styling food for thought.

You can find Alex Prager's website here and I enjoyed this article from Foam Magazine

Are you fond of the vintage look for photos? Or do you think it is a bit of a gimmick and that photography should reflect the time it is taken in? I'd love to know what you think...

Loving: Vintage-Inspired Swimwear

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I go on holiday in five days and I am having a swimwear crisis. Nothing is right, nothing makes me feel nice and nothing seems to look like anything I want. The perfect vintage inspired one piece and bikini has got to be out there (at an economical price!) hasn't it?

Here's a peek at my dream swimwear inspiration, I shall keep looking...

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