Hair inspiration

It has reached the time of year when popping my hair up seems like the easy option but I always feel a bit undone with my hair up. I have been investing in hair bands, head scarves and the likes to try & make it feel like a better option. I like styles that don't look too done, I always favour the Olsen like messy look, mostly because I always miss bits when putting it up, so the just rolled out of bed effect is inevitable. These are my hair inspirations of the moment:

Lots going on here - pleats & bun, but chic & a bit messy too - source

Messy fish trail braid - source

Undone chignon style - love this - source

Pony tail with braids - simple but a bit more interesting that a plain pony tail - source

I love Cherry Healey's messy, I'm a busy lady, up dos. I loved this tutorial that she did for her braided, bun things. (She makes it look super simple but I am still trying to master this!)

Today I am Wearing...

Having a massively busy week & mostly looking at the sunshine from my office window, but alas it is almost passed the half way point & this seems like reason enough to celebrate. I am all about the mint colours and floral bursts of colour today, I had just started to think about incorporating spring into my wardrobe so this week has been a bit of a suprise. Is it just me or is everyone nicer in the sunshine? Imagine if it was like that all the time! Have a good Wednesday xxx

(dress - Zara, scarf - Zara, dotty tights - h&m,  jewellery - House of Harlow 1960, bag - Mulberry)

East London hanging

Happy Monday, how is everyone fairing with the loss of an hour? I always feel a little out of sync but the sunshine & coffee is helping pull me through. I had one of those weekends that you wish could last just a bit longer. I was in London town for work purposes & figured I would eeek out a couple of extra days for some shopping & general wandering about. Mooching off my friends in Dalston, I was perfectly situated to enjoy Hoxton Square, then the fruits of Borough Market on Friday night & then hit the cobbles of Brick Lane & Spitalfields market on Saturday. I spent the whole day popping from one vintage shop to the next, scoping out endless stalls & re-fuelling with Vietnamese food & red velvet cupcakes from Hummingbird Bakery. I normally try & speed up the shopping process since Mr Taffeta Ramblings only has a certain patience span, but I luxuriated in the solo shopping experience of trying on just about everything East London had to offer! What did you get up to this weekend in the sunshine?

Wishlisting

I have been looking at pretty things all this week & dreaming of payday. Not sure how I feel about all the sites that now allow you to have a 'wishlist'...I find this dangerous! Anyways, here are some of my most coveted items.

1. Jonathan Saunders waffle knit jumper

2. House of Harlow 1960 cuff

3. Bold Endeavors heels in Gain

4. Chloe Clutch

5. Ally Capellino 'Richard' satchel

What is everyone else wishlisting this fine Friday? xxx

Weekend at Judy's

I spent a sunny Sunday afternoon looking for vintage finds at Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair when it visited the Glasgow University Union. I try & visit all of the Judy's markets when they are in town, they have a really good range of quality sellers, who offer loads of choice & also take pride in telling you about their stock & I love a good natter about where my finds are from.

My friend Michelle picked up a couple of spring worthy frocks & I stuck to the accessories with 70s sandals & a leather belt, perfect for putting over one of my many dresses. I always think accessory purchases don't really count, so I could return home & tell Mr Taffeta Ramblings that I had been good with my spending. The fairs tour the country & if you are into vintage in any shape or form you should keep an eye out for them.

Picture melanges

My week has been a busy one, filled with getting a year older, cocktailing with mes amis, strolling in the Botanic gardens & generally eating lots of cakes. You know you are a grown up when you have to work on your birthday, I would love to say that I did this without a tantrum, but there might have been the odd whimper at least. So, I have now reached my semi-scary age, wondering if this will mean I finally capitulate & admit I am a grown up...probably not!

Birthday cocktails - Bramble for me

Birthday cake times

Strolling in the Botanic Gardens - I always forget how stunning it is

Noodle time in Bar Soba

Cake o'clock at Cup

My love of collared shirts this week

I hope everyone had a jolly week xxx

Today I'm wearing

(coat - Anthropologie,  jumper - vintage, shorts - black vintage Levis, shoes - Topshop brogues, bag - vintage satchel)

This was my going for brunch & a wandering, not sure what the weather is up to, outfit. I have only recently got into the shorts & tights thing & now I love it as it is such an easy look to throw on & pull on a jumper or blouse with. I am liking my new Anthropolgie coat as a good inbetweener, I am hoping the days of my winter coat are behind me & this is the way forward.

What did you wear today?

I heart Karen Walker

Pinterest has really opened up fashion brands to a world wide audience & one of things that I am loving about it, is finding brands that I may never have seen other wise. I stumbled across Karen Walker's designs & instantly loved the quirk in her designs & the styling. I have seen pictures of her fashion shows before but seeing a pin of her cute prints made me go & investigate her website. What I found was a treasure trove of prints, pretty dresses & amazing jewels. The price point is a little high, but I am a girl who always looks to live (even if it is not always possible) beyond her means. More than anything I loved the styling of these, simple & chic, & they let the clothes do all the talking. What do you guys think? Has Pinterest uncovered any amazing brands for you?

Shoulder knot dress Daisy 350 NZD - £182

Button Down Check shirt Georgette 480 NZD - £250

Knotted waist dress green painterly 495NZD - £258

Kerchief polka dot - 110NZD - £57

I especially love the fresh face, dewy look of this last shot - I will be channeling this for Spring/Summer!

Remember to check out my Pinterest boards if you haven't already.

Friday feeling

After a super early start today, I have sunk into the happy Friday feeling. I've had a good week catching up with friends, hitting a vintage market (they came to my workplace so it would have been wrong not to) & having some gin fueled giggles. I am looking forward to a quiet weekend of catching up on sleep, blog reading & general sitting still, though I am going couples bowling tonight which feels very Happy Days style. These are some picture postcards of my week-

1, 2, 3, 4 - I headed to Hillhead Bookclub last night, with my good friend Jen from Pie in Soup, to mark International Women's Day. It was a great event organised by Kirsty from Forty Four Sunsets, with cocktails flowing, bake sale temptation, nail primping & clothes swapping & all in aid of a great cause. Jen was lucky enough to win a couple of ace prizes in the raffle, she was quite jolly about it as you can see!
5 - I popped into Afternoon Twee when it came to Strathclyde University Union (it is right next to my office so it was like they came for me!). There was a great selection of sellers but I fell in love with all the crockery & prettiness that Love Me Again vintage were selling, I walked away with a jug & salt & pepper set...don't tell Mr Taffeta Ramblings, I am not supposed to be buying more pretty things we don't have space for.
6 - I have been looking for a mint green midi skirt for a while, I sourced this beauty on eBay & I had that magical moment when you put it on & it fits perfectly. I love this style of skirt & think it is so flattering, it is not unlike the skirts in Whistles s/s collection, but ever so slightly more affordable. I can't wait for some sunshine to twirl in her.
7 - I am excited for floral weather & thought I would ease into it with this Asos black floral tee. I thought I could wear this with my cut off Levi shorts & a blazer until it seems like more floral appropriate weather.
8 - I am reliving my youth with this purchase, I can't wait to start watching the angst & teen drama. A couple of my friends & I all ordered it this week & we are thinking of having some sort of gin support group to discuss while watching!

I hope everyone has a jolly weekend planned. xxx ps. I will report back on the bowling!

Today I'm wearing...

For a long time I have read blogs because I love the blogger's style & I also love getting snap shots into their life, I think we are all a little bit nosey or is it really just me? I have always wondered about including these kind of posts in Taffeta Ramblings but have always held back for various reasons. However with some encouragement from a very good friend I thought I would give it a go. So here I am rambling about what I actually wore today...

(coat - vintage with fur collar, dress - Darling, hat - h&m, bag - vintage tapestry bag)

Today I'm wearing my big fur collared coat as this week has been cold, we've had hailstones, snow & everything in between, so my coat that was banished to the back of the cupboard made a reappearance.  The dress I picked up on a recent trip to Edinburgh in a shop called Swish, it has a cute retro pattern & after swearing I would not buy anymore girlie dresses, I caved! The bag was a charity shop find & is my daily, carry everything to work in it bag (I don't pack light).

Tuesday musings

Sorry for the tardy post, my blog has not been on holiday or anything nearly as exciting, I am just currently sinking under a huge pile of work which will keep me busy until the end of the month. Anyways on to more exciting things, this week I have been embracing the sunshine & trying out some of my more Spring like looks, so that when all this snow & Artic winds stop I am ready! This week I am all about:

1. Floaty fabrics - have looked out my midi & maxi skirts, granted I am currently wearing them with a leather jacket, jumper & tights but I am hopeful & I am currently trawling eBay looking for some mint green vintage midi skirts, let me know if you happen to spy any!

 2. All about the top knots & ballerina buns at the moment. Mostly I am loving it as it is the perfect lazy hair which given the amount of work I have been doing, it is my new best friend. I have been thinking a lot about the Grey's Anatomy episode were Izzy is to tired & only manages to shave one leg for getting into bed with George...anyway the bun is my attempt to try & not look too disheveled.

3. Channeling Carrie Bradshaw. I know everyone loves a bit of Carrie, I have been rewatching old episodes & I just love the mix of fabrics, textures and neutral colours. I am not quite at the running down the road in a tutu stage yet but I am trying to take some inspiration & accessorise more, I'm thinking brooches, layering & statement bags.

It is a big week in the fashion world, loving the images from Paris fashion week (especially Stella McCartney) & also will be up bright & early on Thursday to check out the Marni h&m launch. What is exciting everyone this week? xxx