Secret Places: Dennis Severs' House

SHHHHH....

She whispers...
I wanted to write all about it, let you in on the secret, but I think
this is the sort of place you have to discover on you own.
When you arrive at the Dennis Severs' House, you will find
this ominous black door awaiting you.
Your first thought is...do I dare enter?



Just below the door knocker...

I wondered what I was getting myself into. My blogging friend, 

Pamela @ From The House of Edward said, 

'you must see the Dennis Severs' House, it is like no other!' 

I trust Pamela's judgement explicitly.

I looked up for a glimpse of what was to be... and entered.

Having lingered as long as I could, I left as quietly as I entered.

There was just so much to see, I did not want to miss a single thing.

But I did, I am sure.

The next group was waiting to go in. 

I was happy, I left with this book tucked under my arm 

with plans to return one day.

More on the book, here.

'This is a book for anyone who likes to sit by the fire with a glass of wine 

and not worry too much about the fashions of the world. Fashions come and go, 

but there are permanencies of the spirit that join humanity through time--and it was 

such permanencies, vulnerable and often forgotten, that Dennis sought to communicate' 

Jeanette Winterson, THE TIMES

I send my thanks to Pamela for suggesting this wonderful adventure. :)

top images~me

bottom image as noted above.

Visit London: Vintage Fashion

I have been following along Visit London for sometime now and always

enjoy their tips on things to do and see when in London.

via Visit London

My daughters and I have been to a few of the vintage shops listed below. 

Beyond Retro

Radio Days near Waterloo Station

Absolute Vintage

Vintage Fashion at Camden Market

Rokitt

Upcoming vintage fairs

They are well worth the visit.

Have a look at Visit London: Vintage Clothes for more details.

Be sure to check out the upcoming vintage fairs too. 

While we are talking Vintage, 

here are a few more sites that you might like:

Vintage Fashion London

The Vintage Guide to London

and if you are on FACEBOOK

check out these:

 London Jumble, Markets and Fairs

I Love Markets

Once you start looking you will discover 

a whole new vintage world.

You may even come across one of these lovely frocks.

via Couture Allure Vintage Fashion Blog

If you have the vintage fashion bug in a big way, 

have a look at this book too.

details here

To get you on your way....a little entertainment.

Enjoy!

100 YEARS/STYLE EAST LONDON

from WestfieldStratford

images and video as noted above

Glamour of the Gods

I went along on Saturday to view the 

 'Glamour of the Gods' exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery.

I started to jot down a few of my favourites for this post

but quickly realised it was impossible. I was writing down every image.

Mary Pickford

Lillian Gish

Louise Brooks

Charlie Chaplin

Greta Garbo

Jean Harlow

Buster Keaton

Joan Crawford

Cary Grant

Clark Gable

Katherine Hepburn

Myrna Loy

William Powell

By this point I had only covered the 1920's and 1930's

with three more decades to go. I stopped writing, read every word,

and went around again. They are all fabulous 

and the catalogue is equally as impressive.

Stay a while...the National Portrait Gallery is a treasure in itself.

You could easily pass the day.

Before I go...I admit I had one absolute favourite...

Evelyn Brent, 1899-1975
Image taken by Henry Wasman, 1925

If you see this exhibit, you will leave thinking much as I did,
about another time, on the silent screen....

The exhibit runs through 23 October.

via National Portrait Gallery

All images from the Joun Kobal Foundation, 2011

nomad...thinker...writer...girl....

CHRISTY 

nomad. thinker. writer. girl.

Mothers talk and when they do, one thing leads to another...and here we are.

Glenda @ Gg-notes on the journey and I have been blogging buddies for a while now.

She is gracious, warm and like me, has lived the expat life. 

When Glenda wrote to say that her Christy was moving to England, 

I offered to lend a welcoming hand. As Christy lives a distance from me 

I thought I would welcome her by way of this post.  Christy has a great blog, 

 Everyday Planet

where she writes about her experiences as she settles into life in England.

I can relate to that. :)

Christy is a huge fan of the Duchess of Cambridge 

and has a great collection of photos. 

Christy is in England to become a missionary. 

She is a girl with heart.

She writes

"I've just moved to England to be a missionary and 

Katherine-Hepburn-style office girl (like in 'Desk Set')". 

Scene from the movie 'Desk Set'

I can relate to that too!

I started to think of all the advise I could give to Christy. 

I have cornered the market on travel books and have so many thoughts 

that I do not know where to begin.

I then looked at Christy's blog 

and realised she could teach me a thing or two!

She has many great suggestions which you can read here.

I am so inspired by Christy that I am in the midst of 

developing a series of Travel Diaries with all my favourite

spots around England and beyond. It has proved to be a bit

more challenging that I thought...so stay tuned.

In the meantime, 

my advice to Christy as a new expat settling into a country.

(she is a pro at this, being a TCK, but I will say it anyways, more here)

Smile

Keep your eyes open.

Never leave home without a camera,

a small journal and pen.

Talk to people, look for stories.

Pay attention to the little things.

Write, write and write some more.

Keep in touch with friends from home.

Make new friends.

When blue, make a point of going someplace new.

I did not mean for that to rhyme ;)

 Buy postcards!

Write postcards and post them.

Look for the unusual.

Find out people's stories.

Start the day looking for a story.

They happen when you least expect it.

Keep a record of all your favourite places.

Write about them.

Say hello to your mother for me.

Smile

Yes..I know they are quite simple

but they work!

To Christy, I send my very best and hopes that

we meet someday. 

Before I go...there is one more

Glenda is blessed with two beautiful and talented daughters.

You can meet Jenny 

over at Life on Canvas

Signing off to work on my Travel Diaries....

Jeanne xxx

Images via Christy's blog

Everyday Planet

Desk Set image via The Movie Scene

One Tiara Please....

It's my birthday on Sunday and I have to say the 

Tiara below is looking mighty tempting.

I might just pick one up and wear it for the day.

That should get my kids going. :)

For those of you living in London 

or those who plan to visit before October 3rd 2011, 

here is a little reminder to pick up tickets 

to The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. 

The rooms are used by the Queen and members 

of the Royal Family for State,

 ceremonial and official occasions. 

Nineteen State rooms are

open to visitors.

I am off to see the wedding ensemble 

of The Duchess of Cambridge.

 The remaining weekends are sold out but I did manage 

 two tickets for the last week of September. 

If you are interested, do not delay! 

You can purchase tickets, here.

Wedding photo images via Mail Online

State Room images via The Royal Collection

One Door Closes.....

I am a firm believer in the 'one door closes and another one opens' attitude on life. 

The weeks pass as we wait on news of our next move. 

The 'Expat Express' is picking up a bit of steam, albeit slowly. 

I look forward to pulling the cord...and blasting the news. 

This photo was taken in a 30 minute rush before closing at Sissinghurst Castle Garden 

earlier in the summer. It was a case of do I or don't I? How could I resist? I am working on a post 

with more information...back with that one soon. 

Since Sissinghurst, we have travelled to France and back. 

It was a wonderful trip, but I have to say...

I was ever so happy to pull into St. Pancras station in London. 

Living in a French world when you do not speak the language can be frustrating. 

I vowed not to return until I can speak the language with depth and understanding. 

I better hop to it as the 'Expat Express' looks like it will be stopping 

in a French speaking country. Parlez vous Francais?

image~me