Vintage Spring Style: Natalie Wood

Welcome back to blog! I've been going through my wardrobe, making a few purchases and getting inspiration for the spring/summer fashion season from vintage photos. Classic film stars of the 20th century are extremely useful when taking a elegant, vintage style and updating it with a 2014 twist. 

Born Natalia Zacharenko in 1938 San Francisco, the film star died an untimely death in 1981, at the age of 43. Her death is still shrouded in mystery - she was found drowned in deep water - and her star is largely outshone by the likes of Marilyn and Audrey, but her style is timeless. The 5'2 actress has a lot to give in terms of outfit inspiration, so whether its Natalie or other stars of the 40s, 50s, 60s, get out the vintage clobber and work it.

Happy Weekend!

Carpe Diem xx

Spring 2014: A Book Haul

In celebration of the beginning of spring in the UK, here are four books that I have acquired recently; two at the new year and two last week. 

Ian Fleming - Octopussy and the Living Daylights (Vintage):

At a mere 123 pages I don't think this one will take long, so I hope to get to it soon. Part of the James Bond vintage collection that I treated myself to at the beginning of the year. It contains four short stories based on James Bond's time in New York.

Ian Fleming - Casino Royale (Vintage):

The first of Fleming's 007 novels, Casino Royale is also part of the James Bond vintage collection. In this adventure Bond is desperate during his last chance to bring down SMERSH agent Le Chiffre. As this is the story behind the 2006 film of the same name, which made me fall in love with Daniel Craig, I'm putting this one high on my priority list.

John Williams - Stoner (Vintage):

Originally dismissed when it was first published in 1965, Stoner was so-called 'rediscovered' by the art and literature academia and republished in 2012. Stoner tells the story of quiet teacher William Stoner, through whose life the 'conflicts, defeats and victories of the human race that pass unrecorded' are recognised. As a trainee teacher and recent graduate with a passion for classics, this is a must read.

Hannah Kent - Burial Rites (Picador):

A thrilling crime novel, Kent's debut. A page turner composed of the plot of the last execution in Iceland. I've been eyeing this one for a while, so I can't wait to get started!

Carpe Diem xx