Amazing Mt Wellington, Tasmania September 16th 2010

Enchantment on Mt Wellington, Tasmania.

This was last week when my husband and I spent 3 days "getting away from it all" in Hobart, Tasmania. We love Tasmania and have visited regularly over the past 16 years. It's wilderness is like no other--you step back in time in so many places--and by that I don't mean hundreds of years or even thousands--I'm talking millions...before man. This is physical and natural history that thousands of years of human habitation has not changed into a different place. Aboriginals inhabited this land for thousands of years but did not adulterate the land the way European man has in the blink of an eyelid. I digress...

Mt Wellington stands like a sentinel to the city of Hobart. It is both welcoming and powerful. It is majestic, sensual, everchanging, calming and embracing. This mountain makes Hobart and is like a magnet to me, and I know to many others. Once mesmerised by its beauty you cannot ever remove it from your psyche. It is inspirational, rejuvinating and enriching. The minute I saw it I was smitten.

Below are some of many beautiful photos I took that Wednesday in Hobart and on Mt Wellington when a cold(er) snap came up from the Antarctic bringing a gale force wind to the summit area and transformative snow.

Sometimes I wish I was a designer so I could use natures colours, patterns and textures for inspiration. Come to think of it I do use it to select out items for sale---both fashion items and decor.

The Derwent River from the Botanical Gardens entry--looking south. Hobart is situated on the Derwent. I like the skeletal pattern of the still leafless exotic trees against the blue sky.

Mt Wellington from Queen Street Sandy Bay. Turn the other way and you face the Derwent. Hobart is a very historical place and I love the way so many old houses have not yet been either demolished or changed. There is a respect and acceptance of how this is by the people there.

The drive up takes about half and hour--this is about half way up when the first dustings of snow were happening. It's a fairyland really. We are lucky here in Australia-- most of our high altitude plants keep their leaves on for winter. This allows for amazing and artsy patterns when the snow falls on them and gives an almost cosy feeling to the place.
On the summit. Brrrr.... and lots of black ice to slip on. We jumped out of the car for about a minute to take a photo of each other then back inside for some home made slice and to just look out.
Lichen covered granite boulders at the top and ground cover plants allow for wonderful colour, pattern and texture. The telephone tower allows a touch of reality.

I was loving the tricky vanishing patterns the strong winds were making with the snow on the road. If only I could've taken a video.

This is like a river of boulders just down from the top in a very exposed area. I wonder what incredible forces were at work here over time.
The above two are in the same area as the boulders. I think this plant is a Richea. The olive green with the white is a gorgeous contrasting combination. The Eucalypts don't grow tall on the exposed parts of the mountain due to extreme cold and forceful winds. Many of them lean in one direction because of this. These plants can be hundreds of years old even though small.

A few hundred metres down and it's quieter, gentler and possibly one could say prettier. The trees are taller and the forest is totally enchanting. I love the colour patterns of the bark.
Blechnum fern--so pretty with the snow.
Tasmanian Pink Mountain Berry plant.
Not sure what this plant is but I loved the star shaped leaves which then made this enchanting picture with the snow on top.
Hope this wasn't overkill for you to look at.

Hello, at long last I am back with photos of the previous weekend's Vanity Fair Fashion Market at Paddington RSL Sydney. The next market at Paddington is on Saturday the 10th October 2010, so put it in your diary or memory bank--it's the 2nd Saturday of the month.

Now I would like to tell you a bit about Lisa. She is warm and friendly and always has the cutest and interesting things. All sorts of beautiful, quirky or lovingly kitsch bits n pieces can be picked up at her stall. From pretty cut glass 50s brooches to wonderful handmade true vintage quilts, from funny old shower hats to retro patterned peg bags, from funky on trend 70s denim shorts to 80s sloppy joes. Below are the shorts I have mentioned. We teemed them up with those killer red lace up ankle boots and hoped someone would buy the both or at least get inspired!

Certainly a character of the markets and fairs is Weeba. She is Indonesian and with this comes a vibrancy and get up and go many wish for. She also has a great understanding of how clothes work having being brought up with sewing and handcrafts as part of everyday living. So she can repair and rework pieces as well as sew new in the old style. She always has sought after vintage and retro dresses as well as a great selection of ankle boots and unusual leather bags. Below is a bold cherry red with black buttons 80s dress and Scandinavian pattern cardigan.

Ok, here is Gabriella again. You may remember her from the last post about this market. As always she has used great genuine vintage pieces to dress up in. Going the nautical navy, white and red theme for Spring she wore a 60s shirt dress with classic stripes to the bodice and a great large cut collar. Of course what else would you teem with it but navy, red and white accessories, but I especially loved the scarf in her hair.


Below are some pieces I had for sale. The funky 60's pottery lamp has come out of my green collection. I am slowly parting with a few pieces that don't fit in entirely with my more vintage rustic/industrial look I have going.

Also out of my collection on the half mannequin was a jade green leather high sitting cap made in Japan from the 60s. And those shell and plastic bead necklaces--wow! is all I can say.

Another piece there is the 60s/70s long sleeve slim fit limey green cotton knit tee shirt--sounds basic, but these are among the most difficult pieces to find as they were worn daily and usually became too roughed up to pass on anywhere.
To me it signifies the start of a more casual, practical feel to everyday dressing for women that was influenced by man style clothing. This style was also naturally accelerated by the advent of womens' liberation. With this t-shirt, jeans would have been typically worn. At first, all girls had available to buy were mens' jeans, but slowly some makers designed especially for women. This was a revelation to me, as my mother didn't have to sew the waist in every time! Mens' jeans are noticeably wider in the waist. And I didn't have to shop each time for jeans at the army disposal store--much as I loved the atmosphere in there. I revelled in this look when I was growing up. It was my staple and still is today as it is for most girls and women around the world.
T- shirt and jeans--that's it for a good easy going life I say!

Last of all I have to show you this photo of a new sellers clothing rack. She sold wonderful new old stock and vintage designer pieces. This rack was particularly eye catching with a focus on white and off white crocheted, lace and beaded pieces.

My next post I will share with you some photos I'm very happy with from the snow on top of Mt Wellington in Hobart, Tasmania. My hubby and I had a short getaway there earlier this week. Even if you don't like the cold there can be no argument it does not create some of the most beautiful mesmerising landscapes.

A quick update.

Well, I must apologise for not updating this blog for a long time now. My computer gave up the ghost and so working on an old slow laptop was not easy and I tended to just do the basics.

Have bought another Mac just recently so will be ready to go again shortly as soon as I load some of my latest photos from last Saturday's Vanity Fair Vintage Fashion Market at the new venue of Paddington RSL Club.

For the first time in a new venue, it was a good turnup. We have some new dealers as well as most of the regulars. The venue whilst more difficult to load stock to, will be warmer in winter and cooler in summer and obviously in a hub of activity in Paddo's main street, Oxford Street.

What also has passed was the 2nd Fash n Treasure market in Canberra. It poured nonstop from buckets that day and the wind blew fiercely.... from the antarctic I think!.... no...I know.....so not really a great market day but amazingly Canberra's fashion enthused crowd came along. Packed full with sellers of all sorts, more food variety and a rugged up crowd it was still fun and great for buying and selling.
One great thing about the colder weather is you can make good use of those fantastic winter jumpers and coats and use layering to it's best effect--often more fashion fun that a too hot summer's day.

I will be spending the next month reorganising a lot of my working stock and getting new stock ready for my stalls at Mitchell Road Antiques and Design Gallery, the next Paddington Vanity Fair and the famous and huge Canterbury Vintage Clothing Jewellery and Textiles Show. This last one is on at Canterbury Racecourse in Sydney in mid October, and is probably the largest vintage fashion fair in the southern hemisphere. I will be posting more about it in coming days.