worn: seaside sandals and floral prints

In true typical British fashion, after a week of glorious weather, the sun seems to have buggered off completely. Pah. It's been back to snatching an hour here and there in the garden, spending time with noses pressed against the window, looking forlornly at the rain, and worst of all, coats. Ugh.
Today was another grey, drizzly, windy day, so I thought it'd be the perfect time to share some photos and an outfit post from a gloriously sunny day trip we had a a couple of weeks ago. I always think we're really lucky where we live - ten minutes by car in either direction and you can be standing on the shoreline, immersed in countryside or surrounded by great independent shops. We took a wander around Old Portsmouth, which I love - I've lived here my whole life, but never get tired of pottering around the stone steps and exploring the tunnels and walls.

It was the perfect day to break out my new Saltwater sandals, that I'd bought the week before from Toast - I originally fell in love with them for the design (and the colour - bright popping orange, amazing!), but honestly cannot rate them highly enough for their comfort. The first time I put them on, they felt like they'd been made specifically around my feet - I usually dread sandal weather, because I've never found a pair of sandals that are actually comfortable unless you're covered in plasters, but these were like a dream. Goodbye, Elastoplast!
I paired them with my usual favourite skinny jeans, a charity shop floral top, a clashing floral cardigan and a vintage jacket with yet another floral print. There's nothing I like more in clothes than a good pattern...

Dear Saltwater Sandals, you're the bestest. Love from Me.

Bag - Doodle Bag // Scarf - Vintage

Got the Husband to practice with the DSLR again - he'll be outdoing me soon!

blog love: craft and design

If you've been reading for a while, you'll know that I've got a fair few hobbies; crafts, crochet, watching films and box-sets and rummaging through piles of old junk, to name a few. One of my favourite ways to switch off and relax, though, is to sit down and have a good read - anything from books to magazines and online publications. My blog reader is jam packed with hundreds of great blogs on subjects that vary massively; feminism to activism, crafts, design, interiors, lifestyle, fashion.... pretty much anything that pleases my eyes. I've been meaning to share some of my favourites for absolutely ages, so I thought I'd kick off this new little mini-series with my top five craft and design blogs - hopefully you'll either recognise them, or you'll discover something new and love them as much as I do.

1. Good Night Day

When I started crocheting, I was quickly sucked into the world of yarn, and ended up stumbling across some incredible blogs in this area. Good Night Day (or 'Stay Fancy Free' as it was back then) was the first one I ever read, and it quickly became a firm favourite. Tara-Lynn, the owner of Good Night Day, is the most incredible knitter; think chunky shawls, removable collars, intarsia hats and my long-running favourite, the welland merino sweater - check out her online shop for the full range. The Good Night Day blog also features vintage photography, snippets from her home and everyday life and 'behind the scenes' style posts. A must read for anyone interested in yarn, clothes or vintage.

2. Belle Fleur de Lis

I stumbled across Lotte's blog one day when I was searching for information on lacemaking, and pretty much added it to my reader straight away. Belle Fleur de Lis is a real treat of a blog; Lotte is a crocheter and lacemaker, who combines her love of plants and flowers with an exquisite talent for yarn and cotton craft.

The beautiful photographs are light, airy and delightful, and the posts are always a joy to read - if you're a keen crocheter, or even if you just enjoy being inspired, you'll love Lotte's little space on the internet.

3. Studio Meez

I actually discovered Studio Meez via the blog link page on Lotte's blog, so finding Belle Fleur de Lis was a bit of a double win. Studio Meez is a real treat for the eyes; knitted creations, print designs, sneak peeks of her home, books and outdoor adventures - there really is something for everyone. The photography is really incredible - whether she's writing about yarn or recent travels, you can pretty much guarantee the images are going to be breathtaking. There's also an online shop where you can buy her stationary, prints and cosy accessories - I've got the mint green apple cushion firmly on my 'want' list.

4. Karen Barbe

Based in Chile, textile designer and photographer Karen Barbe has one heck of a great blog. Full of incredible images of anything from her inspirations to her home, her design projects to peeks inside her studio, if you're a fan of photography or design, you'll love this little patch of internet. An incredible textile artist, Karen weaves, embroiders and prints her materials into the most beautiful of accessories and homewares, from aprons to my personal favourite, the stunning potholders. Expect colour, light, and pattern aplenty, and don't forget to visit the shop afterwards...

5. One Sheepish Girl

I discovered Meredith's incredible blog, One Sheepish Girl, after reading about it in one of the earliest issues of Mollie Makes - that was a couple of years ago, and even now it's still one of my favourites. Meredith combines her fabulous talent for knitting and crochet with quirky project ideas, stitched journal entries and some brilliant DIY tutorials, and has a knack for producing some of the most colour-popping photographs in blogland. She regularly pops up in magazines and online publications, writes for Gathered by Mollie Makes and is a champion GIF maker. You've probably already got her blog bookmarked, but if you haven't - do it now!

worn: DIY embroidered skirt and vintage knitwear

As you probably know by now (because I talk about it every now and then... ahem), I'm a huge fan of charity shops, eBay and basically limiting my consumption when it comes to fashion and clothing. The only thing I like better than finding something fabulous second-hand, is finding a way to cobble it together myself. I might only have limited sewing skills, but armed with a few excellent dressmaking books and the internet, I like to think that there's not a lot I can't achieve (and if there is, I can always take it to the tailors...) 

I'm over at Ms. Wandas Wardrobe today, with a handy little tutorial on transforming an unloved mens shirt into an ace embellished skirt - it's going to be the first of a few similar DIY-upcycling posts, including a laptop sleeve, removable collar and other lovely little bits and pieces. I'm hoping you'll check them out and have a go! (PS Make sure you get involved in their incredible 1% Campaign too!)

I'd actually been searching for a button-down denim skirt for a while, but never found one I liked enough to part with my cash for. I came across the idea of making my own when I was folding the laundry one day, and found the mens shirt on eBay for a few quid. I paired it up with some stripes, mustard knitwear, and clogs, and was very happy indeed. Hurrah for upcycling!

Knit - Charity Shop // Breton top - New Look // Skirt - Homemade // Clogs - Lotta from Stockholm // Owl Pendant - eBay

found: pretty pastels

{From Top-Left} Shirt - Lowie // Pumps - Emilion Luca X // Bow Necklace - Original Design Jewels via Etsy // Phone Case - On Your Case via Etsy // Nail Polish - Barry M // Storm Lantern - Toast // Vintage Hair Clips - Rokit // Melmac Cups - Housing Authority via Etsy // Vegan Bag - Missco Girl via Fashion Conscience // Cut-out Brogues - Clarks // Lasercut Bamboo Necklace - Pom by Pomegranate via Etsy // Lexington Satchel - Accessorize

I'm not sure whether it's the arrival of the sunshine (ok, let's discount today, I'm pretty sure it was just a blip....), but lately I seem to be lusting after anything and everything pastel coloured. I'm usually into prints and stronger colours, but over the last week or so, I've brought home mint, lilac and pale pink nail polishes, and some ace Debbie Bliss pastel cotton for a crochet project I'm planning.

I went on a bit of a pastel-based rampage around the web, and found some beautiful things - loads of different ladies shoes, like the blush coloured brogues above by Clarks (be still, my beating heart!) and some pastel coloured seventies-esque wedges, and I also found an incredible new Etsy shop, Pom by Pomegranate. A whole shop full of geometric loveliness, and a blog to go with it, hurrah.

What's on your lust list for Summer this year?

found: Mama Wolf

Not long after I started The Owl and the Accordion, I met several excellent people, one of whom was Sandeep from Mama Wolf - we chatted about crochet collars and vintage fabrics, and I've followed her crafty endeavours ever since. Two years and a few hundred blog posts later, and I'm immensely excited to announce that Sandeep has set up her own Etsy shop, selling her beautiful creations.

She sews the most fabulous handmade accessories for men, from ties to hankies, and my personal favourite, the bow ties. The prints on the fabric are incredible - sugar skulls, florals, raindrops, pastel geometric patterns (be still, my beating heart!) - and while I've spent a little while an hour or two the whole evening trying to pick my favourite, it's impossible.

As if the amazing fabrics and exquisite craftwork aren't enough, the entire Mama Wolf range is ethically produced, with carefully sourced materials. Sandeep firmly believes in 'giving the earth a break', which is a philosophy I think we can all identify with. And to top it all off, prices start at just £10 for a handkerchief - ace!

Sandeep has kindly offered a 10% discount to my lovely readers - simply visit the Mama Wolf shop here, and enter the code OWL&WOLF. The only problem you'll have is choosing which ones you want - my beady eye is firmly on a few of those bow ties. For the Husband, obviously. Ahem.

worn: charity shop jacket and oversize denim shirt

I'm now well underway with my 'wear-everything-in-the-wardrobe' project, and so far, I've discovered the following:

1. I get really irritated by tights.
2. I like dresses, but only if they don't involve tights.
3. I adore jeans and trousers, mostly because they're not tights.
4. I've rarely wear heels, and if I do, they're clogs. I love a good loafer.
5. I love a peter pan collar, statement necklace, intarsia jumper (Joules latest are the BEST) or shirt.
6. Prints are always acceptable. Especially when worn together. Head to toe.
7. I shy away from crop tops, anything torn or distressed (I have two children, there is enough distress in my life at the moment, without it creeping into my clothing) and anything uncomfortable or too trendy.
8. If it was socially acceptable, I would probably just wear pyjamas.

Jacket - Charity Shop // Shirt - Charity Shop // Necklace - Primark // Jeans - eBay // Shoes - Kate Kanzier

This latest outfit is entirely second hand, apart from the shoes and bib-necklace - the shoes were a recent impulse buy, after looking at them way too many times on the website, and the I've had the necklace for years. It comes from (I can barely bring myself to say it) Primark, and I've glued heaps of the beads on time and again, but on the whole it's still going strong. 

I've not had a lot of time to write long posts over the last couple of days, as I've been crafting away at my sun drenched desk, writing for various places and chasing the two monkeys around the garden. There's been a fair bit of planting, and quite a bit of burning of food as well (charcoal has nutrients in it, right?), so I'll leave you some pictures of my recent activities. Oh, and our first family portrait. Ahem.

Adventures in washi tape

Lino carving and printing

A sneak peek at a project I'm working on. Fingers crossed it turns out as planned...

I think this sums us up nicely.

Happy Bank Holiday weekend, friends!

super summer

After the ace weather we've been having down here on the South Coast this week (I'm really hoping I don't jinx it by writing this), I've dared to think a little further ahead this week, and start looking around for summer essentials... and, err, non essentials. What started as a little browse around the internet (this resisting shopping thing is actually a lot harder than I thought it would be...) turned into one of those sessions where you find yourself aimlessly bookmarking a gazillion pages. The kiddos need things like sunhats and swimwear, and they obviously definitely need more blankets and a Corby Tindersticks soft toy. Ahem.

I've recently discovered some really great, organic brands and online boutiques for kids, and have included some of them in my picks above - Tootsa Macginty has become a firm favourite in our house!

And then because it seemed only fair, I had a little poke around for things for me - I mostly live in my Converse in Winter (I've now had the same pair since I was pregnant with Benjamin, and they're still going strong), unless it gets really cold, so some sandals are definitely on my list. When I was nineteen, I went travelling in New Zealand, and lived in a pair of Birkenstocks, and after seeing their new floral designs, I'm pretty tempted by those - Lord knows I love a floral print. During the warmer months, I tend to turn into a bit of a hippy - clashing prints, flat sandals and woven bags are all on my list of things to lust after, and the summer certainly wouldn't be complete without a huge blanket to lounge on and a book to get lost in.