Tinker-Tailor-Soldier-Sailor

TTSS: a notebook on life.

  • Embracing the dark side

    My mother loves goths. More to the point, she loves being one. When she first revealed this penchant for dressing-up I asked her, “What would you have said if I was a goth as a teenager?” Her reply was simple, “I’d have loved it.” Unfortunately for my mother, I think I was a bit of…

  • Arm candy (that’s ethical, too)

    This little treat arrived in the post today. A travelling, trackable wrist accoutrement that’s not only ethically-sourced and utterly beautiful, but is also designed to encourage global acts of kindness. Band 4 Hope are responsible for its conception – a team that’s formed of the fair trade warriors Lachlan McWilliam, Miriam McWilliam, Hamish McWilliam, and Lucie Gait.…

  • Crossing this, striking that

    Chilling out at Port Eliot festival this weekend, surrounded by a ludicrous amount of creatives, got me thinking it’s about time I got my butt in gear. There have been so many projects I’ve thought, “I really ought to do that”, “I must start that”, and the biggie: “what exactly am I waiting for?” With…

  • Wishes can come true (so I keep telling myself)

    Shameless hint-dropping for the birthday ahead, but heck, complete with my birth stone sapphire, this Zoe and Morgan skull ring may as well have my name on it. Note to the boy: don’t pass out when you look at the price tag, ok?

  • Icons and inspiration

    Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about icons. Not necessarily those pivotal figures like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn – whom without a doubt, are indeed icons – but more-so photographs, items – anything you personally consider to be iconic and inspirational. A small collection of illustrative images has been growing upon my desktop. Here…

  • California dreaming

    This list of swoon-worthy American brands I own is booming – first, it was Spanish Moss – the site that not only sells some of the best vintage pieces that I’ve seen in a long time (if a little overpriced), but also exudes an air of raw femininity. For a good decade or so I’ve lusted…

  • Oh hello, love-of-my-life

    Now, if you ask anyone knows me to share a thing or two about auld muggins (that’s me), they’ll probably tell you at some point that I’m a big fan of all things religious. Nope, I don’t hang out at the church on Sundays, and yes, I’m sorry to say, the lord’s name is often…

  • Anthropologie AW12 press day

    expressive paint splashes an abundance of lace and texture aplenty

  • Inspiration everywhere

    While waiting for friends yesterday, I hopped into the Courtauld Gallery shop at Somerset House to flick through a few books. My attention was captured by one publication in particular – pictured below. Isn’t it funny how inspiration is quite literally everywhere?

  • A sneak-peek at what’s up for grabs

    This time next week we’ll be setting up shop at The Vintage Event at Balham Bowls Club. For now, we’ve been sifting and sorting so that we bring along the best possible pieces from our own private collection. Here’s a little preview at what could soon be yours! Come see us at The Vintage Event,…

  • Love vintage? Look no further

    with thanks to Jess for the lovely graphics!

  • Love in the Cotswolds

    into the sea you & me all these years and no-one heard i’ll show you in spring it’s a treacherous thing we missed, you hissed

  • Road Trip: roaming round Scotland (then home)

    scones at Inverary the village at night doin’ time ‘tat’ at Tarbert out fishin’ man carries wood growin’ green the Easter chick gets it… she wore flowers on her hand home is… full of crosses

  • Road Trip: the story so far

    Dad in the drivin’ seat uh-oh: accident in the middle of the night… mornin’! home for the next three days welcome to Lochgilphead favours speeches how you know you’re at a Scottish wedding: macaroni pie at 11pm

  • Walking is for jerks

    …at least according to Japanese photographer Natsumi Hayashi. I spotted her inspirational work over on My Modern Met (thanks for sharing, folks) and couldn’t resist from adding a note or two myself. Natsumi spends her time ‘levitating’ in photographs. It’s a genius idea, and one that requires phenomenal skill behind the camera – not to…

  • Elements of inspiration

    A few things ticking my boxes right now…    

  • Blingin’ business cards

    Our new brand identity – what do you think? We’re slightly in love…   With much love to Samuel the Mule Mathews for his endless patience, creative genius and all-round niceness.  

  • Johnwaynes – Libertango

    Nothing gets that summer feeling rushing through your veins quite like a tune that sounds like it’s literally just landed from Ibiza. Cue JohnwWaynes’ Libertango, the track that the Portuguese producer duo released in 2009 – and still delivers that feel-good sunshine burst. Remember that thing called ‘sun’?

  • What does it take to be the Brightest and Best?

    Last July, I found myself sat in a dank, dark subterranean warehouse, with arches overhead, and the smell of damp filling my nostrils. What could simply have been the venue for a techno party, was in fact the place for theatre; the production of “AVE IT”, a “panoramic view of last orders in a sweaty,…

  • Rockin’ blooms

    Just in at New York boutique Married to the Mob: utterly amazing leggings printed with a serious hothouse of florals. It’s a close call, but we reckon the Full Bloom Leggings (bottom) have it. However, we’d be happy with any of these babies – they are extraordinarily HOT.

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