Find: Vintage Jewellery Antique Blue Broach

There is something very special about a pre-loved vintage item.  It has a story, history and is generally unique.    Hard to find, and hard to replace.  Vintage jewellery is something that always draws the magpie in me.  I have a few pieces which I will share with you on 5 foot 10 in due course.  Today I showcase my vintage antique blue stone broach.

Isn't she pretty? My latest purchase, a blue stone antique broach.

This lovely item has stones arranged in a flower shape.  The stones (most likely blue glass with a glittery backing) are set into a sightly rose looking gold inlay.  In some antique broaches the spin locks can become loose so the broach comes undone and falls off easily.  Thankfully the clasp on this broach is holding up quite well.

I spotted this item in a local charity shop and paid the pricey sum of £6.  I would have paid a little bit more as I think it is gorgeous.  I'd love to know what stories it has to tell- cocktail parties (with glasses of Babycham?), graduation ceremonies, christenings, birthday....  It will jazz up my LBDs (Little Black Dresses) or any formal work outfit.  I'm not sure if I could dress it down, but I'm not sure I would want to.  It screams 'Vintage Hollywood Glamour' to me, and yes it is a bit of costume jewellery, but I've always thought Vintage Hollywood knew how to dress and present themselves.

I almost wish I could wear it back to front.

I can't really give you a link to buy one of these, but these sort of broaches do pop up on ebay (link) so do keep an eye on there, or do as I did and pop into your local charity shop.  You get a pre-loved item and the charity gets vital funds.

Are Vintage Broaches wearable in 2014?  Do you wear broaches?

Stand Tall x

Jennie Runk: 5' 10" plus size model for H&M

I came across this image of Jennie Runk "Plus size model" for H&M.  Jennie is a US size 14-16 (UK 16-18).  Now I don't know about you but my first thought on seeing the campaign picture was that she looked pretty and healthy- I then found out that she was classed as 'plus sized' in the modelling world (although I thought she looked like a UK sized 12 so I'm not sure if that's 'model sizing').

Stunning Jennie Runk H&M dress

 The photo above is for H&M's beachwear line.  I thought it made a refreshing change to see normal healthy models used in a campaign.  I'm hoping that they make the dress above in my size as I'll be hunting it down in whatever H&M decides to using as my size that week.... (I fall between an 8-14 depending on the high-street store but that is a whole new post/rant!!)

Flawless Beauty!

Anyway I did a little research on Jennie, and was really pleased to see that she has the same issues with trousers as me..

"..... I was wearing sweat pants because my thighs were the size of their (her classmates) waists, and those pants were embarrassingly short because I was taller than the average adult, but still shopped at (pre-teen clothing store) Limited Too."

Glad to see that even models are not exempt from clothing woes!

Jennie off duty! Solve the trouser issues by wearing shorts! :)

Jennie for la redoute

25 year old Jennie has a Bachelor's Degree- pursuing academic studying alongside her modelling career.  She is an advocate for positive thinking and embracing health body confidence.  She has a facebook page (link) if you want to read her lovely thoughts or see more 5' 10" clothing inspiration.

Also she has written an article for the BBC website online (viewable here) which makes interesting reading.  Being 5' 10"  I thought Jennie made an excellent addition to 5' 10".

Have you seen many other campaigns using 'plus sized' models?  Any campaigns you'd like to ban for using unhealthily skinny models?  Any thoughts?

Stand Tall x