Illustrated Shoot - A Violet Reaction Guest Post

Look at all the violets! Lovely Leanna's blog, The Violet Reaction inspired them to spring up all around me and make my outfit significantly more interesting. :) Have a look at the full guest post at her blog!

Oh, and remember, my giveaway is still open!

Obsessions - Snow Globes

When travelling I often wish I could take photographs by just shutting my eyelids, capturing a scene without a clumsy camera. In a way, I do. I collect pictures from my travels which my subconscious stores for me, to surprise my unsuspecting mind with sometime later.

Memories of cherished places flood me sometimes when my mind is idle, when I'm not concentrating, when I'm sitting on a tram, queuing, washing dishes... These pictures are always unexpected and they bring a rush of feelings with them. I wouldn't describe them as nostalgia for the past, rather a sudden yearning to be in that other place again.

These emotional, evocative memories are just as precious to me as are the consciously treasured ones and share a characteristic with the snow globes I collect from the cities I'd visited - they bring back the essence of a place without actually capturing the likeness of it.

I think this is the feeling Wordsworth wrote about in his Daffodils.

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude...

Snow globes I brought home or received throughout the years

The Arty Outfit

I could wear this ensemble every day. It's so utterly comfortable and still manages to stay feminine.

I don't know about you but I have huge style-envy when watching 80s movies, as the cuts were so much freer and more allowing. Don't get me wrong, there are a good few classic 80s things I can do without, take for example shoulder pads and glitter... But so many people I see on the streets would feel (and look) better if they wouldn't strain to look streamlined by wearing way too tight clothes, but rather choose garments that are loose but well-cut.

Also, wouldn't it be great if long hair for men came back into fashion?
Yeah I know, I'm strange. :)

Anyway, I feel really free in this shirtdress, which also has an arty vibe for me. Wouldn't it look great with a palette and a brush in my hand? I'd hate to splatter it with paint though. :)

And the accessories that every artist needs: dirigible plum earrings - to enhance the ability to accept the extraordinary...

Meet my new-to-me watch, which I got from a small watchmaker's shop. I've been looking for a watch with metal straps that was sort of unisex and also cheap, and finally I found it!

Wearing: 

Shirtdress: Takko, Leggings: Chinese shop, Shoes: Vagabond, 

Watch: second hand from a watchmaker, Bracelets: Indian shop and a handmade silver one, 

Earrings: handmade, from a market (I made them into clip-ons).


P.S.: Don't forget to enter my giveaway! :)

50th Post - Let's Celebrate!

Hello to everyone reading my 50th post! Thank you for coming, for looking around, for returning, for commenting, for being such Lovely Readers! I thought a giveaway would be the most fitting to celebrate this nice round number, as this blog wouldn't continue to build and exist even without you all!

So, drumroll, this is what you can win:

A brand new little purse (which could make a great cosmetic bag, pencil case or clutch) and pair of earrings from Jojó Art Shop, where I get so many of my accessories from. Both are original, handmade pieces and both have a little connection to my blog. (I leave that to you to figure out what.) I've been eyeing these lovelies for a while, so I'm so happy to offer them to you!

Look at me offering them! :D

What do you need to do to win them?

Follow Madeline Quaint through the means of your choice, GFC, Bloglovin, RSS, or even clicking refresh every day or so. Just leave me a comment about it!

Anyone can enter who has a valid address on planet Earth. (So if you're an alien from Andromeda, but you have a P.O. Box in, say, Arkansas, don't hesitate to enter!)

Extra entries:

- 1 extra entry to every Lovely Reader who's ever commented on my blog before.
- 1 extra entry for following my patchy updates on Twitter (@madelinequaint). (Those who already follow definitely deserve this entry for their perseverance! :)
- 1 extra entry if you tweet about the giveaway.
If you really don't know what to tweet try this: "A celebratory giveaway I really want to win...@madelinequaint http://madelinequaint.blogspot.com/2011/08/50th-post-lets-celebrate.html"
- You can blog about the giveaway too, if you feel like it, for one more entry.

Please list how many times I should enter you in your comment and don't forget to leave some means I can reach you through!

The giveaway closes on the 30th of August, midnight CET, and the winner will be drawn on the 31st, midnight CET. The name will be drawn randomly, unfortunately not by a trained monkey, but I'll try and do a good job myself. :) I'll post the winner's name on the blog on the 1st of September.

Good luck and thank you again for your visits and comments! :)

Demure Pin-Up

This dress I bought second hand last year amuses me to no end. The frills on the shoulders make it look like some sort of an apron - it's so silly! I've been pondering getting rid of the frills, but decided that I love it this way, so they're staying!

How to get a dress wrinkled in no time?
Have your affectionate cat sit on your lap for 15 minutes, works every time! :)

It seems like I'm not only demure but tired as well, I sit down and prompty fall asleep.

Wearing: Dress: second hand, Shoes: some boutique, Belt: from a Promod skirt, 

Necklace: Jeans Club, Flowers: H&M.

The next blogpost will be my 50th, so prepare for a cool giveaway! I'm definitely excited!

P.S.: Thank you LV of Food, Fashion and Flow, for giving me a Best Blog award! :)

Illustrated Shoot - Infectious Lace

Photos and drawings by me. 

Wearing: C&A Dress, second had blouse, Mango belt,
Jojó Art Shop flower, Parasol from Venice.