Spring Forward

The weather warmed up just enough this weekend to let us know that Spring is hiding somewhere behind a corner in an on-going game of hide and seek. 

{She's got to give up eventually and come home for dinner, no?} 

The short break from the hats and scarves reminded me of just how much I love spring fashion... the floral prints and cardigans, peasant tops and flared jeans. {Speaking of peasant tops, this light-weight caftan is a special one for me as it was my mom's in the 70s}. Although the Brit and I managed to sneak in a few sunny bike rides, we mostly enjoyed tucking up in our favourite coffee shop with a latte and a paper... me pouring through the Spring style previews, waiting patiently for the real thing. Maybe if we all start dressing a little lighter and brighter {under our endless warm layers of course} she'll come out, come out, wherever she is. Considering it's still January, I think I may be dreaming.

Caftan: vintage, mom's wadrobe

Belt: vintage, thrifed

Jeans: Fidelity {yay Canada!}

Boots: vintage 

xo Ashi

Quite a spectacle

I must admit, I was secretly quite please that I was going blind... that is until I realized I look like Millhouse! From then on my sexy secretary dreams were dashed and I'm faced with the uncool reality...I need reading glasses and every single pair make me look like Bart Simpson's klutzy best friend... which the truth be told is probably a better fit with my personality than any demure 1960s art critic I was hoping to embody. So now the search is on for a pair of spectacles that I can slip on my face when it comes time to reading without too much embarrassment. I thought I'd run my quest past you my stylish readers... any faves so far? {sigh}

xo Ashi

Modern Day Gypsy

I found this amazing vintage alpaca poncho sitting in the window of a local Oxfam. 

It's not only the warmest thing that I have ever owned, but it also fits in perfectly with my weekend gypsy attire.. which came in very handy at the old farmer's market. In this getup, I could have easily been selling roasted chestnuts or imported cheeses along with the veteran traders. I think it will even be a wardrobe staple when the Brit and I visit his father in the french countryside next week. Mais oui!

Poncho: vintage alpaca poncho, trifted 

Purse: vintage engraved tan leather , garage sale

Jeans: Urban Outfitters 

Shoes: vintage 

xo Ashi

Birthday Love

I adore this old polaroid of my dear friend Marianne.

 There she is... going to town... trying to blow out the candles placed around a mountain of a cake on her sixth birthday! And who could miss her sweet little party dress with ruffled collar and all. Gotta say, this photo sums up the girl pretty nicely... always giving everything in life her darndest effort with an impeccably stylish outfit on.

Happy Birthday Marianne!

{Hope you're blowing out the candles on a big gooey cake as we speak}

xo Ashi

In Defense of Food

A good farmers market is truly integral to any perfect Saturday morning. Somehow the gathering of local market traders and abundant samples provides the right dose of community involvement {and freeloading on tasters}. Most importantly it's an ideal approach to know exactly what's going into your dinner and to support local agriculture. Really, it's one of those all-round, feel-good experience. Throw in the fact that we rode our bikes there and I wore an Alpaca poncho and heck, we might as well call our first child 'Rainbow'. If you're wondering exactly what's in season, make sure to ask the Brit, as he happily went around taste-testing at every single stall. From prawns to pate, I'm surprised I didn't have to roll him out of there. For once this omnivore has no dilemma

Hope your weekend was just as fruitful !

{stop rolling your eyes}

xo Ashi

Sweet Tooth

It's funny I bought this vintage, chocolate brown corduroy jacket back in high school before I knew anything about 'business casual'. Now it's a become a trusted friend in polishing up any look from jeans and boots to a sweet lace baby doll dress with tights. The Brit adamantly claims that I look like I'm 'going hunting'. Hunting for the perfect warm winter blazer?

... I think I've caught myself a beaut!

Blazer: vintage chocolate brown corduroy, True Value Vintage 

Blouse: vintage cream silk & lace short sleeve, garage sale

Jeans: Nudie Jeans , Kelly Tube

Belt: vintage 

Boots: vintage

xo Ashi

Year In Review {2010}

No wonder 2010 felt like such an epic year for us... we kicked it off with by hitting the road in our '74 WV Wetsfalia, Alfie, and journeying down the West Coast of the US, which included stops in Portland {where explored the city by bike} San Fransisco {where we ended up staying at the quirky Castro's Castle} all while cruising and camping along the breath-taking number 1 Highway. We then bid adieu to our beloved Vancouver and moved across the Atlantic to the UK where we took over a run-down Victorian town house in North London and proceeded to renovate it. Except after a few jaunts to seaside Brighton, we fell in love with the place and decided to settle in this creative hub instead. That's where we took My CoCoon Vintage to the streets with the weekend Upper Gardner Street market and spent the summer basking in the sun. Throw in a lovely visit from my pops, finding our dream apartment and an island getaway and job done on an action packed year. We can't forget our favourite live shows from 2010, LCD Soundsystem and Beach House and the start of my style blogging. We've certainly loved sharing our gypsy travels with you and have picked up some lovely loyal readers along the way. So thanks for following along. 2011 here we come.


xo Ashi & The Brit

Parklife

We decided to escape the city on the first day of the year and head to Stanmer Park, which was created in 1720 by the Earl of Chichester and now serves as an easy escape from the Brighton bustle. So Ashi put on her shiny new wellies and we headed out into the mud for a lesson in country walking...

Along the way we took the opportunity to fulfill one of Ashi's New Year's resolutions, which was to "connect with more animals", however she took some persuading to approach one of the local, free range, soon-to-be steaks, {probably as I had spent the previous hour telling her stories about my near death experiences being chased by crazed packs of cows during my childhood living in the country}. Following tuition on how to use a walking stick, what not to poke into cowpats and how to use the cowproof gates, Ashi had earned her first country bumkin badge... although more refinement was needed on approaching the local livestock but that will surely come. 

Definitely no steak for us this year.

The Brit

Such Great Heights

There seems to be an unwritten rule when it comes to New Years Eve, the less planning and pressure, the better time to be had. We had just that kind of New Years; a few good friends, some great food & wine and of course chinese lanterns! The Brit found paper sky lanterns for each of us to set off on the beach at the stroke of midnight {genius}. With me being the hippie child that I am, I suggested we write out our dreams and goals for the year ahead on them before setting them off into the night sky. Once we got down to the beach we were delighted to find masses of NYE revelers down there setting off their own lanterns and firecrackers. At one point, the sky was filled with hundreds of lit lanterns gliding into the distance... so simple, so beautiful!

Wishing you all an amazing New Year

xo Ashiberry & The Brit