Let's never get lost again.

During the Second World War the clever people at MI9 (the escape and evasion wing of British Military Intelligence) developed the idea of printing maps on silk because they were much better for escape and evasion purposes than conventional paper or linen-backed maps. Silk maps were and still are extremely durable, do not disintegrate in water, are not damaged by repeated folding and unfolding or by being scrunched up and are silent to unfold and use, which was crucial if you were trying to silently find how to escape or where to go. Silk scarves were also simple to conceal. They were often sewn into the lining of a jacket or the hem of an undergarment. A silk map was unlikely to be found during a prisoner search. So not only were these special scarves able to help you find your way back home but they also provided a certain warmth to airmen shot down over Europe in cold weather. While those in hot areas such found them invaluable as head and face-wraps to keep the blazing sun off their faces.

Several hundred thousand silk maps were produced during the Second World War. It is also estimated that of the 35 thousand British and Allied troops who managed to escape from behind enemy lines over more than half used a silk map to aid them. Apparently there is a number of these maps still around today and are now highly collectable and sought after. Well I wish I could have one of these historical pieces of beauty to add to my vintage scarf collection, unfortunately for now I can only dream of owning one.

So I would think of this as the modern equivalent of the silk scarf map. does anyone else think that paper maps are sometimes useless especially when it’s bucketing it down and they go all soggy. So imagine a dress with a map on it. The effect is strangely beautiful. This map silk printed dress is colorful and very pretty in it’s bright hues. This dress is from Nordstrom and is a map of the subways. But I think I would really love one with a map of the British isles on, or possibly something more useful to me. Maybe if you get lost a lot, this might just come in handy. The dress looks extremely chic and trendy with its fitted bodice and full, pleated skirt.

So would any of my American readers wears this dress? And to my English bloggers would you like it if one of our stores started selling map clothing? I know I would.

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Ruby rocks and thats a fact.

This is my first outfit post since Christmas, so I guess it's my first one of 2011! Happy new year everyone. I just want to start by apologising for the rubbish quality of my photograph's my digital camera is a lot better (even if it does make me look like a ghost) but I'm yet to acquire a tripod and the brother has gone back to uni for a week so its my web cam on a box for now.

Has anyone else been hitting the sales? But I have a little confession is that I haven't even left the house to do so, yes the online stores are you pretty well out of me. Some of the prices were really low it was impossible to resist and I did actually need some new trousers and shoes... and possibly the odd dress. This beauty being one of them I ordered this lovely ruby rocks dress off Evans in the sale for 20 pound but soon after it was reduced to 15 quid but I don;t mind because I got 25% off my order anyway. At the same time as purchasing this one I also bought a lace and jersey floral dress for a tenner which i thought was a total bargain and it looked really lovely on the site, but once I had it on it just didn't feel comfortable so off it goes and is awaiting for me to send it back. I have since ordered a really cool jumpsuit from style369 for 7 pound and a lovely pair red velvety pumps for 7 quid as well, I cannot wait for these to arrive lets hope they fit!

Now on to my outfit! As I've already said the dress is by Ruby rock's, it's original price was 40 pound which I would of never paid, even though I've been lusting over it for months before it went on sale. The fit of the dress is really lovely and the fabric is comfortable I would say this dress is true to size it fits me really well and I'm a size 20 most of the time (well I seem to be a different size depending what shop I'm in) it have a tie around the waist and the dress just flows really nicely. The pattern is so adorable it's like a really quirky ditsy print and I love it. Under neath my dress I'm just wearing some Matalan leggings for warmth more than anything, these leggings are some of the best I've had and they go up to a size 22 but I'm sure they'd fit a size or two bigger than that.

The bag was a recent charity shop find, I always use my patent leather little structured bag, but it was starting to get damaged from when I knocked it into things, so I was in one of my usual charity shops and my mum found this cute handbag at the back of the rack for the wonderful price of 3.99 and it fits everything in much better than my other one! The boots I am wearing were a competition prize I won off the lovely plus size website style369 there still pretty new but the people who work on there blog and twitter are ever so nice. And I'm just wearing my really old red lipstick (which needs replacing) to bring a little bit of the colour from the print on my dress up to my face.

I have recently bought my first few items off asos curve and I really hope they fit because there ever so lovely! What I bought was some really awesome peg leg trouser/chino pants. They will be perfect for the few outfit posts inspired by the women of the war I have planned. Oh and p.s I'm sorry I look super moody in the top picture it was blowing a gale outside when I took these!

Has anyone else bought anything from the Ruby rocks line in the sales on either Evans or style369. Are yours as good a fit?

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Let me take you down, cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields.

On this post I'm going to talk about the costumes in the television series. The land army uniforms them selves seemed to be created perfectly to fit with the original pieces from the 1940's as were the rest of the women's costumes throughout the series. During the second world war they had to make do and mend and if it wasn't amendable another use was found for it, in aid to limit waste of infinite resources. If you have read my post on The Land Girls film I feel I may repeat some pieces from that in here, considering they are both about the women's land army.

Nancy, Joyce, Bea and Annie all wear really adorable and sweet blouses under there overalls. These overalls were the statement piece of land army uniform for working out in the fields and around the farm. I feel in this they have made the land girls a little more glamorous and pristine compared to the film The Land Girls where they showed them getting really involved with the farming ethic, which included them actually looking like they'd spent a long hard day working instead of looking as clean as they started.

The patterns on the blouses are also intricate and detailed just like a number are now. One of my favourites being the pussy bow blouse worn by Joyce in the series. the green background and orange/red coloured flowers really compliment each other.

The beige coats the girls are wearing in the top image are something of a iconic item for many people wardrobes today, but during the 1940s they were more of a practical necessity than a fashion accessory, they were for warmth and to protect them from the elements. But I have to say that Bea's coat looks utterly lovely on her. Oh and finally in case any of you were wondering I do realise strawberry fields was in fact writing in the 1960s not the 1940s I just don't know any other songs involving fields.

And one last thing I'm sorry for the lack of outfit posts lately but once my package of sales goodies arrives I promise to try ands take plenty of photograph's for you!

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