Friday 11 April 2008

The Mannequin's Tale

When one has done no crafting, no thrifting and not been out all week the mannequin is a reliable standby. She doesn't have a name, I find it difficult to name something that doesn't have a head, so is simply referred to as The Mannequin (if I were pressed to name her, I think Delphine would be rather nice though).


The mannequin was a present from Mr. Bloom a couple of years ago. I think he bought it for some peace and quiet, since I never failed to point out to him whenever I saw one in a shop or magazine that I really, really wanted one. It wasn't my intention that Mr. Bloom should buy me one, I was just preparing him for the day when I lost my senses and spent a way too much money on a genuine vintage one.


We spotted this one and a wire one in a shop one day, of course I pointed them out saying how much I would like a mannequin. Mr. Bloom said he preferred this one to the wire one and I politely agreed, though I really preferred the wire one, little realizing the consequence of my casual reply.

In the weeks running up to Christmas there were secret phone calls and shopping trips which I wasn't allowed on. I knew it was to do with my present, but didn't have an inkling what it could be, despite trying my hardest to work it out, so on Christmas day it was a delightful surprise (it was collected at the last possible moment and hidden at my mum's house so I couldn't possibly find it).

Now she stands in the bedroom window, dressed up of course and I think she looks rather fine now.


As she already has a patterned body, this large piece of fringed lace was perfect just draped over her shoulders and tied around the waist. A pearl collar, some pink glass beads and a floral corsage as finishing touches.



Her 'hat' is actually an antique french lampshade cover. I have a pair of these, they didn't fit any of my lampshades, I'm not even sure what sort of lampshade they were intended for. They are so beautiful I couldn't not have them, I'm still trying to figure out a way of displaying the other one.

The mannequin has quite grown in my affections now, but there is a twist. After I had opened my present, Mr. Bloom told me that he'd had no end of trouble getting her. They weren't any in the shop when he went back so he'd had to order one. When she arrived he went to collect her to find they'd ordered the wire one but as he didn't think I'd like it as much he got them to send her back and get this one (aaargh!!!) There's a moral somewhere in this tale, but I've said too much already. If you should every bump into Mr. Bloom, please don't tell.

The mannequin shares the sunny window spot with dolly and bunny (now they could have names, but they don't) .


You've seen bunny before, but I didn't tell you she was 5p at a Car Boot Sale, can you believe that! Dolly was acquired a few years ago because of her sweet face and that mass of curly red hair. She did have fairy wings but they were really nasty bright pink net and wire, she looks much better without.


On the other side of the room, a tiny baby doll has found a home amongst my pink glass collection.


Mr. Bloom and I are popping out now to look for some tiles for our kitchen window-sill. I really don't want to go, but if I don't I might end up not getting the ones I really prefer (hee-hee!)


Have a lovely weekend,

Lucy x

32 comments:

  1. Hi there!

    I sm addicted to mannequins after seeing one in a magazine. Your one is absolutely beautiful. I have one in my living room and in my bedroom. I'd have one in every room if my husband would let me. He is not so keen! Best Wishes, Teresa X

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  2. I think Delphine is a perfect name...something French seems to suit her. Another one I like is Claudette! Maybe for the doll?
    Margaret and Noreen

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  3. Oh Lucy, the predicaments we get into by being nice! My daughter recently pointed out that she didn't want to be like that (like me), and it really made me think about how I don't take up for myself! And I'm trying hard to change, so I get the WIRE mannequin, ha! I love the one you got tho. Have you ever read "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith? The girls have a mannequin that they talk to, and that talks to them, all the time. You have so much cute stuff.

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  4. Oh, Lucy...all your things are just beautiful. You really have some treasures. The mannequin is dressed so lovely...how sweet Mr. Bloom must be to get this for you!
    Have fun in your pretty home...
    hugs, bj

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  5. Hello Sweet Lucy,
    It is my lucky day to have found you and your pretty pages! You have inspired me to pull out my paints and pretty fabrics - Thank You dear new friend.
    Hugs, Patti

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  6. lovely, the vintage ones are really nice, of course if you really would like a wire one you could inform mr bloom that she looks a bit lonely and could maybe do with a friend to talk to there are many more birthdays and christmas's to come. Pop over and see my birthday present he who thinks he should be obeyed actually listened when I spied her in an old antique shop here in france and surprised me totally by sneaking back and buying her for me.

    good luck with the tiles!!

    love jules x

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  7. Surely Mr Bloom has a peek at your blog every now and again, I am with Mr Bloom, I prefer this one, and with a patterned body too. She looks really pretty, but no head, how an earth does she balance that hat? x

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  8. Beautiful mannequin..I LOVE it!

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  9. I've never seen one with a patterned body before, she's lovely..we used to have old ones where I worked and was horrified that they all went in the skip when they were replaced on my week off..If only!
    Mine is called Betty, but then most things I own get called Betty at some point..cats, cars, hens mannequins!shes very shabby and a little rotund, but shes vintage rotund..so a good few sizes less than that size is today!
    I think Delphine is a very apt name for such an elegant lady!! Mr.Bloom scores very high on secret surprises, but maybe the menfolk could brush up on their mind reading...(we've all been there...we just must have to be more obvious, I got a garden blower once instead of a pretty china teaset...hmmm now how did that happen!!?)

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  10. She is lovely and so is that Bunny! I want her. Your rose glassware is so pretty, I am sure I have the piece that the doll is standing in, in green...somewhere! my mum has 6 and we ate our grapefruit out of them.
    cx

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  11. What an elegant lady !
    Twiggy x

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  12. Why do we do it? Always wanting to please we say we like something the other person likes instead of being brave and saying what we REALLY prefer!!!

    I have the same mannequin, but she's dressed in a long crocheted coat and stands on our landing. Now if you feel yours needs a twin do let me know because I'm thinking of selling her!

    Sue x

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  13. I think Delphine would suit her very well and she looks great, so elegantly dressed and bejewelled! Love the glimpses of your pretty bedroom and the 2 dolls, the baby one is so sweet and love the one on the chair with bunny. Jackie Mx

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  14. Delphine is a wonderful name! She is lovely and I love the way you have dressed her up!
    Michelle

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  15. "delphine" is quite, quite gorgeous. Love Dolly and the Bunny and the baby doll peeping out of all that devine pink glass, adorable.
    Carolyn
    http://willowhouse.typepad.com

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  16. Delphine looks fabulous.
    I love the bunny and the dolls. So gorgeous.

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  17. Hi Lucy
    Your mannequin is lovely and I think that she is much prettier padded than she would be wire. Interesting though how the wire one arrived "by mistake". I love how you've dressed her up. Very elegant.Hope you have a great week.
    Hugs
    Rhondi

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  18. your mannequin is absolutely LOVELY... =) debbie

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  19. Hi Lucy...I've just stumbled upon your blog, and really love it! I have a child size wire mannequin...Just the other day, I told my husband that I'd finally found the perfect place for a very cool vintage Panama hat that had belonged to his mother...He said, "On the headless mannequin?" (Yes)...Very funny!...Take care, Katie

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  20. Delphine is definitely the perfect name for such a lovely mannequin! I so wish I had one, but alas, no space in our home, so my daughter has to do the modeling of my vintage finds (she is usually unwilling, and she says, "I don't like 'old' stuff like you do, Mama." -- not to worry, as I am sure she will change her mind one day)!

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  21. so beautiful!! we never have such things here! happy week :)

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  22. I think I am that shape under protective layer on my body!! Can't get an email to you at all - they keep being undeliverable even tho' I removed the attachment?? Love your mannequin - she is wonderful and much prefer her to the metal ones

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  23. I hope Delphine never meets my Miss Blossom she puts her to shame! Whilst mine has to make do with the odd brooch or hat yours is beautifully adorned in lace and stands like Miss Haversham in your beautiful window. Please don't tell Miss Blossom, she'd never forgive me!
    Kimx

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  24. What a doll!! have a wonderful day!

    blessings,
    kari & kijsa

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  25. I think Delphine is quite beautiful, graceful and poised.

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  26. Delphine is beautiful! I love visiting your blog. Your displays are so pretty!

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  27. I think she is delightful and perhaps she was always meant for you.

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  28. hoping all is well....
    hugs, bj

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  29. Hi! I'm Terrie. I just started a blog 04-01-08. I was over at BJ's and say your comment. I thought I'd drop by to see your blog. I am so glad I did. I love it. I love old treasure. And shabby chic things. I can see this is going to be one of my favorite blogs to visit. Have a great day!! Terrie

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  30. Everything looks so pretty & think Mr B. chose well!

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  31. Hi Lucy, I adore your mannequin, she looks quite lovely, I have always wanted on too, I have a wire one but I would love one like yours!! Your doll does have the sweetest sweetest face, usually I don't like vintage dolls for the reason that the can look scary...she is beautiful!! I think she looks like a Sarah.....kiss noises Linda Lilly Cottage

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Thank you for your comments - I am not always able to reply but they are always appreciated.
Lucy x