Saturday 23 January 2010

A Charming Stanhope


My hunt for an interesting charm necklace has ended... with the discovery of this little gem on eBay!

These miniature binoculars caught my eye whilst scrolling through the 'antique charm' listings, and I'm very glad I found them because they have a hidden secret. Concealed inside are two stanhope lenses, meaning that when you look through the binoculars you can see little scenes of Mont St-Michel in France! They're the perfect thing for a francophile like me.

Stanhopes, otherwise known as 'photomicroscopic jewels', were invented by René Dagron in 1857 as a way to view micro photographs without using an expensive microscope. The Victorians soon realised they had great novelty value and incorporated them into all sorts of things, including rings, toys, violin bows and souvenirs.

I attached the binoculars to a chain to make them into a necklace - a nice quick little re-fashion!


Stanhope - eBay, £11
Top - Topshop via eBay
Skirt - Laura Ashley via Charity shop

Belt & Cardigan - M&S and QS via Mum's wardrobe
Tights - New Look

The top picture reminds me that I desperately need a hair cut...

Sadie xxx

P.S. I've got exams this week so I might not be back blogging until next weekend, but I'll do my best!

50 comments:

Shabna said...

beautiful charm :O
check out my blog if you have time?
xxxxx

Monika @ RocailleWrites said...

Love the necklace and the outfit you pulled together... and I think your hair looks really nice, no need for a haircut :) xxx

theflawlet said...

this is just a lovely re-fashion. congratulations on the discovery!

India said...

Love the charm! xx

Steph & The Spaniels said...

its lush :) I love little charms like that, so nice. looking gorgeous as always x

Anonymous said...

That charm is superrrcute

Daisy said...

Ohhh so cute! And I love that it's a stanhope too!

Love your blog xoxo

Secondhand Stella said...

I love Stanhopes! Yours is really cute! I love binoculars!

Emma x said...

That charm is amazing, so cute x

Anonymous said...

the perfect charm!

Julia said...

Oh gracious me that charm is absolutely adorable! How utterly perfect.
Oh, and irrelivantly, your fringe is amazing!

Cindi said...

Oh Em Gee so adorable...you have just given me something new to search and hunt for. New obsessions are so fun.
I'm hosting a fun giveaway if yu are interested.
http://tallysplace.blogspot.com/2010/01/giveaway-finally.html

Georgie said...

Gorgeous charm :)
xx

Zoe Schlacter said...

sooo adorable!!! i love that necklace. and the whole outfit!!!!

Liset said...

That is such an adorable necklace!

Anonymous said...

that is so cool & original!
love it!

Anonymous said...

that is the sweetest little thing..
x

Chloë, Wardrobe Quarry said...

i love the necklace and your shirt

Jen said...

You're just too cute! Are you one of those annoying people whose hair looks wonderful no matter how much it needs a cut? ;)

Gorgeous necklace. What a great find.

Jessica said...

adorable!! and gorgeous!!
nooooo you look super beautiful. i think you don't need hair cut :D

Mariangela said...

i like ittt :-D

Cherry said...

That necklace is gorgeous and such a cool secret hidden within it!

Just want to let you know also that I have a £25 Topshop voucher giveaway on my blog!

http://cherrypullinger.blogspot.com/2010/01/topshop-voucher-giveaway.html

Unknown said...

Helloo :)
I tagged you in a post! Please take part :D
The Lucky Chinese tag
http://nambypambydribble.blogspot.com/
xx

hannah, heart city said...

that charm is just adorable! you blog is extra cute, i'll be back!

Unknown said...

I love how it looks like a perfectly charming necklace but only you and others you tell know the gorgeous secret inside. Fantastic find :)

le blog de leen said...

this necklace is adorable!
i looove it :)

leen

Parapluie said...

I love miniature things as charms!

Youna said...

génial ! et c'est super mignon en plus :)

perfectionishuman said...

Uhmm you have my dream hair. Just saying. :)

Lara said...

You look so beautiful
the necklace is fantastic

Unknown said...

That necklace is really nice. You look great :) I've tagged you on my blog xx

Helen said...

that is such a lovely necklace! i wish you could take a photo of the image in it but i think it would be impossible haha

yishyene said...

Hey there
Just realised I haven't left you a comment in ages! Love your photos these days.. and it's so great that you've managed to sew some clothes for yourself!

xx

Chloe said...

Hey there!

I've only recently found your blog, but i love it already, it's beautiful & your skills are inspiring :o)

Your outfit here is no exception, I love that necklace!

there's a little something for you on my Blog :o)

http://littlegreenshoot.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunshine-blog-award-thankyou.html

Hope the exams go well!

Chloe x

Claire said...

that necklace is genius <3 C

Penny said...

I love the necklace! It looks fab with the whole outfit. Stripes are always a great look.

fasha comeback again said...

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Iris / London Fashion Diary said...

I've just discovered your blog and I'm amazed at your creativity!!! I wish I could sew such nice clothes and look so pretty in them!
So you like French? You can practise it on my blog if you want hehe, I write in both French & English ^^

xxx

londonfashiondiary

NoViTaRisTiaNa said...

the stripey top so adorable. i luv it :)

http://novitaristiana.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Ahh.
I LOVE this outfit,
its so cute + that necklace is such an incredible find! I'm so jealous.
Panda xx

Hannah said...

Oh my goodness, I've never heard of a Stanhope before, I must look on ebay! I used to have the top you're wearing but I sold it on ebay ages ago, how funny it would be if it was the same one :)

Anonymous said...

love it

Bea said...

The charm is just lovely!! I must say I had no idea that the stanhopes existed, and now you've left me wanting to buy millions of them! I really like your outfit, it fits perfectly well with the charm, and I think your hair doesn't need a haircut, it looks great :)

Anonymous said...

cool necklace! check mine! http://yeiksofme.blogspot.com/

M said...

This necklace is really cute.
I think your hair is very beautiful! x

Chio said...

OH my! I have a similar peep like yours, it was from my grandma. I might consider wearing it as a necklace too. Nice idea :D

Anonymous said...

You look like Anne Hathaway! ^^

Vanessa said...

You have really quirky style, I love it. Really loving (and rather jealous) or your binoculars necklace! xx



click if you dare ;)
www.apolkaortwo.blogspot.com

John Lewis Sales said...

You are damn cute specially in this dress

john smith said...

you look great i love your style voucher saving