Wednesday 30 May 2012

I've moved!!!!

Everything Rockintage can now be found at http://www.rockintage.com

this includes all my old posts!

x

Friday 18 May 2012

I am in the process of returning...

...and yet again I have been somewhat absent.

What have I been up to? Well in between finishing all of my uni work and continuing my usual working schedule, I've been busy trying to sort out the new website, and getting my Make-Up Artistry back up and running.

Here's the good news:

*all my uni work is done - in that respect I'm now "free" for nearly 5 months, happy faces all-round
*the new website will be up and running very shortly, hopefully especially shortly, seeing as I have no undone uni work to feel guilty about
*I have some shoots lined up, which is very exciting, and more will follow on this soon

I have also managed to get my nails done, which was terribly overdue, even though leopard print doesn't seem to translate particularly well, so instead I have a few swirls and dots:


In the meantime, here's some me from the last week, though the majority was spent channeling my inter student, so much so, the man flesh told me I looked weird in "normal" clothes...interesting...





x

Saturday 12 May 2012

Multicolouredness

Last night, with the man flesh being at work, and me not having seen the flatmate properly in a while (I've been working nonstop and he's been writing his dissertation), we decided to chill out, watch a film (it always ends up being "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", and we always say the lines before it happens - majorly irritating to others), and I helped him sew on a patch onto his jacket (by helping I mean I did it).

As is usually the case when we hang out together, I end up with the urge of dying my hair (or bleaching his), especially so yesterday, seeing as I was already contemplating it. After a lot of umm-ing and ahh-ing (we have established it is easier and quicker for me to decide to get a tattoo...make of that what you will), I decided I should be done. I have been blonde (and more recently with bits of black) for the best part of 6 months now, a record in my books, and my hair simply couldn't take the bleach anymore.

So, I said goodbye to the blonde mop...

Approximately 3 minutes into the dying, I got bored. So after applying some red dye, I decided enough was enough, and I'd see how it would turn out.  I really didn't get very far:


Yeah, that's right, I coloured the bit behind my fringe, and really didn't get much further than that. It's all about experimenting. So, I waited, another thing my patience runs out with very swiftly, and washed out the very limited amount of dye.


...and obviously decided the lunatic look was for me.

Here is the dry version, in my hair's natural form/style, though it's not one I ever leave the house with, again, lunacy prevailed:


It's the typical situation of the grass always being greener...I hate having such straight hair and spend far too much of my time curling it or finding other ways of changing what I've got. I have actually considered a perm, though I'm not even sure such things are available anymore.

Sadly, it being nighttime and all, you can't really see the colours, here's a little snapshot from today (with hair that is no longer straight):


Bathroom shots are terrible, but its the brightest light in the house. Some pinkness on show here, but at the back is where the magic truly happens (or something like that), and I can tell you, trying to take a picture of the back of your head is really bloody awkward.


Oh look, a bathtub.

I really have gone for quite a spectrum.

The man flesh hasn't seen this "beauty" yet, but I can hear him walking up the stairs, let's all hold our breath...

x

...and relax!

Such a busy, busy day at work today, so glad to be home and put my achey feet up. One of those days where I was serving a customer, whilst simultaneously grabbing a dress off a mannequin, answering the phone and answering a question. Phew.

I was again inspired by the morning sun (I'm not sure how long it lasted - I was rushing around at work for the best part of the day), and got my summer on, in the hope I will in return inspire the sun to keep going... So here is my Collectif Dolores Dress, with a plain cardigan, and another Vivien of Holloway belt.


You can just about see the pinky red that is now gracing my hair, nothing like some flowers to brighten your day!


x

Friday 11 May 2012

I'm back!

I'm sorry its been a bit quiet on the Rockintage front. I've been slaving away, trying to get my uni assignments done. Three more to go for next week, but the big bastards are done.

Today I was back at Collectif, which lead to something possible exciting...I will update you, when and if this happens :)

So, for today's outfit:


The dress was in one of the Collectif sales, its a fairly old style, and to be honest, I don't even know what its called, but it's sleeveless and rather adorable. A plain Collectif cardigan and a red belt I got from the Vivien of Holloway sale last week complete the outfit.

Seeing as it was sunny today, I felt a flower was appropriate:


Now that I have, reluctantly joined the iPhone generation, I of course had to get a silly cover, so this picture is only for my own silly amusement...


I'm easily amused :)

x

Sunday 6 May 2012

It's Sale Time!

I'm sure making up for the fact I put myself through 50 days of not buying any clothes, though today I was the luckily girl, as Mummy Rockintage treated me to some Vivien of Holloway goodies - well they have a sale on at the moment, it would be rude not to!

Just a crappy little picture of my goodies, I didn't want to put them all on and ruin my next few outfit posts :)


A fitted halter neck dress, in red, with polka dots, whats not to love, some shorts for the summer, two new belts, and a top that matches my new thumb tattoos (and now my new ring - from yesterday, too), definitely a spoilt day for me (especially seeing as I got dinner too!)

Of course I am also provided today's outfit:


3/4 lengths, shocking I know, my red and black stripy top I got in Australia, a plain black cardigan and my Sergeant Dolly Jacket from Collectif, fairly straight forward outfit, but a little bit on the rock 'n roll side of things :)

x

Saturday 5 May 2012

A Blue Outfit & A Vintage Market

As if working at Collectif wasn't dangerous enough in terms of buying too many lovely things, every first Saturday of the month Judy's Vintage Fair sets up camp at Old Spitalfields Market, right outside the Collectif doors. Talk about cruel.

view of the market from the Collectif doors
Luckily, or unluckily, my haul today was only small, though having a browse through the many, many stalls wasn't any less enjoyable.

As is often the case with vintage, all the clothes and shoes I loved weren't in my size. Typical! Though it's probably a good thing wallet wise.

I did manage to get this lovely leather belt, as well as a knuckleduster style ring that matches my new thumb tattoos. Successful me thinks.


I was also randomly approached today to record a little "How to do a 50s look" for the Queen's Jubilee video. I did it. Made a complete fool out of myself, and didn't say anything I wanted to say. Naturally, I will of course link it once it's up, just for some all round enjoyment :)

...of course I also need to include today's outfit, it was a blue kind of day:


Yes, that is my morbidly obese frame in another Next dress, which I did originally buy for my non-rockabilly job, but I quite like it, hence today's wearage.

Happy Bank Holiday weekend!

x

Friday 4 May 2012

A Morbidly Obese Outfit Post

Since starting my diet a little over 3 weeks ago, I have finally reached the milestone of losing a stone. Just out of interest, I checked my BMI, just to be told I was morbidly obese, and I would need to lose another 3.5 stone just to be my supposed healthy weight. Thats interesting, especially as I am a size 14. So, my healthy weight would be what, a size 6-8?! Really?! I am in no way skinny, nor am I under any illusions in terms of my size, but please, morbidly obese?! You be the judge:


The dress is actually a NEXT goodie I got in the sale, and a plain cardigan. I'm surprised either comes in morbidly obese sizes!

x

Wednesday 2 May 2012

Eyebrow High and Lows

I've been battling with my eyebrows, or more the lack of my eyebrows for a long time.

Only having the first part of the eyebrows (as well as random strays that grow in no particular order), which are, on top of that blonde, means I have been drawing on my eyebrows in one way or another for a long time. They change shape, colour and with that the look of my face.

Eyebrows are such an important part, they can make or break a look, they can make you look sad, evil, surprised, and so many people get it wrong.








Ever since going blonde, Ive been drawing on my eyebrows in a light brown with an eyebrow pencil. All well and good, but I always find this makes me look less made up, so, since I dyed my fringe black a while ago, I decided to go back to my black ways. Liquid eyeliner to be precise, and I quite like it:


Don't get me wrong, its neither subtle nor natural, but thats hardly the look I go for. The liquid eyeliner also allows a lot more precision, though colouring in can be a bit of a pain, I usually use regular eyeliner or gel liner, in desperate situations eyeshadow.

I like the way it opens my eyes, and do like the more severe look it gives. I think I may stick with this one for a while.

Of course, different people suit different eyebrows, and I don't recommend these for everyone, it's all about experimenting what suits you, grab a pen and find out!

x

A Brief Working Outfit

I only worked for 3.5 hours today, which is always nice, having to go home to do Uni work isn't. As expected though, I have found many ways to distract myself. Shocking really.


My poof is rather massive today, not exactly a problem though. The cropped jacket is the new Collectif Sergeant Dolly Jacket, a plain top underneath, and of course my beloved cropped M&S jeans.

Now, as whenever I am at home, I'm in my PJs :)

x

Tattoo Time

So, yesterday I went to Bournemouth, for some tattoo touching up. All was well and good until my train was diverted (the concept of a train going a different route eludes me), and we suffered some signal failure. Naturally. My 2 hour train journey turned into over 4 hours. As is being late wasn't bad enough, my tattoo artist Simon (at Indelible Ink) wasn't even meant to be working yesterday. So not only did I make him wait, I made him wait on his day off. Talk about feeling bad! Luckily, he's practically horizontal, and has known me for a fair few years, so I think I got away with it.

Originally, we planned to touch up my foot tattoo, but if there is one thing that makes me dislike Simon, its him going back over said tattoo. I lasted less than an hour. Whoops. He did however manage to finish off my arm, its pretty awesome:


Sadly not the best quality picture, but you get the idea.

After some more bits of retouching oldish tattoos, I also got a super silly tattoo, introducing Egon the egg:


...yes it is totally random (and do ignore the scabby cupcake).

Now just to chose what to have done at Bournemouth Ink :)

..and just for good measure, yesterday's outfit:


Leggings with an H&M jersey skirt, the Lucky 13 vest was courtesy of the awesome man flesh I call my own, and a Collectif cardigan, and of course again my awesome Dolly Cool necklace I got from RetroDec not so long ago.

x

Sunday 29 April 2012

RetroDec

A few weeks ago, I won a competition run by online shop RetroDec, a first for me in approximately 21 years. Obviously I was excited.

Not as excited as when I found out that the lovely Helen that runs RetroDec wanted to use my picture on her website, and definitely not as excited as when I took a little look at the goodies available. Not that this in any way implies I wasn't hugely excited in the first place!

Helen, who even though we've only spoken via the internet (who can remember a life before?!) I already adore, set up RetroDec herself (I'm always in awe of successful business women) in order to be able to look after her two kids, this being her third. I love the fact she will only stock items she loves, and after having a good old nosey, let me tell you, this lady has some good taste! She now runs RetroDec with the help of a Friday-Night Elvis, also known as Jimmy, her partner, and her two small children, 13 months and 6 years old, in charge of cello tape and operations respectively, no one is a slacker in this family!

Helen gave up a successful interior design career to get her vintage on, and obviously this was a good move! And as Helen herself told me:

"I LOVE RetroDec because I LOVE my customers - they are all so cool and interact with us on Facebook and Twitter! I wish I had started this 10 years ago (...)
A lot of the products are hand made by some really special people (mostly ladies) and its fantastic to work with such talented and genuinely lovely people....and have such great and quirky items."


I of course had to place an order (shocking I know), and this is the adorable Dolly Cool necklace I got, and wore yesterday with my awesome new outfit:




I also got an adorable little stash tin, and inside I found a little sugar skull keyring, this woman already knows me too well :)


But, enough of the Helen-adoring, I do recommend RetroDec highly, the prices are absolutely reasonable,  the selection of items is the right balance between quirky and needed (though in my case I need quirky items too). Payment and delivery is pain-free and fast, and if you have any questions Helen is never further than a tweet/facebook message/email away.


Of course there are some more items I have my eye on...





Go shop!



x

Saturday 28 April 2012

Rainy Saturday Outfit 2 Of The Day At Circus Fest

I have just returned from a very wet and windy journey home, after visiting Professor Vanessa's Wonder Show, part of Circus Fest held at the Roundhouse in Camden. To be honest, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I had a fab time! The whole show is set around old style sideshows, such as "The Girl in the Fishbowl"(hilarious), "The Butterfly Girl" (weird), "The Mummy" (as Georgia said: "It's not a show until a small child cries") and so forth. These side shows were placed around a centre stage, which had regular acts itself, from aerial artists to what can only be described as bug acrobatics. Yes, thats people dressed as bugs being acrobatic. Rather weird, but definitely wonderful!

As I knew I'd be going out tonight, I decided, in my usual post-challenge ways, that I should just buy a new outfit (much to the man flesh's disapproval). So here's the beauty:



















Unfortunately, you can't see the true beauty of the skirt (which cost me a fortune I can't REALLY justify), but it has a big black satin bow just below the bum, and some roushing (I'm really not entirely sure thats even a word), leading to a fishtail, which has a very light pink colour on the inside, courtesy of FairyGothmother. This I teamed with a Buttoned Blazer from Collectif, a plain strappy top, some lovely black wedges with pink flowers from Dolly Dare (more on those later), a black bandana, and a Dolly Cool necklace I got from RetroDec, one of my new favourite shops ( post on this also to follow, most likely tomorrow).

I LOVE the skirt!!!

x

Rainy Saturday Outfit 1

I'm sorry I didnt post yesterday, a well deserved day off, that turned into cleaning all day, nothing that usually requires make up or decent clothes...

As you know, Ive been avoiding my beloved 3/4 lengths due to the awful we're having here in the big smoke, but I could do it no more. Luckily I managed to convince the man flesh to give me a lift to the station, so I was drier than I could've been. Nonetheless, it is a failry simple thrown together outfit, mainly as the lovely Georgia and I are going to Professor Vanessa's Wondershow at the Roundhouse tonight, part of Circus Fest, thus I have done some awesome shopping and acquired some simply AWESOME things. More about that later :)


My red Next 3/4 lengths, the stripey top is also Next, and my Collectif Anchor cardigan.

I look a bit strange and evil, partly due to the awfulness of my camera phone, and also as I havent got my usual eyebrows.I forgot to sharpen my eyebrow pencil, so I had to make do with black eyeliner, which I always did before going blonde, now I seem a bit evil...


Second outfit and review to follow later!!

x

Thursday 26 April 2012

Black and White Nautical

Nothing hugely spectacular today, the weather just isn't allowing it. But, ever since the end of The Challenge, I have been exceptional at treating myself... The Tattoo Show was possibly the worst, but at least that shit last forever - value for money, surely (or so I tell myself).

One of the things I treated myself to, is this adorable necklace from Dolly Cool, I just can't resist anything with anchor, and in the 100s of anchor related products I own, I do not have anything similar to this:



Adorable isn't it!


...and what better excuse to wear my Collectif anchor cardigan! (+ M&S 3/4 lengths and a stripy top for good measure). I still have a few things I have treated myself to, or have indeed been treated to by the man flesh, so keep your eyes peeled for more posts!

x

Wednesday 25 April 2012

Green Times Version 2.0

I love wearing high waisted skirts, and by now it should be obvious how I feel about all things 3/4 length, however, considering the weather I was presented with today however, just no. Nothing could've convinced me to have any shape of leg out and about, or wear pumps which would instantly become soggy. No, no, no. This is where my favourite Road jeans come in, and as I am still in love (and will continue to be) with my new Zombie Squad Jacket, another green, yet reasonably dry outfit had to be created.


The green bandana makes a repeat performance, though tied differently, with my cheap ASDA cardigan I have had for a small lifetime, and one of my awesome new necklaces (it reads "Zombie") the man flesh got me from Kreepsville666 (he is a good one!). I shall endeavour to branch out from green tomorrow, but no promises!

x

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Green Times

Nothing brightens a day quite like receiving a parcel of the retail therapy kind. Today was such a day. After I blogged about the Toxico Zombie Squad Jacket, I just had to have it, so welcome to my green themed outfit for today:



I just couldn't help colour-coordinate today, hence my green Collectif Leo cardigan and green bandana. It was a bit cold for 3/4 lengths today, but I just couldn't face sweaty cling film shins, so the tattoos got some air.

Now I just need to find a similar outfit for tomorrow, because I'm definitely wearing the jacket again, I love it!

x

Monday 23 April 2012

The Great British Tattoo Show

Sometimes, working for Collectif gives you some awesome things to go and do, such as working on the stall at The Great British Tattoo Show.

I was "worried" I wouldn't be able to get tattooed. As a tattoo-addict, I couldn't possibly go to a Tattoo Convention and come back un-inked!







Luckily, as there were 3 of us at the stall, my job largely consisted of spreading the Collectif word, meaning I was able to squeeze in some ink.



In fact, I got inked within the first hour of getting there :) Mind the swollen scumminess, my thumbs aren't very happy at the moment. It quite difficult to not scrape/touch/ scratch your thumbs in day to day life.


I'm usually crazy loyal to my tattoo artist (and I still am), mainly coz he is super awesome, and I've known him for years, but I have found another one I'm happy with. Enter Will Corvidae Sparling, this crazy little man:


I've been to a few Tattoo Convention, and in terms of getting tattoos on the fly, this one was pretty good, many of the artists attending had free slots, but this may have also been because the show wasn't as busy as I expected it to be, even though it was Sunday. I spoke to a few people whilst I was there, and to be honest, I think it could've been a bit better advertised (I think it was mainly in Tattoo magazines, which not everyone reads, including me), especially as it was the first ever Great British Tattoo Show. 

Nonetheless, there was plenty to do. The lovely Sinead came down to see me, and of course to get some ink as well.


I'm naturally head to toe in Collectif, Dolores Hibiscus Dress, and Katie Hibiscus Cardigan. The necklace is vintage from Shrewd. Sinead is wearing the Toxico Zombie Squad jacket I mentioned a little while, I have now ordered it too, in the hope that they still have some in stock, then we can be an actual squad :)

Whilst there, I also met the lovely Natalie from INFIprint (they go up to a 5XL!), and bought some awesome hoodies and t-shirts,  I was trying to make it up to the man flesh that I was getting inked and he wasn't, but unfortunately, I bought too smaller stuff, I still got some goodies though.


As expected, it was also completely impossible to walk past Kastaways, an official Iron Fist stockist, especially as I've wanted a bag for ages, and Perch who runs the store with his wife, is lovely, here is my purchase:


I do love it when a bag comes in a cool bag, I'm a sucker for these things!

As Sinead and I had been talking about getting a joint tattoo, we ended up returning to Will's stand, and got these awesome Sweet Vs Zombie cupcakes.



All in all, a pretty successful day, and I have Bournemouth Ink coming up next month, this time not for work, but only tattooing pleasure :)

x