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 :)

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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!

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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!

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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!!!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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The Challenge - Day 47

Finally the red leopard print skirt has had an outing, though I did regret it on the way home in the rain. I did venture to work in trainers, jeans and hoodie, but foolishly thought I would be ok on the way home.

Ignore the bright red nose, apparently that particular area suffered the most in the rain. The red leopard skirt and black shirt are both Collectif, the usual belt, and a trusty cardigan tied at the waist. I like this outfit :)

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The Challenge - Day 45

Another day at Shrewd today, and I got my "Hello Sailor" brooch I won on through a RetroDec through the post, I love it, I've been looking forward to wearing it since I found out I won. I never win anything. Well, the last time I won anything I was around 6, and the German equivalent of Captain's Bird Eye did some random radio competition. I think I had to draw a picture of some description, and won a watch, covered in the German Captain. I'm pretty sure I still have it somewhere. Nonetheless, this was around 21 years ago, so obviously I was excited. Especially as its nautical and has an anchor, things I love. So, without further ado, here's my win:

It's friggin' adorable isn't it!!!

I see a lot of wear in this little felt brooch's future, but here's today's outfit:

It's a fairly similar outfit to yesterday, though with a blue/nautical theme. I'm wearing my Collectif Helga Swallows skirt, blue gingham Flavia top (also Collectif), the miscellaneous cardigan from yesterday, and the belt I wore yesterday too. It's a staple Daddy Rockintage got me. The necklace is from Tatty Devine, and of course my awesome brooch!

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P.S. If you want to buy the lovely brooch, you can get it here, and see me wearing it too!

The Challenge - Day 44

As I promised myself yesterday, I finally wore a skirt again today. Quite like the outfit, though I was freezing, as per normal. I'm pretty sure the weather was meant to be getting warmer at some point...maybe I was wrong.

What a hideous photo, though it is still better than the one the man flesh took in Covent Garden obvious (I was trying to avoid another in-flat picture, sadly it was not to be).

I'm wearing my Collectif Helga Tequila Skirt (shockingly, I do not own the matching cardigan), a red Collectif Flavia top, and a miscellaneous cardigan from M&S (I think, it no longer has a label).

I can't believe I only have 6 days to go, these 50 days have gone really fast!

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The Challenge - Day 42

...and today I was back to my normal self. It was leopard print o'clock.

Of course, the return of my M&S 3/4 lengths (though I was wearing tights) and my Next leopard print jumper, nice and warm. I did also wear my leopard print pumps rom Schuh, though they are not in the picture. Another 3 days of rockabilly work, thank god, die work trousers.

I'm nearing the end of the challenge, but I think I will keep up my outfit posts, it makes me put a bit more thought into my outfits, and stops me being lazy :)

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Playing Ball

As it got cold, and continued to stay cold, and most days still is cold (regardless of the sunshine), I needed an alternative to my Faux Fur Coat, which although I love it with a passion, doesn't go with every outfit. Don't get me wrong, when it was baltic over here, I wore it with everything, and I literally mean everything. Nonetheless, when it comes to my favourite rockabilly combo of 3/4 lengths, a bandana, a big poof and some shape of related top, the coat sometimes looked a bit OTT, and didn't really fit into my rocking mood :)

Enter the Baseball Jacket. I love them. Literally. I want hundreds of them, and I am working on it, as soon as this Challenge is over.

On Day 37, I did showcase my lovely Jacket, a little reminder of what it looks like:

A fitted little thing, which is fairly plain, but thus goes with most things in my wardrobe, it keeps me warm, and cost less than £20, all I really ask for.

This beauty will be my first purchase, following the no-shopping part of my challenge is over:

After red, green is my next love, and who doesn't love a bit of Zombie joy. My lovely friend Sinead first told me about this, when she saw it at London Edge, at the Toxico stand. I do believe hers has already been ordered, and in less than 10 days, so will be mine. Can two people form a squad? We will certainly try.

But why stop at the ownership at two? (I'm a complete shopaholic, in case you hadn't noticed). Even my penchant for nautical themed items can be fulfilled with a baseball jacket. I stumbled on this jacket on the Criminal Damage website:

It even has one of my beloved swallows on the back of the sailor style collar, and its in the sale! I'm hiding my credit card as we speak. Black and red AND nautical, I'm in Baseball Jacket heaven!

If you have read my previous blog posts, you will also know how much I love my Miss Fortune baseball cardigan. It's, as the name suggests, not a jacket, but it goes with everything, and will keep me going when it, hopefully, gets too warm to wear an actual baseball jacket. Unfortunately I don't have a full picture of me wearing said cardigan, only snapshots of the collar, sleeves etc, such as this one from Day 14:

The good news is, that Miss Fortune of course do have one (Copyright Miss Rain Photography): 

I'm not sure how I could justify also getting the white one, but I will try!

Apart from the above, it can sadly be a little difficult to find the exact, awesome, rockabilly baseball jacket you want, but fear not. I am planning to invest in a plain jacket (which you can normally find reasonably priced at most sportswear shops) and adding some awesome patches to make my own. The most awesome ones I have found so far are by Kreepsville 666, on my current wish list are these:

Will I be breaking the rules of my Challenge if I buy these?!

I am currently lining up a Monster Themed post too, so keep your eyes peeled for more Kreepsville 666 goodies, I feel a large order being placed on my part soon!

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The Challenge - Day 40

Even though I have had some lovely comments from strangers today (and compliments from strangers are always great), this photo does make me glad I am now on a diet. I do like the outfit though, and managed to get two items in there that I haven't worn yet. Sorry the picture is a bit blurry, the joys of camera phones.

I'm wearing my red Fiona Skirt and Jo Anchor Cardigan, both Collectif, and a stripy tie shirt from Next, which the man flesh got me a while ago. I'm still not sure if I will keep my hair this way, I just get too bored too quickly!

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Tikitastic

Tiki originally comes from Central Eastern Polynesian islands, but is a very popular look for Rockabilly ladies, well, it involves flowers, pretty dresses, and if you're really lucky, beaches and cocktails.

I'm not typically into flowers, but Hawaiian style dresses and flowers in my hair, well that I love!

Sinead and I at work the other day, loving a bit of tikitasticness.

The man flesh got me a Collectif Sarong dress for my birthday, I only briefly wore it today with my new cardigan, so I haven't posted it as an outfit post just yet - I'm waiting for some sunshine to properly wear it. Sinead is also wearing Collectif, well we are at work in this picture :)

A Bow and Crossbones Necklace, we got from Collectif, which we were both wearing.

Tiki is easily done, anything that reminds you of beaches, cocktails and sun is pretty much a go. Once the Challenge is over, I will ask be investing in this Collectif dress:

I love the print on this!

Hair wise, anything Rockabilly can be easily transformed into some tikitasticness with some hair flowers and accessories, Bow and Crossbones are great for these, as well as for Bamboo bangles and tiki bags, such as these:

But why stop at accessories like necklaces, bangles, hair flowers and dresses all adorned with flowers, bamboo, pineapples, and similar, if you could live in tikitasticness too?

What are my chances of convincing the man flesh that a tiki bar (this one is from everyfinehome.com) will be vital once we move? I'm not even fussed if its inside or outside, as long as it is a bar :)

If you like tiki, there is so much to buy, dress up in, and even make, its a flowery heaven of happiness.

I now have a distinct urge to watch some films shot in Hawaii :) (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, or maybe 50 First Dates...decisions...)

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The Challenge - Day 30

Afeter yesterdays coldness, today's theme was blue and not too revealing. Today though, the sunshine fooled me, and I forgot a jacket or any kind of hoodie. Though I was nice and toasty in the sun, I nearly froze to death on the tube, luckily I managed to beg Sinead to bring me in a hoodie, which she did, total hero

Collectif Polka cardigan, an old top I got off eBay, my H&M boyfriend jeans (rolled up to be 3/4 length of course - and yes I did wear tights). A flower and blue anchor necklace, also from Collectif (I see a theme emerging)ts definitely a comfy outfit, but I am glad Sinead brought a hoodie in though :)

Over half way!

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My Post-Challenge Wishlist! Part 2

 ....and the drooling shall continue....

Before I get into more adorable clothes I am totally in lust with, lets include some lingerie I am also completely in lust with. As someone who wears "fat pants" so often, I often get a hideous shock at the flab I see on days I don't (really, its a "Shit, what happened over night" kinda moment), I just LOVE ADORE LUST after the What Katie Did shapewear, especially as my much worn "fat pants" have, to be honest, seen many a better day.

This Corselette is just so god-damn glamourous (which is most likely why its called precisely that "Glamour Corselette") and is £65.00. This is significantly more than the pants I own, but not only is this gorgeous, I wouldn't be worried about the man flesh seeing me in this, unlike said pants, which frankly are hideous. More than that actually, they are the grossest thing since onions, granted, this is a personal example, seeing as I am allergic, but you get the jist.

This Corselette (from the Josephine range) is equally awesome, and well, look at the print, an instant winner for me, and the same price as the above, well done What Katie Did, well done!

This Nautical Nancy A-Line Dress from Miss Fortune is so adorable, and would go perfectly with my Iron Fist nautical wedges. Its a new item in the Nautical Nancy range, and is £48.50 - shame I just had a birthday!

I also love the Nautical Nancy Dolly Top (£32.99), especially the little bow detail with the anchor button, I want those buttons on everything I own! Literally. Seeing as I am all over nautical things, I can think of at least 10 outfits I could make with this cute top. (pictures copyright  Miss Fortune & Miss Rain Photography)

I've seen a lot of the old school B-Movie Prints about at the moment, and I absolutely love this Dolly Dress from Paper Doll Productions, unfortunately, I can't find any UK stockists, only eBay joy :( sad times. Though there are a range of different styles available, this is my favourite, I want!

...and I still have enough for one more post. Oh dear. I see skint times in my near future.

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The Challenge - Day 24

...another day at home, so I hereby introduce you to "Tracksuit Rockabilly"

Well I do have to make sure that my plain tees and my large collection of sleep attire does not need to be chucked. Both, the top and bottoms are pretty old, I think the t-shirt in H&M and the bottoms New Look or similar.

Tomorrow marks the half way mark, and I actually have to leave the house again, so there will be more of an actual outfit.

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My Post-Challenge Wishlist! Part 1

I'm almost at the halfway mark of the challenge, which means I am halfway to being able to buy clothes again! Exciting stuff. I'm a pretty bad shopaholic, so you can imagine the pain I feel not being able to buy any clothes, this does of course not stop me from looking at all the wonderful things I currently can't have, so here is my current wish list:

I just LOVE this dress. It's possibly a little more demure than I usually go for, but I love the shoulder detail. The colour (Dynamite) is also gorgeous, but I would happily settle for one of each colour, not that I'm greedy or anything. Its the 1940s Mary Dress from Heyday, and is £78.00. All it needs is some cute heels, and of course the obligatory red lipstick!

These comfy, yet stylish looking Steel Blue Tweed Swing Trousers are also from Heyday, sadly they only have one pair remaining (in what may well be my size), for a very reasonable £55.00, these next 26 days can't go fast enough. I would totally wear these to my non-rockabilly place of work, with a crisp shirt and an eye-catching belt. On second thought, maybe I shouldn't have included them so no one snaps them up :)

 ...and which outfit wouldn't benefit from this Leopard Wrap Top (£30.00)...jeans, skirts, I could wear this with everything, Heyday you have a definitive new fan on your hands!

 

The perfect little day dress, just what I need for some picnics in the sun. All I need is this dress, some time off, and a little picnic blanket. This dress is Runaround Sue from Vivien Of Holloway and costs £79.00, it also comes in adorable prints and as well as the black above, also in bright red, very tempting!

Whilst I'm drooling over Vivien Of Holloway beauties, I am also in pure lust with the Jezebel Pencil Dress with the Polka Bust, which looks like this:

This would be absolutely perfect for the Vintage Circus evening I'm attending as part of Circus Fest in April. Luckily, this event is after my Challenge is complete, so I may just have to start feeding the Piggy Bank, so that I have £89.00 ready to purchase this for myself.

 I need to go wipe the drool of my face, Part 2 shall follow shortly :)

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