Bye Bye Rudolf!

A somewhat unrelated post, but not entirely...

If you have ever seen me without make-up, you have probably assumed I either have sunburn, a cold, or an affection for one of Santa's well-known Reindeer, but alas, it is merely Rosacea, and in my case this leads to the ultimate in red-nose-ness.I've been through countless foundations and redness reducing creams, just to either still look cold, or flaky, or like I was wearing a mask.

Finally though, I have found something successful, this little beauty from MAC:

It still requires some serious moisturisation, otherwise flakiness ensues, but it does succeed in making my nose less neon, and more calm.

It does come out of the tube in pink, which is slightly strange at first, seeing as that is precisely what I want to get rid off, but it works a treat, and I now use it on the majority of my face to make my somewhat blotchy complexion more even. I also recommend using either your concealer brush, or a separate sponge (depending on what you prefer), rather than the same brush/sponge used for foundation, to avoid transfer. Also, I have to let it "sink in" for a few moments, to avoid spreading it away from the desired area.

Serious thanks to the MAC Lady who recommended this!

x

Smile!

Contrary to what Facebook may let you believe, I am actually horrible at having my picture taken. I usually pull a silly face or insane grin, just so I know I look silly, rather than being fooled into thinking my face is looking normal, just to be shocked with the end result.

But as the boy and I had our anniversary in January, and I spent what seemed like a lifetime making him a scrapbook of joy, I figured I should maybe add some nice pictures. Enter Lex from Rockabetty Studios. I'd previously met this lovely lady at the Collectif Spitalfields opening, so a few emails later, I had a photo shoot lined up. I ended up having to tell the boy I was having a photo shoot, seeing as me leaving with all my Collectif clothes and approximately 8 pairs of shoes did look a little suspect. But he was still pleasantly surprised :)

Usually a day of make-over goodness ensues, but being notoriously awkward at getting my make-up done (I blame the fact I am a trained Make-Up Artist, and thus very specific, especially about my own face), so I did my own, with some serious curling help from Lex in the hair department.

Though I pretty much daily attempt to rock the Rockabilly look, I actually felt like the 50s pin-up Rockabetty Studios promise to deliver. And I am mighty proud of the pictures (which I assure you is a first).

I'm already saving to get more pictures done :)

Such a brilliant day, it's not often you get to feel like a starlet, and Lex is brilliant at getting the best out of you, I think the pictures are proof of that!

xxx

I Love The Smell of New Lipstick In The Morning!

After I finally got my Student Loan last week (yes, yes, dirty students and all that), one of my very first purchases was a Rockalily lipstick, in " Roulette Red". Lo and behold, two sleeps (and many working hours later), and I got a little parcel with my brand new lipstick. 

Exciting times!!

The manboy is still confused as to why I spent a good 5 minutes smelling the lipstick before actually using it, but I really do love the smell of new lipstick in the morning :)

A week or so ago, I did a review of MAC's Ruby Woo lipstick, and as previously mentioned, the main complaint I have heard was the texture, it being too dry and therefore a bit of a nightmare to put on, keep on and wear it comfortably.

Well, no such issue with the Rockalily lipstick. Its incredibly creamy, just like a good ol' shiny liptsick of previous generations, and those not into the matte look, but sets into a lovely matte look, without dryness and without the bittyness Ruby Woo can unfortunately provide.

...and it gets better (no, really, it does) it lasts FOREVER. Ok, maybe not forever, that would be equally impressive as weird, but it lasted literally all day. I can prove it :)

This is my excited face (in case it's not obvious enough) - after numerous cigarettes, many a can of coke and lunch, and the lipstick is still there.

By the time I got home, I did reapply, but I like LOTS of lipstick on the go, but I merely had to top up, as the colour was still visible.

All in all, very impressed, and only one question remains, which colour do I get next, or can I get away with one of each? :)

x

Accidental Shopping

I regularly get confused with Old Spitalfields Market. As I work in Collectif in OS Market, I always see the market, when it's on, but I couldn't tell you with too much confidence when what is on.

I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived to work this morning, and discovered it was Judy's Vintage Fair!

I have to admit, to my great shame, I didn't actually buy anything vintage...but I did buy a mass of vintage inspired things...maybe even too many, but I just couldn't help myself. This does in no way mean there was no vintage bargains to be had, everything from cardigans, leather and fur jackets, to accessories and homewares were available.

I did meet the lovely Cam from Bow and Crossbones, who is utterly fabulous, and filled all available pockets with adorable necklaces and hair clips, today's design of choice was of course my usual nautical themedness, and  Palmtrees (for no apparent reason - other than they were just cute as hell).

Trying to wear as many of my Bow and Crossbones items at once as possible (yeah...there were a few more :)) 


I also managed to get these little beauties:

I'm still trying to find the flyer for the stall that sold these lovelies, it must be somewhere in the depths of my shopping bag.

I, of course, also stopped by to see the lovely ladies at Rockabetty to buy some Sew and Save goodies, always gets me in the mood for sewing and crafting, which is good, seeing as I have now launched Knot Shrewd, or should I say "am launching", currently being sold at Shrewd, mostly vintage repaired and reworked jewellery and soon to come rockabilly accessories. Please do feel free to like, join or follow, more will be uploaded soon.

Enough of my lovey-dovey admiration post for everyone and everything :) More soon x

A Ruby Red Xmas

Being a very lucky girl, I didn't just get one Mac Ruby Woo Lipstick, but two!!! Exciting times!

I have read mixed reviews about this lipstick, but I love the colour and the mattness, and simply had to have it. Little did I know I'd receive it twice!

The main problem fellow bloggers, reviewers and vintage gals alike have complained about is the dryness of it. Well, it is dry, and in fairness on not perfectly moisturised lips its not ideal. Far from it. It seems to go a bit "bitty", not how I love my lipstick. But where there is a will, there is a way. Lipliner, non-glossy lipbalm (I use a cheapy Boots one), followed by my dear Ruby Woo, and some Lip Seal, and you are good to go! It may use colour on fags, glasses and such like, but lasts the majority of the day, with the amount of cigarettes and drinks I consume in a day, I expect nothing to last all day, but it lasts much longer than most!

Conclusion: I'm in love (and so so glad I got two, no running out anytime soon!)

The man friend (buyer no 1 of Ruby Woo Xmas Goodness) and I en route to Edinburgh, where we are still stuck, wearing Ruby Woo.

When One Is Not Enough....

...to avoid spamming up this little blog, there is another for all my Creative Writing ramblings, for anyone interested, its called Rockababble and can be found here:


http://rockababble.tumblr.com/


Much love,


x

A Pretty Dress, A Fair and The Usual Stress - Part 2

So...due to Kittens, Holidays (quite the chore I assure you), starting Uni (again), car accidents and other excuses that are, I'm sure, of no relevance to you, my brief break from my little blog creation somehow turned into a full blown hiatus. But, I am back. And to not waste any further time, I shall continue the last post I made. As said Antique Vs Vintage fair is now somewhat behind us, well the one I am writing about, consider this a pre-review, as TOMORROW another one will be taking place. I will once again be in attendance though this time I will be working, yes SHREWD (my co-owned part of Vintage Heaven) will be having a lovely little stand. Very exciting, and I'm very much looking forward to returning to the Antique Vs Vintage Fair. But I should really start at the beginning of that, as I haven't actually given you any information about said event.

And before I give you my pre-review, a little background information. Antique Vs Vintage is not in any way related to such things as Alien Vs Predator, however, for Vintage or indeed Antique lovers, it could conjure the same enjoyment as as the aforementioned to its target audience (I'm trying not to stereotype here..). Antique Vs Vintage is in fact a fair that provides two separate (yet in many ways connected) halls, one for Antiques, and you guessed it, one for Vintage items. This affair is run by the lovely Natasha and (I'm sure the equally lovely) Jonathan (sadly I didn't meet him last time, but hopefully tomorrow) an, in their own words "old-fashioned couple in their early-mid twenties" (a title I am still desperately clinging on to) who love antiques and vintage and are very kindly sharing their dream with us.

The lovely Natasha

But let's go back to the actual day...

Essentially, what was meant to be a fun day of fair fun turned into a trip in a car, a really long one. Instead of taking the train down to Ewell from London, as planned, I somehow dragged my dear Mummy in picking me up - she lives in Dorking, about 20mins away from Ewell. All well and good and should be accomplished in an hour each way. But oh no, the M25 and its evil ways struck again. Shocking. I must add, it wasn't due to complete lazyness that I asked her to come get me, but rather a series of events. Namely having just gotten kittens and them wanting to come play with me in the shower (awkward), washing my hair without thinking about the fact I wanted to roll and quiff (Rookie) and as per usual taking far too long to get ready. So, anyway, as opposed to arriving at Antique Vs Vintage at roughly 11/12 o'clock, we made it there for about 2...and I cant say we were in a great mood. This mood was lifted however, after collecting my press pack, and admittedly rushing straight for the vintage room and thus bypassing the antique room, we were greated by this view:

Not a great picture sadly, but you get the jist, vintage vintage vintage! And there was more than the picture really does it justice. Stalls and stalls of everything vintage, from costume jewellery, coats and shoes to a Victorian Sweet Shop and a stand to have yourself vintaged up with a little hair and/or make-up make-over - Heaven! I, of course had a good old browse and had to resist the pressing urges of purchasing, something or everything (it was difficult - heck that's an understatement), and had a little natter with not only the lovely Landgirl1980 but also the lovely ladies from the Rockabetty Stores:

I have to say, that was partially distracting, partially (if not almost entirely) unhelpful in terms of stopping me buying the whole fair dry, somehow, miraculously I managed to leave the fair without any vintage items and without that cute Cat Food bowl (you can just about see it above) from Rockabetty. It truly is a miracle, and thus just means more to purchase soon :)

I must add at this point, that to my shame, I only briefly visited the antique room, which was just as buzzing as the vintage section, due to my (somwhat self-inflicted) lack of time. Rest assured, next time I will make sure to take a closer look there too!

What can I say, apart from the fact that I wish I'd had more time, but tomorrow I will be there all day, breaking up my "hard" work with shopping, browsing and oohing and aaahing. I can't wait.

So, make sure you visit the fair! If you can't make it tomorrow (shame on you) here are the next lined up dates:

Saturday 29th October
Saturday 26th November
Saturday 10th December

...so there really is no excuse not to come down to Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 1UF - less than half an hour by train from London Waterloo and only £2 entry for 6 hours (10am - 4pm) of Vintage and Antique Joy!

xx

P.S. No more hiatus - promise :)