...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!

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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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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 :)

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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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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!!

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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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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 :)

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The Challenge - Day 49

I can't believe the challenge is almost over! As promised, today it was dress time:

The very first Collectif dress I ever bought, the Regina Feral Dress, I do love a bit of leopard print (and by a bit I mean lots), vintage belt from Shrewd, and a trusty black cardi, tied at the waist, may as well highlight the best parts (certainly not the hips in my case).

Have a wonderful weekend (I shall be working)!

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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 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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The Challenge - Day 39

I have to admit, today's photographic evidence of The Challenge is a little bit of a cop-out. Yesterday I used four pictures to bring the outfit together (plus I was alone and with only my phone to hand, taking a full length picture is quite the challenge), today, only a small snapshot, and in the words of my flatmate: "BOOBS". I'm simply not brave enough to take a picture completely sans any kind of make up. Shame on me, I know.

I'm wearing my usual non-Rockabilly work trousers (boring I hear you scream, and I am harmonising with it - I will invest in something more exciting once this challenge is over), a micro-dot H&M vest top and my green leopard print Collectif cardigan. I will be back working at Collectif tomorrow, so something a little more exciting shall surface. Promise. Especially as I have noticed today I have a mere 10 days left, and quite the pile of clothes still to go through. Bum.

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The Challenge - Day 36

A quick post on today's outfit, the man flesh and I spent the day working at Shrewd, I only have another two weeks until the end of the challenge, at first I thought I was running out of clothes, but turns out, I need to fit in as many as possible. So an outfit consisting of items I haven't worn yet, at all!

My Collectif Dolores Ahoy Dress, a plain sample cardigan, and some New Look pumps. Simple, but I like it!

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The Challenge - Day 35

Today I have gone a bit more rock, must be the shiny new metal in my face.

My old Led Zepplin T-Shirt to which I took some scissors this morning, my Collectif Purple Leo Cardigan, and my trusty M&S 3/4 lengths. I'm also wearing the new cats eye sunglasses we got in at Collectif. I dont usually like this style on me, but these are not too shabby!

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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 31

Today I was working again in Shrewd ( I say again, like it was recently, try last year), so I went for a vintage 50s dress I own, on paper I quite like the dress, but now I am not so sure, it is a bit of an odd colour, and I am not convinced the shape really suits me. But, I can mull that one over, seeing as I was wearing this dress today, I don't need to get rid of it :)

The dress was originally from Shrewd, my Collectif Leo Cardigan, my Collectif Coat, and belt as per usual :)

I also feel its an outfit for the wrong season, it looks more autumn than spring, though in the shade (and on the tube) the coat was totally necessary!

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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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The Challenge - Day 29

I was not a happy camper today. After a delivery of new cardigans at Collectif, and Sinead subsequently buying me one as a late birthday present, we were all set for a tikitastic day. But, when I woke up, it was grey. Undeterred, I went for a tiki look nonetheless, just to be frozen half to death, and having t buy tights en route to work. Not. Happy. But here is the outfit.

The new Katie Hibiscus cardigan from Collectif, my beloved (now) 3/4 length Next jeans, and the previously worn red/black striped top I got from Oz. I'm just doing a a little post about Tikitasticness, so there will be better pictures of the necklace and hair flowers.

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