Beauty Vs Beast 2013

It's not every day a girl gets to indulge in two of her passions at the same time. Providing vintage styling and getting close to some cool vintage motorcycles ... bliss!

Ariel Red Hunter

1962 Tiger Cub

A day spent in beautiful surroundings with a great bunch of people - oh - and it just happened to be for an extremely worthy cause. The Myelin Project funds research for demyelinating diseases including Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Leukodystrophies. These conditions are aggressive, terminal and devastating, which at present there is no known cure. Multiple Sclerosis is the most common of the demyelinating diseases and affects adults of all ages.

The calm before the storm

Makeup and hair preparations

I was initially approached to help out with hair and makeup for the calander. Being quite good at organising - and much to my delight - I ended up assisting with pretty much the whole schedule. Many of the calander themes were the brain-child of Nikki Armstrong, an extremely talented makeup artist who works alongside me at some of my vintage workshops and events.

A dear friend kindly allowed us the use of her beautiful home to do the shoot. It was perfect! There turned out to be many places on the land that made superb surroundings for the photographers Andy Monk and Anthopny P Holt.

My friend having a sneaky go on Indiana Jone's sidecar

The pretty lounge was turned into a changing room

Alison, my 1940s beauty

We improvised with the costumes. They were generally outfits we already owned. We begged borrowed and stole the rest. Catwalk Creative Vintage provided two beautiful dresses for our 1960s and Easy Rider theme. 

Beth looking beautiful

Frock 'n' Roll provided a selection of hair flower clips to finish the vintage looks perfectly.

Nikki before

Nikki after - a 'mean' Bonnie (& Clyde)

Our themes: 1960s scooter/flower power, 1970s scooter/Northern Soul, a handful of 1950s Rockabilly and a 1940s theme, Indiana Jones, James Bond, Bonnie & Clyde, Easy Rider, Cafe Racer Girl and The Great Escape/Steve McQueen.

New Hudson Autocycle

What my models get up to in-between shots

Everyone came together to make this event work and that was demonstrated to perfection by the guys who provided the beautiful motorcycles we used to style each month's theme. These guys came from far and wide to help out - some at very short notice, so our sincere thanks go to all of them. Here are two of our many heroes of the day ...

Alfie from Glossop

Gaz from Darwen

Our wonderful female models were all members of the Swan2wheels Motorcycle Club, Hindley Green, Wigan. We also had a few brave male models posing for us throughout the day. All willing victims I might add, enjoying the great atmosphere and doing something, I am sure, that was completely different ... for a Sunday afternoon anyway.

My Best Biker Bud Ben Bond with his new pal Vicki

In addition, the Beauty Vs Beast 2013 calander is being dedicated to the memory of Leah Davies, a beautiful young woman who died tragically in a motorbike incident in August. Her dear Mum and elder sister showed great strength and took part in the calander shoot. Leah was looking forward to modelling for the calander so this we hope, in a small way, is a fitting tribute to her.

A few of the many who helped make this day so special

The finished article will be out soon. 

Saz - like a little cherub

You can pre-order your calander on the Beauty Vs Beast website. And finally! A little bonus for me, although I did have to give it back ...

"Oooh! This would do nicely around Oulton Park"

My Lucky Day

A friend was recently helping to clear a house and came upon some items he thought I'd like. The lady who owned the items was happy for me to make use of them, since they were either going to be thrown away or taken to a charity shop. I returned home from a shopping trip today to find several bin bags on the dining table. I thought all my Christmases had come at once! Here are a few of my favourites:

Suitcase lined in pretty blue and white

I love the yellow straw bag and beaded bag

 

A closer look at the earrings

More pearls and gorgeous costume jewellery (top of photo)



Delicate pearl necklace

Gloves

Pearl bracelet (top of photo)

Beaded bag

Last but not least, placed carefully inside one of the handbag pockets was this locket. It contains the photo of an old gentleman and a pet dog. It brought a lump to my throat as it obviously had great meaning and sentimental value to the owner.

Locket with some treasured photos

There were also coats and jackets (which were a bit too big for me) and an assortment of other accessories. I am really lucky to have such a thoughtful friend - what a pal. I'll definitely make good use of most of the items he brought over and make sure the others go to a good home.

Better Than Botox

.... not that I know from experience, but this beauty treatment was painless, much cheaper than a dose Botulinum Toxin  .... and what's more, I feel like a million dollars! It's all down to the talents of photographer Simon Hunt and his team at Alt Studio, Manchester. I noticed recently that a few of my friends had experienced makeover sessions at his studio.

I have to admit I was curious to see what they could do for me. I wanted to do something completely different to my normal 1940s/50s look. A 1920s theme appealed to me so I went along with some pearl earrings, a fur stole ... and just look what they did!

I am a makeup artist and vintage hairstylist so you may think it odd that I am singing the praises of another, but I like to give credit where credit's due  .... and credit is due big style to Nikki Armstrong who had the insight and  talent to transform me into a silent screen goddess in about thirty minutes flat.

I have no idea how she did it! I tried to make mental notes but due to my age have now forgotten them.

Anyhow, I feel like it was a life-changing experience. My insides are happier than they've been for a while and it's radiating outwards into the Universe .... that's surely a good thing!?

The only down-side is that I am admiring my artistic images more often than I should and not getting other 'stuff' done.

This should be on the national curriculum!  Or at the very least, available on the NHS. Having the opportunity to be immortalised in such an artistic way is an experience every woman should have. Simon certainly knows how to make a girl happy. What a great morale boost! I am more than happy to recommend Alt Studio to anyone who wants the star treatment for a day. Take away beautiful momentos that will last forever .... which of course, is much more than can be said of a dose of Botox.

Thank you so much!

Vintage Network North West, Meeting Two

Surrounded by the beautiful backdrop of Rose & Lee Vintage Living, we held our second Vintage Network North West meeting on Monday 27 February.



Some of our many vintage-loving lovelies

It's always inspiring to get together with like-minded people and this evening was no exception. Gareth (pictured above right) is planning a local Jubilee celebration in June and spoke to us about his ideas.

Rachael of Marry Me Ink chats to Kath of Vibrant Vintage

We started with an array of refreshments, provided by Brooke of Brooke's Cupcakes and Kath of Rose & Lee Vintage Living. Everyone was made to feel very welcome and at home.

Hayley of Baked for You with Kate of Groovy Gang Handmade Soaps

I started proceedings with a brief  introduction, re-itterating the importance of cross-promotion and recipricol linking between one another's websites. It's a win-win! By adding other businesses to your links page you are in fact helping raise your profile on Google listings. Adding special offers and discounts for other network members on the Kitty Wink Vintage website was also talked about. You can add your offer here.

Josaphine of Fauxtique Boutique with Brooke of Brooke's Cupcakes

Next came our 'Speed-Dating' session. We all spent two minutes with each person in the room, handing out our business cards and briefly outlining our businesses. This was really fun and worked very well, with everyone being given the chance to speak one-to-one rather than standing and speaking in front of a room full of people.

Fiona asked for ideas to be jotted onto a note pad. Mainly one idea from each person on how the group can work together in a productive way. Kate placed a box for the notes to be put into. We await with baited breath the results. The winner will get a super prize from Rose & Lee Vintage Living.

Gwyneth of Vintage Afternoon Teas with Fiona of Rose & Lee Vintage Living

Remember, networking works both ways for it to work well. Although it's a fabulous platform to make people aware of your business, it's also about helping others. By helping others achieve you gain so much more.
I'm looking forward to arranging the next one and have a few ideas up my sleeve already.
Thanks to all who attended the meeting:
Rose & Lee Vintage Living
One Vintage Lady
Marry Me Ink
Dolly Cool
Kitty Wink Vintage
Den at Beechwood
Inki Pinki Creative
Deer Vintage Clothing
Baked For You
Crown & Country Vintage
Fauxtique Boutique
Brooke's Cupcakes
Vintage 78 DJ
Vintage Afternoon Teas
Vibrant Vintage
Frock 'n' Roll
Groovy Gang Handmade Soap

Vintage Network North West

How I achieved it I don't know! That is ... reversing into a gate-post (my Mother-in-Laws) and knocking it flat over!

Not really me ... but you get my drift!

That's how my day started so I was surprised that our very first vintage network meeting got off to such a brilliant start! It was held at Statham Lodge Country House Hotel a beautiful location in Cheshire.

The Roulette Room

Ideal for our first meeting

A nice mirror

Eighteen vintage-connected business owners met to network and do business over afternoon tea.

Vintage Network North West

A selection of cakes and pastries

I think everyone benefitted greatly from the get-together. We all have lots in common and want to promote our business services. We all agreed we don't need to spend a fortune on advertising.

Kally and Sue

Laura and Clare

We can swap products and services, helping each business promote the other.

Wayne looks on as Bethany chats with Fiona and Victoria

I made a date to do some freelance beauty work at The Festival of Vintage in York. It's with Bethany who does fabulous vintage hair and makeup from her home-based retro beauty parlour in Manchester.

Louise from Catwalk Creative Vintage with Rebecca from Polka Dots & Pearls

I'll also be working on some events with Anthony and Steph. They orgainse Vintage Nights in Preston on Friday evenings. Plus they teach everything from Charleston to Lindy Hop. Their latest venture is at Matt & Phreds in Manchester.

All in all it was a really productive day. Our next meeting is going to be held at Rose & Lee Vintage Living in Radcliffe. It'll be a fabulous location and a great opportunity to experience the wonderful surroundings.

It's good to talk!

Brooke of Brooke's Cupcakes is planning the refreshments and will hopefully give us a better insight into social networking .... she's a mind of information!
Here's a list of other attendees I haven't mentioned above:
Elizabeth's Attic
Den at Beechwood
Kalandra Jane Designs
Vintage Manchester
Old Fashioned Susie
Vibrant Vintage
Polka Dots & Pearls
Catwalk Creative Vintage
Planet Vintage Girl
Dolly Cool
There's lots in store! It'll be organised on a regular day each month to try and fit in with most people - not as easy as it sounds. What do you look for from the networking experience? It'll help me to plan events. If you own a vintage- related business and would like to find out more about networking with us please check out my website.
Can't wait for the next one!