Wednesday, 21 December 2011

2011 Photo Highlights

January - The year begins with my 46th birthday. Some people worry about getting older but I embrace it. I've never felt better ... and anyway, what's the alternative!?
 
Andy and I learned to jive .... well I did ;) hehe!
February - Mum and Dad celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
 
For me, spending time with my family is always a great boost. We always have a laugh ... happy days!
March - More work on my tattoo... Jason at Black Dog Tattoos
 
April - Spent some track time with lovely Neil Hodgson (2000 and 2003 British Superbike Champion).
 
 
Added a fabby new treatment to my beauty menu - Elight (Intense Pulsed Light and Radio Frequency) for hair removal amongst other things. Organised a promotional event for the new treatment as a fund raiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
May - Went brunette ...
Organised a charity motorbike event - Breast Way Round England for Macmillan Cancer Support.
June - My first Vintage Fair at the Armitage Centre, Fallowfield.
Attended a Cystic Fibrosis Trust fundraiser with Mum and Dad ...
Spent even more track time with Neil Hodgson.
 
My first ever burlesque night watching the striking Anna Fur Laxis who went on to win 1st runner-up in the Miss Exotic World Competition in Las Vagas.
 
July - Yet more work on my tattoo ...
Helped students at Urmston Grammar School with their end of term 1960s fashion show.
August - More with Neil .... can you see a theme here!?
 ... and a fun time at the Ulster GP in the rain :)
Went to see Biscuithead and the Buscuit Badgers at Matt & Phreds, Manchester .... very cool and whacky!
 
 
September - Spent some track time with Nial Mackenzie (British Superbike Champion three times from 1996 to 1998), a great instructor.
 
October - A quiet month so here's a nice photo of me and Andy out for dinner.
Emerald Ball in Kilmarnock for Macmillan Cancer Support ...
 
November - Out of action most of this month due to a hospital stay but now fighting fit :))
 
December - Had the priviledge of meeting Terry Byrne (on the left). A true inspiration!
Attended Vintage & Craft Fairs galore and shopped till I dropped!
Summary
Much has changed - all for the better, including my image! I introduced many new salon treatments including Chemical Peels and Skin Needling. I met so many inspiring and talented people. It's been a great year!
What's in store for 2012?
Plans already underway for a vintage photo shoot and a trip to Southampton to do a 'Vintage Hairstyling for the Camera' course. Plus! I've orgainised a Network Group for vintage inspired businesses. Our first meeting is in January. Find out more here. There's much to look forward to and I can't wait!
47th year!?
Bring it on!






Sunday, 18 December 2011

Andy's First Vintage Fair

.... and probably his last, but at least he showed willing and gave it a try! It was something completely different for him, but we wanted to do something together so we ventured to the Prestwich Vintage Fair. It's quite close to home so on a freezing winter's day, it was a good choice.

The event was orgainsed by pretty Fiona of Rose & Lee Vintage Living They specialise in shabby chic, vintage and antique furniture, home wares and luxurious gifts. They are featured in lots of high profile publications ... including Vogue! Wow!
Fiona of Rose & Lee Vintage Living
I have got to know some lovely people since becoming more involved in the vintage scene. Some of them were here today plus we had the bonus of meeting some new vintage and 'crafty' friends.
Jonty of Expressions Clothing
Jonty and Bob of Expressions Clothing, were a really great couple. They have their own brand of vintage inspired clothing for men and women. I fell in love with their 1940s dresses which are made from genuine 1940s patterns in beautiful floral fabric. Made to fit modern sizes too.

What to buy?
Jennifer Gilmour of Stitch Me Lane Fabrics
Jen is from Tennesee and has settled in Bolton! She had some absolutely beautiful handmade rings made out of vintage buttons. I loved them! They'll definitely be on my next gift list ...
Jen is also creator of The Cultured Pearl
A couple of Jen's handmade Christmas cards
One of the talented ladies from Manchester Craft Mafia
Friends of the Forties
I really enjoyed chatting with Stella and her daughter from Friends of the Forties. Their website displays an amazing array of everything .... and I mean everything to do with the 40s era. Definitely worth checking out! They have a range of vintage vehicles too which go to events around the country. They would make a great backdrop for a photo shoot, something I'd love to try for my next makeovers.
So cute! Kara Derwin & Charlotte Johnson of Deer Vintage Clothing
I met Kara and Charlotte (above) of Deer Vintage Clothing at my last vintage excursion. I bought a fab brown leather belt and gloves off them which, they were pleased to see, I was wearing today.
Deer Vintage Clothing Follow on Twitter
Victoria of Vibrant Vintage looking all festive
Victoria of Vibrant Vintage looked really busy on her stall but I did catch a moment to chat with her. She's such a darling. I'm looking forward to attending her next Vintage Fair early next year.
Jewellery and other treasures from Vibrant Vintage
Kathryn Taylor of House 49
It was nice to meet another friendly face in Kathryn of House 49. This yound lady is a photographer, aspiring blogger, lover of vintage treasures and owner of a scrumptiously smelly soaps and scrubs business.
Scrumptiously Smelly Organic Soaps & Scrubs from House 49
Follow House 49 on Twitter
It was a really cool day but the hunger pangs were hitting hard so we headed for home. Just around the corner from us is Astley Hall. Cafe Ambio at Astley Hall is where we decided to eat and chill a little in the festive atmosphere.
Cafe Ambio, Astley Hall
Roast beef on the menu for us
Astley Hall, Chorley
Poor Andy waiting patiently for his roast beef dinner
I'm happy with a G&T dahling ... chinchin!

Friday, 16 December 2011

Tweed in Progress

My 'tweedy' look is coming together gradually. I'm still waiting for the Ralph Lauren hacking jacket to arrive, which I've been promised is in the post. Here you see me in a vintage paisley bow tie from BobbySox Vintage. The peter pan collar blouse is from Ebay .... it cost 99p!!!!! That has to be the bargain of the year!
Geeky Specs from Direct Sight

The fairisle tank top and designer wool trousers (below) are both off Ebay.
Flat cap from Village Hats
White blouse from Next
The brown leather belt (above) is from Deer Vintage Clothing. Although the majority of the above outfit is not vintage or tweed, it kind of fits with the theme. I think it's perfectly ok to mix old with new to achieve the look you want.

Sunday, 11 December 2011

I'm Dreaming of a Tweedy Christmas

I've been so inspired by the images from this years Tweed Run, I decided to design my very own 'country lady' look. The style is very vintage and is a great look for the winter months.
It's been fun searching online for vintage classics. I was looking for this totally British look on a ('flexible' shall we say) budget.
'Breeks'
My pocket won't stretch to the designer price tags that come with Ralph Lauren, Barbour and Harris Tweed however, I do believe I did quite well.
Here's a list of my capsule garments and accessories:
Cool (and warm) way to wear a vintage fur stole
  • White short sleeve shirt with peter pan collar - Next
  • Vintage blue chambray shirt with long sleeves and peter pan collar - Ebay
  • Multi fairisle sleveless tank top - Ebay
  • Paisley bow tie - Ebay
Vintage 1960s paisley dickie bow tie from Ebay
  • Escada brown wool mix lined trousers with wide leg- Ebay
  • Paul Costelloe brown wool mix lined trousers with wide leg - Ebay
Flat Cap from Village Hats
Geeky specs .... I like them ok?!
  • Argyle wool knee length socks
I achieved it all on a budget of approx £150 .... good eh?! I'll be able to achieve so many different looks for all sorts of occasions and will add complimentry pieces as and when I come across them.

Tweed is so 'right now'
More about Harris Tweed Hebrides
My purchases are winging their way to me. I hope they arrive soon so I can enjoy a very Tweedy Christmas.

The latest from Ralph Lauren
I will post some piccies as soon as the various 'country-lady-looks' have been co-ordinated.
Until then ... Cheery-bye!

Friday, 2 December 2011

Miss Tattoo 2012

Introducing Haili Hughes also known as Coco Fierce. This year she's going all-out to win Miss Tattoo UK. Haili needs your votes to qualify so please read on, register and give her your support. Here's what she had to say:
1) What's your background?
I have a really varied background in that I did an English degree at Leeds University and was lucky enough to get a job straight at The News of the World in London as a journalist. After several years there I moved back to Warrington and retrained as an English teacher. I am married with a three year old son called Hendrix Ramone. In my spare time I like to read. I can devour two novels a week. I enjoy cooking spicy, exotic food and spending time with friends and family. I am obsessed with fashion and have over one hundred pairs of shoes! I love attending festivals and gigs by rockabilly, punk and metal bands. I also write a column on life as a modern pin up girl for Pin Up Passion website and model quite a lot as well. I occasionally sleep...

2) How did you get into the Rockabilly scene?
 I got into the rockabilly scene quite late, as before that I was doing a similiar thing but wasn't completely aware of how huge a sub-culture it was. I've always been obsessed with 40s and 50s movie stars and wanted to look like them. But until this year I could never find any rockabilly clothes that fit as I was a UK size 22! Now I've lost 6.5 stone in the last year and I completely live my life in rockabilly clothes - even at school! The kids love it!!!

3) When did you get your first tattoo?
I got my first tattoo at seventeen. It is a little butterfly on my shoulder and I hate it! Will be getting it covered later this month when I have a full back piece. I had a few small ones done during university, but my real addiction started when I returned to Warrington and started to have my tattoos done by Paul Suanders at Voodoo Tattoo in Warrington. I would never go to anybody else now as he is so amazing! In September my thigh tattoo he did for me won best of day award at Coventry Tattoo Convention, which has just been the pinnacle of my tattoing experience so far!
 4) What is the inspiration behind your tattoos?
I have many inspirations behind my tattoos. I have an Andy Warhol one on my hip which shows how much I love the pop art movement and I have several music related ones like The Libertines logo, The Smiths logo around my wrist and the banner on my chest is going to contain Joy Division lyrics. I have a large half sleeve pin up which represents all the gorgeous, strong women who have inspired me to go into modelling. The rest of my tattoos are very old school style and go hand in hand with my rockabilly lifestyle.
5) How would you describe your personal style?
My style is very much based on the rockabilly/psychobilly scene. I love all things glamorous and 1950s but also adore the kitsch, zombie stuff. I also love the weirdness of Lolita and Harajuki stuff. All of the bright colours are amazing!
6) Where are your favourite places to clothes shop?
I love to shop in charity shops and find vintage bargains. E-bay is a staple of my clothes buying also. I must admit I do get most of my clothes online, as I only ever find the odd thing on the high street. Favourite labels are things like Iron Fist, Hell Bunny, Collectif, Sourpuss, Tara Starlet. The Dolly Dagger and Attitude Clothing websites are fab. For shoes I adore Iron Fist, Irregular Choice, TUK and trusty Converse for dress down days. I like my jewellery very quirky so Tatty Devine and Etsy are great for a splurge.

Haili is a sure winner! Please help her to qualify for Miss Tattoo UK which is being organised by the Liverpool Tattoo Convention and Gladstone Magazine. Judging starts in April 2012. She needs your votes so please register now and vote for Coco Fierce. Go Coco! She's definitely one to watch out for!