I'll have You, You, and You Please!

So it looks like I have finally finished furnishing my living room thanks to an impromptu nip into the local charity shop back at my "homehome" in Surrey.  I went back to see my sister and pups and before we went to the cinema I quickly visited one of the British Heart Foundation shops.  I used to always swing by when I was around but never actually bought anything from there before.  Until now that is.  Although I did once spot a 1920s Singer sewing machine in the window but I had no room for it at the time.  It was beautiful though.

Well, now I'm a happy girl because the flat is really coming together.  I'll do more posts on the furnishings and decorating for sure.  But for now here are my awesome new additions!

I will take some better photos once the pieces are at mine.  The inside of the wardrobe is super cute.  Cannot wait to sit it next to my Art Deco dresser in my bedroom.  They're going to look such a pair.  The sideboard will take pride of place in my living room along with my other pieces.  The glass front display cabinet might go in the corridor as I already have another display cabinet in the living room but we shall see.  Or I could even have it in my bedroom and replace my old tall display cabinet which houses my handbags??  Hmm... The dilemma.  But I think I will do something with it for certain.  Maybe paint it or just sand it down and re-varnish.  Either way I think they will all look amazing alongside my green velvet sofa!

Once I am happy with the placement of all my furniture I can start arranging all my paintings and prints onto the walls too.   Because you just can't do one before the other.  Not if you don't know where the tall or short pieces will be sitting lol. This is all too exciting and I may just pass out now.  Forgive me if you don't hear from me for a while...

Toodles peeps,

Alison xxx

I Want to Ask You Things

I don't much attend the cinema.  I mean I love films.  Absolutely.  But I just don't tend to go to the big screen often.  That is until I get completely drawn in by some visual or poster or soundtrack or other which just makes me want to sit in the dark and absorb every little detail playing out in front of me.  Carol was one of these such movies.

It was mesmerising.  Beautiful.  Absolutely stunning.  It was a feeling beyond words.  I was completely drawn in from the very first flicker of the screen to the very last credit playing against the soundtrack.  It emotionally absorbed me and pulled me in every which way.  I cried a lot.  Heavy crying.  Hot tears.  Not just because of the story which unfolded before my eyes but because it triggered feelings inside me so real.  My heart drowned in its depths.  Their silent knowing glances.

Cate Blanchett whom I just absolutely adore.  Perfectly casted opposite the quiet, shy Rooney Mara.  It was perfection.  One film that will stay with me forever.  Along with its wonderful soundtrack.

Of course I cannot leave without mentioning and crediting the wonderful work of triple Academy Award-winning costume designer Sandy Powell for the to-die-for wardrobe.  To have Carols wardrobe would be a dream...  1952.  The fifties style, early enough so that it still captures the essence of the forties.  J'adore.

Alison xxx

Hand in Glove

I have a thing for gloves... Especially when we are discussing opera length leather loveliness.  The long awaited line by Dita Von Teese which launched recently is like a dream to me.  If you haven't had a chance to gaze your eyes over them, may I present to you a selection of my favourites.

The Flirteese

The Sophisticate 

Perfect for riding I'd say.

The Bon Bon

Sooo cute!

The Erotique

Love the contrast buttons.

The Femme Totale

For all us stocking lovers...

The Flirteese Demi

And last but not least - The Erotique Opera...

My favourite of them all!

I first spotted Erotique on one of the images for Dita's lingerie line Von Follies.  In particular, on the Madame X sets.  There was word that Dita shot with her personal collection of beautiful gloves but also word that a line of delicious styles were being produced by the lady herself.  I was thrilled to hear this; even if I would only be dreaming of owning a pair for myself.

All these beauties and more styles are available at Just One Eye.  I hear Valentines is just around the corner...

Have a good evening,

Alison xxx

Old Style Weekend 2014

Helloooo there.  I know, I know.  It's been another few months since I posted something.  Although not without trying mind.  I just never quite get the time to finish a write-up to post.  Anyhooo, on-wards and upwards...  Feeling the winter air blowing in I cast my mind back to the summer.

I knew I couldn't skip posting about Sweden's Old Style Weekend hosted by A-Bombers.  Especially as I missed going to last years event.  Of course it's more about hanging out and having fun with friends than anything else.  But oh what fun!

Here's a little photo taster of my long weekend away...

On our way.  Woohoo!

Malin joined me as backseat baby for once.

Relaxing a little before the rest of the guys showed up.

Our "Camp" for the weekend :)

Friday night... 

A selfie with my Blondie. Always.

Also sporting my new Luxulite necklace there.

The lovers.

The nice shot...

My favourite shot...!  Hehee.

Saturday fun...

My not so great photo from the hillside.

A video I found from the Hill Climb at Devils Peak.

 The sexiest guy in a band from the weekend ;)

Love a hot guy in a wife-beater. 

Wearing my gorgeous electric blue Vavavoom jumpsuit from Tarantula!

Absolutely love it and thinking of buying it in another colour. 

My hair completely dropped out with all the dancing!

Did a shoe change to keep on dancing...

I spent the majority of the weekend hanging out with friends rather then participating at the event as such.  Missed most of the bands.  It was super fun though!  As always, I hope to go again next year.

Love you Sweden!

Alison xxx

My Vintage Down in the Dumps

The title says it all.  I was having a down time.  Even a bad time when it came to shopping for some 'new to me' pieces.  For some reason I 'd been having a real hard time seeing anything that I liked in my size recently.  Always finding beautiful things in other sizes but my alteration pile is just never ending.  Of course I still had good ol' repro and made to measure to turn to.  Thank goodness.  But we all know it's not the same.  That feeling you get when you find the most amazing of dresses and it is your perfect size!  Gasp!!

I decided I needed to turn this around and so I called on the help of the ladies of the Ooh La La! Vintage Swap and Sell Shop on Facebook.  If you don't know it you should take a look.  Such a gem of a group and some fantastic people on there who not only buy and sell but can also help you with any tricks and tips with your items.  I had joined the group some time ago but never really used it.  That was up until recently and well, I would just like to warn you.  It can get rather obsessive because you never want to miss that one item.

I had noticed that from time to time people would post in the group requesting specific items so I thought why not?  I left a little message on there and hoped that somewhere someone would have some nice things to show me.  Well, they sure did.  The response was more then I had expected.  Not only did I finally find myself some goodies but it also perked me up to try and get my search-on again.  From OLL to Etsy I went.  A determined woman on a mission!


Here are just a few of the items I have managed to acquire...

1950s Black Flocked Organza Dress

This beauty fits me like a glove.  As if it were made for me :D

This bright number needs a bit of TLC which I hope to have fixed up.

I'm going to give it a go anyway.

A pair of early 60s Baby Blue Plaid Wool Cigarette Pants.

Saved for next winter.

As well as clothing I also collected this rainbow set of chiffon scarves.

You can never have too many colours!

However, my major score was this oh-so-stunning set.

This 1940s Sweetheart Dress and Coat Ensemble.

This is probably one of the most amazing pieces of vintage I own and I have been collecting and wearing for many years.  The dress is just a tiny bit big but definitely a keeper.  Unfortunately the coat is too big for me to wear.  I am undecided on what to do with it yet.  I'm torn because I hate the idea of separating them because beautiful pairs like this is so hard to come by.  But on the other hand I feel terrible if it were never to be worn again as the likelihood of me selling the dress on would be very slim.  It's just such a shame that the lovely heart details are not present on any part of the dress itself.  What do you think about my dilemma?  Are any of my readers interested in the coat maybe?  These are the measurements taken from the original listing - coat: length 40.5" / waist 26" / hip open (zipper comes just below waist) / bust 34-36" / sleeve 24" (meant to be blousey).  This here is the link from Etsy with all the details but there was another owner between myself and this seller.

Whilst we are all here, if you have some vintage garments which may be of interest to me do send me a message.  I'm never not looking!  My measurements are 30-31/23-24/33 or there abouts.

I'm sure happy with this lot.  Just goes to show... Never get down in the dumps and never give up hope.  Even if we are only talking about shopping!  I'll be making a post on some of my homeware finds soon.  So keep a look out because I have some goodies to show off.

Hope you have all had a wonderful sunny few days.  There's a little rain a-coming in the next few so keep those head scarves and cardies at the ready!

See you soon,
Alison xxx

VaVa -VaVOOM

Heyhey!

Hope you're all having a lovely day and the week so far has not been dragging since the long BH weekend.  So I've been dying to share this with you all.  Some months ago I felt like the luckiest girl of them all as I had won one of those competitions through Instagram.  You know, the ones that everyone holds where you share their image and tag and hash-tag them to death hoping that you might win at least one in your lifetime?!

Well... How excited was I when I found out that I was the winner of the Tarantula Clothing competition!!!  Best Christmas present ever.  I could choose any item I wanted from their website.  Lucky girl indeed.

Now, choosing was a tough decision.  Just look at this array of beauties they have to offer...

Hard Working Dress - Working hard for your figure!

Continental Circle Skirt which comes in many a fabric options.

Wild Catsuit

Waterfall Dress and Chorus Girl Romper

Can you see how I had a hard time deciding?  Originally I had opted for the Wild Catsuit because I have always wanted one of theirs.  Have you seen photos of the lovely pastel coloured versions?  The gals look absolutely gorgeous in them and I wanted to look just like them!  But just as I was making my mind up Tarantula launched their new number.  Oh boy is it a stunner!

Introducing the VAVA-VAVOOM Catsuit!

I just received the package last week and hopefully I can show it off to you all very soon.  My VaVa-VaVoom is in the most beautiful sparkly electric blue.  Perfect for dancing in!  As soon as I have a photo of me wearing it out and about I'll be sure to make a post on here right away.

Until then, toodles, 

Alison xxx

Roll VT - High Rockabilly 2012

Heyhey!

So this was just posted and I had to share it with you all!  Especially since I didn't get to go this year and then I find that they made a promotional video from last year.  It's great as it's like a souvenir to me as it was my first year at High Rockabilly!  I love spotting people I know or who I have met.  You may even find a glimpse of me along the way.

Maybe I will be back there next year but for now the plan is to hopefully go to my first Rockabilly Rave for my birthday next year.  Now that will be exciting!

Enjoy,

Alison xxx

The Forest and The Sea

I love a vacation... but then don't we all ;P
A couple of weeks ago I spent a long weekend with my family and the doggies at a luxury cabin out in the forest wilderness.  To Blackwood Forest we headed!

It was a nice little place to head out to.  Within the UK and not too far; plus we wanted somewhere to take the doggies with us.  We were able to drive to all the little towns and villages nearby, including the seaside!  It's so strange to have days of barely any reception on your mobile.  How do people get in contact with each other??  I've turned into such a social media type.

You have to take a photo of the vintage beach huts!

Perfect footwear for the hard to walk on sandy beaches...

Day one was all about going to the beach, the doggies loved frolicking around in the sea.  But oh what a mess they were with all the sand!  Later we had some local grub at the pub which was super yummy.  The rest of the long weekend was full of flea markets and general looking around in the nice sunshine.

Giant fishes in the stream - you can just about make out the shapes here.

Came across this amazing wallpaper in a house that someone had opened up for the day as part of the days event to set up stall. Ingenious! 

Look how happy my Dottie looks :D 

The event even provided a vintage bus ride to and from the nearest car park.

My brother, sis and her husband with the doggies.

We were at the Cockleman stall for some yummy seafood. 

Loved those glasses but I have to hold off until I have my own place as I have no where to put anything.  It's all in storage at my sisters house.

My sis and the doggies hanging out by the hot-tub which I didn't per-use.

As I was trying really hard not to buy anything for the reason mentioned above I only came away with one item.  And it was a good choice as I will be using it so it's not stored away and out of sight!

A good sized basket weave box handbag perfect for the summer.

So that was my summer holiday.  A break for some sunny days and fresh air with the family.  No more Sweden or Spain's High Rockabilly for me this year but hopefully next summer I will be attending more events again!

This little cheeky monkey thought she was still on holiday after we got back!

Toodles for now,
Alison xxx