A Year of Partying!

Everything is in the detail and you get the lot from Angels new book.  I recently attended the launch of The Vintage Tea Party Year (available here) and as you can imagine it was one very beautiful party.  Angels book was brought to life with her Vintage Patisserie team.

The book itself is more than just recipes, it's an all round handy elegant guide to organising your very own party.  As with her first book the illustrations are beautiful, the images and props are fantastic.  It's perfect for quick reference inspirations as well as planning ahead with food, hair tips, styling and decorating around the home.  Coming just under 300 pages, there's a lot of delights to feast your eyes on.

Here are a few photos I snapped at the event...

All the yummy looking food can be found in the book.

Here I am with the glowing Angel!

The opera length leather gloves are out. It's getting cold.

Lucky there were no bunnies in sight. Note the cute basket plate :) 

This loveliness was in the goody bag and what a goody bag it was!

You may also spot a familiar face in there *winkwink*

I did a write up of the shoot earlier on in the year > here

Go grab a copy in time for Guy Fawkes partying!  Or Christmas.... Or New Years...

I would also like to mention that I bumped into lovely Fleur whom I have not seen for quite some time but that's not it.  She introduced me to Katie.  Yes, that Katie of "What Katie Did" whose lingerie I adore!  Best faux vintage lingerie around.

I have another exciting launch to attend next week but ahead of that I shall be looking forward to Sunday Roast with friends followed by fireworks for afters!

Take care,
Alison xxx

The VP's Vintage Hair & Make-Up Academy

Hello lovely readers, hope you are all coping well with this drastic weather here in Blighty?  Or maybe you are reading this from sunnier climates?  I've been up to all sorts in the last couple of weeks which included attending the first class of Vintage Patisserie's new venture with Lipstick & Curls - The Vintage Hair & Make-Up Academy.

Now, you may be thinking it odd for me to attend such a class since I style not only my own but other ladies hair on a regular basis.  Well, my thoughts are you can never stop learning and you can never know enough.  Especially when the special invitation came from the most loveliest Angel herself to spend the day in great company, doing what I love most, whilst sipping champagne at their gorgeous head quarters.  Which of you lovely ladies can tell me you would turn that down?  I didn't think so!

I started the morning without styling my hair, just a simple headscarf as of course we will be doing that at the class.  As Vintage Patisserie is based in Hackney I didn't have far to go at all; 10 minutes on the bus.  Perfect for morning starts.  On arrival I bumped into Bettina Scarlet outside.  There was no mistaking with her current head of lilac.  Once inside we were greeted with warmth by Angel who showed us up to the academy where Amanda of L&C's was setting up.  It has been a while since I last saw both these talented ladies so we all had a little catch-up as more gorgeous attendees arrived.  One of these lovely ladies included Rosie of I'll Be Darned whom I coincidentally contacted a few days before inquiring about her services.  The vintage scene is a small world indeed.

We all settled down with our tea in china cup in hand and the class begun.  First lesson was pin curling with tongs.  Now I have actually only done this a few times before and never on myself.  I'm more of a sleep in your rollers kinda gal so this was very useful to me.  We paired up; myself with Rosie and we pinned each others hair.  I definitely learnt something new here with the tonging technique and when we did let the pin-curls out my set was surprisingly well held-in.

Whilst we waited for our pin-curls to set we watched some hair demonstrations from Amanda...

And then it was time for the all important brushing out on us ladies!

Luncheon was had whilst all this fun was going on.  It was like a lovely scene of a gathering of ladies all chattering and discussing hair and other such pretty things.  We went on to try the various styles Amanda demonstrated on our own sets as well as trying out styles we had always wanted to do with Amanda's professional guidance on hand.  Mine was the "Betty Grable" do which I always thought looked rather difficult; especially with as much hair as I have.  Tips and tricks were handed out which made everything seem so easy after all.

Rosie's do

Bettina's 

Some major back-combing was going on which turned into the smoothest of all up-dos.

After all this effort we took a little champagne break before Amanda kicked into the Make-Up masterclass.  Unfortunately I had to nip off early to go to work.  I already took a half day so couldn't very well be late too.

I have to say I had the most fabulous fun day in the company of lovely ladies and the best hosts in town.  I was happily surprised by how much tricks and tips I gained from the day.  I would highly recommend attending this class for those who are new to vintage styling to those who are already skilled in this area.  I most definitely went away with information I never had before.  You can find out more about the academy here where you can also book onto the course.  Go forth, take a look and most of all, go and spoil yourself for the day!

Of course whilst there I couldn't resist but have a sneak peek at Angels new book The Vintage Tea Party Year which is out now!  You can find me in there on page... Well, you will just have to pick it up and have a look for yourself ;)

Speaking of said book, next week is the book launch and I am yet undecided on what to wear?!  Much anticipation and excitement though as it surely will be the best party held by the most glamorous hostess of all!

I will be back posting with all the gossip and photographs plus did I mention I went along to this years London Tattoo Convention at the weekend?  Well, I have a new tattoo to show you all.  You will have to wait for that post!


Take care,
Alison xxx

Birthday, Relocating, Posing, Dancing, Drinking...

Hello lovelies!  A couple of weeks has been and gone since my last post; pre-move back to London Town...  So what has been going on, what has everyone been up to?  Lots of things have been happening over these past weeks including outings, my birthday, the big move, drinks, dancing (lots of it), a photo shoot, meeting new people and hanging out with my new flatmates!

As I do each and every year, I took some time off work for my birthday.  I had been planning to go on a mini break to get away from it all but it happened to coincide with my moving home.  Instead, my time off became my week of packing and wrapping.  But not before I had a little dance!

Birthday Shenanigans!
Another year older but none-the-wiser, teehee!  No but really, I actually never really feel older.  I think I'm stuck at 25, but not in a bad way.  It helps when you don't look your age too, or so I'm always told :D  With all the moving home plans I actually didn't get up to much on my birthday.  I did have a night out with the girls the weekend before but on the day of my actual birthday I stayed in and carried on packing like a good girl.  We headed over to Hotel Street; the Sailor Jerry's bar I have previously mentioned which is now sadly closed  :(  We watched the singer from the Dum Dum Girls, Dee Dee do a solo show and had a few drinks.

I love this photo of Anne and I so much. You may just find I have used it everywhere!

This is a short video of Dee Dee and some interviews.

The funny thing is we were actually filmed for this video clip but didn't make the cut.  Although I have to add I was rather relieved when I did watch it as I was practically dragged up to be interviewed because I look like a SJ girl.  I'm pretty video camera shy and was quite embarrassed and maybe a little bit red too!  Am pretty happy I didn't sneak onto it but I would have liked to see Jaana on there :P

For afters we headed to Joe's in Camden to do a little hip swaying.  Friday night is Hip Joint ran by El Nino of The Lady Luck Clubs.  All the drinking and dancing aside; it was this night at Joe's that I met my next photographer to be(was)  Chiko Ohayon.  Everyone was on the dance floor and we got chatting a little bit here and there.  I completely lost track of time but maybe half an hour or so before we left, Chiko ask if I would model for his book.  He has been shooting and working on his own book for the last four years.  We swapped contacts and I went to have a chat with him at his studio during that week.  We shot a week or so later after he came back from Paris.  At some point I will no doubt post about it all but not right now.

So that was basically my birthday celebrations.  It may no be much this year but I did receive one of my best presents ever from my sister.  How does she think of these I do not know but she's a genius for sure!  From reading my blog you probably would have gathered how fond I am of hair and beauty.  This was/is the perfect present.  Not even I knew I wanted one until I had it.  I did not have a hard time filling it up at all.  The rate I buy make-up and new shades of lipsticks!

I love all the trays and compartments!

After all this birthday goodness I said my goodbyes to Surrey and living with my sister and packed up the van.  Next stop... East London!  More on this new exciting adventure next time.  For now, it is time to head to bed so I am ready for The Chap Olympiads in the morning.  Gosh time has flown by!

Alison xxx

Ps. I did of course attend one last agility class with Dottie before I left...

It's the 100 Give-away!

Hello to you all on this wonderfully warm sunny day in Ol' Blighty.  It's enough to put a spring in anyone's step!

So when I reached a 100 followers recently I said I would come up with a suitable prize to do a give-away with.  Well, I thought long and hard to decide on something that would make my readers happy, an item they could use/find useful, worth entering for and is suited to all my readers.  That was some task; but I have finally got my gift.  I have been drumming on and on about this item and of course it now makes perfect sense to give it away.  It fits all the above mentioned specs(I hope) and it's definitely a good-un!

But firstly, let me tell you about or show you the prize... A copy of Wearable Vintage Fashion Book

La Look Book pages - 1950s

1920s

 The Style pages - this here featuring Turrrbo Cherry

Here are the details...

• You have to be a follower of mine :)
• Unfortunately I have to make this give-away a UK only entrant* - the book is just too heavy (the last time I sent one it cost me £15 and this was only within Europe).  I'm sorry :( 
• You can enter by leaving me a comment below - a nice one please hehe.
• You can enter a 2nd time by posting about this competition and linking me onto your own blog - remember to post a separate comment with your link to the post so I can see it.
• You can enter a 3rd time by posting a link of this onto your facebook page, but remember I can only see it if your page is not private if we are not friends on there - again,  remember to post a separate comment with your link to the post below.
• There will only be one winner chosen at random.
• The prize - 1x copy of WVF book. No alternatives will be given.
• Enter the competition by Monday 28th May 23:59 GMT
• The winner will be announced later on in the week.

* This is unless you have a UK address I can send your prize to then feel free to enter ;)

This is my first give away and this is how I see others do it so hopefully it seems fair and correct.  I do apologise that I cannot extend this one to outside of the UK but I hope to do a future competition that will be available to all my followers.  To pick the winner, I will use one of those fancy number generator thingy-bobs or possibly the old fashioned name out of a hat way.

I would like to thank Jo, Clare and Vivals Publishings for involving me with this wonderful book.

I'm off to walk the doggies in the woods now.
Happy entering! xxx

Wearable Vintage Fashion Book - The Launch

Hey!  So I have finally got round to posting about the actual party for the book launch I helped organise for Wearable Vintage Fashion.  I know this was back in April, nearly a month ago now.  I'm really sorry for being a slow coach but I promise I have just been busy and not lazy.  Here goes...

Star of the Night

Clare & Jo with the Usherettes

Cover star in attendance!

Here is Amanda of Lipstick & Curls beautifying the Usherettes earlier on.

Hanging out with my besty... hehe

THE yummiest moist cupcakes and really inventive flavours!

Colours to match the book cover of course.

It was nice and busy and everyone was having a jolly good time :D 

The Performers...

Tricity Vogue who sang little ditties from the 20s-40s and a number of her own too.

I rather enjoyed myself watching Tricity!

Here's a video I made...

Jake Vegas with his band... and the dancing began...

My cousin Nicki came to give us support and to have a drink or two.  She insisted that we took a photo together so that she could send it to her mum, my aunt!  There I am in the book.

The book has been really successful for Jo & Clare which you can find on sale in many shops and on-line; including my personal favourite, the amazing Victoria & Albert Museum and in The Tate Modern!  How exciting is that?  I will have to pop by to see for myself soon.  There was also a wee write up on The Vintage Festival website by one of their correspondents on the launch night with a review of the book which you can read right here.

I do have something even more exciting to tell you relating to the book but I will have to keep it to myself for the moment and wait until it has been confirmed.  It would be amazing for me if it came through!

For now I leave you with a photograph of me with the book that shows off my dress that little bit better.  It's a shame that I didn't capture the back of my dress because it is a lovely backless number.  xxx