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

The 1940s Relived - Brooklands Museum

Hi All!

I hope you are all enjoying your Sundays.  I'm not feeling too great myself so am spending the day indoors but the weather doesn't look too bad from this side of the glass doors.  I meant to post this much earlier on but never got round to finishing it.  Since the event happens this coming Saturday I thought; no time like the present to put it up!

So coming up this Saturday 17th is The 1940s Relived event at Brooklands Museum.  I wanted to do a little post on this as I visited the museum a few months back and of course this event caught my eye.  During my visit I had a lot of fun riding some beautiful vintage motors up their Test Hill run.  It's definitely not something you get to do everyday.  If you get a chance to take a ride I recommend taking up the offer!

Passenger seat view of the countdown to going up the Test Hill.

Second photo we're driving on the famous Brooklands race track.

I even appeared in the local paper later that week after a press photographer asked for my photo.

The museum had a big center page spread.

What a privilege it was to have rode on this spectacular piece of machinery! 

  

So back to the event itself.  Here's a few photos I've 'borrowed' from Brooklands FB page from last years event.  It looks rather fun and hopefully I will see you there myself.  It does clash with the Tweed Run this year but you can always head on over afterwards as it runs through to the evening for some dancing and drinking!

A street party, music, dancing, stalls of all kinds, re-enactors, vintage cinema, a 1930s Members’ Bar and their Art Deco Clubhouse awaits you this Saturday.  Go party like it really is the 1940s!


Toodles,
Alison xxx

Puttin' on the Glitz

Gosh, I tried my darn-dist I really did but I never quite managed to continue blogging as I had intended to this last year.  Well, let us start again here shall we...?

Hello All!  Lady of the Parlour/Miss Cherrylicious/Alison here.  How do you do?  Pleased to make your acquaintance... Again.  There has been so much happening in my life, so many events attended, so many people I've met, so many shopping trips.  So much clothing to show you... And all the new shooooes!

Before I do an outfit/shopping/wardrobe post I wanted to write about a recent event I attended at The British Library.  Puttin' on the Glitz - Fashion & Film in the Jazz Age hosted as part of their Spring Festival at the library saw the amazingly fabulous Amber Jane Butchart and Christopher Laverty grace the stage to speak to us about the wonders that was the Jazz Age.  For afters there was a Cocktail Party hosted by the lovely ladies of The Vintage Mafia.  And what a party it was; with live music from the one and only Alex Mendham and his Orchestra.  Such a treat!

Well I say we start with an event post but what's an event post without my event outfit!?
Here's a quick look at my hair and dressage for the evening...

Hair - the higher the better!

It is hard to tell here as my hair is in a net but the length is actually down to my waist.

But isn't it great to have the option to make ones hair appear shorter?

This is probably the best photo of my outfit captured outside the cocktail party venue.

© Luca Sage 

I never like to read too much into any talk if I already know I will be attending as I hate to spoil things for myself by knowing too much.  The lovely Christopher whom I had not had the pleasure of coming across before this event was a wonderful speaker.  Such passion and so very engaging.  I could have listened to him talk all night about men' fashions!  It also happened to be an more interesting talk (for myself) as Christopher based his talk on the costumes of the characters from The Boardwalk Empire series ( a personal favourite; which I am very behind on) due to their historically correct costuming.  Some rather interesting facts that Christopher pointed out was the alignment of ones suiting pattern... which I'm sure everyone was subsequently noticing for the rest of the evening; along with myself.  The wondrous array of colours that were actually worn by the men of the Jazz Age.  Those dandies and gangsters knew how to dress alright!  Such inspiration to the modern world which is usually hidden behind the black and white films and photography that we see around.

I first discovered Amber in my early years in London when I would be out on the town night after night.  Spotting Amber as part of her DJ duo The Broken Hearts whom can be seen at the most fashionable events around!  Amber spoke of the fashions from the silent movie eras through to when the talkies took over.  How Hollywood and Paris fought it out for top spot as fashion leaders to the world.  And surprisingly how movie stars would bring in their own wardrobe as costumes for the films they were stars of!

I am highly anticipating Amber's new project which she is currently working on entitled Nautical Chic due for publish in 2015.  In the meantime her current book Fashion Miscellany is on my to-buy list.

On to the Vintage Mafia hosted Cocktail Party...

It was rather busy as you can imagine whilst trying to capture a shot of Alex and his band.

Everyone was having a whale of a time Charleston-ing it out to the sounds! 

Photo-booth present - Outtakes not ;) 

My own version - Wanted to show you this dreamy car...

As part of the evening the talented Mr Hanson Leatherby had his Vintage Travelling Portrait Studio set up at the cocktail party for guests to have a little souvenir to look back on.  You can have a look through the rest of the shots here.  This below is my still... Hanson making me look good.  I almost feel as if I should autograph it like a Hollywood Starlet!  Almost...

I say, if that was even a slight taster of the Jazz Age parties then take me there.  Sharpish!

Until next time...
Alison xxx


P.S - A little video captured by The Vintage News crew giving you a snippet of the event.  You can also see a lot more photographs taken at the event on their website.

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

Introducing... Teacup Wilbur

Hi All!

I am back!  Hope everyone is really good and enjoying the on/off spring weather and brighter days!
It has been some time I know but I really do think it's about right to come back to my blog.  It's been about four months since I got carried away with work, other projects etc to have time to blog and I miss it terribly so.  I am still super hectic with everything but hope I will be able to post an entry here and there about my goings on.

The first project I would like to introduce my lovely readers to is Teacup Wilbur!
This here is my sisters loving project and new business.  I have been helping her bring it to fruition and intensely working with her the last few weeks ready for the launches!  Saturday was the first of two launch events held in Pirbright, Surrey which went without a hitch.  Everyone had a jolly good time mingling, eating, drinking, buying and cooing oohs and ahhs over the displays and designs.  The little 'uns played games, laughed and ate all the sweet treats on offer. (Photos very soon)

Here's a little something from Teacup Wilbur's website to introduce themselves...

"Teacup Wilbur loves to organise a good party for little ones and grown-ups; from styling an area of your party to complete party planning, set-up and breakdown. We offer a bespoke and customised solution to suit your needs.

Our aspiration is to make your party a unique moment to remember; bringing personal touches to life and creating experiences that tell a story. It is the small details that turn a good celebration into an incredible one. With our bespoke service focused on ensuring “every detail matters”, the results will speak for themselves."

As well as telling you all about TW, what I really want to tell you all about is the upcoming launch event taking place this Bank Holiday Saturday here in London.  I shall be in attendance of course and would love to see you all there!  It will be more of the same fun and laughter, cakes and tea, amazing displays and your chance to find out a bit more about Teacup Wilbur and what they can do for you.  And if you RSVP here before the event you will even receive a free gift :D 

My involvement in all this?  Apart from the obvious of helping my sister I am the illustrator behind all the drawings you will see for the brand.  From the logo posted above to all the props you will see at their parties.  Yes.  I have picked up my pens/pencils/paint brushes again and am ecstatic to be getting back into my artist past.  I may even have some interest in a commission from another client already.  Happyhappy!

I hope to see some familiar faces there and if you really can't make this Saturday afternoon do pop along to their website!  There might just be something there for you that Teacup Wilbur can help with.  On the other hand they are always looking to work with other lovely creative people.

This is not the first and last of my come-back so see you again very soon!

Take care,

Alison xxx

The Launch of Things & Ink

Well helloooo!  Gosh winter is really setting in isn't it?!  Haha, such an English thing to talk about the weather.  I love a bit of snow myself but am yet to see any since I am in central London.  Unless it's really heavy and dry/cold you don't see a wisp of it here.  Unfortunately I have had my hands tied recently what with the new job and trying to find a place to live I haven't had a proper chance to sit down and write.  I do hope to catch up with all the events I have been attending and things I have been doing with you all as soon as I can.  Starting here with a magazine launch :D

A few weeks ago I attended a launch party at Into You London for an amazing new magazine - Things & Ink.  I would be stating the obvious if I told you it had something to do with tattoos, but it is a lot more than that.  It's also not your typical tattoo magazine off the shelf.  In Alice' own words about her new project - "A new tattoo magazine that embraces female tattoo culture, for artists, collectors and those yet to go under the needle".  Sounds perfect to me!

The first issue has the most beautiful cover featuring Claudia De Sabe.  You may be familiar with the image whose inspiration originated from Artoris Gibbons; one of the best known tattooed ladies of her generation.  Artoris worked in circus' and carnival sideshows throughout the 1920s - 50s with a career spanning over 35 years.  Artoris' history seems a little unclear but you can definitely read a lot about her and her husbands life searching on the internet.  I can imagine she would have been one interesting lady to converse with!

Make-up by my lovely friend Kelly "Miss Honey Bare"

Hair by Lucie Luella of Rockalily

Here's a few snaps from the launch itself...

I took a photograph with the lovely Mo Deeley who won a years subscription with T&I!
Loving the blue hair Mo ;) 

The Things & Ink team

Alice & I - Funny how we look ink-less in this photo :) 

Keep an eye out for my interview with Alice, Editor of Things & Ink here soon.  In the meantime I encourage you to support this indie publication so go pick up a copy and soon!

Alison ;) xxx

This Time I Got Tattooed!

Heyhey

Yes, so I mentioned in my last post that I got myself a new tattoo last weekend.  I attended The London Tattoo Convention for the second time which was in its 8th year.  Last year I attended without the intention of getting tattooed as it was very last minute plus I already had two new ones completed earlier on in the year.  One being my arm which was started in Dec 2010 and finished in Jan 2011 and my ribs which I had last summer as a birthday present to myself.  I actually had it done the day before my birthday.  So it's been a while since I was last inked.  I was definitely itching for another.  Especially when you have a list of all the ones you want!  The only thing keeping me away is the cost.

I went knowing that I wanted to get tattooed and by whom.  Unfortunately I was too late when I emailed the guys at Spider Murphy's Tattoo a couple of months ago; they were already booked up. My only chance was to turn up super early to try and speak to them, flutter my lashes and somehow sweet talk them into tattooing me.  I'm happy to say something did the trick and the lovely Matt Howse squeezed me in between two of his pre-booked appointments.  It was either Matt or Paul Anthony Dobleman that I had wanted so I was one happy girl indeed.

Here I am being very ladylike with skirt hitched up high awaiting the needle.  I'm sure at some point I probably flashed everyone my stocking tops & suspenders but I was obviously way too preoccupied and in pain to notice!  When choosing my outfit that morning the only thing I thought about was making sure the back of my neck was accessible.  I very nearly wore a tight pencil dress!   

Tada! This is the new piece.  More boudoir inspired goodness to go with my arm.

There will definitely be more on this theme soon if I can help it.

How do you like it?  I am really happy with the design.  I just love how you can tell an artist what you want to incorporate and they can whip up a drawing just like that.  I hadn't really pictured how the juxtaposition of the lipstick and compact mirror would work coming out of the rose but Matt has got it spot on.  Pretty much everyone who has seen it since has commented on how it is very "me".  I love that all my tattoos reflect who I am as that is exactly what I feel they should be.  They are now a part of me.  Not everything that is me but part of who I am.

I have to add, this has got to be the most painful session I've had.  I'm not sure if it was because of where I was being tattooed, Matt or I had just not expected that amount of pain?  It was definitely worst than my ribs which wasn't too bad for me but I was told beforehand it's one of the worst places pain-wise.  Oh well, it's over with now but just a warning for those thinking of getting something in that area too.  A rum and coke was on order straight after that!

Apart from getting tattooed and going round to all the booths to look at artists works and at work we went to this years pop-up cinema to watch the preview of Tattoo Nation.  The final cut is still being made for release early next year.  I didn't end up seeing any of the stage performances as a few were the same as 2011.  Lucky Hell the Sword Swallowing Showgirl was the only performer I really wanted to see but she didn't perform on Sunday.  Sad face.

I came across a photo of me on Flickr here but not any of my full outfit.  I never come across any of the photos that other people take of me when I'm out and about at events etc.  Here are a few of the photos that I did take myself...

Tattooed legs above all by these guys at Scapegoat Tattoo Co who are amazing!

Would love to get tattooed by them one day.

Some lovely flashes which I want to pick up.

Matt and Paul at their stand

Official poster painted by Paul this year

Amsterdam Tattoo Museum 

Normans actual business card

That was pretty much the day.  Spending the whole day there is fun but tiring.  I leave you here with a photograph of the girls and I at the annual pre-convention party held by The Family Business where we got just a bit tipsy!

Take care,
Alison xxx