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

This, Last and Next...

Weekends that is.  I did some fun things and will be participating in some other fun things before Christmas really kicks in.

Last weekend was a lot of plans and un-plans.  Realising I didn't have to work and that some of my friends were going to the sold out second Halloween Torture Garden night I tried to get my hands on a ticket.  Since that wasn't going too well I decided to have dinner and drinks with a friend.  That was until Saturday morning when she told me she could only go for one.  One!?  I decided to postpone and headed back to Surrey to hang out with my baby pups.  This worked out quite well because I had planned on going back the next weekend but something came up, which I will write about next. Anyway, I headed to the suburbs with some goodies in hand.  Goodies to do my hair with!

I had called ahead to make sure my sis would be in so that I could rope her into doing my hair for me.  Hehe.  I had been considering going the full head of turquoise but knowing how busy I would be in the coming months I decided against it.  I wouldn't have the time to maintain it.  So I opted for an alternative.  1/3 turquoise!  Plus the front section I kept because I love how my rolls look with it.

The front re-done

My triangle of blueness :D 

I'm loving it!  Except my scalp hurts a bit from the bleaching.  I will try and show you another photo soon when I fashion it into some style or up-do.

This was my Saturday night in well spent.  The only thing was.  Two hours after arriving a friend knew a friend who had some tickets going for TG.  Typical.

Sunday was lovely and went as pre-planned for once.  It was absolutely freezing here but we holed up in new Dalston drinking/stew house The Dead Dolls Club for my favourite; Sunday Roast!  It was so lovely, cosy and warm in there.  We didn't want to leave for fireworks.  But of course we did.  Not before we squeezed in some crumble for desert.  Even if we were about to burst due to yummy roast goodness.  In a very good way.

The Duke

Guy Fawkes. Happy to say that my pups don't get distressed by this. They just carry on as normal.

Onto This coming weekend... On Saturday I shall be working, but not at my usual job.  Nope.  You will all be able to swing by to It's Something Hell's Rockabilly Barbers to say a little hi.  I shall be bringing out Miss Cherrylicious guest pin-up assistant to Mr Ducktail for the day.  My lovely friend Sharon of Minnie Moons is their regular pin-up assistant.  Why not come and get a kut or pick up a tee whilst I'm there?  I will make sure you get taken care of!

Finally the Next weekend.  You shall find me hanging out at Old Spitalfields Market on Saturday the 17th.  No not to shop, but to curate.  There will be a Pop Up Vintage Fashion Show and yours truly will be up early and down there styling some outfits along with a handful of other talented people.  More on this soon.  On the Sunday I will be heading west by invitation to visit a lovely luxury lingerie boutique to meet with the owner.  I will keep you posted on all things frilly and lacy.

Well, that's the weekends sorted.  In between all this and more I will be squeezing in an attendance at a magazine launch, writing up an interview, DJing at an event, more drinks and dinner with friends and starting a new job.  A new job for the same company.  I have been promoted at work so a new title and at a new location :D  I shall be very busy indeed.

Hopefully I will be back on here with more updates very soon.  So much to write about!

Until next time, toodles!
Alison xxx

An Unusual Job - Styling for a Video Games promo

It was all very last minute and I had just one evening to pull it together!  Lucky for me my dinner date turned pa for the evening was on hand to run around the shops with me.  So between, borrowing some pieces, buying some and using my own collections I managed to have the wardrobe ready for the shoot the very next morning.

This was over a week ago now and I wasn't able to write about it until after the launch.  The game I speak of is Saints Row.  It's a pretty big game as for someone who doesn't actually play anything other than Professor Layton on the DS I had heard of it.  The new release was Saints Row: The Third published by THQ and the shoot I worked on consisted of a series of events using one of their infamous weapons as a prop.  Bring on The D-Bat!

You might have been mistaken by just looking at the images or if you had stumbled across our shoot by accident that something unsavoury might have been happening.  But I can assure you that it was all very above board and well, rather funny to be honest.  It was hard to keep a straight face!  The concept was "Things you can do around the house with a D-Bat".  The idea of a 50s housewife using The D-Bat gave it a tongue in cheek feel and it was all very innocent!  Why would you not use The D-Bat to stir a cup of tea??

This is a very photo based post as of course you probably want to see for yourself what I got up to and with it being a styling job.  All the pics are ones I took behind the scenes since it was a video promo.

 My doggies also got a shot at fame!

Introducing Bella and Dottie... Ones to watch ;)

Look at Bella go!  Those agility lessons came in handy.

The D-Bat as used on the game

 More of a 'Bad Gal' look

Just hosing the garden... as you do.

Getting those hard to reach spots.

Egg whisking like you've never seen before.

Bathing Beauty

 Where a hammer just isn't good enough...

...whack it with a D-Bat!

A look you would most certainly see me sporting.

A very versatile rolling pin

I'm sure you saw this one coming...

 ...but probably wasn't expecting this.

Don't worry, the toilet plunging shot was the last of the whole shoot.

Doesn't she look glamorous?

What did you think of the outfits?  I have to say that wasn't a bad days work at all.  Quite enjoyable if I should say so myself.  More of this would be great!

I should probably take this chance to plug my styling services really.  I am available for photo shoots, one on one personal styling, projects - long or short term, events, fashion shows.  You name it I can do it.  I am also an experienced hair stylist and am in the process of studying make-up so soon I can do the whole package.  You can email  me here for all enquiries.


I have to say a big thank you to my friend Miss Honey Bare of Heyday Honey for her last minute help too.  There was no way I would have had enough time to do the whole package.  Thank you for your Make-Up and Hair styling skills lady!  Together we really transformed those girls!

Un-tamed hair was kept in their place with this giant tong!

The D-Bats were sent out to various people like Jonathan Ross on the release date of Saints Row: The Third along with the video.  I hope they had as much fun with it as we did on the shoot!  I shall post the video on here at some point for your delectation.


You know the funny thing is, I thought when they told me the prop was a D-Bat it was a bat as in the animal.  Glad I looked it up before the day.  Otherwise I would have had a shock.


Till next time,
Alison xxx

Busy Buzzzz....

I seem to have a lot going on recently and forth coming.  Some really fun things, events and launches which I will write all about on here very very soon....

~ A book launch which I make a feature in... my début in print :)


~ A video shoot for a games promo which I styled - A computer game of all things! It's all hushhush until it launches so I cannot write about it yet.


~ A photo shoot this weekend with a fab photographer for an exciting project which may also turn into a book or possibly an exhibition.


~ A bar launch this Friday - The bar where I shall once again dip my tootsies into for events. Keep an eye out as I shall plug it like hell!


I can't wait to catch up with everyone on these things.

Oh and Christmas is a-coming :D  I do love Christmas! xxx

The Adverts are starting - I adore this one.

It's too cute!

Back in Front of the Lens - A shoot with Kate

Before I went on holiday to Sweden I had a photo shoot scheduled in with the lovely Kate Bloomfield.  This was mostly for a book which I shall make a feature in all about Vintage Style.  I am so excited and honoured to have been ask to be involved but it is still a work in progress so I cannot tell you too much about it yet.  I will be writing another post on this at a later date all about being published as I have something else coming up very soon too.

I met Kate some years ago when we were both on the set of a short film.  We didn't get to chat much at the time as we were all busy working.  A few months down the line Kate and I bumped into each other again at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes.  Kate was in the middle of organising an event to be held at 93 Feet East and ask if I would be involved.  I was still performing burlesque at the time and she wanted me to perform but to also book some other performers for her.  From there our friendship built and we have been involved with a number of projects since.

Here are the results of our shoot.  I won't spoil the surprise by showing you the image I sent out for the style book.  You will just have to wait and see.

You are able to view the images in a larger size if you click into them.  Unfortunately my page layout doesn't help with pillars on both sides.

Funny enough I am actually a dog person but I do love the image of me holding the porcelain cat standing in front of the cat wall.

It has been a while since I last did an actual shoot where I am the subject in question, mostly preferring to be working behind the scenes.  I hope you like them and that the publishers like what I sent them too.  xx

Too Much Cake?

I was having a little think about my posts recently and I haven't really been posting any of my work have I?

I decided I should put up this cheeky little set by Sabine T.

This is all because I feel like I have eaten a little too much cake lately!  I should probably take a leave out of my own book... or photos ;)

Double Trouble!

These were taken when I had my loving red hair which I miss dearly.  Especially when I see other lovely ladies with red hair.  I get serious envy!

I hope you like the running theme as much as I enjoyed the role play.

Tea and Cake anyone? xx

*All Styling, Hair, Make-Up and Posing by yours truely*

Here goes my first post!

I have been meaning to set up my blog for some time now and I thought to myself there was no better time then the present. I am proud to say that my styling work is currently on display as part of Jaana Viitakangas photography exhibition at the fashion/lifestyle store Urban Outfitters, situated within the hassle and bustle of Covent Garden. Jaana is a very talented photographer whom I have had the pleasure to work with on numerous occasions. We first met through our mutual friend Kate when we had a lock in at Positively 4th St, a lovely deco style bar where Kate works. Since then we have worked on a number of projects together with Jaana as the photographer and myself as the stylist and art director. She has fast become a good friend through our mutual appreciation of the arts and our admiration of each others style and hard work.

If you get a chance please do swing by to have a look at our work and Jaana's website.

Until next time,

Alison x