A Very Swedish Birthday!

Well I have been back from Sweden about a week now and what fun it was but I guess it is time to document!  I wanted to get away for my birthday this year, no where crazy.  Just somewhere nice, fun and relaxed.  I thought I was leaving the sunniest weather behind when I left London but apparently it got all "English" on us again so I didn't miss our "summer"!  Sweden was beautiful as always and sunny which was perfect.  I even got some tan lines (unfortunate for me - Miss Sun-Shy) but I can't complain as I'd rather the sun.  It does lift the spirits after all!

My Birth-Day started with a musical rendition of a very famous song but in Swedish from my blondie Malin presenting me with a little sweet with a candle on top :)

Realising I liked to collect miniture animals Malin gifted me these.

They are from her childhood which she was going to sell.

How adorable... little glass pups!

I also received this via the waves from my little brother.... Hahaha... Lazer eyes Dottie!

After breakfast it was time to get ready to hit the town.  To one of my favourite shop that is!  It is hands down one of the best antique stores I have been to and will always visit when I go to Göteborg.  It's one of those ones that you are constantly spotting something glorious.  Not at all like some antique shops I have been to where you are afraid to touch things or are made to feel uneasy.  I love it in here and could easily part with a small fortune.

Vanity Antique

This set of cigarette holder and ashtray was so beautiful.

Naughty, but almost worth smoking for! 

Wandered round town some more and picked up a few bits here and there but I'll do a shopping post separately.  It's called for.  They even had their own version of our Boris Bikes... Although maybe they had them first?  Lovely old style cobbled lanes lined with coffee shops.  Anyone fancy some fika?

For the evening we went to the lovely Liseberg, home to the green rabbit.  My first visit to Liseberg was the first time I came to visit Malin about seven years ago now.  That was my very first trip to Sweden and look how many times I have been back since.  There must be something in the air... Not just the cute Swedish boys ;)

We did a lot on my first visit.  All the touristy things...  I remember it fondly.  I even made a scrapbook of that vacation.  It would be nice to print some more photos of my various visits I think.

Now follow me...

Doesn't it just look so beautiful!

Country trio 'Cookies n Beans' were performing that evening.

The Hives were billed a few days later which sadly I missed out on.

A lot of original 1950s features remain; the ticket box and the lamps above :) 

Double Denim!

Plopp... Always a joke in England

With our 'Winnings'

Ice-cream sundaes were on the agenda whilst at Liseberg but it was getting far too cold out.  I even grabbed a hot chocolate before we stopped for dinner.  It all worked out though as there was scrummy ice-cream back at home!  Washed down with a hot cuppa tea.

So that was my very Swedish Birth-Day!  Beats just going out for drinkies/dinner and the weather hasn't been great the pass few years to even consider a picnic.

I leave you here with my outfit for the special day.  I'll be back with more Sweden fun posts!

Simple 'n' Chic for day-night look.

From top of the head to the tootsies!

All dressed up and ready to go.

Tara until the next time,
Alison xxx

Hair. Checked. Nails. Checked. Feet. Checked!!!

Hello from glorious London...  So I am officially on vacation from work!  Woopwoop :D

I am getting all prepped, packed and ready at the moment before I jet off.  Some of you may have noticed I have a big crush on Sweden.  And if you didn't, you do now as I am once again visiting the land of the beautiful people.  I planned this little holiday to spend my birthday in Sweden as I had wanted to be away this time last year but it ended up clashing with my relocation back to London.  Which was wonderful in itself.  But it was no holiday that's for sure.

Hair...
I'd been holding back doing my hair for a bit now as I hadn't decided on exactly what to do.  Do I just re-do the roots on my streak and back or go back to black completely?  Or do I do what I have wanted all along... All out full head of turquoise/blue!?

This was the most recent photo of me pre-hair change.

That was a good day. Especially after a whole long weekend of partying and no sleep.

And then I was blonde...

If it had turned out as a full head of white blonde I would have kept it like that for a while.  I have always wanted to try out the "Blondes have more fun" look.  Hehe.  Maybe another time, when I bleach it all over again there will be less yellow streaks.  Not bad from going black to blonde!

Anyway I know you all want to see the new hair so here it is...

Mermaid goodness!

I love how it coordinates with my neck tattoo.

Perfect accessory! 

The mother of all Hairs Rolls right here, lol.

Nails...

My nails have been playing up so much recently.  They are no longer their long lustrous old self but I decided I would go and have them done for my get away anyway so that I won't have to worry about chips and re-painting etc.  In comes the ladies at Hula Nails; London's very own cheeky tiki vintage beauty parlour.  Hopefully I can get my nails back on top form with some bio-gel polish!

A nice shade of coral for the summery weather!

Feet...

There's nothing like a new pair of shoes.  Especially when it is from the amazing Miss L Fire.  I've had my eyes on these since they previewed the collection earlier on in the year.  And now they are mine.  All mine!

The lovely 'Lolas' in rust

I'll be sure to get a photo wearing them from my trip to show them off in all their glory!  How exciting.  I shall definitely be wearing them at this 'Live & Rockin' event where my Malin is judging best dressed and Magnus is playing with his band...

I shall be back after my holiday to report on the lovely Sweden but also to post about the recent launch of Teacup Wilbur!  Their cakes were to die for...

Tara for now,

Alison xxx

Not Here but Elsewhere...

Hello!

So since I have been away and didn't have much time to write I actually took to some other less time consuming web activities.  I Tweeted a bit more, I set up my Miss Cherrylicious Facebook page for my modeling work and I recently made my Instagram public having had it the last couple of years.  I just checked and my first ever photo on there was from May 2011!  No one I knew used Instagram back then and that was one of the reasons I remember for not sharing on it originally.  I have favored between them on and off.  One of the things I missed most on here was writing my outfit posts.  They were fun!  I have tried to do a few more snaps on Instagram recently so thought I would share with you some of the photos which I haven't posted here before.

Full on all-up bouffant which I never usually do but I do occasionally now.

New top from Topshop which could almost be from a repro brand!

Teamed with my Freddies and favourite varsity jacket.

One of my dress-down days.

A-Bombers yeh! Cannot wait to go back this year.

This colour looks great with my skin tone and black hair.

Perfect make-up face. Eyes, brows, lips, everything. Happy.

Getting ready for some Yeah Yeah Yeahs carnage!

Sweet 60s look.

The super-crop... Has a tendency to flash though.

I love my collection of Tara Starlet button-down pencils skirts.

Such a shame they no longer make their clothes in my size :( 

I love doing the heels and socks combo!

Comfort and style... Great for summer. 

It's funny because I had my hair cut quite a bit maybe a month or two ago but you can't really tell in the pics because it grows like a monster!  It's nearly halfway down my back already and I couldn't even ponytail it up when first cut.

I've just had a huge BH weekend of partying and am about to die so this is me for the evening.  I am off to eat cake.  My sisters homemade Chocolate Guinness cake.  Yums!

Tara,

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

Have You Heard...?

The What Katie Did sale is now on!

As is Freddies of Pinewood's.  Two of my favourite brands!

Go get them ladies before it's all gone :D

Alison xxx

Not Long Now... 2013

Hi!

I'm just in the middle of getting ready for this evening and felt like writing a post all of a sudden.  No particular plans for tonight but let's see where it takes me!  They're always the best NYE's.  Official first day at my new flat with the guys today.  It feels like I've suddenly gained two older brothers.  Or maybe I'll be the one looking after the boys?  So excited about this space.  I've already been painting and cannot wait to get all my furniture in here to make it my own.  I may even be able to send all my shoes up from Surrey!

I've had a good 2012 with lots of projects here and there and met many new people.  For 2013 I already have plans under my belt; more features in books coming up, modeling for a couple of brands(excited) and this new abode will hopefully get me going a bit more.  Far more space to work in and I'm also living with two other creatives.  Although I've probably already been drinking too much down the pub and not enough work.  Early days yet.

I hope you all have a fabulous NYE and an even more amazing and exciting New Year to come!
I would also like to mention my amazing sister (although she doesn't really read my blog, she would rather turn a blind eye to some of my shenanigans!) who has always looked after me.  She also took the plunge and left her CEO position to start her own business at the end of this year.  All the best for your new ventures!  I have missed not having her around this Christmas.  First time ever in fact as she decided to head out to Hong Kong for a much deserved holiday.

Right.  I've eaten some pasta to help me out.  I'm gonna finish my make-up and have a pre-drink.
Have a fab night one and all :D

All the best and I shall see you all next year with more tales to tell,
Alison xxx