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

I Mentioned a Photo Shoot in the Summer...

Hello Hello!  Hope you are all good and looking forward to your Christmas and New Year holidays?  I myself am working the whole of Christmas with only the actual Christmas Day off.  I shall be travelling back to good ol' Surrey on the night of the Eve and back up to London again Boxing morning.  It's not too bad really as I do have four days off over the countdown to NY.  Nothing has been planned party-wise yet as I shall either be moving to a new abode or back homehome to my sisters.  I am having no luck at all with finding a new flat to move into.  It's very bad timing I know.  Shall keep you all posted as I'm sure you would like to see some party frock action; if I get some party action that is!

So I thought I would try and warm you all up a little by bringing a bit of sun (or a reminder) of the sun to your screens.  Way back in September I spent a morning in front of Satin Paula Kopczynski lens whilst I was having a holiday out in Calafell for High Rockabilly.  I met Paula the previous year when we were both at The Hot Rod Hayride.  Paula travels around to all the festivals and is constantly shooting at events, for magazines, clients and her own collection of course.  It was great fun to incorporate a photo shoot into my HR visit.

I have posted a few here for your delight but you can see more over on my Miss Cherrylicious page where you can find many other photo shoots too!  Hope you like :D

© Satin Paula Kopczynski

© Satin Paula Kopczynski

© Satin Paula Kopczynski

Paula has set aside a few of the images to use in her next book, hopefully out next spring/summer.  I have not seen these photographs yet but she promised she would show me them once the ball starts rolling on the creation of said book.  That's rather exciting news!

I may not be back with a post before Christmas so I will say my well wishes now.

Christmas kisses to each and everyone of you.

Have a fantastic holiday and may all your wishes come true ;)

Santa knows if you've been good...

Take care,
Alison xxxxx

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

Pin-Up Assistant

Hello!  Sorry I've been a bit quiet of late.  If you read my last post you will know I have been a busy bee doing stuff.  Stuff I can write about too but it has also meant I've had no time to actually write them up.  So I thought I would tease you a little with this quick update.

A couple of weekends ago Miss Cherrylicious did a stint at It's Something Hell's owned by Mr. Ducktail and Miss Betty.  I was their attentive Pin-Up Assistant for the day!  Something a bit different for me as I am usually the one with the assistants.  I had rather a lot of fun and met some lovely people and Miss Minna popped by to see me too.  She did end up having a quick trim on her bangs.

It was in a way a wee bit nostalgic but just not as glamorous.  When I was at school I did two weeks work experience at my local hair and beauty salon.  It's funny because I had a crush on this boy in my class and his sister was one of the hair stylists at the salon.  I found out a few things about him.  He was definitely a sweetie.  I remember I really enjoyed myself.  Painting my nails, getting my ears pieced.  Working too of course  but it was a good memory.  Shame I didn't follow it through as I love doing all that hair and make-up girly fun these days.

Anyway, here's a couple of pics taken on the day...

You will find me sporting this little number around town proudly! 

This was short but sweet.  More posts soon.  I promise.

Tara for now,
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

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

I Am Miss Cherrylicious

Hello :)

This is just a swift blog post to tell you all that I have finally set up a page for my pin-up modeling work over on Facebook.  Not really sure why I never did it before or why I have done so all of a sudden.  A friend of mine gave me a little nudge and after a think over it I realised that over the years since I started, I have modeled more this year than any other single year.  It seems strange that this should be but I think it is.  It would be lovely if you would join me over on Facebook and gave me a wee like if you so desired :D  I do so appreciate all your support; reading and following me.  I really enjoy writing these posts and am considering doing some other writing too.

I shall hope to update my Miss Cherrylicious page with new photos and have already uploaded a selection of older ones which I have not posted on here before.  I have three shoots from earlier on in the year which I am yet to receive photos for so they will probably go up soon.  There is talk of possible modeling for an exciting new brand.  If that goes ahead I shall be shooting before Christmas too.  Unfortunately I cannot seem to locate all of my photographs from over the years.  Some may be lost forever unless I come across them online.  I have changed computers a few times and probably didn't save/transfer everything over.  Oopsy.

Here's a little teaser of what's over there...

I'm in midst of writing another post so will be back shortly!

It's gone 4am here in Blighty and I should really be getting some shut eye.

Nighty night for now,

Alison xxx

Latex Love - Très Bonjour

I am always cooing and swooning over all the gorgeous latex and lovely ladies in latex I come across but am yet to own a piece myself.  Not that I haven't wanted to of course, for years now but it isn't something you can throw on to go to the shops with.  I can definitely think of a few places/events I would wear latex to but so far it hasn't pushed me enough to purchase an outfit.  Although I have been considering it more and more.  Do any of my lovely readers wear latex?  Is it the case of once you pop you just can't stop?  Will I get the bug and continue to amass a big collection?  I do seriously think that before the end of the year if/when I have some money to spare I will have purchased a pair of stockings at least.  Now, they are something I can definitely wear I have no doubt.  A lovely pair of glossy pins!  They are probably perfect for the winter months ahead of us in fact.

I came across this lovely set recently whilst blogging lingerie over on my Tumblr page and well, what lingerie loving lady could say no to this?!

Lost Paradise collection by Très Bonjour from Berlin

Some other loveliness from Très Bonjour...

I thought this post was perfect for today as it is National Stockings Day!  I may well have to seek out their showroom when I do finally get my peachy behind off to Berlin.  I hope you all had your sexy pins stocking-ed up and your seams straight today (everyday)!

Have a lovely evening,
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