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.

Shop Swed I Say!

Finally I present to you my goodies transported all the way back from Sweden!
Not a bad collection if I do say so myself.  I didn't even really shop too much this time round.

I absolutely lovelovelove this new old dress!

Cannot wait to wear this come Autumn/Winter.

Two summer numbers ready to wear right now.

All three vintage dresses were purchased at the flea market at Nostalgia Fest.

The lovely lady gave them to me for around £85 together. 

Moomin love! I bought these cookie cutters for my sister.

More cats-eye sunnies... one can never have too many.

Keep smelling sweet with some solid perfume - lychee darlin'

I thought this would be great during this heat and easy to carry around.

Mini Dottie - a little antique pup. She looks pretty old.

I picked her up for less than a pound!

Funny that because I had been searching for a swan planter with no avail.

When you want something, go to a Swedish flea.

From my favourite antique store!

~ Two pairs of beaded clip-on earrings ~

~ Two sets of pearl & diamante hair clips ~

~ A unique pearl studded lucite hairband ~ 

And my delicious straw hat which you have already seen me in at The Chap Olympiad.

This little number was only £2! How can I not love it even more.

Great for adding on accessories of many colours.

Well, that's that for this trip.  Although since coming back to blighty I have managed to acquire many more goodies which I shall make a post of soon.  Unfortunately I will not be making back to Sweden again this summer.  Instead I shall be holidaying with the family with our doggies!  Luxury log cabins and forest wandering ahead!

For now, I will have to love you and leave you as I need to get ready for a launch party.

Take care,

Alison xxx

Chaps & Chappettes - The Chap Olympiad 2013

Well what sweltering weather it has been here in London.  I'm sat here in my flat eating some watermelons to try and cool down and keeping myself out of the suns rays.  The air is so still and apparently it is going to continue like this for the next couple of weeks!  Amazing when I'm not working, haha.

This Saturday gone was once again that time of year where all (well most) of the chaps and chappettes of London and afar gathered together for the event that always makes it into my diary.  The one and only Chap Olympiads.  There's nothing like it.

I missed a few games this year having only turned up mid afternoon and so didn't take as many photos as I usually would.  It did mean that I spent more time with friends and less time running around.  It was a jolly good time!

Having a good catch up with the lovely Sophie.

The girls with the picnic, the strawberries and the smuggled Gin!

Something was happening with some tarts and knocking them out of the opponents cake slice.

Horse-Play... Make as you will.

My outfit for the day...

A newly acquired vintage hat from Sweden

My again new Match necklace by the fabulous Luxulite

Clear Lucite repro handbag from Miss L Fire

Cropped top from Urban Outfitters

Vintage skirt with plaited red belt

Sunnies also from same Sweden trip

This was the hats first outing and well it was quite appropriate with the sun and I absolutely fell in love with it.  And best of all... It only cost me 20kronos/£2 from the flea market at Live & Rockin' which I visited recently held in Sweden!  It's so versatile as I can adorn it with all kinds of accessories and colours to match my outfits!  Dream hat if ever I had one.

Briefcase Phalanx

Bread-roll Basketball

My attempt at a sneak photo of The Vintage News chaps at work but my parasol got in the way!

I loved that this year they had a vintage photo-booth on site!

Here I am with the gorgeous Alice :) 

The much needed said parasol put into good use.

Of course things got a little pyramidy as the event went into the night...

There were many a photographers there; professional & amateur, as well as plenty of press as usual.  It gets international coverage nowadays you know!  I had my photo taken by several people and found this lovely vibrant copy by Soul Stealer Photography.  Hope he doesn't mind my using it!

I'm already looking forward to next year.  Hope you can join me there in 2014 for what is sure to be a spectacular 10th year anniversary for the Olympiad!

Pip pip!
Alison xxx

In More Book News

Hi Everyone

I am so sorry but I have been a terrible blogger of late.  What with my sisters wedding and then coming back to work it's just been very busy.  I will post some lovely wedding photos very soon but right now I am down and dirty with organising the book launch for Wearable Vintage Fashion which has finally been released onto the public!  I met up with the book publishers today to confirm the bits and bobs and now it is all go.  There will be lots of fun things happening on the night so be sure to come along if you can.  It will be on Saturday 21st April; so not too long now.  The book shall be on sale for a very special price at the launch.  I will post more info on this very soon :)

The exciting news is I now have a copy of Wearable Vintage Fashion in my hands and I shall give you the tiniest sneak peek although not my page...

On other book news - Vintage Tea Party Year by Angel Adoree with a small feature of moi is now available for pre-order at Amazon.  Go on, if only based on the fact that you've seen how wonderful her first book was ;)

This is just a quick one to get me back into the swing of things.  Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about awarding the Liebster Blog Award to my fave bloggers.  I just have to try and whittle them down first.

Until soon xxx

Happenings - Recent Photo Shoots

Sorry it's been a while since my last post.  Time has just flown by what with my sisters Chinese Ceremony looming.  It's this Saturday already!  My bespoke cheongsam dresses have landed onto our shores just in the nick of time.  I will have to pick them up tomorrow morning, try them on and if all goes well match them up with accessories, shoes, handbag.  Fingers all crossed that they fit perfectly.  Eek!

Anyhow, I thought I would update you on my recent going-ons.  Two photo shoots including yours truly in the last month.  I always get super excited when I get to have my hair and make-up done by someone else as it's usually me styling others or me styling myself.  I find it fascinating to watch others at work.

The more recent shoot was for none other than Angel Adoree.  I acquainted Angel a few years back when I was organising an event for work and asked Angel to come on board with her delicious cupcakes.  Angel has been working on her second book since the end of last year but you may have seen her first book around...  You really can't miss it and it's fabulousness.  You can check it out and buy 'The Vintage Tea Party Book' here.  Spending the day with Angel and her team you could see just how much dedication there is.  Every little detail has been thought of and nothing is too little or too big.  Angel really pours her heart into everything she does and she also happens to be rather lovely and loveable!

I had a sneak peek of some of the pages but don't want to give too much away of course.  It will be a while until the book is out.  I've been told around October time.  Oh the wait.  I do have the launch to look forward to though :)

Here's a few snaps from the sidelines...

My look for the shoot

Working...

David, our photographer

The horrors of modelling ;)

A few weeks before I had my shoot with Angel I had the pleasure to work with the talented pair of ladies that make up The Vanity Box.  Their website is currently under construction but do make sure you pop back once it's all complete and book a little treat for yourself or a loved one.  Actually, this is also one of the reasons why the shoot was set up.  Verity and Gemma wanted some more images for press use, for their website and generally to show their skills to the world.  They also happened to be doing an editorial for a vintage magazine on eye make-up application.  Kill two birds with one stone as they say.

Mid-application and hair in set.

I think I love my eyebrows! What do you think?

Verity doing her hair magic.

How cute is the polka dot bib!?

Photographer Joe shooting Miss Banbury Cross

Verity and Gemma - tools at the ready

Finally, one of my looks from the day.

I felt more than fabulous I have to say. The lady is a vamp.

If only I could look and feel this fabulous everyday I am sure I would be in a better place all together.  More eye candy for you and more confidence boost for moi.  I cannot wait to see the final images from both of these.  I'll be sure to keep you in the loop on more projects and shoots coming up.  But for now, it's back to Saturday related this and thats.

See you after the wedding! xxx