Off to Neverland...

This is a long overdue post, considering it concerns my recently acquired but most favourite Pinup Girl Clothing dress. I bought this little beauty from a lovely lady on ebay for a bargain price, after some procrastinating about what size to get from the official website. I don't know about you but I sometimes really struggle with the PUG sizing. I find that a lot of the styles are cut for ladies significantly more busty than me or for ladies with more longer waists. For this reason, I generally have to size down and squeeze my waist into a size smaller than the size chart recommends. This sometimes backfires, for example, I couldn't zip my Harlequinn Jenny up at all (not even close!) however on this occasion, the 'Large' is a perfect fit.

The dress in question is of course the infamous Jenny dress in the fabulous 'Neverland' print designed by my heroine, the glorious Micheline Pitt. I wasn't sure the pink was going to go to do much for my English rose complexion but I absolutely love it! It was the perfect dress to wear for a day in a beautiful Welsh garden...

Dress: http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/jenny-dress-neverland.html
Sourpuss Floozy Bag: https://www.collectif.co.uk/plain-sourpuss-floozy-bag-p-sp15254-c-pink.html
Pumps: Primark
'D' Brooch: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MatchAccessories
Cardigan: TK Maxx

A Girl of Many Talents: Becky Ryan & My New Logo!

Hey you guys! Have you noticed anything different? No, not my hair. What's that? Nope, still haven't lost any weight! I'm talking about my new blog banner! Looking pretty different, eh? Last week my lovely friend, illustrator and photographer Becky Ryan, surprised me with a hand drawn banner for my music website and I couldn't be happier with how it has turned out.

I first found Becky on Facebook after my friend Sarah and I became a tad obsessed with her beautiful burlesque portraits. I had been a follower of Becky's illustrations for a while when Sarah bought burlesque piece from Becky as a gift for her uber-talented artist friend Sarah Fuller. Soon after that, Becky, who is not only a talented artist but a wonderful photographer too, posted a notice on the Vivien of Holloway fan page offering reduced price photo shoots for like minded-ladies. Despite being super shy, I took her up on the offer and we've been in touch ever since.

Some of the illustrations that first sparked my interest in Becky's work.

My photo shoot took place in and around a tiny vintage tea room in Belper and Becky did such a great job, I was featured in Vintage Life Magazine in December 2014 in a feature built around the photos from our shoot. Becky is a lovely, genuine person who does everything in her power to make her clients feel at ease, so it's easy to see why she has decided to focus much of her energy on her career in quirky, personal wedding photography. If you have a wedding coming up, fancy a photo shoot just for fun or are looking for a blog design, Becky should be at the top of your list!

Hello Kitty! A Summer Jaunt with Vivien of Holloway

As you know, I am a huge Vivien of Holloway fan but it was only recently that I decided to treat myself to a 'Kitty' dress. As a curvy girl, I was very unsure about the Kitty and the prints it comes in, particularly as a big bum doesn't generally pair very well with vertical stripes! Nevertheless, for my trip the The Red Rooster Festival, I decided to splurge on the seashell stripe kitty in blue and pink and I can tell you, it was an absolute dream to wear. 

I sized down in this particular style (I am a standard UK 14 and bought a Viv 16 instead of an 18) and it fits like a dream. I'm not still entirely sure about the length and I might take it up by a few inches in the future but it doesn't feel as long as the Runaround Sue (which I took up as soon as it arrived). It's made of a lovely crisp cotton and zips at the back leaving the front to look like an authentically vintage shirt dress. I had so many compliments from the most unlikely people while wearing this dress and I know it's definitely a dress I will wear again and again.

Have you splashed out on a Kitty dress yet? I'd love to see your pictures! :)

Styling it up with Cherry Dollface and The Vintage Beauty Parlour

One of Manchester's best hidden gems can be found hidden in a smart, unassuming street in suburbia. Bethany Jane's 'Vintage Beauty Parlour' has been over for a little over a year now and boy are we northern gals lucky to have this place on our doorstep!

I was luck enough to have my hair done by Bethany at the Haworth 1940s weekend a few weeks ago and have her booked to do my wedding hair and make up later in the year. She is true genius when it comes to creating those intricate, beautiful styles from the past that most of us would never dream of attempting on our own hair. Check out my poodle do!

Anyway, imagine how excited I was to see that youtube sensation and my favourite American pin-up gal, Cherry Dollface, was set to run a hair and make up seminar at The Vintage Beauty Parlour! I booked my place at the show months before the event and was a little nervous about going on my own and what to expect. I shouldn't have been nervous at all. Cherry was an absolute doll; beautiful, gracious, funny and relaxed. She talked our class of lovely like-minded ladies through a full pin-up make up look as well as two vintage hairstyles, taking questions and queries from the class as she went. 

The three hour class flew by and at the end, in celebration of her birthday, Cherry was surprised with a birthday cake along with cards and gifts from many of us girls attending the class. I met so many wonderful ladies that night, that I hope to keep in touch with and meet again in the future.

Don't let nerves hold you back, take every opportunity to have fun and meet new people. Your life will be all the richer for it!

Vivien of Holloway Review: What a Jezebel!

I've been a big fan of the Vivien of Holloway brand since its early incarnation above a motorbike shop in Camden Town. Considering the massive cross-over appeal of beautiful frothy 50s circle dresses and petticoats, it's hardly surprising that the brand has gone from strength to strength over the past few years with almost 50,000 Facebook followers and outfits spotted on the glamorous forms of Paloma Faith, Kelly Brook and Nigella Lawson to name a few. I'm not as glam as those famous beauties but here's just a few of the Viv dresses I've worn over the past year. I'm a sucker for a cute print! ;)

Of course, there's much more to Vivien of Holloway than the ever popular halter neck circle dresses, which is where most customers (including me!) started their love affair with this vintage reproduction brand. As well as the gorgeously authentic 1950s circle dresses, VOH also produce drop-dead gorgeous sarong dresses, tasteful daytime tea dresses, the beautifully modest Grace dress and a whole collection of go-to separates including pencil skirts, jeans and slash neck jersey tops.

Last week, in the midst of a tempting 20% off sale, I decided to try a new breed of VOH dress and one that is a little bit outside of my comfort zone: The Jezebel! The Jezebel dress is figure hugging pencil dress with a cross over bust and a cute (and flattering) mini peplum detail to the waist. I have to tell you, I am absolutely thrilled with this dress! Although I am a big fan of the polka dot print, I hadn't actually got a classic black and white Viv dress until now and I couldn't be happier with my choice. It's fitted but not uncomfortably so and it flatters my slightly bumpy post-Christmas figure perfectly! Considering the flattering fit, I was relieved to find that this dress is not boned and is made of a lovely thick stretch cotton which makes it incredibly comfortable to wear. I braved the bitterly cold (and hair-ruining!) Liverpool wind this weekend to grab a few pictures, let me know what you think!

What's your favourite Vivien of Holloway outfit? What's on your Viv wish list? I'd love to hear from you! :)

I couldn't resist adding a few pics with this fabulous Felix mural!

Dress: Jezebel Wrap Pencil Dress in Black & White Spot £89

Suitcase: Vintage Tiara Tourister

Shoes: Renaissance from Miss L Fire (2009 season)

Lipstick: Mac in Russian Red

Location: The Baltic Triangle, Liverpool