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! :)

Feeling a bit Sketch-y?

After months of lusting over pictures of the Wes Anderson-esque dusky pink hues of Sketch's Gallery team room, I finally made it there last week to celebrate my birthday. You've probably seen the Gallery popping up on your instagram feed or on various lists of 'must sees' in London this year and I don't mind telling you, it is every bit as magnificent as you might expect.

The walls are lined with sometimes funny, sometimes grotesque and often inspiring artwork by the infamous David Shrigley alongside subtle copper tiles. The seating takes the form of outrageously plush, pink velvet booths and seashell seats on black and white tiled floors and in the centre of the room is a beautiful domed ceiling. The lighting is low and the cliental a mixture of ladies who lunch and excited tourists.

We ordered the standard afternoon tea, which contained finger sandwiches (wrapped up like presents with yellow bows), at least 8 different sweets and a scone with jam and cream all washed down with a pot of the delicious Rose Petal tea. The service was fantastic and the the food fabulous, definitely the best afternoon tea I have ever experienced.

Considering the ultra kitsch and glamorous surrounding of the tea-room itself, it might come as a surprise to find out that the real piece de la resistance comes in the form of the toilets! Walking up a two sided, immaculate white staircase to a room domed with multicoloured stained glass is impressive enough but add to that toilet cubicles in the form of giant eggs and it becomes clear why no trip to Sketch is complete with a trip to the ladies room! A temporary exhibition for Easter has added actual geese (well, actual plastic geese) on the top of each egg and a giant nest in the middle of the room. The whole room -inside and outside of the cubicles- echoes with the sound of the geese honking.

If you fancy a trip to Sketch, check out their website to view the menu and to book a table in advance... http://sketch.london/

 

Pictures from Sketch's own website

Picture from Sketch's website

Picture from Sketch's website

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

Wednesday Wants -20th Century Foxy

I'm a big fan of 20th Century Foxy designs and I wore my 'Trudy Scrumptious Day Dress' to death on my recent trip to the States. Their dresses fit like a dream, are extremely well made and because they aren't quite as  popular (yet!) as similarly priced brands like Vivien of Holloway or Collectif, it is extremely unlikely that you will bump into another gal wearing the same thing at an event (nightmare, no?).

 

I always have a wish list as long as my arm for this website but here are a few of current favourites. The fuchsia and grey dress is perfect for Autumn/Winter parties all the way through to Christmas. The fabric reminds me of a Pinup Girl Dress I've had my eye on for the last year but with the added bonus of the cover up.

The green dress is just perfect for Autumn accessorised with a pair of Mary-Janes, victory rolls and curls. The candy stripe shirt dress and red 40s dress just scream 'Christmas' to me although they could be worn tall year round (how cute would the striped dress be for a summer picnic?).

The blue summer dress appears to be the same shape as my Trudy Srumptious dress but with a super cute tea-time print featuring little kettles, daisies and spoons. I can't really justify spending so much on a summer dress at this point in the year so I just hope they bring it back next spring time!

Have you bought anything from 20th Century Foxy? I'd love to see your pictures!

Buy direct from 20th Century Foxy here... http://www.20thcenturyfoxy.com/en/index/a1 

Vivien of Holloway at Gracelands, Memphis

I have been a huge fan of Vivien of Holloway for some years now. It's the first repro-vintage brand that  I discovered, back when the shop was over a motorcycle shop at the back of Camden market. Since then the brand has gone from strength to strength and it's very easy to see why! Unlike some of the other authentic reproduction brands, Holloway have a relatively quick turnover of new prints and styles so there is always something new for vintage fans to covet (my poor bank account!). 

I've tried a few different styles of Viv dresses over recent years but the style that fills my wardrobe (like many other fans) is the halter neck circle dress. For those who are yet to sample the delights of Vivien of Holloway, you need to know your waist size and order according to that. If you shop in store, I would recommend going at least one size (maybe two depending on the fabric) up from your modern sizing. The circle dresses are cut to finish perfectly with a standard length petticoat, zip at the back and have a boned and shaped bodice for a super flattering fit that you really won't get from a lot of cheaper vintage brands.

Now, many people reserve these dresses for special occasions but I will generally take any opportunity to wear a pretty dress. I've worn my dresses to theme parks, for days out in the country, shopping in the city and of course, for weddings! Back in February, I was lucky enough to win a picture competition on Viv's fan page and I put my winnings to work on a couple of new Viv dresses -a cherry halter dress and (daringly for me!) a leopard wiggle dress. I recently wore the white cherry halter neck circle dress for my mum's wedding in Memphis and I thought I'd take the opportunity to show this gorgeous dress off in a wonderful location!

At the chapel at Gracelands

Gracelands

Outside Gracelands -fan graffiti!

Sun Studios

Sun studios