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!

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

Sail Away With Voodoo Vixen

I'd been eyeing up the Joni dress by Voodoo Vixen since I saw it launch online, so when I came across it in Manchester's 'Rockers', I couldn't resist taking it home with me.

I am a fan of anything nautical and have a few sailor-inspired dresses to my name but this dress has several cute features that made it a must-have. I love the smooth stretch cotton, the belt and hemline, both edged with cotton lace, the sweetheart neckline and cap sleeves. It's a dress I know I'll wear over and over again throughout the summer.

I wore Joni to go and see the fabulous production Of Rebecca by Kneehigh Theatre last night so I got a few snaps before we left the house. Do you have a favourite Voodoo Vixen dress?

Buy the Joni Dress here... http://campbell-crafts.com/product/642/voodoo-vixen-blue-sailor-anchor-joni-50s-dress

Bag by Disaster Designs

Necklace by Punkyfish at Collectif

Peeptoes by Schuh

Tootsie Tuesday!

My name is Lisa and I am a shoeaholic. It's true, pretty shoes have a special place in my heart and I thought they deserved an equally special place on my blog. I thereby announce that today and every Tuesday henceforth will be Tootsie Tuesday and I'll be totally using it as a way of a) sharing my favourite treats for your feet and b) dropping massive birthday present hints for my fiance.

This week, I thought I'd zoom in on one of my favourite brands and the new collection from Irregular Choice. Here are some of my top picks! Are any of these beauties on your wish list?

The cutest little shoe boots for springtime!

Perfect polka dots.

These little ballet flats would be perfect for work. 

Valentines treats!

Perfect for brides but equally lovely for glam ladies to pair with floaty spring-summer dresses.

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