Thoroughly Modern Millie

A few months back I was invited to go along with some friends to see one of our other friends in the lead role as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

From http://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/

Anyway, yesterday rolled around and I unfortunately woke up with the remains of a migraine that had reared its ugly head on Wednesday evening. I opted to stay in bed and take painkillers, and thankfully by lunch time I was able to sit through the pain and determined to get to see Mrs. R as Millie.

I opted for a vintage look with a Jasmine Guiness dress that hasn't seen the light of day since last summer, and which I'd frankly forgotten about until I opened my wardrobe looking for something summery, and some new shoes I got from eBay this week. Don't you just love them?


Shoes - Long tall sally via eBay; Bag - Vintage;
Dress - Jasmine Guiness

Also, here's a bit of a sneaky peak at my new dining room that we seem to have been decorating forever, and which I'll soon be unveiling.
Anyway, I met up with my group of friends, and I'd not seen some of them in a while as they were people I used to work with, and it was so lovely to catch up. Then we set off over to Leamington, and enjoyed a delicious pizza before the show started. Some of the group had seen Mrs. R in shows before, I hadn't and I have to say I was totally blown away. Before I went to the show I didn't actually know what Thoroughly Modern Millie was (shame on me) but it's set in 1920s New York, and Millie comes from a small town in Kansas seeking a rich boss she can make into her husband. It's full of back to back songs, gorgeous 1920s frocks and is a really fun and lighthearted tale that all the family can enjoy, seriously there were all age groups from very young up to quite elderly.

Back to Mrs. R though, she was phenomenal, seriously her voice and the dancing and everything... I mean the whole cast were fantastic, and I had great fun selecting which were my favourite 1920s frocks, but Millie was astounding, and I can't wait to go to another show that she's in. After the show we met up with her for a quick drink in a local pub, before heading back to Coventry having had a wonderful evening out.

Thoroughly Modern Millie is only on until tomorrow night at the Spa Centre in Leamington, if there are any tickets and you are free I'd really recommend going along.

It's medicinal...

I love vintage adverts, they really give you a glimpse into the social history of times gone by I think. Now, I'm all for a medicinal tipple now and again, and am a firm believer in the power of a hot brandy with honey in alleviating the symptoms of a cold, but it's amazing to see just how far the attitudes of the establishment have changed over the years.

Only last week the UK budget announcement included provision for a mandatory minimum price per unit on alcohol. The 40 pence per unit lower limit is obviously an attempt to curb the increasing problem of binge drinking and under age alcoholism. It feels pretty improbably then that not so long ago alcohol companies could advertise their wares as being doctors orders.


1933

It also demonstrates how far we've come scientifically since nowadays we know alcohol to be a contributory factor to gout, so it's pretty unlikely your GP is going to prescribe a round of cider to treat it like they did in the 1920s. 

1920s

Whilst I do love these vintage adverts, I think it goes to show that some things are better left in the past.

Product Review: Dirty Works Face Wash

There appears to be a plethora of make-up, beauty products and general toiletries on the market at the moment that sport pretty retro packaging. Catering to the demands of the increasingly popular vintage market, there's well known brands such as Soap and Glory, and many others that have taken inspiration from their format.

Photo from here http://www.livelaughlovely.com/

On a recent shopping trip to Sainsbury's I noticed their Dirty Works brand, and having just run out of face wash I thought I'd give their purse friendly range a try. Whilst the packaging wasn't up to the standards of the Soap and Glory range, it was attractive enough and with a definite retro twist. At £3.99 it wasn't going to break the bank either.

Dirty works face wash
£3.99 Sainsbury's

Inside the tube, the wash feels a bit gunky. It's not light and easy foaming, but is more of a thick soapy feeling. Once you get it going though it does lather up okay, and certainly is adequate for the morning face wash. The thing with this product that is really difficult to get beyond is the smell of the product. I would have thought that Sainsbury's would have invested a little more in perfumery or in removing the smell altogether, but no what you actually get is something that's akin to the smell of wax crayons or plasticine. It's quite off putting.

One of my main worries when trying any new skin care is the fact that I have horribly sensitive skin, thankfully though a fortnight on and this hasn't caused any adverse reactions, so that's good. I'm glad I gave this wash a try, but thanks to the texture and the smell, I definitely won't be trying it for a second time, which is a shame because it's pretty obvious that they've gone to the trouble of trying to break into this market, but this product just does not come up to standard.

Bon Anniversaire

Well folks, today is mine and hubby's wedding anniversary.

our wedding day

We had originally intended to go out for a meal later today, but problems with booking a table and the fact that we've spent yet another weekend decorating/ gardening/ doing work on www.bebopaloulouvintage.com means we're both pretty pooped, and decided we'd much rather go for a nice relaxed meal to celebrate next weekend, rather than trying to force everything into this weekend.

Despite this, I woke up to some beautiful pressies off hubby. He got me this beautiful frock from Redressing.

Then, remember the other day I was pondering retro looking swimsuits? Well, I stumbled upon this one by Maxine of Hollywood, and let me tell you the structure in this thing could support a skyscraper. It doesn't look so retro lying there on my sunlounger, but with it's deep legs. ruching detail, bright florals and fantastic busom support it looks very retro when it's on. I tried one with the longer legs, but it was so uncomfortable there's no way I'd ever have been able to swim in it. Anyway, hubby bought me that too.

Maxine of Hollywood Swimsuit

Then he surprised me with this book, which is frankly hilarious. It's full of old adverts for everything from cigarettes to contraptions aimed at curing a double chin. I'll have to share some of these with you at a later date because I spent much of my morning have a good old chuckle at them. Thankfully he didn't buy me a kitchen sink, or a hoover or anything like that.

Right, now I'm going to get back to working on the website. I hope you've all had a lovely weekend though. Heaven knows Prudence is because I've just looked out of the window and seen this.

Vintage luggage

This week I had the pleasure of booking flights for hubby and I, for later in the year, for a trip to Dublin. It's been a while since I booked any flights (such is the glamour of my life, and we drove all the way to Munich last year when we went) and I hadn't realised in the time I've been away that they've suddenly started charging for check in luggage. Well, I'm afraid that when you're trying to do the whole weekend rather cheaply you're probably not (at least I'm not) willing to fork out a whole load of extra pennies for check on luggage, it's only a weekend after all and 1960s crimpelene dresses fold up mega small and still don't crease.

We actually have a pretty damn fine set of luggage that we've had for rather a lot of years now. The only problem with it is that there is only one 'hand luggage' size case, and we need two. The fact of the matter is that I am currently out of work and so I will probably end up borrowing a hand luggage bag that my Mum has kindly offered to lend me. That hasn't stopped me from looking wistfully though at vintage styled luggage, and thinking how much I'd love a sleek vintage weekend bag for just such occassions. I'm hoping that, since we're aiming to go to the car boot sales when they start up again soon that I might stumble upon such a vintage piece of luggage for a couple of quid before we go, as we do have a while to go yet. Also, I probably wouldn't entertain a vintage case for anything other than hand luggage, given that I've seen the way they treat luggage going off and onto the holds of planes and I really don't fancy my smalls being blown across the runway when the seams of a vintage bag break under the strain.

With all this in mind I've been having a peruse of what's available in vintage, or vintage styled luggage, and let me tell you peeps, it is not cheap. If you are looking to get that Pan Am look, but you haven't stumbled across one at your local boot sale or jumble sale (I'm keeping my fingers crossed) then you could fork out $89.00 plus postage and taxes and all that jazz for this rather funky Pan Am bag, which is the perfect hand luggage size.

image from www.panam.com/shop

Looking for something a whole lot cheaper, but no less beautiful, then you might want to go for this genuine vintage set from Etsy. A snip at $39.99, although if your looking at shipping to the UK that's going to add $55.00 in postage... damn it. Nonetheless, isn't it beautiful?


From here on Etsy

 Finally, another Etsy offering and by far the most affordable hand luggage is this beautiful reconditioned vintage weekend bag. I love this, and were it not for the fact that we do actually have beautiful luggage, I'd be willing to take a punt on this at £35.99.


/From here on Etsy

 For my part though, I'm waiting my chance at the boot sales in the hope I can come across something that's far more within my budget but with equal vintage loveliness.

Redressing

Happy Monday readers. The sun is shining outside my window, and that always gives me a jolly disposition.

Sometimes blogging, and the online world in general, can be a wonderful way of meeting like minded and pretty wonderful people. I've been lucky enough to meet a few fellow bloggers and even luckier to now count some of them as my real 'offline' friends. It was through blogging and the medium of Twitter that I first met the wonderful Angie.

Angie is a local businesswoman and vintage loving glamourpuss who runs an online boutique called Redressing.

Redressing sells a lovely selection of pre-loved contemporary and vintage style dresses, and the prices make beautiful style accessible to all. For example, this gorgeous 1950s style frock is currently retailing on Redressing at £20.00. Just think of being able to turn up to a summer wedding or event wearing something this beautiful, that was so affordable too. It would certainly make me smile.


1950s vintage style dress £20
http://www.redressing.co.uk/

This gorgeous Red Herring 1960s style frock is a steal at a mere £10.00... and now I'm getting really carried away with all the lovely frocks, and who wouldn't at prices like these? These are only a very minor selection of what is available on the website, there's a great choice for all occassions and all sizes. 

1960s style dress £10
http://www.redressing.co.uk/

As well as running her own business, Angie has her own blog, which can be found here and which is an altogether lovely read for anyone interested in all things vintage and all things frock. She covers everything from affordable vintage style to old fashioned values.

As if this wasn't enough, Angie's a really lovely person, and has been so helpful to me whilst I've been setting up http://www.bebopaloulouvintage.com/ . Way back at the beginning when it was just a concept, Angie spent a whole morning with me talking through lessons she had learned in setting up her own business, and being really supportive of my ideas. As the business has developed she has continued to be of fantastic support and you might even recognise her as being one of the models in our Spring Summer fashion shoot last week, looking rather glamorous.

Modelling a vintage 1960s suit

So, what are you waiting for? go and check out the beautiful dresses over at http://www.redressing.co.uk/ and join Angie's lovely blog here http://redressingblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Going for a dip

It's getting to that time of year again where thoughts turn to basking on beaches and swimming in pools. Okay, so it's the UK and in reality we only have about two hours in a whole year where we can realistically bask on a beach, but that said hubby and I have recently been discussing the prospect of going swimming. I love swimming although it's been years since I last went.

Anyway, if we do decide to go, I have a predicament, that being I have no swimwear. I'm sure I used to, but for one reason or another I no longer do, and I really need to get a new cossy. In an ideal world, I'd buy this little beauty from What Katie Did, but I don't really have that sort of cash to part with for a swimsuit right now, even as beautiful as it is. 

from http://www.whatkatiedid.com/
£75.00

So, I've been doing a fair bit of research on retro and vintage style costumes on the high street. The basic thing to remember about vintage swimsuits is that they were often less revealing than modern ones, with lower cut legs and without all the random cutout patches that a modern swimsuit would have. In addition, if you've ever had the pleasure of handling a real life vintage swimsuit, the first thing you probably noticed was the engineering, the sort of structure that gave flat bellies and pert busoms for the ultimate in a glamorous appearance whilst basking on the beach.  Whilst you're probably not going to find something with those levels of engineering in today, there are things like built in uplift and tummy flattening panels that will help you to achieve that Ms. Monroe look.

Image from http://www.tampabay.com/

Here are my selection of the best high street retro styled swimsuits that I've come across, I'm not sure which one I'll get, but I know I will definitely have to get one of them, and soon.



From http://www.debenhams.com/
£38.00

This fantastic swimsuit is my current favourite. With it's beautiful bright red and polka dots it's got an unmistakeable vintage feel, whilst the little skirt is perfect as a glamorous upper thigh cover up. That said, I'd probably be wearing it with it's removable halter neck straps as I just think that's going to be a little bit more vintage feeling. It's certainly more within my budget too. 

From Marks and Spencer
£29.50

Then there is this classic beauty by Marks and Spencer. Now, I think this is a really nice costume, but it's a terrible shame that it's not available in white because I think with all that ruching going on out front it could have been very Marilyn-esque in a nice shade of white. Nonetheless it's a beautiful classic option and still has that lovely vintage feel to it.

My final offering is edging for that more expensive end of the spectrum again, but I had to include it for it's sheer beauty. I actually think this is the nicest of all of the costumes I've shown you, but it's an investment and I'd want to know I was going to be giving it a whole lot of use. If you're off for a nice summer holiday this year though it might be the perfect option. This one costs £49.60 here on Amazon.

Which one do you like best?

Focus

Folks, check it out, bare legs! Make the most of it because I've just been out to walk the dogs and it seems to have reverted back to winter again. This coupled with the fact I have a head cold is going to have me reaching for the tights all over again tomorrow... spring indeed.



Boots - Debenhams; Dress - Principles by Ben Di Lisi; Cardigan - Planet (via charity shop);
Coat - Fever; Scarf - Vintage Diane Von Furstenberg

Anyway, today hubby and I went to a big photographic trade show out at the NEC called focus on imaging. I went to this for the first time last year, and enjoyed it, whereas hubby has been going for a while, ever since he was studying photography. Basically, imagine halls filled with the top names in photography, Canon, Nikon, Olympus etc etc etc, outlets selling every possible gadget and gizmo a photographer could need from amateur through professional, and workshops on how to photograph various subjects in various situations, and you have Focus on Imaging. As a photographic toe dipper who likes to meddle in photography every now and again, I find it just enough to inspire me a bit to pick up my camera.

How to build rapport with your model

The highlights of today's show were a workshop by a studio photographer, Bruce Smith, on how to strike up a rapport with your model. He was lucky, his model was obviously from the very deep end of the gene pool and you could photograph her with a disposable camera from the pound shop, she'd still look fab, but nonetheless he was very accomplished, and very easy to learn from.

Other highlights were an almost naked and very buff man handing out flyers, and seeing James and Ola Jordan from Strictly Come Dancing.


Ola and James

When we were going to Focus, I had the intention of buying a new camera bag for the camera I got in the new year. I walked around and around the show bemoaning the fact that ALL camera bags seem to be nylon and khaki, brown or black. Just when I'd given up all hope I found this Acme made camera bag that actually looks like the sort of bag I would want to be seen with. Isn't it divine? it fits my camera and some other bits too so I could actually use it as a handbag.

You can get them on Amazon too. Hubby was asking whether this would be part of the handbag challenge... I don't know, what do you guys think? Does a practical bag like this count?


We also managed to buy a new backdrop to photograph the stock for BeBopaLouLou Vintage, and then set off home.

On the way home we stopped off at my Mum's for a cuppa, which was quite fortuitious as she sent us home with a couple of cooked chicken legs for dinner. She'd also bought me a prayer card with this little poem on, which personally I thought was so relevant that I'd leave you with it.

Be Yourself.

The challenge is

to be yourself

in a world that

is trying to

make you like

everyone else.

E. E. Cummings

Tag! You're it.

Earlier in the week, the lovely Miss Simmonds tagged me to provide 11 interesting facts about myself, and to answer some questions. Here goes.

Firstly, the rules.

1) You must post 11 random things about yourself;


2) Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post;

3) Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer;

4) Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them;

5) No stuff about 'you're tagged if you're reading this' - legitimately tag people

 
So, 11 random things.
 
1. I can't gargle, everytime I try I end up heaving and covered in mouthwash.
 
2. I bit my nails all through my childhood. No matter what disgusting tasting concoctions my Mum would buy to put on my nails, I'd still bite through. I miraculous stopped when I was about 14 just because I wanted long nails, and now I only ever bite my nails if I'm stressed.
 
3. I find it really difficult to maintain concentration and intrest in a whole film. For that reason I often like to watch foreign movies as I find that if I have to read the subtitles it keeps me interested. Ironically my favourite film of all time is the 4 hours long, Gone with the Wind.
 
4. I can't draw to save my life. Anything beyond stick men and I'm buggered.
 
5. I love shellfish. Prawns are my favourite, but cockles, muscles, crayfish, clams ... whatever, I love it all and will regularly order shellfish if I see it on a menu.
 
6. Nuts give me migraines.
 
7. As a tomboy child my favourite thing was my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles skateboard... I rocked on that skateboard and later changed over to inline skates.
 
8. As a child I was a member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fanclub.
 
9. I've never been out of Europe... shameful but true.
 
10. I have a crush on 1960s Michael Caine... Hubby knows, he's ok with that. lol.
 
11. The first single I ever bought was Dreams by Gabrielle.  
 
Now, for the questions.
 
1. Who is your most bizarre celebrity crush?
 
This is easy. I have a mega crush on 1960s Michael Caine, ding dong.


2. What is/Would be your karaoke song?

I always sing Heart of Glass by Blondie on the Karaoke, I love it and when I used to go to a weekly Karaoke it was my signature tune... truth be told though when I get on a karaoke there's just no getting me off it.
3. If you could invent your own course and teach it, what would it be?

Ooooh, this is a difficult one. I think I would teach how to be individual and not follow the crowd.
4. Zombie Apocalypse weapon of choice?

Huh? I'll pick a snooker queue because in Shaun of the Dead he beats those Zombies to death with one to the tune of Don't stop me now by Queen... and I lovd that scene.
5. What period in history would you most like to visit?

I'd like to visit tudor times. I don't know why but it was the period that most interested me in history lessons at school and I'd love to just go back for a day... but only a day... I don't think it would have been a great time to live.
6. What's the most unusual food you've eaten

I'm not sure. I'm quite a fan of trying new and unusual foods, but the most unusual? I ate whelks once as a dare... they were a bit rubbery.
7. Have you met any celebrities?

Yes, Colin Firth and Steven Fry when I went to a film premiere a few years back, and hubby and I made friends with Imelda May as we used to go to all of her gigs in Birmingham before she was signed. She's lovely.
8. How long have you been thrifting/op shopping/jumble saleing?

Probably about 5 - 6 years. Although, my Mum used to thrift when I was a child too.
9. Which childhood cartoon/tv program scared you the most?

I don't think any of tem scared me. I don't like things with clowns though as a rule.
10. What are 3 of your favourite books?

Wuthering Heights, Charles Dickins A Christmas Carol and Jamie's how to cook lol.
11. What is your favourite film?

Gone with the Wind.
 
Now, I'm going to cheat and not tag anyone, purely because I see that most of the blogs I read have been tagged already and done their questions. If you do want to answer the same questions I answered though then please feel free, you know I love a nosey.

Pub garden weather

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. I was sitting in my slouchy old tracky bottoms and a jumper applying for jobs, when my favourite cousin got in touch with me to go and meet her at the local pub for a lunchtime catch up. Of course, the weather was beautiful and I need little excuse to get frocked up, so I was there. I bet Krista will approve of this pink heavy outfit.



Shoes - Charity shop; Tights - Charnos; Dress - Next
Bag - Jones the Bootmaker; Jacket - Wallis (via eBay);
Scarf - Vintage; Sunglasses - Givenchy; Hat - Miss Selfridge

We had a lovely time putting the world to rights for a couple of hours, and even got to sit outside in the sunshine which is a February rarity. We called time when the sun went in in the middle of the afternoon, but I feel like I've had a good injection of vitamin D this week.
I also actually remembered to photograph myself with handbag number 6. I've been using this ever since I got it really, but just kept forgetting to photograph it. It's the Jones Bootmaker one I got for a mere £15 at a local seconds shop. Result, as I was avidly looking for a bucket bag.

Check back tomorrow when I'll be answering some questions set by lovely Miss Simmonds, and have great weekends whatever you are doing.

February's Outfits

February.... what a bizarre month that was! Here's what I was wearing, events meant I didn't quite get so many outfit shots, but better some than none.

Looks like I need to inject a bit of colour into March!