My New Favorite Colour

In case anyone hasn't realized I am absolutely awful at blogging! It was my birthday almost 6 weeks ago, yet I am only just getting my 'birthday blog' written now! But never fear dear readers! I am working on being more organised and blogging more, and I am finally getting the internet! Woohoo! I know what your thinking, who has a blog and doesn't actually have the internet right? Well, yes that would be me... but internet is on the way so expect to hear a lot more of me you lucky munchkins! I am almost investing in Glossybox so will have lots of nice new things to write about! 

Anyway... I have come to explain what an absolutely thrilling colour brown is!!!!!!!! Honestly! I have recently fallen in love with it and it is all due to my lovely Grandma and the amazing birthday presents I have from her! Now when I say Grandma everyone imagines a little old dear sitting in front of the fire with slippers, grey hair and some knitting. My Grandma however has crazy curly hair which changes colour every time I see her, is far more fashionable than I could ever hope to be and also owns leopard print boots! She is incredibly glamorous and I absolutely love her! Anyway shrine over... I came here to explain how she has a knack for amazing presents and how it created my obsession with brown, I'm just diving headlong into showing you birthday presents, you will then understand!

My favorite present was my handbag! Just wow! I haven't managed to get amazing pictures as they are all off my phone but you can see what I mean! This is a 1940's style bag which is in absolutely amazing condition, no marks, nothing broken, perfect! It has a lovely little clasp in the shape of a horseshoe and is a mahogany colour all over. It is perfect handbag size, enough for necessity's but not big enough so that I feel I need to cram it full of everything except my kitchen sink and then look like I am lugging a suitcase round. Anyway I do believe this is the perfect bag *happy sigh*. 

My other present from her was 2 fur stoles. Now I am not sure where everyone is at on the fur situation but please don't throw paint over me, I am a nice person sometimes! Where I stand is that I collect vintage, any and all forms of vintage. Fur falls into this category and I collect it because it represents the era that I love. Anyway this is far too deep to get into for a Monday morning blog! So the first stole was a large one, more like a wrap with a stripey effect and beautiful colours. The second was smaller, a darker brown and one that would be used more as a collar to dress up a plain coat.

Both were such beautiful presents!! It kick started a maternal love for the colour brown which I have very little of in my wardrobe. So the first thing I went and purchased were these little bad boys! I bought these off ebay for under £15 including p&p! BARGAIN! They are styled on the late 30's/40's and remind me of something a little old lady or a school teacher would wear (clearly I go for the 'sexy' look.....). They have a lovely small heel and are so easy to dash about in, therefore are mainly kept for more casual outings when I'm doing errands and what not. I think I may just go and put them on now I have such cravings for them!

I was going to include other small purchases such as a brown cardigan but then I thought gosh how boring can I actually be, raving about a plain brown cardigan, so I decided not to bore you. But please expect lots of lovely future brown themed outfit posts! I know your all sitting at the edge of your seats and can hardly wait!! Until next time!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I'm Feeling Christmassy!

Now I know Christmas is still 43 days away but I am unfortunately one of those annoying people that start rabbiting on about it at least 2 months too early..... and I am putting my Christmas tree up tomorrow!!! No I am not loosing the plot and suffering from Christmas fever! I have many good reasons! Firstly being that I have lots of rather beautiful/very cool Christmas decorations!!!!! My flat also is rather bare. I have enough things in it but I like a busy home with too much stuff in it...it gives me that cosy feeling. Therefore I feel a Christmas tree will take up quite a bit of space and it will be all cosy and wintery!! The plan is that all my lovely girls are coming round to help me, we are putting on Christmas music and having a big dinner cooked (my lovely friend Jen is a chef, I'm not adventurous enough in the kitchen to cook for myself let alone numerous other people). Anyway as we all work evenings and the Christmas period means less time off, this is probably one of the few times leading up to Christmas we will all have an evening off together!!! AND I am going away on boxing day to go skiing; I won't be back until after New Year, therefore my Christmas tree needs to come down before I go as I get rather superstitious about bad luck, soooo I thought as it is going down early it can go up early. Anyway enough excuses, I want to put it up so its going up, lets get christmassy!

This post isn't here to ramble on about my Christmas tree (although do expect lots of lovely pictures of it!) I am actually doing my Christmas wish list! 

Top of my wish list is the Pearl coat from Collectif which has just been released today, I'M IN LOVE! I have been on a wintery coat hunt for at least a month now, and although I rarely wear brown I was given the most beautiful brown vintage handbag for my birthday from my Grandma and have since gone a little nutty for the colour, with brown shoes, hats etc. being purchased. I just need a fabulous winter coat to match! 

Secondly is Black Orchid by Tom Ford. It is a mans perfume (I'm not sure men cal it perfume, but I don't know what else to call it) and I am completely head over heels in love with it! I much prefer wearing men's scents, although it probably means I am only attracting women it is something I am willing to contend with if it means smelling like a god. I'm considering buying it for my boy and hoping he will leave it at mine! Devious plans!

I am in LOVE with Nichole De Carle!! There isn't one specific thing I would like, I pretty much want the whole collection for Christmas! The picture I have used is showing the classics carry forward last testament brief with braces and the classics carry forward last testament bra, both of which are probably my favorite but only by a pinch. Unfortunately I seem to have a small thing for items with a large price tag, anything from here won't come cheap but a girl can dream right?

I hate to say it but where would Christmas be if there was no such thing as Christmassy knitted jumpers? I'm taking it a step up this year and would like a full on, in your face Christmassy knitted onesie!

This one isn't exactly on my Christmas list but more of a 'New Year shopping list'. I have decided in the new year I am going to save up my pennies and spoil myself with a 50's freestanding kitchen unit. This is just one I found on eBay as unit-inspiration!! I think they are incredibly cool, a little bit different and would suit my flat perfectly! I would also quite like a 50's diner booth but unfortunately money doesn't grow on tree's so I am going to tackle this one sexy piece of furniture at a time!! 

Best be off, going to go get my Christmas decorations out in preparation for tomorrow! Woooo! 

xxxxxxxxxx

Shall We Dance?

Good evening beautiful people!

I have had the most fabulous weekend and thought it would be rude not to share what I have been up too... My lovely friend Jo is a dancer, an incredibly good one if I may say so, and I have just spent last Sunday watching her compete! I've never been before and it was amazing!!! The atmosphere, the beautiful dresses, the incredible dancing, gosh I can't even begin to explain it! Unfortunately I got incredibly swept up in the moment and was too busy watching to get many good photos, didn't even think to pick up my camera and snap away at the really cute 8 year old's ballroom dancing in their little suits and dresses! They also all move rather quickly so getting a good photo was pretty much impossible!

So.. there were two types of dancing (Jo competes in 12 different types, this was just on this particular day) which were ballroom and latin. The two most different types of dancing ever! I can't really explain much about them, I'm rather clueless but it was rather awe inspiring just watching. And the dresses I have fallen in love with and made myself a promise to make one! 

Unfortunately my outfit wasn't as eye catching or glittery as those on the dance floor but I have included a little outfit post! I really struggled with what is 'normal' to wear to these things. You obviously have all the dancers glammed up to the 9's (is that the right saying?), the pushy glamourous mothers of the cute little kids who dressed as though they were about to hit a very posh bar, and then the extreme of people in their comfy clothes and hoodys. Therefore I went for my 'go-to' casual day outfit....

Dress - Lindy Bop

Late 1950's Bag - eBay

Seamed Stockings - Present from my Grandma 

Shoes - Charity Shop

I also had my navy blue thick wool coat from Zara but didn't get any snaps of it, so I will therefore save it for another day!

Apologies for all the photo's, my blog is becoming more and more photo orientated rather than much content, but I doubt anyone would like to read me moaning on about old lady's clothes etc!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hey Doll Face

'I love glamour and artificial beauty. I love the idea of artifice and dressing up and makeup and hair' - Dita Von Teese

Ok.. I really am planning on making this more of a vintagey style blog rather than a beauty and makeup blog but then I thought, hey!! makeup is part of my era and the glamour in which I love comes from being able to create that! Unfortunately I wasn't born with satin smooth picture perfect skin, I have blonde eyelashes and eyebrows which means I am able to pass very convincingly as an albino who has died their hair and I also suffer from the worst under eye bags which have ever existed, even after 12 hours beauty sleep! 

What I love about the era in which I dress is that beauty and glamour can be created. I am amazed at the women who can leap out of bed, put their hair up and look stunning, I am also incredibly envious! But on the other hand I love my makeup. I enjoy doing my face everyday, I like having the patience to slowly build up what ever I am trying to achieve, to learn different methods of applying and see improvements. Many will disagree with me but I genuinely feel like make up is art and I am the little old painter with his palette trying to create what ever tickles his fancy today! Dear lord I sound like a crazy old bat but it is just how I feel!

I was thinking of doing a before and after photo but the before photos were so shocking and not something I wish the world and his dog to view! Therefore I have just included my whole makeup case, what I use in 'everyday' makeup and then plan to do separate posts reviewing single items of my makeup over time! 

My makeup box

Things I slap on my face -

Soap & Glory - Feel Good Factor SPF25

MAC - Prep + Prime

Benefit - Boing concealer

MAC - Studio Fix Fluid in NW10

MAC - Studio Fix Powder

Bourjois - Blusher in Frosted Rose

MAC - makeup brushes no. 187 (foundation brush), 150 (blusher brush) & 195 (concealer brush)

QVS - compact powder brush 

My go to lippy things -

Aloe Vera Vaseline (20 minutes before putting lipstick on)

MaxFactor - Colour Elixir Lip Liner in 10 Red Rush

MAC - Matte Ruby Woo

Soap & Glory - Sexy Mother Pucker in Yummy Plum

As I have already done a post on my eyemakeup I won't bore you with the details again but I will mention I have invested in a new eyeliner which I am getting on much better with!!

Rimmel London - Glam'Eyes

The finished product!!! Please ignore my stroke face lips and ever so attractive hair rollers! The last photo is of a different day and therefore different lipstick. I prefer the photo more but I think that is due to the quality being poor and I love a little blur around the edges to make everything seem peachy! 

Reviews on individual products to come in due course!

xxxxxxx

Hollywood Glamour Bedroom Inspiration

Good morning! Or even afternoon now I guess! 

I was planning on doing a makeup blog today and I have spent the morning rummaging through my draws looking for some nice lacy material to photograph my makeup against (attempting to be artistic now that I have a fancy camera to use!!) During my rummaging and mess creating I became a little sidetracked and came across a lovely little surprise! Long long ago I purchased beautiful dress/top/pretty thing, which after buying I decided it didn't suit me or whatever look I was planning to achieve at the time and therefore it got shoved into a bottom draw. But fortunately it is making a comeback!

How ever I have tried to photograph this, it looks incredibly unflattering at every angle, maybe it is very unflattering but I am not sure I really care! I have been craving pretty loungewear for a long while now, as my wardrobe only really consists of dresses and skirts and nothing that I can slob about my flat in without actually looking like a slob! But I think I have found the answer! It is made with lace and chiffon, is quite loose and flowing and I could probably do yoga in it if I really feel the need... that is how comfortable it is! Yet it is far more pretty than any hoody or onesie or any other comfy lazy day clothing I have come across! 

Anyway enough verbal caressing of my new comfy clothes... after finding this item I have spent most of my afternoon researching vintage nightwear and pyjamas, without much luck. The genuine everyday sleepwear for everyday people usually consists of neck to toes nightys that look like tents and just no! I then wondered into Hollywood Glamour sleepy time clothes and oh my gosh I am in love. But I fell more in love with the bedrooms! The late 50's to 60's is an era I don't really spend much time on as I prefer the clothes of earlier years but when it comes to their decorating I love it!

I have created a little folder of images as inspiration for redecorating my bedroom and thought I would share it with you! I hope you enjoy! 

xxx

The Half Moon Manicure

The half moon manicure was the most popular nail design from the 1920's to 1940's. It vary's slightly throughout the years with the tip of the nail also being left bare or lightly coloured in; this was popular until the late 30's. 

Cosmopolitan Magazine, December 1936

The most popular colours used for nails were always shades of pinks through to reds, and those are still the colours in which most people interpret the manicure with today. However even back then there were a few more diverse colours for the daring ladies, such as gold, green, blue, yellow and black. They were definitely not the most popular or common of choices, but they were still an option! 

. 

 

Ladies Home Journal, June 1945.

I have been to get my nails done a few times, and I ALWAYS get the half moon manicure in some form of red as they always do it so beautifully but when it comes to painting my nails at home I have very little patience. I often do 2 coats of red all over (no half moon manicure) and then get impatient in sitting still and usually smudge them trying to get some chocolate out of its wrapper!

But today I was determined to not only sit still until my nails are 100% dry but to attempt a half moon manicure myself! Up until recently I have worked with horses and therefore growing my nails to even a respectable length without them breaking was impossible! But now it has only been 3 weeks and I am LOVING the length of my new nails (except one of them has broken, not exactly great for a nail post so please ignore!) 

Think this photo makes me look slightly like an octopus

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have only just got my hands on a camera. This post was written on Wednesday but as I was unable to add photos until today it means my nails are a little worse for wear. But after 3 days there is no chipping and although they aren't in the 'just painted' standard I was planning for this post, I am still very impressed!

For the 'half moon' in my half moon manicure I used Rimmel London 60 seconds nail polish in 730 Silver Bullet. It has a mother of pearl look to it and I just think it is so eye catching, compared to if I was to leave it bare. I then used Jessica Custom Nail Colour in Regal Red. This is probably one of my favorite nail colours, it is a truly pillar box red and I find it hardly chips which is really saying something as I bash my nails around like there is no tomorrow.

I absolutely love having a half moon manicure. I think it looks elegant and creates a beautiful vintage look. I think my DIY half moons really need some work but as long as I show everyone from 2 feet away I think there will be no problems! I have also included some photos of 'cool' half moon manicures, for those who like the idea but want to look a little more modern and funky (yes I use the word funky and I love it!!!)

Big love xxx