Vintage Tea Party Hen Night at Hidden-Lane Tea Rooms

Not long back, I had an exciting opportunity to work with Kirsty at her gorgeous tea rooms in the West End of Glasgow.  The Hidden-Lane Tea Rooms regularly plays host to exclusive vintage tea party hen dos and I was asked if I would be interested in creating some vintage make up looks for the gaggle of hens.

It sounded like a fun evening so I signed up straight away.  On the evening around 15-20 girls turned up and were treated to a tea party of cakes and scones and tea cups filled with their poison of choice, probably not tea.  While 2 hair sylists tended to the locks of the hen party, it was up to me to give the girls vintage makeovers.  It was impossible to get round everyone in a short space of time but I was able to makeover most of the hen party and a few touch ups for the other girls.  Most of the girls wanted a vintage pin up look with red lips and big lashes.

Louise Bichan, a fabulous photographer based in Glasgow was on hand to document the evening in her unique style.  Here are some of the images she sent me this week.

If you would like to find out more about Vintage Tea Party hen nights, contact Kirsty at the Hidden-Lane Tea Rooms on 0141 433 1240.


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Leather and Lace

It's nearly the end of my holiday so I didn't want to waste my last few precious days off work lazing around ... as I have done for nearly 2 weeks now!!  It was time to leave the couch and the dvd's behind and meet some friends for lunch and drinks.

Sweater Top with lace detail: Topshop
Faux leather skirt: H&M
Footless tights: Boots
Platform Boots: New Look

An action shot ... !

Everyone and their mother now owns this skirt but that's because it's such a brilliant find.  It has an exposed zipper detail at the back and is so easy to dress up or down.  If you are thinking about buying I would size up in it.  H&M are always hit and miss with their clothing and this is one of those rubbish items you need to go a size bigger in :( 

I actually bought the top because I loved the lace shoulder detail.  I love any detailing on shoulders ... I seem to be drawn to anything like this.  I picked it up in the Topshop sale and was paying for it before I realised it was from their Maternity range! Yikes, that's not an announcement by the way!! It actually makes the sweater really comfy as there is a bit more give in it without it looking baggy and mis-shaped.

As you can see I am still really struggling with posing! Try as hard as I can to lark about in front of the camera, I still look like a bit of a dork and can't really pull off the 'fashionista' look but hey, I'm only here to share my ideas and inspiration.  I now have another issue besides posing and that's how to re-size my photos and present them better.  One step at a time though.  

Gold & silver link chain: Topshop
Silver diamante link chain: Primark
Watch: Vintage seiko
friendship bracelets: Topshop

I also stole my husbands vintage Seiko watch for the day.  I have decided it suits me better ... wonder if he will let me keep it ;)

I go back to work tomorrow and the thought literally fills me with dread.  Back to the grind so they say ... it's going to be a long 3 days until Friday!!

Who else is struggling with being back at work?

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Instagramming

After buying my super cool new Canon 600D a few months ago, all I have done is take random snaps out and about as I try to get to grips with navigating my way around a DSLR.  However, lack of a good photographer or a decent spot to be photographed in, means I have neglected what I bought the camera for ... blogging!

Instead, I have stuck to my trusty iPhone camera to snap shots of blush, lipstick, brows and clothes.  Like many of you, I am hooked on Instagram as my photo app of choice and now have an album full of random pics I have captured day to day.

Here are some instagram pics of an outfit I wore a couple of days ago.

Hat: TK Maxx
Vest: Topshop
Cardigan: COS (sale)
Belt: Vintage
Leggings: Stradivarius
Boots: Topshop via Ebay
Bracelets: ROX

Where's my head at??

My flat is an absolute tip at the moment as I am packing up to move so there is no pretty or tidy area to be photographed in so this is the best I could find... a rare gap in my dressing/spare room that is literally littered with clothes and shoes at the moment!!

I wore my new Topshop boots that I found on eBay unused.  Originally £90 (they still had the pricetag on) I managed to snare them for £25.  The style is called 'Damsel' and they are a vintage, kicked in style of biker boot.  I really needed a new pair as my old biker boots had ripped at the zipper.

Jewellery wise I wore my ROX bracelets which are permanently attached to my wrist at the moment and my Ydeltuyt ring that resembles the YSL arty ring.  It had become very discoloured after too much wear though and actually broke later in the evening. RIP.

I have lots of reviews and bits and bobs to blog about .... sales shopping, new make up brushes,  lots and lots of new shoes!! .... I am hoping to fit in time to write about it all and do a bit of show & tell before I go back to work this week.  Hopefully I can share some better photos from my Canon too!

Does anyone else always resort back to their phone for photos instead of using a real camera?  I think I need to discipline myself in the ways of photography!

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Scottish Fashion Awards 2011: What I Wore

Before I go into any level of detail about the awards like how fabulous Shirley Bassey looked,  how HAWT David Gandy is, how Henry Holland and his entourage brought the party, the lump in my throat when the wonderful Hilary Alexander won Fashion Ambassador or how much an honour it was to finally get to speak to Jonathan Saunders, I thought I would first show you what I wore to the event.

My evening started with a wardrobe dilemna - 2 weeks away from the gym had taken their toll and my jumpsuit had become a little tight round the edges shall we say.  I had to just make do and roll with it though.  This is the same outfit I wore for my birthday (I wore the same thing twice!! Quelle Horreur!)

Navy jumpsuit: Topshop
Shoes: Aldo
Fur Stole: Vintage Ebay
Earrings: Oasis
Rings: Karen Millen, Vivienne Westwood and some others picked up in stalls or abroad

I was hoping to wear some fabulous Warehouse accessories and a gorgeous Warehouse bag but unfortunately for me they were not in store.  I managed to make do with some last minute bits and bobs from elsewhere, including a cuff that fellow blogger Ann managed to pick me up after she learned of my accessory panic!!

Somehow I went from looking half decent and being quite pleased with my outfit to looking like a heffalump by the time photos were taken at the event.  Hmmph! Not quite sure how that happens but I'm hoping it's nothing the gym won't fix.

 For my make up I wanted a bright pink lip to match my nails which were painted in GOSH Flamingo.  I had forgotten what a fabulous shade this is!

I did my own hair up for the evening by trying to channel Chanel's catwalk look.  I literally scooped all my hair into a high ponytal, backcombed the pony to within an inch of it's life then scooped it all around the base, pinning with a few bobby pins here and there.  Naturally half a tonne of hairspray was added for extra peace of mind!

Face: Chanel AquaLumiere
Cheeks:  Nars Laguna, Nars Orgasm and a touch of Illamasqua Erzule
Eyes: MAC Brule, MAC Charcoal Brown (crease), MAC Blacktrack, Estee Lauder Blue Dahlia (Darkest blues mixed and layered over eyeliner).  MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara
Lips:  MAC Longwear Lipcreme in Love Forever

That's a lot of MAC!

I decided to forego false lashes but by the end of the night I wish I had worn them although sometimes it's nice to give the eyes a rest.

This is usually a failsafe outfit for me as jumpsuits are so comfortable.  Needless to say by the end of the evening my feet were killing me.

My fellow blogger gals who accompanied me to the do... Ann at Girl in the City and Morven from Cats and Rocking Chairs did not disappoint as they looked absolutely stunning.

More pics to come of all of us and a few schlebs too ;)

x

The Glasgow Vintage Co.

Since moving to the West End of Glasgow, a regular weekend activity is what i like to call 'Vintage Cocktails'.  Basically vintage shopping and cocktails.

Vintage shop, cocktail, vintage shop, cocktail ... you get the idea?

The west end is awash with vintage boutiques, all unique in their own style.  However, there is one that stands out as my favourite not only for it's authentic and quirky aesthetic but it's one the few vintage shops left in the west end offering reasonable and realistic prices for it's wares.

The Glasgow Vintage Co. is the sister store of Watermelon ... both located on Great Western Road.  Situated over 2 floors, ther are a plethora of goods on offer for women, men and children catering to all tastes.  The layout is spacious with women on top (aherm) and the men's section downstairs in the basement. 

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This magical emporium is decorated with a vintage bike, suticases, ornate mirrors and plush curtains in the fitting rooms.  There are shoes, bags and dresses adorning the walls and hanging from mirrors.  Jewellery is draped over an old fashioned dresser and you can find suitcases sporadically placed filled with belts, scarves and hats.

And it's not any old junk on offer, this is quality garments, hardwaring leather goods and timeless classics.  In fact, my husband and I stumbled across a stunning navy Burberry trenchcoat in the mens department ... unfortunately, it was a little on the long side for my other half and after much deliberation we left it behind ... and headed for a cocktail instead :) 

 

Vintage stores have become such a trend that sometimes they can be a little intimidating but The Glasgow Vintage Co has a welcoming atmosphere and are non judgmental to their customers.  I find in some shops if you aren't 'cool' enough or 'vintage' enough you can get some disparaging looks from both the owner and other customers. You can tell some retail experience is behind the success of The Glasgow Vintage Co, there is a real feel for the customer and what they want.

You can find The Glasgow Vintage Co located at 453 Great Western Road, close to Kelvinbridge Underground.  Definitely worth a visit.

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Making a spectacle of myself

This outfit post is actually from the weekend.  My husband and I were going for a dander round the shops (which led to some fabulous bargains being purchased) and going to my sisters house for a delicious dinner.

Remember I said that when I like something I wear it to death?  Well, heres the proof, this is the third OOTD post where I have donned my leather Miss Selfridge skirt.  It's just so comfortable, casual and versatile.

I decided to wear my geek glasses too which I have been wearing quite a lot recently.  So much so I think I will invest in a more expensive pair that look a little more chic than these plastic offerings.  Someone told me I look like an annoying T4 presenter when I wear them ... this did make me chuckle as so often we are afraid to wear what we want in case someone takes the mickey or doesn't understand our sense of style.  I took it on the chin and it's actually made me want to wear them more!

We express ourselves in how we dress, the music we listen to, our interests and hobbies and sometimes when it doesn't blend in with the rest of society, others aren't sure how to take it.  Sometimes you just have to be confident even if it's a little intimidating at first and be proud of the choices you make.  You make those choices because they express how you feel and who you are, so enjoy them.  Obviously if I looked absolutely ridiculous I would want someone to tell me but for now I am happy with my £1 plastic glasses :)

I started taking photos before I had finished all my make up and I kept changing accessories (not sure why).  I hadn't decided to wear my glasses until last minute so decided to take the photos all over again once I was done.  Make up wise I used my Michael Kors Estee Lauder eyeshadow palette which hadn't been shown much love in a while and also a new Dior lipgloss that I got for Christmas.  It's such a lovely springtime peachy colour, I will do another post about it soon.

Denim Shirt: ASOS; Faux Leather skirt: Miss Selfridge; Wedge boots: Dune; Geek Glasses: Primark(!); Navy Trenchcoat: Commes des Garcons for H&M: Bag: Vintage Gucci

In other news, I also got my hair did ... it's been re-ombred so not much change at all so nothing to show really except the ends of my hair are slightly blonder than before.  I am also waiting on a new camera arriving in the post this week, it's another digital compact ... but I still have my sights set on something a little more super duper ;)

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What about Lunch?

Wooaah I am on a roll here!

This is what I wore on a rather hungover day to go for lunch with some old friends. Bad quality photos but I am hoping to have a new camera soon ... then I can up the ante.

I tweeted about this particular tee-shirt, if you can call it that and had a few of my twitter pals show some interest in what it looked like.

It's faux leather from H&M and a sale bargain at £7! It's a great twist on a casual look. I wore it with a grey H&M vest underneath, dark wash Primark jeans (yes, primark - i really do love their jeans), Warehouse leopard print scarf and Black suedette boots from Matalan - another bargain buy!

I teamed with my gorgeously cosy Gharani Strok fur jacket that I picked up in TK Maxx a couple of months ago. Anyone else remember Gharani Strok? I also wore my wonderful vintage Gucci bag that my husband picked up in LA ... which I blogged about here. I still haven't had the zip fixed yet so will need to do that soon.
Accessories wise I went for my gorgeous Mulberry bracelet that unfortunately scratched to bits after I had a bit of a fall while wearing it :( my gold Swatch watch which always gets a compliment and no one can ever believe it's swatch ... and my pink Mango ring which I really should wear more often.A fabulous lunch was had by all but seriously this time of year really takes it out you. 2011 has seen me bedridden with flu which seems to have morphed into tonsilitis :( - must get better and back on track with a decent healthy diet and a strict exercise regime.

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My Vintage Wardrobe ...

It's been a while since I delved into the realms of my wardrobe and pulled out some of my most treasured items.

The most treasured items I own are mostly those that are designer - I have worked damn hard to afford them, or vintage finds that stand the test of time and add a bit of retro magic to any outfit.

Today's show and tell is a bit of both but it is also a fairly new addition to my closet.

I didn't even buy it myself, my gem of a Husband stumbled across it while on business in LA (where he was also smart enough to pick up some Mulberry for Target bags).

When I got this bag I was initially a little bit excited despite it being quite a tired looking bad. In a good way, of course, it looks like it has a story to tell and it certainly lights up any outfit being of a classic Gucci monogram design and shape. However, I then started to worry that it might be fake.

After all, my other half doesn't know the signs and markings to look for in a bag. He spotted it, he liked it, he bought it ... assuming it was genuine. So I decided to have it authenticated and through the knowledgeable ladies on twitter, I was directed to the purse blog forum.

I posted pics of the bag along with all its marking and branding and much to my joy, the experts of the forum came back to confirm it was indeed an authentic Gucci bag. I also found out it was more than likely to be from the 70's (love!) with someone advising it could even be from as far back as the 60's. A true vintage.

To be honest, this bag does have such a chic and stylish presence I probably would have been happy enough to wear it even if it was fake but now I can walk confidently with my vintage Gucci on my arm :)

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Vintage Playboy

I guess these days, most people associate Playboy with tackiness. It has become a full on brand offering cosmetics, clothes, toys and even stationery. Once upon a time it was for adult consumption only but these days 10 year olds are running around with Playboy schoolbags and pencil cases!

Personally, I am fascinated by Playboy but more so it's beginnings. What it has evolved into, I can take or leave and I certainly don't make a habit of reading pornographic literature... although I have been told they churn out some rather interesting articles, aherm. My fascination lies with the images of old, the beautiful women on the covers and the art of suggestion. Back in the day, it was something less sleazy than today's offerings.

I thought I'd show you some of my favourite covers from days gone by ... I am determined to have one of these blown up and hanging on my wall one day - sounds a little batchelor-esque but I think it would look pretty cool!

Above covers from 1965

Above covers from 1967

19711982 (I wonder if PB ever marketed these sunnies - I bet they'd be a hit!)

So that's my selection of favourites, most of the covers after the 70's became much more vulgar hence the reputation of Playboy but I like to delve into the history books every now and then back when it was much more creative and with a hint of innocence.

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