Friday 27 February 2015

Frisky Friday ~ What Katie Did & the Nylon Swish

So....its Friday and I'm back at it with a new flare and understanding on how I can make blogger work for me to bring you even more content here!

So my second Frisky Friday! How exciting! As I said in my first Frisky Friday post, I wanted to start this segment for girls with bodies like mine. I'm not plus sized, but I'm not skinny either. I'm big butted and small busted and I struggle to find people with relateable body shapes to mine. The overwhelming response I got on my first post across social media on my first post told me I'd really made the right choice in starting this segment, so I've allocated time to make sure I do posts for you all once a fortnight on a new item for you all!

This week I decided to go with some staples in my everyday wardrobe and two things I'd definitely recommend to newbies looking for a place to start with vintage lingerie!




I'm going to start with the bullet bra. This was my first ever bullet bra. I actually wore it initially for one of my favorite ever shoots, which was a Playboy inspired one done this time last year.

Photography by Lauren Horwood
It was really my first time ever wearing a bullet bra and while I felt banging in the shoot, I didn't really fill it, despite the next size down being too small. So, this beauty sat in my 'lingerie' tall boy until I came across the ever stunning Nylon Swish on instagram. This lady inspired me to wear this bra more often and after meeting her at the markets and buying the pads that fill the difference, I've worn it out 4 times in the past few months! 

As a girl who normally wears padded bras, wearing a bullet bra is very different. There is no push together. There is no roundness. There is perky points. I have certain shirts I want to try and wear this under, especially coming into winter! I also found this bra was a great starter as its soft cups mean I didn't feel overwhelmed by the 'pointy' shape when wearing. If like me, you find the cups a bit tricky to fill, What Katie Did sell fillers that you wear like chicken fillets that give it a more structured shape. I always wear mine with the bra and I am trying to wear it more.


Now honestly, for a beginner this suspender belt is magical. Its the one I wear 99% of the time if if I'm going to wear stockings. It has 6 straps which I feel is a great introduction to wearing suspenders without it being overwhelming (6 for me personally is my happy number). Its comfortable to wear and is adjustable in size (3 different eyehook closures on the back). I love this suspender belt. It was my first REAL suspender belt and its just SO incredibly comfortable! Its perfect for holding up stockings, the straps are adjustable and the garter clips are good quality! Definitely a recommendation and at $56 AU dollars its quality that won't break the budget for a first timer!



Now the stockings are something special. These are my first pair of full length vintage stockings that feature a keyhole and a back seam whereas my previous ones were all too short and were seamless. I was so ESTATIC when the Nylon Swish was at the last Sydney Rock n Roll Markets and made a point of purchasing a pair of her genuine vintage stockings! These stockings are SO incredibly comfortable! Like I honestly have no words to describe them. They fit better than any modern pair of stockings I've ever owned. I cannot WAIT to purchase more pairs in the future. They quality is incredible! Two months on and not even a nip or a tear or a run. They just don't make stockings like this anymore! I've definitely been converted and I know you will too once you try them!


Plus, I find with vintage lingerie there is also an element of feeling sexy. I'm learning to love my vintage lingerie. It makes me feel good and I'm trying to really change my thinking around how my body should look because I don't follow any other real mainstream trends....so why should I follow that one too! My body is fab and I like it wrapped in vintage goodness and that's good enough for me!


Where you can buy these from is linked at the top of the post. In this picture too you can see the bullet bra pads I wear with my bra!

I hope you have all loved this post and I'm looking forward to another Frisky Friday post in a fortnight from now!




Wednesday 25 February 2015

Wishlist Wednesday - 25/2/2015 - Office chic

Hello all!

Its Wednesday which means its Wishlist Wednesday!

As I'm back in an office full time now to a shift in my work schedule, office chic pinup pieces are now HIGH on my wishlist...and really I have two stops to fill this need: 

Pin Up Girl Clothing and Tatyana Boutique!

I currently have a BIG wishlist for more...office friendly pin up attire which means I'm hoping to order new goodies very soon and some of those I'll be sharing below!

Pin Up Girl Clothing!

I'm honestly a HUGE lover of this brand! Literally, I have a wardrobe devoted solely to my PUG collection! Below are some of their more office friendly pieces I'm currently hungry for!



I honestly ADORE both of these so much and lvoe the colours together! As I'm in need of some more wiggle styles for work, this is right on my list!



Forever a lover of dresses that look like a skirt and a top, I've been a massive fan of this baby since she came out and I'm starting to think its time I made her mine!



I've never really been a fan of wide legged pants but I think seeing how well Doris wears them may have converted me! These will be incredible this coming winter!



I already own these in another colour and they are INCREDIBLE! I seriously need the black for work though, these would be so much fun to match with colourful tops!



I've been in LOVE with this dress since it was released. Even though I don't think its something I'd be comfortable in, I really love the cut!

Tatyana's Boutique

I already own quite a few Tatyana dresses and I LOVE them for work, already having worn one in the last week! Below I'll be listing some favorites I would LOVE to add to that list!



I honestly LOVE this dress! The cut, the colours, how much fun it would be to accessories! And on sale! Talk about a WIN!!



I've loved the Rita since I first saw her, something about being a redhead and green! But its definitely on my list now more than ever! This beauty WILL be mine!



I originally loved Sierra in green, but recently have fallen in love with her black counterpart! So beautifully simple and elegant! Maybe I'll still get the green for Christmas!



After my first Tatyana suit arriving in the mail and falling IN LOVE I am now eyeing this one off for winter! It screams first lady, which I adore and I am a huge lover of Navy!

So that's it for my wishlist! Looking forward to sharing more with you next week!

I'm rededicating myself to this blog space so there is a LOT coming up! I'll post a list later for you all!


Tuesday 24 February 2015

Erstwilder and the Reed Trade Fair

It's no secret I love Erstwilder. It's a brand I love and a brand I love sharing. I first discovered Erstwilder 18 months ago and have been a lover/collector ever since! They are an Australian company that make brooches, necklaces and earrings out of layered resin. Quirky, fun and limited editions, this brand has come to be loved by many in the pinup scene! 


So I was ever SO excited when I got a little email asking if I would be interested in working with them at an upcoming gift Fair. Naturally I jumped on the opportunity and from Friday last week to Monday this week I've had the pleasure of working with fellow Aussie pinup Lilla Rosten and the incredible Erstwilder team at the Reed Gift Fair in Sydney. 




I can honestly say this experience and opportunity has changed my life. I have never before had the privilege of working with such an incredibly dedicated, passionate and friendly group of people before. This environment and the new knowledge I've gained over the past 4 days has completely re shaped my thinking about myself, what direction I want to head and what I hope for the future. 


Also, getting to spend time sharing my love and passion for such an amazing brand with the companies customers was incredible. I was often asked my opinion on pieces and they were just as enthusiastic to talk about products as I was! 


This experience and opportunity will stay with me forever and I am so grateful and thankful to the Erstwilder team for allowing me to work with them and subsequently grow as a person! This is an amazing company and expect to see more of it on my page!!



Monday 16 February 2015

Vivien of Holloway - Sarong Dress in Hawaiian Royal print & Ramarim pumps from Nude Stiletto

Hello all! Its review time!

I was fortunate enough recently to be asked to review a brand I haven't owned before and I jumped on the opportunity, especially after having seen one of their dresses on my Instagram feed the day before!


Vivien of Holloway is a retro/pinup brand based in the UK. They make amazing reproduction dresses! The cuts and fabrics have really caught my eye over the past few months especially and I am so pleased to bring you a review of one of their pieces!


I also will be talking about this amazing brand of shoe that you are all going to love! I know I'm certainly sold!

Outfit Details:
Bamboo Earrings: eBay


So this dress is honestly one I am completely in love with! I choose this pattern because I am such a lover of tiki! This pattern in person, that features whales, islands, flowers, ocean and boats is honestly stunning. The vibrancy of the fabric is incredible and it really makes for a stand out piece in any pinup wardrobe!


One feature I really loved about this dress was the boned bodice. It gives the dress incredible structure across the waist and the bust line which gives a great line to the body! The thick halter strap will also be a godsend to bigger busted lasses where as a smaller busted gal like me found it give nice framing to the sweetheart neckline which I really loved! Also, because the bodice is boned you don't get a lot of pull on the halter neck strap, which is also fantastic!


The final detailing I'd like to talk about on the dress is the stunning front sarong style. The fact its stitched is great as it means you aren't having to constantly adjust it through your day/night and  feel it breaks the skirt perfectly, allowing for a stunning finish! I opted to keep my accessories simple as the dress was so busy! I wore my bamboo hoop earrings and pink/white orchids from my store Daisy Jean for a finish.


The only downside for me was that being rather small in the upper body but big in the hips, the matching bolero on my was rather big, though still wearable! I do personally prefer the dress as a stand alone item to be honest. 


Now lets talk SHOES because I am honestly in love! Ramarim is a Brazillian brand of shoe being hailed for its comfort....and I CAN SEE WHY! I put these babies on when I arrived at the shoot and I actually was stunned with how absolutely comfortable they are! I mean, I am not kidding! Hands down the most comfortable hair of heels I now own! Its insane! 


I went for the yellow to keep the dress as the statement piece and after walking around in them for a few hours on location in a garden these will definitely be a staple in my wardrobe for future outfits! To ladies after a nice heel that won't kill your feet, these are amazing!

I'm going to leave this review here for today! I'm so excited to be doing my first big review like this for you all!

Also a BIG thank you to my photographer Russell Thomas for these amazing shots and someone I look forward to working with again!

I hope you've enjoyed this post! 


Disclaimer: Whilst I received these shoes and dress as part of a sponsorship with Vivien of Holloway and Nude Stiletto, all opinions expressed are honest to help ensure the most accurate information for my readers. 

Tuesday 10 February 2015

Pinup hair ~ styles and tips

Hello all!

So before I did my pinup shopping on a budget post, I wanted to finish up my Beginner wardrobe post by talking about pinup hair styles and in a later post pinup make up styles that are commonly found/associated with the style as I feel these two go together really well and they really do help make a complete look/outfit

So...I'm going to start with hair!

Pinup Hair

Pinup/vintage hair can feel very daunting when you're a beginner! Believe me, I've been there! That's part of why I'm saving for a better computer and a webcam for tutorials! I know there are a lot out there but every pinup brings their own knack and style for pinup hair and while one mightn't work for you, another might! 

When starting out, there are a few basic styles that were my go to's when I first started so I thought I'd share them here. Remember to practice, have fun and don't be afraid to try new methods!

Curls

Curls are the easiest way to get an instant pinup look as they were the preferred hairstyle of most woman in the 40-60's in various styles. If I'm wearing my hair out, its usually in curls!

There are two different types of 'curls' that you'll primarily see in pinup looks, that's a heat set done with curling tongs or hot curlers/rollers and a wet set which is a set done with pincurls or foam rollers that you sleep in when hair is damp.

Trial and error is the best way to find what setting style works best on your hair! I've briefly described the two different styles below

Heat set

Me with a heat set achieved with bendy curlers

Ashlee Marie with a headset done with curling tongs

Heat curl set

A heat set is just how it sounds! Its a curl set achieved with hot rollers or a curling iron! The biggest advice I can give to gals doing a heatset: 
  • Pin your curls to cool! This helps it keep the shape and lets it last longer! You can use bobbypins though I recommend pin curl clips (can be found bulk on ebay!) See blow for an example

  • Use a heat spray to protect your hair from the heat! You can get these from most stores that stock hair supplies. This will help stop your hair getting super damaged from the heat. You simply spray it on before use! Experiment with different products to as everyone's hair is different!
  • Experiment with different types of heat setting to find one that works best for you! Again, everyone's hair is different! I also finger only a light brush out is needed for a heat set
Wet set
Marilyn with a wetset
A wetset I did ~ Photography by Lauren Horwood
Ashlee Marie with a Wet set
Wetset I did ~ Photography by Billy June Photography


A wet set is the more traditional way of achieving curls. For me personally, a wet set is my go to because it holds curl better for me. The concept behind a wetset is to sleep in it overnight on damp hair and take it out and style it in the morning.

You can pin curl or foam roller. I do both, depending on how much effort I feel like putting in. Its important that hair isn't too damp or it won't dry in time and that you use a setting lotion. Again, experiment with different styles of setting and different products to find one that works with your hair!

Also remember to be gentle when brushing out! Brushing out takes practice and time. Brushing out too much will reduce your curls! 

Victory Rolls

Myself with Victory Rolls

Bernie Dexter 

Nikki Napalm 

Dita Von Teese

Miss Victory Violet

Victory rolls are instantly recognizable as pinup! While they take a while to get to knack of, once you have them down pat they are a great way to style hair, especially when you want something quick and easy! They are also incredibly versatile! Have two in the middle, one bigger one smaller, with a fringe, with no fringe, one more to the side...whatever tickles your fancy! Instant pinup hair in minutes! Advice for victory rolls: don't be affair of teasing!! You need the tease for a strong foundation for your rolls! And have fun! Because they are fun within themselves! Some wrap the hair around things (circular foundation bottles, toilet rolls, their fingers) some just wrap it themselves. Play around and find what works for you! Curling the hair beforehand will help!

Bangs

Micheline Pitt with Bettie Bangs
Miss Mosh with Bettie Bangs

Me with Faux Bangs


Ashlee Marie with Faux bangs

There are two types of bangs that pinups tend to wear that are again stereotypical of the pin up look. Bettie Bangs hail from Bettie Page and a lot of pinup girls rock them! If you don't feel like committing full time to Bettie bangs you can invest in either clip ins or master the faux bang, which as a favorite of mine when my hair was longer. Faux bangs are great for days when you want minimal effort. It can be achieved with either a hair rat/hair donut cut in half or by teasing and shaping! Curling the hair underneath can help make a faux bang easier to achieve. Worn with a scarf or flower its an instant pinup look

Beehive & swoop fringe

Me with Faux Bangs and a beehive 
Ashlee Marie with a beehive and a swoop fringe

Diablo rose with a swoop fringe and a beehive
Beehives are another way for instant pinup hair and a great on dirty hair! They are relatively quick and once you get the hang of them they are honest AMAZING for days when you want quick hair! These are also great in summer as they are off your neck! Again, don't be afraid of teasing!! Teasing may seem scary but its not! Also a LOT of hair spray.

The swoop fringe takes a lot of practice to get right and again, a lot of teasing but once you can do them, they are amazing for instant pinup hair! Curling the hair beforehand will help. 

Lastly, the suicide roll



The suicide roll is a curl at the front of the hair, normally with victory rolls, beehive or a hair scarf/bandana. These are a great fringe alternative to the bangs and swoop style fringes and when done right look AMAZING! Again, teasing is your friend as is practice! Curling the hair beforehand will help! 

Hair accessories to compliment your style!

Pinup's are ALL about accessorising and there are a few primary types of hair accessories that pinups use that I've listed below for you all to finish this post!

Scarves and bandanas
Doris Mayday wearing a scarf from Pin Up Girl Clothing

Micheline Pitt wearing a scarf from Pin Up Girl Clothing

Ida Van Munster wearing a bandana
Scarves and bandanas are a great simple way to finish a look, especially on beehives and loose curls. They instantly add colour and can also be used as a cover for hair that isn't styled or is messy!

Flowers

Me wearing Daisy Jean Floral Designs Flowers ~ Shot by Miss Mookie

Micheline Pitt Wearing Flower Crown from Pin Up girl Clothing

Me wearing Lady Rowe hair flowers ~ Shot by Billy June Photography
Pinups LOVE hair flowers! They are an instant way to finish pinup hair with style and elegance as well as brightening up an outfit. There are literally SO many amazing ladies (myself included) who craft pinup hair flowers so you literally have hundreds of amazing designs brought to life by different ladies at your fingertips!

Bows

Me wearing a Charlie Heart Breaker Bow
wa
Ashlee Marie Pinup Doll
Bows are another great way of finishing a pinup outfit, especially if flowers aren't your thing! Again, as with flowers there are many amazing products and brands to choose from!

Lastly Clips/Combs...

Micheline Pitt wearing a comb from Pin Up Girl Clothing

Me wearing a diamonette clip ~ Photography by Lauren Horwood

Cherry Clip
Clips and combs are great touches to an outfit, especially if you are after something more formal. 

I'm going to leave it here tonight!

I hope this has helped everyone!

More to come tomorrow



xXx