Sandra Oh!

So, I had a first try on of some of my Lindy Bop box and took loads of photos a couple of weeks ago and then promptly forgot to blog about it. Well done me. This post is therefore mainly photo based and is me trying out some of my new threads and trying to get different looks and styles with them.

Day Dress

The first thing I couldn't wait to get on was this Blush coloured day dress. It gives me total Sandra Dee vibes and think it would look fab paired with a leather jacket and white plimsolls. Here I've made it more vintage garden party with the straw visor and small glitzy earrings

Onassis

Another outfit, another visor! I love these Onassis knitted tops and put this navy one with a gorgeous navy and green tartan pencil skirt. It makes me feel quite Joan Holloway and hour glassey... which is not a bad feeling. 

 

Off duty Hollywood starlet

I brushed the curls out and loved the finish - I thought matched with the below retro cardigan it had an off duty Hollywood starlet type of look to it.

 

And with the red rose added in, it felt fun and easily became my favourite photos of the whole session. Was just a quick throw in of an accessory - goes to show it pays to try different things.

More Joan Holloway feels

I changed the pencil skirt to this amazing Navy floral one and really loved it...  again felt very womanly and curvy in this pairing so a definite win. I also felt this had more of a glam feel to it than the tartan.

Perfectly prim in purple

I then tried a purple sundress with a sweetheart neckline, not sure about the capped sleeves on me so would probably put a cardigan with it to wear it out. Think it will look lush with a petticoat though - quite like the idea of trying it with a red one - one of my favourite colour combinations (we had those colours at our wedding). This outfit felt more demure with my hair caught back and a purple hair comb added in. Also loved the purple against my blue hair.

Black Widow

This was actually my least favourite look of the session. I love all the components but put all together it felt a bit too dark. The lipstick is a Rimmel dark purple from Kate Moss which I layered on top of the Red. 

I still have loads of the box to go through as I did go a bit crazy in the sale - in my defence the prices were amazing *sheepish look*

The Haul

My full intention is to start putting together an outfit/look regularly (possibly not daily as it depends on my children and how much time and space I have to actually do it). Some days will be more full on than others but I do want to incorporate more Rockabilly/vintage notes in my everyday wardrobe.

Thanks for reading.

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The Pompadour that never was, a curly confession & OOTD trials resume

So today I decided would be the day I would tackle and conquer the pompadour. Boy, was I wrong. I gave it the good college try but it just looked awful - I couldn't even bring myself to take a photo because it was downright embarrassing. So I've given up on that style for now and went for another style similar to what I've already done - a roll combined with a curl. I felt positively bouncy and peppy and even god damn cute with this hair do. I think it was the swishyness of my hair - I curled it with tight little curls then gave it a good brush out before tying the bandana. The roll was an accident... a happy one after the disaster of the pomp.

I have a confession to make. I do not curl my hair properly - no wet sets or heated rollers... I totally cheat by using a Babyliss Pro curling machine. And I love the results. I know if I want to achieve the more professional complicated looks that I'm going to have to forego the cheat machine but in the meantime whilst I have such limited time and means it's the way I'm going with it.

I dug out my old Nikon and dusted off my photography 'skills.' I've been determined to get some full length photos as I'm so excited by putting together outfits and I've been desperate to join the OOTD (outfit of the day) social club on Instagram! I'm fucking fussy about photos of me though and generally too controlling and critical of what other people take - something else I need to work on. My full length pics were somewhat thwarted, however, by the fact I couldn't locate my tripod for the life of me. I managed to get a few test shots by balancing the camera on top of the pushchair but there's some serious work needs to be done there. The good news is that my Bloodhound Husband sniffed out the tripod this evening from under our bed and so I'll have another go tomorrow. I did get a few close ups though and was surprised by my eye colour - in my mind's eye I have dull grey eyes but they look green here. I'll take that. Just trying to work out how I get my photos off my computer and onto my phone so I can insta them... hmmm.

Nothing says glam like a safety gate. I think my use of the vintage suitcase in this last photo was a step too far as well - a bit 'running before I can walk' type thing. Also, I love my shoes but I don't think they were the right ones for this outfit. Plus I think you can tell from my face I'm just worrying about my camera falling off the pushchair. But otherwise not a bad start! Hahaha.

When I brushed the roll out I got a rather pleasing Farah Fawcett style flick. Had to get some photos of that as would never ever manage to recreate it if I actually tried to get this style:

 

My new mantra appears to be "if in doubt, pout." 

I toned down the make-up and removed the roll and bandana for the nursery run (as still not brave enough to go out in public fully made up) and resumed my civvies. BUT I am at least looking more glam in everyday life than I was.

Thanks for reading.

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Rosie the Riveter escalation

My take on Rosie the Riveter 

I started out fully intending to do something quick and easy and wound up doing a full face of make-up and a whole series of photos...I got a bit carried away!

Hair

I started with my hair and wanted to have a go at something classically Rockabilly. I managed the below roll after some back combing, a lot of hairspray, swearing and a toddler headbutting my bum. Not too bad. Could be a hell of a lot smoother but I'm pretty chuffed with it for a first go. I then pinned my hair flat at the back and tied my grey bandana in a Land Girl style.

Outfit

I decided to wear the new denim dungarees again (La Redoute) as they're great for running around after the kids. I remembered my gorgeous sheer black and white striped shirt (Next) which has been hanging in my wardrobe unloved for quite some while. It is a little snug these days but the dungarees hide that and it has some lovely details on it. The collar and the tiny buttons running down the back are just lovely. I tried to show the details on the back but it's a bit hard to catch that on your own!

Make-up

I started out with the idea of something day wearable so after using some Benefit POREfessional and a little NYX shine killer on my T zone I used my fave base Clinique CC cream. Then I filled in my eyebrows with my NYX nude eye palette (I actually much prefer it on my eyebrows than on my eyes) and tried to tame them with Benefit Gimme Brow gel. I have this cool Benefit make-up box 'Life of the Party' my sister bought me for Christmas which I decided to use for my eyes and cheeks as I hadn't used it yet. This included 'Dandelion' for highlighting the arches of my brows and along my cheekbones and a touch of 'Rockateur' blush along the tops of my cheeks. For my eyes I used the palest shade 'Call my Bluff' all over the lid then shaded with the two darker colours ('Nude Swings' and 'Taupe if off'). I also used some bronzer in the hollows of my cheeks and around the rest of my face to add a little colour (Bourjois). I then did my winged eyeliner with Barry M liquid liner and applied some of the Benefit mascara 'They're Real' to my stumpy lashes. I originally decided to go with a nude/pink lip so I applied my Soap & Glory lip plumping gloss 'Sexy Mother Pucker' in 'Bare Enough' with Mac Creme Sheen lipstick in 'Creme Cup.' 

I then decided to try some new false lashes I bought last week - also Eyelure but '107' this time. A slightly longer lash with an emphasis on the outer lashes for a more 'vintage feel' according to the box. Not pre-glued this time so I had to do battle with the teeny tiny lash glue bottle whilst trying to get a snack for the toddler, haha.

I think the lashes look pretty good in the photo but I didn't find them as comfortable to wear for some reason - I think they were just a touch too long. Maybe not a day wear lash for me but would be great for a night out (if I ever go on one of those again).

I then decided that I really wanted to go the whole hog and have a red lip. So I went with old faithful Mac Retro Matte lipstick in 'Ruby Woo.'

Well that escalated quickly. I have to admit that I took the lashes off again and then found I was getting a headache from the pins so took my hair out of the bandana and just tied it back as a ponytail in a snag free elastic (which you can see in the photo of the back of my shirt above). Why do bobby pins do that?! I remember the headaches I got at school wearing my hair in a bun. Ouch.

I had some fabulous 'help' from my two year old who also deigned to pout with me for a photo.

And my gorgeous baby boy was his usual smiley self (and was coincidentally dressed to match my hair) which I just had to share.

Oh! And I also outed myself on Facebook and the world didn't implode. I even gained a few new followers on Instagram. Bonus. 

I have so much fun doing these make overs and I'm keen to do more. It would be great to get feedback so please do leave a comment. I'm never sure how much information to impart or what people would actually like to read.

Thanks for reading.

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Sweaty Betty Panda Face

So, after my lovely children awoke screeching at the same time from their naps yesterday I decided to take them for a walk; to try and wear the toddler out and give the baby some fresh air. It was possibly the longest and slowest walk ever as Henry stopped at every stone, stick, car, blade of grass...  It was also bloody hot as well - I instantly regretted wearing the cardi and jeans. I came home looking like a sweaty panda. Thanks unpredictable British weather.

Oooooh, new Shoes

However, I did get to take my new sandals for a spin. I'm in love with them - they're gorgeous and comfortable *sigh* They're from a special 'artisan' line from the good old British shoe favourite Clarks and are available in half sizes and wide fittings.

I was originally looking for a kind of forties tan woven job for the Summer but came across these twenties T-Bar flats and fell in love. They have them in white or black too but I felt tan would be really versatile for day wear and especially lovely with a sundress. I found them for a discounted price and free delivery from Donaghy's online.

I still love the old Clarks telly ad:

On another note

This morning's instagram post was inspired by the lovely retro fashion blogger Warning: Curves Ahead and her now viral post 24 Things Women Over 30 Should Wear (plus a bit of Nicky Minaj style shade thrown in from me). She wrote this fab piece in response to an extremely irritating 'writer' called Kallie Provencher who published a piece for Rantchic.com entitled 24 things women should stop wearing after age 30.

Wearing overalls because I fucking want to

It's also not the first of this type of article Kallie has written about 30 year old women. I'm not going to list them or add links as I don't think she should get any further attention but needless to say I think it's complete and total bollocks, because;

A) I don't like anyone telling me what to wear.
B) What has being over 30 got to do with it?
C) And what the fuck has it got to do with you anyway Kallie Provencher????

#womenover30shouldwearwhateverthefucktheywant 

So, let's all tell this Kallie and all the other lazy journalists of her ilk to fucking do one and stop talking out of their back sides.

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When the kids are a-napping...

My children love me. I know this because they have gifted me with the joy that is them napping AT THE SAME TIME. It's a wonderful, wonderful thing. And if you need proof of my happiness you only need to look at the following photo collages:

Before synchronised naps

Look at the misery

And during synchronised naps

Happy happy, joy joy

I think the photos speak volumes but I've been laughing at them ever since noticing the difference in my face. I love my kids but nap time is a blessing!

Because I'm at home with the boys by myself today I don't have any real time to do fun dress up shoots but I have managed to cobble myself together into something of an outfit. 

Make-up

I managed to do my make-up but it was a challenge - especially when my two year old was insistent that he help me. My eyeliner is not particularly well done but I've got some on - so that's the main thing. I also decided I would wear falsies and am determined to make them a part of my everyday look because I feel so much more 'done' with them on. And they're really not that hard to apply. Well... apart from today when I managed to smear my eyeliner with the wet glue but you know what I mean. My nude lippy is a plumping gloss from a range called 'Sexy Mother Pucker' from Soap and Glory.

Would be rude not to pout in this gloss

Clothes & accessories

I've got on a black collared cardigan from Lindy Bop over a simple stretch grey & white striped M&S tee and my usual brushed black La Redoute jeans. It's not exactly exciting but I at least look more put together than slopping round in my maternity trews (yes, I sometimes still wear them - they're so flippin' comfy but look awful). And I added my swallow earrings which I found in my jewellery box and thought they looked pretty retro/kitsch. I would love to get some fun brooches as I think they could brighten up outfits like this and add a bit of interest to them. I must do a charity shop trawl soon as I think I could probably find some real gems for not much cash.

Hair

Not much time to do anything with it but I did a little back combing at the crown and caught the sides of my hair back with two black non-slip barrettes I bought in Superdrug just the other day. I think it has a bit of a 60s feel to it. It could probably do with more height for oomph but as I'm just running around after my children today I'm not going to quibble.

Anyway, the toddler is already up so I'm off. 

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