The Kittens purr

Personally I like to support local companies especially when they are independent clothing stores based here in Australia.  A few years ago I discovered Kitten D'Amour in Queensland and I have loved their clothing ever since.  Its a great mix of all I adore with their gothic lolita, retro inspired clothing.  One of the best things about their clothing is you can wear it as a complete outfit or take the parts you love and work it into your daily wear.  In fact its actually a store I always make a special effort to get to when ever I get to the sunshine state.

With their collections ranging from sweet and innocent like the picture to the left from their Love and Cherish Collection to amazing dresses for the races in the Rue De Paris and Dearly beloved collections as seen below.   These pieces let your inner Goddess shine through in a multitude of ways and really who wouldn't want to be a Goddess in their daily life.  Plus when attending events you are sure to stand out in the right way.

So do you like what you see so far?  Then make sure you jump on their website and have a look for yourself.   And please make sure you watch the clip below to help you feel inspired

Forever Dreaming

Right now is a pretty exciting time for fashion as you can pick up some great winter items as well as some pieces that will take you right through the year.  On one of my many window shopping trips this month I somehow found myself being drawn into the high street fashion store Forever New. 

Personally these days while shopping I am looking for key pieces that will last so cut and quality are my main focus.  I've found that when you pick up the right pieces from here your investment will be worth it.  For instance my favorite long winter jacket is from here.  At the time it was around the $150 mark but has now lasted me 2 winters and I still get comments of the wonderful cut and styling of it, so in my eyes well worth it.  Hopefully this winter I'll be able to add to the collection as I'm looking for modern pieces with that vintage style.  Its about the cut and fabric for me this winter.

So for now I thought I'd share a few of my 'lust-have' pieces.  

Lucy Strapless Prom Dress

Mia Striped 2 in 1 Dress

Rhianna Velvet Trim Coat

As you can tell by these pieces I'm looking for that classic female silhouette which can be dressed up or down depending on mood and situation. There are loads more beautiful pieces in your local store and online at Forever New, so jump online and have a look as your bound to find something that makes you smile.  Just remember the golden rule to fashion - TRY IT ON - as you always want to make sure your investment pieces will be worth the time and effort, and trust me its about fit.

Fashion goes out of style but Style never goes out of fashion.

Strike a pose

There are many pinup artists that I admire, but today I thought I'd share a couple of my favorite pics from Gil Elvgren.  You may have seen Elvgren's works on lots of pinup sites, not to mention a lot of photographer's use his work as inspiration for their pinup shoots.  From the mid 1930's through 1972, Elvgren produced over five hundred paintings of beautiful girls and women. Almost all of these works are oilo on canvas, and fully developed finished works of art. Elvgren continually surpassed himself, always improving in ideas, composition, color, and technique. 

   

Its well known amongst my friends that I adore his work, so it was a great treat when Mikii last cam down and brought with him some beautiful posters with him for me.  These were now added to my growing collection, I just have to now find some beautiful frames to put them in.

Who doesn't love vintage

In a few days the lovely ladies of Brisbane will be having another great chance to spoil themselves with fabulous frocks, amazing women and all the things that make us Love Vintage.  Not sure what I'm going on about well.... the Love Vintage Fair is in town from Friday 13th until Sunday 15th. 

You are in for 3 days of amazing treats and for an a Adult $14 / Aged & Disability Pensioners $12 / (10 - 16 yrs) $7 / Under 10 yrs free or 2 day pass $26/3 day pass $38 who could resist.  

Apart from great fashion and accessories for sale you can also take in some amazing fashion parades and best of all some wonderful masterclasses with some of the best gals in the business.  

Do you want to know the best way to wear a hat? - have a chat with the gals from Circa Vintage Hats and Bonnie Rose Vintage.   What about some makeup hints and tricks?  The wonderful ladies from the Lindy Charm School will help you there.  Or maybe your looking for some tips on how to be a burlesque pinup well the stunning Foxtrot India will be your guide.  

So have I tempted you yet?  If your still not sure have a look at what's on at the website and by the time you've finished reading the timetable you will be packing your bag and heading for the car. 

With that my darlings I am off to dream of new vintage gowns.

SHOW TIMES:

Friday night 'Opening Evening': 5.30pm – 9.00pm
Saturday: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday: 10.00am – 4.00pm

TICKETS AT THE DOOR:

80 minutes of bliss

 After many days spent at work I decided it was time to treat myself with a bit of R&R and some pampering.  Since I work in air conditioned and heated spaces these day I felt like it was time to treat my skin with a bit of 'refresh'.  As I have very sensitive skin I am always very careful about where I get my beauty treatments done, thankfully I have a great boutique called Groom to go to.

What I adore most its more than a beauty salon, it's a place to go for a spot of ‘social grooming’.  Groom opened its first concept spa at Westfield Southland Shopping Centre where the experience begins as soon as you cross the threshold.  It’s all been designed to feel like you’ve just arrived at your best friend’s New York loft-style pad.

 

So what did I have..... well I went for the Groom Signature Facial.  Its 80 minutes of bliss because you get a  hot stone back treatment, then move onto a hot towel foot wrap. The best part is the facial is customised just for you; with a deep clean, exfoliate and an intensive pressure point massage that improves skin tone and elasticity. Next, it's the tailored treatment mask, finishing up with customised serums and treatment creams. 

Overall I felt so much better after the treatment and my skin was glowing.  So if you can spare 80 minutes out of your day just for you then I suggest you book an appointment and indulgence because your worth being spoiled.

time to break out the sparkle

Its that wonderful time of the year again, nope not just wonderful winter where the excuse to break out snuggly jumpers and truck loads of teas.  Ok so they are great things but its time to venture out into the cold dark night in search of sparkle and joy at the Melbourne Cabaret Festival.

If you haven't heard about this amazing festival before its time to embrace something new and enjoy some amazing artists.

I'm already in the planning stage of how I'm going to get to everything.  Step one is to make my short list however with over a 100 performers its a hard task, but I've manged to get it down to the folllowing.

Tom Dickins - well no surprise that Tom is on my must see list.  I can't wait to spend the night listening to these amazing songs from such a talented artist.

Dates: Wednesday 18 July

Time: 8pm

Price: $20 pre-sale / $25 on the door (+ transaction fee)

Venue: Chapel Off Chapel

The its off to the Bohemia Cabaret Club where they are hosting Steam Up II, an entertaining blend of Burlesque, Cabaret and the Steam Punk phenomenon.  Starring Oscar Sonnet, Madame ‘Mama’ Natalia, Jasper Jewell, Red Devochkin and Jack Lad as ‘Finickity Jack’.

Date: Saturday 14 July

Time: Doors open 5pm; show from 8pm
Price: $20 pre-booked; $25 at the door 

Venue: Bohemia Cabaret Club, 226-228 Coventry Street, South Melbourne

Well this is the starting point, now I just have to check the calender to see just how much I can fit in.  I do hope you jump on the website and see what you can find out there that sparks your interest.

Talk about the Benefit

 

I have adored benefit makeup for as long as I can remember.   Of course the first thing that drew me to this brand was the packaging, lame I know but I was surprised once I started playing with the products was how wonderful they worked and looked on my skin.  

 

The first thing I fell for many years ago was the Bathina body balm with sparkle.  Its such as light body balm that you apply with the lovely little hand puff.  From there I tired and loved the High Beam luminescent complexion enhancer as its so light and even from under your foundation and powder you look like your glowing.  I've actually had a lot a great comments about my complexion while wearing it, which means a lot to me as I suffer from rosacea. 

I'm not often a person who buys products because of a movie but this latest pack from Benefit to coincide with the launch of the movie "snow white and the huntsman" may end up in my beauty stockpile.  I just love the beauty bag it all comes in not to mention the bag contains some of the best products that every gal should have from Benefit. 
Set includes:
    •    the POREfessional PRO balm to minimize the appearance of pores
    •    BADgal lash mascara
    •    benetint rose-tinted lip & cheek stain
    •    high beam luminescent complexion enhancer
    •    step-by-step lesson

Now to head into my latest Benefit store to pick this one up.

For the princess in all of us

Every time I start a new job or get moved to a new location I treat myself to a new perfume.  Its partly a treat and partly to bring some joy to my day, and it also reminds me of chapters in my life.  

As I am about to move store locations again my latest addition to my perfume collection is Vera Wang's Princess.  But why this perfume you may be asking?  

Firstly Princess is one of my nicknames just made it one I had to try and secondly I adore the feminine fruity/floral scent. And of course the third reason that attracts me to try most of the perfumes I own the ultra cute heart-shaped bottle which has a little ring under the cap.  I also managed to pick up the box collection at my local Chemist warehouse at a great price of $49.99 which also included a mini bottle, body wash and moisturizer.  So overall a great deal.  

So keep your eyes open for this little princess

Geek Goddess Jewel Staite

Jewel Staite otherwise known as Kaylee from Firefly one of my fav sci-fi series is today's pick for Geek Goddess.

My main reason for adoring Jewel is her amazing combination of beautiful eyes, stunning cheek bones and a smile that lights up a room.  There is just something about Jewel that makes you unable to take your eyes off her when she's on screen.  She also has the ability to make a pair of overalls sexy; not skill many gals have.

So here's to you Ms Jewell, my Geek Goddess of the week   

Gothic Lolita

 

I've always had a weakness for fashion that's a little left of center; and after attending a Cosplay a few weekends ago my love of Gothic Lolita styles is back. Now I just have to figure out how to work in into my daily outfit; not such an easy thing when your stuck wearing a dull uniform most days at work.

So what to do?????  All I can think right now is add small elements that make me smile and don't freak out my customers.  Oddly enough I don't think many customers see me more than a body behind a counter trying to take their money but I'll have a whinge about that another day LOL

However they do seem to notice my nails alot.  Maybe cause I talk a lot with my hands or maybe its because they hate handing over money to me for my skills/products/time.  So I think this is a good place to start.  Currently I have purple glitter tips on my nails which get a comment most days as the sparkles often catch the light in the store.  Maybe its time to up the stakes with some ultra cute pink detailed nails like these (see left), now to just add some skulls into the pattern. 

Or how about this stunning black and purple from the ultra cool and inspiring Nailside blog. Just looking at these designs on this site makes me want to spend the night following the great instructions and get painting. At least this is one thing that doesn't seem to fall under the 'dress code' of my uniform, and yes I have gone through the dress code handbook looking for 'standards' on the small things like nail/hair colour and jewelery.

From Nailside

Right now the idea of dying my hair deep blood red or dark purple/navy is really calling to me.  Hence this pic is really calling to me at the moment.  Its really speaking to me and I can't get this image out of my mind.  So far the plan tomorrow night after work is to chill out with a glass of wine and put my hair in curlers.  Which means no visitors please, nobody needs to see me in that state.  

Ok step one me thinks....I'll let you know how that goes.  Next step I think might have to be some gothic hello kitty style in my accessories, nothing to over the top at this point but enough to stop me feeling so vanilla in this world.  

Which does remind me of a post that hopefully (if I can get all my thoughts in order) will go up later this week.  Now I'm not ashamed of loving a good montage; you know those ones where girl tries on lots of stuff, has her make up done and hair changed - with no thought of the credit card debit- and ends up all sparkles and beautiful.  This has lead me to start watching a few of those 'what not to wear' style shows and as much as I love a good make over its left me feeling like they just want us to conform to the same 'on every rack' of dressing that can stifle your creativity.  Personally some of my style icons are the gals out there who ignore the trends and wear what makes them happy, which of course leads me back to the whole dressing style in parts of japan, USA, Aust and UK.  

Ok I'm getting off track but I think its time to start digging through my wardrobe and find the starting point for tomorrow or maybe friday's 'new' work outfit.  So watch this space as I embrace more of what i love.

Oh yeah and if any clothing stores like VnV, One day in Paradise, Wildlocks, Clockwork Couture etc wanna help me go through a movie style make over drop me a line and I'm there in your professional hands

xpost!!!!

 

How do you get me to fall in love even more with Felicia Day and steampunk?  COMBINE THEM!!!!  After watching this weeks episode of the flog (yep I'm addicted and can't wait till i get home on a tuesday night to see whats up) I have had to hide my wallet so I don't go shopping crazy at Clockwork Couture.

 

So after watching Felicia it was time to hit the  Clockwork Couture website and wow I'm so glad I did.  The clothing is amazing but it doesn't stop there look at this.....

How amazing is this glycerin based soap  and its a  truly a Clockwork Couture exclusive. This rust colored soap is infused with your choice of oils made for Clockwork Couture by an independent blender using any one of our oils.  Skeleton key is vintage and unique. Style will vary. No animal products used.  Soap is packaged in gift worthy label and bag.

Looking for more than just soap and clothing how about these wonderful rings!!!!  

Maybe your after the the Hi-voltage Toric Generator Ring (left); or how about the Dr Von Rosenstein's Induction Principle Ring (centre) or maybe your after something a bit more dainty with the Tea Cup ring. Well lets just say I so want to jump on a plane right now and go shopping.

It really makes me smile to see how many people out there are still making beautiful pieces of clothing that really are pieces of art.  Ok I know your all just scrolling down the pages for the corsets, so here you go with a couple of my favourites.

1. Crimean War Steampunk Overbust Corset

Sweet heart Overbust pattern perfect for long ,medium & short torso female.  I just adore the Antique metal clasp opening and the Tan Faux Leather trim with antique metal chain with button.  It even includes 6 suspender loops at the bottom. 

2. Military Corset with Tails - a Clockwork exclusive

Created for Clockwork Couture us by one of the most amazing corsettiere's I've seen in ages.   This is a high quality tight lacing corset suitable for extended wear. Exclusively for Clockwork Couture, an underbust corset made of cotton denim with hand-sewn soutache on the tails.

Ok so get that steampower pumping and check out this amazing site.  I dare you....