Roxie Reviews: House of Satin Lingerie

(Ooh well I haven't done one of these for a while!)

House of Satin is a new vintage inspired lingerie brand which hit the market late last year. I've heard great things from them and their stuff is super reasonably priced so I thought, why not? In the words of Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle "treat yo self!", From their eBay shop, I bought myself their "Vintage Style Full Cover Bra", a pair of briefs and their girdle, all in pale blue. I think the whole set came to just over £30 which is just...wow. Less than one What Katie Did bra!

Delivery was quick and I ripped open the parcel to reveal my goodies. The bra fitted well and definitely gave that vintage shape that us so-inclined lasses desire. What I particularly liked was the subtle shape, as it wasn't as pointy as a harsh 1950s bullet bra but definitely still had that perkiness that's more akin to 1940s and 1960s shapes. I'm yet to wear it under anything but I know it's going to fit well. I have little to comment on the briefs apart from they're comfy, good quality fabric and the elastic doesn't cut too much into my skin.

The girdle...hmmmm. I'm still in two minds about this. It looks great and it does hold my stockings up (always a bonus for long legged ladies like myself), but it doesn't hold much support in the tummy and definitely doesn't nip in the waist like other brands do. This might just be because I bought the wrong size, but the fabric doesn't feel secure or elastic-y enough to have much support no matter the size. I bought a medium, which fits well on my thighs but not so great my waist - maybe if I had bought a small the waist would have fitted better but then I worry it would have cut into my thighs. One last thing I would like to see is adjustable straps on the suspenders as they didn't quite sit well, but that is just a little thing.

All in all, House of Satin is amazing value for someone who wants to fill their lingerie draw with good quality, vintage style pieces. It is much more affordable than other brands but their bras and knickers are just as good quality. Their shapewear could be stronger in hold but it looks pretty and does keep stockings up securely. I'm definitely going to be buying more from House of Satin to add to my collection! Definitely can't wait to see what their Spring/Summer 2015 range brings us!

(Photography by Jae Storer Photography)

Ananas & Palm Trees.

I had a spare hour or so this week in between lots of reading, writing and tiki business to go shopping. I'd been informed by some people over on Facebook that Topshop had some great tiki stuff in. Well, that was excuse enough for me! My work wardrobe needed a bit of spruce up anyway, and topped off with the lovely spring weather that has finally arrived, it was off to town I went!

First off I spotted this pineapple design dress in their beachware section. I think it's supposed to be a beach dress you wear over a swimsuit, but it works fine as a regular dress too - if a little short! I was most surprised by a) the price (a mere £25!) and b) the size (usually I am at least a medium in Topshop, sometimes reaching over into the large spectrum). I went off to the changing room with a medium and a large but had to ask the assistant for a small! I can't deny that it didn't feel good! It is pretty much backless, and I'm sure with the right bikini top it'll look fab, but for now I've just teamed it with a bandeau top from New Look.

(I must apologise for my hair in these photos; I'm trying out a new Aussie product which combines texturing and conditioning so its a little beachy at the moment)

Secondly I found this dress with a cut out midriff. I expected to be a 14 because Topshop busts  in a 12 are usually too small for me, but alas the 14 was too big and so I tried the 12. Perfect! I love the design of Polynesian beach houses and palm trees, and the colouring is bright enough for work but not too garish to wear elsewhere! This one was slightly more expensive, but within the regular range of Topshop dresses, at £36. The amount of wear I'll get out of it though makes it completely worth that extra £11!

Other outfit additions:

Bamboo bangles by Bow & Crossbones

Hair Orchid by me

What do you think?

Have you found an tiki treats out there this spring?

Mahalo xx

Votes For Roxie!

If you are on my Facebook or follow me on Twitter you would have already seen that I plan on spamming you all with my face for a wee while. This is all because I NEED YOUR VOTES!

This is an opportunity for me to model at The Rockabilly Rave on the 15th June this year. It's all really simple, all you need to do is click here and 'like' the photo!

I'm not doing too badly at the moment but I really am in need of your votes so it would be a massive favour if all my lovely followers voted for me :)

Thank you all so much!

Mwah! xx

Goodbye Money.

I feel I say this every year, but yes, Miss L Fire have released their Spring/Summer 2013 range. And yes, I want them all.

Again, the shoes look absolutely fabulous. The 'L' range are bright and colourful - beyond perfect for summer - and the regular range fills that space between shoes to wear to work and shoes to wear out, all with a lovely little vintage heel so you aren't falling over after one too many martinis!

If work wasn't so messy these would be perfect! Kon Tiki - £56.99

Again, would be ace at work - Mexicali - £56.99

It's a top up between the blue and red ones for me!  Sailor - £64.99

Love the height of the heel on these, perfect for us tall gals! Flora - £104.99

These come in black, red, green and blue, and I will take a pair of each! Tease - £109.99

Those are my favourites, have you chosen your's?

ps: I am accepting donations. Thanks.

Rockabilly Essentials: Accessories

With my upcoming rockabilly tea party (The Mad Hepcat's Tea Party) I'm putting together a mini series of entries of everything rockabilly: Clothes, Accessories, Hair & Make Up, and Music.

So we got the clothes sorted in the last instalment, and now it's time for the accessories. Personally, I wear very few accessories, but I do always wear one. I'm a little bit famous for my bandannas, always in either red or blue - but mainly blue - as I frequently have one tied around my head. At work, I wear a few bangles, as I feel they add a little vintage tiki to any outfit, and sometimes a necklace, usually in a tattoo design. Although having my ears pierced I very rarely wear earrings; I'm not entirely sure why I don't decorate my aural lobes, but they're just something I never really think about. I make my own hair flowers (it's really very simple!) but there are numerous shops online to cater for these. There aren't really any restrictions for handbags, from wicker, to lucite, to leather satchels to vintage clutches.

Me vainly posing my bandanna wearing

Most online shops sell a mixture of the above so here is my selection of the very best:

Dolly Cool:

I own this! It's awesome! Swallows are a big theme in rockabilly jewellary

This comes ready folded so just tie and go! Like clothing, leopard print is popular with accessories

Bows & Crossbones

I group various colours and shapes altogether for variety

It's wicker, it's cherry-fied, it's tiki, it's everything in one bag.

Razorblade Mermaid:

Great little set (I own the earrings!)

Mexicana style skulls are also popular

Etsy is also great for finding little producers who make their own accessories for you to buy. Just searching 'hair flowers', or prefixing any accessory type with 'rockabilly' with through up numerous results to browse through.

Black anchor hair flower

Hawaiian flowers are a my favourites

What have we learned from this accessory lesson? Well, wear as much or as little as you like, and you can stick to one theme or mix and match!

Stay tuned for my next instalment: Hair & Make Up

Rockabilly Essentials: The Clothes

With my upcoming rockabilly tea party (The Mad Hepcat's Tea Party) I'm putting together a mini series of entries of everything rockabilly: Clothes, Accessories, Hair & Make Up, and Music.

Gladrags are ridiculously important to a rockabilly lass; they are what set us apart from the rest of the crowd. Whether it's a casual day look or a sumptuous night life outfit, it's all about embodying the ladies' curves, emphasising those chests, waists and hips - as Wanda Woodward said in Cry Baby "our bazooms are our weapons!"! So here is my guide to the garments every rockabilly kitten needs in her wardrobe:

Jeans. Everyone needs at least two pairs of jeans in their wardrobe, and the best ones by far are by Freddies of Pinewood. I first discovered this company at Goodwood Revival about three or four years ago, and I've never bought another brand of retro reproduction jeans since. The jeans are measured at the waist so they fit really nice and snug, and have a 33" inside leg so are a great length for turn-ups (unless you're me who requires a 36"). My personal favourites are the Classic Indigo and the Dungaree Dolls, but there are also shorts, 3/4 jeans and ones set to patterns from the 1940s and 1950s (Check out the Norma Jeans, inspired by Marilyn Monroe herself!). Freddies also do a selection of tops that fit perfectly with their jeans, and have just brought out their first range of dresses, modelled by the beautiful Stephanie Jay.

Me in my Freddies Dungarees

Isn't she lovely?

Staying with tops, Rocket Originals have what I think is my favourite top of all time! It's taken from an original 1940s pattern, and it's diamond decoration fits perfectly with rockabilly style. It's definitely going on my Christmas list!

It's also available in black

When it comes to dresses, it's all about the wiggle dress. I have several in my wardrobe in various styles, patterns and fabrics. Teamed with some killer heels (or flats, like me!), a fancy hair do, and red lippy you are ready to dance the night away!

Vivien of Holloway 

Collectif Clothing

Under all those clothes you're going to need some decent undies. Rockabilly style is based heavily on the 1950s when 'bazooms' were pointed. What Katie Did have a great range of bullet bras perfect for this, as well as some of the best shapewear in the business, and stockings to swear by.

Finally, moving onto shoes. There are many options for shoes: biker boots, pumps, brogues, creepers (sadly claimed by hipsters this season), wedges, stilettos - basically anything that takes your fancy but still has that retro, rockabilly edge. Probably the most famous shop for shoes is Miss L Fire, and boy oh boy do they have some delights! I could spend thousands with them!

Rocket Originals also have some great shoes that are much more 'pure' (ie: they resemble 1950s shoes rather than modern rockabilly style)

These are perfect for jiving!

Every rockabilly needs a decent pair of boots. Yes, they look good, but mainly their really warm when you're trekking around shows in the depths of winter! Mine have got a big hole in the sole so this year I think I'll be splashing out and getting this pair from Clarks:

I hope you enjoyed my walk through rockabilly clothing! Stay tuned for my next instalment: Accessories!

Ein über deutsch herbstlich Tag.

Guten tag! Wilkommen!

Anyone that knows me knows that everyone that meets me tends to believe/assume that I am German. I don't know if that's because I am blonde haired, blue eyed and have that kind of squarish face 'typical' Germans have, or the fact I do, sometimes, mumble to myself in very broken German - I am looking to get back into learning German, so any willing and patient Germans/fluent German speakers in the area willing to teach me, get in touch! Anyway, this is not the point of this blog; the point of this blog is to show you my new outfit which I am very much looking forward to wearing a lot this autumn/winter.

So, the outfit...

I bought this dress on Sunday in Topshop for, what I think is, a bargain. It cost me £30 (well, £27 with student discount) and seeing as it is a thick, winter pinafore style dress I think that's quite a steal! Okay, it's not wool but what do you want for that money? Now, why the German aspect? Well, when I came out the fitting room in it, my friends couldn't believe how German I looked in it. Yes, über deutsch. It also has a slight vintage feel to it, a little more 1960s than I usually go for, but still a little difference is always welcome.

I paired it with a long sleeved top from Gap, that doesn't usually come out of the wardrobe unless I am going to site and it's particularly cold. Over the top I shall keep the slight vintage/archaeologist-at-work thing going by wearing what my mother calls my archaeologist cardigan from Primark.

It was very sunny in my room at this point, sorry!

I suppose I should show you my face too...for the make up I kept it very simple using Benefit's Eye Gotta! Annie Collection (Foiled on the lids, and Spiced in the crease)

Aufwiedersehen!

This Is Why I Don't Wear Colour.

Today I thought, Hannah do something different, wear colour. My outfit assembled and make up plastered on (which took half an hour by the way, inspired by a look I saw on youtube) I looked at myself and thought "I really can't leave the house like this.". It just reminded me why I live in white, black, red and blue, and only wear the classic winged eye liner and red lippy. Regardless of the fact I felt like a clown that had rolled around in the 1980s, I thought I should share this look with you because, I'm sure, it will suit someone, somewhere...just not me.

Tomorrow, it's back to my normal self I think.

Autumn Shoes.

My shoes need a major revamp and replacement with the on coming season. Most of my shoes from last year's autumn/winter are tattered, ill fitting or holey (my favourite pair of biker boots now have a massive hole in the sole so I'm on the hunt for a new pair asap!). The shops have just started getting their autumn stocks in so I took a gander around town to see what I could get...

First, the flats...

And now for some heels (a rare thing for me)...

The Deichmann (a store I'd never been in before, but was pretty impressed by) ones are ridiculously comfortable. The Primark ones...not so much. I put that down to them being a size 41 and not a size 42, but I'm sure I'll squeeze my tootsies into them!

Summer Outfit #2

Oh I do love a good bargain! This strapless, chequered dress has more than a nod to rockabilly fashion (it'll definitely be in my suitcase for the Hotrod Hayride!). I picked it up at Primarni a couple of months ago when there was that odd little heat wave back in early April, for a measly £7! I've worn it in winter/spring over jeans as a long tunic kind of top but now the sun is out I can wear it bare legged!

It has pockets too!

It is quite short, but oh well! It's probably normal sized on other gals!

Summer Outfit #1

Now I have my new swanky camera I am aiming to do more outfit posts (vintage, rockabilly, or whatever) and just general posts full of glorious photos. Like today's! Today's outfit post is not vintage or rockabilly at all as I am just having a revision day and needed something comfy and cooling to wear in the summer heat - which has finally hit Liverpool!

(Plus, I am hooked on editing photos so the look all professional by using PicMonkey)

Ahh the mirror photo - I apologise about the state of my room

My outfit today consists of:

• Mint vest top by H&M (£7.99)
• Blokes jeans customised into shorts by Primark (£4)
• Black leather belt (unseen, sorry) from the 1980s that I stole from my mum (Free!)

And I thought I'd show my face too as I bought a new lip stick yesterday in my current favourite trend ORANGE!

My hair is in it's natural-ish colour and in it's natural wavy state, although from this angle you can't really see that...

My make up is:

• Urban Defense Tinted Moisturiser in 'Halo' by Urban Decay (£20 - Yowch!)
• Shine Control Loose Powder in 'Translucent' by 17 (£4.99 - I think)
• Eye Brow Crayon in 'Lingering' by MAC (£11)
• Eye shadow in 'Rule' by MAC (£12)
• Glam'Eyes Professional Liquid Eye liner in 'Black Glamour' by Rimmel (not sure on price...)
• Volume Flash Scandaleyes Mascara in 'Extreme Black' by Rimmel (£7.99 I think)
• Blush in 'Life's a Peach' by Sleek (£4.99)
• Colourburst Lip Butter in 'Tutti Frutti' by Revlon (£4.99)

So there you have it, my first outfit post of this summer! Hopefully there will be many more to come!

Mahalo!

Well, haven't I been a busy bunny? Between balancing a mountain of uni work I have finally bagged myself a part-time job. Now, this isn't just any part-time job (nor is it an M&S job) this is a very exciting adventure. You may have read my little review on a vintage fair I went to a long time ago at Liverpool's only tiki bar, Aloha? Well, I only went and got myself a job there! You cannot understand my excitement when I got invited to an interview! Two chats later I got the call for me to jump aboard the crew, and three shifts in (with lots of training too) I am loving it. Apart from the obvious - the rum, the music, the people - one of the ultimate perks of the job is the uniform. This is the best excuse I've ever had to go a bit mad and buy a load of vintage-y tiki things! I have quite a bit in my wardrobe anyway but no time like the present to expand!

I probably won't wear dresses to work, but maybe one might creep it's way into my wardrobe for summer...

Red Sarong Dress - Collectif £55

Blue Tiki Sarong Dress - Collectif £25

I'm currently wearing my old, old, old pair of Freddies of Pinewood jeans but I am thinking this is the perfect time to invest in a new pair. Now, which to choose...?

Maybe a pair of pedal pushers? - £48

I think I prefer them in blue though - £45

Shirts can be picked up from most hightstreets, vintage stores and good ol' eBay for varying prices. I've found some for £5 (usually made of cheap nylon fabrics though, so I avoid them) and then I've also seen some for well over £100 - I've then put them down and walked away...quickly.

Shoes wise, heels are a definite no no. Being on your feet for ten hours and running the gauntlet between the bar and guests definitely requires some comfy shoes! For now I've got my biker boots and some cheapo Primarni pumps, and for summer I'll probably invest in deck shoes that will survive. But if I could wear any tiki shoes for work there is only one shop I would go to...

Ahhh I love them so much! 'Bluebird' Miss L Fire - £54.99

These look so comfy! - 'Capri' Miss L Fire - £54.99

'Monterrey' Miss L Fire - £59.99

These are from their S/S'11 collection but are still available in some sizes - 'Honolulu' Miss L Fire £59.99

Taking some inspiration from Miss Fleur de Guerre I have decided I need to invest in more bangles. I bought some from New Look and will keep my eye out on the high street for more, but these are definitely being added to my collection!

Bow & Crossbones - £3.50 (Also available in 2 packs - £6.50 - and 3 packs - £9)

I need these! Bow & Crossbones - £7.50

I can see where my first wage packet will be going...