A Look Back at 2014

You may (or may not!) have noticed that I didn't blog very much in 2014 - this is something I plan to change in 2015!

I was a very busy girl indeed in the last 12 months. I got a full time job at the Museum of East Anglian Life as a Visitor Services Trainee; it is a 12 month contact job, which will come to an end in March. It meant moving to Ipswich but I've told you all about that before.

In terms of gigs and weekenders I did more last year than ever before, and I loved it! I started the year at Atomic Vintage Festival which was utterly fabulous - I enjoyed every second of being a glamorous Atomic Bombshell with some of the most amazing girls. The summer was filled with the Rockabilly Rave, which saw me taking to the run way with Bettina Scarlett Presents Vintage Fashion Revue, and then came the Shakedown (I've never seen such thunder and lightning!) and then finally the Hotrod Hayride. I finished the year at the Rhythm Riot which was, as the name suggests, a riot!

I met so many phenomenal people this year, and even became part of a girl gang. This bunch of gals are the world to me and I can't week to get up to more mischief with them in 2015. My Ipswich friends have been my rock this year too, it's all been up and down but I count my lucky stars everyday that I have each and every one of them in my life.

I have tried super hard to increase myself as a 'brand' in the past year which saw my Facebook page quadruple in likes and activity! I just can't get over how much it has all progressed! I partook in some fab photoshoots, got my face in some magazines, am Miss October in the Outerlimitz calendar and worked together with some great vintage and repro companies!

Finally, I launched a new adventure: Peachy Keen Vintage Fair...but I'll save that for another post!

The 2013 Review.

Seriously...where has this year gone? It completely and utterly flashed before my eyes! I think I spent half of it in the library so that might explain quite a lot. All in all I think I have had a fabulous year; yes I had a hiccup in October but I am out the other side of that and feeling all reflective. I met and left some gorgeous people, I pushed myself as a 'brand' even further, got back into modelling, met a boy, and even started my own small business! Absolute craziness!

Check out all my hair colours!

I have much to be thankful and proud for from 2013. Mainly the fact that I graduated from university with a 2.1 in Archaeology. It is something I worked incredibly hard for so it is a great achievement that fulfilled the dream of a little girl who quite liked history. I met some amazing people during my three years in Liverpool, both from university and from the city. It was tough at times for a southern girl in the north but I am very now very attached and connected to my adoptive city and all the memories it gave me. If you want to read more about my experiences then check out this post. 

As well as the delicious people of Liverpool I met lots of people in the vintage and rockabilly world, all who have been equally fabulous. I really tried to boost my social networks this year and even branched into getting myself a Facebook page and profile for this blog and my other works. I have this to thank for meeting these people, and I hope in 2014 I continue to grow as I did this year.

First up we had the vintage blogger meet up in May. It was a brilliant day spent in London, shopping and getting to know the people behind the pages even better. I think its about time another one of these was planned!

Another amazing person I was introduced to was Bethan, aka Bettina Scarlett. We are now firm friends, sharing chalets at the Rhythm Riot and having lots of dancing fun! She is the one I have to thank for kick starting my modelling again really, as she asked me to be an Atomic Bombshell. This was another big highlight of the year for me; I had an unbelievable amount of fun doing it, met some great folks, and got a nudge back to getting in front of a camera. Hopefully in 2014 I'll have many more photoshoots and get myself noticed that little bit more.

What a year I have had! I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for me, who I'll get to meet, where I'll get to go, and what I'll get to do! It all is really exciting right now!

Rhythm Riot 2013

I ache. I ache a lot. The reason? Well, that might have something to do with the twenty or so hours of dancing followed by only about ten hours sleep I did this weekend. It was, of course, the weekend of the Rhythm Riot. This was my first time at this weekender, and it won't be my last. It was a last minute decision to go, but I thought, as I've moved back down south and I was offered space in a Chalet with Bethan (of Bettina Scarlett fame), Graham and Bethan's parents, it would have been rude to say no!

The difference between this event and others of a similar ilk, such as the Hotrod Hayride, is that this one is 70% about the music, 20% about the shopping and 10% about the cars. That's the right ratio for my needs! The music was all sorts, from doo-wop to soul to hillbilly, and the best thing is...it didn't stop until 5am! Yes! I was dancing until 5am! On the note of dancing, I have never jived in my life until now! I am still pretty poor, but everyone has to start somewhere, and the Rhythm Riot really was the best place to start. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my three main partners - none of you whose names I got - because you really taught me the basics. Also, one of you was pretty handsome, and I would especially like to thank you for that last dance.

Ray Collins' Hot-Club

Lights Out

Nikki Hill

Once again, the Riot saw me donning the uniform of the Atomic cheerleaders, but this time I also had the pleasure of being part of the Atomic Air Hostess crew. Boy oh boy were those uniforms fabulous! I shall leave you a teaser of the outfit below, but I shall write up a separate post for them because it was such an amazing experience it deserves to shine separately. As a result of taking part I met, and re-met, some amazing ladies, all of whom were simply brilliant. I look forward to partying many more nights away with them!

(Nick Grant Photography) L-R Jade, Carrie, Kessie (of Lady K Loves), Me, Eeva, Holly, Cal, Jodie 

One thing I was certainly not expecting was to end up on stage twice in one night, especially not as one of those times including me singing! Understand this, I cannot carry a tune in a bucket. But what sort of gal is going to turn down an opportunity to be up on stage with Bobby Brooks Wilson? Utterly awesome moment in my life.

Photo by Tony Bruce

Although the nights were spent dancing away, the days were relaxing, mostly spent shopping, watching bands in the Queen Vic (no, not that Queen Vic!) and, on the Sunday, pootling down to Rye in the cruise. I didn't buy anything (I'm poor and unemployed, you see) but I reckon I could have spent thousands! Some absolutely beautiful vintage things and some equally lovely reproduction pieces to be had. I was a cheerleader at the cruise which was...cold. A great experience but oh I was nippy noodles!

I think what can be gathered from my ramblings here is that I absolutely loved the Rhythm Riot. If you get the opportunity go, take it! Take it by the horns! You will not regret it! Now, is six months enough time for my body to recover? Just about I think!

Now to leave you with some memories...

Myself with Graham on my left and Jonathan on my right, with a cheeky Jordan in the background

Sunday night is Hawaiian night!

My girl Bethan

Finally meeting my pen pal, Noo!

Beautiful ladies

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