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!

Sunglasses, Ice Cream & Hotdogs

That is mostly what my weekend consisted of!

What a glorious weekend of sunshine and friends I had! It made me really remember how amazing summer is in this country, and I can't wait to spend it in my new East Anglian home.

Ipswich doesn't have much in the way of vintage clothes shops or lifestyle things, apart from some pretty decent bands, so I was chuffed to hear Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair was rolling into town. Myself and my friends pootled down to the fair to check it out, and were pleasantly surprised. Recently we in the vintage community have seen a bit of a, how do I put this, decline in actual vintage at the fairs, but it was great to see lots of 1960s clothes on Saturday as well as some modern reproductions of mid-century things. Even the boys had some things to look at - a true rarity nowadays!

Got snapped at Judy's!

I got myself some sunglasses (cat eye, obviously!) from a lovely stall - forget the name, sorry - that was selling prints and knick knacks. Kayla also got herself some sunnies as well as a bowling shirt. Rick picked up a Hawaiian shirt ready for my shindig at the end of the month and I think the other lads got some delights too.

As an Ipswich newbie I had yet to experience Ra Ra's Ice Cream parlour until this weekend. We must have looked a right sight all trooping into there - maybe a little movie set-ish aha! Anyway, the ice cream was delicious, as were the milkshakes and they do root beer! Yum! Now...if only they could so some more food, I think we'd make it a frequent haunt of our's!

That brings me neatly onto my next little segment. What is a summer Saturday without a few pints in the pub? We spent the rest of the afternoon and into the evening sat in a pub garden, drinking cider and eating hot dogs (well I stole chips from Rick's plate). Regardless of the odd yelp from the crowd watching the football it was a lovely evening!

After my little taster, I can't wait for summer to be in full swing!

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Carry On Hayridin'

I cannot believe that it has already been over two weeks since the Hotrod Hayride came and went! Once again the weekend excelled itself and flashed past in a blur of cars, music, rum and friends. I did my documenting of the event a little differently this year and instead of writing up a lengthy blog I decided to film my experience instead, so below you'll find my two-part vlog on all the shenanigans (well most of them, some were too drunken to show you!) and then some photos to accompany it!

Enjoy!

Carry on Hayridin' Part One

Carry on Hayridin' Part Two

Photo credits to Subsculptures Photography

Here is me and the other Atomic Bombshells doing a little modelling and flyering for the new vintage festival Atomic! A great time was had by all even if we were sweltering in our jumpers in the British summer heat!

As I said before friends played a big part in this year's Hayride. I met up with three lovely lads called Sam, Rick and Harry who put up with me and my friend Steve all weekend. We were a nice little gang I reckon.

Here we are! (Plus Salvatore and minus Sam who was behind the camera) Evidently we were kinda merry by this point...especially Rick.

Lots of dancing was going on on both nights - sadly I am still no good at jiving :(

I was a little bit fixated with the array of beards that were on show this year but this man, complete with beehive and blue eyeshadow, really stole the show!

So there we have it! We had some modelling, some dancing, some drinking (okay...more than some), lots of friends, and just a general jolly good time!

Only 348 days until the next one!

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.

Disconnected.

A fly in visit I'm afraid, I'm still very much disconnected from the online world, as I have been for the past month, for the next few weeks. I'm currently sat in the lovely coffee shop on Smithdown Road, Oomoo, pinching some of their wifi whilst supping on a delicious cappuccino as my new house isn't yet connected to the world wide web. That's right. My new house.

 

The time between getting back from my dig on the Isle of Man (blog to come, have yet to sort through photos and gather my thoughts on the very wet experience), moving and settling into my house can only be described as hectic and traumatic. Remind me why people move house? I had 24 hours to get from the Isle of Man - the children's song "Going This Way That Way, Forward and Backward Over The Irish Sea" is not to be taken lightly, it speaks the truth - finish packing, move my stuff from the old house to the new house and sort out bills. Phew. Never an experience I want to repeat. It went smooth-ish, regardless of the fact my old landlord was rather rude to me and I was not one to be trifled with in my fragile state. But, I'm here now, almost complete with just the internet to sort out!

Next week I'm doing the four hour journey home to spend the week with family and then it's off to the Hotrod Hayride! Yes, it's that time of year again! Excited does not come close to explaining my emotions! I might be able to squeeze in another blog before the epic weekend but don't hold your breath.

Oh, and congratulations to any Liverpool Uni students who graduated this week!

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!

Park Life

The entire world probably knows that Britain is currently in the arms of a rather pleasant summer. I, however, am in the middle of my second year exams and so most of my days are spent locked in my room doing revision. Yesterday, I had had enough! I took a wee break and took the short walk from my house to Liverpool's famous Sefton Park. It was stunning. It was full of people lounging around and enjoying the sunshine, eating ice creams and slowly turning into lobsters as only British people know how. I took my camera along to snap some photos to share with you the beauty of this historic park.

The History Part:

Constructed (is that the right word for a park?) in the 1870s Sefton Park was designed to give the industrialised city a green space of over 100 hectares, away from disease and foul city air. Sir William Rathbone V (got a photo of his statue below) had a big part in making Victorian Liverpool a tolerable place so he's commemorated throughout the park. The layout of the park itself hasn't changed that much at all in the 140 years it's serviced the city; it's gained some new buildings, lost an aviary and sunk a pirate ship, but other than that it's pretty much as it was designed.

Sorry about the dirt! I cleaned it up as much as I could!

The Green House was revamped in 2008 and was previously derelict! It was closed when I went, not that I'd want to go into a glass building on a day like that!

Sefton Park is only about 15 minute walk from my house, but I'm ashamed to say I don't get down there enough. We go down for the annual Fireworks Night frivolities and the odd ice cream, but I do wish I got down there more! Hopefully this summer I shall find the time to wander on down. My favourite parts of the park are always by the streams and lakes they have running right through the centre. There's something very peaceful about picnicking by water, even if it does make you need the loo every half an hour! (There are no loos in the park - my only complaint - so this is a tricky situation)

The 'Fairy Grove' - an original feature of the park near the Iron Bridge

These flowers were everywhere!

The Fairy Grove and Iron Bridge entrance is the one nearest me - the other large entrance is off of Lark Lane, the entrance that both my grandad and mum used in childhood! It's a magical entrance, but with spooky undertones...

Anyone that knows me knows I love the paranormal. Some would say I am slightly obsessed by it, always on the look out for a haunting, a story, and any ghosts in the wardrobe. So imagine my excitement when I saw this plaque! What a story!

I took the long way around to the ice cream parlour so I could enjoy the streams and see what other things I could find. This is when I wandered across the 'life size' statue (it was pretty big, so I doubt it was life size) of Sir William Rathbone V. His history is pretty immense, this guy had a big heart!

Look at that sky!

Finally the ice cream parlour! Run by an Italian family it does scrummy yummy ice cream. I fancied a tropical flavour, but alas, they had none, so I settled for pistachio. Delicious!

Not a bad spot to eat ice cream!

Finally, I thought I'd share with you a little piece of my family history. My late grandad was a Liverpudlian born and bred from an Irish working class family. After the war, when he was evacuated to Derbyshire, the family settled in Aigburth, right next to Sefton Park. Then, when my mum moved back from Singapore aged six, she lived for a little while with her grandparents in the same house in Aigburth. So, my family has quite a long standing connection to the area, and to Sefton Park! My mum remembers there being a pirate ship and a statue of Peter Pan in the park, but just thought she was going insane when we couldn't find it when she came to visit last year. Well, I have solved the mystery! ...It sank. Sorry mum.

You can just see the tops of the sunken masts in the lake :(

The road my grandad and mum lived on - Panoramic photo, sorry about the curve!

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!

Student Suppers: Courgette Fritters

For anyone that reads my ramblings regularly you’ll know that I am a student. It is a well known fact that students are generally poor, but I want to bust the myth that we just live on beans on toast and bowls of cereal so we can spend on money on beer and vodka (or rum, in my case). So, I’ve decided to run this series called ‘Student Suppers’: they are recipes that I’ve found, come up with or tweaked that are cheap, tasty and fulfilling (hopefully healthy too, but I can’t promise anything!).

Ahh the sun is shining and the temperature is creeping up here in Blighty. It's got me in a very summery mood and reaching for some more Mediterranean style food. Mediterranean foods are great for vegetarians as they revolve a lot around fresh vegetables, but can meatified with grilled chicken or fish. Oh, and did I mention its the most healthy diet in the world? These courgette fritters are very Greek inspired and can be eaten as a meal in itself (just make them omelette sized) or as part of a meal, perfectly served with cous cous, a Greek salad and grilled meat. The recipe below will make one large fritter or several small ones.

Ingredients:

1 courgette

1 medium egg

Dash of milk (I usually use a cap full or two of milk)

25g of plain flour

50g feta cheese

Oregano (to taste)

Black Pepper (to taste)

Olive Oil (for frying)

Method:

1. Grate the courgette onto a clean tea towel and squeeze out the excess water
2. Mix together the egg, the flour and the milk to make a smooth batter. This doesn't need to be too runny, it is just meant to bind all the ingredients together.
3. Crumble in the feta, add the black pepper and oregano (you won't need salt as the feta will make it salty enough) and stir through the batter.
4. Add the courgette to the mixture and stir until all of it is combined.
5. If you are going to make one big fritter then pour it into frying pan (with the olive oil) and cook for five minutes on each side - or until or feels completely firm. Smaller fritters will only take 2-3 minutes on each side

Enjoy!!

Is It Spring Yet?

After Thursday's glorious weather I dabbled in the thought that spring might finally be here - alas the  rain in the early morning of Friday dashed these thoughts! Nevertheless, it certainly got me thinking: I need to sort my summer wardrobe out. Specifically, I need to sort my swimwear out. I haven't been abroad on a proper summer holiday for nearly four years and so am really hoping to get away for a week or two in between working and digging this summer. This has resulted in me not buying a decent bikini for a while (well, I bought one in Primarni for just general trips to the beach last summer, but that doesn't count!) so I've done a little bit of hunting and concluded that Topshop - oh that old haunt! - have certainly got a brilliant collection of vintage styled swimwear this season.

Bird Outline Bikini - £26 (I love the brightness of this and the bow adds a cute detail)

Push-Up Bikini with High Waisted Pants - £32 (What is not to love about this bikini?! High waisted bottoms look great on every shape)

Hibiscus Print Bandeau & High Waisted Pants - £30 (Ahhh Hawaiian prints! Love them!)

Pink Gingham Bikini - £30 (Bit more rockabilly, but still fabulous! Also available in mint green)

Red Palm Print One-Piece - £32 (Looks great from the front but not sure on the back though...Also available in a bikini)

There are lots more on the site that I haven't included, equally as lovely, including little beach dresses to cover up with. I shall definitely be purchasing one for this summer but which one...?

Hats Off To Winchester!

Yesterday, Saturday 2nd July, I happened to be in Winchester for the annual picnic for the Southampton branch of Young Archaeologists Club; it also happened to be the annual Winchester Hat Fair, and the two together made for a lovely day in the sun!

Now in it's 36th year the three day festival celebrates street art in all shapes and sizes. I caught a few shows between picnicking and touring Winchester but the crowds made it very hard to get a good look!

The festival is family friendly so most of the shows had a comedic sense to them...

...Whilst others had a mission to save the world by turning their kitchen into a moving, musical instrument!

The festival spread across the entire town, but the main focus was in the Cathedral grounds. You couldn't walk down a narrow medieval road without bumping into a show, whether it be juggling by the Pentice on the Highstreet or a tango in the backstreets. The performers came from all over the world and showcased a wide range of talents, such as the French slapstick performers...

...Or just your dad being pulled up onto centre stage for some dance lessons!

Even inpromptu performances sprang up as friends came together over a pint of cider and a guitar session in the heat of an English summer, some in the most gentlemanly way possibly - pipe and all!

The weather really aided this event but if the sun shines next year I will be certainly packing a picnic (maybe a bottle of Pimms?) and heading to Winchester to enjoy the show!