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!

Festive Frolics.

What a lovely few days I have had! I am absolutely stuffed full of food, alcohol and merriment. 

I kick started the season off with nibbles and rum with my parents' friends (and my adoptive family) the Mears' which was utterly delightful. Christmas Eve was spent at my cousins' house, who were, as you can imagine, bouncing off the walls with excitement for the forthcoming visit from a jolly bearded fellow.

Talking of Santa, I thought at the age of 22 I would not be on his list anymore, but alas! I was wrong! I awoke on Christmas Day to a little pile of pressies at the end of my bed, including a lovely wooden pineapple bowl, cocktail shaker and Soap & Glory smellies. Dad's family came over for day for the enormous feast my mum (with help) prepared. All in all it was a lovely day but did include some dubious hats...

We were up bright and early for Boxing Day to go to Romsey's 12th Annual Classic Car & Bike Meet. This really is a fabulous event for a great cause - Prostate Cancer UK - so if you're on the south coast, you should certainly head down to it next year for a brisk wake up after a heavy Christmas Day. The rest of the day was spent with the cousins again, trying to eat up more of the food. I  think we have enough cheese to last us until Easter...

Today, the day after Boxing Day, was another family day with Dad's side at his parents' house. Well...there was even more food that needed eating,  obviously!

So that was my festive season, but how did you spend your's? However it was, I hope it was a jolly nice one!

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Have A Cool Yule!

Good mornin' my lovelies! Are we all set? Are all the pressies wrapped? Is the bubbly on ice? Or is it all chaos in your household as the turkey won't cook, the sprouts argument is raging and there is sellotape stuck to everything?

Well whatever your situation I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope everything is beautiful in your world for the festivities! Have a wonderful day and I shall see you on the other side!

And The Winner Is....

My giveaway ended earlier today and it is time to announce the winner of the Marilyn Monroe book, festive hair flower and nail varnish.

So without further ado, the winner is...

Chrissie Curtis!!!

Congratulations! Please email me with your details so I can send you prize off within 7 days!

roxieroulette@outlook.com

A Most Blustery Day.

Some of you may well know that I am trying to reignite my modelling antics. I've done a fair bit in the past and got busy this summer being an Atomic Bombshell. It is something I would really like to do more of in the future, especially now I am back in the south and can get out and about more.

So, last Friday I had a shoot planned with two photographers. Well, actually it was originally just the one but Annette came along too to snap some extras. I have yet to receive Annette's photos (she's a very busy lady!) but here are Ray Haynes' shots.

The shoot took place on Weston Shore, in Netley and on Southampton Common as they provided us with some amazing natural backdrops.

I wore a two outfits consisting of:

• Skirt from Shanghai Lil
• Jumper from TK Maxx
• Scarf from Accessorize (I think...)
• Dungarees from Freddies of Pinewood
• Jumper from Topshop
• Boots from Jones'
• Jacket from a kilo sale

If you would like to shoot with me, please email me at roxieroulette@outlook.com

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Festive GIVEAWAY!

If you hadn't already noticed, Christmas is just around the corner! So, in celebration of this I thought I would do a giveaway for all my lovely readers. There is another reason, or three, for this giveaway. Earlier this year I reached 100 followers on here, I also reached 200 followers on my Facebook and my blog also turned three! So, all in all, this is a big ol' thank you for your support!

So what can you win? There is a Marilyn Monroe package including a book on her fame and life, plus 6 mini posters to do with as you wish; I specially made a festive hair flower with lots of glitter thrown in for good measure; finally there is more glitter in a lush sparkly red nail varnish from Barry M.

Because I am extra nice I am giving you six chances to win these goodies! All you need to do is like my Facebook, follow me on Twitter and leave a lovely message of festive cheer below!

The competition is running until Sunday 15th December!

GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Flight AT0M1C Is Now Boarding.

Wow oh wow. Words cannot explain how excited I am for this new festival. Atomic is a brand spanking new weekender for 2014 brought to you by the same team that brings you the Rockabilly Rave, Rhythm Riot and Hotrod Hayride. Held on the first May Bank Holiday at Sywell Aerodrome, Northamptonshire, it will be one of the earliest weekenders in the calender, but that's not a bad thing is it? Everyone likes to party all year round! 

It is bands galore at this event, but who would expect anything else from the team? Highlights include Bobby Brooks Wilson (who I had the privilege of meeting backstage and on stage at the Riot), The Revolutionaires, and Si Crauston. Many more are to be added to the ever growing, ever fabulous list so there will be something for everyone's taste. It's not just music and dancing at the festival to keep you entertained; there will be a drive-in movie (yes, you heard right!), lots of shopping (naturally as there is at these sort of events!), and a fairground! 

So much going on!

So, why am I blabbering on about this? Well, its because I have had the absolute honour of being an Atomic Bombshell not once but twice. I haven't done very much much modelling compared to others, and certainly not in the last three years. But when I was asked to do this I snapped at the chance! It was a great opportunity for my portfolio, as well as promoting what will be such an amazing event! I even got myself featured on their website on the ticket page! Go me!  My outfits included a cheerleader outfit (no pompoms sadly) which was very hot at the Hotrod Hayride, but freezing down in Rye at the Rhythm Riot, and an amazing air hostess outfit which included the most comfortable yet stylish pair of shoes. I was really tempted to hide my pair and sneak them out...naughty!

So I will leave you now with some of the photos taken of the Atomic Bombshell action, and hopefully we will see you in May!

The Atomic Team with the Atomic Bombshells (Photo: Nick Grant)

Backstage with Bobby Brooks Wilson (Photo: Subsculptures)

On-stage (out of uniform) with Bobby Brooks Wilson (Photo: Tony Bruce)

Atomic will also be stocked full of classic cars (Photo: Nick Grant)

The cheerleader outfits are always popular with the crowds! (Photo: Nick Grant)

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Open For Business!

I've had a bit of a career change...gone is the trowel, gone are the cocktail shakers and in with the vintage clobber! You all know that I love vintage clothing and vintage home ware so I decided to turn this passion into a business venture.

With the help of my parents and their friends, Mick and Sandy Mears, we have opened Shanghai Lil Vintage. It is a very small business for now, only based online and at the odd vintage fair, but hopefully it will grow and flourish into a successful business that I can get my main (or majority) income from.

The stock mainly revolves around vintage clothing from the 1950s to the 1980s, but also incorporates reproduction and some of the things Mama Roulette and Sandy cleverly make. At the fairs I will also be taking a range of home wares, mainly courtesy of the parents and the Mears' who have been avid collection for many a year. There is also a large collection of jewellery to finish off the outfits.

This blog is just an introduction to Shanghai Lil with links and that, but fret not! I shall show my wares (oooh matron!) to you in separate posts, giving you an in depth look into the pretties I shall be selling.

Please here for our shop, and why not check out our Facebook and Twitter too.

If you would like to feature our stall at your vintage fair, or know of a vintage fair that might interest us, please email us at:

shanghaililvintage@outlook.com

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