Verity Vale

Vanity Sizing!

2011-09-12T15:23:00.011+01:00

(In coming Rant) Ok I havent blogged in a while, but I need to say this so please stick with me ;)

All though the Uk has many laws in place to protect consumers, for clothing it dithers.

Manufactures more and more are making bigger clothes while using the same smaller random sizing labels because they can. Shops stock them trying to fool us in to thinking we are smaller than we are, to vainly get us to buy in their shops over others to increase their profits.

This is Vanity Sizing.

Vanity sizing has been annoying me for quite sometime, even before I found out it had a name and it has gotten to the point, that I have been for years been slowly sized out of the main stream shops, as the demographic in this country for women’s sizing has gotten bigger and I have stayed the same. That how ever is not my gripe (I take a tape messure with me when I shop anyhow so no big deal), I haven’t changed weight/height or shape in many a year and I’m not even 35 yet!
In the 50’s I would have been a random size 16, in the 60’s I would have been a 14, get to 1980 and I was a size 10 and now in the current market I am anything from an 8 to a 4 if it doesn’t stop soon I am afraid I will disappear! And its not like I’m a stick.

Will I find anything in this shop that fits me? is always on my mind. 50% of clothes shops in the UK I no longer go in because I know nothing will fit me, I have been Vanity sized out. Considering women have gotten bigger and taller and the shops are stocking bigger sizes for maximum profit I fully understand and resigned to the fact I will have to custom fit most things, so i’m not winging about the fact that poor me cant find clothes to fit here.

To actually walk in to a average shop in the Uk and for them to have my original size that fits now I would have to go against NHS guidelines on my healthy diet and being the right weight for my height that I am happy with. I would have put on weight to still fit in to my original size of 10 years ago. To which I am sure would impact my health and at the detriment and cost to the NHS later in my life. Wither we like it or not we have been programmed as a nation someway into thinking a size number means your fat or not. I am not surprised that the UK has some of the highest obesity rates in Europe, when we no longer know where we stand, when the clothing industry keeps on moving the goal posts and no one is refereeing.

What I don’t understand is the increase in Vanity sizing that is going unchecked and that there is no official national sizing measurements in place or that garments should carry it's correct measurements on the label, for a government that supposedly cares about its public so much that it sticks it nose in to everything, this is the one place it does not?

What I do have a problem with is the unclear labelling which means I have a problem finding something that might semi fit in the first place. Stressful and frustrating it is no wonder people more and more tend to shop on line. Personal time, resources and fuel are wasted each year now because of poor labelling on returned items to be exchanged, because measurements and random numbers may not correlate to the actual measurements of garments. If this was any other manufactured consumable in this country I am sure it would fall under some consumer act or weights and measure act, it would be monitored and we would be protected and everyone would know where we stood.

It’s not as if it would be so difficult to do, there is already a random numbered label attached, why it cant have the garments actual measurement in it whither metric, imperial or both for practical use of everyone concerned and to stop wastage in a time we can ill afford it is beyond me. We did it in the past and for practiacl reasons the Armed Forces do it, so it cant be a bad idea or unachievable.

We all know that people come in different shapes and sizes as time and diet are evolving even more so in current times, so this making a random number for sizing to become obsolete of late. Reviewing of sizing has been done by a multitude of people in this country and although it helps shops in sizing stock for shops in this country increase their profit, it does not help the British public who it mostly effects, who waste time, money and fuel, hunting for sizes that might or might not fit.

Is clothing our nation considered so trivial and frivolous?
When on a personal level its not just frustrating, its also our health and pockets suffering but on a wider level its uneconomical and unenvironmental to our country in terms of increased transportation fuel costs and time waste in terms of returns and find ability for consumers. Not forgetting that of increasing and future problems for our NHS on this issue and then there is the crippling physiological effects to mostly women and men of our country suffering from conflicts of interest and general poor information.

If this bugs the heck out of you too... lovely Retro Chick has a page Campaign For Clearer Clothes Sizing and more information, like writing and informing our MP's of our complaints....that is if they aren’t out there wasting time on finding the right size clothes to wear to work.

''You can also Tweet this campaign, post the link on Facebook, and generally let everyone you know know about it!
If you’re feeling even more pro-active then you can write to, or email, your MP and your Euro MP. This handy website gives you a convenient search system, plus a form to fill in that will immediately zip off your message to the person concerned. Tell them your concerns and how it affects you, and your desire to spend. Tell them you think the EU and Government should carry out a review of clothing sizing in the UK and Europe and that you think that measurement labelling should be mandatory.'' Retro Chick

Fabric Hair Clip

2010-05-11T12:45:00.010+01:00

It was well past the time for a new Instructable in the world of DIY Glam, so whilst in NY I made a hair clip to go with an outfit for a party that eve and an instructable to go with it.

Matching Accessories-Fabric hair clip
Fabric hair clip/brooch - to match and finish off an outfit.Best applied using fabric with some sort of print or motif where the edges of the print or shape are defined eg flowers can be turned 3-D, embellished and sewn to a basic clip, comb or brooch clasp for a matching dress accessory. I used leaves fashioned from a strip of excess seam allowance fabric, from the inside of a vintage dress that I took in to make It fit me.The fancy hair clip with added bug brooch* finished off the outfit.(*old brooch was cleaned and I replaced the missing stones on its body first, before fixing in place)

For full intructions Click

Here

Older Model photo work

2010-03-14T00:29:00.011Z

I was hunting around and found some older photos I thought I had lost on my laptop,from 2006/7 and thought I would post them here as examples of work I have done in the past.

That was when I was blonder and had a tan!

Showgirl Outfit

2010-01-20T21:08:00.008Z

Ongoing work on a red beaded show girl outfit for a photo shoot is taking me forever, to the point I really wish I hadn’t started it.

It's been over a course of two months now of sewing beads and sequins on.

The bra alone would have taken a solid two weeks of working on it if I hadnt got so bored with it,it was the under cup where I have added a string of bugle/tube beads to the center of each sequin that covered the area, that was nearly the undoing of it all and me chucking it in the recycle crate and calling it quits on the whole outfit.

In hined sight should have been a strand every other sequin,it would have looked the same and not weighed so much in the end .

It's easier to take a red bra and thong of the same colour and shade to use as a base to work on, than to have to make them from scratch as it saves a whole lot of time.
The added pieces for the neck, arm and sash pieces are strips of red satin fabric cut and sewn to shape with added hooks, eyes and snaps for fit.

Supplies
· Red bra
· Red thong
· popper snaps
· hooks and eyes
· Red cotton thread
· Thin long needle
· Small embroidery scissors
· Big bag of red sequins
· 150grams of red glass tube beads
· 100grams of small round red glass
· 2meters x 1cm red ribbon (for adding fringing to)
· 1m red satin fabric

Adding sequins with beads: It is quite simple as threading one on and adding a small bead in the centre to hold it in place. Add a couple of 1000 more and you have a part of an outfit.

Making beaded fringe: Easier if you can find what you that matches your intended outfit in a shop, but if you have to make beaded fringe from scratch an item? It is some what easier to do if you sew strings of beads on to the edge of a piece of ribbon and then sew it to the item.

First cut the length of ribbon you need to fringe the item and leave a bit extra to fold in to make a smart edge. Then mark the length with a ruler and put small dots with a light coloured marker pen along the edge of one side of the ribbon, these are to be the points where you are to add the strands of beads, so you know in the end the beaded strands will finish evenly (or you can adjust to fit before you start).

Neck piece : Cut a length of fabric twice the width you want, plus seam allowance so that half can be beaded and the other half can be folded over to cover the stitching at the end for a neat finish. And the length the circumference of your neck plus at least 3cm as an over lap for the fastener.
The fringing is added straight to the sequined band after it has been beaded, so its easier to use the spacing of the sequins as markers for the fringing strand positions. Working (minus the 3cm overlap on one side) from the centre out to each side. Start with adding a string of beads your desired longest length by adding the beads and using the last as the end stop bead and sewing back up through the string and sewing it off at the top. Adding a string of beads each side to the centre one, in this case half a sequin spaced apart and detract one or two beads as you work outward, so they decrease in length till you get half way before the end of the neck piece so the strand will finish at the shoulder line.

With the Bra: if you cut around the internal edge, ¾ of the way around the lining fabric before you start beading and tack it back out of the way while you sequin and bead the other side.You can then sew the lining back in place when you have finished.This creates a smooth lining and looks smarter if it is being taken off as part of an act and is also smoother for comfort of fit.

The Beading of the T string: is a bit more tricky and is easier to bead if you stretch it over an embroidery hoop, as you might need to allow for the beading to be stretched on the fabric when worn. Two hooks and eyes or skirt fasteners at the sides help with this also and with taking it off, if worn over a G string for a performance or act.

Tassles: can be easily beaded in the same way as above.Either straight on to the tassle or onto a strip of fabric and wound, sewn into place around the top part of the tassle.

Nyotaimori - Me as a modern Person Platter

2009-09-14T14:08:00.002+01:00

Yes its normally quite fishy.

It’s that strange Japanese practice of covering naked people in sushi and eating it off them and the word no one can pronounce.

A friend was asking me so a furked out a few pics of events I have done in the past with a modern twist just to show her what I meant. Saying I lie naked covered in desserts had, for some reason, materialize up a mind pic of ‘a naked custard pie fight’ so she said. (Not that that wouldn’t be fun, but not really a girl to do splosh).I don’t person platter very often, as even though its only an hour at most lying still (I know, a job where you are paid to do nothing! everyone thinks it sounds wonderful ) Normally its an evening event and it can take all day to prepare, for hygiene sake its not like you can take a quick shower and be done. That and paper pants and the normally cold food, or in the case of the fruit platter I did ‘bloody frozen’ as the chef had only half thawed the fruit out like he normally did for a normal party spread (frozen Raspberry nipple anyone?)
Its not as glamorous or as well paid as it seems when you count in the time and effort needed, but hay, that’s like most things right?
Trying not to move or shiver so the food doesn’t roll off is the hardest thing for me, or trying not to laugh when people say the silliest things when choosing a canapé off me to the same effect.
I tend to only do main party events hired through people/chefs I know and can trust, because there is no way I want to turn up to an event after spending all that time getting ready, only to find out there is a bucks party underway, who have gone and gotten the wrong impression and my time has been wasted when I turn and leave.

Luckily, that hasn’t happened yet and all party goers, weirdly enough have been really respectful even when tippsy.

So if your ever at a party or back stage at some weird and wonderful event,where the food is displayed on a naked lady, chances are it might be me. (If shes trying not to shiver,very likely me)

Ps.Please don’t try to feed me the canapés, I tend to end up choking.Thanks, Verity x

What a Ladybird!

2009-08-04T23:00:00.015+01:00

Oooh did you know? Vivien of Holloway
the British made 50’s inspired dress shop are having a poster / free photo shoot competition!

How fab is that,they are opening a new shop soon and looking for new models.
Send in pics of you in their dresses to enter so they say on their site.

Got nudged by a friend to enter the photos I did for her at 21:CP as it was shot in one of their dresses, although the halter strap had been tucked in for those photos, so not truly what they wanted.

That to me screamed of a good excuse to do a new weekend shoot. Yay!

So grabbing a friend to give her a good excuse to so she could try out her new camera.

Luckily she has two dresses by them, so I got to shoot in the red and white one I already have, her black and red spot halter swing dress and a red and gold sarong dress.

I wasn’t holding out much hope quite frankly, as I had the bright idea to shoot outside, fingers crossed the light would be better, but the weather was so windy and kept blowing the background paper so it nearly took flight. So after re setting indoors, we set to work with a cheesy radio station for back ground sound.

Two loose teeth (temp cap and veneer, one hers, one of mine ironically within an hour of each other then dropped out for no reason at all) and after moving white boards around the shoot area to catch light and a pile falling on my photographer (resulting in bruising the poor woman’s leg) It wasn’t so much ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears’ was more like ‘Bruising, Swelling and Lost Teeth’ to get the job done. What us lady’s do in the name of glamour!

Three sets later, a Polka Dot set, a Ladybird set and a Shanghai Siren and I have too many to choose from (put some faves below,dont I look 50s or what!).

All was going very well, cheesy grins and all. Looked very professional by the time we finished well in to the night, sent them off and fingers crossed they like them at least, even if I don’t win.

True is a bit ‘arse about tit’ to do a photo shoot to win a photo shoot, but hey, I have never been on a poster before and I would get to keep a dress, how fun would that be!
So girls get your skates or should that be sarongs on and send in your pics in too.

The entry date is open till the 31st August!

Hope you have as much fun as we did, Verity x

Photo Safari-Game for a laugh?

2009-06-15T04:41:00.009+01:00

Exploring we did go, all the way to down town Las Vegas on the Java’s Bachelor Pad Magazine sponsored Photo Safari. Marvolusly managed by Don Spiro I must add.

An ogling oasis of ladies and gents of all different persuasions hunting for that elusive shot. Alot of feather flashing later, poseing under the downtown Las Vegas sign and much tottering about, that had bought amused traffic and even a limo to stop on the curb for a good perve.It was then time to be whisked off on the Big Red London Double Decker bus (of which I felt very much at home being a Brit) off on a hunt for the next location The Aruba Hotel

Ever seen twenty or so women try to change in to bathing suits and bikinis, on a bus in motion before? Let’s just say it was eye popping and one of the funniest days I have had in a long time.

The Aruba former rat pack hang out the that was called the Thunderbird has kept its classic look, it even had a tiki bar at the pool how fab was that and after a scramble off the bus in search of more game and a watering hole we had reached our final destination.

It was defiantly worth the effort of running around London before I left, to try and find retro swim wear, as I was in good company of the many lady’s that had made a really good effort of looking the part, I had swimsuit envy of quite a few. I found this black original 1950's one in Radio Days the Vintage shop in London.

Before we knew it was time to get back on the big red bus to The Orleans Casino Hotel where most of us were staying, it hardly gave a girl time to get dressed.

A big thank you to everyone who made me feel welcome, girls and togs alike. I think next year they might need a bigger bus!

And a big thank you to the photographer Christopher Pettit who took these black swim suits shots of me above, how you got my ivory pasty self to look glam I really do not know.

And a thank you to Holli-Mae from 21:CP for the green retro polka dot shots . I am sure there are more to come and be posted on the net from the togs I met in Las Vegas, but after such a week I am sure they have tonnes to sort through and sleep to catch before they do.
Thank you one and all x

The Wow weekend that was.

2009-06-14T15:04:00.012+01:00

Fashion shows and Glam After parties move over baby!

A whole camp cocktail weekend of glamour and giggles at the Burlesque Hall of Fame pageant was had by all, including the bemused casino goers that hadn’t a clue what was going on as we swaned by in our cocktail best. What with a Wedding on stage, Burlesque bowling and trips on a red Double Decker to pool side photo shoots around A Tiki bar were only some of it to tell.

Well I for one, will certainly be going to next years, that’s for sure.

A whole weekend, nearly a whole week of chances, to get dressed up and prance around in nice dresses, surrounded by true glitter arty is not a thing to miss. It's not very often you get the chance to get your frocks on (or off as the case maybe) and have a good time. The lady’s and gents were beautiful and funny in equal measures as sequins not sleaze was shimmied around and that was just the crowd!
I have been to many a celeb event, the odd ball or two around the world and I can honestly say, I have never seen so many nicely put together, well, elegant and imaginativly dressed people before all in one spot. It was visual heaven on and off stage as so many people made an effort.
Even an older casino gambling lady in the bathrooms at one of the intervals,thought we where all there for a fashion show.

Thank you to Holli-Mae from 21:CP for snapping my picture on two of the nights.x

A Big Congratulations really has to go out to this year's Reining ‘Queen of Burlesque’ 2009 Kalani KoKonuts!

Not only did the show girl of burlesque win the crown, but she won Most Dazzling too!
The Debut Winner (The kind of princess of the Pagent a ‘Miss Burlesque’ if you will) was won by Melody Mangler.

The formerly known Miss Exotic World now Burlesque Hall of Fame Winners as follows:

The Reigning Queen of Burlesque 2009 Kalani KoKonuts (Las Vegas, NV)
Reigning Queen First Runner Up: Roxy Dlite (Windsor, ON, Canada)
Reigning Queen Second Runner Up: Perle Noire (New Orleans, LA)
Best Debut: Melody Mangler (Vancouver, B.C., )
Best Boylesque:Hot Toddy (Chicago, IL)
Best Variety:Gigi & Pop(Brooklyn, NY)
Best Group:Aerobella Trapeze (Brooklyn, NY)
Most Classic: Knicker Kittens Burlesque Revue (Stockholm, Sweden)
Most Comical: Little Brooklyn (Brooklyn, NY)
Most Dazzling: Kalani KoKonuts (Las Vegas, NV)

Burlesque Hall of Fame Legends Award: Satan's Angel

Oooh La Vegas

2009-06-02T04:23:00.006+01:00

Off to Las Vegas soon to see the wonderful lady’s at The Burlesque Hall of Fame Pageant (used to be Miss Exotic World, but I wonder if the 'Miss World' people have got all snotty about it?)
No I am not a performer, just a happy spectator.

I don’t think The Orleans knows what kind of glamour bomb is going to go off in their lobby during the weekend.

I haven’t a clue what to pack!

OK that’s a lie, I am taking my two favourite dresses that I got from down the road in the shop Circa Vintage .They might have been expensive dresses and I did have to save up, but they have been well worth it the amount of time and occasions I have worn them (and been asked where I got them from when I do wear them).

Have my eye on a red Dior dress in there, but at £1800! it will have to stay a dream.

They are only some of my favourite dresses in my wardrobe, mixed up with along with the finds from charity shops and car boot sales of the past, so they will have to come with me and a new retro polka dot swimsuit I ordered online for around the pool has just arrived and is coming too.

I try to pack light but it is Las Vegas, the chance to wear my glam stuff and not get too stared at. Ok a little bit stared at.cant be missed.
So two glitter dresses, a gold D and G suit, four evening dresses, day dresses and the list will go on, no doubt.

I do tend to travel quite abit for fun, so packing isn’t normally such a worry.

But what do you pack for two weeks that is going to included going to burlesque shows and a pageant, pool parties 9 take my rubber duck?), burlesque bowling (do you need pasties or tassels for your bowling ball?),pin up modelling safari (do I need a hat?) and a whole host of unknown things that will pop up!

My tip for keeping luggage weigh low might not even help this time.

I normally pack one set of accessories that tend to go with everything. My list normally includes, nude strappy high heeled sandals and a pair of gold evening shoes, a gold and a black clutch evening bag , a cream and one black evening Jacket with a nude pashmina will go with most evening dresses so they mix and match. A plain pair of pool shoes that will go with all my swim and pool wear , a good pair of neutral day shoes and a pair of cream trousers are my basics and tend to keep weight in my case low.
So now all I have to do is pick my dresses, tops and trousers!
Oh dear how long is it till my plane leaves?

Swarovski Stilettos - Part 1

2009-05-24T21:49:00.010+01:00

Why I think I need yet another pair of shoes goodness knows, actually after my gold dress pair pinching me at a show last week and not being able (for love, money or 27 shoe shops later) to find a suitable gold toned replacement that go with some of my favourite dresses.

I decided I needed a glam rhinestone pair.
So for my sins, finding a suitable sturdy plain pair that fit well and are comfortable, I decided to cover them in Swarovski Crystal Rhinestones to add a bit of glam.

I have done a pair before in the past, but only the heels and the toes ,which turned out really well but found that the toe crease tends to pop them off.

So this time went for a shoe that gave me a little bit of toe cleavage instead and hoping, fingers crossed, I wont have to carry around a little packet with extra rhinestones and glue to stick on errant ones that pop off.

As a friend was asking how it was done awhile back, thought I would blog it for her here.

Start off with a plain pair of firm shoes, leather based best but a firm pair of fabric shoes can work too or strappy sandals work well if your only doing the heel.

Takes around 300 x4.5mm stones to do two heels and 100 x 3mm + 100 x 2.8mm to finish them off. Time wise can take anything from 2-6hour depending on the pair of heels and size of stones,JUST to do the heel.
Too small a stone and you will be there all night.zzzzzz

For shoes as they would be to faffy to do with hot fix,I glue them on by hand and it's also cheaper than hot fix stones.

Stoning a high heel- roughly for a size 4:
Flat back stones*: 1500x4.5mm +250 x 3mm +100 x 2.8mm for one shoe

*Non hot fix Swarovski Crystals (colour LT Colo Topaz)used here from theCreative Bead CraftShop in Beak street London,UK.

Or I order on line from Crystal BeadsThey are cheaper,have a better colour and size range.But there are many other places on line that sell them too.

Glue:You need a glue that dries clear and wont melt the stones if your using plastic ones rather than glass. I use Appli Glue it is water based perminant washable glue that the bead shop sells, but I might use a stronger glue on the stones that get the most wear on the shoe if I need to, eg toe and inside shoe faces that can rub against each other but its far more tricksy to use. There is also Gem Tack but as yet I havent had the chance to use any so not sure how it fairs on shoes.

Cocktail sticks:Can chop the ends off for a blunt tool.

White tack:For the ends of the cocktail sticks.

Pins:Thin long dress making pins will do nicely.

Cotton thread: to help as a guide line.

For spraying: Hobby can of spray paint/Duct or Gaffa tape/Box to spray in or newspaper/Tinfoil/Mask

Swarovski Stilettos - Part 2

2009-05-24T21:48:00.004+01:00

Spray painting the shoes:

If the shoe is not already the colour of the rhinestones you want to use, you may have to spray them with a hobby spray paint as a base colour (I tend to use a Plastic-Kote project paint from the paint isle in B&Q) that will work on the fabric of the shoe.

If they need soleing for grip whilst wear, best to take them to the cobbler first if they are new before stoning them as its hard for them to do it after and might ruin all your hard work.

If you wear insoles* to cushion your feet and the shoes are new, best to put them on now and walk around all evening in them, as there is nothing worse than finding out later that they hurt like hell and all your work is to waste.

*Oooh top tip form my gran, you might want to cutout where your toes go in your insoles, especially in heels, so they don’t cram your toes and will give them a bit of space over the insole lip to wriggle in the end, so you don’t get the dreaded toe cramp at the end of the evening.

I want to use these gold shoes I am doing here for photo work, as well as wear, so I am spraying the base to match, other wise I would mask off the base as well as the heel for normal use.

Masking off:

Before you start you will need to mask off the areas you don’t want painted with tape and give it a few coats so the colour is even.

Spraying in strokes and building up is better than spraying in one spot as the paint can run.

You can use masking tape, but it can tend to let the paint run if your a bit heavy handed with the spray can, the tape gets too damp and curls up at the edges letting in any further coats added and a furry smudged paint edge.

A plastic coated sticky tape (I tend to use duct tape rather than electrical tape as it tends to work better) can mask off the inside of the shoe up to the inside seam to stop paint being on the inside of the shoe and then flaking off on your stockings when wearing them later.
Spraying:

Painting the base can be tricksy to get the shoe to stand upright to be sprayed, if you stuff the shoe after its masked up, with scrunched up Tin Foil, it will mould to shoe/ ground and help the shoe stand while upside down ready to be sprayed.

When all coats completely dry take off the tape.

Swarovski Stilettos - Part 3

2009-05-24T21:47:00.003+01:00

Start stoning:

Prepare your work area, lay the flat back stones out face up on a plate rather than on the table.

I use a cocktail stick with a small piece of white tack wrapped around the end to lift the stones and have a few ready for later, as the glue after a while will make it less tacky.

I also have a few cosmetic cotton buds (the pointy end ones or trim a normal one to a small point) ready to mop up any excess glue that leeks from under the stone.

Then get comfortable, as sticking these little suckers on takes hours, It takes me around ten hours to do one shoe!

Heels:

I tend to start on the heel first at the base and work around and up the heel from the inside to the outer edge as I get further up.

The small gaps at the edge can be filled with smaller flat backed stones to make it look neater.

I tend to do a few lines of stones on one shoe and then do a few lines on the other, just so they match in the end.

I found after doing one complete shoe for hours, its harder to remember where you started the first time with the other shoe and more difficult to get them to look even.

Swarovski Stilettos - Part 4

2009-05-24T21:35:00.009+01:00

Toe:

If I am stoning the whole shoe,I start next on the toe after I have done the heel.

To get a straight line of stones to start with I put two pins parallel, in the middle at the top and bottom of the seam edge of the shoe and then tie a piece of cotton around them, so I get two parallel lines as a guide to start sticking the stones in-between.

I don’t tend to use tape as it can either take off the paint on the shoe or leave a residue.

I find cotton thread easier to use as a guide but a masking tape or electrical tape can be used, just best to test first.

I stick a stone at the top first and work my way down to the toe and then do the other shoe.

From there I work from the top of the toe outward each side of the first parallel line, going around each shoe.

Glueing lines of stones on one shoe then the other in turns, gives time for the glue to dry in each line.

When you then get to do the next line it is dry and wont slide out of place and go wonky when pushing the next line of stones in place next to it.

All you need do is finish of the edges with the smaller stones to fill the gaps.

Leave to dry and lightly buff to bring out the shine when you have finished.

*I havent finished this pair yet as the shop had run out of stones and being a blinking bank holiday weekend. I will have to wait a week for them so I can finish.

Also this "How To" is listed On Instructables, one of my fave sites HERE

Retro Swimsuits

2009-05-24T18:43:00.005+01:00

After losing my favourite red vintage swimsuit (not pictured) it was the spit of the cola girl one, and was stolen from my luggage from Sydney back to the UK two years ago in transit, along with a few pair of knickers!

I have been looking for ages for some good retro/vintage skirted swimsuits with no luck. So I was happy to find one spotty one that was close on Oli on line, of all places!

You would think what with so called Retro/Vintage making a comeback and the flattering shape for all sizes that would smooth over hips and flirt high thigh. Someone would be doing more of them? After a disappointing new swimwear range from Agent Provocateur , A trawl through charity shops, TK max, Vintage couture shops in London and online, I haven’t turned up a good one yet.

A few every now and then appear on EBay,(just got out bid on one mores the shame) but not seen hide nor hair of one in my favourite signature colour green as yet.

If they where good enough for Rita Hayworth(pictured) that’s good enough for me.

There might be only one thing for it and get one custom made!

The Pin up shoot- For 21st Century Pinups!

2009-05-24T18:23:00.013+01:00

It took ages and when I say ages, I mean at least 12 hours of pouting, lashes, feathers and hot lights with 5 crates of outfits and not forgetting the shoes, and all this for a few promotional photos for postcard fliers for the online Magazine 21st Century Pin-Ups.Net it is a global e-zine for us gals, for all things in the Burlesque and Pin up world.

Not that I haven’t done shoots for people in the past that have taken just as long, but this one was tiring. Well worth the effort of everyone though and a big "Thank You" out to Vanessa Reece who did makeup and direction.

I love the way they came out (Have cheekly used the pin-up one for my blog photo as I like it so much, even managed to turn it green)

Holli-mae the Editor wanted a retro pin up look for her site/brand and after alot of dressing up and down, we finally got there, alot of red bull later and finishing at 2am !

The final winner for the Pin-up side of the post card flier, that worked was the red and white poka dot halter dress (after tucking in the halter)

I got it from Vivian’s of Holloway in Camden.
A very strange shop indeed(although wisper in the wind they are moveing), poked away along under some railway arches, on a mezzanine over a motor bike repair shop.How fab dresses and bikes to purve at!

All the dresses on the rails are bagged up ready to go out as it is mainly a whole sale business but you can go try things on in a curtained off communal back storage area.
At least there was a big mirror and the ladies there are really nice and helpful.

Unfortunately I couldn’t spend much time in there, parking meter and all that. So in the end didn’t stay and try on much more than I needed.Wich was a shame as I could have rail riffled for ages.

I was looking for a skirt too, even though they do tops, they don’t seem to do just skirts which you could mix and match, which is a shame other wise I probably have bought one or two for the summer.

The Final shot used for the Burlesque image on the reverse of the post card flier, was a net dress I had sewn on glass crystals that had come from a beaded curtain, to cover risky areas.

It has been lurking in my wardrobe for years and never really gets worn, as so many of the crystals have fallen off it now, that its far too risky to wear out without being arrested I am sure!

A Diamante tiara turned upside down to use as a choker and a Mask I bought in Venice used just for its feather headdress, put on back to front. A bit of powder, a glove and a necklace in my wig and all was set!

Think it turned out fairly well considering it was all black on a black background too!

All in all turned out well though despite all the misshaps (burned my arm on a hot light Ouch!)

21:CP got the shots they needed for fliers and other little things like pens, which they use the laughing pin up shot/graphic,the one at the end we did just for a laugh.

It turned out so good that the pens are much sort after, so I hear. They are faily cute I must admit, will have to nick a few myself!