Tuesday, 4 October 2011

Gwen Stefani Just Kicked Dita To The Curb...

HOLY MOLY Gwen Stefani! Here's me blogging about how amazing Dita Von Teese looks at 39 and then Gwen Stefani decides to have a 42nd birthday and look even better.
During the 90's I was a rather impressionable child. Dita Von Teese didn't exist to me then; all I had to look up to were The Spice Girls and Gwen Stefani. Thankfully I chose Gwen as an ultimate role model...and shortly after Courtney Love.
LOOK at how amazing Gwen still looks..


I literally cannot get over the fact that she's had two children, she's 42 and she's still working hard and releasing music. Sure, she can afford to have her hair done professionally, her skin cared for by experts and her clothes designed by her, for her, but DAMN; she's working it well.
I'll never forget I'm Just A Girl. She made me believe in the fact that I was female and STRONG in a time when all I seemed to be taught was that to be female was to be inferior.
Thanks Gwen; I hope I look as good as you I'm 42 - and if I don't then y'know, who gives a shit? 

Monday, 3 October 2011

Back To University For The Last Time...


Tomorrow I begin my third year at university. The thought is pretty terrifying but exciting at the same time. Today is actually the official start of the term but I get Monday's off so I think that's rather a good start!
This year I'm taking four modules; Researching and Writing a Novel, Writing a Novel for Young People, Teaching Writing and Reading as a Writer.
I'm extremely excited about finally getting some guidance on a novel I've been trying to write for a long time, as well as having to read lots and lots of novels! I am equally terrified at having to teach writing and manage my time between this, reading a LOT and writing two novels.
In approximately 8 months time I'll be graduating with (fingers crossed) a first in creative writing and have a couple of novels ready to send to a few publishers.
Due to my workload rising into oblivion from now on, I may not be blogging very often but I will still be around reading all of yours and gaining inspiration from you lovely people.
Let the madness begin....

Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Happy Birthday Dita Von Teese!

Today is Dita Von Teese's birthday!
She's 39 years old! How amazing does she look? She looks younger than me and I'm only 23!
According to her Twitter account she's spending the day with friends in Paris.
Here's to many more birthdays for the fabulous lady.
Let's all celebrate with a Martini...

...and hope that she gets lots of presents...
...and that she gets to indulge a little in a very scrumptious cake!

Whatever she does today, I'm sure it'll be fabulous! 


Thursday, 22 September 2011

It's Upcycled Painting Time - Help Me Name Her!

Months and months ago (before The Boy and I even started looking for a flat) I picked up this picture in a charity shop for just £4. It's printed on board and says LA PENITENTE (Detail) on the back. I've no idea who the artist is.

It was a bit weird for me to buy such an ordinary painting because the rest of the pictures hanging in the flat are a bit random. I like my art a little strange and with a bit of attitude but there was something about this print that stood out to me.
For the last 3 months it's been hanging in our kitchen and every day I looked at it and felt, well, underwhelmed.
So I took a Sharpie or two and...

Is that like, totally awful? It wasn't an original so I guess that's okay - I've never defaced a piece of art before. I feel a bit naughty (can't say that I'm not enjoying that feeling either!).
She looks pretty cool up on the stone fireplace...

She doesn't have a name yet though. Anyone got any ideas? 

In other news - I won't be blogging for a few days as The Boy and I are going camping. We love us a bit of the outdoors, although this is the latest in the year that we've ever attempted it so we're taking extra socks. I'm hoping body heat alone will be enough! Eh? Eh? *Nudge nudge wink wink*

In my imagination it's going to go something like this...

But will probably end up being much like this...

Happy camping!

The Arrival Of The Giveaway Prize

A couple of weeks ago I entered a 100 follower giveaway competition over at the wonderful Living Vintage...and I won!
This is the first time I've ever won a giveaway contest so I'm pretty chuffed.
The prize is a gorgeous vintage apron with just fantastic embroidery detail - it arrived today very nicely packaged...


 Isn't it cute? 
I love the pocket.

A big thank you to Susan from Living Vintage. I'm prancing around the house in it as we speak!


Sunday, 18 September 2011

Zombie-tastic Interview

Hey you - yes you.
Head on over to the ever amazing Zombies Everywhere to check out the Saturday interview featuring yours truly.
Highlights include: How to defeat zombies with the much overlooked weapon of treacle (yeah the food) and love for my favourite bloggers. That means you Psycho Sue. Oh, and you Toni Moore.
Go on, off you pop.


Rockabilly Zombie wonders why you're still here.


Thursday, 15 September 2011

Kat Graham - I Want Your Outfit!

Until about five minutes ago if you'd have said 'Kat Graham' to me I'd probably have answered with 'whossat?' but due to this incredible outfit her name is now emblazoned on the cool side of my brain.
I don't watch Vampire Diaries, I have no idea what she's like as an actress or a person but what I DO know is that girlfriend knows how to dress.
LOOK at this!

Awesome top knot - check
Ah-meh-zin feline sunglasses - check
Insane velvet (eek!) dress with SEXEH cut away detail - check
Bone bag (swoon!) - check

She is rocking that look so well and is officially on my radar. Purrr-fect!

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Everybody Is Beautiful - This Is Non-Negotiable

My dear friend Abby over at Bartonia's Blogs has just posted something that made me like her all the more. Here's the link. Her self esteem has taken a hard hitting over the summer but even though it's made her feel less than good, she's still kicking ass and standing up for herself. That's what we should all do in the face of people that put us down, whether it be about our body, our lifestyle choices, who we spend time with or whatever - DON'T let other people get away with making you feel bad.

The world is full of so many different people. The media would have us believe that the 'norm' or 'perfect' image is one of slim, white, wholesome looking people with unnaturally shiny hair. Well I'm sorry but that is not the world I live in - nor is it the world that I wish to live in.

My world looks like this, and I think it's so beautiful -


I don't understand why anyone would be horrible about womanly curves like this.



This woman is a breast cancer survivor. She is stunning.



Wrinkles are one of the benefits of getting older. Look how gorgeous they are - why freeze them out with chemicals when you can have expression?



Birth marks - a sign that you are alive in the world. Nothing ugly about that.



Bald = Beautiful



This is a model called Viktoria and she is HAWT.




This is the 'average face of the world'. 







Monday, 12 September 2011

A/W Party Dresses - It's Got To Be Velvet

The wardrobe space in our new flat is pretty atrocious. So much so that I had to have a huge clothes clear out before we moved here. I donated around 6 large bin bags full of lovely dresses, tops, skirts, shoes and accessories to the local charity shops. It was painful, but also quite liberating.
What I realised whilst doing this was that there was a certain type of dress that, no matter how little I had the chance to wear it, I just couldn't throw away. It's the classic LVD - Little Velvet Dress.
Check them out - including my recent little red number. Ooh it's a beaut.

First up we have the classic. It's smooth velvet and fits like a dream. It's my 'go to' dress - I always end up wearing it because it's the most comfy thing in the world and it is VERY forgiving! It's also my most bargainous dress at just 99p from eBay. It was originally from Wallis.

Here's a view of the back. It's just a classic.

It's the kind of dress that needs absolutely no jewellery, but what it does need is a kick ass pair of shoes. My boyfriend picked these out in a sale - aren't they just wonderfully mad?


My second velvet dress is one that I used to have to wear for work uniform. I was glad I didn't have to give it back when I left - it's a great mixture between gothic and girly. When I said the previous dress was the cheapest - I lied - this one was free!

I call it my Dorothy dress. For some reason it gives me a Dorothy Gale vibe - no idea why. It fastens at the back with a gorgeous little velvet button attached to the lace.

I always wear this dress with red shoes, even if they are a bit scruffy!


My third velvet dress is my all time favourite. I saw it in Debenhams in the Henry Holland section about a year ago and fell in love with it. Unfortunately it was way out of my price range. A couple of months later I popped in to grab a free perfume sample and there it was, on sale for just £11! I tried it on and it was as if it was made for me. I almost cried with joy!
I like to call this ensemble my Zomsemble - it just goes with the whole zombie green really well!

I like to wear this bad boy with these wonderful zombie Iron Fist shoes which were a gift from my wonderful sister.

And of course the outfit wouldn't be complete without this necklace which was a valentines gift from The Boy. 


And finally, my latest addition to the velvet party dress family, the rather risque red crushed velvet number. I got this at a charity shop two days ago for just £5.50. It's a great fit and I LOVE the colour - but it's very short!

The long sleeves are ideal for the winter though, and I'd definitely wear tights with it. This is another 'no jewellery needed' number - just a simple pair of patent shoes will do.

Now all I need is a few party invitations and I'm good to go!

Friday, 9 September 2011

That's Kraken That Is...

I am LOVING everything tentacle related right now.

Them Cephalopods are pretty cool creatures. They're uber intelligent and they got some bad ass ink...a bit like me! Mwahaha I kid, I kid.

Here's a few pics of some of my favourite finds...
A nice subtle tentacle ring...


...and a not so subtle tentacle ring!


A VERY cool wall decoration. This would totally freak me out on a dark night!


Amazing chandelier in the shape of a squid. Wonderful.


Or if you prefer candlelight....


Kraken shower curtain. What a beaut. 

I think what I love about Cephalopods is that we still don't know how big the Colossal Squid can get, Octopus are extremely intelligent creatures (they use tools, problem solve and can learn solutions to problems) and Cuttlefish are REALLY CUTE!

See?!?!







Tuesday, 6 September 2011

Bone Shoe Obsession

I'm really obsessed with bone inspired shoes - which is not good for me right now because I have no money. Like, none.
But that doesn't stop me from drooling over the pictures. Which I intend to do pretty much every day until I have enough moolah to at least buy the Vivienne Westwood ones. Apparently they're bubblegum scented. Swoon!





Bone-tastic.

Sunday, 4 September 2011

I Had A Feeling This Would Happen...

As soon as I delay a 30 Day Drawing Challenge post I become bored and no longer want to do it! I knew this would happen. So there is no drawing challenge post today. I may pick it up again at a later date.
I get distracted so easily you see, I've discovered Pinterest and now all is lost.
I guess I'm just one of those people who hates a routine.
I'll try again another day.
Anyone else feel this way?!
Here's a link to one of my  Pinterest boards - I've only been signed up for a day so it's not that full yet!
I just love all the inspirational images.