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!

Work Uniform - Let's Make It Retro (+ Cheap)!

I finally own a camera (yay!) so I'm going to be posting up pictures of some selected retro outfits from now on. This is how I went to work today...

I'm wearing:
Traffic People Geiko Dress from where I work - £FREE
Fur Collared Cardigan from Ebay - £3.50
Red Bow Shoes from Ebay - £7.20
Red Bow Belt from Ebay - £0.99
Opaque Tights from Marks & Spencers - £2.50
Hair Flowers from Accessorise - £4.00
Heart Earrings from Claires Accessories - £1.00

Here's the outfit without the cardigan -

I ended up taking the belt off when I got to work because it didn't sit well with the dress! This is pretty much one of my cheapest outfits I've put together so far - although I'm always on the hunt for a bargain so I may beat myself yet. The heart earrings are some of my favourites at the moment - the fact that they were only £1 in the sale is a nice bonus!

UK High Street Fashion - TV inspired Outfits

Every time I turn on the TV or read the listings (which, if I'm honest, is not very often!) a new retro/vintage style television programme or series seems to jump out at me. The American series Mad Men has almost single handedly brought back late 50's/early 60's fashion. The womanly silhouette has never been more fashionable and luckily for us here in the UK our high street shops have become full of lovely clothes. I'm using the three big ones in this post; New Look, Topshop and River Island to show how you can get the retro TV show look.

Mad Men

I've got to start with this show. It's pretty much the most stylish programme I have ever seen. Christina Hendricks (far right) has become my #1 jealousy fuel. That body is insanely feminine!

A belted in waist, collar details and cute patterns/use of colour are a key look here. This is what I found on the high street...

New Look (apologies for the awful picture quality!!)



This dress has the classic 50s/60's neckline AND the nipped in waist...result!



The Peter Pan collar on this lovely shift dress really gives it an early 60's vibe. Love the colour too.

No retro siren is complete without a good wiggle dress!

River Island

This one almost matched Christina Hendricks' one. And the bow is so cute!

This print is the cutest!

I love this neckline. The bold print is spot on too.

Topshop




This dress would be PERFECT with a nice big underskirt. Pure style.



This dress would be ideal for a summers day.

Capped sleeves - check. Cute collar - check. Flared skirt - check.

I'm going to be hunting for a lot more things on the high street that mimic the styles of our favourite retro TV dames. If you've got any suggestions for TV shows that you think would work then let me know!

Any Human Heart - Genius Retro-Style Television!

Over the last two days I've sat and watched all four episodes of 'Any Human Heart' which is an adaptation of a book by William Boyd and has been shown in the UK on Channel 4. It's safe to say that it's blown me away, both in story and in style.
The story is set over the life of Logan Mountstuart, an English writer. His life spans the 20th century and the program is rich in the settings, costume and feel of the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's and a tiny bit of the 80's. The 40's and 50's are the prevailing time-zones in this programme though, and the imagery was gorgeous.
The hair, the clothes, the make-up - it was all so inspiring! I loved how the mannerisms of the character changed throughout his life; how wonderful were the 40's when everyone raced to light your cigarette for you?!
I suggest you all go and watch it immediately! I'm not sure if anyone from the USA will be able to view it, although I don't see why they shouldn't be able to. The link to it is here. There are only 8 days left on the first episode, so hurry! It can also be bought here.
If you have seen it, let me know what you thought. Personally, I thought it was one of the most beautiful dramas to ever hit our screens, apart from 'Small Island' which is also a book adaptation (highly recommended!).

Today I Was Mostly.....Yearbooking Myself!

I discovered Yearbook Yourself today - probably about 7 years later than the rest of you! It is absolutely hilarious! I had such a great time putting myself into some vintage yearbook pictures that I've decided to share the best ones with you all. If you want to do it to yourself (WARNING: It is addictive and will probably distract you from what you should be doing!) then here is the link.
I wish I had hair like this lot! (Especially the last one - what a retro doll!)

Brr! Rockabilly Fashion In Freezing Temperatures - Does It Exist?!

I've had to have a serious wardrobe re-think over the last week as England has been hit with such bloody freezing weather! It snowed here last night which was quite nice because it meant that the temperature got above minus for a while! We are not used to this here, it's not so fun...especially when it comes to dressing up for the day.
I love sorting out my outfits now that I'm a self confessed rockabilly/50's/40's/retro chick but during this cold weather I've really struggled! There's only so much a cute cardigan can do for you warmth wise.
My solution at the moment is teaming a warm pencil skirt with double tights, warm innersoles in my mary janes and an extra vest top underneath everything else. To make sure I don't lose the look completely I have taken to wearing more make-up than usual - which I don't really like to do but it keeps my eyes warm (that's my excuse anyway!).
Anyone got any tips on how to keep stylish in the cold? I'm so looking forward to the summer when I can start wearing tea dresses, capri pants and halter neck tops....sigh.

Oooh, my eyes are so warm!