Fabulous 40! LeKeux Events and a Vintage 1940s tea party....

It was my 40th birthday last weekend- and what better way to celebrate than a trip to see Lynsey LeKeux at LeKeux Events and a Vintage tea party with my bestest girlfriends?!

As a special birthday treat I took my two eldest daughters to have their hair styled in 1940s victory rolls and ice cream swirls with Lynsey. Don't we look amazing?!

1940s style!

We even have Besame lippy on!

Lynsey was so lovely with the girls and we chatted about our respective businesses, how and why we'd started and what we hoped for the future. I have never seen anyone make victory rolls look so easy!

My eldest loves the look of Angel Adoree from the Vintage Patisserie so went along armed with photos....

Angel Adoree of the Vintage Patisserie

 I think Lynsey managed it, don't you?!

Then it was Zoe's turn....

First curl....

Back section

Final results

The girls and I absolutely loved watching every swoop and roll in order to try and learn some of the techniques required for such an iconic style. We took lots of pictures of Lynsey at work while perusing the new Vintage party shop stock and listening to some fabulous old tunes together.

Finally it was my turn!

Victory rolls are in

Curling with straighteners (impressive to watch!)

Almost done

 In no time at all the transformation to 1940s vintage diva's was complete!

Finished results!

Next it was off to the tea party!

Vintage china out for the occasion!

What a glorious way to spend a 40th birthday afternoon! Thanks to all my fabulous friends who made it all possible, especially the hugely talented and wonderfully chic Raych of Tag & Button who I simply could not exist without!

I'm off to Vintage Norwich soon for part two of the 40th birthday celebrations so, until "we'll meet again", bye for now!  
    x

Dresses to Impress: the A-Z of fabulous frocks and gorgeous gowns...O is for Overdressed!

Welcome to another installment of the A-Z 26 part style guide! O is for overdressed!

Being overdressed is something many of us worry about, especially if we don't get dressed up all that much. It can often be the little things that leave us looking or feeling overdressed, too much bling, too high heels, too much mascara all leave us feeling distinctly uncomfortable and a little overdressed.

But how do you know if your shoes are too high? You're wearing too much bling? You look like a pantomime dame?

Do you remember the famous quote from the character Trudi in the movie LA Story? (A fab Steve Martin film from 1991).

"One of the first things I always teach my clients is about the point system. You should never have more than seven things on. You know, like your earrings count for two points, those daisies count for three points. But the best thing to do is, right before you go out, look in the mirror and turn around real fast, and the first thing that catches your eye, get rid of it. I mean, I had this thing in my hair before I left, remember? And I pulled it right out, 'cause as soon as I turned, gone! Marilyn Monroe did that."  I quite like her advice, after all I'm a big fan of less is more. (I never wear earrings with my hair flower!)

Confidence in your outfit comes down to whether or not you are comfortable. If you feel comfortable in your clothes you will carry yourself well and exude confidence. If you are confident, chances are you won't appear overdressed. The trick is to follow Trudi's advice and remember, less is more! After all, what is overdressed for one is everyday for another. You are unique; play to your strengths and know you are beautiful inside and out. Dress well for your age, whatever it may be, be true to yourself and always, always remember, it's not what you wear, it's how you wear it!
 

Now go and be gorgeous, whether it's Vintage Chic, Everyday Glam or in a Posh Frock!

Fab Frock Friday: 1940s repro dress giveaway and my Christmas party dresswishlist

I just have to tell you again about the fab Fleur dress giveaway on Shona's Blog over at Heyday! This dress (along with the Mary)  has to be one of my favourite reproduction 40s dresses and is simply beautiful!

I can't believe she's giving this away free! The competition closes Monday so get in quick with a chance to win!

With Christmas and the party season up and coming, check out these other vintage style Friday Fab Frocks...

This is one of my favs from Tara Starlet. It's got all the forties features I like, the strong shoulder lines and puff sleeves and the cute bust gathers. I also think the bling creates some stunning wow factor!

 At over £200 this 'Harlow' dress from Puttin' on the Ritz is a bit of a wish list wish list! More of a nod to the 1930s but still utterly gorgeous and perfect as a wedding dress too!

The Dorris Dress from Lady K Loves is much more affordable and everyday. Again, a little more 1950s but a fab frock nonetheless!

I hope you all have a Fab Frock Friday!
              
                           X

Retro Make-Up review: Benefit Cosmetics

I popped into Boots the other day for some foundation and found myself at the Benefit counter having a mini-makeover by one of their very attentive sales ladies!

I hadn't tried any Benefit cosmetics before but have always loved their retro packaging so I was keen to see what the foundation was like. I have to say, the sales assistant really was amazing and found me a perfect shade of 'Hello Flawless' which matched my skin tone and looked just as good as my other slightly pricier foundation of choice; Clinique.

It comes with a sponge and a small wide brush in a concealed section underneath the powder compartment so is perfect for my handbag. I was also very pleased to spot an eyebrow kit. Having bleached hair and darker eyebrows I had been looking for a brow darkening kit to re-create the forties look. The Brow Kit is amazing! It's a wax and a Matt powder set complete with 2 brushes and mini tweezers. I've loved being able to easily shape and darken my brows with it and the results are brilliant.

I also ended up purchasing a waterproof eyeliner and mascara (as you do!) and was fortunate to find a twin set on offer so am a happy retro benefit bunny after my trip to Boots!

The only thing I really needed that Benefit did not stock was a red lip liner. I find that my lips can easily bleed with a strong red and having recently discovered the new collection for Rimmel from Kate Moss's 01 I needed a lip liner to avoid the bleed. The Benefit lady was still ever helpful though and pointed me in the direction of the no.7 range where I found a fab liner which seems to do the trick! It's quite a fancy one at £7.50 but without it I look like Halloween everyday so needs must! It's the felt-pen style with a concealed sharpener in the end and goes on smooth as pie.( At least the Rimmel lippy is affordable so the whole package costs about the same as a Rockalily anyway!)

So there you have it! I'm now a Benefit convert and I just adore the retro styling, and the feel and last of their cosmetics too!

How do you achieve a retro make up look?
                      
                            X

Vintage York and Pin-Up shoe review!

Well York was a real blast! Unfortunately, as with all the best laid plans, we didn't quite visit everywhere on my rather long list so here's my thoughts on the bits we did manage!

Obviously Cath Kidston was a must and the York store is amazing, just look at some of these room displays!

 The House of Avalon Vintage shop and cafe was simply gorgeous, some fab frocks and gorgeous gowns from the 1930s, 40s and 50s which was a real treat as many 'vintage' shops are a 70s polyester heaven! (Probably very lovely polyester mind you, but not really my thing!) The cafe is a social enterprise and helps people learn catering skills. Here's my youngest enjoying a proper cup of Yorkshire tea!

Unbelievably that was all we managed in York itself , that and the vintage ice cream van outside York Castle Museum!

I had Strawberry! Yummy!

As we were staying in a fab friends cottage near Boroughbridge we popped over there for yet more tea, cake and shopping. I could not believe my eyes when I stumbled upon this gem of a shoe shop, 'Shoeberry', stocking Pin Up Couture shoes no less!!! The shop has only been open 8 weeks and also contains a cafe and has a lovely retro 50s vibe. Fortunately for those of us who no longer live in the North, Lucy sells online and her shoes are a treat for feet everywhere so do visit her online shop or contact her on lucy@shoeberry.co.uk.

Pricey but gorgeous Pin Up Couture shoes!

Fab cafe inside the store

Isn't Lucy's window just amazing?!

 We also spied Betty's in Harrogate as well as York and thoroughly enjoyed tea and cakes a plenty! A trip most definitely to be repeated methinks! I'm off to Norwich next month so will also be reviewing the vintage scene with the assistance of Retro Chick....can't wait!

Before I go, I must also mention the fab giveaway on Shona's blog from Heyday! A Fleur dress as modelled by the stunning Fleur de Guerre of the Vintage Mafia. Pop on over and leave her a comment for your chance to enter. You know how much I just lurve Heyday!

Hope you all had a fab week too whatever you got up too!
       x

Friday's Fab Frocks 1940s style!

Favourite round up of fab frocks for this week...

Heyday have a great selection of Mary Dresses at the moment which are perfect for capturing that quintessential 1940s style!

Mary Dress £60 Heyday Online

I also love this 1940s style dress from the current Redressing AW11 collection!


Redressing 1940s style dress £15

 Reminds me of the gorgeous Vivien of Holloway tea dresses!

Am off to Judy's affordable Vintage fair in Leamington Spa on Saturday so who knows what I may find?!
The fab Le Keux Events will be there too; am very excited about my personal hair styling appointment with them next week!

Have you seen any fab frocks this week?
                           x

All about Redressing events

I have been asked some questions recently about Redressing events so here you go!

The Redressing Experience happens in one of three ways. Firstly you can attend a Pop-In-And-Shop at my house on the first Monday and Friday of the month.

All dresses from all 3 collections are available to try before you buy. The coffee pot is on and there's usually a gathering of gorgeous girls browsing the rails and trying on fab frocks. The event is so named because it does exactly what it says on the tin; you Pop-In (often during your lunch hour) and shop.

There's usually the jewellery collection available, although there will all have to be sold by the end of the year. These events are perfect for busy women who want a divine dress and who know they can simply pop-in and pick out a stunner perfect for a special occasion or simply for Everyday Glam.

The second type of Redressing experience is an Evening Event. These usually take place in other ladies homes and I bring the dresses, the colour analysis scarves, body shape and style consultations, advice and general 'feel-good' factor to the party! Whether you host an evening of 30 ladies or 3 who want to know their body shape and 'best fits', an excellent evening is to be had by all.

The third type of Redressing Experience is one of my own Evening Events. I usually hold these at least once every quarter for my gorgeous girls who work full time and look forward to the opportunity to attend an event, have a glass of wine and a few nibbles and chat together about all things frock. If you'd like to join us the next Evening Event is our First Birthday Bash! Friday November 25th from 8pm. Come and join us and experience Redressing for yourself!

Have you attended one of our events? Which one and what did you like best and what did you buy? I loved refreshing the way you dress!

Angie
    x

Vintage York!

I'm heading up to York for a few days so have decided to blog about my adventures and produce a kind of mini-review of Vintage York.

Cath Kidston Shop, Stonegate, York.

The trip won't be complete without a trip to the Cath Kidston shop (my girls are HUGE fans!) and quite remarkably the glorious Betty's tea rooms are virtually across the road.

Betty's Tea Rooms, Stonegate, York

It's been a while since I last tasted their exquisite coffee and cakes... yum!

I'm hoping to locate quite a few authentic and reproduction vintage shops that I've discovered doing a bit of research. 'The House of Avalon' looks very interesting and has a coffee shop attached! There's also 'Purple Haze Vintage', 'Vintage' and the magnificent 'Banana Warehouse'. I just hope I can find them all!

House of Avalon, York

Banana Warehouse, York

Vintage, Grape Lane

Purple Haze, York

Anywhere else you'd suggest I visit for a review on Vintage York?
                                x