Showing posts with label Frocktasia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frocktasia. Show all posts

Sunday 19 January 2014

Fifteen minutes of frock fame

Mark and I took some time-out after moving. We needed it, the process had made big demands on us, both emotionally and physically. Thankfully we were able to take our time over things. 
When we first moved up we went straight into hyper-drive trying to find a flat. 
I'd trawl the net in the evening, Mark would arrange viewings in the morning and then off we would go traversing Glasgow, on the hunt for our new home. 
Our budget was quite low so the quality of what was on offer was very often hugely disappointing. 
Damp damaged buildings with signs reading 'No Loitering' nailed up above the entrance. A plethora of claustrophobic boltholes, riddled with mold, ripped woodchip & stained carpets.
After three stressful weeks we finally found a place that we could see ourselves in, it's not quite the five bedroom Victorian  townhouse that I cosmically ordered but it's definitely the cream of the crop in our budget category.
I will give you a tour of the house at some point, just need to don a pair of marigolds first and get it up to Hello Magazine standard.

Over the past few days the wheels of productivity have slowly started turning again.
We've booked a market for Frocktasia's relaunch on the 9th of February . It is called Little Birds Market and it is a monthly do held at an amazing venue here in Glasgow called Sloanes.
We've applied for a stall at another market called Granny Would Be Proud but it's yet to be confirmed. Today Mark and I took a little research trip to check out Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair that was in Glasgow for the day and both of us agreed that it would be a great one to get in about next time it is in town.
So it's back in the saddle for me and to be honest, after all this "time-off" I'm feeling well and truly up for it.

In my last post I promised that I'd share the pics that Mark and I took on our micro roadtrip to Largs. I played around with them on PicMonkey (that I still use religiously). As a complete Jennie Pinchpenny I still haven't upgraded to Royal but I have to confess, that of late I have been sorely tempted. For some reason the wretched skin under my eyes has decided to not just puff  but also wrinkle up and some days it looks as if I've super glued skincoloured  raisins underneath my eyes. I feel the need for some PicMonkey surgery. Are any of you lovely peeps using PicMonkey Royal and if so what do you think of it?

Anyroad the pics...these were taken en route from Largs to Greenock by the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire. We shot two frocks, the first one is an Indian dress that I picked up from Holloway market a few years ago and the second is a stunning 70s Jean Varon frock that I scored at a car boot sale last year.

Hope you liked them? We are hoping to do plenty more of these wee photo sessions in the future. There are so many stunning backdrops to take advantage of  nearby to us and so many frocks yearning for their fifteen minutes of fame here on the blog.

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.
Loads of love,
Jennie
xXx


Wednesday 17 July 2013

Respect and hippie love

The heat has reduced many of the lush green lawns in the park to something decidedly steppe like and strewn across this semi-arid plain are barely clad bodies soaking up the sun. I'm not really one for stripping off in the city and as tempting as it may be I'd feel pretty awkward sprawling out on a blanket in the park in skimpy pants and a bra. Personally I feel I need a beach or at the very least a pool to don a bikini in public.
I don't know what it is but whenever I dress lightly in the city there is always some creepy guy that feels the need to comment on not so much what I'm wearing but what I'm exposing.
En route to the Post Office yesterday morning I had a guy walking behind me singing "I see you baby, shaking that ass" not that my ass was hanging out or anything, at least I don't think it was, nor was I shaking it but there you go. Then on my way back home another sleazeball  tooted at me and shouted "Hello, sexy legs". Maybe these chaps think that comments like that are flattering but rather than making me feel good about myself  they make me feel really uneasy.
I've never had this happen to me on a beach, so what's the difference?
Why do some guys feel that just because you are wearing something skimpy, trying to keep cool on a scorching hot day that gives them a license to perv away and also tell you all about it.
I'm not trying to be sexy for your ogling pleasure, so just frack off!
Anyway, I'm not going to let these creeps rain on my parade, I just wish they'd show some bloody respect that's all, maybe in another lifetime, eh?!
The vivaciously coloured mini frock that I was wearing yesterday is by French lingerie & swimwear label Janine Robin. I'm guessing it's from the 60s. The fabric has got a lovely waffled texture and I absolutely adore the detailing to the back...
I was really chuffed yesterday when the pictures from the Hippie Chic opening party started to pop up on FB. The frock that Jo got for her friend Lauren who is the curator of the exhibition got an almighty outing. I feel like a proud mother seeing one of her babies doing well for themselves in the world.
I borrowed these two pics from the Boston MFA facebook page....
Lauren looks absolutely spectacular and I love the beautiful floral crowns too. Jo also looked amazingly stunning in a vintage frock by Californian label Young Edwardian by Arpeja and her escort Chris looked very dapper too. You can read Jo's account of the opening night on her fabulous blog and enjoy some more pics too. If you happen to live in or nearby Boston then you won't want to miss out on this exhibition, it looks awesome and I'm just hopping it hits the Hippie Trail and goes travelling via London once it has finished its run at the MFA.

I'll love you and leave you with the formidable Aretha Franklin, enjoy :)
Take care peeps, 
Jennie
xXx


Tuesday 16 July 2013

Mighty fine mini festival

The other day Frocktasia & Wunderbar Vintage rolled out their rails at the first ever Sunday Mini Festival at The Finsbury. Our lovely pal Mike who was organizing the event had put together an awesome line-up of live bands and solo artists.
Thankfully we got to pitch up outside. I think I would have died indoors.
It was another scorcher of  a day so quite understandably many people decided to hit the park rather than the pub thus customers were rather thin on the ground during the first part of the day.
I was meant to be organizing the vintage market but in all honesty it was Leslie that did most of the organizing, she worked out the floor plan before we even got there, brought all the rails & trestle tables. 
She's is a superstar and the best market buddy anyone could ever wish for. 
I'd been busy making love-beads in the run up to the market & I was giving these away with every purchase. They resulted in lots of smiles, kind words and even hugs & kisses...love-beads indeed ;)
 My bargain case attracted lots of attention as per usual. I love it when someone is rummaging and all of a sudden their eyes light up cause they've found something they really like for cheaps.
Leslie's gorgeous friend Rachel popped by and hung out for a bit. 
 Leslie had brought some of her Leslie Works handmade wares too. I absolutely love these vintage button & zipper bracelets.
 I love her steampunk collars too, made from vintage lace and trims...
Meg and Bridget having a wee rummage and Mike having his fortune told  by Step Drey  who also happens to be a fabulously talented photographer ;)
 Around four o'clock the trickle of customers turned into a wee flurry as the sun-drunk park revelers, billed artists & their fans started to rock up. Leslie and I switched from enjoying the sun mode to trader mode and managed to make some people very happy with our vintage, retro and handmade wares.
The frock I wore yesterday has actually never had an outing on home soil before. It is the first thing to hit my suitcase when we holiday abroad. I call it my 'Tropical Rose' frock cause it's been with me to the tropics three times. The fabric features a finely perforated  pattern which is perfect for the weather we are having in the UK at the moment. The frock is by Ken Scott who is often referred to as the "Fashion Gardener" because of his trademark use of bold prints and vibrant colours.
Here's the frock in action abroad...
Pitching up alongside us was Antonio Alfaro Sanchez, on-the-spot poet extraordinaire :)
It is probably not a very common thing here in the UK to have to delay something due to good weather but unfortunately the glorious sunshine on Sunday did the indoor goings on of the mini festival no favors whatsoever. Therefore Mike decided to start the live performances a bit later than billed to allow an audience to build up for the acts. It is a very hard task indeed to try and convince people to go indoors when there is a nice late afternoon breeze in the air.
Before anyone took to the stage we were treated to some heavenly harp magic courtesy of  gorgeous Louisa Duggan and then Raff  kicked off the live music on stage followed by Katie Maddox...
 The vintage market started packing up at half seven so we sadly I missed out on the performances of Burton Bradstock and The New Burn. I handed the camera to Mike so that he could snap a few pics. Comparing the event was Andrew Hobbs and there was also some awesome poetry by Stephen Purbeck Howarth.
We were finished packing up just in time to enjoy the amazing Meg Cavanaugh with her awesome band of  (as she puts it in her bio) seasoned musicians. 
On the keyboard rocking a top from Frocktasia and a Bambie pendant from Wunderbar Vintage Miss Bridget Walsh ;)
Then it was time for Mike, Jozef and Simon to hit the stage...
 Needless to say they were brilliant :)
Completing the awesome Sunday Mini Festival line-up were the bonkers good Super Hero Jam...  
It was a really cracking event, I got to hang out with some of my favourite people, peddle my wares and enjoy great music...can it get any better than that?!
It seems to have gone down well with the venue as well as Mike has already booked another date for September, so if you didn't make it this time there will be another opportunity.
The Mini Festival will be back and next time it will be even bigger, bolder and better, yay!

Today Mark had the day off so at lunchtime we sauntered up to the park and lazed about in the shade, had some food, drank some low alcohol cider and did some cloud-spotting.
 Not that there were many clouds to spot ;)
Mark fell asleep and I took some photos of trees, insects and daisies for a bit. Then when I got bored I rudely roused my sleeping beauty and after playing "cherry pip" for a bit we went to feed the ducks who  were swimming around in spinach soup.
Cherry Pip: 
Hold onto the corners of a folded blanket
Put a cherry pip in the middle
Launch the pip into the air and try to catch it again
...one of life's little pleasures ;)
We've got a new friend. Meet Mr. White. He's got something wrong with his wing, poor thing  :(
 Today I cheekily nabbed a frock from the stockroom, just because I can...
Trippy Hippie frock, floppy straw hat, sunnies (car boot sale), scarf (pressie from mum), Vintage button and zipper bracelet (gift made by Leslie Works), Frocktasia love-bead bracelet, vintage necklaces, earrings and copper bangles (from all over the place).
I'll love you and leave you with Opus III, enjoy :)
Hope you also had a mighty fine weekend and an awesome start to the week.
Loads of love,
Jennie
xXx


Friday 12 July 2013

Attack of the pocket sized puppy

Yesterday I told you of how the summer breeze scuppered the outfit pics.
Today it was something else that threw a spanner in the works, a very tiny dog shaped spanner!
There I was leaning against a tree, trying to look all wistful and romantic when out of no where a tiny critter lunged itself onto my lap. I howled like a banshee cause I didn't know what the heck it was at first. The owner laughed her ass off as did I once I realized that I wasn't being attacked by a killer squirrel.
Fun and larks in the park, that's what summer should be all about.
My lovely mum sent me another two of these awesome crochet tops the other day. Another white one and this fabulous green one...
70s floral print maxi skirt labelled Richard Shops (car boot sale), 80s sunnies (eBay), Floppy straw hat (car boot sale), brass bangles, Frocktasia silk headband & horse-brass necklace, 80s Pierre Cardin sandals (charity shop), Crochet top (from mum). 
The park larking continued with much sprightliness after the dog incident. I was spinning so much I made myself dizzy and had to sit down before I fell down.
I love going barefoot in the park, it is one of life's little pleasures :)
A few weeks ago Sam of Tangled Wigs and Natasha came to my house to shoot some pics for a feature in the summer issue of Tangled Magazine. I was chuffed to bits when I was asked to contribute and needless to say I jumped at the chance. The feature was to be about music festival style created with Sam's fabulous wigs and Frocktasia's retro & vintage threads. 
For some one like myself, who hasn't got a wild mane of natural locks, wigs have always been a true blessing. It is impossible for me to grow my hair beyond shoulder length cause it gets all ratty and I end up making it even thinner when I try to brush out the inevitable knots. I can't wear a fringe either cause my hair is too fine and I've got a high forehead, so I just end up looking like Gregor Fisher's The Baldy Man. Thanks to wigs I've been able to wear the hair of my dreams and create looks that would never have been possible otherwise. 
If I was to go to a huge music festival where I couldn't wash my hair for days, I would definitely pack a few wigs. Not only in order to hide my ratty tresses underneath but to be able to rock looks that rival those of the glampers. I'd probably bring a few different styles so that I could channel a different persona each day.
For the feature I styled four quintessential festival-goer looks, Sam styled four stunning Tangled Wigs to team them with and Natasha did a great job modelling.
Here are some of my favourite pics from the day...
Sam has got some awesome wig styling tutorials on her website. Creating a funky up-do like this one is easier than you may think.
80s Stones Tee that I nabbed from my dad many moons ago, Leather cut-offs from a pair of trousers that I bought at a car boot sale for a song, 80s Wrangler boots (vintage dealer friend), 80s silk scarf  & sunnies (car boot sale).
I am hankering for this stunning 'Woman of the Ghetto' wig from the Happy Feelins' Collection.
Stunning Afghan kuchi dress that is currently up for grabs on my rail for £35, coinbelt worn as headdress (car boot sale), 90s crushed velvet boots (charity shop), 70s camera bag (car boot sale).
Dream hair!? 
I'd like one in every colour please :)
90s customized camo jacket currently on my rail for £20, customized cut-offs currently on my rail for £12, 90s buckle boots (charity shop), beaded bralet (market), Handmade African necklace which was a gift from my lovely mum.
Mark kindly lent us his guitar to use as a prop. Come on Natasha give us a song ;)
70s Indian tapestry wrap skirt (car boot sale), Suede fringed bralet (originally Topshop but bought from the car boot sale), 90s necklace (gift from my sister), crochet headband (charity shop in Sweden), Balinese earrings (gift from Vix).
The brilliant new issue of Tangled Magazine has just become available to enjoy on-line so you can pop over and have a wee read of it right now folks.
I was enormously flattered when Sam asked me if I'd like to contribute to the next issue too. I have so many ideas, you would not believe...for me wigs and vintage threads are a match made in heaven.

Today I will leave you with one of my favourite songs by Massive Attack, enjoy ;)
Happy Friday peeps!
Loads of love,
Jennie
xXx




Thursday 11 July 2013

A Satisfied Mind

The weather here in London has been absolutely delightful of late and I quite literally live on the balcony at the moment. When it gets too hot out there I grab a blanket and hit the park as there is usually more of a breeze going on there. Yesterday I sat stitching little bags for my stall and today I was making love-beads for The Mini Festival this Sunday. I've sorted out my rail already and have even managed to complete a stock preview folder on my FB page. I'm feeling rather on top of things for once but it won't last, I'm far too much of a flapping flibbertigibbet ;)
I hadn't seen the geese for a few days but they were there again today. The youngsters are starting to look like adults now, soon I won't be able to tell the difference. All that downy fluff is all but gone. When I get a few spare minutes I'll do a timeline with some of the pics I've taken of them over the past two or so months. 
There was a lovely cooling breeze in the park today...
African wax print dress, Handmade Kenyan belt, earrings (all from car boot sales),  80s Pierre Cardin sandals (charity shop), 80s sunnies (eBay) & Handmade African necklace that was a gift from my beloved mother.
...that completely scuppered the outfit pics ;)
The only bad thing about this weather is that my hair goes all funny. I may need to attack it with another dose of Henna before the weekend, either that or hide it under a hat.
This is actually what the majority of my outfit pics look like...the ones that end up on "the cutting room floor" that is ;)
Last Sunday I treated myself to a rare trip to the car boot sales and it was as if the vintage gems had just been accumulating in my absence awaiting my return. I could have bought so much more but it was hotter than an oven and I was really starting to struggle with my bag. Everyone else is canny as a fox, bringing along  trolleys and even wheelie suitcases but alas not I. Anyway I had just about spent all my cash after bagging the lot below and I couldn't wait to get back home to put my feet up and relax on the balcony.

When is the best time to bag an autumn/winter coat?
On a baking hot day in the height of summer of course, when no sane person is buying them cause then you can usually take the haggle highway straight to bargain city.

I was over the moon to bag this gorgeous vintage 70s rust coloured chenille coat in near mint condition and this awesome ornately embroidered Moroccan burgundy velvet caftan gown...
This is the rest of my amazing-zing car booty looty... 
Vintage 70s psychedelic print maxi dress made in Germany and a wedding worthy frock labelled Pat Farrell for Fiona Dresses...
 Two stunning maxi frocks by Jean Varon. I'm starting to build up quite a collection of Varon frocks now...
 Two 60s/70s swimsuits, the psychedelic one is labelled Twenka and the floral one is by Berlei...
 Amazingly voluminous nylon ruffle petticoat made in the US. I've been after one of these for an absolute age and I bagged this from my vintage trader pal who was there to offload some of her awesome stock...
80s Liberty of London silk scarf that was lurking at the bottom of a £1 bargain box...
I can't wait to wear a couple of the frocks at some point. I am currently taking stock of all my vintage dresses and if you are interested in having a wee peek I have made a folder on my FB page entitled Frocktasia's Vintage Wonderland. It is no where near finished yet but I'll get there eventually.

I'll leave you with one of my all-time favorite singer songwriters Jeff Buckley, enjoy :)
Loads of love,
Jennie
xXx