Mini Post: Happy in Harlequin - Top 5 Wish List

 Ever since I first saw the harlequin Jenny skirts and dresses, I have fallen in love with the print. This blog post is all about where to find harlequin prints within the pinup fashion world...

- Me wearing the Pinup Girl harlequin Jenny skirt -

Throwback Thursday - 1940s Style Inspiration

Gals in the 1940s in their summer wear

Here is the third installment of the Throwback Thursday style inspiration posts I have been releasing each week. This week's focus is the 1940s. Click here for the 1920s and 1930s. The 1940s was a decade struck by great terror - World War II. Half the decade was taken up by official war, and the effects of the war lasted for the entirety of it. However, women did not let rationing affect their sense of style. To me, the 1940s is an era of incredible sophistication. Women drew on the seam of their stockings on to their bare legs, because nylon was rationed. They made dresses, skirts and suits out of old material under the campaign 'Make Do and Mend'. This little post shall highlight the basics of hair, fashion and makeup of the 1940s.

Throwback Thursday - 1930s Style Inspiration

Jean Harlow, film star of the 1930s

This is the next installment in my weekly mini posts, looking at each decade up to the 1960s. This week's theme is the 1930s. If you want to see my 1920s post, click here. The 1930s was hit by The Great Depression so poverty was at an all-time high. Swing becomes the popular music of the decade, overtaking jazz of the 1920s. My favourite Disney film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves was also released in 1937! The Wizard of Oz was also released in 1939, giving rise to the young star, Judy Garland.

Throwback Thursday - 1920s Style Inspiration

 I thought I would start a little Thursday theme based on the popular #tbt. This first one is looking back at the style of the 1920s. Think Great Gatsby, flapper girls and The Charleston.

Mini Post: Bangin' Bangles!

I have been going a little bangle crazy lately. Charity shops are choc-full of them so I always keep my eyes peeled for cute wooden or plastic ones. If you are super lucky you might get some Bakelite or lucite treasures. For the online shops, that are several places you can purchase some incredible bangles for a great price:

Mini Post: Palmer's Olive Oil Hair Mousse

This is a mini post about my hair. Yesterday I purchased this olive oil hair mousse by Palmer's from a shop called Pak's in Dalston, London for approximately £4.99 (also available on Amazon.co.uk). I was in need of some more hair mousse and thought I would give this one a go. 

I set my hair as I normally do (using pin curls - click here to see my YouTube pin curl tutorial). Instead of using my previous Boots brand mousse, I used this Palmer's one. It wasn't as thick as the Boots brand so I wouldn't need as much of it in my hair. I brushed it through. Initially, it felt more sticky than the Boots but I may have put too much on. I set my hair and went to bed.

Mini Post: Tiki-Tastic! - A Taste of the Tropics

Aloha! I apologise for my lack of blog posts this week. I am a very busy bee who is working and currently writing a dissertation and a management essay!

Now, following my previous Valentine's day OOTD (click here to read) where I decided that the tropical Tiki style is totally suitable for this time of the year, I wanted to delve a little more in to that particular style. I am very much looking forward to warmer weather where I can crack out the bamboo bangles and sarong dresses and take them out for a spin. Sadly in Britain, it is raining as we speak (or write, or read, or roller skate - whatever it is you are up to). However, if you are like me and very impractical you could start rolling in the tropical vibe right now - you never know, you might even bring out the sunshine! If you are lucky enough to live in a country that is currently in Summer then I hope that you will find this post inspiring!

Hawaiian dancers - Google

Mini Post - Make-up must haves!

I love applying make-up to transform myself from plain to glamour. It gives me confidence. I wish somebody had told me the magic of hiding my blushing red cheeks throughout school! This little post  is looking at what make-up I use to achieve my pin up look. I do this look everyday. For work I don't wear lipstick but I wear everything else!

Mini Post - In Retrospect magazine launch

BREAKING NEWS: BRITISH BELLES ATTEND MAGAZINE LAUNCH!!
Yeah you guessed it - The British Belles got invited to the In Retrospect magazine launch a couple of weeks ago. In Retrospect magazine used to be only available online, but has now ventured out in to print. This magazine takes a look at more 'authentic' vintage life and style. It was chock-a-block with fantastic little articles to read including what to say when someone comments on how you are dressed (a rather amusing and relatable article, I must say). There is also a feature on 1940s inspired day-wear featuring some beautiful garments by Heyday! - well worth a read!

If any of you can remember, I featured the Grace dress by Vivien of Holloway a few weeks ago (click here to see that post) and I mentioned that I would be wearing it to the magazine launch. Here are a few snaps of the dress in action! White faux fur shrug from Matalan. Photos courtesy of PaVan Wilder.

Mini Post - Vintage clubwear?! Of course!

Hi there guys and dolls!

I recently had a question come up on Tumblr asking if I could do a post about what I wear when I go clubbing! I don't go out a great deal, but when I do, I still like to bring across my sense of style whilst also being practical for the dark and dingy clubs of the streets of England.

One thing I shall say: do not wear vintage. There is a risk of drink being thrown, sweat being dripped and other bodily fluids escaping your oral cavity.

I have a certain number of dresses which I do like to wear and they are all relatively cheap but still have a vintage 'edge'. If I am feeling bold (and I usually am after a vodka or two) then I tend to opt for a pencil skirt - a flattering shape whilst also giving off that vintage glam. I don't do short dresses, so anything below the knee is a winner (I am such a prude). Below I have included some images and links to simple vintage-inspired dresses from the high street and online.

OOTD - Pretty in peach!

I got this gorgeous dress for Christmas. It was from a Britain-based dress company Sexyher (they have a 'rockabilly dress' section on their site here). They aren't vintage reproduction specialists or anything but this one was being sold as a 1950s halterneck circle dress and I thought it was cute! Delivery took a little while but I would put this down to Christmas postal problems.

Mini Post - Vivien of Holloway red satin halterneck circle dress

I went to visit my grandparents the day after Boxing Day and wanted to wear something special as I thought they would appreciate it seeing as the 50s was their era. I decided on my satin halterneck circle dress from Vivien of Holloway which I got off the beautiful Samara (a fellow British Belle).

The colour of this dress is incredible, and I mean incredible. It is a vibrant cherry red and being made of satin has a beautiful shine to it. 

Mini Post - Christmas Presents (Silk vintage-inspired nightwear)

One of the things that I was pleading Santa for was a silk nightwear set. I was lucky enough to have Santa deliver the goods when I opened my presents on Christmas day... and of course I had to do a fun little boudoir style selfie shoot! ;-)

Both the night dress and the dressing gown are from Amazon. They cost around £18 each. I am also wearing Dunlop fluffy mules but they can't be seen in these photos.

I am a very lucky bear to be surrounded by lots of love at Christmas and all other days of the year. Share the love with everybody!

x x x

Mini Post - "Brooch yourself...It's going to be a bumpy ride!"

If I had to choose one accessory to wear every day for the rest of my life, I would choose a brooch. Recently I have been lusting over so many brooches that I thought I would share with you beautiful people which ones I love. Brands included in this post are: Bow and Crossbones, Glitter Paradise, Luxulite and Poison of Choice.

Bow and Crossbones (@bowandcrossbones)

Bow and Crossbones originates from the UK. They have a vast range of vintage reproduction jewellery. If you need novelty brooches, this is your place! Mexican, nautical, lucite - you name it, they've got it!

Novelty brooches all round!

Mini Post - Review of H&M Pink Fluffy Jumper

Just a quick one for you guys! I just purchased this pinky lilac jumper from H&M in Angel, London with my Christmas money...

It was in their sale for £7 down from £19.99 - bargain!

There were only a couple of sizes left, and luckily they had an XS.

I tried it on as a lot of high street shops are selling over-sized jumpers to keep up with the latest trends (which is great, but I wanted more of a tight, vintage fit!)