Matildas Delights

Blind as a bat...an old bat & more pics of old York!

2012-02-01T05:03:00.001Z

It's a long time since I posted my £20 special blog!

It's no secret am getting on now and me ole peepers are failing, so I splashed out on these
from etsy! At £18.

Am having my eyes tested next week and am pretty sure I only need reading glasses, so these will be ideal for menus and small print. I wonder if that famous chain of spectacle sellers will indulge me or if i'll have to send them away to have lenses fitted!

All pretty fitting as my great grandfather was an optical lens maker at the glass works in York.

Redfearn national glass - by the river in York, long gone now.

Shutting Down!

2012-01-31T01:08:00.004Z

That didn't last long I miss everyone too much!

Back to Dieting!

2012-01-29T05:52:00.002Z

Have started a new blog about my adventure to shed the lard!

Miss Lardy Pants apparently looks like the name Miss Lady Parts - eeeeek - not a good move,
but am not chnging it now!

Carvela, you shoe teaser!

2012-01-28T07:02:00.007Z

(GABRIELLE £39 SALE PRICE FROM £120)
(PALOMA IN PURPLE £39)

I am really into Carvela shoes at the moment! They have a sale on their website here!

I purchased the PURPLE DANCER in November for the princely sum of £34.18 - here!
They currently come out at £40 on Amazon, as there is a 20% discount on the site.

Mr M sent me a little cash to my bank and purchased the BREE design for me last night.
At a total of £31.66

Amazon and Carvela are a match made in heaven!

You'll notice that this time I have gone for a thinner, higher heel and no platform or a small one, this is because those upturned front platforms do nothing for me, I can not wait for the return of a flatter platform shape on shoes. That said, I am sure everyone who reads this will find a pair of shoes they fall in love with on one of the sites I have mentioned.

( I am not an affiliate of either site, I just post the things I love the best!)

Bringing you my first 30s robe! Lolita Says!

2012-01-27T20:20:00.004Z

With the most divine Lolita Haze

Something we'd been discussing for ages! Can't really remember how long ago now!
But, it's been well worth the effort on all sides!

Doll Face!

2012-01-25T06:49:00.001Z

It's no secret that I search around for ideas for inspiration, books, internet and old magazines.
I saw this brown eyed blonde and am quite envious of her looks!

1935 doll here sadly, way above my price range, but still delightful!

Basil!

2012-01-24T04:01:00.002Z

Sherlock is all the rage once more, but you can't beat a bit of Basil!

How I'd spend £1800

2012-01-15T19:34:00.007Z

This time last week I was oggling these beautiful examples of Pilkington lustre ware in the Art Gallery, Manchester. Click Picture for bigger and you will see exactly what I mean!

So, if I had £1800 spare, I'd be purchasing the above design from 1910 by
Richard Joyce! here!

York by Day!

2012-01-10T10:56:00.009Z

Not too sure what I think I am doing here! But I have a shed load of loose tea
in my grip, so that could be why I am all leery!!

When you are born and bred in a place I don't think you fully appreciate it's beauty.
I AM very homesick! Also miss blunt Yorkshire honesty, like dad saying bl**dy hell Annie, you've got fat, you are too fat, I don't like you like that it doesn't suit you!!
And then my Aunt shouting
bl**dy hell it's Betty Grable!!

There's no place like home Toto!

York by Night!

2012-01-09T14:35:00.002Z

30s Lucite anyone?

2012-01-04T00:51:00.004Z

I am really quite delighted to have found this on ebay for £12

New Years Eve 2012

2012-01-01T16:59:00.003Z

Whilst you were all dressing up, I dressed Boookie in my newly arrived vintage flowers!
I spent the night in my 70's nightie and leopard robe! Totally un glam!

The In Laws

2011-12-28T16:09:00.004Z

Hard to believe just a month ago we were all at the wedding!!

My Favourite Night of the Year

2011-12-27T15:48:00.003Z

(Hedy)

So, the 31st December is almost upon us.

I have a couple of gowns ready to go, yet no firm plans about where to go for the night!

I may find myself in York, so plans have yet to be made.

We intend to drink bubbles and dress up, where ever !!

What are your plans?

2011: champagne bar or wheelie bin?!

2011-12-25T18:45:00.013Z

The Champagne Bar.

1. Karma - it certainly hits one in the backside, for good or bad!
For me it was all good this year, I got to meet a host of online friends - some I have known since 2006, EVERYONE I have met in December 2011 I can say I honestly love to bits, you all know who you are!!

2. Enjoying the mainland again and remembering why I love Manchester and it's people so much.

(Gracie on the Balcony of the Midland)

3. Faith restored in human kind - if you are prepared to leave your preconceived ideas behind you can enjoy life!

4. Elephants-

5. Crazy Cat rescue women- for rearing a mini Satan.

6. The things people say that get you thinking -

The Wheelie Bin.

1. My attitude to begging - have been away from Manchester so long, I have to admit, I didn't know what to do or how to deal with it.

2. Starvation -

3. Abusive reportage - well there have been many examples this year, totally biased twaddle.
For the record I find the whole TOWIE thing an absolute disgrace, it's revolting.

4. The loss of our loved ones, as we get older we have less family.

(small font on purpose!)

Happy 2012 !!

What have you loathed/loved about the year? Please note I have copied this format from
Red Legs in Soho here she is one of the highlights of my 2011!!

Happy Christmas

2011-12-22T12:36:00.002Z

If only my house looked like this!!

Fleur de Guerre has posted here about the above picture! click!

Safe Journey Gran

2011-12-21T21:13:00.003Z

Thought you'd like to see me aged 14 in my Grans 40s frock.

My Grandmother passed away today after fighting bravely against her illness.
I couldn't think of anything more fitting than to post this picture.
She was the person who gave me the love of old clothing and fashion.

The Dita gathering

2011-12-16T19:02:00.005Z

Thank you to Dita.net & Cointreau UK for the special night out and of course Dita and her team!

£20 challenge!

2011-12-10T08:28:00.004Z

Haven't posted a £20 vintage find post in an age.
So here goes.

On Tuesday I spent the grand total of £11

* velvet full length cape (pics to follow)
* size 7 black vintage gloves
* chinese silk vintage tea cosy
* vintage champagne glass
*greeting card
*various vintage stockings

Total charged £10

Rosebud doll 50p
Crochet thing for dressing table 50p!!

Still have £9 to spend next week!

For Real!

2011-12-09T14:40:00.001Z

Click for bigger and look at the first photo on the right!!

Bierfest 1st December

2011-12-06T05:20:00.007Z

(picture Lee Evans)

(picture Twan Van Beers)

( picture Bruce Horn)

(picture by Moi!)

We had an absolutely smasher of a time and I felt like I've known everyone who came out to play for many years!!

Due to always having a glass of wine in my hand, I didn't take many pictures, so have snaffled a few which I really love from the evening.

Please watch this space for more outings, the next delight will be hosted by Liz in Cambridge!!

A Few Holiday Photos!

2011-12-05T04:09:00.012Z

Am not frightened of being seen in a posh hotel without make-up...

I am scared of.....

She was a sweetheart, but it was one heck of an experience!

Mr M, is braver than I am!!

Last, but not least I chose Whirling Turban for my Wedding Outfit.

Mr M's brother Dirk and his new wife, Bel.

Just look at that for a wedding venue!

Photovalet

2011-12-04T04:01:00.004Z

When you get great service and are pleased with a company, it's nice to say thank you!
So thank you Photovalet! www.photovalet.co.uk

My great grandparents 8th April 1912, in the back yard of 2, Frances Street, York.
This photo is a great childhood memory and thanks to modern technology and some rather
creative souls, I shall have a special gift for my father for Christmas, don't worry he doesn't
read my blog!!!

I promised you crazy stuff and here goes!!

2011-12-03T04:02:00.006Z

After having a fab time out at Katzenjammers, with all my lovely NEW friends, I find myself in the Cointreau Prive club, dressed in a Dirndl!! Sadly, Dita wasn't there to see it!!!

We came from all corners of the globe in search of Dita on 2nd December, the very early hours of the morning! As you do, I picked up a random Matador and asked for a photo! Dita had been and gone!! Perhaps it was just as well?

Mr M doing his best scowly face, as the champers was £1o8 more than he expected the price to be, I said, oh it will be about ££££££ of course I miscalculated, eeeeeeekkkk, he was far happier by the 2nd bottle......at least that's what he told me. Well, don't blame me, I've not been to a West End club for centuries!!

A rather naughty piccy, with my frock just thrown on the sofa of the hotel!!
Payback, you could call it!!

Vintage Gripes - The good, the bad and the downright Ugly Seller.

2011-11-17T15:12:00.011Z

(Olga Baclanova)

Just taken delivery of an online Vintage purchase, which says in the description "No Flaws" .

Paying 215 USD for this item plus expensive postage, am really disgruntled to find the item is watermarked on the shoulder and coming apart down the right hand side of the garment.

Clearly, hasn't been laundered, either.

(Gish)

My dilemma is thus, it fits me perfectly and I love it, but I am furious that the item
has been misrepresented and I wouldn't have paid any more than $98 if I had seen it
for real, as it's not as described. Even $98 would have been too much.

The 2nd part of my dilemma is this, I consider myself an infrequent, yet loyal purchaser from the Vintage Dealer concerned and fail to see how this garment can be seen as having "No Flaws"

(Sylvia Sydney)

So, here's what I do, I do what I did with the last seller that sold me items that are dropping to bits, stink to high heaven and are watermarked as "Flawless". I discuss with my fellow vintage buyers and vote with my feet, I just don't EVER return to that seller.

(Wing)

Now, I understand that everyone has different standards when purchasing their vintage - but you must understand also that both sellers I am discussing here, know my standards and likes and
I just feel cheated.

I'm not a high profile star who collects vintage, so these dealers are not falling over themselves to send me things on approval by the truck load!!! So, I take the risk and trust the items are as described. It turns out it's a vintage lottery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, I leave you with the MOST caring and honest Vintage Dealer I am happy to deal with.

She tells it how it is : see here

Remind me again why I buy vintage and vintage repro?

2011-11-14T19:04:00.004Z

Feeling down in 't dumps and not managing to complete fit camp this time I took myself off to
a well known store.
I should add, always a firm fave of mine in the early 2000's, I could always find something there!

I have a 2nd hand Whirling Turban for the up and coming wedding of the year and suddenly last, night got an attack of mutton dressed as lamb.

Mutton dressed as lamb is an insulting term for a middle-aged or elderly woman who dresses like a much younger woman.

British, informal English.

Mutton is the meat of an old sheep, used for food.

Examples of use:

1. I can't wear that short skirt. I'll look like mutton dressed as lamb.

Normally I like to browse, you know pick styles I like and stick to them, but was completely
stampeded by this over enthusiastic sales lady - here was her first choice for me.

I felt like Linda La Hughes in it in, all honesty. Imagine this in a UK high street 14 or 16, VILE

Whilst she was helpful I found her a bit nutty, why do you like long?
I have a huge varicose vein.....you can get those zapped....
Yes, I know I am on the private waiting list......
You can get concealer you know.
Oh really!

My final response, actually I think women of a certain age look dreadful
in something that is too short...

She then picked up a mini dress and said you could always wear this with leggings....

I rest my case, she just wanted me to look like Linda.

Old York

2011-11-13T23:14:00.004Z

Yorkshire Film Archive online

2011-11-09T17:24:00.002Z

Amazing film footage here 1930's Amy Johnson

I have spent hours on this site!

It is not known who made this film, or another film featuring Amy Johnson that the YFA has of Molly Johnson’s Wedding (Amy‘s sister) from 1933; both were donated by Sewerby Hall, which has a collection of Amy Johnson material .

The film shows Amy Johnson landing at Hedon on 11 August 1930 in the plane she had recently flown single-handedly to Australia, and the civic reception given in her honour in the Guildhall in Hull. This film provides an intimate picture, and shows much of the local people and places. It was at this reception that the Amy Johnson Cup was set up.

Although you wouldn’t know it from the film, the flight to Hedon was not without its scares. Having only a compass to go by because of low cloud, Amy Johnson descended through the clouds to find open sea. It was only the Spurn Head lights that enabled her to land safely on the beach between the groynes. With the help of the coastguards pulling the plane above the tide line, Amy flew on to Hedon the next day.

The airport had started life in 1888 as a race course, but just prior to World War One it was being used as a landing place by early fliers like Gustav Hamel, who became the first ‘flying postman’. It was later used by Alan Cobhams Flying Circus, and by the time Amy Johnson landed there it was a municipal airport. Although the Government requisitioned the airport during World War Two it was never again used for flying, and by the late 1940s it had become a speedway track.

It was for her flying feats that Amy Johnson became a great celebrity in her lifetime, but she was much more than a world record breaking aeronaut. Amy Johnson was also a pioneer for women to enter hitherto male preserves in other respects too. Already known as something of a ‘tomboy’ at school – she was hit by a cricket ball at the age of fourteen, losing several front teeth – Amy

Amy herself was born in Hull, at 154 St. George’s Road, on 1^st July 1903. Her father was a fish merchant and herring importer, and this was an area where many involved in the fishing industry lived. From there her family moved to various other places in Hull: 241 Boulevard, 48 Alliance Avenue, where they lived for 8 years, and finally 85 Park Avenue where they remained until 1931 when the family moved to Bridlington. After Sheffield University Amy returned to Hull to undertake a secretarial course at Wood's College, on Spring Bank.

A combination of personal problems and a desire to widen her horizons led Amy to move to London in 1927. The previous year she went up in an airplane for the first time, and so enjoyed it that she saved up to join the London Aeroplane Club, and started flying lessons at the de Havilland Aerodrome at Stag Lane, near Edgware, in September 1928. Her first instructor claimed that she would 'never make a flier', but a different instructor was more encouraging and Amy gained her full pilot's licence in July 1929 after just 16 lessons – apparently the comedian Will Hay also gave her lessons.

Her enthusiasm for airplanes led her to leave her office to work full-time as a mechanic at Stag Lane. Before long Amy was preparing to break the record time of flying to Australia, of 15 days, as set by Bert Hinker in 1928. Just two weeks before the flight her father was helped by the oil tycoon Lord Wakefield to buy, for £600, a second-hand two-year old De Havilland Moth with a Gipsy engine – a popular sporting plane between the wars – a G-AAAH, she named "Jason", derived from the name of her father’s firm. This is the plane seen in the film: a biplane with an open cockpit, a 9-metre wingspan and a top speed of 90mph. Amy didn’t actually fly it back from Australia herself, but rather took a boat to Egypt before been flown to Croydon by Imperial Airways. It is from here that Amy set off for Hedon. It would be the one and only time that Amy used this plane for any record attempts, being now able to make use of faster planes – it can be seen in the Science Museum, London.

The flight to Australia had been eventful. Having only a flight from Hull to London as long distance experience, Amy set off at 7.45am on the 5th of May 1930, with a thermos flask and a packet of sandwiches. She eventually crash landed at Darwin on 24th May having travelled nearly 11,000 miles. On the way, in torrential rain, fading light and low on petrol, Amy mistook a football field for the runway and crash landed at Insein, just north of Rangoon. This entailed repairs and the delay meant that she failed to break the record. But her solo flight nevertheless brought her huge fame and fortune – £10,000 from the Daily Mail.

Not content with this though Amy Johnson went on to set more records: in July 1931, with Jason II, becoming the first pilot to fly from London to Moscow in one day – 1,760 miles in approximately 21 hours; for Moscow to Tokyo in 10 days in 1931; for Britain to India.

Amy gave up flying for records after the disappearance of Amelia Earhart in 1937, during an attempted round-the-world flight. Amelia Earhart (coincidentally also known as ‘Amy’) was Johnson’s US rival, and possible inspiration, who had become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean in June 1928. Amy Johnson was right to be wary as she suffered a similar fate to Amelia Earhart’s just four years later. With the outbreak of war Amy joined the newly formed ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) in May 1940. A women’s section of the ATA had been established in January 1940 by another woman pilot, Pauline Gower. One of their jobs was to transport Royal Airforce planes around the country – women not being allowed to fly in combat. It was on one such mission that Amy drowned in the Thames Estuary.

On 5^th January 1941 Amy Johnson took off in thick, freezing fog from Blackpool airport to deliver an aeroplane to an RAF base in Kidlington, Oxfordshire. There has been much speculation as to how an experienced pilot such as Amy could have found herself so lost and running out of fuel. But in all likelihood she had to stay above cloud level, and with no other means of navigation, in order to prevent ice build up on the windows. Thinking she was over land Amy bailed out and landed in the water. Although spotted alive by HNS Haslemere she was sucked under by the boat despite the efforts of Lieutenant Commander Walter Fletcher, who dived into the icy waters after her, and who himself died of hypothermia in the rescue attempt. Her body was never found.

As well as being awarded the CBE, Amy also received: the Egyptian gold medal for valour (1930), the women’s trophy of the International League of Aviators (1930), the President’s gold medal of the Society of Engineers (1931), the Segrave Trophy (1933), the gold medal of honour of the League of Youth (1933), and the gold medal of the Royal Aero Club (1936). In 1942 a film was made of Amy Johnson's life, They Flew Alone, starring Anna Neagle as Johnson, and Robert Newton as Mollison. The British Women Pilot's Association continues to uphold her name through an annual Amy Johnson Memorial Trust Scholarship which helps outstanding women pilots further their careers.

References

The Hull Local Studies library has a large collection of material relating to Amy Johnson. On their website can be found a very useful summary of her life with a comprehensive bibliography and list of other source materials: historycentrehull

Constance Babington Smith, Amy Johnson, Collins, London, 1967

Judy Lomax, Women of the Air: Amy Johnson, British Heroine from Hull, John Murray Ltd, London, 1986

Roy Nesbit, ‘What did happen to Amy Johnson?’, Aeroplane Monthly, January, 1988

Gordon Snell, Amy Johnson, Queen of the Air, Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1980

The Amy Johnson Collection at Sewerby Hall:

British Women Pilots' Association

International organisation of women pilots: The Ninety-Nines

Further Information

Charles Dixon, Amy Johnson - Lone Girl Flyer, Sampson Low, London, 1930

Liz Moscrop and Sanjay Rampal, The 100 Greatest Women in Aviation, Aerocomm, 2008.

Rosanne Welch, Encyclopaedia of Women in Aviation and Space, Oxford: ABC-CLIO, 1998

Kingston upon Hull City Council, Silvered Wings, A Commemorative Brochure, Kingston upon Hull City Council, 1980

Yorkshire Post , ‘Amy Johnson 50th anniversary supplement’, May 19th 1980.

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He's been with us 2 weeks today!!

2011-11-04T10:41:00.009Z

Above, a selection of my most favourite people with pictures of Des Chat Noir!

Here is Booookie on his first day on the dining table, he's been with us seconds!!
If I tell you now, as I write this, he's in the same basket on by bedside cabinet fast asleep, you'll
understand how he's settled in so well!! He's a rescue boy and was found on the Island of Sark.
We all LOVE him!

Fancy Hats and Royalty

2011-11-02T10:31:00.013Z

16th July 1921, Joseph Rowntree hands over the deeds to Rowntree Park to the people of the city.
The park was dedicated to the memory of the 200 Rowntree factory men who perished in WWI.

Bertie with my Great, Great, Grandfather's sword behind his head. July 1924.

If you ever wondered why I like dressing up, it's all apparent now, check out my Great, Great, Grandfather, who was Sword bearer to the Lord Mayor of York (from 1900 until his own death in 1934) For which he was paid £80 per year circa 1900.

Lord Asquith assisted down the stairs by Lord Mayor Oscar Rowntree....19th October 1927, St Helen's Square, York.

Vampires in the Blitz....

2011-10-31T22:31:00.006Z

Return of the Vampire 1944, one to see and certainly one of my favourites!!

Silence is Golden

2011-10-30T15:21:00.008Z

Feeling weary and worn out, I removed myself from the crazy strains of internet social networking for a short while and took myself back to basics!I now find myself in the strange world of researching my ancestry! AND it's addictive!

There are a quite few unsolved mysteries!! It's amazing what you can find if you look!

I'll leave you with a few images and more to come.......

www.ancestry.co.uk

Special thanks to Helen, Debbie & Laurie for helping out one crazy lady!

enough said....

2011-10-26T20:05:00.000+01:00

The Sting

2011-10-25T20:25:00.005+01:00

Watched The Sting yesterday. haven't see it since I was a child!

I must admit, as a dress designer I have a bit of a thing for Edith Head.

The dresses she made for Eileen Brennan are amazing.

New Movie coming soon!

2011-10-24T19:45:00.000+01:00

The Savoy Hop Cats welcomed Atomic Age Pictures to the Ghost Lounge for the filming of their latest Vintage movie, 'The Naughty Lady'. We will post the footage on our page once it has been edited. Every Monday night the doors of the historic Hotel San Carlos are opened up and the Savoy Hop Cats welcome people of all ages and from all walks of life to come participate in the weekly swing dance event known as Savoy Night. The Hotel was built in the late 1920's and offers a completely unique and authentic environment to host a swing dance event. A beginners lesson is offered every week from 7:30pm to 8:30pm and the Savoy Hop Cats play a mix of all the best swing dance songs until 11:00pm. Be sure to check out their new weekly swing dance event, Cafe' le Swing every Thursday night. For more information you can visit: www.SavoyHopCats.com/

Black Cats!

2011-10-23T15:52:00.001+01:00

BLACK CATS

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Love this !! Click on piccy to play!

Dirty Little Secret!

2011-10-09T17:01:00.005+01:00

I have heard lots of noise about a manicure that REALLY lasts recently on this Isle.

So, being the clumsy thing that I am, the whole idea really appealed to me. WHAT NO CHIPS?

I had my manicure at The-Beauty-Room-at-Tramps 6 days ago and the above picture was taken
today. Not a chip in sight.

Pros:
High shine.
Durability.
LOTS of colours.
Apparently strengthens the nails.
Fast drying!
I have done x3 1 hour fit camps with this product on my nails, still NO chips!

Cons:
I like a hand treatment when I have my manicures.
You get a nail shape and colour only and a cuticle treatment.
A tad expensive.

What is this product?

Shellac manicure

Read about it in the telegraph Here! Don't just take my word for it!

"the charming debutante, the essence of youthful sophistication and charm"

2011-10-08T09:17:00.000+01:00

FEMININE PICTORIALITIES NO. 51 - WHIRLY, CURLY, GIRLS

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75 years

2011-10-07T23:15:00.004+01:00

Natural History Museum, had a party in March 2010 to celebrate 75 years of the Charnos Brand. The Charnos brand was founded in 1936 by Charles Henry Noskwith (Char...Nos!) who had a unique passion for high quality raw materials, new technologies in yarns and knitting manufacturing techniques - making innovation the heart of the family business ethos.

This ethos stuck and when the business embraced lingerie in 1958, as a natural extension to it's hosiery business, the brand developed a unique place in the hearts of women across the UK, responding to their needs and delivering exquisitely designed yet highly functional products to support them throughout their day and throughout their lives. This was celebrated this year with a terrific party and catwalk show, with the Natural History Museum as a backdrop. The son and indeed Chairman of the Charnos Brand until his retirement attended the party with his wife, both of whom still live locally to the businesses that manage the Charnos brand today - and they were thrilled to see the life and verve felt by both those managing the brands today and of those wearing the brands today!

(Taken and adapted from Charnos news) Here

Look here to buy http://www.stockingshq.com/search/75th

Oh, I purchased the Jackie!! Jackie Tights are made from a soft tulle with an elegant backseam. A sumptuous black velour bow sits at the bottom of the seam, just above the ankle, with a single diamante in the middle.

Women's League of Health & Beauty

2011-09-18T15:20:00.008+01:00

Mary Bagot Stack

With her daughter Prunella Stack, 1926.

The Fitness League History

In 1930 Mary Bagot Stack created the Women’s League of Health & Beauty. Her vision was of “a league of women who will renew their energy in themselves and for themselves day by day”. She believed completely in the power of women to make the world a better place to live in.

Her work started in London where in 1925 she opened her Bagot Stack Health School. By 1930 she had trained enough enthusiastic young teachers to help her launch her ‘Women’s League’ which enjoyed immediate and outstanding success - the growth was spectacular. Mary Bagot Stack was a total inspiration and her ‘health training’ classes combined exactly the right mixture of hard work and fun so that after only 7 years since its inception 166,000 women had joined the League.

Mary Bagot Stack died in 1935 at the age of 50. That her movement has survived more than 70 years beyond her death is testament not only to the devotion that she inspired in her daughter Prunella and friends Peggy and Joan St.Lo who carried on her work, but to the true and lasting value of the idea itself. Read more HERE!

Click on this picture below, it takes you to a wonderful Pathe movie!

(WOMEN'S LEAGUE OF HEALTH AND BEAUTY)

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Dancing Lady 1933

2011-09-12T20:26:00.011+01:00

Joan had to do intensive fitness training for this 1933 role.

Loving the bike on rollers, Mr M is threatening to get me a modern version for Mabel
my Pashley for winter time.

If you didn't already know I am doing 4 weeks of Fit Camp from today!

My Grandparents.

2011-09-10T17:21:00.000+01:00

A wartime wedding.

Estimated at a Cool $200,000 -$300,000

2011-09-08T22:24:00.002+01:00

Travilla design for Miss Monroe in The River Of No Return 1954

Auction date October 22nd!

Glitz & Pieces

2011-09-03T11:07:00.002+01:00

Limited group pf 300 to swap and sell vintage and repro!
Join us on facebook here!

Stamps my foot!

2011-08-30T12:45:00.006+01:00

I have a bug bear when I get parcels, I love stamps and they hardly ever feature on things from the UK any more, just those great big gold sticker stamp thingies .....grrrrr....

Yvonne de Carlo

2011-08-24T10:55:00.001+01:00

2011-08-22T22:55:00.000+01:00

New frocks

2011-08-21T00:00:00.001+01:00

£10 from marisota in the sale!!

and the now famous Fleur by Heyday!! This one was limited and I got it as fast as I could!
I have 3 of these now and need a few more for my jollies am hoping they have some more limited editions soon!

2011-08-19T21:55:00.001+01:00

Just love this. Inspiration for my new hair! Can you see it!!

Love boys with red hair too !!

Kind of reminds me of Dita!

2011-08-16T14:35:00.000+01:00

Guernsey Sunday!

2011-08-15T10:32:00.005+01:00

A little bit of Rita aged 17

2011-08-13T10:31:00.000+01:00

Naughty Carole 1933

2011-08-12T22:02:00.001+01:00

Beautiful Bette

2011-08-11T12:19:00.000+01:00

2011-08-08T17:44:00.000+01:00

I did it, please don't mind the freaky self portrait! xx

For Miss Rayne!

2011-08-07T09:47:00.000+01:00

Night Train

2011-08-06T21:21:00.001+01:00

Dita bringing UK the Strip Strip Hooray show!

2011-08-02T14:32:00.002+01:00

Am delighted and hope I can make it!

How to Wear a Snood with short or Fine hair

2011-08-01T10:13:00.006+01:00

Amanda Lee wears Arthelia's attic snood!

As does Lolita Haze!

It's simple really, you need a 3/4 length wig, mine is from Annabelles Wigs

I pull most of my own hair I want to add to my rolls at the front forward
and put the piece on -

see this great video

Then pop your snood over the wig ( not keen on this pic, but it shows you what I mean)
pin and no one is the wiser!

After shoes, my 2nd fave subject hair

2011-07-30T11:25:00.004+01:00

These nifty little dryers are all over the "Bay" currently. ( mine as per ebay auction above)
I need to give mine a good 'ole wash and brush up and change it's filters!

The beauty of these is, no more sleeping in wet rollers overnight!
They were manufactured in the UK and USA so are fairly easy to find!!

If you can find one grab it quickly for your vintage do!!

Chaps get shoes too!!

2011-07-29T17:01:00.004+01:00

F-Troupe for chaps!! Mr M is a Lucky Lucky boy!!

delightful bargain! From coggles.com

F-Troupe website here! So darling!!!

Oooooopsies

2011-07-28T21:58:00.008+01:00

Scored another pair of the Melissa shoes I was telling you about a couple of days ago, in a different colourway from ebay for £25, here they are! (photo swiped from ebay auction)

it's all Dita's fault really! Ha!

August £20 buy.....

2011-07-27T02:11:00.003+01:00

Well, a little over £20 and it's not quite August, but needs must when shoes are involved!!

Ashia Wine flock shoes, by Melissa www.coggles.com

Save The Date

2011-07-26T10:08:00.002+01:00

5th October 2012

Miss M & Mr M

Invitation to follow

Good enough for Rita....

2011-07-25T15:26:00.004+01:00

Then it's good enough for me.............

Vegas 2012 all the way baby.....

Falsies

2011-07-19T09:18:00.012+01:00

(The Kiss - Man Ray 1930)

With popularity comes normality!

There has been much discussion recently about "Vintage" what it means and
how much some people feel it's been invaded by the mass market.

I took this on board and have decided to ditch my 40's look for now ( it's becoming too generic for me, which is too too much! Tongue firmly in cheek here!)

Ladies and gents I give you the flirty 30's!!
Named so, because I have flirted with 30's style and am now embracing it!

To create my Man Ray Lips, I mix bright red Chanel Lipstick and a Barry M red brown together
and draw an exaggerated line to get the shape with my lip brush, as above. I need a deeper red
to get the full Man Ray effect.

To set it I press my loose Guerlain powder into my new lips and brush away excess carefully with my powder brush, I adore that Guerlain powder, it smells of violets!
I then repaint, this can take time, but I have a tiny mouth so it's worth the effort.

(Tears Man Ray 1930-1932)

No well dressed vintage face should be without good eye definition. To recreate
the above look you have to make little balls at the ends of your lashes with mascara, it was
a very popular technique in Paris in the 30's.

If you haven't got the skills there are falsies to be had, such as these beauties.
Currently on sale at www.thepeasknees.co.uk
Never easy to apply, but always worth the time and effort!
My current favourites are Ardell Lashes, because they are good quality and the glue
in the packet is amazing. No more weirdy little tubes of rubbish glue!

Good lash glue is a must and I have found Lashgrip to be the very best to work with.

Here's a brilliant how to apply movie

Visit www.ardelllashes.com and try out the interactive tool to see which lashes are for you!

The best place for buying lashes online in the UK is www.eyebeauty.co.uk

I wear 111 seen here, as I like the flutter effect they give me.

Note you can wash your lashes on removal and they last forever if you treat them well.

I did it, the big chop!

2011-07-18T16:56:00.005+01:00

I think mine is shorter!
and of course, you know who wanted in....

Wallis, Madonna & me!

2011-07-14T13:53:00.008+01:00

I fancy a nice side part, not unlike this shade and style.....

Gimme the Cartier Banther bracelet too, I wonder if she got it from the recent sale of the
Wallis Simpson Collection? It sold for 4.5 mill at Sotheby's in December 2011...

There was speculation at the time and I think she's wearing it with the above outfit.

Before you all shout no she's not, she's been spotting wearing this 1935 piece from the auction.

also sporting my fave hair do!!

£20 Buy for July!

2011-07-12T13:14:00.003+01:00

Just came in at a little over £22.03 on ebay, but never the less can't wait for it to arrive.

1939 World's Fair Link

More 30's hair, ahhh Joanie

2011-07-09T10:38:00.003+01:00

The 30's blonde!

2011-07-07T15:26:00.003+01:00

The more I see 'em the more I wanna be one!!

Boudoir slippers!

2011-07-05T08:48:00.006+01:00

I give you Streetzie's High Heeled Bunny Slippers here!
Oh yes, I could see Ms Lombard tripping about in these babies!

Streetzie sent me some delish Poodles too, I am honoured as they are
a prototype, now what to send her in return?

Carole Day 5

2011-06-30T22:04:00.000+01:00

oops Carole and her hair catch up!

2011-06-29T09:25:00.004+01:00

1 week of Carole and her Hair

2011-06-26T10:47:00.003+01:00

Gone with the Wind premier hair 1939.

Carole

2011-06-25T14:44:00.003+01:00

As the blog began with Carole many moons ago, thought you'd like to see what I want to

do with my hair colour wise....

Now my foot is almost healed, I am going to strip the dye out of my hair next week and take a closer look :-)

Micheline Bernardini & the suntan

2011-06-23T10:17:00.014+01:00

Back to the subject of vintage suntans, here is Micheline Bernardini.

She debuted the modern bikini in 1946 in Paris.

Louis Réard could not find a model who would wear his design. At the time Micheline was a 19 year old nude dancer at the Casino de Paris.

His bikini was made out of 30 square inches (194 cm²) of fabric with newspaper type printed across and introduced at a fashion event at Piscine Molitor, a very popular public pool in Paris.

She certainly, isn't pale in these pictures.

Then I went on to look for more evidence that people really did tan in the summer in the old days:

The Miss World contest debuted in London in 1951 and these gals are certainly tanned.

More tans in 1954.

and a selection of my favourite film stars with less than pale skin. Disclaimer at the bottom.

Disclaimer: This is not the look we are hoping to go for with a touch of colour!

Horrified, Mortified and Mystified all in one day!

2011-06-22T13:07:00.015+01:00

For a while now I have been reading with interest about women and clothing size issues across the United Kingdom.

Firstly, I don't shop on the High Street at all, because I currently make my

own clothing, wear vintage or browse the rails of the charity shops.

Here's my story from 2004, I was a size ??? ?? or was I, I didn't know my measurements,
I had the opportunity to get back into a decent sales Career without the up to date Career wardrobe.
So, off I toddled off to the Trafford Centre.

First call, the Dorothy Perkins sale, as they seemed to have a range of suits for Business wear.
I tried on a fab Boucle suit in the sale it was a size 16, it was too small, I was Horrified and MORTIFIED and all those other "fied" words.

I asked the shop girl if she had this sale suit in an 18, GULPs!
They didn't...I told her I couldn't believe I was an 18...she said, try next door, Evans, after looking me up and down then said, as you'll probably find a 16 there is too big for you....and they may have some Boucle.

Whatttttt? I took her advice and went to Evans, where indeed a 16 was like wearing my
mums suits as a 4 year old.

By now I was Mystified, a 14 in one store was too large and an 18 in another was
just right.

I was really quite angry, reluctantly I purchased the size 18 for the Lady in Dorothy Perkins and reader I got the job!

At this point in time I had never heard of vanity sizing I learned this from RetroChick and her campaign for clearer sizing. Some years later it still haunts me thinking about that size 18 suit.

I have learned many things since, there is no shame in wearing a size 18 vintage frock, because
these days it would be probably labelled a 12!! There was no shame in buying that size 18 suit either in 2004.

If one more person quotes MM as wearing a size 16, I'll scream (see here for MM stats and THAT Liz Hurley comment PDF page 27 ) by what criteria was she ever a 16?

I digress!

What I'd like to see:

Garments sold by actual measurements, there is too much power
within this industry small, med, large, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12,
who cares I just want something to fit me.

With actual garment sizing also brings a little bit of health awareness, if my waist expands
I won't just rush to the shop that tells me I am a size 10, nope ....

That's my take on all this. But of course it doesn't really figure in my world as I don't wear high street and am far more used to using my actual measurements to purchase clothing.

I am aware of my size, really I am, the fashion industry just needs to catch up.

If you really want to learn how to measure yourself, Miss Amanda Lee & Doug show you how!

1945 Make your own Mannequin kit

2011-06-18T11:19:00.003+01:00

I'm going through an inventive phase, so all my recent posts are about quirky inventions
and the like!! The thought of this is adorable.

You can purchase one this here!!

The Kissing Machine

2011-06-16T17:35:00.005+01:00

Legend has it that the human kissers were demanding more cash so Mr Max Factor Jr came up with an oscillating machine to do the hard graft, whilst developing a fade and smear proof lipstick.

By 1940 Max had developed the Tru- color Lipstick the first ever smear and fade proof lippy! It came in 6 shades of red, see above.

Can you have a Sun Tan and be Vintage?

2011-06-14T13:47:00.009+01:00

2 x 1940's ads

1932, cellophane blanket stopped burning and allowed UV through to
give a safe suntan.

1928 - Lena Malena getting a "Raytan" for her role in the MGM movie Diamond Handcuffs.

I think it's totally wrong to assume everyone was milky white in the old days due to lack of exposure to the suns rays....

£20 Buy for June!

2011-06-09T09:42:00.002+01:00

You'll recall I had £12.39 left over from my May purchase, so I bought this frock on Etsy
for $48.00 (£30.14)

Unlike most modern reproductions it has a decent length of 47 1/2 inches, why pay
£120 when you can get something really pretty for a quarter of the price.

That's why I love Vintage/preworn.

£20 Buy for May!

2011-06-08T10:16:00.008+01:00

$12 wich was £7.61 from Etsy!

2 Years old!

2011-06-06T11:32:00.001+01:00

Launched 2009...

Miss Amanda Lee Day 6 & 7

2011-06-05T12:49:00.003+01:00

Miss Amanda Lee Day 5

2011-06-02T15:14:00.002+01:00

By Doug Monce

You Could be the Owner of a Pashley by Sunday

2011-06-01T10:03:00.003+01:00

Dear UK ladies, you don't have to be attending "Swing For Skin" aboard HMS Belfast
to be up for the wonderful prizes donated for this DEBRA function!

Nope, you can sit at home and buy a few books of tickets, knowing you are in the running
for some WONDERFUL prizes!!

Join me, I'm missing out on the fun so I may as well try and win me some delights!!

List of Prizes and Button to purchase tickets here!! SwingForSkin Raffle

Miss Amanda Lee Day 4

2011-06-01T09:40:00.000+01:00

Miss Amanda Lee By Doug Monce

Miss Amanda Lee Day 3

2011-05-31T17:49:00.002+01:00

By Doug Monce

Miss Amanda Lee Days 1 & 2

2011-05-30T12:13:00.004+01:00

Golden Star by Korpong Studio

Hula Gal by Doug Monce, Atomic Age Pictures.

As promised 7 days of Miss Amanda Lee.

Fish Pedicure, Half moon mani, as promised & a few more tips!

2011-05-28T17:05:00.009+01:00

Here follows a very fair review on my Fish pedicure, as promised.
I did it, it was nice, but I wouldn't spend £50 on it again.

The best part was the Opi nail polish at the end. Simplistic? Hell, yeah.
I'd rather soak my own feet in Fairy liquid in the washing up bowl.

I won't be having one for a while anyway as later that night
I fractured my ankle, but the OPI polish is still going strong.

You can just about see my half moon mani I had done at the salon at the same time and I would have that done again!

Lana days 6 & 7 !

2011-05-28T11:22:00.002+01:00

Next week a whole week of Miss Amanda Lee!

Lana days 4 & 5!

2011-05-26T08:32:00.002+01:00

Lana Day 3

2011-05-24T17:30:00.001+01:00

Candid on set of the Three Musketeers, 1948.

Week Of Lana Day 2

2011-05-23T00:41:00.002+01:00

Lana & a friend in Amsterdam!

One week of Lana Day 1

2011-05-22T09:58:00.002+01:00

I declare this week Lana Turner week!! Lana Candid, 1948.

Which Shape Wear ? 1-10

2011-05-19T19:07:00.005+01:00

Tried and tested by yours truly

L3018 Glamour Zip Underbust Panty Girdle

Why?
1. £55 reasonable price for a well constructed piece
2. I danced constantly in it at a ball and it was VERY comfortable
3. I like the idea it's all in one brief no fussing about with big knickers
4. suspender straps are very sturdy and kept my seams straight all night
5. pulled me in by a couple of inches
6. Fab no seams showing under my taffetta frock and looks steamlined under satin frocks too.
7. No fat back syndrome with this little number (does not push surplus skin/fat upwards causing a bulge)
8.I can wear my own bra, all in ones flatten my boobies!
9.Fast delivery, always!
10. Customer service second no NO ONE!!

"Continuing our quest to provide shapewear solutions in every possible permutation, this longline satin and powermesh panty girdle is great for girls who prefer their hosiery in the form of holdups or tights. It's also perfect to wear under trousers, all thanks to the four detachable suspender clips.

This variation on our popular underbust girdle is a serious piece of shapewear, and will make a visible difference to your figure, while still being comfortable enough to wear for long periods. Strategic hook-and-eye fastenings at the side and underneath make it easy to slip in and out of, as well as ensuring powder room breaks are a breeze. The high rise guarantees no gap between bra and girdle, resulting in a beautifully smooth line under even the tightest clothing. Time to get your wiggle on, girls!

Available in stylish black, and delicate peach, which is invisible under light clothing."

WhatKatieDid

made for each other 1939 (full movie)

2011-05-18T16:12:00.002+01:00

English Rose

2011-05-17T08:16:00.001+01:00

Is it possible to remain glamourous................................ ?

2011-05-15T11:12:00.003+01:00

.................with a boken limb?

These 2 could, but not me, I'm still figuring out how to sleep!

If you didn't already know I broke my ankle by going completely over the side of a pair of 40's 4" heels.....heels intact I am not.

Big sigh !