Lady Cherry Loves

Goodbye to all that

2012-01-02T16:12:00.002Z

I am leaving you behind, Blogger, with all all of your weird quirks and functionality. I am moving to www.vintagegoddessintraining.com

I have been considering this for a while. Blogger has its funny ways, and I have two blogs, this one, and well, the other one. I wanted to find a way of combining all of my passions without compromising readership. And the title of this blog was getting on my wick a bit, to be honest. I am a silly changey mindy person, as you know.

So the content of this and my other blog has been exported to WordPress. Now, I considered WP when I first started blogging, but Blogger was recommended for technophobes or IT plebs like me because it is simple. But, Wordpress has got a lot more features, which was very daunting at first, but their guide is very easy to follow. And, I could export all my old content. Which I have. It will of course stay here until .... well forever really. Until I choose to delete it. Which may well be never.

So, what can you expect on the new site? More of the same ramblings really - me pulling faces, me spying lovely things to buy, me reviewing red lipstick...but it is going to be a little bit more than that. More, whole lifestyle oriented. So more baking posts, more sewing stuff. I am hijacking the posh camera for prettier photos. More gardening and home, more how tos...more about being frugal, as we are all needing to these days. Even the Queen. And, I have got to the point where people are contacting me, wanting to review their services, and this means that I am being offered freebies for you guys. So I want it to look spiffing and professional in order to do more of this, and I can't feel like I can do that properly on this host. It works for lots of you, but it's not quite working for me.

Unfortunately you will not be able to connect using GoogleFriendsConnect, as it's not compatible with WordPress (and according to the ever helpful Retrochick, it will not be compatible with anything other tha Google owned sites soon). But you can still follow in a number of ways:

through a WordPress account

through your RSS feed - you can click to subscribe on the new site, and it will show up in your Google Reader feed - this is the easiest way of continuing to read my posts if you are on Blogger

you can cut and paste the above URL into the 'subscribe to' box in your feed

through e mail updates. Yes, I will be able to e mail you to let you know when I have added a new post. How amazeballs is that? So keeping up with the life and larkery of Lady Cherry has never been easier.

And, you can still follow me on Twitter (I tweet alot. Sometimes when I have been at the gin. I think I'm being awfully amusing, but if you don't, feel free to tell me). And you can follow me on Facebook, where I post offers I hear about, interesting news articles and all sorts really.

So, new year, new website. Exciting times. SCARY times. What if no one follows me? What if you all abandon me?? Well....only time will tell ;-) but of course I would love for you to come on over and have a look, and please, please give me some feedback on it. There is a contact form, and I want to see if it works.....

Hope to see you on the other side.....

Lady C
-x-

Cocktails for Two

2011-12-31T17:24:00.000Z

Cocktails for Two, performed by Spike Jones and The City Slickers in 1945. Such a fun little song, it cannot fail to lift your mood.

I am sporting a late twenties look this evening....but I've got nowhere to go *woe is me*

Oh what's a girl to do....

Should I eye up Lord Cherry? Maybe he will get the hint

Bugger it, that didn't work *looks indifferent*

Sometimes the whole world is better if you just smile....

I guess I will just have to turn my living room into a speakeasy. Well I tried to warn him....

Have a happy and safe evening however you plan to see the New Year in! Unless of course you are in Oz. In which case, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Lady C xx

Vintage Filmery coming to a Picture House near you!

2011-12-05T13:52:00.001Z

Merry Christmas, Seasons' Greetings, and all that jazz. Hope you have had a good one. I have been experimenting more with my hair recently, and am pleased to report that now my hair is damaged from heated appliances and dye (and stripping out dye), victory rolls are much easier to do. Every cloud has a silver lining. I am also plreased to report that I am off work until 9th Jan YIPPEE, so I have more time to blog, sew, bake, and read all of your blogs, too.

Upon our visit to the picture house to see My Week with Marilyn, I noted that there are several talkies coming out that a vintage lovin' gal like you might be interested in seeing.

The Artist is the one I am most excited about. Set in the late twenties, it charts the rise of a talkies star and the decline of the silent movies....and the film is filmed entirely in black and white, and is silent. That really is a test of acting skills....the French male lead Jean Dujardin won the Best Actor award at the Canne Film Festival for this role in the summer.

Released 30th December 2011

J. Edgar - based on that J. Edgar, director of the FBI for almost 40 years. This one stars Leo DiCaprio, and I admit I quite like the portrayal of famous figures he has done so far. This is a personal story of his private struggle to not become morally corrupted by the power that he held.

Released 20th January 2012

The Iron Lady - I may not agree with her political stance, but Margaret Thatcher was one hell of a woman. And I do love a pussy bow blouse ;-) The lead is played by Meryl Streep, who is nearly always worth watching.

Release date 6th January 2012

Sherlock Holmes 2 (Released 16th December) might be worth a look if you enjoyed the first one (which I mostly did).

Don't forget avaiable on DVD now are Water for Elephants, Made in Dagenham and The King's Speech!

Lady C x

Film Review: My Week With Marilyn

2011-12-05T12:18:00.001Z

We have been waiting for this one for a while. I was a little apprehensive as some mini reviews on Twitter have been less than complimentary. But I am pleased to say I came out of the cinema not feeling as though I had wasted my money.

In case you don't know, the film is set on the set of 'The Prince and The Showgirl', (originally 'The Sleeping Prince') the film that Marilyn came to England to co-star and be directed by Lawrence Olivier in July 1956. This was her first independant project since she was rnegotiated her studio contract. Marilyn was desperate to be taken seriously as an actor; to be known for her talent rather than the sex symbol created by the studios. The story is told through the eyes of Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), who landed a job as the third assistant director, and was lucky enough to spend some time with Marilyn (Michelle Williams).

When Williams first appeared on screen, I'm not going to lie, I thought she lacked the charisma and personal aura that made Marilyn so captivating to men and women alike. It looks as though there was some padding around the hips of the dress she was wearing, despite Williams reportedly gaining weight to play the role. The first press conference was almost cringeworthy, but was saved by her witty retort to a cheeky journalist. (The cheeky journalist's question is true, but in reality happened when they initially announced the project in New York, re-inforcing Marylin's belief that she was treated as an air headed sex object; whether the retort is true, I'm not sure). But somehow, Williams seemed to grow into it.

She captured Marilyns' insecurities in her own abilities, her vunerability and need for constant reassurance and moments of sheer brilliance as an actress perfectly. My initial uncertainty was unfounded. Williams performance is brilliant.

The film is apparently based on a book by Colin Clark called The Prince, The Showgirl and Me; I have never read it, but I would love to hear from any of you that had. Of course, we can only take his word for it that these are his personal experiences. In terms of the scenes on set, it is well known that Olivier ended up despising Marilyn because of her frequent lateness, the presence of Paula Strazbourg (Zoe Wannamaker) undermining his directorship, and her lack of interaction with him. The feeling was mutual; Olivier's comment that he wanted her 'to be sexy' marked the end of their professional relationship.

Kenneth Branagh is magnificent as Oliver (as he almost always is). Dougray Scott makes a brief appearance as Marilyn's then troubled husband of just three weeks, Arthur Miller. And of course Judi Dench has a role (is it me or does she have a role in every other film these days?) as Sybil Thorndyke, the Queen Dowager in 'The Prince and the Showgirl'. She took command of the screen in her scenes, as only an actress of her breadth and experience can.

Costumes are by Jill Taylor, with much of it being actual vintage. Hurrah! The scene in the park made me want to run out and buy a new cream shirt; it never looked so stylish or sexy. (Apparently it was a men's shirt, and Marilyn wore them frequently around this time).

One thing I will say is that I was disappointed at the lack of showings available at my local cinemas. This film was funded by the BBC and the UK Film Council and filmed on location at Pinewood (where the actual film was made) and various other UK locations. I find it really disappointing that Britflicks aren't supported a bit more. As per the genre of British made films, this lacked the glossiness of Hollywood Productions Inc, and that is what enabled Marilyns character to really shine through and the audience to connect with that.

Definitely worth braving the potential snow and parting with some hard earned spondoolies.

Lady C x

World AIDS Day

2011-12-01T18:16:00.001Z

I didn't want to let this day pass without a mention. As you voted overwhelmingly that this is my blog, and I should write what I please, this is an issue that has been important to me for a long time.

I am reading a book called 'The End of Poverty' by Jeffrey Sachs. I am not very far into it. Nonetheless I have been touched by Sachs' personal experiences, in particular, those of the plight against the spread of HIV in Malawi.Did I type plight? I meant futile attempt.

Sachs details that over 900,0000 people in Malawi are HIV positive. That is 11.9% of the population (2007 data). Death has changed the demographic; there are villages with very few males aged between 20- 35 because the disease has claimed them. They have no one to do the manual labour that is needed in order for them to sustain themselves. There is a hospital that treats HIV positive people for a dollar a day. The strain of HIV in Malawi has not become stronger through exposure to antiretroviral drugs; the life expectancy of the patients dramatically increases. The average daily wage in Malawi is 50 cents. Out of 900,000 infected, the hospital treats, on average, 400 people a day. In total, 22.5 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are infected (source). That is 75% of the total people infected with HIV worldwide. That is, of course, based on those that know they are infected.

The rate of spread of infection in the UK has increased since the 1990s. Just 80% of the population are aware that HIV is spread by unprotected sex (source). What is the problem here? I am no expert in this matter, but I can clearly remember the 'Don't Die of Ignorance' tv campaign in the late eighties. I remember the death of Freddie Mercury twenty years ago, and the Mark Fowler story line in Eastenders (isn't it sad when we rely on soap operas to raise awareness of important social issues?) But I cannot remember any other publicity campaign to raise awareness of this horrifying virus.

One way of raising awareness amongst our teenagers is the film 'Africa United'. In this moving film, a group of children, led by a HIV positive boy, travel down to South Africa to watch the world cup. I intend to show this to my 13 year old son. He needs to know the dangers of unprotected sex. He has been taught this at school; but I suspect he is in the minority, if the rising UK rates are anything to go by.

HIV is not a 'third world' problem. It is not a 'gay' problem. It is a 'humanity' problem. I am not an expert in humanitarian issues and am certainly not professing to be. But no one should die from ignorance, or the lack of a dollar a day.

Don't have unprotected sex with short term partners (including oral sex); don't share needles if you take drugs; protect open wounds if you are likely to encounter other people with open wounds. Simples.

Source

So what can you do? Lobby your local MP about a national awareness campaign. Make sure the young people you know are aware of how they can protect themselves. And donate to charities who can make a difference in Africa, like Develop Africa where you can sponsor a child (bear in mind they are unlikely to tell you if the child is positive - it's hardly fair to them), and Avert who are running awareness campaigns in Malawi and South Africa. But the most important thing you can do is stay safe.

Lady C x

The Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial

2011-11-20T12:22:00.001Z

On a lovely sunny November Saturday here in Kent, his Lordship and I ventured out to the lovely countryside. Which is right on our doorstep. Sometimes we forget that in the humdrum of everyday life. Upon our travels we decided to stop at the former RAF Manston, now mostly converted to Kent International Airport (international as it flies to Jersey, donchyaknow).
RAFs Manston, Hawkinge, Rochester, Detling and Biggin Hill, were at the forefront of the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940. Kent became known as 'Hellfire Corner' because you could regularly see dogfights in the skies...and in fact this inspired the good people of Kent to set up their own fund for donation to make aeroplanes. To the tune of GBP110,000, no less, a massive sum in those days. They were rewarded by having several planes named after them, such as 'Spirit of Kent', 'Pride of Sheppey' and 'Kentish Man'.

As well as an international airport, RAF Manston is also home to the Spitfire and Hurricane memorial, and the RAF Manston museum. We only ventured into the former. This is free and although quite small, is home to a surprising amount of war time memorabilia, mostly donated by the good people of Kent.

A late thirties record player

WWII RAF uniforms

An original notice giving the public instructions on what to do in the event of an invasion

What I would give for some of that Sunlight soap in its original packaging!

A Hurricane

A much faded Make Do and Mend booklet, issued in the summer of 1943, introducing Mrs Sew and Sew to the British housewife

I think I need one of these, with the emergency exits from my workplace printed on it....

A spitfire

I am beginning to feel a bit like this..

I'm a complete sucker for vintage packaging. Complete sucker!

Hope you are continuing to enjoy the festivities, or the normality of work if you have returned!

Lady C x

Stir Up Sunday

2011-11-20T10:39:00.001Z

Today is Stir Up Sunday, the day upon which Christmas puddings are traditionally made. There, I have said it, the C word. Although I feel very un-Christmassy at the moment. I am not feeling it at all this year. It feels far too soon, and quitely frankly, I haven't really acheived anything this year. Maybe the festive fairies will sprinkle me with some sparkle in December.
Anyway, Stir Up Sunday. For those of you interested, or those of you who are of the Anglican Church it's the last Sunday before Advent. I am not religious at all, but I never let a minor detail stop me. The reason that you need to do it so early, is because you need to ply it with alcohol. When you are sitting there on Christmas Day bored and with irritating relatives, you will defintely appreciate pouring half a gallon of brandy (or whiskey, or whisky*, or rum, or sherry, or even guiness or ale, don't be a purist......I draw the line at gin though you lushes) on your cake/pudding/mince pies.

Last year I made Christmas Chocolate cake rather than pudding, but I am sorry to say it was far too crumbly for my liking. And not everyone likes the fruit cake, do they? So today and in the run up to Christmas I will be making a few recipe suggestions for Christmas baking for you to try out; some traditional, some not so much.

The trick to keeping the cost down is to buy the ingredients you need then ensure that you make the most of them by making lots of homemade delights, even as gifts, rather than just making one thing and leaving the remainder of the ingredients in the cupboard to go stale.

My Christmas chocolate cake last year, before decorating.

Christmas Pudding
Serves 4

This is a suet free Christmas pud, but it is not suitable for nut allergy sufferers. You can make it up to two weeks before the day.

Tools

Greaseproof paper
A pudding bowl
String
Foil
Saucepan

Ingredients

200g each of currants, seedless raisins and sultanas (or a mixture of two of them to make 600gs in total)
150ml sweet sherry/brandy/rum
175g unsalted butter (BUTTER, nothing else will do)
4 beaten eggs
150g self raising flour
100g fresh breadcrumbs (white or wholemeal)
50g blanched almonds
juice of an orange
rind of an orange and a lemon
1/2 teaspoon of mixed spice

Method

Put the fruit in a bowl, cover it with your poison and leave it to soak for two hours, minimum.
Mix the butter and the sugar, then add and mix in the eggs.
Fold in the flour.
Stir the breadcrumbs, almonds, juice and rinds and mixed spice into the fruit, then add it to the egg mix.

Grease with butter yout pudding bowl and push the mix into it, leaving a bit of a gap at the top for it to rise. Cover it with a circle of grease proof paper that is a couple of cm larger than the top of the bowl. Secure that with string then cover the outside of the bowl with two layers of foil.

Put the bowl in a saucepan and fill 2/3s with boiling water. Simmer for six hours, topping up with boiling water when necessary.

Remove from the heat, leave to cool, and change the greaseproof paper. Keep it in the fridge until Christmas Day - simmer for two hours using the same method as above to re-heat.

Serve with cream, custard or brandy cream. If you like to set fire to your Christmas Pud at the table, the best alcohol to use is vodka. Any old vodka will do. It lasts the longest and has a lovely blue flame. Okay I might feel slightly festive now. Only slightly, mind!

Love and kisses,

Lady C x

*whiskey is Irish; whisky is Scottish :)

Vintage Picks

2011-11-17T15:54:00.001Z

I have been languishing at home with a Wounded Knee for the past couple of days, feeling very sorry for myself. No tango for me this evening. Naturally I have used the time to do some studying, but one does need a break, and when one had a break, one browses the internet looking for marhvellous vintagery.

CC41 Utility Shoes, UK Size 3 Ebay

1940's dirndl style dress, UK 10 Etsy

Wayne Thomas Wicker Box Bag, Love Miss Daisy

1980s Brown Floral Dress, UK 14 Steptoes Antiques

1960s Dents Gloves Size Small, ASOS Marketplace

1940s Cloche Style Hat The Cherry Closet

I have been a bit disappointed at the lack of vintage knitwear and the quality of the knitwear that is available. Large baggy black and green jumpers really should have been donated to homeless charities at the end of the eighties. Some of you may remember that I am learning to knit, but I am approximately 387 million light years away from knitting a jumper. I have seen some knitted offerings on the high street, but have you seen the price of new clothes these days?? It's turning my hair grey. Literally. Even Primarni has put its prices up. 'New' doesn't sit well with my recycling and ethical policy anyway. Just as well as a gal needs a second mortgage to fund a change in the weather if the high street is the chosen place for departing with the sack of gold coins. I don't think Lord C would be 'down with that'.

Just a note to say that this post is in no way an endorsement of the sellers of these items, and I am not sponsored by any of them. Thus I cannot account for the honesty of the sellers regarding the age or condition of these items. Don't get me started on dishonest vintage sellers.....!!

Oh well, that's enough whinging from me for one day. Toodles!

Lady C x

Who are you remembering today?

2011-11-13T14:18:00.001Z

Thomas Martin, known as Tommy

This is my Great Uncle Tommy. He died not in the Second World War, but on 10th October 2008, at the ripe old age of 84. The above photo was taken in India in 1942, when he was 18. He gave this to me around the time of the 50th anniversary of VE and VJ day in 1995. He said he could see the Himalayas from the window throwing light onto his face, even though they were a hundred miles away. This for an 18 year old boy who had only ever been as far as London to Paddock Wood in Kent to take part in the annual hop picking.

He was in India because after conscription he was a part of South East Asian Command (SEAC), or in plain terms, he was sent protect India, the jewel of the British Empire, from the advancing Japanese. At the point he arrived, I think the British Army had already suffered the humiliation of being driven back out of Burma; Singapore was also lost. So he waited in Bombay, trained, aclimatised, larked about a bit. It was this larking about that led to him being in hospital when his unit, and the friends he had made, were mobilised for the first time. He never knew what become of them; although he recalled that one of them, a milkman, still owed him two and eight.

Tommy was my favourite uncle; he as a gentleman, loved to tell stories, loved to make people laugh. He was deeply affected by his wartime experiences. Sadly he never felt able to forgive the Japanese people for the brutality of the Imperial Army. He never bought anything that was Japanese made. He told us some stories, but not many. When we went to Hyde Park for the VE50 celebrations, we went to the Veteran's tent where he registered. We saw a very young soldier there; Tommy turned to me and said 'I could tell him stories that would make him faint'. Inside he spoke to another Burma veteran..and he seemed so angry, still. It was here that he revealed he was at the Battle of Kohima. This was also know as the Battle of the Tennis Court, because they were fighing over a piece of land that was a tennis court, for six weeks. At one point there were just 200 British and Indian troops trying to hold off an entire Japanese division before reinforcements arrived.

Tommy in happier times

Tommy was injured three times - he was shot once, when trying to throw a rope across the Chindwin River to a soldier who couldn't swim, and twice hit by shrapnel (which continued to aggravate him until he died). He also had malaria twice. But he made it back, in 1946, to find the home he left was no more (bombed) and he had a sister he had never met. The family did not celebrate VE Day; but on VJ Day, they hung up every Union Flag they could lay their hands on.

Tommy sadly died a very long and painful death from cancer. I last saw him in July...I made a conscious decision to not see him after that. He had enough family around him for me not to have to see him getting worse, fortunately for me. I'm not sure that he knew who I was by that point, but he was himself, still telling jokes, seeing the funny side. One of the last things that he said to me was 'See the world while you can'. So when I got engaged on Christmas Day that year, after he was gone, I decided that the money that he left to me would go towards our honeymoon. When I told my Great Aunt (his sister, he never married) that we would be going to Thailand, she simply said 'He loved it there, loved the people...maybe he will follow you around there too'*

So, when we arrived in Bangkok, a trip to the River Kwai was in order. Tommy never felt able to return to his part of the world. He briefly considered it around the 50th anniversary time, but it had got to the point where he preferred not to know what happened to his friends. So this is something that I felt I could do for him, in his memory.

We started at the JEATH museum, set up by a Japanese interpreter who became a monk and settled at the adjoining monastery. This is a recreation of the huts the POWs slept in. The majority of British POWs came from the capture of Singapore.

This was a bomb from the famous air strike on the bridge that failed to detonate

To be blunt, we didn't take many photos here. I think we were both stunned into silence. There were photos and stories from survivors of the the camp that was nearby. I stopped reading them after one; they were too horrific to comprehend.

Then we went to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetary.

It was a very peaceful place. And I felt that Tommy was pleased that I went, even though it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

The square bits of the bridge are where the allied bombed it and it was rebuilt. The bridge was mostly built by British POWs; originally they were asked to build a wooden bridge, but it kept on getting swept away in the swellings of monsoon. Apparently a British officer tried to explain to the Japanese that it was a futile exercise making it with wood, hoping that they would stop making them rebuild it. They settled on steel instead. I bet he was popular..!

On VJ Day 50, we stood outside Buckingham Palace and watched the Lancaster Bomber drop a million poppies. I still have some now, in my dressing table drawer. Then the next week we had a great big surprise party for him, with forties music, because his VJ Day was spent in hospital with malaria. I will always cherish the look on his face when he came in and saw us all standing there to celebrate the fact that he was one of the luckier ones. Not lucky, no. But luckier.

I haven't finished doing what I want to do in Tommy's memory. One day I will travel to India to lay a wreath. At the site of the Battle of Kohima, now one of the largest Allied war cemetaries. In the centre stands a moment, with the epitaph:

'When you go home, tell them of us and say,
for your tomorrow, we gave our today.'

Lady C x

*Some may find it odd but I have felt his presence several times. The first time was a beautiful day near St James' Park, where he used to walk to every day. I was so convinced someone was so close to me, I was about to be mugged...but when I turned, there was no one there. Then it happened again and I thought to myself 'I know exactly who would think this was funny....' We think my four year old nephew has seen him - he sometimes talks about the man with the grey hair, laughing in the corner. It would be typical of Tommy to not leave us behind.

And now for something different.....an eye liner review

2011-11-08T20:15:00.001Z

Evenin' all.

At le weekend (I apologise now; I have been adding 'le' in front of most words recently; 'twil pass) having noticed that my current liquid liner was running a bit low, I ventured out to buy myself some more. As you know, buying make up is one of my favourite pastimes.

What I wanted ( I had already decided) was a little pot of eyeliner, just as the likes of Marilyn Monroe would have used. I am aware that MAC make one of these, but as they are at the higher end of the market, I had a hunt for something a bit more 'high street' (being the classy bird that I am).

Eh voila (sorry again), I found that Maybelline have recently launched such a product, called Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liner.

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Eye Gel

It claims to last a whole 24 hours. What kind of person would need it to last 24 hours, I am not sure. But I do know that when I wake bleary eyed in the morning, I sometimes get watery eyes. Which quickly dissolves the cute little flick I like to have at the end of my eyes (as you do too, being a vintage or rockabilly or just ah-mazing gal. Or guy.) And this gives me le hump. So, could this be the answer to my watery eyed problem?

The outer packaging.

Do you like my tin in the background? It says 'nautical but nice!' on it!

Inside, I was surprised to find not only a cute little pot, but a cute little brush to go with it. Now, the brush part is essential. Let me elaborate.

In order to accurately slap on a bit (or alot) of liner, one
needs to have control. The inner line needs to be as close to le lash line as humanly possible without poking oneself in le eyeball. This takes practice. So. One needs a brush that one can get a jolly good grip on. It needs to be long, not too thick, not too thin. This can be the trouble with liquid gels - the handle doesn't always aid easy application. A brush is a perfect tool. But don't just take my word for it; this was backed up by a make up artist I spoke about it recently, too.

The brush has a little cap so that it won't spread excess liner everywhere after you have used it

The pot is made of glass, although there is a relatively small amount of product compared to the size of it. As you can see, the product has a squishy consistency, a bit like the jelly air freshener your nan had in her loo when you were six.

Getting a small amount of product on the brush is a bit of an art. The trick, I think at this stage anyway, is to dip just the end of the brush in to the product vertically, and lightly. Of course, if you were going for more of an Amy Winehouse cats' eye look, you would need to cover the brush in product.

I found it easier to begin half way across the lid and work outwards, then go back to the inner part of the lid. This tip I picked up from le lovely Landgirl1980, in a bathroom in Hampstead one summer's Sunday morning. The inner most corner can be done with the eye open.

The product was a lot easier to apply than I thought it would be. This was my very first attempt ever with such a product. It could have been neater but I was pleased with the effect overall.

Have not been using fake tan. Bear in mind that I apply my make up at five in the morning. I cannot possibly expect to be perfect at this hour. The watery eye did not scupper my flick. Taaadaaa!

And this was the result at ten o clock at night:

Slightly smudged, but overall, very good staying power in comparison to the various liquid liners I have used before. I suspect that it would be far easier to achieve different looks with such a product that it would with a liquid or pencil. But let's not guess; I will be having a go at it myself, and will blog it to you in due course.

Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner is available from all big department stores for GBP7.99. Superdrug currently have a three for two on all make up products.

Love and kisses,

Lady C x

Have You Met Miss Jones?

2011-11-03T19:14:00.005Z

This was not the topic I was planning to write about today, but I could not let this pass without comment. The Miss Jones I am referring to, is of course, Liz Jones.

Before you read any further, i feel the need to warn you this is a rant of epic proportions, which contains a couple of profanities. Needs must.

I have never been a fan of this woman, since I saw her columns in the Mail on Sunday. If you aren't aware of this, Jones' then husband had an affair. A long one, which she was aware of. And she chose to address it with the nation through her column. Well, when I say address it, I mean lament and whinge. She may have had her reasons for not ending the marriage (and perhaps today's article is one of them), but for goodness sake woman, approach such things with a sense of dignity. Broadcasting personal problems to anyone who will read them is cringeworthy and humiliating to all involved. Not to mention your mother. There comes a moment when we all need to either shut up or grow a pair, and hers was a long time coming.

Today, Miss Jones stooped to an all time low in an online article for her Daily Mail column. It has been suggested that the Daily Mail allow her to write such preposterous trash in order to boost their hit count, so you can read it here without contributing to it.

Oh Liz. Where do I begin?

'I wanted a career, freedom, a nice house and to keep my figure. As a feminist, I looked down on mumsy types.' So I think what you are saying, is that you cannot be a feminist unless you are married to your job, are childless, a 'normal' weight and have a 'nice' house. As a feminist, it is your role to look down on women that do not meet your personal criteria of what makes a successful woman. I think my point is clear. In my opinion, as a feminist, you don't even have to be a woman to be a feminist.

'He was still very cautious, though. He refused to believe I was on the Pill, ....‘I don’t trust you,’ he said, muttering something about women claiming to want a career, but underneath wanting to start a family. ' Erm, Liz. You are publicly declaring that you tried to steal a man's sperm. He was wise not to trust you.

'I called his bluff and told him there was no way I would want a baby with him, given he didn’t earn any money.' ...adding blatant lying to your repertoire. Not to mention that as a feminist, you really shouldn't be in a relationship with a man that might not be able to provide for you financially.

Men, if you are in a relationship with a woman who makes things, beware.
Source

'Because he wouldn’t give me what I wanted, I decided to steal it from him. I resolved to steal his sperm......I thought it was my right, given that ...... I had bought him many, many M&S ready meals.' I'm sorry, what? Is it okay for a man to say 'I bought you a take away, so I think that gives me rights over your womb?' No? You surprise me.

'...on this occasion we were married, which ..... should — give a woman every right to want to start a family. But my husband was 14 years younger than me, and he had told me he was not ready for children.' Everyone has the right to want to start a family, which is no stronger or weaker than someone else's right to not want to.

'But I do believe that any man who moves in with a woman in her late 30s or early 40s should take it as read that she will want to use them to procreate, by fair means or foul, no matter how much she protests otherwise.' Thank you Liz, for being such a fair and balanced spokesperson for such women. I am sure they are grateful. I am also sure as a feminist, you really should stereotype women of a certain age.

'Yet men remain in blissful ignorance of such tactics.' Tactics. Tactics. My blood is starting to boil. When you reach the age of 38, you turn into a she devil who will stop at nothing to get what you want.

'I spoke to another friend.....who (is) trying to get pregnant.....She said: ‘I really want a year off work. I might even go part-time after that....' what a fucking marvellous reason to bring another life into the world. (Can you tell I'm reaching boiling point?) Bravo to her. Is this the middle class equivalent of a teenage chav getting pregnant to get a council house?

'So when is a woman most likely to become a sperm-snatcher? If her career is not panning out....is 37 or over and childless...worries the man might walk out on her. ' Have you got that, ladies? As a feminist, if your career is really rather crap, then you can just have a baby instead. That will make you feel like you have done something worthwhile. Men, if you are in a relationship with such a woman, beware. Suggest such dishonest harpies wear a warning sticker.

'Neither of them knew about my subterfuge. I imagine both will be furious when they read this piece.' Actually I imagine they will be thinking they had a really lucky escape.

'.....I wonder how her boyfriend will feel in a year’s time, when she is fatter and moodier. No matter how urgent that yearning for a child, deception is surely no way to embark on parenthood.'
Because everyone knows that women with children are fat and moody. And how lovely to pass judgement on a friend for doing something that she has attempted to do. What an outstanding friend Ms Jones is.

'If there are any men out there even contemplating getting close to a woman in her late 30s or early 40s, I suggest you tread very carefully...she might be totally honest if she says she doesn’t want to rush into motherhood But she might also be a duplicitous creature willing to go to any lengths to fulfil her dreams of having a family.' Yes that's right, as if it isn't hard enough to find someone worthy of making your life partner, warn them off based on your own actions and those of a handful of women you have spoken to (half of which were your mates, who may just possibly be as deluded as you are) . And to finish, let's put all women into one of two categories, and all men into just the one, the 'I don't want children' category. Yes, this is a very balanced, intelligent, informed view to take.

Well done, Liz. You really have surpassed yourself this time. This woman earns a living from writing this bullshit.....I feel quite angry with the Daily Mail; to be frank, I think she needs help. They should be supporting her rather than poking her with a big stick in order to increase their readership.

And breathe.....I am off to have a cup of tea and calm down now!!

Lady C x

'Twas the Night Before All Hallows....

2011-10-31T22:10:00.001Z

....and little ghouls, ghosts and devils were to be seen plundering houses for chocolates and sweets. But one lonely soul was not looking for such treats...she was awaiting the arrival of her groom...the corpse bride walked amoung the living upon this every night!

I found the tutorial for Corpse Bride make up on talesfrombettybeetowers.blogspot.com.

The wedding dress is all my own :)

Happy All Hallows Eve!

Lady C x

My Rockabetty Photoshoot

2011-10-28T09:05:00.001+01:00

At the end of September, I had a clandestine meeting with Lex at the Rockabetty Studios in south London. Mission: to be turned into a pin up honey trap for *whispers* spies for the day....

Lex and her make up side kick Tara were perfectly lovely; welcoming, made me feel relaxed and totally at home. It's like they do this every day. We had a cup of tea and a natter (that is code for spy speak, couldn't possibly share it with you) whilst Tara did a wonderful job on my hair and make up. Some of you may know Lex from Swing for Skin.

An hour or so later and I was ready to peruse the selection of outfits that Lex had picked out, based on my mission brief (see captions for mission brief). Lex also had a selection of props, to make it all look realistic (all honey traps know this is what you need). I also brought along a couple of my own outfits, which is perfectly fine if you have a special outfit you need to have a secret spy meeting in.

And here are some of the results:

This is how I look whilst choosing which hat to wear, for disguise purposes

And this is what I do when I get my dress caught in a suitcase in order to distract the spies from finding the resistance fighters who are unfortunately right under their noses

This is what I do when I am drawing attention to whose side I am on

And this is what I look like when I am on the blower giggling with Tom Hardy (when in fact, I am having a secret coded conversation with HQ, of course!)

The whole day was very enjoyable and I am very pleased with the results. If you would like to be turned into a pin up for the day, there are a variety of packages available starting at a very reasonable GBP125. You can contact Lex at www.rockabettystudios.com

Tata for now lovelies! xx

I would forgive you for thinking......

2011-10-27T11:13:00.000+01:00

........that I had died and gone to heaven. Although I suspect that I am more likely to end up in hell.

Here's the thing. I have been busy with the following:

getting fitter through dance, spin classes and other general torturous experiences
re-decorating the house, or rather bits of the house, to varying degrees of success
flogging 'stuff' on ebay
working (that old chestnut! I hear you cry)
thinking about this blog, and what to do with it
wondering where all my friends are
studying.

So, I am back, from outer space, and I just walked right into here with that look upon my face (it's not exactly my bag, but I do love a bit of seventies disco - someone come along and correct the lyrics, for goodness sake, for I am sure I have got them wrong)..and wondering what to do about this blog. Here's why.

I have less time that I used to, but I love to write, I find it cathartic. And I love to share things with you. Things that I think you will be interested in. And I love being nosey and finding out what you have been up to. But I feel as though I am missing the point somewhat, and I am not sure why.

Lady Cherry has a problem and isn't quite sure how to fix it

So, some advice and feedback, pretty please? What sort of things do you like to read about? What do you think about my writing style? What makes a good blog? (ahhh, another cry of 'that old chestnut!')

Answers on a postcard please (or you could just leave a comment below. 'Tis up to you)

Lurve and kisses as ever,

Lady C xx

Lipstick Tart: NYX Matte Lipstick in Pure Red

2011-08-30T18:35:00.000+01:00

It's been a while since I did a lippy review. Too long, in fact. So I am back with a veagence. I have been on a bit of a red lipstick buying rampage recently (how unlike me!), so I have a few to review, and a few that I have had for a while that other bloggers have reviewed, but a while back.

Under the lipstick microscope this week is NYX Matte Lipstick in Pure Red. I found this quite by accident - I think someone on Twitter recommended a product on a site that also sold this range. I had never heard of this brand before, so was curious to try it, particularly as it is a matte shade and I don't usually get on with matte lippies.

Firstly, the packaging....

Boring. I like the little transparent bit, which is the shade - if you had several NYX shades, you would easily be able to pick out what shade you wanted in a hurry. I am not crazy about the fact that the ingredients and other information are printed on the tube itself either. But it does have a couple of cute printed love hearts on it. I've given the packaging a squeeze and the plastic seems fairly sturdy - I think it will survive my handbag jungle assault course. Unlike a tube of NYC lippy - not only did it make a god awful mess, but it was one of my favourite shades that I swapped on Make Up Alley and is no longer available. Anyway, on with this one.

The lipstick itself...

A conventional bullet tip. Have to say that it doesn't *look* like a matte shade at all. A good, strong red. In terms of smell, it is slightly perfumed in a pleasant way.

Application and taste....

I'm sorry, I know this is a really bad photo, but it was the only one I could get Lord C to take...

It went on very well, I did my usual one coat blot then second coat, no problems there. There was no taste that I could notice, which is great as for a slightly perfumed lippy the last thing you want is that taste in your mouth.

Colour, longevity, bleeding and texture....

I couldn't stop talking, sorry!

This is a very bright red, one of the brighter ones that I own, so not one that I personally would wear every day. However being a fairly true red it is one that is worthy of a place in my collection.

It lasts amazingly well - I had no idea what to expect, but this photo was taken after I had drank a coffee. It does leave quite a mark behind so I was expecting it to wear off quickly, but I only had to re-apply once during the day, at the corners of my mouth.

Yet again, can't stop talking...

There was a little bleeding after several hours, but this could be my lip pencil - I had to change recently after my usual one was lost and I couldn't find a replacement, and I have had other colours bleeding a little, so don't dismiss it on bleeding grounds.

It feels slightly sticky but certainly not unpleasant. The biggest selling point about this lippy is that it is matte - ideal for a retro look - but it is not drying. Yes, you heard me, it does not dry your lips out the way that some other matte lipsticks do. AH-MAZING. This is a first in the land of Lady Cherry Lipstick Tart Reviews.

And finally....price

You can purchase this lippy here for just 5.99 plus postage. Bargainous! There is another as yet untested red in this range, as well as some nude shades that would be perfect for recreating a sixties look.

Overall

The packaging does let it down a little, and as I said, this is not a shade that can be worn every day in my humble opinion. However, the price, texture, longevity make this a handy little lippy to have in your arsenal, particularly wearable if you have a kick ass meeting or a hot date to go to.

NYX Matte Lipstick in Pure Red gets....

four out of five kisses from me! Lost a little ground as the colour isn't hugely wearable for me and the packaging is, let's be honest, a bit naff.

Until next time, mon cheries!

Love and kisses,

Lady Cherry -x-

Dark Cherry

2011-08-28T17:55:00.000+01:00

I have been giving thought to my hair recently. I have decided to grow the shortest layer out as it flicks out too much, but I also decided to change the colour. I loved the colour I had, but I got fed up with seeing every other girl with it as well. So I went along for my cut and colour yesterday morning, and picked a new shade of red.

This is my faourite pin up pose ;-)
dress M&S Limited Edition via Oxfam, 4.99;
shoes, Primarni a good few years ago now!

A rear view to give you a better idea of the shade

Me face is a bit funny in this one!!

So I am now less flame haired, more plum coloured. This is a better shade for the autumnal weather just around the corner! I have decided to brave colouring my own hair from the next time it needs doing; I shall probably do for something similar, but perhaps a tad redder, or maybe the other way and more purple. I will see what I feel like at the time. Overall I am very pleased to have a slightly more unique hair colour again!

I also realised I had enough Boots Advantage Card* points for a set of heated rollers! I found the modern setting lotion for use with heated tongs that Sandy recommended in her comment on my last post, so I will be experimenting with that shortly. Hope you are enjoying your extended Bank Holiday weekend - and if you are not in the UK, don't be jealous as every other country in the developed world gets more bank holidays than we do. And it's probably going to rain. Toodleloo! xx

*For non-UK readers, this is a loyalty scheme at a large chemists chain

Happy C Day!!

2011-08-22T21:21:00.000+01:00

C for CURLS!!!!

After much pfaffing, frustration, aching arms and despair, I finally managed to pull off some curls using rollers and setting lotion that I was willing to out in public with. Huzzah!

If you follow me on Twitter and Facebook you will have read that I was determined to nuke my hair into curl submission. Well, it worked. And here is what I did...

I washed my hair yesterday morning and let it dry naturally over the course of the day. I thought giving some space between my hair being washed and styling it might help, as my hair can be a devil when it has just been washed, even with heat. So at about half five, I decided barnet sorting out time had arrived.

I decanted some setting lotion into a little spray bottle. I picked this lotion and bottle up at an independant chemist, and it cost less than two British pounds.

I used a comb to section my hair, starting at the front. Then I generously sprayed the lotion on to that section, from root to tip - I don't think I quite used enough before now. Then I rolled my hair up into a medium sized plastic roller, secured with an outer clip, which came to me free of charge from the lovely Land Girl 1980. I repeated this all over my head, using 10 rollers in total. I have got three layers in my hair, so I opted to roll the top one under rather than over, for fear it would look ridiculous and sticky outy otherwise.

Then I kept them in and I slept in them. When I saw slept, I mean very lightly as they are hard plastic and pretty uncomfortable but I was absolutely determined to leave them in as long as possible. It was Nuke Time, No Mercy for the Hair.

When I got up in the morning, make up first then rollers out. At this point I thought, 'Yep, seems to have held well, looking rather horrendous though!!'..so it was time to run my fingers through it to help shape it and drop it a little. I have a fringe which I wanted a little flatter, and the top of my hair I also wanted fairly flat, so I used a brush I picked up for six quid in Superdrug that has a mixture of boar and synthetic bristles:

I used a little hair wax to define the curls a little, although pomade would be more authentic. But I don't have any of that :) I pulled my hair into a fake victory roll on one side, which Missy Vintage showed us how to do on her blog recently. And I felt very pleased with the results!

I think next time I will roll over and see what happens, and brush out a little less, as it did drop naturally during the day...then even more when I got caught in the rain on the way home without an umbrella....goddamn weather!!! So these photos were taken at the end of the day, when it was past it's best. So next time photos in the morning!

Jacket Eighties vintage from a charity shop, 12.99 locket e bay 6.00

Dress charity shop 6.00 (it has pockets at the front!!) shoes M&S 25.00

Of course it's not perfect, but I tell you it is a damn sight better than my previous attempts. I am going to put it in a scarf tonight and see how it looks in the morning; I have got a curling iron...I am hoping to make it a bit more Veronica Lake, but we will see. A big thank you to Land Girl for the rollers and for encouraging me to keep on trying....I am glad one of us had faith! Pip pip x

Lady Cherry Goes to Las Vegas

2011-08-19T18:25:00.000+01:00

Yes, that is right dear reader. The international globe trotter (I like to think of myself as one of these) known as Lady Cherry has been to Las Vegas. And there is photographic evidence.

I did know that I was going to Las Vegas. But Lord Cherry did not know. You see, as it was our first wedding anniversary, and his 30th birthday, within a couple of days of each other, and we haven't had the easiest of first years of marriage, I felt the need to do something special. And thanks to my lovely friend Sam, who suggested it would be a fab place to go whilst I was visiting her in June, I booked a surprise trip to LV for four nights. And it was every bit as amaze balls as I thought it would be.

Located in the Nevada desert, LV was the first place to legalise gambling after it was criminalised in the early 20th century. The first major hotel was opened in the 1940s; today, 19 of 25 biggest hotels in the world are located on the LV strip. We stayed at the Wynn, which opened in 2004; sadly, many of the original hotels are long gone. Up until the early fifties however, LV was most famous for the nuclear testing that took place just outside it.

The view from our floor to ceiling window in our 56th floor room was okay...

It was alright in the Wynn. Did I mention we could control the curtains with a button next to the bed and the bathroom had a television in it?

In 1959, Betty Willis designed one of the most recognizable street signs in the world, and seeing it at night was the highlight for me.

Located on LV Boulevard, just south of the Mandalay Bay Hotel

In the 1960's, largely thanks to Howard Hughes, LV transformed itself into the adult playground we know today. You can literally do anything you want, anytime...we went to the gym at 07.30am (well we had to do something to counter those huge US portions) and there were polker players still going from the night before sipping on Red Bull, being joined by just risen ladies testing Lady Luck on the slots. Did you know that you could get alcoholic slush puppies?? You can even get a drinking vessel in the shape of a guitar to sling over your shoulder and sip on as you walk the strip in the searing heat! Err yes, I tried a slush puppy, not in a guitar though, called Call Girl - raspberry vodka. I was very careful about what I would permit Lord C to photo me doing (oo-err) so no photo of that one!!

Aside from gambling (we dabbled a little - won 15 dollars on a slot), the other things that LV is famous for are the fabulous hotels, weddings and the shows. We saw Penn and Teller, which was Lord C's favourite bit. To their credit, they stayed behind after the show autographing and taking photos until everyone had left, more than an hour after the show finished.

We went on a ride in a gondola on the first floor of The Venetian, saw the Trevi Fountain in Caesar's Palace, went inside one of the Pyriamids at the Luxor (you missed a trick there, ancient Pharoahs - you should have put a casino in yours), saw live bands playing in the middle of the day, go go girls dancing a night...LV is the place to do lots of things you have never done before, that is for sure! The water fountain show at the Bellagio is free, every 15 minutes and incredible.

Downtown NY signs recreated outside the New York New York hotel

The middle of the strip at night - someone missed a trick when they called NY the city that never sleeps..

This is the gondola ride inside the Venetian. They even sing in Italian as they push you up and down!

The Trevi Fountain recreated inside Caesar's Palace. I can't say 'Caesar's Palace' without recalling the scene from the film 'The Hangover' (filmed there) where one of them says 'This isn't the real Caesar's Palace. He didn't live here'.

Another view of the New York hotel

The amazing water show to music at the Bellagio

More fooling around on the strip...we drank our way down it on Andy's birthday!

Weddings are so popular because unlike in other states, you do not need to give any notice in order to get married. You can literally drive through - just remember to give the minister the extra 60 dollars to legalise it! Famous couples who married here are Clara Bow, Betty Grable, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. We actually saw the Elvis, belting a few out at the Flamingo hotel (the original of which was owned by Bugsy Siegel, Mafia gangster in the fifties). So you see, he isn't dead really.

I saw alot less of these than I thought we would. This one was a part of a frontier themed hotel, and being built in 1942 is the oldest surviving building on the strip. Angelina married her Billy Bob here.

That is definitely not gin. It's water.

Inside a giant fish tank in Caesar's. It made us go red for some reason.

More foolery..no make up this time, was too hot!

My 'I don't wanna go hoooooooooooome' face

So, what would I tell first timers to LV to expect.....

it is crazy hot (106F on the day we arrived), but it did rain one day so drink plenty of water, wear sun block and expect the unexpected
it was more expensive than I anticipated. Many of the gaming tables have got minimum bets (like, 25 dollars); there are happy hours on but only for certain drinks, so you might have to suck it up and drink something that wouldn't normally be your first choice if you are on a budget
The spirit measures are about triple the size of those in the UK
If gambling isn't your thing, there are loads of bars to keep you entertained; Rhumbar at the Mirage was cool inside, and Carnaval near Bill's Casino has great bands even during the day, not to mention a cool zone with huge fans spraying cool water - bliss when you have been walking the strip for an hour or so
The Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio all have free shows, the first two being in the evening outside - worth seeing if you are in that part of the strip at night
The police take a very very dim view of people getting very drunk. You have been warned..
The food portions are huge; we ordered for one and shared, which they didn't seem to mind but check first
Be prepared to do alot of walking if you want to see the hotels - most of which are pretty amazing - the strip is just over four miles long
Take a cab if you go off strip, as a. it's a bit dodgy (we saw a couple of arrests) and b. everything is MUCH further away than you think it is
Make a list of your must sees or dos before you go - the only thing I definitely wanted to do was see Betty Willis's sign, but time goes real fast in LV and before you know it, it will be time to go home!

Most importantly.....there is a Bettie Page store inside The Forum of Caesar's Palace!! The prices aren't any cheaper but they have a fab selection, and it would avoid import tax. I purchased a cute book on recreating make up from the twenties to the sixties, so look out for some fab tips soon! Toodles x

PS All photos here were taken by Lord C and can only be recreated with permission x

Notorious Kitsch Farewell Sale

2011-07-30T15:17:00.000+01:00

Just a quick one from me today. If you haven't heard, Notorious Kitsch is sadly closing for the last time on Sunday 31st July. So now is your last chance to grab yoursefl a bargain - 15% off too!

Lady Cherry couldn't wait to get her hands on the 'Someone called about Something' notepad...it would save her having to say it

NK have alovely range of gifts,stationery for the offfice, purses and bags....so head on over there and grab yourself a bargain! Toodles x

Why I love being a woman

2011-07-27T11:51:00.000+01:00

Perhaps a slightly random choice of topic today. But this is something that has been on my mind for a couple of months, and I just feel the need to 'get it out there'.

'You love being a woman?' you say....yes. Yes I do. I love the fact that woman has fought for everything. Woman has fought for the right to vote, the right to go out to work, the right to equal pay (although some would argue we are still fighting that one), the right to dress how we want to dress without being labelled (ditto), the right to have an opinion. It makes me appreciate all of these rights all the more. It makes me proud to be a woman.

And because none of these things have been woman's birth right, makes me feel stronger. Just because I wasn't personally involved in the fight to gain these rights, doesn't mean that we can't feel a part of it. We are a part of it by exercising our hard won rights every day. This is why it makes my blood boil when I hear women saying they won't be voting in elections because they have no interest in politics. I have very little interest in politics, and I doubt my vote alone makes much of a difference; but I will exercise my right to vote, come hell or high water. Women gave their lives in the fight to gain equal voting rights with men.

Alongside these feelings of strength, I still feel feminine. That is the beauty of women; they can demonstrate vunerability, even at times be child like, and still be strong. They are other sides of us, multi-faceted beings that we are. I can be a warrior one minute, and be cooing like a new born over a pair of shoes in a shop window the next. It does not make me any less a warrior, nor any less infatuated with shoes...

I love how I, and many women, are so comfortable in their own sexuality. Take Mary Portas, for example. She was married for many years and had children. She is now in a long term relationship with a woman, and she refuses to be called a lesbian. It is what it is. In much the same way that I don't like being labelled a feminist. Why should considering myself to be a strong woman, equal to a man in intelligence and ability, capable of more or less anything that He can do (physical challenges aside, although I dare you to match me drink for drink), earn me the label of 'feminist'? I am what I am. Labels are for objects, not people.

I love that I can dress like a Baker Boy one day or wear a stunning dress the next. I express myself through my clothes and appearance; no boring two piece suit and tie for me...unless that is who I want to be that day. I am very particular about my appearance and don't like to compromise. Nor is it anyone else's business if I chose to wear fish net stockings to work, or whatever my choice is that day. Sometimes I catch guys eyeing my cleavage and I know damn well it has interrupted their train of thought, and that makes me smile too. I wouldn't stop in my tracks at a hint of man boob, but I can have that power, if I choose to do so. And why not? It is my sexuality to exploit, a very individual choice. I see no reason why I personally should be covered from my neck to my ankle; it doesn't affect my ability to complete a task (although sometimes the height of my heels can be a, err, challenge). I can have my hair any length that I like from mermaid tresses to a Rihanna style crop; no one will care. (Talking of Rihanna....what a woman!) Men with long hair still manage to turn heads, usually for the wrong reasons.

This isn't about hating men; on the contrary, I enjoy their company. Man and woman define each other. But hell to the no to being one of them. How do you feel about being a woman?

A Blooming Great Tea Party

2011-07-26T17:02:00.000+01:00

A lovely lady called Laura contacted me about a month ago to let me know about a new Marie Curie find raising venture called 'A Blooming Great Tea Party'.

The idea behind this is that you hold a tea party, your friends come along, and you all get to drink tea, eat cake and raise money for this wonderful charity.

You need not have a big party, or even anything that amazing...I am going to bake a cake or two and take it into work then ask for a contribution. You can register your tea party here, so that Marie Curie can measure how effective the concept is as a fundraiser. You can register up to 31st July....which is Sunday!

Of course, if you are going to hold a tea party where you expect people to part with cash, you need to provide something worth parting with cash for! So I have decided to give you a helping hand, with a recipe for Victoria Sandwich filled with fresh whipped cream and strawberries. Enjoy!

Ingredients

170g unsalted butter
170g golden caster sugar
3 large eggs
170g self raising flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
strawberries or strawberry/raspberry jam
150ml double cream
icing sugar to decorate

Method

Preheat the oven to 170C or gas mark 3 and line two 20cm cake tins.

Whip the butter and the sugar until the become pale and fluffy.
Whisk in the eggs one by one.
Sift in the flour and baking powder, and fold it in to the wet mixture. If it becomes too stiff, use the milk to loosen it.
Add the vanilla extract.

Split between the two tins, and bake for 25 minutes.

When cooled off, tip the cakes out.

Lightly whip the double cream and spread it on top of one of the cakes. Then top with sliced strawberries or the jam, whatever your preference is. Then squish the other cake on top, sprinkle some icing sugar on and sit back with a cup of tea for a good nom!

Hmmm, I think my camera lens was covered in icing sugar....

I am no way accountable for any weight gain from the eating of this cake. :) x

Love is a Losing Game

2011-07-24T09:15:00.000+01:00

amywinehouse.com has been carrying this solitary photo since the news broke yesterday

Myself, like many bloggers, couldn't let the passing of the beautiful and exceptionally talented Amy Winehouse go without a broadcast.

Those of you that follow me on Twitter will know that I am gutted about it. Photos of her in recent days show that she may have put on a little much needed weight, and although I was aware she has had to cancel a tour last month, I really thought that she would make it. That we hadn't seen the last of her.

Having said that, none of us can really be surprised. The dramatic change in her from a curvy bright eyed twenty year old after the release of her 2003 album 'Frank', to a scarily thin woman with a permanently startled look just three years later has been well documented. There has been nothing about Amy's life that we haven't shared since she stepped into the public light.

Amy in 2003

Hell, there are even numerous photos of her from her childhood available on the internet. Amy was almost reduced to a barbie of sorts..'Minnie Mouse Amy', 'Rising Star Amy' 'Grammy Award Winning Amy' 'Bruised and Bloody Amy'.....'Drug Addicted Amy'. 'Drunk Amy'.

Situations like this are normally swept under the carpet. A celeb will cancel a few appearances, disappear for a while, then come back all refreshed and ready to go. But through the media we have been exposed to Amy's painful journey through every step. Just when you thought it couldn't get any more shocking, it did.

Amy was allegedly prone to smoking cannabis from as a teenager. Then she met her 'catalyst' (or should that be 'enabler?') in 2005. She began an affair with him, he dumped her, she wrote most of 'Back to Black' (produced by Mark Ronson), was nominated for six Grammys, of which she won five, was catapulted onto the international stage...and suddenly he returned to her life. No surprises there really, and you can't tell someone in love with a drug addict that their number one love will only ever be drugs. He moved on, is currently in prison for burglary (allegedly to fund his habit)...and apparently Amy had been trying to make contact with him in recent weeks.

Don't get me wrong, I am not placing the blame at his door. It was 'one of those' relationships. One of those were someone brings out a side of you that maybe was aware of, but it had never really come to the fore, and might never have if you hadn't met that person. Someone that you think you couldn't possibly do without, even though you know, to quote Amy, they are 'no good'....or at least the two of you together are no good. Like Sid and Nancy and Kurt and Courtney. We all saw it coming.

I am saddened that some people have felt the need to say 'she deserved it'; she should have said 'yes yes, yes' to rehab; that the tragedy in Norway deserves our attention more. I think perhaps in their head they think that it would never happen to them. That is judgement right there, plain and simple. Believe it or not, I don't think anyone would freely chose the indignity of only caring about where their next hit is coming from, and what they are going to have to do to pay for it. I imagine it's like being incarcerated in your own mind, where there is no escape.

Amy post drugs

But the tragedy of this situation is that a young talented woman who changed the face of music has been lost, and it was not inevitable. Why oh why was she lined up to do a tour when she was clearly in no fit state to perform? An athlete with an injury would be told not to do it. She didn't organise that tour herself, that's for sure, when she couldn't even stand up by herself. Details of what happened at her home on Saturday afternoon are yet to emerge, but... someone called that ambulance, someone saw what she was doing to herself yet again, and no one cared enough to make her stop. And that makes me angry, because although yes she was free to make her own choices, she was allowed to make the choices that led to her demise, and the people around her enabled her to get to a state where she couldn't live without drink and drugs. The world has lost a great musical talent, but the real tragedy is that we all watched while a young life was wasted, and no one was strong enough to prevent it.

But enough of this....let's remember Amy for what she did best...her music.

Swing for Skin

2011-07-11T19:29:00.000+01:00

So it's only taken me five weeks, but finally here are my pictures from the wonderful event that was Swing for Skin.
For those of you that don't know, this event took place on HMS Belfast, with all profits going to the very worthy cause of the charity DebRA. It was a very warm day, the hottest of the year to that point I believe, which gave the former war ship a fantastic backdrop...

You can't beat a bit o' Union-flag-coloured-bunting!

The Good Ship HMS Belfast transported back to the glamour of the forties for one night only

HMS Belfast is set right next to Tower Bridge..summer in London doesn't get much better than this!

The tickets included the price of two drinks, access to the ship and some fab entertainment....

The errr wax works pulled some interesting hand gestures....we concluded he was saying 'ciao bella' rather than making a rude gesture....

'Don't sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me....'

Non-blogger Anna, Landgirl 1980 and Penny Dreadful on the top deck

Landgirl and me! I made my dress from a Butterick 1947 reproduction pattern - a post will follow at some point!

With Retrochick...at the point we were all still fairly sober.....

Some amazing dancers - I took a video that I will post on my facebook page shortly.

Then things started to get silly.....'I'm flying Jack!'

And then even sillier.with the addition of .Perdita's Pursuits!

Such a lovely sight at night..

Sadly the evening went all too quickly, but a fab time was had by all. It was a reminder of what lovely people I have met through blogging. Thank you to Penny Dreadful for loaning us her sofa, and to Landgirl for top and tailing with me ;-) big love to you all!

Happy Birthday to Me AND Baby Cherry too!

2011-07-04T20:55:00.000+01:00

Last year on my first now defunct blog, I posted about my Last Single Gal's Birthday. So naturally this year, I had to do a First Smug Marrieds Birthday post...
I should explain that July 2nd is a birthday I share with Jerry Hall, Lindsey Lohan.....and Baby Cherry. Yes indeedy the second he showed up and stole my birthday I knew he was trouble....and I was right ;-)

The day started well with me opening my new Tara Starlet 'Classic Starlet' dress, courtesy of Lord Cherry...and a voucher for some horse riding lessons - watch this space for an update on that one!

I bought the flower when I was out in Dorothy Perkins

And Baby Cherry felt the need to show off his present by blocking my face....

We simply had to stop in Pattiserie Valerie for a pot of tea and a pecan pie...

Next stop, Whitstable, whilst the sun was still shining...time for a bit of posing. This is the only full length shot of me in my new dress, which is unfortunate as my face looks rather chubby. Oh well....

Me and my lovely dress and my chubtastic face...oh, and a pretty beach hut!

We saw this rather pretty camper parked up...with matching curtains!

I might have indulged in a little beer drinking (and another less than flattering photo...sorry!)

Now what self respecting gal could resist a beer that is pink......PINK???? Amaze balls! and it tastes good too!

This rather amazing wheat beer is infused with raspberries.

This is made by the Whitstable Brewery company, and I do love to support local trade. So I guess I will have to drink some more soon....which is just as well, as they are hosting a beer festival on 23rd July. Do let me know if you can come down for it, 'twill be fun!

Beautiful Whitstabubble

Then we went home, had some friends around, had a barbeque and watched the David Haye fight...not very vintage, I know, but I got into the spirit of things by wearing by Irregular Choice Union Jack shoes!

Worn whilst shouting 'come on the Hayemaker', drinking Desperados and maybe swooning a little bit (well, boxers are quite fit...)

But alas my birthday wish was not to be. Like him or not, he is from my home turf of Bermondsey in saaf Lahndn and I always stay true to my roots :) I hope you had a great time in the sunshine too....TTFN lovelies!

Guest blog: Afternoon Tea Review: Churchillian Tea at the Hyatt Regency...and an apology!

2011-06-27T19:12:00.000+01:00

So first, an apology.

I am guilty of being a rubbish blogger for practically the whole month of June. In fact, if there was an award for 'Most Rubbish Blogger for the Whole Month of June', I would have won it. Firstly, the laptop broke. Then Lord Cherry fixed it, but I was off having fun at the likes of 'Swing for Skin' (post will follow - so much fun!) and at my lovely friend's house in the Cotswolds. Then it broke again and it took about three hundred years (well, weeks) to get fixed. But here I am, back again, and very pleased that none of you have given up on me.

I am currently studying in my own time, and I have upped my exercise commitment, and I am about to embark on a sewing rampage on account of a trip to a secret location (known only to me...unless I've told you, in which case, don't tell Lord Cherry, as it is a 'Surprise'), which really is just an excuse for me to make even more pretty dresses...so what I am trying to say is you might have to continue to bear with me over the coming weeks. I don't intend to be bottom of the 'Average Post Per Week' League. If there is such a thing. I am looking forward to catching up with all the amazing things I know you guys have been up to. Anyway, I digress...on to a post that should have been due aaaaaages ago, from my lovely friend and fellow afternoon tea nut, Emma...

The scene was set; the sun was shining and it was 23 April 2011 – St George’s Day. What better way to celebrate being English than to enjoy a Churchillian afternoon tea at the Hyatt Regency The Churchill, just behind London’s busy Oxford Street.

We were seated in the quiet Montagu restaurant, named after socialite Elizabeth Montagu and her husband Edward, grandson to the first Earl of Sandwich, whose home occupied part of this site. A beautifully serene and truly relaxing setting overlooking a leafy green square just a stone’s throw from London’s hustle and bustle. Before long we were sipping tea from quintessentially English (though actually French) china tea cups.

The open kitchen increased our hunger and the chef perfecting the window display with beautiful cupcakes and Easter treats kept us entertained while we waited for our food to arrive. The first tier was a plate of some of Churchill’s favourites: Welsh rarebit, buttered crumpets, smoked salmon and shrimp pots with toast (crusts off, of course). The shrimp pot was a bit oily, but everything else was a delight and made a nice change from the traditional sandwich selection. It seemed odd not having sandwiches, especially given the history of the site on which the hotel stands.

We were tempted to tuck straight in to the cakes on the top tier but our attention was averted as the hot food was served. The mini shepherd’s pie was my favourite and melted in the mouth. The vegetable consommé served in an espresso cup was like sage and onion stuffing in a soup; simply delicious. Complementing the consommé was a mini Yorkshire pudding with roast beef and horseradish. You couldn’t get more English.

It was time for cake. They had teased us for long enough and we were ready to take the plunge into the sugary goodness that awaited us. A combination of English favourites and influences from French cuisine, which I’m told was one of Churchill’s favourite: chocolate éclairs filled with chocolate cream, sherry trifle, treacle tart and fruit cake. As a fan of fruit cake, I expected this to be my favourite, but it was disappointingly dry. Tip: save some of the butter from your savoury course and spread it thinly on the fruit cake to moisten it up. Quite the opposite was the sherry trifle. Trifle is probably the only dessert I would avoid, however this was a treat not to be missed. Creamy and fruity with hints of vanilla, we all gobbled it up in one and were craving more. The éclairs and treacle tart also lived up to expectation. We didn’t leave a thing uneaten which is a testament to the quality of the food. As we sat back content but not uncomfortably full, our waitress came over with one final surprise: a fruit tart, freshly made and ready for us to try. Crumbly short crust pastry, creamy custard and fresh fruit; it was a shame it was only a miniature.

We stayed in the restaurant for long after our plates were cleared, watching the world go by and a storm descend over London Town. I would thoroughly recommend the Churchillian afternoon tea at the Hyatt Regency. Traditional yet different, we didn’t miss the sandwiches and my phobia of trifle may well be cured…

As Churchill once said “I am easily satisfied with the very best” – and this certainly was up there with the very best of London’s afternoon tea offerings.

....thank you to Emma for a lovely post, I will certainly be taking a trip to the Hyatt soon! Toodles xx

Vintage Porn

2011-06-02T18:55:00.001+01:00

No, not really.

Just a few of my recent vintage finds. Which is just as much fun ;-)

I recently discovered a held once a month vintage market in Canterbury, where I found this little beauty for £5:

A magic lighty up compact mirror? Yes please! It was a purchase made even sweeter by the lovely lady who told me she was so very pleased that I was buying it as sometimes she doesn't want someone to have it. I think if I sold vintage, I could relate to that.

Next up a gift from Lord Cherry's gran - her very first lipstick!

When I get the time I am going to contact Elizabeth Arden to see if I can find out a bit more about it.

Then, courtesy of e bay, just the thing that a stocking wearing lady needs in her purse....

Isn't it the cutest? I have no intention of using it, it's just too cute.

And finally a little bit of lipstick heaven, again via e bay:

Now this is the kind of lipstick packaging I like! Have you found any swoonsome items recently you will be sharing? Pip pip! xx

A Very Marvellous Cocktail Party

2011-05-31T16:22:00.000+01:00

Prepare yourselves for many photos. Some of them dodgy. I am amazed at how much fun can be had with a packet of chocolate cigarettes....

On Thursday myself and Margaret of Penny Dreadful Vintage took ourselves up to Norwich on a train (steam, obviously!) for A Marvellous Cocktail Party, as hosted by the lovely Retrochick and Karen of Blue Skies Vintage. And jolly marvellous it was too. Although, we almost missed our train. There is just too much to think about (like what to wear), to worry about silly minor details, like which station the train leaves from :D

So we arrived at our hotel (glamourous, naturally) and proceeded to decide what to do on Friday before getting out lots of make up, jewels, hair accessories and other vintage finery. Twasn't long before the room looked like backstage at a vintage fashion show :)) We both agreed it was sych fun getting ready with a girl, as boys generally only give opinions on what your chesticles look like. Not so helpful.

We arrived at Farmer Brown's in Tombland (pronounced tomb-land, not tom-land as we thought!) a little early, to be greeted by a lovely lady in a green satin Able Grable frock....let the photo taking begin!

Did you do things like this when you were 15? We still do it, apparently...Farmer Brown's is a lovely venue

There was much discussion over the cocktail menu...mainly, 'Which first, second, third then fourth??'

We had personalised invitations, with our cocktail vouchers in :)

I loved the style and wording on the cocktail vouchers...it almost made me want to keep one...almost ;-)

Hot Boppin' Girls acting as Cigarette Girls

Two marvellous cigarette girls spent the evening giving out chocolate cigarettes, and as wanabe Bright Young Things, we had to indulge. I cannot tell you how much fun you can have with them, once you have had a drop of alcohol or two....The girls had marvellous silver t bar shoes on! Shoegasm!

A Vodka Martini and a Mac Daddy...the latter was one of my favourites, but don't ask me to recall what was in it...just know that it tasted good!

The chocolate cigarettes!

That Bright Young Thing Margaret of Penny Dreadful Vintage

This rather smooth chap acted as DJ - Earl Harlem

It was lovely to meet Kerry, aka Missy Vintage

I did have curls in my hair, but sadly it rained. Hey ho, better have a cocktail to drown my sorrows!

Now, this might have been my fault. Well, in fact, it was. I saw someone getting one of these at the bar and copied, so we all ended up with one. They call it a 'Manhatten' but we shall forever refer to it as 'the one that burns your throat'....

Deeej in action

The wonderful forties singer Charlene Jean

Retrochick chatting with Missy Vintage

Gangsters molls...we were waiting for the police to bust this speakeasy wide open

Ahh yes, the chocolate cigarettes make an appearance in a 'yet another silly pose' photo

We didn't even NEED the chocolate cigarettes this time!

The marvellous band, Swingball

I was complete transfixed by the marvellous (there it is, that word again!) swinging going on (err, I mean dancing, but you knew that of course). Their feet had me transfixed!

I took a video too, which I will upload at some point.

Margaret was holding my drink and merely pulling a drunken face. Honest.

The lovely host Gemma, aka Retrochick

A wee bit of midnight posing going on..from left to right, Gemma, Margaret, Moi and Kerry (photo courtesy of Kerry)

Pass me another cocktail, would you?

We arrived back at our glamour pad in the small hours, and slept til 9....what lazy girls we are. We then spent the rest of the day with Gemma and Kerry, who kindly showed us around. Norwich has some ah-mazing vintage shopping, including Poppy Valentine and Daisy and Lola's. We also had a pit stop in Biddy's Tea Room, which is just divine:

Gotta love bunting

Lots of lovely cakey goodness

Isn't the tea menu lovely?

There is talk already of another cocktail evening in November....I will definitely be buying a ticket! Toodleloo xx

I am not a silly changey mindy person. Honest.

2011-05-24T21:44:00.001+01:00

Well, maybe a bit ;-)

You may remember a while back that I announced I was on a diet. Then shortly thereafter, I announced that I wasn't going to diet anymore. Then at the end of the PDV Launch party post, I announced that I am trying to get fit. I wondered if this might inspire cries of 'What. The. Hell??' So I thought I would explain exactly What. The. Hell is going on.

So, as I have said before, I have always been a bit of a pork chop. There was just one period of my life when I was a svelte 34-25-35, about ten years ago. I joined weightwatchers and 'got to goal' (*pukes*). And I did nothing but complain that I was still fat, and exercise obsessively. What fun I must have been to be around. Then one day, for some inexplicable reason, I stopped exercising morning, noon and night (that is NOT an exageration - swim in the morning, gym at lunchtime, class in the evening, five days a week), started eating cream cakes and within 3 years put on three stone. And there I have stayed. And I have wasted alot of time trying to get back there.

YOU don't have anything to worry about, missy!

There is nothing better for making you feel crap about you, than declaring to oneself in the mirror, 'What a fatso! I must go on a diet immediately!'. This I know to be true. So, I decided to go on a journey to figure out why I eat too much and generally am a lazy moo who never exercises (because actually, I really enjoy exercising. Freak.) Anyways, I have read various books called things like 'Beyond Chocolate', 'How To Lose Weight Without Dieting' 'Beat Your Inner Food Monster' (okay I made that last one up) bla bla bla, you get the picture.

These books all focus on the same things:

Major Point No. 1: the majority of people who diet and lose weight, put it back on. I know this to be true (see para 2).

Major Point No. 2: the problem isn't weight; the problem is using food for things other than hunger. Well, I hadn't really thought of it like that before, but I suppose that must be true.

Major Point No. 3: because of Major Point No. 2, Major Point No. 1 is the result, making the point of Major Point No 3: Diets are a waste of time. Really? Interesting......veeeeeeeery interesting.

Major Point No. 4: There are no more major points.

So, we eat when we are not hungry. We eat when we are sad, stressed, have drunk too much alcohol (we are back to the PDV post again), want to stuff feelings down, even when we are happy - birthday cake and celebratory meal, anyone? Slightly contraversial viewpoint coming up.....Ummm, isn't this just life though? You know, that rich and varied thing. So they didn't do it fifty years ago. But fifty years ago, we did not have the abundance and variety of food that is on offer now. Otherwise, they might have been hefties, too.

Okay, in all seriousness, I did make an attempt to follow the Beyond Chocolate 'principles'. But I found myself thinking of them as rules. So when I wanted to scoff a chocolate bar just because it a. tastes nice b. I needed an energy boost and c. was maybe a teeny tiny bit bored and not really hungry at all, (pardon me but does anyone really think 'Ooo I am hungry, I know what, I will eat a chocolate bar'? Thought not. It is there as a pleasurefest only) I thought of 'the rules'. How do I feel? Am I really hungry? Do I really want to eat this? Then I thought 'fcuk it, I will start 'the rules' tomorrrow'. See what I did there? The rules had become The New Diet. Diet = fail. Who really wants to analyse every morsel they put in their mouths, anyway? Sounds just as obsessive as I was about exercise all those years ago.
One of the 'principles' is that you should make your own rules up, as no one should tell you what to eat, and when (now that I agree with - I can NEVER follow one of those horrid three day diets from magazines, which requires you to spend about £300 on food that you have never heard of, and will end up throwing in the bin at the end of Day Three, uneaten). The rebel in me decided that the rule that I would make up would be 'stuff the rules'. Epic fail.

Another one of the books I read suggested that we should stop being vain immediately. Yes, that is correct. You are WRONG to want to lose weight to look better. You should want to lose weight for health reasons, and health reasons alone. It suggested that when you start eating grilled chicken and veg for dinner (err, hello? Isn't that a d-i-e-t?) and begin to inevitably lose weight (as well as wanting to slash your wrists), if someone notices and comments on it you should ignore it. 'Just change the subject', the write suggests. How completely totally utterly ridiculous. You know where you can stick that, author who will remain anonymous...

So, where does this leave me and my curves?

Well, I have spent a long time thinking about why I am the weight that I am, and why eat too much sometimes. These are very personal reasons, and not ones that I feel the need to share here. But what it has lead to, is more acceptance of myself. And do you know what? Now I feel more accepting of me, I have found myself wanting to eat more healthily. To drink more water, eat more fruit, and exercise more. So what I have found, is a change in my view of me, rather than my view of food.....interesting, huh?

I will confess now that I have re-joined weightwatchers. But this is not in a desperate 'when I look in the mirror I think fatso' way. It's because I need some support in re-learning how to look after myself properly, for me, my confidence, my health, and because I want ah-mazing legs. Not because I am unhappy and think that if only I lost two stone overnight and looked better, everything will be a-okay. If I drink too much (often) and scoff something that I don't really need afterwards (guarenteed), I forget about it and move on. Sometimes we eat for the wrong reasons. 'Tis life. 'Tis MY life, and I love it. Stick that in your 'How not to diet but actually this is all about dieting' book and read it.

So I think what I am trying to say, in a very lengthy and drawn out way, is that, you need to do what is best for you when it comes to your weight and health. Don't cry because you sniffed a chocolate bar. Don't put up with people sneering at you because you don't conform, be it too fat or too thin. Don't analyse and agonise over every food decision put in front of you. Just be happy being you and trundling along with what works for you best - so long as you are happy and healthy, what does it matter? And you will feel much happier for it. Take it from me, a very nearly life long serial dieter....

The Penny Dreadful Vintage Launch Partaaaaay

2011-05-22T10:36:00.000+01:00

I found myself in a vintage fuelled frenzy last weekend, due to being honoured with an invite to the Penny Dreadful Vintage launch party. The lovely Margaret at PDV gave up her full time role in March in order to pursue her love of hunting down the best vintage available, for us to buy. Hurrah!

Margaret currently has an online etsy store, and now has her own little boutique stuffed full of vintage amazement, hence the reason for the partaaaay. Vintage hunters can go along to Margaret's home in Hampstead Heath for a private appointment to view her large and very beautiful selection of vintage clothing and accessories, which are not available online. PDV stocks all kinds of clothing and accessories from all eras, so there is plenty to chose from. Margaret really knows her stuff so is happy to pick things out and make recommendations, especially if you have a particular event to dress for, or just need a 'pick me up' frock (and who doesn't??).
So, on to the partaaaaay! I knew things were going to go with a bang when Landgirl 1980 started making Pimms punch in a large stewing pot (sorry, didn't get my own photo!), whilst declaring 'now I feel like a proper witch....' muahahahaha! (Okay, the evil laugh was my addition...)

Margaret had laboured writing different names for women on each cup. Not only great fun to see what you would get (although some cheated and picked a more flattering tag - but ye shall remain anonymous in ye's sin), but you could put your cup down and know which one was yours again later. Hurrah!

I picked Jade. There was me thinking 'not so bad, sounds rather exotic' (here the wordsmiths amongst you can stifle your laughter) - in fact, it is an old word for strumpet. Niiiiiiiiiiice............!! I have accepted my fate and I took the cup home with me - it now adorns my dressing table, a little home to bobby pins.

So, the Pimms witching hour over (until we got to the bottom of the stewing pot, that is), Landgirl then set up a vintage hair dressing salon. Proving not only is she very witty and intelligent, she's a jack of all trades, too.

I'm not going to strangle you, honest...

It was lovely to meet some familiar faces for the first time, as can only happen in the blogosphere.

The lovely Rosie-Alia from Out with the New, In with the Old - straight from waitressing for the Vintage Pattiserie

Rosie was wearing a positively swoonsome dress that she made by her own fair hand! It had a BOW on it. You know how I feel about bows. I just can't get enough of them. I am hoping I have persuaded her to do a hair tutorial because it is loverly, (are you reading this, Rosie??) and she always has a beautiful flower in it to.

So into Landgirl Salon of Hair Vinagery I went, and it wasn't long before I looked like this:

Posey posey now! I made my dress myself... it's not perfect, it's a bit big around the bust (it's always around the bust, isn't it? Not the waist or hips, oh no). You can see a full length photo on the PDV post, along with my hair post visit to Landgirls Salon of Hair Vintagery (I forgot to take one, sorry - it all got a bit messy after that. I blame Landgirl, of course...)

Thank you to Landgirl for being a great snapper - much love xxx

I DID say it got messy, right? Channeling Hilda Ogden having a whinge about Stan here...not so much love, Landgirl!! (just kidding mwah)

Landgirl and Rosie-Alia - a bevy of 1940's beautys!

A new friend, Akeela

There was much hair love for Akeela, who returned the favour by taking lots of snaps with her snazzy camera!

The lady herself, Margaret of Penny Dreadful Vintage fame

And finally, Rosie-Alia posing with her 'Amazon' cup - see, she ain't no strumpet...

A fabbylous night was had by all, topped off by having good bags to take home. They had love hearts in them! And a hankie! And a Sherlock Holmes book! It was the bestest party bag I have ever had the priviledge of taking home.

What I rather stupidly did not take were photos of the beautiful room that Margaret has set up, or the delicious food. We had to scoff some of Landgirl's wartime recipe scones in order to soak up some of the alcohol (you know, you get to that point where if you don't eat, the only thing you will be going to bed with is a bucket? Yeah, we where kinda there by the time we stumbled out).

So if you haven't already, check out the links and the blogs, and support Margaret in her lovely new venture. I am on a health kick at the moment (PAH! I hear you cry - you just confessed to drinking to the point of feeling ill! - yeah yeah I know but even the fitness angels - of which I am definitely NOT one - need a day off every now and then), but when I have toned up some, I shall be heading back to buy a fabbylous 'I-am-now-so-fit' vintage dress from Margaret.
And lastly: if you haven't bought your ticket for Swing for Skin, why not?? You have until tomorrow, Monday 23rd May to purchase it. S'gonna be a good 'un! And Howdydoodly to my latest followers, ye be most welcome aboard this vessel (sorry, I saw Pirates of the Carribean on Friday and I've come over all pirate...)
Take care my vintage lovelies! xx

Fabbylous Frockery: Electric Gypsy

2011-05-16T19:01:00.000+01:00

I found Electric Gypsy completely by accident, whilst searching for a thirties style dress for Retrochick's 'A Marvellous Cocktail Night' (if you aren't coming, grab yourself a ticket - myself and Penny Dreadful are trekking ALL the way up from Londin Tahn ter be there! Would be pleased to meet you!)

The Frockery:

Pinafore Bob Tartan Dress, £38

See Emily Play Button Collar Shift Dress, £31

The Madison Dress, £65

Audrey Dress, £51

1950s Bow Dress, £56

1940s Working Dress £72

1930s Cape Collar Dress, £65

Such beautiful designs, and there is a great selection - something from every era to suit all vintage lovelies! I also think they are very reasonably priced for dresses hand made in the UK. They are made to order, so you need to order about ten days in advance, if you want to purchase one for a particular occasion. There is also a selection of fabrics, too. Go forth and spend! Pip pip!

The latest addition to Cherry Mansions

2011-05-15T16:37:00.000+01:00

On a recent episode of 'Eastenders' character Janine Butcher said 'It looks like an episode of Antique's Roadshow in here' describing her flat after her Gran made a 'few' changes. Instantly Lord Cherry turned and gave me his infamous eyeball. I suppose he might be along the right lines.

In order to keep our ever growing pile of paperwork in order, I decided a bureau would be just the thing (so much easier to shove it somewhere else than to do 'that' You know. Sort though it. *Shudders* ) I found the perfect one on Preloved, for £40, and for £10 extra, the seller delivered it, too.

My 'lady bureau' as I am calling it, as it is narrower than an average bureau and fits perfectly in our hallway. Not sure what the red and black thing is on the floor, but I suspect it is a sock belonging to one of the men of the house. Sigh.

Sadly, the key is missing. Otherwise I could have locked my secrets away ;-)

It has three drawers, the top one being slightly smaller than the other two....

...and I love the handles!

Ummm yes....it's full of junk already....

So although I won't be sitting at this and writing letters, I might lean on it to write a cheque for the milkman once in a while, and dream about who might have used it - what she was like, what she wrote, and where it lived before Cherry Mansions. Do you have a piece of furniture that makes you feel like that?

In case I forget, I was recently interviewed by the lovely Jessica Neno at the Hollywood Fashion Vaults, across the pond. You can read it here :) toodleloo! xx

The Romance of the Steam Train

2011-05-11T20:20:00.001+01:00

I travel to work everyday by train, like thousands of other 'commuters' (urgh - such a horrible term!). I spend most of this time either asleep, reading, or being grumpy. 'Tis the perogative of the commuter.

I am not interested in trains at all. But I cannot help but feel rather romantic about steam trains, and train stations. The place where lovers say a heart rending goodbye.....

Parting is such sweet sorrow

This beautiful statue adorns the concourse at St Pancas Station

......or a place of unbound joy in meeting again. I see them all the time, and it warms my heart. You will too, if you put your head up and look a little....it's also the perogative of the commuter to walk looking at the ground and go full steam ahead (pardon the pun) for the exit, and woe betide anyone who crosses thee's path.

Of course, I wish that I travelled to work on a train like one of these...

The Orient Express at Victoria Station, London

The Hop Express is run annually from London to Faversham by Shepherd Neame, Kent, in honour of the Hop Festival in early September, and all the hop pickers of yesteryear, some of whom were my family.

...and that I could take tea on a little table with a lamp, and maybe Poirot would declare that it was Lady Cherry in the dining carriage with the candlestick...

Or that my train station still looked like this:

Teynham Station, c. 1931

Teynham Station, 1922 - preparations for the Duke of York's (later George VI) visit to Lady Honeyball

Courtesy of Teynham.org

...but it doesn't. So I take small comfort in the romance that I can still just about see, if I look hard enough. It reminds me that love really is all around, and we are all the same in wanting a little bit of that for ourselves. So next time you find yourself at a train station, have a look around, it might make you smile once in a while :) Toot toot!

Lipstick Tart: Elizabeth Arden Colour Intrigue Effects in Poppy Cream

2011-05-09T20:15:00.001+01:00

Lipstick Tart is back with a vengeance! Set on my sights this time is Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue in Poppy Cream.

Firstly, the packaging....

Sturdy and robust, but let's be honest, pretty boring

But it has a little embossing to pretty it up a little!

The colour - it looks fairly matte, but it isn't. It's a fairly blue red - the shade that suits me the best!

This lipstick has a slight perfume to it, but I don't find it an overwhelming taste and smell.

And finally, on!

The application is easy, and it gives good coverage with just the one coat if I am in a rush. It feels rather moisturising on application, so it isn't a harsh formula. It lasts until lunchtime before I needs touching up, so is good enough on the longevity front.

I have noticed that it is slightly drying if I wear it at work all day - after re-application, I noticed I get those rather unattractive 'bits' on my bottom lip. And it does bleed a little, even with a lip liner (although I am currently using a crayon, so that may not be as effective as the common pencil).

Sorry for the grainy image, I cropped it from a full length photo

However, with it's glossier appearance and strong red shade, I am rather liking it for the warmer weather we have been experiencing here in the UK in recent weeks. Overall, it has earned its place in the Lady Cherry Lipstick Collection!

You can purchase Elizabeth Arden Poppy Cream here for just £2.49 - bargainous! You didn't think I paid full price for all those lipsticks did you? I'd be bankrupt if I did.....over and out!

Cherche le Style de la Femme: Gilda

2011-05-07T18:10:00.000+01:00

Gilda (1946, Columbia Pictures) was the film that launched Rita Hayworth into Hollywood Space. The film was the launchpad; the rocket was the the black dress that Gilda performs a strip tease in, designed by the Columbia Pictures costume designer, Jean Louis.

Mr Louis worked for Columbia Pictures between 1944 and 1960, receiving no less than 14 Academy Award nominations for costume design along the way, for 'A Star is Born' to 'Thoroughly Modern Mille'. What I would give to have a pocket sized Jean to keep in my wardrobe. The 'Gilda' dress, and the dress he designed for Marilyn Monroe for her performance of 'Happy Birthday, Mr President', are his most famous creations.

Louis' black strapless gown lauched her career - isn't she a picture?

Now, I am going to be honest here. Trying to find a decent strapless floor length gown proved MUCH harder than I thought. Most of them look incredibly cheap. Luckily for you, I'm not that good at taking no for an answer...

This dress has a boned bodice for a flattering shape
Black Candice Corset Dress, Coast, £180

This version has that all important thigh high slit
Satin Back Crepe Bow Dress, John Lewis, reduced to £75 (limited sizes available)

This Vogue Pattern (V2929) would work well in black, if you are brave enough to make one yourself.
Vogue patterns are currently half price at Jaycotts

These full length gloves are stretchy, and available in black
Full length satin glove, £16.95, Henry Kaye

Rita's hair is to die for, and you can find a fab tutorial from Lisa FreemountStreet to recreate it here.

What you need to go with a fabulous black dress, are some fabulous shoes...

Knot Platform Peeptoes, £30, Next

Bonny Scallop Court Heels, Schuh, £62
I confess, I own a pair of these myself :)

With a simple dress, you can go as mad as you like with the shoes....

A woman like Gilda would have rocked these babies (I don't own a pair. Yet.)
Anglomania Lady Dragon Red Heart Shoes, £120, Vivienne Westwood

As good as it looks, I won't be showing you where to purchase cigarette holders...

This film is captivating with unexpected turns and chemistry between Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. The character of Gilda is intriguing, dangerous, yet vunerable. So if you haven't seen it yet, do it! Pip pip! xx

The Great British Seaside

2011-05-04T18:37:00.000+01:00

Ahh, the Great British Seaside. What does that make you think of?

Piers Cockles Rock Ice Cream Sand Shingle Carousels Penny Slot Machines Sunshine Sunburn Fish n' Chips Wooden Forks Seagulls Candy Floss False Fronts Deck Chairs Fun Times Pimms Kiss Me Quick Hats....

Lord C and I have been lucky enough to visit two different places of seasidey-ness of late, both very different: Brighton and Whitstable (or Whitstabubble as I and many others prefer to call it!) And great fun we have had, too.

This sign really should be at the beginning of the pier. I might have seen it before I had to run away from several sqwauking sea gulls after feeding them some left over cake.

True Romance at the end of the pier

Love two penny slot machines are the most fun you can have with a quid. I insist on having a go whenever I see one. The trick is in the timing, but you have to chose your machine carefully, too - pick the one with all the weight at the front, just about ready to tip.

Ahh deck chairs. Sometimes I fantasize about running away to be a deck chair money collecter. Okay, I don't really but it would be fun for a day...imagine all the people you would meet!

This is the sort of thing I wear when I am dressing down. Leggings DPs Dress Tesco Cardigan Zara, all at least a year old.

There is something magical about carousels. But I feel kinda sad for them, their faces seem to tell a story of a race that is never over, or won.

So big I couldn't get it in one photo!!

There's ~~nutters~~ people in the top of that! It spun round and round and round like a Catherine wheel and the people looked rather sick when they got off it.

A bit of bunting magic left over from the Royal Wedding in a Whitstable tea shop

I love a ghost sign. Lord C was most amused when we walked back past and an old person was taking a photo of it as well. Pah.

Seaside architecture is the bestest! I love all those ice cream colours.

Whitstable has a lovely working harbour, and you can buy oysters straight off the boat.

Bit of a mad men day shoes primarni as seen before skirt £4 charity shop shirt Top Shop and jacket Zara, both years old :)

It also has some lovely junk and vintage shops on the sea wall - or places that sell old tat, as Lord C calls them..!

Lovely Whitstabubble. The building is the Old Neptune pub, which does amazing chips!

Do you like the seaside? What is your favourite thing to do there? xx

Posey Posey Outfit Post: A Day Out in the Sun

2011-05-02T13:50:00.001+01:00

Hello lovelies!

As it has been a good six weeks since my last outfit post, I thought I would share my outfit from our grand day out at Leeds Castle.

Dress £12.99 charity shop shoes vintage Primarni 2004 locket £6 e bay sunglasses present from my son :)

I know £12.99 for a charity shop dress is alot of money. And, to be frank, it is a Florence and Fred number so it probably wasn't much more new. I looked at it, looked at the price tag and put it back. Then I looked at it again. Then I remembered that it was in this shop that I saw a blue velvet vintage dress but it was £20 so I decided to leave it. Being the glutton for punishment that I am, I googled the label up when I got home to discover said left on the rail dress was probably made in the late 1940s and was worth about £60. GAAAAAAAAAAAAH. This thought prompted me to buy the £12.99 dress. And I love it.

My legs are very pale and I'm not afraid to admit it - I was bare legged on this day.

Bag £5 charity shop during the Camden Raid

Love this summery bag. I've got a thing about oriental prints at the moment. I have my eye on some oriental fabric for a dress pattern I have. I have had quite alot of sewing success of late, that I will be sharing with you shortly.

Lipstick Retro Red by New York Color, swapped through Make Up Alley - review to follow!

Enjoy the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend. Pip pip!

Royal Wedding Fashion: The Beautiful and The Damned

2011-05-01T09:19:00.001+01:00

I hope you are enjoying the extended weekend!

Those of you that follow me on Twitter will already know that I got very excited on Friday morning when the BBC coverage of the Royal wedding began....at 8.00am....a whole three hours before the event itself! The reason for this became obvious: it takes a jolly long time to seat 1900 people....

I thoroughly enjoyed watching all the guests arrive in between hemming a dress (more of that later this week), and thought it would be fun to select the best and worst....or as I prefer to call them:

The Beautiful......

It might have been predictable, but Kate looked stunning in her Sarah Burton gown.

Simply gorgeous

The Mother of the Bride in Catherine Walker. Love the subtle difference in colour between outfit and handbag and shoes.

Not an actual guest, but a great hat nonetheless (take note, Mrs Cameron - not a guest, but still wearing a hat!)

Pippa again in an Alice Temperley gown for the evening

It's your turn next, Zara

....and The Damned

Becks wore his medal on the wrong side and Posh donned a tent. Don't get me started on the position of that hat, and the fact the miserable bint never smiles. Then tries to tell us how fabbulous her life is and how loving her marriage is. What. Ever.

FYI, dresses with slits in are not de rigueur a la Westminster Abbey.

Chelsy, hairbrush. Hairbrush, Chelsy. Shoulder exposure = no-no. Ill fitting = no-no. Skirt lining on show = no-no. Bag and hat in different random colours = no-no.

Tara, Tara, Tara. I think we now know for sure where Noah's Ark came to rest.

Gauld bless 'er. Someone get Camilla a stylist. Drop waists on ladies with middle age spread are guess what? A NO-NO!

Ye entered the House of God on a Royal Occasion without a HAT on ye's head. One shall now lose ye's head. And for the odd colour choice of pashmina, and a third colour choice for shoes...not to mention you are showing your toes and the nails don't appear to be painted. And for that weird non-ironed effect on your crinkly fabric dress.
Off. With. Your. Head! (But I will add that hair and make up is lovely Mrs C)

What. The Hell. Words fail me. For the sake of the nation's fashion reputation, don't ask your mother for fashion advice again, please, Beatrice and Eugene.

This would have made The Beautiful list, if only it fitted properly, Mrs Clegg.

Joss, yet again, you could have been Beautiful. But you chose a randomly coloured hat, therefore you are Damned.

It seemed to me there were far more people making fashion faux pas than there were those who got it bang on. Although Kate and Wills wanted it to be as informal as it could be for a state occasion, I was disappointed that some guests (Chelsy) looked as though they hadn't long got out of bed. Others made an effort, but clearly need a full length mirror, or a different advisor.

Don't get me started on Mrs Cameron's lack of hat again. If hats aren't your thing, a fascinator would have served just as well. I wouldn't dream of turning up for a wedding ceremony without 'somethng' on my head. Sure, I would whip it off (we are still talking about the headgear here), but you have to do something a little special for such an occasion, unless of course the Bride politely requests otherwise..afterall, no one wants to be sitting behind the lady who won the 'largest hat in Europe' award.

Who were on your beautiful and damned lists?

Image sources: FabSugar Daily Mail Hollyscoop People

Royal Wedding Dress Predictions

2011-04-27T22:08:00.000+01:00

I have to admit, as soon as 'the wedding' was announced back in November, my first thought was 'I wonder if we will get a day off'. Sometimes I feel rather excited about it all, wish I had a street party to go to (I attended one for Diana, you know, even though I was only 3 and a bit), and I might even have a go at making some bunting (will let you know how it goes), but most of the time, I think 'HOW much?? Gerra proper job, you lazy parasites.'

I do admit, however, it being very curious about the new nations sweethearts' dress. I loved wedding dress shopping. I tried over 50 on before my mum politely suggested that I 'pick one already', and I picked the second one that I tried on. Ahem. But I could have picked any one of eight, that all looked fabbylous on me, darhlink.

Anyway, back to La Middleton. Some say she has designed it herself. Others, that Bruce Oldfield is making it. Or maybe she did it like Di and each part has been worked on seperately by a different dress maker, so that none of them know what it looks like. Who knows? Well not me so this gives me an ideal opportunity to speculate 'til my hearts' content.

It will be white or ivory. Don't say 'duh'. Getting married in white has only been popular since good 'old Queen Vic did it, in 1840. Jessica Sarah Parker got married in black. And there appear to be absolutely no images of her in it on the world wide interweb. Lots of brides pick red, or an accent colour. In fact, the only colour it is frowned upon to marry in is green - it meant the saucy minx of a bride was wearing it to cover up the grass stains ;-)

Kate's style (which appears to have taken the nation by storm - thank God someone has knocked Cheryl Cole off her style perch, that is all I can say) is very simple and elegant. Lace has been a very popular choice for brides over the past year, but it strikes me that lace is a bit too fussy for our Kate.

The dress won't be strapless as that would be inappropriate in such a grand house of God. Given that it's April and the lovely weather we have had appears to be a gift from Mother Nature, which coincidentally is going to end on, errrr, the Big Day, Kate would have expected to be a wee bit chilly. I expect to see sleeves, or at the very least, a shrug.

Joan Shum White Dahlia source

Justin Alexander 8524 source

I wouldn't rule out jaquard. Very regal looking.

Kate Sherford Atlanta Source

I am expecting it to be a simple classic shape, with a small 'puddle' train. Certainly not the big one that Diana had.

Suzanne Neville Forever source

Caroline Castigliano Electra source

I doubt it will be silk, as it crumples too easily and everyone went on about it after Diana wore it. In fact, they still go on about it now. If it is satin, it will be very structured - otherwise it might look a little too 'nightwear'.

Augusta Jones Corsica source

See what I mean?

Let's hope it doesn't look like any of these:

Selection from Hollywood Dreams (Dreams? Really?) source

Yep. I am now convinced it will be a fairly high neck, possibly even high collared, three quarter length sleeved structured a-line gown (not too poofy, y'know?) with a small train. Not unlike Princess Grace, but it won't be buttoned to the neck. And her hair will be up, she will wear a veil, and probably a tiara, borrowed from that collection....whatsitcalled....oh yeah, the crown jewels.....what are your predictions on it? Or do you not give a hoot? Pip pip! xx

A Grand Day Out

2011-04-25T17:43:00.000+01:00

Being such lovely weather (err, Mr Weatherman, you do realise it's a Bank Holiday, therefore it should be raining here in the UK, right??) the Family Cherry ventured out to the lovely Leeds Castle. Not in Leeds, Yorkshire, but in Leeds, Kent. And boy am I glad we did.
I was taken there by my great aunt as a child, and the only thing I can remember are that my little legs did A LOT of walking, and there were what seemed to me to be about a zillion dog collars, mostly old, which were frightfully boring. But I didn't say that at the time. What I have learned today is that a rather lovely lady graced this castle until her death in 1975. A lovely lady who redecorated the modern (well, 17th c.) portion of the castle in the 1930s...and much of it is still just as it was then. Cue huge grin from me, and Lord C eyeing me suspiciously with that 'not another bloody vintage day out' look in his eye. I swear, I had no recollection of this at all. I just gravitate towards vintage places naturally :))

Sir and Lady Baillie
Source

This rather lovely lady was born Olive Paget. Already having been married and divorced twice, she purchased the castle (as you do) in 1926 with her family inheritance (American Whitney family), and set about making it a proper home. This is why it is sometimes referred to as a 'lady's castle'. In 1931, she married for the third time and became Lady Baillie (but he didn't last that long, either!)
During the years up to the Second World War, the castle saw many a bright young thing dance over it's floorboards, and play bridge in the drawing room - Lady Bailllie had a great reputation for entertaining. These included the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Errol Flynn and David Niven....! Lady Baillie was apparently very reserved and private, but hugely loyal, having many acquaintances but few close friends. She preferred to listen but could keep a conversation going if need be. This is one of the reasons why the castle still holds fabbylous events now. Lady Baillie loved cinema, and on 26th August the castle will host an open air screening of 'Some Like It Hot' - I squealed with excitement when I read this! Perfect for a picnic - the grounds are breathtaking....

Lady Baillie was a bird lover, and opened a aviary in the grounds of the castle in the 1960s. She introduced the first black swans in the UK to the castle's moat. They are truly stunning creatures...even if one of them did look at my pinky toes in a hungry fashion.

A rather splendid peacock chap

Anyway, enough of that. Let's get on to the bit you REALLY want to see.

Lady Baillie worked with French interior designer Stephane Boudin from 1937 to create some rather fine rooms fit for a lady...

Lady Baillie is in the middle with the cigarette; the other two ladies are her daughters from her first marriage. This fabbylous portrait is at the end of the drawing room, where I could almost hear the clink of champagne glasses and see clouds of smoke. Lady Baillie was a heavy smoker, and spent much of her later life on an oxygen tank.

I would have happily risked being thrown out and possible arrest to have grabbed at least three pairs of shoes from her closet...although he feet looked really narrow! Picture of my suprised face to follow on my fb page :)

I need a bathroom like this one. We weren't allowed in it, which is just as well, as more potential illegal theiving activites might have taken place. The black swans are the symbol of Leeds Castle.

I have tasked Lord C with knocking through the wall into the spare room so that I can have a sofa in my bedroom too. Where he can bring me coffee before I depart my sleeping chamber to face the day ahead.

What I would not give for a reading room like this one. For a short time this was a part of a temporary hospital during WWII, but like many stately homes in Kent, it was boarded up for most of the war for fear of invasion.

There are many other beautiful rooms and photos of the lovely Lady Baillie sporting some ah-mazing outfits, but I won't spoil it for you :) I purchased a book about her from the castle shop, as she has really captured my imagination. She also loved dogs, hence the dog collars, which are housed in a seperate museum. Given my previous experience, and Lord C saying 'what would I want to look at those for??', we gave it a miss...! The castle is now owned by the trust that Lady Baillie set up to look after it after her demise.

At £18.50 per adult to get in, t'isn't cheap. But you can return free of charge for up to 12 months afterwards, and it is worth every penny. Lord C and I are going to return with a picnic. Definitely worth a visit! Toodleloo xx

My week in pictures

2011-04-24T10:30:00.000+01:00

Happy Easter, Vintage Bunnies :) May the Easter Bunny bring you all your springtime wishes. I am wishing for a thirties, or thirties style frock, but more of that later this week.

As you can read, I am back from Outer Space (well, Norfolk) where it was very flat, very sunny, and very errr full of windmills. Of the old and new variety, as you will see. In all honesty, there was a lot of laziness going on. So I don't have much to tell. But I did take some photos to share with you.

Found this beauty on the seafront at Great Yarmouth. I am guessing 'Zen' was a foul nightclub. What a shame it is empty now - but it's lease is up for sale, I vote to change it back to a lovely house of moving pictures, just as it would have been when it opened, for vintage lovelies like us to don our best frocks and walk up the steps with a chap on our arms - who is with me??

Built in the Year of the British Empire, 1911

Roll up for your tickets!

Thank the Lord, or should that be 'Zen' that they didn't remove this beautiful glass. I wanted to stroll up and taken a look through the glass doors, but silly me was frightened of seeing a ghostly actor looking crossly out at me at the lack of recent audiences :)

The flag that should be flying when her maj is attending a premier

I attended a few of these....what are they called again....house of beer, perhaps? Or sometimes, house of Pimms :)

Ahh the Broads of Norfolk :) We did have a laugh at some of the 'Look At MEEEEEE' types in their oversized 'yachts'. Slightly concerned that Lord Cherry wants to take a holiday on a painted narrow boat. I foretell imminent danger, and the sound of splitting wood.

If you squint you can spy a windy mill!! Windy Miller lives in one of those, you know. And Jonathon Creek.

One of many wind turbines. Love 'em or loathe 'em, we will be seeing alot more of them in the green future. I kinda like them, new age windmills. Shame you can't live in them.

A post wouldn't be complete without a shot of my shoes du jour. If Dorothy ever visited a beach, she would have worn these.

Someone drank rather a lot of these. Can't think who.

I am going to spend the rest of Easter Sunday making a dress I have started - it's a little black number, kinda Audrey Hepburn style with a high neck, sleeveless and slight gather in the skirt. I shall let you know how I get on this week. I will also be catching up with all the wonderful and sometimes weird things you have been getting up to, too :) Don't you go eating all those eggs at once, now! Toodleloo xx

Cherry Blossom

2011-04-17T21:36:00.000+01:00

Hello lovelies. I hope you have been enoying the sunny weather we have had this weekend :) and a special hello to my newest followers, too.

It has been fabbylous here in Kent (which, if I haven't mentioned before, rocks). Lord C and I went out to take some photos of the beautiful cherry blossom in the sunshine. The place where I live is where cherries were grown for the very first time during the reign of Henry VIII, and there continues to be many fruit orchards in the area.

Cherry blossom holds some super memories for me. The first place that I lived with my mum was a dump (no point in beating around the bush), but the street was lined with cherry blossom. Even though I was a little, I really looked forward to seeing it again, and walking under it, especially when the wind blew it down :b. Once I found a piece of branch on the floor with blossom in tact, and me and my mum took it home and put it in a glass milk bottle with some water. But like so many things, it didn't last long. In fact, the meaning of the blossom is how fleeting and precious life is. I have some cherry blossom tattooed on my back, to remember some of my loved ones, now lost. One day I am going to get to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan. But alot closer to home, one of the farmers opens up his orchard annually for picnics at this time of year :).

So enough rambling, here are the visuals....

The Family Cherry are demobbing to Norfolk for a few days on Tuesday, where I fully expect to have limited internet access...so have a lovely week, whatever you get up to. Toodleloo xx

Vintage Inspired Dress from Stop Traffic Clothing

2011-04-11T21:22:00.000+01:00

Hi all :)

Many apologies for the lack of broadcasts over the past week. Yet again something is not right in the state of Lady Cherry Land (use of the word 'rotten' seems a bit strong!!), so please bear with me if my posts are a little sporadic. I am having a Judy Blume moment....'Are you there God? It's me, Lady Cherry...if there's any chance my life could just get back to normal, that would be great. Thanks'.

Thank you for all the lovely comments you have posted over the last couple of posts, I do read all of my comments and I really appreciate you taking the time to post. Especially at times like this.

Anyway...what better way to take ones' mind off things, than with a spot of shopping :D So, without further ado, today's main feature is on a new vintage reproduction company called Stop Traffic Clothing, which is owned by the lovely Rebecca. Rebecca writes for Vintage Guide to London, and set up Stop Traffic in late 2010. Believe me, you really would stop traffic in some of the dresses she has for sale on her website!

Miss Fortune Pink Scarlett Fever Circle Skirt, £39.50

Bettie Page Clothing Captain Circle Dress in Navy, £115

Miss Fortune Nautical Nancy Skirt in Navy, £37.50

Stop Staring Stella Dress in Tan, £159

Stop Traffic Clothing also has a lovely array of accessories, from hats to petticoats. Even better than that, just for you, dear reader, is a 10% discount code, valid for six months. Just enter LADYCHERRY into the e voucher code box on the checkout page. I actually NEED all of the items I have featured here. Have fun :) xx

Giveaway winner!

2011-04-11T20:27:00.000+01:00

Thank you for all of your entries into my chocolate give away to celebrate my centenary plus 15, and apologies for the late draw.

All the entries went into a hat, and I am pleased to announce....drumroll please.....

..the drum is still rolling...

Ashley at Jelly Bean's Odds and Ends is the winner - hurrah!

Ashley has a lovely blog about her sewing adventures, so if you haven't already, be sure to check her blog out.

Sorry you couldn't all win :) xx

Cherche le Style de la Femme: Phyllis Dietrichson, Double Indemnity

2011-04-03T13:05:00.000+01:00

I am completely taken by Barbara Stanwyck's character Phyllis in Double Indemnity, 1944 (you just don't get character development like that these days...!). This heralds the beginning of a new post series, inspired by the style of great Hollywood leading femmes, fatale or otherwise....and how to recreate looks.

Double Indemnity, a film noir from 1944

In the opening scene, the femme fatale Phyllis Dietrichson makes an appearance in a rather glamourous dressing gown.

This forties rayon dressing gown is currently on e bay with four days left.

For a long sleeved version, sewers can make this reproduction Butterick pattern up. Available here.

Gotta love a pillbox hat...and with a veil? So much, the better. Phyllis trying to look all innocent here. Needless to say, she wasn't!

This one is available on e bay with three days to go.

New pill box hats are pretty hard to come by; Emerald Angel make one that you can chose to have without a veil (but why would you not want a veil, that's what I want to know??) There is a fair selection but if e bay isn't for you, you could aways have a go at making your own.

It was this skirt and shirt combo that really caught my attention..the long skirt has a double slit at the front *swoon* Apologies, I cannot find a full length photo - you will just have to watch the film to see what I mean and swoon for yourself. It looks amazing when she walks.

The floral version in the right hand corner is the nearest I can find, and I have scoured everywhere for a ready to wear or pattern! The good news is it's available here with 50% off (applies to all Simplicity patterns) until 17th April 2011. You need to ensure the skirt is ankle length for an authentic look.

There is another option....adding vents in to a skirt you already own, or buying one cheaply for this purpose. This tutorial is useful. Ideally the skirt would have two front seams in order to insert the two front slits. But two side slits would look just as glam.

If long skirts aren't your thing, a knee length (or just below) would work just as well - but make sure it's high waisted! Julia at House of Marmalade has a tutorial to make just the thing. Or you could buy one...I bought my one second hand from e bay, of course!

This gorgeous shirt from River Island would look fab tucked into a high waisted skirt.

Floral shirts are everywhere at the moment, so you should have no trouble finding something suitable, should it be new, or new to you :)

Every self respecting femme fatale needs a killer black dress.

Fortunately you can buy an identical one from the rather fabulous 20th Century Foxy.

Ahh yes. Dark glasses are a must for the incongnito femme fatale.

These vintage glasses are available from Rockit.

And finally, the hair..

There is a very easy tutorial for creating a rolled fringe here.

Hope you are enjoying your Sunday afternoons :) xx

Dare to Bare?

2011-04-02T19:20:00.001+01:00

I've got a cold at the moment so am feeling a a bit (well, very) meh. So I thought I would look back on something that made me feel good about myself.

Last June, I did something sneaky. You may be forgiven for thinking that I spend alot of time sneaking about, but this time it was totally justified, honest! (Well actually, it is always justified).I decided to have a boudoir photography shoot with Nicola Grimshaw Mitchell at My Boudoir ('oop North), which involved the very difficult task of having a make over, wearing lots of pretty lingerie (Nicola recommends three changes - how Hollywood!) and having my photo snapped. (In fact, it is actually quite hard to get into some of the positions to ensure a good shot...but it was still a huge amount of fun, and made me appreciate the art of taking a good photo!)

Ten days later I got some shots through, which ended up in a beautiful hard back book I received three weeks later, which ended up on the bed on the night of my then fiance's stag night. As a present for my soon to be husband to find. He was rather pleased with it. And he couldn't resist showing it to some of his mates, either.

Boo!
Corset What Katie Did Undercrakers Pandora's Choice Fishnet seamed tights ebay

The lovely Nicola has a beautiful setting and is a lovely lady, as are the make up artists. I got the collywobbles before my shoot as I am a pear shape (I might have whinged about that before, apologies), but she put my mind at rest completely. I would definitely jump at the chance to do this again if I could...afterall the fun doesn't stop just because you get married ;-) You would never know from my photos that I am a big bottomed thunder thighs would you? Like all top photographers, Nicola knows all about getting the angle right.

Nicola writes:

"........Most people have quite a frightening image of the Boudoir shoot. Bright lights, vast cold studio spaces full of male photographers and assistants and a seedy set of near pornographic snaps - its not that like with us!! We have a cosy home studio, a female make-over artist and me, Nicola, a very friendly, girly and down-to-earth photographer. Girls arrive feeling very nervous and always leave with a big beaming smile!

We photograph all sorts of girls, from brides to be wanting a special pressie for their grooms on their wedding day, to ladies over 50 wanting to celebrate a succesful recovery from breast cancer, and every type of lady in between! The Boudoir shoot is an empowering experience, a real confidence boost and as such is a great treat for you as well as for your partner.

We concentrate on beauty and femininity, giving a set of film-star, classy images worthy of Vogue, instead of focusing on body parts and bendy poses. Our fabulous make-overs take up to 2 hours, so there is plenty of time to get the look just right. We can do vintage or retro, modern smokey eyes, gorgeous 60's Brigitte Bardot or a pretty bridal look - its up to you! (Lady C adding in - they really do leave it up to you to decide, so you feel completely comfortable with how you look at the end of it).

We have lots of packages to suit all budgets, most include the fantastic make-over and a photobook album, boxed and wrapped in ribbon......"

And don't just take my word for it....

Diane before the make over

Here is Diane's experience of her shoot:

"From the moment I started planning our wedding, I always knew I wanted to do some sort of surprise 'photo shoot', not only for my husband to be, but also for me!! (after all, this was probably the only chance I'd get!)

Despite all my good intentions to get the shoot booked, I ended up doing my usual trick and left it until the very last minute. However this was no problem for Nicola as she fitted in with my tight timescales and she was very accommodating & friendly. From our first phone call she instantly put my mind at rest about the shoot & she talked me through the whole experience (which sounded fun but a little bit nerve racking!!)

When I turned up for the shoot I was very nervous & a little unsure about how I was going to be, but that all soon disappeared. I felt like a movie star when I was having my hair and make up done & it was just like having a girly night with old friends. I was now quite excited about rolling round in my underwear!!

During the shoot, Nicola was fantastic and made it all quite fun - nothing seedy at all & it was all very tasteful. I had quite a few different outfits for my shoot & Nicola made sure I looked fab in every one!

After the shoot, I was so looking forward to seeing the pictures & I was so excited about the whole thing - I just wanted to tell my fiancé about the whole thing, but obviously I couldn't!

When the album arrived, it looked fantastic, better than I ever could have hoped for and I was so pleased. I knew my husband to be would love it too & I was so excited about giving it to him.

On the morning of our wedding, I'd arranged for his album & his new watch to be left on his bed so he could open them before the ceremony. I spoke to him afterwards & he was super excited about the whole album & that he absolutely loved it!

I'm so glad I finally got round to doing the shoot with Nicola as it's something I'll remember for ever. My husband will too as he often has a crafty little look through the album and says how much of a lucky boy he is!!"

...and afterwards

I you have never had a shoot, you need to find a reason to have one..and you could find yourself in a picture like one of these......

Quite a feast for the eyes..! There are some incredible before and after shots in Nicola's gallery.

These photographs are copyright of Nicola Grimshaw Mitchell at My Boudoir and may not be reproduced without her permission. Thanks to the lovely Pearl Westwood, I regularly check for content theft and will take action if necessary.

If you haven't entered my chocolate giveaway yet...what is wrong with you?? If you have given up for Lent, I can post it after Easter :) Toodles! xx

Centenery (+15) Followers Giveaway - Free Posh Chocolate, anyone?

2011-03-30T16:47:00.001+01:00

Way back in the sands of time (well, in February) I said that I would have a giveaway when I got to a centenery of followers. Well I did, and now, with a centenery army plus a few more, I have got around to organising it (was far too busy buying furniture, you see!) And what a better way to celebrate than with chocolate.

Personally, I would enter this for the tin alone.'Les Choclats...' so romantic....Contained in this lovely tin are four chocolates, straight from Paris on the Orient Express (I expect..or should that be imagine?) with delicious fillings as praline and caramel.

Nom nom

If you want to enter, follow and leave a comment. If you wish for additional entries, you can tweet it, blog it or facebook it for one additional entry each (I promise not to judge your chocolate dependency). Open to all world residents (don't really fancy posting past the earth though, ta very much).

Entries close on Friday 8th April when Cinders' coach turns back to a pumpkin.

Please note these are not suitable for anyone allergic to peanuts or egg. (If you have an allergy and aren't sure, by all means enter, but don't eat them if you aren't sure. I'd rather not have a death on my conscience).....Best of British! xx