I'm No Angel

First of all I want to say thank you to all you bloggers who have commented here on my blog.  Your words of encouragement always make me smile and give me a right ol' giggle.  I admire all of you - it's not always easy to keep up with the frantic pace of life, be creative AND blog about your creativity.  You are amazing for hanging in there. xxxx


After a lone, five-hour round-trip by train to collect a wheelchair today, I'm feeling surprisingly perky and have a little energy left for my outfit du jour.
I think it's fitting to do a little tribute to my new Black Milk wet-look catsuit that the Phoenix bought me following much secret and silent coveting on my part.
I couldn't afford it and he surprised me by buying it for me on the last day before the collection was taken offline in readiness for BM's upcoming range, which I understand will include swimsuits (torture!).
BM made one especially for me coz I needed just a teeny more length in the leg - and it arrived yesterday!
The Phoenix is a keeper and a darling.
This is the first new item of clothing I've had for countless months.
No complaints as I love thrifting and making my own gear, but it's such a delicious treat to have something brand new!
Shiny, black parcel arrives ...

Containing a shiny, stretchy, cheeky little number ...

The raw product: one catsuit.

Now for the styling part.
We all know how tricky an all-in-one can be to manage especially when a bathroom stop on the run is called for.
Soooooo, the secret is to keep the layers reeeeaaaaly simple.
Forget layering using skirts with a waistband unless you want your skirt falling in a puddle in some dingy pub loo.
Think elastic, elastic, elastic.
'Course if you're game to wear the catsuit on its own, then by all means do so with pride and confidence:) (and show us pix please!).
But I'm new to this naked-without-being-naked piece so I'm covering up a bit.
A loose tunic is fine as you can whip it off quickly then wriggle out of the catsuit.
I've chosen to wear it with my Storets cotton, ruffle shorts and my bronze bustle skirt seen at right of each pic.
Unfortunately though, the skirt elastic is baggy and needs replacing so I'll post pix once I've done that job.
Do you remember my kilt that I shortened here?
You should recognise this same fabric here then.
Yes folks the kilt is part of a suit - a cape suit!
Perfect for catsuit-wearing, vintage, superhero antics!

Worn with 1950s hairpiece I call "the birds nest", Storets ruffle shorts, jet beads and velvet platforms.

See what I mean about being easy to get on and off?  Think about it.
Another styling idea.  Different vintage headpiece and a cotton scarf.

Silk flower hair clip, rings and bangles galore.

I'm sure there are more ways to style a catsuit.
Here I've created a bit of a tuxedo version, the catsuit is worn on its own with an Etro blazer, 1950s lace collar, chunky bangles and sky-high heels.

The collar fastens up at the back with a pearl button.  Ladies used to wear these collars to decorate plain sweaters.

The ruffle shorts are back on and I've added pearl ropes, plus a purple glass and pearly bead vintage necklace.

A blond fur cape for all you readers heading into autumn.

I hope you're all having a fantastic Friday and looking forward to sparkling weekend xo.

Wreaking Havoc

I'm told that growing up in New Zealand during the 1970s was in fact like winding back the clock at least 30 years.
I wouldn't know about that, I was just there and didn't know any different.
I wore the cable-knit cardigans, duffle coats, patent mary-janes and kilt pinafores.
I still have a terrible weakness for those same scratchy, heavy and pinching wardrobe items - I can't explain it.
Normally I won't tolerate any discomfort whatsoever - but I'm prepared to put up with a heavy kilt.
But I won't abide any kilt granny-fication.
So when my favourite kilt - if you know the tartan, please sing out - was recently discovered with several moth holes in it, I gnashed, screeched and sulked before popping it in a plastic bag and into the freezer for a few days.
I read the cold kills eggs and larvae.
Evidence of the little bastards' activities.

It was a sign that it was time to do something about making the kilt more wearable.  
I bought it about three years ago and had never worn it - too long and I felt like a granny in it - just loved the colours.
So after the moth-munch, I umm-ed and aah-ed for about two weeks, spent hours last week hemming and pressing the knife pleats to shorten it, thereby disguising the holes.

Until this morning when I took the scissors to it and walloped six inches off the hem.

It got rid of the moth holes (front and back - the little shits!), resulting in a new skirt that I wore straight away.
I've fallen in love with my "new" kilt.
In a way the moths forced my hand.  I loved the kilt but wouldn't wear it at calf length.
It can take me years to get up the courage to change a vintage garment dramatically.
Normally if I don't think a refashion will work, I sell pieces on eBay.
But in this case, creating a huge hem made the kilt bulky, so a chop, zig-zag and 1cm hem later and I was off out the door in my new pride and joy.
I'm wearing it with my Norma Kamali OMO leather vest, 1930s chemise and Docs.  The little 1960s red, vinyl handbag accompanied me out to scour op-shops today.

Accessories close-up time:
My favourite beaten-up old, leopard-print velvet hat; vintage pearls and ropes; 1930s earrings; thrifted plastic bangles.

Doesn't Jean Harlow make simply everything look beautiful?

Sweet Time - DAY 28

I'm taking a day out today.
I know it's a bit early in the week to go on strike, but I figure Monday's as good a day as any to scoff down lots of lovely fruit 'n nut chocolate, drink copious cups of tea and enjoy the spring sunshine:).
Oh and play dress ups of course.
I can't quite decide on this skirt from Bitching and Junkfood.
It's really short, but I like its proportions with the draped back, plus I'm a big fan of pockets and this baby has two.
I think worn with leggings or super-thick tights, it's fine.
I've worn it here with both Forever 21 granny booties and my Docs, hopefully to tone it down a bit.
I've had this 1950s lined, lace corset for a while so decided to bring it out to play and to top things off I added a thrifted 1970s velvet jacket which has lots of tiny buttons and loops, plus a peplum.  I adore the colour!
Forever 21 cream and pink floral tights, vintage and modern pearls, plus my "headpiece of the moment", a1950s veiled headband, also have their first meeting here.
Waddaya reckon?  
Heels or Docs?


Hope you're easing into the week at a nice easy pace:).