I Gave Flea's Neck a Polish

Well the Big Sweaty Day Out seems so long ago, which means I must be relaxed after all the burpday action.
Relaxation?
I'd almost forgotten the meaning of the word ... something about peace of mind, losing track of time, enjoying the moment?
Peace at last.

Well here's me, enjoying the moment on my 45th birthday with a cuppa and way too much rouge.
Yeah!!!

Last Sunday, it was just #1 Son and I who made it to see the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Oh come on, who was anybody kidding, we were all at the BDO to see either Flea or the Bloody Beetroots - the other acts were free entertainment.
Free funnage!

The day started with a mighty huge sleep-in, poached eggs on toast and coffee, then some last-minute festival tweaking.

The sweat-factor switched from hot-clammy to cold-rivers-of-water-flooding-from-our-pores as soon as we hit the Boiler Room, where we spent a solid four to five hours dancing.

If RHCP weren't on next, I would have been happy to hang out at the Lily Pad dancing to Paul Mac all evening.
According to two lovely wee dancing chickies, I'm "fucking legit"!!!
Actually it was quite amusing to see the looks on people's faces at the sight of #1 Son and I together that day.
We could see them putting two-and-two together and making five, resulting in much giggling and confusion.
I imagine them thinking: "What's that old lady doing with that dude?  Hmmmm ... they kinda look the same".
So I wonder how many 23-year-old men took their mums to the Big Day Out then?

Oh but look, there's a crowd gathering fast to experience what we came for ... 

it's FLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEA!!!!!
Still getting goosebumps from the best live rock gig I have ever been to.
Oh the glorious funkification!

Two days later and I woke up to a free parcel from Black Milk Clothing, the contents of which acted briefly as my birthday suit.
Briefly because it was about 34 degrees.

I rename this catsuit The Birthday Suit.
The rest of the day was spent with #1 Son, #3 Son and The Stylist, enjoying coffee, sushi then Life of Pi.
The Phoenix had some dramatic changes made to his meds last week, which will take a while for him to get used to so sadly he couldn't make it.

Intolerable cuteness.

This guy knows how to celebrate a birthday.

Caramel frappe and evidence of a chocolate melting moment.

Through the fug of withdrawal, nausea and confusion The Phoenix bravely managed to create a card for me:).

And where was #2 Son?
By the look of it he'd gone to the beach and grown a pair.

The lad spent nearly four weeks visiting my enormous family in northern New Zealand, which I shall rename Cuzzie Land.
It was quite an experience for him to be confronted by various packs of smiling, happy faces that looked familiar and just wanted to have loads of fun with him.
There are no cousins on the father's side of the family so it must have been quite an experience to look into the eyes of so many aunties, cousins and their children that were so closely related to him.

Thank you all for your happy birthday wishes, you make me feel oh so very, very special.
Baci milioni,
Desiree xoxo

Under A New Moon

My leftover piece of golden-rainbow fabric needs new moon magical properties before it is refashioned into something wonderful.
Hopefully.  No pressure.
A new headband and bright pink sucked-on cheeks feel just right for a lunar spell to work.
Let the twilight do its magic.

Rose headband - handmade by me

Pink tutu - thrifted

Earrings - Etsy

Galaxy catsuit - Black Milk

La magia.

Desiree xo

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.