Sunday 31 March 2013

A Trip to the Cinema

Another chilly March morning brought with it the excitement of a photoshoot at the Windmill Cinema in Littlehampton. I was approached by Philip Payne to do the shoot, and we were lucky enough to have the run of the stage, projection room, seating and make up room. I was so excited to unleash my inner Marilyn on the stage!
 
You can view more of Philip's portfolio on his website, www.philpayne.com
 
I would love to hear what you think,
 
Hannah xxx
 








 

Friday 29 March 2013

A Not So Vintage Secret

I simply have so much to talk to you all about, but it seems like life has kind of got in the way recently! Two photoshoots, cat hunting, dress hunting and helping my boyfriend start his own business have all taken priority, but I have got ever so much to share with you all.
 
Preparing for my recent photoshoots let me delve into the wonderful world of lingerie and shapewear. I am generally happy with my figure, however in front of the camera a little push up and pull in can work wonders. Over the past few months I have been what can only be described as OBSESSED with Fuller Figure Fuller Bust, a blog by the beautiful and very knowledgeable Georgina Horne. Her blog has become my go to guide for all underwear and shapewear queries, and she really knows what she is talking about!
 
First up on my list was a push up plunge bra, perfect for a low cut dress. I took on Debenhams and BHS in Brighton with great enthusiasm and tried so many bras on, that I was exhausted! Georgina's blog spoke of the Freya Deco, a great bra that gives a wonderful cleavage.  I would advise with this bra to try it on in a few different sizes, I have two; one which fits perfectly but doesn't give as great cleavage as a slightly 'wrong' sized one, for example a cup size smaller. Just make sure your everyday bra's are correctly sized! I would recommend getting sized up at Bravissimo.

Deco Honey  Moulded Plunge Bra
I bought mine in Nude
I also purchased a Wonderbra Ultimate Strapless Bra. I found it in Debenhams for £8 less than in BHS and so snapped it up! This is such a great strapless bra and I really do feel very secure in this compared to other strapless bras. Also, you can get it in super pretty lace prints! Instead of spongy or gel push up like in some bras, this has 'hands' that scoop and push up your boobs!


Next on my list was some Shapewear. Having scoured Georgina's blog for recommendations, I fell upon a recent post about Maidenform. I purchased the Maidenform Take Inches Off Ultimate Torsette Slip. What a long name! If you copy that into Google it will bring up the right one. This was so comfortable and really helped smooth all lines. My biggest fear with shapewear is feeling claustrophobic in it, but this felt like it held me in without the horrible tight feeling that I have had before from shapewear.
 
These were all quite expensive but I see them as investment pieces. I am sure to wear them again and I really felt that they all gave me that all important (and needed) push up and pull in! Hopefully you will be able to see the proof of the pudding soon, the pictures from the photoshoots. I had best get practising my Photoshop skills...
 
Love to you all and Happy Easter!
 
Hannah xxx

Sunday 17 March 2013

A New Dress or Two...

With my wages fresh in my bank account, and burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to take a trip around the vintage shops of Brighton to see if I could find any bargains. I have been asked to do another photoshoot in a couple of weeks with a local photographer, so I definitely had an excuse to shop...

Kate and Aud is situated on Trafalger Street near to Brighton Station. A tiny little shop, it is jam packed with clothes, and has a wide variety of different vintage clothes upstairs. I highly recommend you all to check it all out! Frustratingly, there is one dress in there that is my dream dress, however it is slightly too small :-(. This didn't put me off, I managed to find these two beauties in there today:

Say hello to our doggy doorstop, Wilbur!
 
 
I simply couldn't resist this darling print!


Have you recently purchased any bargains? I would love to hear about them! Or recommendations of your favourite vintage shop in Brighton are always welcome!
 
Hope you had a wonderful, if not slightly wet, weekend
 
Hannah xxx 



Saturday 9 March 2013

Strike a Pose!

March began with an early morning photoshoot upon a jetty near Hove Beach Huts with Toby Key. It was a wonderful (if a little chilly) morning, but it felt incredibly special to be shot with an original vintage camera. It required me to be very still, not easy for a fidget like me! He is putting together a photographic documentary of Vintage Girls, and I felt honoured to be asked as I will feauture amongst some incredible vintage beauties such as Fleur de Guerre!

The documentary features very much on your own individual take on 'Vintage' and what it means to you. I chose a classic tea dress with a cardigan and thin waist belt to give an everyday 1940's look. This was paired with seamed stockings, my favourite vintage brogues and small vintage handbag. I adore the simple,understated style that was seen in the forties and thought it would be nice to show that side of vintage life, rather than the more typically 'done up' look of the fifties.
 
Please check out Toby's website, www.tobiaskey.com. On the 'commercial' section, you can view his Vintage Girls.




My Jewellery (I used the leaf brooch as a hair slide)
 
 
I would love to hear what you think!
 
Lots of love,
 
Hannah xxx





Wednesday 6 March 2013

Spring Forward

The past week in Brighton has been lifted by decidedly more sun than we have seen for a good few months. The relief of going to, and leaving work to daylight is quite something after what feels like a winter in sheer darkness. With that the urge to explore always comes over me, so on Sunday we made the most of our day saver bus tickets and explored Brighton!


Our first stop was a cold and windy morning at Brighton Flea Market, held at the Marina every Sunday from 7am-12pm. Those poor traders must be hardy souls braving that wind all morning, it didn't take long before the cravings for the burger van took over, and I had a bacon sandwich in hand!
 
However we didn't spend all morning just eating...we found some wonderful bargains too! I initially fell in love with some vintage spectacles for £10, however a quick try on brought much disappointment when they were too small. As with all flea markets, there are many questionable items (I am baffled how you would pay £1 for half a bottle of tabasco sauce) but there are diamonds out there too.
 
Our first purchase was a Bush Radio for £15. It is not as old as we hoped, probably a replica but a working replica nonetheless and it has pride of place in our living room. Next up, a wooden fireguard with the most beautiful ship painting on it. We plan to hang it somehow on our wall, that one can be a task for my boyfriend.



 
We then hot footed (or buss-ed) it over to Blatchington Road in Hove, a favourite Sunday hotspot for us with charity and vintage shops a plenty. We nipped into Department, a little treasure chest that has everything from furniture to toys to clothes. My boyfriend got a lovely fleece lined denim jacket and I nearly ended up with another handbag. Next up was a trip into the wonderful Bobby and Dandy. This is such a fantastic, well stocked, quality vintage shop. You can tell how carefully they source their clothes as I want everything in there! I decided to treat myself to a wonderful pair of leather tassle heels as my favourite vintage brogues are being worn into the ground. For £15 I was very happy with my new shoes!

 
Hope you all had a nice weekend!
 
Hannah xxx