What I Wore

In my previous post I told you about my visit to the Vintage and Retro Emporium at Emmaus in Portslade. I rode my bicycle over there and decided to choose a slightly more sensible outfit than the dresses that I normally end up wearing which are not cycle friendly at all!

 

 

I am desperate to be paid as I am hankering after some Freddies of Pinewood Classics, but made do with some Topshop Jeans that I have had for around a year. They are quite sweet with small white polka dots on them, and I like to think they look more fifties when I roll them up to become more of a pedal pusher style. My only problem, as I generally find with all high street brands, is that they just do not fit properly for curvy ladies.

 

I paired them with my Olivia's from Rocket Originals and Norma Jean top from Freddies of Pinewood.

 

As we took a breather on the beach, it dawned on me that I was wearing a similar outfit to the young Marilyn Monroe, so couldn't resist the chance to do my own version of the classic Norma Jean shot.

 

 

Quite a difference but I would love to try and recreate it properly!

 

Lots of love,

 

Hannah xxx

High Street Offerings

More and more now I stay well away from the big names on the high street. Whilst you can be pretty confident in finding something, the idea of spending quite a lot of money on something that a lot of people will have slightly discourages me from making a purchase. Call me a typical, emotional woman spender, but in my books, it really is all about the experience. I particularly love vintage shopping in Brighton. As I delve deeper into the Lanes, I become immersed into the atmosphere and filled with determination to find a vintage treasure of my own. Suddenly, trailing around the chains on Western Road seems a million miles away.

However, I decided to go against my usual habits and sample what the high street has to offer, as I was very kindly given vouchers for Topshop and River Island for Christmas.

I began my search in Topshop. Upon entering I was greeted by rows of sales rails...score! This excitement quickly diminished into feelings of dismay when I looked a bit closer and discovered these were for sizes 8 and 10. I am a size 12, and found a smaller rail towards the back for sizes 12 and 14! I wasn't impressed, and there wasn't a great selection so out I went.

I then hot footed it over to River Island to see what they had to offer. I find River Island to be very hit or miss, I have had some of my favourite day dresses from here but there are also some not so great clothes in there. This time though, my luck was in!

I had £20 to spend and have to say, I think I did pretty well! I first saw a black pencil skirt reduced from £25 to £10. It is size 12, and fits down to just below my kness, my favourite length! I think it can look so chic; it can be dressed down with a jumper and brogues on a cold winters day, or dressed up to give a shapely look in the evening. I then had a look at the accessories for my remaining ten pounds. I have previously purchased my favourite Pretty Polly seamed stockings from here in the past, but it seems they have stopped stocking them in favour of the perhaps more popular patterned ones. However, I was very pleased to find three lovely pairs of retro inspired earrings that made up my remaining money. The Sugar Skull and old school heart earrings were £4 each and the pearls £2.

Off I went a very happy girl, and then made a few cheeky purchases in HMV (this post was written before the news of its sad closure!). As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, Some Inspiration, I loved the styling in two recent BBC dramas, Restless and The Girl. I was lucky enough to find a Hitchcock boxset and Gilda (the inspiration behind the styling in Restless) for £6 each so snapped them up too!

Now just to decide what to watch first...

 

Until my next post,

 

Lots of love,

 

Hannah xxx

New Years Eve!

New Years Eve is here, the vodka jelly is in the fridge and I have just returned from a last minute dress hunt. All that's left to do is tidy up, my nails, decorate the flat...eeek, for we are having a flat party.

The Christmas season here has been a very busy one, with trips up north to visit my family, a few days in West Sussex to visit my boyfriends family, and now my brother is staying with us! I have had a wonderful time, however am in denial about the fact I go back to work on Wednesday. Noooooooo...! Even more reason for a great party.

In the past I have found New Years Eve to be a big disappointment. I get so excited, and dream of being at an extravagent ball or boat party on the Thames, but in reality they have mostly been nights in a pub or at a friends house, with everyone just waiting for the fireworks to begin on tv! One day I WILL get my Cinderella moment...

In the meantime I will have to cope with the reality of everyday life (I jest)...My quick shopping trip this morning consisted of a rushed visit to Topshop as I was given some vouchers for Christmas. I am not normally one for Topshop, the sizes can be very strange and all seem geared for tall, straight up and down people, however I struck gold when I browsed through the sale and saw a very cute little dress sat all on its own crying out to me. I wanted a dress that wasn't too dressy, but still enough to get me into the party spirit. I found a black shirt dress that has the sweetest pattern, elbow length sleeves and finishes just above the knee, reduced to £30 from £55, so I snapped it up. I will post a picture on Twitter later when I am all ready!

I love this whimsical pattern all over the dress.

 

 

I was quite amazed at how quickly I had found a dress. I had imagined trekking around the shops all day having a nightmare, so something is bound to go wrong today! I then had a sneaky look in Primark, and picked up this lovely vest for £4.99 I think. It has a sweetheart neckline, removable straps and a built in bra, so I imagine I will wear this lots with a cardigan and skirts or trousers.

 

 

I then rushed home before any more impulse purchases happened!

 

I have began setting my hair to give a more 1940's look so I will upload a tutorial soon to show how I do it! You may have already seen the picture that I posted on my Twitter, it gives a lovely vintage look and lasts for days.

 

Have a wonderful evening and I wish all of you the very best for 2013! This year has been a very emotional, sad one and my family have really had a tough time this year. Things are looking up now, so hopefully 2013 can bring more luck and happiness for everyone.

 

Happy New Year!

 

Lots of love,

 

Hannah xxx