Miss Pinup New Zealand and the Very Vintage Day Out 2013

Well, I've finally got the chance to sit down and reflect on what a lovely day I had on Saturday the 13th of April 2013 at the second Very Vintage Day Out and what a great experience the Miss Pinup New Zealand competition was for me personally. 

First of all I would like to mention that I am the winner of the People's Choice Award and I really want to thank everyone who voted for me, especially those who shared the link for voting on their Facebook pages or their personal pages or in the case of one Amy their blog. Go check hers out at http://peonut.com/

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Now I didn't bring my camera up with me on the day which now when I write this blog entry seems really dumb but I'm lucky enough to take photos from Facebook and the like and will use those making sure I credit the photographer. 

The day began with a bad sleep, as all eventful days seem to in my life, I fell asleep around 2am then woke up at 5:30am and was not in the best mood but thankfully my excellent, caring mother was on hand to help. Can I say she is the most amazing woman and really made my day by bringing me food, coffee and lots of encouraging words especially when I was getting into my own head.

Once I arrived at the venue and met a few of the other contestants my worry dissipated and I was able to enjoy the day, The first thing I did was take a look at the stalls and after a few minutes wandering around I stopped at Black Betty's stall where I found the most stunning late 1940s Black dress. I need to take the hem down to cover my knees but it fit me so perfectly!

Unfortunately the one dress blew my budget for the day but I feel it was worth it because it's in such excellent condition. 

Nice Double chin! (Photo taken from Black Betty's facebook page)

Once I had looked around I went backstage to get ready for my performance, I asked to sing on the day and had three songs ready to perform. I am normally a good singer and feel confident on stage but for some reason today I was not singing well at all, I've had people tell me they thought I was fine but I heard it back and really want to say that I was not on my game and hope to impress you in future!

This was actually taken during the competition but It was the outfit I wore when I sung earlier. 

After performing I could relax so I was lucky enough to do a bit more looking around and meet some lovely people. A shout out is required here to Susie Ford of Agent Bluebelles Wardrobe, She was so friendly and sold me a long tulle petticoat which I can't wait to wear under my 1950s dresses to add more volume. I also spoke to some of her lovely friends including her boyfriend David and friend Brian.  

I can't wait to purchase more goods from her when my bank balance has recovered!

After enjoying a wine and chat with Ria and David, Susie's boyfriend, Ria and I realised it was time to get ready for the Pinup competition so went backstage to be given the run through of events by Miss La Vida who was our charming MC for the competition.  

I was so stressed about my hair that I didn't have time to do what I planned so instead I ended up with what you see below, by the way my dress was a brocade silk 1960s dress that I altered to look more 1940s/1950s and I was wearing a corset underneath so I had a 65cm waist! 

Once the first part was over I could get out of my outfit and I had a bit of time to get into the right mood for performing. I didn't want to make the same mistake as I had in the morning which was to not go through the songs so that they were fresh in my mind. I was performing a song called Makin' Whoopee which was my second choice, the first was Straighten up and fly right but I wasn't feeling it during practise and I had sung Makin' Whoopee in a concert before.  

This is where it gets sticky....

I got up to sing Makin' Whoopee but the song that started to play was Straighten up and fly right.

!!!???!!!!!

First thought was F**k, second was how can I fix this and third was lets just do an acapella song and hope it works out. So I busted out my tried and true Jazz song, Summertime, which by the way I have sung acapella at my Aunty's 50th, Friends 21st and when a keyboard couldn't get connected to a PA so I was not stressed when I sung it. In fact I felt really good because it's the kind of song I feel able to riff on and it's been done so much that people don't mind if you put your own spin on it. 

From Left to Right; Miss Bettsy Rose Lee, Ashleigh Tovizi, Angelica G. L'Amour, Ria Apsotolidis, Honey L'Amour, Von Vonski, Me!, Heidi Lee and Lydia Zhong.

Well it certainly didn't backfire because lucky me, I got into the finals and then double lucky me I got People's Choice so all in all the competition didn't go too badly!

Congratulations to Ria Apsotolidis for getting Vintage Vixen and Honey L'amour for getting Miss Picture Perfect AND the grand prize Miss Pinup New Zealand 2013.

I think they were well deserved and I want to make a special mention of Miss Bettsy Rose Lee who also made it to the finals, She definitely deserved to make it to the finals and unfortunately didn't come away with a Rosette but I want to give her total props for handling it like a pro, especially because of the way they called out the prizes, It made you think she was going to get it and when she didn't I felt so happy for Honey but so sad for Miss Bettsy!

I hope she had a fun night judging the Miss Burlesque New Zealand awards and had a celebratory drink for being an awesome person!

See you all at the VVDO next year and Big love to the organisers for such a fun day!


Photo's supplied by Directive Photography and taken from Black Betty's facebook page. Cheers!

My Beautiful Dresses - Part 1

I've decided to write blog posts on my favourite dresses, I'll research a little and bring back any information I can find on the brand and the history of the garment. 

Today's dress is a lace dress I bought from trademe for only $30NZD, it was listed as a wedding dress and I altered it so that I could wear it to my cousins's 21st birthday.

Orignally it was sleeveless and floor length but as you can see I shortened the hem and turned the excess fabric into cute little cap sleeves. 

I was so excited to wear it and so proud of myself for changing the look of the dress and making it more fun and sexy. 

Don't you just love the detailing? It was most definitely a 1960s wedding dress and homemade by a talented seamstress. 

And to finish this blog post I've been contacted by Kelly of Kiwi Womens Style to join in on what's known as Linking up! So go check out her blog and click on the add your link button at the bottom of her blog entry. Here's the link for the most recent blog entry! http://kiwiwomensstyle.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/wardrobe-wednesday-shorts.html

Fruit Picking at Penray

I was invited to go fruit picking this weekend to celebrate the birthday last weekend of my friend Lucy.

It was a stunning day with a light breeze and the strong New Zealand sun shining down on us, I'm really glad I bought my hat because even though we weren't out all day there was still a risk of burning. 

I came across some lovely horses at the edge of the gardens and grabbed some fallen apples to feed them. We also grabbed handfuls of grass cause they didn't have much leftover from the dry weather we'd been having!

I got my friend Kristin to take photos of me and I like them but there is a hair loose that really irritates me!!!

Check out dem apples! 

I love this shot!

I really recommend going fruit picking here at Penray Gardens in Otaki, They have a huge selection and it's a nice day out with friends. Happy Birthday for last weekend Lucy and I hope you had a fun time, I sure did!

Capsicums

Pumpkin Patch

Strawberries, Unfortunately not for picking according to a sign next to the patch.

We finished the day with ice creams and Iced coffee at a cafe 5 minutes down the road. 

Eyebrow or Low Brow?

I don't know what that means, I was thinking High Brow or Low Brow and this post is about my Eyebrows so, you know, thoughts...

Anyways, I tint my Eyebrows and thought I'd share the before/during/after shots! I use a product called Depend although any will do, whatever you can find, just make sure its a suitable colour! You don't want Black eyebrows if you're a Red Head like me!

Before

During

After

I've been looking at photos of Rita Hayworth in the photographic retrospective book titled Rita Hayworth (by Caren Roberts-Frenzel) and she has the most exquisite eyebrows which I really envy.

Vintage Hat Hairstyling

As I've previously mentioned I entered the Miss Pin Up NZ 2013 competition and now I'm looking at deciding what to wear! Now part of this includes wearing hats and I may usually be seen with something in my hair whether its one of my lovely Fascinators made from a mans tie or a flower clip, but, hats have evaded my head. 

I would really love to wear them but finding a hairstyle to suit indoor and outdoor wear as well as one that will stay on in the Wellington wind is very tricky. 

For this competition though I've decided to wear a hat and it just so happens that the hat I purchased is one which I cannot name. I've tried googling different descriptions but nothing comes up in the images browser that answers my question.

So what I will do is post a photo of different hairstyles and the hat and if ANYONE knows the name please comment below.

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The style I'll be attempting to recreate is based on these instructions

Go to

Beauty is a thing of the past

for the original and so many more!

I've modified this because I swear they had bigger heads then, They must have in order to fit all those pin curls on their heads! 

Here's my pin curled head

And here's the end result

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Check it Out

I love finding new blogs, websites and the like which inform and stimulate. Here is a yellow brick road of links that will, Hopefully, help and entertain you.

Beauty is a thing of the past Blog

I have enjoyed this as a source of information and as a fun way to pass the time. I hope you'll find things in your quest to be as authentically vintage as I do with this blog.

Brain Training with Lumosity

I was recommended this by a friend of my mothers and I am very glad to have followed through and signed up. Apart from playing fun games you do notice an improvement with focus and memory through brain training and it's very easy to get into good habits when you're having fun doing so! 

Feminist Jezebel Blog

I really enjoy reading this blog because although it isn't perfect I find it enjoyable and thought provoking. I actually prefer reading the comments after the blog entries and hearing from feminists around the world is always enlightening. It's not a negative thing to be a feminist!

Lisa Fremont Street

If you don't already (What have you been doing!!!!) then you really should check out this youtube channel. She is a self taught hair and makeup guru and I really love watching the different styles she attempts. Her blog is also worth a read. 

My Facebook Page!!!

If you haven't already then you should like my Facebook page. I upload photos of my hairstyles and other things you won't see on this blog. Also I measure my self worth on how many people like me on this thing. 

No, not really! 

Well a little. 

I leave you with this Easter youtube video of kittens, bunnies and chicks.

Full Swing Vintage Clothing Sale Fun

I was lucky enough to combine with a friend and sell our bits and bobs at the annual Full Swing Vintage Clothing Sale, Best of all was having a great time doing so!

As it usually is with these things I ended up with a few purchases of my own and as it is usually is with me I ended up spending more than I made. But not to worry! My purchases were worth it and I am very happy to have gotten rid of more than I bought, so at least I have more room in my wardrobe. And in the bags on the floor. and on the floor. Hmmmmm, I should really clean my room.....

I made a little sign to make me feel more legit.

Just a sample of some of the lovely things for sale.

But not her, she's my friend!