A guide to style and good tailoring

Hi welcome to my own unique perspective on what constitutes style and individualism. The vast majority of the photos are taken using a mobile phone camera and I have no make up on.......

I'm in my late 30's and I'm also a widow which probably explains why I look so god damn hot in black, well that and being an ivory skinned pale red head! It also documents my wardrobe, so many people seem fascinated by my clothes and compliment me for how I look wearing them.

It is one woman's campaign against Jeans, Tracksuits and Ugg Boots!

More importantly it's about altering your view on life and trying to do the right thing even though it isn't always the easiest.

This blog is a story in taking pride in yourself and not letting yourself go, or settling for second best because you know what girls? No one really is better than someone if they don't treat you like a Queen................

Monday 31 December 2012

Time to appear timeless, make like a Greek goddess

New Years Eve is all about time..........The challenge is you have to look absolutely timeless.

When it comes to a design that transcends the ages then it is difficult to rival the off the shoulder asymmetric Greek goddess style dress. This one is a gem literally, she is an Emerald.

The gentle curve from the shoulder down over your chest is great for the bust and makes the most of the shoulders and neck. A large cream bow ensures your face captures the attention, as the emerald green velour cascades over your curves.

Demure, sophisticated and show stopping, as yes I am referring to the dress. Hehe

As for me, like any Greek goddess; better than mortal man deserves ;)


Dress: Emerald by Bettie Page Clothing
Shoes: Borrowed in honour of the shoe goddess Bernice from the extensive collection of Marvellous Marv


Timeless




“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
—Leonardo da Vinci






Classic





Here's to finding the perfect outfit 

"The most beautiful clothes that can dress a woman are the arms of the man she loves." 

— Yves Saint-Laurent






Time to reclaim this tune ...........






Sunday 30 December 2012

Reflection and refraction

At this time of year people tend to get reflective and look backwards..........Now the problem with this is you tend to fall over the things that are right in front of you when you do this :)

DON'T LOOK BACK. If Cinderella went back to pick up her shoe. She wouldn't have become a princess!

This dress make me think of all the exciting things to look forwards to in the new year, it reminds me of the return of spring when the bulbs started peeping up from beneath the snow.....nature is boundless in it's beauty. The bow just makes think of unwrapping all the surprises next year has in store!

So here's to the future!

To the strangers who are yet to become friends
To exciting new adventures with Marv
The dances my body has yet to tell
To the laughter shared
To getting there on Rollerskates

To all the wonderful experiences of life :)

Dress: Rosanna Pencil Skirt Bettie Page Clothing 
Shoes: Borrowed in honour of the shoe goddess Bernice from the extensive collection of Marvellous Marv






"The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy."
— Yves Saint-Laurent

These are the days



Saturday 29 December 2012

Sometimes life is no different from fractions

I like the lacy cutout top on this dress with the nude silk backing, it adds a bit of mystery and that enticing "is it see through?". The Ribbon and bow just under the bust makes this a twist on an empire line dress. It is different for being teamed with the pencil skirt.

It is a lovely party dress, simple stylish and the bright royal blue works well with my eyes and hair, again I would prefer a halterneck they work better with my shoulders.

I wouldn't recommend it as a style for the larger busted ladies out there - you will end up looking like a top heavy fraction and they are improper! 

(If you were a geek who got the joke, high 5)

Eyecatching, simple with real interest added by the lace. Perfect for dinner and drinks.

Dress: Bettie Page Clothing royal blue
Shoes: Schuh






“Style is a simple way of saying complicated things.”
—Jean Cocteau






Photos: Marvellous Marv the Hardware Hippo and Best Friend in the Universe


It is Saturday night and you're all dressed up in blue :)






Friday 28 December 2012

It isn't what you wear, it's how you wear it!

I was raised to the mantra it isn't what you wear it is how you wear it! People say it is easy to look nice in pretty dresses. 

The question is, does the woman make the clothes? Or do the clothes make the woman? With the brazen confidence that only a red head can show, here I am in my raincoat :)

It's a 1940's WW2 utility style raincoat with huge pockets, a fabric belt and enough buttons to give Cadbury's a run for their money. The colour is a beautiful deep British racing green.

I really don't mind what other people wear as long as they feel good when they wear it, and that is the essence of it. It is about being yourself and accepting people as they are, it is also about not making assumptions based on people's appearance.

It is about trying to think the best of people and not judging them or jumping to conclusions. It is just about letting people be themselves :) and accepting them as they are. How many people make decisions based on fear? They decide they will not get to know someone in case they are rejected, so they reject the other person first. Who wants a life lived in fear?


If your inner beauty and personality radiates in your smile and twinkles in your eye then you can do anything, let alone wear absolutely anything!

God damn I make a raincoat look mighty fine ;) ........ 


Coat: Tara Starlet Forties Coat in Bottle Green
Shoes: Aldo





“Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.”
—Yves Saint Laurent





Photos: Marvellous Marv the Hardware Hippo and Best Friend in the Universe 



Seeing as I am dressed for it.............There really is only one song that I could choose


It's Raining Men

Merv and Marv Dance Anthem!


God bless Mother Nature she's a single woman too ;)


Thursday 27 December 2012

Cocktails, Dixiefried......and "If in doubt"

I have resisted the urge to watch GWTW, and so must satisfy my inner "Southern Belle" another way.  Everyone has a couple of "If in doubt dresses", they are the ones you go to time after time, they are old reliable ................ Hmmmm Dixiefried styling ........... as my mind wanders to the beautiful white and green print dress Scarlett wore to Twelve Oaks, or the infamous curtains dress. 

This dress pulls it out of the bag every time, she has been a staple in my wardrobe for years and that is true testament to the style of a dress. 

Your eye is instantly drawn to the bold black piping and buttons on the skirt slit. The thick black outlines and accentuates the female form working with your curves. The colour is stunning in between an olive an emerald, the unusual neckline highlights the face when worn without a bolero. 

This go to number is good for shopping or cocktails with the girls as it is for a dinner date, party or a trip to The Lowry. I like that it is simple and bold a lovely balance.

Here's to the tried and tested, a dead cert, Dixiefried we salute your southern belle sassy style :)

The Perfect woman:
Scarlett in strength
Melanie in heart
and Belle Watling in the bedroom

Dress: Sexy Secretary in Olive by Dixiefried at Pinupgirlclothing
Bolero: Pointelle Bolero Deadly Dames at Pinupgirlclothing
Shoes: Kurt Geiger












Photos: Marvellous Marv the Hardware Hippo and Best Friend in the Universe 


The songs for this dress really can only be the legendary Fever, because this dress gives it to you and Black Velvet, with that slow Southern style ;)


Fever





Black Velvet


Wednesday 26 December 2012

Resisting temptation with Broadsword and Dannyboy!

Boxing day day started off by watching Captain America which put me in a 1940s mood. Ah a time when women who look like me were painted on the side of planes and guys were thoughtful enough to buy you nylons and flowers!

The fun and flirty prints of the last few days reflected the indulgent, colourful side of Christmas, but just as you look forwards to simple food you seek similar in your clothes.

The tan color top is made of a light stretch crepe, which is very soft and comfortable. It has the classic sweetheart neckline. Again rouching around the bust! You can't beat it, it is so feminine and flattering. The charming shoulder design consisting of a blue flash reminiscent of the ribbon on a present with the buttons to accent. It just finishes this dress off and makes it!

Neutral and understated in her colours, this design is just so captivating, elegant and unusual. Simple but stunning, another dress that rules the room. Just perfect for entertaining at home or soirees out. Like all temptresses she is subtle in her ways!

I can resist anything except temptation! And who wouldn't be tempted by a temptress dressed like this? I know Captain America would .......So where is Captain Britain?

I'll just have to console myself with a touch of "Broadsword calling Dannyboy".

You can't beat a bit of Dick on Boxing day. Richard Burton's fab :) Shame about Liz and Dick though......Bad Film...........(Sorry I couldn't resist LOL)



Dress: The Temptress by Stop Staring!
Shoes: Aldo




Photos: Marvellous Marv the Hardware Hippo and Best Friend in the Universe 

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Happy Christmas! Santa hurried down the chimney. Who wouldn't?

For Christmas Day I wanted something that was feminine, pretty but a bit more grown up than yesterday's 'babygirl' look. 

The dress has to be up to the challenges of Christmas Day. Patterns are kitchen camouflage should your apron be found lacking; Circles skirts are also great for sprinting after your sisters escaping dogs which has formed part of the Christmas dinner tradition for years now LOL It also has to have a bit of give in the waist for dinner :) Effortless, elegant, practical and fun!

This dress falls beautifully over your figure, it somehow manages to cling to the right places whilst at the same time making you want to dance around the house to a bit of Bing and Frank!

The top is rouched and has piping that accentuates your bust, it is a slim fit to the waist, with a tie halterneck. The full skirt is just made to make you spin but it still flatters the figure. It is an ageless design and print. A pale English rose in a dark cabbage rose print :) an all round winner and "baby bear's porridge" when it comes to what to wear for Christmas day.

Bolero: Pointelle Bolero by pinuprgirlclothing
Dress: Frenchie Halter Dress in Dark Cabbage Rose by Bernie Dexter
Shoes: Kurt Geiger



HAPPY CHRISTMAS - wherever you are, whatever you are doing, keep calm and do it fabulously and with style!

Big hugs to all the awesome people who have touched my life this year.

Love and hot chocolate
Take care, stay safe

XxX  


P.S. Don't forget to make your Christmas wish!

ENJOY!


The Hostess with the Mostess




Circle skirts make you smile and dance :)




Queen's Speech - Focus......




Fizz? Go on, you will, you will, you will...Ah go on!





Making a Christmas Wish........




Cheeky! If I tell you it won't come true ;) XxX




Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas


(The song rather than the video)






Photos: Marvellous Marv the Hardware Hippo and Best Friend in the Universe

Monday 24 December 2012

Nightmare before Christmas... Mars Attacks!!!

When it comes to Christmas Eve I can't help myself I have to watch "The Nightmare Before Christmas". It is so funny; I just really like the idea of Halloween trying to do Christmas. The heroine being a red head helps too.

After watching that it has to be "Mars Attacks!", I know I shouldn't like it, I know it is cheesy and kitsch - but it is just fantastically funny, and you can't find it's parallel as a modern homage to the 1950's B Movie!

So in honour of the maestro Tim Burton, I have found myself unable to resist the allure of one of my "Babygirl" numbers.

It has a scrummy Peter Pan collar, I like the way they frame your neckline and face. The cut of the dress is a 50s day dress and the print is reminiscent of the B movie scene so it felt right. I also enjoy the muted lilacs, purples and mauves in this dress. 

The ghoulish print is perfect for anyone meant to haunt fabulously. LOL The spirit of Christmas !!! Now pass the Gin, there's a good fellow :)



Santa baby, hurry down the chimney tonight.

Think of all the fun I've missed,
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed,
Next year I could be just as good,
If you'll check off my Christmas list.....................




Dress: Ghoul Gallery by Folter
Shoes: Kurt Geiger











Photos: Marvellous Marv the Hardware Hippo and Best Friend in the Universe 

Sunday 23 December 2012

The female of the species, is more.........

Deadly than the male! Well one thing's for sure she is when she is wearing this scorching number by Deadly Dames.

I think this delivers everything I ask of a party dress, sexy, classic, fun, well tailored and noticeable. The blue highlights my eyes, the brick red brown compliments my hair the colours just work for me, it also brings out the ivory beauty of pale skin.

The real reason I love this dress though is it a sarong wrap pencil skirt, which means you can still do high kicks which is obligatory when Frank Sinatra comes one, and well without a split you're not doing that is a pencil skirt. It is close to perfect, if only it had been a halterneck!

You can get several different looks, with the bolero  bolero collar up vamp/Elvis style or without the bolero. I adore this dress. It's a Deadly Dames number and I just love the way they cut and style the dresses to give a hint of the "bad girl" look.

It always makes me think of South Pacific - "There is nothing like a dame".

It hints at everything yet reveals nothing .... Cleavage hinted at leaving the mystery, long split in the skirt but with good coverage so again the idea of the possibility of a glimpse........ I am telling you NOW girls long skirts with slits beats a micro skirt any day. It is all in the mystique.

One thing is for certain. You are a South Sea Siren when you wear this ;)


Dress: Malibu Tiki Dress with Bolero in Blue and Red Floral by Deadly Dames at pinupgirlclothing

Shoes: Schuh






With Bolero


Bolero Collar up




Without Bolero




Photos: Marvellous Marv the Hardware Hippo and Best Friend in the Universe



Space: The Female of the Species



There is Nothin' like a Dame ...




Saturday 22 December 2012

Cherry Pie and the size of your heels

This dress is just FUN! It based on an original worn by Bettie Page when she was modelling.

It makes me think of flirt magazine and the warrant song Cherry Pie, which somehow seems to fit, and well I do a put a smile on your face 10 miles wide!

I love the neckline on this is it so unusual and the A line skirt

The pose below is a homage to Bettie. We jokingly call it "What size heels shall I wear when I walk all over you?"


Dress: Bernadette in Cherry by Bettie Page Clothing
Shoes: Aldo






Photos: Marvellous Marv the Hardware Hippo and Best Friend in the Universe



I couldn't resist including my luggage tag, as it seemed inkeeping.

As we know girl's anyone can be bad, but being this *good* at being bad, well that's an artform!

I share Batman's pain

I love this! My inner geek smiles at the thought of being Batman




Other Batman moment phrases:
  1. I'll have the biggest half ........ WTF half is exactly 50% and by definition is EQUAL!!! You can't have the biggest half especially not of cake!
  2. Very true......Truth is an absolute, it is binary: 0 or 1. It is or it isn't. You can't have very true (it is a programmer thing).





Friday 21 December 2012

Emotional constipation and words from a Persian

I have to say these really did amuse me, it is always about that level of tolerance isn't it ;)

It made me think of the phrase "They don't tolerate fools gladly" - really I make the whole American Idea of zero tolerance seem mild. 






I think my attitude towards "fools" was heavily influenced by the following verse. I had to write it out in primary school to practice handwriting; it and several others are firmly wedged in my mind. It was written by a Persian, 

He who knows not, and knows that he knows not is a child teach him;
He who knows, and knows not that he knows is asleep wake him;
He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a fool shun him,
and he who knows and knows that he knows is wise follow him.

Being shunned just didn't sound cool or awesome, or hot when you were 7.

It's Capri Pant Friday :)

It's Friday that means Capri Pants :) I just think they are really good fun. Polka dots aren't the easiest to capture but I think this makes a smart classic look for a Friday. The Polka dot top is a halter neck so it easily takes you into the evening.


Bolero: Pointelle Bolero pinupgirlclothing
Top: Halterneck in white on black polka dot Vivien of Holloway
Capri Pants: 3/4 length by Stop Staring!
Shoes: Hobbs courts



No Makeup

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Green with envy, girls you know you want to be a red head too

Green is a go to colour for me and it is just so festive. I know that all you blondes and brunettes go the colour of my dress with envy, because no one owns green like a red head.

Plus what could be more festive, the pale ivory skin like white snow, the berry red hair and the evergreen with my dress!

This dress is a staple in my wardrobe. I like the style, the larger collar is flattering to my shoulders and the sleeve length is just perfect. It is made from a wool blend so it's perfect for Autumn and Winter. You really can't go wrong with this sexy sassy little number.

Dress: Secretary - Pencil Skirt in Green by Bettie Page Clothing
Shoes: Hobbs courts




No makeup


Tuesday 18 December 2012

Express yourself! A Thank You to the Armed Forces

Over the last few years, I've talked to and attempted to cheer up and amuse people posted in Afghanistan and before that Iraq. I've talked to some good people.

People often wonder what we are doing over there and why you might want to make a stand against religious extremism. The reality is that turning a country back to the 7th Century is not what god (should he or she exist) wants.

The women in Afghanistan and many countries throughout the world have no rights at all and that is not healthy nor is it right.

THANK YOU to everyone who was willing to defend my right to

1. An Education - I have a BSc and an MSc, I made the most of that opportunity and I thankful that it was open to me. Without my education my experience of being widowed would have been very different, I would have been destitute. My education allows me to earn a living.

2. To not have to cover my hair - Can you imagine anything worse for a red head? Being forced to hide your crowning glory!..........You know the score boys, you may well slow down for the blonde, stop for the brunette, but you will reverse 300 yards for the red head! Plus heave on earth is seeing the sunshine or light reflecting on red hair.

3. To vote - to exercise my right to voice an opinion in my future and the future of my country.

4. To wear what the hell I like and to not have to cover up - this blog is living proof this. Enjoy it! 

5. To Drive - I'm an Advanced Driver Observer, that means I can teach Advanced Driving.

6. To choose whom I get married to If we were an Islamic nation, then as a widow I would have been forced to marry my husbands brother when my husband died, he is an alcoholic bum - a narrow escape from a life of misery if you ask me.

7. To have a job and support myself - the right to own property, have my own job and my own money to be financially independent. In short to be a productive member of society who gives more than they take.



The Irony of course is that the Taliban blow themselves up and become Martyrs to be met in heaven by women like me. The reality is we are down here on earth and wouldn't touch a chauvinist pig who wants to subjugate and control women with a barge pole!


Now if I designed uniforms .........................

Dress: Military Secretary pinupgirlclothing
Shoes: Aldo




Photos: Marvellous Marv the Hardware Hippo and Best Friend in the Universe

Daisy, daisy give me your answer do!

Playsuits are a weakness of mine, I love them. When it comes to onesies these are the only ones to wear. No matter what Amy Childs or the other "ladies of questionable style and taste" from reality TV tell you, looking like Tinky Winky is not sexy!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was a House of Fraser Bargain, £15, you can't go wrong! I like the Peter Pan collar and the pockets. The shorts are a bit baggier and longer than my preference but it is such a cute little outfit.

I knew this outfit worked when the "cool kids" at rollerskating complimented me!

Playsuit: Daisy in Green my Yummi
Shoes: Bordello Mary Janes




No Makeup