A year in the life of the wardrobe of vintage vixen pin-up girl; the queen of corsetry and the ruler of the pencil skirt. She's cupcakealicious
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................
We spend most of life in a proverbial waiting room, waiting for decisions, outcomes, to hear from people, for parcels, phone calls, text message. For people to finish what they are doing, for the lights to change, for our turn. It is as though some days are spent waiting for that eponymous "microwave minute" which is a lifetime compared to an "internet minute".
We laugh as a nation at our ability to form orderly queues and wait patiently and in good humour. Indeed I find the scene in The Hitch Hikers Guide side splitting but we really do under estimate it as a life skill. I guess this explains why the same people keep popping back into our lives, they must be on the same appointment schedule. Here's hoping there are decent recipes in the magazines whilst we are all waiting! A reflective day. I choose my black peplum dress today because it is a simple design that has striking shoulders. The gold beading is pretty and adds a reflective quality to the dress. Dress: Stop Staring! Shoes: Kurt Geiger
Every now and again I wish that money was able to buy me something useful like more meaningful conversation with a person. You see my Mum is to all intents and purposes deaf and my sister is deaf in one ear, I sometimes think I did particularly well to be just tone deaf. Now I have some fantastic conversations with both of them, just as they do with me. The tragedy is that on sometimes we just aren't having the same conversation! LOL I was chatting with a former colleague yesterday, about the perils of predictive text and abbreviations. He told me a good story about a text from a family member, as I wistful thought. I'll see you and raise you 10. No one beats my sister when it comes to the perils of predictive text. It started so innocently. A text that simply read "Can you pick Mike up on the way home?". Sure I think no problem, no idea who Mike is but he obviously needs a hand so I reply. "Sure, where from?". Response "The shop"............. "Which shop?"..........reply........."Any"..............so I have a moment "Look Caz, I am buggered if I am walking into random shops shouting Mike in the hope of acquiring the right one". The response was classic. "Who's Mike?".............sighs thinks pulling teeth must be less painful........ "The person you asked me to pickup on the way home." .........................."OOps milk". What people say, what people mean, what people hear and what they understand are four quite radically different things it seems to me. The crossed wires of life are something that we should try to see the funny side of. A checked dress with lots of crossed lines seems to go well today. The basic design of this dress is called Ashley but with a lovely fawn, tan and beige check print. It has copper thread running through it which brings the material to life though it doesn't photograph well. The pleats at the neckline are beautifully done and draw attention to your face, the classic pencil dress and matching belt make this an easy to wear dress for most occasions. Dress: Ashley in check by Stop Staring Shoes: Aldo
Cogito ergo sum, or in English, "I think therefore I am" is a philosophical proposition put forwards by Rene Descartes. I have always thought it amusing that there is an extra tacit premise - one that is unstated which is essentially "Whatever has the property of thinking, exists". However the proper logical flaw of the argument is that existence is already assumed or presupposed in order for thinking to occur, not that existence is concluded from that thinking.
When we are on top of our game, we find it easy to summon the emotional reserve and intellectual depths required to tackle problems that face us, then at other times we are flat as a pancake. We have run out of the proverbial steam it is as though we just don't know where we are going, where we have been or where we are going to go next. At times like this it seems as though we can't make choices, either it doesn't make sense or it doesn't feel as though it fits with any picture about where we would like to see our next phase in life going. Sometimes when we can't see the future, we aren't quite sure of what we can see in the present and this in turn raises questions about our past. We can't always be sure we can make the choices and be sure to get the results that we want, when this happens we can get disillusioned with our ability to make choices. Still though because life is a learning curve, there comes a point where we can make choices, we can make a commitment and see it through, or we can open a door and allow something to come through it, or even better we can walk through that door ourselves and allow ourselves to climb into a world outside our normal sphere of experience. That invitation to embark on an adventure, that chance to recognise more of your own self worth, to explore a new opportunity and explore more of life is already there you just have to be able to see it. When it comes to "the grey matter" then I think this beautiful 1940s style stop staring number has it all. Classy and sophisticated with beautiful attention to detail. A dress to think thoughts and dream dreams whilst wearing. Dress: Stop Staring Shoes: Kurt Geiger
We all have skeletons in our closets. In my experience there are two kinds, there are those skeletons have been there so long that they resemble the models that teachers wheel out for anatomy class and they have been hanging around long enough to have developed a clean, clinical, appearance. The skeletal elephant on the other hand dwells in the territory of "what you may have to regret" or in the area of "what someone else now needs to own up to and make amends for" and all those other question that very obviously stand, but for the convenience of one or other party is ignored. We don't ask these questions because we are scared that we will be 'ruined' by the answer, so we think we would rather live life not knowing so we keep skeletons and elephant skeletons in our closet. The space they fill stops us accepting new things into our lives. New things come in when there are empty spaces or gap, if it is full of skeletons then there is no room for the new things. Worse still we don't try thing for fear of failure or rejection, we shy away from the difficult conversations and fail to reply or listen. Liberating ourselves from the elephant skeletons is something we should all try more often. Plus you have to admit they take up precious space better occupied by dresses! Part of me wanted to wear one of my outrageous print dresses, or something bright and noticeable but instead I want to wear something that is subtle and hidden. This is a beautiful 1940s style suit and I love the feel of the material it is so silky and the subtle pattern in the weave makes it really beautiful, the buttons at the neck add interest and draw attention to your face. Suit: Stop Staring Shoes: Aldo
A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you today just the way you are. It takes a big personality to do that, to be real which probably explains why all my friends are different and a long way from so called "normal" which equates in my book to average. Who wants to be or know mediocre people? I have enough mind numbingly dull people to deal with in every day life without inviting them into my personal life. I like to know people who are unforgettable, definitely different people who life has shaped whilst they have shaped their lives. The people with real strength of character. It is a rag tag band of people who do unusual things and don't think quite like other people do, some people say we are "random" but we aren't, we're just two standard deviations away from the mean. We try to see the best in people and bring it out in them whilst knowing we sometimes fail to give ourselves this gift. So we are great friends to other people, but at times horrendous friends to ourselves. In fact if a person treated one of our friends the way we treat ourselves, no doubt words would be had, or at least an eye brow raised.
There are those times when you want to say to your friends - If you want, then start to laugh, If you must, then start to cry but be yourself in that moment don't hide. If you are going to be accepted or rejected then make sure it is for the real you and in those moments when you doubt yourself just look into your heart, that is your true self. If that fails borrow "Merv's Special Specs" and take a look at how I see you. I inherited the special mathematics tinted glasses from my Dad - now with added code monkey software upgrades :) Peoples lives intersect and you can never tell the impact or influence that you have had on a person; you might have only met them once, you might see them every day or you might never have met. It doesn't matter the only distance between friends is a thought, and as some of you know when you have a monkey for a friend, we are for life not just for Christmas. Plus life is much more fun and interesting when you have a monkey in it. If I could take the pain I would, if I can lighten the load I will but above all I'll just be there when you need me most, whether you're in intensive care in a foreign country, your big ends just gone on the motorway, when you need a hug from super long monkey arms or when you just need a cheerful emails with questionable jokes because you are along way from home. Given that my friends are for the best part bonkers just like me, I thought I would wear my stop staring! Mad men dress (hehe). It is a bold beautiful check pattern that illustrates wonderfully how friends intersect your life. I think this dress is charming I love the offset neckline with the fold over and the button, I like the paneled high waist as it accentuates your curves. It is a pretty and practical work dress. Dress: Stop Staring Shoes: Kurt Geiger
What I want for my friends
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you're faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you
And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin' ‘til you find the window
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you and the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
Oh, you'd find God's grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
Today a nation get's to pay their last respects to one of the stronger leaders that we have had. You don't have to agree with a person politics to appreciate that they had the courage of their convictions and stood for what they believe is right. I sincerely hope that if anyone is planing anything that is disrespectful that they think better of this. I can only conclude that the people who would behave inappropriately at a funeral have never had to bury someone they care about.
I am glad that "I vow to thee my country" is being played at her funeral, as it is a beautiful hymn that has been one of my favourites since Primary School along with Jerusalem.
"The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice."
Love doesn't question because it is unconditional, it stands the test because it weathers the good time and the bad. You are prepared to make any sacrifice for the people that you love, you will literally crawl across broken glass for them and if necessary give up your life to keep to them safe. Love is constant even in the face of adversity, it is so unfaltering that you can unknowingly take it for granted and fail to appreciate it. Love's way of reminding us not to do this, is it comes at a high cost, no one escapes paying the price yet you still enter into it with your whole heart knowing the price of tears. Love is the strongest things there is, it survives death and is truly eternal.
Today's dress is black out of respect, simple understated and appropriate.
Dress: Marilyn by Stop Staring!
Shoes: Kurt Geiger
R.I.P Iron lady, a nickname that was as fair a description of your appearance as your politics: you wore your suits like armour, your helmet-like head of hair was as unshakeable as your beliefs, and your handbag was as feared a weapon as any brandished by Boadicea.
I had an opera moment last night, and indulged in some Maria Callas she was singing Carmen. I love that this massive voice comes out of such a small person, it reminds us all that appearance can be deceptive. Carmen was for it's time highly controversial especially given the main characters death on stage. She joined the other archetypal femme fatales - Salome, who danced the seven veils, Cleopatra who seduced Caesar and of course the ultimate femme fatale the black widow.
Hmmm widowed bellydancer ...........LOL Fortunately the closest I get is when I dress up as it were, so it is all in the costume not the personality. So given that I have the black widow and Salome covered I thought I might as well add Carmen to the mix, which amuses me.
Carmen is a beautiful dress by Stop Staring! People say red heads shouldn't wear red but it depends on the shade. This is a really nice deep rich red. I adore the neckline, the rouching on the sleeves and around the bust. The little pull at the cleavage gives it a bow effect which I like. The rouching down the sides of your hips give a little bit of extra stretch and looks really pretty. The black contrast kick pleats with button accents and the belt just make this a lovely dress, feminine dress.
Today in 1994 Kurt Cobain the lead singer of the band Nirvana was found dead, he had taken his own life. I remember hearing Insecticide when it was first release and going into town to buy it. I remember this day, I went to the student union bar because Rich was taking it far too badly and needed cheering up, I remember sitting there with Phil, John, Louise and Rich and every song that came on that evening was Nirvana.
More people die by taking their own life each day than are killed on the roads in the UK.
I dislike the phrase "committed suicide" as this is a reminder of when it was a crime, this only changed in the UK in 1961. Up until then a person who attempted suicide could be sent to prison and the family (spouse) of someone who succeeded could be charged and held culpable. You don't face prison charges for dying of a heart attack, or cancer so why did we prosecute people for dying from a mental illness? It's something to think about.
Dress: Stop Staring!
Shoes: Schuh
Reflection
Another day for you to wonder, another day for you to mourn
It wasn't my intention to go before the coming dawn
My pain was deep within my heart and my troubled head
It wasn't my intention to go without words said.
My frame of mind seemed normal, or so I heard them say
It wasn't my intention not to see another day
I did not mean to make you suffer or cause you so much pain
It wasn't my intention to never see you again.
Despair and confusion left my aching mind unsure
It wasn’t my intention to suddenly close life's door
If only I could give you reasons and brush the tears away
It wasn’t my intention to leave and not stay.
I did not mean for you to grieve, now left alone to cry
It wasn’t my intention to leave you, forever askinq why
As the burdens of life's worries slowly ebb from my heart
This dress is affectionately called my Banbury dressed, so called as I wore this dress when Jo and I went out in Banbury. We had a great night out, with lots of dancing to 80s music!
I remember the quest for shoes to go with this dress, thank god for gay shoes shopping assistants - they were a sales bargain that were ment to be. I also picked up the dark blue pointy heels that I wear a lot. He did me proud that day! LOL Though he failed on the military dress, that was going to take someone with the skill shoes of Bernice - the Shoe Goddess. It would take meeting Marv to get the shoes for that dress!
Banbury was the first girly road trip of Merv and Marv, we went to Banbury Cross the following morning, in Mo, Marv's trusty Toyota Celica. It was a lovely weekend mainly because I got to be a passenger, and anyway it is monkey's job to find the way and hippo's job to get us there! Even if sometimes it is on rollerskates. LOL
Dress: By Stop Staring! now called "The Banbury" Dress
Today in 1994 The Church of England Ordained the first female priests. True to form one of my more interesting relatives was in the "first wave". Ah yes everyone should have the former tax collector, millionaire turned Vicar as an Aunt, if only for the stories to dine out on!
It's still lent and I am reliably told that the "robes" are purple for this time so to celebrate the Church of England realising that women are just as capable of preaching as men are I thought I would join in and wear a purple robe too!
I'm not religious but I am all for equality. Judge people on their capabilities not their sex, you will get further. After all just like Margaret Thatcher, I've never made an allowance because you were merely a man ;) LOL
Dress: Classic Wiggle Dress in Aubergine by Stop Staring!
Dylan Thomas is one of my favourite poets, I remember with fondness my Dad buying me a copy of "Under Milkwood" before I went to university as no bookcase was complete without it. I went to see Guy Masterson perform it at the Edinburgh Fringe the year I graduated. Les was brave enough to take me. We had fun that weekend - it explains why I don't drink Whiskey and why Lassie cannot be trusted!!! I love the characters that he created and the lines they get to say.
Today's dress is called Lolita which is a nickname for Dolores, and well a soon to be 38 year old widow is probably as far away from a Lolita as you can get but it is fab fun but only because I don't look my age (self delusion is wonderful). I can't believe it is March already, I am stuggling to get my head round the fact that 1/6th of the year has already gone, and soon it will be the end of Q1!! January and February need to start passing more slowly, it is no good when March arrives to quickly. March ages me! LOL
Today I wanted to wear something girlie but feminine. I really do like the lace top and the V neckline, the piping around the edge of the puff ball sleeves is just such a sweet little detail. The wide yoke at the waist opening into a full skirt with contrast stitching makes this a great dress to start the weekend with. I deserve a fab weekend :)
1947 - Edwin Land demonstrated the Polaroid Land Camera to the Optical Society of America in New York City. It was the first camera to take, develop and print a picture on photo paper all in about 60 seconds. The photos were black and white. The camera went on sale the following year. Another step towards "instant sharing images" and a milestone on the way to the technology advances that allow this blog.
In honour of the "Polaroid" I have stayed with the 1940s style and opted for a dress called Raileen, I think this is a very demure dress. Timeless, classic, the ultimate in glamour and allure, the dark navy midnight blue colour is just the perfect shade for my colouring. It features a round neckline trimmed with a delicate ivory lace which adds just the right touch of flirty, femininity. Raileen has a quarter length sleeve also trimmed in lace for added coverage. It has a fitted bodice with a slight flared skirt cut right below the knees. This dress is form fitting throughout, without ever compromising on class or style.
This is the kind of dress I would wear to eat Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop cafe. Here's "To Wanda!". That is one good film.
One thing I will never do is settle for second best, I could never be Evelyn Couch at the beginning of the film, in fact Ed would have been out on his arse years before (actually I would have never settled for Ed in the first place) As I am always saying it is better to be on your own for the right reasons than be with someone for the wrong ones. Don't ever stay with people who take you for granted or from habit, if they don't treat you right and value others more then flush the handle and move on! It is their loss, trust me :) Ruth's husband learned that the hard way, and it cost him very dearly - his wife, his son and in the end his very life.
Dress: Raileen by Stop Staring!
Shoes: From the copious collection of Marvellous Marv in honour of the shoe goddess Bernice
Hey Ya - Outkast
I love this song - and it still amuses me that Polaroid had to respond to it's popularity by putting a message on the Home Page of their website saying "Don't shake your polaroids before they are developed".........Love it! - plus when it comes to shaking it, bellydancers have a distinct advantage!
1946 – ENIAC, the first electronic general-purpose computer, is formally dedicated at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Standing for Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer was the first electronic general-purpose computer. It was Turing-complete, digital, and capable of being reprogrammed to solve a full range of computing problems.
It was programmable in the sense that you physically rewired it, setting switches and moving cables. It is interesting to note that the vast majority of programming on the ENIAC was carried out by 6 women. Sadly the ENIAC lacked the ability to store a program but it is still an IEEE milestone. (They added a primitive ROM program store in 1948 at the cost of performance, but reprogramming time dropped by an order of magnitude).
Like the Difference and Analytical Engines of Babbage, and Colossus invented by Turing the ENIAC was created to solve a problem for the military, it was designed to calculate artillery firing tables for the United States Army's Ballistic Research Laboratory. Ballistics is the mechanical science that deals with the flight, behaviour and effect of projectiles, including bullets, "gravity" bombs and rockets.
So my inner geek thought it would be fun to celebrate the ENIAC by wearing Bombshell by Stop Staring!
Bombshell is a 1930's art deco style dress with a beautiful designed neckline, the piping, 3 buttons and double 'tie' are beautiful. The inverse sweetheart neckline piping on the body is very flattering to your figure. The red box pleats and the buttons finish this dress of beautifully. Striking and stunning, Bombshell packs a punch.
I have always had a fondness for quirky characters from history, the ones who should be stars.
Today my favourite Admiral of all time (move over Nelson, you're only famous because you died on the job) captured the most heavily fortified town in South America with 300 men and 2 ships. Rumours indciate he did this because one of the ships was sinking! Still 4 forts to capture before you get to the real defences with 300 men.
So raise a glass to Lord Cochrane - The Sea Wolf and 10th Earl of Dundonald. A man who was a senior commander at every naval battle that mattered in the 1800s - he was at the Battle of the River Nile and Trafalgar, from there he went on to fight for Greece against the Turks to help them win their independence and then moved on to Chile, Peru and Brazil.
He is the only person who has ever been removed from the Order of the Garter and they had to invent a ceremony to do it. Apparently you are marched across Tower Bridge wearing spurs, to the Houses of Parliament where they lay you on a table and chop your spurs off! Add to this that he was an amazing engineer too and you start to see a man who was good at whatever he chose to be!
He also defied the establishment in his choice of wife marrying a commoner who was also an orphan. That got him disinherited, but he made the right choice. She accompanied him on almost every campaign he fought.
So here's to the avant garde characters who do things their own way and with style................
Today's dress is called Olivia by Stop Staring! I thought this had a subtle naval feel but not in your standard way. The navy skirt and Peter pan collar with a ribbon reminds me of the sailor dresses I had as a little girl, The tan top is beautifully fitted with a nice broad waist band highlighting our curves and the darts underneath the bust working to give you a flattering shape The little navy buttons coming down from the bow to the waist and the navy piping on the puff sleeves just finish this dress of beautifully.
Dress: Olivia by Stop Staring!
Shoes: Kurt Geiger
Well it is by Stop Staring!
Photos: Marvellous Marv the Hardware Hippo and Best Friend in the Universe
On this day in 1707 The Scottish Parliament ratified the Act of Union, paving the way for the creation of Great Britain.
My Nana Ferguson was Scottish and she had kilts made for us all when we were little girls with Aran sweaters. I remember hating the jumper (it had a tight neck) but I loved the kilt with the pin. Anyway that got me thinking that blue and white would be nice to wear, just as a reminder that we can so easily fragment, and it's when you work together you are great. Independence is a requirement, it's mandatory but you temper it; teamwork and being a pack (especially ones with hippos and monkeys) I think we are better as a United Kingdom of Great Britain........It's just we don't half seem determined to do everything that we can to get rid of the word great!
So blue and white for Scotland and the Act of Union by Stop Staring! I like the simplicity of this dress, the sweetheart neckline and the little button accents on the sleeve, neck and slit and subtle but draw your eye.
Now to appease my inner SQL junkie as UNION is a keyword ......My brain just thinks. The UNION operator selects only distinct values by default. To allow duplicate values, use UNION ALL. Remember UNION ALL is expensive as it generally requires a full table scan.
.....and breathe ..........look glamorous. Here's to Database engines....... VROOOM!!! VROOM!!!
And dare I say GREAT Britain
Dress: By Stop Staring!
Shoes: Schuh
History, Structured Query Language and Style Advice all in one place :)
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
It is weird but I have never felt compelled to wear or own jeans, I don't know why I just don't feel comfortable in them. Capri pants are my jeans :)
I really do love them, and they are versatile, feminine flattering and comfortable. They show off your shape in ways jeans only dream of!
I think they look really cute teamed with a simple 50s style jumper. I really like this fit of jumper, I think it clings to your curves in all the right places. It is very flattering on the shoulders, works wonders for the bust and nips you in nicely at the waist! Really girls what more could you want?
Jumper: Bettie Page Clothing Pull Over Sweater in Turquoise
There are several universal constant of a Friday - the first is listening to Friday I'm in Love by The Cure on the way to work, the second is having a crunchie and the 3rd and most important is......It's Capri Pant Day!!!! YAY
Here I am rocking my Stop Staring 3/4 length Capri Pants with my Tara Starlet Cosy Cape. I love this cape, it is so cute and has an air of super hero. I am Batfink with wings of steel or is it Florence Nightingale. Anyway I am pretty convinced we would all be happier if we wore capes. The downside is skinny legs and a triangle.....I look like the stick people kids draw! LOL
