Frocktober Day 24 - Going all Molly Ringwald.

Today I felt terribly pink!

Today was a flamingo day. I have been promising my lovely quiz contestants  that I would one day wear my Darling Central uniform to quiz for them. Well what better time than Frocktober?  So todays emsemble was very PINK. 

Bar the shoes and the terrible $4 stockings this entire outfit came from Darling Central! Flamingo skirt, collectif (his name is Frank), Flamingo shirt, also collectif (their names are Frances and Freida) and while you can't see it I have a Vive Dulce Marina cardigan which also has a flamingo on it (this one is called Fred).

The hair was rockabilly style, a pomp with a high pony tail (which was very fluffy due to humidity and the braid I sleep in so as not to smother MOH with my hair). Make-up was 50's style with serious barbie pink lippy, it feel odd to not be wearing red...



Thanks for the action shot...



As usual for a wednesday it was a busy day, I finished work and raced off to my lime green chaffer driven chariot to head down to Calwell for trivia.

My chariot awaits...

Not a bad night all in all, contestants were lovely as always one of them has just bought a house (if you're reading congratulations again!).  The babies are getting bigger and one team volunteered for a -5 point penalty because they were determined that they'd come first last week (an impressive feat given they weren't even there).

  

Frocktober Day 22 - A little parcel of divinity...



This shot's a bit pensive isn't it? 

Today I got to wear a NEW frock, and yes I know frocktober is not about buying new frocks it's about wearing frocks you already have. However I got this frock at the rummage on Saturday.  It's abeautiful deep blue with lovel button detailing on the sleeves (which I of course forgot to photograph).

It's a wrap dress with what becomes a sweetheart neckline and some lovely gathers on the shoulders which give it a distinctly 40's feel (to me anyway).  I accesorised it with the hideous $4 pantyhose; which are lasting a little too well, and my high-heeled brogues (and yes, I know that traditional brogues are brown but traditional brogues also don't have high heels).



Nanna's brooch



My jewellery today is the reason for this post's title. I wore my Grandmothers anique locket again and this time I added this little treasure from my Nanna.  A beautiful costume piece. My grandfather firmly beleived that a woman could never have too much jewellery and he bought my Nanna some beautiful pieces, costume and genuine, I'm not sure if this is one of them but I like to think it is.



A little parcel of divinity



With such beautiful jewellery and a new frock the day coud not go badly and then this arrived!  A parcel from 'What Katie Did' my vintage reproduction lingerie had arrived!  Because I am a three year old and I can't wait until  get home I had to open it at work.  Untying the ribbon and unwrapping the crinkling tissue paper made me smile.  The pieces inside were even more beatiful than I thought they'd be!  Stay tuned for a post on the importance of proper undergarments! Complete with photographs.



Thanks Big Bad!



Another donation came through today from a delightful friend of mine. I felt the need to aknowledge his donation so I posted this to his facebook wall as a thankyou.

Can you tell I got a new app?

I also spent far too much time playing with my new framing app at home on the couch...



Frocktober Day 18 - Dire happenstance and fateful cock-up...



Ghastly uncomfortable things but I was
COLD!!!



Today I comitted a terrible sin and I hope you will all forgive me. I wore those most heinous and uncomfortable things; pantyhose.  These were especially dreadful as they were $4 pantyhose out of a vending machine... yeech.  They were also 'regular' sized so they weren't exactly a good fit on my gargantu-la legs. Well it was cold.



Ne'er a seam in sight....



The only plus side of this sin was that the machine malfunctioned and refunded my $4 with the pantyhose, so as uncomfortable as they were at least they were free! So I struggled my way into said pantyhose. They were most uncomfortable after wearing proper nylons and suspenders.  Getting into them was made even more challenging by the fact that I broke a nail this morning so I had to be very careful not to ladder them before I'd even got them on.



Oh the humanity!  Will dire
happenstance never cease....



Apart from cheap and nasty pantyhose, todays outfit was a revist of my Joelene heartbreaker frock, I love the collar on this it's so perfect for pinning cute little brooches to (of which I have  a number).  Hair was vioctory rolls (again) with a coral flower and my Jackie O shoes (I mean Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis not the radio host).

I neglected to take a photograph of the yellow poodle brooch I wore today!  I will before the month is out, I'm sure I will wear it again.  I wore grandma's locket again (it is my favourite necklace after all) and a coral coloured flower; I had planned to wear a pink rse but my dog had ever so helpfully chewed it and it was more that a little bit slobbery...

What's behind this door? ...Nothing... oh, well nevermind.

Hopefully tomorrow goes better!



Frocktober Day 17 - A Trivial Pursuit.

Are we feeling tirival?

Today was a day to be over dressed... mostly because I didn't feel like wearing a frock I'd already worn and that left me with two options; a home made dress that is still not entirely finished and this gorgeous peach/coral number.  The Lady Luck dress from Bettie page is a Darling Central staple and it's not hard to see why!  This is a  beautiful frock availiable in powder blue and rich coral I opted for the coral because I'm a GIRL and I like PINK.

I accesoried with a matching coral hair flower and my heirloom necklace, I also added some extra sparkle (becasue satin is not dressy enought for the office) with pink diamante earrings.  To battle the unseasonable evening chill I topped it off with my rock steady cardigan.  Due to rationing (read: my dog ate them) I had no nude coloured stockings a situation I will have to rectify...

My hairs was victory rolls... again.  They a quickly becoming a staple style esy to do and long wearing.  I might do a weekend tutorial and show you just how easy they actually are!

Tonight was quiz night and it was back to the Club after my show break.  It's always lovely to hear from the tables when I come back from a break. MOH hosted in my absence and told them all where I was so there were many questions about the show!

My fellow frockette wasn't at work today (unwell poor chicken) so this photograph was taken by one of the lovely fellows on the team 'Norfolk 'n' Chance'.  Go on, read it out loud.  I dare you.

Frocktober Day 11 - Of hats and things...



Yes my hair was rather lopsided to day....

Today was more than a little busy!  Yesterday was OPENING NIGHT!  The show went fabulously well, off without a hitch and we were sold out.  I finally made it home just past eleven to eat... something and play with the dog who was very glad to see me.

 

Today's emsemble needed to be that little bit more fabulous to hide just how tired I really was after performing; it also needed to be warm and it was rainy and miserable. So I decided to wheel out the Bettie Page Captain Dress (swing) my first ever Darling Sisters purchase and a staple in any retro/vintage wardrobe!  My make up was 40's inspired again as that means less make-up during the day given the incredible amount of make-up I wear on stage while perfroming I thought it would be best to combat make-up fatigue. 

 

My hair was also 40's inspired as well as being lopsided, I had one huge roll on the side which was solid as a rock I'm pleased to say and the remainder rolled up into what I'm going to start calling a 'barrel bun' at the back (Feeling a bit like Glenne Headly in 'Dick Tracy').



Ta - DAAAAA!!!!



Normally I'm not much of a one for severly lopsided hairstyles; I've too much of my father in me for that (It must be symetrical! Symetrical I tells ya!).  However; today I made an exception because for a little extra fabulous I was breaking out my only original vintage hat!  I fell desperately in love with this little number at a vintage fair at the Albert Hall and I had yet to wear it out.



The full ensemble! & and windmill;
what more could you want?



I added a couple of final touches to the outfit; my Rock Steady cardigan for warmth, faux seamed stocking, high heeled brogues (although they're black not brown Chap magazine would be disappointed in me) and - shockingly - miss-matched earrings.

I'd been thinking about a lovely friend of mine Veronica Bloom who is famous for her beautiful hula dancing when I found this little treasue in my jewellery box:



Isn't she darling?



My parents brought her home to me from Hawaii and yes she was originally part of a set.  She's articulated and dances the hula from your ears!  I paired her with a silver pineapple that my parents also brought me from Hawaii!

So ready to face the wolrd I headed out to work; the day was busy which made it go quickly and the suddenly it was time to meet one of my fellow cast members for coffee.  I headed into town to discover  one of my favourite stores 'Moments' in seach of white leather gloves only to discover it hasn't had it's lease renewed and is closing!  I did however have a lovely chat with the proprieter who assures me they are trying to find new premises so I shall keep my - metaphorical - fingers crossed for them.



Selfies in the dressing room mirror.



Ah yes, coffee, well it was raining and the cafe was closed so it didn't really eventuate. Instead I headed to the nice warm theatre to get prepared for the show and defrost!



Frocktober Day 3 - The Great Canberra Omnibus



Can you tell I have a dog?



Look I did the back!

Today was the 40's again but I actually did the back of my hair rather than cheating with a snood.  After pining my victory rolls in the front; I rolled the back of it up into a barrel in four sections to complete the 40's silhouette I was aiming for!  It could have been neater but for some reason doing the back of one's head proved to be quite challenging!

Given the salior style dress (my first genuine retro purchase and a frock I adore!) I though that a poppy for remembrance was an appropriate flower for the day.  So with a swipe of regimental red lipstick (Yes there were uniform lipsticks in the 40's and they were RED!) I was ready for whatever the day threw at me.


An antique? That's well
vintage that is.



 I accesorised today with my fravourite piece of jewellery. My grandmother's locket.  This piece is an antique and I don't care I wear it anyway.  My grandmother had a photograph of her great-grandmother wearing it as a little girl!  It has come down the female line to me and I am incredibly grateful to have it.  Last time I wore it to a vintage fair someone tried to buy it of me and I nearly bit their fingers.  (At the same fair I bought a wonderful 40's hat that goes with this frock, I will wear it later in the month! Hats and victory rolls = not always compatible)



It's subtle...
No one will notice
... right?


It was good that I felt prepared for anything to because at lunh time a disaster struck!  While crouching to take a photograph for colleague also frocking it for the cause my black nylons laddred from toe to welt! I had a quiz to host! I couldn't cope with the giant ladder so there was post work rush to Myer to pick up an emergency pair of 'Vintage Mesh' stockings by Leona Edmiston.  After wearing nylons, elasticated stockings are horridly uncomfortable and they FALL DOWN nylons all the way particularly if you're a tall girl like me! (Sorry Leona I have new love now...xxx)

So next it;s off to quiz, unlike my colleagues my quiz regulars have seen me do Frocktober before so no great surprises there.  Quite a few comments; "You look like my mother/grandmother at your age", "Very glamourous","Very Imelda May" (<-I liked that one) etc.



I also realised I forget to add the why!
Raising money for the OCRF!



Last year I had many enquiries from my quiz contestants about what I was doing, why, where they could see more and how they could donate so I made up these little cards to give out to save me writing it down repeatedly.  Hopefully it directs a few people to our efforts!  If it has comment! We'd love to hear from you!

Quiz went swimmingly, everyone had a lovely time as usual and the jackpot was finally won, by three teams! 



Travelling in style.

 Then it when it was time to head home.  I remained true to my comitment to rationing of all things; food, money and fuel!  I travelled in inimitable style aboard the Great Canberra Omnibus (nothing to do with not having a licence I swear!)

Keep frocking!

Love and Sparkles, Ivy x

Here is a picture of the fairy light tree,
for no other reason than fairy lights make me happy

Frocktober!

This month I am joining Team Darling's Frocktober effort, if you weren't already aware I'm one of Darla and Bloss's pretty Flamingos at the Darling's pretty pink shoppy in Gold Creek.

You can donate at our everyday hero page here.

Frocktober and I are not total strangers, I took part last year in retro hair and make-up and I will be doing so again this year!  I will also be attempting some war era recipes (with some substitutions; as a Coeliac gluten containing wheat flour is a big no-no). Courtesy and delightful cookbook "We'll eat again" provided by my delightful friend and fellow foodaphile Christopher.

Of course I started Frocktober yesterday with the little ensemble you can see to the left!  A 50's style polka dot frock with big 50's hair and winged eyeliner.

I'll endeavour to post outfits and recipes as often as possible!    I will also be posting to the Team Darling Blog along with the rest on the team so head on over and check it out!

 

Review - GIO Seconds - Point Heel Fully Fashioned Stockings

Those who know me know that I have recently come to a love of all things vintage. As I get older I'm gradually progressing through the ages, from a fascination with medieval fashions in high-school I've finally reached the 1940s and 50s.   Possibly before I die I might just catch up with fashion, however for the moment I am very happy in my 'make do and mend' phase.

I have recently been accepted as a hosiery reviewer for Sweet Pins (www.sweetpins.com.au) this is very exciting for me because I have always had an interest (read: obsession) in hosiery, lingerie and all manner of delightful frippery.  So without any further ado, a review.

Item: Gio' Seconds - Point Heel Fully Fashioned Stockings (size 10.5)

My initial impression was a little sad, this was due to their packaging.  As a long time lover of Leona Edminston's hosiery I have been spoilt for packaging, accostomed to gently unwrapping these delicate pieces of indulgence from their tissue-paper shroud with my little cotton gloves (yes I have hosiery gloves they are a must if you have nails) has become a ritual I promise myself on bad days. The Gios came unmarked wrapped in plastic, but once opened they were a joy to unfurl, as nylon has no strech the stockings are as long as your legs (which in my case is considerable).

The stockings themselves are beautiful, soft with a beautiful satin sheen and whatever imperfection they may have you certainly have to hunt for; I found one on my black pair but haven't been able to locate one on my skin tone pair. Being truthful I'm not really looking if it doesn't leap out at me I anticipate it won't leap out at anyone else. 

Wearing these stockings is a joy, they are smooth, light and as they are fully fashioned and have no strech there is no longer the constant battle to keep them up.  I've worn them with a girdle and my trusty 8-strap suspender belt and my recommendation would be the suspender belt. This is simply because I found the girdle held the stocking just that little bit too low, in contract the suspender belt offers the full range of adjustment which meant I was able to get the fit just right.

The other aspect of these stockings that has me over then moon with joy is the sizing, I'm tall and I have big feet.  This means that buying stockings can be a chore, even the ones that claim to fit me often wind up dragging down two sit the gusset somewhere around my knees, very attractive and comfortable.  Because Gio fully fashioned stockings are 100% nylon they have no strech in them (as I previously mentioned) this means they have to make them in more than S/M, M/Tall and Tall/X-Tall (I'm not sure who decided that X-Tall is 5'11" another fashion industry conundrum) the upside of this is it is easy to find a pair of Gio stocking to fit just about anyone!

I've been wearing these stockings all day and they haven't fallen down, laddered or disappointed me in anyway.  The lack of stretch takes some getting used to, instead of hugging your legs like a demanding child like more modern stockings do nylons instead shift over your legs as you walk in a sort of caress, more like a lover with very soft hands.

I am definitely a convert to what Ms Von Teese calls 'the lovely rasp of nylon'.  If you're thinking about trying fully fashioned stockings do try these and becasue they're slightly less than perfect (like the rest of us) they're so much cheaper you needn't feel bad about the indulgence.