Back to the 80s!

 Firstly I want to say thank you for those who contacted me after my last blog post. It was something I needed to get off my chest and the wave of support I have had is amazing.

Now on to the party post! This was meant to be posted last weekend but I was thwarted!

So 7th December I turned 30 and with my friend Clare, who also turned 30, we hosted a:

Preparing for the party was a huge stress but it all went very well!

We prepared 80s party food, trawled the internet for costume inspiration and rummaged in the loft for our childhood board games.

The party itself was a huge success, I am happy to say, with guests telling me after what a good time they had. This was the whole point of the party as I know it is has been hard lately for everyone and we all needed to let our hair down and boogie the night away.

And did we boogie!

Celtic moon members showing how it is done!

The 80s were so colourful!

Look at the hair! The clothes, the outrageous makeup! Is there nothing here that doesn't scream 1980s?!

The birthday girls!

The night end all too soon, unfortunately but I was so happy with how everything turned out and was pleased at the effort guests put into their costumes. There was a lot of neon going on!

The DJ was fab and the dance floor was busy with 'Prince Charmings' and people (attempting) to vogue.

The tuck shop was a big hit too! Unfortunately I didn't get any photos of them or the cakes. 

Here's to the next 10 years and if I say I want to organise another party...

Stop me!!!!

30 years old... Seriously.

This time next week I will be 30.

I would have had my awesome joint 80s school disco party and I will be another year older.

I am not ready to be thirty. For one I don't feel like I have been on this earth for thirty years. I still feel in my mid twenties but that is not the case.

At thirty I am suppose to be married, or had my first child/second or a full time job and own a house, even if it is just renting.

I have none of those things.

I still work my part-time weekend job.

I live with my boyfriend at his parents house

I have no kids and still don't feel the want to have kids yet.

I thought I would feel that way by now but I just don't.

Is there something wrong with me? 

I am happy with my life as it is. Sure, I would love to have my own home and have more money in a better job but with this job I can at least dedicate serious time to my craft business.

I have big plans for Wylde Embers. I am more excited about that than the thought of having a child! To me Wylde Embers Pyrography is like a newborn enfant. Something I want to nurture and grow. This year has been the play stage, gaining the knowledge and skills needed for pyrography and next year will be the growth of my business. That is what I really want to do.

My website:  http://wyldeembers.wix.com/wyldeembers

I know many women are leaving it later to have a family but with that comes the risks and dangers. The later I leave it, the bigger the age gap between me and the baby.

I worry about it a lot but I can't let that be the reason to have a child! It has to be the very fibre of my being, what I want most in the world and right now... I don't feel that it is.

I know that my family are waiting for the grandchildren to come. I feel like I am letting them down as they are also are getting older and our family is getting smaller.

Again, I can not use that as an excuse to have something so important, so life changing, as a child!

Where am I going with this post? I don't know but it's thoughts and feelings that just needed to come out.

The next post will be about my 30th party and will be a lot more upbeat I promise.

Thanks if you have taken the time to read this.

Until next time!

Busy, happy, sad times.

Sorry for being so neglectful of my blog of late but October came and went in a whirlwind of excitement and sadness.

Firstly on the 10th October my Grandma passed away. She was a lovely woman who I will miss deeply. My grandma loved her family and when I was younger she used to babysit me and come on family holidays.

I even made a documentary about her for my uni course work and with my Mum we looked after her so she was still in her own home right until the end.

It seems funny that I used just two paragraphs to sum up how I feel but words have been difficult to put down which is why it has been such a long time since her passing before I could write anything.

Gone, but always in my heart. <3

Also in October I went to several events. The first one was the Samhain Pagan future festivals in Bedford.

This was quite a small event and the best part was. I got to drum along with the pentacle drummers!

Celtic Moon at the Samhain pagan future fest!

The second event was the Samhain Faery ball and fair in Glastonbury.

We went up on the Friday to see Linda Ravenscroft in her beautiful shop on Glastonbury hight street before booking into the Travelodge.

The next morning we had breakfast with Breaca and Vandrake from Cetlic moon before meeting up with other circle members to shop in the faerie faire.

This year, because of everything which had been going on, I decided to purchase a very special item. A Fayble by the very talented sculptor Armorel Hamilton. www.armorelhamilton.com

I have drooled over her little fluffy creations for years and have wanted my own for a long time and I just decided to go for it.

So meet Marshall Binx the Pine Sprig!

He is wonderful and I called him Marshall in remembrance of my Grandma, who loved Marshmallows.

He is a one of a kind Fayble, fully poseable  and has a little bell on his tail. I absolutely love him! <3 nbsp="">

I also brought an axe head necklace from Terry English for Leon and a Elen pendant from fellow artist Laura Daligan.

In the afternoon we headed back to the Travelodge to get changed for the ball. This year I decided to go as a tribal fae warrior, complete with roe deer skull head dress, war paint and spear.

Faery warrior troupe! 

The nights entertainment was provided by the Dolemen and a wonderful band called Rapaljie. I have never seen a man in a kilt playing a bagpipe with a Helmet on fire and fire coming out of the instrument. It has to be seen to be believed!

The next day we went back into Glastonbury town to mooch around and spend more money before heading off to the Camelot inn for a hearty meal with the other members of Celtic Moon and friends. It was a lovely evening but we had to head off early to get home before the impending storm which had been forecasted.

Rather than go on the A303 the Sat Nav suggested the M4 route home. Of course this then meant we were travelling through the center of London of a very wet Sunday night. Luckily we got home safely and the storm didn't effect us too much.

On the 1st of November it was my friends Halloween party in Essex, so after work I went home, got ghoulishly dressed as Morticia Addams and Leon as Gomez Addams for a fun night of chatting, laughing and dancing.

Phew! What a busy time it has been!

Until next time!

Pin-up photo shoot

A few weeks ago I decided to practice my pin up poses and do a photo shoot. Having a boyfriend who is also a photographer has it's perks!

First off I modelled my new dress by Hell bunny.  Have wanted this dress ever since I saw it in a shop in Edinburgh back in 2011 and I got it for a great price in a sale from online store Lady Luck Boutique! www.ladylucksboutique.com

Keijo couldn't help but pose with me too.

I absolutely love this dress and so glad it is finally mine!

I then got changed into the dress I got at the War and Peace show.

Keijo photo bombing again!

 I sent this photo in for a modelling competition for clothing company Voodoo Vixen but unfortunately I didn't win. :(

There are more photographs from the shoot but these were the only ones that have been edited so far.

I really enjoyed the shoot and hope to do another one soon!

Hair and make up by me.

Photos by LJS Digital Photography

Hibiscus Dress  and petticoat by Hell Bunny

Red dress by H and R.

Shoes from Deichmann

Smarts go Grand and I go Pin-up

The Bank Holiday just gone saw the South East Smart Car Club back at The Grand Old Timer Rally at Folkstone.

 

Penny the Smart car all clean and shiney for the public!

It was good to be part of the show again instead of just spectating and we were blessed with glorious sunny weather.

Because there was going to be so many beautiful classic cars at the show I decided to get in some Pinup shots for practise in posing.

Beautiful Hot Rod!

The steering wheel was red and glittery!

This huge Truck is 25 years old

And I got to sit inside it!

Can't go to a car show with out seeing the VW buses! <3 b="">

Sting Ray!

My dress was from Lindy Bob which I brought from the lovely local shop in Faversham called 'Digruntled Cat" 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Disgruntled-Cat-Vintage-and-Revivalist-Clothing-and-accessories/273846716048617?fref=ts

I did my own hair and makeup but I was disappointed that the curl on my loose hair just find hold. I will have to invest in a curling wand I think.

My sort of vehicle!

Considering it got very hot, Keijo made the use of the cars for shade. He behaved 

perfectly the whole day.

For more photos of the day please check out:

https://www.facebook.com/LJSDigiPhoto

Broadstairs Folk week!

Yet again it was time for Folk week at Broadstairs! Last year I didn't get to spend much time at the event as I had to look after the puppy but this year he was on holiday, meaning me and Leon could enjoy the festival together.

Folk week ran from 9th to 16th August and although I had to work the weekend I was able to spend the rest of the week enjoying the sights and sounds of the festival.

Watching the Morris dancing

Wave your hankies in the air like you just don't care!

I set myself a challenge for this years folk week; to dress Rockabilly every day. Luckily the weather was pretty good with only a shower on the very last day which had people rushing for cover into the nearest pub or marquee. Dressing Rockabilly when the sun is shining always comes easier for me as it meant I could wear a selection of my 50s style circle dresses.

In the craft marquee there was a stall selling H and R dresses and other Rockabilly clothing and I fell in love with a cardigan featuring cherries and cherry blossom and I have been introduced to a whole new range of rockabilly repro clothing by Voodoo Vixens.

The stall holder was lovely and she urged me to try pin up/ Rockabilly modelling. I am seriously considering it.

You can see my new cardigan in this picture.

Scarlet the Dragon modelling my new Glasses.

During the week we went to the late nights down at the Pavilion. On the Sunday night it was the fancy dress party with the theme of Warriors.

It just so happens that I have been putting together ideas for a tribal fae warrior so this was the prefect time to test run my costume.

Unfortunately I didn't get any photos of my costume but it consisted of a faux Mohawk, tribal face markings, feathers, a black tasseled suede top and skirt.

The band playing that night was a Canterbury based band called "Coco and the Butterfields" who were brilliant!

Check out their new video on You Tube.

http://youtu.be/QMhGdbI6UcY

Other great bands we saw were "Duncan Disorderly and the Scallywags", "Beggars Belief", "Capercaillie" and "Blackbeard's Tea Party."

Of course it was also great to meet up with the friends we made last year from the Morris sides. It was just a shame we couldn't camp this year.

To see more photos from Folk Week then please visit the LJS digital photography page on Facebook .

https://www.facebook.com/LJSDigiPhoto/photos_albums

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More Bakelite finds

I have been very lucky on eBay recently and snagged not one but four Bakelite bangles at amazing prices!

The first set of 3 bangles were not listed as Bakelite but as 3 green stone bangle set from 1980s. From the picture they looked like marbled 'Green Spinach' bakelite and so I made a seller and offer which they accepted. When the bangles arrived I knew my hunch was correct and when I tested them they showed as positive. 3 bangles for under £7, that is a bargain!

My next purchase on eBay was a carved bangle featuring concentric circles in 'Apple Juice' that had been Simichrome tested but did not state that it was bakelite. The bidding started under a tender and I decided to bid and I won!

When I got the bangle I did my own test by placing the bangle under hot water and giving it a sniff and was satisfied by the smell of formyldehyde coming from the bangle.

Some Internet searching has found a similar bangle but in 'Butterscotch' for sale at $85!

My four new bangles to add to my collection!

A dog gone year!

Can not believe it has been a year since little Keijo (Kay-o) the Finnish Lapphund has come in to our lives!

Having a dog really has changed our lives and I can't remember a time with out him now.

On the day we picked him up.

So small!

   Growing bigger!

Such a comedian!

Hello handsome!

He even likes it when I drum.

We have had many ups and down with him, which I think is typical for most dog owners. He is such a handsome boy but he sure likes to bark, especially when the door bell rings.

Also today we had to take him to the vets because he kept itching his ear. He was given a sedative and the vet found a nasty grass seed that had worked into Keijo's ear canal.

     Nasty!

At least he is ok now.

I love having a dog!

Oh, what a lovely War....and Peace Revival!

I had seen signs all over Kent advertising the War and Peace show, which was once held at the Hop farm near Maidstone but had now changed venues to Folkestone Racecourse but I didn't think about going.

On Monday I visited my Nan with my family and we took her to the sea side town of Hythe.

In the town centre, I found a shop call 'I like that' selling vintage repro clothing. In the window was a beautiful vibrant 50s style red dress with white buttons and I fell in love with it. Unfortunately the shop was closed, however also in their window was posters for the War and Peace show, saying that they would be trading there from Wednesday onwards.

On the way home we drove past the venue to be met with a army encampment! The military tents went on and on and looked massive.

My mind was made up. I had to go to this show and lucky for me it was on for five days so I could go in the week and not miss work.

With my Dad and my boyfriend with me, we went early on Wednesday. The sun was shining so I took my red parasol with me and wore my toadstool tie top by Collectif clothing and my black Alice skirt by Miss Fortune.

The event ticket price was £18.50 which I thought was a bit steep but now I think that the event was worth the price to get in. 

There was so much to see! First we headed towards the vintage area, which was set up with classic cars, replica Spitfires and little tableaux of life in war time in the 1940s.

Just the car for me!

The main arena had displays on all day including military vehicles and tanks and  choreographed battles.

There is a war on you know!

We retreated in to the Vintage marque to get a refreshing (if a little on the expensive side) drink and to watch the vintage fashion show.

Vintage vs Repro!

Love the yellow shoes from Rocket Originals

Love the plum dress by Heyday clothing

Beautiful dragon print on this original vintage dress.

Hair pins are a vintage gals best friend!

During the show there was a demonstration on how to create victory rolls and a leaflet was handed out with a lucky number on it. Who ever had their  number called out would then be whisked off to have a vintage make over and £100 to spend on vintage or repro clothing by Heyday!

My number was 2 away from the number called but the lucky lady who had won was very pleased indeed!

After the fashion show there was music by the wonderful 'Jive Aces' featuring the lovely 'Satin Dollz' from the USA. That show was worth the entry price alone! It was great entertainment.

Lot of Ukulele love!

There was so much going on in the marque that we could have spent the whole time in there but there was shopping to be done so I headed to the vintage stalls. I found the stall holder who has the shop in Hythe and the red dress that had stolen my heart. Needless to say I made a purchase!

In my new H and R of London dress!

Time was ticking on and after a bite to eat we watched more vehicle and tank displays in the main arena before setting off to see the hundreds of living history encampments on display.

Suffice to say we only saw a quarter of the groups there. I think we would have needed a further 3 more hours or more to see it all, there were that many!

I really enjoyed the show and was glad I made the decision to go. The weather was glorious, if a little too hot when trying on dresses.

I definitely want to go again next year and plan to take a bit more cash next time!

Www.warandpeacerevival.co.uk

www.jiveaces.com

www.thesatindollz.com

http://www.prettymevintage.co.uk/

Clothing and shops featured in this blog by:

www.missfortune.co.uk

www.heydayonline.co.uk

www.collectif.co.uk
http://www.handrlondon.com/

www.facebook.com/ilikethathythe

http://www.rocketoriginals.co.uk/

More photos can be seen on my Rockabilly pagan page on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/TheRockabillyPagan