Apologies + more photos!

It's been a long while since I've blogged... just busy with life.

Quickly stopping in to post additional photos from photo sessions I did with Arwendur in England (back in February !!!) and just a short while ago with Marco Patino.

Side note: Make sure to check out/follow Marco Patino's blog, HERE.

Okay, now on to the pics...

The following photos by Marco Patino...







Photos by Arwendur. Latex by Atsuko Kudo

New photos by Marco Patino!

Taken Sept. 13, 2009 by Marco Patino @ Kevin Break studio, LA, CA.

Latex dress by Anatomic Bomb.


Agent Provocateur corset




See, the dress to match my Vivienne Westwood shoes!




Vesperi Latex

Giveaway at 'Diary of a Vintage Girl' blog...

Taken from: http://www.diaryofavintagegirl.com/2009/09/while-you-wait-giveaway.html

Apologies for the silence - I've just been so busy since I've been 'unemployed'! If I'm not out and about, I'm glued to the screen writing emails and working on the websites. A huge post about the Scandalous High Socie-Tea is in the works, but while you wait for me to tell you all about it, how about a giveaway?

I bought a vial of the fabulous Speakeasy Vanilla perfume from Wiggle Perfume on Etsy, following a post the other week about the shop by Solanah. Now I absolutely can't fault Solanah's taste, the perfume smells absolutely delicious... just not when I put it on my skin. The vanilla smell faded immediately and the frankincense smell amplified on me until it was overpowering. I tried it a couple of times, but I have come to the sad conclusion that this delicious scent just doesn't work with my body chemistry. However, since it obviously works for Solanah and also for the lovely Twila Jean at The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan Housewife, I thought I'd offer this little gift to one of my readers, to try it out for themselves.

So here it is, a 5ml vial of Wiggle Perfume's Speakeasy Vanilla scent!



I'm just going to copy all the gals who've done giveaways recently and say that to be in with a chance, simply leave me a comment below, but for an extra chance, post about the giveaway on your own blog and send me the link.

This giveaway is open to anyone in the world. I'll announce the winner next Friday - the 11th. Good luck everyone!

Fleur xx
DiaryofaVintageGirl.com

Congratulations to...

Hanne S. of Finland for winning the Pandoraschoice.com giveaway!
She will be receiving the frilly knickers and seamed nylons!

Stay tuned as I plan on doing many more giveaways on my blog. The lucky winner could be YOU!

Pandoraschoice.com WINNER...

...has been chosen.

Stay tuned!

New Triumph Blog...

I've created a new blog for my Triumph project... as I'm sure some people won't be interested in this blog with all the girly crap...

Follow my blog:

http://tayvastriumph.blogspot.com/

More Triumph rebuild photos!

These pistons gotta go. Although they are not pitted, you can definitely see the wear on them. The right one is a little bit melted around the skirt.


Got some new handlebars! Gotta find some risers for them, though. Might be able to find those via J&P Cycles? Anyway, they outfit all the Harley riders with their parts.

Fender repair in progress.

Yuck. Gotta sort this out; don't want any rust getting in my tank.

It might look cool, but this seat has gotta go. Think my friend has one for me. We refer to this as "The Cracker", as it's as thick as one. I can pull over on the side of the road and have a snack if I wish! Ha... bony ass + rigid frame = no bueno. I'll be selling this back to the guy who sold me the bike. He paid a bit too much for it... and with that money, I can buy my exhaust pipes (which I still have to find)

My new 1971 Triumph Bonneville chopper!

This bike makes my friends' Harleys look like sissy bikes!

I have all the original emblems for this!

Big box of stuff that needs to go on the bike.

I *might* have to replace the pistons, as there is wear on one of them (just wear, not pitted or anything). New exhaust pipes are a MUST. On a quest to find those. A nice set of straight pipes will do the trick.

The seat has to go (it reminds me of a cracker... and soooo uncomfortable, esp. on a rigid frame bike). The handlebars are totally wrong for this bike-- and me. I plan on getting a set of ape hangers. I also plan on putting a suicide shift kit on it.

I don't plan on ruining the bike's look with a speedometer (not required by law).

The back fender needs further work, as it had to be altered to properly fit. However, I will not be repainting this thing-- at least for the time being. I like the way it looks.

Hopefully more on this project soon!

GIVEAWAY: Goodies from Pandoraschoice.com

I've finally hit 100 followers (and then some!). To commemorate this event, I am featuring a giveaway from Pandoraschoice.com - the best place in the UK to get knickers, bras, corsets, and everything else to make you look absolutely glamourous!

Enter this contest below, and make sure to visit Pandoraschoice.com, as this site has a TON of beautiful underpinnings and accessories.




Up for grabs are (in the winner's size!) a lovely pair of black or nude seamed nylons, as well as a gorgeous pair of frilly knickers (in the winner's choice of red, black or baby pink)!




One entry per email address/IP address.

For an additional entry, you can use Twitter!
RT this:

RT @misstayva @Pandoraschoice Giveaway at All She Wants To Do Is Rock! http://tinyurl.com/nlcumf

Vintage Manicure - Addendum

In regards to my PREVIOUS POST...

I've had a lot of people ask me, "How do you do your nails like that?"

I simply freehand it with the polish brush. I suppose it coincides with my artistic abilities. That, and I find that manicure guides are a) a pain to deal with, in my opinion and b) their funny shape (more suited for French manicures for square-tipped nails) make for a crap time.

I've actually heard a lot of 'vintage' gals complain about the shape of the French manicure guides.
Kustom Klaws, a company that specialises in retro-style nail decals, had boasted about coming out appropriate nail guides, but I'm not sure if they ever did, or ever will.

That said, I've found an appropriate--and cheap-- alternative.

Paper reinforcements.

New goodies up on Etsy!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7087114

Help me pay off my Triumph motorbike!

I've got retro fabric, western wear, and other vintage goodies!

Shoot with Dave Deluxe

I recently had the opportunity to shoot with Dave Deluxe-- after talking about it only... oh, I dunno. Something like seven years, nearly!

Anyway, the photos involved my friend Jeff's Thompson submachine gun, and also Dave's gorgeous 1974 Plymouth Satellite (with a Roadrunner hood, says he).


Unfortunately, it was too damn hot, and far too windy that weekend. That's what we get for trying to shoot in the Arizona desert in the middle of July, I suppose.

I've another session scheduled with Dave in September, as well as a couple of other sessions that you will all hear about after the fact... as it's secret! Stay tuned.

New product review: Besame Cosmetics - Voluptuous Lipstick

Gabriela Hernandez of Besame Cosmetics was generous enough to send me over a sample of the new Voluptuous lipstick. Boy, was I excited to receive it! There has been a lot of buzz about the new formula/packaging. In fact, if you recall, I made a previous post about it, HERE.

Anyway, I received a sample of Red Velvet (also comes in Rapture Rose, a "soft and luminous pink with a glossy finish" and Champagne, a "modern and sensuous neutral with a touch of shimmer and a warm, buttery base").

The colour is quite warm, and works well with my beloved MAC lip pencil in Brick. Which brings me to Besame's lip liner... as I'm curious to try this out. I wasn't keen on the last one, as it seemed to creep/feather.

My favourite lipstick formulation EVER is Besame's Enchanting Lipstick. Lovely finish, pigmented, smooth and creamy. I didn't think I'd find one that I liked more, but this one fits the bill (and then some!). Voluptuous is definitely more moisturising and it feels very light on the lips; almost as I've got a light balm on, rather than a bold lipstick.

The staying power is impressive, and if blotted, it turns to a lovely matte finish. That said, it doesn't turn all crepey and dry looking.

My only complaint is the limited colour palette. Red Velvet is okay if I've been out in the sun a bit (aka summer time), but I'm cool-toned and need a brighter red. I'm not keen on the other two colours, nor their finishes. I really hope they introduce some of the other reds, like those from the Enchanted range.

$35 gets you the lipstick, an automatic lip pencil, and an application brush... all in gold-accented black enamel.

This lipstick gets a thumbs-up from me!

Available at Besame Cosmetics

Today's (vintage!) manicure! !!!

Half-moon manicure featuring China Glaze Ruby Pumps. Photos don't do this stuff justice!
Yes, those are my natural nails.

Reminiscent of:

Agent Provocateur sale - July 09

Agent Provocateur is having their bi-annual (I think?) sale... by the way, hurry on over, because things go QUICK.

As a member of Club AP (not the Mark Morgan fan club, for those of you in the know... hehe), I got first dibs on the sale before the general public (non-members). In fact, I ordered within minutes of getting the email notification.

Read on...


I got this gorgeous set, named 'Kimiyo' (Make me feel so good, make me feel good. Kimiyo...) Right, so I had been lemming this set since last season, but chose the sheer lavender and black Regine set instead.

I like soft cup bras, for sleeping (With E cups, can't go without a bra..) Who can resist sheer polka-dot tulle, picot edging and adorable little embellishments? Not me, obviously.

The bra - Originally $130. On sale for $40.
Thong - Originally $90. On sale for $30.
$70 vs. $220? Hell yes.





Lois... Oh Lois.

These knickers are HOT. They had a matching bustier, as well as a GORGEOUS slip, but I passed. The bustier didn't come in my cup size. The slip had cups, but was one of these 'only available in S, M and L'... and those never fit right.

These knickers are made from satin jacquard and powermesh. I'm not crazy about the suspenders. I've not yet received this parcel and I'm wondering how adequate the suspenders will be, and if I can replace them with sturdier ones. We shall see...

Original price: $140. On sale for $70.




Lastly, I got this t-shirt, called Purdy. Adorable little puff sleeves are offset by patent leather belts wrapped around this, for a kinky bondage look. I believe this shirt was around a couple of seasons ago, and I had been wanting it since. One of the main things I like to collect from AP are their shirts.

Original price: $155. On sale for $50

Asos (up to) 80% off sale, and my purchases

Asos is having an up-to-80%-off sale at the moment (can't recall when it ends)...
I was browsing the site with no intention to buy, when I came upon a couple of items I recall seeing in the past, but for much cheaper. Insanely cheap.

First up is a lovely taffeta pencil skirt, covered in frills. I like frills.
Originally $51. Got it for $10!

Cheap frills. Real cheap.

Next up, an adorable pair of high-waisted taffeta shorts. I contemplated purchasing these a while back, but sort of just forgot about them...

I got them in black (as seen on the model), by the way, rather than the blue.

Originally $43. I paid $8.50 for them! Would have cost me more to sew them myself!

The Summers the Jackson Five called Winslow home...

This is from an article that was recently run in an online newspaper, my mother happened to come across it by chance. We were chuffed to see it, as she had been telling people in my hometown for years about how the Jackson family used to spend their summers there-- and they would always think she was lying (what a silly thing to lie about, really!)

Well, here's the proof...



The Summers The Jackson Five Called Winslow Home
July 8th, 2009

http://www.azjournal.com/news/126/ARTICLE/4096/2009-07-08.html


By Linda Kor
Every small town has its share of urban legends--the claim by someone who was told by someone else that a famous individual once came through town or, better yet, lived there.
That’s how it was in Winslow. Over the years a number of residents claimed that the famed Jackson Five of Gary, Ind., including Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, used to spend summers in the community. It was one of those urban legends that received a smile and a nod, but was never validated, until now.

With the recent passing of pop star legend Michael Jackson, Winslow resident Zach Thomas* felt it was time to prove something that he had known all along, because he had witnessed it first-hand.

Thomas approached Docia Blalock, director of the Roxanne Whipple Memorial Library in Winslow, for help. “From the research we conducted we learned that Samuel Jackson was a resident at 317 Snyder Ave. from at least 1966 through 1968,” stated Blalock, adding that the library staff researched old telephone books to verify residency. Samuel, the father of Joe Jackson and grandfather of Michael, lived across the street from the home Thomas grew up in on the corner of Snyder Avenue and Fourth Street.

While residing in Winslow, Samuel Jackson did what many grandparents did--he invited his grandchildren to stay with him during the summer months. In the summer of 1966, the Jackson siblings, had yet to gain national attention, though Michael’s incredible talent was on the verge of being discovered.

Thomas recalled that summer, playing ball against the five brothers at the old rodeo grounds ball field, across from Vargas Stadium.

“I remember one time we were having a good old time playing ball and their dad Joe came out there yellin’ at those boys to get home and practice their music,” recalled Thomas. “He was so mad and whooped on them the whole way home. That’s all he was about, just practice, practice, practice.”

When the Jackson boys (sister Janet was not yet born) played their music at their grandfather’s house, it brought the neighborhood to life.

“We always heard them practicing and people would come around from the neighborhood just to listen to them play. Michael was a good singer and he was a good dancer,” he stated.
According to Thomas, when the Jackson Five played at the Desert Scene Elks Lodge, people would throw spare change up on the stage for them. “It was common to do that back then for good performers; it was how they made their money for the night,” he noted.

The Thomas family knew the Jacksons well and the families spent a lot of time together.
“Once in awhile they would be allowed to go to the movies with us, but most of the time they were just practicing music,” recalled Thomas, who was closest to Tito Jackson, as they were the same age.

He recalled that the Jackson family had planned to go from Winslow on to Phoenix at the end of the summer of 1967, but received an opportunity to perform in a talent contest at the renowned Apollo Theater in New York's Harlem district.

“Someone, I think it was Diana Ross, had made arrangements for them to perform there so they headed back home,” recalled Thomas. The young singers known as the Jackson Five won the competition on Aug. 13, 1967, and that started them on the road to stardom.
The year after winning the show Thomas recalls the family traveled back through Winslow on their way to California.

“The family was riding in a van, and Tito came to the house and told me that they were on their way to California because they’d gotten a record deal,” recalled Thomas. “He was looking for his cousin to say goodbye, so we got in the van and drove around awhile, but we couldn’t find him, so they just headed out from there.”

Thomas’ mother [Lila] kept in contact with the Jackson family after they left for California and received a number of pieces of memorabilia as the Jacksons became famous.

With the knowledge that the Jackson clan did in fact spend their summers in the city of Winslow before fame crossed their path, it would appear that the community has one less urban legend to ponder and one more musical connection to add to its history.


-Advertisement courtesy of the Roxanne Whipple Memorial Library- This advertisement in the Winslow Reminder dated Thursday, Aug. 18, 1966, announced a performance by the Jackson Five at the Desert Scene Elks Lodge in Winslow for a ticket price of $1.25 per person, about $8.21 at today’s prices. The lodge was also known as the Arcadia Hall, and is located in the 100 block of East First Street in Winslow.

* Zach Thomas was my neighbour growing up, he lived across the street from us.

RIP Lula Reed

It's a little late (okay, just over a year later)... Her career is important to me, so I feel compelled to post about it. I'm actually in shock that the news of her death wasn't more widespread.

Anyway, it's been a bit over a year since R&B singer Lula Reed passed away (June 21, 2008).

I remember when I first discovered her-- by mistake-- while searching online for the various versions of the New Orleans classic, Sick and Tired. Her version wasn't the same song, but just as good, nonetheless. I immediately sought out the 45 rpm single... I didn't get the King issue, but a Gusto reissue from the early '80s (GUSTO 2153), which had Bump On A Log on the B-side.

What a voice. A more refined version of Little Esther Phillips, and similar to Dinah Washington but not as refined. Her version of "Drown In My Own Tears" (1951; later covered by Ray Charles in '56) always gives me chills. I have a cut of that track that starts with the voice of a radio deejay describing her voice like that of "Gabriel's trumpet". Indeed!

Some of my favourite Lula Reed material are the duets done with Freddie King (accompanied by her rumoured husband, Sonny Thompson) on the Boy-Girl-Boy album.



In fact...

We covered "You Can't Hide" on Mike Sanchez's You Better Dig It! album.


CLICK HERE to hear "You Can't Hide" by Mike Sanchez and Miss Tayva

Our first choice was "It's Easy Child", but found that "You Can't Hide" fit more with the overall theme of the album... plus the stalker lyrics are awesome :-)

Rest in peace, Lula. Your music has been a great inspiration to me.


Freddie King and Lula Reed : You Can't Hide -





Lula Reed : Drown In My Own Tears

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Plumping Kit review

I've been meaning to review this lovely little set from Soap and Glory, but sort of forgot about it. For several months.

I'm pressed for time, so I'll keep this short and will let the pics do most of the talking.

Pros: The magnetic box it comes in is cute. It has a legit mirror (not one of those stupid plastic ones), and is decorated in the inside with what reminds me of skateboard grip tape.

The lip plumping crayon is the one of those big, fat deals. It glides on effortlessly, has good colour payoff, and is very moisturising. Does a great job of plumping. Has a nice scent, but I can't place what it is.

The gloss smells like cotton candy in the best way possible :-)

No creeping or smearing from either the pencil or gloss.

Cons: The gloss is thick sticky. Reminds me of the 'clear' Sexy Mother Pucker. I found it works better in warmer weather, naturally. A bit too glittery for my liking.

This has been discontinued, *I THINK*. I saw they have another lip plumping kit on store shelves, but I've not purchased it... yet.

Left: Swatch of plumping lip crayon.
Right: Swatch of plumping gloss.

...and here they are together.

Verdict: Not bad, glad I bought this. Great for casual days, but probably wouldn't purchase again. It's the gloss I'm not keen on. I'll stick to my Sexy Mother Pucker in nude. I do, however, *love* the lip pencil.

.

Eye look with Holiday in Balm Sprigns

Overshadow in No Money, No Honey

Shady Lady eyeshadow in Shameless Shana

MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

Brows- Anastasia brow powder in Brunette

No mascara, I forgot, until I saw the photo!