Annie Pancake and the Time Machine

Featuring: Me!

2012-02-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

Hello Little Followers!

I must make my apologies for the colossal lack of posting recently. I have been caught up in a whirlwind of schoolwork, cooking, working, snow and photography, and in my leisure time I have found myself able to do little other than hunch over my laptop scrolling Tumblr and Google and various other mediums for anything vaguely Paris-related. (There is a potential holiday to the aforementioned destination on the horizon and I have been unable to think of anything else!) After a few good things happened to me in the Blogging world all at once, I decided that it might be quite nice to show you, my lovely readers, (read: brag about) some things that I am pleased about and/or proud of.

Firstly, O Loyal Readers who might remember back to last Summer, I mentioned that I was in a certain book that I couldn't name, modelling. It arrived as a surprise on my doorstep and I near-enough died with excitement and ended up being a bit late for school. I can now reveal (a bit late to the game, after the onslaught of loving reviews this book has already received) that the book I am so elegantly *cough* modelling in, is in fact Style me Vintage: Clothes by the brilliant Naomi Thompson. I am in it, count 'em 1-2-THREE TIMES!

(Four if you count the picture of my leg!!)

I am of course, biased, but considering the book is on Amazon for the princely sum of £5, I, personally, think that you should make a sneaky purchase, if only to stab the picture of me with your index finger and proclaim to all that you read my blog. (It also delighted me to find a little linky to my blog in the acknowledgments - sweet!)

Secondly, I am also proud to announce that I am officially stylish beyond my tender years, as the lovely Lena of Queens of Vintage (Yes, it is up-and-running again!) posted abut me last week.

Finally, one of my most long-standing, lovely, funny, followers posted about me recently, the lovely Kate, of Kiss Me Kate posted a recreation of the 60s Chignon Updo that I posted previously.

I hope she doesn't mind me pinching this picture from her post, but I love how it looks on her. That diddy little chignon and those glasses! I think i prefer it on her to me. Soo elegant! I was to touched/honoured/impressed that this had to be my third 'thing'.

With that, I wish you all a lovely night/morning and rest-of week!

Lots of Love

Miss P

xxxx

John Frieda's Retro Curls: A Blogger's Response

2012-01-26T17:14:00.000-08:00

Hello lovely followers! Today it is with pride that I present to you my first review of some products that were sent to me because somebody valued my opinion! I was approached by a lovely lady from Holler London, a marketing company working for John Frieda. The idea is that 'top John Frieda stylists' have created a series of videos showing you how to create different looks using John Frieda products, the main message being that the looks and products mean you can easily achieve these looks at home. I was asked, naturally, to attempt the Retro Curls look and I was quite excited to try out this style with the inclusion of products as I have attempted to curl my hair with curling tongs in the past and been very disappointed.

The original John Frieda video

The products that I got were as follows: Frizz-Ease Curl Reviver Styling Mousse, Luxurious Volume Thickening Blowdry Lotion, Luxurious Volume Thickening Hairspray and Frizz-Ease Secret Agent Perfecting Creme. I noticed these were actually different to the some of the products in the video, but the only huge difference is the 'Perfecting Creme'.

I filmed a video of me trying out the products and techniques, but I thought I would ramble on a little further on this blog as the initial, unedited video was over an hour and a half long!

Firstly, the Blow Dry: I liked the idea of being able to start from wet, especially if you are in desperate need of a shower and no time to wait for a wet set to dry. I loved the volume as a result of the combination of the Blow Dry Lotion and the blow drying technique. My hair is so thick that it often weighs the top of my hair down, so to have those sort of light, soft curves of hair was a nice change to the very flat, uniformity of a wet set. I was very uncertain of the Styling Mousse, expecting to create crunchy, crispy hair but even with the fairly substantial amount of product I applied to my hair, it stayed fairly pliable. I did like that I could still feel the product in my hair, similar to using setting lotion, so I could feel it 'holding' and 'taking' to the heat tools much better. I was also quite doubtful of the 'blow-drying upside down' technique as my hair gets frizzy very and it was only the heated tools which managed to calm my frizz somewhat. I still was not entirely crazy about the cowlick-flyaways.

Then, the Heat-Styling: I liked the staying-power of this curling technique but the sheer quantity of my hair made it a very long process, but the curls were fairly impressive when I took them out after cooling. Not as authentically 'Great Aunt Mable in her Heyday' as some would like, but recently I have been trying to achieve a smoother, more Rockabilly, modernised version, which is often much better achieved with heat styling than with wet setting.

The Finishing: I was also impressed with the Perfecting Creme, which didn't grease-up my hair at all and smoothed it really well. It was such a lightweight cream and I am actually quite glad that I got this instead of the stuff he uses in the video. I didn't like his choice of styling the curls as much. I was amazed to watch these beautiful curls be pulled out into a loose 'kink' instead. I decided not to see that part and just played with my curls gently, trying not to pull any out too much. I did faff around with the pin behind the ear but it felt far too severe on my head (which never suits tight, pulled-back styles) and instead just left it to it's own devices.

It was then time to mist it all over with hairspray: noooo! My Boots extra hold is much preferable to this. It instantly crisped up my hair and I didn't like how tangly and crispy it felt the following morning.

Overall, I liked the style. It produced a sleek, soft look that would be great for evenings (rather than trying to make this look last all day) however I don't feel like this look would withstand the elements well whatsoever, and I would definitely choose this as an evening 'do, omitting the hairspray in favor of my own. I liked the end result but it did take a huge amount of time to get to it!

Thanks for taking the time to read my review, and I would also like to add that although I was given these products for free, all opinions are my own.

Lots of Love,

Miss P

xxxx

Vintage Inspired Highstreet Wins Again!

2012-01-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

This Friday I rolled out of bed at the happy hour of 6:50am (it was supposed to be 6:30 but, well...) in order to actually have sufficient time to look bangin' and take photographic evidence. I was so time-efficient that I also recorded a hair tutorial for this look here whilst I was getting ready.

I was essentially too lazy to set my hair the night before so I crafted this little chignon updo and dressed for the cold. This gorgeous little number is from good old Dotty P's (that's Dorothy Perkins to you English-speaking folk) and is one of three dresses I own which I have discovered can 'work' the long-sleeved-tee-underneath look. It's a fairly dressy little thing on it's own, and I wore it with towering black suede heels for New Years Eve, but I felt so monstrous in it that I don't think I will ever bring myself to wear it without something covering my arms ever again. That is, until I hit the gym. I also belted it because there are some strategically-placed pleats or gathering at the waist/hip area, designed to emphasize your curves. Whilst it does head-on, it also hugely emphasizes the belly-curve in profile and at school I am not so aware of my posture and the use of my tummy muscles.

returning the laptop to the bag after filming,
ready for a day of graphic-designing ;)

Dress: Dorothy Perkins

T-Shirt: Primark

Tights: Marks and Spencer

Shoes: Sainsbury's

Belt: Urban Outfitters

Satchel: Local Boutique

Bangles: Topshop

Necklace: Gift

Earrings: Antique Shop

Lips

Benefit: 'My Treat'

Cargo Cosmetics Classic Lip Gloss (but the name of the shade,

and the whereabouts of the product escape me at this present moment!)

Eyes:

17 Photo Flawless Skin Primer

Too Faced Natural eye Collection 'Honey Pot'

Urban Decay: Midnight Cowboy Rides Again

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in 'Black Bean'

Nouveau Lashes Noir Mascara in 'Black'

Face:

17 Photo Flawless Primer

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15

Mabelline Dream Matte Powder in Rose Nude

ELF Natural Radiance Blusher in 'Shy'

Benefit Hoola as a Contour

Nails:

Deborah Lippmann Nail Varnish in 'Razzle Dazzle'

TTYL!

Miss P ;)

xxxxxx

My Boyfriend Chose My Outfit tag

2012-01-20T15:02:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone :)

I have a different kind of post for you today.

The other night I was sprawled in bed prematurely and essentially ordered my boyfriend around my room, gathering the items I needed for a stay at my dad's house. As a reward *cough*, I let him choose my outfit....lucky him! I actually think he had a pretty good time, as he's acceptably stylin' himself and he does have some vague interest in what I wear. I actually had fun watching him choosing which clothes would go together and the reason for his choices, and the outcome was so interesting that I had to share it.

I then decided to make it a tag because I think it would be interesting to see how your boyfriend's choice differs to your own, so below is the details of the tag. Anyone is welcome to do the tag because I tag you all to do it. If you do choose to do the tag feel free to comment below with a link to your pictures, leave me a video response on my youtube video or email me!

My Boyfriend Chose My Outfit *TAG*

The Rules:

- You are not allowed to have any input on what he chooses

- You are allowed to tell him what kinds of things you need (i.e "I need tights with that dress", or "remember to choose jewelry")

- He can choose whatever he likes, but if she's going out looking like that all day, please be nice!!

- 'My Boyfriend' can totally be changed to 'My Girlfriend'

It's interesting that he chose what are probably some of the most modern items in my wardrobe, which is a big difference from the look I usually try to achieve, however I did enjoy the change and i'll definitely be running the tag again.

Dress: Miss Selfridge

Cardigan: Topshop

Shoes: Topshop

Tights: Marks and Spencer

Belt: Forever 21

Jewelry: Gifts

I also let him choose my makeup, and he chose:

Eyes:

17 Photo Flawless Primer (on my lids too)

Too Faced Natural eye Collection (following the 'Fashion' guide)

No7 Intense Volume Mascara

Sleek Cosmetics 'Brow Kit' in 'Light'

Face:

17 Photo Flawless Primer

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15

Mabelline Dream Matte Powder in Rose Nude

ELF Natural Radiance Blusher in 'Shy'

Benefit Hoola as a Contour

Lips:

Topshop LIPS in 'Beguiled'

Lipcote

Lots of Love

Miss P!

xxxxx

....And The Winner Is!

2012-01-19T13:15:00.000-08:00

...................................................................... 'GlamorousDiiva' !

email me at annie.lindsay-smith@live.co.uk with your address and I will get it out to you.

Congrats!

Miss P

xxxxxx

Love, Hate and Can't Wait: December

2012-01-18T15:54:00.000-08:00

Hello Followers!

At the beginning of this month I recorded an enormous 'haul' video and put it up on my YouTube channel about the makeup I had bought over Christmas. After playing with these new products I have decided to introduce a new feature to my channel (and thus, to this blog!) which will involve me looking back over the past month and deciding what I liked, what I didn't like and what I am looking forward to buying/trying/playing with or doing over the current month.

Here is my 'Haul' video

and the resulting 'Love, Hate and Can't Wait' Video!

Now i'm off to build my empire and try and put some organisation into my social life, schoolwork and my blogging!

Lots of Love

Miss P

xxxx

Icy Blue

2012-01-16T13:48:00.000-08:00

I put together this outfit for a shopping-filled Sunday with the Mum. I was inspired by the frost on the ground that I was unreasonably excited about - I had a picture of how my images would turn out in my head - but by the time I got round to the photos, the ice had all but melted!

I essentially spent the day frittering altogether too much money on frivolities and somehow 'inadvertently' signed up to glossybox.co.uk

I got this dress from ebay. It's made with vintage fabric from a vintage pattern but it is 'modern'. It's lovely and fits generally well, but the boob-y area is too big for me. Curses :( It was an accidental purchase, I put a bid in and then promptly forgot about it until ebay emailed me to tell me I had won! Oops.

Now i'm super broke but blogging, filming and generally wasting hours of my time that I should probably be dedicating to my schoolwork or something.

Hair Flower: What The Puck?

Trench: Topshop

Dress: eBay

Gloves: Vintage Fair (Birmingham)

Earrings: Topshop

Tights: Marks and Spencer

Belt: Urban Outfitters

Brogues: Sainsbury's

Eyes:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Coastal Scents/BH Cosmetics/Ebay-from-China 88 Neutral Palette

Too Faced Natural Eye Collection's 'Heaven'

Coloursport 24 Hour Black Eyeliner

No7 360degrees Mascara

Sleek Cosmetics 'Brow Kit' in 'Light'

Face:

Benefit Erase Paste in 'Light'

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Rose Nude

ELF Natural radiance Blusher in 'Shy'

Benefit 'Hoola' as a contour

Lips:

Topshop 'LIPS' in 'Beguiled'

That's all for now lovely readers, there is some new videos on my YouTube Channel that are beauty related, but I will be posting about them soon. If you're not subscribed already, please do go take a peek!

Lots of Love,

Miss P

xxxx

A Vintage Gal's Starter Guide

2012-01-05T12:32:00.000-08:00

Hello Gals and Pals!
I know it hasn't been long since my last giveaway, but I have been dying to hold this one after hitting 200 followers and have been saving, planning and accumulating for this for ages. I have compiled a 'starter pack' of lovely and (in my opinion) necessary items for the average vintage girl and some of the items I really wanted to keep! Thanks for being so lovely and loyal and I am already nearing 300 so I can't wait to hold a giveaway even bigger, and even cooler.

The 'Deets':

YOU WILL WIN:

(I posted a video for a closer and more detailed look, but also provided pictures for those of you who don't wish to watch it, or can't! )

a 'Lavela' Elasticated Vintage-Inspired Turban Hairband

an enormous set of 250 bobby pins
(the packaging of which I 'modified')

two powder puffs for help with that
loose powder!

a small string of faux pearls

a pair of vintage clip on earrings

two matching hair bows/barrettes from my
favourite hair accessory shop, What The Puck?

Barry M Nail Paint in 'Bright Red'

A high quality, hand-hemmed, vintage silk
scarf featuring ducks!

ducks!

unfortunately as a vintage item it isn't perfect and here is
an idea of the mark on the scarf :(

as well as your choice of Rockalily Lipstick

TO ENTER:

- get one entry by following this blog and commenting below which Rockalily Lipstick you would choose

-get another by posting about this giveaway on your blog

- get another by following me on twitter and re-tweeting my tweet about the giveaway.

The Giveaway is open Internationally and Closes Wed 18th January 2012

Good Luck!

Lots of love,

Miss P xxxxx

The Festive Season Outfits

2011-12-28T07:10:00.000-08:00

Hat: Accessorize

Lips: Rockalily - Roulette Red

Coat: H&M

Brooch : Thrifted
Bag: Topshop

Cardigan: Principals

Dress: Miss Selfridge (?)

Belt: Forever 21

Tights: M&S

Shoes: Sainsbury's

Pearls (in hair): Thrifted

Blouse: Tara Starlet

Skirt: Bettie Page Clothing (via Pinup Parade)

Tights: Florence and Fred

Shoes: Sainsbury's

just some outfits from over the festive season! The second 'shoot' involved poor lighting and my camera eventually refusing to cooperate with it. Hope your New Years was lovely, what did you do?

Love, Miss P

My New Favourite Bag

2011-12-28T01:56:00.000-08:00

Hello Readers! I hope you all had delicious holidays and are looking forward to the new year. I've had a fairly lovely Christmas and i really did get an abundance of gorgeous gifts. I thought I would take the opportunity to basically brag about my new handbag, as I fairly infatuated with it.

pictured with another blog-relevant gift!

I am in love. It was from Topshop and is just like a little old fashioned doctors bag. It holds so much too, considering it's side and I may just have to abandon every other handbag in favour of this one! If you're looking for a bag like this, i'm not sure Topshop still sell them, however, had i the funds i would also have this little number in my ever-growing collection.

I'm glad to be back and blogging again, hope your holidays were just lovely,

pip pip!

Miss P

Giveaway Results!:

2011-12-12T08:12:00.000-08:00

Hello Lovelies! My giveaway is now closed and I would now like to announce that the winner of a *miscellaneously branded* ;) Lovely lip brush for all your vintage needs, is...........

*Drumroll*

Comment-er Number 11,

Laurie of retro-reporter.com!

Congrats!

Send me an email at annie.lindsay-smith@live.co.uk with you address and I will post it out to you asap :)

Thanks for participating and keep your eyes peeled for a new giveaway soon!

Lots of Love,

Miss P

xxx

Yet Another Video and Giveaway Reminder

2011-12-11T06:04:00.001-08:00

Hello my lovelies!

Here's a little review of a nice, cheap, 'highstreet' makeup setting powder from a vintage perspective!

Also a quick reminder that my giveaway ends today at 24:00 UK Time, so if you haven't entered yet, hurry!

Lots of love, Miss P

xxx

Another Tutorial

2011-12-06T06:39:00.001-08:00

Thank you lovely readers for the comments on my last post, here's a tutorial for my hair from yesterday's post!

From now on, beauty tutorials (and also possibly reviews) will be more youtube based, although I will still be posting them on here for those of you who don't check youtube religiously.

also, I've changed the layout of my blog a bit, and my header - what do you think?

Lots of Love

Miss P :)

xxxx

Let It Snow(Flake)

2011-12-05T02:33:00.001-08:00

Hooray For Shopping!

Tired of seeing my overalls yet? I'm not. I was all set up to wear a skirt and heels today, but when I arose from my nest of duvets, pillows and quilted blankets, and peered out of the curtains to see black I changed my plans. I'm glad I did too, as me and le boyf slipped and slid to school this morning, even in my most practical soles! (Read: furry boots from Topshop with grips..)

Yesterday I did a spot of Christmas shopping with my mum, and one of my many frivolities came in the form of a long-awaited, Christmas jumper! Yaay!

I have wanted one of these for so long and it is so snuggly with a little-old-lady thermal vest, wooly tights, overalls, Pringle Boot Socks and my fluffy boots.

Lipstick: Queen of Hearts - Collection 2000

Jumper: TK Maxx

Overalls: Freddie's of Pinewood

If you haven't already, make sure you enter my giveaway!

Lots of Love, Miss P

xxx

How to Get a 40s Lip (Easily!)

2011-12-04T11:52:00.001-08:00

Hello Followers!
I've been so happy and busy after my birthday (Wednesday) that I've barely had a spare minute to be taking pictures for my little bloglet. I might have mentioned that I pleaded and begged for a replacement of my old dinosaur of a laptop and my new one is truly divine. As such, I have immediately utilized its new functions (built in webcam and microphone anyone?) and filmed the long awaited (in my head) 40s Lip - using this cool brush i found - Tutorial!

For those of you who have no idea what i'm talking about, this article gives a pretty good explanation. Alongside the video I'm running a quick little giveaway of a similar style brush for you to win of your very own!

To Win Simply post a comment on this blog.

Yes, it is open internationally :)

Competition Closes: Dec 11th 2011

Now, here's the video!:

Lots of Love,

Miss Pancake

xxxxxxxx

Puttin' On The Ritz

2011-11-27T06:35:00.001-08:00

After much anticipation and inpatience, my glorious Jitterbug trews from Puttin' on the Ritz have arrived! I don't even know what to say about them, I am just delighted with them. They are bespoke, made-to-measure so they fit divinely, the fabric is lovely and soft and natural and they are so beautifully, professionally made. The waist detail is adorable and I really do feel lovely in these. I want another pair already, and one of everything else in their shop....

40s Embroidered Jacket: Vintage Fair, Birmingham

Blouse: Heyday

Trousers: Puttin On The Ritz

Pumps: Topshop

Handbag: Charity Shop

Lips: Collection 2000 - Cherry Bomb

Lots of Love,

Miss Pancake

xxx

I Love My Overalls

2011-11-14T13:11:00.001-08:00

T-shirt: H&M
Overalls: Freddies of Pinewood
Boots: God knows!

Just a quick and dirty post about my outfit today, which kept me lovely and toasty whilst everyone else was shivering their little rears off.

Today was lovely, a day of mainly photographic success (yay, teacher-praise!) and historical uncertainty (the trials and tribulations of the Liberal party in 1908 turned out to less fashion-based than I had hoped, hee hee.) and a pleasant little jaunt into town for a snuggly coffee in Costa with my beloved friends.

This evening has mainly consisted of singing Disney songs and planning christmas presents and excursions. I best start saving!

Just so you know, my etsy shop is now open for business, selling my first design as an A3 poster! (hopefully t-shirts will be on their way - squeak!)

It's my birthday soon - I will be 17! - but I just cannot stop dreaming about Christmas.

Ta ta for now!
Miss P xxxx

The Olive Green Suit

2011-11-08T11:56:00.000-08:00

Oh, my 'Olive Green' Suit! This baby has been through the entire growth process with me. It saw the poorly curled hair; the mistaking 1920s for 1950s and my first feeble stabs at vintage. This was my first ever real vintage purchase. (By 'real' vintage I mean earlier than the polyester I was buying at the Birmingham 'vintage shops', real 50s vintage.) It has literally seen me through the entire transitional process from day one of my blog to now.

I bought it from Ebay and it was such a 'mare to get here from the USA, I had made a complete state of the international shipping costs and so on, but it made its way to me eventually and I still love it now - it's like my 'trusty' suit, tweedy enough for the cold but versatile enough for relatively warm weather too.

I think what I love so much about it (apart from that it is made of tweed, of which I am a sucker for) is the shape? I think the short crop jacket offers a more youthful look and is less 'harsh' on me. The skirt is so flattering and just keeps fitting me better and better the more I've grown (read: stretched everything out and lost weight) The skirt and the jacket as separates have cameo-ed in more outfits and blog posts than I can count, but I have yet to do the suit proper justice until now!

This combination is actually my favourite so far, I think. After yesterday's whining I manned-up and charged to school in my heels regardless, and I actually didn't 'glow' my face off, luckily. The rain took care of that, anyway...

Hope you all had lovely Tuesdays! I spent the entire day doing English and now i'm off to do a History essay. *sigh*.

Lots of Love, Miss P
xxxx

not 100% sure what this is all about.

50s Tweed Suit - Ebay

Blouse - Tara Starlet

Wooly Tights - M&S

Heeled Brogues - Sainsbury's

Collegiate Chic

2011-11-07T13:12:00.000-08:00

Success! (Another) remedy for my 'all-wool-looks-frumpy-on-me blues': more wool.

I hope you will all be proud of me. With only half an hour with which to get ready in this morning (my darned alarm is so useless and unreliable) I got dressed at the speed of light and still managed to fill in my brows, slap my lipstick on and take myself some pictures.

After finally buying the Bettie Page Clothing Scottie Skirt at a cool £20 (thank you Pin-Up Parade!) I was determined to channel those lovely 50s sweater/college girls, so here I am in a sale-price skirt and a sale-price sweater from River Island (£12 - score!) clutching my folders in an attempt to look chic and a little bit intellectual and perhaps like I might be planning to stroll off to class with my circle skirt-ed, ponytailed galdems ;)

I was in fact hurling myself in front of and then behind the camera in some sort of frenzy with a 12-second 'calm' in between where I attempted to pose elegantly, before I hurled myself out the door and stumbled and tripped my way to school with two striding but loveable boys.

I love this skirt. I was expecting a stiffer, more synthetic feeling fabric so I was delighted when I unwrapped it and found it was a soft, snuggly flannel, with full lining too. You can feel it trapping all the air around your legs and is very cosy. I'd love to wear this with some brogue-y heels but unfortunately the combination of a 2 mile walk to school and striding boys makes it darned near impossible to wear them to school without glowing profusely, so I stuck with my favouritest Goldenponies T-Bars of which I have now worn through the leather soles and will be requiring a replacement as I have essentially worn them to death.

I really wish I had a more suitable place for photographs, my bedroom is just not big enough or vintage enough really, and my lighting is dire. As is my camera. All these pictures were taken in the morning (around 8am) with an additional, bright lamp on. Anybody have any suggestions?

I now leave you with some more gloriously pose-y pictures of me. Oh how I long to model!

Lots of Love

Miss P

xxx

P.s, Have you seen this amazing post Ree Ree Rockette did about me? Not about my blog this time, but my graphics work! How amazing! I love her - and her amazing line of lipsticks, which I am yet to own but have heard divine things about.

I love this one despite the blur..

Bakelite Nails

2011-11-01T04:55:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the title of this post is somewhat misleading, but wouldn't they be divine? What I am talking about is instead the absolutely beyond beautiful manicure set that my lovely mum found for me in a charity shop the other day. Isn't it divine! It needs cleaning up but I did actually use it a little bit when I finally painted my nails.

I actually love this Nail Varnish, it's a gorgeous vamp-ish, 40s-ish colour and looks great with everything. It makes my nails look lovely and elegant and it is super cheap. Barry M rules and comes in a bazillion beautiful colours.

beautiful buffer!

This beautiful present got me thinking about other beautiful sets that must be out there, observe:

Whiskey Creek Cottage

NotSewIdle

I'm having a bit of a rubbish day - off from school feeling a bit pants, frankly. My hallowe'en was the least interesting ever - I hope yours was much better. (I stuffed my face with chocolate regardless!)

Lots of Love,

Miss P xxx

Nail Colour: Barry M, Raspberry

Heyday Fleur Dress Giveaway!

2011-10-30T06:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, Heyday are doing it again. Just watch as your Google Reader fills up with this same photograph of the lovely Fleur De Guerre in a Daisy Chain Fleur Dress.

Shona, at In The Heyday has reached 400 Followers and is giving away one Daisy Chain dress, and I really really really WANT IT, so go on over to her blog (and if you feel like telling her I sent you...;)) and comment, retweet and re-blog for your chance to win it.

ta ta for now,
Miss P :)

xxxx

Curing the Winter/Autumn/Any Time It's A Bit Nippy Blues

2011-10-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

Once again, the highstreet saves me! As I may or may not have previously mentioned (read: mentioned repeatedly), I love winter, but it sucks. Being not particularly tall and teenage, I find it increasingly difficult not to feel horribly frumpy in my cold-weather clothing. I love the idea of snuggly wool suits and beautiful knit socks in big, bog-stomping boots, but in reality my woolly tights often make my outfits look old-ladyish and geeky in a very very bad way. The other day I had a party to attend and I desperately wanted a new outfit. With no time (and not much self confidence) I set off with le Boyfriend to Birmingham for some highstreet shopping.

H&M are officially my friends. I love that a lot of their stuff is classic and lasts a load of wears. I settled with this pinky-brown shift dress, because you can't go wrong with a little shift and a skinny belt. It fits lovely - although I did have to get it in a size 12 *grump* - and it comes a little above my knee, which stopped me feeling quite so frump-tastic. The only down side is that it is 100% Polyester. I then paired it with a cheapy grey skinny belt from Forever 21 and some of last year's M&S T-Bars. Thank you highstreet for having some vaguely vintage-acceptable, and confidence-supporting glad rags! I think i'll try pairing this with some woolly tights (i haven't quite lost faith yet) and some boots and a snuggly cardigan when it gets a bit colder.

Any advice on not looking a bit geeky in the winter? I promise i do read your comments even if i'm a bit pants at replying to them!

Pip Pip

Miss P ;) xxxxxxxxxxx

Cuddly High Street Vintage

2011-10-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

It is not often I wake up at the bleary hour of 6:55 am and peer out of the curtains with glee at the decidedly listless sky. Last night I spent a good deal of time bundling up all my lovely summer frocks into the attic and bringing down all the woollies in preparation for Autumn/Winter: I am so very glad that I chose last night to do it. Despite the weather being cold in all the wrong ways today, I was filled with a kind of manic joy at the thought of wrapping myself up in long sleeves and hats and gloves and scarves. I actually had very little to wear in the way of stylin' vintage clothes - I just cannot grasp the '40s and 50s Winter-Wear' look properly, so I threw on some highstreet purchases in some semblance of a 50s inspired outfit and I was cute, snuggly and warm all day, if a bit 'polycotton'! I love 'basics' like a plain skirt, striped tees and good old ballet flats (which are exquisite navy velvet) and I felt vaguely Parisian.

My after-school photoshoot was wrong in so many ways. I never have enough time in the mornings to photograph my outfit in the street/garden and my camera is utterly loathe to photograph inside my house, hence the absolutely dire quality of these photos.

Angora Leopard Print Beret: Monsoon/Accessorize
Long Sleeve Striped Tee: H&M
Cinch Belt: GladRags (local Boutique)
Bodycon Skirt: Forever 21
Knit Tights: M&S
Velvet Ballet Pumps: Topshop

That, amongst other things, is one of my excuses for being away so long. I really have no actual reason, I've just been busy. Busy being a student, and an employee and a girlfriend. I've spent a lot of time curled up with my new guy doing very little and loving it, if i'm honest. I'm also racking up some funds for future shopping trips and a new laptop (which I need before I can do some of the blogs I am so desperate to publish!). I am of course, drowning under homework as well. Currently very poorly-managed homework. I have no yet quite adjusted to the volume of homework that you actually have to do. My outlook however remains positive and I strive to resume regular programming soon.

Thank you lovely followers for continuing to follow my most humble of blogs, I love you all very much and I do appreciate every single comment even if I'm a bit rubbish and don't always respond.

My procrastination. <3

Lots of Love

Miss Pancake

Autumn Inspiration: Shopping Enabling

2011-09-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it is ironic that all my clothes are currently residing in a big heap on my bedroom floor. Today, my poor Ikea wardrobe decided that it could no longer take the strain and the brackets holding all my clothes up collapsed. Ironic because, this past fortnight I have found myself thinking about how I have no clothes and how I must do some more shopping as soon as I am paid.

Mmmmmmm...

Perhaps faintly ridiculous then, that I will now do a post about all the clothes that I can't possibly survive the season without! In my defence, I don't have quite as many Autumn/Winter appropriate clothes and I have been shivering my little socks off as of late.

I've already told you about my first pair of beautiful Freddie's. I am in love with them despite the Super Mario comments I have received about them! Since then I have also treated myself to a Tara Starlet 'Gingham Collar Dress'. I realise that this is somewhat old news to seasoned repro-buyers as I believe they brought out the dress last year, but this is the first time I've had real disposable income with which to even contemplate buying it!

Despite this new found income I still have to somewhat curb my excitement and try not to entirely empty my account in one week so my focus has been on clothes that will go with lots and last for a long time.

I love these What Katie Did CC09 Stockings because I have heard from many a reliable source that these things can take a beating, and they are so very period-correct. If I was rich (haha) I would have a load of these, but as it stands I just cannot stretch to their price, so I have purchased the other, slightly cheaper CC09 Stockings. I am also really into 50s shift-y wiggly kinds of dresses at the moment - a bit Mad Men - esque, which isn't usually my thing and i'm also really lusting after autumnal colours (original!), Please peruse my fantasy list of Autumn Purchases:

I am also hugely looking forward to any further contributions by Puttin' On The Ritz. I am in love with their entire host of beautiful garments and fabrics. I reckon if I ever want a thing from them it'll have to be of the birthday-present variety, because the fact that they are bespoke and the fabrics they use means it is somewhat out of my price range. :( If anyone's feeling generous............? ;)

Any recommendations for Autumn?

Lots of Love, Miss P

xxxx

New Beginnings

2011-09-12T14:57:00.000-07:00

Hello Lovely readers,

First let me apologise for my extended radio silence. After my last post I found myself whisked up into the world of relationships, employment and Sixth Form. I've been busy and when not busy, tired, but I have plans for my blog and plans for the future. I got great results from my GCSEs and I got into Sixth Form, and every day since I started has been a blast and I am happy. I'm totally looking for a fresh start and even celebrated it with a new, autumnally-hued hair colour and a pair of Freddie's (which I have been lusting after for ages!) I now work at Subway and I am delighted to have a bit of income that I am fully prepared to spend on a whole host of new frocks and lovelies!

Please enjoy the following photos of my new hair/Freddie's and my first day back at Sixth Form (the option to wear your own clothing is bliss!)

Top - COW Vintage

Jacket - Part of 50s suit, Ebay

Overalls - Freddie's of Pinewood

Bag - River Island

Shoes - ancient Topshop pumps

ttfn,

Miss Pancake

xxxxxx

Hello, Bonjour and Hola: I Am Home!

2011-08-16T15:43:00.000-07:00

Road-Side Sunflower Seed Farms

I find myself seated at my computer, swaddled in a blanket and feeling confusingly pleased about my clammy and cold feet - back in Britain (back in The Motherland) I am delighted with the past two weeks.

I had a lovely holiday, and saw so many beautiful and whimsical things. We drove there, through France, and although my bum hurt like hell in the middle seat and the parental-stress was almost unbearable I did get to see some beautiful French houses and sights that are so typically 'French'.

I can't upload many as I'm using them in my Photography project, and it wouldn't do to have them floating around on the internet - someone might get the wrong impression! That said, here are some I'm not planning to use, as well as some of my outfits! I've tried to curb the pictures because I know 'holiday snaps' can be crushingly tedious, but I think you will find these of a mainly delicious persuasion. ;)

Driving to Spain was... interesting to say the least. There were some faintly bizarre experiences such as Dover and Dunkirque being bewilderingly riddled with 'roadworks' and the complete country - wide lack toilet seats in the Service Stations of France. That said, there is something glorious about trundling along a dirt road lined with trees, or amongst field after field of sunflowers, as well as the achingly lovely shutters on some houses in some of the towns.

The Pond..

The motels we stayed in were decidedly basic and some vaguely sordid but the villa was brilliant, complete with the worlds tiniest pool. To be honest I spent as little time as possible at the beach, finding reclining on a lounger by the pool far more agreeable than sand-in-every-orifice at the beach!! I'm afraid, or rather, pleased to say I did little else in little L'Escala than eat, sunbathe and shop, so most of my pictures are of France or me!

Rambling about prettiness over, I will now bore you with pictures and captions, rather than paragraphs describing every picture! ;)

My Decidedly un-vintage Bikini on my one and
only jaunt to the beach

With my beautiful sister...

Alex is wearing:

Sunnies: New Look

Bikini: La Senza

Sarong: Courtesy of Kellogg's Special K, hahaha!

Flip-Flops: Peacock's Sale

although we did locate a beautiful cove in which the
above pictures are taken! Mmm, secluded.

and gave ample oppurtunity for vintage
beach garb...

Outfit:

Hat: Vintage from Billie Jean, Bristol

Shirt: Charity Shopped, H&M

Skirt: RePsycho, Bristol

Sunnies: ASOS

Bag: Boots (last summer)

My Preferred Setting, and my vain attempt at pin-up
posing, turning out more like a pornstar..!

Bikini: Topshop, previous season.

..but gigantic moths that actually made flapping noises.

Glory stance as the girls beat the boys to
the first swim in the pool! (and a great vintage
inspired swimsuit to boot!)

Swimsuit: Debenhams!

and sporting increasingly inventive vintage 'dos as the
heat and pool made it difficult to maintain a good set!

Outfit:

Crop Top (tied) : Shop in Barcelona

Shorts: Tara Starlet

Aforementioned Bag and Flip-Flops

Outfit:

Embroidered Jacket: The Vintage Fair, Birmingham

Dress (tied): H&M

Bag: Charity Shopped

Espadrilles: Bought on Holiday!

Altogether too tourist-y!

Outfit: Swirl Dress

Shoes: Peacocks Sale

I did find that the Vintage look didn't really wash with the Spaniards. I felt very out of place amongst the tiny, mini, toned, tanned, skinny girls in low rise shorts and bikini tops. They all seemed so uniform. I was stared at quite a lot, and quite openly too - you could actually see their gaze follow you out the corner of your eye. I even had some people openly laugh at me. That said we got a 'Bonjour' and a hat-tip (of the horribly cringe-worthy and never-ever-do-that-again variety) from some weird looking French guys and an 'ooh' from a miniature Fred Durst. However, I stuck my chin out and paraded around in my most vibrant dresses in an act of defiance, but be prepared to be gawked at in Catalonia!

Oddly ironic picture in Dunkirque!

Apallingly lovely sunrise at an unspeakable time in the morning.

If you got this far, I applaud you. I hope my holiday snaps weren't too boring and provided some inspiration for those oh-so-sunny days to come in England (what?... i'm serious?........) Til next time!

Lots of Love as always,

Annie Pancake ;)

xxxxxxxxx

Super Secret Modelling!

2011-07-27T13:13:00.000-07:00

So, last Monday I got the chance to do something I have been dreaming of forever. Miss Naomi of Vintage Secret is writing a book of which I cannot name or go into too much detail about! As much as I hate to tease you, it sounds like it's going to be a really awesome and interesting book and I can't wait to get my hands on it not least because I will be in it!

....'before', looking incredibly attractive.

Yes! That's right, if you hadn't gathered from the title of this post - I have been modelling! In a studio in Shoreditch no less! I hauled myself out of bed at 5:20am wearing modern (ish) clothes and not a scrap of make-up to go down to London and strut around as a flapper and frankly, feel a little insecure. Ladies and Gentleman, it was fabulous. Firstly, the studio was amazing, with huge windows and white walls and vintage-y sofas and mirrors abound. Lipstick and Curls were on stand-by to flapper-ify me and Naomi had borrowed and begged loads of squeal-inducing vintage. Obviously it wasn't all for me to wear, but just helping to take it all out of the bags and hang it up was enough to induce an 'Excitement Headache'. Don't laugh!

The Beautifying Process

In my opinion, I got to wear the best outfit of all, a real, 1920s sequinned flapper dress. I loved the outfit, It was just the modelling that was hard, I've decided I need lessons... or more experience! (any offers?... no?) It was so difficult to look elegant and natural and I was so impressed with Kezia (a fellow model!) and how beautiful and elegant she looked. Mind you, she looked beautiful and elegant from when she walked through the door. *sigh*. In the end the decent shots were thanks to Gemma of Bake Do and Mend who is possibly the World's Leading Expert in 20s posing! Gemma was also modelling and it was so awesome to meet her - she is funny and lovely and so easy to talk to.

I also met Fleur (and of course, Naomi) again, both of whom I met at Swing for Skin! Fleur was being her usual fabulous forties self and showcasing some shapely runners-calves ;).

This is the sort of thing I wish I could blog about every day. It was so fun and special and exciting and I really wish I could do more things like this. Ah well, a gal can dream.

I shan't be posting as regularly due to my imminent holiday but I know of several wifi spots around the place and have a brother with a laptop! I'm hoping to bring you outfit posts regularly because I have some new clothes and of course, a bathing suit!

Stay Tuned,

Miss P xxxx

Be Careful, It's My Heart

2011-07-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

The other day I was casually browsing ebay when I stumbled across a lot of three items. They were poorly sized and described - obvious guesswork, for a Buy It Now of £60 or Best Offer. The photographs were pretty sketchy and I assumed that this seller either didn't sell vintage very often or were clearing out a large amount of stock. I ummed and ahhed for a day or two, whilst I waited for some money to be withdrawn into my account. When it finally did, I only had £40 in there. Gutted.

Well, I had to take a chance, didn't it? I mean, I couldn't not. I put in a 'Best Offer' of £40, risking the sizes and the condition. I lucked out! (sort of) Part of the lot were some not properly matching but matchy-matchy shorts and a circle skirt. They are definitely handmade and I'd bet the shorts were made with the left over fabric from the circle skirt - probably not even using a pattern. Unfortunately, I'm separating the two :( because I just couldn't force my arse into the shorts, but the skirt fitted me. I know it seems terrible to separate them, but they are not properly matching, different sizes and would never be worn together anyway!

So, without further ado, here is me in my new Circle Skirt: Lookses at the heart-shaped Pocketses!?!

It has this soft, thick cotton lining that makes it ultra swishy. I'm so in love! This is my first ever circle skirt and I am happy! Worn with my aforementioned Heyday Blouse and some cheapy Tesco shoes.

...and this is where I got the title of this post from ;)

Lots of Love,
Miss P xxxx
P.s, these are the shorts, but they have already sold! :'(

Stop Traffic Clothing: Discounts, Sales and Summer!

2011-07-16T04:23:00.000-07:00

The other day, Rebecca of Stop Traffic Clothing contacted me after reading my post on Heyday asking me if I would be interested in featuring her site and offering my readers a discount code. I of course said yes. Almost immediately. So, I am proud to present: Stop Traffic Clothing - stockists of US repro available to all of us Brits!

Rebecca makes a point of sourcing the items herself, and brings you only the finest Repro vintage, so that we can get our hands on the Bettie Page Clothing, without the Postage and Customs fees.

They have some lovely stuff in at the moment, beautiful dresses from Stop Staring, Bettie Page Clothing and more! They also stock Helen Rochfort bags, some awesome jewellery and some cute fascinators. Observe some of my favourite pieces:

Stop Staring

Bettie Page Clothing

Anna Lou of London

Vintage Allure -
Made in Enlgand!

...and now for the discount! If my lovely readers enter ANNIE15 into the voucher code box you will receive

15% off with free UK delivery until September 14th. If you can afford it, go for it! I'd love a floral Stop Staring dress and a Nautical Nancy skirt. Le sigh! A girl will continue to dream, right?

Hope all is well lovely followers, oh, and thank you for being the lovely followers that you are, and for the lovely comments you leave!

Miss P ;)

xxx

What-I-Thought-Wednesday: Heyday!

2011-07-13T14:19:00.000-07:00

Squee! I have been waiting to purchase this little beauty for ages now, and it's finally here! It actually arrived on Monday and try as I might to conceal it, you keen eyed readers still noticed it in my picture.! Its the beautiful Olivia Blouse in Deco Circles in Blue by the glorious repro clothes company, Heyday! Here I am sporting the blouse, along with my aforementioned Tara Starlet shorts and some trusty Topshop pumps.

I can absolutely vouch for Heyday after purchasing this blouse. I am absolutely sold and really hope to be able to buy more lovely clothes from them soon. I was won over from the start really, when I was having some difficulty even paying for my blouse, lovely Shona was so prompt and helpful. The second delight came when postie turned up on my doorstep and I discovered my new blouse was wrapped in crisp tissue paper and came with a sweet little note, from Helen. (Shona, if you're reading this, who's Helen? I feel Helen probably deserves some credit. Thankyou Helen!)

What officially sold it for me was just the quality of the fabric. It has such a light, feedsack-y feel in 100% Cotton and the colours were rich and vibrant. The print itself is adorable and very authentic. I have yet to wash it, so I can't comment on how it fares, although I will let you know if I have any problems. As for the price, obviously I love a good bargain as much as the next person and this isn't the cheapest blouse i've ever bought, but it certainly isn't expensive. I feel like it is an investment. It'll go with virtually anything, and is much more resilient than a real vintage blouse - and I'd be far more confident about washing this one! I'm really looking forward to wearing this with everything, haha! I feel like it really 30s/40s a potentially 'modern' outfit up. Overall I think we can summarise: Go Heyday! If I ever get a job I want a Fleur dress in every colour and a load of their beautiful trousers for when I go back to school. Ah well, we can dream can't we! ;)

I now leave you with lots of pictures of me posing in my new blouse!

Have a great evening/day!

Love, Miss P

xxx

Work the Working Girl... Wherever You Work!

2011-07-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

So after yesterday's rant and this morning's desperate need for a new hair set, I created a very simple but authentic 'Working Girl' Makeup Look. I went for a very natural but civilised look - much like Rosie the Riveter (although, hopefully, a little less butch). I strolled aroung the highstreet like this today and I would totally wear it to work (providing I had a job - *fume* - and the dress code accomodated). First I moisturised and popped on a thin coat of lip balm to soothe my poor cracked lips. Then I applied a light layer of foundation with my fingers, applying the product to the middle of my face and blending outwards. Instead of concealer I used some of the foundation that collects around the bottle neck. It's like a more concentrated version of my foundation and works wonderfully for concealing.

I then dusted a layer of PURENaturalMineral's Loose Powder over the top to set it all, followed my a streak of Benefit's Benetint blended into the apples of both cheeks. Benetint is great for a natural look and I popped a layer of it on my lips instead of applying lipstick to give them a bit of colour without irritating them. I then used a thin brush and some dark eyeshadow to fill in my brows and brushed them out with a clean Mascara Spoolie.

Finally, I crayoned a little of Benefit's 'Gilded' onto my lids and finished with a slick of Mascara. The reason this look is so work-friendly, whether you're labouring in a hot classroom or checking aeroplane parts, is that it's discrete (apart from the brightly coloured headscarf... obviously..) and dignified and it holds. Benetint and Gilded are two products which stay really well during the day, so when you've rubbed your face in frustration for the 267th time that day, your cheeks will remain as rosy as a Pink Lady Apple! ;)

See you soon,

Miss P xxx

Minnie Moans Again

2011-07-10T15:23:00.000-07:00

Arguments of the like go round and round the internet within the Vintage Community about this, and I am not about to start one again. Whilst I curse my 21st century waist and feet, I am certainly not about to claim I was 'born in the wrong era'!

Yes Please.
(source: weheartit)

I do however wish it wasn't so sodding difficult to get a job these days. No, i'm not about to present an in-depth, meaningful and thought-provoking post. I'm just here to have a good old whinge.

Why oh why oh why is it so bloody hard to get a job. I mean, I know back in the '40s and '50s a lot of ladies didn't work, but someone had to rollerskate around the local cafe, right? Certainly in the 40s you had your Rosie-the-Riveters left, right and centre. How on earth do they ('they' being nobody in particular, just 'they'. The gods of shopping, perhaps?) expect me to buy all these beauteous vintage lovelies if I haven't a penny to spend on them?

What gets me, is that I am 16. Looking, no - begging for a job, minimum wage, what whatever hours I can get. I'm not even 18, therefore I am the cheapest form of employment you can get. I have been disgustingly perseverant (which is what every PSHE teacher tells you is important, am I right?) and I would gladly rollerskate around with a tray of coffee (note: I cannot rollerskate), tick boxes, or even erm..... rivet? I just need some funding for my money-sucking gigantic holiday I am on at the moment. (oh I know, woe-is-me!)

I'm already listing half of the contents of my wardrobe in desperation, have opened an Etsy shop currently featuring one item and have already begun to consider advertising on this site.

Grumpity grump grump grump. No doubt my current situation will provoke some money-making/saving ideas in my brain (I hope) which will spice up my blog a little bit.

I also might add that if it was up to me I would spend the rest of my life modelling (ha!) and working in my tea shop. (note: I don't have a tea shop. yet.)

I apologise for this strange, moany and ranty post. Regular programming will resume shortly. I will now go, before I feel it necessary to add any more brackets into this post.

Love

Miss P

xxx

What-I-Thought-Wednesday: Tara Starlet

2011-07-06T07:19:00.000-07:00

Most of my lovely readers will have probably heard of Tara Starlet. I've mentioned them enough times on this blog, sung their praises for Lottie Loves. If I had lots of money, I would already own about 90% of the stuff in their shop. How I would love to live in London and go to the Sample Sales they hold, but alas, I don't and the Train Fare is horrendous! I've been considering reviewing them for some time, and finally got around to it this week!

Being my lowly, teenagery self, I haven't the funds to buy whole outfits from repro shops or ebay or etsy. I generally get to treat myself to one item of vintage or repro per month. Two if I'm lucky. I have to sell stuff on ebay or etsy if I want more than that. As it stands, I only have two pieces from Tara Starlet's beautiful shop. I had to make a painful decision, but decide I did.

I love Tara Starlet for many reasons. First, that it suits me. I sometimes find 'The Forties' is a bit ageing on someone as young as me, but everything from Tara Starlet is light and youthful yet still sophisticated. Secondly because they're ethical: "On top of this, all of our clothes are made locally in London, to keep our carbon footprint dainty. These ecological techniques help to make our collection authentic, unique and exclusive, and at the same time, keep our conscience clear as crystal!"

I myself own the Sailor Shorts and a blouse that they are no longer selling. I'll review the shorts as you can actually still purchase them! When my sailor shorts first arrived I was pleased by the colour. Just as vivid as the pictures suggests and the buttons were beautifully shiny and new. After a good wash in the machine, I can report that the shorts are still red and the buttons are still shiny!

For the most part, I love the fit of these shorts. The waist sits in the right place (even for my high waist) and skims just over your hips and your bum, not too tightly but not too baggily. One thing that can get annoying is that these shorts easily ride up. I'm not sure if it's because of my body shape or just the fit of the shorts but I did find myself repeatedly pulling the legs down! another thing, although I assume that is to be expected, is that the legs wrinkle up a lot on the inside of the thigh, however, it was solved with a quick ironing.

They ironed pretty well apart from one alarming moment when I put the iron to the shorts and the fabric turned darker and shiny! All was well when they cooled though, and returned to their original colour.

I love these shorts because they don't look too typically like 'reproduction vintage' - which is often what puts me off repro - and they go with loads of stuff. I've worn stripy t-shirts tucked in for a nautical look, the same shirts tied under my bust for a pin-up look, with peasant blouses and even my other Tara Starlet purchase. I love these shorts and despite the occasional wrenching-down they require I can see me wearing them all through the summer!*

*Providing we see a bit more than a weeks worth of sun this summer!

Hope this helps, Lots of Love

Miss Pancake

xxx

Homemaker Heaven: Vintage Storage Ideas!

2011-07-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

More Vintage than you know what do do with? Are you finding bobby pins stuck to your feet (and the carpet!), Pincurl clips in odd places and more Sponge rollers and rags than you know what to do with? Never fear, Lady Pancake is here with a few quick ideas to keep your falsies and your florals in order!

Being a gal of the vintage persuasion is arguably more hassle than being your average fashionista. Not only are we weighed down with piles of jewellery and a gallon of hairspray, we also have to compensate for the gruelling hair-pinning, setting, accessory-sporting and eyeliner-applying, which understandably is a drain on our free space! On top of that we have a ton of other ordinary-person crap - lotions and potions, miscellaneous wires and a truckload of DVDs, books, and heaven knows what else.

Oh woe, so much vital stuff and with seemingly only one solution: Tupperware. Your average vintage dolly does not do Tupperware. Tupperware is for keeping dainty sandwiches in for this afternoon's picnic in the park. Tupperware is not an appropriate place to keep your rhinestones and your powder puffs! Fear not - here are some delightful vintage-y storage ideas that won't blandify and plastic-up your home!

*Please Click for Close-Ups!*

Kitschy tins and boxes for hairpins, brushes, pens and cotton
pads!

A vintage dressing table set for a place to pop your powder,
rings and erm... candles?

Hoist up a ribbon over your dressing table and display all
your hair-pretties as well as having easy access!

nooks in the dressing table provide ample
shoving-space for headscarves!

Dressing table draws to keep your modern makeup looking
sweet and neat and tidy!

Tupperware be gone, Hello floral Treasure Chest!

A 30s cigarette box, perfect for my bobby pins.

Hat box - full of DVDs
Suitcase - full of books
30s Trunk - brimming with china and ephemera!

And for gloriously decorative and organisational purposes,
an idea I saw somewhere but can't for the life
of me remember where: Storing your jewellery
never was so b-e-a-utiful!

Catch-Up Part Two: Prom!

2011-07-02T06:15:00.000-07:00

Yay! Pictures from my prom!

and even a professional photograph, which I eventually plan to buy...!

property of easyphoto.co.uk !!

My Mini Middy

2011-06-28T07:56:00.000-07:00

So The Catch-Up Begins! First: my new haircut. I had the hairdresser cut it into a Middy shape so I took along a Middy diagram and pictures of Liz Taylor and Dita. From my mumblings and hand gestures she seemed to understand what I wanted and despite being a relatively modern hairdresser, cut me exactly what I wanted!

Here It is after just a blowdry. You can clearly see the 'U' shape of the Middy.

Before popping it into heated rollers...

Et Voila!

Then trying it in dry pincurls...

I love it!

A Wee Catch Up

2011-06-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

Hello Followers!

Sorry I've been out of action for a while, I've been a bit caught up in 'Leaver's Ball' (Prom) preparations! I've had a load of my hair chopped off, mere hours ago I had a manicure (blood red!) and some awesome 'Minx' floral sticker-type things on my toes. It's TODAY! I am so excited and can't concentrate properly on what I'm writing! I've kept my dress (virtually) a secret since about 2009 (!) and I finally get to prance around it tonight! I will be sure to take millions of photographs so you may all bask in my beauty!

Until then, I hope you are all doing well!

Lots of Love, Miss P xxx

Vintage Inspired Shoe Buys!

2011-06-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

We all love a good bit of shopping-enabling, and I am currently so poor it might do me good to do some virtual shopping that we can all enjoy! I am in loves with shoesis and I really feel like when you see NORMAL sized shoes that look vaguely vintage, you have to snatch them up before the highstreet because it goes all ruddy modern on us again. ;)

Without further ado, here are my favourite VI Buys of the moment:

Office
Overloaded with vintage-y goodness at the moment, and had I any funds whatsoever I'd be on it. (like a car bonnet...?) Starting with some good 'ole heeled brogues in multiple colours. I love cream ones, the cut out makes me think '30s-ish sports shoe. As well as that, some lovely dancing-style shoes and some more low heels, as well as TURQUOISE SUEDE MARY JANES!

Schuh
Always have something a little vintage-y due to their stocking of Irregular Choice and they always have some great little flat sandals which I'm hoping to get instead of your conventional flip-flops for the Summer Holidays! I particularly love the middle pair - 'Marilyn' shoes.

Old Woogies
is kind of cheating, they're not Vintage Inspired, they're Reproduction but I only recently discovered them. Aren't they divine? If you are the anti-me (essentially have a load of cash to splash) these are for you. Swoon!

ASOS,
stockists of Miss L Fire amongst other painfully priced and wonderfully priced shoes alike. I particularly fancy a pair of the Miss L Fire Hibiscus T-Bars. I think I have a love affair with T-Bars.

Let me know what you think and let me know if you spot any more gorgeous shoes!

Lots of Love

Miss P ;)

xxxx

Homemaker Heaven: Get Perfectly Shaped Cupcakes

2011-06-11T07:28:00.000-07:00

First of all, let me begin by apologising for all you vintage folk who, like I, hate the association between vintage and cupcakes. Vintage does not = Cupcake. Cupcake does not = Vintage. I can't even imagine mothers of Wartime baking up a batch of beetroot cupcakes. It just wouldn't happen?! That said, I love baking and I love baking cupcakes, or as they are more British-ly known: Fairy Cakes. After baking up over 100 cake-ettes in one day, (wedding-tasting session) I have somewhat honed my cupcaking talents and have reached a sturdy, professional-looking cupcake shape.

You Will Need:
- An Oven
- Baking Sheets
- Silicone Cupcake Cases or Silicone Cupcake Trays
- Paper Cupcake Cases
- A Recipe, Ingredients and general Baking Know-How
- A spoon.

First, whip up your cake mix, following your recipe and using your ingredients and know-how.

Preheat your oven to the required temperate, and lay out as many baking sheets as you own.

Pop your silicone cupcake cases or trays on top of the baking sheet.

Line each silicone case/tray with a paper case.

Spoon up some of the mixture and fill the paper case 2/3 of the way full.

Finally, Pop 'em in the oven and watch them blossom.

When Cooked, Leave to cool in their cases before popping out the paper cases and allowing to entirely cool. Decorate.

Re-Load your silicone cases and repeat for round two!

The genius behind the whole operation is the Silicone. Yes, admittedly not very vintage, but then, cupcakes are not very vintage. In this instance, what we're striving for is that tall, perfectly proportioned cupcake that you see only in Cupcakeries. (This is what I have now christened all the Cupcake Shops of the world.) It's already the perfect shape, unlike the metal, yorkshire-pudding shaped 'muffin trays'. Observe:

Specimen 1: A hilariously shaped cupcake cooked atop a baking sheet in only a paper case.

Specimen Two: The same fate as Specimen 1, It is possibly more pathetically-shaped. Poor cupcake.

Specimen 3: More agreeably shaped, it at least resembles a cupcake, but is still a little short-and-fat for my tastes. Cooked in a metal 'muffin tray' in only a paper case.

Specimen 4: Mighty Cupcake of Beauty! These cakes are far more upright, and when iced look positively perfect piled high on mismatched cake plates and Lazy Susans alike!

Of Course, if you aren't baking 8 Bazillion cupcakes like myself, you needn't buy hundreds of Silicone cases. The idea is that they are re-usable and at around £5 a packet, they should be! If you are baking for home, pass up the paper cases and fill the silicone cases by themselves. The only reason I have used the paper cases is because it allows the silicone cases to be re-used immediately (so cakes can be cooked in 'batches') and so we don't have to buy 50 silicone ones when the wedding rolls around.

Hope you enjoyed, there's more where that came from!

Lots of Love, Auntie Pancake! ;)

xxxx

Purchase Number 2..!

2011-06-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

Ooh I love this one. I have been hunting for a swing jacket for AGES. I found it again in Beyond Retro and had a bit of a 'mare trying to clean it. It took 4 days to dry. Four days! I wore this as we were going out for a meal as we often do on Friday night, and yes, that is my Swirl again. Oh, swoon. I'm also wearing my Goldenponies 'shoe-of-the-moment'. I am just in love with them!

I must also reassure you that I will be doing a '200 followers' giveaway and I am busy collecting little bits for it! I'm a little out-of-funds this month but I've got myself a little list compiled. This one should be great! (hopefully!) If I do have any readers who are interested in promoting themselves (must be vintage related!) with discounts or contributions to the lovely prize, please feel free to email me! ;)

Lots of Love

Miss P ;) xxxx

A Swirl of Gingham

2011-06-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's a pun.... geddit?

Yay pictures of my new swirl, swoony swoon swoooooon!

Probably my favourite picture except...

Amazing earrings of which I am amassing a small
collection. I think they must've been local.

...this one ;)

And a picture of Az, my gentleman photographer,
for good measure!

Yaaay! Now I have a Deck-Chair dress and a Picnic dress! I really want some white remix sandals to match now, but as I am jobless and not an heiress, I might have to look into some Aris Allens instead!

First of all though, I need a little bag for prom....

'Til next time (and the next purchase..!) pip pip!

Miss P

xxxxx

Homemaker Heaven: 10 Tips to Make Your House Look Cleaner Than it Really is!

2011-06-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that nowadays, not all of us have the time to flit from room-to-room donning a delicate apron and a pink feather duster, leaving gleaming surfaces and organisational bliss behind us. Some of you have work or school, some of you have kids and some of you just feel like there is far more important things to be doing - like baking and...shopping..

It might seem a little strange hearing this from a young'un but I am unusually houseproud for my age. I will admit that it's sort of on-and-off, going from not caring if my room's a tip to being an absolute Tidy-Nazi in a matter of hours. I also do help my mother in our fortnightly-or-so Blitzing of the house. We do this because like a lot of people out there, nobody has the time nor the inclination to tidy after a long day at work, and my parents are insanely busy. For people looking for some quick ways to 'spruce' up the house in-between blitzes, please enjoy the following 10 Tips!:

1. Shine Your Kitchen Sink
I have really started to notice how much cleaner the kitchen looks without the food-y, coffee-y stains on it. After washing up just sluice the worst off with the sponge and et voila!

2. Clean The Taps
Apart from the lemony-fresh smell, you know the bathroom has been cleaned when your taps are gleaming. If you haven't the time to scrub the tiles, give the taps a quick rub to get all the water marks off.

3. Wipe Your Mirrors!
Mirrors everywhere, they collect dust and the bathroom mirror is always lightly splattered with questionable substances! It's one of those times in which you notice when something is dirty, but you don't quite pick up on it when it's clean.

4. Straighten Out the Cushions
That's right. Everybody knows it. Just give the cushions on the sofa a quick punch for a better-presented living room.

5. Manage Your Pets
Invest in a little decorative meant-to-be-there storage item, for instance a vintage-trunk-style box or basket to chuck in the dog's manky bone or the cat's catnip at a moment's notice and clear the floor a little.

6. Stack!

Stacking in Action!

Even if it's just your bank statement and this month's Amateur Gardener, gathering all your various envelopes and TV Guides together looks a bit more like you actually intend to do something with them! ;) Pop it on the Chiffonier with a pen on top and nobody will think anything of it! The same goes for storage and blankets and cushions and anything else you can think of! As long as it's artfully done...

7. Make Your Bed
IT'S SO EASY. You don't even have to pile pillows and throws up like a Dunelm Poster, just pull the duvet straight and it makes everything look better.

8. Vacuum
Giving a room per day the once-over with the Vacuum cleaner can make the room look much bigger and clearer immediately.

9. Be Organised to Begin With
Definitely easier said than done. Make use of under beds and wall shelving to house storage boxes and give everything a 'place'. It's easier to hurl things into their correct place than hunting for a place to put them.

10. If All Else Fails..
Turn all the lights off and light candles in the 'clean' areas of the room. Hee hee!

Good Luck!

Annie xxxx

P.S, pictures of my glorious purchases should be up tomorrow/soon! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Swing For Skin: Fill The Gaps in Your Address Book!

2011-06-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

Followers on Twitter may know that on Saturday morning I ventured off into the land of vintage-y London-y loveliness. I'd been invited to the Swing for Skin bash, so my lovely old dad offered to chaperone me there to ensure I was not kidnapped or lost. We set off on Saturday morning, figuring we'd go and do some 40s- themed thingies whilst we were there. We checked into the rather dubiously-named 'Good Enough Club' which turned out to be part of Good Enough College (insert small noise/moment of enlightenment and understanding). Despite the hostel-sounding name it was in a lovely old building and boasted 4 stars. I suppose you can't really wriggle out of it when your hotel is part of the 'Good Enough' Campus. I am intrigued as to what the students of Good Enough College actually.. do? It makes me think they're either utter simpletons who are only just 'good enough' or y'know, Brain Surgeons.

Looking Absorbed....

Continuing on from there we visited the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms because I'd always wanted to go and never got the chance! We did the mandatory listening-to-the-audio-guides and getting-out-of-pushy-people's-way and I emerged pleased but hungry. We went for a little lunch and an icecream and then wandered off to Soho in search of vintage (my dad's idea I must point out!). Although the only other shop we found was closed, Beyond Retro was there in all it's vintage-y retro-y glory. Last time I went I didn't really find much in there, so I intended to have a quick breeze about and head off again, but oho did I find something amazing! I was sifting through a rack of could've-been-50s dresses (I had no idea, they could've been but they weren't very... typical?) feeling hopeful but disillusioned when I happened across a red gingham number. I was surprised at how much it looked like a Swirl dress (I have been stalking Swirls on ebay for about a year now!) I flipped it around and saw that it was a button-back. I fumbled in the neck-hole and revealed the label: Swirl! A SWIRL LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, at only £32. The only time I ever had money enough to actually win a bid war on one, they all disappeared off the face of the earth. As soon as I spent all the money, they reappeared in reams. I virtually ran to the cashier and got out before anyone could change their minds. After that we just bumbled around before returning to our single-sized palaces to 'freshen up' (as my dad put it) before our trip on-board 'the good ship charity'.

Cake, Sweets, Tea and Heyday. Made of win!

Typically, just as we were crossing the bridge to actually get to the ship, Headache struck. It was one of those really hurty ones that leaves you reeling for a moment. I'm sorry to say that from then on the whole night was tinged with headache. I must admit I was terrified. I knew no one. Of course I had chatted with loads of the guests online, but half of them I didn't have the foggiest who they were in real life! Despite my wussy-ness, I was still able to notice what a fantastic achievement it was. I was so impressed by the way everyone was just....hangin' out. Everyone was pretty chilled and I was so impressed by the prizes, the music, and the other entertainment, amongst it The Polka Dot Dolls and Lipstick and Curls. The Whole event was just a delight, including the goodie-bags which I so thoughfully photographed the contents of. I think the best thing though, was the huge diversity of people who were there. I believe it was Naomi of Vintage Secret who said it first: the night was a real 'who's who' of the vintage community. Everyone was there, virtually all of 'The Vintage Mafia', Melissa herself (of course!) Little Miss B Hats, Retro Chick and so many others. There was about 10-odd tweeters who I met or saw and I was so glad I went. I think the reason this happened is because of Melissa. She's such a charming dame, real world and twitter world that I think people instantly fall in love with her. I'm sure that the fact that she seems to look past how 'vintage' you are or how, ahem, dramatic you are (who, me?!) and reaches out to anyone, friend or stranger. I think that Mel was the common denominator for lots of the guests and Swing for Skin brought all these different walks of vintage together in a big musical, dancing, cake-filled pile.

Looking Shy but '40's (and not a stitch of vintage!)

Fleur and Lisa looking swoon-tastic.

I'm afraid I don't have many good pictures of the night. I abandoned my camera with my dad, who only took a few snaps (he is camera-illiterate. Kind of.), and tried not to grimace. I do so wish I had more balls and had manned up and met people, but I am a shy creature. Regardless I am glad I met you all. Lisa, Jenni, Fleur, Naomi, Gemma, Minerva - you are all officially my fwends now whether you like it or not....! I also got my first 'hello I'm a real person and I recognise you and I actually read your blog!' THANKYOU SO MUCH MYSTERY LADY, pleaaaaseee please please comment below or email me or something so I actually know who you are! I felt a bit of a celebrity actually, I was so surprised that Cool People were excited to meet me. *flushes with pleasure*. I did sneak off about 5 minutes before the end, but I stayed long enough to see the gloriously anti-climax winner of the Pashley Bicycle (heehee!) and realise that I had managed to purchase a £1 raffle ticket for £10. I. Am. A. Moron. My poor dad took me home and I had popcorn for tea, before snuggling into bed, pained but pleased. Thankyou so much Melissa (Queeniejelly on Twitter) Amy, Lex and everyone else who helped to organise the event, you should be very very proud. Also, although my dad won't be reading this, thankyou so much daddy. I know you had a very long and relatively boring (and expensive) weekend filled with shopping and being awkward, but I know you did it for me.

Bright and early Sunday morning, We had a leisurely breakfast before charging off to Brick Lane where I did some more shopping and my dad did some more (undoubtedly) dying of boredom. He almost bought me the most beautiful '50s kitschy print dress because he liked it and it was half price, but I felt he had spent enough so I declined. I came away with a Pillar-box red swing jacket which I have been searching for for ages, as well as a nice layer of guilt about the fur trade from which I have not bought anything.

Enchantment and Rambling over. I will be back. I'm afraid I had to delay Homemaker Heaven 'cause this was too exciting to not blog about. I love you all followers. There is talk of another Swing for Skin next year.....50's anyone?!

Annie P xxxxxx

P.s: if you actually read all of that you deserve an applause. We should have a code-word so I know who actually read it to the end..... hehehe.

What-I-Thought Wednesday: T Bar Shoes from goldenponies

2011-05-31T15:33:00.000-07:00

After seeing a link to these in a thread on The Fedora Lounge, I swiftly bought myself a pair in Beige. Goldenponies is an Etsy shop that sells handmade shoes and bags in a beautiful array of colours and styles. I snapped up a pair of the T-bars due to the absolutely stellar price and their versatility. I sent them my size and waited eagerly for the postal service to wing my new shoes to me!

Yesterday I had been blundering around my local highstreet in some very high heels and found myself walking up my road barefoot to my house. Imagine my delight when a parcel addressed to me had appeared on my doorstep! The shoes were carefully packaged; stuffed with newspaper to keep their shape and wrapped individually with bubblewrap, finished with a layer of pink tissue paper. I must admit I was most pleased about the bubblewrap, considering they were shipped from Mexico! Of course I immediately tried them on and my feet did a little sigh of relief.

The heel is a lovely comfortable height, broad and sturdy, with a small rubber sole, meaning you don't clack, you sort of 'pad' along in them. The inside is carefully lined and the whole thing is made of a beautiful soft leather which really does make them so comfortable - even the soles are leather. I charged around Sainsbury's after that in them and my feet were much better!

I think the thing about these is that they are handmade and they are so well made and for around £35 I couldn't say no. Just looking at the rest of their Etsy shop makes me so excited! I think these oxfords are adorable and I am absolutely swooning over the bags. I might have to gift myself a Satchel for school in September!

I also love that there is a huge selection of colours, as well as the choice of vegan faux-leather and rubber soles rather than leather.

Generously, For TODAY ONLY, this lovely shop will be granting my followers 15% off any item from the shop when you quote the code 'pancake' at the time of order. Obviously there is time difference between the UK and Mexico but I am told that that has been accomodated! ;)

Enjoy my lovely followers - go and take a peek! Lots of love, Miss P ;)

xxx

The photographs and opinions in this post are all my own, I was not paid or promted to write this post and the discount code was generously granted by goldenponies

How To Fake A Vintage Complexion: Updated!

2011-05-31T12:19:00.000-07:00

Longer-time followers of my humble blog will remember my How to Fake a Vintage Complexion tutorial. Oddly enough it has become my most popular post to date (even above my giveaway!) but it is now unfortunately a little outdated, so I made a new one! Please excuse the stupid faces that follow - i was genuinely doing my make-up.

First, apply concealer to blemishes. I use Benefit's 'Erase Paste' in the lighter shade because of it's pinky colour, which cancels out my very blue under-eye circles. It comes with a tiny spatula and instructions but I just use my ring finger to pat it on. For other blemishes like scars or spots, it is best to use a very small amount, pat it onto the area and gently pat the outer areas of the concealer until it blends with the rest of your skin.

Next, Apply foundation. I switch between brushes and sponges all the time, but at the moment I am just using my fingers with Revlon Colourstay in Ivory. I really rate this foundation! For the lighter, daytime coverage I want I find it is easiest to just tap out some of the product onto the back of your hand and blend it section-by-section with my ring and middle finger. I love this - the coverage is good enough to lighten up my dark eyelids and vein-y face without looking cakey. The colour is also a brilliant match for my pale skin! If you find you still can see your blemishes, try patting a tiny blob onto your ring finger and patting it onto the blemish, trying to focus on blending the outside area of the blob into the rest of your face.

After that, add a rosy glow with blush. I am using a Virgin Vie creme blush that no longer seems to exist, but keep an eye out for creme blushes in general, and let me know your favourites! I just squeeze a little blob out of the tube onto my ring finger (surprise, surprise!) and share it out between both of them. Then I pat it on continuously onto the 'pudgy' bit of my cheek that comes up when you smile until it is blended and looks natural.

Finally, matte out your face with a setting powder. I discovered this brand on Etsy after raving about pale skin in my Vintage Complexion post. I was researching White Rice Powder so I ran a search on etsy and discovered that this stuff contains it! It's called PURENaturalMinerals and they handmake all their products. The history of white rice powder is that Geisha Girls used to (and possibly still do) use it to achieve their lovely porcelain doll look. It's odd in that there are some larger particles which brush off, while the finer particles stick to your face which wear really well! I also prefer this to some of the more talc-y setting powders because when it falls on your lap whilst sat at a Vanity, it doesn't leave a white smear - it just brushes straight off! I just use a soft blusher brush to apply it all over my face and I personally find it holds all day!

Then, apply your eyeshadow, liner, mascara and what have you, unleash your pincurls and you're good to go! Hope you liked the tutorial and please let me know what you thought.

Annie

xxxxxx

All photographs were taken by me and are my property. All opinions are my own and all products were purchased by me. I was not paid to write this.

I'm Back and Better!

2011-05-28T12:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Followers!

I'm back with a vengeance! I finished school officially yesterday and I'm so excited that I only have TWO MORE WEARS of my uniform left. As you can see, I did a little spring Cleaning and whilst cooking up a storm today I decided on two new features to bring to my blog:

Homemaker Heaven
A new feature, for those who know that life is just too short to spend all day scrubbing, from an on-and-off house proud teenager. Look out for these on Sundays!

What-I-Thought-Wednesday
A more regular compilation of all my reviews, amazingly appearing on Wednesdays...

I can't wait to get back to regular blogging and I only have two exams left. See you again soon sweeties!

Lots of Love

Ms Pancake xxxx

Swing For Skin: A Post; A Cause!

2011-05-09T14:24:00.000-07:00

Brits and some 'mericans (and all you other folks too!) who read a few of the most popular vintage blogs around may have heard of Swing for Skin. It is a Fabulous 40s event to be held this year June 4th on the HMS Belfast on the Thames! It has been organised by Melissa Smith (@queeniejelly) along with Amy Georgina and Lex to raise money for a charity called http://www.debra.org.uk/ who raise money for sufferers of EB - Epidermolysis Bullosa! (p.s Mel, I didn't even have to look up the spelling of that!) I must admit, there are many others who know a lot more about EB than I do, so please refer to the DebRA website, along with this page on the Swing for Skin website.

I will be attending the bash, and it promises a night of fun, dancing and PRIZES. The organisers have done a brilliant job of rounding up sponsors and donations for the raffle, which so far include:

- a Helen Rochfort Handbag

- a BLOOM Gin Hamper

- a Set of Sarah Waters Novels

- a Family Photo Shoot!

as well as dancing, drinks and overall merriment. If you're thinking of going please consider it! I'd love to make a few vintage chums and it's for a worthy cause! It'll appeal to all pals and gals of even the vaguest vintage orientation, which is why I was asked to write up one of the first of a few posts educating even the newest vintage gal on how to achieve a delicious 40's look, whether highstreet, repro or real vintage! This is my post!

I'm so honoured to have been asked/been able to write for this lovely blog and to be attending what promises to be a wonderful night. Tell your friends...and your friends' friends, tell the world! The tickets are selling, as are the raffle tickets, so get yours soon! ;)

See you there...

Miss Pancake ;)

LINKS!

Facebook

Twitter

www.swingforskin.com

Shoes, Glorious Shoes... THAT FIT!

2011-05-08T14:17:00.000-07:00

Hello Readers! I am breaking, breifly from my revision-soaked silence, to show you my glorious new purchases from good old Marks and Spencer. I for one, was horrified when the rest of the world celebrated Marks and Sparks' new-look, with their glamorous new models prancing around in the adverts donning trendy clothes and pretty underwear! Just as I had found vintage, the epitome of vintage, britishness (arguably) was being... modernised. As someone whose suffers from a condition know as BIGFOOT my measurements are tantalisingly close, but just too wide for those delicious vintage wedges, and those lucite heels on ebay. Thus, I must rely on the highstreet for vintage-esque footwear.

Upon entering M&S, I was heartened to see that they had not entirely forgotten the little old ladies (although admittedly I don't see any little old ladies wearing this particular shoe) and have quite a few pairs of lovely shoes. For instance these lovely T - Bars and these!

More long-time followers of mine may recall that I have a passion for stripes, and anything nautical and as these were in my price-range, I just had to buy. Oh, swoon!

See you soon (ish) my lovelies - utter freedom awaits me 10th of June! I am so excited about blogging.

Lots of Love xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Guest Post (Lottie Loves!) How To Care For Vintage Clothes!

2011-05-08T13:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Followers! While I am away slaving over music theory etc, I welcome the absolutely sensational Lottie from Lottie Loves with a fabulous post about vintage clothing care. Take note ladies, I know I have!

For those of you that don't know me, I'm Lottie and I write about my vintage lifestyle over at Lottie Loves. Annie has kindly let me come over here for the day to share with you my tips on caring for vintage clothes. Some of them will be old hat to you vintage lovelies but there may be a few gems here worth reading.

Washing

· Wash all clothing as little as possible. Over washing leads to your clothes wearing out and it's unnecessary to wash something after just one wear, unless it particularly smells or has something dropped on it. Hang the item up for a day out of the wardrobe and then put it back in. Only wash it when it's really necessary, although you should be careful of sweat stains. If you have had a particularly sweaty day then do wash your clothing as a) it will smell and b) sweat stains build up and are impossible to remove.

· Don't leave vintage fabrics in the sunlight, they often can't cope with the exposure. Just air them indoors.

· Fabreeze is fab for freshening up clothes that may need a bit of jujing (new word for you!) but don't need washing. Just test it on a piece of the fabric that's not visible when worn first.

· Always read the care label and follow instructions - they're there for a reason. That said, if you buy some cheap piece for a few pounds and it says dry clean only it may be worth taking the risk and hand washing or washing on a cool wash. It depends how much you value the item as to whether it's worth the extra expense of dry cleaning. It goes without saying that high-end clothing should always be dry cleaned unless otherwise instructed.

· You vintage gals will find that your clothes often have no labels. I get away with washing most of mine on a cool wash on a short cycle but if in doubt hand wash or ask for advice from your dry cleaner.

· If you are in a hard water area always add softener, this way your wash detergent will be more effective at removing stains, particularly at lower temperatures.

· I wash all of my clothes at 30 degrees unless stained. This is good for your clothes and the environment. I do, however make sure I do my sheets or some other weekly wash at 60 degrees because your washing machine needs a regular 60 degree wash to get rid of any scum build up which is particularly bad when washing on cool all the time.

Stain Removal

· Remove red wine stains with white wine. This is by far the most effective thing I have used, although it's quite painful using white wine up on such a task! Do this straight away and then wash normally immediately for the best results.

· Tomato stains from spaghetti, ketchup, beans will soon come out of your clothes if you leave them in sunlight. This is a truly great phenomena which never fails to amaze me. Even the most enormous tomato sauce stains will disappear within a couple of days. Yes, vintage clothes don't like sunlight but they also don't like tomato stains so you should weigh up the risks versus benefit.

· If you have a grease stain from butter, oil, and so forth, just rub Fairy Liquid into it (no other brand will do the job quite as well) prior to washing normally. The stain will disappear.

· Remove stains such as pen from satins or shiny fabric by using hair spray. Seriously, this works. I bought a ball gown for a massively reduced price because some nitwit had got pen on it. I got it home, sprayed the stain with hairspray, left it for a few minutes and gently rubbed. Hey presto pen gone! Hairspray has similar ingredients to rubbing alcohol.

· If you get sick on your dress (I'm talking about you ladies with children not you ladies who get blotto on a Saturday night ;-) ) soak your dress in a mixture of luke warm water and a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda and then wash normally - no sick smell. This works on carpet and bed linen too.

· Removing sunscreen stains is a nightmare. Almost impossible. To avoid sunscreen stains use a once a day sunscreen such as Piz Buin Factor 30 once a day. Apply before you get dressed and allow a few minutes to soak into skin. Then put clothes on. This way you are less likely to get whopping great dollops of sunscreen on your dress which is then ruined.

· Always wash clothes after you have worn them with sunscreen, on a 40 degree wash with detergent and fabric softener. Ideally dry on the line in sunlight.

Little Tips

· If you have static on your clothes then cover your hands in hand cream and wipe over your body or stockings. I find Atrixo works best. A friend's Mum told me that one when I was 20 and it has been one of the most valuable tips I've ever had.

· If you have a white dress with yellowing sweat stains under the arms throw it. I know, it's painful, but it's so unsightly and there's not a thing you can do about them. You can of course use the fabric for something else if you're that way inclined.

Drying

· Always line dry if you can. Drying in a tumble dryer just damages and wears out fabric.

· If it's a fragile or heavy fabric dry it flat so that it doesn't stretch or tear with the weight of the water. This is also important with woollens, especially vintage woollens.

· I've found these brilliant Hook Ups from Lakeland that allow you to hang your dresses/shirts on the line on a hangar without it sliding and falling off. £1.99 for a pack of 12 and they are superb! I no longer have peg marks on my frocks.

I hope these tips help you ladies with your lovely clothes. Do let me know if you have any other tips to share.

Lottie -x-

Finds!

2011-05-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I attended my local May Day festival, and snapped up some goodies from the stalls along the highstreet. Gigantic bowl of cereal anyone? I also found this signed Lauren Bacall picture for only £8, which I am most puzzled by, as well as a lovely little handmade hair flower from a local little company, What The Puck?

I wanted to let you know that due to intensive revision sessions, I may not be posting regularly from now on, as spare time is spent working on something very exciting!

Lots of love,

hope you miss me ;)

Miss P xxx

The Art of Hair

2011-05-02T07:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, so maybe I'm not all that great at the setting part, but I sure do love adorning my barnet, and today, adorned it I did! All I did was pop it up into a Betty Grable updo, and pin in every flower, bow and brooch I could think of!

Enjoy!

Love ,

Ms P ;) xxxxxxx

How To Get, Keep and Maintain the Perfect Vintage Complexion!

2011-04-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows a characteristic of the stereotypical '40s-gal' look is perfect, porcelain skin, luscious matte red lips and exquisitely coiffed hair. Long-time followers of mine will know I am very proud of my pale hue, just like the lovely Ms Dita. Now I am here to show you how to get it yourself, maintain it, and make it look good!

I hasten to add, that I don't have any issue with darker skin and I don't mean to sound like I think everyone wants or should be pale like me! ;)

Remember the pictures of your infant-hood featuring you entirely coated in Sunblock, wearing a head-to-toe swimsuit with a large and relatively uncool hat atop your head? Those were the days when your skin had never seen the light of day and was very soft and delicate. That was your born-colour. That is the colour your new skin grows in as. Now, obviously, I am not telling you that by following these steps your skin will return to baby-state, as your skin toughens and thickens throughout your life, but with patience you can get it a very close colour to that. (You will know when there is no 'line' separating the areas that don't, ahem, see the sun..!) It will take many months, even years of perseverance to get to a very pale, milky white complexion but if you feel the same way as me, it's utterly worth it.

1. Sunscreen.
The first but often most tedious step is covering up. This doesn't mean you have to walk around in a Burkini or look like a bee keeper. You can start the day by slapping on the sunblock (perhaps not quite as over zealously as your mum did when you were two) before you even put your clothes on. This gives you (presumably) the recommended 15 minutes before being exposed to sunlight, and it means that you will still be 'protected' under sheer fabrics. Look for high-factor sun lotions, (I hear Lloyds Pharmacy do a cheap Factor 50 if you're in the UK!) If you're worried about applying it to your face and looking shiny, apply much earlier before the rest of your makeup to allow it to sink in; try a specifically-designed face sunscreen , invest in a Primer or try translucent dusting powder!

2. Wear a Hat.
Who wouldn't? I get so excited when the sun comes out because it gives me an excuse to parade around in large hats and sunglasses and feel like I'm on holiday. It shades your face which tends to get a lot of sun all year round (you can tan tiny amounts and get UV damage just from the sun being 'out'!) and it looks fabulous!

3. Carry a Parasol.
Only for the brave! If you have the courage, sport a Parasol to keep the sun off your face and your shoulders and arms - places the sun catches easily! Beware, you will probably get weird looks from the 'normals' for carrying an 'umbrella' when it's not raining and generally walking around like a geisha/Mary Poppins. Mine are vintage that me and mother have picked up around Coventry, but I really want to try one of these.

But underneath all the images of creamy, milky skin, Translucence rears it's ugly head. If you're lucky, you have thicker skin than me. You can probably look gloriously pale and not look like a corpse. I however, have very very thin skin particularly on my face and hands. This basically means that veins are very visible on my eyelids, and the skin is so translucent and delicate under my eyes that no amounts of sleep can reduce the panda-eye circles. Pale skin also comes with more visible spots, red 'back-of-your-arm' bumps, ingrown hairs and hairs in general!

4. Scrub Up!

If you are worried about your skin, get it sorted out. After worrying about acne for so long, the best thing I have done for mine is buy some cheap and cheerful Cleanser, Toner and Moisturiser. It just regulated my skin better than faffing around trying to get it vintage-appropriate with Cold Cream and Witch Hazel. Cold Cream made my skin soft but despite the oiliness, my skin was much drier than it is now. I also have tried three or four different pills as well as antibiotics and creams for my acne and nothing has worked better than my current pill and just plain old Simple. If you have lovely clear skin, You are halfway there.

5. Even Out Your Skin Tone.
Now, I am not an expert on skin discolouration whatsoever, so I cannot help you there. However, you know those red bumps on the back of your arms? They're all too obvious on pale skin. The easiest way to get rid of them is to exfoliate either with a soft body scrubbing brush, or an exfoliating scrub, before slapping on the moisturiser. After a couple of baths/showers, they should ease up. Moisture plays a big part in pale skin, because you don't have a 'glowy' tan, so moisturiser gives your legs and arms a bit more shimmer and er...exuberance! I personally like Soap & Glory's Flirtigo (possibly now named Girligo?) and Easy Glistening because they are quick spray-on moisturisers for lazy people like me. Easy Glistening is in aerosol form and has glitter in it! If you are a shaver-of-leg, it's more important to keep up with it, because the paler the skin, the more obvious the hairs.

6. Fake it.
For some people (read: me), pale skin comes with the transparency problem and the spot problem. Thus, I have to put some extra effort in to get the pre-raphelite porcelain look. So far, Revlon Colourstay is the lightest liquid foundation I have come across. I apply it with a wet sponge of the 'Beauty Blender' variety (although I bought the cheapy Superdrug rip off version!) so the foundation doesn't clump or smear in areas (making it look darker). It has a 'stipple' effect that results in a nice, even application. I am still on the lookout for lighter shades but I am reluctant to pay £44 for Laura Mercier. For dark circles I use Benefit's Erase Paste to cancel out some of the blue with it's coral colour. For spots I would recommend Benefit's Boi-ing which I have used before in a past tutorial. Just pat them on with your ring finger! Over the top I dust my 'loose powder' of my own creation. I have however, just ordered this, which I am very excited to try - so cheap too!

It might be a good idea to keep loose powder with you to 'top up', what with this glorious weather we're having combined with your sunscreen! Try putting some in a vintage compact (please wash it carefully first!) so that you may look wonderfully glamorous when doing so!

Further Reading:

- I can't wait to try this!
- Do it Geisha-style with Rice Powder
- I would be intruiged to see if this works.

Please do not try skin-lightening pills unless you've spoken to your doctor, and please be gentle to your skin! Hope you find this useful, and let me know if you decide to try it, or if you have any other tips or ideas to add!

'til next time,

Ms Annie xxx

All views/opinions on my own - I was not paid to recommend any of the products or techniques! All photographs are my own and all products were bought by me.

It's That Time Again...

2011-04-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

Hello Followers!

Thankyou for your comments, i'm just off to answer them now! Got loads this time, haha! As long-time followers of this blog, summery weather means me and my family (well, the females) crack out (or rather, very carefully lift/unwrap out) some of mother's vintage crockery for afternoon tea in the garden.

Charity Shop/ Carboot Teacups, crockery etc

Charity Shop Tray Cover

Vintage Cutlery (Again, Charity Shops, Carboots, Antique Shops)

Tea, PJ (hahaha!)

Scones: Handmade by Me

Cream: Whipped by Sister

Damson Jam - Rivendell (aka Mother-made!)

hope this inspires you to sit and eat cake on the lawn! ;)

Til Next Time, Miss P xxxx

I Feel Like an Explorer

2011-04-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I just want to thank you for the comments left on my last post. The 'feeling unloved' part was something of a joke, and I honestly think I struck a bit too much 'pity' in the hearts of some of my readers, haha! I want to explain my last post a little further. After a crappy part of my life, I noticed my writing style and frequency of posting had changed, so I wondered if there was some correlation between my decline in comments and my quality of writing. Whilst I don't expect comments, I do desperately want to be a journalist, and I have found advice from other bloggers has helped me improve as a 'writer'. Attempts via Twitter have been relatively unsuccessful, so I decided to see what my readers thought. Do excuse me if I came across as 'needy' or whatever. I do appreciate all of your comments and welcome more! Now that's over, please enjoy the actual *writing* part of my blog.

As you may or may not know, I have been travelling what seems like all over the country recently. After discovering from my mother that it is not necessary to save up and spend £150 on a pair of shoes for prom, I found myself in Bristol with £150 of freedom! Now, obviously I didn't spend anywhere near that amount of money, and am using some of what is left to purchase myself a Swirl dress, which I have been hoping to afford for ages! I came across two vintage (of sorts) shops and very quickly and altogether too easily strolled out with item in-hand. I doubt either item is particularly old, but I do think they lend the right feel. I have been desperate for a hat like this for ages, and I'm so delighted I found one; although I have to secure it with bobby pins, haha! The skirt I just lunged for as soon as I got in the shop and it is just so beautiful! I love the huge pockets, much like that of a swirl and this dress. Today I carried around my huge purse, phone, keys, etc etc....

...Cows!

Check out the amazing Thatched pub in the background!

Hummingbirds! My Ultimate favourite.

Hat: Billie Jean (yes, I know.) Bristol

Shades: ASOS

T-Shirt: Spanish Chain Store, Barcelona

Skirt: RePsycho, Bristol

Earrings, Bracelet and Necklace : Dorothy Perkins

Pearls: Samaritans

Locket: Cool Jewelry shop in NYC

Shoes: Tesco!

Bag: Scope

I'm really getting back into the swing of blogging and have a relatively large list of ideas, but I may find some hindrance in EXAMS. DEAR GOD, HELP.

Anyway, stay tuned for more blogs in the works - Love as ever,

Ms P ;) xxxx

Dear Followers,

2011-04-16T11:34:00.000-07:00

How are you? I hope you are all having fabulous weekends. I did as little as possible this weekend, but hopefully i'll get my arse into gear soon. Just to pre-warn you, I am having yet another identity crisis.

Only moments ago, I found myself staring at my blog with it's shiny new layout and feeling unloved because I hadn't had a single comment on my last two posts. I was feeling a bit guilty because compared to the amounts of posts per-month last year, this year's pales in comparison. I had a flick back over some of the months where I had posted the most and I found that I talked more about general crap, with around the same (or less) comments from you folk, the people who really matter.

My question to you is, what do you prefer? Do you think my posts have improved (I have been trying to write them in a vaguely more journalistic way - I want to be a journalist) or do you prefer the more frequent posts about more 'general' things?

Please, please leave comments with your thoughts!

Lots of Love as ever

Miss P ;) xxxx

Drumroll Please.....

2011-04-15T09:23:00.001-07:00

I have edited my layout again!

Regular posting will resume shortly :)!

MissP

xxx

Holiday Outfits

2011-04-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

50s Vintage-Esque Holiday! by AnniePancake featuring high heels

I made this a little while ago, but I just can't stop dwelling over this! Painfully, the dress is no longer being sold at River Island, and neither are the River Island Wedges, but I cannot stop thinking about how much I require this whole outfit. (and the bathing suits on the ladies behind!)

Prepare for some pictures of my week! The first are my outfit I wore for my meal with my dad on Wednesday. An old Topshop dress over a current Topshop blouse worn in this this post, with a Topshop cardigan (I didn't realise how bad this would look - I do shop in other shops I promise!) and yes, you guessed, Topshop Ballet Pumps that amazingly, a year on, they still seem to stock in there! Also, a big pink hairflower from Sainsbury's and ASOS cat-eye-esque shades. Secondly, the Earl Grey and Vanilla Icing Cupcakes me and my sister made on Friday.

How was your week? Hope you're experiencing the same glorious sunshine I am this weekend!

Ms Pancake xxxx

Product Review: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

2011-04-03T01:38:00.000-07:00

...in Va Va Violet

via graziadaily.co.uk

Hello Readers!

I can't believe it's taken me a week to get round to this, I must apologise and make my excuses - I have been a mixture of busy, miserable and exhausted, but I am feeling cleaner (haha) and cheerier this weekend so I finally bring you my review of the plum lipstick I was wearing in this post.

Haha! Taking the lipstick for an outing. Me and my Best
Friend, Taren.

Firstly, I was delighted to come across this colour. I am all about the vampy kind of thing (not daily, but I do so love the vamp-look) and was actually hunting for plum nail varnish when I found this. I ditched the polish and walked out with my lovely new lipstick instead. I love the colour, it's exactly the right blue/black shade of purple, rather than the more pinky shade I almost bought. The payoff however is quite odd, it is very sheer - presumably so as not to deter those who didn't want full-on goth lips, and as a result is is vaguely 'shiny', although not as high-gloss as purposefully shiny lipsticks.

To get round this I just had to add a few layers, but that was easy enough, I just continued getting ready and applied another layer after the first had 'set' a little. The packaging was lovely. Not too plastic-y and nice and simple. I hate lipsticks that come in horrid tacky packaging - particularly shiny, square-shaped tubes. This one has a little transparent top so you may see which colour it is when storing your lipsticks! (particularly handy if you're one of those people with many, many lipsticks.)

The price was pretty reasonable I would say, I at least, am prepared to spend £7.49 on one. I would probably re-buy it if it ran out, but it's hardly an essential item.

The best way I would wear mine is with dark pink eyeshadow, porcelain skin and thick black eyelashes. I think plum lips is one of the few times you can get away with dark eyes and dark lips. Wear it like a flapper for a vintage look, or with long scrunched waves for a modern, 'sulky' look, a la Taylor Momsen.

Please let me know what you think, and give me any suggestions as to how you think I could improve future reviews!
love as ever,
Ms Pancake ;)

Spring Prints, Mixing In a GOOD Way!

2011-03-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

I currently find myself sitting inside as the sky threatens rain, blogging about how wonderful the sun was! That is English weather for you I suppose. Spring's sudden leap into action has made me so cheerful. Whilst I complain to my Twitter followers and my Facebook friends, I feel happier, generally. I was delighted when I found that one morning, I had no use for my thick black tights and positively danced to school in bare legs. The first daffodil blooms and murmurs are heard. The sunglasses are cracked out and then sit atop heads and desks all day as we don't actually have much use for them on Tuesday afternoon, but the point is that it makes us feel wonderful. There is something about spring that strikes delight into the hearts of us Brits, heralding the arrival of Summer - tantalisingly close and scented of sun cream; perched under the parasol, just a few months ahead.

Spring sings cotton frocks and cardigans, white shoes and floral prints. Pale vintage-pinks and delicate, floaty fabrics. Lace, soft pink lips and our pale forearms tinted vaguely sepia.

Spring makes me feel good in myself, whilst exams loom a few months in advance, suddenly my minds says 'i can do this', the last tendrils of blustery winter have ebbed away and spring has, well, sprung. The borders are dotted with daffodils and the Ford is laughing at the little green buds - baby flowers just waiting to blossom.

Do excuse the delightfully dorky posing, the result of a rather excitable me and mother.

Hair Flower: Unknown, Inherited from Great Grandmother

T-Shirt: a shop in Barcelona

Dress: Current SS11 H&M

Pearl and Chain Necklace: Topshop, many seasons ago

Shoes: Topshop, last year.

Love as Always, and hope you didn't mind my wistful babbling over Springtime

Please share your thoughts on Spring too!

Miss Pancake

xxx

Easy Vintage-Esque, A Little More Season - Appropriate!

2011-03-23T15:38:00.000-07:00

Recently, since things have been getting a bit lonely around our house, me and my father have been going out for a meal instead of eating in on Wednesday nights. I have actually really taken to doing it because it's like a little mid-week pick-me-up where you get to doll yourself up a little and go and spend some time with your papa.

Now I feel I must point that 'going out for a meal' basically means Beer+Burger for £5 at a pub haha, but it's quite nice and dignified!

Getting to the point, today it was so beautiful! It sounds like the weather was delicious country-wide, as tweets about sitting in gardens flooded my twitter. I was so excited to actually get the opportunity to wear this dress. I bought it recently when all the highstreet shops first brought out their first spring collections and swiped it up in a frenzy when I saw that the hemline was beyond my bum and was still only a grand total of £12!

Everything in this outfit is highstreet, none of it was particularly pricy and I like the vintage-y feel I've managed to create. Now, I realise it's more than a stones-throw away from a real vintage look, but I love how easy it is to achieve a vintage look and work your own style even if you only shop on the highstreet. Obviously, it is not yet warm enough to be charging around in the evening in a cotton frock and little else, so I had to get creative with layers. I love layers and back in my 'indie' phase I layered my clothes a lot. What I was really hoping for was some knee-length socks to put with this outfit, but my only pair appear to have disappeared off the face of the earth!

I particularly love to layer dresses over blouses and it's certainly a way to insulate a little more. The 'alternative' dresser within loves layers because it takes that Topshop dress that you just couldn't not have even though you knew everyone would buy it, and makes it your own. I really feel like this can be used in vintage to add your own spin on vintage.

The hair and makeup isn't anything special, I just refreshed my makeup when I got home from school, and the bun was one of those pleasant surprises, where it falls out throughout the day and it looks good!

Cardigan: GAP (charity shopped)

Shirt: Topshop, Current, SS11

Dress: H&M, Current, SS11

Shoes: Marks & Spencer, January Sales, probably SS10

How do you like this photo setting? The stairs were so hard to 'arrange' and all the lights had to be on everywhere, so this was a little easier. Still needs improving though, if you have any ideas/suggestions of where I could shoot or where you have with no photographer and only my humble tripod, please let me know in the comments! New review and hopefully a tutorial post coming soon!

Feel free to leave comments as per, Lots of Love

Ms Pancake ;)

xxxx

Perfectly Out Of Season

2011-03-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

After yesterday's glorious sunshine, I am so hoping that this is it now, that this is spring! The daffodils are already out unbelievably, and I cannot wait for weekends of gambolling around with friends and boyfriends in shorts and skirts and florals. More realisitically, this year with May comes exams. Hooray....

However, despite this seemingly wonderful weather, my colour of the moment is......

Plum...

I know! I'm terrible, but I suddenly love Coral, Mint and Plum. (which incidentally, sounds like a really cute colour combination!)

On Friday I went out for a meal to celebrate one of my lovely new friends' birthday! I had to do some last minute shopping, so I picked up some new clothes from my local Outfit, and had a bit of a play.

I'm thinking Edwardian Flapper meets Topshop?

I know the combination is not quite right yet, but I just cannot decide what to put with that lovely blouse!

I was originally wearing a different outfit, but when I started doing my hair I was completely inspired to change it. I went for a poofy bun, with lots of volume and a bun that sat on the crown, kind of late 1800s-esque. I didn't have to do a lot with it because my hair is so voluminous naturally, but let me know if you'd like me to work on a tutorial. I do realise you can't see it too well in these pictures. I then adorned my bun with a string of faux-pearls and pinned heavily! I love to leave tendrils of curls around my hair, and I love whimsical, wispy hair.

Being a big fan of giant eyes, I usually do my best to make my own look doe-like, and with my plum lips I sought to create a rosebud mouth/vamp-y kind of look. I have always kind of wanted to be a vampire and I reckon this was a pretty accurate stab at it, waist up at least!

I love this blouse, but I never know what to pair it with! I was attempting to dress it down with the denim skirt, but i still don't feel like it completely worked. I have provided you with a close-up of my 20's inspired eye make-up, complete with red-eye! I am also wondering if you'd like to see a tutorial on that too? I actually just re-worked my daytime makeup, but I am getting ideas on how to do this properly! Would you like to see a video, or just pictures again? I had to draw on my eyebrows for this look, and I went for the almost 'sad' look that the starlets sometimes have.

I think next I am looking for very opaque, black tights, and possibly some sort of black skirt, but those shall have to wait, as I have ordered a lovely dress from asos and I spent all my pennies on it!

I leave you with one picture where I am relatively upright, even thought it is relatively unflattering.

Head Adornment: Pearl String - Charity Shop
High Neck Blouse: Topshop (old), rolled sleeves.
Denim Button Skirt: Topshop (new purchase)
Cotton Wooly Tights: Tesco!
Fur Trim Heels: Kangnai

I really tried to get my blogging back on the right track, and I really poured my heart and soul into this post. I wrote a whole page about an outfit! (is that necessarily a good thing??) I really tried my heart out for the pictures too, despite the complete lack of anywhere good to take pictures in my house/property.

Please give me your feedback in the comments below. I'd love advice on shooting, tutorials and what to pair with my blouse!

Lots of Love as always,

Annie! xxxxxxxxxx

Just To Say

2011-03-06T13:11:00.000-08:00

Lovely Readers:

Thankyou for your comfort, your acceptance and your lovely lovely responses. I now realise I have nothing to worry about and my whole life infront of me. I felt so free to pick and choose today, but with a limited wardrobe (at my Dad's house) I had to summon clothes I hadn't worn for years, particularly the dress, which I have owned since I was 11.

Plus I also played with the wonderfully-named GIMP - a free photoshop-esque programme, to create these effects, because the photographs alone were relatively boring.

I wish I had more photoshop skill - is there any way to just *learn* generally?

I have always loved this dress, hence why I
still own it!

And I always find myself doing this...
I think it's because I can't actually
dance.

And for some reason, I am having a disco in this one.

Today I woke up apallingly late for me (12!) before spending a good deal of time preening, and then walking (or being walked by) the dog with my pa. When I got in I watched the sun set from my back garden - aaahh. :')

What did you do today?

Dress: very old New Look

Shirt: Couple of Years old from Topshop

Shoes: Last Year from Tesco

Contemplation

2011-03-05T16:31:00.000-08:00

http://weheartit.com/entry/7341969

Hello Readers,

I again blog to you from late at night, as I sit in a not-particularly-comfortable position, pondering this blog. My apologies for not writing for so long, I have been feeling deeply uninspired of late - as you may have noticed, so didn't want to post complete drivel to you.

I recognise that my life, particularly my clothes have veered away from vintage. It's not that I don't love it, but that I have fallen in love with current fashion, with hints of vintage, rather than full-on vintage,

I feel somewhat guilty about this, I feel like I am leaving the vintage community behind, like I am now something of an impostor. Call me ridiculous, but I am utterly torn between vintage and modern. Perhaps my wardrobe is having something of a mid-life crisis? Or maybe, a between-season crisis?

The more I wear vintage, the more ridiculous I feel in it. I love the summery frocks no end, and will never ever leave those behind, but I just find my winter wardrobe makes me look short and stubby and frumpy. (You'd never have guessed that 4 months ago I was squealing with excitement at the prospect of wearing Tweed!)
More evidence to prove I should infact, live in a warm country (cough,CALIFORNIA,cough). I think I feel as if some of my clothes are a little 'dowdy' for my 'tender' age, and some of my vintage makes me feel nothing short of chubby!

I'm feeling the pull of Topshop and ASOS, but I don't want to entirely leave behind the Vintage Community.

What I suppose i'm asking is - Will you still love me? Follow me, and leave your lovely comments on my blog if I stray a little from the full-on vintage?

I want to wear my hair straight once in a while, and wear skinny jeans!

Please do leave your opinions, lovely followers, lots of love,

AnniePancake
xxxx

Teenagers in Trackies: Style Evolution?

2011-02-10T12:28:00.000-08:00

Awesome Candid Shot of me and my boyfriend.
(Mr Pancake?)
All Credit due to http://tarenbilkhuphotography.tumblr.com/

I had a 'Non Uniform' day the other day, and It got me thinking. I know a lot of people who absolutely hate non-uniform because they can't be bothered to find something to wear, or can't be arsed with agonising over the delicate balance between trying-too-hard and not trying enough.

Fortunately for us Brits, whilst we are subjected to some real growlers on the streets, we are much less accustomed to wearing pyjamas to the supermarket and school than the Americans are. Despite that I still saw a good few pairs of trackies, and it got me thinking about what people wear to Sixth Form.

I for one, am most looking forward to Sixth Form purely because I despise my uniform. (of course I am actually looking forward to different subjects and higher education as well!) I am one of those people who has bought countless items of uniform-adhering items throughout my school career, in a vain attempt to feel cool and well dressed. I change my jacket or coat every week, I am constantly switching my school bags round; as well as hats, scarves, gloves (and when
I get away with it) shoes.

Inevitably, after a couple of weeks I return to feeling frumpy, pot-bellied and generally deeply unattractive. I envy those girl who sling on the same pair of straight-leg trousers, dolly flats and a 'regulation' school-logo jumper, and look completely at ease and wonderful.

Photo Credit Due: Here

Returning to my point, I grasp at Non Uniform days with open arms (wide open) because I get to express my natural 'individuality' (shoot me now for using that word!) and feel comfortable in my clothes. I don't have to wear a skirt that spins round or rides up if I don't want to, or tights that fall down endlessly. I absolutely love just playing with my clothes, showing off my new things, putting things that shouldn't go together - together, so to see people come in in tracksuit bottoms on the one day they get to express themselves absolutely astounded me!

Obviously I had to try to see this from their point of view, but I just couldn't help but think it was laziness. Undoubtedly a lot of it will be laziness - as we teens are renowned for it - a constant quest for comfort, the epitome of 'snuggled up'. I know I can identify with that. I'm happy to admit it - most evenings I get home and leap straight into my trackies (although I am proud to say mine are from Superdry) and I am at present, perched far more uncomfortably on the corner of my chair in a pair of jeans because my aforementioned trackies are in the wash!

I maintained this way of thinking until I saw one girl who I didn't even realise was wearing them for a while. She had paired it with a properly fitting hoody, and although I didn't get much of a glimpse at anything else she was wearing I think she pulled them off. Whilst it's certainly not a look I am in a hurry to add to my wardrobe, I am beginning to wonder if there is a new trend emerging. I hear you horrified gasps and grumbles!

Are teenagers - and students - paving the way for another mad trend? Perhaps as ridiculous as girls in jeans once was? As more lads stroll past me in a pair of grey marl tracksuit bottoms, Vans and a flat-peak hat I wonder - will people look back on the 2010s in 70 years time and say that a staple wardrobe piece was 'The Trackie'? Or are we simply just living up to our age-old reputation of laziness and a lack of respect?

Should we worry about the absolute decline in taste of the young person's wardrobe? Should we embrace the opportunity to kick back in a pair of jersey sweats and high heels for a day? Or should we just let it float by with a bemused look on our face?

Your Thoughts, Ladies and Gents - If You Please?

I myself, refrain from wearing tracksuit bottoms out of the house wherever possible. I wore my H&M jersey Maxi Dress (featured in a past post) with some bog-stomping boots, a sheepskin-hooded fleece under a fitted tweed blazer, with a woolly scarf, leopard print angora beret and miscellaneous patent black tote!)

xxxx

Trends: My Interpretation: Stripes

2011-02-03T03:12:00.000-08:00

Hi Readers,

So this is pretty much a Virtual Shopping post. On the runways for Spring/Summer we saw a lot of stripes. I have always loved stripes and I was very excited to find a striped maxi that suited me recently ( see my last post ).

I am a very indecisive person, and I am always changing my mind. Late Summer last year I was swooning about how much I was looking forward to Autumn/Winter and wearing tweeds and wool. Well now it's February, I've read Marie Claire from cover to cover and I'm about ready for spring again. I want to wear my Cotton Frocks again, and prance about my local park in shorts and flip-flops.

I am also dying to pull my affectionately nicknamed 'Deck Chair Dress' out of the attic again: bluster round in some sandals and fill the pockets with coins, bits of fluff and so on.

I used Polyvore to browse some Highstreet and Designer interpretations.I like some of these, though most of my favourites are from H&M (increasingly my new favourite shop it seems) and honestly, I think a lot of places have really 'over thought' the whole stripes thing.

Stripes by AnniePancake featuring striped tops

If I had any money I would own everything in there already.

I'm off to dream about stripes, and wait for any signs of sun.....

Toodle Pip

You May Hate Me For This

2011-01-30T06:31:00.000-08:00

Or you may love me.

I know I love me for it. ;)

Amazingly I still have some giftcards left from christmas, and look at the dress I bought. :)

Dress: H&M

Cardigan/Waistcoat: Old Topshop

Bandana: Charity Shop

Really Attractive Socks: a gift about 5 years ago. ;)

Me and my Tripod are not friends yet, and I am not a great poser generally. Sigh!

Ta ta for now ;)

Annie Pancake and the Time Machine

Featuring: Me!

John Frieda's Retro Curls: A Blogger's Response

Vintage Inspired Highstreet Wins Again!

My Boyfriend Chose My Outfit *tag*

....And The Winner Is!

Love, Hate and Can't Wait: December

Icy Blue

A Vintage Gal's Starter Guide

The Festive Season Outfits

My New Favourite Bag

Giveaway Results!:

Yet Another Video and Giveaway Reminder

Another Tutorial

Let It Snow(Flake)

How to Get a 40s Lip (Easily!)

Puttin' On The Ritz

I Love My Overalls

The Olive Green Suit

Collegiate Chic

Bakelite Nails

Heyday Fleur Dress Giveaway!

Curing the Winter/Autumn/Any Time It's A Bit Nippy Blues

Cuddly High Street Vintage

Autumn Inspiration: Shopping Enabling

New Beginnings

Hello, Bonjour and Hola: I Am Home!

Super Secret Modelling!

Be Careful, It's My Heart

Stop Traffic Clothing: Discounts, Sales and Summer!

What-I-Thought-Wednesday: Heyday!

Work the Working Girl... Wherever You Work!

Minnie Moans Again

What-I-Thought-Wednesday: Tara Starlet

Homemaker Heaven: Vintage Storage Ideas!

Catch-Up Part Two: Prom!

My Mini Middy

A Wee Catch Up

Vintage Inspired Shoe Buys!

Homemaker Heaven: Get Perfectly Shaped Cupcakes

Purchase Number 2..!

A Swirl of Gingham

Homemaker Heaven: 10 Tips to Make Your House Look Cleaner Than it Really is!

Swing For Skin: Fill The Gaps in Your Address Book!

What-I-Thought Wednesday: T Bar Shoes from goldenponies

How To Fake A Vintage Complexion: Updated!

I'm Back and Better!

Swing For Skin: A Post; A Cause!

Shoes, Glorious Shoes... THAT FIT!

Guest Post (Lottie Loves!) How To Care For Vintage Clothes!

Washing

Stain Removal

Drying

Finds!

The Art of Hair

How To Get, Keep and Maintain the Perfect Vintage Complexion!

It's That Time Again...

I Feel Like an Explorer

Dear Followers,

Drumroll Please.....

Holiday Outfits

Product Review: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

Spring Prints, Mixing In a GOOD Way!

Easy Vintage-Esque, A Little More Season - Appropriate!

Perfectly Out Of Season

Just To Say

Contemplation

Teenagers in Trackies: Style Evolution?

Trends: My Interpretation: Stripes

You May Hate Me For This

My Boyfriend Chose My Outfit tag