I'm back - I think.

Hey y'all.

I just realised that it has been an absolute age since I last blogged.  I have not been feeling particularly good about myself and I guess this has made it more difficult to get writing on here.  My biggest issue (pardon the pun) is that I have put on quite a lot of weight and I just don't feel happy with it.  Weight changes are always an issue but when your clothes are mainly vintage and therefore difficult to replace and made of fabrics with no stretch, it seems to hit harder. I can't do anything up!

As such I have decided to do something about it and have spent the last week following Weight Watchers.  Incredibly I have lost 7lbs in a week.  This seems like a lot but I have really changed my diet so I'm not surprised.  I expect it will slow down from here but it definitely has given me a boost.

I'm also starting the "30 Day Shred" workout DVD today after hearing great things about it.  I probably won't be able to move tomorrow (I'm aching from doing just half the workout as a taster two days ago).

Here is hoping I survive!

I have plenty of film reviews coming up for you and a review of several brands of seamed tights for those lazy days where you just can't face a girdle.

In the meantime please cast your eyes over my new Swirl with watermelon pockets.  This was too tight a week ago but just about fits me now!  Hurrah for diets and sunny days.

Costumedramarama! - The Night Watch

Hello all.

It has been a very busy few days but full of fun and friends.

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a screening at the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, my friends had a ticket to The Night Watch, an adaptation of Sarah Waters novel about tangled love lives during the Blitz, and I jumped at the chance.  Thanks gals!

The story centres around Kay, played by the wonderful Anna Maxwell-Martin, who cuts a lonely figure striding the streets in her masculine clothes.  It begins in 1947 and works its way back to 1941 showing Kay's various lovers, her friends and their family as they struggle through the war, with their sexuality and with the pains of falling in and out of love.

The costume is wonderful, I found myself getting terribly overexcited about various suits and hats.  It is always good to see a period drama about the working classes as most centre around upper class society with extravagant wardrobe choices, I definitely found it refreshing to see a more everyday style.

The series should be coming to the BBC soon and is most certainly worth a watch.

Knitting Magazine - vintage edition

I regularly peruse the knitting magazines in my local WHSmith whilst waiting to catch the train home and usually there isn't a lot to interest me but today - wow - I picked up and and subsequently purchased Knitting Magazine's vintage edition.

The magazine includes several vintage inspired knits - everything from jumpers to capes and a fabulous Miss Marple inspired hand bag.  My favourite being an early Thirties style sailor top that I plan on adapting to a shorter late Thirties style.  Yes, I'm getting that confident with my knitting skills these days (famous last words...)

There is also an interview with the inspiring knitwear designer Lise-Lotte Lystrup - author of "Vintage Knitwear for Modern Knitters" - one of my favourite knitting books, available on Amazon.

The magazine is available from most branches of WH Smith and via this website.

A crazy cat lady post

It is time to out myself as the complete crazy cat lady that I am.

Today is the birthday of my two best pals - Marlon and Gene - my felines.  Marlon is 2 years old today and Gene, whose birthday is uncertain but was probably born around April time, is 1.

We celebrated with salmon steak and just a tiny dribble of milk.

So, in honour of Gene leaving his kittenhood behind and entering the years of his cathood here are some pics of my favourite fellas.

 Marlon the Magnificent hindering my knitting progress - I rescued him from a breeder who was rehoming him as he isn't "breed quality" - I like his stripey tail and overbite personally.

 (Whatever happened to) Baby Gene, arriving at my flat at the age of 10 weeks.  I rescued him from the Celia Hammond cats home.  I went into the kitten pen and he just climbed straight onto my shoulder.

Happy birthday fellas.