Beauty review - the perfect daytime red

I think I've finally found a good, affordable daytime red.  Up until now I've always used good old MAC Ruby Woo, the vintage girl's favourite, but it can be a bit OTT in the daytime, and it is nice to be able to switch from a gentler colour to something more powerful for a night out too.  You don't get that if you've been wearing the Woo all day!

My discovery was completely accidental, I was going to meet some friends and realised I'd forgotten to bring a lippy with me (quelle horreur!) and so nipped into Boots and picked up the first thing I saw that I hadn't tried before....Rimmel's Colour Show Off lipstick in Red Fever.

I have to admit that initially the packaging put me off, it is thoroughly cheap looking and very lightweight.  A hot pink metallic tube worthy of Jordan herself.  I was, however, pleasantly surprised by the product.


Though it looks shiny in the tube it goes on beautifully matte.  Compared to Ruby Woo it is soft red, though most users who have reviewed in online so far consider it bright, and I guess it would be for someone unused to wearing a red.  It is also a much softer texture than the Woo and therefore not as drying, which is definitely a winner for daytime.

 MAC Lady Danger, the Rimmel, Ruby Woo (click to enlarge):

It lasts reasonably well, better than most drugstore lipsticks, though you do need to reapply after eating to keep the colour even, but at around £5-£6 a tube that isn't too worrying.

Here is what it looks like on, please excuse my morning face:

Just the one layer there.

I think you'd need a few to pull of the colour of postergirl - Georgia May Jagger:

Overall I'm really pleased with this red.  I might even investigate the other colours in the range now, they have a lighter red and a few pinks to choose from.

A quick hair and outfit post - The Candlelight Club

I have again been neglecting this place, but with good reason - firstly, I've lost my camera somewhere in my flat and secondly I've been planning lots and lots of lovely blog posts for the future.

I just have to gather the energy to write the darn things now.

So, to get me back in the swing please marvel at my hair and outfit for last night's Candlelight Club.  Hee hee.

The hair was done in my basic set with the curls brushed under to form a shorter looking do and the fringed brushed over my hand to create a curl.  I then curled a few pieces around a mascara tube to get a definite set curl and sprayed it all firmly into place.

I wasn't sure what to wear for the bash, as I've gained a whopping half stone (three kilos) in the space of just three months, and choice was therefore somewhat limited.  After trying on a dozen things that wouldn't zip up and almost getting stuck in one lovely 40's dress, I finally settled on the below outfit, mixing dark red with dark brown - brave for me as I usually end up in just one colour.  I'm terrible at vintage colour schemes.

Apologies for the grubby mirror and iPhone photo.  Where is that darn camera!!

Here are the constituent pieces - again, apologies for poor picture quality:

Big bow hat (in a dark brown that is so close to black that it can be worn with either):

Dark brown Corde handbag:

Dark red 40's suit with gorgeous pocket detail:

Dark brown leather vintage shoes (really do need a clean - oops!):

Pink reverse carved lucite brooch and matching earrings:

Myself and two very lovely chums arrived at the club a little late - and as it was completely sold out we failed to get a seat and missed the gourmet sandwiches on offer.  However we enjoyed ourselves immensely - the band were fabulous and there was some burlesque too.

It did feel a little odd being in all 40's garb at a 20's themed event but no one seemed to take the dressing up too seriously, thankfully.

This is possibly my favourite event on the vintage scene, the atmosphere is very relaxed and there is a really mixed crowd - from Hackney hipster to New Sheridanite.

I just wish I'd had my darned camera!  Photos of the event can be found here.

In the pink! Latest shopping finds and suggest me a dress pattern...

Sorry I've not been around lately, I've been busy at work and have had a house guest so finding time to write for here has been impossible. 

Anyway, I had a lovely day of thrifting on Saturday and just wanted to share my glorious finds with you.  Almost all in a shade of pink.


My first purchase was this wonderful hat, dark red with a pinky orange band.  I bought this from Past Caring in Islington and it came with two black hat pins which area little rusty but easily cleaned.  All for £8!

They had the hat listed as 60's but I was fairly sure it was late 40's and took it into a couple of the better vintage shops in the area and had it dated as such, so I'm very happy.  It has some great creases in it and the trim is turned beautifully.

Whilst there I also picked up a darling rose pink slip and a fabulous 50's crochet pattern for DK wool.  I'm always thrilled when I find vintage patterns in anything above 4 ply.

I then wandered up the road and found a great stall selling vintage haberdashery oddments and picked up two belt buckles and some buttons which are an incredibly close match for one of the buckles.

The green buckle is cracked but I plan to Make Do and Mend it with a dab of superglue.  It was just too beautiful to pass by with that lively green on cream and deco style.

So ladies - I need some idea for what to make for these items.  I'm thinking some late 40's dresses.  Any pattern suggestions would be very welcome.  I'd love to use those big pink buttons and belt together.

Oh, and I was naughty and bought a watch.  Modern but vintage style - rose gold.  I hope I love it as much in real life as I do in the picture.

Haberdashery heaven - Maculloch and Wallis and a quick outfit post

I'm coming to the end of my week off, sadly, but have managed to fit quite a lot in.

On Thursday I met up with one of my best friends for a quick jaunt about town and a visit to famed haberdashers, MacCulloch and Wallis.

I first discovered this place way back when I was doing my millinery course (see earlier blog posts if you are interested) but never managed to make it there.  I'm glad I finally did though, the place is a treasure trove of millinery basics and trims, fabrics of all kinds and oh my good lord the buttons!

I didn't buy anything as the place isn't cheap and I'm not yet an adept enough sewer for fabrics of over £5 a metre!  I will be going back though, for some of this deco print and floral print fabric to make blouses.

 After the visit I then had the pleasure of meeting  My Vintage Dresser, her chap and another lovely chum, for a drink in posh old Holland Park.

I'm glad I had got myself suitably attired for such fine company:

1940's jacket in yellow, green and brown tweed with brown buttons, brown GAP 40's style trousers, Primark brown leather belt, 40's blouse with jet buttons, charity shop brooch and my lovely bakelite earrings.


Unfortunately I lost a single earring at some point in the day.  I didn't realise until I got home.  These things happen though.  :-(