Daily outfit.....visitors for morning tea.....

Last week the incomparable Bec Sherlock and Heather Hensley joined me for morning tea - and this is what I wore to entertain my guests. My favourite green beads ($10 at some cheapy shop), a black silk like tank top that I have had since day dot, cute little brown Country Road cardi that I scored at an op shop in Nihl about 10 years ago ( I hoard everything), and a fun little skirt I made this summer from the most beautiful mid century polished cotton fabric I found at the local Trash and Treasure for two bucks....couldnt be happier with that !!!

This was actually the last time I wore my hair ah la 1950's. I have made the move into the next decade in an attempt to keep my 'youth' just a bit longer. I love 1950's hair - especially when it is platinum or red, but I am attempting to give some health back to my fried locks, so it needs a bit of rest from the intense dying and bleaching it has been exposed to over the past two years...... next time you see me I will be sporting a quite different, although still mid century, style !!!

Living Doll - Miss May

Living Dolls are mothers, nurses, models, photographers, graphic designers, grandmothers, students, teachers - in fact you name it, they come from every walk of life but have this one thing in common - they love and live vintage !

Our Miss May is the effervescent, warm hearted super stunner, Miss Lucy Topp.......

What does 'vintage' mean to you?

To me vintage is something old with history, with a story. I love the romance

of wondering what kind of life and experiences a garment, a piece of furniture or

jewellery has had before me!

What was it that first prompted your interest in vintage culture?

When I was 10 years old, I lived next door to this amazing young lady... she lived in 50’s dresses every day, had a cool car.... she introduced me to Marilyn, Elvis and the Andrews Sisters. She made me my first polka dot skirt and taught me to swing dance!! I totally fell in love with this gorgeous creature and a passion for all things vintage was born! Her name is Joy Taylor and her label ‘Hot Couture’ makes dresses from original 50’s patterns.... we still love each other all these years later! xx

　

What is your favourite era, and do you 'live it' every day? In what ways?

This is so hard for me to answer as I love all era’s from the 20’s through to the 60’s and all appeal to me and inspire me for different reasons! If I had to choose one, I would say the 40’s... even though not as decadent as the 50’s... I love the ‘Mend and Make do’ mentality, the hairstyles and the simple red lips which I wear myself every day. I love that they were able to be glamorous with very little money, even drawing seams on the back of their legs if they had no stockings! I don’t LIVE one style of era, nor am I puritanical about dressing from head to toe in one decade... instead I am influenced by all in different ways on different days!

Tell us about your favourite item of vintage clothing, kitchenalia, music, furniture or whatever !

There are MANY vintage things I love.... but I would have to say the things that have been handed down through the family are my favourites! We have a vintage brooch that was my great, great Grandmothers.... it is known as ‘The Wedding Brooch’ and has been worn by all the Brides in our family. I have an old clock on my wall, that has chimed ever since I can remember... my parents found it in England in a country shed and had it restored... I have no idea what its value is... but the ‘Tick Tock’ is so comforting to me!! My Mothers pearls and my Great Auntie Hilly’s engagement ring from the 20’s.... my Grandma’s signet ring she got in 1920 for her tenth birthday.... these are priceless treasures to me and I wear them always. Otherwise, I have a huge passion for vintage brooches which I collect from everywhere! No matter what I am wearing, or the occasion I always pin one on to jazz up an outfit! xx

Can you share with us why vintage culture continues to hold such appeal for you?

I love the glamour and elegance of by gone era’s.... I think the world was more romantic and classy back then! I also adore the hair and makeup of the 40’s and 50’s and with my work as a Hair and Makeup Artist, I love taking my clients through the experience of transformation from modern day to Vintage Goddess!!

Do you have any tips for anyone starting out in the vintage scene?

Have fun with it!!! We are no longer living in these times.... but we can be inspired by them and bring elements of the glamour and elegance into our everyday! Whether that is curling your hair and pinning in a flower, wearing red lipstick and pearls or some seamed stockings..... just start somewhere and develop your own style around those influences!

Now is your chance to provide us with an overview of who you are and what you do. Tell my readers as much or as little as you like !!!!

Hello my lovelies! I am a Sydney based hair and makeup artist and I have been making gals glam fulltime for about 8 years now. I fell in love with makeup when my Mama gave me a red lipstick at the age of three and I have been playing with it ever since! I feel SO lucky to be doing what I love as a profession and I always say I ‘Get paid to play’!!! I do all sorts of hair and makeup and work in Bridal, Fashion, Studio and Event, but I have a real passion for and specialise in the looks of the 40’s and 50’s! I run workshops and private lessons to teach you how to perfect the Vintage Look... I do Hen’s Parties and of course I can glam you up for your event, shoot or party!

Please have a look at my Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lucy-Topp-Makeup/127145863995268

or my Website http://www.lucytoppmakeup.com.au/ to have a look at my work or send me an enquiry! I would LOVE to make you up! Xx

Finally, what or who inspires you and why?

So many things inspire me all the time! I love when I am dressed for a Vintage Event and a lovely old lady comes and shares with me her beauty secrets and how she used to do pin curls! Art inspires me, music inspires me.... the seasons and nature inspire me. Like minded, creative and strong women inspire me! I love that we all love and support each other along our paths! Thank you so much Miss Kesenya for asking me to share a bit about myself with your lovely readers! Mwah xxx Lucy

New beginnings - a daily outfit

Upon suggestion from the ever inspiring Julie at Narioka, I have decided to post my 'daily outfit' more regularly.....OK, I dont intend to put online what I am wearing everyday - for a start, I just dont have the time to upload photographs from my camera every day - but I will attempt to share what I wear alot more often....who knew that they way I dress was so very interesting to people, but I guess, judging by comments I have received lately, it is intriguing ......at least it is for most people, with the exception of my 4 year old, daughter who tells me that the way I dress 'scares people'.......gotta laugh !!! I only hope that someday she finds the courage to dress to suit herself and not some self designated fashion mogul or magazine.

Here is what I wore today - been feeling very autumnal recently and browns are the flavour of the moment..... my skirt is one I made myself, covered in red, tan and green florals and roosters and chickens....it makes me feel very self sufficient whenever I wear my 'chicken' skirt, and my daughter very much approves !! A nice warm brown cardi to top it off ( I love cardi's) and some hoop earings. As for my hair and make up, I will detail that later in my next post, but let me say that I am now going for the whole Audrey Hepburn 1960's / Mad Men Secretarial look....stay tuned for the new hair do post!!!

My daughter giving me her tempered 'approval' of todays outfit......

Been a while since you talked about the birds and the bees?

Well now, yes it has been an awfully long time since I talked or maybe even thought about the birds and the bees.......and although that may be somewhat sad, this little card that my sister sent me certainly isnt ! Aint it just so cute? It inspired me to stumble around the web looking for other such gems and, as it has been quite a while since I did any kind of fashion post, I thought sharing these pictures might suffice ! The theme is cute 50's - as opposed to classic elegance !

Quite obviously I need to get back on the sewing machine again so I have some beautiful and home crafted fashion to show and tell about....but for now, cup of earl grey tea in hand, enjoy a bit of  Internet eye candy - and I hope you have the chance to talk about the birds and the bees on many occasions!

And do enjoy this classic 50's song "The Birds and the Bees" by Jewell Akens by clicking on the last image in this set !

Quote of the Month - April 2012

The best portion of a good life -

the little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love

William Wordsworth



Living Doll - Miss April

Living Dolls are mothers, nurses, models, photographers, graphic designers, grandmothers, students, teachers - infact you name it, they come from every walk of life but have this one thing in common - they love and live vintage !

Meet Miss Carli - our adorable Living Doll for April - a beautiful woman inside and out....not to mention a wonderful vintage inspiration in every way!

What does vintage mean to you?

The Golden Age

What was it that first piqued my interest in vintage?

I found a 60’s velvet patchwork bedspread in my grandmothers cupboard when I was 13 and fell in love with it. That bedspread has followed me around for the last 20 years and still is on my bed all this time later. Around the same time I became obsessed with Ford Mustangs and still am.....anyone have a 66 they want to give me??

Favourite Era and do I live it every day?

I started in Vintage at age 16 with the late 1960’s and 70’s. Flared jeans, crocheted bags and gold lurex sent me all a flutter. Now in my 30’s, I have adopted the 50’s as my Era of choice. The 50’s dresses, flouncy petticoats and skirts suit my figure at this stage in my life. As I age gracefully I intend on moving back to the 1940’s where the tailored suits and skirts will suit my age bracket more than it does now.

As for living it everyday, I do in some way or another. If I am home doing housework, I may be in a t-shirt but my hair is in rollers and scarfed up a la Rosie Riveter style, red lippie on and a couple of bakelite bangles jingling away. If I am going out for the day I always dress up in complete vintage.

Favourite vintage item?

I collect a LOT of different items, due to being an antique dealer in the past....so I have quite a few treasured pieces. But I could never part with my Kewpie Doll Cleanser tin from the 20’s, my collection of 50’s novelty skirts and all my Vintage jewellery I have amassed over the years.

Why vintage culture continues to hold interest for me?

Where do I start? The clothing is divine, the crockery and household items designs were revolutionary and the famous people at the time have never been rivalled in terms of beauty and glamour...and never will be. You can purchase a vintage dress that is 70 years old and it will be in many cases, as vibrant as the day it was made. You could never say that anything made in this generation has been made to last.

It also doesn’t hurt my ego when complete strangers approach me constantly to tell me how wonderful I look

Tips and pointers for vintage newbies;

First and most important, to dress the era that suits you best.

Always match your shoes to your belt.

Hand moth ball thingies all thru your wardrobe!

Youtube is priceless with all the hair style information.

And please, never alter anything or rework a garment...if it doesn’t fit you, just put it back on the rack and let it wait for someone else who fits it perfectly.

Overall of me

:

I live in Castlemaine, Victoria, Hot Rod centre of Australia. Apart from being a glass artist, I have a gorgeous husband and 2 Princess daughters. I blog all things Vintage and Beauty at konadlicious.blogspot.com and all things glass at beadlicious.blogspot.com. I don’t like the term ‘purist’ but I do try to wear strictly Vintage... but an odd piece of reproduction has been known to creep into the wardrobe.

My favourite past time is scouring Antique stores, OP shops, Swap meets and Fairs for new beauties to add to our eccentric house. My collections include: pre 1940’s Advertising tins and boxes, Floral China Trios, Lucite Purses, 1950's Beaded Cardigans, Bakelite Jewellery and Atomic / Novelty clothing.

Who/what inspires and why?

My husband inspires me with his never ending flattery of how gorgeous I am, I’ll dress this way forever if it means a lifetime of sneaky pinches on the bum.

Anyone who isn’t afraid to step out of the normal to express their style inspires me and keeps me encouraged to keep true to myself, even tho it does get me an odd look or two every now and then. Past lovelies include Bettie Page and modern lovelies include Dita Von Teese.

Advancedstyle.blogspot.com is also extremely inspiring and proves that you can always look beautiful, not matter what your age

Alice Jean's morning tea....

I recently had the very great honour of being asked to host a morning tea for the opening of Cohuna's refurbished kitchen and supper rooms. You can imagine how thrilled I was to be approached to do this - the brief was to have a 50's style morning tea and small frock exhibition with me 'dressed 50's' (aka normal) and I was only too delighted to fill those requirements. Gal pal Brooke was on hand to help me hostess and manage (and lend a beautiful air to the proceedings), my amazing mum helped me bake up a storm, and I also received wonderful assistance from the local ladies of the progress association who totally dressed for the occasion (I have been dreaming of gingham aprons with crosstitching ever since !!) Thank you Ros, Dianne, Denise and Wendy!



The hall and kitchen themselves have come up a treat and are a real credit to the vision of the group of ladies who designed the refurbished kitchen, and then guys who made the vision a reality. The Mayor was on hand give everyone a bit of historical background to the hall complex (more on that from me at a later time - Cohuna has the most outstanding mid century musical history you could possibly imagine) and any number of local and state MP's and government officials also got to sample an Alice Jean's sponge! Oh, and see the new hall upgrade too of course (smile).

All in all it was a delightful day that went off without a hitch - filled with country flowers (thanks again Anne Thompson and Mum), pretty frocks and cream cakes to beat the band ! Here are some snaps....

Shame about the chairs behind the frocks, but we had no option there...

Grace Kelly Exhibition...a happy and sad tale.....

How very beautiful was the Grace Kelly exhibition at Bendigo's wonderful Art Gallery. If you have not been yet, or have not yet planned to attend, I highly recommend that you do so ASAP before it is all sold out.....it is proving to be one of the most popular exhibitions Bendigo has ever had. This is no mean feat considering they have staged two previous sensational exhibitions from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London prior to this momentous event - 200 Years of Wedding Fashion last year, and The Golden Age of Couture the year before.

Personally, I couldn't help squeaking with delight as soon as I walked in the exhibition door and saw not one, or two, but three costumes from the adored "High Society".....I kept quoting lines under my breath hoping that no one nearby would think I was insane....but it simply couldn't be helped! Not when you are face to face with the dress that embellished the lines "...and Jack the Ripper - where did he teach? Your father I mean...." or the swimming gown that lends Grecian elegance to the statement 'but I dont want to be worshiped, I want to be loved", and the perfectly equisit pre wedding ballgown that ends up 'in the swimming pool' when Tracey Lord declares "I dont know about you, but I'm going to go in the water". Yes, it is one of my favourite movies......

But so is Rear Window, and there are costumes from that as well. There is Grace's Oscar accepting dress and Oscar on display. There are outfits from her pre wedding trousseau. A replica of her wedding dress I found more captivatingly beautiful that the footage of the wedding had allowed. And there was oodles of footage of Grace at growing up, in the early years of her career, and particularly at home with her family in Monaco. For me, the visit with my best friend Brooke and one very well behaved son was delightful in every way.........

However, there was an underlying element of sadness to the whole exhibition too - particularly once one moved on from the film screening into the Monaco era. The footage made it all too real that Grace was not a happy princess. That she was resigned, sad, and somewhat lost. I was aware before seeing the exhibition that Grace had felt trapped in the years following her marriage - unable to act any longer, a celebrity Princess locked away in her pink palace, devoting herself to her children while craving greater meaning for her life. However, the exhibition and interview footage with Grace gave pronouncement to that sad reality. A woman devoted to her husband and children, but completely at the loss of herself, her freedom, her independence. How are any of us to know in our early 20's what the consequences of seemingly noble, worthwhile and fairytale like choices may mean for the rest of our lives? I walked away in awe of Grace's elegance and beauty, but saddened by the pain her life choice brought her. I am sure there are many women - not just princesses - throughout history who have, can or do identify with Grace's elemental story.......

But, not to leave this review on a sad note, do go and see this wonderful, informative and beautiful exhibition....you will most certainly not be sorry you did!

Local magazine......

A recent article about yours truly in the wonderful 'Local Mag'....so flattered by it I thought I would share !! Do check out the fabulous website and order yourself a copy to access terrific handmade local products, see local models parading local fashions, read some great articles about real people, real lives and real success stories. Above all, support relocalisation in your area - it harks back to the days when we sourced all that we needed locally, and our communities, families, health and lives reaped the benefits !!!!

Quote of the month - March 2012

“If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not the falling down but the staying down.”

Mary Pickford

What a totally inspiring and intellegent woman !!

I love surprises ! A gift and a makeover....

Can you imagine how delightful it was for me to receive a surprise parcel in the mail recently? Dont you just adore those little packages that arrive so unexpectedly? It is those little highlights that add magic to ordinary days........ and when I opened up my little package, there was an entire makeup set courtesy of my dear darling friend Chrissy Keepence from the Lindy Charm School for Girls!

Now, I dont claim to be any expert in powder and paint, infact, I am usually the one begging my friends for their make up secrets and hints, but last Sunday I opened all my new little Lindy Charm goodies and gave them a whirl. Before I tell you just what I thought of my new blush, eyeliner, lipstick (red of course), lip pencil and eyebrow pencil, let me give you a small bit of background about my cosmetic knowledge.....

I didnt start wearing makeup till I left highschool and even then, not really very much till I began my working life at age 20. It wasnt that I didnt adore make up and what it could do to enhance the features God gave me, it was just that, well, it never seemed that important save for all the plays and musicals I participated in. That's perhaps a bit sad isnt it? After all, every young girl loves to play with makeup, and I most certainly did play and experiment, but in the country, 4 hours from Melbourne, there just wernt that many places to wear make up too......

When I began my working life and started wearing makeup every day, I quickly fell into a routine of 60's glam style - you know...winged eyeliner, defined brows, and as I have very thin lips, I tended to play them down with subdued shades of lippy. I guess I just gravitated to what looked beautiful to me in all my favourite movies and images - 50's and 60's styles of course !!! Never one to follow fashion trends and always far more inclined to dance to my own drum......

I have kept pretty much the same look ever since - alternating between red 50's lips, light eyeshadow and winged eyeliner sometimes, and 60's natural lippy with heavy coal coloured eyeshadow and eyeliner. It has been alot of fun, just as make up and dressing should be.

In the early 90's when I was 'getting my groovy on' with make up, I really really struggled to find a liquid eyeliner that would last all day and not crumble off, sometimes I found it very hard to locate a liquid eyeliner at all, as it was not really the norm to wear it at the time - everyone seemed to have that 'shimmery face' look (a look I just cant stand - give me Dita porcelain smoothness every time.) I must confess that I have never really found the perfect liquid eyeliner, although generally speaking, you do get what you pay for. And pre 'Poppy' lipsticks, it was nigh on impossible to find a mat lipstick in golden age of Hollywood red.

Skip ahead to last Sunday as I experimented once again with new make up.....my lippy went on mat and PERFECT in the absolute darlingest shade of red (no Ita Butrose orange to be seen !!!).

My lip pencil complimenting it with precision that did not 'bleed' into the little creases around my lips (yes, age is creeping in!!)

My eyebrow pencil spot on the right natural looking colour.

My blush the rosiest of glows that perfectly suits my pale skin (that is something else I have always found difficult to get just right!).

And the piece da resistance, my wonderful WONDERFUL new liquid eyeliner!! It lasted all day looking as flash and daring at 10pm as it did at 10am.

(Below - the makeover begins)

I am in love !! Did you hear me readers? I AM IN LOVE with my new make up!!!! Please believe me when I tell you that I am NOT just saying this because I know the Lindy Charm gals....this make up has been perfectly orchestrated to suit those of us who want a golden age of Hollywood face. If you like that shimmery face effect, head on down to Priceline, but if mat finish, last all day, perfect iconic colours is what you chase. If Dita, Marilyn, Rita, or Elizabeth is what you are after then these are the goodies for you !!! Miss Chrissy, you have a devote for life in me....no more searching for non-crumbly eyeliner, or the perfect rose pink blush, or chasing that hard to find matt red lippy for me.

A million thankyou's to Miss Chrissy and the Lindy Charm Girls !!!

(First and final photographs in the article provided courtesy of Brooke Orchard Photography)