Vintage Loving Librarian in 6 Inch Heels

a little about my vintage inspired life; from chickens to victory rolls...

Monday, November 29, 2010

I love a good project...

I love having projects on the go. My house and garden are an ongoing project; I am currently finishing the final year of my masters; my main sewing project at the moment is a blouse with a skirt that has a poodle on it to match the blouse!! (I have gone poodle mad).

But my favourite project at the minute is not requiring much work from me - just some tolerance of pain...

Here's the start of my half sleeve tattoo...

The work has been done by Arkham tattoo http://www.arkhamtattoo.co.uk/


Sunday, November 21, 2010

Some things that are making me smile...

A little cocktail hat I made... you can't beat bows or cherries!!

Good hair days - My hair is finally a good length. I cut it very short over two years ago; my hair is so slow to grow!
My new stole. I hope I don't offend anyone with this as it is real fur. I would like to clarify that I do not advocate killing animals for fur and take animal welfare very seriously. I agonised over vintage fur for a long time; my personal view is that in the 40's (date of my stole) things were different, fur was acceptable. I can't change that. I would rather wear this piece of history than let it go to waste. I have modern fur - ALL FAKE!!
Winter clothes!!
Pussy bow blouse - charity/thrift shop
Stole - Ebay
Wool skirt - jumble sale
Belt - charity/thrift shop
Shoes - primark (I do like modern shoes. I love vintage shoes but find it hard to find my size and often don't like how scruffy they are! I like things neat and coordinated; I'm a librarian!!)
Flying Ducks - I have a mid-century modern style in my living room and it would not be complete with out flying ducks! The ducks were from http://www.dotcomgiftshop.co.uk/
I am a very lucky lady as I have a dressing room. Here are my autumn/winter clothes... needs a bit of a tidy!!
What's making you smile today?? :)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Sorry, sorry, sorry!!

I started this blog and have then been really bad at posts!! In my defence I have sadly been made redundant from a job I loved and it was a bit of a blow... but onwards and upwards!!


So on a happy note, here's that post I promised about those chickens...


September 2010 we re homed two chickens, one white, one brown. We then received a third as an engagement present!! The best present ever! Our new chook is named Greta, she is the supermodel of chickens so required a glamorous name.


We got the chickens as I wanted to be that bit more self-sufficient and I love having animals around. I totally underestimated how wonderful these birds are. They have given us hours of entertainment and each has their very own distinct personality.


Vera the little brown hen is the boss. She leads the other chickens and bosses them, and us, about! She gets the best bits of food first and she gently pecks our feet to remind us if we haven't given her a treat for a bit!


Lynn the white hen is the chilled out one. She loves to sunbathe and survey the world perched on the top of my partners bike.


Greta is a stunner. She's a lovely grey/blue fluffy hen. She gets a little bullied as she is new to the group. She's the explorer and loves to hop over the fence for an adventure!


We have a large run for the hens which is all enclosed. We keep them in there when we are not in, to keep them safe from predators. When we are home they are loose in the garden.


It has taken a little time for the dogs to get used to sharing their garden with them but we are becoming quite a happy little family now.


Chickens require very little care but give back so much... and the eggs are just wonderful!!






p.s. please ignore the date stamp - it's still wrong!!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Engaged...

Wow some followers!! Thank you so much for joining me. I was very excited by this news!! :) Its much nicer writing for an audience rather than thin air! :)


So I wanted to do a little post about my recent engagement as it has made me so very happy...


My partner and I have been together for nearly six and a half years and he finally popped the question at the Vintage@Goodwood festival!

It was an amazing, fun proposal that summed us up perfectly (we're a fun loving pair and try not to take life too seriously)...



Whilst merrily skating around the roller disco on Sunday 15Th August 2010, my partner came to skate with me holding my hand. He then led me into the middle of the rink and started to get down on the floor... (at which point I was thinking 'oh great he is going to try a stupid stunt and get injured' - he likes dangerous activities and has had many an injury in the past!!) turns out he was getting down on one knee and proposing!
Of course I said yes and managed to accept, hug and kiss him without either of us ending on our A*s's!! There was much clapping and congratulations... which was so lovely but I was a bit embarrassed! :S



The surprises didn't end there... after the proposal we went to see the Puppini sisters (one of my favourite groups!) and he arranged for me to meet them back stage. They are so lovely, very warm and friendly and they sang to us! It was such an amazing moment that I will treasure forever!

My ring is beautiful and I am so proud of him as he chose it all by himself AND got the size right!!! It is an antique diamond and rubies (my birthstone) ring that has some amazing sparkle!! :)
So last weekend our friends and family gathered in our local pub for a good ol' knees up to celebrate this event! There was much drinking and dancing and even a pinata called Audrey!

Our friends and family decorated the pub with balloons and bunting and my parents surprised us with a lovely cake with a photo of us and champagne bottle shaped candles.

I didn't take any pictures as I was busy mingling so I am relying on others and not many have appeared yet... here's me and my best friend enjoying a drink and a dance (I am wearing the dress I made, i am so proud of it and had lots of lovely comments!)... hopefully I will have some more shorty!



As well as the wonderful party we got spoiled rotten with gifts and the best gift of all... a new chicken!! More on my chickens later!

We won't be getting married until 2012 but I have already bought my dress... I stumbled upon it at FabGabs etsy storehttp://www.etsy.com/shop/fabgabs and I just had to have it! A beautiful 50s gown in my size!! I wish I could show you a picture but I don't want to ruin the surprise!

It is truly a blessing to have found someone to love and be loved by... I wish you all the same happiness!

Toodle pip! X

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Some pictures to brighten all that text!

Some pin curled hair with a gorgeous clip from http://www.bebopbabybarettes.co.uk/
Allotment (not looking so good now as summer is over :( )

My first dress!! I am very proud :)


Distressing an old wardrobe for the spare room (note vintage get up even when doing DIY ;))



My 1950s kitchen cabinet (I have replaced the glass at the top now)




My gorgeous boys Roddy and Buddy
















Hello... suppose I had better introduce myself...

I feel rather strange writing to people I don't know... and maybe no-one at all if people don't read this...


My name is Jo, and I am- as it says on the tin - a vintage loving librarian with a passion for very high heels!


I have been wearing vintage my whole life (We never had much money when I was young and I have grown up choosing many of my clothes out of the charity (thrift) shop! It led to some very creative choices :P) but I have always had a passion for the 40s and 50s, which began when I started watching Elvis films with my Nan! For the last couple of years I have been dedicated to a 40s/50s style, and have possibly bought every type of curler under the sun in my quest for the perfect hair!


I have been following lots of other wonderful vintage blogs for a long time and decided it was time to stop being shy and start talking...


I am no way near as polished as some of the gorgeous ladies out there but I get 10/10 for enthusiasm!


I love vintage as it is aesthetically pleasing to me (I also love the smell... I find something very comforting about that dusky, musky, been in an attic too long odour!!), but I also love some of those vintage values which sadly seem a bit lacking these days. I am trying to live my life in a more 'vintage' way. I try to be the best friend, fiancee and family member I can be. I am active in the little community where I live, I love make do and mend and am having a good go at being a bit more self-sufficient... I have also started using roll on deodorant as a penance for spraying so much hairspray (sorry planet!). I am by no means a saint, but I am trying to be better.


So I am hoping to share with you the trials and tribulations of:




mastering beautiful hair
taking care of my allotment
dressing my curvy figure in lovely vintage clothes
taking care of my two new hens Vera and Lynn
dressmaking - I have completed one dress so far!
planning my vintage themed wedding (in 2012 - we just got engaged at Vintage at Goodwood at the roller disco!!)
keeping my two mad dogs in line
getting my latest (and biggest tattoo)
creating a vintage home
and many more random things that I do....


I hope you enjoy reading and get back to me with lots of interesting things!!


Toodle pip X