Outfit: Saturday Afternoon Tea

Yesterday I went to visit a very lovely friend for afternoon tea. I took the opportunity to wear the latest dress I purchased from etsy.

Outfit details: 1950s dress - etsy; vintage stockings - op-shop; shoes - Rubi Shoes.

Just to show I wasn't unhappy, despite my expression in the full length shot. It's difficult to smile when the camera is on self-timer and the sun is shining in your eyes!

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Outfit: You're not looking at a Queen, You're looking at an Ace!

In between my last post and now, I came down with a cold which completely drained me of my will to blog. Today, I am feeling better and come bearing an outfit or, rather, a costume.

Every six weeks there is a grad dance for the Swing Sesh (their courses run in six week blocks) - they used to be held on Saturday nights but now they have joined forces, I suppose, with the weekly social night, Light Square Stomp. There is always a theme and, as it was also a farewell for Lexi (one of the teachers - she's going overseas) the theme was Alice in Wonderland (it's Lexi's favourite). I re-watched the Disney version (which I still favour) to get some ideas and, after many which I would not have been able to achieve in the time I had, I settled for the Ace of Hearts!

Outfit details: hair bow - etsy; hair ribbons - ?; earrings - gift; shirt - op-shopped (heart + buttons sewn on); 'a' brooch - craft fair; skirt - made by my mum; petticoat - Hero Vintage; stockings - Whacky Shack; shoes - Kmart. 

I think most people thought I was the Queen of Hearts, though. Never mind!

I was inspired by Ruby's version of The Freelancer's Fashion Blog's five minute hair tutorial (which I think I missed the first time around? How did that happen?) but did my hair in plaits because...I didn't want to curl it and I have too much hair to hold in a bun. I usually don't bother with rolls and things because, frankly, I'm too lazy to perfect them! But I thought I'd do something different last night.

Boy, I hate flash. Shows up all those pesky flyaways.

We sewed buttons and a heart onto a t-shirt I bought at an op-shop the other day.

A few of you asked to see more photos of the Adelaide swing scene so I took a few shots last night during the Jack and Jill contest, just to give you a bit of a glimpse, at least.

As it was an Alice in Wonderland themed night it was a special 'Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum' Jack & Jill so everyone had to try to mirror what their partners were doing. It was a lot of fun to watch! I took some other photos with a point & shoot film camera I bought for 3$ the other day but we'll have to wait for those. Hopefully, they turn out!

And, to explain the title of this post, here's what is probably a terrible song from a terrible movie (sequel), which I happen to love, unabashedly.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Outfit: Fab Friday Night

I went to the first night of a 50s/60s music night on Friday (which was called Fab, hence the title of this post). It felt a little like the DJ had raided my personal music collection - there wasn't one single song that I didn't know so I had a very good time. I decided to go for the 50s side of things with my outfit, of course, and brought out a dress I haven't worn in ages.

Outfit details: 1950s dress - Salvo's; belt - gift; bracelet - Rubi Shoes; vintage stockings - Antique Market; shoes - Rubi Shoes.

I don't wear this dress much, anymore, because it's so delicate and I love it so much. Then I realised that having it sit in my wardrobe not being worn wasn't really showing it how much I love it, anyway. Poor neglected thing! It's almost the only thing I've found from a Salvo's that is older than mid-late 60s.

I also don't wear this cardigan enough.

After I took the first two photos I decided I want to wear the bow I bought from Hopelessly Devoted.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

P.S. Like my new header? I'm working on matching buttons (for flickr, twitter, etc.) and I've added a couple of new pages (you can see them just under my header - are they helpful, do you think?). I also need to do edit/add more blogs to the blogroll. I'm just being lazy about it.

Outfit: Stomp Stomp Stomp

As I mentioned in the last post, I was out Lindy Hoppin' all night at Stomp, the weekly social swing night but I've only just uploaded the photo of what I wore:

Outfit details: hair scarf - Good Will; earrings - gift; vintage sweater - Irving Baby; belt - ?; vintage skirt - Salvo's; socks - Big W; saddle shoes - Payless.

The pink & the red clashed a little more in reality but I almost always like pink & red together...plus, when the lights are dim no one can tell the difference anyway. 

I only ever really get the chance to take one or two photos before I realise I'm running late and always forget to take detail shots. Never mind! 

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

P.S. I'm working on some of your suggestions - I'm really glad a lot of you wanted me to share my favourite music!

An Apple a Day

I just want to thank everyone for their comments/suggestions on my last post. I should clarify that I didn't mean I want to change anything about my blog but, as they say, variety is the spice of life and I was just looking for ideas of different things to blog about to keep it interesting for myself. Of course, I like to keep it interesting for the readers but, while I'm still going to do all the same things I've been doing, it's nice to have different things to blog about just so that I don't get bored.

A few people suggested posting things that make me happy so I thought I'd share something that I'm excited about, right now (in a very short post): over the next couple of weeks I'm finally learning how to do the Big Apple! I've been wanting to learn this dance for ages and, thus far, have been having a lot of fun watching my friends do it. For those of you who have never seen it, take a look at this video (the Big Apple is followed by some awesome Lindy Hop):

Pretty nifty, huh? I'm going to need a lot of energy!

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

P.S. It's past 1am, right now, and I've been out Lindy Hoppin' all night so I truly hope this post is coherent! Also, I've started a tumblr - just going to be a bunch of random, not necessarily vintage, things I like. I finally hopped on the bandwagon.

Uninspiration

I find myself, yet again, utterly lacking in inspiration. Not just in blogging but in life in general. I struggle with anxiety (mainly brought on by ‘social phobia’ apparently) and mild depression (I suppose this is the correct way to ‘label’ it but it does sound absurd to use words like ‘mild’ as though depression were a headache or a cold) that I feel is often linked to my anxiety.

I don’t often write about this publicly on the internet nor do I talk about it a lot, in general*, (though more than I used to) but I think it helps explain my lack of inspiration. I’m going through a period of what I’m sure Jane Austen would call ‘low spirits’ and am, therefore, finding it difficult to find both motivation and inspiration.

So, what I’m asking of you today, dear readers, is to make some suggestions – anything you’d like to see that I don’t generally blog about or, perhaps, more of something I already do. I’d prefer it to stay in the vintage/fashion theme that I’ve used for the rest of my blog – of course, if there are questions about any other part of my life you’d like answered, feel free to leave me one on formspring. I’d be more than happy to answer (most) anything anyone is curious about. Feel free to ask me to blog about anything you may have been curious to see, even if you think it may be a bit of a challenge. I know it can be hard to suggest things - in fact, I know I never do when others ask because I just can't think of anything! - but if you can think of something I'd very much appreciate it.

I have a list of ideas for back up blog entries but none of them are appealing to me at the moment. Though I could probably fill up a hundred entries with all of the things I’ve got my eye on at etsy, right now! Mustn’t spend!

Thanks in advance, dear readers!

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

*I think one of the reasons is that I don't want people to think I'm fishing for sympathy when I'm just trying to be honest - I'm sure a lot of you feel the same way!

Camera Collection

I collect a lot of things. I suppose vintage dresses make up my 'main' collection but it's not my only one. Another collection (which is significantly smaller, but just as prized) is my camera collection. They're not all vintage, they're not all functioning, but they're all beautiful (to me, at least). I mainly collect them for aesthetic value.

1st row L-R: Canon Canonet Junior; Fugica Automagic 35; Hanimex VC3300; Pentax Pino 35.

2nd row L-R: Kodak Brownie Camera (not sure of model - there are a couple on this page, though. I got mine for 2$!); Kodak Pocket Instamatic 100; Kodak Brownie Starflash; Kodak Instamatic 104.

3rd row L-R: Fanta Can Cam; Lomography Oktomat; Diana F+; Polaroid I-Zone.

4th row L-R: Polaroid Land Camera 1000; Polaroid Sun 600; Six-20 Brownie Junior Model; Kodak Jiffy Six 20 Series.

Some alternative views:

I found another one of these on etsy. Nifty, huh? 

Six-20 Brownie Junior, Super Model. A little bit of info here.

Kodak introduced the Pocket Instamatic in 1970.

This is a little bit different than what I usually blog about but I found myself rather lacking inspiration and, as I spent so much time photographing my cameras this morning, I thought I may as well share them! 

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Outfit: Saddle Shoes

I finally have saddle shoes! Huzzah! I am very, very excited. Some people think they are an element of vintage attire that stray to the costume-y side but I care not - I think they're the best shoes in the entire world. OK, perhaps that's a slight exaggeration but I really, really love them an awful lot. And they look pretty nifty with my Freddies utility jeans.

Outfit details: hair scarf - ?; cardigan -  Cotton On; blouse - op-shop; 40s repro jeans - Freddies of Pinewood; saddle shoes - Payless (via an awesome friend).

My awesome friend Bethany (who also has a blog that you should check out - here) bought them for me (Payless doesn't ship to Australia) and they arrived yesterday. I was so excited I knew I had to wear them right away so I wore them to the Adelaide Ukulele Appreciation Society meeting, last night. It was the first time I'd been and it was so much fun! One lady said she liked my outfit (& my bowling shoes...I suppose they do resemble them, a little) and an older gentleman said my outfit was taking him back (to his youth, one presumes). 'I'm just picturing myself with a rifle under my arm, wearing khakis and with my slouch hat on!' he told me. 

I should have rounded up some of my favourite shots of others with saddle shoes on - perhaps I'll do another post on that, if I don't forget/get too lazy. I do have a song about saddle shoes, though - 

If anyone knows of other songs about/mentioning saddle shoes, please send them my way!

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Lipstick, Powder & Paint

I haven't had much to blog about, lately, (although I do have one outfit that I need to upload soon) so I thought I might just do something a little different. I mainly focus on clothes, here, as well as some music & films that I like, but today I'm going to show you what I put on my face!

I don't use any foundation on my face - I never have - but I like to use Jurlique Lavender Silk Finishing Powder to take the shine off. It's really lovely, smells good and doesn't add any colour to my complexion. Apparently it comes in rose, too - I may have to give that one a go next time.

I tend to ignore the old adage of 'less is more' when it comes to blush - I've been using Pink Swoon by M.A.C. for over a year, now, I think. It's a really fine powder and lasts a long time (I've not had to replace it, yet - are you meant to replace blush every few months or is that other cosmetics? I don't actually care) and it's a very pink pink which I like.

I use this set of ecotools brushes - admittedly, I mainly only use the big brush and the eyebrow/eyelash ones - which is absolutely divine. The brushes are so soft!

The only eyeshadow I use is Colour Rush Due Eye Shadow in Peach Passion (#610) by Rimmel London. This image isn't quite the same but it's basically just a warm, light neutral tone (which I use on my eyelids) and a darker tone (which I use in the crease). I also use eyebrow pencil - I've been using one by a cheap brand called Savvy by DB but it didn't look the same so I've bought an Australis one as a replacement, today.

On the rare occasions that I do use eyeliner I have L'Oreal Paris Lineur Intense in Black Mica. (Can you please let me know if this link doesn't work - I was having some trouble with it!) 

When I buy mascara I usually just go for what's blackest and cheapest but I quite often go back to Great Lash by Maybelline. It doesn't claim to make my lashes fatter, longer or to be able to play the piano but it works! And it's fairly inexpensive, too. 

As I mentioned a little while ago, I've made my first foray into M.A.C. lipsticks (& pencils) with the lip pencil in Redd and the lipstick in Ruby Woo.

I'm not sure that I'm 100% sold, yet. I do love the very matte look but don't like how dry my lips feel (which a few people noted before I bought it so I went in with eyes open, so to speak). Before that I was using Intensely Red by Max Factor, which I'll probably still use from time to time but it's not quite so matte.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm has been my default lip balm for the past four years, roughly. I first bought it when I was in the States and had to get my pal Bethany to send me loads over, before it was available here. In fact, she sent me so many that I still have some unopened, somewhere about the place. I swear by this stuff.

When I'm not feeling lazy, this is what I use to get it all off (I often either don't bother, or just use soap. Sshhh!) - it's basically Pond's Cold Cream but Dove took over in Australia, apparently. Mum even told me it smells the same!

Then I follow up with this fantastic stuff (again, if I'm not feeling lazy).

I'm not particularly loyal to any of these brands but I do find it's rather costly (in time & money) to go experimenting with lots of different ones. I like having new make-up but I hate buying it - I'd much rather spend money on clothes, though I know without the make-up I do use the whole look wouldn't be quite complete. Anyway, I'm not sure of how much interest this is but hopefully it's of some!

Love, 

Andi B. Goode

x

Outfit: Roller Derby Sunday

Yesterday, I went to the roller derby to see the Salty Dolls v. the Mile Die Club (the former won, for those interested). I was still feeling unwell but, having pre-ordered a ticket, I went along anyway. I also wanted to support some of my lovely friends - the Radelaide Ragdolls - who performed a smokin' blues routine at halftime. 

Because I wasn't feeling well I went to my default comfortable, yet still vintage-esque, item of clothing: yes, that's right, my Freddies jeans! I think it may have been dangerous to buy these because I want to wear them all the time and I used to be a very, very, occasional trousers gal. Oh dear.

Outfit details: scarf - op-shop; sunglasses - op-shop; letter cardigan - Revival; belt - ?; 1940s repro t-shirt - Freddies of Pinewood; 1940s repro jeans - Freddies of Pinewood; shoes - KMart.

As you can see, I'm also wearing the other shirt I bought from Freddies. They're both incredibly comfortable and fit really well, too. I think this one I got in a large, because they didn't have medium, but the blue I got in a medium. And, as I said, they fit perfectly. Oh, and I was snapped by a newspaper - it may have been The Advertiser but I didn't listen properly - and they asked me all about my outfit but who knows if I'll make it in. I shall have to keep a check on the papers!

And here's a snap of the lovely ladies I mentioned. They did a really great job! I was nervous/excited for them and it went really well. Huzzah for the Radelaide Ragdolls!

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Style Icons {Ethel Mertz}

I haven't done one of my style icon posts for a while - I think the last one was on my mum - but hopefully this will be the first of many more to come.

Now, everyone loves Lucy (at least, I like to think that they do) and why shouldn't they? But I happen to think Lucy's best gal pal, Ethel Mertz, is just as cute and stylish as Lucy herself. So, this is my little tribute to one of the best best friends in history: Ethel!

I've always not-so-secretly loved Ethel's hair.

I also love her facial expressions.

And she has some very cute dresses that I wish were in my own wardrobe.

Here's a video of Lucy & Ethel being incredibly cute, that I just adore (and check out Ethel's snazzy ensemble, too).

What other friend would be willing to be the back end of a horse for her pal?

I grew up watching I Love Lucy. I still haven't seen every episode (would you believe it's not available on DVD in Australia?) but I have a few VHS tapes full of episodes my sister taped from TV that I've practically worn out. The show is a big part of my personal history and it never fails to make me laugh, even when I know what's coming! Ethel is a very important ingredient of the show, just as each character is. I love the friendship between Lucy and Ethel - they fight but always make up, they get up to mischief, they sing, they dance and, gosh, who could want for a better friendship?

Hopefully, this becomes a regular feature again (along with Silver Screen Sunday) because I like to share more than just my own outfits with you all. I think sharing my other interests, even if they're still vintage themed, helps to get to know more about me and getting to know little things about other people is one of the things I love about the blogs I read.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x