Tales from Betty Bee Towers

Pin Ups In Pinnies launch Party-baking,boobies and booze

2012-03-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

My lovely friend Fannie Divine threw a launch party earlier this week for her fabulous new venture Pin Ups In Pinnies.

Her idea is wonderful. You book Fanny and her bevy of pins ups who come to your events and hand out the most delicious cupcakes.Almost like sugar sprinkled latter day cigarette girls. Since it began a few months ago its already becoming a must have feature at glamorous events and even the queen of kitch Cath Kidston used the Pin ups team at a recent shop opening.

Fannie Devine-The ultimate pin up in a pinnie

The launch party was certainly a very glamorous affair. Burlesque lovely Glorian Gray was performing guest list duties and no sooner had you stepped into the venue than you were handed a glass of champagne by Fannie who looked suitably ravishing in her cup cake hair fasinator.

Some of the delicious cakes we were treated to.

As you would expect at the launch of a cake related company there were cakes galore. Everything from absinthe to baileys flavoured confections all served by beautiful 1950's style lovelies.

One of the delectable pin ups handing out complementary cakes

Fannie welcoming us all to her launch event

As if cake and champagne wasn't enough there was also fantastic burlesque by one of my favourite performers Sherry Trifle.

Sherry Trifle

Cocktail flavoured cakes-yummy

The amazing Em Brulee also performed and belted out a great set of vintage standards including some classic Ella Fitzgerald.

Em Brulee

Lilly Von Pink, Em Brulee and me

I went along with my partner in pamper box crime Lilly Von Pink and was chuffed to meet up with two of the coolest gals in burlesque Diva Hollywood and Millie Dollar. We had a good old jangle and ate lots of cake.

Having a good chin wag with the gorgeous Millie Dollar

me with Diva Hollywood, Lilly Von Pink and Millie Dollar

So congratulations to Fannie on a perfect launch night. I'm sure Pin ups in Pinnies will be a huge success and if you need any cake tasters you've got my number.

This week the Vintage Cosmetic company have kindly given me a set of their brilliant Connie lashes and eyelash curler for me to giveaway.

To enter

Join this blog if you haven't already

Spread the good word about this giveaway on Twitter, FB, your blog, or whatever choice of social media you prefer

Leave a comment on Tuesday's post.

The winner will be chosen via random number generator on Friday the 2nd March 2012

All content (text, photos and other) are the property of Betty Bee unless otherwise stated. Please refrain from copying any material without recognition of the author and a link to the source on this blog.

Getting Lashed

2012-02-29T00:12:00.000-08:00

One of the lovely parts of being a blogger is occasionally being sent things to review. Its even better when the things you are sent to review are fabulous. The Vintage Cosmetic company has recently launched with a range of false eyelashes and eyelash curlers so as a full on beauty product junkie when they asked if I would like to give their new range of vintage inspired lashes a whirl I was only too happy to oblige..

The Vintage Cosmetic Company-Girls after my own heart

First off the packaging of these lashes is to die for and the names of the eyelashes are great. There is Connie,Betty Kitty, Nancie and Gracie.Big tick for presentation.

I was sent the Connie pack and immediately thought they looked very natural.
I decided to wear them at a vintage pamper day to really put them through their paces. I get very hot and my make up can slightly fade when I teaching and I also don't want something too uncomfortable (which is my main gripe with many false eyelashes)

I tested the Connie lashes

I asked my friend Lilly to apply them. Now I didn't use the glue included in the pack as I rarely find that the glue you get for free with lashes is any good so I can't comment on that. I used Duo glue as I think its the best and it drys so clear.

having them applied

First off the Connie lashes looked really natural. I have fairly long eyelashes already but they made them look even thicker without looking too drag queen like.

All of a flutter

Secondly they were really comfortable. usually at the end of a few hours of wearing lashes I am desperate to rip them off but these were good.

Lashes looking long but not too drag queen like

I think these are fab and will definitely be using them again. My only gripe is that you can't buy them direct from the Vintage cosmetic company but they do have a good list of stockists on their website so shouldn't be too hard to get hold of.

*Please note I have received no payment for this review*
Check out my Vintage beauty page for more tips, vlogs and reviews.
The Vintage Cosmetic company have also kindly given me a set of the Connie lashes and their eyelash curler for me to giveaway so you too can be batting your lashes the old fashioned way.

To enter

Join this blog if you haven't already

Spread the good word about this giveaway on Twitter, FB, your blog, or whatever choice of social media you prefer

Leave a comment on today's post.

The winner will be chosen via random number generator on Friday the 2nd March 2012

Betty Is Back-The Return Of Madmen

2012-02-28T00:15:00.000-08:00

You may remember I wrote a few moths ago about how I was having cravings for the next series of madmen. Well it seems I haven't got long to wait. A new 'Betty is back" trailer is out and the series starts in March.Woo hoo!

And to get us all ready here is a reminder of my tips to get our Mad men Game on.

Watching Mad Men is like a bittersweet holiday romance. Once a year it crashes into our lives with the force of a bee hived juggernaut. We swoon, we discuss it endlessly and then suddenly its over. Leaving a Don Draper sized hole in our lives. Sure we can watch reruns but like staring at old photographs it just makes the longing more intense.Here are my ten tips of what we can do to keep the flame alive while we wait.

1.Buy A Barbie

Sure we may have thought we had “put childish things aside” once we had our own bank account and membership to the AA but Mattel’s limited edition Joan, Don, Betty and Roger Barbie doll’s are actually far too expensive and fabulous to be considered children’s toys and just think its your game and you can make anything happen including a romance between Joan and Don. It’s doll destiny.

www.amazon.co.uk

2.Read Saturday Night Sunday Morning

First published in 1958 Alan Sillitoes anti hero Arthur Seaton could have been the prototype for Don Draper if Don Draper had found himself working in a factory in fifties Nottingham rather than gliding through the corridors of Sterling Cooper. A womaniser with a dubious moral compass who believes laws are for breaking, he is shocking yet also charismatic. You can’t help wondering if you too would have fallen for his rough charms. The film version of the book is also a treat staring a quite beautiful Albert Finney

www.waterstones.com

3.Watch A Kind Of Loving

This 1962 film staring Alan Bates and June Ritchie as two young lovers in 1960’s Yorkshire is perfect for getting your Betty Draper clothing fix. Ingrid the films passive aggressive leading lady looks absolutely fabulous and the story sums up the dichotomy of the emerging modern world of the sixties still being tethered quite tightly by the lack of available contraception and the old fashioned values of no sex before marriage

Available from www.whsmith.co.uk

4.French Flick your eyes with Mac Fluid line

The Mac team have created the entire make up for the Mad Men ladies and apparently use Mac Fluid line in Blacktrack for Betty Drapers eyes. The gel formula makes applying the liner a doddle and its smudge proof so less risk of looking like a panda after one too many martinis during one your Mad Men inspired working lunches.

www.maccosmetics.co.uk

5.Play LA Noire

If you own an Xbox 360 or a PS3 you can play Rockstars latest release Featuring Mad Men’s Aaron Staton (Ken Cosgrove in the series) as Cole Phelps an LAPD detective investigating a series of horrific murders in 1947. With its trilby hats and noir styling it’s the closet thing to a vintage inspired computer game on the market.

www.rockstargames.com

6. Check out Banana Republics Mad Men Inspired clothing range

Designed in collaboration with the shows costume designer Janie Bryant the collection features nearly 65 pieces including high-waisted skirts, chic tailored dresses and my own personal favorite leopard print pumps with matching cardigans, its never been easier to channel your inner Joan or Betty and the boys haven’t been neglected either with sharp suits, crisp shirts and fedoras included making featuring in your real life version of Mad Men even easier.

www.bananarepublic.co.uk

7.Find Out More about the costumes

If much of the draw of Mad Men for you is the clothes check out “The Fashion File: Advice, Tips and Inspiration from the Costume Designer of 'Mad Men.”This amazing book by Janie Bryant walks readers through the dressing room of the show and discusses the design process behind each characters wardrobe. Its also offers tips on how to create your own vintage inspired looks and how to successfully marry original pieces with new items to create that Mad Men flavour.

www.goodreads.com

8 Make An Old Fashioned

When it comes to liquor Don Draper is a lover of the hard stuff, and his main drink of choice at home, in the office and always in the company of a beautiful woman is an Old Fashioned. Bitter and complex but strangely enjoyable, its not unlike Don Draper himself and very easy to make.

Ingredients

2 dashes aromatic bitters available at www.drinksdirect.co.uk

½ tsp sugar dissolved with water and bitters

1½ oz of bourbon

1 cherry

1 orange slice

1 lemon wedge

Instructions

Fill glass with ice. Add cherry, orange slice and lemon wedge. Pour in bourbon. Serve in a rocks glass over ice.

9. Listen to the soundtrack

The story and performances in Mad Men are so compelling its easy to forget the music but the Mad Men soundtracks transport you back to the 60’s in an instant. The music from series one is particularly good and captures the innocence of the early episodes when all is well between Don and Betty and Sterling Cooper rules the roost in the brave new world of advertising. From Ella Fitzgerald’s “Manhattan” to the beauty of Julie London’s Fly me to the moon it all sums up the glamour of the period. The inclusion of the David Carbonara track Babylon, which is used when Don visits the Beatnik club in Greenwich Village, is a subtle reminder that Dons character will turn out to be much darker than it first appears

10. Visit A Museum

For a real fix of 1960’s nostalgia there are some great exhibitions throughout the UK. From the Land Of Lost Content in Shropshire www.lolc.org.uk to the 50’s Cae Dai Trust museum at Denbigh www.fiftiesmuseum.org and of course the V & A in London is bursting at the seams with fabulous period pieces www.vam.ac.uk/ if only museums had been this interesting at school. Beehive your hair, apply some liquid eyeliner and soak up the history.

So there you have it. My guide to whiling away the weeks until we get Mad Men back on to our screens and our love affair starts all over again.Not long now!

How To Make A Kindle Cover

2012-02-27T00:18:00.000-08:00

As a lover of things from the past, people are often surprised by how much new technology I use in my everyday life. I always think that’s slightly missing the point of being a vintage gal in a modern world. I revel in making the second hand sit perfectly next to shiny new items. This project marries new and old perfectly and takes hardly any time at all to make.

As someone who reads at a frankly scary rate the Kindle has become one of my favourite things. I do however miss the feel of holding a book and also wanted to create something to protect it when I go on journeys or chuck it in my bag.

You can also use this idea to create covers for your i-Pad or mobile phones. Just choose books of the correct size (Penguin books are ideal for i-phones)

You will need

An old hard backed book (use something cheep and cheerful, no first editions)

A measuring tape

PVA glue

Rivet kit (available from craft shops)

Hammer

Old wallpaper or wrapping paper

Half a metre of elastic

Stanley knife

Step One

Remove all the pages from inside your book using the Stanley knife

Step Two

If your book has a loose cover which you want to keep glue this down.

Step Three

Measure the inside of each side of your book and cut some wallpaper pieces to fit. Glue these down.

Step Four

Cut four pieces of elastic approximately eight centimetres long

Step Five

You want to create elastic loops at each corner on the back page of your book. These will hold your Kindle in place. Using the hole punch from your Rivet kit create two holes at the edges of each corner (you will need about five cms distance between each)

Step Six

Using the holes you have created hammer the back of a rivet through the book cover. Once this is secure place your elastic on the top of it and hammer another rivet through it to secure it in place. You will need to do this eight times to create elastic loops at each corner. These will keep your kindle in place when you read.

Step Six

You can embellish the inside of your Kindle cover further by using old lace on the spine or sticking a photo or illustration on the inside cover.

Enjoy creating your very own Trompe-l'œil reading a digital book within a paper one.

Ive got lots of other easy craft and upcycling projects on my How To Page.

Recreating Some Jazz Baby Style

2012-02-23T23:52:00.000-08:00

Last year we shot a lovely set of pictures with the beautiful burlesque performer Mia Merode and my good friend Lena here at BB Towers.

Lena smouldering with 1920's chic

They were inspired by silent movie stars of the 20's as we were launching out twenties inspired Vintage pamper days.

Mia looking like she has just stepped out of a silent movie

Some of these images were used in the Burlesque bible and it was fab to see them in this months issue of Vintage Life magazine too which is all about the style and sophistication of the roaring twenties.

This months Vintage Life magazine with one of our lovely images of Mia Merode

The double page spread featuring our 1920's photos

It was such a fabulous day. Lilly Von Pink did the make up and Lena did the hair (Mia had pinned curled hers the night before so it was perfect) we played lots of Billie Holiday and I draped the set with pearls and cocktail glasses. I filmed some of the days events as well so grab a cuppa and take a look and let us transport you back to the days of the Charleston and carmine coloured lips.

Shit Crafters Say

2012-02-23T06:59:00.000-08:00

Following the love that my Shit Bloggers Say post received last week I just had to share this video with you.
This made my husband laugh so much he spilt a whole cup of coffee all over his keyboard-I think it was the constant refrain of "Are you using this" and "have you seen my glue gun" which he hears from me about ten times a day. So to all you crafters enjoy!

Making A Carrie Bradshaw Inspired Closet for £2.50

2012-02-22T00:17:00.001-08:00

Ive long harboured a fantasy about having a Carrie Bradshaw style walk in closet. Unfortunately living in a mid Victorian terrace I'm unable to give up one room to my clothes and shoes but after years of struggling to fit all my clothes into one tiny wardrobe my lovely husband offered to make me an open plan wardrobe utilising the alcove and wall in our bed room. Although this wasn't planned as a step by step project (and the photos were taken on my phone so are fairly shonky) I thought i would share this as the whole thing cost only £2.50 which was for the brackets.

What we used

For the shelves two old kitchen doors which we found at the local tip.
We sprayed these black with some paint we already had.
A standard clothes rail which had been in our loft for years.
Wood from a broken laundry dyer
Two hanging basket brackets (cost £2.50)
Rail bracket from an old curtain pole
Drill
Saw
Screwdriver
Screws

Step One
Mr Bee sprayed the kitchen doors black and then having first measured the space cut pieces to size. These are to go above my clothes rail to house my shoes and bags.

Step Two
Wood from a broken laundry dryer which has been cut to size is screwed into the wall.This is to secure the shelf which will fit into the alcove.

The shelf is then attached to these.

Step Three

For the shelf going along the wall we fixed the hanging basket brackets into the wall.

Step Four

Fix the shelf onto the bracket.

Step Five

Attach the curtain rail brackets to the underside of the shelf and screw in. This will hold the clothes rail.

Step Six

Put the rail onto the bracket and screw into place

Step Seven

Your open plan closet is complete. It can now be filled with all your clothes, shoes and hand bags.

Look at this lovely space-ready to be filled with swing dresses galore

I can now see what I have to wear at a glance, all my shoes and bags are on display and I feel like I have my own version of a walk in closet. Not bad for £2.50

For lots more craft and upcycling projects check out my How To Page

Entertaining Kids Vintage Style

2012-02-20T23:35:00.000-08:00

As lots of you are probably already aware (either because you already have kids of your own or because the roads on the way to work have been so quiet) its just been school half term.
Now I'm no mummy blogger. I don't say that in a snotty way I completely identify with wanting to talk about your child endlessly and I can see how sharing that on a blog can be enjoyable, its just that whilst I fully expect my close friends and family to pretend they find my regular updates about my child fascinating I don't expect anyone else to.

me with Mini Me

Ive never really felt I fit the mould of typical mum. I love my daughter with a passion bordering on pathological but even early on when she was a small baby I found the fact that lots of other mums only wanted to talk about their children to the exclusion of all other topics quite tedious.My own mum has never been like that either so obviously the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. She had me and my siblings but still did a degree in fashion, worked as a fashion designer and owned her own boutique (one of the highlights of my goth teenage years was when the bassist from The Cult wore one of her paisley shirts on Top of the pops) She was also a punk in the seventies going to see everyone from Blondie to The Sex Pistols in Vivienne Westwood bondage trousers,yet she was also home before us every day, baked amazing birthday cakes and was generally "mumsy" albeit in a fairy glam way.

My very stylish Mum sometime in the late 70's

Anyway I digress. What I'm trying to say is I don't often write about the fruit of my loins as I don't imagine anyone gives a crap. However today I thought I would share with you some of the ways I have entertained a very bored five year old over the last week on a very "vintage" budget.
I have no doubt that she will grow up needing therapy and hating me for not taking her to Legoland (I will feel I have failed somehow if she doesn't churn out a Mommy Dearest style memoir) but right now she feels she has had the best week in the world. Here are the highlights of "BB Style entertainment'

Watching the boats-yes that passes as entertainment. Who needs a PlayStation

Puddle Jumping-Who needs Alton Towers when its wet outside. Putting on wellies and allowing my daughter to jump in big wet muddy puddles killed hours. The joy of having permission to be yobby and get wet should not be underestimated.

Puddle Jumping Joy

Capturing Fairies-The fairies were just prints outs of the Cottingly garden fairies stuck on coffee stirrers and planted in the flower beds which we had to find and trap in old jam jars.She is now obsessed with seeing "real" fairies, god forbid if one ever does stumble upon BB Towers. She will have it netted and in captivity in a heartbeat.

Slurp

Going to feed the ducks and buy a ice cream. You know despite what the adverts tell you a bag of stale bread, starving hungry ducks and the promise of an ice cream actually are as exciting to a five year old as a trip to a "Build A Bear" workshop.About £25 cheaper as well.

Ahoy me hearties

Freebie Museums Can Be Fun. I took my little one to the Liverpool maritime museum convinced she would be bored witless. Whilst she had no interest in much of it she found the old films of people sailing away hilarious and loved the huge anchors and models of boats especially one which was bright pink. I realise she will hate anything at a museum or even slightly educational in a year or so but whilst I can get away with it I'm riding that free admission like a cowgirl at a rodeo.
So those are my tips for entertaining little ones for virtually no money. Thrifty and fun-hell yeah!

Goodbye Jen

2012-02-19T23:56:00.001-08:00

You may remember I wrote a few weeks ago about my lovely friend Jenny who was battling with cancer.
Many of you who read the post went on to donate money towards the pioneering treatment she was receiving in Germany. I'm so proud of you all that did. Giving to someone you don't know is the simplest way to be reminded that there is still so much good in the world.
So its with a very heavy heart that I have to tell you that Jenny passed away over the weekend. She and her husband Andy couldn't have done more. They kept kicking the door down on that terrible illness even when they were told things were hopeless. Jenny was truly inspiring and her relationship with her husband a masterclass in true love.
Jenny you will be missed by all who knew you. You are at peace now with all the pain taken away. I am going to wear black Channel nail polish today in your honour as I remember you wearing it on your wedding day, we had such a good laugh that day and as always you looked fab. See you later chick xx

Jenny Roberts -Beautiful, sassy, greatly missed.

Shit Bloggers Say

2012-02-17T01:11:00.000-08:00

I have been loving all the parody's that have been made since the original "shit girls say" video came out last December.
These ones about Bloggers and facebook addicts are so funny and so true.Something to have a laugh over this Friday.

If like me you are a regular facebook user I defy you not to have sad one of the things mentioned in this clip.

And for no other reason than I just find her piss funny check out Jenna Marbles if you don't already. Her unique brand of insanity always makes me laugh.

Have a great weekend.

Feeling Like Anthea Turner On Steroids

2012-02-16T03:06:00.000-08:00

Lately Ive been feeling like Anthea Turner on steroids. Remember when she made Tracy island for Blue peter and every week she would have various stages of the project made so she could walk us child nerds through the elaborate process, well that's kind of my world right now.

I'm on the big push to get all the craft projects for my handmade wedding book completed. With thirty five to get done and dusted by March speeding up the step by step actual photography is vital.

Despite the chaotic appearance this is all very logical I promise

Rather than waiting for glue and paint to dry and hold up each photography session while I painstakingly finish each creation I have been making different stages of each project.

Step One, try not to chop your fingers off

Rather like those posters you used to get of the evolution of man, from ape to human with all the knuckle draggers inbetween Ive been making a craft beginning, middle and end.

Imagine the craft version of this-welcome to my world

Its meant that on every available surface there are feather and gem encrusted items, glue guns, sequins, fabric and lots and lots of ribbon.

A classic "set up shot"

Ive surprised myself with how quickly Ive adapted to this rather odd way of working and feel confident that should the bottom fall out of this writing malarky I would make a great demonstrator at somewhere like Hobbycraft. Think Fannie Craddock with felt and spray paint.

I will now demonstrate

Anyway I better go now, crafts wait for no women especially on this scale. What craft projects have you guys got on the go at the moment?

Why Im A Retro Tart

2012-02-15T01:06:00.000-08:00

As regular readers of this blog will know I absolutely love the style and design of the 1950's. If I was forced to wear clothes and hairstyles from only one era it would be this one. I love the patterns, colours and shapes of that decade probably over any other.

Oh if only I could commit to one era

However whilst I mostly wear clothing influenced by the fifties I am something of a vintage magpie, or retro tart as I like to think of it.

Today I'm pretending to be Rosie the riveter

I look at certain stylish girls who wear clothes only from a certain period with such attention to detail and va va voom and wish so much I could be like them. I'm like the serial womaniser who longs to settle down with that perfect lady but keeps being tempted by other shiny pretty things.

Red Swing dress. Perfect behind my leopard print bar.

You see while I love the 1950's I also adore some aspects of the 1940s. The land girl look with snood and wide leg pants is a staple of my winter wardrobe. And when I'm at home working on craft projects or being a mama I often revert to my eighties student look. A cross between the Belle Stars and Bannarama. Quiffed hair, a tea dress over leggings and clumpy brothel creepers.

My eighties student look-tea dress over leggings

I also flirt with SKA and when the mood takes me will wear my Rude Boy hoodie with a black and white checked headband.

Rude Girl Chic

I'm a style misfit, a mish mash of eras all crashing into one wardrobe. Ive recently brought a few of Pearl Lowe's gorgeous 1920's inspired dresses from peacocks so I can go from twenties jazz baby 1940's chic to 80's student in just a few days.

Polka Dotty

I don't think I will ever change and Ive accepted my eclectic ways. Clothes interest and excite me too much for me to stayed tied to one period of time. I'm a true lover of vintage and all the periods of history this incorporates.

I'm a leopard grrrr

I'm a retro tart and proud.Do you stick religiously to one era or like me are you a flitter?

the Big Concealer Review

2012-02-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

I am always looking out for that magic concealer which will cover up the rings under my eyes. I'm lucky in that my skin is generally quite good but I do get dark rings which are very hard to cover and now that I'm a bit older I have a few fine lines as well, I also have red patches on my nose cheeks and chin. Ive invested in quite a few conclealers over the last year so thought I would review each one for you. I have left one half of my face without foundation or concealer on so you can see the difference.I used all the concealers with a primer underneath so they would glide on smoothly.

Time Balm-The Balm Cult Beauty £15.50
This concealer has got quite a buzz around it on beauty blogs so was one I asked for in my Christmas stocking. In terms of covering my dark rings it preformed quite well. I looked a little fresher. It was quite drying though so definitely needs applying over primer or moisturiser under your eyes to prevent dragging.The side on which I'm holding the box is the side I used it on and you can see its evened out my red cheeks and side of my nose quite well. Not really made much of an impact on the under eye circles though. Not the wonder product I thought it would be and quite expensive.
Betty Score 3/5

Time Balm-If I could turn back time I probably wouldn't have brought it.

Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer £13.50

Mac products are universally loved by those in the know and this concealer ranks high on various review sites. Its got quite a thick almost pan stick texture so did slightly sit in the lines under my eyes.It did smooth out all my facial redness though and noticeably lightened under my eyes. Good product but not crazy about the texture.Would probably work well on younger skin and would be great at covering up spots

Betty Score 3/5

Mac-Good Coverage but quite thick

Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer £7

This concealer is marketed more as a radiance and anti fatigue type concealer rather than a straight forward cover up. Its got a lovely thin consistency so no dragging under the eyes and it definitely made my skin look more even and softened the rings under my eyes. My only slight moan is that it doesn't respond well to be "worked" a lot by which I mean you need to get it blended in fast or it starts to go a bit powdery Its a bargain at £7 though so a great budget concealer.

Betty Score 4/5

Bourjois-A thrifty little wonder

Maybelline Superstay 24 Hour £7

I am already a massive fan of the Maybelline mousse foundation and this concealer by them is a total wonder. Its thin enough that it doesn't drag the delicate skin under your eyes, doesn't sit in fine lines but offers really high coverage. I'm a total convert and think it blows its more expensive competitors out of the window.

Betty Score 5/5

Maybelline-My top pick.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer £17

This is probably one of the most disappointing beauty products I have brought in a long time. I brought it along with the foundation and corrector after reading rave reviews on a few well respected beauty blogs. It is not creamy in the least. It is so dry it pulls at your skin and goes horribly chalky. I tried mixing it with a little moisturiser but the end result was always flaky and patchy. I passed it onto my friend Lena who has skin as soft as a kittens paw and she also found it horribly drying.
Betty Score 1/5

Bobbi-Brown. I'm smiling in the picture but inside I'm weeping at the money wasted.

Please note I have received no payment or samples. This review is simply my opinion. My skin type is normal. I used Loreals Studio Secrets Primer under each concealer and applied them with a brush.

Reclaiming Valentines Day

2012-02-13T02:03:00.000-08:00

I should say straight off the bat I am not a huge fan of Valentines day. Of all the "seasonal" celebrations its the one most steeped in commercialism. Over the years me and Mr Bee have spent many a February the 14th paying over the odds to go to a restaurant only to be surrounded by bored looking couples who obviously have nothing to say to each other eavesdropping into our conversation. I also hate the way it makes people who are not "coupled up" feel on the outside, as if they are weird or missing out on something.
This year I have decided I am going to reclaim the whole idea of Valentines and refashion it into something inclusive, meaningful and sweetly old fashioned. Here is what I intend to do:

Tell My Friends And Family That They Rock My World

I'm sure we are all guilty of taking our friends and family for granted. Lets hijack the saccharine sweet tradition of Valentines Day and use it to tell those people in your life who mean the most that if they are ever arrested they can use their free call on you.
This doesn't have to be in card form (chances are they would find a valentines card from you a bit odd) it can be a text, an e-mail or even said over a coffee. We are British so don't labour it or we shall all be embarrassed but a swift "you are a good friend even if you refuse to "get" my love of Barbra Streisand and mock my need to have organisational 'compartments' in my handbag" is enough.

Write My Husband A Love Letter

Pre e-mail there was a period of time when my better half and I lived in different cities. Being the sort of person who writes quite compulsively anyway I would regularly send him all kinds of letters and postcards, we found these recently and they were lovely to revisit. Rather than buy a card this year I'm going to write him a letter telling him how much he means to me. Thanking him for the fact he always gets up first and puts the heating on and makes me a cup of tea, that he never bats an eyelid when I leave fake hair lying on the stairs or throw used make up wipes at the bin and don't pick them up when I miss and most importantly of all that he believes in me and always has even when I haven't particularly believed in myself. I wont lie I will decorate this letter with felt tipped drawings of cats wearing jaunty hats and boobies. its how I roll.

Read Something Intense And Dramatic About love.

I have a few books which I revisit when I want to feel lifted up by the power of love. Some of these include:
Henry And June by Anais Nin

I love this book. Based on the 1930's diaries of Anais Nin whose meeting of the famous and charismatic writer Henry Miller and his equally captivating wife June changed her forever.
Stifled by her marriage to the dull Nin she first embarks on a passionate affair with June and then when June leaves starts an equally intense relationship with Henry which also intellectually awakens her. If ever there was a book which illustrates you can love different people for different things this is it.Its also brilliantly French and sophisticated. I like to read it wearing a beret and pretending to smoke a Gauloise but that of course is optional.

The Unbearable Lightness Of Being By Milan Kundera
The film version of this book staring Daniel Day Lewis is also worth a watch as well (Juliette Binoche rocks some fab 1960's styling)
Set against the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia,we follow the flawed relationship of Teresa and Tomas. The theme of the book is that Teresa can not separate sex from love and therefore suffers from the heaviness of life due to Tomas infidelities, while Tomas has many lovers despite knowing his heart belongs to Teresa so has the unbearable lightness of being. I particularly love how beautifully Kundera writes about Teresa's love of her dog Karenin. At one point when she discovers that Karenin is sick she muses that her feelings towards her pet are purer than her love for her errant husband as the dog expects nothing back except love and gives only that in return.Played out against political turmoil its a great read and if you watch the film you will instantly want to own an old bowler hat.

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
Set in Australia in 1915, this hilarious saga chronicles the forbidden love between beautiful, headstrong young Meggie and the emotionally incontinent priest Father Ralph.This was one of those books me and my friends passed along to each other secretly when we were about fourteen along with Judy Blumes "Forever". its satisfyingly saucy and tragic and you will stay up all night reading it I guarantee.

Pampering Myself
Finally having told my loved ones they mean the world to me and indulged my inner romantic with some good old fashioned literature and I will complete my reworked valentines day by playing Billie Holidays Songs For Distingue Lovers whilst wearing a face mask and will make a list of all the things that are actually quite cool about myself because to quote Buddha “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

Style Me Vintage:Clothes. Bettys Book Of The Month

2012-02-09T00:52:00.000-08:00

Ive been looking forward to the Style Me Vintage book for a while. I follow the writer Naomi Thompson on Twitter and she is a font of knowledge on all things vintage.

First things first this book is seriously pretty. Its a simply scrumptious coffee table book and is looking quite ravishing here at BB Towers.I admit when it arrived I did a rather girly squeal.
Looks aside though this book is a fantastic introduction to sourcing vintage clothes and putting together looks using clothes from the past. Handily divided into eras its a great quick reference to whats shapes and designs were prevalent at certain points in time and the photographs are really lovely using some seriously gorgeous models including one of my personal faves Fleur De Guerre.

The lovely Naomi Thompson

This book could easily have became worthy or patronising but is refreshingly relaxed about how you put things together and mixing eras. This isn't about looking like you are going on a World War Two reenactment day its about finding beautiful vintage clothes to wear and enjoy.Naomi offers simple straight forward help to get you started in the world of vintage clothing and whilst she is obviously incredibly switched on about all aspects of buying historic clothes the styling of the photographs and writing in general reflects a love of fashion full stop, regardless of the era.

Putting the fun into sourcing vintage clothes

As well as guiding you on styles and eras the book also features tips on how to care for vintage clothes, what to avoid, easy ways to date items as well as a great list of labels to look out for and further reading if you decide to delve deeper into this fascinating world.
Definitely my book of the month. Its only £5.99 on Amazon at the moment so adding this to your vintage reference library wont break the bank.
Style Me Vintage: A Guide To Sourcing And Creating Retro Looks by Naomi Thompson
Published by Pavilion
Available to buy from Amazon

Getting Your Retro Fix From The High Street

2012-02-07T23:57:00.000-08:00

Every few years certain eras have a "moment" in current fashion. Designers look to the past for inspiration and if you are really lucky it can be the era that you love the most.
This season there is some fabulous 1940's and 50's styling going on, this is great for me and means I can update my wardrobe without being completely reliant on charity shops and ebay. Here are a few of my favourite picks from the high street.
H By Henry Holland For Debenhams
There are at least five things in this collection which I would love to own. The feeling is very 1950's Betty Draper, lots of bright prints and cute shirt dresses. My favourite though is this navy Eiffel Tower and poodle print for £36.Coupled with a headscarf and bright red lipstick and I think this would suit me down to a tee.

Poodles and the Tour De Eiffel

Car Print Skirt Primark

There was a slight flurry of excitement when Primark revealed pictures of their Spring/Summer collection and although I have a bit of a love hate relationship with the brand as the stores are always like glorified jumble sales but I admit I have already decided I have to have this skirt which is £8 and features vintage cars.

Fab Car print skirt from the house of Primarni

Spring Daffodil Dress Topshop £36

This dress is like a wish for spring made in clothing form. It may look ridiculously light while most of the country is surrounded by snow but chuck a cardigan on with it and its perfect.

making me believe spring is nearly here

Keyhole Tea Dress Peacocks £20

Despite the world of Peacocks being totally topsy turvy their shops are still open and they still continue to have some lovely clothes in. I'm loving this new tea dress, very Mildred Pierce. Please don't go Peacocks. We love you.

Another Peacocks triumph

Grey Wool Mix Cardigan Laura Ashley £42

Ive also been lusting over this. I know, I know, lusting over a grey cardigan isn't the coolest thing but it looks as soft as a kittens paw and would make me feel all post war utility chic until this cold spell is over.All it needs is a snood and some wide leg trousers and my dig for victory look will be complete.

Battle ship grey and soft as a kitten

So it would seem that for a few months at least the high street is the vintage loving gals friend. Hurrah!

Crafting The Perfect Wedding

2012-02-07T00:58:00.000-08:00

Many of you may have got engaged over Christmas and with Valentines day this month bringing many engagements,thousands of couples up and down the land will be planning their big day. As you are reading this blog chances are you are a lover of crafts, and certainly someone who appreciates the joy to be found in the home made.

Strangely as soon as an engagement ring is produced even the most ardent crafters often seem to take leave of their senses and become like bridal robots. Ordering overpriced stationary, taking out second mortgages for flowers, and generally forgetting how their crafting skills are such an asset when preparing for something as costly as a wedding.

With a little thought your wedding can be beautiful and unque
Photography-Betty Bee

Making things for your big day will not only save you money but it guarantees that in a sea of bridal uniformity your big day will be totally unique.

Now no one is suggesting you drive yourself into an early grave attempting to create every aspect of a wedding yourself, that would be madness but consider a few of these simple ideas which take no time at all to make and will ensure your craft stamp goes through your wedding like a stick of rock:

Handmade props can add homemade fun to your big day
Photography-Betty Bee

Hair fascinators. A glue gun, hair comb, a few feathers and you can create beautiful hair adornments for your bridesmaids and flower girls in a few hours. Get them around and make a bridal craft party. Throw in some cocktails and it could even become a mini hen celebration.

Hair fasinators-So easy to make

Cakestand displays. Using cake stands as table centres looks absolutely fabulous and other than sourcing the old plates is as simple as drilling a few holes.
Candles make great wedding favours and can be used to add twinkle to your wedding reception. Fill china cups or make floating candles using soap moulds and then dot them around in water filled glass bowls.

Cakestands make great table centres

Name Cards. When creating name cards for your tables you don’t even need to use paper. Collect pebbles from a beach and simply write your guests names on in gold or silver pen. Alternatively bake cupcakes and stick little home made flags in each one using stickers and cocktail sticks. The cakes can be part of your sweet course and will add some pastel coloured decoration to your tables.

Floating Candles can add lovely twinkle to your reception

Ensure your female guests dance all night by providing a basket of flip-flops. You can decorate these with rhinestones so they are extra special

Bunting is such a doddle to make. The look doesn’t have to be vintage, you can choose any fabric to complement your theme and even attach crystals or beads to the bottom so your entire reception is festooned with sparkle.

Bunting-add some od fashioned chic

As you can see the only limit when it comes to wedding crafting is your imagination. Whether you are the bride to be, chief bridesmaid or mother of the bride lets get crafting and make home made the wedding must have of 2012.

China Tea Cup Candles

You can find step-by-step instructions on how to make many of the projects mentioned on my How To Make Page

LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER

Photography Betty Bee

Discounts now available for Vintage themed weddings and/or Tattooed Brides at Betty Bee Wedding Photography. Don't be a cog in the machine - let your individuality shine - contact Betty Bee

Monday Brain Fluff

2012-02-06T01:05:00.000-08:00

Its Monday, Its freezing. We need warm comforting brain fluff to get us through today. Nothing heavy, nothing too insightful, just a gentle infusion of synapses candy.Hope this helps.

Tim Walker-My New favourite Photographer
I have a new tog crush.The mad as a box of frogs English photographer Tim Walker is a genius with a light meter. If you want to loose an hour of your life indulging in pure photography heaven check out his website.
His photos in last months Italian Vogue are magnificent.

Photo Tim Walker

New Prada Campaign Spring/Summer 2012
I officially want all the clothes and the cars featured in this trailer. Prada has gone all retrotastic with their latest collection and I am loving it long time.

Ruby Slippers Book Mark
Forget chocolates or naff cuddly bears,this is the kind of valentines gift which would make me very happy indeed. A bookmark which looks like the crushed witches feet from the wizard of Oz twinkling with those lovely ruby slippers. Perfect.Available from the cute Bookmarks etsy store.

Books and shoes-A perfect combination

New Series Of Game Of Thrones

My inner nerd has been made mighty happy by the news that the new series of Game Of Thrones hits our telly boxes in April.Dragons, zombies, sword fighting. All in an average Saturday night in Liverpool.

Madonna Give me All Your Luvin
Madonnas thighs seem to be having a career all of their own. I strongly suspect they have separate management and their own trailer.Proving once and for all that age ain't nothing but a number her Madgeness (and her thighs) are still rocking da house.

Have a great Monday.

Im Having A Brain Snap

2012-02-03T00:25:00.000-08:00

I think dear friends I may have been inside the house working on my book for rather too long.
I thought I was handling it all quite well. The isolation, the stress of hitting the deadline. I was sprinting through it like a victory rolled gazelle. Sure Ive felt a little bit more frantic, maybe not as mentally "relaxed" as I would like but in general I thought everything was fine.
Certain "incidents" however suggest otherwise. In the last few days I have done the following:

Listened to the Amy Winehouse version of Monkeyman everytime I have made a cup of tea. Nothing too odd in this you may think but this is done whilst performing a strange monkey dance waiting for the kettle to boil. This started as a way to entertain myself, to fill the quiet and make myself laugh but has now taken on an almost ritualistic aspect. Without Monkeyman the tea tastes funny.

Taken to wearing my pink glasses which have plain glass in them whenever I write. Ive decided they have a special juju and make me write better. The sane part of me knows this is ridiculous, however the crazy woman on a deadline part of me is not prepared to risk it.I brought these glasses at Ripley's Believe it or not in Florida last summer. I half suspect some residual voodoo from all the shrunken heads and human skin drum kits has furnished them with "powers"

These glasses may or may not have special powers

Have started to feel a strange affinity and kinship with Dandelion the caged Lion character in Noel Fielding's new show Luxury Comedy. All I need is a tyre on a rope and a framed picture of David Lee Roth and I'm set.

Better go, time to rattle around the house like the mad Women in the attic. Part Miss Havisham, part Jimmy Kranky (minus the threesome)

On a different note this painting by Frida Kahlo is so fantastic that I want to mount it.

Oh Frida I love you, you monkey loving, muzzy wearing goddess

Normal service will resume shorty .Tally Ho!

Dress You Up With My Love

2012-02-02T00:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had such a fabulous dress related adventure. I need a new frock to wear in the "author" photo for my book and was delighted when the lovely Deborah Payne from Shameless originals offered to make me one.

The Divine Deborah Payne. Designer and all round creative whizz at Shameless Originals

Ive been a fan of Deborah's designs for quite a while. She has a beautiful studio in the heart of Liverpool on Hope street and creates the most beautiful creations. From wedding dresses to party frocks her work is always fabulously tailored but with a quirky twist which really sets it apart.Her eye for fabrics is just amazing and she really understands how to make "real women" feel like vintage inspired goddesses.

One of Shameless Originals beautiful dresses.
Photo by Nikki Harris

Her 1950's inspired swing dresses are simply scrumptious and its one of these which Deborah will be creating for me.

from this little work station comes dresses of dreams

Bursting at the seams with creative ideas

Over tea and cake (this is a lady who knows how to look after her clients) we chatted about styles and influences and I looked at the beautiful dresses and fabric which fill her studio.

Another Shameless Originals Frock
Photo by Nikki Harris

From mood boards to magazines her studio just brims with creativity and examples of her lovely work are dotted all around the place.
Ive now been measured from top to toe, discussed sleeve and hem lengths, even the type of underwear I will be wearing underneath so that the finished dress fits like a glove.

One of Shameless Originals fabby Swing Dresses

I adore this tea dress

Ive got my first fitting in two weeks and can't wait. Is there anything more indulgent than having something made to measure?I don't think so.I will keep you posted on how the finished dress looks. I already know I am going to LOVE it.

You can contact Deborah at design@shamelessoriginals.co.uk

The Craft Clutterbug Strikes Again

2012-02-01T00:16:00.000-08:00

Ive always been a bit of an untidy crafter. When I see articles about various creative types who seem able to work from a petal pink studio with nothing but a suitably vintage old school desk and a trendy 1960's chair I am always flooded with feeling of shame at how hideously untidy my work room is.

The kitchen table covered in board and half completed craft projects

It would be no big deal if it was only the studio/office which was a craft induced tip but as the deadline to my craft book inches ever nearer the craft crap is spreading throughout the house like a form of hobbycraft sponsored fungus.

The top of the washing machine covered in boards and used as yet another craft surface

As I write this I have currently got half finished projects on the kitchen table, in the utility room, in the garden and the hall. The studio is such a scary place that my husband and daughter who supposedly share it with me enter only in extreme emergency's. Eyes darting left and right as they wait for a half made bouquet or table centre to crash on their heads.

The utility shelves groaning under cans of paint, plates, sewing machines and wood

Once the big push for my book is over I will take as strange satisfaction from putting everything away, cleaning brushes, putting scraps of fabric in the rag bag, loose buttons in the button tin. It will stay like this for about two weeks when I have to make something else for a magazine or blog feature and then slowly slowly it will start again.
Run for your lives!

Dont Sweat The Petty Things, Dont Pet The Sweaty Things

2012-01-31T00:34:00.000-08:00

This picture popped up on my facebook feed yesterday and made me laugh out loud.

I had actually used a "Keep Calm And Carry On" style poster for that days blog post and then later in the day whist queueing at the post office I saw shopping bags with "Keep Calm and carry on shopping " emblazoned across them, watering cans with "Keep calm and garden" painted down the side and mugs with "Keep Calm and drink tea" Yes I thought as much as I still love the original sentiment the "Keep calm and carry on" slogan has had its day. Its original sentiment has been lost and we longer even read the words.Ring the funeral bells, order the flowers Keep Calm and carry on's moment in the sun has passed.

Its all over

The thing is I loved the initial saying. Life can be stressful and frustrating and irritating and to dig deep and find some of that war time grit can be helpful.What could replace this I wondered? If we are not keeping calm and carrying on are we going to run screaming, being hysterical and giving up?
No we need a new slogan, one which sums up modern life. One which is infused with the same can do spirit as the original one which is just as easy to remember and which will look great on posters and mugs.
It was my mum who introduced me to my new replacement slogan. Mama Bee is quite eccentric and loves silly sayings. Whilst moaning about something to her recently she chimed in with the following.

"Don't Sweat The Petty Things,

Don't Pet The Sweaty Things"

I have decided this slogan is genius. It neatly tells us all to shut the fuck up, take a chill pill and not waste time on the unimportant.

I'm not petting a sweaty thing-honest

I'm not sure this slogan will be cropping up in interior magazines or on the front of notebooks and do you know what? I'm quite comfortable with that.
Ive taken my new slogan to heart. Yesterday afternoon following a bit of a craft disaster involving spray paint, icy conditions and crockery I ditched the lot, collected my little girl from school and went to the local cafe for hot chocolate. See not sweating the petty things.

Keeping The Faith

2012-01-30T00:33:00.001-08:00

Today I wanted to tell you about my lovely friend Jenny Roberts.
I first met Jenny a few years ago when myself and my husband photographed her wedding to the lovely Andy.

Jenny and Andy on their wedding day

I instantly loved Jenny. Like me she is a nut about all things 1920's, is a total beauty product junkie and loves a good chat over a cuppa.

Going all Lauren Bacall at a vintage pamper day

I knew that when she got married she was recovering from bowel cancer and was amazed at how she took in her stride what had obviously been a tough old time.
Ive since seen Jenny a few times and of course conversed over the wacky world that is facebook. She came to one of my Vintage pamper days and totally rocked the Lauren Bacall look and popped over last year to buy one of my cakestands bringing along her gorgeous dog Moo.

Life's kicked Jenny and Andy in the ass a bit recently with the cancer returning to her lungs and liver. Never one to quit Jenny is currently undergoing a course of treatment called whole body hyperthermia at the FachKlinik, a specialist hospital in Hessen, Germany.

Carried out by cancer specialist Dr Alexander Herzog, the process, delivered in conjunction with chemotherapy, helps treat cancer and boost the immune system by raising the body temperature to 107–108°F.

Jenny in Germany

Now my medical knowledge is mainly gleaned from old episodes of ER and Greys Anatomy so that means nothing to me but apparently this Dr Herzog is the Yoda of the cancer treatment world. Jedi Cancer masters don't come cheep and the first stage of treatment has cost £14000. This has gone well but now Jenny's family need to raise the same amount again.

Jenny's friends and family are a determined lot and have whipped themselves into a frenzy of charity events everything from quiz nights to bag packing sessions at Tescos.They run a facebook page called "Keep The Faith" and whenever things are looking particularly sticky for Jenny she will get hundreds of KTF messages popping up on the page.

So my post today is asking you guys to join me in helping Jenny and her fab husband Andy "Keep The Faith" by making a small donation.

Yes I know we are all skint and you don't even know Jenny and you only came onto my blog to listen to me chat shit about victory rolls and lipstick but if you regularly visit Tales from Betty Bee Towers you know me and you also know that I never use this twinkly little blog of loveliness to hustle. This dear friends is an exception. Jenny is a girl, like us, a cool vintage botherer who swoons over eyeshadow and forces her husband to watch Downton Abbey.She is part of the sisterhood and this is a call to arms.

Even if its only a few quid that's fine, in fact that's more than fine thats great.

You can donate sing this link http://www.keepthefaith.org.uk/donations

Five For Friday

2012-01-27T00:28:00.000-08:00

Everybody knows that Friday is really just a day for surfing the web, and killing time until the bell rings and the weekend begins. Here are my five fabulous things to brighten up your day.

Nigellas Marmite Spaghetti
I love Nigella and not just for her glossy hair and lovely boobies. Her recipes are pretty hot too. They always work and are never over complicated. This week I'm drooling over her recipe for Marmite Spaghetti. I know what I will be cooking over the weekend

Loving Nigellas Spaghetti

Snow White Decals for the Mac

These decals are all over etsy at the moment and I must say I'm sorely tempted to get this Snow White one for my Macbook.

I think I have to have this

Dita Von Tease by Douglas Friedman for Instyle

I found these photos of Dita whilst looking at www.ananasamiami.com they were for last February's Instyle magazine. Just dreamy and perfect photo fodder to waste some time on.

Dita looking just beautiful

This is what I look like baking-honest

Sea Odyssey Giant Spectacular Liverpool 20-22 April

A few years ago I was lucky enough to see the Giant Spider puppet created by marionette experts Royal De Luxe.On a wet afternoon I watched in awe as the brilliant machine like puppet crashed through the streets, it was both exciting and surreal all at the same time.

So its very exciting to hear that RDL will be back in Liverpool in April.

This time a 30ft Little Girl Giant will take to the streets in a giant spectacular show produced specifically for Liverpool. Its set to be 2012's largest UK street event and will commemorate the centenary of the 1912 Titanic disaster. Sounds like a great afternoon to me. For more details go to www.giantspectacular.com/

Kiss And Bake Up Tee Shirt
You may remember I profiled Nick Bees art work a few weeks ago. His latest design is a fabulous tee shirt for those creative bakers at Kiss and Bake up. Modelled by the very lovely Missy Malone.Eating cake has never looked better.

Kiss and Bake Ups great new tee shirt

So that's my five for Friday. Whatever your plans this weekend have a good one.

Today is the last chance to enter my lovely giveaway. In Grips We Trust is the cutest little etsy store which sells beautiful bobby pin boxes with pictures of old Hollywood stars on them. They come with hair grips contained and are my new favourite thing. I have the Bette Davies box (of course)

I adore my hair pin box

Gina from In Grips We Trust has kindly donated a victory roll box to give to one of my lucky blog readers and entering couldn't be easier:

You could win this fab little box full of hair grips

To enter

Join this blog if you haven't already
Spread the good word about this giveaway on Twitter, FB, your blog, or whatever choice of social media you prefer
Leave a comment on Mondays post.

The winner will be chosen via random number generator on Friday the 27th January 2012

Voice Of The Beehive

2012-01-26T00:23:00.000-08:00

Challenges ahead-break open the confidence tool kit

Whenever I have an important meeting, a particularly daunting task or feel I need some extra fizz I have a set of go to rituals to help me look my best.I I think of these as my confidence tool kit and they always help me feel outgoing and positive. Obviously I'm aware that the best way to project confidence on the outside is to feel it inside but I like to give mother nature a little helping hand.
My tried and tested tricks include:
Lots of hair-I always put some false pieces in when I want feel especially confident.My natural hair is like thin brown mist so whether its a fony, a few clip in pieces or a quarter wig the bigger the hair, the bigger my confidence.One day I might just go out as Cousin It from the Addams Family.

Too much?

Need a confidence boost-bouffant your hair

Bright red lipstick-The more striking the better. This is my war paint and always makes me feel sassy.

A slick of red and I'm ready for what the world wants to throw at me

Perfectly applied

Drag queen eyelashes. If my eye lashes are fluttering like RuPauls then I'm set to conquer the world.

My eyelashes-a new source of eco friendly power

I'm not alone in having little tricks to make me feel my best. I remember reading an interview with Amy Winehouse where she said "The more insecure I feel, the bigger my beehive gets," I completely relate to this. When the pressures on my quiff gets bigger, my petticoats get wider and my make up gets thicker.

Amy with her huge bee hive

As I hurtle towards my book deadline (which has my little girls half term slap bang in the middle) don't be surprised to see me tottering around Tescos with kohl slicked panda eyes, lips like a fire engine wearing a ball gown. To quote the legendary Dolly Parton "It's a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I'd be a drag queen."

it takes a lot of money to look this cheap

What tricks make you feel more confident? New shoes? matching underwear or is it as simple as having a quick squirt of your favourite perfume?

I have got the nicest giveaway this week. In Grips We Trust is the cutest little etsy store which sells beautiful bobby pin boxes with pictures of old Hollywood stars on them. They come with hair grips contained and are my new favourite thing. I have the Bette Davies box (of course)

I adore my hair pin box

Gina from In Grips We Trust has kindly donated a victory roll box to give to one of my lucky blog readers and entering couldn't be easier:

You could win this fab little box full of hair grips

To enter

Join this blog if you haven't already
Spread the good word about this giveaway on Twitter, FB, your blog, or whatever choice of social media you prefer
Leave a comment on Mondays post.

The winner will be chosen via random number generator on Friday the 27th January 2012

Sassy Self Employment

2012-01-25T00:15:00.000-08:00

A rather depressing report came out this week saying a quarter of people with their own businesses were finding times so difficult they were considering becoming employees again. No one could blame them, the economic climate is making it so tough just to keep our heads above water and being on someone else's payroll with paid holiday, sickness and NI contributions is obviously tempting. Before we all wind down our ventures and start hitting the job centre though its worth knowing that according to the office of National statistics last year 67'000 public sector workers were made redundant and only 5'000 jobs were created in the private sector.Sobering stuff. So if its that much harder to make a buck what are the small low cost changes we can all make to our businesses to try and keep the wolf from the door during 2012?
Here is what I am doing.

Sassy and self employed!

Getting things ship shape
January is often a quiet time of year for small businesses. Instead of mooning about worrying about what the future will bring use this time wisely. Start with your client facing profile. Does your website need a tidy? Could your company blog do with a rejig? Been meaning to set up a work related twitter account or facebook page? well now is the time to do it. If you work out of premises give them a good clean. If funds can stretch touch up the paint. If you work from home get that office tidy. Make sure your systems for filing, receipts and paperwork are efficient. You will be a well oiled machine when things start to pick up.

Come on chop , chop-tidy up that office.

Take A Good Look At Yourself
When you are self employed its often really difficult to take a moment and reassess your business. Looking at what you offer though and tweaking it to reflect current market trends can make all the difference as to whether you survive or go under. Your pricing structure or packages may have made perfect sense two years ago but do they still work? Are they popular? Think about feedback you have received, ask former customers to fill out a short survey. Get to grips with what you need to do and start doing it.Also take the time to research the market more. What are other people doing? Maybe you could collaborate with some other companies who are on the same page as you. Seek out sponsorship. Aim high don't assume that because a company is well known and doing well that they wont be interested in working with you.

Collaborate with others

Plot out your year
Most businesses are seasonal. Whether you work in retail, are a performer,are in the beauty,leisure industry or design certain parts of the calender will be busier than others. If your business is one which relies on things like Easter, Valentines and Christmas think of some really exciting promotions. Organise promo photos and write the marketing content. Knowing you have a strong idea of what your business has to offer will make the promotion of it so much easier.

Use your quiet times wisely

Find New Suppliers
Quiet times in business are a great time to start looking at how much you pay for materials and whether you can get them cheaper elsewhere. By examining your margins you can also see areas of your business which are just not profitable enough. Changing what you offer and finding more competitive wholesalers can help you offer your customers some better deals.This approach can be applied to anyone who is self employed. If you travel for work can you find a way to get cheaper train fare? if you have promotional materials like flyer's printed can you find a more competitive price and what about your business banking are you getting the best deal out there? If your income is small guard it carefully.

making savings which don't effect quality can really help

Sell Yourself
Having a decent press release about your business can be a massive help for generating free publicity. I am going to do a post specifically about writing a good press release but in the meantime,its worth thinking about these key points:
Keep it snappy.
Make sure it reflects your company's personality
Ensure the contact details are all correct
Ring or mail first so it goes to the right person

Testing, testing, 123

I have now set up a page called Sassy Self Employment which has all my articles and tips on working for yourself and navigating the job market. If it helps you during these tricky times I will be very happy.
Together we can do it!

I adore my hair pin box

Gina from In Grips We Trust has kindly donated a victory roll box to give to one of my lucky blog readers and entering couldn't be easier:

You could win this fab little box full of hair grips

To enter

Join this blog if you haven't already
Spread the good word about this giveaway on Twitter, FB, your blog, or whatever choice of social media you prefer
Leave a comment on Mondays post.

The winner will be chosen via random number generator on Friday the 27th January 2012

blog.

My New favourite Place

2012-01-24T00:20:00.000-08:00

Ive written before about my love of haberdashery shops. I can spend hours looking at different ribbons, threads and fabric.I find fabric stores so inspiring and also strangely restful-its as if the rest of the world disappears as I fondle rolls of silk and tulle.
As I'm working on a craft book I have recently discovered another kind of shop which is fast becoming my second favourite place to go and have a wander. Floristry wholesalers are as the name would suggest places where flower sellers go to get all their materials for making up bouquets, table centres, wreaths and for picking up items for window displays.
The one near me is fabulous. It is always full of beautiful flowers, ribbon, tissue paper, glitter and so much more.

Making the place look untidy-hanging out at the floristry wholesalers

Over the last few months I have spent many hours picking up bits and pieces to help me make my wedding craft projects and I'm always inspired. Whether its a simple display of whirligigs or a huge floral centre piece I find I always walk away full of ideas with lots of thoughts on colour schemes and how to put things together.

Big up blighty Whirligigs

Twinkly pearl covered roses

The other thing I love is that they have huge seasonal displays much earlier than the shops, so Christmas decorations are for sale form September with every colour scheme imaginable and hundreds of decorations. Right now its all about spring and Easter so the shop is alive with pastel coloured eggs and fluffy yellow chicks. The perfect antidote to this cold winter weather.

Huge displays of every flower imaginable

Spring is in the air-felt watering cans

Sometimes I just nip in to buy ribbon or a handful of crystals from the rows upon rows of jars. I never leave empty handed and I always love going there.

sparkly gems in every colour

yards of ribbon

Ive just returned from buying delicate sugared almond coloured butterflies and yards of ribbon in baby's breath. I'm all set for my next project and have yet again walked away with lots of ideas buzzing in my head.Where do you go to get inspiration for your craft projects?

I adore my hair pin box

Gina from In Grips We Trust has kindly donated a victory roll box to give to one of my lucky blog readers and entering couldn't be easier:

You could win this fab little box full of hair grips

To enter

Join this blog if you haven't already
Spread the good word about this giveaway on Twitter, FB, your blog, or whatever choice of social media you prefer
Leave a comment on Mondays post.

The winner will be chosen via random number generator on Friday the 27th January 2012

Dropping A Love Bomb On Da House

2012-01-23T00:27:00.000-08:00

Dropping Da Love Bomb

Last week I sent an e-mail to another blogger just to tell them how inspiring I found their work. I don't know them, don't want to be their friend or be on their blog I simply wanted to let them know that what they do inspires me and makes me happy.

I call this "dropping da love bomb" Its a really good habit to get into. If someone does something that you like, tell them. If a shop gives good service, a meal at a restaurant is particularly delicious or somebody performs a random act of kindness which impresses you then drop "Da love bomb" on their house.

As I came up with the concept of "da love bomb" there are few rules namely:

Don't drop a love bomb in the hope of gaining something. That's being a creepy bum lick and is something entirely different.
Don't drop a love bomb and expect the person to respond, That's not the point of a love bomb. You send your love off into the sky like a heart shaped balloon. Its not coming back. Bombs travel forward-they don't return.
Don't be surprised if your love bomb is greeted with suspicion. Few people do anything nowadays without an agenda. Its why award ceremonies like the Pride of Britain are so popular. being selfless or acknowledging others is sadly not the norm.

Sending a Love Bomb into the air-Image by Bansky

So if you are unlikely to receive thanks, cant expect to even get an acknowledgement and certainly cant drop a love bomb in the hope of getting something back why do it?

Why? because you do get something back. It feels ace to tell a fab photographer you saw their recent exhibition and it rocked, or the local green grocer that their carrots made your Christmas dinner, or a girl in the supermarket that her dress is amazing. It spreads a tiny amount of happiness onto the toast of life.

Sending love bombs doesn't replace having a healthy cynicism, a black sense of humour or enjoying a good bitch, no no no.You may only press the button on your Love Bombs once in a blue moon, you have to be in a very particular frame of mind to do it.

Press the button. Image by Banksy

The idea is give praise where praise is due and if you are very lucky someone occasionally may send one your way. Perhaps when you are having the day from hell. You have laddered your tights, gone overdrawn, dented your car, its all gone to rat shit and you get a little facebook message,text or a card and suddenly every things groovy.

I realised this was the right blog to start the week with when I went to have a little look on youtube for a song with Lovebomb in the title. I found the campest song by a welsh glam rock group called Tigertailz. Totally mental straddling a pink "LoveBomb" perfection!

So my lovely readers lets fill the air with Love Bombs. To get you started I have got the nicest giveaway this week. In Grips We Trust is the cutest little etsy store which sells beautiful bobby pin boxes with pictures of old Hollywood stars on them. They come with hair grips contained and are my new favourite thing. I have the Bette Davies box (of course)

I adore my hair pin box

Gina from In Grips We Trust has kindly donated a victory roll box to give to one of my lucky blog readers and entering couldn't be easier:

You could win this fab little box full of hair grips

To enter

Join this blog if you haven't already
Spread the good word about this giveaway on Twitter, FB, your blog, or whatever choice of social media you prefer
Leave a comment on this post.

The winner will be chosen via random number generator on Friday the 27th January 2012

The Best Birthday Card In The World

2012-01-22T02:06:00.000-08:00

Last night I went out for a belated birthday meal with my lovely friends. It was a great evening, we ate tapas, drank weird hazelnut flavoured liqueurs and discussed life's weightier matters such as the Adrian Mole book being thirty years old, Celebrity big brother and the chapter in Russell Brands Bookywook 2 which features the lactating lover.
Ive already had lots of lovely presents but my friend Helen gave me a bag jam packed full of beautiful goodies (thanks sweetie) and I also received this card from my friend Bobby-Lou.

me in cross stitch-love it!

Yes its a cross stitch picture of me. I didn't open it until I got home and haven't laughed as much in ages. So to Bobby-Lou thank you for the most thoughtful and frankly mental birthday card I have ever received. You are a legend.

Five For Friday

2012-01-20T00:23:00.000-08:00

Well its been just under a week since I came back from my holiday and to be honest the cold weather has been pretty depressing. Here are some of the thing which have made made it slightly more enjoyable.

Gala Darlings Blog
Most of you will already be familiar with the Rock n Roll Bride blog. Whether or not you are planning a wedding it always have amazing creative features and editorials so well worth a peak. Its through Rock n Roll Bride that I found Gala Darling. I love this blog and here is one of the many reasons why. This clip is hilarious

Cool LA Apartment by Topsy Design

I found this picture on the etsy blog. Its a fabulous apartment designed by Jared Frank and Sam Jacober the talent behind Topsy Design. With the weather being so cold the thought of living in this fabulously eccentric house in the sunshine of LA has featured a lot this week in my daydreams.

Cool eclectic pad in LA

Collectif Mariella Coat £125

When its this cold one of the few saving graces s that you can drool over winter coats. This lovely leopard number by Imelda Mays fave brand Collectif is on my lust list.

Grrrr

Bourjois Volume fast and protect mascara

My lovely friend Lena brought me this for my birthday-I love it so much I may do a youtube vlog on it but in the meantime its definitely making my five for Friday list.It has a rotating brush which means all your lashes get completely covered and look so long and thick. My favourite beauty product at the moment.

This mascara is amazing

Fabulous Amy Winehouse Cover

I don't know who this duo are (if you do please let me know) but this is just genius.

Hope you all have a fantastic Friday!

How To Make Facebook Fun

2012-01-19T00:24:00.000-08:00

A new report out this week has found that facebook can make people feel very sad. Utah Valley University who conducted the study found that the fact we all post up our very best pictures and often only report good news actually made others feel inferior. Almost like standing on the sidelines of a great party you haven't been invited to.

Its only facebook

Ive been a "facebooker" for a few years now. I remember when only one of my friends was a member and my profile picture was the only photo for my account. The popularity of the site has been quite staggering and in that time Ive made every mistake and been every facebook cliche going. Here are my tips for enjoying facebook with your sanity and self esteem intact.

Choose Your "Friends" Wisely
We all have to present different versions of ourselves to fit certain situations.
The wild haired gin monster our friends see down the pub singing Heart songs might not be the same person who attends school parents evening for example (and if it is you need to maybe take a time out piss head) it astounds me then that people have a one size fits all facebook account. Really?
So you are going to let some random friend of a friend of someones cousin look through pictures of your kids? listen to you moan about your runny arse or weird crush on Professor Brian Cox? I have two facebook accounts, one I share with the world and his wife-Its my flotsam and jetsam profile,my facebook commune. I think of it as the social media version of when the Beatles went to hang out with maharishi I don't care who joins it and I keep life on their bright, breezy and silly.
My personal facebook page is a rather more dark twisty place. I would like to say its a more exclusive club but I'm sure the twenty or so friends who are "lucky" enough to have access to it rather wish I would burn it down for the insurance. I bitch about work, moan about the gas bill and enjoy my mates taking the piss out of me. I learnt this lesson the hard way. Facebook grew so quickly and at first it seemed silly and over complicated to have two profiles. However as more and more people joined my page (often as a result of having met me through work or events) I started to feel my privacy was being slightly compromised and more importantly the privacy of my daughter. I'm not obsessive about this and will still post up the odd pic of the fruit of my loins on my work page but generally I keep family stuff on my personal page where it belongs-to bore senseless my twenty or so "real" mates.
Having two profiles means if someone you really don't want knowing your business puts through a request you can divert them through to your open page which is still you, and funny and lovely but doesn't share the more personal stuff such as how much you hate your boss and think she looks like Greg Wallace from Masterchef or are skiving because you have a hangover.

Vent At Your Peril
As Ive already mentioned I love to vent on my personal facebook page. I work from home, have no water cooler moments and quite honestly am quite a moaning Minnie anyway. What I no longer do is vent on my "open" facebook page. if something has really upset or enraged you having the sympathy of a thousand strangers is not going to make it better. Leave that to the real cranks like the Daily Mails Liz Jones.
Its too easy to try and make a point using facebook and its so passive aggressive. I see it all the time. people slagging off ex boyfriends. saying how shit everyone in their life is or having a massive argument all from the relative safety of their PC. its always worth thinking would I say this to someones face? If the answer is no-press delete. Ive only had one real argument on facebook.It wasn't a very impressive spat, no Crystal/Alexis wrestle it was more low budget in a Sally Webster from Corrie type of way. Afterwards I felt totally ashamed of myself and hated how excited it seemed to make other people.If ever there was a lesson in taking a breath before typing that was it. I vowed there and then never to let it happen again and Ive stuck to it (apart from to berate my husband for buying own brand soup-but hey I'm only human)

Be A Good FB Friend
Despite all the negative press facebook gets its still an amazing way to keep up with friends and family and get to know new people safely. Ive read some really snarky pieces of journalism saying how people shouldn't be baby bores with their photos or post up inane status like "love my life its the best" to this I say fooey. The joy of social media is that no one can tell you what to say or do. I love looking at pictures of friends offspring, pets, house renovations. Its the small things that make the world go round. I don't go on facebook to be intellectually challenged I go to see what people are up to, get involved in silly banter and watch cat videos.

Know When To Take A Break
The thing to understand about facebook is that much like knowing when to leave a party there are times when a week or so off is fine. If you are displaying slightly stalkerish tendencies,spending far too much time looking at photos of people you barely know, if your closest friend is someone you have never met in the flesh, if you are actually saying LOL then turn off the laptop, go for a walk and speak to a real person.It will at least give you something to update your status about.

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The Craft Clutterbug Strikes Again

Dont Sweat The Petty Things, Dont Pet The Sweaty Things

Keeping The Faith

Five For Friday

Voice Of The Beehive

Sassy Self Employment

My New favourite Place

Dropping A Love Bomb On Da House

The Best Birthday Card In The World

Five For Friday

How To Make Facebook Fun

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