| Vintage Haul | Absolute Vintage & Blitz Vintage |

Yesterday morning I took a trip down to Brick Lane, It was such a lovely morning, really crisp and spring-like.

Whilst there I looked about Rokit but had no such luck with finding anything in there without huge shoulder pads *Wince*.

I love the Antiques market! I had to pull myself away from about 30 different things, I had no way of carrying them! I'll have to take my muscles next time, or Ricardo as some people call him...

After admitting defeat, I went to my favorite Vintage Store in London, Absolute Vintage. 

It's the same as most, a Labyrinth of rails and do-dads, but there is one reason I love it so. Without fail, there is always the £1 Bargain Bin.

A Scary thought for up-nosed shoppers, but for me HEAVEN. I get so stuck in digging right to the bottom for a real treat.

They also have a selection of Bags, Shoes & Belts for £1.

Here is what I found:

Mock-Croc Handbag

£1

A little worn with cracking at the Handle but oh so couture! Dress it up with a little black dress and some pearls for that City Glamour. I really hit the jack-pot with this one, I can imagine the swinging 60'er who would of held this with Pride.

Grey/White 60's Handbag

£1

I'm unsure if this was originally white, and grayed with aged or just a light grey altogether. Either way I love the shape and size! Prefect for a little Tea Dress and Sandals! Also it has Suede Lining, how luxurious. I think it's such a sweet summer bag!

Dusty Rose Jacket

£1

Dusty by name, dusty by nature. This piece needed a button Which I've now sewn on, but fits so nicely, cinching in at the waist for an elegant throw over any vest or dress! If I get tire-some of the long sleeve i could always crop it for a little tea coat. So sweet over white cotton summer dresses.

Traditional Chinese Silk Dress

£1

I know what you're thinking... has Josie really come home with this piece of Tacky tat. BUT, I must scream it's praises after I thought the same thing upon pulling it out of the Bargain Bin! 

I thought 'how tacky' but when I caught my reflection holding it up the colors seemed to make my face glow.. and when I tried it on, well the Fit & elegant collar made my cheeks rosy and eyes glisten. Okay, tad over exaggerating but you wait until I wear it!

60's Cotton Two-Piece Suit

£2 

This really was the crowing glory on my day. I have searched Ebay far and wide for a two piece in a light blue as i want to do a D.I.Y with one. I saw this and almost yelped with joy!

Such luck to find not only the top but the skirt too in there!

Once trying it on it was the perfect fit, so I took it home with me.

I purchased some buttons from the counter to match the light blue, as the buttons on this were a little...eh.

Wait to see what I've got in store for this one girls!

Blitz Vintage

Blue Chiffon Shift Dress

£10

I also paid a visit to Blitz vintage, It's notorious for flyering in Brick Lane, there's always 10 or 20 percent off. It makes no difference to the prices however because you still pay more than the items are worth. Maybe i'm just sour. 

Upon walking in i see this dress shining from a sale rail, dashing over the the 'Half-Price' sticker I grabbed it.

Made in Paris. 

How fabulous, Made in Paris! oui oui! It had such lovely detailing over the bodice part and a curved shoulder cut. Inside the shoulder there were little clasps to hold your Bra strap in place, A little known fact that this detail alone contributes to a well made True Vintage item.

Excuse the photo i'm not sure why it won't upload properly! 

So in love with the item; I glanced at the £10 sale label, not normally being one to spend so much on one thing.

Having just come from Absolute Vintage and only spent £6.10 there my ideas of a bargain had been slightly changed.

I bit my bottom lip and handed over the crispy £10 to the sales assistant thinking 'THIS IS A BARGAIN'.

Although I make myself sound horribly cheap, Honestly I got outside and thought £10 for True Vintage, okay okay.

I'm a little unsure of the sizing of this item, I may have to get my sister to try it on. But i can see it's potential. I'm off to a haberdashery today to but lots of pearl beading to attach to the bodice for an extra oomph, Increasing it's value if i choose to sell it on!

Anyways, excuse the slight essay! But what would a blog post be without a story or two! Keep tuned for D.I.Y's on the Suit & Blue Dress!

Lots of Love!

xxxx

Paper Bunting | How To |

Ok so I made this really cute and simple bunting recently and it makes any room instantly attractive!

 It's also dirt cheap so if you're a Uni student this will make your room look adorable! ♥

You Will Need:

• Wallpaper or Decorative paper                
• Lolly Sticks                                 
• A ball of household string                   
• Ribbon
• PVA Glue / Mod Podge / UHU
• Needle & Thread 

1

To begin with, Lay out your paper and draw eight or more triangles depending on how long you want your bunting to be!

2

Cut each of the triangles out, If you think you've made a crap effort at drawing them, print out a template from the internet, what is the internet for after all, teehee!

3

On the back of each triangle flag, glue the lolly sticks long each edge to make them sturdy and to stop the edges from curling.

4

Quick Tip: If you don't have enough lolly sticks then cut them in half, you only need to keep the edges straight!  

5

On each of the flags you now can add an embellishment. I chose ribbon which I folded over and then sewed to each flag. You can use fake flowers, sequins, gems, even pegs and little photographs! Let your imagination run wild!

6

Now to secure the string on. You can do this two ways, either sellotape the string with a durable knot on each side to stop the sting from sliding about or hole-punch each side once and thread your string through!

Now your paper bunting is complete!

This also works really well for the festive time of year! Just use themed wrapping paper!

Ciao

xxx

| Outfit of The Day | No.1 |

Today I am Wearing:

Shirt

Primark

£8.00

Dress

 (Worn as skirt) 

H&M

£15.00

Worn With:

Burgundy Boyfriend Coat

H&M

£35.00

Black Dr.Marten Shoes

Camden

£80.00

Sorry it's just a little one! I promise to improve my OOTD skills ♥

lovelove

xxx

New Video | Marina & The Diamonds ♥Primadonna♥ Makeup Tutorial |

On Sunday I filmed a Make-up tutorial Inspired by Marina of Marina & The Diamonds.

I adore her Electra Heart look and think it is so feminine and sweet but also edgy like she could kick a man.

I'm also such a fan of the Grey-Blonde hair, It's making me want to dye mine back to blonde! 

Perhaps....

HERE is the link to the Video my Lovelies!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bWs06gBwDQ

Ciao

xxx

Things I would oh-so like | No.1 |

I've been thinking a lot about summer, I can't wait to wear pretty tops and sunglasses again. I put together this little outfit of things that I found online that I love!

The boots and bag are a MUST for winter time, especially for short people like me However are easy to transition to the summer time! I need a bag big enough to fit my head in, Like this Zara one or all of my things simply wont fit!

I love the collar on the blouse it's very Look at me and you could just wiggle in it. Teamed with the Hair Flower (LOVE) you add a summery bite into a Plain Monochrome outfit.

The Classic High Waist Ankle Grazer Jean adds a Rockabilly casual edge to the outfit. If my jeans aren't Grazing my Ankles I'm not a happy camper.

Crown the outfit with some Cat Eye Sunnies and you're instantly cool in my opinion. What a classy but tough summer look.

The Hair Piece

Candy Candy Jewelry

£4.50

The Shirt

Style Icon's Closet

£25.00

The Jeans

Topshop

£40.00

The Boots

Misguided

£37.99

The Bag

Zara

£19.99

The Sunglasses

EBAY

£3.99

love love 

xxx

| Vintage Home Buys | Highstreet | No.1 |

I often have a little nose around the shops for Home Decor buys, I'm still in the process of finishing my bedroom and I can't help but have a little look at what the shops have. 

Some bits are more suited to an actual house than my bedroom but it doesn't hurt to look after all! Here's a few of my favorite pieces from this winter so far. 

Couture Sewing Chest

Korbond Couture @ Tesco

£15.60

I found this adorable little chest in Tesco. They had two designs but this one was the best of the two, the best thing to put your sewing supplies in! Bobbins galore!

French Shelf Book Box

T.K.Maxx

£7.99

The perfect choice for Hidden storage, TK Maxx Stock a number of different sizes of the fabulous boxes. My favorite being the French Vintage design and the Leather bound book ones. Hardly breaking the bank for instant Chic to any room! Perfect for the study, J'adore!

Classic Kitchen Scales

Oxfam

£15.00

These brand new scales were a lovely charity shop find! I really love Oxfam for their thoughts to sell new items as well as recycled ones. These scales are identical to my mums, only hers are black and slightly worn! I love that these are white. Without a doubt one thing I'll pine for when I eventually get my own Kitchen. 

Kitsch Framed Pug

Home Sense

£12.99

I loved this the minute I spotted it, I love pugs! Such a simple picture and the added lace makes such a subtle Kitsch touch. If i'm honest, I wouldn't pay £12.99 for one but it has certainty inspired me to make my own someday, Perhaps a future D.I.Y?

Framed Butterflies

£15.00

Antique Market Stall

Out of curiosity I always have a nose at a local Antique market stall, The owner always has something of interest. I'm a little strange and love all kinds of taxidermy, and i saw these butterflies and p i n e d. Not always everyone's cup of tea, but such a lovely way to preserve such beautiful bugs. Butterflies don't live very long after all so to frame them keeps their beauty alive.

Antique Style Framed Maps

T.K.Maxx

£12.00 Each

I love love LOVE these! I remember being stood clinging onto one for about ten minutes thinking whether to buy one or not.. I decided against it, as I don't have a Dining room to hang them in... YET! But they are simply perfect and so Antique Chic!

Adios Amigos!

x

| January Haulin' |

I went to Camden Town & Westfields in Stratford recently and picked up a few cute items. I haven't been shopping in what feels like ages! I'm also very proud that I didn't buy anything black...baby steps.

                                                                                  

The Dress

Whilst in Camden I found this dress in a Vintage Boutique for £5, I couldn't believe my luck. It is so so beautiful! I may have to take it in a bit to fit my tiny baby bones but it's absolutely gorgeous!

It's a Knee Length, A line dress, In a Peach Satin with A white lace overlay on the bustier.By the looks of the tailoring it's home made, How lovely!

The Blouse

In Westfields i popped into Primark, and as well as buying the annual tights purchase, I saw this blouse and NEEDED IT. 

I've been looking for a Peter Pan collared blouse for what seems like and age, and for £8 I couldn't leave it behind. 

Its a lovely light grey almost lilac chiffon and it hangs nicely, just reaching over the belly which is great for me as all of my trousers are High Waisted.

The Bag

I also went to Forever 21 and picked up this Canvas bag. All of mine are wearing thin so when I saw this I knew it was a sign that I should get over myself and buy a knew one! haha.

It's classic Sailor Jerry style and i love it & a bargain at £3.15!

The Woolly

I fell in love with this jumper in Forever 21,look at how fluffy it is! aaaaaaaaaaah. It was only £12 too which is a total bargain in my eyes. 

It's such a nice Powder Blue, I have nothing in this color so I chose it over the Cream ones. I had to get it in a medium however because there were no smalls! Very sad, as It swamps me but that makes it Extra Cosy teehee.

The Hat

My sister gave me this beautiful Over Sized Trilby from Topshop in a Burgundy so I had to include it. 

It's very very nice, and I can't wait to wear it this Spring/Summer. It's slightly too windy for Wide Brimmed hats at the moment it'll blow off of my head!

The Ring

This ring was a lovely gift from Ricardo this Christmas, It's Rose Gold with gems set into it and I love it! I'm including as it hasn't left my finger since I got it..so Pretty and very Vintage looking!

That's all folks!

 xxx

| 2013 in Thirteen Pictures |

| One |

Ricardo Flowers

This is the first photo of Ricardo and I, taken on the First of February, i think...? Although it is plain hideous, but we went to see a horror film together (romantic) I'll always love it. I don't think my year really started until a party a few days before this photo, I got to see him outside of his workplace and if anyone who knows me reads this they can tell you it was magic to say the least. On the 13th of May, he became my wonderful boyfriend after 6 months of visiting his shop to see him. It was worth every second.

|   Two   |

Hair.Hair.Hair.Hair.

A month or two after the last picture I changed my hair color to Black wit Purple dyed ends, with Katy Perry as my Hairspiration. I LOVED IT. I still weep at the fact I dyed it all black, it was so beautiful and so incredibly bright! I used BeeUnique.co.uk to order Special Effects Hair dye in Deep Purple. Absolutely a hair color I will have again!

  |   Three  | 

Little Boots

During March, I went to London for Record Store Day 2013 and managed to catch one of my all time music idols Little Boots also known as Victoria Hesketh at Phonica Records. She did a Disco-funk & Electronica DJ set and it was amazing. I love her so much!

|  Four  |

MCM Comic Con

In May, My cousin, his friend Wayne, my friend Becky and I headed down to Excel in London for the Comic Convention. Of course, we couldn't just go in normal clothes! I was Blondie from Sucker Punch, I found this photo on Flickr,i can't believe i made it onto Flickr! haha. Becky went as Tomb Raider 2013, along with My cousin Ben as Alex Weiss and Wayne was dressed in a full Connor Kenway get up, Assassins Creed style. It was so much fun!

| Five |

Food Glorious Food

When Ricardo was living in Hackney Wick i literally lived there with him 4 days a week. All i can remember is how much food we ate. How i'm not obese i have no idea! We ate Dominos, Indian takeaway, Kebabs, Chips, & Steak! His oven broke so we ended up living off of stir-fry and steak and potatoes, can't say i was complaining hehe... We also ate a tonne of desserts, including the one in this photo, Eton Mess. PHOAR.

Really good memories thanks to food...  I'm hungry now.

|  six  |

It's a Glamorous Life

This is me and my friend Joanne at her and he boyfriend Mark's 21st.

I eventually Dyed my hair back to black (weep) but it does seem to suit me very much. This year has really brought out the sassy Pin-Up girl in me, I've always  l o v e d pin-up but i'e never had the guts to wear my hair up in victory rolls or to roll my fringe. I did it a few times at school and college and got weird looks but i am coy no more! You often don't see me without Pin-Up finesse now and I got the biggest compliment from a colleague, saying i looked like Dita Von Teese! *starstruck*

|  Seven  |

Model?

Here i am being shot by Hannah Davis during August'13. I loved these photos and how they came out, really magical and swamp princess-like. I had a lot of fun getting in a river to do a photo shoot, surely wasn't a normal experience. I honestly would like to try much more this year to Model for some Pin-up style photography. I had a lot of fun and maybe i'd be good at it!

|  Eight  |

Goodbye Hackney Wick!

Towards the end of August, Ricardo moved home from Hackney, I think I was much more upset than he was! At least he's a Hop, skip and jump from my house now!

I fell in love with Hackney Wick, often people grimace at the mention of 'Hackney' as it isn't the kindest of places to strangers. However, it was one of the most cultural, high spirited, welcoming places i had been to! 

Ricardo lived minutes from the station and had a Balcony which allowed us to see half way across London Including canary wharf & the Olympic Stadium. Where it was summer, we came home one day to find that the local bar had set up a street party with a barbecue and ping pong tables! So Quaint and lovely!

 This place is without a doubt my dream home away from home,and i'll never forget the beautiful summer I spent there with Ricardo x

 |  Nine  |

Graduate Girl

My big sister Chloe graduated from University this year, She'll probably kill me for putting her name in a blog post but she'll probably never find this.... probably. She graduated a Childcare Nursing course with honors and now woks in a hospital,and in hope she doesn't find this, I'm bloody proud. I even had a little cry at the fact she had done well, and because we're not little anymore! 

Congrats Cozzie x

|  Ten  |

Warpaint Warpaint

Following my sisters graduation I went to see my absolute favorite band in the entire world, Warpaint. They're a four piece dream-rock band from America, all made up of Lovely ladies called Jenny, Theresa, Stella & Emily. I've loved Warpaint since 2010 and they really have helped me through a lot in those three years. The best part was seeing Jenny Lee Lindberg my idol and the bassist in the flesh.I love her so much and she is so beautiful. I could gush for hours about how much i love them and discuss the different influential themes their music portrays but i'll just say that if you really love trance indie, and you really really feel like losing yourself for an hour, Hit Warpaint up. 

Lie on the floor, play them loud and tune. out.

|  Eleven  |

Skin Deep

I am a lover of Tattoos. Much unlike most of family, I love body art. I think it is the most beautiful way, when done right mind you, to express yourself and your personality. I also think it's a nice way to remind yourself daily that life is beautiful and any kind of art is beautiful. 

So upon turning 18 i booked myself in with Keely Rutherford of East Side Tattoo, and within a month i had my own tattoo. This tattoo is inspired by William Morris' Cay design for textile, which reminds me of my mum and i think its very pretty! I think i might have the whole flower colored Red soon, as the pink makes it look unfinished in some lights. But i love it so much.

|  Twelve  |

Hit the lights.

A big part of my year of course has been spent at college, I'm studying Technical theater so we do basically everything for the performers, they just turn up and perform. It's been a stressful year to begin with, but I've enjoyed every show we've done. We worked so hard on the show in this photo, without our tutor too. It was the best show we've done. Next year we all boot off to Uni, Hopefully I can get somewhere in Tour management or a part of a Tour crew.

|  Thirteen  |

Alala isa qwassa sexah

In September i very very reluctantly said goodbye to my best friend and off to uni she whizzed. I am so proud of her for doing well at sixth form and i know she'll do me proud at uni. I cried so much when she left, it's just not the same without my silly best friend. But of course I am very happy for her,she's living the dream at university.

Aaliyah has always been there for me since the day we met in Year seven and she offered me an ice pole, through the bickering of friendship groups, though the boyfriends & school. I knew she was a pal and a half. I love this little midget.

SO...

That sums up my Thirteen photos of the year, I hope you enjoyed reading it, but if you didn't make it past photo Three, Heck you tried!

I hope to have an even more exciting post next year of all the adventures i've had! :----)

Ciao

xx