Christmas gifts for him

Sorry I have been away for so long, I've been a busy bee lately! This is my 60th post now, so I am creeping my way towards the big 100 - which is exciting I will have to do something extravagant for that post. Although I am getting a little a head of myself, so lets get back on track with my better late than never Christmas gift guide for him.

I know there are a lot of ladies out there who find it hard to buy for their other half or any male member of their family for that matter. I am here to help you by showing you what I think are some great choices for gifts, some brands have been featured on here before but that's because I am a big fan of their products. We do have some new entries to the blog this time though, with some unique and wonderful products which you would never think of buying someone! 

First up are my favourite and forever loved brands.

Rasha Swais:  

You want your other half to stand out from the crowd this Christmas and with this fabulous paisley shirt they will. 

Available from http://rashaswais.com/ for £48.00.

Mod Shoes:

No I am not going to tell you to buy shoes for someone, as I think it is more of a personal choice but I am going to show you this lovely knitted tie. It is great for a stocking filler and the best thing is they also sell socks to match!

This very stylish knitted tie is available from http://www.modshoes.co.uk/ for £29.


Johnny & Me:

Keeping the style going with this fantastic on-line accessories website for men. What's a great fit for men's stocking fillers? wallets? cufflinks? sock sets? You name it Johnny & Me will have it.

These smart cufflinks are presented in a stylish gift box available from http://www.johnnyandme.com/ for £32.50


Green People:

Recently I discovered Green People while looking for make up which is organic and chemical free, in the hope of improving my skin. When I was on their website I got lost within the amazing products hair care, make up and best of all beauty products for men.

This nifty shaving set is available from http://www.greenpeople.co.uk/ for £25.


IT'S A WOT:

Here is a website that is full of unique paraphernalia that is perfect for a secret Santa gift or stocking fillers. Ranging from the quirky to the practical!

Image from http://zoeliannex.blogspot.co.uk/ visit her blog page to read her review

For them guys who are always on the go available from http://www.itsawot.com/ for £9.99.



Keep your eyes open for my next Christmas gift guide for her....

Glossy Box - Pop Art

I have noticed that there are some bloggers who have signed up to Glossy Box, where they get sent 5 samples of products at random which they then in turn review. 

Well I'm unable to review them all as I have yet to try all the products, actually I think there is only one I haven't used yet as I keep forgetting - which is always helpful! 

It was off to a good start, the packaging is lovely and being a pop art fan I will be keeping this box for keep sakes. I was so excited when I received my Glossy Box, it was like an early Christmas present to my self - every girl loves make beauty products even if you don't wear them all the time like myself.

In my box there was; Etre Belle Liplift Peel, Nuxe Creme Fraiche de Beaute Mask, Rimmel London BB Matte Minis, So Susan Flutter Mascara and Ciate Paint Pot (Blue).

My favourite products from my box are the Ciate nail polish, the colour is gorgeous such a lovely deep shade of blue - it matches a lot of my clothes as well. The Etre Belle Liplift Peel was surprisingly good as well, when I originally read the back of the tube - I thought this is going to be rubbish, but I was wrong. Its a very good lip exfoliator while moisturising the lips, which prepares them well for lipstick and keeps them soft even after applying lipstick.

The products that didn't get me excited was the Rimmel London BB Matte Minis, mainly because I found the foundation to be too thick as well as being slightly too dark for me (which isn't there fault - how were they to). I have a thing about the consistency of foundation, can't be too thick or too runny and in this case it was too thick - I felt like I was caking it on even though I wasn't.

So Susan Flutter Mascara was a big disappointment for me as that was something I desperately needed as mine had dried up, and when I opened it the brush was one of them annoying plastic type ones. I am also fussy when it comes to mascara and I like to have a big thick brush when I get a mascara, I think it makes my long eye lashes look 10 times better. The other brushes make it look like I don't have any mascara on most of the time - that was my main problem with the mascara. 

I have not yet had the chance to try the Nuxe Creme face mask, so I will have to let you all know about that but my favourite product out of my Pop Art Glossy Box is Etre Belle Liplift Peel - I would never think to purchase this but now I have used it, once I run out I will be getting more. 

I will be receiving another box this month but that will be my last one, as I can't afford to do this every month and just wanted to see what they were like.

Bargain Buys

I have been having some technical issues lately, so excuse the average images - my camera is causing me problems at the moment.

Anyway I thought I would write a student budget buying post, as I have recently discovered some great buys for a cheap price. I had to pop to my local 99p shop the other day, for an emergency chopping board and uncovered some jems while I was in there.

Timotei Brilliant Repair Shampoo - 

I have been looking for some less chemically shampoo for a while but I can't afford to keep buying Naked beauty products, so when I saw this paraben and colourant free shampoo I got rather excited! As well as it being a lot better for my hair and scalp, it smells incredible and leaves your hair feeling soft and healthy. Timotei Brilliant Repair has 100% natural Jericho Rose extract which helps to provide intensive repair by strenghtening damaged keratin and reduce hair breakage. This bottle cost me 99p, the conditioner was also the same price I think I will try the shampoo for coloured hair next. 

Argan Oil Heat Defence Spray -

I have been naughty recently and haven't used heat defence on my hair in a very long time, so when I saw this in the 99p store I had to have it! This Argan Oil leave in spray defends your hair against damage caused by heat styling, from blow drying too straightening. Argan Oil leaves your hair feeling soft, looking shiny and healthy, this also cost me just 99p.

So from now on I think I will always have a little snoop in my local 99p shop, to see what bargains they have in there. 

I will have a Glossy Box review coming up, once I have a working camera it shall be on here - watch this space. 

Halloween playlist

As Halloween is edging ever closer, I thought I would do a Top 10 Halloween songs you should have on your playlist....more alternative ones, a bit more out of the box stuff with a couple of classic's thrown in there.

Take a look and see what you think.


1. Creedence Clearwater Revival - I put a spell on you

This footage is from their 1969 performance at Woodstock.

2. The Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the devil 

This was recorded for their Rock & Roll Circus, if you haven't seen it you need to!!

3. Frank Sinatra - Witchcraft 

Sorry about the long introduction! 

4. David Bowie - Scary monsters & super creeps 

I love The Serious Moonlight tour, Bowie is wearing a great suit!

5. Stevie Wonder - Superstition

Studio recording 1973.

6. Howlin' Wolf - Evil (is going on)

7. Echo & the Bunnymen - Killing moon

Live on the Tube

8. Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams

Live on Top of the pops.

9. The Smiths - How soon is now

Reminds me of Charmed and The Craft - Footage live from Top of the pops 1985

10. The Chordettes - Mr Sandman

Live 1958 

What songs would be on your unique Halloween playlist?

Autumn Style

As its getting colder and the time to wrap up has arrived, I have decided to choose my favourite two items for this Autumn and share them with you all.

I have seen a lot of plaid in shops recently and I think its a great pattern to wear this time of year and looks great with tights, Chelsea boots and a Parker or Duffel coat. 

I bought this dress from Forever 21 but I can no longer find it on their website, trust me if you look around the high street enough you will find one! You will be looking at between £15-£25 for a dress depending on where you buy it. 

My next choice is a must have for this season and with them coming out with a new range soon, there will be a lot of choice of fantastically designed street wear. I lived in this beanie hat from Rubies & Poison last year, it looks great and is really cosy! 

http://rubiesandpoison.co.uk/products-page/headwear/burgundy-floral-beanie/

The beanies currently available on their website are £9.99, keep an eye open for their new range coming out for A/W14 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rubies-And-Poison

Record of the month...Shuggie Otis - Hurricane

This months Record of the month is Shuggie Otis - Hurricane.

After being told by someone at work to buy an Shuggie Otis greatest hits, I have been in love with this track! Its a great up beat soul song, a good song to dance to. 

The other stand out tracks on the 69-74 greatest hits are; Strawberry Letter 23 (you may remember it from an advert), One room country shack & me and my woman. 

'HEY! Baby don't you know, your looking good and I love you so'

Please do let me know what you think of this track, I personally think it's a gooden! 

Get the look....Megan Draper

Everyone loves the fashion in Mad Men, most women dream of having a wardrobe like Betty, Megan or Joan. With fantastic looking outfits, hairstyles and general beautifulness, Mad Men looks fabulous as well as having an addictive story line and some of the best looking actors and actresses in Hollywood. 

I love all of the outfits in Mad Men but I like Megan Drapers the most, I would have worn the same clothes as her if I was lucky enough to be around in the 60s. Megan has great looks all the way through the series, with jumper and capri duos and some fantastic looking dresses, that I would kill to own!

She is seen wearing mini shift dresses with flared sleeves a lot of the time, loud patterns splashed with colour.  

For this blog post I have chosen to focus on Dollybird Clothing, a great on-line clothing store that sell fantastic vintage and 60's inspired dresses. Wearing these dresses you will look like you have stepped out of an episode of Mad Men. Fabulously hand picked, looking at both patterns and colours, they have superbly brought the 60's to 2014.

All these items have been re founded and hand picked by Dollybird Clothing to sell to their much loved audience, I suggest you have a look at their Facebook page and see the full range of beauty available to purchase. 

https://www.facebook.com/DollybirdVintageClothing 

For information on the photographer who has taken these wonderful pictures, please visit Nicole Bell's photography page.

https://www.facebook.com/nicbellphotography

Record of the month...Moanin' & Screamin'

As some of you know I have become slightly obsessed with this record lately! 

Listening to this record actually gives me goose bumps, the soul and sadness in his voice is just incredible. It almost hurts to listen to this song, there is so much pain that is conveyed in a 5 mins 46 sec track.

My baby left me, she didn't even say Goodbye
My baby left me, all I could do was cry
When that little girl left me, I had to hang my head in shame
.....
My baby left me, I got me something that I want to moan about 




Another track to check out by Diamond Joe is Gossip Gossip, it's a fantastic track for all you funk fans out there! 

Most under rated band of the 60's

I love a lot of music from the 60's from rock too blues, soul and even a bit of pop! I'm a sucker for a British band, the usual such as; The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who (weirdly loads of bands with The in front of the name) but I do love a band called The Pretty things. 

Unfortunately for them they were around in an era where there was some of the best music ever, that influenced the bands we have around today. The Pretty Things are probably the most under rated band of this era, sounding a little like early Rolling Stones after being fully influenced by Rhythm & Blues and black American music. Although not as well non as other British bands in the 60's, other artists were aware of their talents, David Bowie covered two of their songs on his pin up album. The Pretty Things most successful period was in the mid 60's where they had three singles in the UK singles chart but they never had a hit in the US.
Once the 60's were over The Pretty Things, like every band expanded on their music sound and their early 70's music is your more psychedelic and rockier stuff, which is good if your a fan of Jimi Hendrix or Led Zeppelin. By the late 70's the group had gone their separate ways due to commercial failures.

If you are a fan of 60's British bands then I highly recommend taking the time to listen to this band and spending your pennies on purchasing a CD or Vinyl of theirs.

The album below is the one I purchased, it has 2 discs of their fantastic early Rhythm & Blues years - If you are looking at purchasing a studio album then I would suggest getting yourself a copy of S.F Sorrow, their most popular and recognised album of their career.  

Birthday fun

So it was my birthday yesterday....one year older but a lady never reveals her age, well not when she's past 21. I got some great bits and bobs, from work vouchers for all my favourite things; a local record store called Adrian's (Wickford), H&M and Atlantis Spa (Tiptree). I have been very much spoilt, as well as that I have got a ticket to see The Who in December from my parents and True Detective box set from my room mate. I still have more to come too which is very exciting! 

The reason why I am writing this post is because I went to the cutest tea room called The Loft - Tea by the sea (Tollesbury, Essex). Its a vintage style tea room with quirky interior, hand picked pictures, plates and bunting hanging up to give it a very 50's homey feel. This fantastic looking tea room is set in the working marina of Tollesbury but watch out for the high tide as you might have to paddle back to car like we found out but its all part of the fun.

You receive very friendly service and there is also a board up warning you of high tides, just in case you have left your car in a difficult place. The Loft has a really good lunch menu; penni, sandwiches, soup, lunch platters and cream tea's.

I mean what else do you need from your perfectly situated vintage esque tea room?

I would recommend The Loft to anyone who lives or is visiting Essex, you get a nice feel of rural Essex as well as a good long walk down the sea wall with some fantastic scenery. I will be at Colchester Aqua Springs spa on Sunday, I will hopefully be able to give you a nice little review of there to. 

Return of the Rude Boy

Somerset House recently had a photography exhibition on the 'Return of the Rude Boy', the pictures in the exhibition looked amazing and made me think about Rude boy fashion now....there are still Rude Boy's out there, they are just few and far between. 

Jamaicans introduced rude boy music and fashion to the UK in the 60's, which influence the Mod and Skinhead scene. Rudy's were generally working class (like most subcultures at this time) and big followers of the Ska and Rock-steady scene. Once the scene reached the 70's and 80's it influenced bands like The 2 Tones, The Specials and Madness, the more popular Rudy's you know and love today. 

Like everything this scene is starting to make a come back, get suited and booted and join the Return of the Rude Boy!!

Images used are from the exhibition by Dean Chalkley & Harris Elliott

What to do next month...?

So like I said I will try and keep this going every month, I have been busy searching the internet looking for exciting and interesting things to do...I managed to come up with a few ideas for you all to have a look at. Some I wish I could go to but I'm sadly doing other things (everything happens in the same weekend!) 

Walk down the Boardwalk -

A big fan on Boardwalk Empire or just love 20' and 30's Art Deco? Well this fair is right up your street! 13th-14th September at Eltham Palace £10.20 for entry but by the sounds of it, it's well worth the entry fee. 

http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/art-deco-fair-5

Get your dancing shoes on -

This sounds amazing to me, but what do you think? If you like 60's R&B, Soul, Gospel, R'nR and Ska then this is going to be heaven for you! On it's 3rd month and only £5 entry fee, it's worth a try...5th September it's your chance to WOW the dance floor. For a list of DJ's see the link below. 

http://www.trapezebar.com/basement-club/event/chain-gang1


Spitalfields Market - 

The vintage market at Spitalfields is on every week but it's a good idea to pencil it into your diary to go and visit at some point. Selling Vintage clothes starting from 20's and going all the way to the 80's, you are bound to find some hidden treasures! From hats to furniture, they have it all. With events happening every week of the month, you will always find something to do while your there other than shopping.

http://www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/events 


Look like Elvis - 

Now although having your hair cut at a Rockabilly hairdressers isn't actually classed as an 'event', you should make the trip to this London hairdressers who do some fabulous do's! I follow them on Instagram and they upload some fantastic pictures of their clients before and after hair and it WOW's me to see the transformation. 

http://www.rockalily.com/blog/rockabilly-hairdressers-in-london.html


If you attend any suggested events, would be great if you send me some images for me to upload. Have a great weekend! 

Get the look....This is England

I follow a few Skinhead girls on social media and I absolutely love their style! From the traditional Chelsea hair cut to the newer tonic dresses, always looking smart wearing shirts and jumpers with some great bleached jeans or skirts. As well as the fantastic fashion I chose This is England as my movie of choice because it is fabulously acted, directed and written British film by Shane Meadows.

Get the look....This is England

Shirt - 

I keep seeing some great brands out there for both Skinhead and Mods, I think it is great that they are targeting subculture fashion more now days as it makes it easier for people to branch out into to different styles. I follow Britac on Instagram they upload some great images of their customers wearing their products, this shirt is £49 from the Britac website (be sure to follow them on social media though!) 

http://www.britac.net/shop/product_info.php?products_id=193

Jeans/Skirts - 

To get the bleached denim look on your jeans or skirt, you can buy them from any high street shop but for this example I am going to use Levis (if you can afford them, then definitely get your self a pair). Bleach the jeans your self rather than buying them pre bleached, this way you will get the correct look you will be wanting. These deep sea skinny jeans are £90 from the Levis website.

http://www.levi.com/GB/en_GB/women-jeans/p/057030717 


Boots/Shoes - 

Everyone associates Dr Martens with Skinheads and they are the best most comfortable and they last forever, so the amount of money you spend is totally worth it as they will last you years. These cherry red low laced boots are £100.

http://www.drmartens.com/uk/Mens/Mens-Boots/Dr-Martens-1460-Boot/p/11822600#

I hope you enjoyed the newest Get the look...if you have any suggestions for the next one, please feel free to leave me a comment on this post. 

Record of the month!

After going to the 100 club last Saturday, my first all nighter in months!! I decided I'm going to do a regular post of my favourite record each month, to introduce my readers too the kind of music I like to listen to. 

This record is close to my heart, it played at the first all nighter I went to - again the 100 club! It reminds me of my lovely soul family, every time I listen to it!

Oh baby don't you weep - Luther Ingram

Above are images I took of some of the soul family, at Rugby in February.

What was the first record you remember from a Northern Soul all nighter?  

Get the look.....Get Carter!

Get the look this week, sorry its a bit delayed! Is for all you ladies who wished your man looked like Michael Caine from the hit film Get Carter.
Get Carter is a British crime film set in London and follows a gangster character Jack Carter (Caine), to find out what happened to his brother Carter travels back to his home town. This violent crime thriller is one of Caine's most memorable rolls along with Alfie, Zulu, Gambit and Italian Job.

Every man wants to be him and every woman wants to be with him! Michael Caine was a massive fashion icon in the 60's and 70's its not hard to find him wearing amazing clothes in or out of films but I chose Get Carter for one of the less obvious choices.

Get the look....Get Carter!

 

Suit -

The first thing to look at when getting the 'Get Carter' look is, a suit preferably a blue suit as that's the most iconic outfit from the film. Dark blue suit, with a light blue shirt, dark blue tie and some amazing cuff links.

 The iconic blue suit isn't difficult to find whether your looking for original or high street (next and moss bros), I found the one below on a website called tweed mans vintage. This suit is £79 for a 2 piece blue suit.

 http://www.tweedmansvintage.co.uk/product/flared-1970s-vintage-suit-mens-skinny-fit-36r-29w


Jacket -

Every one loves a trench coat and man does Michael Caine rock his one!! This trench coat is a Ben Sherman from Atom Retro for £194.99.

http://www.tweedmansvintage.co.uk/product/flared-1970s-vintage-suit-mens-skinny-fit-36r-29w

Cufflinks -

In the image above there is a great picture of Mr Caine holding a shot gun wearing some lovely cuff links. To get your self some cuff links like that you need to get some vintage ones, now I know I keep mentioning Watch the cloth moth but I just love their hand picked items.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Watch-the-Cloth-Moth/220728124623125?sk=timeline

To get your self one of them great blue shirts like in the picture above, take a trip to Next or Moss Bros.