Giving the Blog a Rest

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Hi Everyone,

I'm sure you have probably noticed that I haven't been writing a lot of posts this year. There are a lot of reasons why I don't write on here much more and I probably won't be putting up any new posts any time soon. I've decided to leave the blog up for anyone that might be interested in reading it. Who knows? Maybe I have actually written something useful...

I stopped writing posts, because I have been busy with work, my social life and countless hobbies. I feel like I just don't have enough time for it and I don't read much anymore so there aren't really any book reviews for me to post up.

I look back on some of my posts and think that I thought I was such an expert about some things. I think now that I've grown up a little bit, that I actually don't know much about a lot of things and who am I to be telling people what's what.

I don't think a lot of people actually read my posts on here, but I know they enjoy the pictures I put on the facebook page, so I will definitely keep posting there.

Until Next Time,
Natalie

Update: Pinterest Boards and Polyvore

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I haven't been blogging much lately or thinking of ideas to blog, so I thought I might share some of the Polyvore sets and pinterest boards I have made recently. I hope you enjoy these and find some inspiration in there. 

               Follow Natalie's board Simply Timeless on Pinterest.    

               Follow Natalie's board WildestDreams on Pinterest.    

               Follow Natalie's board fascinators on Pinterest.    

               Follow Natalie's board Blue Eyeshadow on Pinterest.    

               Follow Natalie's board Bambi eyes on Pinterest.    

fashion board created using #polyvore
Posted by Quirky Vintage Blog on Thursday, 17 September 2015

style board created with #polyvore
Posted by Quirky Vintage Blog on Saturday, 19 September 2015

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Outfit Post and Update: A Rock 'n' Roll Weekend, Tap Class and a Haircut

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A neighboring town recently had their pin-up competition and car show which reminded me that I never got around to writing a blog post for the Rock 'n' Roll weekend I attended back in May. I also decided to include  a photo of my new tap shoes and haircut, which I haven't managed to show you all yet. The shoes and the hair aren't too exciting, but I think it's worth a mention. 

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On the Saturday night I went to a dinner dance at our local PCYC. There was a Rock 'n' Roll band, a roast dinner and a photographer. I wore a dress that was probably more 1930s than 1950s, but I figured it was vintage appropriate and that was good enough for me. I really like the style of skirt for dancing in and while I don't think I danced that much during the night I did manage to get photographed on the dance floor by our local newspaper photographer.

While I don't take dance Rock 'n' Roll dance classes anymore, I still really enjoy that style of dance and highly recommend it if you are into vintage. There are a couple of variations and I'm not one hundred percent sure on their technical names. The style I like the most is referred to as a "Two Step".

^The dress. These photos aren't the greatest and yes I did filter them. So what? I did plan to wear these shoes again for the pin-up comp, but my feet were a little sore from dancing the next day. 

^With the cardigan on. The crochet collar is super cute.

^My nails for the weekend. A french manicure would have probably been more accurate, but I'm a nail stamping addict, so I went with one of the simpler designs. For details on what I'm used visit my  Manicures 2015 Album on Facebook.

^My Trusty Grosby dancing shoes. I wish they came in more colours. I also wore those earrings, had an umbrella/girl pin on my dress, used that purse and wore Besame Cosmetics Lipstick in 'Merlot'.

Overall, I had a really fun night. I think most of the fun definitely started later on when the majority of the crowd left. The band played a few favourites from other eras then (like the 40s, the eighties, etc). I honestly think any kind of dinner dance is heaps of fun and I wish there were more cool events like this to go to during the rest of the year. 

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The next day we had the pin up competition. We had to walk down a cat walk and do a few poses for the camera and the crowd, while someone read out a short Biography we'd written. There was also a car show going on around us. I didn't place in this competition, but I didn't really expect to and I still had fun which is what it's all about. 

^My poses got a little more sophisticated as the weekend progressed. I'm wearing all vintage appropriate clothing. Nothing is actually vintage or by a Repro brand.

^I was trying to channel an "Effortlessly Graceful" vibe with this outfit. It's not what you'd typically expect when you think of "Pin-up" or Rockabilly, but I think these clothes are timeless and they suit my figure. 

^These are the accessories. You can't see the heart seam stockings in my photos. The Round sunnies with the silver tops are the sunglasses I wore for the event. I was given the cat eye ones as a participation prize. Unfortunately those ones are a bit big for my little head, but they do look pretty in my sunglasses case. 

               Follow Natalie's board charming and elegant on Pinterest.    

^Some of my outfit inspiration for the weekend. 

Overall, I had a really good time that weekend and I definitely look forward to May next year. I don't know that I will enter the Pin-up contest again next year, but I will definitely be going along to the Dinner dance and car show anyway. Any excuse to dress up and dance to some good music!

I also got my hair cut a little shorter and choppier in style. I had a weigh line before and was getting sick of how thick and unmanageable my hair was. Now I can do a little bit more with it. It's more "modern" looking, but it's a little easier to style in the mornings, so that is okay with me. I am sorry if you can't really see much with my sunglasses in the way.

These are the tap shoes people requested to see. They are not too exciting. These are the kinds of tap shoes I have always worn. I had to get a size too big because of my weird shaped feet, but if I wear fluffy socks with them they fit perfectly. A bit annoying, but as far as I can remember with tap shoes it's always been that way. My tap teacher is really big on the "Bootmen" style of dancing, which I don't mind, but I will always still think of Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Gene Kelly as the masters of this style. 

I have also been trying to choreograph something else either Jazz or contemporary, but I just can't pick a song. Any recommendations are welcome :)

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Update and Haul: For The Love of Dance

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Hi Everyone,

I cannot believe that this is the first haul of the year and it's the last day of February! This year is going by so fast, but I feel like I have achieved a few things, so I am kind of okay with that. I didn't really get too much in the mail and I haven't really got anything crazy eventful to tell you, but I guess it was enough to start a post. I finally learned how to embed some social media stuff across so there is some of that too.

^Here are some DVDs and Books I got.

From Top to Bottom:

- 'Till The Clouds Roll By' starring Judy Garland

- 'That Touch of Mink' starring Cary Grant and Doris Day

- 'The Geography of You and Me' by Jennifer E. Smith

- 'Withering Tights' by Louise Rennison 

- 'Every day' by David Levithan

- 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas (Sent to me from 'Bloomsbury')

- 'The Ruby Circle' by Richelle Mead

These are all purchases except for  'A Court of Thorns and Roses' which I did not request for review, but am actually really excited for. I still haven't read the rest of the 'Throne of Glass' series, so I hope that this one doesn't confuse me too much or spoil anything (it's not a spin-off is it?). I bought 'The Ruby Circle' from Target because it's the last 'Bloodlines' book and I am excited to see what happens. The rest of the books and movies I bought were from the Booktopia sale. I know I shouldn't be buying more books, but I think I will get to these pretty soon, they are all books I have really been wanting to read. 

^I did a Moyou order. 

I cannot remember what I bought exactly and it's all dispersed in my collection now, but I got three Kitty plates and one Artist Plate. I also got the Jungle Gold Stamping Polish which I am a little obsessed with. Moyou usually releases new stuff every week and I have to try not to give in...

^I also bought nail polish.

I know , I know. Like I need anymore... But there were new colours and a sale. From left to right:

- 'You Goji' by Sinful Colors

- 'Supernova' by Sinful Colors

- 'Navy' by Sinful Colors

- Nicole by OPI 'Change The World'

- 'Nirvana' by Sinful Colors

- Nicole by OPI 'Daisy's Lazy'

*Please note this photo was taken with flash and colours look very different in natural light.

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I joined an adult tap class. I have danced at one whole lesson and was sick for the rest of them. I did attend one last week where I just sat and watched to get a bit of an idea. I have done tap before. I did 9 years of dancing and I quit on the last year of high school (which would have been ten if I had of finished the year). 6 of those years were tap. I never did tap exams though as our dance teacher didn't offer exams. My new dance teacher is going to teach the exam syllabus starting at the level the other girl in my class is at. I think this is cool, because it means I don't have to start from scratch (obviously I can't actually do the exams though) and I really like the swing style tap dancing which is what she is up to. 

I have ordered a pair of shoes from the teacher and I am really excited to make some noise with my feet. I am starting to get into the whole 1930's 1940's thing lately and I really want to watch all of the musicals (with tap dancing) as I haven't seen many and to invest in all of the cute playsuits and high-waisted shorts... I am not as fit as I would like to be and I discovered a new health condition which I am hoping won't be a hindrance now that I have medication for it.

I really would like to be doing Jazz, Classical or Contemporary classes, but I am excited I at least have tap. Maybe next year there might be more adult classes available. 

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I have also joined a local Rock n' roll dance club. On every Friday I get all dressed up and go dancing. It's sort of like a dance class, but you also get to muck around a bit. I really like how relaxed this dance style is. There aren't a whole lot of rules and it's okay to make mistakes. I really like the music and the people there are really nice. There are a few different people teaching and they all have a different style. 

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I finally watched 'Snow White and The Huntsman'. I had been turned off it originally because I heard that the Queen was sickeningly creepy and there were a lot of complaints about Kristen's acting and the story-line. I'm glad I actually watched this as I really enjoyed it. I'm not sure it's the kind of movie that I will be re-watching  any-time soon, however I will recommend it. If you like fairy-tale retellings, medieval action scenes, fantasy, Chris Hemsworth and you don't completely hate Kristen Stewart than this is for you.

My Opinion on a Few Things:

- I am really glad that Taylor Swift won the BRIT and I loved her outfit/s and live performance. I am a big Lana Del Rey fan, but I honestly think that Taylor deserved this. How cute is that pants-suit/Jump suit thing she is wearing?!

- I don't think the Cinderella movie poster is photo-shopped. I think it's a combination of being naturally hour-glass shaped, a super tight corset and a very extreme puffy skirt. Have you seen Jane Powell in 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'? I doubt a 1954 movie is photo-shopped. 

- The dress looks blue to me and I honestly don't know why anyone cares about it so much. Lots of things look or sound different to lots of people why would an instagram photo of a dress be any different? 

Here is a link to my nail pictures on facebook. There are seven photos so far in this album. 

Here are some of the fashion boards I have created using Polyvore. I share them to Pinterest and Facebook.

Here are a bunch of photos of beauty products I haven't reviewed (Except for the NYX Matte) let me know what you want to see first!

Follow Natalie's board to watch on Pinterest.

^And, here is a recent pinterest board I created which is a list of movie I want to see.

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That's it for today. I hope you are all having a lovely year so far and that you are all well. Did you get anything exciting in the mail recently?

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Haul/Update: Long Overdue

Hi guys,
It seems like it has been ages since I sat down and wrote about what was actually happening in my life. Since my last post, I have had a birthday (way back in September), bought a tonne of things, painted my nails a bunch of times and was even featured in one of Chronically Vintage's Vintage Link Love Posts. So I guess it has been eventful, but then maybe it just seems that way because I haven't typed up one of these in too long!

I also went to a deportment/etiquette style class. It wasn't quite what I expected as it turned out to be more about "personal development" and presentation skills. I was a little displeased that the book said that heart shaped faces don't suit short hair and eventually ended up deciding the book was a liar as I have probably gotten the most complements I have ever gotten on my hair after I cut it short and my hairdresser freaks out if I tell her I am thinking about growing it. I like my hair and I won't let anyone or any book tell me to cut it different. I decided to buy an actual etiquette book now...

I did get a lot of great things for my birthday, but I can't include it all here because #1 the pictures will go on forever and also #2 because sometimes I think birthday presents should be kind of private and #3 because I got a lot of jewellery and I don't want y'all to see it and then it won't be as special when/if I ever do more outfit posts...

And, like I said I also bought a lot... So, some of these things will be grouped or won't be included. I still have more stuff coming in the mail...

^Me on my birthday! 

^Just some of the jewellery I got. I love these necklaces my mum bought me.

^More super cute Minnie Toys from my sister. 

Like I said I got a lot more for my birthday, but I wasn't able to share everything and I honestly feel a little uneasy sharing some gifts. I had a great birthday and got super spoiled. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday on that day :)

^I bought some sunnies and faux glasses from Fashion Addict AU. I ended up ditching the faux clear glasses as they were too big for my face (along with some of my other cheapy pairs from ebay) and purchased two more pairs of faux glasses from ebay.

^Here is me at a rally in September wearing one of my pairs of faux glasses. I do have actual glasses, but I only need those for reading and I thought these faux ones would be a sweet idea for night time excursions, especially because I seem to get dust in my eyes a lot. My allergies/hay fever do not agree with this dust...

^Dad put these shelves together for me. A great place to keep all my DVDs, CDs and VCRs.

^I got some new make-up storage and bought more make-up. I keep my make-up in my bedroom on my bed-side table. If you would like I might do a make-up storage/collection blog post for you all once my new make-up has all arrived (maybe after Christmas). I am not going to worry about showing you what I bought recently because I may be doing some beauty posts soon! I hope...

^I got some Picture Polish polishes and some glitter top coats when I went shopping. My sister also got me some 'MUD' nail polishes for my birthday which I forgot to include.

^I bought these Moyou plates from Picture Polish as well.

^I picked this up 2nd hand on Fishpond. 

^Art/style inspiration.

^To add to my library.

^Some books I picked up shopping out of town.

^I bought some dance DVDs to try out. 

^Yes I bought this. My sister and I used to listen to this group when we were little. Nostalgia took over and I ordered it. Ordered the spice girls as well. 

^Bought some guitar pedals from Artist Guitars. I really like the chorus one. This brand is so cheap and is great if you want to try out effects pedals without paying heaps of money.

I bought a new bag. It looks green but it's actually a grey/blue colour. I really like it and think it will be really practical.

^I have been trying out more make-up looks and posting them to Facebook. I did this one today. 

^Here is one from a couple of weeks ago. 

AND NOW FOR THE MANICURES:

As usual visit my Nails Album on Facebook to read the details.

I also made two more pinterest boards. May Your Summer dresses be more Exciting than your social life and Aquamarine Summers. As you can tell I am excited about wearing some shorts and sundresses! I think the one thing that really goes with summer is being social, so I might need to give that a go too.

I hope you have all had a fabulous Halloween/couple of weeks. 

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Update/Haul/Outfit: Facebook Likes and Other Random Stuff

Hi Everyone,
I have not posted for about a week now which I know is really bad. I have had a few ideas about what I want to post on here but many of these posts require a bit more thinking, picture taking and stuffing around than I would like. Then to top it off, on Thursday when I got home from work  we had to take our poor dog to the vet. She had Bladder stones and the Vet took them out on Friday. She is a lot better now and she is getting a lot of extra attention. She is a Cutie Pie :)

I've got a heap of random things to share. I bought stuff (as usual) and I promise you there will be a haul in a couple of weeks with more things that I have bought... I've got some more books and movies. I have also been watching a fair few movies as well. I have seen 'Guys and Dolls' twice now. I am kinda obsessed. I also have some outfits I want to show.

I also want to thank everyone who shared and/or liked the face book page for me. I am so happy to finally have made it to the 1200 mark! I felt like I was going to be stuck at 1150 forever (which honestly I still can't believe I passed 100 likes...). I hope you guys will continue to let me fill your news feeds with my obsessions and that you will also not be afraid to let me know what you would like to see (mainly when I ask).

^The dog in question. She hates cameras LOL. Her name is Lulu and she is sitting up on the recliner of the chair with me. 

^Here is a pic of me with our other puppy Harry who got really sad when Lulu was at the vet and afterwards wouldn't even let her sleep. He ran around the room yelping and whining because she wouldn't play with him. He is finally stopped whining now that he realised the other dog is OK.

^Here is my outfit from the Markets today. I usually make an effort to look nice even when I am staying home because that's just how I am. The markets isn't a huge deal or anything, but dad was there with me so there was actually someone to take a photo for me. The sunglasses are ASOS, the cardigan is JayJays and the skirt is from Ebay. I think the flats are Big W and the Brooch (which is a seahorse and pearl) was a gift. As usual the outfit was pretty inexpensive but I love the muted colour combo. 

^Here is an outfit pic from last weekend. It was my bosses daughter's birthday and I got invited out for tea. I am wearing an op-shop dress (it's got this weird cap-sleeve/sleeveless look which you can't see because of the over-blouse). The chiffon over-blouse is 2nd hand from a friend of mum's and I wear it when I go out on cool evenings a lot. The necklace (a Marylin Monroe cameo pendant) was an early birthday gift to me - my birthday is not until mid September). 

^If you follow me on Facebook you may have seen some make-up looks I did. Some make-up arrived this week and I wanted to muck around with some Sultry 1930s style make-up. This is probably the one era I am least experienced with attempting. 

^Here is another attempt. I really like the big-eyed Betty Davis/Carole Lombard/Gretta Garbo look, but I didn't want to make it so severe. I also struggle with the brows because my eyebrows are so dark already I can't cover them up with concealer. They are also quite thick and grow out ridiculously quick, so I figured my only shot at curved 30s/20s brows was to fill them in and shape the end to form a curve. I think they look a little too vampy...

^Here are the Betty Boop themed nails I had when i wore the Black/White/Red dress to the birthday dinner. They were a little messy because I painted over the cuticle and then I washed too much off in the shower (this happens a lot but it's way more obvious with this shade). For details of my manicures (plate names and polish names) head to the Facebook Album. 

^My Diana Camera nails.

^My Glittery nails.

^Sheer mermaid nails.

And now for all the stuff I bought/received ...

^This was sent to me by Penguin. I am currently reading it. It is taking me a little longer than I expected.

^I got three more novels in the Stephanie Plum series (can't wait)

^The first copy of Rolling Stone I ever bought. Because of You-Know-Who. 

^I still haven't opened it. I am very excited to see this though. Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn? Talk about high expectations.

^The second Briget Jones movie. I only saw the first one a little while ago at a charity event. I had seen snippets on the TV and I never really got what the fuss was. Was a whole different story when I saw the whole thing. And the second movie is just as funny!

My Moyou Beatles plate!

^Some more nail polishes I bought from Sinful Colors

^I bought some stuff from Avon and Crush cosmetics. Swatches and reviews to come!

^Make-up brushes.

^Some Avon Naturals things I bought. I also got a body wash that is Strawberry/Guava scented.

^My skin has been misbehaving again, so I am trying out some new things.

^I also got some new hair things to try because SALE, and because I want to try a product that doesn't aggravate my sensitive scalp.

^Apparently Bio-oil is supposed to work miracles on dry skin and the shampoo was on sale.

I hope this post wasn't written too badly... Did you have a nice weekend?

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie