Sunday, August 13, 2017

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

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Everyday 1940s Style

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Hi Everyone, 

I have been really inspired by 1940s looks lately. I have a couple of dresses and a pair of high-waisted shorts in my own collection that fit the era pretty well. I also have a couple of books about 1940s style that I like to read and re-read every now and then (If you are interested I will list the books at the bottom of the post). 

I decided to share some real pictures -though you can never really tell - of everyday women in the 1940s. I wanted to show the more casual side of the era and not just swim-suits, or nurses or actresses in formal attire. I love how simple the looks are and how big a part the hair and make-up plays in the overall style. I think there are some very cute feminine outfits from this era, but I also enjoy looking at pictures of women with their wide-leg pants, turbans and sunglasses. I hope you enjoy these pictures I found.

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If you want to see where the pictures originally came from click on the "~" symbol underneath each one. 

The books I mentioned earlier are:
- '1940s Hairstyles (second Edition) by Daniela Turuditch
- 'The Golden Age of Couture (Paris and London 1947 to 1957)' by Claire Wilcox
- 'Forties Fashion (From Siren Suits to the New Look)' by Jonathon Walford
- 'Style me Vintage: 1940s' by Liz Tregenza

Please let me know if you know of any other 1940s era style books that I should check out.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie






Sunday, April 16, 2017

Summer Favourites

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Hello Everyone,
I feel like so much has happened this year, especially in the last month or so. My sister got married, my town endured a Category 3 Cyclone and I met some new people. What 2017 has shown me so far is that life really is a roller coaster. I have had a lot of fun so far this year and I hope the fun can continue...

My Sister's wedding happened the day before we got told to evacuate our house for the cyclone (our house is in the red zone for tidal surge). It had been raining earlier in the week, but luckily the wedding venue was just far enough  out of town that it didn't get any rain and the weather on the day was perfect. I was the Maid of Honour and the hairdresser managed to pin my hair up  even though it is still so short. It was a long day and it was heaps of fun to get up and dance at the reception.

We actually stayed at my sister's place which is a bit further inland for the duration of the cyclone (and the crazy thunderstorm that followed) due to being told to evacuate. Luckily when we got home to assess the damage we learnt that there wasn't much of a surge due to the direction of the wind. Our house was fine, but my dad had damage to his shed and a lot of trees were down in our street. Some older buildings and shopfronts in town had a bit of damage and a lot of farm sheds and crops were wrecked.

We spent a few days without power and only had low pressure water in our taps, but the conditions were still livable and I was so grateful at how lucky we were. One of the first things I did when we regained power was plug in my electric guitar and have a play. While I did slum it for a couple of days without any fancy hair or make-up (or being able to iron my clothes!), I think the whole event has shown me how important it is to take advantage of every chance I get to dress up and go out and have fun.

I have finally started going out a bit more again. It is so great to catch up with some people that I haven't seen in a long time and to make new friends. While a lot of the people I have met seem to be passing through town, I think I will stay in contact with them a while and I will definitely remember the short time I spent with them.


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BEAUTY:

- I bought some Max Factor lipsticks on CatchOfTheDay.com and I really like them. They seem to stay really well without drying out your lips. I have two of the Marilyn Monroe ones ('Cabernet' and 'Sunset Red') and another in 'Scarlet Ghost'

- Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in 'Cozy' is a nice orangey red that doesn't look too bright.

- Avon Big and Daring Glimmersticks eye liner in 'Deep Plum' blends nicely with black pencil for a subtle fade.

- Loreal True Match Blush in 'Rosewood' is a nice everyday blush colour.

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HAIR:
- I have been experimenting with my hair a bit and I am very inspired by the 1940s. Here is a 1940s hair Facebook Album with some nice styles that I hope to achieve when my hair gets longer.

-  I have been using the Schwarzkopf Extra Care Dry Oil Mist as an alternative to Shine spray. It makes my hair look very shiny without losing the curl, but I have to watch it doesn't get on the floor or on my skin because it is very greasy.

- I have been loving the Lady Jayne contoured hair pins which have a matte finish to them. These are the best thing ever for holding tricky curls in place. I really like their fringe pins for holding my sponge rollers in place (to avoid getting the horrid sponge roller dent.

- I made my own setting lotion using Linseed Grain (flax seed) and water. I use 1 tablespoon of seed per cup of water and boil it on the stove until the water starts to colour and get that gelatinous look. I strain the seeds out and store it in the fridge for up to two weeks. You only need the tiniest bit to set your hair and it doesn't irritate my scalp like some other hair products do.


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STYLE:
- I am a little bit obsessed with the 1940s and this Pinterest Board proves it.

-  I also really like some of the old ballet/tap class photos (like the above one of Audrey Hepburn) because of the shorter fashions worn in that era.

- I am loving a pearl bracelet I bought from Ozsale that has bronze coloured freshwater pearls on it. It seems to go with everything.

- The weather is starting to cool down so I am loving wearing cardigans again. I tie them at the waist or belt them instead of buttoning them all the way down.

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MUSIC:
- 'Ultraviolet', 'The Real Thing' and 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' by U2
- 'How High The Moon' and 'Mr Sandman' by Les Paul and Mary Ford
- 'Crystalized' and 'On Hold' by The XX
- 'Can't Deny My Love', 'Only The Young' and 'The Way It's Always Been' by Brandon Flowers
- 'Love' by Lana Del Rey
- '60 Feet Tall' and 'So Far From Your Weapon' by The Dead Weather

I bought and discovered so much music over the holidays, so I won't put it all here. These ones are the most important songs though. 

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GUITAR:

My new guitar arrived after new years and I have been spending a lot of time playing it. I wouldn't say I'm even mediocre, but I enjoy strumming along so thats something. I have bought a couple of pedals that I am really impressed with. I love my Earthquaker Devices The Dunes overdrive, TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 Delay Pedal and Boss T2 Tremolo the most. I have learnt to play a couple of riffs, but I am still more of a rhythm player at this point. I also love my Ernie Ball guitar strap which is a Navy Colour. They make guitar straps in so many different colours and they are good quality.


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MOVIES:
- 'Top Hat' and 'Shall We Dance' starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.
- 'The Choice' based on a Nicholas Sparks Book.
- I finally saw 'Joy' and thought it was pretty good.
- I watched a documentary about guitar called 'It Might Get Loud' which features Jimmy Paige, The Edge (from U2) and Jack White. I'm obsessed with this doccumentary and I highly recommend it to anyone who is into music or a fan of any of those three musicians.

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OTHER:
- Somersby Pear Cider is my new favourite drink.
- Pressman's Apple Cider is also pretty good.
- The Sunsets are starting to get prettier as the weather cools down.
- I am stoked to hear that some of my favourite musos will be releasing new music this year!

I hope you have all had a lovely Summer (or maybe where you live it was winter). What have been some of your favourites?

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Monday, February 13, 2017

Love Interruption (A Playlist Post - Valentines Day Edition)



Hello Everyone,
I finally decided to post another playlist post for you all. This is my second Valentines Day playlist. However, this time I decided to choose songs that were not as charming and romantic. Since I am not really into Valentines Day this year, I decided to go for songs that show love in a different light. Some of the songs are a bit down on love while others are just a little bit uncertain.

 I hope you all have a great day, whether you are romantic or not.

 If you are looking for some happier and cuter songs please click on this link to see the Valentines playlist I made in 2015

1. 'Love Interruption' - Jack White
"I won't let love disrupt, 
Corrupt,
Or interrupt me"

2. 'Do I Wanna Know'- Arctic Monkeys
"Do I wanna know?
Do you want me crawling back to you?"

3. 'Heart's Content' - Brandi Carlile
"Maybe we know how the story ends,
Maybe it's not even about us.
We both retreat to opposing sands,
And love lives on without us."
4. 'Love Hurts' - Roy Orbison
"Some fools, fool themselves I guess"



5. 'Weight of Love' - The Black Keys
"Don't give yourself away,
To the weight of love"

6.'Big Love' - Fleetwood Mac
"I wake up alone,
With it all."

7. 'One' - U2
"You gave me nothing,
Now it's all I got"



8. 'That Love' - The Kills
"Will you or won't you,
Land softly down?
Will you or won't you,
Be around?"

9. 'Old Money' - Lana Del Rey
"And if you call for me,
You know I'll run."

10. 'What Ever Happened?' - The Strokes
"You don't miss me,
I know."



So there you have it. I wouldn't say I hate love or valentines day, I just think it's all a bit irrelevant to me right now. I'm enjoying focusing on other aspects of my life and I want it to be that way. If you do have a significant other, then I hope you both enjoy the day.

I hope you enjoy the songs either way.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Pretty Picture Post: The Stars, The Moon and Midnight Blooms

Hi Everyone,

 I've been inspired by a lot of glittery looks that were  seen popping up on Youtube and Instagram around New Years. I originally wanted to post this before New Years Eve, but I got a bit lazy and I also was wary of posting too many New Years things when I know that some people are not really into it. I think that New Years is  one of the most magical occasions there is to celebrate, but why should you have to wait for an occasion like New Years to go all out with the glitter and hairspray? Life is short and if you want to really dress up, then you should; regardless of the occasion.

I decided to choose pictures with lots of glitter, sheer fabrics, head pieces and flowers. The great thing about these fairy-tale fashions is that you could try to replicate a look for a costume party or you could take inspiration from different aspects of the look to add some magic to  your Friday night outfit. Click on the "*" to view the image source.


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I hope you enjoyed the pictures! What do you like most about "really dressing up"?

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie