American boy

                                            Photograph by Barry Lean 2007

T-shirt D.I.Y

I have been cutting up old t-shirt, and making them much more girly, that's what I did with the NY top you see.

*Just cut the seam open (make sure the t-shirt is too big for you)

* Cut in some lines along the side (don't cut in to far)

* Turn your t-shirt inside out, make sure the flap bits are inside

* Sew straight down a new seam, but leave room for arms

* Turn back the right way(you should have a frill

* Cut collar off around the neck

* Add ribbon or funky necklace.

Flick for a thought

I have been looking for some kooky gifts, for my family. I found this great wonder for my BF, or maybe for my dad. I love it, I'm a 80's child (sorry) and loved the whole 'Let's make a mixtape'

so as everything moves forward, I can't help but want to drag some of it back. Its a great price as well, which makes it a wicked little stocking filler ( for you like me on a budget, it may be a main pressie).

Once upon a time a cassette tape was a passport to blowing a Sunday afternoon making "The Best Rock Collection in the World Ever II", nowadays a computer the same size can power a space station (and store your whole music collection). That's technology for you. Something had to be done with all those redundant cassettes, and in a wonderfully retro meets techno moment, a bright spark has neatly inserted a quad set of USB ports into it. Now you can power up all your myriad of USB devices with a blast from the past. There may no longer be tape hanging randomly from telegraph poles around the country anymore, but the icon can live on on your desktop.

Features

• A 4 port USB 2.0 Hub in the shape of a classic cassette tape.
• Its retro styling looks so realistic you'll have to stop yourself from trying it in your walkman.
• This is not a real cassette tape and attempts to play it in a cassette player could cause serious damage to your stereo and the hub.
• Suitable for ages 14 years+.
• Size: 97 x 61cm.

Now for those of you with a sweet tooth, this may even be abit much for you. I think I will have to get one for everyone to share over xmas. Plus once the sweeties are all gone, I'm thinking I may have to use the hamper to keep shoes etc... in (I need alot of storage). A nice treat if you want to make kids higher than Amy winehouse, and have forgotten about the sugary goodness that was childhood.

There once was a time when 20p would buy you a lifetime of sweets, or so it seemed. Times have changed of course, and so have sweets. Many of them now appear to be the size of small buildings, and where have all the classics gone? Well they're here, in this delightfully retro wicker hamper which is packed with such classics as Sherbet Fountains, Fruit Salads, Dib Dabs, Dolly Mixtures, Black Jacks, Flying Saucers and all manner of Dickensian confectionery. It even has Sugar Mice, though what that was all about is a little puzzling, if we wanted to eat mice we'd be cats. Or is it the other way round? Anyhow, this sugary blast from the past is nostalgia in a hamper - who said nostalgia was a thing of the past?

Features

• A beautiful wicker hamper stuffed with mouth-watering sweets from your childhood.
• Wham Bars.
• Caramacs.
• Parmaviolets.
• Refreshers.
• Fruit Pastilles.
• Lovehearts.
• Sherbet Fountains.
• Sugar Mice.
• Dip Dabs.
• Popping Candy (Space Dust).
• Gob Stopper.
• Candy Sticks.
• Mojos.
• Flying Saucers.
• Kola Kubes.
• Dolly Mixtures.
• Candy Necklaces.
• Black Jacks.
• Fruit Salads.
• Bubblegums.
• Candy Lipsticks.
• Refresher Chews.
• CONTENTS MAY VARY.
• Suitable for the sweet toothed aged 8 years+.
• Size: 36.5 x 24 x 15cm.

                                           You can find these products at www.iwantoneofthose.com

SIMONE SHAILES KNITS UP A STYLE STORM

                              New hot knitwear from www.topshop.com

Looking forward, to seeing this collection. I need some funky knitwear, my H&M cardigan is on it's last legs as I have worn it to death.

Here is a bit about the collection:

From the moment her loop stitch sweaters and fringed capelets made their way down the catwalk at the renowned Central Saint Martins MA graduate show,Simone Shailes has been knitting up a style stormamong those in the know.

Always one nifty step ahead, here at Topshop we've been busy collaborating with London's favourite new graduate to bring you another innovative project - a knitwear collection based on her applauded MA show! Available to buy online and in selected stores next week... don't miss it ladies, we know you'll love thesedirectional knits as much as we do!

Gonna miss my aussie gal pal

My friend is going back to oz, and I don't know how I'm gonna cope. We have worked together almost two year's, I'm really gonna to miss her. She is the one that got me, to hang up my skinny jeans on a Friday night and put on a dress. Don't get me wrong, I can dress up via the jean route. But she made it fun, Friday nights became our own little catwalks. Who cares if your merry, I wanna know where your outfit is from?

I will miss her support, through the rough times, were I was almost pulling my hair out. Most of all I will miss her laugh, there's nothing more in style than that. I am glad that she gets to see her family and her other mate's, but I want to be selfish and have her here. I have made her a photo album and am gonna get her something nice. If anyone has an suggestion, for a gal who has everything. That would be most helpful...........

Maybe we can be pen-pal's, go back to the old skool.

MEETING SARAH JESSICA PARKER!

Last sunday was mad, not only did I met Sarah Jessica Parker! ( who is ssssssssssssoooooooo nice). I got my dress for the xmas party at work!

Meeting SJP, was completely random. She was at my work and yes it was mad but amazing as well. It was very quick, but I will never forget it. About the dress it is another great find at beyond retro. I can't show you yet, because I don't want anyone to see. It's a winner I think?! May need a second viewing, with heels etc.....

watch this space.......

Antoinette addict

                                

I know this film is old, but I love it! If you have not seen it, than you should.

'At 15 she became a bride. At 19 she became a queen. By 20 she was a legend.'

"All eyes will be on you," says the Austrian duchess, Maria Theresa to her youngest daughter Marie Antoinette. The film, marketed for a teen audience, is an impressionistic retelling of Marie Antoinette's life as a young queen in the opulent and eccentric court at Versailles. The film focuses on Marie Antoinette, as she matures from a teenage bride to a young woman and eventual queen of France. Written by Scrltrose83

"Let them eat cake!" This is a motion picture detailing the life of Marie Antoinette after her betrothal to Louis XVI. From shoes to scandals, this movie outlines Marie Antoinette's nature, and her dedication to a life of fabulousness and outrageousness. We hear her utter those immortal words that caused such an outrage amongst the peasants of France, but we soon learn that it was a lie, as was much of her life. Written by Kristie M

Based on Antonia Fraser's book about the ill-fated Archduchess of Austria and later Queen of France, 'Marie Antoinette' tells the story of the most misunderstood and abused woman in history, from her birth in Imperial Austria to her later life in France. Written byDavid Gunning and Aimee Black

I love that fact that really, she was no different from most modern gal about town. Pressured into married and having babies, she begins to party and rebel. If she were here she would be on the cover of heat magazine for sure. I LOVE, LOVE LOVE the costumes in this film. Which reminds me I got these fab Irregular choice shoes a while ago, at www.tkmaxx.com 

I HAD TO HAVE THEM, THEY COST ME £25:00

PINK_PATCH A/W 05

cHECK THEM OUT, THEY HAVE A WHOLE NEW COLLECTION.

www.irregularchoice.co.uk

Beyond heaven!

                                                                              here

I found a dress that not only is glam, comfortable and vintage. Would you believe only cost me £18:00! I know, I fall in love with it's amazing two-tone glow (so Westwood, as well) and where did I find this lovely cocktail dress in the heart of  the east end.

You have got to spend a day in the area, as not only is there this goldmine of clothing. Also they have great places to eat, buy music (if you are dragging a man, that hates shopping)

and have a drink. Beyond Retro is a little out of the way, but it is so packed full of well just about everything, its worth it.

www.beyondretro.com

'Our original 5,000 sq ft warehouse store opened in 2000 in a converted dairy depot on a side street off Brick Lane. Its reputation quickly grew, and it soon became a destination store for style conscious locals. As one of the first vintage clothes shops in the East End, Beyond Retro contributed to the transformation of the Brick Lane/Shoreditch area into one of the world's most innovative and stylish neighbourhoods. With 15,000 items on the shop floor at any one time, and with 500 more pieces added daily, Beyond Retro's Cheshire Street branch is still London's largest and most diverse vintage clothing store; and an East End institution!' 

My new dress

which I teamed up with a statement belt and necklace, love it!

Dress or not to dress, that is the question?

So once again party season is upon us.  Once again we not only have to find a fab outfit, pay the bills, oh yes and buy xmas gifts! As I have well over five events to attend this month, the question has popped  into my head. Is it okay not to wear a dress?

I mean with some of the new trends, I'm sure it is ( goth romance, the circus harlequin prints etc...)

I think it would just feel wrong. I'm no girly girl, but seeing the gal pack in force aka my best mates, All each in a dress to reflect their style, would be wrong. So after much, much thought at the horror at someone saying ' So you dressed down'. I began my search, three hours later I put down my i-touch. Here are some of the lifesaving sites:

ELLE - more low key event.

CLAUDIA - more glam

www.paparazzicatwalk.com

'From the Catwalk to the Red Carpet, Paparazzi Catwalk bring you hot inspirations taken from Hollywood straight to your door. There are several collections to choose from to keep you bang up to date with the glamour and styles.

Which are not only great in price, but which have lots of style's to choose from, me likey!

Next was goddiva, they are the best, not only are there dresses glam and wearable (you want to be able to seat at the end of your night) but they have  celebritydresses 

as well. My fava is the Carrie Bradshaw dress,  not perfect but not far off.

www.goddiva.co.uk   

Get the latest celebrity look at Goddiva - Order securely online

CARRIE- Just one of the selection of celebrity style.