Tuesday 31 July 2012

Still feeling a little green around the edges...

This is my outfit from yesterday, when I was feeling pretty damn awful. Normally on a day like that I wouldn't even get out of bed, let alone dress up in anything photo worthy, but it was my dear friend Anya's birthday and we had made plans to meet up (by the way Anya is a terrific artist; check out her illustration here).

Being ill clearly makes me think of appallingly bad puns, hence the title of this post, which was inspired by the accessories I wore:



What I'm wearing:
Top with lace trim: Oasis. I've had it a while, but never wear it because it's hard to decide what to wear it with. It's technically a dress, but it's a bit flimsy for me to feel comfy in it.
Lace Waistcoat: Lily J in Camden Market, cost 18 quid I think.
Scarf tied around waist: I think this was a present many years ago, you can never have enough black scarves!
Jeans: Motel via the rag market. 5 quid when I was 15. Love them to death (and it's starting to show...)
Brooch: Junk shop in Minehead, Somerset for 2 pounds, many years ago on holiday with friends.
Green glass bead necklace: Charity shop 50p.
Bracelet: Some ribbon and a heart charm I had lying around.

I also wore green eye-shadow but it really didn't show up well in the picture; damn flash!

Monday 30 July 2012

Slimelight!

This weekend I went to London and finally got to experience Slimelight.

I know I promised you all lots of photos, but I underestimated how difficult it would be to take pictures in a dark club with a smoke machine in every room, except the one with a BBQ in it!

My friend Gabby had a little more photo luck than me, so I can show you the cool tube train style bar in the cafe area:


I was lucky to go there on a night when all 3 rooms + cafe were open, although it was apparently a quiet night (seemed quite full to me; I dread to think what a busy night is like!)

In the main room (where the cages were) the music was a mix of EBM and some industrial stuff; catchy and fun to dance too even if I only have limited knowledge of most of the music!

On the top floor there was a room playing rave and electronica, which amazed me by having a ball pool! The urge to jump in and start impersonating Sheldon from Big Bang Theory was nigh on overwhelming! BAZINGA! Only my fear of what horrors could be lurking beneath the balls in a dimly lit club prevented me from doing this =P

On the ground floor there is a trad goth room; my spiritual home! At 4am I was twirling around the dance floor to Temple of Love, loving every minute of it. Also a tiny cinema and a cafe with BBQ, including veggie options which impressed me; although I didn't eat there this time.

I wore the outfit I posted here with my top hat, velvet jacket and home-made choker. If I wear this combination again I'll upload pictures.

I had a fantastic night and I'll definitely be up for going again if I have the chance. In fact it was almost worth how ill I am today. Note to self, if on a Friday you are coughing up a lung, going to London on Saturday and staying out until 5am is not a good plan; I've completely lost my voice today!

Thursday 26 July 2012

Slimelight outfit?

I've gotten so wrapped up in work this week that I actually forgot to plan an outfit for this Saturday!

I'm actually going to be staying with a friend tomorrow night and going straight to London from there, and so I have to plan and pack right now!

This is what I have decided to wear; because it is simple, easy, won't get too hot and won't be ruined when I get a drink spilled on me:

What I'm wearing:
Strapless lace dress: got it at a clothes swap for FREE yay! I like the Asymmetric hemline.
Petticoat: Ebay. I have no idea how much I paid for it; whatever it was- it was worth it. Best petticoat ever. Never goes flat.
Lace cardigan: Forever 21, I've posted it before.

I'll probably take my top hat too =]

I doubt I'll be able to blog again before I go, but I promise to bring back many pictures of the weekend =]

Have a lovely few days my dears!

Tuesday 24 July 2012

Summer is finally blooming...

It's been raining here seemingly forever, but the last couple of days the weather has finally improved =]

I, however don't cope well with the heat so I'm having to relax some of my standards of modesty a bit!


I feel practically naked dressed like this; but I wasn't planning to leave the house so I decided it was OK! I really like this dress; although normally I'd wear a longer skirt with it, and as someone who has studied human bone, the anatomical errors upset me a little (a pelvis that narrow = male)! Sorry about the ikky hair too; I didn't want to wash it tonight because I'm going swimming in the morning.

What I'm wearing:
Dress: Topshop sale, 10 quid
Tights: I have no idea where they are from because they were a present
Hair flowers: Claire's accessories about 2 quid each.


Saturday 21 July 2012

The Dark Knight Rises, exciting times ahead and clothing Dilemmas

I went to see The Dark Knight Rises yesterday, I really loved it and I heartily recommend you all go to see it! If you liked The Dark Knight, you love this too, even without Heath Ledger.

Onto the exciting times ahead:

I've been wanting to visit a club called Slimelight in London, since I first heard of it when I was a very little babybat; It's a goth club that has been running since 1987 and plays a mixture of Trad goth, EBM and other electronica over 3 rooms and has members worldwide. In the past I have never had the opportunity to go but I'm finally going next weekend =]

This is part of the clothing dilemma situation:
I'm currently in a tizz going 'OMG! What to wear? Everyone there will look so awesome! How am I going to live up to that???'

So watch this space for clubbing outfit ideas!

The other half of my clothing dilemma is something I really need opinions on:

I went shopping with my mum the other day and she took my into Topshop. I normally don't shop there unless I get given a gift token because it's expensive and a lot of the time I struggle to find anything I would wear.

But this time when I walked in, I saw this:

I got so distracted by the adorable collar and sleeves that I didn't notice the price, or the fact it wasn't actually a dress, but a playsuit until I got into the changing room!

I was pretty upset; I don't wear shorts. Ever. I would feel really self-concious showing that much leg! I did however try this on; I was already in the changing room so thought I might as well.

I like it, I think it's adorable, Wednesday Addams-esque and it did suit me; at least the top half did! I'm still unsure about the shorts! Maybe with very opaque black tights it would be OK?

So I need your opinions, before I spend a practically obscene amount of money!

How do you find the confidence to wear something you'd normally shy away from?

Is it worth the risk that I'll buy it and then never wear it?

Is it ever justifiable to spend this much on an item of clothing when your income is low?

Thursday 19 July 2012

My top hat makes me a celebrity?

I like to wear a top hat. I wear it a lot of the time when I'm out and about because I'm my opinion they are just about the coolest hats around and I think it suits me.

However It does make blending into a crowd a little difficult...

I've posted this photo before but I'll re-post it because I don't think I explained the story behind it:


I got spotted by a 'talent scout' for a clothes show modelling competition. It was for Suzuki Streets Ahead and they were looking for 'fashionistas and creators of cool'. Me? A fashionista? Really?????? I think it might have been one of those day when I was accidently 'on trend' or something, because when I turned up for the next round of the competition... there was honestly dead silence when the Birmingham public were asked if I should go through to the catwalk show =P I got free tickets for my trouble though so the humiliation in front of a couple hundred people was worth it, besides not one person I knew was there so no one saw me looking like an idiot on a stage whilst a 'celebrity stylist' tried to tell people how to dress like me 'well, really, without the hat, its a quite wearable look, you can get tights like those in any high st store... urrrmmm... where did you say your shoes were from?'. It wasn't the same outfit but thankfully I managed to escape without any pictures that time! Although I did like it so I'm sure I'll wear it again sometime and take photos for you guys.

So I went to the clothes show and what did I buy there? Another top hat. The one I'm wearing in the picture is a collapsible silk one so I can't wear it in the rain or any other risky situation! The clothes show one was cheap enough that I can wear it out clubbing and not worry about it getting wrecked.; if it gets a bit battered I think it'll just add some whimsical charm.

I never thought it would happen again, but yesterday I got stopped by a photographer who wanted to take my picture because he 'noticed the hat'. He gave me his card and said he'd email the pictures, so I hope he does (although his flickr page doesn't exist so I'm not holding out too much hope...). He was quite cool looking himself in a 'I'm an old steampunk geezer' type of way.

I hope I get some pictures to share with you, although I do wish I'd bothered to dry my hair before leaving the house now =P

Have any of you ever been stopped and asked for pictures?

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Is that you Coraline?

Today I don't have a real blog post for you, so I thought I would share an amusing childhood photograph.

This was taken on either my 3rd or 4th birthday I'm not entirely sure. Sorry about the flash, it was hard to take a picture of it because it's on my wall.


Now who does that remind you of?


I am clearly the inspiration for the film adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Coraline! =P
Regular readers will know just how much I wish that were true!

I hope you are all having a nice day, I'll try to do some real blogging soon I promise!

Monday 16 July 2012

Liebster Award

A really big thank you to Lady Bethezda for tagging me for this award! I like doing these, they are fun =]



The Rules:
 Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
Answer the questions the tagger has set for you.
Create 11 questions for the people you tag.
Choose 11 people and link back to them.
No tag backs.

 11 Things About Me:
1. I'm 5' 2 and 3/4" tall. The 3/4 of an inch is very important =P
2. If I could visit any fictional place I'd go live in Gormenghast.
3. I'd love a pet but I'm not allowed one. If I could I'm not sure if I'd have a cat or a giant cage full of harvest mice.
4. I used to do tap and ballet dancing as a child, but hated ballet because it was 'too girly'. I wouldn't even wear a proper tutu =P oh how I've changed!
5. I'm going to be an auntie again soon and I'm really excited.
6. I would love to learn to speak fluent french
7. I am the clumsiest person in the world; I dropped a camera and broke it today at work!
8. I used to go horse-riding a lot and really miss it
9. If I could have any superpower I would like to fly
10. I don't like talking on the telephone to people I don't know
11.>I have a pink and black suitcase that looks like an old fashioned trunk on wheels and I nearly cried when it got damaged by airport staff; this far side gallery cartoon fairly accurately shows my reaction:
11 Questions 

1. What is something you used to do all the time and now don't, but miss?
Playing bass and riding horses, but not at the same time of course!

2. Makeup Y or N?
Hell yeah!

3. Tea or Coffee?
Neither? I like Herbal tea, but not real tea or coffee

4. Pointed toe or round?
Round, I hate squashing my toes into pointing shoes!

5. Long or short nails?
I like long nails on ther people, but I can't seem to stop biting mine...

6. Favorite Summer activity?
I don't like summer all that much; I have trouble with the heat. I do like Picnics though.

7. Favorite Winter activity?
Walking in the snow

8. Favorite Holiday?
Halloween of course =P

9. Do you prefer to call someone or text/email them?
text usually but it depends how well i know the person

10. Full skirt or straight?
Full =]

11. Tights or bare legs?
TIGHTS. I never let the world suffer the sight of my bare knees!

My 11 questions


1. Favourite sad song?

2. Favourite happy song?

3. Sunrise or Sunset?

4. Chocolate or sweets?

5. Band you most want to see live?

6. Most expensive impulse purchase?

7. Dogs or Cats?

8. Beauty product you can't live without?

9. Night out or night in?

10. Shopping online or in person?

11. Dream job?

I know I should tag 11 people, but because I'm really late doing this I'm sure a lot of people have already done it or been tagged multiple times so if you want to be tagged just comment and I'll add you =]

Tagged so far:


The Countess

Friday 13 July 2012

A Thousand Apologies

I'm really sorry that I've been away all week, I did mean to blog but I was house-sitting for a friend and looking after her cats. I couldn't get their wifi to work and I got very distracted by having these lovely cats to keep my company:

Meet Dinah:
Macavity:

Tybalt:

And Poppy:


I will be back to blogging as normal on Monday, but right now I'm going to go back to freaking out with delight over the New Sandman Announcement and planning an outfit for my night out with the girls tomorrow.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Friday 6 July 2012

We are not amused

The title of this post is inspired by the facial expression in this picture:


This picture was taken when I returned from my night out, where I had been celebrating my first pay-check with alcohol in fairly large quantities (hence the red face; the first sign of drunkenness for me is flushed cheeks).

The cause of my annoyance?

This:


The dress I am wearing is by Spin Doctor, it's one of the few pieces of goth branded clothing I own (because mostly I can't afford branded clothing). I have worn it 5 times.

I have a wardrobe full of clothes a decade old and then a newish dress I paid quite a lot for splits at the seam! I know this is damage is easily fixed and in the grand scheme of things is no big deal, but I chose this dress in the store because the other one in my size had split in exactly this place, so I believe it is a design fault. This disappoints me because I really love the dress (skull cameo print!!!) and I've only ever heard good things about Spin Doctor.

Sigh. Time to get out the needle and thread eh?

Tomorrow I am going to sit in the park with friends and enjoy some free music so maybe I'll mend the dress there; if it's not raining =]

What I'm wearing:
Dress: Spin Doctor clothing
Cardigan: New Look sale, 3 quid. I tied it up because the drapey shape didn't flatter this outfit.
Grey tutu: New Look kids department many moons ago.
Fishnets: No idea where they are from.
Grey tights: Primark, 2.50 I think.
Celtic Cross necklace: Present from my ex's mum, from Cornwall.
Choker: Claire's Accessories with Ram pendant (yay aries) I re-used from a broken charity shop necklace.
I'm wearing a length of ribbon in my hair.
And my new shoes =]

Goth in the Office. Phase 2. Outfit 3.

I'm posting yesterday's outfit, because honestly today's was pretty dull (purple tights, black skirt, black blouse and purple cardigan).

I finally broke out some work trousers yesterday, although I don't think I'll ever be wearing these ones again; at least not quite like this.



What I'm wearing:
Velvet jacket. Vintage. You've all seen it before.
Silk blouse: Oasis, a long time ago, I don't remember how much I paid for it, but I think it was expensive (simply because I have to handwash it and it still bleeds dye everywhere =P)
Black T-shirt: Dorothy Perkins, for warmth and because it looks good behind the lace in the blouse.
Black and Pink Pinstripe trousers. M&S, hand me downs from my friend Olivia =]

I like the trousers and they fit nicely around the waist, but the cut is unflattering, so I think I'm going to alter them, if I ever get time.

I might even turn them into breeches like these, I've owned my pair for like 3 years and they are really great.

I could use the leftover fabric for the front of a matching waistcoat...

Good idea?

Thursday 5 July 2012

New shoes and a small craft project!

I meant to post this yesterday but I got caught up in a load of work sorry.

I brought some new shoes!

I've been looking for a pair of shoes like this for so long I'd given up hope entirely!

I wanted SCHOOL shoes like this and I could never find them.At least not that actually fitted me; I have really narrow feet which makes shoe shopping my own personal hell on earth.

Yesterday though I walked into Office and there they were; and they fit me!


They are comfy and they make me normal person height without being overly fancy so they are suitable for everyday wear! I'm probably going to swap out the laces for ribbon though just to make them a bit more me =]

Here's what I wore yesterday, it's a bit of a silly outfit because I wanted something that was nothing like work clothes! I did my hair in two French plaits just because I haven't worn them in ages and I think they're cute even though they make me look like a little girl.


What I'm wearing:
Black and white striped top: Primark, it was about 3 quid.
Lace Cardigan: Forever 21, I've featured it before
American Gods T-Shirt: I got it here, you can read what it says on that link too. One of my favourite passages from one of my favourite books by one of my favourite authors.
Black lace Skirt: The one I wear all the time; I just put the white skirt between the lace and the lining.
White Skirt with Lock and key print: H&M, I've featured it before here
Black Dance tights: I've had them since I did ballet when I was 11. It is laundry day so I only had these left!
Shoes: Office. 49.50.

A craft project:
A while ago I featured a pink and black skull print top in this post, where I explain why it is in fact only half a top. This craft project uses one of the left over pieces of fabric.


I had a bag of 100 brooch backs lying around and thought this would look cute with the top. I cut an oval from the fabric which contained a complete skull, it was actually the only small one intact! I used 2 layers of black felt as backing; I glued all of the layers together with PVA, but if I was going to do something like this again I would use superglue or something because it'd be stronger and the PVA took forever to dry. I added lace trim and a pink ribbon bow because I like the cameo effect.

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Goth in the Office. Phase 2. Outfits 1 and 2.

Sorry I didn't post yesterday; I was really knackered after a weekend of travelling and work.

As I mentioned last week, Phase 2 is to include typically gothy details in my outfits, but balance them out by including colour.

For the first day I decided to start small; including patterned tights which aren't typically part of most people's work wardrobe.


What I'm wearing:
Jacket: New Look 24.99.
Flower brooch: Claire's accessories 2.50.
Purple top: Laura Ashley, Present from my auntie.
Velvet Skirt: Next
Purple tights: Pamella Mann. Present from my friend Anya.
Black flower print tights: Primark 2.50.

Today's outfit was a bit more risky, I decided to play with the silhouette a bit, wearing a bit poofy skirt instead of the narrow A-line and pencil skirts I've been wearing so far. This skirt isn't really work appropriate; to be honest I didn't realise how short it was until I got home tonight! I was in too much of a rush to look in the mirror this morning. No one complained though thankfully- it's a pretty laid back office! Sitting down all day probably helped...




What I'm wearing:
Blazer: As above; you'll be seeing a lot of this!
Green blouse: Miss Selfridge. Another present from Mum, 3 years ago.
Black strap top: M&S. I don't remember buying it... I have so many black strap tops!
Rose Belt: New Look; I think. It was a present last christmas
Black Skirt: River Island. This is new, well quite new. I got it for my birthday =]
Black ribbed tights: Primark 2 quid.

Tomorrow I'm not working so I'll be posting something different for those who are getting a little bored of seeing my work clothes!

Sunday 1 July 2012

bleached out

I've had this top for years, but for the last 18 months I've only been wearing it around the house or beneath other tops because I spilled some bleach on the front of it while cleaning the bathroom.

When I ruined it I decided I'd try to bleach a design onto it to cover the damage, but it took me a long time to get round to doing it!

On Thursday I finally bit the bullet and had a go:


I put a plastic bag inside the top in order to protect the back and then used a paintbrush to apply the bleach, except for the leaves which I did with a sponge for a lighter effect.
I didn't use proper fabric bleach, I used Grot Buster because I wanted to match the shade of the original stain! I'm sure that it was pretty bad for the fabric, so I'm going to hand wash the top in order to keep it alive as long as possible!

I'm really happy with how it turned out. I might add more to the design to cover some spots of bleach I got on the right side of the top when I was working on it. Perhaps a crescent moon?

What do you do when you ruin clothing you like? Do you try to rescue it in some way?