What's new pussycat?

I realise that I have been blogging about sites and new finds for the last few posts, and not really what is going on with me. I thought you might be interested so I thought I'd change that. :-)

Last night represented D-Day for me. Yes, that's right. Nipple tassle twirling day. The element of the burlesque lessons that was the most alluring; but also the most terrifying.

Why is this? Why does the idea of spinning tassles both fill me with delight and absolute terror? Well - the first is self-explanatory. It is probably the quintessential burlesque 'move' - and the one which most people would readily associate with the art form. The second is becuase I have rather large bossoms and so was terrified that this would look awful.

It seemed to be OK! Whilst watching me spin tassles is not my idea of a good time (or something I would pay for) - it does appear that I can actually do it. I need a little more practice, but it is possible... It wasn't too awful either. I think we were all in the same boat and therefore it was a lot easier to bear!


What else has happened to me this week? Hmmm - nt much else - too much work and no play makes Kat a dull girl.

Naughty Needles

Found this site whilst browsing around the other day. It's very cute! basically, the concept is knitted burlesque costumes. his doesn't sound very sexy or inspiring, until you realise that this means the cutest little knitted pasties!

Have a look:

Adorable, huh?

If you want to visit the site - click here.

OMG

I saw this photo and just had to post it. Oh my goodness - Dita is just so fantastic I can't even find the words.

Gals in the Know giveaway!

Check out the giveaway for the "4 inches book". It's a book of photographs of celebrities in nothing but their Jimmy Choos!




Check out the Galsintheknow blog to enter...

Nomenclature

Darren and I have been thinking of burlesque names - it's actually quite hard!

What do you think of the following?

(1) Miss Kitty Chief ("Miss Chief")

(2) Kitty Mischief (cutesy and naughty)

(3) Kitty Fizz (champagne...)

(4) Kitty Fizzer (like Kitty Fisher)

(5) Kitty de Winter (hmmm, I am reading 'Rebecca' at the moment...)

(6) Kitty la Mode ('la Mode' = fashion or having a large scoop of ice cream, when referring to pies)

(7) Kitty Scarlett (a nod to both my favourite colour and 'Gone with the Wind')

(8) Kitty Cairo (sounds great and I have an Egpytian obsession)

Any thoughts...!?

Cold Turkey

I haven't seen Darren for almost a week!!! I am starting to get withdrawal symptoms. You know when you really miss someone because you end up staring at their photos on Facebook and re-reading emails from them.

It wouldn't be so bad, but we've both been really busy. Darren with work and me with the finalisation of my time as Chair of the Junior Lawyers' Division. It's hard being apart - but to a certain extent we are used to it. However, we are usually in phone/email/Facebook/Twitter contact constantly, which does make it a little easier. It becomes unbearable without that lifeline...

So, I have decided to make the most of the time we have together on Sunday (yes, only Sunday). I am going to treat him to a little surprise of a day - he deserves it.

Perhaps I'll go crazy and jump out of a cake...

Or maybe not...

Eyebrows

What a random heading for a post! well - that is what I thinking about at the moment, and so it's what I am blogging about. So there

I get my eyebrows waxed once a month - without fail. This is because I am utterly hopeless at doing them myself. However, I have noticed that they are slowly getting thinner over time. This is not what I want - I prefer a fuller brow.

So - I am thinking - how do I get out of this cycle of brow shrinkage? I mean, if I leave them alone, they will grow all bushy and ugly. I seem to be in a damned if I do, damned if I on't situation.

I am thinking that I may need to start pencilling them in, or something, in order to get anything approaching acceptable. I want a pin-up style, 1940s-esque look which screams glamour - not a thin WAG-like caterpillar. I need my brows shaped with a long thick arch that tapers off into a point.

It's also getting to the point where my fingers are letting me down - I have been eating them away for too long! I want well manicured fingernails and a pedicure...

Sigh* Sounds like I need an MOT, really!!!

Bingo Wings

So - it's Wednesday. I'm having a fat day. One of those days when you just feel horrific. They happen quite a lot for me, as I have IBS which generally makes me feel bloated and horrible. However, today's fat day was prompted by a rather unflattering photograph.

Look how huge my arms are! Gosh!

I have always known that arms are a problem area of mine - but it does take something for you to realise where you are and motivate you to do something about it. Those arms have got to go!

I guess the best way to reduce these babies is to try and lose weight overall. I feel that I have about a stone to lose, which I have been trying to get rid of (admittedly, not obsessively) for the past few years. I think it may be time to properly focus on losing this weight - instead of the eating pattern I currently have (good during the week - bad as Hell at weekends).

With this in mind, I have formulated a little diet plan for myself. The rules are as follows:

1,200 - 1,300 calories per day
5 fruit/veg without fail
no high fat foods
no eating after 9pm at the latest - no carbs after 5pm
gym 3 times a week
limit alcohol

If I stick to this (which I am going to try the hardest I possibly can to do) I should be able to lose my stone by the time I go to Borneo in October/November.

In terms of those awful arms - I plan to increase my arm exercises. I need to concentrate on the triceps, according to Darren and the internet.

I have a lot of work to do!!!!! Wish me luck! I shall keep you updated on the progress...

Once again

It appears to be Tuesday. Once again I appear to be exhausted. This has got to stop! I am so tired and demotivated at the moment, I just feel like I need a whole day in bed. Unfortunately, that it not to be the case any time soon. I have the JLD handover weekend in Derby this weekend, and until then am busy every night of the week. *Sigh* I am hoping that next week will not be so crazily busy.

So, tonight I have my third burlesque lesson in Notting Hill with the lovely Annette Betty.

She's rather fabulous - and a great teacher. Not sure what we are doing this week - it may well be fans! How exciting. I just enjoy the classes so much - they inject a little bit of glamour (which is sorely lacking otherwise) into my life. Hooray for burlesque!

BBQ!

I had a fabulous weekend this weekend. This sheer fabulousness was due to Bean (my flatmate) and I having our housewarming BBQ. Now, ordinarily, burnt meat and flies are not my idea of a good time. However, this little event was a carefully orchestrated party - which went with a bang! I haven't enjoyed myself so much for ages. It was great to have so many people in our little flat - all enjoying themselves.

The BBQ started at around 1.30pm/2pm and went on until everyone realised that they needed to get the Tube at approx midnight! I think we'd intended for it to finsih early evening (assuming people would get tired and/or bored) but we were all having too much fun!

The Pimm's was flowing and the meat kept coming (save for Bean and I who were on the seafood) - Darren did a great job cooking for around 7 hours! The weather held out for us too - insofar as the British weather can - and it only rained for about 30 mins. Perfect!!

On the subject of BBQs - I think this little dress from Whirling Turban would be a perfect BBQ outfit:

The Sunday was spent cleaning up after said BBQ (of course!), lazily shopping around Ealing and finally in lazing around Bristol. I was in the mood for an epic, and so Darren raided Fopp for Gone with the Wind. Such a great film! Scarlett is just fantastic - Vivien Leigh is so achingly beautiful it's incredible. She was very powerful and moving.

Dare I say it - but her wardrobe was utterly jaw-dropping. I was having kittens every time she appeared in some new concoction. I am not sure which of her dresses was my favourite...

Unsurprisingly, I think it may be the dress Rhett throws at her to wear to Ashley Wilkes' birthday party (the burgundy dress, above). Close second is her New Orleans honeymoon dress - it's in keeping with my obsession with monochrome!

As an aside, Darren and I believe that they finally make it work in the end...

Mint Siren

Ok - I know it is starting to look like I am obsessed with vintage/retro lingerie (maybe I should start a support group?) but just discovered the most fabulous brand - Mint Siren.

Just take a gander at this open bra for example!



Just stunning!


I also love the styling with the ruff! So adorable!

Darren - are you reading this...? *hint hint*

Friday!

It's Friday! In celebration of this fact I would like to leave you with my favourite little burlesque look of the moment.



The second performer there is Slinky Sparkles, who also models for What Katie Did - so I'm also fairly sure that's her in the first picture. This makes her the luckiest girl in the world as she obviously got to KEEP the outfit!!!!

I have literally spent the whole morning looking for those extra short bloomer knickers!! Anyone got any ideas where I can get them!?

Divine Dior

Before I sign off for the day - I just wanted to share with you the (quite frankly) amazing collection from John Galliano for Dior's A/W collection.

I am soooo glad that I love the vintage/burlesque look because this is proper eye candy! Get ready to drool....









That leopard dress is to die for and the red suit is just stunning - I HEART haute couture!

Hairspray and Karaoke

June was quite a busy month, actually, now I come to think of it.

Not only Darren, but also his mother have their birthdays in June. So, in order to celebrate hers, Darren's mum came to visit us in London. We had a great time traipsing around Portobello antiques market, having high tea at the Landmark and then out to Hairspray in the evening (phew). It was a jam-packed day, but so much fun. It is always nice to be out and about in London in the sunshine, and more so when it's an occasion.

Hairspray was fabulous. I am such a sucker for a musical, and this one has some great songs and brilliant dancing - which really keeps your attention and engages you. It's got a political message (which was something for Darren!) but delivers it with such an upbeat spirit. So much fun. It was one of Michael Ball's last performances as Edna Turnblad - he was fantastic. The rendition of "You're Timeless to Me" was just pure musical theatre hilarity.

As an aside, it has always weirded me out slightly how men want to dress in drag - but hey - whatever floats your boat.

The last weekend in June was spent pranicng about in Bristol with Darren as he celebrated the last of his birthday weekends (I know). We went out on the Friday night with his mates for Japanese food and karaoke. I had not quite appreciated how loud barristers are once they ahve a few drinks inside of them! It was a lovely night though - again, a lot of fun. Hopefully I'll be better prepared for them next time and give them a bit of a run for their money...

The next day was Darren's Chambers' Party, which was just lovely. The weather was stunning, the food fabulous and the company witty. Just the way you want to spend your summer afternoons (plus I beat Darren at giant Connect 4!!). Bliss!

Greece!

As I have mentioned below - it has recently been Darren's birthday. So, I decided that the best place to take a history buff to celebrate was probably Athens. We had a fabulous time in the 30 degree heat looking at all the history which Athens had to offer. It was amazing. I would highly recommend it to anyone.



As well as the obvious - Acropolis, Agora, Plaka etc - we decided to go on a day trip to Delphi. I am so glad that we did. I think both D and I found this to be the absolute highlight of the trip. Whilst we were only away for the weekend (well, a long weekend at four day!) and this took us out of Athens, it truly was worth it.


What a view! This shows the Temple of Apollo at the centre of the site - with views over the stunning valley created by Mount Parnassus. It was like being in a dream - the site still retains it's ethereal feeling and solemnity. I know it's Wikipedia, but a good summary can be found here.

Darren and I loved Greece so much - we will definitely be back to Athens. It's such a fabulous place (and the food is AMAZING). Next time though we are thinking of a cruise through the Greek islands to trace the steps of our favourite mythological heroes...

Vintage looks and corsetry

Darren's birthday! It seems like ages ago now - but it was a great night.

We went out to La Floridita's on Wardour Street in Soho to start the evening, and finsihed it in Darren's favourite jazz club; Ronnie Scott's. It was a great evening (even if we didn't get to go to Volutpe).

So - here are some photos of the finished look for the evening:





So - the next step is to get lessons so I can do that myself!! Such a great look - I love it!