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!