A personal favourite from my old photograph collection, Bill. I was with my boyfriend when I bought this Soldier, who screwed up his face at the thought of bringing a stranger back home. I couldn't think of anyone better to bring into my house, he'd be no trouble sat on a shelf next to the others. At least he has a name, kindly written on the back!
But wait, someone has taken a fancy to my Bill......
Back where he belongs, he can watch me set my hair and apply my lipstick.
The top image totally influenced by Nurse Jenny Lee' outfit worn to a jazz club in the last episode of Call the Midwife. I curled my hair up into a faux bob and added a plastic dog brooch to match the pooch sat on the chair next to me!
"For pity sake Jenny stop pulling your sweater down, people will think you've had some sort of accident"
"Trixie I never go out for an evening in slacks!"
I know at some point this programme would have been referenced to on any self respected Vintage Lifestyle/Fashion blog, but how can we help it? Mid century fans can get their fashion fix, from Jenny in her cardigan & full skirt combinations or Trixies black femme fatale ensembles. All from the comfort of a Sunday night sat in pincurls.
The second outfit is inspired by the birth of my new colour obsession. And I mean obsession. I've replaced my whole kit bag with pink tint bowls, brushes, hairdryers, combs, clips, gowns and even my Lucille's Locks mobile has been transformed with bubblegum pink vinyl graphics, but that is another blogpost.
But any item of clothing that matches my pink flashes makes me squeal inside and are instantly purchased.
If you read my latest interview by Katy of the glorious Vintage Wife Blog you would know that Inka was being taken to have her portrait snapped for her birthday. If you hadn't read it, I have just spoilt the surprise. But go read!
Luna Photography is founded by fellow friend, client and Photographer. She is used to working with big named Pin Ups such as Franki Wilde, Anna Fur Laxis, Havanna Hurricane and Missy Malone, but with her love of cute canines she opened the doors of her studio to offer a bespoke portrait service for our beloved four legged friends.
We had fun trotting trough town, armed with Inka's favourite scarves and her favourite poses ready to bust out infront of the camera. This was us post shoot, I let Inka ride on my lap all the way home which was naughty but I just couldn't help it.
So I guess you want to see the finished snaps?
**WARNING EXTREME CUTENESS TO FOLLOW**
She was so well behaved. I don't know if it was Emma's excellent way she is dogs, or if she was just showing off.
So if Inka's portraits aren't enough to send you leaping to book your furry friend in for a session, take a look at the other Pooches that got papped in the studio....
I urge you to book in your pet. Visit the Luna Photography website and get your pooch hung up on your wall!
We all need a trip to the sea. I go pretty often as that is where my Sailor boyfriend lives. ( He's not actually a Sailor).
But this time it was different, as we had the keys to our very own Cottage by the Sea. We lived next to the fire, next to the sea and best of all, next to each other.
As it turned out, we did far more outdoor element braving activities than I had planned for. I had packed for posing next to the sea, not for hiking alongside it. Although I never dress like it, I love spending time outdoors in physical activities. I refused to give in to 'practical' and my Bettie Page dress & I conquered the 60mph Sheringham winds. My ass froze, my Keds gave me mega blisters but my faux bangs stayed in and I came out the otherside without resorting to the waterproof trousers and was rewarded Fish and Chips at the end of it all.
So far I've revealed the creative sorts I surround myself with, including two family members. Well it seems I have left someone out. A certain someone who has been yearning to appear on Call Me Lucille ever since it started. It has sort of become a running joke about the fact that I have never featured or mentioned them on here, something my Brother is very upset about. Instead of spoiling this post posting a photo of his mush, I will show you what he can do with an Apple Mac and a few images supplied by my Lucille's Locks work.
Thanks Olly and welcome to Call Me Lucille!
These are my flyers to give out at Vintage Events, Wedding Fairs and at anyone who approaches me to admire my hair do. Any chance for self promotion is instantly grabbed as a reach inside my Lucite purse and wave these infront of people. They seem to work as folks ooooo and ahhhh over Lucille's Ladies!
All the Gals on the flyers are friends of mine, so I just want to say a big thank you for being gorgeous hair models.
For hair bookings or enquires about my mobile service contact lucillelocks@hotmail.co.uk
A few weeks back I was asked by a friend to answer a few interview questions. I've never been interviewed before, so I wanted to wait until I had a spare hour to snuggle down with Inka and put my mind to it. Anyway it turns out that my friend is also the owner of the BooBoo Kitty Couture Blog. Alongside her usual posts of hand made & hand designed dresses in fabrics to die for, she has started running a 'Meet my friends' feature. It is pretty darn interesting read actually as Aislinn has a bucketful of beautiful, talented and creative friends. Every week she showcases someone new, who speak of things FAR more interesting than who Harry Styles has recently snogged or what Kerry Katona has eaten for dinner that night....
So, if you a feeling a little nosey, here is what I had to say for myself;
On Sunday I interviewed Eliza Delite. Now i would like you to meet Lucille from Call Me Lucille blog. I started reading her blog a few years ago. Then it dawned on me that she was also from Nottingham! Then i spotted her in a pub and introduced myself like some crazed fan girl. Now we have been involved in countless fashion shows, vintage events, photoshoots and i class her as one of my friends! Funny how things work out!
Whenever i think of Lucille i want to start singing Little Richards, Lucille, so please play it in the back ground when you read this! One of these days i will serenade her with my singing... maybe after a gin or two!
What is your favourite vintage dress or outfit?
I have a black and white skirt which splits up the front to reveal their own black and white polkadot shorts sewn in. Its my ultimate favourite and I love wearing it with cropped 50s sun tops and my pink original sun shades. When its colder my favourite thing to wear are my highwaisted 1940s pinafore swing pants. I do my hair similar to how the ladies wore theirs in the military, I feel extremely feminine. Basically, if it has a high waist, is really old and will make me look like I'm from the war....it's mine.
What inspired you to dress vintage?
I remember when I first saw a Pin Up girl on a 1950s advert and I thinking "I want to look like that". At the time I had a boyfriend who was a bigtime mod who thought he was Paul Weller. I googled old 50s magazines such as Wink, Beauty Parade and Titter and the clothes in my wardrobe slowly got replaced by high waisted capri pants, little 1940s blouses and bullet bras. My hair routines and styles regressed 60 years and my make make up also. Following Dita's footsteps I got a beauty mark tattooed on my cheekbone, and never left the house without rouge lips. As my style developed and my preference for circle skirts over mini skirts grew I was getting left at home drooling over Dior's "New Look" collections whilst he was at Northern Soul nights. Needless to say that that relationship didn't last. Rockers rule over the Mods!!
What was your first vintage purchase?
I first discovered second hand shopping when I was 16. Back then there was so much more of everything and I bought anything I could get my mitts on - I was like a fat kind in a sweet shop. Nottingham had lots of dingy backstreet Vintage shops that I spent my Saturdays in, sadly nearly all of them don't exist anymore. When I wasn't frequenting my favourite alleyways I was on Ebay. That's where my obsession really took off. I purchased some pretty grotesque garments and my first purchase were some mustard 1960s shoes from Camden market. The only reason I remember them so well was because of how hideous they were. Every single one of my friends told me they were vile, but I loved 'em. A month later I ebayed them!!
Silver screen goddesses are a big inspiration for me, do you have any icon of the past?
I can draw inspiration from pretty much every lady from the 1920s-1950s. There's something about anything pre 1960 that I find aesthetically pleasing. I find the Wartime fashion very interesting and I have great respect and envy of the Land Girls. However they managed to carry on working so hard and looking so damn good is what inspires me to make a daily effort. My fashion idols include woman of the past and present; Diana Dors, Beyonce, Betty Grable, Immodesty Blaize, Wanda Jackson, Carmen Miranda, Paloma Faith, Gypsy Rose Lee, Lulu Guiness, Scarlett Johansson and of course Dita Von Teese. All hail Dita!! I must also add that I am in awe of Drag Queens like RuPaul. That whole look, demeanour and attitude is bloody marvellous.
Do you dress vintage every day?
I prefer to describe it as 'dressing up' rather than dressing vintage. I've been doing it so long, that it has become a lifestyle, and to me I class it as 'normal daywear'. I still get confused when people point at me in the street or approach me for a photograph. ( which happens surprisingly a lot- to my boyfriends annoyance. I however think it's lovely )Its not until I remember that I'm wearing clothes that are over 60 years old and my hair is in pin curls and a headscarf that I realise, "oh yeah, maybe I do stand out from people around me." Some people probably think that I am dressing this way for an act, or to draw attention to myself. I simply do not feel comfortable in modern dress. As strange as it sounds, I would feel very self conscious without my usual old fashioned clobber on. My friends always laugh over the fact of me turning up to a social event in leggings and a hoody with my hair in a messy ponytail. You wait girls, one day I will surprise you!
Favourite music at the moment?
Although my dress sense is stuck in a time warp, my music tastes are slightly more modernised. I found a spotify playlist off an old friend named 'Girls'. It's full of songs by Destinys Child, Missy Elliot, Mary J Blige, Kelis and TLC. I love it, and play it when I am getting changed in the morning. Being self employed I need stimulation in the mornings and Girl power is enough to get me bumpin' and grindin' around my bedroom!!
I'm also sucker for country music, anything folky will make its way onto my spotify. Willy Mason's new album 'Carry On' is on repeat and so is Haim's ep at the moment. Since Christmas my boyfriend and I have had the 'Blue 'Hawaii' album by Elvis playing constantly whenever we are together- the movie and it's soundtrack has become a Christmas tradition for us. I have all the old classics such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Wanda Jackson and The Drifters on vinyl like to listen to them on Sunday evenings.
Your photography is pretty good on your blog, do you have any tips? Who takes your photos?
All photography on my blog is taken on my digital SLR. Inka who appears on my blog regularly has been trained to pose from a very young age and has pretty much perfected the art!! What you may not know is all my photos are taken by 'self timer', which is as tricky as you can imagine!! I've had a few incidents where my Dad has walked in on me pulling my best pin up pose. Slightly embarrassing and it distracts the fur ball!!
If you want your blog to appear friendly on the eye, I suggest using good quality photographs as opposed to mobile uploads. Always preview your posts before posting. Step back and think 'Is this something I would want to read myself?'
Lucille is also a mobile vintage hair dresser in the Nottingham and derby area. So if you fancy getting your locks trimmed by a professional that knows what a darn pin curl is get in touch. She also does up dos for special occasions such as weddings.
To read about Burlesquers, Make Up Artists and to keep upto date with the latest interview become a follower of BooBoo Kitty Couture's blog.
As well as being blessed with a creative Grandma who knits for me pretty much on demand (I'm going to set up a Call me Lucille sweat shop!!) I am also lucky to have a Mum who can knock up a dress at the click of a finger.
This particular dress took some last minute alterations, arguing over the colour of the material/buttons/piping and a spot of moonlight sewing. All to be ready for Christmas day!
I think it's pretty special, especially as I got to see it start off from scraps of material, to a full blown 1940's number. Thanks Mum!
We sourced the buttons from USA, and finally came to an agreement on Grey & Green.
Inka was at my feet the whole time I was posing. If any of you have read my interview with BooBoo Kitty Couture, you will know that all my photos are taken on a 'self timer'. (For those of you that haven't read it, I will repost as my next entry.) As soon as she hears the three countdown beeps, she's there, with her best face on.
Can you see her new hairdo? Candyfloss pink, just like her Mama!
New Year, new calendar. That's usually how it works. Although I haven't actually had a calendar for god knows how long,
But this year I have a very good reason to buy one. I have never been more excited by one before.
My yearly planner wasn't coming from any old shop, it was coming directly from a bunch of people I had worked hard with over one Sunday afternoon back in September. It was all shot in Sainsburys and everyone was fantastic. So of course, when hanging it in between Marilyn & her framed friends I did feel proud.
I've selected a handful of my favourite hairstyles I created that morning.
Miss February with plenty of Victory rolls & a Boo Boo Kitty Headscarf.
The whole team.
Miss May with a bumper faux bang.
Miss July with a glamorous set & Miss November with a curly 1920s faux bob.
Backstage shot. I was definitely in the 'zone' at this moment. Inbetween hairsprays, I was able to find out a little more about the First Steps Charity. They offer support to people of all ages with any type of eating difficulty or disorder and most of the models were volunteers from the Charity!
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