Vampirate Fridays

"Little surfer little one
Made my heart come all undone
Do you love me, do you surfer girl
Surfer girl my little surfer girl

I have watched you on the shore
Standing by the oceans roar
Do you love me do you surfer girl
Surfer girl surfer girl"
-Surfer Girl, Beach Boys

It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to a new sneaky weekly sector of my blog: Vampirate Fridays!
I would like to explain the method behind the madness with a story. (grab a cuppa tea, or perhaps even some popcorn?)


Once upon a time there was a long-limbed lady named Mylee Grace,
She once went surfing and realised it puts a smile on her face!
A love for vintage, lipstick and hats,
pirates, vampires, werewolves and bats!
The water still cold, in her boyfriends wet-suit
Cathy, in her band, can play a flute! (totally un-realted)
She thought: "why not dress-up, in girlie attire?"
I can surf backwards now, I'm seriously on fire!
And so Vampirate Fridays is here,
Different dresses each time, every Friday of the year!


So this will be the adventures of Jesus and the hillbilly (oh no thats something else!)
Let me start again.
This will be the adventures of Mylee and I (and hopefully a growing number of our friends when they read this) hanging-ten in head to toe vintage each week!
Surfs up little ladies!

Playboy

"I got some troubles but they won't last
I'm gonna lay right down here in the grass
And pretty soon all my troubles will pass
'cause I'm in shoo-shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo-shoo
Shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo Sugar Town"
-Sugar Town, Zooey Deschanel


The wait is over.
The 70s playboy pin-up is here.
Australian actress, Amy Beckwith…well, what can I even physically say?! She has always bagged the 'girl next door'/guys best friend roles, and ever since I have known her, I have wanted to do a shoot with her and really, well, rough her up abit. (in a non-violent way. in a more 'bring out the sex kitten deep within' way. of course). I love her classic American beauty looks, and I love photographer Alice Boshell's 'dreamy' way of shooting, so 2 + 2 = 4 right! exactly.
p.s told you my new couch would make you want to pur. (the sex-on-a-stick chick on it is of course an obvious deal breaker?)
p.p.s I did another shoot with Amy in which I roughed her up in a 'trailer trash' kind-a-way so stay tuned for that!

Bodice and Skirt: Vintage.
Lace Bloomers: Glassons.
Necklace: Disney Couture.
Bangle: found in a random Safari store in the Philippines.
Rings + Teddy: Amy's own.
Shoes: Tap shoes, Bloc (courtesy of Mylee Grace)

Cowboys and Indians

"First you want to ride off into the Sun
Then you want to shoot straight to the Moon
Make a plan to love me 
sometime soon"
-Make a Plan to Love Me, Bright Eyes


When you think of cowboys and indians, you think old old western movies right? in which there is constant conflict between the two groups. Because they are presented as total opposites in every way. Great drama really. Top notch entertainment.
Well I want you to throw all that out the window, and give it a sailors farewell!
Then I want you to picture that a cowboy and indian getting it on...leaving all their clothing mashed together on the floor of the teepee, next to the flaming fire. Then, I want you to run into the teepee, steal their clothes, and rock the vibe on out.
Yes. Delicious.
On this topic, I would like to introduce you to the very love child of this sex infused collaboration.
It's a cowboy shirt, with Indian beading and detailing. (can I get an AMEN!) 
I literally snatched this off the shelf as soon as my sneaky eyes scanned it from a distance at one of my secret op shops. It was a find so epic, I didn't even bother to try it on, 'cause you know its going to be amazing, just by looking at it (and touching it AND because I obviously had to get home and get wearing it asap)
Therefore I declare this union hot to trot and demand you try it. Grab a feather, add some spurs to your boots, you could even dangle some crystals from your hair ?(actually that is neither vibe. I'm just really into crystals) the end.

Shirt: vintage. Harmonica: Tombo Japan (gift from Cowboy when his band did 'south by southwest' in Texas).
Lipstick: Tom Ford Ginger Fawn. Feather: Dino the parrot, Indonesia.

Chicken Dinner

"Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right"
-Here comes the sun, The Beatles


Winner Winner…
Now a few of you have asked me, 'how are you going to choose the winner'? which is a completely valid question. I scribbled all of your names down on pieces of post-it paper, and drew the winners name out of a hat! (well, I didn't have a suitable hat handy, so I actually drew it out of my Marc Jacobs laptop case…you know, to keep the vibe!)
So can I get a drum roll please!
"The winner is…"
And now can I get the 'Jaws' shark attack music to play...
Da na, Da na, Da na, Da na, Da na…
"AMANDATESORIERO !!!!"
Congratulations lover! Please email me your postal address and you shall receive your Marc Jacobs tote very very soon!!!!
for those of you aware of my last name, and have put two and two together, yes we are related. "thats rigged!" I hear you shout, but no no its quite the opposite. All you had to do was be a follower in Australia to win. I never said "excluding family members". I like things to be fair-dinkim (is that you spell it?!) In fact, the only rule I will now put in place regarding competitions is that you cannot win twice in a row! There. Done. Dusted. Ooo wait till you see the next giveaway!


Since I drew the winner in my knickers before I jumped in bed last night, photo evidence was out of the question, so here are some completely un-related images from the Rozelle markets yesterday. Phoebe and I are made some dollar dollar bills ya'll. So much effing fun in the sun AND I found myself in 50 years! (well what I want to look like in 50 years. Fashionably speaking) Brush off the Monday-itis lovers and do something fun tonight in rebellion against how crappy they are! For example, I will be going to see Harry Potter again tonight (and it doesn't get much funner than that!)

There she is! Vivienne Westwood, Patricia Field deliciousness! In real life her hair was a million different shades of pink, orange and yellow!

Our stall. (I wish)

"make money money, make money money monAY!"

Phoebe's purchase of the day. Dusty pink fur √

"Do I really need these vintage binoculars?!" 

Topsey Turvy

"It's the rule around
You don't choose it now
You can turn around
And get turned around

There's a ring around
She don't keep around
She don't fool around
When she fools around"
- Fool Around, American Analog Set


Amy Beckwith.
She is eye candy on a stick. Her doll-like features make me want to dress her up every time we hang out and keep her in my closet (not in a creepy way) as my very own vintage Barbie Doll (the vintage Barbies with a 50s housewife vibe)…so, I decided it needed to be done.
My new pink velvet couch, which I introduced to you here proved the perfect setting for the old school 'playboy' vibe I was going with. (you know, back in the day, when 'sexy' pictures of girls where actually really tame, modest and beautiful rather than in-you-face-fish-nets-and-fake-boobs?) Think Marylin Monroe (when she wasn't being nude)… she always had this sneaky suggestive look in her eye even if she was completely covered with a huge smile on her face...It's that pin-up girl vibe. Totally suggestive, but totally innocent at the same time.
So here's a sneak preview of the shoot to get your heart racing.
Have a sexy Vintage Playboy Friday lovers!
p.s she is up side down for a reason....the reason is so it is more of a tease. (and because up the right way I would probably need to put a 'heart-attack' warning on my blog. trust me.)

Photography: Alice Boshell
Clothing: All Vintage.
Tap Shoes: Bloc (borrowed from Mylee Milkshake).
Necklace: Disney Couture.
Teddy: Amy's Own

Burnt Sienna

"Fighting evil by moonlight
Winning love by daylight
Never running from a real fight
She is the one named Sailor Moon
She will...never turn her back on a friend
She is... always there to defend
She is...the one on whom we can depend
She is the one named Sailor...."
- Sailor Moon theme song


This is a DIY postest with the mostest. Souly and fully regarding 'costumes'.
You may remember this little number from Berlin as the 'day of the dead' sailor outfit of the one and only Burnt. You don't remember? click here
Well I have tramped it back to Sydney to accompany me this summer, and therefore have given it a sneaky make-over.
(everyone loves a good make-over on a Thursday!)
So something that was previously called a 'costume', has now been transformed into a totally wearable vintage playsuit. (I like to say playsuit, instead of jumpsuit simply because it makes me feel playfull…not jumpy).
I just cut off the sleeves, and shortened the leg (on an angle, always) to make it more flattering and modern.
You can do this with practically any kind of vintage garment. It's amazing what a few snips of scissors can do!
So next time you see a 'crazy' yet cool item in an Op shop I want you to stop and think 'what magic could I work on this?!' and try it out.
Ooo and send me some photos of what you did also if your in the mood. I would love that so much in my little heart.
p.s I know it's not a costume anymore but it put me in a 'sailor moon' kind of vibe, and now I'm going to go watch Harry Potter in it so I also feel like I have powers of my own and me and Harry can be together. He'll dig a dirty DIY for sure.
xx

Playsuit and shoes: vintage, Berlin. Bag: Vintage Moschino. Glasses: vintage Karl Lagerfeld. Car: Morrison

Big In Japan

"Many people wanna make money make love
make friends make peace with death
But most mainly want to win the game they came to win
they want to come out ahead
But you you're a rock with a heart like a socket I can plug into at will
And will you guess when I come around next
I hope your open sign is blinking still"
-Marry Me, St. Vincent


Well lovers, what better way to get my Japanese fix than the 'Big in Japan' exhibition, brainchild of the epic guys at Ksubi.
I'm not going to pretend that I particularly understood all of the art and music installations, but I sure as heck enjoyed them. One guy made 'music' through the complete steps it takes to make noodles, attaching microphones to pot's etc and ending it by slurping them into his mouth. (he did ask if anyone else was hungry, but vacant expressions were his only reply). One guy made beats to the Nintendo soundtrack by recording each section separately (making all the noises of musical instruments with his mouth) and his amount of energy and wacked-out personality literally had us all in stitches. My dear friend Chris thought he may be on drugs, but I simply stated: "no no, he is just Japanese!".
My favourite was the oversized bra and knickers. It made me want to live in house where everything is super oversized (kind of like that level in Super Mario Brothers on Super Nintendo) imagine how much fun that would be! I mean, the cups of this bra could easily double as an amazing soft and comfy hammock! And, it would be pretty cool to tell people that you slept in a bra (hey boys, hey?!) The possibilities are endless!
Anyway now I miss Tokyo more than ever and am daydreaming about me and all of my friends moving there and becoming Japanese. (Dan did mention to me I could pass as one whilst being interviewed for the Pedestrian video he was doing…I'm pretty sure my reaction was something along the lines of "holly effing heck! are you serious?!I would effing love to be japanese! I'm a massive FAN of JAPAN!")Oh no, now I need to go get Japanese for lunch! 
I was vibing an origami/Japanese paintings of small flowers kind of theme, and I found the most perfect skirt! It is completely embroidered and is in the most amazing shades of pink and orange…I really wanted to wear a matching headpiece, but ran out of time.
Ah well, next time!
Big thanks to George for the invite xx

Prada

Rose from FiftyFifty. I am in effing love with this girl.
You may recognise her as the vixen rolling around in my bed here

To give you an idea of size,
standing next to the bra, I didn't even reach the top of the first cup.

These two were so into each other, 
I was blinded to the fact that I actually 
don't even understand what they are wearing. 
They rock it with confidence though so that's a big √ from me.

I loved this guy's style
and whomever can wear green red and gold and 
not look like a Christmas elf
…has got it goin' on

Cassie: Assistant designer, One Teaspoon. 
Rocking chains like she means it.
I wore: Vintage skirt, Loveable Bra, Cotton On lace tee.

This image is courtesy of my buddies at LifeWithoutAndy

Giving it Away!

"Give it to me baby, uh huh, uh huh
Give it to me baby, uh huh, uh huh
Give it to me baby, uh huh, uh huh
And all the girlies say I'm pretty fly for a white guy"
-Pretty Fly (for a white guy), Offspring


Ohhhhhhh lovers!
Have I got a little treat for you!
This delicious Marc by Marc Jacobs tote could be yours by the end of the week! 
I will be giving this brand new baby away fresh from my last visit to New York to one lucky 'follower' Sunday afternoon (because is there anything greater than presents on a Sunday!)
Becoming a 'follower' (or I prefer to refer to it as 'lover') is super easy and for those of you who have been complaining to me that they "just can't figure it out!" here are some fool proof steps to insure you will be in the running to be the proud new owner of some Marc Jacobs.
You have two options. You can follow via Bloglovin, or through Google. (if you have a gmail email address or twitter account you can go through Google right now!)


Bloglovin
1. click on the icon/picture/drawing on the top right of the screen of a hot topless chick, with 'bloglovin' on her head. you will be taken to the Bloglovin website
2. it will come up with my Bloglovin page, and you will see a button saying 'follow'. click on it.
3. it will ask you to sign up. (don't freak out! you will not receive any emails or annoying spam mail by doing this!) enter your email address and choose a password.
4. Bing Bang Bop you did it!


Google
1. Firstly you need a Gmail email address or twitter account.
2. Then, on my blog, click on the 'follow' button on the bottom right of the screen under the heading 'lovers'.
3. Then click on the button suitable to you (google-gmail, or twitter) and login.
4. Bing Bang Bop you did it!

So there you have it. Those little beauties who are already followers, you are automatically in the running (of course). Good Luck!

the only fine print is you must be an Australian resident to win this one. But hold tight my international love boats, there will be more to come.

Graphically Speaking

"I heard a hole in the silence
I saw a crack in the plan but I got lazy ways
You're not a private detective take off your telephone shoes
My thoughts going out of phase
And these are the better days"
-Mind Reader, Silverchair


Polka dots, triangles and zig zags oh my!
We are all aware of the 'clashing prints' fiasco loudly and proudly sweeping the earth, and if you ain't on the band wagon, I'm inviting you to join.
I am literally, on a 1800s wooden wagon, out the front of your place right now.
Jump on and let's go for a ride!
Most famously (and successfully) carried off by Mui Mui, you'll find there is always a method behind the madness (I'm really into cliche sayings today!) So therefore, it is slightly trickier than first imagined. You'll find if you just blindly grab things from your closet and chuck them on, they (gasp!) will look like effin vomit.
The secret is focusing on the silhouette, colour palette and most importantly the type of graphic.
Don't forget the vibe!
Today I'm rocking a tribal, bohemian, African, Bahamas vibe 
(oh yes, you can make up your own vibe, and it's even cooler if it only makes sense to you!). 
All that aside…
We are sizzling sausages in the sunshine 
and boy oh boy I'm feelin' fiiiiiiiine.

Skirt: vintage from Williamsburg NY,
Bikini: One Teaspoon,
Feather bracelet: John Galliano,
Rings: King Baby, Tiffany & Co, One Teaspoon

Pleasantly Distracted

"There's a little black spot on the sun today 
It's the same old thing as yesterday 
There's a black hat caught in a high tree top 
There's a flag pole rag and the wind won't stop"
-King of Pain, The Police

After arriving back in Sydney to monsoon rains and summer no where to be found, I instantly regretted my decision of not stopping by Indonesia on the way home.
But as soon as the sun peeps it's magnificant little head, the whole place drops everything. 'quick the sun's out! throw your cosies' on before it's too late!'
The whether here has turned tropical. Sun in the morning, lightening storms in the afternoons.
I'm kinda diggin' it to be honest. So I thought I'd share with you where the heck I have disappeared to!
I'm back in the swing of things now though and have done a couple of shoots that are going to put your panties in a twist, so hold tight.

Wright

"This place is deserted
I think somebody heard it.
The [wicked strain of having you]
We suck blood
just to find you;
never get to [watch us die].
We suck blood."
-Very Vampyr, Teenagers In Tokyo


Did I ever tell you my lounge room is a recording studio? Oh well yes, yes ma'm it is.
Tonight I was lucky enough to watch Mylee and the Milkshakes slap down some tunes.
You know it's going to be good when there are more instruments than people present.
Three guitars, a base, drums, a cello, a flute, a ukulele, a harmonica, a tambourine and a microphone.
The occasion felt like it needed a little polaroid action...(and I really effing missed my polaroid camera whilst oversea's). I also wanted to introduce you to my new pink velvet couch. It kinda makes me want to purr. Real photo shoot on it coming soon.
Thank you Mylee Milkshake, Ozzie Wrong, Cut Throat Cowboy, and Cathy for the delicious vibrations in my ears.

To get a taste of what I'm talkin' bout…click here

Poison

"there is light in my lady's house
and there's none but some falling rain
this like a spoken word
she is more than her thousand names"
-In my lady's house, Iron and Wine


It isn't every day you wake up in a 1920s mood. Perhaps it's the rain, or perhaps it's the yearning to slink in dark smoky corners, but let me tell you, this vibe is brand spanking new to me.
A photograph by Peter Lindbergh still lingering in my brain, I whipped out the curlers, grabbed my pins and smacked on the lipstick.

Dress: vintage. Pins: H & M Lipstick: MAC Dark Side AA9

Spoilt Fur Choice

"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose,
Nothing don't mean nothing honey if it ain't free, now now.
And feeling good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues,
You know feeling good was good enough for me,
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee"
-Me & Bobby McGee, Janis Joplin


Around the corner from our apartment in Berlin, antique stores literally lined the street and I made a conscious effort to appreciate seeing so much deliciousness every single day. I remember thinking 'I am so spoilt to be able to have so much fur in my eyes'. Now I know what your thinking: 'yeh some fur jackets so effing what?' (well you probably didn't say 'effing', but if you did, I am so effing proud of you right now!)
But seriously.
I am talking about, rows and rows, and complete WALLS full of every single type and colour fur you could even imagine. I feel quite confident in saying I am somewhat of an ammeter fur expert...and if not that then I am just one big effing fur enthusiast! One day, in the mountains of Mongolia you will find me, in head to toe fur riding a majestical white horse in the snow. Heaven on earth.
(p.s I have seriously, and in depth researched this, and it looks like it may happen in February so keep your cute little fingers crossed for me)
Aside from the fur, other antique treasures also filled my eyeballs including jewellery, crystals, furniture, records, camera's, books and artworks. I have a strange fascination with vintage photographs and like the idea of using them as postcards (in particular those awkward family portraits where everyone looks very serious and very dressed up). You should do it one day....(the postcard idea dorks, not the family portrait).
We were literally seconds away from buying some foxes to drape over our shoulders one day, but the chances of getting them into Australia were slim to none and their eyeballs really creeped me out. Next time.
p.s Alot of you have told me your super keen to go to Berlin now, and I hope in my heart this tips you over the edge and get's you on a plane asap.
the end.

How effing good is this! I want this on a tee-shirt right.now.