New Year's - personal goal and plans.

Well what a year - full of good and bad - the good I turned 50, stayed in Claridges, and The Savoy, made a dream come true and travelled on the British Pullman, had fabulous times at vintage weekends and events - the bad - major car accident that put me in hospital for 3 days, fractured 3 of my ribs and left me feeling depressed and venerable!!

But as I do at this time every year I like to look forward and plan for the coming months.

So what is in store for Fabulous Miss K in 2015 - I don't make resolutions but rather give myself goals both personally and professionally.

Personal Goals:

Keep up with the personal training and fitness regime.

After recovering from the accident I started working with Carmen Hyde Johnson which gave my aching body a much needed boost and helped my drop a few pounds when the vintage frocks got a little snug - I want to continue to get fit, trim down to fit in my favourite dresses and have more energy.

Go back to my fashion roots.

Earlier this year I wrote about My forgotten passion - I love FASHION!!  so I am going to experiment with my look mixing vintage with a modern twist, dressing how I want playing with different styles and indulging my passion for fashion again.

Discover new places.

I go out a lot but tend to go to the same places? When my hubby and I were first together we used to go exploring at the weekends - jump in the car with a picnic and see where we ended up - stopping when something took our fancy, finding fabulous antique shops to hunt for vintage, wonderful delis full of yumminess or a country pub serving great food. So this is the plan to get out and have some more adventures and discover new places.

Get on top of time management.
I am pretty good at this but need to find time to fit everything in - with the business, social life and everything else that goes on in my busy life the days seem to go past quickly that I don't know where the day went?! I have one big professional goal that will be announced soon that I must get on top of the time management thing - I have the diary so to get planning the days.

 

 

Pamper my self a bit more.

I love dressing up and take great care with my clothes, but tend to neglect what goes in them sometimes - me!!

So I am going to make sure that I make time to give myself a little love - updating my make up is first on the list, investing in some quality products that make me feel special, treating myself to beauty treatments and just spending me time reading books or magazines.

 

 

So there it is my personal goals for 2015 - I would love to hear what you are hoping to achieve this year?

Love my job - playing dress up!!

I love my job - I get the chance to work with some very talented people from hair stylists, make up artists, designers, photographers and vintage shops.

This year has seen a slight change in direction working on my Vintage is for Everyone Campaign - with an exciting project being launched hopefully at Norwich Fashion Week.

One of my favourite things to do is put together a fashion shoot - I love the whole process of working on the theme, sourcing the perfect outfits - choosing the models and creative team to make it reality!!

And I have some planning to do for the little secret project but am looking forward to getting started!!

I have worked on some fabulous ones this year - here are just a few images from my favourites.

 

I wanted show that the collection would work on every age and that vintage could too - the start of the thought process on Vintage For Everyone. (photo: All about Image)

A sunny day at Hoveton Hall for a vintage sport inspired shoot - loved this one such fun!!

Photo: Joe Black Photography hair and make up Missy Vintage

Clothes: Retreat Vintage and Lulu Vintage.

 

We worked hard that day - we also shot for a 40's glamour feature for Norwich Resident Magazine and Royal Resident Magazine.

Love the movement in these images.

Dresses Retreat Vintage and Wake Up Little Susie.

 

Photo shoot for Maids Head Hotel - this was so much fun running around the corridors.

Photos: Joe Black Photography

Hair and Mup Missy Vintage

Clothes from: Proudlock and Harry, Retreat Vintage, Love Couture, Frock Spot and John Lewis.

 

Vintage for Everyone - the beginning of a new project.

Photos - Luminoso Studios

 

 

 

I already have shoots planned for the new year - more Vintage for Everyone, Norwich Fashion Week shoot for the Vintage fashion show and lots of other ideas too.

 

 

If you have a shoot you would like me direct or organise for you - get in touch - check out the website for details and my whole gallery Fabulous Miss K

 

 

 

Vintage over new - what happend to quality in cloth?

After spending the best part of a day trawling the high street trying to find a pair of well cut wool trousers or simple classic skirt I gave up and came to the conclusion that one of the reasons I buy vintage is for the quality of fabric and the cut of the cloth.

Unless you are prepared to spend over £100 for a garment made from more than 20% wool - it seems impossible to find clothes that do not have a stretch in them?  What happened that we have to have comfort over style - don't get me wrong I know we all need to have some ease of washing garments and that a bit of a lycra never hurt anyone but the nearly all of the fabrics I felt seemed to "squeak"?

There are some great high street shops out there but it seems to me that most of them have forgotten how to make simple classic clothing and are addicted to adding stretch, unnecessary details or trims in the hope that it makes it more appealing.

Quality of fabric seems not to matter anymore - I always remember a number of years ago when training with Hobbs I was told that wool isn't actually wool anymore but wool fibres drawn out and then stuck together with a glue like substance and pressed into one large piece. Years ago there were mills all over the UK producing wools but now it is only the luxury markets that can afford to use "real wool" in there clothing.

Man made fabric is not a new thing but even the polyester dresses of the 70's are better quality and at least have  a classic style that is simple and elegant!!

I know that it takes more time to find vintage pieces and it is not just a case of one size fits all, but one of the joys I find in vintage shopping is that when your hand touches a wonderful fabric or a beautifully cut item catches you eye you heart jumps just a little bit knowing that you have found something "to die for".

Retreat Vintage Norwich,

Vintage can be part of your everyday wardrobe and should be if you are like me fed up with the poor offerings from the high street. Mix it up with some basics from department stores if you need to but don't settle for comfort over style. Buying vintage is re-cycling and you will find that your clothes will last longer - crikey they have survived for a least 20 years (I can't agree yet that 90's is vintage - sorry) - how long do you think your high street purchases will last - not long I guess they will be in landfill before you vintage classic wool skirt even looks worn??!!

So I won't be taking to the high street shops any time soon - it's vintage all the way with me with a few modern twists.

Tell me what you think? Have let go of style in the search for comfort or is there still hope out there for quality clothing??

Modern Muse - Natalie Joos

While researching modern ways to wear vintage for a fabulous new project which is under wraps for now but all going well will launch at Norwich Fashion Week - I came across a very stylish lady who mixes her designer and vintage to the max!!

Natalie Joos is a stylist, casting agent and blogger - lover of all things vintage, I love the way she combines colours, patterns, vintage and designer creating fabulous looks - that sometime really shouldn't work but do!!

Here are just a few of may favourites: You can't tell if it vintage or a modern trend but just plain chic!!

Just love this dress - mixed with the green.

Going to totally work this now it is chilly - midi skirt and cosy sweater

Classic colour combo with a great colour pop

 



Afternoon Tea, Dancing and a starry hotel weekend

Last weekend we stayed at another fabulous hotel - this time it was for my brother in laws 50th birthday bash but I not going to say no for a chance to stay spend time drinking cocktails, dancing and living it up!!

This time it was in the heart of theatre land -The Savoy - it was the favourite of many a movie star form the golden age of Hollywood and the famous American Bar.

 

 

I love arriving at posh hotels - we drove up to the entrance and waiting to open the door is a smartly dressed doorman, taking you luggage and inviting you in to the grandeur of reception beyond the revolving doors.

 

 

 

And what a hotel it was - with a recent re-vamp costing quite a few millions it was amazing. Many of the features including the floor are original and totally restored.

 

 

 

 

 

After being shown to our room and the luggage magically appearing we settled in to the Art Deco themed surroundings - getting changed before heading down for a quick drink before our Afternoon Tea.

 

 

 

Vintage 40's dress Shazam Vintage. In the famous American Bar.

 

Champagne Afternoon Tea with style!!

 

 

After a long relax in the bath and a quick power nap we headed back to the Beaufort Bar this time for a cocktail before dinner - I loved this bar - black and gold very Deco interior but due to the fact that my camera is not great in low light we didn't get any great shots (note to self - get a better camera!!), It was the 125 year anniversary of the hotel so they had created some signature cocktails and a "pop up cocktail menu".

 

1930's dress Lulu Vintage, fascinator by me and 1930's tux also Lulu Vintage.

 

 

We actually bought this book from the shop along with a special edition cocktail shaker - so expect lots of drink photos over the festive season as we try some out!!

 

 

Dinner with Steve- the birthday boy and family and friends!

 

While we were enjoying our dinner we were treated to the sounds of the 30's from Alex Mendham and his orchestra - a truly amazing experience recreating the dance band era.

 

In between courses we took to the dance floor - I was moving so fast that I am a little blurry in this picture!! We even managed a Fred and Ginger tap routine??

 

 





 

 

What a weekend - I have been spoilt this year with fabulous hotels and events - will have to start saving and get some ideas for next year now!!