You’d think with all the messing around I do with my hair that I would have the best hair stylist in the world. But you’d be wrong.  Over the last few years I have changed hairdressers no less than five times.  About two hairdressers per year, and by that I mean salon, not even actual stylist. I can’t remember how many individual stylist I have been through.  The problem is that with all the different styles I like to create, from pin curls and 1940′s sets to 1960′s updo’s, it is a big ask to find a stylist who understands all these creations. If I were going for a straight ironed, Eva Longoria look, I’d have no problem.  And while that look does still suit me, it is actually more high maintenance for me that what I put together on a daily basis.

You see, my hair is so thick that I can’t even plait it myself and when it is done it looks quite ridiculous.  Like something that belongs on the rear end of a horse! Combine that thickness with a natural wave and a tendency to frizz, and you can create a hair nightmare when trying to force it to do what doesn’t come naturally.  One of the reasons that I began experimenting with vintage styles for my hair, is that it made good use of the curl and volume.  It also meant that I didn’t have to spend hours in the bathroom trying to straighten it into submission.  So while many of my looks can appear to be time consuming and involved, they are actually a short cut for me.  Finding fancy ways to tie it up, tie it back, keep it under control and let it curl with freedom.  It sounds like a dream now, but it took me many years to find my hair niche.

Now I want to take it to the next level.  To commit to a cut that should make it even easier to style without rollers or heat (although I’ll still do that at times), and hopefully see me waking up each morning with hair that just magically looks as good as Rita Hayworth’s.  So I’ve been searching for a hairdresser that understands how to cut vintage style.  I’ve been trekking around with diagrams, photos, old stylist manuals and hoping to find someone who ‘got it’.  And I think I finally might have found the one.  But the proof is in the pudding and today I am off to put my trust in his silver scissors…. and see what happens. Gulp.

Have you found your hairdressing holy grail?

Yep, domestic day today. Not one shirt that isn’t currently in the ironing pile.

So it is time to get busy with a little Ella Fitzgerald in the background, and pretend this is fun. Here’s my tune of choice in a link for you as I hate embedded music that shocks the hell out of your colleagues when you are sneakily reading blogs!

In direct contrast to last weeks cute and colourful Daily Outfit, here is the flipside of the coin.

When the weather is cold and grey, and you just want to huddle inside, you need to feel as cozy as possible.  So when the weather could only muster a top of 14 degrees and I knew I had to be on my feet at work all day, I called upon a little coziness – Joan Crawford style.  Although the overall effect of this outfit is very vintage, the pieces that go into making it aren’t. Old, yes; but vintage no.  The jacket is one inherited from my Mother’s 1990′s wardrobe and is a beautiful quality Trent Nathan wool gabardine coat dress. It has black leather trim and woven leather buttons.  I replaced the shoulder pads with an even more dramatic pair to give it extra oomf. Underneath the coat is the secret to the warmth factor, my favorite ankle length, black cashmere dress. Made by Mountain Cashmere, this was my one splurge purchase during my first pregnancy.  It has stretch, held its shape and was a far superior alternative to hanging about in the Mr’s track pants! Given that it is still going strong six years later, I expect that with TLC, it should be in the closet for many years to come.  The brooch and matching earrings, however, are the only true vintage items in this ensemble. Accessories are the key to making any look come alive, and this Autumn leaf design set is a stellar example of the power of a bit of old fashioned bling.

Yes, it is a contrast; but I am nothing if not a sartorial paradox – and that is where the fun is!

Outfit Details

Coat Dress – 1990′s Trent Nathan   Cashmere Dress – Mountain Cashmere

Opaque Tights – Voodoo          Shoes – Luca & Marc

Brooch & earrings – Vintage Market

Because Monday’s should be special!

I love love love this little guy Maneki Neko. You’ll find him hidden in various parts all around my house, from his golden Chinese smile, his demure white porcelain Japanese face, and even his pink-coated Hello Kitty likeness.  This little chap never fails to put a smile on my face and is a pleasant companion at all times.  So because I am in such a sunny mood today, I wanted to share a smile with you too.

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You know how sometimes you are happy and then something happens that makes you even more happy than usual? This was one of those weeks – thanks to you my fabulous readers! I wanted to begin this weekend post by saying a big THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to read, comment, email, tweet etc… yesterdays post. It is in moments like these that I appreciate you, my readers, even more.  The fact that you have come along on this great ol’ blog ride with me as it has developed into something that is about more than just what to wear, but the how’s, why’s and where for’s.  I love that we have created a community that can share our different perspectives on being and our experiences in life, all being drawn together by our common love of style.

Because yesterday’s post attracted so many well written and deeply thought out comments, it seems inadequate of me to answer you all in short sentences in the comments section. Thus I will craft more responses in the form of further posts on my thoughts on Life, The Universe and Everything! This will not take over from all the usual life, style, outfits and vintage posts; but I will create a little corner for more depth and discussion, as that is what gives meaning to the rest of it.

And so, on with the weekend!

The 24th is my little Miss One’s second birthday, which means yet another round of cake, pinkness, balloons and craziness. Last night was spent indulging in chocolate cake and several rounds of “Happy Birthday”, which is sure to continue well into the weekend. I asked her to pose for an incognito birthday photo for you, which results in peering into the camera looking for said audience. Behold Miss Big Eyes! Yes, she really does look like a doll.

This weekend I am also off to the Baby and Kids Market on Sunday.  It is a great way of recycling your good baby and children’s wear, being environmentally responsible and saving some cash all at the same time! So it means that this weekend will see me fully ensconced in baby land, whether that be partying, playing, boxing up or selling – the things that is – NOT the babies!

And it wouldn’t be a weekend without a few….

Links à la Mode

• A Typical Atypical: A look at the unexpected fashion gems on offer at this year’s new designers exhibition in London – cut-out dresses, paper-like jewelry and more!
• Bonne-Vie: Pincurl project – experimenting with glamorous retro style techniques to create a saucy updo!
• Confessions of a Fashion Editor: Polling for the next Vogue Cover Girl – Bonnie Wright’s first fashion shoot.
• Denimaniac: Camo’s SS 2010 “Horses” collection and thoughts of Meryl Streep…
• Dramatis Personae: Celebrating a two year anniversary with a great giveaway – $50 gift card to BeautyTicket.com!
• Duper: Interview with Raoul Keil, founder of NINETEEN74 and Schon! Magazine.
• Fashion Cents: How to get glam for a movie date so that there is real life lights, camera, action!
• Fashion is My Crush: It’s a mosh pit: A studded DIY belt, some jellies from the kids section at Payless and some concrete comfort.
• Fashion Pulse Daily: Hand-picked favorite looks from 10 of the Paris Couture collections.
• Fasshonaburu:Finding a new hair dresser and how to break up with your old one.
• Idiosyncratic Style: A design board of inspiring comparisons of cool sorbet treats and summer fashion choices.
• Retro Chick: Sunglasses to flatter your face.
• Shop Diary: Cozy up with a snood for fall and how to improvise in these recessionary times.
• Style Symmetry: Interview with Cammila of Dressed Up Like a Lady.
• The Coveted: Turning Red, How to go monochromatic…
• The Musings of Ondo Lady: A look at Style Sample Magazine – featuring articles about a wide variety of bloggers across the world.
• Unfunded: Drooling over the sexy styles of Brandon Boyd and Robert Pattinson.
• V is for Olive: Inspired by a road trip through the American West – taking color palette ideas from nature and applying them to your own summer wardrobe.
• WorkChic: Teamed with Polyvore to show examples of a blouse makeover by style and your office type.

Enjoy my Friends!