COMPETITION!! Read On...

Since January I've developed quite a ridiculous Diet Coke habit. In an attempt to stop having my mid-afternoon chocolate or cake, I began substituting it for a can of the evil elixir. Terrible, I know, one step away from an eating disorder n all that... Well, it would be if it lasted more than a week. Instead, mid-afternoon Diet Coke break turned into at least 3 cans a day (and I still have to have chocolate at least once a day too).
Last week I mustered all my will power and successfully swapped the black bubbles for pure still mineral water. My body breathed a sigh of relief.
Monday morning arrived and I popped down to the cafe to grab my water and what's staring me in the face??

THIS!!

A pink leopard print can offering me the chance to WIN an outfit from ASOS.com! WTF??

Needless to say, I'm hooked - again.

Today's intake. Note the 'Sons of Anarchy' mug (I also have matching mouse mat), presents from my other half. My keyboard is also a Genius...

Slurping away on can number 3.

I can't tip my head to look at the camera cos I've totally buggered my neck - note the tube of Ibuleve on the desk behind (and the H&M bag containing 'bad buys' that need to be returned!)

While I won't know for 72 hours whether or not I've won an outfit, I do have 3 spare voucher codes to give away to you lovely people out there! Each code entitles you to £5 off a £20 minimum spend at ASOS.com between now and 1st June.


All you have to do is follow me on Google Friend Connect and leave a comment telling me what your current addiction is. I'll choose my 3 favourites this weekend.

Whip It, Whip It Good

Whip Me Stockings from Agent Provocateur
"Whip Me, Bite Me, Eat Me, Tease Me"

Black Is The New Black

Since being able to choose my own music and dress as I please, the colour, or non-colour, BLACK has featured heavily in my wardrobe. I keep a box of Dylon in the cupboard at all times - just in case!
I've been a fan of the Comme des Garcons/Antwerp Six deconstruction since the early 90s, but my interest in fashion as more than 'cool clothes that cool bands wear' didn't really ignite until Gareth Pugh's degree show. Until then, I was beginning to feel as though wearing all black defined me as a 'goth', a label I was keen to drop as more and more 'emo kids' and 'teeny goths' started popping up all over the scene.Well, with more and more black skulking down the runway, I feel vindicated and wear black from head to toe on a regular basis! Imagine how excited I was when I read about the new exhibition at Antwerp's MoMu on Diane's Shaded View of Fashion:

"BLACK: Masters of Black in Fashion & Costume"

The history of black as a non-colour used to express feelings of mourning through to it's current association as chic, is explored through paintings, historical costumes, jewellery and of course, contemporary design. On display are garments designed by Ann Demeulemeester, Olivier Theyskens, Dirk Van Saene, Givenchy (Riccardo Tisci), Chanel, Gareth Pugh and more. The exhibition runs from 25th March - 8th August. A wee weekend in Belgium wouldn't go amiss this summer!

Givenchy couture dress designed by Riccardo Tisci. Photo by Frederik Vercruysse.

Ann Demeulemeester. Photo by Frederik Vercruysse.

To Cut A Long Story Short

At the beginning of this year my hairdresser decided to go travelling - the usual places, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia etc. Great.
"When will you be back??"
"Well, I've got enough saved to do me til mid-April, but hopefully I'll pick up some work and be able to stay longer"
"Eh?? Like 6 months??"
"Oh, at least. I'd like to make it 9 or so"
"What the hell am I supposed to do for 9 months??"

So, I decided, fuck it - I'll just grow it. I haven't grown my hair past my chin since I was about 21 and quite fancied the idea. I can keep my fringe in check as I always trim it myself anyway.
To cut a long story short, I couldn't put up with the 'not long enough to tie up, but too long to sit properly' length any longer.
At the beginning of this month my pal recommended a girl in the Gorbals (a pretty scary area of Glasgow). I was a bit dubious, but adored what she'd done with Christina's hair so... I booked myself in for last Thursday night.

After dodging the dog shit and stepping over a few junkies, I found the place.
"Hiya! Fancy a cup of tea? Just popping the kettle on."
"Erm, cheers, that would be nice"
"Let me take your jacket - ooh - that's gorgeous and I love your boots!"
"Thanks, I could say the same about yours - are they KG?"
"Yip! Picked them up in the sale"

After another 5 minutes or so of mutual 'I like your...', 'well, I like your ... more', Stacey set to work on my moptop.
I should mention that going to the hairdressers for me is like going to the dentist. I hate it. Hate the mundane chat. Hate people touching my hair. Hate the 'advice'. Generally find it a necessary evil and come home and attack the new style with my own scissors.

Not this time however. Got exactly what I was after. And to top it all off, once Stacey had finished cutting, out popped the 'goth dust' - ya dancer! I can't get enough of this stuff, OSiS 'Dust It'. Been using it for months and was pleased as punch that Stacey didn't even need to ask before she went about back-combing and 'dusting' til I looked like I'd been on the walzers with a can of Studio Line in a storm.
"That'll be £20, please"
20 quid?? Couldn't believe it. I usually pay between £45 and £65 for a cut n blow dry.
Whipped out my debit card, beaming about the excellent service and price!

DECLINED

Eh? I didn't get paid til the next day, but I'd checked only that morning and there was plenty of cash in my account. Maybe it was the machine. I apologised and popped round to the cash machine. Of course, it was 'out of order'. OK, no cash, no card and I'm stuck in the Gorbals...

Ah! Got new credit card in my bag. I can activate it using my iphone - bingo! Sat back down, looking rather sheepish by this point. Think my hair was even beginning to flop.

"The s-i-x-t-h d-e-c-e-m..." etc etc

Goddamn automated service.

"Sorry. Please repeat your date of birth"
"Sorry. Please repeat your date of birth"
"Sorry. Please repeat your date of birth"

Shit!! No worky. What the hell am I going to do now? Offer to give her my leather jacket she liked so much?? Not really an option. It was pissing it down outside and anyhow, my jacket cost way more than 20 quid!

"Will you take payment over the phone?"
"Erm...ok..."

"Hi honey. I need you to do me a favour. I'll explain when I get home. Have you got your bank card handy? Can you pay the hairdresser 20 quid, over the phone? Thanks."

Sorted. What a 'riddy'*!

*West Coast slang for having an emabarrassed red face

Topshop black leather jacket // Miss Selfridge grey dress // River Island scarf // H&M dotty tights // crap Dorothy Perkins boots

Looks That Kill

Got my hair cut tonight - first time in 6 months. This is what it looks like.
FUCK YEAH!

Got a big spot on my nose. Will post photos at the weekend x

A Friend In Need's A Friend Indeed

I saw this on a blog a few months ago and have just been reminded of it.
It's a Companion Parrot by Tithi Kutchamuch.

"Jewellery as part of home that you can bring with. Keep them save, and bring back to complete your forever friend at home."

Go Green For Spring

You know spring has finally arrived in Scotland because the wind picks up and it starts to rain.

Not all the time, so you never know whether to leave your leather jacket in the house or wear a mac. Nor is it still cold enough to wrap up warm and wear hats n scarves n gloves. Instead, heavy showers pelt down from the sky with little warning. The wind doesn't blow from the north, the south or the west, no - it blows up, down and all round about so your brolly is knackered before you even leave the front porch.

Hence the need for a light-weight, showerproof coat (that covers your bum) with a hood. I'm hardly an 'anorak' kinda gal, so the hunt is on for this year's 'spring coat'. I bring you: "The Parka"!
Yes, I can hear many a scream as we all remember Liam Gallagher and co trying to reinvent the "mod", but I'm thinking more "army jacket" - Travis Bickle or Trent Reznor...



Vanilla Scented from Chicotopia is rocking exactly the sort of coat I'm after - pity it's vintage...
I'll be scouring the vintage shops in the west end this weekend, but please keep an eye out for me!

Off With Her Head!

Today, most people associate the cry "Off with her Head!" with the Queen of Hearts. As did I, until I read about the new "Crime and Punishment" exhibition at the Musee d'Orsay, Paris.
We all know that the guillotine was the preferred method of capital punishment in France during the Revolution (1789-99), but I had no idea it was still in use right up until 1977 when Hamida Djandoubi was guillotined at Baumettes prison in Marseille after being convicted on charges of torture, murder and rape.
One of the last guillotines in France will be on display from 16th March - 27th June along with more than 450 works, including sculptures by Rodin and paintings by Degas, David and Munch.

On a lighter note, I've decided not to bother going to see Tim Burton's Alice. Not heard too many good things and not really a Burton fan other than his animated works.

"Marie Antoinette à la Rose", one of the most famous portraits of Marie Antoinette by Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun. She lost her head on 16 October 1793.

That Friday Feeling

It's Friday, the sun is shining and I've got the office to myself today.
Queue music.
Here's some late 80s house to get the party started!

Zero to Hero in 168 Seconds

Got a new credit card the other day - oops! I've been so good for about 2 years now and not actually put anything on credit, but a girl's gotta treat herself once in a while. The time has come and these Jeffrey Campbell Zero Peep Toes I blogged about a few weeks ago will be mine! They've just got everything going for them - a big chunky, kick-ass wedge, ankle strap so you don't fall off them, beautiful cutout detailing in the heel and the rocking horse toe gives them a Westwood/Japanese feel to them. I want them NOW!
Before I go blowing all that cash, erm credit, I'd love to hear from any of you darlings who actually own a pair of Jeffreys - are they comfortable? Just getting too old and lazy to break shoes in these days. I just wanna pop them on and rock my socks off! Let me know your thoughts x

The One Eyed Pirate He's Tough and Strong

Bebaroque Saylor Hold Ups in Dove Grey

Bebaroque Saylor Tights and matching scarf

Well, shiver me timbers! Aren't these just darling? And with a scarf to match, so even on a fat day I could rock the salty sailor look. Thanks to Queen Marie from Kingdom of Style for bringing these to my attention!

Drop The Bomb

This summer is the summer of weddings. Got three in June alone. As I've already been there, done that, I'm utterly thrilled and excited about going to everyone else's! No stress for me, but all the fun - pretty perfect all round. BUT, what to wear?? Lou Lou's is sorted as I'm Maid of Honour (yay!) and below are the options for Number 1: Cousin's wedding in the Cotswolds - Art Deco theme.

This is my favourite, but I'm hesitating about the pale pink stretchy fabric around my middle and the possibility of unsightly under arm perspiration...

Option 2: the other way around. This is the safe option, but is it too much black for a summer wedding??

Option 3: I love these pretty sleeves and they'd probably be enough to disguise any 'sweaty betty' moments.

Option 4: I've always wanted a sailor dress - always! But is this verging on costume?

Pretty, pretty, pretty and pretty perfect with options 1-3.

Dresses by Stop Staring and Shoes by Bordello @ Love Burlesque

PLEASE HELP! Send me all your suggestions and comments. I need YOUR advice x

Cheap As Chips

Managed to dodge out of work for a couple of hours this morning under the pretense of looking for 'props' and headed along to the local antiques warehouse. Why have I never ventured beyond it's incredibly hard to find door? Maybe that's the answer right there - it's a little, how shall I put it, off the beaten track?

Once inside we discovered a glittering aladdin's cave full of exquisite furniture (the smell of french polish was strong enough to send you down the rabbit hole), a whole host of fascinating objet d'art and weird and wonderful 'dust collectors'.

1960s suspended swing chair - just imagine what a re-upholstering could do here

A troll

A selection of early 90s cybergoth rubber spiked collars

A full-size Guernica print

Tastes like chicken - actually, more 'smells' like chicken

A floor to ceiling baroque style mirror

And finally, a beautiful wee metal bag. On inspection, it was 'Made in China'...

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

So yesterday turned into one of the best days I've had for ages.
Got to work and sitting on my desk was a big brown parcel. I dived in and promptly modelled my new Ebay purchase around the office. Super bargain and I didn't even realise I had won it - thought I'd just been watching it, then totally forgot all about it and wham, bam, thank you mam, there it was sitting on my desk - ya beauty!Worked like a trojan all day long, so rewarded myself by 'finishing' at 4 o'clock. Did some blog-reading then decided to sketch out (like a child!) my new tattoo design. Logged off and popped into town to meet my pal as she finished work.


We gabbed, fixed our hair, applied more slap and headed off to the Glasgow School of Art Fashion Show. We arrived fashionably late - too late to get a seat, but early enough to grab two half pints of cider and black - can't get your hands round a full pint whilst wearing a fist full of rings and carrying an almighty handbag. Lights dim and the show starts. Second Year are first up.

Bright, bold colours and some fun styling. I'm loving the ORANGE this season! Just bought some Illamasqua lipstick in Blaze.


THIRD YEAR
THE GOOD

Vinyl hooded capes - super hero crossed with a shower curtain - ace! Loved these.


This whole collection was divine - beautiful, sumptuous fabrics and well structured. I want the Little Green Riding Hood coat in the centre.

THE BAD

On the right - hand-knitted peach trousers. No - just NO!


THE UGLYBare mid-riff? Really? Baaaaddd...

Show ends and we decide to have another wee sneaky half pint and grab a seat before heading to the Boutique to see what's on offer. We buy lovely wee handmade heart brooches designed by Maggie McNab - one each. Then totter off to get the bus home. While making our way all the way along Sauchiehall Street then down Buchanan Street, Lou Lou turns to me and pops the question, "would you like to be my Maid of Honour?" After lots of squeels and hugs and leaky eyes I, of course, accept! I'm chuffed to bits and grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Lots of pretty dress shopping to come - watch this space.

Dusk... And Her Embrace

I remember back to a time when I still lived at home, went to school, had my mum do my washing etc. Way back then, my mum aslo helped me to sew together my very first black velvet cloak - you know the type - all witchy and goblin like. I was going to my very first Cradle of Filth gig and could not be seen without the proper attire. Needless to say my taste in gothic clothing (and music!) has some what matured over the years. I still cling to black eyeliner and lace like someone might pour water on me any second and I'll melt, but long gone are the hooded cloaks and black lipstick... or are they?

Recently I've found myself drawn to any garment with a huge, snuggly, 'hide me from the world hood', like Oak's grey hooded poncho. It even has a kangaroo pocket in the front for my iphone!

This one's a beauty. Does anyone know who the designer is?

I blame Gareth Pugh!