And The Winner Is...

Sarah-Paige from Nitty Gritty Photography!

Well done Sarah! The contents of my Bumper Bombshell Giveaway, including your choice of MAC original RED lipstick will be winging it's way to you ASAP.

Thanks to everyone who entered from myself and Miss Hats. I plan to do another one when I reach the big 200, so watch this space!

What is everyone up to today? I've got a cheeky wee day off work, so planning on braving the snow and heading out to the West End for some Christmas shopping :-)

GIVEAWAY Reminder!

Just a wee reminder about my Bumper Bombshell Giveaway which ends tomorrow at 11am GMT.

One of my lovely followers WILL win:

• A stunning sailor style fascinator hand-crafted, especially for you, by the delightful Miss Hats
• A Betty Bird necklace from Accessorize
• A MAC lipstick OR lipglass - in the colour of your choice!
• A bunch of temporary (dib dab!) cherry bomb tattoos, because everyone should rock them at least once in their lives!

To enter, click HERE.

Good luck!

Snow Way!

Today was supposed to be my second day as an Elf at The Tall Ship's Christmas Gift Fair but when I arrived this morning at 9 o'clock the pipes had frozen leaving us without a water supply onboard - no tea, coffee or toilets. The snow was falling faster than the crew could clear the decks. It was a non starter today and we were all sent home. No much needed income, but the ship looked spectacular!
That's me on the way home. Still wearing my green sparkly elf eyeshadow, Urban Outfitters hat, vintage fake fur and River Island scarf with Motley Crue leading me Home Sweet Home - happy days!

Miss Dax - Style Icon

I am ridiculously busy this weekend, so here's a wee style nugget I've been saving for a rainy, erm, snowy, day.
I don't really have a lot of 'style icons'. I like my street style too much and generally find inspiration from friends and ordinary folks, but this lady never fails to blow me away. Shaheena Dax is the keyboard player in my favourite band, Rachel Stamp, and whether she's onstage or simply chilling with her man on holiday, she personifies everything I adore: she's glamourous, but edgy, sophisticated but ever so slightly kinky. And she can rock a leather catsuit like no onther.

The Boot Diaries: Part 2

Monday 22nd November 2010 - just the other day


You know you are addicted to something when you do it in secret.

Buying boots is a little like that for me. I bought these babies (above) on Ebay last week after feeling the urge, the need, for about 3 days. I never told anyone, in fact, I almost forgot all about them until after the deed was done. Almost.

I've made a little pact with myself that while chunky wedges are 'in', I'll buy as many as possible before they're 'out' again and I'm left high and dry in a world of god-awful strappy sandals.

I missed my chance with the Topshop Ashish ones and every time I spot a pair on Ebay they're going for way over their original £140 price tag. So, I've satiated myself with a pair of cheap as chips fake ones. Who wants real pony skin anyway??



I'll rock my FAKE designer shoes with my FAKE leather trousers, Fuck Yeah!

What's your opinion on knock-offs?

These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things

Lover of tea and drag queens, Cowbiscuits, challenged all her followers to write up a post about their favourite things. I could have gone on for hours, but I've tried to keep it to 10 things, in no particular order.

Gareth Pugh
My first, last and always designer. I still get tingles when I look at images from his first degree show. He is a true genius and cute as a button!


Tattoos
I got my first tattoo as soon as I turned 18. My mum spotted it about a year later and stormed out my flat in disgust. I've been asked what they mean to me, but to be honest, I see my tattoos as an extension of fashion. I'll get a new tattoo in the same way I'll decide to get a new hair cut or splurge on a pair of boots. The only one that holds any meaning is my 'Stay Beautiful'. It's a Manic Street Preachers song - my first obsession from age 12 - and it was done on a total whim. Just decided I was gonna get it done and popped into the shop later that week.


Disneyland Paris
Who doesn't love Disney?? This photo was taken in March 2007, on my 3rd trip to DL, just before Mr G popped the question on It's A Small World. Fuck yeah!

Mildred Pierce and Lydia
Our babies. Mildred was a ferral wee kitten with mites in her ears and a problem with self harm. Lydia is half Persian, half something else, with a wonky back end and a problem with puking. But look at them! How could you not love them??!



Eyeliner and Leopard Print
Killing a few birds with one stone here. I have been a dedicated Eye-Liner since I discovered the Manics at the tender age of 12. Along with that came a passion for glam rock, big hair and boys in tight trousers and makeup. Here we have Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue, Will and David from Rachel Stamp and the most beautiful creature of all, Mr Richey James of the Manic Street Preachers.

Glasgow
I moved to Glasgow in 1999 and instantly developed a love/hate relationship with the city. Coming from a small town, the clubs, shops, gigs and freedom were intoxicating, but I couldn't get past the filth on the streets, the neds and all the abuse I got on a daily basis for simply having pink hair. I would dream of escaping to Japan or Paris and finding a job in a swanky modern art gallery.
But, ten years on I have fallen in love with every corner of Glasgow's filthy, sleazy, edgy main streets and back streets. I'll never leave this city. It inspires me every day and after I finish this post I'm off to the West End for vintage delights and cupcake heaven - wrapped in my fake fur and shades!

Sons of Anarchy
My current TV crush - dirty, tattooed men on motorcycles and bad ass bitches - sweet!

Rachel Stamp
Aside from the Manics, my musical obsession takes on the form of Rachel Stamp. I've seen them more than any other band and I never get sick of listening to ANY track. They are perfection. Miss Shaheena Dax is my style icon.

"I was born with a red dress on, I'm a bad motherfucker.
A horny angel with tits of chrome, I love you like no other."

Anyone else fancy sharing their favourite things? Go on - have a bash!
And don't forget to enter my Bumper Bombshell Giveaway before 30th November.

Confessions Of A Shopaholic

Only this week I was banging on to Mr G that I'm so glad I don't have an addictive personality. I don't smoke - tried for a bit when I was younger, but it was easy to stop. I don't overdo it on the booze, I can easily switch to juice after I've had a few and after losing over 3 stone a few years back, I can control my eating habits at the drop of a hat.

But then it occured to me... I'm a shopaholic.

I do it to calm me down, when I'm excited, when I'm angry.
I literally can't pass a shop without feeling the pull, the urge, to at least go inside.
Frequently, I'll hop off the bus in town after work at about 5.25pm. Do a full circle of Frasers ground floor (jewellery, shoes, make-up and perfume), out onto Argyle Street, window shop Schuh, Accessorize and Warehouse before cutting up Queen Street, into Primark, through the shop, exiting back onto Argyle Street and then making Topshop my final destination before hopping on my second bus home.
That 30 minute fix is a good short-term solution. Not enough time to actually try anything on or buy anything, but enough time to browse and pick out things I might want to revisit on an extended shopping trip later that week.
If I can't make it to the shops, a quick splurge on Ebay or ASOS is good, but no instant gratification.
Christmas shopping hell? Not for me. All those little 'add-ons' that line the queues? Pretty lights adorning the street? And the smell of mulled wine emanating from the German Market? Simply bliss...

What's your addiction?

Betsey Bling

Betsey Johnson has joined in the temporary tattoo gang - about time! They're much better (and cheaper) than the Chanel ones. Another wee addition to the Santa list methinks!

My haul of goodies from Las Vegas' Miracle Mile last October. Officially my favourite city on earth - until I visit somewhere better...

Modelling (very badly) my brand new Betsey Johnson skull ring.

This Is The Future

How many of you know exactly what you'll be doing at 9pm on Friday 17th December?

I do...

I'll be sat next to Mr G in a cinema stuffed full of freaks and geeks, clutching my bag of pick n mix and squirming in agony due to a freshly inked tattoo. With any luck I'll also be rocking these super fantastic futuristic neoprene shoes from Opening Ceremony.

Opening Ceremony have just launched their Tron Legacy collection in preparation for the film being released in December. Cannae wait! Will be trying to snap up my copy of this month's Dazed and Confused for the Daft Punk 3D extravaganza on my way home today. Here's the trailer for those of you who haven't seen it - shame on you!



Don't forget to enter my Bumper Bombshell GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a unique sailor style fascinator, a MAC lippy of your choice, swallow necklace and cherry bomb tattoos!

White Zombie

Risk & Adventure from Garth Badger on Vimeo.

Students from Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.

Watch this full screen, in a darkened room with the volume up full.

Visit Fashion156 for more info and stills from the video.

Swat

Lanvin

image from 2BD

The Boot Diaries: Part 1

December 1992 - my 12th birthday

I had just started secondary school in the autumn and I had a very specific birthday wishlist:

• army surplus jacket
• black nail polish
• eyeliner
• silver rings
• Iron Maiden cassettes
• Iron Maiden tshirt and...
  
• a pair of Doc Marten boots...

The look I was going for was inspired by my first ever real life crush, Lawrence Taylor, or "the boy with the long hair and nice teeth". It was 2 years before I ever found out his name.

On presenting the list to my mum, I fully expected her to throw it back at me in disgust, I had my big speech all ready - ready to rebel! But, to my slightly confused elation, she simply said:

"A good sensible pair of boots for the winter. No problem."

On discovering the army jacket was a mere £18 - AND it came with a hood - we snapped this up in a local army surplus store - my dream of becoming LT's girlfriend was within the realms of possibility. Tick one.

The following Saturday me and mum were going to take the train out of the dreary seaside town on the west coast and venture into the big city. As I leapt off the train in Glasgow Central in my 'little girl' clothes, I knew it would be for the last time, as I'd be returning a bona fide 'teenage rock chick'.

First stop - 'Pie In The Sky' - a mecca stuffed full of tie-dye, cheesecloth, jaw sticks, band t-shirts and... black nail polish. Tick, two, three, four and five.

Last on the list, the hunt for a pair of Doc Marten boots. After trying a few run of the mill shops, my dream was beginning to fade... Was I actually going to have to return home in my shoes??

And there they were - in all their glory - in the window of "Schuh" (pronounced at the time as Sk - uh!). I tried on a size 5 and a 6 - opting for the 6 so that I could wear big chunky socks over my tights.

"Can I keep them on??"

"Why not - they'll keep you dry in this rain"

I stepped out onto Argyle Street a new person. I was delighted with my life!

And so began my love/hate relationship with Doc Martens. Every step to Central Station felt as though someone was taking a hot-knife to the back of my ankles. By the time I got home, I had two gaping holes in my tights, two gaping holes in my heels and a grin like the cheshire cat across my face.

Breaking in a pair of Docs is a bitch, but with a pair of boots laced tight on my feet I feel like the baddest, bestest bitch in town!

Needless to say, I never became LT's girlfriend, but I'd found a much better replacement and one that'd stick with me the rest of my life - my love affair with boots.



This post was inspired by reading two amazing blog posts by Fashion Pearls of Wisdom and Devilishly Pleasurable all about shoes they have owned and loved in the past and how their taste in shoes has changed over the years. I plan to write a wee diary entry from time to time about all my favourite boots.



This is a video of my favourite drummer of all time, Robin Guy, doing a drum solo. I've wanted to post this for ages, but not sure anyone would be interested, so I'm going to shoehorn it in here with the tenuous link that Robin has been drumming for Bruce Dickinson for the past 10 years! Enjoy. It makes me squeal with excitement each and every time I watch it :)

Don't forget to enter my Bumper Bombshell GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a unique sailor style fascinator, a MAC lippy of your choice, swallow necklace and cherry bomb tattoos!

Bound

White leather mask. Givenchy Mens SS2011 Accessories. Image from Coute Que Coute.

Warm Leatherette

Jeffrey Campbell Zero wedges // socks from H&M // faux leather trousers from New Look //t-shirt from Urban Outfitters sale // Me & Zena necklace won on Gem Fatale's blog giveaway // H&M white nail polish // Cherry Eyeko Fat Balm on cheeks // Collection 2000 Mudslide on lips

Don't forget to enter my Bumper Bombshell GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a unique sailor style fascinator, a MAC lippy of your choice, swallow necklace and cherry bomb tattoos!

F-F-F-F-Fashion!

Wednesday night was spent In The Company Of Wolves at the Sub Club fashion show hosted by Claire from Bee Wait For No One. We were treated to an evening of decadent delights with Twin Peaks themed cocktails, choons and decoration. Ten local designers sent their best creations down the catwalk as the club buzzed with "oohs" and "ahhs". My favourites of the night are posted above (photos courtesy of Mr G - I was too lazy to bring my camera!)

Lilly Wiggler lingerie

Don't forget to enter my Bumper Bombshell GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a unique sailor style fascinator, a MAC lippy of your choice, swallow necklace and cherry bomb tattoos!

Bumper Bombshell GIVEAWAY!

I wanted to pull together a wee bundle of goodies to say thanks to all of you who have been following Baroque Boudoir since I started blogging back in January. I love reading all your comments and keeping an eye on what everyone has been up to. So, down to business...

This is what you could win:

• A stunning sailor style fascinator hand-crafted, especially for you, by the delightful Miss Hats
• A Betty Bird necklace from Accessorize
• A MAC lipstick OR lipglass - in the colour of your choice!
• A bunch of temporary (dib dab!) cherry bomb tattoos, because everyone should rock them at least once in their lives!

To get your hands on all of the above you must:

• Follow this blog
  
• Like Miss Hats' Facebook page
• Leave a comment below with your email address and choice of MAC lipstick/lipglass colour
  
• Tweet or blog about my giveaway for an extra entry. Remember to post a SEPARATE comment letting me know you've done it!

The giveaway is open internationally and I'll use a random number generator to select the winner on TUESDAY 30th NOVEMBER. Just in time for Christmas!

Spread the word!