Betsey's Diner

I remember the first time I came across Betsey Johnson. It was my joint 16th birthday treat with my cousin, who is also my best friend, and whose birthday lies only a couple of months before mine. We were treated by our grandmother to a trip to New York with her and my mother.

My aunt, the author Lauren Henderson, was living in the heart of SoHo at the time and as a local, naturally, took us shopping. I remember Betsey Johnson in particular, not because of the clothes, but by the illustrations decorating the shop walls. The cartoonishly kitsch, yet glamorous girls.

Not to say I did not like the clothes either. It appealed to the 'alternative' style path I followed in my mid-teen 'Hole' faze. Corsets, girlish prints in black, white and pink, skulls and, above all, tutus.

Looking at her fall 09 collection it can be safely said that not too much has changed in this respect. Her designs are still very much cutesy girl with a rockabilly punk edge. She didn't even take her designs to the runway; instead showcasing her work in a 50s style diner with her infamous illustrations claiming the place as her own.

I may be 6 years older than when I first fell in love with Betsey, but I still found myself longing to snatch up half of her clothes as I eagerly devoured photographs of her new collection. Perhaps it is because I am still a girly girl at heart. Perhaps it is because her style is so street worthy. So very New York cool, yet in no way New York chic. And although I do love chic, sometimes all I want to do is run around in a tutu and a skull print cardigan with ribbons on my stockings.

Saying all that her designs aren't exactly stuck in a rut. She simply marks everything as her own very clearly. I mean, who else would have designed rose print harem pants?

Photo Shoot

I briefly mentioned before I disappeared from blogging for almost two entire months that I was about to help out a friend of a friend on a photography course by styling her shoot. So, a month late, here are some photos from the shoot.

It was a 50s inspired fashion shoot. Although it is more a series of flattering photos of my friend Sophie who is the model I was impressed with my hair styling skills and the fact I had no budget so had to use entirely my own clothes and fashion them to fit her although we are between two and three sizes apart. So perhaps something to put toward a portfolio. And definitely, if nothing else, a lot of fun.

Photography: Siobhan Hall

Model: Sophie McCabe

Hair: Rachael Macintyre

Make-Up: Sophie McCabe

Stylist: Rachael Macintyre

Be My Kitsch Valentine

Happy Valentine's day everyone! A day which the cynics among us (i.e. most of us) will brand as a day invented by greetings care companies. Yet it is still a day which takes over the streets with pink and red love hearts, teddy bears and other cute and cuddly creatures. Every restaurant is booked out with tables for two. Every bar is full of groups declaring that they are "young, free and single and proud of it"

I am torn between my distaste for Valentine's Day and the inability to shake off the inevitable effect it has on me. Although I tell my loved one I do not care if we do anything (we are in fact both working in the same bar together tonight anyway which provides us with limited romantic options) I know I would be disappointed if I did not receive anything even if it was a flower stolen from someones garden or a heart shaped lollipop bought in Spar for 50p. Whatever. I don't care. Don't get me anything. Don't do anything. It's a stupid holiday. I'm not bothered. Much.

I on the other hand have done nothing. My plan for the end of our shift has collapsed as I am waiting for my cheque to clear. However I will improvise. I have a selection of heart shaped ginger bread cookies with a tube of soft icing, sugar hearts and pink sugar bought from Asda. "Love Art" as they are aptly named. Decorate one for him and that is my idea of a perfect Valentine's gift.

I concluded that what I love about Valentine's is the kitsch tack that surrounds it. Within a sort of bizarre reason I love the pink cutesy vomit inducing confectionery and the fluffy cards which leave feathers drifting up your nostrils. I also like the American influenced tradition given to me by my mum of Valentine's not being exclusively for partners, but for friends and family; those of us who we love. In fact, I have spent my previous Valentine's, whether with or without partner, giving cards to friends. The other day I bought my friend Laura a pink and white cupcake from Greggs which came with a pink and sparkly ring. Tasty and fashionable.

So whether you are ignoring it, celebrating it or did not even know it was on until I went on about it: have a good night!!

Oh and Happy Valentine's Day.

Innocent Thievery

Although working in a bar is not the most inspiring of jobs it certainly does have its benefits in the form of free stuff. And I do love free stuff.

After a certain amount of time unclaimed items become property of whoever gets their hands on them first and I try my hardest to ensure that this is usually me. In the time I have been working in my bar I have acquired a man's grey cardigan which I am certain is pricey as it is very good quality; warm, looks good and is worn to death. Further bits an pieces include a black and white checked scarf, a star print scarf, a gold bangle, grey knitted fingerless gloves, two umbrellas and, most recently and by far my favourite, a 'snood'.

I know we are coming to the end of winter, but Glasgow is dusted with snow at the moment and temperatures are sinking easily into the minuses every night so I feel as if a dark purple snood with a fluffy bobble on top is the perfect cosy accessory for the current climate.

Mmmm toasty warm...

Music is Gold

I have been desperately lacking in new music. My finances tend to go on food and clothes, and recently shoes, resulting in my constant complaints of not having anything new in my CD collection. However, I have been slowly getting myself together in a delayed acceptance to the new year and last week I purchased some new and old CDs online.

Of Montreal's new album, Skeletal Lamping, was a necessary purchase in advance of their gig at the Oran Mor on the 26th January. Photos of this spectacular gig will follow shortly. After downloading a few singles of which I immediately fell in love with I was admittedly a tad disappointed with the rest of the album; quintissential bizarre Of Montreal madness. The Twilight Sad's newest album Fourteen Autumns and Fifiteen Winters is absoultely beautiful music and being from Glasgow was a purchase I wass keen to make and have in no way been disappointed.

However, the album I am currently most loving is Santogold's debut album. Electro-urban-pop clash of unstoppable dance tunes.

The right here right now of music is SantoG-O-L-D.

Delayed Festivities

Tonight is my staff night out at the Brunswick Hotel. I am torn between two outfits, both from the much enjoyed sales currently all over our high street and our newspapers.

The original one is a black mini dress with navy block colour pattern from Urban Outfitters, worn with bright pink or red tights and my much loved Irregular Choice black and white zig zagged heels.

However this was taken into question when I re visited the sales and got a low back t shirt dress from All Saints with a flying baby skeleton print. Team this with either gold leggings or the aforementioned bright red tights and my gorgeous Office bottle green sling back platform heels and I think that's a pretty hot outfit.

They are both so different though. One is classic dressy, the other very clubby. Outfit posts will be up in tomorrow's worst-for-wear blog and the decision will then have been made. How thrilling.

I have also been asked today to style a friend's "fashion story" for her photography project. The shoot is tomorrow.

So better start rustling up some outfits!

I think it's the New Year now

I know this is a bit delayed, but after much needed recovery I don't think the New Year officially starts in terms of productivity and following through resolutions until at least a week after it begins by date. But, now it has been 10 days and finally (albeit a bit delayed) I feel like I am beginning a new year and starting new possibilities.

On New Years day I was working with The Puppet Lab as part of Feet First. A four day street party presented by Boiler House and Iron-Oxide starting on the 29th and ending on the 1st of January 2009.

Our Performance was called The Wishgatherers. In one and a half hours we collected 1500 wishes for the New Year. Collecting people's hopes and dreams in giant ears and projecting them across the Royal Mile we granted them in the form of small sweeties.

Watch The Puppet Lab's Youtube video below to find out more.