Give us a curl

When it comes to hair, my favourite decade has to be the 1940s. With perfectly primped curls and soft, flowing locks, glamorous starlets such as Veronica Lake and Rita Hayworth set the standard with a timeless style that is still seen on the red carpet today.

Veronica and Rita - together in perfect hair-mony...see what I did there?

As much as I love the look, I have one slight problem - I am rubbish with hair! Fortunately, the good people at John Frieda have launched a new YouTube channel that can help. Their series of 'Style on Demand' videos offer brilliant step-by-step guides to help you achieve the looks you've always dreamed of. Hosted by top celebrity stylists, John Frieda have video guides to show you the best ways to achieve classic hairstyles, including videos on creating a 1950s up-do, a French pleat and even how to use rollers.

I have been particularly inspired by this one that shows you how to get retro curls - something I have always struggled with in the past, especially when using modern styling tools. I'll definitely be giving this one a go for my next night out!

So what do you think? What are you favourite vintage hairstyles? Have you tried any of the tips in these videos yourself? I'd love to know!

Thanks for reading, and if you have a spare moment please vote for me in the Company Magazine Style Blogger awards in the "Best 'We Love Vintage' Blog" category - I need all of the help I can get!

Much love,

Frankie

Swell Vintage

x

In good Company

Hello my lovely friends,

I know we're already 13 days in, but I just want to say Happy New Year! 2012, eh? I have no doubt this year will speed by just as fast as the last one. I guess time flies when you're having fun!

If you follow Swell Vintage on Facebook or Twitter, you may have already seen my exciting news. This very blog that you are reading right now has been nominated for two Company Style Blogger awards! Pretty crazy, huh? I'm in great company too! So many of my lovely friends have also been nominated, and their blogs are all equally amazing. I'm going to have to vote multiple times as there's no way I can pick between them!

I've been nominated in two categories - the "Best 'We Love Vintage' Blog" and "Overall Winner: The Blog You Love The Most". As flattering as this is, I am fairly certain I will not win. I'm not just saying that to sound humble, or to try and get sympathy. That is not how I roll. If you look in my categories, the competition is stiffer than stiff, and includes a number of blogs with far bigger readerships than mine. However, if you like what you read and fancy making my day, I'd be extremely grateful if you'd vote for me (I'm swellvintage.blogspot.com). If you vote and enter your email address, you could also be in with a chance of winning £250 in New Look vouchers, so it would be mutually beneficial. Just saying. Not that you're the kind of person that takes bribes...I know you're better than that. But every little helps, right?

In case you haven't picked up on my subtle linking, you can vote for me here.

I'm going to stop sounding desperate now. Thank you for reading and (hopefully) for voting. You are my whole world.

Much love,

Frankie

Swell Vintage

x

Welcome and win!

Hello friends!

Guess what? I've only gone and started a beauty vlog! It's (cleverly) called You Look Swell! See what I did there?

On my first video I'm giving you the chance to win some amazing Barefoot Botanicals products! Just hop on over to my YouTube channel to find out how.

I'll be back with an actual proper blog post soon!

Much love,

Frankie

Swell Vintage

x

Deck the Dials

Oh my goodness - it's only 17 days till Christmas! Are you feeling festive yet? I know I am!

Last week I went along to the Christmas shopping event I told you about in my last post. When I arrived at the meeting point (the very swanky Dial Bar at the Mercer Street Hotel), I was very pleased to find the lovely Gemma of Retro Chick and Fritha of Fish Tank Fashion there already. I've know Gemma and Fritha for a long time, so I knew it was going to be a good night! Once we'd enjoyed some delicious festive beverages and snacks, we were ready to go out and explore what the fine retails of Seven Dials and St Martin's Court had on offer.

My favourite retailer of the night was definitely Neal's Yard. Not only were they embracing the Christmas spirit, but they were also celebrating their 30th birthday! And they look pretty damn good for their age too - must be down to all of the natural goodness in their products.

I've always been a fan of Neal's Yard (I'm a big fan of their Organic Wild Rose Beauty Balm). Their products are amazing and smell absolutely delicious. Not only that, but the people who work there are ever so nice! They were handing out drinks and canapes to all of their customers, and were also giving complimentary massages. I had a back and head massage and it was so relaxing! I've since found out that it was one of the lovely Rima of Calm and Clear that worked her magic on me - thanks Rima!

I'd like to thank the lovely ladies at Threepipe for spoiling us, and the brilliant folks over at Neal's Yard. I had a great night, and I look forward to Christmas shopping at Seven Dials again next year!

Much love,

Frankie

Swell Vintage

x

Christmas Garden, more like!

What's that I see over there in the near distance?

It's red and green, and it's getting closer and closer...

Oh my goodness - IT'S CHRISTMAS!

Is it just me, or do I look really good with a beard?!

That's right, people. December is soon upon us, and with it comes my favourite present-giving, binge-eating holiday. If the rest of 2011 is anything to go by, time is going to fly by like a partridge on its way to a pear tree, so it helps to be prepared.

If you haven't starting buying presents yet and you live in the London area (or the surrounding south - I don't mean to exclude you), then have no fear! The festive folks over at Covent Garden’s Seven Dials and St Martin’s Courtyard are holding a special evening shopping event on 1st December were you can get a recession-friendly 20% off in their fancy stores, including their vintage boutiques. Not only that, but they also have a whole Santa's sack load of other stuff going on in their stores, including DJs, live music, makeovers, gifts with purchase, complimentary food and drinks and much much more! Christmas is the season of excess after all...

And as if that weren't enough, I'm going to be there too! I'll be wandering around drinking in some Christmas cheer and taking lots of snaps, so if you see me you must come and say ho ho ho...or just hello. Whichever you prefer.

If you're interested in swinging by and indulging yourself with some discount action, all you need to do is download a voucher from www.sevendials.co.uk to make sure you get that ever so helpful 20% off. And hopefully I'll see you there!

Much love,

Frankie

Swell Vintage

x

F'ing good!

Yesterday my friend Kyrie and I went to the launch for Florence and Fred's (that's F&F to you and I) collection for Spring/Summer 2012 at Clothing at Tesco.

Those lovely folks at Tesco certainly know how to throw a party! There were pretty things to look out, tasty foods to eat and - what always turns out to be a blogger favourite - a photobooth!

Kyrie and I posing it up.

I must confess, although I've only ever heard great things about F&F, this was the first time I'd had a good look at their pieces close up and they didn't disappoint. Not only was the quality excellent, but it's all very reasonably priced - what more could you ask for?!

There's a good mix of styles on offer too, ranging from fun neon brights to more demure elegant tweeds and lace. There was also an impressive array of Christmas costumes available from a bargainous £6 - definitely worth investing in for the holiday season!

We were also asked to select our favourite pieces from the collection. There were so many items and styles to choose from, but after long and careful deliberation we managed to narrow it down to one each.

Kyrie opted for this sexy leopard print number, which could work for a day at the beach or a night out on the town.

I chose this pretty little lace number. I'd wear it with black tights, black heels and some classic pearls.

So if you fancy treating yourself to a new outfit and don't want to break the bank, I highly recommend F&F at Clothing at Tesco. You'll be very pleasantly surprised!

Much love,

Frankie

Swell Vintage

x

Partying partying yeah!

One of the few things I miss about working in an office is attending an annual Christmas party. While you hard-working folk are all out getting dolled up for a night of canapes and a free bar, I will most likely be sat indoors, drinking tea and watching Poirot...

There's no hope for me, but there is something you can do to make your holiday party season even more special this year - go vintage! There are so many amazing vintage dresses out there, all dreaming of going to a good home and being worn out to your special occasion. Not only will it make you feel like a princess of Grace Kelly proportions, but there is no way on earth you could possible end up wearing the same thing as someone else!

Finding good quality vintage isn't always easy but - like most things in life - if you put in the time, you will be rewarded. Rewarded with a beautiful vintage dress that will last you a lifetime.

To help inspire you to go vintage this year, here are my top five favourite pieces that are available to buy online right now:

• 1950s Black Vintage Prom Dress, £200 at www.natashabailie.com

I believe the word you're looking for is "stunning"! Team this beautiful dress with some classic pearls, and you will be the belle of the ball.

• 1950s Coral Vintage Prom Dress by Lorrie Deb, £150 from www.lovemissdaisy.com

This dress is so pretty and elegant while also being incredibly flattering. Dita would be proud.

• 1980s Red Matte Sequined Wiggle Dress, £120 from www.rokit.co.uk

'Tis the season to be sparkly! Sequins are extremely popular at the moment, and they don't come much better than they did in the 80s.

• 1960s Black Lace Dress, $88/£56.21 from Dear Golden on Etsy

Sexy, demure and chic - black lace is the perfect way to play the femme fatale this Christmas.

• 1970s Red Halterneck Maxi Dress with Tassels, £55 from www.candysays.co.uk

How sexy is this dress?! Even Jessica Rabbit would be jealous! Add some jewels and you're ready to go.

So what do you think? I hope this has helped inspire you to consider vintage for this holiday season. But remember - vintage is for life, not just for Christmas.

Much love,

Frankie

Swell Vintage

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