Don't be a Muppet

...go and see the new Muppet movie!

Today I had originally planned to catch up on some review posts I have promised to various people (whoops, sorry!), but there's been a last minute change of plans. I have just coming home from seeing a very wonderful and brilliant film; a film that made me laugh like a hyena with an ice-cream, grin like a giddy serial killer, sing like I was auditioning for an episode of Glee and - I'm not ashamed to admit - cry like a baby whose candy had been stolen.

Unless you're a bit of an idiot or you have problems reading blog post titles, you will probably have guessed by now that I'm talking about the brand new offering from The Muppets. I'm no Jonathan Ross, but I personally loved this movie and highly recommend that you see it (warning - it will put you in the best mood of all time). This release has inspired a number of online folk to talk about the incredibly iconic characters that make up everyone's favourite fabric friends, but I want to go back to the source - the great and powerful Jim Henson.

I don't want to regurgitate a Wikipedia history about this wonderful man, so here are five facts about the fantastic Mr Henson. You probably know some of this already, but I think it's still worth celebrating:

1. If you were born in the 70s or 80s (such as myself), it's highly likely that this man is responsible for completing your childhood. Not only was Jim Henson the creative brain behind The Muppets and Sesame Street, but his production house, the Creature Shop, also produced Labyrinth, Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles and The Witches. He may also be responsible for a majority of your childhood nightmares...
2. The first Muppet Movie, filmed back in 1979, made a whopping $65.2million domestically. I'm no mathematician, but I would say that this roughly equates to $500billion today* (*This definitely isn't correct, but the point is that that sort of money was a lot for back then. I like over-exaggerating. Don't judge me.).
3. He had a bloody brilliant beard. That's not even a matter of opinion, it's a cold hard fact.
4. He was the original voice of the world's most famous front man, Kermit The Frog. It is also well-known that Henson considered Kermit to be his alter ego, and he was even quoted as saying, "[Kermit] can say things I hold back". That's all well and good, but let's not forget that it's not easy being green...
5. Jim Henson tragically died in 1990 from organ failure as a result of Streptococcus pneumoniae, but his legacy shows no sign of faltering. Alongside all of his commercial success, the Jim Henson Foundation, founded in 1982, continues to promote and develop the art of puppet theatre in the United States. I think you'll agree it's pretty incredible for someone so successful in their field to want to help others achieve the same dream, and I'm sure he'd be thrilled to know that that is still happening today.

I realise that this post is a lot longer than usual, so here's a little comic relief - a clip from one of my favourite ever films, The Muppet Christmas Carol. Enjoy, and feel free to sing along!

What are your favourite Muppet memories? Have you seen the new film? I'd love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the subject!

Much love,

Frankie

Swell Vintage

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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