Delightful Day out at the Vintage Starlet Parlour

Want to know where to go to get a gorgeous photo of yourself, fully vintage styled, made up by professionals and expertly posed by the talented Hanson Leatherby? Well, look no further.
Miss Turnstiles is now offering pamper afternoons at the Vintage Patisserie headquarters in Shoreditch.

Miss Turnstiles welcomes you.

I went along to her first one, as I needed some up to date head and shoulder shots for my business cards and website. She offers the full works by placing you in the hands of skilled artists - hair and make up by Lipstick and Curls and nails by Minnie Moons, and you are invited the loan of a vintage outfit (and boy she had some stunning frocks there), so it is a must for any vintage gal. 

Two customers in their loaned outfits

We agreed I would get "done" early as I didn't need an outfit and could do my own make up, so on arrival I was promptly delivered into Nicki's hands for hair grooming. It was lovely to have my hair done by someone else, rather than dealing with it myself. Not that I do badly, but it is a treat to have it outsourced! One can see why the celebrities don't do battle with their own locks if they can help it.

Hanson at work. He happens to be up a ladder, he isn't a giant. And Nicki from Lipstick and curls in the background, who isn't really a midget. Weird location sizing issues reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings type trickery!

Poor Hanson was just about beside himself trying to get me to NOT smile for the photo. It is always funniest when you aren't supposed to laugh isn't it? Well, getting myself (and others) into fits of giggles I must have been his trickiest customer so you can be rest assured that you will find it easier.

Jeni and Hanson in between shoots. Often when we see each other, one of us is normally working, so it was lovely to see Jeni when our "roles" for the day were pretty relaxed. We got Jeni into some hamming it up, and Hanson too.

Jewellery was up for loan or for sale too, thanks to the lovely Nathalie from Passionate about Vintage.

Miss Turnstiles has another similar beauty day coming up, This time themed around the Great Gatsby. The first one, I have just read is sold out ALREADY, so she has offered up another on the 31st May. Pop over here to find out more.

I'll show you my finished Photos once I get them, but until then, I see Jeni has some more pics up on her blog too. 

Shona x

Talented ladies of the vintage world part 1

Happy Monday morning my lovely blog followers.  
I have been meaning for some time to introduce you to some talented ladies that I have met in my travels in the vintage world. These are entrepreneurial business women and clever, artistic craftspersons. It is these type of girls who make my world go around because they are so inspiring and capable, with a streak of daredevil in them to be making their money alternatively. I will spread them out in a small series of posts because they each deserve some individual attention.


The first is Fiona Stephenson. She paints the most stunningly gorgeous ladies who all have good reason to show their suspenders in the most delightful way. 

She creates Gil Elvgren reproductions in oil on canvas as well as her own original prints. The prints are very reasonable at £22 for an A2 size and £12 for an A3. (I have 3 of  them that I am about to get framed.) Or, if you can splash out, the oil paintings are £998 and if you really can go for it, she does take individual commissions too.
The pic above is a reproduction, and this pic below is Fiona's own work. She really captures Elvgren's cheeky women exceptionally well and I do love the themes she dreams up.

I have these two above and below.  I think the rocket girl is my fave, I would look as apprehensive (if not as slim and stunning) if I were her!

If you are looking for some Monday morning coffee-time browsing then pay her website a visit here. Do bear in mind that they are all limited edition so don't wait about if something takes your fancy.  In browsing the gallery I found I have missed some gorgeous prints so I am watching eagerly to see what else she produces next.
Well done Fiona you clever lady you!