Back from the Nile

We're back!

Congratulations to Hela for winning the Fleur dress give away. I do hope you love it Hela and please send us pictures of you wearing it!

Thank you to everyone who blogged, tweeted and yelped about it - it was so much fun to see all the comments and it would have been lovely to have given each and every one of you a dress, as everyone was so enthusiastic!  Nothing like something going free to get us all excited!

Speaking of the Fleur dress... look, check out the name of the French restaurant at the hotel in Egypt!

Yes, sadly enough we are home and starting to recover from our Nile adventures. The trip was A M A Z I N G.  The monuments, like the heat, were overwhelming. Even though I have seen these massive tombs and pyramids, there is a part of me that still doesn't believe they are real.

Funnily, the pyramids looked smaller to me close up. From a distance you have the perspective against a tour bus and then you really get to see the scale.

I have to say, while the kings are more famous and more powerful, some ladies of ancient Egypt were impressive for their ingenuity and shear determination. This is the temple of Hatsheput, who was an amazing lady. Quick history lesson as we were told it by our guide: Her father, the King, died. She marries her half brother to keep the throne secured (they did a lot of that), half brother/husband dies, she marries his son by a mistress (her nephew and step-son) to maintain the throne. Puts child husband in prison while she rules - as a KING (now that is cool), travelled and set up trading expeditions. Then convinces the Egyptians that she is actually the daughter of a GOD. 

Now that is some hefty PR work!

Her tomb backs on to the valley of the Kings in such a way that by the time you have reached her actual resting place, you are on the other side of the hill, effectively placing her securely in the area reserved for the Kings...Wow that's clever.

It wasn't all just sight-seeing. Evening entertainment included a Egyptian evening (above) and a "treasure hunt" which did involve me ruining my knees doing an Elvis impersonation and Wolfie wearing a dress. 

Of our trip I enjoyed cruising the Nile the best. It is very much a working river, and it was so amazing to see how the desert was visable just past the thin stretch of green land that the river kept fertile. The scenery was fascinating from the boat: Water Buffalo, cows, donkeys, goats all grazed at the waters edge, a woman hanging her washing in the bushes to dry, the entrances of tombs in the desert hillside, a busy riverside port, Trucks on a busy road, a school with rather rude little boys (whats new?), and then back to the cows taking a dip. Why I have no decent photos of that I do not know.

While I didn't get to see many Crocodiles (just one from a distance), I did get to see lots of Camels. They really are graceful creatures, (even when they have their heads through a hole in the fence and scratching their necks!). Except when they are in a hurry...  I saw one running, and would have laughed if his rider were not an armed guard.  Camels run like tipsy teenage girls, all limbs flailing around in limited efficiency and control despite their speed.

You can see what I mean here, in slow motion!

Now I am in a bit of a hurry to finish this off, why?  Well I am about to catch another plane to head home to New Zealand to visit family.  I KNOW! It is jet-setting month here!  I didn't really plan for it to happen that way, it just did.  Anyway I can be in touch from NZ and will send you some spring sunshine from there. 

Toodles

Shona x

And the lucky Fleur winner is...

Hey everyone! Fleur here...

Shona is still off enjoying herself in the land of the Pharaohs, and she's left the draw for the winner of her 100 Followers Giveaway in my barely capable hands. Since the prize is my namesake dress, it seems fitting!

Just to recap, the winner will receive one Heyday Fleur dress in their size - from XS (about a UK 6-8, US 4-6) to XL (about a UK 20, US 18). See the sizing chart for a range of measurements. It's a reproduction 40s wrap housedress in a delightful rose printed, quality cotton. With a slip underneath, cardigan and stockings, this beauty can and should be worn all through autumn! Here's a fabulous shot of they Heyday ladies, Susanne, Jenny and Shona herself wearing just that at Goodwood!






So the lucky lady should have ample opportunity for Fleur dress wearing, or can save it for next spring!

So now, the moment you've all been waiting for! Using the Random.org number generator, I asked it to pick a number between 1 and 451, and the winner is....






Comment number 397! A lady called Hela with a blog, Howling at the Moon! Congrats Hela, can you please send an email to fleur@diaryofavintagegirl.com with your preferred size and your address, and we'll get your Fleur dress out to you asap!

Thanks everyone for taking part, and Shona will be back soon with more fab posts, and most likely another smashing giveaway!

All the best,

Fleur x

Close of Competition

Thank you to everyone for entering, blogging, tweeting, and wishing to win this give away. I have meet a whole bunch of new followers and you have all said such lovely, encouraging things! Thank you!

Thank you also to Fleur who is completing this competition on my behalf. You are a real Champ girlfriend!

The competition is now closed and Fleur will announce the winner shortly. If you don't win, do remember that the dresses can be purchased on my website here. 

Pin up Jewellery

I hope you have all entered in the dress give away and made sure that you leave a comment for EACH entry you make. One comment saying you have tweeted and blogged will only be counted once remember. You have until Friday 29th midnight BST before Fleur closes the competition. Good luck to everyone!

I am thrilled at how many new followers have come to join in. Hello Lovelies! I will organise another give away to celebrate soon. You lucky people!

You know I am away on holiday at the moment, but I was good and prepped this blog before I left, though now I see that it never got posted automatically when I wanted it to. Hello Blogger - whatsup? Anyhoo, with the magic of the internet, here it is!

While I was packing and sorting and organising, stressing a little, then organising some more, as you do before you go away, I managed to tidy up my jewellery collection (I had super hero powers one afternoon), so it is worth showing you now while it is looking nice!

I have learnt to manage my china jewellery obsession. 

My favourites are these one colour flowers, as opposed to posy's of flowers (which I still love, but can now walk away from if I have to)

My "dressing table" is the most ingenious ever, and it was here when we moved in. I think it might have been used as a computer cupboard, in that it is a converted wardrobe, with a wide table height shelf a bright light above, and a higher, narrower shelf that holds my old mirror perfectly.

I can shut the doors on all the mess and my perfume bottles are kept well away from sunlight (which makes them go off). I have drawers under the big shelf for curlers, hair flowers and girlie junk, and there is two plugs for hot rollers/hair dryers. Heaven!

I call it my "Shrine".  Tee hee.

A Electrical wire broach, typical of wartime jewellery

In order to sort my jewellery collection, I have 4 small pin boards pinned around the walls of my shrine.  They are arranged approximately by colour which makes it easy to choose what I want. I also put away ones that are "out of season" in some way - such as shell earrings, pineapples and anchors after summer is over. 

Here are some of my favourites...

The poor wee scottie dog has gone through the wash by mistake...Twice! Sorry little guy!

A bit of bling from the 50s.

The "Peggy Sues Panthers" tiny trophy thing always makes me smile, I wonder if it was given out as a prize, or if you joined a dancing club. I am sure it was treasured. 

You can see I am not limited to only vintage pieces. That ring on the right I picked up from a street vendor in NY and I love it as much as my 50s opal on the left (a car boot fair scoop!). Each piece as a story to tell, how I came across it, who I was with, or who gave it to me, which seems appropriate for any kind of jewellery, modern or old.

Maybe when I am old myself I will write notes to go with them such as "bought on holiday in LA" or "lost and found these earrings three times" or "do not machine wash!", so the next owner can know a little more about their history, and know that they were treasured in their second life with me.

Shona x

Off on Heyday Holidays

I am really excited over here, Mr Wolf has organised a trip to Egypt for us! Aren't I lucky? 
I am sure you know that we have had so many events and have been working really hard for a lot of weeks on end. This is our first chance to get away and Egypt is on my bucket list of things to do and see. Now I am working like a honey bee because we leave on Wednesday! Eeeck!

Book available on Amazon

We have a week on a cruise and a week in a hotel - Eeeee! I haven't cruised before either - how STYLISH. I will be lapping up every moment,and probably not sleeping much for over excitement.

Apparently the shopping out there is pretty good - though of course not for vintage wear, so I am not sure there will be much for me. Has anyone been before? Any tips?

I have to tell you something a bit funny.  It is of course, the Pyamids that are highest on our priority list. Normally when booking anything Mr Wolf and I fuss and fuss about dates and researching our destination, sometimes then missing a deal, or getting to a stalemate of indecision and not going. This time we just went online and did it - and so chuffed with ourselves we were! 

Then we realised we were going to Luxor... and the Pyamids are in Cairo!  NOoooo! And it is not like they are close! So, we will probably get a day trip to go and see them anyway.

 It will be a LONG day trip, but better than not seeing them at all.

Since I knew that crocodiles lived on the Nile, and that we were cruising the Nile, I got a wee bit freaked about crocodiles swimming underneath the boat while I was asleep.  Never mind when I was awake, it was the sleuth like steath of a croc while I was un-awares that scared me...

Until Mr Wolf checked out the croc stats, and found they have all been moved on when the dam was built.  Now I am disappointed I won't see ANY!  (Honestly, there is no pleasing some people!)

Now gorgeous Lovelies, I need to pack to be cool, and respectful of the culture, and lightweight of course.  Being a vintage gal seems to be an advantage as all my dresses and skirts reach to below the knee, and I have lots of sleeved options too. While I might not risk taking too much favourite vintage, even look-a-like Repro items have these features.

I will be hemming a pair of my own design beige trousers (above) to take because of their lightweight viscose content, and one of the cotton Olivia blouses will come too, along with at least one high-street peasant blouse

this one from here

I am wondering if I risk taking a couple of vintage favourites, one rayon and one moygashel linen dress? They are lovely and cool and I can hand wash them anyway. A vintage swimsuit and possibly a playsuit are also on the list (for in the hotel complex of course). And I will be taking my Fleur wrap dress too.

Speaking of the wrap dress, you may be wondering what will happen with my give-away, as the finish date is while I am away?  Well, the talented AND gorgeous Fleur, the dress's own namesake, is going to manage the selection and posting of the prize. Thank you dear Fleur!

I am so thrilled that I am now nearing 200 followers! Yikes! Does this mean I need to do another give away? Oh no point asking you lot, you will just say yes won't you?

100 followers give away!

Wowee - you guys are great! Not just 100 followers, but now I am at 106! Welcome new Heydayees and thank you so much for hanging out here in Blogland with me. I am really enjoying meeting you all and have many topics up my sleeve to yabber on about. I hope you enjoy the journey!

I have been pretty excited about running my first give-away - Weeee! You can tell that I am the kind of girl who likes presents - giving as much as receiving, so offering something to the world of Blog is pretty exciting to me.

Anyhoo, without further ado, to celebrate more than 100 followers, I have a Fleur dress up for grabs! 

The gorgeous and lovely Fleur (whom I am sure doesn't need any introduction) collaborated with me to create this easy wrap dress. We incorporated all the things we want in a dress ourselves, sweet bows, matching button detail and pockets - YES pockets!

The dress comes in sizes from XS (about a 6) to XL (about a 20), and will be posted out to the winner after a confirmation of your measurements.

The competition rules are straight forward and offer three chances to get involved...

• For one entry, leave me a comment below. 
• For another entry, you can retweet my give away.
• For a third entry, post about the giveaway on your own blog!  Three chances! Whooopee!

Please take careful note that each time you enter you must leave a separate comment. Don't leave me one comment saying you've done all three things, as it will only be counted once! If you commenting to say you've retweeted or blogged, please post the link.

The competition will close on Friday 29th October 2010 at Midnight BST 

Good luck everyone!

Info bit:

The Shoes are from Rocket Originals

The fabulous Tony Nylons took the shots

Fleur is riding her own bicycle

And we are at the back of a lovely friends garden - Thanks Jenny and Barry!

Shona x

Good Thinking 99!

As my title suggests, I am a bit of a Maxwell Smart fan.

Anyway, it is loosely connected to the fact that I am REALLY excited because I have got 99 followers! You lovely people! I am so honoured you are interested in my ramblings, even though they have been few and far between of late.

ONE more, just ONE more and I can launch my first ever competition! Wee!! Come on someone, follow me! I really hope I can run the competition next week because I am quite jazzed up about it.

Next week also marks the end of my big selling events for the year, since this weekend is the Hemsby Rock'n'Roll weekend. This is both sad and good news, as I love getting out and speaking to my clients directly, and I enjoy hanging out with fellow traders that include Freddies of pinewood, Home Sweet Homestyle,  Rocket Originals and Dead men's spex.  On the other hand, I am looking forward to more at-home time, and time to work on some new designs for you lovely people!

I have a few shopping activities on my agenda this weekend.  I haven't tried Rockets new jumpers yet...

and I will also grill them about when their new shoe is coming!

Mr Wolf is keen to check out Freddies new men's trousers with a buckle back.

And since Mr Dead Man (as he calls himself) is my neighbour there will be a fair amount of trying on of glasses in the quiet periods.

Anyhoo, I am off to slumberland now as I am up with the birds in the morning to get on the road to Great Yarmouth.  Please let me come back on Monday to ONE more follower!

Shona x