Vintage Christmas Stocking

We met the lovely Sara at our book launch and first birthday celebrations back in October and she has picked out 'Style Me Vintage' as her perfect stocking filler on her blog The Literary Look, which features two of our personal favourite pastimes beauty and books.

See her post below and at The Literary Look.

TUESDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2010

In my stocking, part one: Style Me Vintage, by Belinda Hay

And so it’s Christmas time. Personally, I’m nowhere near going shopping. The funds don’t roll in until mid-month plus I like the pressure of a tight deadline –typical journo.

But if you’re in a pickle over what to buy for a beauty-obsessed loved one, look no further than Style Me Vintage by Belinda Hay. The book is a step-by-step guide to achieving the most wanted looks, from a Brigitte Bardot beehive to a Rita Hayworth curl.

And if anyone knows how to create amazing tresses from times gone by it’s Hay. Owner of The Painted Lady salon in Shoreditch, she keeps east end hipsters looking retro for a living. From nails to make-up, cutting to colouring, her stylists are seriously skilled and the salon itself is a unique little gem. 

Vintage styling makes it feel like visiting a decadent parlour from the 1950s, when as soon as the curlers were out and the lipstick was on you'd go straight out dancing with a highly unsuitable boy. Ideal way to spend the evening if you ask me... If you’re in need of a Christmas present, Style Me Vintage is the perfect stocking filler. And if you’re in need of party season glamour in the London area, pay a visit to The Painted Lady. Looking luxe has never been more fun. 

Reaching way up High

We really do get very excited every time google alerts pop's up with yet more lovely, lovely blog coverage. Check out Style High Club's post on Style Me Vintage.... and we too would love to see photos of any styles you try! so please do get sending to thepaintedladypress@gmail.com look forward to seeing them all very soon!

Tried and tested: Style Me Vintage

Posted on November 10, 2010 by stylehighclub| 3 Comments

I’ve been wanting to buy the new vintage hairstyling book  Style Me Vintage by Belinda Hay ever since I stumbled across her  East London vintage salon The Painted Lady.

Belinda’s book promises easy setp-by-step techniques to some of the most popular vintage hair styles from finger waves, the peek-a-boo and Victory Rolls to the beehive and bouffant. And it doesn’t disappoint.

For starters, the book design is great, it’s a proper hard back and each hair style is accompanied by several pictures showcasing how the hair style was originally worn and its modern counterpart.

Then the styling instructions are easy, clear and illustrated with pictures for each stage. Thank goodness also that  all models are wearing period make-up and clothes - clearly a lot of effort has gone into getting each era just right.

While there aren’t that many styles in this book – only about ten – the highlight for me is that Style Me Vintage includes several Sixties styles such as the beehive, bouffant and Joan Holloway-esque up-do that are often neglected in other vintage hairstyling guides. I’ve tried out a Bardot inspired up do, which took me all of 15 minutes and turned out great the first time – result!

My verdict: a beautifully designed and illustrated book with excellent instructions on how to re-create classic period hair styles. My new vintage hair bible.

£9.99 on Amazon

All that glistens could indeed be old...

A big Thank You to Frl. Irene Palfy our bilingual blogger who not only did one lovely post on 'Style Me Vintage' but supplied us with a doubling helping in German also. 


See her English version below and own her charming blog 'All that glistens could be old'.

STYLE ME VINTAGE by Belinda Hay. (And of course there's a blog too: The Painted Lady) Look at www.thepaintedladylondon.com ! - the most styles you'll see there you'll find in her book, too. It is more petite than the first book in this entry - but it is completely lovely! Pretty pictures and an oh-so-old-fashioned feeling when you hold it in your hands. ;")

Both books will teach you that vintage hairstyling is nothing to be feared of. Both of them have easy step-by-step instructions and similar photos.

I love both books and I will never ever give them away. Ne-ver!

A New Diary Entry...

We were jumping for joy when we discovered the lovely Fleur from one of favourite blogs - Diary of a Vintage Girl, had done a piece on The Painted Lady Event. Please see a snippet below, but we urge you to visit  Fleur's blog to truly appreciate it in all it's glory... it is a Cosmo Award winner don't cha know!

Fluer's photography is of the night is a delight to look at as always and she has also some great snaps inside 'Style Me Vintage' book. 

It was a real pleasure to meet Fleur, Darhling and of course Lisa (after they frantically searched Shoreditch for her they were luckily all reunited at the salon). The ladies added some true vintage glamour to the evenings proceedings and we are glad to hear that they had a fabulous time... you beautiful ladies are welcome back anytime! 

 

Slightly fuzzy Phone snap: Zara, Fleur and Belinda.  

THURSDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2010

Here, There and Everywhere

You'll have to forgive me for being something of a bad blogger, because I am about to unleash a double catchup post upon you. Each of these events I'm going to document deserves its own post, but since I've been whirling about like a dervish recently, and it doesn't seem set to calm down much next week, I really just want to tell you all about them now. 

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to go to a salon I'd often passed, but never entered, The Painted Lady in Shoreditch. The owner and head stylist, Belinda Hay, has just published her first book, the gorgeously produced Style Me Vintage, and with mini treatments and booze on offer, I could not say no! The event itself was lovely - I had my nails done beautifully by the talented technician, and I had my hair styled by Belinda and a colleague, while eating biscotti and finger sandwiches, and drinking white wine. Pure bliss for a Thursday night! I was also joined by Darhling, and later by Lisa from Snoodlebug, but a mixup, phone battery death and subsequent mad dash through the streets of Shoreditch to track Lisa down, meant my hair was utterly ruined and thus there are no surviving photos of me from the night. ;)

Darhling looked divine, as does Belinda in her lavender 40s dress, as you can see! But what of the book itself?

Promising 'Easy step-by-step techniques for creative classic hairstyles', I was intrigued, and was delighted to be given one to take home. It's beautifully designed with a textured cover, and each section contains vintage inspiration photos, before, after and during photos, and of course, written guides to everything, from what you need, to how to do it. The backgrounds are all taken from vintage fabrics, too, so it's extra delightful to read.

The styles in included are Finger Waves & Pin Curls, Forties Waves (the Peek-a-boo), Victory Rolls, The Poodle, Fringe Roll, Fifties Set, Quiffs, Beehives, Bouffants and Barbarella. Plus a guide to tying headscarves and creating padding. Many of the styles I already do, but there are some in there I'm going to try for sure! I think it would be a great book for a vintage hair novice. It's available from The Painted Lady, and all good bookshops, including Amazon. Thank you to all from the salon for having me.

Read more here. 

Em, London Style Blogger visits The Painted Lady...

One of Belinda's faithful client's Em, (see below) has done a lovely little post on Inside City Chic. 

City Chic is an online shop for beautiful (un-frumpy) plus sized clothing. There new campaign is Mad Men inspired so what is not to love? 

Friday, October 22, 2010

Black and White

My hair is getting longer! I usually get the back cut very short with longer bob styling at the front. A-Symmetrical and Graded cuts are very big here in London, and this fashionista likes to keep up! In fact, my hair salon - The Painted Lady is run by a gorgeous Kiwi called Belinda - I think I will do a post on her in the next month or so!

My pics today are in Black and White. I was playing about with camera settings and set it this way, taking shots before a party this weekend. I looked SMASHING (even if I do say so myself!). I LOVE how much this dress hugs my curves, accentuates them and shows off how great the curvy shape is. This dress is a black number (I am obsessed with all the City Chic LBDs at the moment!) and as you can see - fits me well - I wore sheer stockings (my first pair, having worn thick tights most of the last year!) and kitten heels.

Also, I felt like a million bucks! I LOVE how City Chic dresses can make me feel SO sexy and wonderful and feminine all at the same... x.

I am wearing the

Tiered Spot Flock Dress - $99.95

Shrug Elbow Sleeve - $59.95

Wittner Shoes and Sheer Stockings...

PS - The belt came WITH the dress!

City Chic's New Advertisement Campaign.