MelodyMae.co.uk

11th August 2017

{ Review } Dinner and a Drive-In with Lindy Bop

Every now and then two items come together that were clearly made for each other. Today, those two things are the Lindy Bop Audrey Drive-In Dress and The Diner Box Bag from Vendula London.

See? Made. For. Each. Other.

Over the last few months, I’ve become somewhat obsessed with the border prints from Lindy Bop, and I was lucky to be asked to choose one to review for you guys!

The Audrey is their signature silhouette with a gathered skirt that flares from the natural waist. Based on the size guide on their website and previously-ordered Audrey sizes, I got the 22 in this style.

I will say off the bat, this dress is actually on the tight side especially across the bust for me, so I would suggest sizing up unless you have a really small bust – maybe even two for you busty gals out there!

Pro-tip; don’t try on a dress when drunk, overlook the tight bust and take the tags off straight away. Silly idea!

The print has bright red, yellow and blue balloons flying throughout the top of the skirt and the bodice. And then of course, the border print of brightly-coloured Chevrolet’s driving on through the theatre!

I know the one question I always get asked about Lindy Bop items is because of their price point (This dress was originally £35 full price!) people are sceptical of the quality of the items – I’m going to put it out there that you’re going to be so pleasantly surprised. The fabric is a nice medium-weight cotton with a little stretch and a hint of a sheen, making it soft against the skin and fall nicely.

It also features my favourite thing ever – POCKETS in the side seam!

Fitting issues aside, as that was mostly my fault for not ordering a larger size before I ripped the tags off (thank you wine), I actually love this dress. Not only is the quality great, but the colours are so wonderful and it really makes the print and wearing a red cardigan and accessories really made the whole thing pop! It does come with a belt, but I swapped it for my own.

And of course, I had to add the Diner Box Bag to the outfit – the colours were so on point with the dress, it would have been a shame not to!

Hair Flowers; Lady Luck’s Boutique | Necklace; Vintage
Bangles; Splendette | Earrings; Bow and Crossbones
Brooch; Luxulite | Dress; C/O Lindy Bop (Disclaimer)
Bolero; Collectif | Bag; Vendula London (Disclaimer)
Shoes; Rocket Originals

8th August 2017

{ Style } On Outfit Posts and Body Image

In my new-found energy with making this blog, y’know, a fully-functioning blog without six-month gaps between each post – I’ve not only been making more of an effort to look good, but also grab actual photos of it so I can be vain as possible and post about my daily style.

You know, like actual bloggers do.

But sometimes it just doesn’t work out the way you want it to.

This day in particular I loved my outfit. I made the top, skirt and the necklace which made me proud, but also I thought it just looked great. I whacked on my favourite faux leather jacket, threw my camera at my best friend and posed in front of Whole Foods thinking I looked the bees knees.

But looking at the photos made me a little exasperated – the image I had in my mind of what I looked like didn’t stare back at me. In fact, I looked shorter and stockier than I think I’ve ever looked before, and it was disheartening.

I actually hated what I saw.

As my fingers hovered over “Delete” on these pictures, I realised something. You will not always look perfect. Maybe you’ll pose wrong, or the light will make you look strange, or your camera does something weird to contort your body. Or maybe your mental image of yourself really just doesn’t match up to your actual self.

Maybe you’ll see a photo and kinda hate yourself.

And maybe you’ll post them up, because that’s all part of you, in the end. Many years ago I hung up my self hatred, learned to love myself and say “fuck you” to the world – sometimes you have to say “fuck you” to yourself and that voice in your head that tells you that you’re not enough, let alone perfect.

Because sure, I look short. I look fatter than usual. My cleavage wasn’t as noticeable as it was in real life. My pose is all wrong.

But it’s still beautiful, because it’s me. And even when I don’t look ‘perfect’, I’m still beautiful.

Earrings: Bow and Crossbones
Necklace: Handmade
Jacket: Primark
Top: Handmade
Skirt: Handmade
Bag: Vendula London

8th August 2017

{ Style } Sakura Season

Whilst in Tokyo recently, I spent the morning wandering around the beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen. It’s a gorgeous public garden which has traditional Japanese landscaping and two tea houses. I was even so lucky to see the first signs of cherry blossoms, which made me somewhat emotional. This Japanese print skirt was perfect for the setting.

Naturally, I had to get some photos in front of the blossoms because I’m that sort of person. Less naturally, I had to drag a tripod to the other side of the world with me. This was not an easy task because of other people walking into the shot. Also using my phone as a remote meant a wonderful delay that often caught me off guard.

I won this Adalene skirt from Lindy Bop‘s daily Facebook competitions last year, and it really couldn’t be much more perfect for this setting! With a border print of Japanese pagodas and Torii gates, cherry blossoms and even Mount Fuji. Such a beautiful skirt that I couldn’t wait to wear whilst I was in Tokyo!

I’m not really into pink as I always imagined it would either wash me out or clash horrendously with my hair, and boy am I glad I was wrong! The colour is subtle and sweet but looks striking against black, and I’m a big fan of the button-down front.

Lindy Bop’s sizing is notoriously disastrous, but I took a 22 in this based on the measurements of the size guide, and it was the perfect size for me, not too tight to cut me up, not too loose to fall off me – but the cotton does have a bit of give!

It also has pockets, and if you’ve followed me for long enough you might know I have a bit of a thing for them. Anything without pockets is a useless garment to me!

Away from the blossoms and into the shade, I’m wearing my well-loved Rachel coat from Collectif from years ago – and of course, a Vendula London Chocolatiers Grab Bag!

The bag is more of a Parisian feel than the skirt, a little shopfront of a patisserie with cakes and chocolates, which is actually incredibly popular in Japan, which clearly means it was a set meant to be, right? Right.

Hair Flower: Lady Luck’s Boutique
Earrings: Bow and Crossbones
Top: Primark
Brooch: Luxulite
Skirt: Lindy Bop
Shoes: Melissa

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7th August 2017

{ Style } Strawberry Sundae With Florence Carousel Photography

My last post was showcasing the amazing photos Florence Carousel Photography took of me in September. I’d mentioned we managed to squeeze two shoots into one evening, and this was the first of the two. It was also my favourite. I can’t even explain just how much I absolutely adore these images.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Florence is such a talented photographer. You need to check out her main website and her other site, The Street Style Carousel to see just how wonderful she is at capturing style and beauty.

This outfit is possibly one of my absolute bests because it’s so matchymatchy and delicious.

This skirt is another dirndl that was made around the same time as the All Hail The Gingham Queen Skirt. just my favourite cotton gingham from Rolls and Rems in Holloway pleated onto a waistband. This one is lined in white cotton, has a centre-back zipper and gigantic patch pockets with ricrac trim.

It may be a simple skirt, but its effective!

Teamed with my original 60’s cross-stitch bag with strawberries and strawberry accents on my Miss L Fire Sundae shoes (from 2013) and a handmade strawberry necklace – I will happily say I’m horrendously matchy-matchy, but god, doesn’t it just WORK?

Hair Flowers: Lady Lucks Boutique
Earrings: Bow and Crossbones
Necklace: Handmade
Brooch: Luxulite
Top: Collectif
Skirt: Handmade

Bangles: Splendette and vintage
Bag: Vintage
Shoes: Miss L Fire

All photos are taken by and belong to Florence Carousel.

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2nd August 2017

{ Style } All My Royal Subjects With Florence Carousel Photography

Back in September I was lucky enough to do a little shoot with the wonderful Florence Carousel Photography! On a warm day after work I posed for her in Hyde Park. I wanted to take a moment to show you the photos, because they are AMAZING.

I technically haven’t finished the dress I’m wearing. Currently it’s strapless, since I need to put the straps on and I also need to add pockets in. I’ve been dreaming of a bright green sundress for a while now, and it worked with the tropical theme!

I’d been given vouchers for Fabric.com for my birthday (thanks again, Kristina!) which is where the fabric is from. It’s a nice lightweight cotton – nothing too exciting, but the plan for finishing it will have many more pom poms!

The pattern is the No Cock Nor Tails bodice and a pleated dirndl, of which there’s really no more to say than the other dresses featuring the same components, because I have this habit of making the same two dresses.

I’m not very natural at modelling as I can’t take myself seriously enough to not pull faces between every shot! However, Florence knew what she wanted and made me very comfortable She literally has so much talent at portraiture and I love every photo!

Plus she chose a perfect background, this is the fountain outside Buckingham Palace, of which many jokes about me looking over my royal subjects/peasants ensued – because I’m basically The Queen. Right? RIGHT?

Hair flowers: Lady Lucks Boutique and handmade
Earrings: Bow and Crossbones
Brooch: Luxulite
Bolero and Belt: Collectif
Bangles: Splendette and Lady Lucks Boutique
Shoes: Miss L Fire

All photos are taken by and belong to Florence Carousel.

7th July 2017

{ Review } Brightening Up Grey Days with Yours Clothing

Yours Clothing kindly offered me a chance to try out something from their Hell Bunny collection, of which they stock items in UK sizes 16-24.
I find the transitional pre-spring time really difficult for dressing. I’m ready to wear pretty sundresses, but the weather has a completely different idea!

Hell Bunny is a brand I’ve never tried before as their style in the past wasn’t to my personal taste. Seeing the selection on the Yours Clothing site was wonderful, however, as they have a nice mix of the rockabilly-goth style as well as my preferred vintage style!

I was instantly drawn to the Red & Black Polkadot 50’s Style Dress for a few reasons;

Red.
POCKETS.
Adorable pin dot print!

I’m actually a big fan of polka dots still, and the smaller pin dot print is a little more subtle.

The dress is made from a lightweight stretch cotton, which will easily see me straight into the summer months. With a typical square neckline and wide adjustable straps, I can see this being a greatly-worn sundress for me once the British sun decides to rise!

I went for a size 20 for this dress as it was closest to my actual measurements on the size guide. However! This dress is clearly cut for a bigger bust than my own, so I could have gone down a size. If you’re small busted like myself I would definitely size down, but good news for you big busted ladies!

To complete the grey-day outfit, I picked out the Cropped Cardigan with Cherry Embroidery as a cute cover up – and can I take a moment to gush about just how perfect this cardigan is for a moment? I love good knitwear, and honestly this has a real quality to it. It’s soft but thick, and has a reinforced button band to keep the front in shape.

I took a size 18 as I like my knitwear tight, and the size was perfect for me.

Dress & Cardigan: C/O Yours Clothing
Bangles: Splendette and Vintage
Hair Flowers: Handmade
Earrings: Bow and Crossbones
Bag: Zatchels
Shoes: Melissa

3rd July 2017

{ Style } Of Hangovers and Vintage Fairs

It’s Saturday afternoon. I’ve just eaten a massive Korean-style burrito and I’m hungover. Surely, nursing a hangover doesn’t usually suggest going out and walking around at The Classic Car Boot Sale, does it?

So that’s what we did.

Sore in the head and later than planned, we headed off for The Classic Car Boot Sale, which comes around twice a year bringing us classic cars and all sorts of vintage curiosities being sold out the back of them.

Unfortunately, I have little to say about this CCBS – other than the aforementioned burrito, I didn’t buy a thing! Sadly a lot of items were overpriced or in extremely bad condition (I’m looking at you, woman who was selling a lucite bag with the disease!! SHAME.) – or in fact, both, in regards to one 40’s dress going for £170 with massive rips throughout it!

But we still got some great photos – and we got to see Mr Wilson’s Second Liners – of which you need to watch THIS VIDEO OF. RIGHT NOW. Because it really helped these hungover idiots!

I wore one of my favourite outfits ever – This EShakti dress is possibly the best staple I own! The length is just absolutely perfect and the scalloped neckline is beautiful. But mostly I love just how easy it is to wear!

Brooch: Luxulite
Cardigan: Collectif
Dress: EShakti
Bangles: Vintage and Splendette
Bag: Vintage (from a previous CCBS)
Shoes: Miss L Fire

29th June 2017

{ Style } Pastel Colours, Pastel Dreams

I’m not going to lie to you – the whole pastel thing is not my thing.

Until I had pink hair, wore a mint green Collectif Caterina dress and stood in front of some pastel houses.

I walk past these houses on Camden Road every day on my way to work, and every day I would say to myself “Damn, what a cute location for a pastel shoot!” So armed with my photographer (read: boyfriend) and a bundle of pastel sweetness, I gave my pink hair a final goodbye to forever be immortalised in a perfect setting.

The dress is the Caterina Swing Dress from Collectif, a mint green/light blue shirtwaist which is as soft as it is adorable. I’m a big fan of shirtwaists in general, but the shape of these suits me so well I have the navy version, too.

And my favourite part? POCKETS.

For this dress in particular I’m wearing a 22, since I found the smaller sizes to be a little too tight in the bust and sleeves. I find that shirtwaists look sweet slightly blousier around the bust, thanks to the cinched-in waist, so that’s no issue.

The only thing that really irks me about this dress is that since it likes to creeeeease. But it’s 97% cotton, which makes it a perfect summer dress, creasing aside.

I don’t have a wardrobe made for pinks. It made putting together outfits quite difficult with this hair colour and my penchant for matching. Luckily white works with this look so I could kinda get away with these Miss L Fire Sundae shoes!

Sunglasses: Collectif
Brooch: Luxulite
Dress: Collectif
Handbag: Vintage Atlas (Bought in Spitalfields Market)
Bangle: Vintage Celluloid (Charity shop score)
Shoes: Miss L Fire

29th June 2017

{ Style } Toucan Play At That Game

Notice anything different? Yes, my hair is PINK! I’m going pink for a little bit for a super secret reason – and although it’s not my first colour of choice, I kinda love it! And if there was one outfit that need pink hair, this Collectif Toucan Set is it!

This is the Toucan print that Collectif ran for their Spring/Summer 2014 collection (now out of stock). It was one of those prints that I adored as soon as it came out! But as someone who doesn’t wear fitted clothes or shorts, the sarong styles were so far out of my comfort zone.

By the end of the season, peer pressure and a hefty discount persuaded me into buying. I bought the Kiki Crop top and Sarong Skirt… And promptly left it in my wardrobe untouched. It stayed there for a year until I decided ‘Fuck it, why not?’ and here we are!

I’ve spent so long in flared dresses that I’ve actually forgotten that I have a body under all those petticoats! Now. I won’t lie, a sarong skirt is still so far out of my comfort zone that looking at myself in it makes me slightly uncomfortable.

I gave up on pencil/fitted skirts a while back because I just didn’t like how they look on me. It’s probably been about three years since I last wore something this fitted!

It makes me wonder – is there a certain style of clothing that you never wear? And if you do, how do you feel when you do wear it?

Hair Flowers: Lady Luck’s Boutique
Necklace: Primark
Brooch: Luxulite
Crop Top, Skirt, Cardigan: Collectif
Bangles: Lady Luck’s Boutique ; Splendette
Shoes: Miss L Fire Aloha (SS13)

26th June 2017

{ Lifestyle } My Vintage Wardrobe on Huffington Post

If you haven’t been keeping an eye on my Instagram last couple of weeks, you may not have heard about this little thing I did back in January. Me and my bet damn friend Siobhan did a ‘My Vintage Wardrobe’ article with The Huffington Post! How exciting is that?

We wanted to put an emphasis on reproduction clothing as we find the vintage scene views it as a ‘bad word’. We both work for Collectif which is a repro company, so unlike previous MVD articles, the aim of the shoot was to mix repro and vintage. What we wanted to show was that no matter your size, shape, budget or taste you can always look amazing.

Jennifer Barton came to photograph us at the Collectif Spitalfields shop, and the photos were just perfect! Both myself and Siobhan were self-styled, we did our own hair and makeup and mostly clothing and accessories we own. We did, however, borrow some What Katie Did and Miss L Fire goodies! Because why wouldn’t you when you’ve got three brands under one roof?

As I say in the article, my size really stops me from accessing vintage. Women just weren’t this damn bootylicious back in the 50s! This is why I love reproduction brands, especially when their sizing goes beyond the straight sizing of 8-18. It makes vintage styles accessible and affordable for the plus size woman.

Have a read of the article – and let me know your thoughts!

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