Gnarly Boy - I Hate Myself When I'm Not Skateboarding

Did I ever mention that my husband Phil is obsessed with skating? That's on a skateboard not on in-liners or retro roller boots (perhaps a little too camp or twee for Phil) So yeah, skateboards, he loves them, he skates.

 I tried to 'encourage' him to do something with all his old skate decks that have been gathering around our home and garage for the past 10 years.

 'Perhaps make a shelf with them', I said 'or display them?'

This was my downfall........Phil, instead, was inspired to pop up a bit of vintage 80s skate art on our walls, sounds OK, but was he using up the old decks? Oh no, he's just bought more....the ones he wanted but couldn't afford when he was 14 years old!

Luckily I managed to have a say on which of the designs he liked, were actually gonna get up on our walls and then he imported them from America!

 Here they are.

We decided to hang our new pieces of art next to the stairs, so you can't actually miss them from the minute you walk through our front door. Our hallway has had Granny's wallpaper for years and, to be honest, we have actually grown to like it, it adds to the charm of our 1930s home, as we slowly begin to push Ikea further out of our lives. 

The decks themselves are all re-issues of Phil's childhood favourites and each have their own stories....

The first white deck is by Vision and is a great design that reminds me of the late 80s and early 90s. Vision decks and clothing were everywhere as far as I remember as a non-skater.

 The black deck with the dragon (my least favourite, but all the boys favourite!) is the Bone Brigade's  - Steve Caballero deck Phil most wanted as a kid.

 Check out the leopard print Alva deck! I, of course, was drawn to this one, who could resist the leopard print? You also need one of the original Dog Town Z Boys decks on your wall, don't you?

Keeping on the Skate theme, here are our gnarly kids with all their latest skate items. The boys are sitting on Lucian's first deck, it's a smaller Santa Cruz deck with The Screaming Hand Logo both boys wearing Vans skate shoes, of course!

Sylvie Belle and Daddy. Phil bought this Santa Cruz bodysuit for the baby before we even knew whether she was a boy or a girl. Luckily she was a girl as the print on the bodysuit looked more pink than red when we received it. Phil in Independant sunglasses and Powell Peralta tee.

Below -  Mika sporting his Santa Cruz 'Screaming Hand' tee.

It's lucky I've always had a soft spot for skaters, aint't it! ND xx

It's too early for that dress -Post Pregnancy Fashion Dilemmas - Part 5

It's been over a week since my last post, I've been busy with all my children over the Easter hols, on days out and visiting family and friends. I'm writing this with my little Sylvie Belle on my lap, she must be used to me using the laptop now as she often nods off to the sound of the tapping keys! Poor thing!

A breakthrough has happened to me over the past month, I am excited to announce that I am back in my old jeans....yey! The post pregnancy weight is really starting to shift now and I am grateful for this. For this post I am mainly wearing all my old high waister jeans and have mixed this up with my latest buys from cheap as chips Primark and my new 1950s style favourites from Vivien of Holloway. I am working the Vintage Americana trend to the max!

Vintage Cute - White gypsy top from Vivien of Holloway, yellow cardigan from H&M, highwaister tapered jeans from Tokyo, Japan ( bought on my honeymoon, 3 years ago), cherry print socks from Topshop, red Converse low tops, swallow necklace from Accessorise.

The Primark Prada copy top as featured in my Vintage Americana post at the beginning of April. I'm not looking quite as good as Dakota Fanning on that Elle cover but hey ho, she's 17 and I'm old enough to be her mother....which shocks me slightly! 

Pastel Pales Geek - More Primark, the leopard print cardigan is the new item. You know, I do love a cardigan...and those Deirdre Barlow oversized glasses, how I love them!

Here's an example of how to create a peplum effect out of a top. I have used my oversized Xray Spex tee which somehow got ruined by a paint stain (children do these things to your clothes) so to hide it I have added a belt and taa daa...we have peplum.

Jeans from Topshop, Xray Spex tee from 8ball, black catseye sunglasses from asos.com, Neon pink belt a gift.

A close up of my new Primark sandels, which I haven't worn since as the weather here has been too cold. I do look a lot paler than usual too!

The 4 photos above are of me Djing last Friday at my club night Bang (based at The Big Chill Bar) here in Bristol. I was much more awake this month and there was a great atmosphere in the club. I was happy that I fitted into the tightest of my high waister 'old' jeans and teamed them with my new Vivien of Holloway Gypsy top, red elastic belt from ebay and red Converse low tops. The top pic features my brother Mike who (coincidently) is also rocking the Vintage Americana look. We didn't do it on purpose...we didn't!

The Primark Prada rip off  Americana top again worn with my high waister tapered jeans from Tokyo.

A quick snap shot taken at the in-laws about 10 seconds before we had to leave to visit my good friends in Leicester (I went to Uni there and then stayed on for 6 years, I made a lot of good friends, including my good friend and fellow blogger Dilly Foxtrot - and her sister Di, who was pregnant when I left that day but had her lovely baby -a few hours later!! Congrats Di and well done!!! I miss them).

Gingham bustier top (also featured in my Americana post) from Vivien of Holloway, high waister skinnies (as before), red belt (as before) and red Converse.

I have finally managed to get through the back log of my Post Pregnancy style pics, I think we've seen enough of me for a bit so a current obsession or Style Icon post is on the cards...Thanks for stopping by! ND xx

It's too early for that dress -Post Pregnancy Fashion Dilemmas - Part 4

I am a little delicate today as I was out Djing last night and may have indulged in one or two drinks....Here's the next installment from my post pregnancy posts.

Sportswear? What's that all about? Well, I had become inspired by a photoshoot fashion story from Pigeons and Peacocks magazine named Ganguro Girl, I have talked about it before on my Pigeons and Peacocks post from last year. (Find it here http://no-debutante.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/my-latest-magazine-obsession-pigeons.html ) The styling is a mix of Japanese street style and British chav style, which sounds bizarre but looks cool.

I decided to try and wear a bit of sportswear each day, to see how many looks I could come up with, using the clothes I already own. I needed to incorporate sports styling with bright colours and prints, the same way as the P&P fashion story. Sportswear inspired fashion is also massive this Spring/ Summer including high tec anoraks, cycle shorts (yes, cycle shorts), glossy bright colours, jog pant cut trousers and racer back vests. I will deffo do a post about what's on the high street and how to wear sportswear very soon.

Outfit 1  -Khaki anorak from Primark, purple sweatshirt, leggings & sunglasses from H&M, Socks from American Apparel, red Converse low tops. from Office.

Wear an oversized anorak with everything this Spring Summer!

Outfit 2 - Mickey Mouse sweatshirt and bodycon dress from H&M, Floral leggings from Versace for H&M, red Converse low tops.

Outfit 3 - Purple sweatshirt (as before) digital floral print trousers and red socks from Topshop, Leopard print Converse low tops from Office.

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Outfit 4 - Sonic Youth t-shirt from Urban Outfitters, low front bodycon dress from American Apparel, floral leggings and red Converse (as before) yellow cardigan from H&M.

Outfit 5 - Black vest and leopard print trousers from Topshop, yellow sunglasses and cardigan from H&M, red Converse (as before).

I am classing these trousers as sportswear as they are cut the same as jogging bottoms with the baggy leg and gathered hem, so it's sportswear inspired clothing for the Sportswear trend as well as traditional sportswear.

 Outfit 6 - Bloomers from American Apparel, name necklace from Tatty Devine, Mickey Mouse sweatshirt and Converse (as before).

I love my American Apparel bloomers! I went shopping to Primark on this day and a mother said to her daughter 'what on earth is she wearing?' which made me smile....

I guess, on this occassion, I didn't really have any post pregnancy fashion dilemmas as sportswear is comfy and fits you even if you go up a couple of sizes, it's a dangerous thing to wear as you may not realise you are putting on the pounds! Sportswear - wear with caution! ND xx

It's too early for that dress -Post Pregnancy Fashion Dilemmas - Part 3

Brrrr! So we had a weird heatwave last week and now we are all freezing again here in the UK, seriously, it's been snowing and everything!! I am now 4 months into my post pregnancy and have been recording my outfits as often as I can. I now have so many images that I am going to have to filter them between posts! The first set are from early March, before the hot weather arrived (and left).There is still the need for a coat....

 Layering and clashing prints

The above photos were all taken early morning just after the school run, I think we shall have to call this Leopard Print Week, I hadn't consciously worn leopard print all week, it just happened. Although I do own a lot of it, it has to be said.  

Leopard print fake fur coat from H&M, I got this about 7 years ago (it's practically vintage) Leopard print top and trousers, red dress, peep toe boots, suede fringed bag and jeans all from Topshop. Aztec cardigan and wedge boots from Newlook.

 I got my haircut on this day, I had posted another picture from this set previously on my post of the family haircuts in Cut Your Hair.

 Stripe top from Topshop and that's the pregnancy staple bodycon dress from H&M underneath. I am also wearing anchor earrings and a swallow necklace, Mothers Day presents from my lovely kids from Tatty Devine! They know me so well, and I didn't have to send their Dad a link to the website or anything....ahem!

The conclusion at this point is that I have been walking loads in an attempt to shift the baby weight, I have hardly any energy at all from being woken up twice a night by a hungry Sylvie Belle (if I will go and have 3 kids... ) so walking suits my lifestyle. I am not a person who you will find at the gym! I do not diet but usually don't eat after 8pm, my vice is wine and beer (and alcohol in general!) but I have always limited this to 3 nights a week, well since being a mother I have...I bloody have!!! At this point I am not fitting into my high waister size 12 jeans, this is my goal!

I am off DJing tomorrow night at the Hoochie Coochie Kabaret and have had dilemmas with finding an outfit / costume, which, at Hoochie, usually involves tiny bits of fabric and lots of skin showing....this will not be happening on this occasion, god, I only had a baby 4 months ago! Elle Macpherson I am not..I'm sure, I will do a Hoochie outfits post soon so you can see what I usually wear.....The next post, however, will be the follow up to this one and involves sportswear......What? Has No Debutante become a Chav? Find out next time ND xx

And she'll have fun, fun, fun til her daddy takes the T-bird away

Vintage Americana is the next look from the S/S 2012 shows that I am going to delve into. As much as I am, at heart, a very British girl,  I do love a bit of 1950s Americana, the big shiny cars, Hot Rods, rockabilly, diners, preppy high school look, rock'n' roll and the good old 1950s housewife, glamourously running the home and not a hair out of place - a look I could never keep up, I'm not dedicated enough and when would I fit social networking in?

The Vintage Americana trend focuses on the 1950s boom, with it's Cadillac rockabilly style car prints, glossy coloured leather skirts (inspired by the big shiny cars and Hot Rods), cute ginghams, preppy plaids, cats eye sunglasses and not forgetting the new exposed midriff - think more 1950s hourglass figure than cheerleader. It's much more subtle than the 1990s midriff show off, as I have said before, it's all about a sneak peek of the torso and not a belly button in sight.

Here are my favourite looks from the High Street.

I have struggled to find a midi skirt that actually suits my style let alone  a bright coloured, leather one. I found this one on Asos.com, it's a bit expensive for me at £90 but I like the styling of the outfit and inspires me to wear the A-line midi's I already own, just need to lose that last bit of baby podge from my tummy!

 I do love a pair of cats eye sunglasses, these are from asos.com, I've ordered the tortoise shell one's above and some plain black ones. I'm very excited about this!

Here's a cute preppy look from asos.com (yeah the Americana look is all about Asos!) The diner style shirt, gingham skirt and I love the peep-toe heels with white ankle socks.

This cute gingham bowling shirt is from the Fred Perry By Amy Winehouse S/S 2012 collection. As we all know Amy herself loved a bit of 1950s Americana styling, so get this shirt and the gingham pumps below (also Fred Perry By Amy Winehouse) in memory of the fabulous Miss Winehouse.

 

I liked this image from Topshop.com from their Twice As Nice promo for Short Suits. This one fits the Americana trend with it's pastel shades and bra top ensemble, I think I was drawn to the image by her hair, love it!

I thought these pep hole white brogues from Topshop.com would look real preppy with a pair of ankle socks and a gingham or pastel shade midi full skirt.

Of course I couldn't do 1950s Americana without a few Vivien of Holloway lovelies. The gingham Bustier halter top above is fantastic and a great alternative to the crop bra tops. I have this one on order along with the new 1950s jeans and a gypsy top. I shall blog about these asap as I wait for my parcel to arrive....very impatiently!!

I was very excited to find this image on vivienofholloway.com I, of course, love the pink halter circle dress, but check out the car and the male model, he's just stepped out of the diner to go pick up his sweetheart in his chevy! Haha! I have no idea what the car is, even my car enthusiast husband Phil didn't know. I thought i'd just blag it.

Black sateen halter pencil dress (above) and black and white large gingham check halter circle dress (below) both from Vivien Of Holloway

 This car print top (above) is from Primark, it is amazing, I bought it yesterday for £8!!!! It wins the prize for the best catwalk copy this season, the original version from Prada is seen below on the Elle UK February cover girl Dakota Fanning. I tried on the matching Primark pleat midi skirt too but laughed myself out of the changing rooms, it was hideous on me! ND xx

The Relay Rips - Oh Touche video

Oh my gosh! I haven't posted on my blog for a week! I could blame lack of sleep or lack of  time with the kids being off for the Easter holidays but I reckon it's the sunshine, in an unusually, very hot March, that has kept me away. All we Brits do is stay outside when the sunshines, as a British summertime is rare phenomenon these days. When else would we have the chance to top up on vitamin D and to wear our summer clothes?

As promised here is the first music video from The Relay Rips performing Oh Touche from their debut album of the same name filmed by Gavin Strange in the Shake King milkshake bar in Bristol, UK in 2011. As I said before The Relay Rips are about to release their second album also recorded at Toybox Studios, you can get their first album Oh Touche on  iTunes or Spotify.

I love this video! Check out my husband Phil on trumpet, my brother Mike on vocals / guitar, Steve on drums/ vocals and Jake on Sax! I love the jerky movements, it's a little spooky, in a good way. The Relay Rips used to rehearse in this milkshake bar every week (before it sadly shut down - damn recession!) and passers-by would watch them through the shutters as you will see on the film. More videos to come soon. ND xx