Have you ever retired a human by mistake?

At Oz Comic Con, last weekend, I finally got to do a costume I've been wanting to do for a couple of years, now: Rachael from Blade Runner.

Sean Young as Rachael in Blade Runner, 1982

I kept putting the costume off as I couldn't find the exact fabric I needed, but, when I realised I probably never would, I just decided to find something similar enough and go for it. Finding good images of Rachael's costume was also difficult and the film itself is very dark. But I managed to make something that looked similar (after studying the images I could find for far too long).

The hair was a little bit of a challenge as it's been ages since I've attempted victory rolls, but it still took less than half an hour. The faux bangs were super easy, though. And I just did a very simple roll at the back.

This is the pattern that I used - the skirt was made exactly as it is in the pattern, but the jacket had to be modified. I took away the ruffles and extended the straight panels and added a collar from another pattern. I also drafted some pockets from looking at Rachael's costume and sewed them into the side seams (with help from mum along the way, when I needed guidance). Rachael's costume also has diamonds sewn on to the left arm and left side of the jacket, but I forgot to get a photo to show you all.

Another thing I really wanted to do with this costume was to try to recreate some of the polaroids from Sean Young's website. It was tricky, though, because I have a different camera - I could never take a photo of myself at arm's distance with this camera - and the film isn't so great these days (though I very much appreciate that I can get film for my polaroid camera). But I did my best! If you want to see Sean Young's own polaroids, go here.

I wish I'd moved those darn picture hooks! So distracting.

As you can see, my camera doesn't like closer shots. Ha. This is my best 'unimpressed Sean Young' face.

'Do you like our owl?'

I took a couple of shots with my Instax too (the owl one is also Instax) - it takes a much clearer shot than my Polaroid.

I'm not sure if anyone at Oz Comic Con got my costume - I got one smile/nod, hopefully in recognition, but it's the first time not one single person has said anything about my costume. My friends loved it and, luckily, so did the people I shared the photo with online, but it was still a tiny bit disheartening. I'm really proud of this costume, though, and next time I wear it my friend said she'll come as Pris with me! It might be a while before that happens but, when it does, there will be more photos.

Whew. Sorry for the text heavy post! There is still one more Comic Con post to come, so keep a look out for it.

Op Shopping Tuesday

Last Tuesday it was my birthday and I spent most of the day op-shopping with my mum. I used my birthday money and managed to find a few nice things. Nothing particularly old or what I usually look for but some neat finds, nonetheless. And here are some sneak peek photos of the clothes and proper photos of the rest.

Check out the sequinned design on the shoulder of this 80s cocktail dress I bought.

A similar design on the hip.

The print on the utterly ridiculous 80s dress I found. It has a detachable peplum and very big shoulders (of course!) but it actually looks pretty good on, I think. I posted some terrible photos of these on Tumblr for anyone who wants to see them.

I'm honestly not sure where I will wear either of these dresses but I feel nearly certain there will be some occasion in the future that one of these will be perfect for.

A nice vintage plaid skirt. It has a bit of a '30s sillhouette to it.

I love the covers of these Kim Aldrich Mystery books. I found a little information on them here. It seems there were only four books in the series, so I'm only missing one! They sound kind of interesting so I may actually get around to reading these one day.

And some various dolly things. Mostly clone (i.e. knock-off) things, except for the mermaid and I think the white hat as I believe it's from Day to Night Barbie's outfit.

Square buttons and a round collar

Just stopping by with another outfit post! That makes the third in a row - hopefully I'll have a bit more content during the next week or so but I also hope you all enjoy the outfit post, nonetheless. I'm wearing a refashioned vintage dress that was given to me as a gift just last week. It definitely had the 60s babydoll feel to it, it just needed to be shortened! I'm really pleased with how it looks at its new length and I love the little details like the Peter Pan collar and the three square (non-functional) buttons.

Outfit details: refashioned vintage dress - gift; tights - Coles; shoes - Rubi Shoes.

Once again, I'm sporting my hair in its natural state. I've just been really uninspired to set it, lately, or do anything aside from brushing it after I've dried it. 

I'm still not used to wearing shorter dresses and I forgot how much they can ride up when you sit down! Ha! Even just last year I wouldn't have worn a dress like this - I'd have told myself it was cute but not 'right' for my body shape and I'm trying to stop myself from doing that. I like this cut of dress and I do feel comfortable in it, despite fearing I may not (because how I thought I would look), and I don't want to stop myself from wearing clothes I like because I told myself it wouldn't be right for me or I was influenced by outside sources. This taps in a little to what I wrote here but I think I'd like to explore these ideas further one day (I'd link to other great posts about similar ideas but I'm kind of tired right now). But for now I'm going to wear cute 60s style dresses and just not care.

And this would have been one of those 'outtake' photos - I was trying to brush my fringe out of the way and this is what my face did when I was unsuccessful with my endeavour. It's probably a more accurate representation of me than a lot of other photos.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

You Spin Me Right Round #2

I'm finally getting around to posting the second part of my record collection. Today, I bring you my picture sleeve 45s (though I do believe 7" is the term more used, now, referring to the size rather than speed) - some were bought because the covers were neat, others because I love the song.

This was one of the 'this cover is neat' buys - I loved her hair and the simple graphic layout. I was pleased to find out she is an Italian pop singer I'd never heard of as I'm quite fond of Italian pop music of the 1960s (such as Rita Pavone, Mina, Adriano Celentano, et al) - the songs on this EP are in Italian, English and German I think.

This was another 'neat cover buy' which then inspired one of my musical interlude posts once I listened to the record. I still haven't hunted down more of their music, yet, but I do love what I've heard. I suppose it fits in with the folk revival of the 50s/60s that I love quite a lot.

I only enjoy a handful of Belafonte's recordings but I think he had a gorgeous voice (and face) and this pink cover with yellow and white writing is incredibly pleasing to me, aesthetically. 

I like The Mills Brothers a lot. That's the only story I have for this one.

I love the endearing goofiness that many early 60s vocal group record covers seem to have. Maybe goofy isn't quite the right word but there's something about this that tickles me. I don't mind their music, either.

This one belonged to my uncle's first wife...somehow it ended up in my mum's collection and I slipped it into my own collection a few years ago. (Mum doesn't mind...I've done this with a few of her records, now.)

Now I think this one is definitely on the goofy side of things...

A Swinging Safari is one of my favourite pieces of music and I just have to giggle at this cheesy cover. 

This is an EP from Toldi Maria and all I can find out about her is that she's Hungarian. She seems to have a site but it's all in Hungarian...I picked this one up because I loved her hair/dress/guitar. And ended up enjoying the songs a lot. Unfortunately it has that ugly brown tape on it...luckily it seems to be coming away without ripping the cover!

This is one of my all-time favourite finds in terms of the cover. I've always loved hearts so I snatched it up as soon as I saw it. The songs are pretty cute, too.

How amazing is everything on this cover?! I'm coveting her hair and all of the furniture. A great '80s tribute to the '60s, I think. The song is cool, too.

I'm not keen on the '88 remix of Downtown but I do love the cover.

Again, the top two were bought for cover design (songs are great, too) and the bottom two were bought because they are two of my favourite songs.

And I thought I would end on another prized possession: my signed Wanda Jackson 45 from when Wanda did a signing after her concert here a few years ago. A fantastic experience.

Once again this is some but not all of my collection of picture sleeve 45s. You can see some more in this flickr set but I've probably got at least 20 or 30 more than what is pictured in the set, as well.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Keen on red and pink

When I went in to town the other day, I took the opportunity to wear the pink pants I mentioned in this post...they're not exactly what I've been looking for but they're very close! I had a lot of fun trying them on with different tops - for now I like them best paired with this red sweater. I felt like this was a little bit Emma Peel and a little bit Ann Margret.

Outfit details: scarf - ?; 1950s sweater - etsy; belt - Valley Girl; pants - op-shop; shoes - KMart.

Red and pink is one of my favourite colour combinations.

Usually I won't comment on my non-smiling face and I will certainly never apologise for it but this particular facial expression is the result of trying not to squint with the sun in my eyes. It is so incredibly difficult to do! Next time I'll just wear my sunnies or find a better spot to take the photos. I've also just noticed it looks like I've got a kookaburra sitting on my shoulder...

When I was out I got some photos done in a photobooth. Sadly, the price is up to $8 so I'm not sure if it will be a regular occurrence though I would like it to be.

Oh, and be sure to take a look at the guest post/interview I did for We Heart Vintage.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

You Spin Me Right Round #1

Sometimes, when I'm not sure what to blog about, I throw some ideas around on twitter...usually even just one enthusiastic response is enough for me to go ahead with the idea which is why I now bring you a series on my record collection. Now, I don't want to give the impression that I have a gigantic collection but it is a bit too large for just one post. So, I'm going to break it up a bit (into three, maybe four posts...or would that be too many?) and start with my soundtrack records. (Apologies for the title...couldn't think of anything else and I do love that song...even though that's not its exact title.)

I love a good soundtrack or cast recording - I have playlists in iTunes dedicated to both - so it seems only natural that, as a part-time vinyl collector, I would have a few in my vinyl collection. I'm not a particularly discerning collector and will tend to gravitate toward the bargain bin more often than not and my record player isn't all that great, either. But collecting records is fun, which is what I feel all collecting should be. I think there have been times when I've nearly squealed or jumped up and down in excitement at what I've found in the record racks at times.

So, without further ado, here are a few of my soundtrack related vinyl records...

This LP was in a whole heap of records that my dad gave to me. It is now one of my prized possessions. I remember Kate saying she'd just found the same record in her dad's collection when I posted a photo of this to instagram months ago, which was a neat coincidence!

I haven't seen this film since I was a little girl but I usually can't resist a soundtrack when I find it amongst the Liberace and Kamahl records that are found in almost every single op-shop.

I think I got this from the Salvos store that's really close to where I live. Whilst I find it nearly impossible to find really great clothes at op-shops, I still find quite a few great (in my opinion) vinyls at them.

South Pacific 45s: Broadway & Movie (I also have the movie LP)

How great is this cover?

Found this LP just the other day (along with the soundtrack for Hair!) at a stall that had some records for half price. So this was only $1.

LP/45

LP/45. The LP cover is gorgeous.

These don't exactly fit in with the theme of my blog but they are my two all-time favourite vinyl soundtrack finds thus far:

I'm not sure I could top finding the soundtrack to Xanadu for $1! Almost all of my favourite finds come from the bargain bins because, I guess, no one else wants them.

And I haven't even seen this movie but the soundtrack is just so good!

I do have more soundtracks but not all have exciting or interesting covers.  Other soundtracks I have include: Bridehead Revisited (TV show - I'm not sure why I bought it to be honest); Oliver (a stage recording); Porgy and Bess (stage recording); Kiss Me Kate; Fame; Beaches and at least a few more.

I'm pretty sure that I haven't spent more than $5 on any one of these - usually I spend around 50c on a 45 and $1 or $2 for an LP. I also find that the soundtrack records tend not to have been played very much!

You can see some more of my records that have been uploaded so far in this flickr set. And now that I have the photos side by side you can see that I didn't quite match the colour cast on all the photos. Oops! 

Aside from scouring op-shops, some great places to get records around Adelaide are: Title Records (only new); Clarity records (new & secondhand); Fishermen's Wharf Markets (a few decent record stalls); Mr V which is now only at Semaphore and there are often record fairs on throughout the year.

Now, I just know there will be other record collectors reading this but do you have a method to your collecting or will you just collect anything that takes your fancy (which is pretty much my method)?

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x