New Hair, Old Top

If you follow me on Instagram (I'm andibgoode there, as well) you'll know that I went and got a fringe cut the other day...it's something I'd been thinking about for a while, now, but I kept putting it off for various reasons (I dislike going to the hairdressers a whole lot) until finally I went to get the chop, as it were.

I love my new fringe. I think I'll get it cut a little thicker and maybe ever-so-slightly shorter next time, though. This photo is after not washing my hair for a few days so it's not quite as nice as it was when it was first cut. I haven't got used to the physical feeling of having a fringe again, though, but that's not surprising.

And I don't think I've ever showed off this top! This is one of those items of clothing that I loved then put in the 'get rid of' pile, oh, about five or six times? Before deciding it was staying for good. I think it's from the '60s or '70s and I found it in a Goodwill op-shop years ago, now. It's perfect for my pedal pushers and one of my go-to pieces for the shops or something like that.

Outfit details: 1960s top - Goodwill years ago; pants - Miss Hussy; shoes - KMart.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Friday night with some friends

I want to start by saying that I certainly didn't mean to not post anything for five days, but I suppose these things sometimes do happen! Apologies for that and, now, on to the post. On Friday night I met a couple of friends at Regattas to see Lucky Seven Swing. I threw an outfit together quickly as I hadn't given much thought to what I was wearing but I was happy with how it turned out (in my experience, sometimes the quickly chosen outfits can be better than some you spend a lot of time on).

(All of these photos were taken with my (new) iPhone 4S because I was excited at how great the quality is.)

Outfit details: scarf - op-shop; sunglasses - Dangerfield; earrings - made by me; top - Target; belt - gift; skirt - Goodwill; bag - can't remember; shoes - Betts.

This is the only shot out of this lot that isn't that great, but that's because I took it with the camera on the front of the phone, which isn't as good. But this was the best shot that I got of my hair. I found this tutorial via The DC Metro Retro and it's just so simple and looks great. It's based off of a hairstyle from Mad Men but, as I don't watch it, the main draw for me was that it looks like a beehive but doesn't involve any teasing and/or backcombing.

Miss Betty Jane & Miss Kitty Boo.

Me and Miss Kitty Boo.

I played pool with Miss Betty Jane and lost.

At the end of the night we headed down to the Garden of Unearthly Delights (my favourite place in Adelaide at this time of year) so I thought I may as well share a few photos that I took there.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Andi B. Goode goes out on Friday night...

...and she comes home on Saturday morning!

OK, so it was only barely Saturday morning (12.30am) but I've always wanted to make a reference to that song. Luckily, my night was a lot nicer than the one related in the lyrics!

My friend Jacoba and I started the night at the Chocolate Bean with flavoured icies (she had orange, I had rose, which is divine) and then headed down to Cushdy for the Lindy Lounge (a social dance night). It was such a fun night. I only had one dance but just being there and actually talking to people was wonderful.

I decided to wear one of the dresses I bought the other day

Outfit details: hair flowers - discount store; faux pearls - Mum's; dress - Salvos; gloves - Goodwill; stockings - stockingshq.com; shoes - SpendLess.

A close-up of my hair (which I got many compliments on!)


And this is what I wore during the day
Outfit details: necklace - Fisherman's Wharf markets; dress - church op-shop; stockings - stockingshq.com; shoes - Big W.

I hope everyone is having a relaxing and fun weekend!

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Unstyled Hair (Oh My!)

When I posted pictures of how I set my hair, Janice asked me if I could take pictures of my hair unstyled. Well, I did but I forgot to post them, so here they are:

It's basically just cut into a 'U' and there's one layer which is a couple of inches shorter than the length.

So, this is my hair in its natural state, straight after I blow-dried it (and my method of blow-drying involves blasting it until it's dry).

I was going to post these with a tutorial I did but I want to re-film it because, well, I didn't film it all that well the first time round. But stay tuned...if I overcome my fear of the moving picture (moving pictures of me, at least) you may well see a tutorial from me, yet.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Outfit Post

Just a brief outfit post. My mum and I took my nephew out for pizza tonight so I decided to wear a dress I bought ages ago but haven't had the chance to wear, yet. I also tried out the bun ring I bought to use as a rat (for the faux bangs) after watching Fleur's tutorial.



Outfit details: dress - 1980s, from Salvo's; stockings - Love Kylie; shoes - Big W; bracelet - etsy.

I think I kind of love this dress - the print makes me think of licorice all-sorts. But I'm also not sure if it's a little ridiculous - although that could be a good thing!

Last night my friend and I went to the Lindy Lounge - our first social (swing) dance night! However, we neither danced nor socialised - we are both of us incredibly socially awkward and spent two hours sitting in a corner yelling at each other (so we could be heard over the music). Perhaps we shall be brave enough to venture onto the dance floor next time (so long as someone actually wants to dance with us, of course). My hair turned out well, though! Hurrah.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Not a Tutorial, Really.

A few of you were interested in seeing a hair tutorial from me. Now, this is not a tutorial but I took some photos of what my hair looks like for its usual set - for example, this is how it might turn out. This is actually the set I did for Friday night but it didn't dry properly so it dropped more than it usually does. All of the rollers are rolled under and there isn't any set pattern to them. I'm also going to admit something - I am incredibly uncoordinated and lazy and, most often than not, my mum puts the rollers in for me! I like to think of her as my personal stylist.

I put setting lotion onto my hair when it's dry - I do this because my hair holds a lot of moisture and my hair will not dry if I put setting lotion onto damp hair. I use Power Surge by Natural Look because it’s practically the only one I’ve been able to find to buy in Adelaide so far! Plus, it’s Australian made and owned and cruelty free, which are important things to me when I’m buying these sorts of things. The only problem I have with it is that it sometimes flakes when I brush it out. Speaking of brushing it out, I really don't have much of a method to that. I just keep brushing until it's smooth enough for what I want. I sometimes brush sections over the back of my hand to shape it a little and it helps to smooth it, too.



If I leave them in overnight - and when I do I always put on a satin night cap - when they’re rolled all the way up, my hair is a bit too curly but if they don’t have as long to set they tend to drop a fair bit more. I found the best way to gauge this for my hair was just to experiment. It all depends on how well your hair holds to curling as well as the length. My hair is reasonably long - the longest part reaches just to wear my bra sits at the back - and heavy, too, but it takes to curling pretty well.


And for anyone who is curious about the shape of my haircut, it's basically just cut into a 'U' and there's one layer which is a couple of inches shorter than the length. I really ought to have taken a photo of my hair unstyled - if anyone is interested, let me know.

The only other thing I really need for my usual set is hairspray - I'm the kind of gal who isn't really happy unless my hair starts getting towards being crunchy but I'm just paranoid. I would suggest using as much or as little hairspray as you are comfortable with. I often like to pin the right side up and let the bulk of my hair hang free on the left.

Is there any particular style you've seen me sport that you'd like to see a tutorial of? And do you prefer videos or just pictures? I must admit, I'm a little shy of filming myself but it is a lot easier to follow a video than pictures.

Also, anyone who hasn't seen Fleur's tutorial on her faux bangs should go watch it now. It's very helpful and straight forward!

I hope this has been remotely helpful - if not, you get to see me looking ever-so-charming in my curlers! Hurrah.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Andi B. Goode Goes to a Punk Rock Show

Last night I went to one of my old ‘haunts’ – Enigma Bar – to see a friend’s brother play his first ever show! He’s a solo act so he was very nervous – I can’t think of how to describe his music but if any of you are familiar with Against Me, then it’s a little like that. It was a good show, but Enigma Bar is one of my least favourite places to be – as I mentioned I used to ‘hang out’ there all of the time in my younger years watching local hardcore bands and the like. But now I just stick out like the proverbial sore thumb if I so much as set a foot inside! For what does a vintage loving gal where to such a place? Why, the same thing I always would.

Outfit details: dress - 1980s does 1940s Katie's from Salvo's; belt from another dress; fishnet stockings - Love Kylie; shoes - Big W clearance table.




I was actually very proud with how my hair turned out! I set my hair in hot rollers (using a heat setting spray) and, once they were cool, took them out, misted my hair with hairspray and put them in sponge rollers to set the curls better. This was the inspiration (I saved this picture off of Betty Lou’s blog a while ago) – no mugshots of me, though!



I got a few strange looks and I think I overheard someone talking about me as I was waiting to be picked up but all I caught was a guy standing nearby with his friends say something about ‘that chick’ and look in my direction. A girl did come over to me to tell me I looked like Dita Von Teese!! I know that’s really a generic kind of thing to say to a vintage gal these days (isn’t it?) but that doesn’t make it any less flattering!

There was also a Celtic punk band playing, called The Thieves, and they were jolly good! They clearly have a dedicated following as the crowd got a bit rowdy (and sweaty, no doubt) and some crowd surfing was done and quite a few shirts came off (of the girls as well as the boys) but, from a safe distance, the music was quite enjoyable. It was, however, a bit too loud for me – my ears clearly aren’t used to that kind of show anymore! I must admit I was half wishing that I was at home curled up on the settee with a nice cup of tea, watching Midsomer Murders. Ho hum.

I want to leave you with this video of my favourite Celtic punk band – the seminal act, The Pogues! I know it’s not my usual sort of vintage (but I suppose it does count as a kind of vintage because their heyday was back in ye olde 1980s) but if it’s not your thing, just ignore the video and look at me instead!

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Silver Screen Sunday {Pin Up Girl}

For today's Silver Screen Sunday, I'm going to take a little look at the 1944 film, Pin Up Girl. As you can see from the poster, it stars the most beautiful Betty Grable as 'Lorry Jones' a pin-up girl with a penchant for stretching the truth. One comment on imdb.com calls it 'somewhat entertaining fluff' and, whilst I must agree with that sentiment at least, I do not agree that the costumes are 'ridiculous, distracting and very unflattering'. The costumes are what made this film for me! That and the fact that watching Betty Grable is just a delight in itself. Oh, and did I mention the unearthly amount of fabulous hairstyles?

Whenever I watch this film I get a terrible case of hair envy – I remember screencapping it and staring longingly at all of Betty’s magnificent ‘dos, knowing I’m far too lazy to dedicate the proper amount of time necessary to perfecting some of the styles. Some of them are quite outrageous! Within the first minute there are, at least, six fabulous ‘dos (all of which, literally, have a cherry on top).


And here are some of Betty's styles, which, of course, leave me equally envious.


And some of her fabulous outfits. I don't know what I wouldn't do to have a dress like that first one - isn't it just too lovely?


Betty looks equally as cute in her secretary ‘disguise’. I also wish I’d paid more attention to Martha Raye who plays Lorry's friend Molly - who, sadly, doesn't appear in any of these pictures - when I was doing the screencaps because she’s such a cutie!



This pretty little lace dress reminds me of the dress Betty wears in the first club scene. You can find it here, at Blue Velvet Vintage.

Or stop by this etsy shop and pick yourself up a pair of fab vintage glasses to get Betty's secretary look.

This dress, by Stop Staring, (which I found here at Unique Vintage) is somewhat reminiscent of Betty's green and yellow suit.

And this gorgeous halter kneck dress by Queen of Heartz (found here) makes for a simpler alternative to Betty's full-length gown.

Fancy having a go at Betty's famous updo? The lovely Miss Amanda Lee aka the Jitterbug Doll, did a tutorial for Queens of Vintage, which you can find here.

Her tutorial provided the source of inspiration for my own (far inferior) 'do, today (which I inevitably I only took terrible photos of).
Not too bad for a first attempt, I thought. It was also the first time I used a rat to do the faux bangs (and I am aware that the bobby pins are visible).

I hope that was an enjoyable post for you all! I am very sleepy as I spent most of the day at the Roller Derby (watching, of course) which I shall most likely post about tomorrow.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Public Enemies

First things first, I have a new header. What do you all think?

Secondly, last night my friend Jacoba and myself went to see Public Enemies. It was a little bit disappointing, unfortunately, but still good. My main problem was the way in which it was filmed – it was filmed using HD video and so it looks more like a TV show than a film and a lot of the movement is very strange. I think HD video can be appropriate for certain types of films, but for a gangster movie set in the 1930s? I don’t think so. I’m a very visual person and like my movies to be visually appealing and stylish and for the visual style to suit the narrative. However, it was still a good story, the cast was great (not to mention the two leading men provided some wonderful eye candy) and the attention to detail with the costumes was quite superb. I still don’t think it’s a film that needs to be seen on the big screen, though.

I still made sure to dress for the occasion.

Earrings: Diva
Faux pearls: Hero vintage
Dress: 1930s crepe dress, Red Ruby Vintage
Bracelet: etsy
Stockings: Love Kylie
Shoes: Shoe Shed

My hair was in a rather bad way so I was fretting for a while trying to think of something to do with it. I decided to see if my hair was long enough, again, to do this style and, it is. It’s not absolutely perfect because I was too lazy to pin down some of the little poky bits but, well, cinemas are dark, aren’t they?


Also, for anyone who hasn’t seen it, yet, Fleur de Guerre wrote an article for Queens of Vintage about her beauty routine. Check it out, if you haven’t done so - you can red it on her blog here or at Queens of Vintage here. For Australians who are looking for Pond’s Cold Cream for the first time and despairing in your fruitless search, fret no more – apparently Dove Deep Cleansing Cream is the exact same thing. My mother says it smells exactly the same, too.


Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Hairspray, gimme gimme control!

On Saturday I woke up with a case of the

Mean Reds so, in hopes of combating this feeling, mum and I went out to lunch. I felt that a little deviation from my regular style was in order and gave myself a beehive. Besides my ponytail and faux bangs, this is the easiest style, that I do, to achieve. I put the back up in a messy French roll.

I would love to be able to do this kind of beehive, one day, when I can be bothered taking the time to learn how.

The day out cheered me up as did finding this book in an RSPCA thrift shop.

Raymond Chandler has certainly become one of my favourite authors over the past year, even if I've only read two of his books to date. I plan on scanning the front and back covers of this one so I can print them out, again, and frame them for my wall.

In keeping with a 1960s theme, I Mad Men'd myself! (And made myself a Mad Men boyfriend, too, and stuck us together in photoshop).

It's really far too much fun.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x