Checking Out Check

Please excuse the awful title (it was either that or "Ooh, 'eck, I love check") - I'll say it time and again but I do hate thinking of blog titles! I've started to realise that a lot of my favourite articles of clothing are done in check fabrics - I love check, I'm mad on plaid, etc.

My last two etsy dresses have both been somewhat check-ish, if not entirely check. Here's a couple of sneak peeks before you get to see me in them!

from craftycrowvintage

from adelinesattic (actually, if you follow me on twitter you may have seen a mirror+iPhone shot of me in this one).

And, to round off the post, here are a couple of my favourite outfits from blogland this last week or so (also showcasing some great plaid dresses...)

Miss Tami Lee of My Moving Finger Writes. I've admired this lady since I saw her posting at vintagehair on LJ.

And the very lovely Riikka of Harlean's Heyday. She has great style and great taste in practically everything, so it seems! 

I'm also very excited about another dress in a sort of check that starts with 'ging' and ends with 'ham' that I purchased just the other day but you shall all have to wait for more information on that one!

Love, 

Andi B. Goode

x

P.S. Apologies for the unexpected absence and the lack of commenting I've been doing. Oops!

Blogger Spotlight {Sunny Buick}

I’m not entirely sure when I first saw Sunny Buick’s work but I’ve a strong feeling it was in an issue of Nude Magazine. I fell in love as soon as I saw both her tattoo/flash work as well as her paintings and illustrations, which are also heavily influenced by tattoo culture amongst many other things.

I don’t really know a lot about tattoos or tattoo culture and will admit that I don’t really know many artists but I know what I like and I love Sunny’s work.

But Sunny isn’t just an amazing artist – her creativity can be seen in her personal style, too.

I have a print of one of Sunny’s paintings above my bed – I actually won it from a giveaway on her blog, over a year ago. I'm sure I had a picture of it hanging on my wall but can't find it, right now. Oh well. This is the print I have.

You can see more of Sunny’s work on her Flickr stream as well as her blog. And you can buy prints of her work on etsy. I love looking at Sunny’s blog as she not only posts her work, but different things that she loves or inspire her, too, and I think it’s great to be able to see an artist’s inspiration.

I suppose this isn’t so much a ‘blogger spotlight’ as an ‘artist spotlight’ but as Sunny does have a blog, I’ve decided I will leave this under the ‘blogger spotlight’ heading (and save myself another tag, too).

http://sunnybuick.typepad.com/mon-blog/

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Blogger Spotlight {An Ode to Reverie}

This might be an obvious thing to say but, as well as blogging, I love reading other people’s blogs and I’m always happy to discover new blogs to add to my reading list. So, I’ve decided to start doing blogger spotlights to show off some of my favourite blogs, both old and new discoveries. I’m not going to make it a regular feature in the sense that I’ll do one every week or every two weeks. Instead, I’ll probably just treat it the way I do the musical interlude and style icon posts – in other words, I’ll do one when the mood strikes me!

The first blog I’d like to spotlight is An Ode to Reverie, which is run by one of my friends and fellow Adelaideans, Erin. Actually, depending on how long you’ve been following my blog, you’d have seen a picture or two of her on here.

Erin and I know each other through TAFE (she was studying costume design and I was doing photography) and our mutual friend, Abi.

Erin is not only a sweet gal, but a talented one, too. She combines vintage and new with clothes she makes herself. I think she’s really found herself with her vintage style and I’m excited to see where she goes with her blog, as it's still relatively new. She also has great taste in other things, too, like music and art (and, obviously, friends. Ahem). Do drop by her blog and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

http://anodetoreverie.blogspot.com/

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Tumblr

Stepping slightly away from the intention of this blog to blog about another blog (eep!) - still following me?

Anyway, while I did take a break from this blog, I had no intentions of taking a break from Tumblr. I'm addicted to it! It's just so appealing - there are endless amounts of pretty pictures for a magpie gal like me to reblog (plus I've found some very interesting artists and articles that I wouldn't have come across otherwise). Unlike this blog, the main focus of which is 'vintage' and my life with it, I use my Tumblr to post pictures of anything I love or find inspiring. Or attractive men. The combination of these three things seems to lead to me reblogging an awful  lot of pictures from the 2008 adaptation of Brideshead Revisited. The movie was fairly OK but add Matthew Goode & Ben Whishaw (two of my very many current crushes) to the gorgeous clothes, etc., and maybe you can understand my compulsion to reblog!

As well as being addicted to Tumblr itself I've been fascinated with just staring at my archives (which I only recently discovered!) so I've got a few screenshots of them to share with you...(plus this will give you an idea of what I like to reblog).

For picture credits go to: andibgoode.tumblr.com/archive

Feel free to follow me (or just reblog whatever you want) and also feel free to leave links to your own tumblrs here! 

http://andibgoode.tumblr.com/

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Outfit: A Little '60s

Hello, all! Sorry for my brief absence - I had planned to do a few things and then my MacBook decided it didn't want to play anymore. This was on Sunday night. I, naturally, freaked out and spent the rest of the night watching television to calm myself down. I had also remembered that I still had the instructions on how to do an archive and install saved on my mother's computer from the last time it happened. So, I fixed it on Monday and didn't get my internet working until late Tuesday. Then I spent yesterday trying to catch up on what I missed out on. To cut a long story short (too late?) I had computer issues and now they are fixed. Hurrah! And I didn't even have to call any help centres. Double hurrah!

Yesterday I was in a little bit of a '60s mood, so I decided to bring out this dress mum bought me for my birthday back in August. 

You also get a bit of a look at my bookshelves...thrilling, no?

Outfit details: necklace - Fisherman's Wharf Markets; 1960s dress - Tangerine Treasures; shoes that you can't see - Rubi Shoes.

This dress isn't the sort of thing I usually go for but it's quite comfortable and I think it will be nice for summer. And, as you can see, I was having a lazy hair day.

Apologies again for the absence and for not commenting much on other blogs. Ooh, speaking of other blogs there is an interview with me up at La Ville Inconnue (which you should just go check out, anyway!) Hope you enjoy.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

P.S. You can still donate/sponsor me for Frocktober. I think if you go to the donate page at frocktober.org then you can enter my registration number (653702) in the confirmation page.

Melbourne: Part One

What-ho, all! I’m back from my break…I had a jolly good time but am awfully glad to be home. I really am a homebody!

I didn’t take as many photos as I would have liked to but I put it down to a combination of having too much fun and being exhausted. I still have some to share with you all as well as some lovely shots of my purchases.

We (being my friend, Stef, and myself) got in on Wednesday evening at nearly 7pm, I think, so all we did was check into our hotel, get some food (from Lord of the Fries – it’s like a vegetarian McDonald’s but even better than that sounds) and then we wandered around the city with no destination in mind.

Thursday…

This is me waiting for the City Circle Tram. If I look a bit dishevelled it’s because I’m not all that used to early mornings.

We spent a very long time walking around Smith and Brunswick Streets but still had the energy to head back out there (after a little rest and a snack) to meet Marianne at the Builders Arms Hotel. (I wore my new Alannah Hill ‘Valium in my Tea Cup’ sweater – it’s not normally something I would splash out on as I’m not one for designer wear but look at how adorable it is…)

It was absolutely lovely to be able to spend some time with Marianne (not only because she is one of my favourite bloggers but because she's so, well, lovely) – I’m always a little nervous meeting up with people I know from internet land because there’s the chance that it might be awkward. But there was none of that (well, I didn’t think so) and we all got on swimmingly.

I think this photo is both cute and a little bit silly/fun.

Friday we met up with another lovely friend of mine – Patty. Patty and I know each other through LiveJournal and have been friends…gosh, for absolutely years now. We first met each other in 2006 and it’s been a long time between meetings. Hopefully, it won’t be so long until the next one.

She took us to The Breakfast Club which was very yummy. And also an amazing name for a cafe. 

On Friday night we went to the Princess theatre to see Hairspray. I was very excited about this as I love both films and had already seen it on stage (in 2006 in New York) – you can see from the pictures that we were very happy to go see it.

I wore my Vivien of Holloaway 1940s dress which was a little loose when I got it but is now getting a bit, er, snug. Too many cakes and crisps. Ah well.

Anyway, it took me a little while to get into the show – I found the use of digitally projected sets quite off-putting and I’m still not quite sure I liked it. It did work in the sense that there isn’t a lot of dialogue and the songs, and also scenes, change very quickly. It was definitely very interesting and something that I haven’t seen before. The only other thing that irked me was that some of the actors hammed it up a little too much in my opinion – I do understand that musicals tend to be ‘overacted’ and stage actors need to project and what-not but I found Amber Von Tussle, in particular, and Penny Pingleton (only at a few moments) to be rather overdone. But, it was very enjoyable and I gave the show a standing ovation because the things that bugged me were so minor.

That brings us to Saturday, which is when we finally made it to the Tim Burton exhibition at ACMI.

I was absolutely, positively exhausted by this point but still enjoyed the exhibition, albeit half of it was done through a bit of a haze. However, when I finally set my eyes upon the Batman memorabilia I became super excited. I’ve always loved Batman and Tim Burton’s two films are the ultimate for me (though I do love the campy 1960s Batman, too). My favourite was seeing the Catwoman suit Michelle Pfeiffer wore.

We were only allowed to take photos in the foyer upstairs – luckily for me that’s where the Batmobile was. I may not look it but I was one excited lady.

On Saturday night we went to see Andrew McLelland’s new Fringe show – Andy and I are, well, old friends, really, but it’s been a very long time since I’ve seen him (apparently I was still dressing ‘emo’ last time he saw me). We only got to spend a little time together after the show, which was a bit sad, and I didn’t even get a photo, that’s how tired I was. Hopefully, as with my other friends, it won’t be so long between seeing each other next time.

Next I shall show you all my rather wonderful purchases. Hope this wasn’t too wordy, though I suppose you can always just ignore the words and look at the pictures.

I’d also like to say that I’ve tried to catch up on a few blogs but, inevitably, there has been a lot that I’ve missed out on. I shall be back to commenting, now…though I suppose I oughtn’t promise that.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Interview at Modern Vintage Girl

Just a quick post to let you all know I did an interview for Angel at Modern Vintage Girl which you can read here. While you're there, take a look around her blog. It's well worth it, I assure you!

I was very happy to do the interview for Angel - she's a lovely gal and I'm glad that I met her through blogging (well, Queens of Vintage, actually). Hurrah! She also had some sweet things to say about me, too.

While I'm on the subject of lovely blog friends, Syd aka The Golden Girl of the West is having a giveaway because she's nearly at 400 followers. If you're not following her blog, I really think you should! Then you might be able to get her over the 400 mark - wouldn't that be lovely?

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Another Outfit...

Solanah mentioned the other day how she thinks of things to blog about through the day but when she gets home all she can think of is 'here's what I wore today.' Well, I have to admit, I feel the same. Only, here's what I wore on Wednesday when I just had to go out and buy Disney's Snow White on DVD:

Outfit details: scarf - hand-me-down (or, rather, I claimed it as my own) from mum; blouse - church op-shop; vest - Valley Girl; trousers - Target; shoes - a shoe store somewhere near Melbourne.

This is what I like to 'do' to my hair when I can't be bothered doing anything - hide almost all of it under a head scarf and add some faux bangs to the mix (which I used to do to the side, without a rat). It still looks vintage (a little bit of land girl chic, perhaps) and is dead easy to do for lazy ladies like myself.

These are actually the only full length pants I own - I'm not terribly keen on trousers on myself but there are just some days that I can't be bothered putting on stockings, etc. so wearing a dress seems like a chore. Plus, they're good for my dance lessons! (For anyone who's interested, I started Lindy Hop the other night and was absolutely terrified but had fun, anyway).

Oh, also, one of my LiveJournal friends has started a fashion blog - à l'allure garçonnière. I'm really excited about it; if you want to find out what it's all going to be about read her post entitled 'why we need feminist fashion blogs' because I don't want to try to explain myself.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

MaryDeluxe's Giveaway

Just letting you all know about another giveaway at another fabulous blog - MaryDeluxe of Welcome to DeluxeVille is giving away this gorgeous clock.



Just head on over to this post and comment to enter. I shall be drawing the winner of my giveaway very soon, ie probably later tonight, so keep a lookout.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Golden Threads and Giveaways

Just a little post to share pictures of my beautiful new cardigan. It arrived yesterday, in the loveliest package I have ever received, with a sweet little note from the equally sweet and lovely Marcine.

It's the only vintage cardigan I own - the cut is so much nicer than any other cardigan I have, too!


I don't think this is the ideal skirt to wear with the cardigan but I was keen on wearing it as soon as possible, after it arrived yesterday.

Faux Pearls: Hero Vintage
Cardigan: 40s/50s vintage, etsy
Skirt: op-shopped
Stockings: op-shopped
Shoes: Big W


I've also started uploading some old pictures of myself because, well, why not?

One last thing, The Glamorous Housewife is hosting a giveaway in celebration of her 100th post (and 50th follower) and she's giving away these darling turquoise earrings.

Head on over to her wonderful blog to enter yourself!

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

A Musical Interlude

So, I'm super chuffed to have been named Blogger of the week by Aya of Strawberry Koi Vintage. Thank-you ever so - it's, well, a bit of an honour, really! Not least because I absolutely adore Aya's blog - she's certainly a great inspiration to me!




Today I bought a bunch of CDs for 2$ each, one of which was the music of Louis Prima, an astonishing showman, I must say! And the music - it's all full of this wonderful energy that's entirely infectious.



I've found a couple if videos for you all (if you're interested, there are a lot more on youtube to be found)

I think this is definitely one of his most famous songs - a medley of Just a Gigolo and I Ain't Got Nobody


And here he is singing with Keely Smith, with whom he appears to have performed many duets.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Vixen Vintage Giveaway

Solanah of Vixen Vintage blog is giving away this marvellous hat, which she made herself -

Isn't it just divine? I adore the cherries - so darling! To enter the competition yourself just go here. (If you don't want to enter you should definitely check out her fabulous blog, anyway, if you aren't familiar with it.) All my best wishes to everyone who enters - the winner will be a lucky lady indeed!

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

It's (Roller) Derby Day!

Yesterday I attended my first Roller Derby bout for 2009, which also happened to be the last bout of the year! At least I made it to one. Even though it was only my second bout I can say with absolutely certainty that I love Roller Derby. It’s so much fun to watch and literally the only sport I have ever taken anything resembling an interest in.

The teams competing were the Mile Die Club and the Road Train Rollers (they're a new team, this year) - the Mile Die Club won.

left - Mile Die club, right - Road Train Rollers

I didn't realise until I got there that I had dressed in the colours of the Road Train Rollers!

Necklace/bracelet: Mum's
Top: op-shopped
Cardigan: Cotton On
Belt: gift
Skirt: vintage, Goodwill, re-styled from a dress
Stockings: Myer
Shoes: Big W

Even though I stood up for the entire bout, I certainly enjoyed myself. Plus, it gave me a chance to wear my new-to-me skirt! Huzzah.

Also, I wrote this post about my favourite Adelaide Vintage store for A Stitch in Time, This Vintage Life - check it out and, while you're there, take a look at the rest of the blog! I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

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