Rave October 1966

Hello October! Here we have the 1966 issue of Rave featuring John (Maus) Walker, it may not be my darling Scott, but it's a Walker at least and in fur nonetheless!

Some great ads inside, including this super classic Miners Hairspray one.

Fresh Cream?

And you must all know by now that I love a bit of fur (vintage only of course!), this spread is just fab & I have total hair envy of this chick! 

P.S. David Cassidy for president.

In my mums attic there are bin bags full of clippings & various memorabilia from her teenage years dedicated to Bowie & Marc Bolan. I have been slowly trying to organise it all and scan a few bits in to share. This little gem from 1974 is just too funny. This memo pad must have been my mums new favourite thing. My Aunty Susan was not blessed with such good taste in music and as you can see below like any teenage sisters they obviously liked to play pranks on each other! 

(Mum) Thurs 6-6-74: Remember revision in evening for mock exams; (esp. french & german).

(Susan) Sunday 8-6-74: Message from Susan "The Wombles are alive and well and living on Wimbledon Common".

"REMEMBER YOU'RE A WOMBLE".

DAVID CASSIDY RULES THE UNIVERSE FOREVER. CHELSEA THE KINGS (of poo) obs. by mum! 

Also, dont write in my memo pad or I'll write a full length novel in your's in pen. Get it?

P.S. David Cassidy for president

I laughed soo much when I saw this. I also have a loving biography written by my mum of Marc Bolan which I'll have to type out! 

Sale!!!

It's Sale time over at my Etsy Store Smashingbird Vintage

I am offering 25% off all items for a limited period only - just enter code SUMMERSALE at the checkout! xxx

The British Music Experience

Earlier this week I took a trip up to the O2 in Greenwich to visit The British Music Experience. I haven't really fancied going to this before until I realised that they had some serious Bowie memorabilia. The exhibition is set out in different sections starting with 1945-1962 which obviously covers, skiffle, trad & rock n roll. Then we have 1962 - 1966 which has some Beatles bits, R&B with The Who, Yardbirds (original drumskin) and Kenney Jones of The Small Faces white suit which was pretty cool to see, along with lots of interesting bits such as Ricky Tick posters, various handbills and an original Marquee Club booking sheet. Plus dresses from Cilla, Dusty and Sandie Shaw's Eurovision frock.

The next section is much more my kind of thing, 1966 - 1970, here we had a Small Faces drumskin, Jimi Hendrix outfit (teeny tiny!), Lennon's glasses and original UFO membership tickets and Hapshash & IT artwork and papers. There was also the original artwork for Odyssey & Oracle. Another cool thing here is Mick Jagger's Ossie Clark jumpsuit.

Ziggy era Numbers Suit, David Live Suit, Handwritten Lyrics to Five Years.

So onto my favourite bit, 1970 -1976. I was beyond excited to see a whole case dedicated to my mate Dave, you can see a selection of pics below. The best item for me was the handwritten lyrics to Five Years, such a special thing to see. The outfits were amazing too, The Ziggy Numbers suit also had the red patent boots with green laces which you can see in The Old Grey Whistle Test vids. The suit from the cover of David Live was just beautiful as was the Station To Station outfit, they looked super well made and once again were soo teeny! Other items in this room were Marc Bolan's flying V and a Granny Takes a Trip Lame Jacket, plus stage costumes from The Sweet and Slade.

The next room was 1976 - 1985 covering Punk, Two Tone and New Romantics. In here we had the clown suit from Ashes to Ashes which was an exact replica of one worn by Bowie's mentor Linsey Kemp in 1967 and was really beautifully beaded and in stunning condition, probably because it didn't get too much wear. There was also an Adam Ant outfit which was originally worn by David Hemmings in the film Charge of the Light Brigade (1967).

Bowie's hand drawn Young Americans album art, Ashes to Ashes Pierrot Suit, Station To Station Outfit (with Gitanes)

1985-1993 covered Madchester and Hard Rock. I actually rather enjoyed the 1993 to present room as there was a case dedicated to Brit Pop, I felt quite emotional seeing beautifully typed lyrics from Suede, Elastica set lists and a jacket & glasses belonging to Jarvis, aaaah the 90's!

Other fun things are the Gibson room where you can play guitars, drums and do a bit of singing. The funniest part of the whole exhibition is the Dancing the Decades booth, here you can recreate iconic dances and using a little smart ticket thing, record them to view online at home. Yes, I participated and no those videos will never be made public! Best of all, it only costs £10! You can't take any pics inside so all the pics below are from  www.britishmusicexperience.com.

Dusty's dress, original lyrics to Suede's Animal Nitrate, Small Faces Drum Skin.

How not to take Outfit Post Pictures.

 I always have really good intentions to do outfit posts mainly because it's an aspect of other peoples blogs that I love, it's my nosey nature I guess and I am really trying to get into a regular posting routine at the moment and hope to do a lot more outfit posts myself. It was only once I was almost out of the door last night I remembered to take a pic so apologies for my last minute very dark and very crappy iPhone pics from last night. It was my first single girl night out so I just had to get an outfit shot!

This pic was the best of the bunch but sadly doesn't show my lovely L'Autre Chose boots which I got on ebay (worn once!) for only £20. The top is next but everything else is vintage. Bag, Belt & Pendant -Charity Shops. Old England Watch - eBay, Mini Skirt - Camden Market about 10yrs ago.

I had to include this pic as my new little pal thought he was coming out with me too!

Wish List - Winter Boots

I have been such a bad blogger lately, I just haven't been able to think of a single interesting thing to post about! I guess I have been a bit distracted as I have just given up smoking. I smoked at least 20 a day (!) and I haven't had one for almost 3 weeks. I'm very proud of myself! I've still got a way to go I know, but the patches are doing their job quite well at the moment..... 

So I think it may be time to treat myself and if there is one thing that always gives me plenty of inspiration it's shoes of course, and in particular I need some new boots. If you have read any of my old shoe posts or if you know me, you will know I used to be devoted to 60's and 70's footwear but their age and dried out glue makes them very tricky for daily wear. I have found that finding shoes in that style is quite easy at the moment, there are still plenty of low heeled mary janes and also fantastic platforms too. But boots is a whole different matter. The sort I have been after really need to be 60's styled, I'm talking round or almond toe, and a 1-2" matchbox heel as I want them to wear to work and drive in. I have trawled all the usual shoe stores and all I see are 80s styles or very pointed toes and stilettos, and that just isn't me. 

One brand I have admired for sometime is Chie Mihara, they do really lovely shoes and some stunning boots, unfortunately even when they go in the sale they are out of my price range, but just have a look at these suede lace up granny boots, they are just perfect, especially in purple.  

Quecha Boot in purple from chiemihara.com - €338 / Quecha Boot in black suede from Toast - £325

My next stop was Yoox, upon browsing I found two brands which both carry some rather delish boots. First up is CAFe'NOIR, they are very reasonably priced and I love the moddy look to the black ones too, I just wish they were in leather. This is an italian brand I think, the rest of the range is not  very exciting. I really love the heels and toe shape on the brown pair. Luckily for me they are both only available in size UK4.

Black Suede & Patent £98 / Brown Leather with Studs £54

And finally we have L'Autre Chose. Just look at the perfect, perfect little heels on the pink/blue & green pairs, over the knee too, LOVE. Hello! grey suede platforms, thank goodness they only have size 2 left, or my credit card would have to be taken away from me! Aren't the snakeskin detailed ones just divine, I don't know which I prefer, probably the brown, I always buy brown clothes and footwear for some reason. Once again most of these are too pricey for me, if the first brown leather pair were in black they would be my perfect day boot.

Brown Leather £148 / Grey Suede £140

Suede over the knee in pink or blue £148

Black suede with snakeskin £195 / Brown suede with snakeskin £195

Green suede £180 / Plum Suede £225

I still haven't seen anything in black leather, oh dear.

The Outfit Post

Last night my fella's band put on a night, I don't usually go to his gigs, but as he was DJing too I decided to go as I haven't been out dancing for ages. He plays 60s/70's rock n soul, real vinyl peeps, not on itunes! So I decided this little vintage Biba number needed an outing, I haven't worn a mini for ages (I feel like I'm getting too old to wear one!) and teamed it with original Biba boots too, gosh these are tight on the calves, but they fit really well and are quite comfy too, perfect for dancing! Blimey I look miserable in this pic, I had a fun night though!

Dress: Biba Navy Jersey Mini

Boots: Biba Petrol Blue Canvas Knee Boots

Jewellery: R Pendant from Etsy, Old England Chunky Gold Chain Watch,

Sarah Coventry Bracelet & Ring Set, other rings all vintage/antique.

Hard Hearted Harlot

Whilst mourning the loss of www.terrydehavilland.com, particularly the amazing sale section, I decided to have a little shoe browse and discovered a new label to me called Hard Hearted Harlot, and oooh they have some very lovely shoes and boots, they remind me a bit of Chie Mihara although a little cheaper in price.

They are very vintage influenced with nice slim toes, stacked heels and platforms. I'm always on the look out for this type of brand as I adore footwear from the 60s and 70s but I just can't deal with them breaking, it is too sad.

Here are a few of my favourites available to buy online, and most in the sale too! I am seriously tempted by both pairs of boots both less than £80...

Available from www.javari.co.uk, www.myarosa.co.uk, I also spotted a few pairs on amazon & ebay.

A Little Bit of Ossie

Here's another shoot from Rave October 1967. This one has a couple of Ossie Clark cullotte suits in the first and last pictures, which cost about £6 each at the time, I expect it would cost a bit more to find one nowadays... I love this look with the longer skirts and low heeled knee boots.sorry the pictures aren't as clear as I'd like but this wasn't a high fashion mag so the quality isn't vogue-like!

The Hoods Hit Town!

I have been looking through an old stack of Rave magazines and dug out the October 1967 issue, I used to be soo obsessed with the 60s, a total Quant girl with five point cut and all the lashes, my fashion tastes have changed a bit in the last few years, but I still love the late 60's, fashion was so much fun, and this magazine catered for teen girls with pics of all the cutest pop stars each month and tons of fashion and beauty advice. Anyhoo, I have scanned a few bits in from this issue to show what gals were reading 42 years ago!

The first is this shoot on coats. I love the title, The Hoods Hit Town! I think the little floral coat dress with the scalloped hem is my favourite. Coat dresses never really seemed to take off, I just don't think they are very practical! Now I just need to start looking for winter coat myself, I just have one need, it's gotta have a bit of fur (faux or vintage). Who else is after a new winter coat, and what are you getting?!?

Barbara's Boots

As you are probably aware, Biba legend Barbara Hulanicki has a new range coming out at Topshop next week, and as I'm a bit of a Biba freak, I am definitely intrigued to see it, but I am more excited to see lot's of little interviews & snippets from her all over the web at the moment promoting it.

Whilst perusing the Vogue.com galleries earlier I stumbled upon a new set of pics exploring Barbara's personal style over the years, there aren't many pics but one stood out for me over all, BLACK SATIN BIBA BOOTS!

Do check out the full gallery here.

This picture is my idea of Biba heaven.She states that these were sample boots and were stolen at the end of the party, I can see why someone would pinch them, they are stunning. I am lucky enough to own two pairs of original canvas Biba boots, and they are amazing, very very tight, but fab none the less.

(Also, there is a new film coming out soon called Beyond Biba, which Sharon Rose recently blogged about.)