Current Loves

Pretty Things - Parachute (1970) Until a year or so ago I had never listened to any later Pretty Things material, I've always loved the Get the Picture album, and their mid 60s heavy r&b sound. Then my fella suggested I listen to Parachute and I still just can't get enough, it captures perfectly the mix of psychedelia and heavy rock of late 60's London. Most people rave about their earlier album SF Sorrow, which is very good but this album is their greatest offering in my opinion.

Sarah Moon - Pirelli Calendar (1972) The set of photos shot by Sarah Moon for the 1972 Pirelli calendar have to be one of my favourite sets of images, I just adore the soft focus, feminine sexiness. Click on the title to go to a flickr stream featuring the entire set.

Cloverfield (2007) This may seem like a strange choice compared to the rest of the post, and I know from talking to others that have seen this film it really gets a divided opinion, but I am a big Lost fan and got this because of the JJ Abrams connection, and oh my I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, it is such an exciting film and an innovative concept.

Terry De Havilland - Milly Wedges Ok so I am always lusting TDH shoes, but these are my most favourite style available currently and I love the colours and think the work so well with vintage and modern outfits. However, they aren't cheap at £400, but are so delicious and iconic, they will last forever. Roll on the sales!

I Love Post-its too

The Mysterious Mata Hari Boutique

Does anybody know anything about a 60's London boutique named Mata Hari, all I know is it was active circa 1967 from this very cool pic. I have a little jacket/dress thing from there and would love to know more about it!

Image source

Undecided

I have been having a bit of a spring clean, and as I am very quickly running out of wardrobe space I was trying to go through a pile of clothes to sell on ebay. They are all 60's mini dresses, all things I'm pretty sure I won't wear again.

I felt really quite sad going through the dresses, I guess I'm just too sentimental because I remember where I bought each one and when I have worn them, one in particular which I bought wear to my 21st birthday party, which was nearly six years ago and I haven't worn it since!

I always feel soo guilty every time I sell a vintage dress, hoping that it is going to a good appreciative home and not to a fancy dress party! (my goodness I'm such a snob!)

Do you keep hold of things because they have sentimental value, or should I go ahead and sell it and invest in something I'm sure to wear more???

Beyond The Valley of The Dolls

I have quite a thing for the 60's & 70's and one of my favourite films is Beyond The Valley of The Dolls (1970), directed by Russ Meyer. Like all Meyer films, the girls are busty and stunning, but this I would say is probably his least boob obsessed flick!

The main character of Kelly is played by Dolly Read, who is British and was one of the original playboy bunnies in London, and can been seen at the playboy club in many archive clips.

The film tells the story of an all girl rock group called The Kelly Affair who go to LA to stay with Kelly's fashion designer Aunt Susan to try make it big.

Once there they meet the mysterious Svengali Ronny 'Z-Man' Barzell at a party who promises to make them the next big thing, not before changing their name to The Carrie Nations.

Rock stars, porn stars, hippies, superhero transsexuals, angry young law students and lesbians, this film was supposed to titillate and maybe even shock a little, and features such immortal lines as;

"This is my happening and it freaks me out!",

"Ferns in the biffy, that's class"

" I love it when a beautiful woman licks me between the toes"

"A man in sandals mustn't get many offers!"

"A bathing pool full of mayonnaise"

"I'd like to strap you on sometime!"

"There's nothing like a Rolls, not even a Bentley..." (if you've seen the film you can't forget this scene!)

Needless to say the girls make it big, but many friendships are tried along the way and it all gets a little freaky at the end.

But, for any 60's fan it is a visual candy land from the girls big hair and long lashes, to the to die for outfits (some by St John?), fab apartments ( I looove crepe paper flowers!) and swinging party scenes (with a great performance from The Strawberry Alarm Clock). It also features my imho the best film soundtrack ever, which was provided by Lynn Carey (check out the Preserve Wildlife Album, by her band Mama Lion for the cover art alone.)

I've never wanted to play music or be in a band, but I would've loved to have been in The Carrie Nations!

Check out the video below for a snippet of the action.

Find It - The Carrie Nations / The Kelly Affair