Maintenance work still been carried out
Hello, Just a quick note to say the maintenance is on going- will be up and running tomorrow (Thursday 16th). Sorry again!
Downtime
The site will be undergoing some routine maintenance so it will be down this evening and tomorrow.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused!
Please come back tomorrow evening for some big news!
Ava-May
♥
Where have you been all my life!?
Ever come across a site and think ‘how did I survive without you?’
Well, today that happened to me in the form of a collection of photos by the genius that is Mr Mort and his other contributing trend-spotters. They scour the streets looking for well-dressed older people to “prove that personal style only advances with age.”
Whenever you are feeling down, drop the litre of ice cream and head to Advanced Style instead- guaranteed to put a smile back on your face.
Ava-May
♥
Idols, Style Icons and Inspiration etc,
Who’s your favourite designer?
There are so many! For accessories I would say Lulu Guinness, gowns- Marchessa. Jewellery- Tarina Tarantino. For clothes I would have to say Vivienne Westwood.
If you had to move out of the country you are living in now, where would you chose to live?
Toronto, California or New York. More about that tomorrow…big plans ahead!
Do any of your friends blog?
Not that I know of, but I have made a few friends since starting my blog.
What is the scariest thing you have ever done?
Leaving home for Uni was pretty scary, but I did have my fiancé with me! Also, travelling to London to audition for a job as a burlesque/pole dance instructor- I got the job, still doing it today! Love you Pink Kiss ladies!
What hair products do you use?
Humm. I usually blow dry, then GHd it, apply a little wax for fly-aways and then some L’oreal Studio DirtyClean to muss it up!
Would you rather be in a submarine by yourself for six months or in a rocket ship in space with your best friend for a year?
You couldn’t get me in either as I am claustrophobic but figuratively speaking, a rocket ship with my best friend, would get pretty lonely else. I’d go mad I think.
Would you rather be a model in Paris or a musician in Barcelona?
I wouldn’t want to be a high fashion model anywhere- living on Evian and cigarettes?! No thanks! But a model for some kooky designer would be awesome! But I do love Spain…. Humm tough.
Would you rather be an artist in San Francisco or a dancer in New York?
Artist in San Fran. Yes please.
Would you go back and change anything in your life?
Don’t regret what you do, regret what you don’t.
Do you have a job? If so, where? And do you like it?
I have many jobs, and I am working hard at all of them. I am not where I want to be yet but I’m getting there.
Are your friends fashionable?
Yes in their own unique ways, I guess we are stylish more than fashionable. After all, as Oscar Wilde said ‘Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months’.
Why did you decide to start this blog?
Originally to showcase my make-up artist model and burlesque skills, now it is a lot more than that! It is my whole life in text, my diary and my creative self on show to the world!
When did you start this blog?
April 11th 2008
Did you or do you make any of your clothes yourself?
I make my own jewellery and accessories.
If you could be anyone for a day who would it be?
Me, but richer! Not because I am greedy but because of the opportunities it affords. I would be able to focus on aspects of my life that I want to further, rather than having to do a boring day job.
What’s your favourite highstreet shop?
I love H&M, New Look, Primark, Topshop, Faith. The usual suspects! Online would be ASOS.com or Spoiled Brat.com
If you could live anywhere is the whole world, where would it be?
London, New York, San Fran, Paris. I plan to live in them all for at least a year.
Whats the one thing you regret not doing most?
I don’t have any real regrets. I regret getting a 2:2 degree, but considering what I was dealing with at the time I know I should be proud to have even passed, so I need to get over it!
Favourite colour?
I have lots! Pink, turquoise black and chrome.
What’s your perfect summer outfit?
Summery rock chick boho look- studded sandals and a baggy black cotton dress. Or a cute 50’s tea dress with cork wedges.
Who’s your favourite radio DJ?
Zane Lowe on Radio 1 because he rang me back once after I requested a song and told me to eat some chicken soup because I was ill!
Can you play any instruments?
A tiny bit of piano. When I have the time and money I’d love to have lessons.
What colour is your toothbrush?
Royal Blue!
Best and worst thing about blogging?
Best- Getting lovely comments and seeing your stats graph rise when you write something good. Worst- not having enough time to devote to it.
Where do you see your blog in 5 years time?
Popular and with ads so that it pays my way and I don’t ever have to do a pooey job again!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I will be 27, so hopefully established in whatever I decide to do- maybe writing a column for a magazine in London, San Fran or New York.
Who are your favorite bands/music artists?
The Killers of course!
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Yes, a big brother who is in the Army.
If you could only wear one color for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Black!
Your favorite item in your wardrobe?
Black Dotty P dress, which looks awesome with leggings and boots and loads of bangles. The boots I am referring to are my favourite ones- they are exactly like Brandon Flower’s , but smaller!
Your least favorite item in your wardrobe?
I don’t keep anything I don’t like but I must say jeans and tshirts encourage me to be lazy- I live in them. Not to self- make more effort!
If you could meet up and talk fashion/go shopping with anyone, who would you pick and why?
Brandon Flowers, Russell Brand, Karl Lagerfeld ,Gala Darling, Dita von Teese, Mary-Kate Olsen, Pat Fields, Zandra Rhodes, Vivienne Westwood,
If your perfect day was patterned after a song, which song would it be?
Joyride- The Killers ;P
Describe your capsule wardrobe:
A classic cut coat or mac, a tailored black tux blazer, a long black cardigan- oversized, a good pair of jeans, a black bag- big! A good fitting white shirt, a LBD, a white tshirt,a rock tshirt, a pencil skirt. Lots of shoes and accessories!
Where do you get inspiration from?
Everything and everyone! When I am making jewellery the funniest things inspire me, like jelly beans and hundreds and thousands! Other people’s blogs and writing feeds my creativity. A painting or sculpture, a strange use for a mundane object. The pattern of objects where they fall. Loads!
What do you want to do with your life?
To be successful in what I do- in my own terms. I am going to be my own boss. I want to live in many different cities, play many different roles, change my mind a lot so I never get bored. I want to write about what I love and be able to live off of it. I want to write a book. I want to teach my children to play piano and crochet. I want to wake up each morning and feel excited.
Who is most important to you?
My friends and family. My idols that keep me striving for my goals. And God (whoever she is!), has a plan so I know no matter what I do I am in keeping with it.
If you could host a dinner party and could invite anyone, who would you invite?
My friends, Brandon Flowers (obv!) Stephen Fry, the Olsen twins, Gala Darling, Perez Hilton, Patricia Fields, Vivienne Westwood, Karl Lagerfeld, Russell Brand, Zan Gullo, so many more!
Do you have any style icons?
Gala Darling, Brandon Flowers, Karl Lagerfeld, Zan Gullo. Is it weird most of them are men!?
What is your favorite decade for vintage clothing?
Post war 40’s to the mid 50’s.
What’s on your birthday list this year?
Speakers for my car- mine are blown!
Sat Nav
Skull Cardigan from Spoilt Brat
More resin!
Crochet course
Piano lessons
Who is your favourite disney character?
Stitch because he’s like a blue version of my dog!
What are your pet peeves?
Spikey bits on un-filed nails, onions, rude people, people who shouldn’t be on the road (if you can’t keep up with traffic or use a roundabout you shouldn’t be in charge of a vehicle- it’s dangerous!) saying sorry when it wasn’t my fault, it’s ok if the other person says sorry too though!
What is your favourite quote?
‘I never dreamt I’d get to be the creature I always meant to be’- Pet Shop Boys ‘Being Boring’. I want it tattooed so that I have no choice but to be that creature.
Which countries have you been to and which was your favourite?
Spain, Portugal, Italy, Zimbabwe. All of them were equally amazing experiences for different reasons.
Ava-May
♥
Cookie Crumble
Here is this week’s Cookie Crumble my lovelies!
♥ Blueberries- especially in muffins… yummmm
♥ CuteOverload- need I say more?
♥ Ice Tea with ice and a slice- takes me back to Lake Garda in one sip. Sigh.
♥ My conditioner which makes my hair smell like peppermint creams.
♥ If you love fashion you will love this site – check out the How-To’s and DIY. Super cool.
♥ Eating Nutella straight out the jar with a spoon- mingin’ I know, but soooo gooood….
♥ Making purdy resin jewellery (vid coming soon!) but then the heartbreak when someone buys it is not so nice!
♥ Frenzoo- 3-d Avatar fashion…dream it then design it! Compete with fashionistas around the world as a ‘ztlyist’!
♥ Sissy Wish is the best thing out of Norway since Roald Dahl. Wow.
Ava-May
♥
Michael Plays With Stars
‘Michael Plays With Stars’
Whimsical jewellery and accessories made with love and sparkles whilst listening to The Killers.
Tongue-in-cheek pieces made with glitter, sequins, hundreds and thousands, jelly beans and other interesting eccentricities.
Pieces are made bespoke to your individual specifications, please just ask.
michaelplayswithstars@hotmail.co.uk
My Milk Toof!
The cutest thing on the web. A vast statement to make, I know. But have a look and I’m sure you’ll agree.
Second Hand Shopping- Preloved or just Preused?
I picked this questionnaire up from an awesome blog called Love, Lust and Pixie Dust. Becky the author advised her readers to fill it out themselves, so here goes!
What kind of clothing would you consider buying/would never buy second hand?
I tend to just head straight for the books when I go in to charity shops, but have found a couple of skirts (a gorgeous Warehouse one once) and bits before which have been excellent finds- there’s nothing like the feel of finding a must-have in great condition for a couple of pounds. I find most ‘vintage’ shops are over priced, but there is one in the Red Lion arcade in Okehampton near where I live called Ian’s Place (the website is on the way) which is just amazing. I got some leopard print flares for a fiver!!! They have top quality stock (no moth holes) for such great prices, I always come out with arms full!
I would never buy or donate underwear- all kinds of wrong. ewww.
Favourite/least favourite aspect of buying pre-used?
Prices and finding something a bit different is the best part. Pretentious idiots thinking they can charge the earth for something that cost them pennies because they are so trendy and edgy and so are their shops is the worst part. I steer clear of them.
Best finds from the charity shop / vintage store / Ebay?
Hummm, I got quite a few real nice blazers from eBay a little while back- a bright purple one with cerise pink lining and a diamante clasp fastening for 99p was probably the best!
Do you ever give to charity shops? Would you ever donate anything valuable to them?
I just moved house so I filled 5 bags for the charity shops! I donated some reasonably valuable, or desirable should I say, as they weren’t expensive but nice none the less. The rule I play by is never donate anything you wouldn’t want to own- so anything with holes or stains is a no-no.
Uses for clothes from the thrift stores & charity shops?
You can always Gok them up a bit! We are in a recession so any recycling is is a good idea- adding details and de/reconstructing clothes to make them unique is such a great idea. Some of the things people have done with old garments on Etsy and the like are really inspiring.
Maintenance
Ava-May’s blog is undergoing some routine maintenance at the moment so please ignore any strange goings on!
Ava-May
♥
How To Throw A Tea Party
Why throw a tea party? – You may want to find a reason to celebrate, but generally tea parties do not have to be for a special occasion; it is nice to just throw a spontaneous tea party when you and your closest friends need to catch up on the gossip. However, if you feel you must have an occasion, how about a birthday, graduation, new job or baby shower?
Calendar, girls – Pick a date close enough that guests can consult their diaries but not so close that you don’t leave yourself enough preparation time. Time for catering, decorations and the like must be taken in to account. Consider the weather when planning a date- winter tea parties can be held in lounges and conservatories whilst nothing is nicer than a garden tea party in the summer.
The Guest List – Tea parties are great for smaller groups of your VIPs, but also consider a larger scale tea party like the good old-fashioned war time efforts on the streets of Britain. For a tea party of larger scale, ask guests to bring a plate of offerings such as cakes, sandwiches or quiche to keep your catering costs down and ensure there is something for everyone.
Invitations – Pretty invites make it official whether shop bought or handmade. Add little notes indicating which dish you would like them to bring if required to ensure you don’t end up with ten plates of coleslaw and no cakes.
Tone and Theme – What will the colour scheme be? Cutesy pastels? Vintage VE Day style with Union Jack bunting? Chic and sophisticated? Remember to include the theme on your invites so that guests can dress accordingly.
The Menu – Plan your menu at least a week in advance and write a shopping list of ingredients so that you are fully prepared for the shopping outing the day or morning before the event. Consider a menu that will reinforce your theme- coloured cupcakes for girly parties, ration style make-do’s for war-is-over parties and sushi for a sleek and sophis’ affair. Consider what is in season and any special dietary requirements your guests may have.
Beverages - Once again dependant on the theme, tea and cloudy lemonade, cocktails or Pimms on the lawn?
Serving – Unlike other with parties, tea party food can all come out together rather than in courses. Spread the dishes around the table so there is an even mix. For larger parties, serve each type on several plates, which can be dotted around the table so that all guests have access to everything and don’t have to lean or ask to be passed something to often.
Decorations - Table runners, floral centre pieces and bows on backs of chairs all make lovely decorative touches. They must be in keeping with you theme so consider this when shopping for them. Silk and satin for a stylish, modern approach, pastel tulle or voile for girly girls and Union Jack or retro tablecloths for traditional street party events.
Enjoy yourself! – If you are having fun chances are your guests will too. Make sure your guests’ tea cup/Pimms glass is topped up, talk, eat and be merry!
Ava-May
♥
