Thursday 31 January 2013

New Dark Lipstick...


Howdy folks! Just a quick one to test out my new 'Claret' lipstick! I have been looking for some alternatives to red or coral, and wanted a very dramatic, dark look. I was inspired by my friend Alex after watching her Youtube tutorial on how she wears a dark lip. Although I have to admit I applied mine in the loos in Costa straight from the bullet whereas she painstakingly outlines her lips with a brush... I'll let you watch, anyway, she's a very gorgeous and talented one Xx



A quick, poorly-lit outfit post for you, too: green silk blouse from the charity shop next to RSPCA and PDSA near the bus station that I ALWAYS forget the name of, tucked into Henry Holland for Debenhams skirt bought 2 years ago, worn back-to-front, accessorised with 2 x Topshop necklaces (bought in the sale last year for £1.50 each) and heeled hiking boots from Evans (!) a couple of years ago for £10 in the sale!

Please excuse my dishevelled-looking end-of-the-day self!
Much love, Kate Xx

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Fun Creative Day with Lizzie Xx


So I woke up this morning feeling reeeally grotty; I had to see the dentist yesterday because my wisdom tooth was swollen and DISEASED (well, actually, apparently it wasn't quite that serious... ahem...) Anyhoo today I woke up and my throat was diseased too, and I'm not used to being diseased; I tend not to permit germs to infect me, so I was quite indignant, and left to my own devices I would have sulked in bed feeling pants... Luckily, I had planned to spend the day with my cousin Liz, who shares with me a penchant for vintage, charity shops, tea and cake... so I dragged myself out of bed and we had a maaaaarvelous time!


After making some wintery vegetable soup full of vitamins to fortify me and make me un-diseased, the two of us decided that it had been a long time since we had foraged amongst the charity shops of Dereham! So off we went... I'm wearing some patterned black and white trews from H&M summer 2012, which were £9.99 I believe. I wear them rather a lot, actually. I'm also sporting some black polka-dot ASOS flatform shoes that Liz finds mildly amusing and that The Boy thinks are from Back To The Future... I like them, though, and they are tres comfortable!
The aviator-style coat was £4.50 from a charity shop in Sheffield about 2 years ago. And the oversized men's green lambswool jumper is from Cancer Research just next to Bank Plain in Norwich, and cost approximately £3.50. My bag is the old faithful equestrian-style charity-shop find. I am mainly using it all the time because I cannot really be bothered to transfer all my stuff from it into another bag which may better compliment my outfit. Cut me some slack, people; I'm diseased! The hat, I shall come to...

...Now! I got it today in Sue Ryder in Dereham for 95p! Do you like...?! I kinda put it on my head for a joke then decided I loved it a little bit! You can also perhaps make out my bright pink Barry M lipstick, applied to pretend I'd made a bit of an effort with my face... (sorry, guys, I left my brows ungroomed...)
The charity shop haul did consist of a few more goodies, which will feature in a post soon I'm sure! Among them were some royalty mugs (I love the queen) and a huge oversized silk blouse with little rabbits all over it that will be upcycled into something else; I'm not sure what, yet. Watch this space!


The fun was not over yet, though! We baked! Scones, yum yum! Here is a close up in all their glory! We used a Delia Smith recipe, which is my fail-safe tried-and-tested scone recipe. She's all right, our Delia. And she loves Norwich, too!



We then decided that a proper vintage tea-party was in order, so out came the pretty china teacups, doilies and cake stand! 



These pretty teacups were a gift from my lovely Nan who tries to give away everything that isn't nailed down. I actually tried NOT to receive these cups from her china cabinet! But she tends not to take no for an answer. I came away that same visit with a jar of jam, purely because I'd commented that it tasted nice... As you can see, we have ingeniously utilized a china teacup as a receptacle for whipped cream!



An action shot of me pouring the tea for you all. I do love tea... This is kind of tea-porn, really, isn't it? Julie Andrews informed us via song that tea is a 'drink with jam and bread...' but...



... I think it's better with jam and SCONES! With lots and lots of cream, obviously. Apparently clotted cream (the best cream in the world, ever. Fact.) has approximately one million calories per gram. Plus the village shop didn't sell it. So we compromised with whipping Elmlea which we whipped up in my new Christmas Magimix! I am sure many posts shall feature it. We used it a lot today, for soup, an invented watercress sauce to complement salmon for dinner, and to make Hummingbird Bakery white chocolate and cranberry cookies, which are still in the oven...

In this picture you can also see my mens vintage cotton PJs. I have maybe four sets of these and they are awesome for general lounging about the house! I have only worn the trousers out in public thus far but perhaps I shall put on some heeled boots, a blazer and some bling and give the full set an outing in the big wide world!

All in all a rather agreeable and productive day!

I hope you enjoy reading! Much Love, Kate Xx




Monday 28 January 2013

Historical Sauces Forces Vintage Hair and Makeup Masterclass


Last night I was lucky enough to attend an amazing afternoon of 1940s beauty! The wonderful Historical Sauces run their vintage masterclasses about once a month, but I think we should petition them to run more often! The obove pic is of my 'Green Tea Bubble Cocktail' which, aside from being magically delicious, was served in a vintage teacup! Look how pretty... (the floating things are blackberries, by the way)!
This masterclass was about recreating the typical 1940s forces sweetheart look, and we were shown in small groups step-by-step how to create a full face of 40s style make up, as well as techniques to create 1940s hair styles. Kerry, who worked with our group, was very patient with my lack of hair-expertise; I didn't even know what a foam roller was, nor had I ever backcombed!



This is me during the make-up process; my base and eyebrows are done, but my lips, cheeks and eyes aren't started yet. The 1940s look is, apparently, very polished with matte, perfect skin and not ostentatious eyes; it all hinges on the iconic red lip.


This is the finished product! The 1940s lip-shape is apparently a lot rounder than the 1950s. Kerry showed us how to 'overdraw' the shape of the lip; my natural lip shape is slightly flatter and wider than this. I actually really like this shape, I think I will recreate it on a day to day basis. I am also interested to experiment with 1950s style make up, which is where the iconic black 'flicky' eyeliner comes from. The 1940s eye that the Sauces showed us uses natural brown shades of eyeshadow, and the process is not very dissimilar to how I would usually apply eyeshadow. I was supposed to aim for an 'almond' shape when putting on my eyeshadow, and I'm not sure how well I achieved this. I really like that I now have another eye-make-up option for when I want to look classy rather than quirky when I sport a red lip.
You can see that I have three 'victory rolls' around the front of my head. The idea was that I would have one each side and leave my short fringe out, but Kerry showed me that my fringe was just long enough to roll! The style has completely altered the look and shape of my face.


This is me after taking my hair down but perhaps gives a better impression of the make-up, particularly the brows. We were shown how to shape our eyebrows in a round curve, rather than with a point, which is very 50s, apparently. I struggled with this aspect because my eyebrows do go into a bit of a point at the top of the arch, but I tried to create an overall curved shape. I love how drawing in the brow does give such a polished look. One of my new year's resolutions was to look more 'groomed', perhaps this is one way forward! I wonder how ladies did their nails in the 1940s...?



Because my hair is naturally poker straight and quite silky, I had to use a lot of products to make my hair stiff and pliable enough to create the victory rolls we were shown. After I took off my makeup and brushed my fringe out my hair was in perfect condition to play around and create styles, so I had a bit of a practice! This is my attempt at creating a line of rolls across the front of my head. (excuse the nakedness of my skin!)


The Sauces told us that women in the 40s would decorate their hair with ribbons or combs, so I played around with a flower clip at the front of my hair. I think this would be a nice way to dress my hair for an evening.


This is me being arty in my Johnny Walker whisky mirror, acquired from a charity shop in Sheffield about 5 years ago and has adorned my (various) walls ever since! It's only the (obviously) modern camera that ruins the retro vibe of this picture!

Thanks once again to the Historical Sauces, I would really recommend their events; I've learned loads that I will implement in my every day make-up routines. Plus any excuse to drink cocktails out of vintage teacups, well...

Much love, Kate Xx

Friday 18 January 2013

Flowers! (in the snow...)


It's still very snowy, so I thought it appropriate to wear flowery trousers to remind us all that spring will come again, one day. Not today, or tomorrow, or Sunday if the weather-man is to be trusted, but one day...

These trousers have an exciting story attached to them: I bought The Boy a wooly jumper for Christmas (yes, I know, anyone would think I liked dressing him in wooly jumpers or something... He was wearing one when we met- perhaps a story for another day, though) from H&M. It was quite spur of the moment, mainly because I had realised with a jolt on Christmas-Eve-Eve that all his other presents were hard and square and one needs at least one squishy present to open on any present-receiving-occasion, so i didn't check it over very well. Sadly, when he went to put it on, a hole was discovered. We went to exchange it but they only had size humungous left, so I asked for a refund (I still owe him a new present, actually... as if the gift of having me in his life were not enough!) and the assistant on the till presented me with a 'loyalty' gift card. I didn't like to point out that returning gift items was erring on the side of disloyal. But anyway... These flowery trousers were a pair I enjoyed greatly when I saw them at full price, but exercising an unusual (for me) level of restraint I did not purchase them. Upon discovering that the gift card I had been awarded as recognition of my loyal custom was about to expire, I popped instore and found these trousers on sale for £5 (the last pair in the shop, also in my size, this is fate, people), and hurried with them to the checkout. So really, I got them for free. I can't help feeling there was something wrong with the above scenario, from the perspective of Hennes & Mauritz in any case...


I am also sporting a long-sleeved black tee, also from H&M about two-and-a-half years ago, which I wear at all the times when one requires a long-sleeved-black tee. The bag you can just about see in this picture was a very happy charity-shop-find in Sheffield a few years ago. I love wearing it when I'm channeling an equestrian vibe. I've customised it with a little Dior (well, it says Dior, but I'm no expert) silk scarf given to me by a friend who inherited it from her Grandma or Great Aunt or some such elderly matriarch, and thought I would love it. Which I do. 


 The cardigan I am wearing is from a company called Braintree who make clothes from eco-fibres like hemp and bamboo. I love the autumnal colour and the fact that the buttons are purple! You may not be able to see in the picture, but one of the buttons is actually a little purple heart. Things like this make me smile inside!
The coat was a lucky charity shop find from RSPCA Norwich for £5! It's a Warehouse 50s-60s style coat which looks never worn and has a very exciting detachable fur collar!

Finally, I'm wearing of pair of black Clarks leather ankle boots that i acquired at a charity swishing event in Sheffield just at a time in my life when I was considering buying some black Clarks leather ankle boots. My guardian fashion angel certainly keeps a close eye on me!


I hope you enjoy reading! Much love, Kate Xx

Wednesday 16 January 2013

Let it snow (cos I'll wear a wooly jumper!)


 Well, it snowed. I was supposed to be in London now, seeing fashion and friends. All is not lost, though; the wintery weather permitted me to wear my especially-warm-and-cosy woolen 'ducky' jumper. I bought this jumper in a charity shop in Dereham for £3 about a year ago. I tried initially to give it to The Boy, but he has a self-diagnosed surfeit of wooly jumpers (due, in part, to my contributions I believe...) and he is also not cool enough to pull off the ducks... So I have retained this beauty and bring her out solely when temperatures permit it.


Here is a close-up of the ducks in their full glory... Hope you enjoy!


The rest of the outfit includes a striped scarf acquired from a charity shop in Sheffield. I did have a matching hat but I do have a tendency towards losing hats. And gloves, actually. In fact anything that I may have to remove at any point whilst out and about likes to wander off. Socks do the same after you wash them... One day I will maybe stumble upon a secret room filled with lost wooly things. That would be a very wonderous place to find...
I  am also wearing red corduroy jeggings from Marks and Spencer. I do love M&S. Especially their iced spiced buns. Mmmm!
The coat that should really be buttoned up to keep the cold out is from the H&M conscious collection and is made from 50% post-consumer waste. Which made me feel quite excited. I also love the rusty colour!
 My wellies are eons (well, not literally. That would just be silly.) old and used to belong to my grandma.


I am smiling because I have a jumper with ducks on, obviously.


I hope all of you other East Anglians are enjoying the snow and making snow people. Or drinking hot chocolate. Or even wearing wooly duck jumpers, but that is probably too much to ask...

Much love, Kate Xx

Tuesday 15 January 2013

The First Ever Post

Well, Folks, here we are; the First Ever Post here at World Inside the Wardrobe!
My Name is Kate, and I’m a 26-year-old style-and-tea-obsessed fashion student here in our very own Norwich. Born and raised a Norfolk gal, I’ve been away and returned, as we all inevitably do, because Norwich, aside from offering a plethora of lovely Earl-Grey-vending establishments, is really rather fabulous!
I started this blog because I believe that Norwich is the fashion-equivalent of one  magical land imagined by CS Lewis, entered through the doors of a very special wardrobe…
Welcome to a world of fashionable goings-on! Expect everything from outfit blogs and stylish folks snapped on the streets of our fair city, to sustainable styling tips as I foray into the realm of ethical image consultancy! eek!
Can’t wait! Much love, Kate Xx