Before I went on holiday to Sweden I had a photo shoot scheduled in with the lovely Kate Bloomfield. This was mostly for a book which I shall make a feature in all about Vintage Style. I am so excited and honoured to have been ask to be involved but it is still a work in progress so I cannot tell you too much about it yet. I will be writing another post on this at a later date all about being published as I have something else coming up very soon too.
I met Kate some years ago when we were both on the set of a short film. We didn't get to chat much at the time as we were all busy working. A few months down the line Kate and I bumped into each other again at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes. Kate was in the middle of organising an event to be held at 93 Feet East and ask if I would be involved. I was still performing burlesque at the time and she wanted me to perform but to also book some other performers for her. From there our friendship built and we have been involved with a number of projects since.
Here are the results of our shoot. I won't spoil the surprise by showing you the image I sent out for the style book. You will just have to wait and see.
You are able to view the images in a larger size if you click into them. Unfortunately my page layout doesn't help with pillars on both sides.
Funny enough I am actually a dog person but I do love the image of me holding the porcelain cat standing in front of the cat wall.
It has been a while since I last did an actual shoot where I am the subject in question, mostly preferring to be working behind the scenes. I hope you like them and that the publishers like what I sent them too. xx
You know when you are camping and sleeping in a tent and all you wish is that it doesn't rain during your stay? Well... you know you also (me anyway) for some strange reason feel very safe when snuggled in your sleeping bag in your tent? This is definitely a good thing when sure enough the heavens opens up, and I mean really opens up on you on your last mornings camping. The thud of every heavy raindrop hitting the roof of your tent and sliding its way down the (fingers X) waterproof material back to earth could be heard clearly for around three hours that morning. It was beautiful and sad at the very same time. Sad to leave all the fun behind, and beautiful for the time we have enjoyed together. The downpour included, which cleared up nicely enough for me to venture out of my tent with wellingtons firmly on.
Half a cinnamon roll, some chocolate milk and a little packing up later we all headed up to the main site to grab a much needed coffee. Or in my case a can of coke cola which was the best I'd ever tasted... or rather much needed maybe.
A sad looking empty dance/band tent.
The spaces where once Hot Rods and Hot Cars sat.
The place where Hot Guys and even Hotter Gals hung out ;)
The aftermath that was.
We sat and drunk and laughed at what was a wonderful weekend, with friends old and new. We laughed even louder as we looked over the photographs captured from the last three days. It was all last goodbyes and final packing up time as some of us headed our separate ways.
GoodbyeGoodbye
Funny that this should be my last photograph at The OSW site when it is the welcome sign that everyone sees first.
I already listen to JD McPherson a lot but now with added bonus that it will remind me of my very first OSW as they seem to also love him too!
To sum up my first visit to The A-Bombers Old Style Weekend...
Where have I been the last 16 years??
Of course I have not always been into this lifestyle, let alone thinking that one day I would be into motors. Plus sixteen years is over half of my lifetime. Still, I am happy to be growing up and moving in this direction where life seems so wonderful and glamorous even if it does only last for a long weekend at a time. It's nice to be able to like different things and to know people who all like different things. But nothing beats hanging out with your friends, meeting others along the way who love exactly the same things and appreciating it together!
I discovered these yummy cookies on my last visit and the lovely Malin had a big box of them waiting for me at her home sweet home. A gorgeous goodness of oats partially dipped in chocolate when combined with a cuppa Earl Gray tea is heaven!
Malin and I at the warehouse Flea Markets on my last day.
Notice I'm sporting my Hotrod Hayride tee.
Here's a few of my purchases...
An original 50s wall coat hook/hanger
Another wonderful 7" record rack
A trio of Owls for my sister
Leaving Göteborg and it's powder blue and pink sky behind :(
I did also purchase the most gorgeous two piece original 1940s matching blouse and skirt which I would like to show you when I wear it out and about at some point. It's too good to photograph just on a hanger. You will see that the outfit fits as if it was made for me. Perfect!
Silly me was having so much fun I forgot to buy myself an OSW t-shirt to remember my visit by. I tried to email them but haven't had a response yet. If anyone reading this can help me get one I would much appreciate it!
I leave you with this.
A little fun... a montage of my favourite pics at OSW in a heart shape.
Just a quick picture post of the lovely new collection by Miss L Fire!
Here's a few I have my eyes on...
Nancy
Clara
Edith
Goddess... Or Showgirl indeed!
Lauren
Boardwalk
Ivy
Perfect for that dry winter day and with my Freddie of Pinewoods dungarees!
Tartaruga
Tiger Lily
Mamie
These lovelies will all be available to you on the Miss L Fire website from the 1st September!
How can you fail to look anything but gorgeous during the winter months when you have a pair of these on your tootsies :D
Not with who... but with Sweden! Well, maybe with the boys too but a girl can't help it! I am helpless against the Swedish charm. You know, I really could see myself moving to Sweden. But what would I do there? I'd have to be married off first... that's the quickest way to do it I guess? No really, how should I go about moving to Sweden?
Anyway, back to the point in matter hehe.
My fourth instalment of the excitement that is Hot Roddin' weekenders! So Saturday morning came and our plan was to go to Magnus' parents who live nearby for a shower and freshen up. How lucky are we to have that. Actually, on previous years Malin and Magnus have stayed over at his parents during OSW. But this time they drove their caravan along to stay in and so we all camped there staying up until god knows what hours of the day/night. We chose our 'Races' outfits and left the campsite. There were the four of us so a queue was formed for the shower/mirror/hair dryer!
We arrived at The Devils Peak Hill Climb Race with time to get a good viewing spot. I was hoping that the offer of riding in one of the Rods for the race would come through but unfortunately it wasn't to be. It would have been nice to take part, especially since it was my first visit. Oh well, that's boys for you. Maybe next time. Any offers?
The crowds gathered in their hundreds.
All up the Hillside and along the whole race track route too.
The A-Bombers Speed Division team doing their bit.
All lined up and ready to go!
Dust in your face!
Here are a couple of video's that have been uploaded onto YouTube of the Devils Peak Hillclimb.
This one is of all the Cars & Rods climbing the hill and then snippets of each of them racing past!
Here's a nice little video of the Cars & Rods lining up for the Devils Peak Race with some stills of cars parked at the site.
The girls at the Races!
Malin in her tiki playsuit, Marea in a polka dot halter and denim pencil skirt.
I'm sporting a wife beater and my royal blue Tara Starlet pencil skirt with my trusty Wrangler cropped denim jacket. It was a bit nippy!
As the race finished, crowds dispersed and we left via the car park with all the beautiful cars.
The results of the race was announced in the evening.
And lunch back at Magnus' parents home. It was sooo yummy!
Where the sun also came out :D
This was the scene before we ate lunch. Marea and I were so tired from being up all hours.
How embarrassing... haha!
Back at camp I had a wonder around to check out all the new arrivals before we had more drinks and got ready for the evening. On my way I also met a very stylish lady. I was also filmed by a Swedish TV channel during my walk for a fashion coverage :D
Look at this cute number!
I saw a fair few of my beloved Mercurys as mentioned in a previous post -
Right. Time to get all dolled up for the evening and lots and lots of drinking too. I was the hairstylist for the weekend which was really fun but I will leave that for another post. Plus I have enrolled on to a make-up course too which I am really excited about. Again we were back and forth all night between our party tent and the bands.
The precedings for the evening.
and back again...
Now here's where the fun begins... The drink has flowed. You have been warned!
Malin is getting violent haha!
Malin in her Stop Staring number.
I am wearing my Vivien of Holloway sarong halter dress.
We had a bit of a Hawaiian theme going on.
Beautiful x
As more drinks flowed...
Things seemed fine again...
Or not... eek!
Back to the party tent we went with DJ Malin.
3. 4. Girls!
Things were starting to get rather messy... and I was falling off my sit.
By the end of the night Malin had to hold me up as I did my geisha steps.
And my eyes stayed closed...
That was pretty much our Saturday at The Old Style Weekend. I know this turned into a bit of a picture post but I really don't think I could do better than show you. We had such a blast and remembering bits and pieces of the nights event afterwards through the photographs is so much fun and sometimes so embarrassing. I love it! Does this make you want to go to OSW? I hope it does because I sure want to go again. Year on year. I met some lovely people and although I am always silly enough to forget to take peoples contacts I know I will see them again next year or the year after.
I will tell you all about Sunday and my last days in Sweden next time as this is probably getting a bit too long now. Until then... Alison xx
