Spring Cleaning

With the long weekend coming I up and only one night out planned I made a promise to myself that I would do something and not let this extra time go to waste. As tempting as it is to simply sleep in and watch movies in my pj’s I figure I don’t often have 4 whole days to myself with nothing planned so I had better make the most of it. I considered rushing to out tomorrow on my lunch break and buying some fabric so I could “get my sew on” (I literally haven’t taken my new machine out of the box, but that’s another story) but thought it best not to do something that could simply lead to frustration as I don’t even have a “learn to sew book” yet. I then considered perhaps getting back into my polymer clay jewelry making or changing my room around and was quite looking forward to it until, I finally realize what I MUST do…

As I mentioned in my “100 eBay Purchases!" post, I had intended to sell online but without PayPal I couldn’t set up a selling account and I simply stuck to buying. Well, buying is exactly what has me in this dilemma… I have bought so many things over the past 4 years (since I last had a spring clean) that my wardrobe is at maximum capacity. I literally have to lean on everything at one end and push it with all my might to simply move it down enough to pull one hanger out! So I have come to the decision that I am going to clean out my wardrobe…

One of my wardrobes

Long shot of my wardrobe

As much as it pains me to even consider, I do KNOW there are things in there that simply do not fit me anymore or I haven’t worn in so long that I have just forgotten about them. I would much rather they go to a happy home and be worn then sit in my wardrobe hidden from the world.

Having gotten much more comfortable with the settings on blogger I figured I would simply branch out and set up a sales page for whatever goodies I decide to part with. And so… "Miss Kitty Boo Sales" was born :)

Feeling totally motivated at the time, I got onto fixing up the page at once… all that is left is the actually items to be sold. As I will be hopefully getting it all sorted over the Easter weekend I hope to have photos and measurements sorted by the weekend after or earlier should time permit.

I have created a page called “Shop” at the top of my blog which links straight to it and will do a post to announce the grand “stocking” of the site so keep you eyes peeled.

PS. My apologies for the poor quality photos, they were taken on my mobile phone this morning as I was rushing out the door.

Va-Voom Vintage

Brittany - Va Voom Vintage

Image from her blog, Va Voom Vintage.

For those of you who don’t follow this blog now is a good time to start. Va-Voom Vintage is having its first give away and the goodies look amazing :)

For details on how to enter click here.

I am a big fan of this blog and it is defiantly worth checking out. There are links for where find vintage clothing and op shops in America, England and Australia along with some amazing tutorials, movie reviews and fantastic outfit posts. Brittany from Va-Voom Vintage has some killer curves and she knows how to work them.

Also, on a spookier note after looking through her movie posts it seems we very cinematically in sync and have been watching all the same movies lately… hehe.

Screams on Screen

Image from The Invisible Agent.

Image from Pal-Traux Wordpress.

Well, I have just come across a rather interesting little piece of info! It seems there is wonderful new events business called "Smokin’ Betty’s Events". I saw something about them on Facebook and promptly became a fan, but I didn’t realize any events were coming up so soon… As I currently can not access Facebook I googled “Smokin’ Betty’s Adelaide” and found this on the Sparci site here.

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Screams on Screen - 1950's inspired double feature sci-fi film night

10th April 2010

Live: burlesque performer Miss Cherry Valens

Official after movie party at Crown & Anchor Hotel 196 Grenfell St Adelaide SA 5000

Venue: Mercury Cinema 13 Morphett St Adelaide SA 5000

Tickets: $25.00 (+ b/f) from Venue Tix

Time: 7pm - 10:30pm

"Smokin’ Betty’s Events presents their first events, “Screams on Screen” for all lovers of 1950’s films and culture.

After months strategic planning, set-up, and establishment, Co-Proprietors, Jessi and Phil have finally turned their vision into a reality and have released to Adelaide their first of many unique and exciting events as part of their fresh new business, Smokin’ Betty’s Events.

Screams on Screen is a 1950’s inspired double feature sci-fi film night with as much of the added culture in between, taking place as a one night only show on Saturday April 10th 2010 at the Mercury Cinema, 13 Morphett St Adelaide SA 5000.

From an era where Sci-Fi films were so bad, they were good, Screams on Screen will show two of the most iconic films of this genre. Forbidden Planet (1953) and Robot Monster (1954) both possess everyone’s favourite qualities in a low budget film – the hilariously dodgy special effects, corny one-liners, monsters, robots & the classic kidnapping of the damsel in distress scenes!
Amid this will be a performance from Adelaide’s burlesque sensation, Miss Cherry Valens, Tommy Kaye from Six O Clock Rock Coast FM 88.7 will be presenting door prizes donated from generous sponsors. Moxie Minx, Adelaide’s finest pin-up designer is dressing Screams on Screen’s usherettes for the evening who will be directing patrons to their seats as done in the 50’s.

Leading sponsor, The Crown and Anchor Hotel (168 Grenfell St Adelaide SA 5000) will be hosting Screams on Screen’s official “After Movie Party”. The Mercury Cinema is also a licensed venue so be merry while you sit back and enjoy a night of classic cinematic entertainment. Suffice to say, it’s going to be a fantastic night.

Smokin’ Betty’s Events look forward to formulating more exciting, fresh and uniquely vintage and retro inspired events and music festivals locally and nationally later into 2010 and further into the future.

Proudly sponsored also by Caffe Primo Mawson Lakes, Adelaide comic Book Shop & Adelaide Theatre Costume Shop. "

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I am thoroughly looking forward to further Smokin’ Betty’s Events and am going to make every effort to attend this one. Will take some piccies if I do and keep you up to date :)

100 eBay Purchases!

Today is quite a milestone in my life… I have made it to 100 feedback on eBay!

And when I say 100 I mean 100 people have left feedback for me after I have bought something from them. Although I had hopes to sell things online I have yet to actually do so… so every single digit of my feedback score is something I have bought.

Now, I can’t quite take credit for all of it as my mum and I shared an account until her eBay addictiveness took over and she created her own, but I most certainly made quite an effort toward it. Unfortunately eBay doesn’t keep track of you purchases after they are 90 days old so I can not see what the first thing I purchased was… but I vaguely remember it being a dress with pumpkins printed on it (which was worn so often that I literally wore a hole in it!).

Since I do not have a credit card eBay is about the only place I can shop online since I can pay via bank deposit. This can be quite a problem as I often find things on other sites that I would kill to have but alas can not buy. However, the lack of credit card has probably worked in my favor in the long run though I suppose… otherwise I foresee a wardrobe full of pretty dresses BUT an amazing amount of debt.

There have been so many wonderful things I have bought off eBay… some of which I probably wouldn’t even remember until I saw them. I love eBay for making things that are too find so easy to get. From my saddle shoes to TV series that were not released in Australia… it is a goldmine of hard to find stuff.

Although I can not purchase things with PayPal and therefore can not buy anything from overseas I still do OK just buying things from Australia… there are some wonderful vintage sellers and sewers who make petticoats and rock n roll skirts. I must say though, from when I first made my foray in the world of eBay compared to now there is a lot less quality vintage. I’m not sure if this is simply because it has all been snatched up and there isn’t as much out there or because people have simply stopped listing it… but either way it is rather disappointing.

I haven’t gotten any clothing or shoes on eBay for a while but I still find a way to spend my money hehe. My 100th purchase on eBay for instance was “The James Dean Story” by Ronald Martinetti. It is second hand but still in good reading condition and for $11 including postage I couldn’t resist. I have been looking for a good James Dean biography for a while and haven’t had much luck at all so it was quite a good find if you ask me.

I will do a post of some of my past eBay finds shortly but for now here are a few things I am constantly watching but am yet to splurge and buy…

I just think this is too cute… I certainly wouldn’t mind walking into my garden and seeing Bambi and his Mummy reunited :)

You can find this here.

The Real Bettie Page: The Truth about the Queen of Pinups.

You can find it here.

Mad Men – Season 3.

You can find it here.

She and Him - Volume Two

Image from Sound Of The Overgound

I have just myself up a copy the new She & Him album "Volume Two".

Image from sheandhim.com

I am a bit of Zooey Deschanel fan and I loved "Volume One" but was craving some new tracks for while (probably because I had the album on repeat for a good month or two). I have just gotten through the whole CD and not surprisingly, it is just as amazing as the first one. It still has that folky old world feel and sweet lyrics but this album seems to be a bit "sadder"... but that is just my opinion.

Even though I only picked it up on my lunch break today, I've already managed to pick two favourite tracks.

"Gonna Get Along Without You Now" and "Over it Over Again" = ♥

You can listen to the whole album here on spin.com. Definitely worth a listen :)

Vintage Fair & Kustom Kulture

Ground floor goodness

This stall had some lovely winter coats and hats

Me and my new blouse

Well, I have finally had a chance to catch my breath after a whirlwind weekend. There was so much on that I was keen to go to but only so little time. I did manage to make it to two out of three things though, which isn’t a bad effort. As I mentioned last week the 2010 Way We Wear Vintage Fair and Kustom Kulture was on from Friday to Sunday and the Lindy Charm School for Girls was in Adelaide on the Saturday.

Unfortunately I didn’t make it to the Lindy Charm School day, but I did however ware out my wallet at the vintage fair and make a brief appearance at Kustom Kulture.

I went to the vintage fair on Friday night, the first night it was open. I wasn’t sure what to expect as this was the first year I have actually been able to make it. It was great, everyone there was lovely and I managed to find quite a few goodies. I usually go to these and simply rummage through things looking for anything I like, however its getting to the stage where my wardrobe is at maximum capacity so I decided I needed a game plan.

As I mainly look for 50s type fashion I am a big fan of full or A line skirt and petticoats and I have built up quite a collection. As lovely as they are, they tend to be light weight material and easily blow up when there is a slight wind. This usually isn’t a problem on weekend as I can simply hold it down, but I find that when I am walking to work in the city it gets extremely windy and I usually have my hands full… this does become a problem. After many frustrating days struggling to carry things and hide my knickers from passers by I decided I should stick to pencil skirts and wiggle dresses for work.

As such, my game plan at the fair was to look for clothes that I could wear to work (tighter fitting, pencil skirts, wiggle dresses etc). I was also on the look out for a black belt (my favourite one broke a week ago :) and a bullet bra as I can not seem to find one anywhere.

Overall I didn’t stray too far from my plan really which I was quite impressed about. I didn’t find a black belt or a bullet bra though… so instead got a few different accessories I simply couldn’t leave behind.

Here’s what I got…

This dress is cute on its own... but the ensemble made it a must have

I love this powder blue colour

the coat was in fantastic condition, even the lace on the lining

this is made from quite thick velvet, should be good for winter



its actually much closer to this colour, but the flash made it look redder in the above pic

this dress was the exception from the game plan, but I couldnt leave it behind :)

i mean, really... look at these pearl buttons ♥

classic black and white

should go with anything...



especially these shoes

i didnt buy these shoes at the vintage fair, i had bought them earlier in the week.

They are called "Leilah" from Wittner.

this dress is very 80s (shoulder pads and all!), but i loved the colour and the peplum skirt

the back is very low too, and it has a choker neckline

again, with the pearl buttons... thought this would be nice for work though


this hat isnt vintage, but its vintage style. there is something dramatic about a grey hate that i just ♥


this bag reminds me of lollies or something, there is definatly a childhood flashback here...

and this one, although probably not very practical reminds me of summer :)

and lastly... you can never have to many cinch belts

I didnt buy this dress. To my despair it was too small in the bust and I couldnt bring myself to buy it and alter it. I left it for someone else to crush on.

The pictures really dont do it any justice, the colour is stunning.

I especially adored the capey parts at the back.

As for Kustom Kulture, I must say i was slightly disappointed. From the looks of the flyer and the information I found on the net it looked to be an amazing weekend full of music, burlesque, stalls etc. The website even said " a nostalgia weekend for the whole family" and "daytime events run on Saturday and Sunday". The flyer that I had didn’t have any times on it so I took a bit of a guess and headed there on Saturday arvo hoping to get some stall hopping in then listen to soak up some of the music.

Unfortunately I arrived just as the Hotrod and Kustom showdown was ending and none of the bands started for a few hours. Having a birthday party on the opposite side of town later that evening I decided to take a few snaps and leave.

I did find a flyer when I was there that had times for certain things and much more info then the flyer I originally had. I did plan to head back on the Sunday and give it another shot with my new found information but lets just say it was a good birthday on Saturday night and I didn’t make it.

I haven’t given up on it and will definitely make sure I make it there again next year but if anyone else arrived at the time I did, I dare say they would be disappointed too. I am sure the night sessions were amazing and I am shattered I couldn’t hang around but for a "weekend of nostalgia for the whole family" you would think there would be more going on in the afternoon/evening.

*sigh* I suppose there is always next year :)

Here are a few of the pics I managed to snap before we left... I'm not really a car girl but they are just so pretty...

90's Nick Song...

Image from "Just Another Stupid Blonde Moment"

As someone who does not remember all that much of my childhood I tend to cling to the things that I do. I mean, I am guessing my subconscious has blocked out some of my family matters for good reason… but at least I remember a lot of my favourite toys and TV shows. I used to watch Nickelodeon religiously and am still a big fan of 90s nick shows. Are you afraid of the dark?, Invader Zim, Argh Real Monsters, Hey Arnold, Rockos Modern Life, The Secret Adventures of Alex Mac, Clarissa Explains it All, Kenan and Kel… the list could go on for days. I think some of them I simply enjoy for the nostalgia factor, but some of them definitely still makes me chuckle.

Anyways, there was an ad on Nickelodeon that had always stuck in my head. I have no idea why it stuck with me as I do not usually remember adverts all too well, but this one did. It intrigued me that I could remember something like this, and made me determined to find it. Only problem was I couldn’t find it anywhere since all I had to go on was a vague recollection of it being a cartoon, having a catchy song, and mentioning the sun, lights and the environment. I google my little heart out and even emailed the only 90s blogger guru I know "Children of the 90s" but still was at a loose end. Until…

This morning, on my way into work… suddenly the song came rushing right back into my brain! I was sitting with friends on the train who instantly noticed my concentration (which is rare so early in the morning). I had finally cracked the mystery… Knowing too well that I would probably forget it again I taped it into my phone and saved it for later.

“its shining above us all, and its here to stay. we know the sky is the limit…”

Now, this may seem trivial (which is totally is) but this was apparently all I needed. I typed this into trusty google and pleas were answered.

Science and Songs - http://spartanburgimagery.org/id61.html

Having gotten my hopes up I was prepared to pore over every inch of this site, but luckily it didn’t take long at all. There it was… reading the lyrics was like a trip down memory lane.

The Light of the Sun

(Chorus)

Turn on the light, turn on the light, turn on the light , turn on the light

The light of the sun, solar powered light of the sun.

Isn't it obvious every day.

It's shining above us all and it's here to stay.

We know the sky is the limit.

We know the power in it.

It's time to begin it.

We're turning on the light.

The Light of the sun, The kight of the sun, solar powered light.

(Chorus)

Don't have to take a drill and hurt a tree

And it will never spill,. I

t's always clean and free.

We know the sun is the ticket

Hop on, let's go, let's get it.

(Chorus) The light of the sun ooo

Solar powered light of the sun

Solar powered light.

The Future will be so bright.

We've just got to change our minds and

Let the lovelight shine. oooooooo

We know the sky is the limit

With all the power in it.

It's time to begin it.

We're turning on the light.

The light of the sun oooo

The light of the sun

Solar powered light of the sun

The light of the sun, solar powered light

(You can do 2 parts with some only singing turn on the light, turn on the light)

I have continued to google to try and find a video or even a screen shot of the old cartoon, but have had no luck in that department. Apparently there was another environmental song on Nickelodeon in the 90’s called “Why does the sun shine?” by They Might Be Giants but this is the only one I could find a video for.

For those of you who have absolutely no idea what I am talking about I do apologize, but I simply had to do a post about this just in case there is someone else out there who racking there brain searching for the same song. If anybody who comes across this knows anything else about this advert please let me know!


UPDATE: One fine reader over in the USA has been kind enough to send me a link to whole clip! Seems the lyrics on this post jogged his memory and he's a better detective than I and he actually found it!

The folks over at RetroDaze have clips of lots of nostalgic goodness but you can find the actual clip here. Unfortunately I wasn't actually able to view it myself (likely due to country restrictions) but some of you may be able to? Ryan (aka better detective than I and all around awesome guy) sent me the clip in a drop box so once I download it I will work on getting it up so it can viewed in Aus or find another way around the 'access denied' problem.

But for the moment here are some screen shots to get the memories flooding back...

Oh and for those of you playing at home - the song is called "The Light of the Sun" and its by Richie Havens with Rockapella from the album Put On Your Green Shoes.

Also the advert only goes for 1 minute so the lyrics are slightly different - and there is a bit of a voice over it goes like so:

Turn on the light, turn on the light, turn on the light , turn on the light
Isn't it obvious every day.
It's shining above us all and it's here to stay.
We know the sky is the limit.
We all the power in it.
It's time to begin it.
We're turning on the light.
The Light of the sun, The light of the sun, the solar powered light. ohhhhh.
"the amount of solar energy reaching us in one day could supply our power needs for over a year. and we CAN harness that energy. "
Don't have to take a drill and hurt a tree
And it will never spill,. It's always clean and free.
The light of the sun - the solar powered light.
"turn on the light of new idea - to power your future"

And it continues to rain...

Yep, just when I thought Adelaide had hit the vintage high I came across this little gem...

The Adelaide Vintage Fashion Fair

Friday 19 March 6pm - 9pm Saturday 20 March 10am - 5pm Sunday 21 March 10am - 4pm

Up to 25 dealers from all over Australia with designer, antique, vintage and retro clothings, buttons and bows, linen and lace, jewelery and fashion accesories.

Burnside Ballroom, Portbush Road Burnside

Unlimited Admission $12 Adult $6 Child 10+

http://www.vanityfairmartkets.com/ 0408380524

I am going to have to find a way to fit this all in... will post all the delights I get my hands on if I make it.