Long time coming!

I really must apologize! I have been horribly remiss in keeping you updated on what's been happening in my oh so glamorous life!

Let's go back a bit... (wobbly dream sequence transition)

In late October I started a little personal project.  I started making little/silly large hair accessories for myself.  But I couldn't stop!  I just kept gluing things to other things... Soon I had way to many to ever wear myself!  I was getting lots of compliments and inquiries so I names them Flights of Fancy and decided to start off loading them on people I love!

Since then I've had the great fortune of selling my wares at a few places, Dance With Alana to the lovely ladies in my Burlesque class and at my hairstylists, Moda on Murray to the fantastic people who make my head look so very wicked!

In December I sent a hopeful message to Krista Leben, one of the organizers of Wed By Hand, Ottawa's Alternative Wedding show.  I was aspiring to be involved in a craft show later in the year.  Krista asked if I would like to be involved in the fast approaching Wed By Hand show.  With a bit of trepidation, not for the show but for my talent, I accepted!
I was crazy nervous and may have over prepared a little!  I have oodles of lovely pieces, ready for hoards of brides!
So on February 6th my sister and I woke silly early packed up the car, and made our way to the Glebe Community Centre.

While greeting a slew of incredibly talented ladies and gentlemen we set up our table.  Piles of feathers, poufs of tulle and sparkly bits were strewn about in an artful fashion by my own personal Vanna!  Then the doors were opened and a crowd of eager newly betrothed couples and their entourages began flitting about the room!

I was delighted by the reception I got from excited brides, bridesmaids, mothers and a few dudes... I can't wait to start designing custom pieces for all the alt-brides!

Some of the other vendors at Wed By Hand were Auntie Loo's Vegan Treats, Splendid Events, Urbanite Jewelry, With Love Bridal, Purple Urchin... oh goodness I will go on in my next post!

But for now... I say..

Cheers Darlings!

From Your Friendly Neighborhood Bombshell

A new skill

Tonight I'm doing some research into acquiring a few new skills.  When I was much, much younger I took a sewing class... like most things I've started, I never finished it, the class or the project.  Admittedly it was a rather hideous pants/vest combo in a really atrocious navy and stark white stripe poly-blend... oh the 90's!
Now that I'm looking into starting my own little fashion empire I thought it might be a good thing (as Martha says) to learn a little about the industry in all it's forms.  I will be the first to admit that I have no, and I mean no ability when it comes to drawing, so personally designing things on paper might be a bit of problem, but creating something from a pattern might be just within my grasp.

I'm on the look-out for a sewing class and some millinery lessons.  From previous posts you understand my love of fascinators and of clothing.  I've never really been a crafty person, unless you count in a sneaky kind of way.  I want to change that and become a little bit crafty and not as Machiavellian.

Cheers Darlings!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Bombshell

Beautiful Things.

Beautiful things make me feel beautiful.  They also create a sense of well being that can negate a bad day, give you comfort and make you confident when you're nervous. 
I have a few favorite beautiful things.  Some I wear almost everyday, some are design pieces that I've decorated with and some I only pull out occasionally and some are little things that live in my purse or get thrown around my shoulders when I'm cold.
Favorite Beautiful Thing #1
Last year I bought a leather jacket, it's black, sleek, and a little bad-ass.  Oh! and it smells amazing!  Every day I put it on I feel... cool.  Not mid-80's-90's cool, more rockabilly cool.   Like I'm getting off of the back of a classic Harley, driven by a guy with slicked back hair, who calls me dollface.  It settles on my shoulders just right, and hits my wrists at just the right spot.  I get a little nervous when my mom talks about borrowing it... Not because I'm selfish, but because it's one of my favorite things. 
Favorite Beautiful Thing #2
I have a giant white lamp beside my bed.  It looks kind of like a mid-century modern gourd.  It has a many different sized holes all in the body and the shade is a little shiny.  It looks amazing against the deep turquoise of my wall.  The light that comes from it is perfect, just enough to give a warm glow to my room and bright enough to read by.  I found it one day at Winner's and I just had to have it.  If a lamp could speak, this one would have been calling my name in the most seductive voice ever! 
It's a damn sexy lamp.
Favorite Beautiful Thing #3

A few weeks ago I went to the Flea Market at Lansdowne.  For all of the dross that was piled high at most tables there were some diamonds among the coal.  I got my hands on a sweet little scarf.  It's vintage silk with hand rolled seems and it cost me $2!  I love the feel of it and how when I wear it I look a little bit like Rosie the Riveter. 

I have lots of favorite beautiful things, but my favorite beautiful thing is my niece, Sofia.  Perhaps it's because she's the first grandchild/niece and that's what makes her extra special.  But my heart swells every time I think of her.  If I'm having a bad day I just think about watching her laugh.  If I'm a little sad I think about playing with her. 
The best beautiful things are the people you love.

Cheers Darlings!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Bombshell

Purple!

So tomorrow we have a very important opportunity to bring attention to a sad truth.
People can be evil.  I'm not talking about serial killers, dictators or even supervillains (although those are all evil, too).  I'm talking about bullies.  Small minded, sub-human beings who need to make others feel small to make themselves feel big.
I myself was bullied for years in elementary school and I can sympathize with the young people who have found themselves feeling like they have no recourse but to take their own lives.
So I beg you to take a moment and think about how our actions and words can make someone feel.  Calling someone fat, ugly, fag, homo or stupid (and that's just to name a few), is never okay.
We are all one race, with the same rights and privileges, no matter if you're straight, bi, homosexual, transgendered, or just curious.  Love is universal.

Wear purple tomorrow to show a little awareness.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144778572233301

A fascinating fascinator

This afternoon after my Burlesque class (yes I'm taking Burlesque classes!), I decided to head to Rideau to purchase a brand spanking new fascinator.  If you're not familiar with the term, let me explain.  A fascinator, is an itty bitty hat that you might see perched on the head of British Royalty, or a Burlesque dancer.  It's usually festooned with feathers, bows and/or sparkly bits.
It's really the ideal piece of head gear for a person with ADD.  It's small enough that you don't have to make the commitment of wearing an actual sized hat and the movement of the feathers in a passing breeze will entertain you if you should find yourself engaged in an increasingly boring conversation.  Instead of zoning out, just focus on the feathers!
I made a B-line for the Aldo Accessories store and found a fascinator that is just the ticket. A slim little band with a jaunty stiff mesh bow all topped off by five floating feathers.  All for the lovely price of $12.
So tonight I'm taking my fascinator out for a night on the town.  I shall be attending the Rock n' Roll Burlesque Show Part Deux: Polymorphines and Rockalily at Babylon.  My only dilemma at this point is weather or not to attend the show as my secret identity or as the Burlesque Bombshell (however beginner I am I'm always a Bombshell!), Puscifer Jones!
I shall report back with a picture or two of my fascinating fascinator.

Cheers Darlings!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Bombshell

A good foundation will never let you down!

If you, like me, have been blessed with more curves than there are sticks to shake at, you've wanted to burn down a lingerie store or two.

About a year ago I purchased my first properly fitting bra, or as Bette Midler so charming calls it "over the shoulder boulder holder".  One of the best things about this bra was that it did not resemble beige body armor, because really who wants to look like their trying to stop a hail of bullets with their underthings.  No, this bra is purple, and lacy, and makes me feel all sexy-like.  The day I got it, I whipped my shirt off no less than three times.  Just to show off how pretty it was!

When I went to Brachic to purchase my bra I was shown to a sweet dressing room decorated with a leopard print bench and shades of Catwoman on the walls.  I striped down and was measured and given my slightly mind boggling shiny new bra size. No real need to share that here, but girls, I'll tell you this.  Don't be shocked or think that they're pulling numbers and letters out of a mystical place of silliness.  These are numbers and letters you should learn to charish, and quote back to other women with confidence.
I was then brought a selection of colourful bits of satin and lace.  The Prima Donna bra I ended up with was the first one I tried on, and I will admit, when Kate left me alone in the changing room, I may have cried a little.  Never had I worn something that didn't pinch or dig or looked so pretty.  To top it all off, it makes my girls stand to attention!

My point with all this is to tell you that a good bra is your friend.  When you're wearing it you feel confident, your curves are showcased to perfection, and you're not in pain at the end of the day.

Brachic is located in Westboro and owned by the lovely Marriane, call them, or go in and make an appointment for a fitting.  It will be worth your time, and every penny you end up spending.
www.brachic.ca

Cheers Darlings!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Bombshell

An Introduction...

In May 2010 I was fired. Some might say let go, downsized, restructured even pink slipped... However you put it, I was, and still am, shit out of luck and a job. It wasn't the first, second, third, hell it wasn't even the seventh time I'd found myself relying on the kindness of my faultlessly generous parents.

This time was a little different. In the past I had been the cause of my joblessness. In this instance I fell to the whim of a less that stellar human being. I had worked myself sleepless over someone else's dream, throwing everything I possibly had into "the place that shall not be named". I created relationships with clients, contributed ideas and generated a positive energy that, at times, negated the toxicity emanating from the owner. So when all of that was ripped from me without so much as a "how's your father?", I was left tether-less. I needed a mooring.

For a few years now I've been batting around an idea, like a bored kitten. Something very near and dear to my rather passionate heart.

I would open a shop. Not just a shop, but a destination. The only one of it's kind in the Ottawa boutique community. My own little oasis of style and whimsy. Where the clientele I would build could only be taken away by my own folly and changing tastes. Where my ideas didn't have to be presented in the most covert ways possible, only to be co-opted by someone else as their own. Where every ounce of my bubbly, sweet, if somewhat sarcastic energy would be reflected back to me by my lovely staff and appreciative clientele.

So I began to plan. It wasn't going to be any kind of shop, no, this would be a haven of shopping karma.
For every "fat girl" who'd be reduced to choking sobs by a pair of muffin-top inducing jeans, I would return a BABE in curve hugging denim, crying with a fierce joy.
For every "plus size woman" who's felt shunned by skinny 12 year old shop assistants in "trendy" shops, I would reveal a GLAMAZON swathed in swishing skirts and plunging necklines, calling her battle cry, "Another Manhattan, darling!!"
For every meek, drab, sac clothed 30 something singleton, fading into the wall, hoping that someone doesn't notice her size, I'd present a sparkling, red lipped BOMBSHELL, strutting to music only she hears, but everyone wishes they did, gliding about a room with everyone's eyes on her.
A store for the CURVY, AMAZONIAN BOMBSHELLS of Ottawa.

So here we are. The planning is on the way, and I'd like to keep you in the loop! In this blog I'll post about anything and everything that strikes my fancy. A great outfit that I created, a yummy meal I made, a website I've discovered, a person I admire. I welcome your comments, and I can't wait to get to know any of you who chose to follow me.

Cheers Darlings!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Bombshell