Review - Blue Bubble 123

Cute, kitsch, festive and funky jewellery

Blue Bubble 123 is my favourite Ebay shop (in fact, just my favourite shop) for buying cute jewellery. 

I've bought gorgeous earrings from Blue Bubble a few times for myself and as gifts, so I was delighted to be sent a package of goodies to review.

My package of goodies from Blue Bubble 

Blue Bubble 123 is run in Lancashire UK by Sara, who makes all the jewellery herself. 

Sara loves unusual and funky jewellery and accessories and wants you to 'share bringing more funk into the world!' 

Perfect Tea Party earrings!

Blue Bubble is like a treasure trove - there are hundreds and hundreds of items in the Ebay shop - keyrings, badges, necklaces and (my favourite) earrings.

Many items start at 99p and there are offers too - buy one get one free and three for two. 

There are Autumnal themed pieces like the Forrest Buddies earrings and a fabulous Christmas collection with over 80 items including gingerbread earrings and diamante snowflake earrings (next on my wish list!)

There are some other lovely collections which make the shop really easy to navigate - there's a Lets Go Lego collection with ear studs and cuff links, a Boys Will Be Boys collection so the guys can join in the Blue Bubble fun too, featuring lots of single ear studs.

Lots of variety - reindeer, swallows and skulls!

My favourite collection is Sweet as Candy - I'm coveting the gumball machine necklaces and the M&M studs and jelly bean earrings are super cute!

Because of the very, very reasonable prices, offers and cheap P&P you don't have to spend a lot to receive a gorgeous package from Blue Bubble 123.

Rose necklace

I adore this colourful, pretty, funky shop - check it out and I'm sure you will too.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/bluebubble123?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

Follow on Instagram: BLUEBUBBLE_123

Laura Dolly Cupcake xxx

 

Review - Kitsch Stitch

Stitched and crocheted jewellery and accessories

I love a bit of kitsch and a sprinkle of quirky - especially if there is a spoonful of cute added into the mix. 

So when this package arrived from Kitsch Stitch I was delighted!

Erin Hyde is the creator of Kitsch Stitch and she aims to reinvent crochet with her bespoke jewellery and accessories inspired by her love of anything fun, cute and playful. Which is obvious when you see her delightful designs!

Love Letter Brooch

As well as brooches, Kitsch Stitch sells necklaces, rings and home wear. 

There are some fantastic necklaces in her Etsy shop, decorated with an eclectic mix of items from chilli peppers to skulls or flowers!

Not too early for Christmas, is it?!

Erin also welcomes customs and commissions and is happy to change a brooch into a hair slide or alter colours, etc. 

Each item is handcrafted with love, all designs are unique and the detail and care that has been put into making each piece of jewellery is obvious. 

Almost good enough to eat!

If you're looking for a really cute, unique brooch (or ring, or necklace....) check out Kitsch Stitch (just don't do it on an empty stomach as the biscuit brooches look good enough to eat!)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KitschStitchKitsch?ref=ss_profile

Laura Dolly Cupcake xxx

Review - Brooches by Dork Disco

Hand-drawn brooches inspired by the world of TV, music and film

First of all, I have to say how much I absolutely LOVE these amazing brooches. I squealed when I opened the package and found a Kurt Cobain and a Jarvis Cocker staring back at me.

I do love a brooch and I'd never seen anything like these ones before.

They are made in London by the wonderfully talented Lee Bamsey. Lee creates the brooches using printable shrink-plastic on her own unique hand-drawn celebrity-inspired designs.

Her Etsy shop is a treasure trove of familiar faces from the world of TV, music and film - there's quite an eclectic mix - Paul Weller, Amy Winehouse, Morrissey (with a cat on his head!)...there's even a Dot Cotton (Ooh, I say!) plus many, many others.

Lee also makes custom orders, so if there are any icons you'd particularly like to wear on your lapel - or even a mini you OR a brooch of your partner (Lee recently customized a brooch version of a customer's boyfriend!) send Lee a message and a picture, she only charges £15 for custom orders!

I honestly can't recommend Dork Disco enough - they're fantastic. As well as my Kurt and Jarvis, I also asked Lee to make a custom order for my friend's Christmas which is just as fabulous (I can't add a picture of it in case my friend reads this, but believe me, it's amazing!)

The prices are so reasonable starting at approx £8.00 - so if you're looking for a quirky, unique piece of jewellery please go and check out Dork Disco - you will not be disappointed (but be warned - they're addictive. Every time you think of another of your idols, you'll think "I wonder if Lee can make a brooch of him/her....?")

Follow Lee on Instagram: @leebamsey

Visit Dork Disco's Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DorkDisco?ref=shop_sugg

Laura Dolly Cupcake xxx

Pregnant Pinup!

How to dress like a pinup (or Rockabilly girl/50s girl etc) when you've got a blooming lovely baby bump!

As many of you know, I'm currently in my third trimester - pregnant with baby number two!

I love my pregnant body - my big, round tummy housing my squirming, wriggling little Baby Pear. I feel pretty confident when I'm pregnant. There's a certain glow that you just can't simulate at any other time. Of course, some days my legs and back are aching, I'm absolutely knackered and suffering with chronic indigestion.... but for the most part - I feel good!

During my last pregnancy and again this time, there was one thing that I wouldn't compromise on and that was the way I like to dress and style myself. Call it Rockabilly, Pinup, Vintage...whatever - I just did not want to swap my usual look for dowdy pregnancy clothes that were not 'me'.

It takes a bit of altering, searching and putting much more emphasis on hair and make-up (heehee) but you really can stick to your usual pinup-y retro look while carrying a bun in your oven.

In the first trimester when my bump was still relatively small, I was able to wear some of my normal clothes, depending on where the waist lay. Dresses like the Lindy Bop 'Delilah' were so comfortable because the waist on this dress fits just under my bust and the amount of fabric in the full skirt meant that there was plenty of room for my bump to 'breathe' underneath. I wore this dress for every event I attended in my first trimester, until I outgrew it and had to find something looser. 

Lindy Bop's 'Delilah' dress

http://www.lindybop.co.uk/search/delilah

In my second trimester and now into my third, this style of Hell Bunny dress with either a halterneck or removable straps has been an absolute dream. The elasticated back means that there's plenty of stretch, the way the bust part fits means that there's nothing digging in and making me uncomfortable. The halter neck gives room for adjusting accordingly and the full skirt covers a big bump beautifully. I always team these dresses with leggings as they are very short - but they are just so comfortable and I've worn them with both pregnancies. It's great being able to pick a cool, cute dress that is totally my style, yet it's comfortable to wear even at my biggest (I wore these dresses pretty much until I popped last time!)

Hell Bunny Unicorn dress with removable straps

https://www.facebook.com/hellbunnyclothing

Hell Bunny polkadot halterneck dress

I've been pregnant over summer both times, so these dresses wouldn't be as easy to wear if you were pregnant during a freezing winter. Although with a cute bolero, cardigans and thick leggings, they could be adapted for winter Mummies. 

As well as still wearing my favourite brands, I mixed things up with basic dresses which had prints that I like. I love leopard print & simply bought stretchy dresses from the High Street a couple of sizes bigger than my usual size - these leopard print dresses are from Primark & Dorothy Perkins. 

Styled with a pretty cardigan, plenty of vintage jewellery and some victory rolls, they weren't too far off the type of things I'd normally wear. 

The dress on the left is from Primark, the one on the right is Dorothy Perkins

http://www.primark.com/en/homepage

http://www.dorothyperkins.com/?geoip=home

And I couldn't resist this ice-cream print dress from H&M - it's so stretchy and comfortable. They have lots of different prints in this style too.

Gorgeous little ice-cream print dress from H&M

http://www.hm.com/gb/

It's worth looking at High Street maternity brands - This black and white polkadot dress is from New Look's maternity collection. It's so light and comfortable and easy to give it that vintage look with some pretty accessories and a cute handbag & shoes.

Polkadot dress from New Look's maternity range

 http://www.newlook.com/

When baby is here and I'm looking lustily at my Collectif Vanya skirts again, planning how to style myself when breastfeeding is next on my agenda! If you're planning to breastfeed, there are some gorgeous easy-access tops and dresses out there. 

I recently bought the Collectif Jenny cherry print cardigan which has a wrap-over style. A plain black nursing vest under this will be simple, but will look great.

 http://www.collectif.co.uk/search/?text=jenny-cherry-print-wrap-cardigan

I've also got my eye on the Lindy Bop Matilda dresses, as they have a button front. 

http://www.lindybop.co.uk/search/matilda

Cute little tea dresses (vintage or High Street) with button fronts are also perfect for easy access when breastfeeding, like this little vintage shirt dress I got for a steal at a flea market.

Button-front dresses are cute - and practical for breastfeeding

Aside from clothes accessories, make-up and hair styling will keep you looking like a pinup/rockabella/vintage lady - no matter how tired I am and how much I feel like I can't be bothered, when I'm going out I make sure that I have my victory rolls or beehive set, cats eye flicks and red lips painted on - I just don't feel (or look) like me without it! (Headscarves and bandanas for lazy/dirty hair days - I love you!)

So if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, good luck and enjoy! 

I hope you've enjoyed reading my blog - thank you!

Laura Dolly Cupcake xxx

Dolly Cupcake Vintage Parties

My budding little empire!

I've wanted to start my own business for a very long time. I've had all sorts of ideas, but nothing has ever felt exactly right.

Until late last year, when I came up with the idea of a business which combines all of my favourite things, ideas and skills I've picked up over the years. 

I - of course - love vintage fashion and vintage style (I work freelance as a vintage stylist). I enjoy making things and getting creative. I am a qualified Holistic Massage Therapist. I love rummaging in charity shops, car boot sales and flea markets. I love delicious beauty products that make you feel fabulous. 

And parties. I really, really enjoy parties.

So when I added all of these ingredients together and added some sugar - Dolly Cupcake Vintage Parties was born!

How does it work?

Well, I make a lot of lovely products - natural moisturising creams, lip balms and body scrubs that use only natural ingredients and make your skin glow. Delicious chocolatey treats. Jewellery made from vintage toys and game pieces. Vintage teacup candles using only Eco Soya wax and pure essential oils. 

Natural Moisturising Cream

Vintage Teacup Candles

Delicious Chocolate Treats

Jewellery made from vintage children's toys

I bring everything to your home or venue of your choice - for FREE! 

And then I spend the evening (or afternoon) pampering you and your guests with massage treatments and vintage styling - Bettie Bangs anyone? Or a Victory roll or two???

A gorgeous Rockabilly updo

Lovely Victory Rolls

Another glamorous and happy lady!

You and your guests get to look through my suitcase of goodies and buy some of the lovely products on offer. 

Table set up for a party - in your home or venue of your choice

And nothing at Dolly Cupcake Vintage Parties costs more than £6.50! That includes styling and massage!

Kind to your skin, kind to the environment AND kind to your purse strings is how we roll at Dolly Cupcake Vintage Parties!

My business is still very new and I'll be working on the promotional side over the next few months. I've been accepted as a trader at the UK's biggest Vintage Fair - Lou Lou's - so I'm looking forward to having a stall there and bringing Dolly Cupcake Vintage Parties to the masses!

Until then I'm happily pampering, styling, crafting, rummaging for treasure and having parties!

Dolly Cupcake Vintage Parties is based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

If you'd like to order any products/book a party or make an enquiry, please check out my facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/dollycupcakevintageparties or email me at dollycupcakevintageparties@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks for reading :-)

Review - Bow Hoe Brighton

Handcrafted bows and accessories using vintage fabrics

I was really excited when this beautiful parcel arrived:

Bow Hoe Brighton sent me two of their gorgeous handmade bows to review. They were packaged beautifully with logos on the packaging and stickers and a cute pink badge too.

Bow Hoe Brighton make their bows and accessories from vintage and unusual fabrics. Each of their bows has a history which is something I love in my clothing and accessories and why I will always opt for vintage over new. Bow Hoe transform old unused dresses, curtains etc into something new and beautiful, whilst retaining the history of the garment. Each bow comes with a label telling you what it used to be.

They were much bigger than I expected! I thought they'd be around the size of the type of bows you see on hair clips but I got a pleasant surprise when I opened the package and saw that the bows were much bigger than that - definitely statement hair accessories!

The first one I wore was this lovely grey floral-patterned bow that was once a curtain! 

The pink and grey colour combination on this bow is beautiful and feminine. I'm wary with florals and don't often like flowery patterns, but I fell in love with this bow immediately and wore it right away. It's funny to think that years ago it was hanging up at a window!

The other bow in the package is this stunning nautical creation, made from a 1960's sundress and a vintage button. 

I love all things nautical so I had a little squeal when I found out that I was going to be reviewing this little number. 

I have lots of outfits that will be topped off beautifully by this amazingly eye-catching bow. And knowing that someone wore it as a dress in the 60's makes it even more special. This will look lovely with many of my Summer dresses, but for now it is creating a colour pop with my Hell Bunny Winter coat.

As you can see, it's a great big beauty so definitely a statement piece which will top off any hairdo nicely and make even really bad hair days (like the one I'm having here) pretty!

I am delighted with my beautiful bows from Bow Hoe Brighton (and I also LOVE that name!) 

Most of the bows range from only £4.00 to around £8.00 depending on the fabric, style and size (Bow Hoe do mini bows too).

I definitely recommend checking out their other stunning bows and accessories (they also make 90's scrunchies!) on their Facebook page and Etsy shop. Follow them on Instagram and Twitter too to get the first look at their new items.

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BowHoeBrighton?ref=l2-shop-info-name

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bow-Hoe-Brighton/1529041574004804

Instagram: bowhoebrighton

Twitter: @bowhoebrighton

Lots of love and bows,

Laura Dolly Cupcake xxx

Review - Little Miss Savage

Gorgeous retro inspired handmade bandanas and accessories

I was a very lucky blogger on the day that this pink and perfect little package arrived for me to review...

Little Miss Savage is a haven for gorgeous one-of-a-kind retro inspired pieces, all handmade by the creative and very talented Emily Savage, who sells them on Ebay and Etsy.

Emily makes bandanas in all sorts of gorgeous fabrics and she's also a polymer clay artist, sculpting beautiful details on cardigan clips, earrings and necklaces. Her bandanas are made to order with a choice of fabrics on both sides. She also makes personalized tattoo heart jewellery, make-up rolls and beautiful pinup girl brooches.

The first thing I tried on were these fabulous pink glitter stud earrings from The Retro Collection.

The photos don't do these earrings justice - they are so sparkly and the colour is a stunning deep pink.

They are chunky but not heavy - they are so light and comfortable to wear. I didn't have any earrings like this in my collection. They are so unique and eye-catching. Little Miss Savage sells these beauties for £7.99 a pair on Ebay, along with a huge variety of other shapes and colours. I have my eye on the pink square studs with the glittery stars, but there are soooo many beauties to choose from! 

Next, I wore the beautiful flamingo print bandana. The bandanas are Little Miss Savage's signature pieces and what Emily is most known for. There are around 30 main fabric choices and 20 reverse-side fabrics. There are three types of bandana style too - original, bow and skinny. Emily makes bandanas to order, so you can have fun choosing two pretty fabrics!

Mine has flamingos on one side and pink polkadots on the other (I adore polkadots). 

The bandana is beautifully made and very soft (some bandanas I have are quite stiff and uncomforatble to wear - not this one!) The flamingo print is bright and fun, while the polkadot side is more subtle - I like wearing the flamingo side and turning over some of the polkadot side to create a cute trim. Flamingo bandanas made to order with custom choice of reverse fabrics are £6.49 from Ebay or Etsy. 

I teamed mine with this cute sweater by Miss Fortune (can you tell I love pink?)

I think my favourite thing from the little box of goodies are these amazing flamingo cardigan clips.

This is the first pair of cardigan clips I've owned and I'm addicted! They are so pretty and well-made and make a nice change to my usual statement necklaces. 

The detail is gorgeous - knowing that Emily made them herself makes them all the more beautiful and unique. The quality is so good and they just look beautiful. I teamed them with this flamingo cardigan by Banned because there's no such thing as too many flamingos!

The flamingo cardigan clips are available from Little Miss Savage's Ebay shop for £6.49.

All three of my Little Miss Savage treats are stunning - beautifully made, extremely high quality, quirky and unique.

I think I've found my new favourite shop.... and I think it may soon be yours, too. 

www.littlemisssavage.co.uk

Facebook - Little Miss Savage

Instagram @littlemisssavage

Lots of love,

Laura Dolly Cupcake xxx