My family Christmas Tradition!

I can't believe, it's only 2 weeks to Christmas! This year once again has flown by!

This blog post is all about how my immediate family and I celebrate Christmas.

Our Christmas Tree

Christmas 2013

We usually put up our Christmas Tree at the start of December and generally take it down at the beginning of January, so it's usually up for the whole month of December. My Mum and I usually ensemble the tree, decorate it and dissemble it.

This year my Mum and I decided not to put up our Christmas tree as we won't be home for Christmas this year, my Mother, my sister and myself, are going away to my brother's and his families place (his fiance, my niece and nephew) to celebrate Christmas.

The last few years there has been a color theme for decorating the tree, for example red, gold, silver & last year it was blue. One year I love to decorate a pink one!

Gifts/Presents

Pressies under the tree

My family and I open up our presents on Christmas day and it usually takes all morning, not just because we are a big family (originally 6 members now there is 10 in total).

But because we have a tradition that we open up each gift we received one at a time, so everyone can see what each other received but to also make the "gift unwrapping last", so it's not all-over and done with!

We usually open up a few pressies, then stop for a cook breakfast, then open up the rest. Which by then it's usually lunch time.

Stockings on the fireplace.

In the past, for a few years there we each had stocking gifts, where we would buy each other something small to the price of $5 - $10, then guess who bought what.
Because of our family expanding (too expensive) and not having a fireplace anymore this little tradition stopped.





Christmas Food

The table is set for our Christmas meal.

We usually have our main Christmas meal either on Christmas eve or Christmas day for lunch. Which usually is a hot roast meal and consists of turkey, ham, vegetables and gravy. For dessert it's most likely a homemade trifle, that my Mum always makes.

We traditionally have a cooked breakfast on Christmas day, this consists of bacon or ham, eggs, mushrooms, spaghetti and toast or croissants.

Roast hot Christmas meal.

Also we eat treats throughout the day, for example chips, chocolates, rum balls, white Christmas, fruit pies, etc.

We have had cold meats and salads for lunch on Christmas day in the past as well.

In the afternoons after lunch and all the pressies have been open, my family and I either play card/board games, go for a swim (when we've had a backyard pool), or just sat around, drank, relaxed and chilled.

The past few Christmas's I've had to work, in the afternoon's but this year I have time off from my work, so I'm really looking forward to celebrating Christmas with my family!


Merry Christmas to you all!

Until next time!
Cherrymilla xo

Collectif

This blog post is my review on the vintage reproduction clothing brand Collectif!

Collectif are based in the UK and mainly sell women's vintage style clothing for example dresses, skirts, blouses, trousers, shorts and knitwear etc and ladies accessories for example jewellery, handbags, hats, sunglasses and belts etc.
Collectif have their own website where you can purchase yourself something really well-made and lovely from, their website is: https://www.collectif.co.uk/.

I currently own 2 gorgeous dresses, a top and a cardigan from this brand! The first dress I bought myself was around three months ago from Collectif's official website, at the time they were currently having a "sale" on a lot of their items and I got myself the pink hibiscus sarong dress for a very reasonable price!

Pink Hibiscus Sarong dress

I really love the print and design of this dress, it's so "pinup tiki inspired" and very tropical looking. A great dress to wear for spring/summer!

This dress is really well-made and constructed. It's also lined and comes with a matching belt. This dress has a back zipper to get in and out off.

It's such a beautiful dress to wear and fits well!

Here I am personally styling the "pink hibiscus sarong dress".

So far I have found Collectif clothing to be very well-made and designed, as both dresses I do own are lined, and the fabric is of very good quality.
Collectif pricing is around the medium price range, usually between $60 - $120 for a particular item of clothing. But from time to time you can pick up something really beautiful on "sale" for yourself  like I have. You just need to be willing to look around online for a "bargain"!

The next dress I bought myself was around two months ago, from an ebay seller. Once again for a reasonable price, this dress is called the violet cherry print dress.

I just had to had to buy this dress, because of the cherry fabric print and it was selling for such a good price.

I also love the design and style of this dress, it's very 1940's vintage inspired!

This dress is also lined, has a side zipper to get in and out of and has 4 little pearl buttons on the front.
Also it fits on me really well.

Myself styling the "violet cherry print dress".

You can buy Collectif clothing from their own website, ebay, and from most rockabilly/pinup/vintage inspired websites and stores.

Do you like the brand Collectif?

Until next time!
Cherrymilla xo

Queen of Pop Madonna!!

My love for Madonna began around the age of ten or eleven, my cousin owned a video collection of Madonna's biggest hits from the 80's for example Lucky Star,  Like a Virgin, Papa don't Preach, Like a Prayer and Vogue, so I sat down and watched it with her and loved all of Madonna's songs and video clips on the video!

After that I made myself a mixed tape which had all of Madonna's biggest hits from the 80's on it. I would listen to it over and over again but it wasn't until I was around fourteen when I got myself "The Immaculate Collection" CD, my Madonna dedication and collection grew!

Some of my collection to date is:
I own all of her studio and compilation album releases on CD, and some on vinyl, some CD singles, DVD's including movies Madonna has stared in and her live concert tours.
I also own books, calenders, posters, coffee mugs, t-shirts, and magazines.







There's a number of reasons why I love Madonna, of course her music being No 1!
But I also love her ambition, how she can easily re-invent her music and herself, her talent of dancing, singing, acting, directing, writing, producing, the list goes on....

Yes Madonna is well known as being a total bitch! But I believe that's why she has flourished in the music business for so long, as she has never wanted the public to see her "weak side". But as a strong willed female music businesswoman, that's gets the job done!

Since Madonna has became a mother though her "media persona" has somewhat mellowed. As she has previous stated in interview's "Motherhood has changed me".

I can totally tell she loves and adores her four children, Lourdes and Rocco (biological) David and Mercy (adopted).
Madonna has given her children every opportunity for them to live to their highest potential. 







Only downside of being a fan of Madonna and living in Australia, I have never seen her "live" in concert, as she never comes here to tour!! The last time she was actually here was back in the year 1993 for "The Girlie Show" tour, but I was too young to see her in concert then!

For the last three years though I've been going to an annual "Madonna dance party", which I totally love going to, as it's just Madonna music, Madonna fans and dancing...so much fun! I've also made some good friends from going to this dance party.

I'm looking forward to the next chapter in Madonna's music career with her new studio album being released sometime next year and then hopefully touring again. But this time actually touring Australia, well one can hope, can't they?









Love or dislike Madonna, she will go down in history as being a true Icon - The Queen of Pop!

Do you believe Madonna is a true music Icon?

Until next time!
Cherrymilla xo

Popular Vintage/Retro Inspired Photoshoot Props!

I love looking at vintage, rockabilly, pinup outfit inspired photo-shoots, and looking at the stunning ladies wearing their gorgeous outfits, but I've also notice the props used in some of these photo-shoots!
This blog post is a list of the vintage inspired photo-shoot props I think are the most popular and true vintage inspired.

Starting off with:
Hot-rods

Personally I think this is the most popular prop used for vintage inspired photo-shoots. These style of photo-shoots are aimed visually for both male and female audiences. As there are:
"Hot-rod" vehicles, the gorgeous ladies, plus the ladies vintage inspired outfits.

Parasol/umbrellas

Using a parasol or umbrella in a vintage inspired photo-shoot is another popular prop used, especially used by ladies, at rockabilly and vintage festival's or if their is a photo-shoot to be done outside at the beach, park etc. As well as being used as a prop, they're also can be an essential part of the ladies vintage inspired outfit.

Vintage telephones

Using a vintage telephone in a photo-shoot does show the type of vintage telephone used and what the gorgeous ladies are wearing but also gives the impression that the girls in the photos are potentially speaking to their friend, boyfriend or their lover!

Suitcase/luggage

Using suitcases/luggage as props is very retro inspired, as they give the impression the ladies in the photos are either going on a holiday, leaving their home town to "follow their dreams" or leaving their ex-boyfriend or family.

Drinks

Using drinks as props in photo-shoots such as milkshakes and bottles of coca cola, is very 1940's/50's. This also gives the impression the girls/gents are at a 1950's American style diner.

1950's Kitchen

Using a 1940's/50's style kitchen for photo-shoots, gives the impression of a 1950's "housewife", cleaning, cooking and baking for their husband and children, whilst wearing and showing of their vintage/retro outfits/aprons.

Records

Using records in photo-shoots is very retro inspired (1950's/60's), as that's what was mainly used back then to listen and dance to their favorite music acts/stars.

Makeup

Applying makeup products in vintage/retro inspired photo-shoots, is also another popular prop used to give the impression of the ladies getting ready to go-out in their vintage inspired outfits.

Are there any other popular vintage inspired photo-shoot props that you know off?

Until next time!
Cherrymilla xo

Voodoo Vixen

This blog post is about my review on the vintage reproduction brand called Voodoo Vixen.

Voodoo Vixen are based in the UK and mainly sell rockabilly/pinup/vintage inspired dresses, skirts, tops/blouses, shorts, play-suits, cardigans and some handbags.  Voodoo Vixen have their own website, where you can purchase yourself a gorgeous clothing piece for yourself, the website is: http://www.voodoovixen.co.uk/

I currently own two dresses from this brand, the first I bought for myself around six months ago from an Australian clothing boutique, on facebook for a reasonable price. The dress is called "kitty cut out swing dress".

Kitty dress

I just love the print design with the little black cats on this dress, and the pink background. I also love the style of this dress with the cut out neckline and the little pockets.
Another bonus is that this dress came with a cute black belt.

The dress has a side zipper to get in and out off.
This dress fits me perfectly and I like the length as well.

It's just so pretty and cute!

Here I am personally styling this cute dress. I've just added my own belts to it, instead of the black one. Just to change the look a bit.

Voodoo Vixen have some really awesome novelty prints, great colors and designs on their fashion items! This brands clothing is also of a very good quality for their prices, which ranges from low to medium prices. Usually between $40 - $90, depending on the style, design and look of the fashion item.

The next dress I bought for myself was around three weeks ago for a very reasonable price which was from an Australian boutique called Gwynnies Emporium the website address is: http://gwynnies.com.au/
This dress I bought is called "Angie dress".

Angie dress

I really love the floral design print and the wrinkled front bust area of this dress. Also the light blue background, just so pretty!

It's such a lovely dress to wear in the spring/summer seasons. Especially because of the length, as it is a little shorter then my other rockabilly/pinup/50's inspired dresses.

Once again this dress is a good fit. Only thing I've found the straps do fall down from time to time, but that's probably because of my smaller bust size!

Here is myself personally styling this lovely dress.

You can purchase Voodoo Vixen vintage inspired clothing for the modern woman from their actual website, from ebay, and from most rockabilly/pinup/vintage inspired clothing boutiques and websites.

Do you own anything from the brand Voodoo Vixen?

Until next time!
Cherrymilla xo

Television Shows!

This blog post is some of my favorite television shows I've enjoyed watching over the years! Now I'm not actually a big television show watcher but I have enjoyed some T.V. shows so here are some of my favorites.
Starting off with:

Game of Thrones
I just love this television series, because it's just so addicting to watch. But the Game of Thrones television series includes action, fantasy, drama, romance, sex and even comedy all rolled into one.

I love all of the characters in the show, even though heaps of those characters, have been "killed off".  But that's what makes Game of Thrones so unique and different from anything else on T.V.
 
After each episode I can't wait to watch the next one!



Sex and the City

I loved watching this series (I own all seasons on dvd), I love all four of the main female characters as each are strong female role models. I love the romance and the sex story-lines, the drama and also the comedy side as well.
Plus the clothing and fashions, that these girls wore, are stunning especially Sarah Jessica Parker's character Carrie!

Sex and the City is one of the best female aimed audience shows of all time!




Packed to the Rafters

Packed to the Rafters is an Australian television series that aired on Australian television from 2008 to 2013.
I really enjoyed watching this T.V. series. Whilst it aired!

It was based on a Australian family growing up in the suburbs and their relationships with each other. This show included drama, love/romance and even some comedy scenes.


Desperate Housewives

Desperate Housewives is another television series I enjoyed watching, whilst it aired on television each week for a number of years.

All the main characters in this show were all so different, unique and entertaining to watch!
I loved how this series included drama, mystery, romance, suspense and even had comedy scenes.



The Bold  and the Beautiful

I've been addicted to this soap opera show for at least 15 years! It's a show I just can't seem to give up or stop watching, it's like a very bad habit, which is quite shameful to admit!

But I feel it's the best soap opera...ever, even though the story lines are quite ridiculously stupid most of the times!



Friends

I think the television series Friends is probably the best ever American sitcom to date.

I loved watching this show when it originally aired on T.V. in the 90's. It's such a classic television series!
I love all the main characters, each of them had great chemistry with each other. Each episode of Friends was always so funny.


Kat & Kim (Australia)

This Australian comedy series called Kath & Kim is so funny to watch.

Based on a Mother and Daughter living in the suburbs and how different they are from each other and their dysfunctional relationship.

The actors that played these two characters portrayed it so well!

This comedy series ran on Australian television from 2002 to 2007.






True Blood

I really loved and enjoyed watching True Blood for the first four seasons, but after that I stopped watching it. As I sort of "got over" the story-lines of this American television series.

But I did love how True Blood included drama, fantasy, horror, sex and a bit of comedy in this series.
Plus having "hot" vampires in the show, was a very good thing!!


Other mentionable favorite television programs of mine are The Vicar of Dibley (English comedy series), The Bill (English police drama), Downtown of Abbey (English period drama series) and Winners and Losers (Australian drama series).

What are some of your favorite television series?

Until next time!
Cherrymilla xo

Top 5 Clothing items for Rockabilly/Pinup/Vintage ladies!

This blog post is the top 5 clothing items I personally think every rockabilly/pinup/vintage lady should own in their wardrobes!

Starting off with
No.  1   Swing/circle dress

Swing/circle dresses is an essential for any vintage inspired wardrobe, whether it's a reproduction or a true vintage dress. Owing one or more of these beautiful dresses, gives you a true feeling your wearing a piece from the 1950's.
You can find these style of dresses from ebay, etsy, or any rockabilly/pinup/vintage type clothing stores.

They range from $30 upwards, depending on the reproduction brand or if the dress is a true vintage piece.

This is one of my swing dresses I own, it's from the brand Vivien of Holloway.

 

 No.  2  Wiggle/pencil dress

Wiggle/pencil style dresses is another must for a vintage inspired wardrobe and also for ladies who love to show off they're womanly curves! These type of dresses though are not for everyone, as they do show of your body shape more so then swing dresses do.

You can buy these type of dresses from ebay, etsy, or any store that sells vintage/rockabilly/pinup clothing.
Once again it depends on the brand, or it's a true vintage dress how much you will end up spending.

Here is myself wearing one of my wiggle dresses, it's Tiki inspired from the brand MissFortune.

 

No.  3  Pinup/Vintage Tops and Blouses

Owing a pinup/vintage top or blouse is another essential for a vintage inspired outfit. These type of tops/blouses can pair up with wiggle skirts, swing skirts, vintage jeans, trousers and shorts. They come in different colors, styles, patterns and prints etc.
Again you can purchase a blouse/top from ebay, etsy any vintage/pinup/rockabilly clothing stores.

Ranging from prices $20 upwards, depending on your budget and brand!

This cherry print blouse I'm wearing, I actually bought from Kmart.

No.  4  Swing/circle skirt

Owing a swing/circle skirt is another must for a vintage inspired outfit, either a true vintage skirt or a reproduction skirt.
Depending on the color, print or style you can pair these style of skirts up with a similar blouse or top.

Again you can buy these style skirts from ebay, etsy, or any other pinup/rockabilly/vintage clothing stores.
These type of skirts range from $30 upwards, depending on the reproduction brand or if it's a true vintage piece.

This gorgeous swing skirt I own is from the brand Pinup Girl clothing.

No.  5  1950s Petticoat/Crinoline

Owing a petticoat/crinoline is a must for a vintage inspired wardrobe. They really go great under a swing/circle dress or a skirt, they make it really feel like your wearing a true 1940s/50s clothing piece.

Once again depending on if it's a reproduction brand or if it's true vintage, how much a petticoat/crinoline will cost.

You can purchase a petticoat from ebay, etsy, or any vintage/pinup/rockabilly store that sells petticoats or crinolines.

Here I am wearing a petticoat I bought from ebay, under one of my swing dresses.

 Are there any other clothing items that is a must for a rockabilly/pinup/vintage inspired wardrobe?

Until next time!
Cherrymilla xo