To Market, To Market

Photographs by Montclare

I love how film makes something as mundane as grocery shopping look exciting. I've had a busy week of sewing and coffee withdrawals and am hoping next week will bring with it a clear, headache free mind and a smaller list of dresses to finish off.

Last night I caught up with my friend Dette whom I love to the end of the world. We ate mexican, drank wine and took cheesy disposable camera snaps which I will post as soon as I get them developed. It was a warm night in Melbourne and we couldn't help but feel envious as ladies sauntered past in open toe shoes and mini dresses. Stockings, garter belts and petticoats are certainly not conducive to surviving summer in the city. I will be dedicating a post to this lovely lady during the week as her creative genius is too great for words and must be shared!

And the winner is.....

The winner of the kitty dress giveaway is Chauntelle Roelandts, Congratulations! I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone that entered. I was overwhelmed with all of your kind words and had a wonderful time reading all the valentine horror stories and sweet tales of romance.

For all of you, whether you celebrate Valentines Day or boycott it entirely, I hope you have a wonderful February 14th.

Alpine

                    

Photographs by Montclare

I have felt like a human machine this past week. Pumping out around 10 dresses, 4 of which were Bridesmaid's dresses and one a Bride's going away dress. After finishing this mammoth effort I collapsed in a heap yesterday afternoon and spent the evening in bed drinking wine, eating cheese and watching Winona movies... possibly the best ever remedy for exhaustion/the blues/cramps/Melbourne heat waves.

I have 10 more dresses to sew then I am going to get started on some very special one of a kind numbers. I've been saving a big stash of fabric that will be perfect 1960s party dresses. I am so excited to bring these babies to life!

Also I wanted to mention the intense love I feel for the cardigan i'm wearing in these pictures. Affectionately known as Alpine this darling once belonged to my great Aunt and was on it's way out when she passed away 4 years ago. I rescued it from the throw out pile and have been wearing it religiously ever since. It is my very favourite cardigan to wear whilst sewing and my other half ensures me it will be perfect for wearing in the snow, maybe not so much for its warmth but definitely for its 1970s ski lodge vibes.

For anyone that hasn't entered the Kitten Dress Giveaway get in quick as today is your last chance. The competition ends tonight and I will be announcing this winner first thing tomorrow, woot!

Be My Baby

Photographs by Montclare

 A few film snaps from the beginning of 2012, featuring my beautiful friend Michelle of Ocean's Between and my compulsion to hold up all my dresses and ask everyones opinion before I step out the door... I seem to have a nice collection of 1960s brocade dresses at the moment which is making me pretty darn happy.

Life has been pretty hectic round my part of the world. With lots of big changes happening in the near future (more on that in a few weeks) I am desperately trying to get on top of dress orders and squeeze in a bit of time for my lovely lady friends who I can't go too long without!

I have found the key to staying chipper after weeks of late night sewing is blasting 1950s juke box favourites and 1960s soul numbers, here are my very favourites.

Oh by the way, I also wanted to mention that although I don't blog all that often (something I hope to change) I do tumble like a crazy lady. Please feel free to follow along and leave a link to your own tumblr if you have one!

A Shady History

2012

2011

2010

2008


This week has been most excellent, after almost a year of squinting in the Australian sun without sunglasses I have finally acquired a new pair.

I have a rather awful habit of sitting on my sunglasses which is why i've gone so long without. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that these new babies don't succumb to the same tragic fate as the rest... (doubtable) I really do love them!

Unfortunately I have no picture of my 2009 glasses... A smashing pair of round Lennon glasses, I loved them so much that I refused to acknowledge the strong prescription lenses. After many headaches and eye strains they were sent back to the charity store from whence they came.

Does anyone else struggle with sunglass or eyeglass upkeep, or am I truly alone?

Kitten Dress Giveaway for Valentines Day!

I thought it was about high time I had a little giveaway on my blog.

With Valentines Day being just around the corner I thought it would be perfect to give one lucky reader the opportunity to win their very own custom made Kitten Print Dress!

The cute as a button print on this dress reminds me so much of Vintage Valentines, combined with the White Peter Pan collar it would be the perfect number for moonlit romancing or even just lounging around gorging on those little love heart candies....

All you have to do to enter is follow my blog and leave a comment, it can be anything you like ( Kudos to anyone that shares Valentines horror stories! )

For additional entries you can:

- mention this giveaway on twitter (leave a link in the comments)

- mention this giveaway on your own blog (leave a link in the comments)

- like Katie-Louise Ford on Facebook (leave an additional comment)

The giveaway is open to all readers and the winner will be drawn on January 25th via random number generator. Good luck xx

1/2/3/4/5/6

Atom Bombs Shimmy

Last month I went to Sydney for my Grandmother's 90th Birthday and was lucky enough to see my brothers amazing surf rock band Atom Bombs play three times. They had me shimmying so much I thought I was going to break something!

Here's a snap of myself and Mick (the father of my very favourite pug) jiving to my very favourite tune (Do the...) ATOM. 

You can hear more and download on their band camp page. If you're a Sydney sider I heartily encourage you to see one of their live shows... It's like a trip back in time to the 1960s Californian beach party of your dreams... floral lei's, Hawaiian shirts, shell necklaces and all!

Festive Longing

 Dressing Elvis the family dog up like a pretty girl...

 Coffee with my beautiful Mum

 Moet and Candlelight

Nachos and Champagne at the local RSL... (probably my very favourite place to visit as my Grandpa used to take me there as a kiddie on special occasions)

As the New Year is now upon us and I have resumed my hunched position at the sewing machine i've found myself thinking longingly about the wonderful Christmas break I spent with my family. I thought i'd share a few candid holiday snaps which pretty much sum up my daily holiday activities: drinking, eating, lounging and soaking up every minute of canine companionship! Also how could I forgot the joy of Happy Days and the Brady Bunch everyday from 5.

The First of the First

Heres a little video my friend Ryan made last night.

We spent NYE sipping wine from plastic cups, watching the fireworks from St Kilda Beach and running around in the sand with sparklers.... some traditions never get old.

 I also took great delight in watching countless drunks run into the freezing ocean in their underwear (and less....) as the clock struck 12. 

I hope everyone had a swell start to 2012 x