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Monthly Archives: March 2014

Bare-Faced Cheek


I am getting increasingly frustrated with people who want to ‘raise awareness’ for causes such as Cancer Research, but don’t seem to be donating. This latest craze is the ‘No Make-Up Selfie’ on Facebook. Fine, if they have donated then great, but it all seems to be about being ‘brave’ and taking a photo of yourself, minus war paint, and posting it on Facebook. That is where some people stop and think they have done their bit for the grand cause. So not touching your lipstick for a whole day is curing cancer is it? You’ve challenged your confidence by putting your naked face on your profile and that has helped the fight? It is great in a way that this weird phase has caused a mix reaction as it HAS raised some awareness, but please, frigging donate. Just because you wear last year’s Remembrance Day poppy on your lapel, doesn’t mean you are helping the Poppy Appeal does it? Buy another one and help to raise funds. We are all aware of charities and illnesses, but the best step forward is giving to them. Whether it is the loose change at the bottom of your bag, to a large sum, just do your bit. Ok?

CANCER RESEARCH UK

BRITISH LEGION

BLESMA

HELP FOR HEROES

Garden Rail – Miniature Railway Exhibition


This weekend (15th March 2014), we went to Warwickshire Exhibition Centre’s Garden Rail show! It was fantastic, with everything from 2 Gauge to T Gauge! As usual I was completely fascinated with all the little things and aging techniques. Some of the little people were completely hilarious and the hand built trains were so awe inspiring! Some of my favourites were the industrial set ups that reminded me of Tysley’s depot and a 1930’s tin railway with original and repro pieces (yes they actually make them just like the originals!).

Here are some photos I took on my way around…

30s tin train set

1930’s part repro, part original train set

american railway set

American train set with lovely landscaping

bridge american train set

More of the American train set, which featured a fantastic bridge and river!

camping railway figures

Happy little campers.

fishing train set figures

“…and it was THIS big!”

headless miniature railway figure

“Shoot…Dave? Dave, you alright mate?!”

kitten von mew garden rail

Mr and Mrs Mew!

little and large railway figurines

Little and Large

richard miniature railway billeting hut

Mr Mew standing by some WW2 themed miniatures

Railway-Workers-miniature

Railway workers

old man river

Old man river…

t gauge figures

These are T Gauge people and animals! It’s like looking at Google Maps!

miniature railway british locomotive

Lovely custom built miniature railway engine

miniature railway train depo

More detail on this industrial depo. Fantastic detailing!

Industrial train set train depo miniature railway engine shed miniature railway

war department train miniature railway

War Department train with amazing painted effects to look old and disused

workmans shed

Burgh Island Valentine’s Weekend – Part 1


I was thrilled to once again perform at this gorgeous Art Deco hotel! It has been around 5 or 6 years since I was last there and was the 1st Burlesque dancer to perform at the hotel.

I thought I would share some of my photos with you and have more to come!

burgh-island-hotel

Burgh Island Hotel from the back

burgh-island

Burgh Island side view from the hilltop

burgh-island-richard

Mr Mew enjoying the view

Burgh-Island-Mermaid-Pool

The Mermaid Pool at Burgh Island

burgh-island-beach

The waves crashing in on the beach

burgh-island-conservatory-dome

The beautiful stained glass dome was inspired by peacock feathers

burgh-island-conservatory

A view out of the French doors of the bar

burgh-island-funny

Being a little silly and not trusting Mr Mew to give me a wet willy

richard-von-mew-burgh-island-bar

Mr Mew at the bar!

kitten-von-mew-1920's-burlesque

Striking a 1920’s pose just before my performance

kitten-von-mew-burlesque-dancer

Preparing (and posing) for my final act of the evening, Pipe Dreams!

kitten-von-mew-flapper-girl

Another 1920’s flapper pose in our stunning bathroom at Burgh Island

kitten-von-mew-vintage-girl

Bournemouth Photos!


I had a wonderful time in Bournemouth when I went there to perform at a Blitz Ball! I have never really walked around the town before, but once you look passed the chain stores, there are some real treasures! It is a relatively new town, born in 1810, so the architecture is a gorgeous mix with some fabulous 1920’s bits thrown in (and the obligatory modern catastrophes!). There is one place we found just outside the town with a whole street of vintage and antique shops, so for a whole day we staggered open-mouthed around a treasure trove of curiosities.

The Blitz Ball went really well and was held at the Bournemouth Flying Club at the airport. Unfortunately due to the weather, the daytime event was postponed, making the dance less popular. It was a shame as the DJ was fantastic and the hosts a delight. I have experience myself of hosting Blitz Balls and know what hard work they are and how much money can be lost through the expense and hard work it takes. ST Events did a grand job, but obviously couldn’t help the weather that had scuppered its big day. Ah well, other people’s loss is my gain as there was more room to dance!

The people that were there were dressed up to the nines, whether they were 1940’s enthusiasts or not! I did a singing set early in the evening before donning my bomber girl corset for a fan dance at 10.30. Low and behold one of the staves snapped just as I was finishing my last spin! The feathery swine!!!

For the rest of the evening I wore a gorgeous original 1940’s gown with red and white stripes that I bought at Stoneleigh Militaria and a pair of pale blue Johnson’s Originals shoes, with a hair bow to match.

I hope you enjoy the photos below, I will do a separate post about Russell Cotes House as it was too incredible not to warrant its own article…

kitten-bournemouth-web

Richard-and-Kitten-Bournemouth

bournemoth-group-photo

vintage-dog-fabricbournemouth-antique-doll

bournemouth-tiles

russell-cotes-house

kitten-von-mew-model

russel-cotes-museum-kitten-von-mew