Blue Rinsed

I have been passionate about vintage for as long as I can remember and having a fuller figure has proved difficult as my chosen era has to be 50's. For years I thought it was impossible and I had accepted I would never have a waist. After losing 2st this year I am now able to squeeze myself into items I would have only dreamed of prancing around in. I still have a fuller figure and I am proud to be a plus size and I am aware we are all made differently and we should embrace what ever figure we are blessed with and make the most of it. 

At Blue Rinsed I will be sourcing Plus Size vintage items just for you (UK size 14 and above) 

www.bluerinsed.bigcartel.com

Little House on the Prarie - SOLD

Little House on the Prairie No2 - £20

Tea Dance & Lace - £10

Here are just the first few items I have included just to get a feel and see if this is something you guys would be interested in, happy shopping!

Laurie Rose xo

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Random HAUL.

Today's HAUL! 

A story of my shopping adventures.

So today we had a busy day trying to sort out help with housing, not sure anything will come of it at all, so it's time to save save save now. So we decided to have one last blow out before saving, aren't we naughty, so here is just a collection of the quirky items we purchases today on our VERY windy day out!

 As you may know I LOVE knitting and I am currently working on the My Blue Rinse Collection, which is due to be released in late March. It will be quirky knitted accessories created and designed by me. 

I love using the best materials and this GGH yarn is to die for. I have used so many of their ranges in my collection, the ones I purchased today are so fine and delicate I can't wait to get going, made of 70% Super Kid Mohair, and 25% a combination of New Wool and Nylon they truly are luxury.

 {keep your eyes peeled for my DIY knitted post using GGH yarn, it's going to be a VLOG!! Yes that's right me on video knitting how scary}

Secondly I was in need of some new PJs and where better than Primark, I am one of their biggest fans I swear. It is the best place on the High Street for disposable fashion, although I found a dress in my local store a few weeks ago and was disappointed to find there was only a size 12 left, I have unfortunately been blessed with rather a large chest, such a nightmare sometimes. Also I managed to pick Henry up some rather delightful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle PJ's, I had left it far too late before Christmas and by the time I got round to buying them they were all gone, so Happy Belated Christmas Henry!! HE LOVED THEM!!

 I also thought it was about time I rejoined the local library, I was looking for ONE book imparticular The Fault in our Stars by John Green but with it being a NEW release they didn't have it. I follow Gemsmaquillage religiously, she has some of the best Blog posts and a wonderful Beauty Vlog, but on one of her many Vlog channel's she introduced me to John Green, so I thought I would give one of his books a whirl I'll be sure to let you know what I think in a week or so.

I also picked up some Knitting books.

All in all we had a really nice day out, even though I was determined to stay in bed, I'm glad Henry forced me out of the house!

So tomorrow I will be filming my VLOG arrrghh so watch this space,

 Happy Wednesday everyone :)

Laurie Rose xx

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Today I am a Huffy Henry.

Today I am a Huffy Henry.

A story of a girl disappointed constantly.

So currently on the job front, well lets put it this way, it's just not. It's so depressing, waiting around to hear from people, or emailing so many different jobs and not getting any sort of reply. I'm actually losing the will to live! I would love to start my own business and work for myself, but unfortunately I need money behind me to do that. The one job I was really holding out for was based in the Wrexham Area, it sounded perfect, working as an Educational Assistant in one of our local National Trust Houses, Erddig. As a child I would visit there at least 10 time during the Summer Break with my Grandmother, I know the history of that house better than anyone I know, but today was the closing date and the last opportunity I had to hear anything from them, today is not a great day.

Although I did cheer myself up and bought some Super Cosy Tights from Primark a new jumper from Oxfam and lots of cheap 35mm film. We were hoping to take a long walk around Erddig Gardens today but the weather here this week is just so cold we decided a quick dash into town and then back home to a hearty dinner and snuggles and films, cause lets face it when we miss out on something we really want, we like to mope around and sulk for a while, I am only human and I think I deserve to after all my hard work over the last few months and for it only to amount to nothing.

The only option left for us now is our Plan B, Move to the big city, Henry can become famous and I can become a lady of leisure....hmmm watch this space.

Hanging up the Homeless.

I am definitely a one for bargains, if it's something used or slightly worn at the edges I go weak at the knees. There is something about walking into a charity shop and not knowing what I am in there for, little gems will leap out at you, in your hunt these treasures somehow find you. During the economic crisis a few years ago, people started flocking to these small higgledy piggledy havens, and I know exactly why.

Growing up, my friends would never have set foot into an Oxfam or The Salvation Army; where as I didn't have any trouble with strolling in with pride. Not only would I find something cheap and unique, lets face it I have never been one to conform. Whether it be clothes, books, odds and sods for around the house, knowing that these objects have once been loved and cared for now saddens me to see them in the scrap heap of the unwanted world. Their junk now becomes a cave of wonder to me and others alike. Someone makes a b line for an item you have spotted, you're too late, damn the voice is screaming, but you produce politely your famous middle class smile and pretend you have seen something else. Some are too proud and could never own something second hand. The beauty of an item, a story that lies deep within it, begins to unravel in my mind. As I am writing this now, I am wrapped in a hand knitted cardigan, I can only envisage a little old lady, full of stories knitting this with love, each of the ten dainty buttons placed carefully, the spacing not perfect but the individuality screamed out to me. What I would have given to have been sat there with this woman, as she looped each stitch over the needles; her paper thin skin covering the weathered hands that are telling me her stories in wool. I would have sat and listened as I did with my own great grandmother many years ago as she would crochet my winter jumpers, blanket or socks, the smell of talc and toffee's filled the room, a comforting warmth I still feel embedded in my soul.

Hidden away at the back of the store you will usually find the lost souls of flicked pages, the folds, the number of fingers who have lived this story have now stained the pages a used brown. The excitement surges through me, as I flick to the first page searching for a inscription "Dearest Norma, Hope you enjoy this as much as I have throughout my years "Never be afraid of what you know" With all my love Aunt Polly, Christmas 1939. A copy of Black Beauty I inherited from my Great Aunt Norma many years ago. The personalisation is now somehow passed onto me, as I read each page I now wonder if the previous owner enjoyed the book? My mind takes me to an imaginary book club of ages, fascinating.

A copy of Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, was my latest purchase. A New Mermaids edition, first published in 1965, on the beautifully illustrated cover is a reconstruction of an Elizabethan theatre drawn by C. Walter Hodges, 60p, filled with notes, scribbles and class timetable etched on the back of the cover.

Some will argue that buying these books we are making a great saving at the authors expense. How so? These now unwanted gems would in turn never be enjoyed again or thrown away, at least this way we (the ones who want to enjoy) have the chance to do so. Some great novels/poetry are now either rare or are not in circulation any more. Our only option is charity shops or second-hand book stores. Should we close those as well? No of course not, the fact we are giving money to NPO (Non Profit Organisation) means there shouldn't be an argument at all, not to mention the amount of trees we are saving.

Stepping down off my high horse my conclusion is not to feel ashamed of these places, and sometimes girls, you will even find Topshop goodies still with the labels on.
Laurie Rose x