The Sassy Minx » Life Candy

We heart Dolly Cool

lisa — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:28:39 +0000

It’s no secret that I have a total penchant for rockabilly, tattoos and all things 1950s, so I am in total cartoon-heart-shaped love stuff with Dolly Cool. Totally unique and original, not mass-produced, jewellery, accessories, clothing and bags – come meet Clare, she’s the girl behind the label and I heart her and her creations of rockabilly wonder mostest!

Describe the lady behind the label in 5 words…
50s tattooed retro rockin’ redhead!

What is it you do exactly?
I am the designer/maker for my own brand Dolly Cool. I make jewellery, accessories, clothing and bags and I’m also a graphic designer specialising in alternative and punky subject matter.

How did you discover you could create items of wonder and that you were going to sell them?
I have been making things as long as I can remember, and started selling my jewellery at craft fairs about 10 years ago.

Is it difficult to be creative AND business-y?
Sometimes yes! This is because you have to wear many different ‘heads’ – doing accounts is boring, but necessary and all part of running your own business…The rest of it is mostly fun!

What’s a day in the life o’ Clare like?
I get up around 8am, make breakfast and check emails, log sales etc. from the night before (it’s great making sales when you’re asleep!

Then I have a shower, get ready and begin to make my orders. Everything has to be ready to meet the last post at 5.30pm so I’m always a bit stressed from 4.30 to 5.30! The evening is spent updating my blog and website, doing any design jobs and making stock for when I do fairs. I rarely watch TV…my business always comes first!

Who and what inspires you?
Mid century design, tattoo art, other designers/makers who have created and built their own business from scratch.

What 5 tracks would be on a DollyCool soundtrack?
Rancid – Timebomb
Rock This Town – Stray Cats
Sugar Doll – The Jets
Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon jovi
Letter to the Censors – The Peacocks

Whats your life motto?
If at first you don’t succeed, try again!

The Sassy List: What’s your favourite:
Book: Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden
Movie: Pretty in Pink
Hang out: Rockabilly Weekenders and gigs
City: Manchester…My home city
Must-have beauty item: Benefit IT Stick concealer
TV programme: Medium

What does the term Sassy Minx mean to you?
An independent, fun lovin’ gal who knows what she wants and works hard to get it!

Go check out her creations o’ fabulousness: www.dollycool.moonfruit.com

The Sassy Guide to Weddings…

Aimee — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:00:46 +0000

‘Tis the season for a Great British Wedding. Or just weddings full stop. I was quite relieved this year that I have only had one invite so far-last year I had three in a month! Don’t get me wrong, I love the love, but its always what to wear-please God I hope no-one has the same dress as me, what to give-is a tenner in a card sufficient?, is it appropriate to drink another glass of wine?-always. So while I can’t give you etiquette, as my own is always custom based, I can give you Sassy Style, which is for the girls that make their own rules.
Today, I am beginning with the basics-headwear: not so much hats, but pretty fascinators, headbands and even turbans, which are great to accessorise with this year. Dresses are an outfit-in-one and you can build around them. I like the shorter knee length styles, as some maxi’s can seem too casual unless they are really expensive. Bags that give the WOW factor, and shoes that give good leg can make an outfit unique at a glance-in particular the River Island shoes, that aren’t that disimilar from a certain Italian fashion house.

Heads up; anti clockwise- Beaded headband, 30.00 emma fielden@ laden.co.uk, and white ostrich feather fascinator, $26.00 and pom-pom veiled fascinator $34 @ http://stylesmith.bigcartel.com/, , 2adorn pink flowers and net veil fascinator, 55.00 at asos.co.uk, Lace headband, Benoit Missolin, 30.00 @liberty.co.uk,, submarine liberty print turban headband, 55.00 Exclusive Jennifer Ouellette @liberty.co.uk, Lucie flower headband, 38.00 @louloulovesyou.com

Linear dress by Goldie 85.00 @thelookboutique.com, Peaches dress, 59.00@laden.co.uk, Soft print babydoll dress, 45.00@asos.co.uk, Halter neck Chantily floral dress, 65.00 @vivienne ofholloway.co.uk, Paula Rose tunic, 135.00 @monsoon.co.uk, asymmetric frill dress, 40.00 @topshop.co.uk, Fusion cosmic parrot dress, 60.00 @monsoon.co.uk, silver metallic crinny dress, 49.00 Miss Selfridge

LOVE bag, 90.00 @antoniandalison.co.uk, ASOS black egg tassle hardcase bag 35.00@asos.co.uk, silver metallic lips bag, 225 @luluguiness.co.uk, Leather flower clutch bag, 38.00@topshop.co.uk, Haisley peeptoe ,65.00, Miss KG@ kurtgeiger.com,embellished peeptoes, 30.00 @newlook.co.uk, Jeffrey Campbell Mary Rocks shoes, 95.00 @office.co.uk, printed pink embellished shoes, 54.99 @riverisland.co.uk.

Life Lesson

lisa — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:00:54 +0000

“Cherish your solitude. Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep out alone under the stars. Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back. Say no when you don’t want to do something. Say yes if your instincts are strong, even if everyone around you disagrees. Decide whether you want to be liked or admired. Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you’re doing here. Believe in kissing.”

– Eve Ensler

I Heart Paris…

Aimee — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:00:59 +0000

Well who doesn’t? In fact, we here at The Sassy Minx heart all the ‘I Heart..’ books, but that might just be because we are more than a little biased. One of our dearest friends and NY hook-ups, Lindsey Kelk, has her third book released on July 9th, and as I can promise you its a goodun’, because I can’t stop reading it!

We’ve already been on Angela’s adventures in NY and Hollywood, and now she is in Paris…

Angela is in the city of love – but romance is taking a nose-dive…

When Angela Clark’s boyfriend Alex suggests a trip to Paris at the same time as hip fashion mag Belle asks her to write a piece, she jumps at the chance.

But even as she’s falling for the joie de vivre of Paris, someone’s conspiring to sabotage her big break. And when she spots Alex having a tête-à-tête with his ex in a local bar, Angela’s dreams of Parisian passion all start crashing down around her.

With London and her old life only a train journey away, Angela can’t decide if should stay and face the music or run away home…

Preorder at Amazon.com now

Risk

lisa — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:01:07 +0000

What risk are you willing to take today? I’m going to tell the boy I like that I love him, what about you? Care to share?

World Wide Knit in Public day!

lisa — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 07:00:41 +0000

Stichin’ is bitchin’. Fact. And what better way to celebrate than with World Wide Knit in Public Day!

It’s a real and actual day, in fact, it’s today!

It was started in 2005 by Danielle Landes as a way for knitters to come together and enjoy each others company. It’s a specific day to get out of your house and go to a local event (with your knitting in tow, obv.) and show the general public that ‘not only grannies knit!’

To find out about a WWKIP day event in your area – go to www.wwkipday.com

It Girl: Classic

lisa — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:58:22 +0000

If you LOVE Gossip Girl and Sex and the City, you’ll LOVE this book.

It’s the last ever in the It Girl series and while it’s a total hit with teen girls everywhere, it’s also a complete guilty pleasure for grown-up girls like me too. This book is extra special as it features popular Gossip Girl character, Jenny Humphrey – she of the peroxide blonde hair and obscene amounts of eye liner.

Jenny longs to be Waverly Academy’s ultimate It Girl. Of course, her competition is tough: some whisper that Tinsley Carmichael’s beauty earns her top social marks while others believe that Callie Vernon, otherwise known as Little Miss Perfect, has and always will rule the school. Can three It Girls coexist on Waverly’s well-manicured campus?

Course they blimmin’ can’t!

Indulge in this guilty pleasure as soon as it hits the shelves on 21st June.

£5.99 www.amazon.co.uk

The Sassy Guide; Ibiza!

Aimee — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:00:06 +0000

For the past two years, I have been to Ibiza in the summer. If I could have it my way, I would go to Ibiza every summer, despite how expensive it is, and to counteract for this, I fly to Eivissa airport by Easyjet!
Although the island of ‘beautiful people’, doesn’t always appeal to everyone, and it also has a somewhat misguided reputation, courtesy of those tacky 90s TV shows such as Club Reps and Ibiza Uncovered. I would be lying if I said there aren’t still parts of Ibiza that doesn’t have fun features such as boozed up Brits, and flashing tits, but beyond this – and in our guide – are the best bits, for the jetsetters and glamazons.

Hippy Shake
Ibiza is the ultimate island for a spiritual retreat. This is why many celebs like Kate Moss, Dita Von Teese and the Minogue sisters head over to the lush balearic. This certainly shows in its style which is a mix of jetset glamour-think Jackie O- meets boho-think Ossie Clark florals and Pans People! The hippy markets in Es Cana on a Wednesday and San Carlos on a Saturday are meccas for vintage bits, exotic jewellery, textiles and artefacts from beyond. I love layering up with the mountains of beautiful beaded necklaces to go with my kaftan.

Spiritual Retreat
With the wild, on the island, I mainly enjoy Ibiza for the calm. If beautiful sandy beaches, super sunsets, blissed out cocktails in Cafe Mambo and laying on a bed at Kanya Beach club is not enough, there are many holistic options on the island. Ashtanga yoga courses take place on the island from March to November, inclusive of six days yoga, accommodation and meals, at the stunning Benirras Beach, which was voted the fourth most beautiful beach in the world by The Sunday Times. Alternatively, you can have one of handy masseuses from Massage Beach come and work out those knots and aches on the comfort of your sunlounger. Best Served Chilled? You got it!

Partygirls
Of course, Ibiza will always be renowned for its party lifestyle and hedonism, but with the calm, comes the storm. I have been to all of the superclubs-but my personal favourites are SPACE on Sundays, and Pacha. Ibiza isn’t your usual clubbing British clubbing experience-things are more chilled here and the attitudes are relaxed-showgirls, drag queens and exotic dancers are prominent as are the ranges of DJ’s from all around the world. Because of this, people also put on their best wares and get creative with their costumes-this looks expensive, rather than hen weekendy-and don’t tend to drink to exhaustion. My favourite thing to do, is sit in one of the cocoons on the SPACE terrace with a bottle of water, listening to chilled balearic house and speak to random people, which sounds odd and un-british, but because its Ibiza, anything goes and no-one thinks you are odd! Pacha is super-glamourous and the ultimate in show-off, but that’s one of the reasons to like the iconic cherry! Other hits are Bora Bora bar on Bora Bora beach; as you lie there on the sand, DJ sets are mixed and projected. Even with a hangover, it sounds somewhat blissful. I like Playa D’en Bossa for the beach and the clubs, and if you want to avoid boozed up Brits, it would be good advice to avoid the West End in San Antonio. However, the drinks are cheaper, and there are still some good bars, like Plastik, Cafe Del Mar and Bar M, and clubs like Eden.

Club Tropicana and Old Town
For the record, Club Tropicana drinks aren’t free, but the real place where WHAM! filmed the video for Club Tropicana, Pikes, is a haven for pure indulgence, and has a reputation for doing so-Freddie Mercury hired the whole hotel for his birthday in 1987, and it is a favourite of Julio Inglesias and Grace Jones. Pull up to the bumper with their brunch, served by the pool-delicious. For other gorgeous meals, and for stunning scenery and walks, head to Ibiza Old Town/Dalt Vila, which has a variety of restaurants, bars and is where the exotic locales go in the evenings. Walk up to the Old Castle, walk past the trow bridge, and descent up to art galleries and giftshops, and some of the most stunning views on the island. My one tip here is not to wear heels!

Ibiza Rocks
Going beyond ‘Biza’s repuration as a party hard island, it now appeals to all those cute indie boys. Why? Because it isn’t all about the house music anymore. What with the emergence of Ibiza Rocks, English bandboys are heading over into the sun to play at the hotel hotspot to beautiful people from all around the world. This year, some of my favourites like Ian Brown and The Courteeners are playing with other brilliant acts like Biffy Clyro, Florence and The Machine, Calvin Harris and Dizzee Rascal.
Ibiza definitely rocks, right?

Have you been to Ibiza? What are your tips-care to share?

The Carrie Diaries

Aimee — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:00:15 +0000

A few monthes ago, a parcel landed in my lap. The gift, from Ms L, was a press copy of The Carrie Diaries, the new book from Candace Bushnell which documents on Carries life, before she moved to NY, before she met Manolo and Big, and more importantly, the rest of the girls.
I had already been warned that I was not allowed to disclose the book to anyone, as the details of the storyline were so secretive that there were legal implications if I lost it or it found its way out of my hands into wherever. So full of anticipation, delighted with excitement, and slightly gutted I couldn’t read it on the bus due to its secretive nature, I snuck into my bedroom and read the full book from front to back in a Saturday morning.
I want to say it was reminiscent of the show overall, but this was a bit difficult, due to the fact Carrie is seventeen. It was abit more Sweet Valley High, than Salvatore Feragamo, and as a die hard fan, I found it a little hard not to remove SJP from narrating, and acting the storyline inside my head. Which is a bit hard, when she is snogging Sebastien Kydd, the hot badboy comes to Castlebury, to stir things up with her and her friends. I also thought that Carrie said in the show, that her father left her mother when she was younger, yet in this book he is the mainstayer-I don’t want to reveal too much, so it is best to read it!-so it made me have my own “I couldn’t help but wonder” moment.
Regardless of all of this, it certainly gave an insight into an American teenage girls life, white cowboy boots, an’ all. True to the theme of the show, Carrie makes mistakes and learns through these, the most important relationships are with her friends, is confused by the kingdom of male, and begins her in-awe marriage with NY early on………………

Meet Carrie Bradshaw before ‘Sex and the City!’

The Carrie Diaries is the coming-of-age story of one of the most iconic characters of our generation.

Before Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a small town girl who knew she wanted more. She’s ready for real life to start, but first she must navigate her senior year of high school. Up until now, Carrie and her friends have been inseparable. Then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture, and a friend’s betrayal makes her question everything.
With an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself, and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we’ll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.

The Carrie Diaries
By Candace Bushnell and published by Harper Collins, 6.49 from Amazon.co.uk

What Not to Wear

lisa — Mon, 10 May 2010 07:00:41 +0000

A poem by my favourite author o’ awesomeness, Francesca Lia Block…

What Not to Wear

according to that bitchy pair on tv
you mustn’t wear a pink and black plaid mini kilt with black fishnet shirt,
black studded belt, knee high skull socks and danger pumps
even if you are a beautiful twenty-something dj/designer
who can rock it well

so what would they say of me
in my blush frothy tulle ballerina mini skirt
or my frayed hem jeans?

I have worn hats with veils, eccentric platforms
men’s engineer boots and prom dresses
ripped t-shirts and torn stockings
a piece of orange satin wrapped into a dress
distressed knit “depression wear”
and silk kimono patchwork big enough for clowns
I’ve had bleached hair with black roots
pale powder face without blush
too-big silver hoops
mostly I’ve worn my heart
bleeding all over both my sleeves
it’s not a pretty sight, my dears
and now my fear
like ridiculous armor to keep you out

hey tv bitches, bring it
at least I still
got up this morning
and wrote this thing