Burlesque: Express

The reactions to me taking up burlesque class with the amazing and wonderful Lisa have been diverse. Some people have laughed (thanks dudes, really); some people have said, "hey cool!" and others have been angry (what the heck is a self proclaimed feminist doing burlesque for?!) This was not a decision that I spent much time making (Lisa: "hey Liz, I'm starting burlesque classes, do you want to come?", me: "Hell yeah"), I enjoy dancing, need the exercise and have also always been slightly obsessed with the whole vintage glamour/pin up girl aesthetic, so pondering the deeper meanings or implications of attending a dance class did not enter my head until much later.

A proper Martini

I take Bettie's picture with me
every time I get my
fringe cut

Veronica Varlow:
rocking the fan

Personally, I don't see any contradiction between my enjoying burlesque and my feminist views. The classes are about celebrating being a woman, which can be incredibly empowering. Learning to use your body in a new way is always a good thing in my view; laughing is also a good thing, and there is a lot of laughing during our classes. In fact, how our teacher Lauren manages to keep a straight face for (most) of the class is beyond me. 

It's a fan. It's pink.
 It's mostly made of feathers. 

Burlesque class is the perfect remedy for Monday blues. Donning some heels, grabbing a couple of fans and shimmying around a light up dance floor is my idea of fun. To me, there are no sinister, sexist overtones to leaning burlesque. All the women in the class are educated, independent and fabulous. The fact that they now know the correct way to remove an elbow length glove and how to properly position a fan only adds to their long lists of achievements.

Over the next few weeks, Lisa and I will be completing our intermediate burlesque course. I am beyond excited! Due to the fact that I am usually busy dancing in class, there are a serious lack of photos of us doing our thing - I will try to remedy this soon.

What is it about a disco ball that
makes everything better?

The new kitchen floor at Birds on A Wire
Towers

Liz xXx

New shit that came to light

This week's new shit seems to have a pastel coloured food theme.....that is not a bad thing...it's just a pastel coloured food thing. 

So, some of what we got up to this week from top left: monster cupcakes; Liz and Steffi; Hello Kitty Pez dispenser, check out the skull bow; rose shaped cupckaes; macaroons; floating wine at The Royal Opera House; sparkly nails; small selection of chocolate; vegan, gluten free and still somehow yummy cupcakes; pretty light at the V&A; Laura and Jess as Quentin Blake illustrations. 

Extra new shit that came to light 

For the rest of the week (i.e. this afternoon), we will be uncharacteristically following the football - Bradford City are at Wembley for some reason or other and the whole of Bradford has descended to London for the event. The Dali Lama seems to know more about what is going on that us, but you know - come on Bradford, CTID and all that. 

Hoping these dudes will
be around this aft

Liz xXx and Laura X

New shit that came to light

Sorry guys, this is a bit late this week - unfortunately this is not really due to the abundance of cool shiz happening - more to do with exploding boilers! Currently typing with frozen fingers!

Ok, enough moaning - here is our selection of the week's goings on. From top left: Mangal has new lights; a massive plastic heart ring; how we are keeping warm at the moment; tickets for Huey booked; Champagne chocolate truffles; PISCO DISCO; selection of heart shaped shiz; spinach that was nearly used to made hats, thank god for labels!  

Much love

Liz xXx and Laura X

Brenda specials

For Christmas this year, I requested a very practical (don't panic, also very pretty) gift: a jewellery box. It suddenly occurred to me that keeping my jewellery in random boxes and bags was not OK. Especially as most of the jewellery I wear was handmade (yep, HANDMADE) by my Grandma. Every Christmas for the past five or so years, all the girls in my family receive a Brenda Special. We then spend the year checking out what everyone else got and subtly drop hints about what we would like next. 

This is a small selection of some of the pieces the G-Ma has made. 

This was the first piece I received.
It is ace.
I wear it like everyday.

Here it is again,
On some pink velvet.

Silver bracelets

Selection of beaded bracelets and watches 

Silver necklaces

Silver bracelets

This is one of my favourites.
Unfortunately, it was made
for my cousin

Where it all lives

Attempting to be organised

Oh look, handy
travel case

Obviously, one of the best things about receiving these items is that they are completely unique. To add to this, Gran has repeatedly assured us that she will never be tempted to make jewellery to sell. So, no one else can have any. Which suits us just fine.

Liz xXx

New shit that came to light

Whoops - time has flown in Birds On A Wire towers this week - serious lack of blogging action. To keep you going here is a snippet of what has occurred this week. From top left: best hot chocolate in London; a small selection of Cousins and Aunts; the middle of a table; The Slow Revolt; vintage purchases; completely horse (and any other type of meat) free lasagne; prop for fan work; proper bakewell.

Liz xXx and Laura X

New shit that came to light

It's that time of week again folks. Here is a selection of stuff we encountered this week (from top left); One For Ten launch party; necessary purchases; French cat; Selma James, caring not killing; some door; en pointe; booking scary plane tickets; disco balls; flower in Liz's hair; pissed off looking Morph; Ghandi; well happy looking Ralph.


Liz xXx and Laura X