Ashliegh in Wonderland Photo Shoot

AAAAAHHHHH!!!!! I am ecstatic!

Today I had a stall at the Retro Market today which was fun and I met lots of really lovely people...my hats are getting a great response and I love hearing everyone's feedback so I know what to get stuck into for the coming weeks, one lovely lass spoke of her wedding theme and wanted a custom bouquet and bridemaid's headbands...without revealing too much of her plans, it sounds like her "big day" will be so quirky and awesome...I LOVE a non-traditional wedding, it excites me to bits!!! But as much as I love the stalls, phwoar I was tired, I slumped into my little "sofa-y computer-nook" for some much needed veg-ing, clicked on Facebook and....

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Squealed with delight!!! The very lovely Dabs of Dabelyn Photography had already put up some "Sneak Peek" photos of our shoot. To say I'm thrilled to no end is entirely an understatement...there is now way to describe how I feel seeing these turn out SO well. Apart from being utterly exhausted from the 16 hour days preparing, leading up to the shoot...there's a magnitude of pride looking at all my work and a huge door of possibility opening because is all seems real now! Lauren and Nicole were just so much fun and awesome, rocking up dolled to the nines, half their wardrobe in arms and ready to be pretty (and silly)!
We gave a wedding in Hyde Park and anyone driving down Vincent street a peep show as we swapped and changed between frocks co-ordinating with a giant box full of hats! It was great fun! I know that most designers don't get in on the action when it comes to promo shoots, but F it, it's my label! :)

Be sure to check out the rest of the pics and click the "like" button on Facebook Dabelyn Photography and also Ashliegh in Wonderland if you haven't already to see updates.

Vintage Vamps and Vixens

Here we are performing the Big Apple at the Vintage Vamps and Vixens Market at the Fremantle Town Hall. I've pinched this photo from VVV organiser Delilah of Winifred and Bance  for two reasons, One because we didn't take any photos on the day, plus it's a great shot, I just love the big swirl of my red skirt! hehe. We had a ball performing on stage. The next VVV Market will in May next year, I can't wait! There were stall holders from all the best vintage stores in Perth, and LOADS of what I call "pretty vintage"...as in 50's prom dresses and parasoles, vanity cases, 40's sunglasses, brooches! SWOON! The stuff you usually have to dig (or travel) for! :) Next year I'm going to get onto getting a stall this time, the atmosphere was fantastic! :)

Eating Good Stuff and Fitting Nanny's Dresses

So for a little while now we've been eating "Paleo" style. Which means no wheat, legumes, dairy, rice, preservatives or sugar. In a nutshell the theory is that our bodies have only ever evolved to the point where they can digest the findings of a hunter/ gatherer lifestyle, not the "faux foods" that we put in our bodies that cause it to well, be unhealthy or at least on run at its optimum level. So far it's been awesome. We both have A LOT more energy, sleep better, are relaxed or deal with stress (both physically and mentally) with great results. AND the other day when I walked past Hungry Jacks (or Burger King depending on where you're from) the smell that used to make me want a chicken burger so badly I could sell my soul...made me want to be sick! Hooray! Good body! :)
Now we decided to do this based on Tim Ferris's blog post...http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2010/09/19/paleo-diet-solution/#comment_list
and we did some more research of our own.
It was to be an experiment but we both feel so good...Mr in Wonderland has achieved better performance in the gym, I lost 5kgs in just over the first week and don't retain water, plus PMS mood swings, GONE! and this is just the beginning...I think it will be staying :)

The food takes some thought but it is really yummy, lots of fruit and veg...I think fruit is under-rated in the "lollies of nature" department! I made strawberry sorbet that was to-die-for, stuffed chicken with basil off our bush and almonds, made salad dressings with tahini, lime and and mustard...oh-so good! We've eaten LOTS of eggs, plus eggs hold together all sorts of vege concoctions :) Coconut has been interesting, we ate a concoction of "coconut veges" which Mr in Wonderland said was like a "Vege Summer Roll" hehe but wow was it tasty! We've just had to get creative and it has been fun. When you go shopping and have to read the labels, it makes you realise how much crap is in everything, it's kind of scary to think of how much your poor liver has to work through before it even gets to doing it's "proper job".

Here's my first "Almond Milk" creation, 1 cup almonds to three parts water and then you sift it...it's yummy and VERY good in chai!

It tastes like almonds, funnily enough, but it's creamy and milky, much like cows milk. Plus you can cook with it too.

And I can also fit into my Great Grandmother's dresses that were passed on to me. The blue one has only ever fit after I had been sick for a week and even then only just, the brown one has never been able to be zipped up. My Nanny Bena was very little. I still think I'm a bit bigger than she was in the boob and butt department, but luckily the dresses are a little forgiving...Check this out..........................

Cool huh! Pretty chuffed about that! Especially as Ashliegh in Wonderland will have a 50's styled photo shoot next week, VERY excited! I've been sewing some 50's skirts and preparing and performing at the Vintage Vixens and Vamps Market...I'll show you once there's pictures in rotation as I didn't take any :( So yeah that's sorta life up to date. I'll show you the cool stuff soon!! :)

So much cuteness...

Look at the new hat I made today...isn't he SOOOOO cute and smiley?