Swedish Hasbeens: Lacy Sandal

So here it is!!! the full review of the Lacy Sandal Swedish Hasbeens. It has been a few weeks since these clogs have graced my feet and the love affair still continues, we are almost reaching Summer here in Australia so the promise of balmy nights and long afternoon picnics is so close i can almost taste the watermelon and smell the sunscreen! I have many many Summer adventures to take these Hasbeens on..i cant wait!

It really is hard to choose favourites to be honest, the designs are based around the same clog base so you know whatever style you choose they will be comfortable, the use of leather focuses on proper support as well as the genious designs they manage to craft into the leather, if you mention t/strap lasercut floral to me..of course i'm sold! I am going to be honest here it did take me at least 5min to get used to walking in clogs again, the fact they dont have a flexible arch had me clonking around like Frankenstein for a little bit but then like anything if you stick at it for a little bit i was gliding around like they had been on my feet forever! They are absolutely my go-to shoe for the season and i am sure you will see them popping up on the blog alot more!

If you are absolutely in need of these amazing clogs you can check them out HERE I have the Dirty Pink Nubuck colour and although they appear darker on the website they are lighter in "real life" Swedish Hasbeens also have an amazing Instagram account too so make sure you pop on over and say hi to them!

So my weekend was pretty amazing...pizza and bowling date night with my man, Halloween swing dancing on Saturday night and a lazy Sunday of coffee dates and dodging rain showers (and cleaning...but there is no fun in mentioning that is there) i hope you all had an incredible weekend too! Happy Monday Xx

(Wearing: Swedish Hasbeens, Op Shopped Blouse, Vintage Skirt, Vintage Purse & 1950's Sunglasses)

Swedish Hasbeens: Floral T-Strap

In every vintage loving woman's mind we have a very active list that entails our dream purchases, this list is always changing and growing depending on the season and as fast as these items are added they are replaced with even more desireable items. One thing on my 'want' list has always been a pair of Swedish Hasbeens! The ever so perfect clog with leather detailing and t-bar straps that sets your drool sensors into overdrive. The fact that they are perfectly matched with everything in my wardrobe is just an added bonus.

I am so lucky to be able to feature two pairs to you all and give my full and honest opinion on these damn dreamy shoes!I will be featuring them one at a time so ding ding, these are the first in line! I chose these powder blue "Floral T-Strap" clogs based on the fact they had three of my great loves when it comes to shoes a low heel, pastel colour and a solid t-bar strap. As i am already quite tall i tend to shy away from heels that make me feel like i am examining everyones hairline during a conversation and these are just the right amount of height.

I had a few reservations about the fact that they didnt come with any heel padding and was absolutely sure i would be hobbling around like a loony after about an hour of wearing them, but to my surprise they are EXTREMELY comfortable, i can last all day in them and not feel any strain on my feet at all so that shut me right up! The only thing i will mention is that they do take at least one wear to allow the leather to mold to your feet, they really do take on the curves of your foot so after a few wears they will be your go-to clogs.

You can also get these beauties in a range of colours just jump onto their website to have a little look! I am so excited to get some extended wear of these shoes as summer is coming just around the corner.

Follow them on Facebook and if your an Instaaddict like me they also have an amazing Instagram account too @swedishhasbeens Xx

(Wearing: Vintage Gingham Dress, Swedish Hasbeens, Vintage Purse)

Charlie Stone: Dance Shoes Review

One of the many on-going pursuits for a lindy hopper is finding brilliant shoes. As i have only been dancing for just over a year i have slowly been attempting to transition to small dancing heels as well as my comfy keds and flats, the only problem we of course run into is finding a shoe that is stylish with a vintage vibe, dosent require your first born to pay for, are comfortable and have the stability to get you through a solid night of dancing!

I have made ALL of the mistakes worn shoes too tight, too loose, too high and too clunky which has resulted in squished toes, blisters, sore ankles AND the old faithful flinging of the shoe across the dance floor. But as you mature into an obsessed lindy hopper i guess you also become aware that looking after your feet are a top priority, you cant be doing the snake hips with damaged ankles now!

I took my very first pair of Charlie Stone dance shoes for a spin over the weekend and they are honestly....amazing! It is no wonder they are going gangbusters in Singapore at the moment, it seriously feels like you are stepping on squishy clouds (ok mild exaggeration) but they are all they promise and more! I already have plans to invest in the black pair too. I have been advised that they do take a little time to wear in properly as they are leather, but should mold to your feet in time. The leather sole is also perfectly smooth without being too slippy so its just the perfect amount of swivel power!

So to the lindy ladies out there if you are needing some new kicks these are your go-to! If you want to find out more information follow THIS LINK! They also have an amazing Instagram account @charliestoneshoes if you follow along you can keep up to date with all their current styles and lindy love too!

 P.S- They also have free shipping anywhere in the world!

(Thank you to Dabsy Cola for taking the photos and to Michael for being my dancing man prop)

Stop Staring: WINNER!!

A very huge THANK YOU to all of you for entering the Stop Staring giveaway! We were very humbled by the response we had and if it was possible we would give everyone a dress (Stop Staring for everyone weeeee) but alas there is to be only one winner and as i mentioned it was drawn completely at random and 71 was the lucky number! 

Congratulations Elise McGaughey!! Stop Staring will be in touch with you right away to send you your dress!! 

Thank you once again and who knows...there may very well be another offer again one day! 

Xx Ally & Stop Staring 

Stop Staring: Giveaway (CLOSED)

Thats right ladies!! When i mentioned today's post was going to be a wowser i wasn't kidding! After all your lovely comments on the dresses i posted last week Stop Staring has offered one lucky lady the chance to win their very own Stop Staring dress (which you also get to choose)...whaaat!!!! simply follow the prompts below to enter!

To be in the running all you must do is follow both Stop Staring & Vintage Valley on Facebook, be our friends on Instagram - @stopstaringclothing, @allyvintage and leave a comment below! Winners will be chosen at random on Monday the 28th of July.

GOOD LUCK!

Stop Staring: Siren Dress

For the last post on my Stop Staring feature...ladies...if you dont have a fire engine red wiggle dress lurking in your wardrobe, then now is the time to correct this oversight!! I am always naturally drawn to pastel colours, i am guessing it is because i have very pale skin and super blonde hair and for daytime wear i tend to feel that bold colours wash me out a little...At night though my alter-ego comes out and she is always in the mood for a splash of colour or even a sultry little black dress! Again i dont want to bang on about how amazing Stop Staring dresses fit....but my gosh...its like slipping into a second skin!!! 

The pleating make this dress extremely flattering to my curves and it has already saved me in one of those "i have nothing to wear and have only 5min to find something" moments. You simply throw it on, swipe on some lipstick and your done!

If you have fallen for this dress as hard as i have you can find it here (nestled amongst all the other incredible red dresses in their range)

P-S = Stay tuned for a SUPER exciting post on Monday that will quite possibly blow your socks off!!!

(Wearing: Stop Staring Siren Dress, Vintage Purse)

Stop Staring: Dress Coat

So i have a list, a list of pieces that i am always on the hunt for when i shop online or in a vintage boutique, (this list is in my mind of course) but i would say at around number three is the perfect princess coat (preferably with a 40's cut), My pet hate when Winter rolls around is that my skirts are long...and i mean long, and wearing a coat that comes mid-thigh on a long skirt/dress drives my 'inner-fashionista' crazy...i cant stand it! Princess coats have the length, the cinched waist and the perfect flare to squash your full skirts under so if you ladies havent sourced one yet, get to it! Or better yet Stop Staring have a few designs to choose from too, I originally had my eye on this beauty for some time and i actually did end up with a very similar design, just with a little added sass! can i just yell out "this coat is so damn delicious" satin lining on the inside so you slip into it like your rolling into a presidential suite bed in vegas and faux fur collar to just roll your face in when the wind hits your cheeks! Its a beauty.

With this little three part post i am doing for Stop Staring, i dont want to appear biased and simply giving grand reviews just because they were so kindly sent to me, i also dont want to hide the fact that i am so incredibly lucky to on occasion have a brand i so dearly love want to send them to me in the first place, i want to assure you that i dont accept offers to review clothing or advertise a small business that i dont believe in and truly do/would wear their clothing myself...so there you have it ladies (end of disclaimer).

(Wearing: Stop Staring, Op Shopped Shoes, Vintage Purse & 1940's Gloves)

Stop Staring: Timeless

Not so long ago i did what every vintage loving girl does at one stage in her life and invested in my very first Stop Staring dress, although the majority (i would say 90%) of my clothing is sourced from op shops, online or from vintage boutiques i am sometimes drawn into the vortex of incredibly gorgeous vintage inspired dresses!

And to say Stop Staring dresses are worth every penny is an understatement, you can absolutely notice that they are made with a womans figure in mind because each pleat and tailored waist line fits as if it was measured directly from you! I was so very lucky to be sent a few pieces to feature to you all and to kick of my three part Stop Staring feature i took out the green timeless dress on Sunday!

Possibly one of my favourite colours and come on...the design is too lovely for words, I am absolutely in love with this pretty little number!!

(Wearing: Stop Staring Timeless Dress, Vintage Purse, Vintage Headpiece & Op Shopped Shoes)

Forever New...

Sometimes every vintage loving girl has to step out of her comfort zone and buy something new, i have to buy new shoes because my size 8.5 "large" feet wont fit into the teeny tiny vintage shoes i find all the time..(is it weird that sometimes i buy them even if i dont fit into them?...lets go with no shall we?) i also sometimes buy new jewellery if i cant find what i need at a vintage/op shop i think as nice as it is to dress head to toe vintage a perfect balance of new and old is also just as beautiful, especially when the new has a old world design too.

I saw this set at Forever New when i was buying sparkly flats to match a cute 50's dress (they have the cutest jewellery) and thought it was such a sweet design, my grandmother had a pear shaped set similar to this when she would go out dancing and i had always looked back at her photos and wished she still had them. I have a few vintage necklaces that have the same amount of glitz but sometimes i feel a little stressed wearing them just in case i loose a stone or it drops off my neck mid-dance, so having a new set to wear means i can be a little more carefree and save the more fragile peices for dinners instead of crazy lindy hop!

If your wanting to look at a few of their pieces just follow this link, im off to make another coffee and get stuck into my Tuesday!!

(Wearing: Forever New Laura Petite Stone Necklace & Earring Set, Vintage Dress)

Stoxbox...

I am sure you are all aware but i dont tend to endorse alot of products on this little blog of mine, if i do it is generally because i am in love with it or to support the amazing sponsors i have since i love everything they do anyway! But....when i was approached by Stoxbox to try out their hot diggity product i was pretty chuffed!
I am not the most organised person out there (check that drawer out..) i do have some method to my madness though but when it comes to organising my stockings..well its a drawer of madness! The genious lass behind the design of the Stoxbox would come home with new stockings and keep finding double ups in her drawer! she thought there had to be some way of organising these things! and voila the Stoxbox was born!


They are so simple to use just place the box inside one leg of the stocking & gather together making sure the window is easily accessible near the gusset and the material is stretched over the box evenly.

Then stuff the rest of the stocking in the window! It will end up looking like this.

And so your stocking collection will start to look like this..organised and easily recognisable! I also found that not only can you use the boxes for stockings but hair scarves too, since i usually just jam them in my drawer and scrounge around until i can find the one im looking for the boxes help to get some kind of order happening!

If you are thinking of your top drawer at home and it needs some loving then pop on over to Stoxbox they are also offering a 10% off discount to Vintage Valley readers simply enter the code VINVAL86 at the checkout during the month of August.

Xx