Countdown to Christmas

True to form, December has been a very busy month!

Still found time to put the Christmas tree up though!

It was strange coming back to Burlesque after such a long time away - I wasn't even sure I'd remember how to do it! I mean, sure, I know how to take my bra off, I still do it most days; but in time to music, one handed, holding a pair of feather fans, while people watch... hmmm...

  

With the gorgeous Sasha Flexy ** Mirror Picture! With Missy Fatale and Veronica Blacklace

But, while much has changed (and maybe that's a subject for another blog?), some things haven't changed, and one of those things is how welcoming the cabaret world is. I've had Facebook messages from people welcoming me back, and glitter-covered hugs at backstage reunions; I've reconnected with some of the best people on the planet, and met new (to me) performers who are simply wonderful.

 

Backstage with Ruby Deshabille and Adama (I'm obviously just happy to be here...) ** Outside Proud Cabaret with some of the best people...

I have to admit I was a bit scared to come back; would anyone remember me? Would I get booked? Will audiences tastes have changed and no one would like me? But I needn't have worried, and now I wonder why I left it so long! I had my reasons for stepping away, and I have my reasons for coming back. But I also had reasons why I dithered for a time while I considered it, and I'm so glad I made the decision.

Back in the land of London Cabaret

So, here's to a fabulous Christmas, a wonderful New Year, and a packed 2018.

Bring on the bubbly wine!

Round Up!

Last year I wrote a round-up of 2012, and since we're at the end of 2013, I've been looking back at this year which has gone far too quickly for my liking!

I've kept up this blog for another whole year, and want to say thank you to everyone who has posed for mirror pictures, selfies and candid shots and let me put them up here! Without random backstage shenanigans this whole thing would be pretty boring!

January

 

One of the highlights of the month was the Big Burlesque Tea Party that ended in piano-based carnage at The Coach and Horses in Soho. I saw out 2012 in style with House of Burlesque and greeted 2013 with plenty of lovely shows during what is usually a quiet, boring month!

February

 

This month I travelled back to my home-town for a show which gave me the chance to hang out with my besties, Jade and Hayley! I had a handful of lovely shows in London and went out for brunch... a lot...

March

 

March was pretty quiet but highlights included performing at a private birthday party with some lovely performer friends, and I achieved one of my New Years Resolutions to go horse-riding!

April

 

 

April was a packed and wonderful month! Highlights included 'The Absolute Bankers' performing at Proud Cabaret, The Burlesque Show tour to Scotland, performing at Kinky and Quirky, one of the best shows in the UK, and a Burlesque night out on a private tour of the Tower Of London!

May

 

My favourite show this month was a private party with Ministry of Burlesque in a glorious marquee with a stellar cast

And I went back to brunette!! Bye bye blondie!

June

*Obviously* the highlight of the month was my birthday, which included a trip to the gorgeous Carters Steam Fair, The Tower Of London and The Royal Albert Hall!

July

 

July saw the beginnings of the bonkers adventure that has become Burlesque On Ice! We also had a heat wave, I hosted a show for the first time and performed all over the country!

August

 

During August, the heat wave continued, skating lessons began in earnest, I travelled up and down the country again, and I opened an Etsy shop!

September

During this packed month the Cabaret community came together again for Cabariot 2, I continued to run around like a blue-bottomed fly, and welcomed the beginnings of Autumn with some slightly cooler weather!

October

 

A funny month of two insanely busy weeks and two completely dead weeks! However I performed in a gorgeous Speigeltent with Lili La Scala, and *finally* got the hang of ice-skating, after how many months!

November

 

 

An exceptionally busy month which apparently included a holiday to Italy, though I didn't particularly feel as though I had a break as I also modelled for Kiss Me Deadly, performed for the fabulous Chrystal Cabaret at the Hippodrome Casino and joined Burlesque On Ice for the opening of Westfield Ice Rink! I  was also honoured to join the cast of the amazing Simon Drake's House of Magic as a magicians assistant! Phew....

December

Yes, December's been busy. Yes, there have been lots of shows, shoots, promo activities and various shenanigans. But you know what? The highlight of December is, and always will be, putting the Christmas tree up.

It's been a year of ups and downs, as so many of our years are. But I'm honoured to be doing a job I love, living in a city I love and having amazing friends around me all the time. So thank you to everyone who has made this year, and every year, so wonderful; and here's to a spectacular 2014!
xx

'Tis The Season...

It's definitely the countdown to Christmas and the seasonal corporates have been out in full force this week at the shows I've been performing at - thankfully I've been surrounded with lovely people which has made the week bearable, and we put up our Christmas decorations so the house looks amazing and cozy!

We win at Christmas!

Actually, to be honest, the office parties aren't always awful: when people have never seen burlesque or cabaret before they either love it and are incredibly excitable, or they hate it and can become, at best, bored; at their worst they become hostile and rude. I've had all sorts this week, and coupled with late finishes and early starts, it's been rather hectic.

Mirror Picture! At Proud Cabaret with Vicious Delicious, Chi Chi Revolver, Taz Zebrowski, Leah Debrincat, Missy Fatale and Friedrich the Snake (though I *always* get the spelling of the name wrong!)!

Mirror Picture! At House of Magic with Chris Harding, David Crofts and Abigail Drake!

 

What's in a showgirls suitcase?

Once again, this week saw an impossibly early start to head to Westfield with Burlesque On Ice - this is definitely becoming a feature of my life at the moment! We were sporting some rather fetching Christmas jumpers and dancing with Arlene Phillips at a record-breaking fundraising event for Save The Children and had a bit of a bonkers morning dancing on ice!

With Arlene Phillips

Loving life!

Whatever Trixie is doing behind me, I'm clearly enjoying it!

With Bonnie Fleur and Trixie Kixx

"..too saucy for Save the Children!" direct quote!

We were on BBC News (blink and you'll miss Sam and I!)

And in the London Evening Standard!

I even found time to start my Christmas shopping! Naturally I had to pick up a few treats for myself as well...

Kiss Me Deadly beauties...