WIN: A Designer "Love" Tee

To celebrate the day of love on February 14th we are launching a special competition where you can WIN a designer "Love Heart" t-shirt by Hungarian Illustrator and Artist Luca Molnar, courtesy of our friends at Miss Future.

To enter visit our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/kookielalavintage 

"LIKE" us and post on our page your all time favourite LOVE SONG.

What gets your knees quivering and your pulses racing? We want to know! 

All entries will be put into a hat the old fashioned way and the person whose name we pull out will be the winner!

One of our personal favourite love songs is "She's like the wind" by Patrick Swayze who sung it in the movie Dirty Dancing... What's yours? 

Tell us your favourite love song now by clicking here 

Competition ends on 29th February 2012

Did you know Etta James?

Written by:
Nadine Blagdon
Leah Charles

Given Etta James’ unconventional start in the world, it was clear that her life would be anything but ordinary. Her music career started when she was just 15 and lasted for over five decades. Through this time James has some epic highs with well known hits such as ‘At Last’, ‘Pushover’ and ‘Something's got a hold on me’. There were also lows in which she triumphed over the adversities of addiction and theft, causing stints in rehab and jail.

Its fair to say the way she lived her life reflected her style, a mixture of diva and rock star. James herself says that her image was created for her by the ‘gay boys’, who told her to take advantage of what used to be called "mulatto" ( her light skinned) complexion by dying her hair bleach blonde. 

Going for Gold

When she asked about also bleaching her eyebrows she said, 

‘Oh no honey, they stay dark, that how the bad girls look’ 

It was this attitude which set the foundations of her style. She was also quoted as saying

 ‘The bad girls were the whores who had the look I liked’ 

Blondes have more fun?

She wanted to stand out and be noticed, she wanted to be unique, glamorous and took inspiration from The Cotton Club chorus girls. With her original ‘scouse brow’ and flamboyant look, some would say she was as noticeable as the most obvious hooker on the street. And she loved it.

Fiery and feisty with always something to say for herself, check out this classic 1978 interview from the Guardian newspaper vaults with Etta James. 

Etta James was a rare and inspirational character, always able to overcome her troubles she went on win six Grammy awards and was included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. James also had a film loosely made of her time at Chess Records portrayed by singer and actress, Beyonce Knowles who he later threatened to give an "ass whipping" for Knowles' portrayal of her most famous song "At Last" at President Obama's Inauguration ball. If you don't believe us, click here to see (and hear) from Etta's own mouth what all the fuss was about! 

Etta impersonation: Beyonce serenades James at Fashion Rocks 2008

Click here to watch Beyonce portraying Etta James in the movie trailers for Cadillac Records

Even if you think you are not that familiar with her music, we can guarantee that you would have heard many of her classic tunes which have been used several times in popular culture, such as this original and unforgettable Diet Coke Break advert from 1996.

Remember this?

Etta James sadly passed away from Leukaemia complications last Friday 20th January 2012.  

Her family decided to allow a public viewing of Ms James laid to rest in the Manchester Chapel at Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary on Friday 27th January 2012 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

A private memorial service is set for today, Saturday 28th January 2012, led by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who also led a memorial service for the late Michael Jackson.

Tributes at Etta James's Hollywood star

Her spirit and soul will live on through music artists who draw inspiration from her effortless and breathtaking voice.

Let's remember Etta James at her very best with one of our favourite songs, "At Last" which we love to listen to at Kookie LaLa HQ (we made this little video as our own tribute to her)

This video includes some great facts and trivia about the Matriarch of Blues and Soul, such as her real name, her very cute nickname and her early years in the music business.... 

How well do YOU know Etta James? Watch our vid to find out!

RIP Ms James.

DECEMBER MADNESS BEGINS!

Its official... we've gone bonkers.. seriously we have!

There are only 24 shopping days until Christmas and to celebrate this Kookie LaLa Boutique have launched December Madness!!

This means EVERY dress on our website is now £30 or LESS!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, you read it correctly.... £30 or LESS...


....ON ALL DRESSES!!!!!

Now there's no excuse not to purchase that dress you've had your eye on for the last couple of weeks since our launch.

Not only do you get your favourite one off designer or vintage dress for less than £30, don't forget that we are also giving you a FREE luxury GlossyBox gift set as our Christmas pressie to you for every order.

New dresses will be added every day. You may be spoilt for choice, however with the party season upon us you surely don't want to be seen wearing the same thing twice?

Check out our official December Madness advert edited by our very own, Pops...

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

The right kind of Vintage

Leah-LaLa and Nancy-Pops are hanging out at Kookie LaLa Boutique HQ, working on a secret mission to bring you a ray of sunshine on a cold winter's day.

There is a rumour going around the office that all dresses on www.kookielala.com are going for
£30 or less?!

Some would call this utter madness..... We call it DECEMBER MADNESS!

Selling Designer AND one-off Vintage dresses for under £30 sounds like a bonkers idea, right?!

Well, keep a close eye on www.kookielala.com over the next few days as you wouldn't want to miss out on getting your hands on that special dress in time for Christmas!!!

In the meantime, here's a lil video by our Pops whose been hard at work pressing all sorts of buttons....

ENJOY!!!

Kookie-Collabs!

Written by: Pops

In the last couple of weeks at Kookie LaLa Boutique we've been busy making friends! I'm here to give you our top 3 friends of the moment and how our new found friendships can benefit YOU! 

1. Miss Future

First up is lovely lady Luca Molnar. We have teamed up with her new brand 'Miss Future' to bring you fresh & quirky t-shirts available from www.kookielala.com This means you can mix and match your favourite tee's with your vintage wardrobe to get a truly individual style from all eras!

Here is a little insight into how Luca works her magic...

you'll find her collection at www.kookielala.com under Designer Exclusives.

2. VJV

Our lovely gift boxes!

Second is beautiful vintage jewellery by VJV. You can find a huge selection of brooches, earrings, necklaces and bracelets from a ton of different eras at www.kookielala.com under Vintage Costume Jewellery. Everything from Kramer to Lisner is available, and each piece comes in it's own box that you wont want to throw away!

Crystal Cluster Earrings

Navette-cut Rhinestone Earrings

Gold-tone Tassle Necklace

3. Glossybox

Excitement was high at Kookie LaLa Boutique HQ last week because we received our Glossyboxes that come free with every order from www.kookielala.com  I couldn't resist opening one of these gorgeous looking boxes and this is what I found...
 

Having excitedly torn apart the cute, spotty outer-box I get down to the nitty gritty..

Handy bit of bumph about the products...

TA-DAH! LOADS OF FREE GIFTS!!! including creams, perfume and nail transfers!

  

 Have a look at all our new friends for yourself at www.kookielala.com

Enjoy...x

My Week with Marilyn: Day 4 - Get the Monroe look, you’d be a bore not to!

To celebrate an icon that is still prevalent during our era, Kookie LaLa

Boutique is celebrating Marilyn Monroe’s signature look and how other women have followed her steps

in changing their image to mark a significant period in their lives.

Marilyn had a timeless quality that epitomised effortless sex appeal which inevitably makes her a popular icon today, sex sells and she did it in the most glamorous relaxed way. Big glamorous hair, perfectly groomed eyebrows and bold statement lips, which in their own right is a classic vintage look. Monroe was admired for a stylish and fashionable appearance that was, and still is achievable today. Although hair, make up and diamonds are girls best friends, no girl is complete without a dazzling hairdo. Marilyn knew how to turn heads with her classic blonde bombshell allure; every girl should claim a crop that makes them stand out even more in a Kookie LaLa Boutique gown!

Actress Michelle Williams dyed her hair to a dark colour for her role in film Wendy and Lucy (2008), but proclaims the real reason for cutting her long tresses is a bit more sentimental than the odd chop and change.

'I cut it for the one straight man who has ever liked short hair and I wear it in memorial of somebody who really loved it.'
- Michelle Williams

The former Dawson’s Creek star changed her hair to recreate Marilyn Monroe’s signature style which hundreds of women have done before. For Williams this was specifically for the purposes of the movie; My Week with Marilyn, whilst various females and superstars have done the same to give themselves a new lease of life including Marilyn Monroe herself.

Marilyn Monroe, (former brunette) grew up in foster care initially struggling with her career as an actress, she heard about a casting requiring a peroxide blonde and jumped to the opportunity head first!

Monroe dramatically changed her career from spraying airplane parts to being a model for The Blue Book Modelling Agency. This process instigated the metamorphosis of Brunette Norma Jeane into a peroxide blonde Marilyn Monroe.

For the ultimate Hollywood star look, four key fashion tips are crucial!! Big eyelashes, RED juicy lips, sensational hair and a lustrous Kookie LaLa Boutique gown!

Catch a few stars that did it Marilyn’s way…

Here's Kelly Osbourne doing a short and sweet Marilyn pose allowing her clothes to do all the talking. Having frills high by the waist line creates curves in the bodes silhouette, one may not naturally have!

In 2009 Kelly ‘O’ copied her fiancés blond crop! Going through heaps of style transformations Kelly went from punky faux pas to model movie star!

Paris Hilton launched her new perfume Tease as Marilyn Monroe strutting the famous blonde hair, red lips and big lashes!

And then there's just some girls who really should NOT have

a blonde moment…!

Controversial star Amy Winehouse did the opposite and traded her black beehive for a blonde mess.

As much as we still love the former singer Amy Winehouse we just can't say the same for this hair-do, blonde hair doesn't suit everyone, but a Marilyn hair style could do the trick!

HIRE Kookie LaLa Boutique

Victoriana Gown by Debut @ Debenhams

Christmas party coming up?? 


Why not hire this Debut at Debenhams Victoriana gown. Prices start from as little as £69 for three days hire.


Get the look at www.kookielala.com

Girl Crush of the week: Dita Von Teese

Dita Von Teese

We love, love, LOVE Dita Von Teese here at Kookie LaLa Boutique!


Here she is sporting a beautiful figure hugging black dress. 


Who's YOUR girl crush?


Get the look at www.kookielala.com

Kookie LaLa Boutique on Colourful Radio

The world of Kookie LaLa Boutique is a busy place, the office is a mixture of postage, packaging, jewellery, glam dresses, photography, lights and SHOES!! So yes it's all systems go and I feel like the luckiest "Press Princess" in town!

With soooo much to look forward to Kookie LaLa Boutique has got quite a bit done, dresses are at the ready and press interviews have been scheduled. Founder of Kookie LaLa Boutique, Leah Charles-King was on the Rosmary Laryea show on Colourful Radio yesterday speaking of our new venture! It was a fantastic interview and a pleasure to be there.

Don’t forget all you fashionista’s out there, Kookie LaLa Boutique is the place to be to get all your vintage, pre-loved & inspired dresses from the forties to noughties

Have a "Marilyn" Christmas!

'Tis the season to be glamorous!!

Ladies... Christmas is almost here, so forget the jeans tucked in the old winter boots and the over flowing jumpers with an archetypal Santa or singing snowman.

Get fabulous, get glamorous, get styled by Kookie LaLa Boutique for your Christmas party.

Here’s a little inspiration by the ladies before us who dressed like it was their last occasion, any time of the day, any time of the night!

www.kookielala.com has beautiful gowns and fashion ideas that will keep you looking glam all year round!

Get the look: Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn in that infamous outfit

Team a round neck black dress with a cluster of pearls and instantly glam up your entire outfit. 


Less is more so only ONE pearl earring on each ear is more than enough with a choker like this. Check out www.kookielala.com to create this style.

Free Delivery at Kookie LaLa Boutique

WE ARE CELEBRATING the launch of  www.kookielala.com and are offering all fashionistas out there a 15% off introductory offer. To top it off, you get a FREE luxury GlossyBox with each order, plus FREE standard delivery on all orders over £150!!!

We totes spoil you!!!

My Week With Marilyn Day 3: Be Your Own Inspiration!

Written by Pops
Contribution: Press Princess Amica

These days, shopping around to find something to wear for the illustrious ‘girls night out’ can seem like more of a daunting task than actually making an entire dress yourself! 

High street shops are changing trends by the week and it can leave you wondering what’s in and what’s out!? What’s old and what’s new?! And, am I going to be laughed out the club in this hideous attire…?!!

“I don’t mind making jokes, but I don’t wanna look like one”  

- Marilyn Monroe

I couldn't agree with Marilyn more! 

Here at Kookie LaLa Boutique we love trends from ANYTIME so if it looks good, wear it! 

Every design, fabric and cut from the clothes you see in the high street today have been inspired from a by-gone era, and it’s our job to put it all together. 

Now, not everyone get its right the first time…

Jordan aka Katie Price

But with a bit of help...

Actress & Musician, Grace Jones

You can find a style that works for you…

Rapper, Lil Kim

And if you can’t…

Lady Gaga

Be inspired by someone else!

Ms Monroe

Marilyn Monroe (unlike some others) has gone down in history as the ultimate Hollywood style icon, but who was her inspiration?


Perhaps she was an inspiration to herself?

"Everyone is a Star and deserves the right to Shine!"

- Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn sparkles...

If this is the case, why can’t we be inspired by ourselves!?

Mix and match trends from every era... high street and high end; old with the new.

Try it out for yourself at www.kookielala.com