Dames of Distinction - a Vintage-style Lingerie Boutique & Beauty Salon

It was a few weeks ago now that Jacinta and Margeaux opened their shop Dames of Distinction in the wonderful Art Deco building, Mitchell House in Melbourne.  It really has been a labour of love for them both, sourcing a great venue, furnishing it and stocking it with all sorts of delights ready for their customers.

They really have done a wonderful job turning this space into something special and a delight to visit.

So what is Dames of Distinction exactly? Well it's made up of two spaces: a Vintage-style Lingerie Boutique & Beauty Salon.  

The Lingerie Boutique is run by Jacinta who has had an online lingerie boutique for the past year and a half, she now stocks What Katie Did, Rago and a carefully selected range of vintage lingerie. (she still has an online presence with Betty and Ginger if you are not able to visit her bricks and mortar shop).

The Beauty Salon in the back room has hair styling and makeup services by Margeaux who has been styling and creating wonderful vintage looks for 5 years. Wouldn't you love to sit under that pale pink hairdryer and wile away an afternoon of being made over for a special event or just have your hair set for the week.

Dames of Distinction is a wonderful space, run by two wonderful ladies who have a wealth of knowledge to share with all those who either know what they want or for those who are not quite sure what they need or what would suit them. 

Oh and I just happened to purchase a little something for myself on my last visit, how could I not?

For all their contact details, shop opening times and price list you can visit their website or I've popped a few details down here for quick reference: 

Mitchell House

Level 1, 358 Londsdale Street

Melbourne 3000

Tuesday - Friday 11am-4pm

Saturday 10am - 3pm

telephone: (03) 9640 0555

Dames soiree and discount day is taking place on the 26th October (Saturday) between 12 and 3pm. Maybe see you there for some pimms?


*The wonderful branding of Dames of Distinction was created by the talented Rebecca Hayes

Naaahh it didn't last

I couldn't deal with more hair on one side of my head than the other. Asymmetry just isn't something I am comfortable with at the moment.

Back from holiday

I went on holiday to Queensland to visit my parents and brother (who was also visiting from Dubai) last week. The weather was a glorious 21 degrees and sunny everyday.



On our return to Melbourne it was raining and 10 degrees and has not changed all week. I wouldn't say it was a relaxing holiday, especially with a 2 and a half year old but Mr Ed and I managed to get away twice for a coffee and see friends.

Oh and this lovely little cup is just so cute with its little umbrella lid and tea infuser. Many cups of liquorice tea have been consumed today.



A slight change in hair style, it is going to take a while to grow out my fringe but I need a change. I seem to attempt a change in hair styles every couple of years and then revert back to my old trusty fringe and bob. We'll see how long it lasts.



Tea cup: Otogicco

Aquatic birthday and pin curls

The weather didn't let up so we went to the Aquarium for Little Miss A's birthday. It was fun, I especially loved the penguins in and out of the water and the stingrays - so graceful flying in the water.


Our sad little tomatoes in the background are finally turning red! Who cares if it has dropped most of it's leaves, it's our little naked tomato plant.

However as you can see from these photos this afternoon the sky cleared and the sun came out for the first time in a week.



So the pin curls turned out ok, a little frizzy as I pinned them a little tight but they did me well during the humid weather today.



Sunday is Little Miss A's party, so I'm chained to the kitchen making chocolate crackles, jelly moulds and a butterfly birthday cake (our oven is pretty terrible so it maybe a flat butterfly). But really I'm looking forward to it.

Top: Genki
Cardigan: Temt
Skirt: Vintage Garage
Shoes: Target

Pin curls

It is Little Miss A's second birthday tomorrow so we will be out all day either Melbourne Zoo (if the weather clears) or the Aquarium (if it stays like it has been for the past week).

I need to colour my hair again tonight and to try and tame this frizz of hair I have developed in the humid weather I am going to try and pin curl my hair overnight.

This was taken before the humid weather, hence the dead straight hair.

Wish me luck.

Humidity, heat, insects and floods

Humidity is my hair's enemy, it frizzes and flicks and well I just give up, pin it back and forget about it.

The weather in Melbourne has become so inclement that you can't walk very far before you begin to sweat uncontrollably and want to have a shower every hour. That might just be my intolerance of this weather but I really don't enjoy it.

This moaning however is really quite shallow when I see footage on the news of my home town Brisbane flooding, the worst flooding since 1974 (or even worse). The Brisbane river which runs right through the city has burst its banks and friends are keeping an eye on the levels in case they have to evacuate.

It is such an odd feeling seeing a city you are so familiar with and see the streets that you know so well in such danger of being devastated. I hope people stay safe and it stops raining!!!!

This song just reminds me of Brisbane, a wonderful song and a brilliant band.

To lighten the mood this little praying mantis made its way into our kitchen, he didn't like the wet weather much either. He's lucky he doesn't have my hair!

Tiki and hair dye terror

On the weekend there was a huge warehouse sale held by a Melbourne retro/vintage shop called Retro Star. Everything was $5 and $10!!! Needless to say I was there early on the first day and had another peep on the Sunday after the crowds had died down.



I purchased only 2 items for myself (I have learnt become very restrained when it comes to vintage as I look very carefully at the condition and some of the dresses were in poor condition with cigarette butt burns and rust stains), and 2 cowboy shirts for Mr Ed.

This dress was my favourite and in perfect condition, with every sequin in place!



I'm not a huge fan of Tiki design but this has a certain charm and muted palate.

And these shoes were a surprise, my size exactly and recently reheeled cuban heel dance shoes. Who would have thought I would have 2 pair of heels in my cupboard?

I can't wait for the next sale in 6 months - look out youngen's.

Oh and you might notice my hair colour has changed. This is supposed to be medium brown!!! Now this doesn't look like medium brown to me, more like ... almost black! Oh well I will just have to wait for it to grow out, I am getting used to it...slowly.

Dress: Retro Star (Label: Erika Dress)

Cardigan: Temt

Shoes: Retro Star

Belt: Oasis

Brooch: Borders (yeah really!)

Bad hair day

I am trying not to wash my hair everyday, I have become a little obsessive about it but it really isn't good for my hair as I blow-dry it and straighten it and really it takes too long. But on the odd days I don't wash my hair I feel pretty yucky; it doesn't do what I want it to do and goes a little boofy.

But when I put this dress on I feel a little better. I bought it from Cassie's Attic Ebay shop and did a few alterations, nothing major, just changed the buttons from tan to blue and on the pockets added some lovely buttons I got as a gift.

Now the day doesn't look so bad, and hey! The sun is shining and Little Miss A goes to playgroup this afternoon so I'm going to be sewing that dress I mentioned.

Dress: Cassie's Attic (label: Altogether)

Buttons: Liberty

Shoes: Kmart