The Miss Uptown Whittier Vintage Pageant

Well this is a long overdue post, but It's also one that will inform you of an upcoming venture!

Back in Fall 2011 I was notified by my friend and first ever crowned Miss Uptown Whittier, Ariana that they would be crowning again and she would really love to pass that crown onto me!

Well just who or what is Miss Uptown? Miss Uptown represents the historic little town-like district in the city of Whittier, California. She encompasses what Uptowns friendliness, charm, history and everything Uptown has to offer. Plus it's a Vintage Pageant, held like a fashion show of sorts where you show off your 1950's ensemble and trivia and it's held during the Uptown Antique Fair! A retro pageant that's all about preserving history and fun events? Sign me up! I love Uptown, I shop there, hangout there and I have family that lives there so I thought, why not?

The 2nd Annual Miss Uptown Whittier Contest 2011

Voila! This is what I looked like for my first ever pageant! I decided to go for an early 1950's, late 1940's look. I'm wearing a royal blue taffeta vintage dress that I bought from the shop Valerie's Boulevard, which was located in Whittier near Uptown until about a year ago. My hat that is one of my most favorites that I own came from the shop The Basement, located in Uptown. However I now think it's closed. I paired it with black gloves, backseam stockings and bumper bangs with a snood.

Here I am before the pageant at the pre shoot with my friend Ruby, she also participated in the pageant and she wears a lovely royal blue chiffon dress from Valerie's Boulevard.

Here I am with my very lovely, amazing and talented friend Ariana Rodriguez the first Miss Uptown Whittier. Isn't she just stunning! She designed and made her gown for the event. We actually met earlier that year, when we worked together at ReVamp and hit it off!

Here I am answering some questions

Pageant ladies strutting around

Posing for the crowd

 A group shot of us with Miss Whittier, Miss Teen Whittier, Miss Uptown Whittier & Martha (owner of King Richards Antique Mall in Whittier and organizer of the pageant)

 

And there they are the winners of the 2nd Annaul Miss Uptown! Miss Uptown Robin Rodriguez, 2nd place Crystal Salene and 3rd place Dottie Deville.

Miss Uptown 2011! Isn't she a doll! Such a pretty little lady and she's very sweet too. She's also a burlesque dancer and pinup model  better known as Sirena Siren.

Here they are Miss Uptown 2010 & 2011

I didn't win, but it was a fun and cool experience and I made new friends, plus that didn't stop me from doing it again!

(all photos by. Angel Rivera)

The 3rd Annual Miss Uptown Whittier Contest 2012

Yup last year I decided to give a go again, what the hell! Why not? Here I am at the 2012 contest pictured with my lovely friends and amazing ladies Robin, Miss Uptown 2011 & Ariana, Miss Uptown 2010.

 I wore my own 1940's novelty print rayon vintage dress that I bought at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender that year. I paired it with one of my favorite pair of shoes, my platform peep toe teal patent leather heels! The fascinator I'm wearing I made myself and I used vintage birdcage netting that was 70 yrs old!

Here is the 2012 lineup and I'm not the only one who decided to do it again, last years runner up decided to participate too!

I love this shot! It looks like something straight out of something like Life magazine!

And what do you know I placed in 2nd! Yay!

Here we are! And look last year's runner up Crystal, is the 2012 Miss Uptown!

Cool photo by Fashion Industry and Miss Uptown photographer Roberto Chavez

A group shot of all us ladies

Check it out we made the paper!

(all photos by. Angel Rivera, unless stated)

It was a great event and I couldn't believe I placed in 2nd! Well that time of year is here again and I've had a lot on my plate recently and I hesitated at the thought of participating again...but you know what they say "3rd times a charm"! So catch me at the 2013 Miss Uptown Contest and Fall Antique Faire!

See you there & Wish me luck!!

Ink N' Iron 2011 & 2012

Ugh I've been trying to get this post up all month! I've been having major computer, technical difficulties. Well I can't remember If I even posted about Ink n' Iron 2011! I know I didn't post about 2012, so I might as well post about them both! Last year I got to experience Ink N' Iron all three days, versus the one day I had attended in 2011. I was pretty much working the whole time well I helped my friend vend vintage clothing. I met new people, made new friends and bumped into familiar faces. All in all I had a great time hanging out, seeing some great bands and all the attractions! Being that Ink N' Iron 2013 was held earlier this  month I was thrilled to find out that one of my all time favorite performers Punk legends, Iggy and The Stooges are playing! I've always wanted to see Iggy Pop since I was a teenager and I vowed I'd go, though I'm wasn't working the festival this year. However due to buying up concert and event tickets lately I'm a little short on spending funds, so I didn't make it out this year (soo sad!). I also wish that some of Friday's performers would be performing on Saturday night (like Wanda Jackson, The Growlers, Tijuana Panthers). To be honest this years lineup is not that exciting in my opinion, I did notice that there seems to  be a 1960's theme with some of the performers this year. A lot of bands have that retro, soul, garage, lo-fi sound going on which is interesting for Ink N' Iron. Though I do enjoy those type of genres when I go to Ink I want to hear some good ol' Psychobilly! A lovely gentleman who I met at last years Ink N' Iron told me that the show promoters are trying to cater to a more "Alternative" crowd, therefore adding bands that you wouldn't typically see playing the festival in previous years. But the times are a changing and sometimes change can kind of be a good thing. So here are some photos of both my 2011 & 2012 Ink N' Iron experiences. Enjoy!

2011

Here I am with Jerome singer of the psychobilly band Batmobile!

Batmobile on stage

Pin Up Contestants 

Here I am with my friend Gabriela Hernandez Owner and Creator of the amazing repro vintage inspired makeup line Besame 

Unexpected Twinsies! Haha Here I am with my friend Justine, she's currently filming her documentary about women in the Vintage Scene, titled "Vintage Vixens" 

I don't remember this fella's name, but I thought he was the best dressed guy here at the festival. 
The crowd is much different,but similar though it's no Viva. So yay for his spiffiness!

I don't remember this gals name either, but I thought she had such a cute little outfit and check out that cool mini double tier parasol! I want one!! 
~~~~~~~~~
2012

Here is my friend's booth, Got Vintage.  We're set up and ready to sell! It was the first time Ink N' Iron decided to have vintage vendors, though it was new we didn't get much traffic. But we did make sales and met new people too! I had a lot of fun vending, it made me think about going into sales. 

Here I am with one of my favorite ladies, the lovely Amanda Lee! 
She's such a beauty in person and totally sweet!

Here  I am with my lovely friend Gloria and fellow blogging buddy. Her and her gal pals came all the way from Las Vegas to check out the festival, they weren't expecting such a casual crowd. If only every festival were Viva, haha

Some of the afternoon crowd

Cool a giant Tecate can!

 I believe this gentleman's name is Jason. I thought he certainly looked very spiffy for Ink N Iron! 
Yay for dressing pre post war! haha 

During my break I decided to do a little dancing with my friend Jason, because no one jives at Ink N Iron haha

Aren't they the cutest and fabulously dressed couple you've seen! I had to take a pic! This is Heather and (I think) Paul, they came from Northern California for their first Ink N Iron. I complimented them on their great garb, they too expected it to be like Viva. I actually spotted them this year at Viva, but I didn't get a chance to speak to them.

A sword swallower at the Pleasure Portal

Whoa! Work that Pole!

I loved this womans burlesque performance! She was so lovely and it was so 1920's-esque! I completely forgot her name (as of right now), but ever since I saw her consider me a fan.

Magician Christopher Wonder and his Chicken! He was a hoot and put on a great performance!

Ooohh

Such a classic and tantalizing burlesque act!

What a sunset!

Fire Dancer

Tight Rope Walker

Ready to watch the band!

She Wants Revenge!

Some cars out on the lawn

Someone's gone and lost their weave!

That's my friend Jason right in the middle! Haha go Jason go!

This cute little lady was one of our customers the previous day. She bought this awesome two piece vintage 1970's set and she wore the top out the next day! Awesome!

"High Heels coming back in fashion.. High Heels walk over me.."
(Demented Are Go- High Heels)

Such a beauty! I'm loving that Cherry Red, can I get lipstick and nail polish in that shade?

Another shot of lovely and fabulously dressed couple Heather & Paul

Here I am with my lovely friend Ariana! Fashion Designer, Pinup Model and first ever Miss Uptown Whittier!

(all photos by Angel Rivera)