Many of you will recall I wrote a post about entering the Miss Twinwood competition a few weeks back. This was something that was out of my comfort zone, but I had added it to my ‘fifty things to do before I hit fifty’ challenge.

Several of my really good friends had egged me on to do it and so last month I found myself entering a photograph and bio about myself to the competition.

The beginning of April hit and the contestants were all uploaded to the Twinwood page on Facebook.

And there, amongst a group of 78 other women was my photograph. Well, I was as pleased as punch, I can tell you.

2nd year at Twinwood

Now, the next step is to get through to the second round.

In order to do that, I need to be in the top 30 people with the most likes on their photograph. Currently I am in third place overall, so I am hoping that unless the wheels really fall of the wagon and I spiral downwards, losing more likes than I can gain, I *should* hit the top 30 target.

2nd Year at Twinwood

I cannot be complacent though. There are still 3 weeks of voting to go and I desperately want to get through to the top 30, with the aim of hitting the top 10 spot for the Final in August.

So. why do I want to do this so badly?

Well, I want to represent all the plus size, older ladies out there that are flaunting their vintage wonderfulness along with everyone else.

It is no secret that it is tricky (if not impossible) to get original vintage clothing in a size 22 and above. I should know, I researched it for Vintage Life Magazine!

Twinwood 2018

The clothing is just not out there, so we plus size ladies resort to reproduction or items made to vintage designs and patterns. For the purists, this just isn’t good enough.

And in many ways I totally agree and appreciate the opinions. But for ladies like me, we don’t have a lot of choice.

So, my dress may be repro/made to measure. My shoes may be Rocket Originals. But my heart and soul is pure vintage.

I have never been as happy as when I started my journey into the Vintage world.

Oranges and Lemons…

My style has changed from late 50’s full skirts to early 50’s to now being enamored with the 40’s look.

But it isn’t easy.

Sure, I have the hats and bags and gloves. But for many that isn’t good enough.

And this is what I why I want to have a chance to parade to the gathered crowds at Twinwood. That heart and soul counts for so much more than having the perfect wardrobe.

With The Divine Miss Em!

If I had my way, I would wear true vintage 24/7. But it just is impossible to find the amount and quality to enable us larger ladies to do so.

So, in the meantime I wear what I can get, mixed in with true vintage accessories.

And you know what?

I love it. I feel on top of the world. It is my ‘Happy Place’

I guess that is what I am trying to convey, and what I want to present to the Twinwood Crowd and Judges.

I am proud to say that I have actually managed to get through the first round!

79 wonderful ladies had to be whittled down to just 30. Based on the likes received on their photographs. I was absolutely gobsmacked to rank in 4th place with 578 votes!!!

I now have to hope that the judges like what I look like and what I wrote in order to get through to the Final 10. Please keep your fingers crossed for me?

It really does mean the World to me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Txx