Ramblings of a Model, Mother and Outspoken Weirdo

February actually feels like a million moons ago, a bus crashed into me at the end of January and I feel like my whole life has gone topsy turvy!

On the last day of January I did a shoot with the lovely Pete Copeland, I haven't shot with him for a couple of years. Last time our shoot was extremely stressful, it took months to arrange, this time again arranging the shoot was a nightmare and I think it reflected how I modelled. Still there were some nice ones and the shoot was worthwhile. He's a super nice chap, I just don't think we've got our best work yet!


I got to do a lovely shoot with two dynamite gals Janine Hocking and Metamorphic Unique Art. It was elements project and I got to be 'Earth' and our shoot was first. I was absolutely caked in all sorts and I got to be a very special kind of 'Ugly Pretty'! I think it's probably one of my favourite shoots to date, even though it took three showers to come off. Out of the four elements too, I kinda like mine the best, which makes me sound like a bit of a douche, but normally I am always looking for ways to favour other people over myself. I like the make up, and it was just one of those shoot where absolutely everyone fell into place just right.

It was a year full of ups and downs. Had quite a lot of work stress which meant that I haven't got to shoot as much as I would of liked. I work weekends now which I thought would cause issue but I have got more shoots booked up to February than I ever have!

Here are a few lessons I learned from shooting in 2013

1. I enjoy cosplay shoots!

I have always loved to dress up I just didn't realise quite how much. I clocked up quite a few cosplay shoots last year ranging from Disney, to Scooby Doo, Superheroes, Dexter! I had so much fun doing it. I also went to a convention as April O'Neil and loads of people commented on how cool my costume was. I'm such a geek at heart, I'm kinda rubbish at computer games thought unfortunately, but this gives me an outlet for my geekery. I'm going to share my image with Graham Kenneth Short in this blog, it took quite a bit of planning and he is such an epic photoshop whiz that this image packs a real punch. I'm looking to work with him again for a Psylocke shot next month!


2. Sometimes shoot arranged a day in advance are the best

In November I got a random message from Richard Hanley, photographer who just lives round the corner in Delaval. He basically asked if the weather was ok could we shoot the next day. I said yes, we didn't travel far maybe just a couple of miles down the road, we shot for maybe half an hour tops, most of which was catching up and putting the world to rights and I was really happy with how the pics turned out. Sometimes you can plan and plan and plan and shoots just don't work but sometimes you do it on the fly and it just clicks.




I think it's fair to say I have made two extremely firm photographer friends. Meg from Spellbound Imagery and Shepy of Richard Shepherd Photography are always there to pick me up when I am down, talk through ideas, make me feel better about myself and not only this but they are both extremely talented photographers. I have had a crazy 3 or 4 years and they have been with me through the duration. I never tire of shooting with them and spending time with them.
Image one by Spellbound Imagery. Image two by Richard Shepherd.



6. My body isn't too bad!

I am 27 with two kids. I really need to stop comparing myself to those who are almost ten years younger than me who don't have a single stretch mark on their ridiculous hot bods. I don't over indulge, I exercise a bit. I get what I pay for. I don't feel sick when I look in the mirror (unless I'm completely naked)! Image by Spellbound Imagery.


7. I should work with more models

This kinda ties in with the one above. One of the reasons I don't work with other people is my own insecurity. After shooting in the summer with Scott Henderson, modeling with Fifi Galore and Anastacia Taline it was such a blast. I had such a giggle, I think it taught me a valuable lesson with regards to being threatened by other women. It should be more of a sisterhood!
Image by Scott Henderson


8. Work with new people.

One of my favourite shoots this year was with a lovely young Hartlepool chap called Michael J Smalley. No one I'd know had worked with him but I contacted him on Purple port and it ended up giving me some of my favourite images from this year. I looked young, fresh and happy and he photographed my movement perfectly.
Image by Michael J Smalley


9. I still love latex.

Although I haven't modelled as much of it this year. I've had some cosplay pieces and a few bits from here and there. Fave companies are still Catalyst Latex, Fetasia Latex and Violaceous Latex. I'm not sure whether I'm getting a bit long in the tooth for it all though! Got to grow up sometime, maybe 2015!
Image by Richard Shepherd


10. I should blog more!

I used to blog every shoot I did but this stopped when I started working full time. I'm attempting to do one shoot per week this year (on average) so I'm going to try and blog at least once a month. Even if I blog a months shoots in one go.

Thank you so much for reading (if you got this far!)
Final Image by Stu Glen (one of the most talented photographers I've ever worked with)

So I did a second shoot with Gregg and Sam of Wicked Heart Photography back end of last year, I am just so far behind in my blogs that it isn't even funny. I took only latex, so the only thing we shot was latex, at the lovely Mayfield Studio. My personal fave studio in Newcastle, also the most central one. I'm having the pleasure of shooting there with Hannah Todd at the weekend :)

I got through 3 outfits for this shoot firstly my wee black and gold set, which I have worn for a few shoots before. I don't generally feel comfortable just in my undies especially with any part of my tummy on show but Sam and Gregg always make sure you're comfortable and always make you feel good about yourself. I feel so hot it was stupid honestly! This is my fave shot from my first outfit, because they compliment their models so much it gives you the extra push to perform extra hard and this is what I got.

Well, it feels long ago now! Even though it was only a couple of weeks!

My last performance was on the 29th of December at the Blackfriar's Ballroom for Gully Sutherland's Emporium of Extraordinary Entertainment. I had an amazing time, a chance to hang out with some friends and make some new ones. Folks like Alfie Joey and Mirabelle Blush, were particularly lovely to me! It was just an amazing evening, with a lovely warm atmosphere, the lady responsible for the fab event is Miss Daisy Stays!

I performed two acts. I was very excited about debuting my Winter Wonderland act, my costume had been a bit of a pain in the tushie because of the mega snow we experienced in the run up to Christmas, I didn't really get what I wanted but I still got some cute images by Jazzy Lemon of me in action. I depended on the High St, with my costume being mostly from Topshop and H&M. It was literally the most fun I could have with fake snow. Quite sad that I probably won't get to perform this act again until next year. Boo!

I also performed my 'I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair' act, I should probably work on a slightly more catchy title for it! I really like to get use out of my Revamp Sailor outfit as it was one of my 21st Century Pin Up prizes and it was that which kicked all my burlesque ambition into gear.

Last night was the debut of my Tequila act at The Shadow Gallery, Sunderland, I was pretty nervous about it but it all came good in the end. The idea behind my act was a Mexican housewife who gradually gets a bit tipsy on tequila. I wore my Viv of Holloway frock and a stunning apron made by my friend Cat who has just opened her etsy shop.

I did my act to the song Tequila by Terrorvision and my lingerie was from my personal favourite Lilly Wiggler, you must check this website out absolutely idea for original costumes. I got an amazing tweed and cord set from there. Also had another pair of latex hot pants and my self customised Daisy Stays corset. My hair flower was from the lovely Miss Sweets Boutique highly recommend visiting Miss Sweet if you are after custom too she is a diamond!

I foolishly thought I would not get drunk drinking 4 tequila shots in 3 minutes I was kinda wrong, however after some cokes, a lift and some fresh air I was right as rain and no hangover this morning.

Here is my favourite photo of act taken by the lovely Nicholas Smith


My next performance will be on the 27th of November 2010 at La Maison de Peche, Peoples Theatre Arts Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Another brand new act which its a lot more slower paced and I am quite nervous about!

I have a weird love/hate relationship with my home, it's the right sort of size for me and the kiddywinks. Nice high ceilings, inoffensive carpet, (half) double glazed, recently installed kitchen and bathroom. Like me it is far from perfect, the floor bounces, it doesn't retain heat it's on a main road and my bedroom is teeny tiny. The floor is so bouncy that I can't have the washing machine on when I have dishes on the draining board. It does sort of feel like home, I have never felt at home anywhere, never really felt settled, which is why every six months I get this toe curling desire to leave or move start again. For the moment it's home, the kids like it and it's close to their school.

Anyway I did a shoot in my place and it came out a bit like this..

Also saw my boyfriend for a few days was all very pleasant, meant to do a shoot together but got cancelled due to weather, we don't get many pictures of us together which is darn shame because we so rarely get to see each other putting pictures up all over my dumbass flat is the main way I can keep focused on what is worthwhile in the relationship when I find it pretty difficult a lot of the time. Nick took some class photos of squiggles (aka squirrels) and also this funky image of me walking through a tunnel.

I also adore this abstracty piece by my babe called Alpha's Light, I won't explain the reason behind the title it's probably better to remain a mystery, definitely one of my favourite images by Nick. It makes me smile and gives me a warm fuzzy feeling in my tummy. You should also swing by his blog and follow his ramblings too.

Bloody hate the 30th of September! It and New Years Day are my least favourite days of the year, reminders of one of the most horrid and traumatic times in my life. Sure you're probably thinking "Yeah did you break a nail or somefink" no it wasn't like that I am not going to lay all my cards on the table but just take my word for it when I say it was crap. It is worse this year too. One good thing being celebrated today is the anniversary of my ickle cousin Jenny and her boyfriend LeeLee I think only half of that is his real name.

I recently did a nude shoot outdoors and if I am honest I wasn't too keen on the images, I don't like I look comfortable, I dislike my naked body and it just didn't do it for me personally. This was the best shot of the lot, I actually look confident I would be inclined to go so far as to say sexy.

.......a 21st Century love story brought to you by Myspace and Facebook....

A couple of weekends ago me and my loverman, Nicholas Gray attended SuperGay 2010, I had an amazing time, firstly it was kinda nice to watch Nick shooting an event the only other time I have done it was at a burlesque evening and I was the ragged side of tipsy. Supergay was an great experience of colour, soooo bad it was good music and it just had a really fab atmosphere. I really hope I am able to attend next year, you can check out Nick's images of this event on his Flickr. Oooh in fact while you are there have a goosey at his Tattoo Jam pics and see if you can spot divine model Loula Cherry!

as my mother would say!

Last weekend (Fri the 20th of November) I went out with my friend with the intention of being a lady and remaining sober surprisingly after drinking a bottle of wine, two cocktails followed by another glass of wine I got a little bit rat arsed. However I wear a super cute little outfit my Able Grable Floral Scarlet Street blouse with some HeyDay high waisted trousers and got plenty of compliments from both ladies and gents.

Getting very lazy with my blog! How naughty of me, think I am probably going to have to change my address for it anyway, TrixyDee is making me feel sick whenever I see it now.

I got a couple of sets of pics in the last week or so, the first ones are from the gorgeous little Yvette Bessels, who did a shoot with me in Banana Studios in Byker (yep as in Grove) this place is fab and very accomodating, they gave us two HUGE bags of fake snow to play with. I took my gorgeous friend Ellen along for some Christmassy fun too. Here are two of my favourite pics from the shoot.


I also had a freezing cold shoot in the woods yesterday! It was so much fun and Sarah Chappell is such a lovely gal, fab and easy to talk to. I hope she didn't mind me dragging her up hills on a cold, wet, freezing day especially when she is in the family way. Not sure which pic is my fave yet but here is one of me looking friggin' nails! If your interested I am wearing the ever so elegantly named 'Danielle' corset but the wonderful Madame Le Strange - You need one

Just a couple of piccies from my latest shoot with Greg Sanders, you know the one, I have mentioned him once or twice before. Lovely bloke and sterling friend to both me and my husband. Cakes provided by Loopy's Cupcakes. If you are on facebook, I'd love to see you become a fan of little ol' me there too!


The second pic is very me! It sums me up in a picture! Girly, cake loving, laughing nutter! Don't have much to say already falling behind with my Uni, having a mad catch up night tonight.

Aww had a fab day, the kids went to a party and got all dressed up! I went as a pirate but my husband takes rubbish photos!

I have never been told I look like anyone before, MissMatilda's recent look-a-likey discovery has prompted me to blog about a likeness she noticed after my AbleGrable pics were taken. I have a kind of a weird face. Massive bonky eyes completely different sizes, a Chris Eubank nose and huge fat lips. Until I got boobies my nickname was JoobJoobs based on my lips. Naturally as soon as I woke up with a huge chest my nickname took a slightly more filth ridden turn.

However after I had my piccies taken by the wonderful Greg Sanders with his bag of super kit and super masculine jaw, Miss Matilda pointed out that I resembled a girly, Janis Levy (who is not dead despite The Sun saying she was) on a flake ad from 1985 (a year before I was even born). So I did a bit of research and I have to agree! Here are the pics

So I failed my driving test today! The most ridiculous thing ever, the reverse parallel park, so peed off with myself because I had went out and practiced and got perfect about 10 of 'em before the test. Oh well. I only had 4 minor mistakes and I think you are allowed 15, so I can drive, I know I am a good driver Bob must have been picky. Gone are the days where you can show a bit of cleavage to see you through a driving test. It's all such a clinical experience. I think he might of been bored of me talking all the time. Eeesh.

I am drowning my sorrows with some Malibu and pineapple! I am such a classy bird.

Anyway 3 shoots lines up!

One Christmas themed one with Yvette Bessels which I am so excited about I could actually burst. My second one is on Halloween but I intend to rock the Neon Corset and a Gold Vinyl dress with Rebekah Kitchell. My third is in the first week in November with Sarah Chappell another lass from Berwick at a sort of dirty grungey location near a beach. It's a kind of a bunker sort of thing that kids have obviously used for drinking and getting high but I like it. It kind of shows that my hometown isn't just full of elderly folks! I really want to wear some Alan Windram stuffs, you should download his album if you haven't already. I don't get to play Number 1 fan very often.

It's up it's working in it's early stages it still needs some work. If you want to check it out go to

www.deelabeau.com

I'm not ever wanting to have to change my name again!

If anyone has a banner or link you'd like to put on somewhere feel free to let me know.
Drop me an email to deelabeau@googlemail.com

I have a shoot lined up for either the 26th or 27th of this month! It has a Christmas theme and I am really really excited about it :)

Done myself this bra, it's actually a 34G! But it fits ok. It looks tonnes more amazing in person too.

I recently did a shoot wearing a gorgeous frock from

www.ablegrable.com

The absolutely delightful Wicked Lady Dress

Exactly the same frock as Miss Amanda is wearing apart from mine is in Lipstick Red! Absolutely delicious red. This dress feels beautiful on, I honestly felt a million dollars in it, at least two classes above where I am now anyway.


You can now also follow AbleGrable on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/AbleGrable

All the pics of me rocking this frock are on my myspace or my flickr if you want to see more!
Photos taken my the fabulous Mr Greg Sanders at The Groyne (charming!) in South Shields, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Just a quick blog! I sense I will be doing another one later on or tomorrow ;)

I had two amazing shoots with Greg Sanders on Saturday, one was a group shoot with some gorgeous gals. It was so much crazy fun trying to squeeze us all in such a short amount of time. Greg was a pro, an absolutely diamond.




On Sunday we went round and had some fantastic cupcakes with Laura (the gorgeous gal about in the red/black spotty divine corset!). She is hoping to make her living out of her cupcakes and I hope she does!!! Join her Facebook group or follow on Twitter and show some support!!!


Finally! If you want to see me naked! Grab an Hourglass calendar from www.thehourglass.eu I am delighted to be next to these beautiful womens!