After a hot sleepless night, I awoke with pinups on the brain so what better way to start off my afternoon with a cup of tea and finally sitting down to tell my story…

I came to Miss Pinup slightly bewildered ….what was this 'pinup thing?' And who was this lady with the pink hair? She seemed lovely but what was it all about? I would soon learn
It was 2010 and I had just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I was unable to work for a long period of time, I had put on a lot of weight due to medication, I was tired all the time, in a lot of pain, bored, my relationship was falling apart and I was losing all my friends because they couldn't understand my illness – I didn't look sick. I stumbled upon Miss Pinup Australia as I went to get a pinup photo shoot done of myself as I wanted to feel beautiful again, at least for an afternoon. The photographer, Helen McLean asked if I was entering the competition and encouraged me to enter.  That afternoon Lady Marmalade was born!
Since that day I have been involved with Miss Pinup Australia and am currently the reigning Miss Amity. I keep coming back to this competition for a number of reasons.  There is something about a competition that brings women together from all parts of Australia and says to them 'all of you are welcome and all of you are beautiful, no matter what size, shape, colour, tattoos/no tattoos, hair colour, age, background, ethnicity, disability' and we accept you and more than that we are interested in your story and your background.  That's the side to the competition that I really love – it's getting to know each of the girls individually and understanding their stories and their personalities. It's also really great to see them grow as people across the competition after their first time on stage – just that glow of confidence that they get; priceless joy.
Another reason I keep coming back to Miss Pinup is to keep trying to do better every year, despite my disability.  I want to try and prove that although my disability means that I have problems with my short term memory, disabled pinups can be beautiful strong confident women too.  So every year I will practise a little harder and point my toes a little longer and will remember those routines 
For anyone reading this and thinking about whether to join in the fun – do it! What do you have to lose?  You will have a group of amazing women around you supporting you every step of the way. You have nothing but confidence, friends and amazing memories to gain and who doesn't want to have amazing photos of themselves like this to show to their friends and family? And if you are now sitting there making excuses like, BUT this and BUT that …. Miss Pinup Australia accepts and embraces all women and we are all beautiful and if you don't think this already then maybe you do need to come meet some women who will make you feel like you are beautiful xx
Much love and feel free to ask me any questions

Lady Marmalade x

My journey as a contestant of Miss Pinup Australia begun almost 2 years ago when I broke my foot in two places requiring surgery. I was in a cast and on crutches for ten weeks. Having two young children I temporally moved back home to my parents. It was at this point I was able to reflect on my life. I had become a "gonna-do" kind of person. Big dreams but no motivation to follow through. I realised this was a bad example to set for my children. Sitting around with a broken foot was really no different to when i was in one full piece because I lacked ambition and drive. I decided I needed to change, I needed to re-create myself. I danced as a child and with a broken foot realised how much I missed it. Just a broken foot, not life threatening but enough of a wake up call to tell me to enjoy life, make the most of it. I decided wearing make-up would help me feel better about myself. Sitting around with a broken foot added unwanted weight. My clothes where uncomfortable. I wanted a new image, one that would suit my shape. I wanted people to treat me kindly, just like in the 50s. The good ol' days. I told a few people about my desire to change and one of those close friends saw Miss Pinup Australia on channel 7's  Sunrise. She called me, demanding I turn the tv on, telling me I should enter. From that moment I was intrigued. I begun reading everything I could about the competition. The philosophy, the rules, the categories. I couldn't wait for the time that I would be able to enter. I begun preparing. I choose some vintage patterns and lay-by some fabric for my day wear and talent sub-categories. Ideas where already popping into mind with anticipation. I was so excited to be the eleventh entrant to be announced after submitting pinup photos. During the next months waiting to find out if I would be chosen to compete I continued to prepare ideas, themes and outfits. I was chosen to represent Nsw at the state final in the Miss Vavavoom category. I have struggled with my weight since having my first child. Being accepted to compete was an amazing boost. I attended hair and make-up workshops with Miss Pixie from Boogie Bop Dames and also deportment/posing workshops. I met some lovely ladies with similar interests and learnt a great deal in just 2 days. I came home from the workshops with some incredible knowledge and immediately put it into practise.I made all my outfits where from vintage patterns. Having two children as previously mentioned and being a stay at home mum I had to consider my budget much like they did in the 1940s and 50s post war. My props where also made with budget in mind.  I took to the stage in march. On the night it was incredible. The audience clapped along during my talent performance, a highlight I wont forget. The buzz back stage in the dressing rooms, helping one another, admiring vintage gowns, chit chat, laughter, lipstick and lashes. Not too many opportunities in life these days allow for ladies to dress beautifully and go to prestige events. The moment I was crowned Miss Vavavoom NSW 2013 can only be described as shock. I had questioned myself the entire time, what am I doing, I can't do this, I don't have what it takes But I pushed myself to see it through. Nothing to lose and everything to gain is my new motto in life. What I have gained can not be bought. New friendships, new skills in hair, make-up and sewing. New found confidence and belief in myself. Size, age, shape ... none of it matters. No one with a good personality judge you harder than you will ever judge yourself. People who judge you harshly aren't worth knowing. With the help and guidance of Miss Pixie I have achieved something incredible I will look back on for the rest of my life and be amazed. I highly recommend the experience. Just give it ago you have nothing to lose. If you have any doubts than this is just what you need!

Love Miss Ivy May (Miss Vavavoom NSW 2013) xxx

As I sit on my flight to Sydney for the Miss Pinup Australia 2013 National Grand Finals, I reflect on this year's competition. It's been a truly wonderful experience, that I'm so glad I decided to take part in. It hasn't always been easy, but I know that working hard has paid off. I've learnt a lot about pinup, poise and polish, but more importantly, I've learnt how to have more confidence in myself. I'm not a stranger to the stage, but I don't always have confidence in myself and my performance abilities. Miss Pinup Australia is an experience that I recommend to all women, from all walks of life, of all appearances and of all shapes and sizes. Don't underestimate what a difference participating in this competition can make to your life, but make sure you enter into it with all of the heart and soul that you can. Thank you Miss Pixie for everything you've done for me, and for all the other pinups who have been part of the Miss Pinup Australia family.