Search for the perfect body

I do pride myself on being toned, having a wash board stomach and an ass that could crack walnuts, 

However As I have gotten older these things have changed and I have found myself struggling to keep the body that I once had. This could be a number of factors such as fluctuating weight, making my metabolism shot. Varying levels of exercise, being really lazy one day they little miss fit freak the next. the list goes on...

I recently started my hoop training again, which is amazing for over all fitness and toning, however my body seems to be changing in a way that I don;t like and so I need to figure out a way making the change a positive one. Counteracting the weight training with cardio! Laying off of the protein (except when I need it) 

I recently had to go gluten and lactose free, to establish the causes for my horrible skin. So this inspired me to eat better, I no longer reach for the junk food and instead I'm stuffing myself with steamed courgette! nom nom

In an attempt to look after myself and get my body back to the way I like it, here is my daily routine: 

I start the day with a green Smoothie, full of nutrients and far better for you than a bad bowl of cereal (Though I do eat gluten free!) 

The only modification I made to the original recipe was to remove the banana and replace with pineapple (fat burner) and add ginger and coriander. Coriander is really good for detoxifying the skin!  

Ingredients:

1 heaping cup chopped kale leaves
1 heaping cup spinach leaves,

1/2 cup coriander1 1/2 cups almond/soya/hemp milk

1t chopped ginger
1 cup pineapple chunks

1 T peanut butter

Directions:
Remove kale leaves from the center stalk and tear into chunks.  Remove any thick spinach stems.  In a blender mix kale, spinach and milk until smooth.  Add ginger pineapple and peanut butter and blend thoroughly. 

Serves 2... or one giant smoothie

I have this with a slice of Wholemeal gluten free toast. 

Lunch I eat protein to feed my muscles after Yogalaties, Fish, nuts, avocado, a big wholesome salad! You name it! It's so easy being healthy! 

I drink that while I do my 40mins of Pilates or Yoga. Pilates is great for building muscle tone and yoga for lengthening the muscles. Making you look long and lean. (in theory)

I will continue to do this for the next couple of weeks and report back! 

La Musica - Americana

As you may or may not know my family is based in Canada as well as the Southern US states (Florida, Texas, Louisiana)
Since I was a child I grown up to embrace my western roots and this has been something that I have really come to love more and more over the past year or so, ditching a little bit of Rockabilly (though inherently cowboy in itself) and trade it in for western style.
Utility wear, denim, leather, blanket coats, little t-shirts and even chaps when feeling really daring!!!

My new act prompted this change of interest and even the Americana direction my career is taking me.
Listening to the music, learning cowboy skills, throwing myself right in!

This little post is sharing my favourite tracks, from a child to now.

Firstly as a kid I spent a lot of time in Canada, with my Redneck family, beer drinking, horse riding, chopper riding canadians. I spent time on farms, trying to ride horse. Having beer bottle water fights (shaking the bottle and spraying it.....sound familiar??) I'd wear dungarees and nothing else (I was a child!!)
In the car driving through the Rockies or up to Grandma and Grandpas place in Bobcageon we would listen to the Dixie Chicks, Though not Canadian...actually Dixie.
We would sing at the top of our lungs, slap our knees. Such an amazing place to spend time as a kid.

Another song that got us going as kids was thisnext one, I even have a recording of my cousins and I singing it at 10 years old!

This one too..... easy lyrics for kids to pick up quickly (This one is a little odd 

My Father, Having grown up in Tampa, was a huge influence on my musical tastes. As I had mentioned in a previous post. I would listen to Bowie, Hendrix, led Zeppelin you name it. My newest act (as I keep mentioning) is wild western...with a little rockabilly edge. My song choice was a track my father played quite regularly to drive to.

Influenced heavily by important men with strong musical tastes (dad, step dad, Boyfriend) I bring you this track. Pete my stepdad I remember was a fan of this group and would often play the album on the school run, or picking up up from a shit night out in town. This song always brings be down, chills me out, Even though I am not from Alabama and I wouldn't necessarily want to be... You can feel the pride of being from that place in the iconic song!

More recently, as I have dug up my roots and given them some time to grow, I have been listening to more folk (and being introduced to them by Targ of course) I recently saw this band live, only to find out less than 12 hours after that they have split up :( Well....at least their only album was killer!

And that's it for now...I have a song stuck in my head that I am for the life of me trying to remember the name of so I can share it too! arghghg don;t you just hate when that happens!!!???

River of No Return - Almost there

I have been working on my Bullwhipping act for some time now....since August 2011 in fact and it is finally looking close to completion! Hurrah!
I have long since finished my amazing boots, pasties, bra and panties... and a mini sombrero OLÉ!

I am turning my gloves into fire shooting pistols with these really cute appliqués I picked up in California! Yeehaw!!!
Just a dress to finish and bullwhipping badass moves to complete and them it will be coming to a stage near you!

Bullwhipping has actually been a lot easier than I'd originally thought (and what some people had told me...undoubtedly to put me off)

I have mastered target work pretty quickly and slowly my rhythmic whipping is picking up speed. The only difficulty is at the moment is the double whips....my retarded left hand, I don't trust it...it freaks me out! Here is a little video of why I have learnt after 3 classes!
I will be applying to BHoF with this act, and I hope that I will be granted the opportunity to show it on that incredible stage to my idols, my peers and fans.




Watch this space!

So it's been a while since I wrote anything on here, Due to a very busy schedule and being far too lazy to make the time to sit and write. But I promise that will change.

Copyright Matt Hind

The past 6months has brought an immense amount of change and endless exciting opportunities, I have to pinch myself daily! It has been, and will be an incredible future 12months, and I look forward to sharing it with you all!

September and October I was asked to fly back to the USA (following my performances at BHoF in Las Vegas in June 2012)
The first stop was to New Orleans, the home of Jazz, Blues and Grind, a magical city, albeit a little creepy. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end constantly. It was like going back in time, horses and carts, 17th century filigree balconies, winding ivy, and ghosts wandering the street at night.
I was asked to perform and compete at the Bad girl's Show and The Queen of Burlesque. I had met all of the contestants at the BHoF, so the tension was certainly a little lower than it had been in June.

Copyright Matt Hind

A kick ass show, I was given the opportunity to meet my idols, rock another stage and get the banbury name out State Side.

My second trip came 2 weeks after my flight touched down from Dixie. Los Angeles! I was being flown to recreate the immortal images of Eve Arnold on the set of the misfits in the Salt Flats near to 29 Palms, CA.

It was hot, but I couldn't complain, dressed in designer denim, singing blues with the real life mustang hustlin' cowboys, it was bliss.
The week was full of an assortment of shoots, all based around Marilyn.. working out, drinking milk, on the beach.
I also went to visit Marilyn at Westwood Memorial. Recharge my spiritual batteries and let her know that I was still on track. So amazing being there again! When I move, I will visit everyday.

Copyright Matt Hind

I am currently working my new act for my US tour next year! Bullwhippin' and Nude Orleans! Bring it on!

The photographs will be featured in Men's File (Style magazine, denim issue) out in January.

That's my little quickie update. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures soon!



All images Copyright Matt Hind DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

La Musica, Part 2: heartbreak

A bit of a depressing post this time folks.... I wrote before about my childhood love with music and the development of my musical tastes.


As my current mood is not a particularly great one, one of deep sadness, hurt and heartache, I thought that I would write a little post about the music of a break up. Some to ease the pain, some that are the musical equivalent of rubbing salt into an open wound.


1)
Throughout my relationship history, there has been one band that I have never associated with a partner, they have been mine, the soundtrack of my life and the only thing I can listen to and not cry over the loss of something truly beautiful. Their music makes me look to the future, gives me hope that I will get through and reassure me that I am beautiful, talented and something worth holding onto.


This band (as mentioned before) is incubus:





Plus looking at Brandon Boyd makes me feel a whole lot better!


2)A little self pity is inevitable during a break up, so there are a few songs that I like to listen to that just rub the pain in, ones that I can cry to,or scream to. Torturing myself over the loss of love is something I like to draw out.


Minus the Bear:





My favourite line "We look good side by side, walking back to the hotel" - something I used to think everytime I would walk alongside him.


3)
This is another one that I love to cry to:





4)
and another:



5)
This one is a little unusual, But it was one of the songs that when I listened to it, I would always think of weekends together, brunching together on a hangover. He stopped me from taking myself too seriously, learning to enjoy love and enjoy life...and what beautiful and precious miracle life is. 
Live each day to the full and experience everything that is possible. 





And on one final note: if I was to end it all, this would be the last song I listen to: 

Sorry I haven't been here for a bit

Hey all,

Sorry that I haven't updated this blog for a while... I have been going through a tough time with a break up, finding a place to stay and cope with the agony and heartbreak of ending a truly perfect (and short) life with someone.

My soulmate, my lobster, the love of my life, I will love you until my last breath.

Banbury

La Musica, Part 1

Now I get asked this a lot of the time, about what my preferred style of music is. In fact, sinceI was a little girl I have fallen n love with many artist, many genres and too many songs.


So I thought I would share with you a little of my musical history and give you an insight into the girl behind the Big Blonde Hair!


1) Childhood Years: Elvis
Now Elvis I remember discovering around the same time I found Marilyn, at 7years old and starting my musical knowledge, I found a cassette of my fathers of Elvis' greatest hits.
Besotted by the beautiful man in the picture on the case I declared my love for him as well as confessing to my emotionally void father that I would one day Marry that man.... To which my father responded "he's dead"
Inconsolable, I cried for about a week, rocking in front of my tape player singing along to those immortal songs, those that I still listen to even today.



2) Pre- Teens: Various.
My love for the 50s and 60s continued into my pre-teen years, smothered with Elvis and Marilyn of course, But I started to introduce other "Marilynettes" such as Madonna (IMMACULATE COLLECTION!!!) to my catalogue.



It was around this time also that I began to dress *differently*...my Mother, ever the keen seamstress loved to make me long floaty skirts, buying me big earrings,  cheesecloth and letting me grow my hair....
Some would say I was *BoHo* before BoHo.
My Father was a big influence on my musical taste and I would spend the evening listening to Bowie, Queen, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, the Doors the Beatles. My favourite at the time (and an alltime personal favourite) being the following:


3) Early Teens: Various


Still BoHo, still a weirdo at school, My father continued to be a big influence on my musical tastes. This was around the time my parents divorced and I found sanctuary in my music, plus is was the one way that I could communicate with my father, and feel like I was at least still related to him. The Days of sitting on his knee listening to records had long gone, but at least I could sit in the car with him and create some new memories. 


Jimi Hendrix was the artist we listened to most of time.
It was in my mid teens that I discovered my now favourite band, Incubus. Surfer rock from California. I would be lying if I said that it wasn't the sight of Brandon Boyd that caught my interest to begin with....But their music changed my life, and when I listen to it as an adult I remember those carefree days of summer, the route to school, the boy I first kissed, dirving through sunflower fields on my birthday, the long walks through the countryside and my first taste of pot. 





to be continued.... 

Aerial Hoop

Aerial Hoop has been a skill that I have secretly always wanted to learn, but never had the time, money or determination to bite the bullet and go for it!

In the summer of 2011 I finally took the plunge and began my true love affair with the circus art. I joined the Hanger Arts Trust, a small but perfectly formed school in North Greenwich. At first it was a little bit too far to travel just to train once a week, however once I was there it was totally worth it.

I began my 6 week course under the brilliant tuition of Jo Foley, a fellow Cabaret performer who is not only strong as hell, but, to my annoyance, very very bendy!

I picked it up like a natural, whizzing through moves and demonstrating strength that I never really knew I had (hoisting yourself onto a hoop 6 ft in the air requires a lot of strength)
Don't get me wrong, I have always been very strong, due to waving 7ft feather fans each weighing 5kg PLUS air resistance, but these were different muscles, different parts of my body that I has never engaged before.

Since then I have regularly taken a class a week (unfortunately leaving the hanger in November after discovering a friend's "circus warehouse" only down the road) But I have fallen in love with it a million times over, learning more dynamic and challenging manoeuvres, pushing my strength to the limit and building my stamina enough so maybe one day I will perform a "full length" hoop act.... but I do say *maybe*

I have already in fact performed a burlesque Christmas act incorporating my hoop skills. I ceased in continuing this act, despite promising I would carry on into the New Year, as it was a little out of my comfort zone and as I am used to kicking ass at burlesque, being sub standard on hoop, was enough to stop until I kicked ass en l'air as well.

So I still have a long way to go, but I passed a big milestone in my training today! I mastered the Belly Roll!!!!! A move I have been working and working and working on since late October.

I would recommend this to anyone! it has transformed my body, toned me in places I never imagined and made me more determined to develop my craft as a burlesquer and overall cabaret star.


There are of course down sides (which do not mesh well with having a semi naked job) and that being the bruising, the cuts and the manky hands!

Western

Time to introduce to you a sneak preview of my new act, The Western. Based on the movie, The River of no Return...staring MM. (1954)

I didn't want to go with the chaps and jeans cowboy route, but something that was civil war era and could be tied in with a cowboy hat, spurs and some gunslingin', bullwhippin' action, hence being drawn to the look of the film set in Northwestern America just after the civil war (1870s)

The Costume will feature the full length victoriana saloon gal dress in Hunter Green velvet, embellished like the original with black trim and black swarovski crystals.
A hat and flaming heeled boots complete the starting look (as well as some pistols)

As the music unfolds I remove the dress to reveal a gold long line, butt hugging custom made corset, and covered in thousands of crystals.

I am very excited about this act as I will be performing bullwhip sequences and targetting, as well as a little magic and some dust kicking line-inspired-dancing.
I can honestly say that there is nothing like it out there and be sure to prepare yourself for a mind blowing and some seriously green eyed performers.

Yeehaw! 

How to Marry a Millionnaire

For a long time now I have been in Love with this little outfit from one of my favourite MM films "How to Marry a Millionaire" but have never really had any excuse to make it....except for my own pleasure or Photoshoots.

However, having discovered that there will be a POOL PARTY at the Miss Exotic World Pageant in Vegas this June, I decided that I HAVE to get it made.

Her Character "Paula" wears this swim/lounge set in the fashion show scene... I found a very talented lady called Esther in the US.

My version will be in Matte red fabric and the rhinestoning I will do myself (with assorted swarovski sizes as I have just bought 65,000 that I need to use)

She makes many replicas of Marilyn's dresses and costumes from various films and publicity shots.... Including the Gold Lamé gown (GPB), the pink pants and blouse set (SYI) and several from Niagara.

As well as this suit set I shall be ordering the polka Dot wiggle dress from The Seven Year Itch. 

Pinking the Blond

So every year it has been my tradition to have a "christmas" hair-do...failing to do so this christmas past has made me itch for a change.

I have been growing my hair as I realised that the shorter Marilyn cut didn't suit my round face (plus I was chubby and it was PINK too!!!)

aaanayhoo, I decided recently that I was going to pink the hair again...but an ever so subtle babietst of baby pinks!

It needs a bleach first, which will take an hour or so...I use Schwarzkopf Live colour XXL in 00A absolute platinum....it's kinder on my hair for starters, second it doesn;t stink as much as pre-lightener.

Pink Goes on for 15 mins after I have rinsed out the bleach! mixed with A LOT of conditioner...no hot pink here! I quite like the wet look hahah

Stiletto Nails

Today I will be going to get my nails done....not perticularly exciting, I know...however I have been trying to get the perfect stiltetto nail for months now but noone seems to be able to get that SPIKEY cat like point that I am after.

Though because they are gel nails....when they/ the nail varnish wears away....they look a lot less pointy. but that is probably because they were not pointy enough to begin with!!!

I'm talking seriously nasty, vicious looking talons. :) Lets see if they are up to the challenge...

......

Update: Just got back and she did a pretty rockin' job, I bought some leopard nai stickers but that were utter shit....didn't work at all, which was a shame because they were £6 and a complete waste, plus I really fancied some spiky animal nails!

Welcome

Hey All!

Welcome to my blog, Now I am a little new to this writing thing, But I hope to share with you (in the best way I can) a little insight into the world of an international Burlesque performer, Model, Muse and Marilyn fanatic.

Sharing my styling secrets, makeup tips and sacred hair methods I hope that my writing will make the world a little more glamorous.

A little about me:

My name is Banbury Cross, I began burlesque in 2008, though not formally getting any paid work until mid 2009 and finally becoming full time in 2010. It has been a roller coaster ride of exotic destinations, venue headaches, kickass costumes and making some incredible friends a long the way! I will introduce them to you soon.

I have quickly become the "most" in demand performer in London and Europe. And this year I shall be making my U.S debut in Los Angeles and *hopefully* Las Vages (I found out if I have been accepted to BHoF on March 1st)

Thanks to the support of my fans, friends and family, I have grown, developed my craft as well as taken the burlesque circuit by storm - going straight into number 25 in the Burlesque *GLOBAL* top 50!

Currently resident at Proud Cabaret City and Camden (soon to change) and agencies all over the world, 2012 is set to be a very exciting year - 2 new acts, new skills and an exciting tour to boot!

This Bombshell is outta control!!!

www.missbanburycross.com