My name is Bernadette but nobody calls me that (unless I'm getting carded or pulled over of course). All my friends call me Bernie. I live in San Diego and love the slower pace of life and of course the feeling of the sun and beach breezes on my skin.

At 12 years old my mom sighed me up for my first beauty pageant. The pageants were great for learning poise & smooth walking and I ended up doing the pageant circuit until I was 18. That was the year I won 'Miss Teen San Diego County U.S.A.' From there I went to Miss Teen Calif. U.S.A. where I was placed in the top 15.

After the pageant circuit I got into the rockabilly scene and still love it to this day. The music, dancing, cars, guys and of course the outfits and style are all so exciting to me.

Why a Pinup? Well apart form the obvious connections with the rockabilly scene I simply love to dress up in 1940's/1950's clothing and lingerie whether it's genuine vintage or simply inspired from that era. I have been collecting clothes and accessories for as long as I can recall and I can even remember going to the thrift store with my mom when I was a little girl and sifting through everything to find amazing glamorous items.

Since that first fateful night in front of the camera I have shot with many different photographers and modelled for many different websites, it's been like a whirlwind. I started a Yahoo Group which grew steadily and the majority of the feedback I have received has been really positive.

Thing is I am quite shy and retiring by nature hence I am sometimes really reluctant to believe I have what it takes. I thought about opening my own website, but kept putting the decision off until Kate from The Pinup Portal got in touch. Over several long conversations she persuaded me to go for it and hence here I am today. I plan to develop the website further with the introduction of a store and possibly some sort of members area if the demand warrants it.

Well hopefully that gives you an insight into what makes me who I am. I must say I found writing this very difficult as I am so desperate not to come over all full of myself and the big 'I am'. The thing is I do know how lucky I've been in life and to have the support of my loved ones to do the things I want to do is just amazing so let me say a massive thank you to all of them.

Well I hope you've enjoyed reading a little of my history.