Showing posts with label retro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label retro. Show all posts

Monday, 4 June 2012

Vintage Finds at the Vintage Fair!

The Coventry Vintage Fair arrived in sunny style last weekend. I took my eldest daughter who is fab company on vintage scouring trips. In fact she was the one who found the gorgeous blue glassware last time we were out together.
Coventry Vintage Fair
As we arrived a little early we were actually the very first in so I took some snaps before things got a bit hectic! There were plenty of stalls selling clothing, accessories and even a few vintage home wares.
I bought the most beautiful pair of mid high vintage cotton gloves which match my 50s style Collectif dress beautifully!
Gorgeous Vintage gloves £3

One stall in particular intrigued me as the lady running it makes bespoke dresses from 1940s patterns. I find authentic looking forties dresses quite hard to come by so was delighted to discover a local shop in nearby Warwick. Just look at this dress for an example of her work:
Bespoke dress made to an authentic 1940s pattern
 Isn't it stunning?! May have to pop over to see Julie when I've saved up.

There were some amazing looking cakes and sitting with her family a stunning looking lady who very kindly let me take her photo! I love her look.

Fab Jubilee Inspired cup cakes- (yum!)

(Sorry about the unsteady hand!!)
I also bought the most beautiful piece of vintage faux silk fabric which the seller lat me have for a fiver!! I'm going to make a cushion cover and bedspread with it...watch this space.

I'm hoping to pop over to the Sutton Vintage & Arts Fair on Sunday July 1st next. Have you been Vintage Shopping over the Jubilee weekend? What treasures did you find?
                             x

Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Vintage Finds!

I just couldn't resist showing you my latest vintage acquisitions courtesy of one of my local charity shops.. TaDa!
Aren't they simply beautiful? I couldn't believe it when I spotted them lurking on the bottom shelf of a rather crowded charity shop late last Saturday afternoon for the bargainous price of £5! Yes, you heard me! £5 for the jug and all 6 glasses.

All much of my house includes pink, red and blue, I just knew they would be the perfect addition to the vintage glassware cupboard- and they are!

You certainly don't need to spend a lot to get a lot- I guess it's just knowing where to look and appreciating that what goes around comes around!
Have a great Wednesday folks!
                  x

Monday, 21 May 2012

Can dressing up stop you feeling down? Introducing 'The Re-Script Workshop- an A-Z to being inwardly strong and outwardly gorgeous.'.

People often ask me if I'm going out somewhere nice, am I off to a party or perhaps a 40s theme night?! More often than not I'm going to pick up my kids, run to the supermarket, bank cheques from work or other slightly less exciting errands! I have made a decision to dress everyday as if I am 'going out' because, quite simply, why shouldn't I look my best and feel good about myself everyday?
 It's not as though I don't go out but I don't save certain clothes for when I do go out. I dress the same way pretty much everyday no matter what's on the agenda.
I've chosen to do this for several reasons. The first one being because I want to. I love getting dressed up, I enjoy choosing vintage inspired outfits to put together; recreating a look of yesteryear and feeling that I am worth bothering about quite frankly. My decision to dress up is because I see no reason not to. OK, it's a little easier for me as my children are all now school age so I'm not crawling around on my hands and knees anymore but even when I was I simply refused to become a 'Frumpy-Mummy'.
Rebeccah Jolley
Personally I place far more value on what is inside of a person than their external or outward appearance, yet within this I firmly believe what you wear on the outside really does say something about your internal value system. In fact I think I would go as far as to say that dressing up can stop you feeling down as taking pride in your appearance, making the very best of what you've got, dressing for yourself first yet outwardly displaying inner values really can make you feel good. I also believe, like Audrey that the prettiest girls are the happiest girls, and know that taking pride in yourself certainly makes you happy in a way that pulling on a pair of yesterdays jeans and any old top and leaving the house in a rush only to bump into someone you would have rather bumped into wearing something slightly more thought through, may not!



Audrey Hepburn- Gorgeous and Glamorous
Being Gorgeous and Glamorous is most definitely possible. If I can manage it with a husband, 3 kids, my own business, a women's mentoring group, a house to run and a whole host of other time commitments, then we all can! It's more about a change in attitude than anything else. It's about placing value on yourself because you know that this places value on everything else you touch and all will benefit.

Because this is so important to me right now in a world which is, quite frankly, confused by feminism, that alongside my regular posts I'm going to devote a series of workshop style blog posts to it. Simply entitled  "The Re-script Workshop: An A-Z of being inwardly strong and outwardly gorgeous."
The whole purpose behind the Re-script Workshop is to give you the opportunity to discover for yourselves some of the things I have found and applied in order to re-script and re-discover internal strength and its external expression. I really hope that what I can share will help other women to become gorgeous and glamorous ladies, both inside and out. My hope is that this 26 part set of workshops will result in an amazing journey together with plenty of opportunities for you to join in, try out new things, share in the journey and re-script your sense of yourself. After all, we are all gorgeous inside and out! I do hope you will join us.

X

Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Shoe Love: Miss L Fire Review

Having recently purchased my third pair of divine Miss L Fire shoes I just had to review them and the fabulous company that is Miss L Fire!
Nothing says you've made an effort like gorgeous shoes and while the sale rail at Miss L Fire is a permanent feature, I'm a permanent fan!

My first pair are these little beauties- Miss L Fire Cherry Bombs in red!

These shoes are 100% leather uppers and the fantastic dangling cherries are removable as they slide off the ankle strap. I bought these in a size 6 and initially they were a little tight (I have very wide feet), but with all quality leather products, they stretch! Yay! I found these shoes perfect for the in between weather we've been having. They can be worn with thick woolly tights, bobby socks, stockings or Au natural making them pretty much perfect for all 4 seasons!

After feeling the Miss L Fire love I then found these on sale. The Dollie.
I actually bought these in a size 7 as the Cherry Bombs had pinched a little but found them on the large side. Fortunately the ankle strap can be tightened so there's minimum slippage. In fact, a pair of insoles would probably sort things out. Again, they are great as they have a covered toe but can easily be worn throughout the summer (when it finally arrives!) as the fabric is almost like a crochet pattern and is full of holes! I love the trademark pineapple heels on these shoes and, like the Cherry bombs, they're very comfy. They come with a couple of flower clips that you can attatch to the straps of the toes giving a fab seneorita feel!

I just couldn't resist stalking the sale page and have most recently bought my third pair, the Velvetta.
As there name suggests, these green beauties are indeed velvet and leather and have these gorgeous flowers stitched across the toe. I also bought these in a size 7 and they are probably the best fit of the 3. Although I wouldn't want to wear them in the rain, this style is fantastic for this weather as they are a proper girly shoe without giving you cold feet. They look just as good with my tea dresses as they do with my 40s swing trousers so a complete win win as far as I'm concerned.

I don't usually buy what I would call 'real' shoes but have found the Miss L Fire sales page so unbelievably well priced that it simply made sense. they are always delivered quickly and in cute boxes with soft brushed cotton drawstring bags to keep the dust off! They always make me feel well dressed and definitely get me some kind compliments. In fact I met a lady in the street today who's first words were "I see you walking to school everyday- you always wear fabulous shoes". Couldn't have put it better myself!

What was your last super shoe purchase?!
                     x

Monday, 7 May 2012

What's in my bag?....

People say what's in your handbag says something about you so here's what's in mine this rainy bank holiday Monday and we'll see just what it says about me!
Cath Kidston Zip Up Hand Bag in Summer Blossom Putty
My handbag is a fab sized zip up handbag from Cath Kidston. Designer yes but last years print purchased from the Outlet, so draw your own conclusions....
On to the contents.
I do like to be organised ("really?!" I hear you cry!), so my bag contains a variety of other bags. Zip up wallets, purses and make up bags so I can find things easily without losing them in the bottom of my cavernous handbag. As a bust Mother of 3 I carry an awful lot of their (and my) tat, so at least I can locate it all easily.
CK clasp purse, Vintage fabric zip coin purse
CK giant zip up wallet
The Purse Collection: Keeping track of my finances is really important to me and so the easiest way I know to do this is the whole separate-purse thing. One is my personal money, the cute vintage fabric purse I bought on my fab birthday trip to Vintage Norwich from Poppy Valentine.

The large Cath Kidston one is the household stash and is large enough for cash, cards, receipts and my Costa card (again, draw your own conclusions!) It was a Christmas gift a few years ago and is a great size. The other CK clasp fastener is my Business wallet so I don't have to spend my life borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. When I was a student (in the dark ages) I used a book to list my outgoings. Tracking your spending is crucial to good stewardship and money management.
vintage 1950s sunnies and cheap-chic case
Next is my cheap-as-chips Sunnies case from Primarni and my rather more expensive Vintage 50s Sunnies.
I also have my reading glasses (yet to buy vintage frames) in another Cath Kidston Christmas present case.
Real glasses in CK case
With 3 daughters (all with long hair) I also have a make-up bag for our combined Girly-Tat. I try to only carry the bare essentials around on a permanent basis and am a big fan of duplicate lipsticks- one at home, one in the handbag. At present the Tat-Kit consists of emery boards, red nail polish (Rimmel 'Double Decker Red'), red lipstick (Boots No7 'Glam') and liner (Max Factor 'Red Rush'), hair clips, 'Dirty Works' under eye cream (like that works!) and a mini mirror. I probably should add tweezers and plasters but I'll get around to it! I also carry an emergency pink lippy for those rare occasions when Red is just too hot!
Make-Up essentials bag
I also have my business cards in a CK wallet and use another one as a pencil case.
Business Cards

Pencil Case
At the moment I also have a Boots magazine, hairbrush and of course a cute cherry print umbrella!
And yes, my arms ache!!!!
I'm thinking there are definitely two immediate thoughts from the contents of my bag- the first being that I do love a bit of Cath Kidston, or a lot in fact but am not bothered by whether its the latest fabrics. I think that's because I just love a timeless classic with a huge nod to vintage chic.
The second is that my bag is pretty full and therefore pretty heavy! I like to have everything I could think of with me though, both for my needs and those of my girls. I like to think of myself as prepared for most occasions.

Although we started with my handbag, this philosophy carries on through the rest of my life. If you are prepared for a situation then it doesn't intimidate, threaten or shake you. The key is to never take anything for granted and to really appreciate every day (even the wet ones). Life is full of surprises so tackle them with a clear sense of your identity as a woman, a self-control that produces balance and, as I have found, a good red lipstick can also help!

What does your hand bag say about you?
                          x

Friday, 4 May 2012

1950s Kitchen Kitsch

I'm in love with retro kitchenalia! 1950s kitsch for the kitchen is totally my bag this month. I've spent far too long browsing (not buying I hasten to add!) and have found these chic treats!
Kitsch Tablecloth £24.95 Dotcomgiftshop

1950s Lap Tray $25 Annie69 Etsy
Metallic Oxo tin £8.95 Vanishederas.com
Storage Jars £28 Cath Kidston
1950s kitchen utensil set £21 Myvintagestudio Etsy
Bird Glasses set $32 Rubylane.com
1950s Twinings Tea Caddy £4 kellypowelldesigns Etsy
Half Apron £18 Cath Kidston
Glass & plastic retro jug $30 Mysweetiepiepie Etsy
Might have to keep a close eye on some of this retro lushness! Have a great weekend everybody! X
              

Wednesday, 25 April 2012

Vintage 1950s Agatha Christie Style! A visit to Greenway.

While on our hols in glorious Devon we visited 'Greenway', the summer holiday home of Agatha Christie and her family from 1930. The house was then given to the National Trust on the death of her daughter and was opened in 2009.
View from the gardens of the river Dart

The property is built on a steep hillside and the gardens have been tiered with amazing flora & fauna (I've always wanted to write that!!), including lots of varieties of Magnolia tree, Camellia, Rhododendron and even a few Eucalyptus. My 10 year old was our family photographer and did an amazing job of it!

NT Welcome sign!

The house itself was bought in the 30s by Agatha and her second husband Max Mallowan. The National Trust have set it up more or less as it would have been in the 1950s with lots of family photos, souvenirs from the couples many travels and family paraphernalia. Agatha's bedroom has an amazing chest of drawers originally from Damascus! (complete with woodworm apparently until it was removed after Agatha could hear scratchings coming from it at night!!)
Greenway House

We took a family picnic (although it does boast not one but 2 tea shops!), and enjoyed an unusually warm afternoon moseying around the grounds. I wore my Heyday 1940s swing trousers as they are so my go-to outfit for dodgy weather this Spring! (Think I need a suitably vintage alternative to the Ikea bag though?!)
Picnic time

The Girls!
As a family we do love the National Trust; how amazing to have so much of our history made available to us and future generations to enjoy; and how wonderful of these great houses original owners to bequeath their own heritage for the benefit of others- I can see so many principles of generational transfer in that; passing on ideals, standards and values to future generations and the recognition that however beautiful, amazing and enormous houses are, at the end of the day they're just 'stuff'! People should never be remembered for where they lived or even what they did, but rather who they were and what motivated them.
What would you be remembered for?!

Here's a few more photos......
The house from the upper terraces

Views across the river
And even a retro 1950s style Agatha Christie tour bus to take you from the nearby village!

If you get the chance to join the NT or visit one of their historic house, parks or gardens, just think again... what will you be remembered for?!
                       x



Friday, 6 April 2012

Vintage Vacations

Easter hols- yay! Where are you off to? Anywhere nice? We're tripping down to East Devon for a wonderful relax; a spot of antique and charity shop browsing and some beach BBQs- well, a calor gas ring on the beach! (remember the pancakes on Tenby beach last Easter?!) I'm really quite excited about being away en famille; it's been a while since it was just the 5 of us.
Travelpostersonline.com
It's so important to build in time to spend with family; whether it's immediate family or extended family and where better to be than a pretty coastal part of the good ole British Isles?!
Travelpostersonline.com
postcardsdelcampe.net

 I love Devon; there's so much to do and see and as we live in Coventry (about as landlocked as you can get!) It will be just wonderful to see the sea!
travelpostersonline.com
oldstratforduponavon.com
travelpostersonline.com
billyspostcards.com
Judging by these vintage vacation posters, postcards and old 1950s photographs, previous generations have also loved visiting Devon! I hope the beaches of Seaton, Beer and Sidmouth are this gorgeous still!
oldukphotos.com

oldstratforduponavon.com
Whatever you are doing- hope it's a great week full of vintage glamour and style!
                                    x