The New Vintage Look – A unique fashion event!

Have you always wondered about how to create a vintage look without dedicating time, money and knowledge to buying vintage? Maybe you want to see a bit of burlesque but feel a full-on evening would be a bit overwhelming for a first timer? Just curious to meet some of us that dress with more than a nod to eras gone past?

Well, I have got just the evening for you! The fabulous Bettina Scarlett and Sarah Bishop have arranged just such an evening, The New Vintage Look, at the fabulous Proud Cabaret on 10th April, a beautifully decadent venue in the heart of London with more than a little of the feel of a very glamourous speakeasy.

So what’s it all about then? Firstly, it’s a charity event, raising funds for The Royal Brompton and Harefields Hospital Charity but best of all there’s so much going on and so many massive retro reproduction companies involved. Some include Collectif, Miss Fortune, Miss Bamboo, Lady K Loves, Bernie Dexter……..I could go on and on! The there’s hair and make-up by the wonderful Lipstick and Curls and The Vanity Box. But that’s not all, oh no, live music from Knocksville and a burlesque performance from the delectable Miss Tempest Rose it’s going to be a hell of a night!

Tickets are just £12, available here, so what better way to get dressed up for some midweek fun, to those new to vintage and reproduction and to those deeply immersed in it.

I hope to see you there in your finest!

All aboard the Love Boat!

First off, I apologise for neglecting my blog recently, I have been moving house so it’s all been a bit manic for a few weeks but myself and the cats are just about settled now and I finished the essential unpacking today (while hiding the non-essential stuff in my lovely new loft!).

In between the moving madness was another “It’s a Wonderful” event, this time a love filled Valentine’s Love Boat ball. On a boat! It was, of course, totally fabulous.

My outfit for the evening was an amazing Bernie Dexter for Modcloth creation and drew a lot of attention, I felt very special and as it was a birthday gift, it made it even more special.

I also made myself a little hair piece with a vintage anchor brooch so I had something a little nautical.

Having wandered round trying to find it for a little while we eventually spotted the balloons and posters pointing us in the right direction we arrived outside the lovely barge on the Thames where we were “papped” on the red carpet gang plank.

And then we entered the beautiful, intimate venue of the barge. I have to say, as a choice of venue, it was brilliant. Small and intimate but with enough room to move around. The lower deck had the main bar, a good size dance floor, stage and a little spiral staircase leading to the upper deck. The upper deck had a small bar, the area which was to host the speed swing dating and then the outdoor deck, where a few of us attempted to recreate Titanic, as you do…………..

As this was also my official birthday celebrations I was subjected to a birthday circle swing dance, this filled me with complete fear. I’ve had one 10 minute jive lesson and a few dances but I felt completely unprepared to be thrown around by lots of far more experienced young men. I needn’t have worried, the boys were lovely, I had great fun, managed to mostly keep up with the extremely fast (and specially written) birthday swing song! I recommend it to everyone.

I honestly had a totally fabulous night, got to catch up with some of my favourite girls including Bettina Scarlett, Lady K Loves and The Vanity Box.

Here are some more images form the evening for you to enjoy!

Like what you see? Then come along to the next It’s a Wonderful event! It’s in May and is the Jubilee Jamboree. This one is of epic proportions with both a pre-party warm-up and main event, all for the price of one ticket, it would be rude not to come, check it out here. You may even see me make a special appearance………….. 

A day out at Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair – Spitalfields

I have been meaning to pop along to one of these for a very long time but somehow never quite got round to it. Then at new year the lovely Cam from Bow & Crossbones said she would be at the next Spitalfields fair. So what better excuse to pop along!

Very from The Vanity Box was also going so we made a date, shopping and  something to eat were the order of the day. And what a day it turned out to be, I had a lovely time yet again. 

Overall I was really impressed with the quality of items on offer, sometimes it can just feel a bit like a jumble sale but there were a lot of really great pieces, I could have bought a lot more than I did! If Verity had her way I most certainly would have, as it was she made me buy several things I was umming and ahing over.

First things first, my attire and styling for the day, it wouldn’t do to go to such a thing looking like a scruff.

I decided to try a rolled fringe for the first time and I rather like the result, even better is it held perfectly all day.

My outfit was a grey pencil skirt from Vivien of Holloway, simple fitted black jumper from Primark, seamed tights, patent brogues from eBay (which I must replace soon!), a brooch I added after the picture and my lovely new faux fur Jacket from ASOS in the sale. I was pushed for time as I left so apologies I don’t have a pic of the full outfit and ignore the weird expression on my face.

Now on with the goodies!

First find was this adorable pinny, which was drawing a lot of interest, so I nabbed it before anyone else got a chance! Deliciously kitsch.

Next on the list was a lovely cream jumper with embroidery and bead detail.

Next was a really cute little pink top that Verity thrust at me and told me I had to buy, being a good girl I did!

Now for something a little different…………Passing a stall there were two glass bottles on a table, one shaped like a whippet/greyhound, the other like a cat. A cat! It was far too cool to let anyone else have so have it I did. In case you hadn’t noticed, I am mildly obsessed with cats, probably goes a long way to explaining why I’m single but just look at it!

Lastly (or so I thought) we stopped at Bow and Crossbones to say hello and I picked up a few bits for my hair. Not the greatest picture, sorry!

By this stage Verity’s son had had more than enough of traipsing round the stalls with us so off we went in search of food. Spotted a fish and chip restaurant and headed there. Typically it turned out to be a 50s diner style place and with us sat in the window we drew rather a lot of attention with several people taking our picture. It even prompted Jake to ask if he was famous!

I took a quick little pic of the counter area, I wish I’d taken more, it was a great little place and the food was really nice too, we recommended the scampi.

As we were about to head to the tube station to go home we spotted a large vintage shop called Absolute Vintage. What a find! Packed with hundreds of shoes, bags, mens, ladies, everything and all really reasonably priced. Shoes are arranged in size order making it easy to rummage for a gem that will fit you. In the end I was once again told to buy a pair of shoes, despite the fact I never wear gold, apparently I had to have them! They are rather fabulous though.

Finally, this time we really were on our way home. I popped back with Verity and we watched a bit of telly (just don’t ask what, it was very odd). Once again she forced me to buy another gem. One she had bought for herself but in the end wasn’t quite right for her, surprise surprise it was right for me.

And that, at long last, is everything. I had a fabulous day and am thrilled with my purchases. It really was an affordable fair, the sellers were lovely, all happy to haggle, with very few pieces horribly overpriced. I was very impressed and will definitely become a regular. They are held all over the country so check where nearest one is and head down for some bargains!

New Year 2011/12 at the Boston Arms

I generally dislike new year. It’s a lot of pressure to have a good time and it costs a ludicrous amount just to get into the local pub. I have therefore been boycotting it for a couple of years. This year I was persuaded to go out by the lovely Bettina Scarlett and Verity from The Vanity Box and I am so glad they did!

A fabulous couple of days was had by all. We started off early in the day all going round to Verity’s to drink cocktails and inevitably end up in a last minute rush to get ready despite having hours to do it.

I’m very new to the scene but everyone was absolutely lovely and made me feel so welcome. I can also now do the stroll and sort of a bit of jive, again, the lovely Verity gave me a bit of a lesson before we went out. Still terrified when someone asks me to dance though, fear of failure and imperfection seems to haunt this former dance student rather a lot.

I wore a Hell Bunny circle dress for the evening, with white petticoat and big knickers so that when the skirts flew up dancing people weren’t presented with too much of my ample posterior! Shoes are New Look and underwear by Marks and Spencer. Ladies, if you are ample in the bust area and need a good strapless bra, M&S do a fabulous bra which has the silicon around the cups as well as through the back straps. This isn’t on all of their strapless range so do check but they are the only ones I have ever found that don’t budge all evening, even with enthusiastic dancing. Clutch also M&S.

My eye make-up was done by Verity (of The Vanity Box). If you are going to any events and she happens to be there, I most definitely recommend you treat yourself to hair and or make-up by these lovely ladies. You won’t regret getting in touch with your inner pin-up even if it isn’t your usual style.

I was also lucky enough to meet the very gorgeous Kessie of Lady K Loves (and got a sneak peak of some new pieces she has coming up) and equally gorgeous Cam of Bow & Crossbones.

New Year’s day was spent surprisingly hangover free, munching on sausage sandwiches and playing a bit of Dance on Broadway (I think that’s what it was called) on the Wii. 

I finally made it home some time in the evening by now feeling a little the worse for wear but with a big cheesy grin on my face and fabulous memories to take home with me. Can’t wait for the next night out and to catch up with all these lovely people again. Thanks to you all for a wonderful start to my year!