Excuse me while I Graze...

Today has been a good day for post.

So firstly my Graze box arrived and this is what I got:


http://graze.com/b/xtzd3 this link will show the items in detail.

The korean chilli rice crackers were AMAZING.

Im not a fan of banana or olives but Ben loves them so I thought its only fair I don't cross them off the list and let him have some things he likes as well.

You get a little leaflet with the nutritional info calorie count etc and also some vouchers to give to friends for a free box. I can't wait to send one to my sister she will love it!

The best thing about the graze box...it fit through my letterbox! So if I hadn't been in I would have still recieved my yummy foods and not a pesky red slip to collect from the post office. BONUS!

I also got the top I ordered from RogueRetro on etsy

Its a floral haiwaiin crop top with a cute knot in the front I LOVE IT!



Rogue Retro is a great shop check it out:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rogueretro

Fashion Swap

On sunday evening I went to a Fashion Swap at The Vulcan on Salisbury road.

Set up in a side room were vintage stalls and a cake stand and rails of clothes to swap!

I had a great time with a few friends picking out new outfits from the selection of clothes people had brought in. I myself got rid of 9 items that I just never wore anymore, so I cleared my wardrobe a bit and was quite pleased to come home with 3 lovely dresses.

I hope there is another one soon!

Next time I will take jewellery and shoes I no longer want as I didnt realise these could be swapped also. And I will try to get some boys to come along as there wasnt anything really for men.

The other nice thing is anything that doesnt get swapped goes to the Oxfam Boutique on St Marys street.

Vintage Shops

We found a few great vintage shops in Amsterdam purely by accident!

I had completely forgotten to look before we had gone away, probably because we had so much planned already.

Episode vintage:

There are 2 shops in Amsterdam both are big shops full of reworked vintage clothes, lots of skirts made from older pieces (I bought one myself)

Episode offers a huge range for both guys and girls which is a nice change, my boyfriend got a hawaiian shirt.

They also stock a lot of scarves, sports t-shirts and jumpers.
This is what I bought:


I love this skirt its on trend, its comfy and despite the bold pattern it goes with most things!

and I also bought this pretty scarf.

you will find Episode at Waterlooplien and Berenstraat

http://www.episode.eu/index.jsp?USMID=30

a look at the website informs me this chain also has a shop in Camden (maybe youve been?)

Laura Dols Vintage:

http://www.lauradols.nl/uk/_footer/contact/

Mainly for women there is a huge downstairs room full of occaisionwear, lots of taffeta and net!

Also a lot of older vintage clothing and lovely gloves and bags

find it on Wolvenstraat

Zipper:

Very retro, plenty for men and women here, lots of dresses from the 70s good fun!

Niewe Hoog Straat

http://www.zipperstore.nl/

Waterlooplien Market

A busy market by the canal. Expect to find souvenirs, smoking paraphernalia and second hand clothing.

Ben bought a fab levis denim jacket for cheaper than they were in Episode next door.
He was really happy with this because he had his levi jacket stolen from a club back home recently.

The tour guides say its open Monday - Friday 9-5.30pm and Saturday 8.30-5.30pm however we turned up at 11am and found most stalls werent open yet.



The best things about vinatge shopping in Amsterdam - the euro/pound is very similar atm so you know roughly what an item is selling for and you can work out if its worth the price or not, generally I found the vintage shops quite resonable but the more you can get from a market the better :)

The best things to do in Amsterdam

In no real order just as I remember them!

1. Canal boat ride: perfect way to see the city and learn some fun facts about Amsterdams history. Even nicer when the weather is bad as its warm and dry inside!

2.Try some local food. on our trip we tried dutch pancakes, chips and mayo, Bitterballen (mince in crispy breadcrumbs), FEBO (fast food from a vending machine).

3.Van Gogh museum - the biggest collection of the artists work, beautiful paintings as well as sketches and copies Gogh had made of other paintings by artists he admired.

4.Vintage shops and flea markets. A must vivit is the Waterlooplein market and Episode vintage which is near by. http://www.episode.eu/index.jsp?USMID=49

5. Anne Frankhuis - everyone has heard the story of Anne Frank this museum is in the building where Anne her family and some close friends hid from the Nazis during the second world war. This museum is a mix of videos, exerts from Annes diary and pictures of the family and friends that leads you round the whole building. Get there early to avoid queues and having to shuffle slowly round behind groups of school children!

6.Red Light district - you have to see it, you dont have to stay!

7.The Heineken Experience- I wasnt looking forward to this one I must admit! This was Ben's main must see, however...it was fun, interactive and with free drinks at the end it was definitely worth the money as well. Like a Cadburys world for adults ;)

8.Go off the beaten track! Find cute shops, cafes, bridges, canals and normal life just beyond the centre I suggest a visit to the Jordaan district. Enjoy getting lost looking at maps and not knowing what you will find!(picture here of a really thin house!)

9. Sex museum, this was so funny there is lots of erotic artwork and some suprisingly old artifacts!

10.Get on a tram! Easy to use and they get you pretty much everywhere. single ticket is 2.60euros and a 24hour pass is 7euros. We got 24hour passes because we used them so often (our hotel was quite far out of town)


We did lots of other great things in Amsterdam also, I will try post something about them all, these were my highlights, Ben might disagree!!

(all photos by me except van gogh bedroom,anne frank house and episode vintage, the photos with me in were taken by ben)

Lavinias tea parties!

my friend put on thi wonderful event the other week, I couldnt make it this time but the next one is set for 18th September!

tea, cake, music, burlesque and vintage makeup and fashion :)

Gorgeous

This lovely 1920s style playsuit/slip is in the Topshop sale.



I WANT!



http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=2374561&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=217217&parent_categoryId=&pageSize=200

new online vintage store

I literally stumbled upon this page by accident!

easy to use, and fabulous stock.

I cant wait for pay day to make a purchase!

http://www.eatmevintage.co.uk/#

check it out!

A video made at the Cardiff Blind Lemon Vintage fair was posted on facebook so I thought I'd put it in my blog. I didnt see me or my friend in the video but equally I didnt see a video camera filming while I was there. (too busy shopping probably!)

I love the closeups of the old french fashion magazines :)

Shilton clutch

At Judy's Affordable vintage fair I got a lovely yellow polka dot dress from Maggies Dress (where I got my jumper at Blind Lemon) and a white clutch bag from a stall selling Nylon Sky jewellery.

I already own a similar clutch I got from a charity shop a few years ago and have almost destroyed through use! oops!

The labels in both bags say 'Shilton International' Im sure they are from the 80s. A quick search threw up a lot of Jane Shilton bags which is a UK brand that still exists today so I think it may be of this brand.

The white one I bought yesterday and is in much better condition and looks to be newer than the one I already owned (looking at the inside of the bag the lining and label seem to be more modern)






I want to show you the vintage clothes I havent yet photographed so I am going to get my boyfriend to take some for me soon. I havent even photographed my fur coat for you yet and Ive had that since November!!

Another Fair!

Judy's Affordable vintage fair at Cardiff University Students Union tomorrow. £2 entry!

I havent been before but looks promising.

http://www.vintagefair.co.uk/

it visits 22 cities nationwide so check the website for one near you.

I dont have much money to spend this time but its always nice to look :)

Vintage Finds!

So I found my camera charger (fairly soon after I started looking properly).

I promised a post about my vintage finds from the Blind Lemon Vintage fair:



Ive wanted a pair of sheer black gloves for ages but normally the vintage ones are super tiny and I havent found any to fit! I was lucky this time and saw these pair for a wonderful £3.50! I was sure Id got inspiration for them from Bette Davis in the film in All about Eve (1950) but now I'm not so sure where I saw them. Its a cracking film by the way if you get chance to see it! Bette is wonderful at her role as the diva Margo. I also loved the supporting role played by Celeste Holme as Margos kind and levelheaded friend Karen, she was beautiful! Marilyn Monroe has a bit part also.



This next one was also a bit of luck. There were a lot of vintage leather suitcases on sale this time but on in particular caught my eye. It had my initials painted on it! I couldnt let that pass me by! It is in fairly good condition just a couple of bashes to the corners which you would expect on a old used case. I want to know who it belonged to now! £25 it cost me.

I also got a cute knitted short sleeve jumper top very 1940s in style but I doubt its that old. Its currently hanging out to dry so I will get a photo of it for you soon.

byeee

Tapestry Bags

I went to The Blind Lemon Vintage Fair at the weekend and one thing that stood out a lot was the selection of tapestry bags.

They have come back in fashion recently with quite a few versions on the high street and I love them!

Here are a selection from the high street and some vintage numbers I have found online:

My favourite from the high street and most similar to the original vintage styles, lovely framed bag with pretty floral image, bargain at £12.99 from New Look, perfect for a night out!



Great size for everyday use, work or university. Pretty tan and light coloured tapestry. £36.99 River Island.



cute dinky frame purse, for all your coins. £10.00 Topshop


Beautiful framed bag with chain (a common handle for vintage tapestry bags) Pretty embroidery pattern. £54 My Vintage
www.myvintage.co.uk



Fantastic 1950s handbag from www.steptoesantiques.co.uk £53.00 but worth every penny!


Another 1950s bag this time from www.myvintage.co.uk . £45 unusual shape and mix of colours in this one.

Last but not least from www.devoted2vintage.co.uk £42 lovely rigid form handbag again 1950s.



If these examples are out of your price range at this time of the month (they are to me!)I would recommend trying a local vintage fair. With the popularity of tapestry bags right now, there are a lot about for reasonable prices and if you are there with the seller face to face you can bargain the price also!

Expect a post soon on my vintage fair purchases, I have lost my camera battery charger so no photos at the moment.

1940s Bash

I am so glad that the Blind Lemon Vintage fair is coming to Cardiff again on 6th of this month.




Because in April, I have this to go too!



We are going for my friends Birthday, she lives nearby so me and my friends will drive down and stay the weekend and go to this event.

I really want a genuine 1940s dress, nothing elaborate just an everyday dress will be lovely. So hopefully I can pick one up at the fair.

I cannot wait to do my hair either, I dont know which style yet but Ive been gathering inspiration and where better than from:

http://bobbypinblog.blogspot.com/

Bobbypin blog is one of my favourite blogs to follow, a recent post got me looking at these

http://www.ultimatelooks.com/jonrenauwigs/turbangjr.htm

for a Betty Grable look, it is a possibility!
I could do a good Veronica Lake, but thats super glamorous.
Katharine Hepburn is probably more a style I will try.

I have a lot of hair to work with as you can see! my fringe has grown out since that picture as well.All advantages for 1940s dress, unlike the 1920s theme I picked! I used about 50 hair pins that night!

winter woolies

This is the Tulchan cardigan I mentioned. I bought it at the Blind Lemon vintage fair last month.



I love it, perfect for the cold weather. :)
It reminds me of the cardies my grandma used to knit me when I was little, always had a lovely pattern or applique on them, wish shehadnt given up knitting, so I could request one this year!

Vintage in Cardiff

Here is a list of my favourite places to shop vintage in Cardiff.

In no particular order:


Looby Loo's Boutique

A pretty little store in the High Street Arcade. It has a good collection of both men and womens vintage as well as a range of clothes made from vinatge materials. What I most like about the store is its easy shopping, while I do like a good rummage around to find hidden treasures, there is no tat. All the clothes at Loobys are in great condition and displayed lovingly in its delightful surroundings.
Another plus are the changing rooms, spacious!
Heres the website, where there is even a shop tour!
http://www.loobyloos.co.uk/

Blind Lemon vintage fair

This lovely event travels the UK stopping in Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Swansea.

I went the other weekend and got myself a real fur coat and a lovely Tulchan cardigan. Good prices and lots of variety on the stalls. Its a great place to pick up costume jewellery.

you can follow the blog here:
http://www.blindlemonvintage.blogspot.com/

or visit the website:
http://www.blindlemonvintage.co.uk/


Set in the beautiful Morgans Arcade in Cardiff city centre is

A Vintage Affair

This shop is wall to wall heaven.
In every corner there are shelves and antique dessers full of crockery, handmade gifts, bags,gloves and hats from every era. Bunting and fairy lights hang from the ceiling and vintage inspired greeting cards sit behind mountains of beautiful jewellery.
This boutique fits perfectly next to the second hand bookstore in one of the most beautiful of Cardiff's Arcades. Definitley worth a visit.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p231/safereturn/Morgan_Arcade.jpg


The Victorian Pumping station Antiques and Interiors

This indoor market offers a range of antiques and collectables including one lovely vintage clothing stall.

Lots of old magazines, ornaments and tea sets as well as reclamation yard items such as garden features, door handles, tiles and fireplaces. Lots to look at here and great entertainment for an afternoon. This is where I go for a good rummage!

http://www.the-pumpingstation.co.uk/

pin up style

I love the cheeky pin up style of the 1940s and 50s. I think its because they're naughty but nice.

Gil Elvgren images are so much fun.

I love the pastel hues and the coy faces the girls pull.

I also like the themes that run through a lot of pin up art and photography like 'cowgirl' 'housewife' 'sailorgirl' 'motorist'


Its something that has been done again and again in pop culture. Here are my favourite examples:

CandyMan by Christina Aguilera. Christina made the perfect pin-up and I loved all the videos from her album 'Back to Basics' I want her stylist!!

here are some beautiful photos of her as a 1940s sweetheart.

this last one is my favourite, I love her 1930s style hair and the glamorous floor length dress.

A more recent example would be the comic relief video for 'Just can't get enough' by The Saturdays.

They go through sailor, cowgirl, girlfriend, housewife, cheerleader and more all in one video!

to see pictures and interviews with some real life pin-ups go to:

http://www.queensofvintage.com/category/gossip/celebrity-gossip

look out for Fleur de Guerre, Bernie Dexter and Zoe Scarlett.