bits and bobs

i like bits and bobs...bobs more than bits really, but i collect both! As you can see, i was in my element at The Vintage Furniture Flea (that wasn't a deliberate attempt at rhyme, promise!).

The Bellinis @ The Vintage Furniture Flea

Now these girls were hot, hot, hot! With a very smooth band to match. The mash-ups they were singing were just awesome...my favourite being a rendition of New York, New York spliced with Alicia Keys Empire State of Mind  - toe tappingly brilliant! You have to hear their vibe - a real glamorous take on modern tunes. I will be seeking them out in the future...

The Vintage Furniture Flea

I am always up for a bit of vintage on a Sunday, so hearing that The Vintage Furniture Flea was back in town, i decided to pop along. York Hall in Bethnal Green provided the perfect back drop due to its old english feel, transporting me back to nights spent at my local youth club. After cooing over a great many things, i decided to be sensible and stick to some vintage martini glasses and 1920's french fashion mags (could have spent a fortune on cabinets alone - but i have nowhere to put them!). The soundtrack to the day was provided by The Bellinis, a great jazz/ swing band with a modern twist (more on which later), with 40's style tea and cakes giving a much needed energy boost. The woman behind it all is Judy Berger, a former personal shopper and stylist, who also brings us the Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair  and the Vintage kilo sale (next London stops 16th and 22nd April). The team will also be heading up Vintage at the Southbank (the new Goodwood) in August...i can't wait!

Vintage Fashion Fair

Sundays are made for endless pots of tea, numerous slices of toast, long walks, pub lunches and a rummage though a great vintage fair. I managed to pack all of this in yesterday at Primrose Hill, culminating with a visit to the Vintage Fashion Fair at Cecil Sharp House. There was a great selection of stalls with some real gems on offer. Small enough to not be too overwhelming but big enough to make me wish I'd have saved more pennies! The next fair is on April 17th and if you register before hand, it's free to get in!

my purchase... a 1930's silk dressing gown...

Best Of British - Pt1

During the last few years there has been a really strong Best of British vibe, which I think was only intensified by the recession, helping us to appreciate all the great things on our doorstep. This post is the first of many to visually celebrate all things British, such as the good old cuppa and resurgence in afternoon tea, c(gl)amping, heritage clothing (with Christopher Bailey at the helm), age-old traditions and vintage styling. All of which are constantly updated for the 21st Century.

Expect to see a lot more love for these Great British Isles and our style in the run up to 2012. Why not start with Luella Bartley’s new book Luella's Guide to English Fashion, which is out next week? Looking further ahead to 2012 (a little scary I know), the V&A have a great exhibition planned, showcasing the best of British design from 1948 – 2012 (March - August 2012). So, what does best of British mean to you??

Lily Allen new Vintage clothes shop

Last week, I finally got round to visiting Lily Allen and her sister Sarah Owen’s new business venture, Lucy in Disguise. Right in the heart of Covent Garden on Kings Street, this is a must for all you vintage clothes lovers. Forget rummaging through packed rails, this is a high end, pain free experience. Housing a gorgeous selection of well-sourced pieces, from the likes of Alaia, YSL, Chanel, the wonderful Ossie Clark, as well as beautiful ‘un-named’ gems, you are sure to find your every want and need! I had to pull myself away from an Ossie maxi that was calling out to me, only to be drawn in by a beaded 20’s flapper dress! Prices aren’t cheap, starting from around £100 going into the thousands, but if you are looking for a one-off stunner then this is the place for you.

What’s lovely about the shop is that everything is accessible, so even if you’re not able to buy, it is just nice to get a real good look at these beautiful pieces and soak up the great shopping experience LID has to offer. The staff are super trendy, super friendly and also double up as personal stylists. You can then polish off your look with a trip to the blow dry bar and salon downstairs, 'et voila', you are ready for your close up! Go in and take a look…just be prepared to fall in love!

Sartorial Cyclists on Savile Row...

What with my current bike obsession, I decided to dig up some photos from a surreal experience whilst shopping in April. Well, I was standing on the corner of Savile Row, minding my own business, when a huge crowd of eccentric cyclists whizzed past in the finest vintage clothes, tipping their hats at the gawping crowd as they went. It was over in a flash and to this day I am still not sure what it was all about (let me know if you do), but it made for some excellent snaps! 

V&A Friday Lates - Retro Hollywood Glamour

After the amazing time we had at the Science Museum Lates night a few weeks ago, the man and me decided to try out the V&A's version on Friday. This months theme was Retro Hollywood Glamour, so it was right up my street! From the moment we walked up the red carpeted entrance, to the dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra, I just knew we were in for a treat! There was a feast of activities and events including silk screen scarf printing, a masterclass with Daisy de Villeneuve (the renowned illustrator) and the chance to dress up and be photographed in gorgeous vintage frocks. I loved that so many came dressed to the nines in fifties fashion, others with a modern twist. There was also a team on hand to create Hollywood makeovers, worthy of the silver screen. Just the thrill of walking around this beautiful museum after hours with the retro soundtrack was the stuff of movies!

One of my highlights - 'Whisky In The Jar!' by Fitzrovia Radio Hour - just brilliant!

One of the many suited and booted in the crowd...Don Draper eat your heart out!

A sit down cinema reel of fifties Hollywood film trailers

The John Madejski Garden was the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine as night fell.

Festival Fun... Vintage at Goodwood

When I first heard about Vintage at Goodwood (13^th-15^th August) earlier this year I remember thinking what a genius idea, this is my kind of festival! Dreamt up by the brilliant Wayne and Geradine Hemingway, the festival celebrates ‘5 decades of British cool’ by combining the best of music, fashion, design, dance, art and film from the 1940s – 1980s. It has a real ‘Best of British’ vibe with a respectful nod to the 1951 Festival of Britain albeit with a contemporary twist. This is a weekend long event in the style of old British camping holidays, where you can just pop along for the day or pitch up for the duration. There are options to suit all budgets from camping to glamping (i would opt for the gypsy caravans myself). Check out their amazing site as there is far too much happening and it would be rude for me to try and summarise. Happy Camping!