pick 'n' mix weekend

Recently I have been feeling very run down and stressed (probably the reason for the rather sparse blogging - sorry) and this weekend was a perfect battery recharge.

On Saturday Madeleine and I headed over to the Vintage Pick n Mix on Brick Lane, which was I have to admit not very good in terms of thrifting - all 80s loud shirts!.. although Madeleine found a great skirt and hat

and I did manage a few tourist scarves (which i promptly washed at home) and then we mooched about, checked out the new Vintage store Blitz... great building, slightly unreliable stock!, and had a brilliant fish and chips at Poppies.

Then Sunday was all about the kitchen. I made a roast butternut squash soup, lemon curd (how amazingly easy is lemon curd!) and then Alice came over and we baked brownies and a lemon cloud cake. YUM

The boys are off playing rebellion festival in brighton so it was so lovely to have a relaxing girly weekend.

Vintage at Southbank.. the free bits!

This week, finally, was Vintage at Southbank... Last year Madeleine and I had a brilliant time at Goodwood so were anxiously awaiting this years event... when we found out it was at Southbank in London there were definately mixed reactions, and after checking all the information out as the event got nearer and nearer we were still no wiser as to how it would pan out and which events were actually on which days.

So as a result we didn't buy tickets, I had pretty much decided not to go at all as the free bits only really included an outside fair... but a surprise free weekend and some of my best friends in town meant that I actually ended up going both days - but still only to the free bits.

The weather was gorgeous and inside the tents was very hot.. trying items on was more a test of trying not to sweat or smudge lipstick! I heard that inside the Royal festival hall paying customers were also sweltering so I was glad to be outside.

The market was packed on both days ( i was rather anxiously trying to make sure no-one stood on my broken toe!) but there was a huge selection of stalls and a great mix between interiors, womenswear, menswear and era's.

The Chap olympiad was also free in the adjourning field, meaning that the two best bits from Goodwood last year could still be enjoyed.

It was strange being open to everyone though and there were a lot of passers through and tourists.. on Saturday I wore a vintage dress, but a 70s one and didn't do my hair or make up at all.. not knowing what to expect I didn't want to look ridiculously out of place. What was so lovely about last year was that it was like another world, where you could dress however you liked without people staring. at Southbank however, there was quite a divide between the 'vintage' and 'non vintage' customers, and it often felt a bit on show. Having said that on sunday, when I made slightly more effort we were given free drinks at ping pong... maybe being gawked at isn't so bad all the time.

I would have liked to go into the Paying bits, and seen the torch club again, but I just didn't feel that the ticket price was justified by what was on offer... I'm eagerly waiting reviews from people who went inside.

Overall whilst it was nice for Vintage to tie in with the Festival of Britain celebrations I do really hope it is a proper weekend away somewhere next year. This year was definately just too much of a packed fair.

Saturday's outfit...

Saturday's purchases.... x


Sundays outfit... (ahem, yes! the skirt I bought on saturday!)

free cocktails in ping pong!






Sunday's purchases x

Hello Juno!!

Last night, after an unexpected Tweet I was lucky enough to attend the Juno Says Hello sale.

If you haven't been onto the site it is definately worth checking out. Taking Vintage clothes to another level in terms of quality and service it is an Amazing website. Ran by Rebecca, who has a great eye, there is no rummaging needed - everything is beautiful.

The evening last night included champagne and cupcakes aswell as a much appreciated 20% off! Despite pay day not being until friday I couldnt resit two beautiful 50's dresses... the velvet one, while it may have to wait until winter to wear is so comfy and my absolute favourite and the black is so classic and useful - (why is it usually so hard to find classic black vintage dresses!.. they are always patternend!)

Anyway after my huge rave (not a sponsored post honestly - I am just a huge fan!!) I cannot reccomend them enough - the dressses are expensive but they are beautiful quality and definately worth it.

Cloudy Day

Wow! love this cloud day dress!!!!.... upcoming birthday present anyone?! xx

Busy Bank Holiday

Wow.. what a great weekend :) I managed to fit in Vintage Fairs on both Saturday (Dalston) and Sunday (Hampstead) and lovely dinners with friends on all days!


I also went to a talk on Vintage Postcards by Postcardese - so interesting! - did you know that tilting the stamp is a sign of affection! x

Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair

This morning Sam and I headed down to Judy's affordable vintage fair for a good rummage and to begin the first in the Vintage City Guide series. :)


Judy's Vintage Fair travels around different locations all over the UK (the next one is Mon 30th at spitalfiedlds) selling a great mix of vintage fashion, home wares and furniture.
Started by Judy Berger, an ex selfridges personal shopper and curators at Vintage at Goodwood and Vintage at the Southbank, the fairs usually have live music as well as a brilliant tea shop/cafe on site for tired boyfriends ;)


Upcoming Fairs are:
30th May: Spitalfields, London
4th June: Leeds Corn Exchange
4th June: Leamington Spa
12 June: The Hospitium, York
18th June: The Chester Guildhall
26th June: Balham bowls club, london
26th June: Rheged centre, Cumbria
3rd July: Leeds Market
15-18 July: Lovebox festival
29-31 July: southbank vintage festival, london



I would definitely advise getting there early as this one got very busy with a few ruthless shoppers - elbows definitely at the ready!

Andrea Garland - Vintage Lipgosses!

Whilst wandering through Liberty's the other day I noticed a big pile of cute little vintage tin's in a bowl... surprised that liberty's had started selling vintage i went over to inspect them only to find out that they all had lipgloss in! - so cute! Andrea Garland recycles the old pots and fills with yummy new lipgloss which is also 100% natural.

Every tin is obviously unique and you can get refills once you have run out! - the perfect green beauty product!

Sunday Wanderings

On Sunday Sam and I wanted to make the most of the sun so went out for one of my favourite days - a lazy wander around the area where we live. Freud's house, which is down the road from us is currently wrapped in hair by Artist Alice Anderson, so we took a wander there.. then there also happened to be a collectors fair on in the village hall where I picked up a cute little spoon and an amazing mother of pearl (?) purse that opens to reveal a make up compact! x

We sat next to the ponds for a while and ended up walking through highgate and kentish town before heading back to eat :) perfect.