I'll have You, You, and You Please!

So it looks like I have finally finished furnishing my living room thanks to an impromptu nip into the local charity shop back at my "homehome" in Surrey.  I went back to see my sister and pups and before we went to the cinema I quickly visited one of the British Heart Foundation shops.  I used to always swing by when I was around but never actually bought anything from there before.  Until now that is.  Although I did once spot a 1920s Singer sewing machine in the window but I had no room for it at the time.  It was beautiful though.

Well, now I'm a happy girl because the flat is really coming together.  I'll do more posts on the furnishings and decorating for sure.  But for now here are my awesome new additions!

I will take some better photos once the pieces are at mine.  The inside of the wardrobe is super cute.  Cannot wait to sit it next to my Art Deco dresser in my bedroom.  They're going to look such a pair.  The sideboard will take pride of place in my living room along with my other pieces.  The glass front display cabinet might go in the corridor as I already have another display cabinet in the living room but we shall see.  Or I could even have it in my bedroom and replace my old tall display cabinet which houses my handbags??  Hmm... The dilemma.  But I think I will do something with it for certain.  Maybe paint it or just sand it down and re-varnish.  Either way I think they will all look amazing alongside my green velvet sofa!

Once I am happy with the placement of all my furniture I can start arranging all my paintings and prints onto the walls too.   Because you just can't do one before the other.  Not if you don't know where the tall or short pieces will be sitting lol. This is all too exciting and I may just pass out now.  Forgive me if you don't hear from me for a while...

Toodles peeps,

Alison xxx

Hand in Glove

I have a thing for gloves... Especially when we are discussing opera length leather loveliness.  The long awaited line by Dita Von Teese which launched recently is like a dream to me.  If you haven't had a chance to gaze your eyes over them, may I present to you a selection of my favourites.

The Flirteese

The Sophisticate 

Perfect for riding I'd say.

The Bon Bon

Sooo cute!

The Erotique

Love the contrast buttons.

The Femme Totale

For all us stocking lovers...

The Flirteese Demi

And last but not least - The Erotique Opera...

My favourite of them all!

I first spotted Erotique on one of the images for Dita's lingerie line Von Follies.  In particular, on the Madame X sets.  There was word that Dita shot with her personal collection of beautiful gloves but also word that a line of delicious styles were being produced by the lady herself.  I was thrilled to hear this; even if I would only be dreaming of owning a pair for myself.

All these beauties and more styles are available at Just One Eye.  I hear Valentines is just around the corner...

Have a good evening,

Alison xxx

My Vintage Down in the Dumps

The title says it all.  I was having a down time.  Even a bad time when it came to shopping for some 'new to me' pieces.  For some reason I 'd been having a real hard time seeing anything that I liked in my size recently.  Always finding beautiful things in other sizes but my alteration pile is just never ending.  Of course I still had good ol' repro and made to measure to turn to.  Thank goodness.  But we all know it's not the same.  That feeling you get when you find the most amazing of dresses and it is your perfect size!  Gasp!!

I decided I needed to turn this around and so I called on the help of the ladies of the Ooh La La! Vintage Swap and Sell Shop on Facebook.  If you don't know it you should take a look.  Such a gem of a group and some fantastic people on there who not only buy and sell but can also help you with any tricks and tips with your items.  I had joined the group some time ago but never really used it.  That was up until recently and well, I would just like to warn you.  It can get rather obsessive because you never want to miss that one item.

I had noticed that from time to time people would post in the group requesting specific items so I thought why not?  I left a little message on there and hoped that somewhere someone would have some nice things to show me.  Well, they sure did.  The response was more then I had expected.  Not only did I finally find myself some goodies but it also perked me up to try and get my search-on again.  From OLL to Etsy I went.  A determined woman on a mission!


Here are just a few of the items I have managed to acquire...

1950s Black Flocked Organza Dress

This beauty fits me like a glove.  As if it were made for me :D

This bright number needs a bit of TLC which I hope to have fixed up.

I'm going to give it a go anyway.

A pair of early 60s Baby Blue Plaid Wool Cigarette Pants.

Saved for next winter.

As well as clothing I also collected this rainbow set of chiffon scarves.

You can never have too many colours!

However, my major score was this oh-so-stunning set.

This 1940s Sweetheart Dress and Coat Ensemble.

This is probably one of the most amazing pieces of vintage I own and I have been collecting and wearing for many years.  The dress is just a tiny bit big but definitely a keeper.  Unfortunately the coat is too big for me to wear.  I am undecided on what to do with it yet.  I'm torn because I hate the idea of separating them because beautiful pairs like this is so hard to come by.  But on the other hand I feel terrible if it were never to be worn again as the likelihood of me selling the dress on would be very slim.  It's just such a shame that the lovely heart details are not present on any part of the dress itself.  What do you think about my dilemma?  Are any of my readers interested in the coat maybe?  These are the measurements taken from the original listing - coat: length 40.5" / waist 26" / hip open (zipper comes just below waist) / bust 34-36" / sleeve 24" (meant to be blousey).  This here is the link from Etsy with all the details but there was another owner between myself and this seller.

Whilst we are all here, if you have some vintage garments which may be of interest to me do send me a message.  I'm never not looking!  My measurements are 30-31/23-24/33 or there abouts.

I'm sure happy with this lot.  Just goes to show... Never get down in the dumps and never give up hope.  Even if we are only talking about shopping!  I'll be making a post on some of my homeware finds soon.  So keep a look out because I have some goodies to show off.

Hope you have all had a wonderful sunny few days.  There's a little rain a-coming in the next few so keep those head scarves and cardies at the ready!

See you soon,
Alison xxx

The 1940s Relived - Brooklands Museum

Hi All!

I hope you are all enjoying your Sundays.  I'm not feeling too great myself so am spending the day indoors but the weather doesn't look too bad from this side of the glass doors.  I meant to post this much earlier on but never got round to finishing it.  Since the event happens this coming Saturday I thought; no time like the present to put it up!

So coming up this Saturday 17th is The 1940s Relived event at Brooklands Museum.  I wanted to do a little post on this as I visited the museum a few months back and of course this event caught my eye.  During my visit I had a lot of fun riding some beautiful vintage motors up their Test Hill run.  It's definitely not something you get to do everyday.  If you get a chance to take a ride I recommend taking up the offer!

Passenger seat view of the countdown to going up the Test Hill.

Second photo we're driving on the famous Brooklands race track.

I even appeared in the local paper later that week after a press photographer asked for my photo.

The museum had a big center page spread.

What a privilege it was to have rode on this spectacular piece of machinery! 

  

So back to the event itself.  Here's a few photos I've 'borrowed' from Brooklands FB page from last years event.  It looks rather fun and hopefully I will see you there myself.  It does clash with the Tweed Run this year but you can always head on over afterwards as it runs through to the evening for some dancing and drinking!

A street party, music, dancing, stalls of all kinds, re-enactors, vintage cinema, a 1930s Members’ Bar and their Art Deco Clubhouse awaits you this Saturday.  Go party like it really is the 1940s!


Toodles,
Alison xxx

Chaps & Chappettes - The Chap Olympiad 2013

Well what sweltering weather it has been here in London.  I'm sat here in my flat eating some watermelons to try and cool down and keeping myself out of the suns rays.  The air is so still and apparently it is going to continue like this for the next couple of weeks!  Amazing when I'm not working, haha.

This Saturday gone was once again that time of year where all (well most) of the chaps and chappettes of London and afar gathered together for the event that always makes it into my diary.  The one and only Chap Olympiads.  There's nothing like it.

I missed a few games this year having only turned up mid afternoon and so didn't take as many photos as I usually would.  It did mean that I spent more time with friends and less time running around.  It was a jolly good time!

Having a good catch up with the lovely Sophie.

The girls with the picnic, the strawberries and the smuggled Gin!

Something was happening with some tarts and knocking them out of the opponents cake slice.

Horse-Play... Make as you will.

My outfit for the day...

A newly acquired vintage hat from Sweden

My again new Match necklace by the fabulous Luxulite

Clear Lucite repro handbag from Miss L Fire

Cropped top from Urban Outfitters

Vintage skirt with plaited red belt

Sunnies also from same Sweden trip

This was the hats first outing and well it was quite appropriate with the sun and I absolutely fell in love with it.  And best of all... It only cost me 20kronos/£2 from the flea market at Live & Rockin' which I visited recently held in Sweden!  It's so versatile as I can adorn it with all kinds of accessories and colours to match my outfits!  Dream hat if ever I had one.

Briefcase Phalanx

Bread-roll Basketball

My attempt at a sneak photo of The Vintage News chaps at work but my parasol got in the way!

I loved that this year they had a vintage photo-booth on site!

Here I am with the gorgeous Alice :) 

The much needed said parasol put into good use.

Of course things got a little pyramidy as the event went into the night...

There were many a photographers there; professional & amateur, as well as plenty of press as usual.  It gets international coverage nowadays you know!  I had my photo taken by several people and found this lovely vibrant copy by Soul Stealer Photography.  Hope he doesn't mind my using it!

I'm already looking forward to next year.  Hope you can join me there in 2014 for what is sure to be a spectacular 10th year anniversary for the Olympiad!

Pip pip!
Alison xxx

Have You Heard...?

The What Katie Did sale is now on!

As is Freddies of Pinewood's.  Two of my favourite brands!

Go get them ladies before it's all gone :D

Alison xxx