A weekend of vintage

I was most excited when I got the weekly email update from The Guardian fashion team, to find at the bottom all I craved, a couple of sentences about a vintage fair happening a mere half an hour’s drive away from home, in Stockport. My first question was how I hadn’t heard about this sooner!

Vintage Village goodness

                                                                                  

Normally my Sunday mornings are reserved for being quite lazy, consisting of reading the papers and pottering about, but the lure of a fair filled with vintage goodness, well I couldn’t resist! The early start was a challenge, but more than worth it when I reached the haven of the old Victorian market – from the moment of entry it was pure indulgence; the buzz of shoppers, the old music sounding from the gramophone and glamorous sellers in their vintage regalia – all setting the nostalgic scene. I was glad I had tried to fit in with the glamorous crowd by wearing a vintage dress my auntie had kindly passed my way a few years ago.

Me, myself and my dress!

After a couple of hours of wondering around the stalls and devouring the vintage wares, I emerged with more than a few purchases; three dresses, one folk art inspired waistcoat and a beaded Peruvian belt just in case you were curious! That should cure my vintage shopping demons for a while, well until the next fair on the 10th April. Hope to see you there!
For more information visit the Vintage Village website

Image of me - courtesy of Lady, Behave!

Fashion leader in training!

I have exciting news to report – I have been selected to attend the Drapers Next Generation Academy at the end of March in London. Yaahoo!  Moi, a next generation fashion leader – here’s hoping!

The one day event will include and I quote (from Drapers online) “exclusive content from leading names in fashion” – this is very exciting and a great opportunity to learn from some key industry professionals.

Look out for an update after the event! Now what does one wear to such an occasion… must get planning!

Lunchtime shopping delights

Before I leave work for the weekend, I couldn’t resist posting a little picture of my vintage haul from the local charity shop this lunchtime! I squealed with delight when I noticed from across the cobbled street that they had got all of their vintage goodies out of storage and so ten minutes later (I was pushed for time and whizzed through the rails!) I emerged with five items costing less than £30!

Bag of goodies!

Now, the telling part will be when I get home and try everything on… let me say there will be tears if the vintage Lanvin skirt (still with the original tags on and unworn) doesn’t fit – fingers crossed I have lost a few pounds since I ate my sandwich and cake earlier today!

Full photos to follow soon - happy Friday one and all!

A wardrobe highlight!

The closest I have got to this season’s neon trend is none too careful highlighter pen usage and subsequently ending up with yellow streaks over my hands! Not a good look, but not one to be deterred I decided to go forth and inject some zing into my wardrobe and experiment with neon.

So, off I popped to the shops last weekend, and on my travels I managed to pick up a neon belt in Primark for the bargain basement price of 50p! I don’t normally shop in Primark, mostly because I don’t like picking up clothes to try on that have been sat on the floor! However, I did find myself drawn to the accessories department and 50p lighter I have my first piece of neon!

A slice of neon around the waist

A skinny minny belt to go over my oversized denim shirt, I quite liked the flash of yellow amongst the sea of denim! I might have to experiment a little more with other brights in the neon colour family again soon!

Can a leopard change its spots?

I think my leopard shoes can indeed change their spots!

I was feeling in a kooky mood this morning, so I opted to wear my spotty Topshop socks with my current favourite KG leopard heels – clashing prints is fun! I got a few second glances but that’s ok, fashion is there to provoke and provide intrigue! What better way to update your look than with a £3 pair of socks and your favourite heels…

Clashing prints!

I think next to try will be a whole outfit, perhaps a mishmash of spring florals… watch this space for how I get on!

Sunny side up!

The March glossies are full of slick new season advertising campaigns featuring many a model wearing super chic sunglasses.

So I got thinking! I need to update my eyewear for summer. This is an area that I must admit this is an accessories area I neglect, instead I opt to purchase clothes and footwear, much safer options and the cost per wear is more economical, especially given the UK daylight/sunshine hours! The eyes though are my view of the world and I should treat them with care. My past eyewear purchases have mostly consisted of high street bargains, £20 here and there on a quick holiday fix – I think this is due to the fact that I am very clumsy and I break/drop/scratch sunglasses/reading glasses all the time!

This must stop! I have decided to treat myself to a designer pair this season, and I already have a wee shortlist.

Contenders...

Ray Ban original Wayfarers; striped yellow and dark green frame

Chloé; square-framed sunglasses (from The Outnet)

RetroSuperFuture; Elysian print frame (exclusive to Liberty)

Pay day is the 15th February - decisions decisions!

Sharing a new purchase…

A few little shop visits were made last week, so I now share with you my first charity shop bargain of the year; an embossed leather belt that I am sure to wear a lot this summer, nothing beats a tan leather belt I say and… It was only £1!

It reminds me of something you could pick up in a market on holiday, that’s probably why I like it so much, always holiday dreaming!

Lovely leather belt

Also had a spree in H&M last weekend and bought a beige sleeveless dress, following the advice in the February Issue of UK Vogue about sleeveless blazers/jackets being a key item for the season ahead. I am opting for the dress version for this spring – just as soon as it stops raining!

Onwards and upwards in search of more wardrobe purchases for the sunshine season!