Retrolex Vintage Market

Evening everyone....thanks so much for all your kind comments and support after my blog officially "came out".  Much appreciated....

I went to a family engagement party last night at Under the Stars (a boat on the harbour) and I wore my gorgeous silver lurex evening dress that I bought at the fair last week and despite taking the camera the only photo I took was of my mother in law!  So, no photo to update the blog as yet so I must correct that.

Just found a flyer in the bottom of my bag that I got at yesterdays vintage fair - there is another one coming up in our fair town.  The Retrolex Vintage Market  at the Novotel Hotel on Victoria Street - Sunday November 18th, 11am - 5pm. £2 entry.

www.retrolex.co.uk

This one is not just clothes but I think vintage collectables and homewares.  I may see you there (purely for research purchases you undersand.....otherwise this will get expensive).

There is also another vintage fair at Ashton Gate Stadium at the end of the month.......

http://www.ashtongatestadium.co.uk/events/the-bristol-flea-market-november

Why not pop along?  Happy Truffle Hunting!!!

All the fun of the fair(s) cont.......

Sat 27th October 2012
 

Morning Vintage Vixens!!  It’s a gorgeous day here in Bristol. Cold but gorgeous.  I have the weekend off (rare working in retail) and despite the long list of things we have to do, my wonderful (but long-suffering) husband offered to take me to another vintage fair. This one was at Temple Meads passenger shed. 

http://www.thevintagefair.com/#/bristol/4557305834


It’s a travelling fair that goes to cities all over the country but it’s the first time this particular one comes to Bristol.   It was quite a step back into the past as people made the effort to really dress up. We noticed on our way there, lots of people walking past in 1940’s-1950’s gear – even men in there long coats and wartime style bags (complete with tin mug hanging off of one of them!).  There was a lovely older lady in a pale blue 1940’s style dress with the back-seam stockings and beautiful curled hair.  This fair definitely had the historical feel to it and the items were definitely more expensive.  I did find one little treasure though. A cream silk 1950's style prom skirt with black velvet line detail.  I love full skirts (desite it being a style I should probably avoid as I have rather large hips). It was a bit more than I would normally spend but as it was my sole purchase I rationalised that it was ok (and I promised John we would be in and out in one hour and that I would buy his lunch if he came).    I think I will dress up for the next one…….not sure the tutu is ready to come out of retirement but I am definitely going to put a dress on and make more of an effort. It feels like more of an event that way. Some of the ladies looked beautiful – it harks back to an age where women were real women and wouldn’t dare leave the house without perfect nails and the ultimate red lipstick.

 

 

Not a great photo but I am wearing a velvet Jaeger blazer, Wallis jeans (the only item of clothing not second hand).  My Monsoon top I bought last week in Winterbourne, a fake snakeskin red Birkin-ish style bag with my Nans old scarf hanging off the handle and my new boots bought last week at Ashton Gate.  (I think they may actually be a size 7 but I won't tell my size 5 feet that.  They can cope).

 

 

Here's the skirt.  Its actually got a quilted lining which makes it feel fuller than it is.  The black line is a velvet strip. I have put it with a velvet M&S Per Una jacket (found in a charity shop in Weston about 10 years ago).  I love the back of it - very Anna Karenina.  Shoes are a recent purchase from St Peters again (the heart of my universe) - £4.50.  I would probably dress it down also and wear it with my denim jacket and a nice cream scarf. 

 

 

All the fun of the fair(s)

I can’t believe I haven’t had time to write in nearly a week. Shameful.

Well, first up – my first vintage fair last Sunday………I was like a child in a sweet shop. It was amazing. We got there for 9ish not really knowing what to expect and already there were already lots of people milling around. There were stalls packed with vintage jewellery, clothes, hats, accessories but also home wear, furniture and collectables. I found some real treasures and it was great to spend time with Micky. She found a stall holder with two Basset Hounds (her favourite dogs) and was happy from that moment on. She did admit that it wasn't really her "bag" (vintage or not) but she was happy to come and let me indulge for a couple of hours. It was nice to see also that vintage didn’t necessarily mean expensive. One stall was selling leather 1950’s gloves for only £3.50 and most of the evening dresses on one stand were no more than£20. I bought some gorgeous Miss Sixty mixed red leather boots, a silver lurex evening dress, an art deco scarf pin and a polka dot wrap skirt. A perfect sunday morning.......minus the bacon sandwich. 

 

This is the skirt. It was £10 but Michala got her down to £5 which was a good job as its covered in marks and even got a few holes but you can't seem them unless you are up really close.  I love it anyway and when you love something/someone - you learn to forgive the flaws!  The ruffle shirt is from St Peters Hospice on Fishponds Road, its got a 1970's disco feel to it!  And the bag....well that is Louis Vuitton.  I suppose that is getting on for a vintage now - I bought it a few years ago in Cannes, France.  I adore her and she only comes out for special occasions. I am so scared she will get stolen.  As for the wolf - that is my gorgeous dog - Solo.  He is dying to go out for a walk and I am being selfish by getting my blog done first. I am a bad mum.

 

These are the Miss Sixty boots.....only to be worn for short periods at a time!

 

This stall is Bex Vintage (website : www.bexvintage.co.uk ).  It was massive, the biggest there and the stall where I bought all 3 items of clothes. 

 

The lovely Miss Michala and her future dog

 

Bex Vintage again, I still can't believe I got photos with no people in them - the place was packed

 

 

 

Ashton Gate Vintage Fair

Tomorrow I am going to a vintage fair at Ashton Gate football stadium in Bristol. 

http://www.ashtongatestadium.co.uk/events/the-bristol-flea-market-october

First time I have ever been to something like this so I am very excited (despite my lack of available funds to spend!).  I am going with my lovely friend Michala who has a very unique sense of style.  She manages to make anything look on-trend and edgy.  Can't wait to see what she'll wear...

Oxfam Vintage

Morning fashionistas.....

Just browsing the Oxfam Vintage pages and found this gorgeous Wallis dress (shame I am nowhere near a size 6-8).

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/womens-clothing/vintage/vintage-1980s1990s-wallis-size-6-8-gothic-ebony-black-hourglass-maxi-dress-with-hd_100042305

Looking forward to the Christmas dresses due into our Wallis store soon !

Wonderful Winterbourne

Despite the on-set of a cold,  I have had a nice day off especially this morning, discovering the St Peters Hospice shop in Winterbourne.  My lovely friend Kerry volunteers there (who also works with me at Wallis) and I promised to visit on my next day off.

I found some great bargains (and even had some leftover change to buy a new M&S Autograph plum shirt for John!). Have a look at what I found.......

•  A brand new Monsoon blouse with silk covered buttons on sleeves giving it that extra special vintage feel. I wore it today with skinny blue jeans and my favourite cowboy boots. £8.50

 

• A satin feel top from Primark with backwing sleeves in oyster - £3.50. It looks a bit un-shapely in the photo but is surprisingly flattering.

 

• Black Autograph M&S shoes for £4.50 that I shall wear for work in the hope that they will be comfortable all day long (not like the ones I wear now!!)

Big thanks going out to Kerry and the team for the invitation and a lovely hour spent rummaging!

Chouchou....

A very lazy hungover Sunday spent setting up my blog, trying to sell some clothes on Ebay (yes I do get rid of some sometimes but only about once every 20 years and then I cry through the whole process). But I also found time to visit my lovely friend Ewa Cwiek and her friend Gabby at the Craft fair at Frenchay Village Hall. She had a stall selling among other things homemade necklaces made out of T-shirts and old ties that are just beautiful.  She has such a lovely creative eye and seems to be able to make gorgeous unusual things out of nothing.  She has set up her company "Chouchou" and her website will be up and running in a few weeks so watch this space for a link and some photos of her lovely products!