Clothes Show Live 2011

Our final piece of news - we've just signed up to exhibit at Clothes Show Live 2011, which is on at the NEC from 2nd to 7th December. It's something we've fancied doing for some time, especially since it is local to us, so this year we have finally taken the plunge and we can't wait!

We're going to be in the Blue Zone, as part of Anita's Vintage Fair alongside loads of other amazing vintage companies. If you've never been to the Clothes Show then why not join us and make this your first visit - alone with the most amazing shopping ever there is a huge catwalk show, a hair salon giving you a chance to get your hair cut by a top stylist, hair and beauty demonstrations, make overs and celebrity appearances. A fun day out and a chance to get your Christmas shopping sorted too!

 

Strawberry Fields Festival

We spent the August bank holiday weekend at Strawberry Fields festival in Leicestershire. When Sabina of Sutton Vintage and Arts Fair told us she was organising the Strawberry Glam Vintage Tent at the festival, we knew we had to get involved!

The other traders in the tent included Rebecca Louise, who had created an official bracelet set for the festival, beautiful ethical fashion from Annie Greenabelle, cute jewellery from Laura Loves and Prudence Collins Design, great T shirts from Daisy Chain, as well as great vintage collections from Mad Elizabeth, Vintage Revolver and Roxy Valetta. It was not to be missed

The weekend was a little chilly and damp but that didn't stop the fun, it was a really friendly crowd who enjoyed taking a break in the vintage tent and chilling out on the leather chairs and deckchairs which added a really cosy feel. There was even a hair dressing booth so you didn't need to let roughing it in a field stop you looking your best - what a good idea!

Add to the mix great music from the likes of Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Kelis, Jaguar Skills, Beardyman and Mystery Jets (and the fact that it was only a 40 minute drive from our house) and it was a pretty great weekend. Here are our pictures...

The lovely Nina Smith, who bought an adorable cloud print cardi from us

Our stall

Pat Butcher would be proud! Amazing earrings from Roxy Valetta

Mad Elizabeth

Laura Loves Boutique

Prudence Collins Design

We're on ASOS Marketplace!

I have quite a bit to tell you today, but I'll do them in separate posts to keep them tidy! First up, I wanted to let you know that we have started selling on ASOS marketplace. It's pretty exciting, everyone knows what a fashion giant ASOS is, and I have seen the new Marketplace grow over the last few months, but as everything has to be photographed 'street style' (which basically means on a human, outdoors) I had not had a chance to start selling on there until a couple of friends came to visit and I managed to drag them out into the garden to take a few pics. Here a few examples of our efforts...

I'm hoping to get out and shoot some more on Monday, so if all goes to plan I'll be adding some more jewellery and clothes too. You can take a look here.

Vogue's Autumn Trends

With our stock room slowly filling up with jumpers, coats, hats and scarves, I'm starting to long for the autumn. I know it's wrong to wish the summer away (I'll soon miss those warm days and light evenings once they are gone), I can't help but get excited about the lovely clothes we are saving up for it. So imagine my delight when I discovered Vogue's trend reports for A/W 11 - vintage-tastic! Here are some of their predictions for the coming season...

Forties Glamour

image from vogue.co.uk

Well, you don't get much more vintage than this! Apparently Gucci, Prada and Gaultier have gone mad for the ladylike chic of the 1940's, including vintage staples like pencil skirts, furs, pearls, gloves and shrugs. What's great about this is that is such a flattering look that can work for any figure - plus tweed pencil skirts and faux furs are well stocked at most vintage events and shops so we can all find the ideal pieces to work this classic look. Can't wait! Next up...

Tartan Army

Being a Scottish born girl, I must admit a little fondness for the old tartan print. What's great about tartan is that you can be as subtle or as OTT as you want - work in a little flash of tartan on a scarf perhaps, or bring back the spirit of the Bay City Rollers with some full on tartan flares, it's up to you! Vogue say, "TARTAN, hound's tooth and Prince of Wales checks abounded on the autumn/winter 2011-12 catwalks - with plaid usurping denim as the new key fabric to double up on in your wardrobe. Make like Daks and Yves Saint Laurent - where a Prince of Wales check opened the show - and wear jacket plus dress, or skirt plus blouse."

image from vogue.co.uk

One of the boys

image from vogue.co.uk

For those who think vintage is all about dresses - think again! Vogue predict this boyish look is going to be big, and what better way to create this look on a budget than with vintage? Well, perhaps raiding your boyfriend's wardrobe, but for a better fitting, more you version of this look then you'll need to be keeping your eyes out for gents' tailoring, crisp shirts, braces and gentlemanly accessories. For a more laid back version, why not channel the classic mod look with some crisp jeans and a polo shirt? Which brings us on to...

Sixties Scene

My favourite of all!  "GO back in time this autumn/winter 2011-12. Leave fashion's summer obsession with the Seventies and look to Sixties style icons Mary Quant, Twiggy and Julie Christie to inspire your new season look," say Vogue, and who are we to argue! You can create this look with a gorgeous original 1960's mini dress in an eye popping print, team with a great A-line coat and some hot boots and you are good to go...

image from vogue.co.uk

Now, can someone sort me out a time machine so I can fast forward to October?!

Hop Farm Music Festival, 1st - 3rd July 2011

This time last week Mr Mouse and I were just getting ready to shut up shop for the final time and go off to see the legend that this Prince! Today it's nice to take a moment and reminisce...

The first morning and the shoppers arrive

We were at Hop Farm Music Festival in Kent with our friends from The Vintage Fair, who were hosting a marquee filled with vintage delights to enthuse and bedazzle the festival goers. When we read the line up for this festival we knew we had to be a part of it, so we packed up our finest vintage festival fashion (denim shorts - check, cosy knits - check, waterproofs - check, crazy things we would never be able to sell anywhere else - double check!) and headed south for some fun in the sun.

Browsers in the menswear department!

More lovely stalls

The weather was scorching throughout the festival, as was the line up - we managed to check out The Eagles, 10CC, Ocean Colour Scene, Graham Coxon, Young Rebel Set, Brandon Flowers, Morrissey, Prince and Stewart Lee doing a spot of late night comedy. We also got our groove on at the indie disco each night, while still managing to work 10 hour days manning our stall - phew, no wonder it has taken us a week to recover!

The crowd rather enjoying Brandon Flowers

Birmingham legends Ocean Colour Scene

The Eagles had an impressive show

Indie Disco!

Mozza

A giant puppet in the kids' area

Prince!

The crowd were friendly and very diverse, with everyone from families with young children, teens and students through to people who most likely saw all the legends on stage the first time around. And they were all into different looks - for example the more mature Eagles fans were loving our denim jackets while the younger crowd loved our kitsch sweatshirts and denim shorts (practically a festival uniform now!).

There were a few celebrity visitors to The Vintage Fair tent too - Kitty, Daisy and Lewis popped in before their superb set and their mum picked up a dress from our friends at Jeny & Amber, The Secret Sisters, who I watched and really enjoyed at the Big Tent stage just minutes before, came by and bought a few bracelets and necklaces from us, and the legendary Patti Smith took a browse with some friends (one of whom bought a pair of braces with pictures of horses on - how apt!).

Of course it was all about the music really though, and Prince did close the show with an amazing set - with purple rain tumbling from the sky as the sun set (I still have a few pieces zipped safely away in my purse). What a weekend.