Tuesday 31 January 2012

Goodbye and Farewell to January


Well that’s one twelfth of 2012  now over and gone forever......the bleakest and often coldest month of the year. It official has days where some poor souls are more likely to take their own lives – statistically proven - and other days where us mere humans are more prone to depression and even statistics that show which day people are more likely to cheat on each other.... then there is the retail slump, as suffering still from the costs of Christmas festivities and gifts to one another....we are all feeling the financial squeeze of what always appears to feel like the longest month of the year.  Thank goodness then for February!


Yet although January can be a challenge to many of us, it is also the time of beautiful wintry landscapes, of being in the warmth of our homes sharing maybe more time than usual with our loved ones, a time of reflection on the past years events and of new years resolutions, where we inspire to be better and happier than we were in the previous year and of course, it is a time of the January sales...and procuring a whole host of bargains.


Yet, it should always be borne in mind that whilst we are busy wishing this austere month gone........we have also lost another 31 days of our lives.....never to be retrieved....a thought worth holding onto as we delve into the delights of February....

How about a little catch up?

Last time we spoke we were all full of enthusiasm here at All Things Vintage in regards to our video blogs and were about to embark on some vintage hair styles...well here's how it went...not good. I was in charge of actually trying to achieve the looks and Hannah was our hair model...now our family is blessed with having a lot of hair but Hannah is in a league of her own...very thick and very curly...so after attempting to curl it with the rollers and using millions of them I accepted defeat...we need more practice. Now luckily our other sister Tori is coming up next week and her hair is really long and slightly tamer so fingers crossed once again.

On the note of family, we currently have our brother Lewis staying with us...and it just so happens that we bought some vintage American sweatshirts...and hopefully with a little bit of persuasion he will agree to model them for us....pictures to follow later....

Left to Right: Hannah, Buffy, Tori and Lewis!!

Sunday 29 January 2012

Web Domination!

The team here at All Things Vintage are continually looking for new ways to take over the world and to get ourselves a bit more well known, so Hannah came up with the idea of video blogs...now we were a bit apprehensive to have our pictures taken for Asos Marketplace so to be filmed feels rather scary. Now none of us are shy but a video...close up...lets just say there will be no down days of working in our P.J's and no make up on :)

We propose to start small and our idea's are as follows:

Vintage inspired hair styles
Vintage inspired make up
Video diary of our market days
Clothing alterations
How to create vintage outfits

Now the prep work starts today with me attempting to create a vintage inspired hair style on Hannah...pictures will follow if all goes to plan...fingers crossed!

Any thoughts on our idea's and does anyone else do video blogs...if so any tips?


Friday 27 January 2012

Hannahs' Friday Favourites


This week I watched the burlesque movie online and loved it-so have now borrowed it from the library to feed my obsession to watch it over and over again :) To avoid doing any real work I made the workforce some cupcakes, I took the recipe from my cupcake book and edited it to make my own banana and peanut butter cupcakes which luckily turned out to be very delicious and eaten very quickly. My clothing pictures are items I found on the Topshop sale site and thought I could wear them to look ready for the spring but still be warm enough. The final picture is of two pug puppies-they look so sweet and I have named them Audrey Puggles (The black one) and Winston Puggles (the fawn one). 

Sallys' Friday Favourites


Weather starting to be depressing and longing for some summer sun...hence quite like the idea of exploring South Africa and seeing beautiful big cats like this one.......or if I can't have the sun on my skin....I would settle for a wonderful spa retreat for some real pampering. Realistically this isn't going to happen so a bouquet of flowers to brighten my day??? Is this really asking too much? Okay, I know my limits....so a snuggle down to watch my favourite film and a new haircut it is.......

Buffys' Friday Favourites

Can't quite believe it's Friday already...this week has flown by...here's my week at a quick glance.


So let's start off with some Daffodil's...spring cannot some quick enough...I NEED SOME SUN!! Then there's our naughty day of watching Season 1 of Sex and City and one of my favourite quotes from Miranda, quickly followed my new favourite dress...sadly not mine as we are selling it on Asos Marketplace...but I did get to wear it even if it was only for a few minutes. My new dream Michaell Kors watch...only £250...hence the dream, and finally we are all off tonight to watch Jane Eyre!!

What has been your favourite things this week??

Thursday 26 January 2012

Outfit Pictures

So today we were on a mission to get lots more of our gorgeous clothing on Asos marketplace as so far it has been amazing...the outfits were chosen, location set (pouring down with rain outside so we were limited)...and so next up were the photo's!!!

Here are a few pic's of some of the amazing outfits we shot today...hope you all love them as much as we do!
                  




                                           
                                               




All items will be available on Asos Marketplace very soon! We hope you love them as much as we do!!??

                                                                                                   

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Two of our new favourite customers

Hereford Frock Swap saw the addition of two new customers.......amazing young people who were simply mad and delightful all at once....here they are sporting their new purchases and don't they look amazing......vintage meets 21st Century teenagers.


The beautiful Lily in her Rupert Bear Trousers (her words...not mine) which she quickly teamed with a red jumper to complete her look.

And the stunning Robyn, in her new 80's Playsuit complemented by her amazing "vintage inspired" make up and hair style. Pretty as a picture.

Hereford Frock Swap


Hereford Frock Swap – 21st January, 2012-01-23



Had an amazing time at Hereford Frock Swap this Saturday and met so many lovely new traders (yes....I’ve added your links to this blog J) and some amazing young people who had a love of vintage and wacky sense of humours! It was an opportunity for buying goodies from the stalls and participating in the frock swap......swapping something you’ve grown tired off...or never fit in the first place (often my problem as never try things on!) and going home with something new to you...what’s not to “like”.


Firstly the lovely Helen from “Nellie & Eve” (www.nellieandeve.co.uk) selling her handmade accessories and traditional homeware.  This lady has talent and was selling some wonderful items – only a great deal of restraint meant we didn’t take most of them home! Hopefully, Helen will share her immense talent and style with us lesser mortals soon and arrange some handicraft and traditional skills workshops (mind you..in my case...she may have her work cut out and teaching skills pushed to the limit!  I was the “pet hate” of my sewing mistress at school, who despaired over my blood soaked offerings (needles DO stab you so easily)!


Then there was the adorable Ann from Tickled Pink Crafts (www.tickledpinkcrafts.co.uk) selling beautiful handmade and unique jewellery, bags, accessories and homemade cards to name but a few.  It was clear that if we gave into temptation we would have gone home penniless (but amazingly happy). Such a wealth of talent here and so friendly and funny.


Nicky was also there from The Catkin Boutique www.folksy.com/shops/TheCatkinBoutique)
with her beautiful array of charming jewellery, which is not only wearable, fun and beautiful but also totally unique. Well worth a look.


Jennifer (www.jennifersdressingtable@hotmail.co.uk) from “Jennifer’s Dressing Table” attended and did incredible things to a mannequins hair – vintage style. Jennifer is a freelance mobile makeup artist that has been doing this for over ten years – and it was so impressive to see just what she could do (I struggle with just a pair of straightener’s!).

Finally, there was Lizzie May Vintage (lizziemayvintage@hotmail.co.uk) and Athena’s Vintage (www.athenasvintage.co.uk) who I suppose were our competitors – but there was such a lot of comardarie, support and friendliness between everyone....it never felt competitive. Both of these lovely vintage stalls had an array of the most amazing clothes and accessories....and the wonderful thing about vintage is, that even if someone is also selling vintage clothes like you......the things they are actually selling always seem to be in contrast and different from the other’s. Each stall is like an Aladdin’s Cave of goodies.










Finally.....the day could not be put to bed without thanks to the gorgeous Becky Shepherd for arranging the day and her wonderful family for the provision of this cakes, cupcakes and biscuits – believe me....they were to die for!

A great day was had, new friends made and clothes sold and swapped.....so when’s the next one?




Friday 20 January 2012

Hannahs' Friday Favourites


This week I have been watching the new series called Alcatraz, really good so far and loving that Hurley from LOST is in it! For work I signed up to Pinterest which is basically a pin board for all the stuff you love, have been posting all our pics from our Etsy shop on it and getting very excited when people repin our stuff. Lastly on my friday finds are some clothes I've spotted on the web...the rose jeans from Topshop are really nice and perfect for the spring.The Jeffrey Campbell booties are always on my wish list as they are just BEAUTIFUL. Finally the pretty lace dress from River Island, I included this as we have our first vinatge fair on Saturday and thought it looks quite vintagesque. 

Buffys' Friday Favourites



My favourites this week have revolved around me wanting new clothes..hence the gorgeous Topshop Shoes and snuggly Jumper, also one my favourite shows is back on and has me dreaming about being a criminal profiler. Also the frock swap is on tomorrow in Hereford where we have a stall so can't wait for that. Also remembering the beauty that is Audrey Hepburn...who sadly died today 9 years ago.


Sally's Friday Favourites


I love quotes and here is one to live by...wise words.  Yet the day is dull and gloomy and so at this moment the chocolate cake would go down a real treat.....anyone buying???  Found this gorgeous dress on Asos - I do like my stripes and then found these adorable shoes.......sure they would work with the dress really well. But on this particular Friday in January, when the cold and damp weather is beginning to take it's toll....what I really would like is a ticket to this stunning secluded beach in the Bahamas.....my beachside hut and resident waiter....are of course just out of camera shot......any volunteers to buy me that ticket???

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Who Do You Dress For?


Duchess of Cambridge indulges in some retail therapy...as it is revealed women spend £250 each to look like Duchess



Do we? I don’t.....do you?  It never seems to amaze me that women will go out and buy something to simply look like someone else.  The biggest faux pas is looking into the window of a shop and seeing this divine outfit on a mannequin, buying it and then being surprised  when you go home, look in the mirror and  often, let’s face it...very disappointed.....that you don’t look that good in it.  Why the surprise?  How many of us... are the size and shape of a mannequin!  Believe me having owned a fashion boutique and regularly wrestled  with the mannequin....they are not even any standard size!  Barbie doll springs to mind!  So of course the same principle would apply to buying clothes Kate Middleton buys...in which she looks drop dead gorgeous and then finding the same outfit on us mere mortals, is sadly lacking! The art of wearing clothes...is of course to accept and work with what you have...your own unique body shape.  The beauty is in the confidence you feel in the clothes, not the clothes themselves.  Why copy someone else’s style either.........women should have the confidence to develop their own unique style.....clothes are an expression of who we are...and no one else is quite like any of us. This is difficult in a culture of mass produced clothing and certain retailers have the market niche....but this is where vintage comes into it’s own......mixing styles, clothing and accessories of yesteryear means that we can produce something as unique as the person we were meant to be.

“When a woman says, ‘I have nothing to wear!’, what she really means is, ‘There’s nothing here for who I’m supposed to be today.” 

Tuesday 17 January 2012

I Hate Mornings


Having woken up under piles of duvets and bedspreads and throws to counteract the freezing temperatures....the debate then comes on whether to actually put a foot outside of the bed.  Bearing in mind....the head that has now surfaced is already the proud owner of a glowing red nose and the breath that leaves the body is visible as a whitish mist emanating from the mouth.  There are always choices in life....to get out or stay put and sod the world today.....The consciousness dictates that there is actually not really a choice.......at some point the loo will be needed and a cup of tea at a bare minimum...even if the bedside drawer could be rifled through to provide substance (one slice of chocolate orange....a battered picnic and four squares of dark chocolate...a substance of sorts at least). Now is the best way to rip the bedclothes off and scramble hastily for the dressing gown and slippers....or should the exit be discreet and steady, so as to keep the warmth that there is firmly adhered to the various limbs...or could that dressing gown be reached from here and dragged ungainly into the bed first. Sod it just go for it.......God I hate mornings!



Me in all my morning glory!

Friday 13 January 2012

Friday Favourites

This post is dedicated to our 5 favourite things this week...

The first 5 are Sally's...

Coolest jeans around...just loving the stripes, and would look so cute with the red boots. After using this new miracle face cream and looking so good in the new outfit......dreaming of ending the day in this luxury bath with Johnny Depp.....is there any other way to go ladies....


Next up is Miss Hannah

I am loving these floral jeans from Topshop and my all time favourite studded shoes-cannot ever find them in my size though :( Really like listening to Lana Del Ray's new song whilst flicking through the pages of my new Marilyn Monroe book. Also very excited to watch the new episode of pretty little liars and getting closer to finding out who 'A' is!

And finally it's my (Buffy) favourites....


I'm in love with my new polka dot trousers, and in major nail growing mode so I have been painting my nails all week to fight temptation to bite them. Having had a lovely rest in Devon with family and after all our shopping I have come back a new me and started off with some light yoga this morning, and currently reading The Andy Warhol diaries!!

What have been the highlights of your week?? Please share all you Friday Favourites!!!

Thursday 5 January 2012

Sell, Sell, Sell...

So today one of my tasks, along with tweeting, putting items on Asos Marketplace and emailing lots of people, was to try and find another platform to sell our vintage clothing. So after trawling the web I finally (and thanks to twitter) found BONANZA. An online market place who's tag is...everything but the ordinary...what a perfect fit hey?!

After reading all the appropriate info and thinking to myself that it all looked quite simple I began the task of joining...all signed up and ready to sell...or so I thought. So after submitting picture, descriptions and having the wonderful job of converting all our prices into dollar's I thought I was ready to go...but still no items active....forums read and re-read and I'm still  no closer to an answer. Next step is to contact customer services...sadly my usual port of call. I think I'll give myself this evening to attempt to work it out and then I will accept defeat!!

Current status...pulling hair out!!

Wednesday 4 January 2012

Hereford's Vintage Faye

Just got the poster through for Hereford's Vintage Fayre!!! I know it's not until April but I'm still pretty excited about it...the diary is filling up already!! It's going to be a busy year :)


Frozen Photo Shoot...In the Garden

Sally and I spent the morning outside taking new pictures of our stock for Asos marketplace, and let me tell you it was ridiculously chilly and rather windy, but we had a few smiles and now comes the joyous task of measuring everything.

Here are a few sneak peaks....

Gorgeous chocolate brown fur coat & a gorgeous Sally

Sally trying to hide in the coat!

Sophisticated lady...well trying anyway

The real me!!