Christmas Market in Hereford

With Christmas fast approaching us, so was our Christmas market in Hereford, and this was unlike any other we had done previously, as all the traders had to dress up in Victorian costumes. So rather than worry about our stock and how we would have our table laid out, the main focus was our costumes!

Brain storming away we first thought of dear old Oliver Twist, a scruffy little orphan boy...we felt that was within our creative abilities, however issues arose when trying to locate flat caps. Charity shops were trawled and raided and after days of searching we accepted defeat. Next idea...we would work with what nature gave us and be proper Ladies, Charity shops here we come...again. This time we were also on a tight time frame and so as three manic women hit the shops we were on a mission...feathers, flowers, lace and of course hat's, the check list was completed and  home we headed for the task of assembling the outfits.

High waisted skirts, ruffle shirts and hats- not so bad after all. With the outfits picked out and a few bits borrowed from our stock and enough room underneath each outfit for lots of layering it was time to make our hats! As we settled down to begin the building process...the night before of course.. we don't like to be too organised. We began. To our delight and surprise it was all coming along nicely, limited sewing was involved to all our glee, and the hats began to take life, we weren't sure if they were authentic Victorian style but we did our best and were all pretty proud and more importantly we actually enjoyed it.

The morning was upon us and on went the costumes hats and all and then it was off to Hereford. As we arrived decked out in full costumes we realised that everybody else had yet to put there's on and so then came the embarrassment, out in broad daylight, dressed in what can only be describe as a novices attempt at Victorian costume... we were exposed, embarrassed and tempted to retreat...but sadly we are adults and so hats and all we went forward and got on with task at hand.
The table was laid, fairy lights hung and looking very festive and colourful if I do say so myself our stall was done.
It was a lovely day in Hereford and we met lots of people and a we didn't completely freeze which over all we felt was a huge bonus and successful day, as we packed up for the day, ready to return the next we happily discussed our plans for improvements and with excited enthusiasm we headed home.

Outfits taken off and hung up, P.J's on and very large cups of tea drunk, we headed to bed in prep for another early morning. As the alarms went off 6am and we reluctantly stumbled out of bed and we took a look outside only to realise that we had in fact been snowed in and weren't going anywhere.

Our wonderful hat creations!!

Pictures from Gloucester

6am... 3 very tired ladies!

 All set up and ready to sell!!

 Me

 Hannah

Sally

Just a few pic's from the day's outing...underneath all those smiles is 3 very cold people...we hid it well though I thought!

Our First Ever Market

It was the night before...our first market. The sandwiches were made, coffee cups all lined up, Hugo- the name we have given to our trusty car was all packed up within an inch of his life, and as we looked on we did doubt whether we would actually fit in also, but alas we weren't about to take it all out and re-pack, so we were as prepared as we could be and off to bed we went.


5am the alarm clocks go off, it's pitch black and cold. Reluctantly we all slowly get out of bed and trundle downstairs in search of caffeine! After we have all silently drank our tea and managed to eat our porridge it's back up stairs to start the mammoth job of dressing, layer after layer is squeezed on, and by now we are all looking decidedly more cuddly. Hat, gloves and scarves all go on top and as we approach the door we prepare ourselves for the outside abyss. As we squeeze into Hugo with zero possible movement, set up the sat nav- or as we call her...Julie, the destination is set...it's off to Gloucester we go.


After 2 hours of driving the anxiety is finally starting to creep in, all we now need to do is actually find the market, a few wrong turns and possible a ticket from driving down a bus lane we arrive. We start to set up our  stall, we are all feeling a bit better- it looks as it should a treasure trove of wonderfulness.


The day goes on and after our first sale it's high five's all round and for that moment we forget that we are frozen ice blocks. Time rolls by and after lots of sales, chats with both fellow market traders and customers it's time to go home, and by now even our bones are cold, and decisions are made regarding our next market... THERMALS!!!


We drive out of Gloucester with a proud glow on our faces not only because we did it- complete novices and somehow pulled it off but also because the heating is at full whack and we are all now cooking.


Down the motor way we go, getting ever closer to home and very large cups of tea, only to unpack Hugo and do it all again tomorrow.

And so the adventure begins!!

This blog will follow our journey as we embark upon a new future in Vintage fashion.

This is us...

Elizabeth, Hannah and Sally

(left to right)

We came from owning a women's fashion boutique in Bath. Living in the city and working all hours of the day and night, we all realised that a change was needed...not from fashion as we all still love beautiful clothing but a change in pace, and so it began the start of a new adventure...lists were made, plans set in motion and by the time the van was all packed up we were off to start again. We ended up in the beautiful countryside of Herefordshire, in a small village with our very own cottage.


We travel up and down the country to vintage fairs and markets, meeting wonderful people and being surrounded by our treasured finds, and although the early mornings may be a struggle we know we have made the right choice. This blog will follow our journey and all the highs and lows that it entails. All written in the comfort of our enchanting home right by the fire place.


Enjoy :)