Friday 28 September 2012

Style Me A Vintage Winner

Drum roll please.

If you're not the winner of this nifty little vintage guide, do not be discouraged as we have an amazing line-up of giveaways coming up before Christmas so please keep sharing, following and reading our blog to be within a chance to get your hands on some retro freebies!

The very lucky lady who will be styling it vintage is....


Charlotte Siemianowicz or @lalablabbers on twitter! We look forward to seeing you on Saturday 6th October in Birmingham for your very first vintage fair, now that's exciting! Send us an e-mail at blog@thevintagefair.com with your postal address so we can send you your lovely prize.




Gina xxx

Thursday 27 September 2012

Beyond Retro

During my breaks I always end up on various vintage websites and eBay and Beyond Retro is one I can't help but browse. So when I looked today, I was super impressed by their shiny new user-friendly website. If you're London based, it's likely that you have a) heard about Beyond Retro or b) shop their religiously! The huge warehouse off Brick Lane is jam packed with fashion forward vintage and if you have the time to rummage, some real gems.



But we're talking about Beyond Retro's online collection today, I find it has always offered customers something a little more individual than rows and rows of similar looking 80s dresses.  These are my top Beyond Retro buys as they are all just that little bit special. What do you think?


Aztec prints never seem to go away. With contrasting lapels and a nipped in waist, this short tapestry jacket channels the aztec trend without being too full on. 



Sticking with the 60s theme of yesterday, I was immediately drawn to this sheer sleeved beauty, match with a beehive and some striking earrings as well as the necessary cat-eye liner you're set.


Hurrah! This isn't just another loud Christmas jumper! Wear with a hounds tooth pencil skirt and elegant court shoes to create a more sophisticated jazzy jumper outfit. 

It's not often you find such a cute short sleeved pussybow blouse. Pair with a grey pencil skirt for work. 

Now I know that Summer is truly over, but prints are still alive and well! Keep the Summer alive with this tropical 80s wiggle dress.


Fancy trying something a little different? Or maybe you're just bringing back retro nightwear? 60s babydoll with matching bed jacket. It's absolutely gorgeous! 



I very nearly skipped over this tan leather bag. Then I saw the birds! Embossed leather bags are common, but I've never seen one quite like this, very sweet.

Now I knew Cheryl Cole had to have gotten it from somewhere! As 80s party dresses go, it's pretty special and a metallic ruffles free zone. Black velvet peplum and embellished sheer plunging V. Show us to the rum.


We hope you enjoy picking out your favourite Beyond Retro items from their new revamped site too!
Gina x

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Mrs Biggs: Vintage Drama

Mrs Biggs is a 5 part drama based upon the real Mrs Charmaine Biggs and the true story of Ronnie Biggs and the Great Train Robbery of 1963. All I needed to see was 15 minutes of Sheridan Smith all dolled up with that incredible red beehive to know I'd need to do some serious ITV Player catching up.


The most famous crime has been written for ITV under guidance from the real life Charmaine Briggs who has described the show as "a love story" and not a glamorisation of the robbery or crime in general.


More importantly to us right now, Sheridan Smith and fellow cast get to wear some fantastic 60s and 70s costumes that particularly suit Smith's curvy figure. I actually prefer her with red hair to blonde too - but that beehive is out of this world. Enjoy some of the images below,  but it really is worth watching to see even more of the stylings. Reserve your Wednesday night for some drama, just click here.






While I'm here, I've just found this beautifully tailored 1960s shift dress fromMartha's Closet that would be a fabulous addition to any bright red barnet. 



I'm off to practice my beehive. Catch you later girls!

Gina x



Tuesday 25 September 2012

Teatime Vintage: Chocolate Guinness Cake


Sheffield will be in luck on Saturday, that's for sure! But even if you're not based up north you'll be able to get a taste of what is on offer from Teatime Vintage with one of their favourite recipes. Retro aprons on? Check. Hair under silk scarves? Yup. Red lippy intact? Well, for now...let's bake!

Having the opportunity to host the Sheffield Vintage Fair Tea Parties is a complete thrill for us here at Teatime Vintage.  Planning the menu, baking the cakes, dressing the tables, using our gorgeous vintage china collection and serving our lovely vintage-loving customers all add to the fun.




We like to use seasonal locally produced ingredients whenever possible. And so, this time round we’ll be using the last of the late Summers berries alongside the richer spicier flavours of ginger and cinnamon more representative of Autumn.  Thankfully, chocolate NEVER goes out of season!

In addition to the standard tea party issue cupcakes – as lovely as they are - we will again be bringing a selection of layer cakes – elderflower and lemon drizzle, carrot and ginger,  rose and pistachio - our signature mini-Victoria Sponges, and of course our retro sweet bar.



Despite not being the most traditional of tea party offerings, one cake that will definitely be making a return appearance will be the much loved  Chocolate Guiness Cake. It is possibly the most dense and rich chocolate cake you will ever get the pleasure to taste, balanced out with a cream cheese topping. What’s not to love?  Want to have a go at making it yourself?  Marvellous.  It’s easy- peasy so get your sleeves rolled up and get stuck in!

For the cake
· 250 ml Guinness 
· 250 grams unsalted butter 
· 75 grams cocoa powder 
· 400 grams caster sugar 
· 142 ml sour cream 
· 2 medium eggs 
· 1 tablespoon(s) vanilla extract 
· 275 grams Plain flour 
· 2.5 teaspoon(s) bicarbonate of soda 
For the topping
· 300 grams cream cheese 
· 150 grams Icing sugar 
· 125 ml double cream (or whipping cream) – we always use double cream

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees celcius and butter and line (put a disc or greaseproof paper to cover the bottom of your tin)  a round 23cm tin – if you have a springform tin (the ones where the bottom detaches from the sides) then your life will be much easier when you come to getting your cake out of the tin.

Put the Guinness and butter into a large wide saucepan and heat gently. Once the butter has melted whisk in the cocoa and sugar.  Beat the sour cream, eggs and vanilla extract together before adding to the pan then whisk in the flour and bicarbonate of soda.

 And that’s your cake batter made - it really is that simple!

Pour the cake batter into your prepared tin and bake for between 45 mins and an hour – I check after 45 mins by inserting a skewer (or knife) into the centre of the cake, if it comes out clean then your cake is ready. Leave to cool completely in the tin on a cooling rack.  If you try to remove the cake from the tin before it is completely cool then you risk it breaking up as it is such a very moist cake.

To make the topping, whip the cream cheese unit it is creamy and smooth.  Sieve the icing sugar onto the cream cheese and beat them together.  Add the cream and beat again until the mixture is thick enough to spread.  Spread onto the top of the cake using a pallet knife to form soft peaks so that it resembles the froth of a pint of lovely creamy Guinness.



Now pour yourself a cuppa, congratulate yourself on your baking brilliance, and enjoy a huge slab of your homebaked cake.  Delicious!

Hoping to see you on Saturday at our Vintage Tea Party!


 

Monday 24 September 2012

Leicester Vintage Fair

 Our venue for the Leicester vintage fair is one of our favourites, Leicester Cathedral. And though they've just found Richard the 3rd round the corner, he didn't think to show up himself, rude.


 As usual, we had a cracking collection of retro and vintage clothing and accessories on offer, a vintage tea party and and a nostalgic playlist to match.

My pick of the day from this fair had to be this tempting box of Mary Quant stockings, I love the parrot so very much and for £3 - bargain.


Prints are going nowhere, are they? Mary Katrantzou, Preen and Erdem are all still churning out graphic rainbows, pretty florals and kooky photographic patterns so it's no wonder I'm still drawn to the fabulous prints at our fairs.That shirt in the top right from Marney's vintage was very nearly in my wardrobe...



Now it's turning dark at what seems like 2pm, I can't help but think about winter and all of the jazzy, glitzy party outfits I'll be keeping an eye out for, I'm a massive magpie. Sequins are slowly starting to make a bit of a stir at our fairs but mostly I keep getting distracted by all the jewellry. That statement collar is just beautiful and I've never seen anything quite like it.


I didn't think we'd get much better for bags than at the Nottingham Vintage Fair, well I was wrong! These leather box bags are all "I wish" worthy. And who doesn't love a bit of vintage Moschino?


It's a double whammy this coming weekend starting in our homeland of Sheffield at The Town hall this Saturday 29th September and keeping it strong and northern with The York Vintage Fair on the 30th.

Have you entered our giveaway yet? ENTER HERE THEN YOU SILLY THING!
Gina x

Friday 21 September 2012

ASOS Marketplace: Our top Winter Warmers

Brrrrrr! Did anyone else struggle to get out of bed this week? My bedroom is bloody freezing.


But hey, don't get all shivery and shuddery because we have picked our very favourite winter cover ups from everyone's top online vintage shopping destination, ASOS Marketplace  What kind of cover up do you go for? Trench, cape, sheepskin or sequin we have the top picks laid out for your pretty little eyes to feast upon.




Madam Popoff have taken the cape crown with this welsh wool beauty in at £79.


Pretty Used Things have boyfriend blazers in rainbow colours, but this classic grey has won us over at a not too shabby £30.



Bang Bang have us all wishing we looked that snug with a striking orange sheepskin coat. Totally worth it at £90. 


Cats Eyes have military ticked off with this oversized deep green trench at £55.


Vintage Tramp know what they're on about. Every vintage lady needs a bit of faux fur, this is a staple bit of kit at £65.




Raggdoll will see you're warm yet the envy of all the other vintage magpies at the party. Just look at those mermaid colours! Oh and did i mention it's only £39? 

Go forth and buy wintry things. 
Gina x

Thursday 20 September 2012

"Style Me Vintage" Giveaway Time!

Oh yes indeed! To celebrate The Leeds Vintage Fair today at Leeds Met Students' Union we are hosting a giveaway!

Miss Naomi Thompson of The Vintage Mafia and off of Vintage Secret has delivered a spot on guide to sourcing and creating fabulous vintage looks - especially for those of you who are completely new to the styles. Having said that, there is a bundle of detail for each decade- from the 20s through to the 80s- that will be of use to even the most retro of you stylish lot.

If you'd like a terrific review of this lovely book go go go visit Cate Sevilla's top notch words on the topic. Couldn't have put it better myself. So I didn't bother.



Featuring the beautiful Fleur




Not forgetting Naomi herself!



So what do you have to do to get your hands on this gem? Have a look below:

1) Follow this blog and leave a comment below.


2) For a second entry, follow our twitter @VintageFair and leave a comment below saying so with your @username.

3) For a 3rd entry, "like" us on Facebook over at The Vintage Fair and leave a comment below saying so with your Facebook name. 


The closing date for this competition is a a week today on Thursday 27th of September. Winner to be announced on Friday 28th. And I'm afraid this competition is only open to the people of the UK.





Get sharing and following for your chance to win!

Gina
x

Something Old Vintage Wedding Fair

As well as our usual Vintage Fair in Nottingham, we had the Something Old Vintage Wedding Fair on offer too (two fairs for one? Bargain!). This is the place to be for all you vintage bride and grooms! 

We had a range of exhibitors showcasing their gorgeous vintage wedding ideas and wares. From kitsch stationary to unique head pieces, vintage inspired wedding gowns to individual wedding props and floral arrangements. 




We are holding another Something Old Vintage Wedding Fair in Bristol on the 27th October and Manchester on 24th November where we will be even bigger and better with hair and make-up demonstrations and entertainment.

 So if you would like to register your interest as an exhibitor, please get in touch at hello@somethingold.info.








Gina and LouLou and Kirstin 


xxx

Tuesday 18 September 2012

The Nottingham Vintage Fair

We hit up The Albert Hall in Nottingham yesterday for the first vintage fair there this season. As usual, we had a charming kitsch tea party for you from Hello Sweetness and 40 stalls of mens' and womens' vintage as well as some kooky homeware too.The very first Something Old Wedding Fair was also on offer, but more about that tomorrow!






As I was wandering round, I couldn't help but notice a whole lotta collars. Peter pan collars, ruffled collars, lace collars and shirt collars. So I compiled my top four just for you. That purple stunner is from Curious Cleo and my personal fave is that little velvet jacket from The Gingham Deer.



I fell head over heels for this beautiful 70s green caped maxi dress from Jarvis And Janis. Oh my goodness I just can't stop daydreaming about it! Any size 10 vintage girl out there would be luck to have it in their wardrobe. Hickory Vintage had a gorgeous array of dresses but this little blue number stopped me in my tracks, it's just so pretty.


We always have a tonne of vintage, retro and hand made jewellry on offer at our fairs, but I'm a huge fan of retro clip ons - so check these out! So Boho had a fine selection of vintage shoes, I especially love the embellished loafers below. Pretty Old Stuff had an array of customised timepieces as rings, necklaces and earrings all made out of old time pieces. Nifty eh?


Nottingham had a particularly good day for tan leather bags. Embossed leather holdalls? Yes siree. Old school satchels? You betcha. Box leather handbags? Yaha. 



For all your vintage hair and beauty needs, all you had to do was to come and visit us and The Vintage Salon. Those pin curls are a work of art! Super stunning stuff. 



Once you had done the rounds of our fair (and you really do need to do more than one round - gotta keep a beady eye out for bargains) how could you resist sitting down with a brew and indulging in on of these colourful little cupcakes? And yes. That is a mini biscuit on top of that chocolate one.





Next up The Leicester Vintage Fair on Saturday 22nd September. 
See you there?
Gina and Loulou 
xxx


Thursday 13 September 2012

The Bright Young Twins


"I think me and Harriet lead lives that people wouldn't expect us to..."


Photo: Katie Holt

The The Bright Young Twins are Harriet and Aimee; two young beautiful women who describe themselves as "vintage creeps with questionable tastes". You can probably understand already, having looked at the image above and read this brief introduction, as to why I wanted to talk to these girls!

How did it all start?
H: It was your idea!
A: I suppose it was my idea, but we've both been reading blogs for some time and I thought 'come on let's do it!' We just decided that, we wear a lot of outfits anyway and since we read so many blogs we figured by writing our own we could 'give something back'. 
H: We took so much inspiration from the people we followed on the internet that we felt we could inspire other people to do what those people did for us.

Are there any blogs in particular that you regularly read?
H: Confessions Of A Female Drag Queen has to be our favourite, (A: Oh yeah we love that girl!) Stella Rose is just amazing. 
A: Oh and Fashion Forestry and Hannah and Landon are two blogs we love. But the blogs we read have dramatically changed over the past two years. We just read so many! Ooh! Fairy Fay has just launched her blog, she's our housemate and has this gorgeous 60s Rolling-Stones-girlfriend thing going on with her long hair, she's really cool.

Did you expect Bright Young Twins to take off like it has? You have 991 blog followers!
A: I know! I don't think either of us expected it to take off no, the first three months were just like, our mums, nans and friends reading it!
H: I nearly gave up, it got to the point where I felt we were giving and giving and getting nothing back. The whole point was to share stuff and we weren't getting the feedback, I'd wear an outfit and then think "what's the point in photographing it if nobody's going to appreciate it?" But then we got featured on the Swedish blog Miriam Kafferep and on Casey's Elegant Musings and it just went from there. 
A: We also started going to parties like Blitz Party and the Chap Ball where we met other established bloggers like Fleur De Guerre which we were really chuffed about as she said she read our blog.



I don't see your blog as a "fashion blog" as you offer so much of yourselves to your readers. Was this a conscious effort?
H: Originally we were very much hoping to make the blog about historical garments and dating particular pieces and in depth posts on vintage styles but nobody read those posts! (But you can still find those in our archive). We looked at the blogs we read and why we like reading them and it's because they are about that person as much as they are about the clothes they wear. 
A: Definitely, like I think Harriet's right when she says there's an element of voyeurism with blogs. I think me and Harriet lead lives that people wouldn't expect us to. 
H: People seem to expect us to live a certain way, not to swear and be good girls! but we are not trying to re-live a certain decade. We just want to show how passionate we are about the fashions from those eras and how that fits into our very modern lives. 
A: We are very much feminists and that's something we wanted to stress in our blog. People have this idea that women who wear vintage are expected to carry the morals along with that time, which is ridiculous!




Do you think living in London gives you a greater freedom to dress the way you do?
H: I think I would dress this way no matter where I lived, but I love this city. It has an impact due to the fact we have access to so much more. 
A: There's never a point where we would change our style to suit our surroundings, we dress the same no matter where we go. 

Give us some London tips, shops, drinking or otherwise.
H: We love Spitalfields on a Thursday. It's definitely our favourite place to shop. We love charity shops but if we told you our favourite charity shops then we wouldn't get all the best stuff! And Paper Dress too - clothes and booze! 
A: We love bad bars. The irony is coming out now! We just love how the weirdest people would try and chat us up. But now we love parties...so Harriet's flat. 


Harriet, you and flowers! When are these gorgeous floral hair pieces going to be available to buy?
H: ...definitely by Spring next year?! I've just started working in a florists' so it's pretty tiring getting up at 5am everyday but yeah, I love flowers. I'm just lazy!
A: That's exactly it! People follow us more for Harriet's style, but if it wasn't for me then the posts wouldn't even happen! 

Aimee, congrats on graduating in English Literature! Has that been a big inspiration for your style?
A: I would say so, yes. I only started wearing dark red lipstick because of all the women in Dracula with their big plush lips not because of the magazines! 



Dressing certain ways attracts attention. Have you found this and how do you react to the extra attention?
H: In Berlin a couple of years ago, we were stood next to the Brandenburg gate and people were taking pictures of us instead of the famous monument right next to us! We were like, "It's over there!" 
A: It's not very nice. Harriet hates it and I don't like it very much either. 
H: I have a strong opinion on the whole thing. Why can't people leave each other alone? I'm not a freak show. I may think that I think somebody dresses awfully but never in a million years would I think I had the right to tell them! 
A: I suppose on the other hand, I've just come to expect it and accept it. You just have to deal with it.
H: I actually feel sorry for people. It's like, my hat is blowing your mind right now, it's a hat!



It was an absolute pleasure to meet the Bright Young Twinskeep up to date with all of their latest posts as they get up to goodness knows what wearing goodness knows what! 

Gina x