Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Staycation

This year I found it impossible to find anyone to share a cottage or go on holiday with as money is so tight.  It is just me and the kids every summer as the OH is very busy during the tourist season and cannot take any time off so having friends or family to go away with really helps.  Instead my friend Amanda came to stay with me and as we hadn't seen each other for a year we had much to catch up on.  We decided that we must go out every day and do something holiday-like and I stopped working for a week.

So, what did we do?  Here are a few postcards for you from my 'holiday'.















I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country. Who needs to go away?

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Monday, August 08, 2011

London Finds

Whilst in London I did a bit of treasure hunting.  We only had tickets to Vintage 2011 for the Friday and Sunday so on Saturday we popped down to Brick Lane.  I say popped down because we stayed in the lovely Hoxton and were within easy walking distance.  Our first stop is the wonderful Albion Caff




The Albion sells delicious British food, cooked beautifully and has very attentive and friendly staff. We had a lovely breakfast, poached eggs for me, full English for my man.


Fuelled up, we then looked around the vintage shops and stalls in Brick Lane and the surrounding streets




Lunch was in the wonderful old Truman Building, sat in glorious sunshine, bliss!

These were some of the fabrics I found






I also found a lot of vintage clothing, pretty dresses, aprons and a fair isle waistcoat.



Just goes to show that many a bargain can still be had in our capital city!!

and my favourite purchase from the weekend was from the Market Place at Vintage.  This wonderful frothy number.  A gorgeous petticoat to go under my 50's dresses, or even to wear on its own with a cross over ballet top.  I just need more excuses to wear it!!




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Friday, August 05, 2011

Vintage at The Southbank

Do you remember this?  Well as we had such a good time last year we thought we must go again.  I was apprehensive as it was not a camping festival but more a series of events.  It wasn't the same it has to be said but we still had a fab time.  Some of my highlights include:

Dancing on the balcony in the Style Studio until 1am

(click on photos to enlarge)





Just look at those views!!!!




The Soul Casino, dancing and watching



Dressing up - 1950's by day, 1960's at night!


  
The marketplace.  Such a huge selection of vintage goodies!


 The Review, where we watched Claudia Brucken, Linda Lewis, David McAlmont and many others



Playing and lounging



Enjoying the spectacular views from the Royal Festival Hall




and my particular highlight was the stunning fashion show curated by Pearl and Daisy Lowe.  Simply stunning and quite moving.  They dedicated it to Amy Winehouse.  All the models were ballerinas and the whole thing was just beautiful.







Just before the show started and we were waiting (as the show was delayed), 2 little girls were sashaying and dancing on the catwalk much to the delight of all the waiting audience.  They were so sweet. The one on the left is Ronnie Wood's granddaughter and they were both natural models and entertainers!!!


We had such a great time.  I preferred the camping style of last year's festival but the Hemingway team did a great job yet again and there were some stunningly dressed people.  My photos don't do it justice as I only took my iPhone and was too engrossed in being there. For a better idea look at these stunning images.

Can't wait until next year! Pin It