Van Dal Shoes: 1957 Shoes Relaunched!

Van Dal shoes, known for their comfy shoes for a slightly older audience, have relaunched some shoes from their 1957 range. Called 'Van Dal Vintage', there are three shoes directly reproduced from the 1950s, and two styles that are just vintage inspired.

Here are the three styles that were available in 1957:




You can also view their vintage catalogue from 1957 here.

Secret Sewing: First Item From a Pattern - Scallop Skirt

As it's been such a rainy Bank Holiday weekend I decided to bite the bullet and attempt to sew something from scratch, from a proper pattern and everything! I chose the Scallop Skirt featured over at Grosgrain for their free pattern month. I had some very cheap fabric from a charity shop (£1 per metre) to practice on, so I plunged straight in.

Things didn't quite go according to plan. I estimate that overall, my skirt took me about 7 hours. This includes the time taken to adjust the pattern to make it longer, and to unpick all my mistakes, such as inserting completely the wrong kind of zipper. Doh!

I've learnt an awful lot from this attempt. My very first mistake was cutting out the patterns on the inside lines, meaning that none of the pieces lined up properly for starters! Then I cut out the interfacing a bit haphazardly and this affected the shape of the scallops, also affected by my inability to sew on a curve (or on a straight line for that matter!). The zip isn't quite right. It's sitting too low, and I didn't sew it inbetween the waistband pieces so it's not neatly concealed. And the hem I messed up to be honest, I didn't know what 'topstitching' was and so skipped that bit and now realise that's how you hide the rough edge of the hem. So, the final result is pretty imperfect! But a valuable experience.

I think maybe attempting scallops was a bit ambitious for a beginner, but I love the half-circle shape of the skirt so may remake it with a plain, straight waistband.

I'm exhausted now! But already wondering what to sew next...

Vintage Inspired Review: Lady K Loves 'Hello Sailor' Trousers

My trigger-happy fingers bought these 'Hello Sailor' trousers last week!

Lady K Loves is a rockabilly clothing brand that I only heard of recently, and as they'd sold out of the jeans that I was after over at 20th Century Foxy (see Jeans Woe), I thought I would try out their trousers as an alternative.

Price and Delivery - 4/5

I don't think £45 is that bad for vintage repro. It's comparable with Heyday and cheaper than Tara Starlet. Delivery was fast, and reasonably priced (£3.50). Again, cheaper than Tara Starlet, which charges £5 delivery.

Sizing - 3/5
I am a 30" waist, and 40" hips so I ordered their size Large, which according to their size charts should accommodate a 31" waist and 39" hips. I didn't go for the Medium as that was for a 29" waist and 37" waist and I thought it could be a little bit too much of a tight fit on the hips. Their size charts are different to other vintage repro brands that work on 'even' bust and hip measurements, not odd, so this could be a tad confusing!

Fit - 3/5
Alas, I could easily have gone for the size Medium, as you can see from these photos! (Also, please note lovely followers that I haven't exposed my midriff in public for many years, and am only doing so in these photos so that you can see how the trousers fit. The things I do for you!)



So, they proved too big around the waist, which would easily be corrected by getting a size down. However, I feel that the length's not quite right. From the photo on the website I thought that they were 3/4 length but I think they're supposed to be long, which on my long 33" inside legs doesn't look right. Finally, although they're higher-waisted than normal, they still don't reach my natural waist. In the photos because the trousers are a little big they sink to below my navel, but when hoisted up they only just reach it. So, if I bought my correct size they would fit wonderfully, but still not be high-waisted or long-legged enough for me personally.

Fabric and Quality - 4/5
I think they're really nice - a lovely lightweight sateen finish cotton, which makes them a nice weight for Spring/Summer. The quality looks perfectly good, no issues there at all.

Customer Service - 5/5
To return an item you have to email them - they replied within 1 working day. I posted the trousers back to them on Tuesday, they received them on Wednesday and my refund went through on Friday, along with a cheery message.


It cost me £2.20 to return the trousers, and I don't lose the original postage of £3.50, so that's just the £2.20 I've lost overall in trying out these trousers.

What a shame, my hunt for some smart jeans/trousers continues! I think Freddies of Pinewood are too casual, Tara Starlet are overpriced, and the Bernie Dexter jeans I like are currently unavailable at 20th Century Foxy. They're hoping to restock in a few weeks though, so I think those will be my next purchase!

Birthday Treats: Picnics, Teacups & Gin

It's a little late, but here are some of the treats that I got for my birthday! Top row: 'The Perfect Picnic' book; glamorous lady card; vintage Wedgewood teacup and saucer. Bottom row: cupcake card; tomato plant; 'drink more gin' card.

I can't wait to read the book - it was first published in 1936 and gives a selection of picnic menus. The dedication reads, "This little book was inspired by a picnic near Itchenor, given in the summer of 1935 by the owner of a white Peke to the owner of white Alsatian."

The tomato plant is doing well.

Secret Sewing: 'Triangle at Rhodes' Style Dress Find!

I found a great linen dress, by French Connection, in a local charity shop. Don't you just love the buttons?

I think the dress brings to mind that Poirot episode, 'Triangle at Rhodes' that I did an earlier post on.

It was a smidge too tight on the bust so I let out some seams, and I also had to do a bit of work on the sleeves. WHY do they insist on making sleeves for twiglet-sized arms?! I have land-girl muscles from gardening and general lugging-of-stuff, and need a bit more room, does anyone else have this problem?

There was a button closure, that I couldn't fasten. So I whipped the sleeve cuffs off with my seam-ripper, and turned them the other way, making a feature hole on each sleeve and leaving a gap under the arms that I did a zig-zag stitch on to effectively 'hem' and stop unravelling.

Photo above is of not quite finished process, just to give you an idea - I did tidy this up!

Dress is now wearable, hurrah! Bish bash bosh.

Vintage Inspired Boudoir Wear - Value for Money

Take a look at these two pictures.

The first is a robe by faux-vintage lingerie retailers What Katie Did.

The second is a robe from good old Marks and Spencers 2011 collection.

Which would you choose?

Now I'll give you some more information. The one from What Katie Did retails at £70 and is made of polyester. The one from M&S retails at £60 and is made from pure silk.

My point is that sometimes us vintage enthusiasts get a bit dazzled by the fact that garments are proper 'vintage repro' and if we're not careful we end up getting something that's not actually good vale for money.

Check your labels ladies!

Make-up Review: Besame's 1930's Mascara

The allure of Besame's gold and red packaging was too much, and I finally gave in and purchased a mascara, as a treat to me on my birthday. Here's what I think of it.

Mascara Formula - 5/5 (for everyday), 3/5 (for evening)
If only every mascara unleashed such a wonderful scent, that for a moment transported you to a different time and place, where Madam's car was waiting and one just had to put on one's hat and gloves. It's the essential oils (Is it sandalwood? I can't quite place it) that give the formula such a wonderful fragrance. The formula itself is just perfect for daytime - it gives a soft, natural look, going on cleanly and with more of a matte finish that most of the other mascaras in my make-up box. Not enough pow for evening.

Brush - 5/5
The brush is perfect for my lashes. It separates them and lovingly coats each one with just the right amount of the mascara.

Price - 2/5
Herein lies the problem. An everyday masacara costing £20 is very extravagant! I bought mine as a birthday treat to myself, but could never justify buying this mascara again, when it will only last me a couple of months with everyday use.

Overall Rating:
5/5 for daytime & rich me
3/5 for evening & poor me


Mascaras in general are tricky, aren't they? I have fine, sparse lashes and find a lot of mascaras try and do too much to them, clumping them together or coating them in a formula that's ridiculously sticky. Here are the mascaras I've tried recently:

Hate:
Clinique High Lengths - weird, bendy little 'brush' that actually has no bristles, just bumps, which was never going to work on my lashes. Makes my eyelashes look like the legs of spiders, crushed underfoot.

Rimmel Glam Eyes Lash Flirt - another bad brush, coupled with a formula that feels quite heavy, unlike the 'feather soft' one promised. I tried using the brush from a No.7 mascara to see if that made a difference, and it did improve things, but I'm still not happy with it.

Love:
Boots No.7 Extreme Lengths - has a brush that really works with my lashes, gives good coverage without getting into clumpy territory. Reasonably priced if you take advantage of Boots 3 for 2 or free gift offers.

Collection 2000 Vinyl Lash - cheap, incredibly cheap, and gives glossy, blacker than black lashes for a strong evening look. I think they've stopped making it, but it's available through cosmetic outlet sites such as Direct Cosmetics.

Outing: My Birthday Cornwall Adventure Part 3

A trip to the Eden Project on our last day in Cornwall!

For those of you who've not heard of it, the Eden Project has been transformed from a quarry into a garden and artspace, with the pinnacle being the huge 'biomes', which house plants from all over the world. I thought I was going to pass out in South America, dressing in layers is recommended for a visit so you can strip off as you get closer to the equator!

This is more a pictorial post today, the pictures say more than words could!

Outing: My Birthday Cornwall Adventure Part 2

Saturday morning started off misty, but the sun came out soon enough. It was still fairly chilly in the wind, so our trip to the beach was just for a little stroll, neither of us wanted to brave the waters!





Afternoon tea on the terrace followed, and I was pleased the cottage kitchen was properly equipped with a big teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl! The owners obviously understand tea-drinking.

Later on the weather changed yet again (very Cornish, it's a lot like Wales!) and we went to the town of Looe up the coast for a wander around. There's a small vintage and vintage-inspired shop there called 'The March Hare' and as it was my birthday weekend I treated myself to a Besame mascara. We were also keen to try out a proper Cornish pasty and went to Sarah's Pasty Shop over the street, which the owner of the vintage shop assured us was the best place to buy a pasty! We weren't disappointed, and now I can never go back to a Ginsters.


Back to our lovely cottage for the evening, and after a swim in the indoor pool we spent the night drinking red wine and taking in the views. It turned chilly and started raining (again!) so my Beloved got the wood burner going to make it cosy, and we even went and sat in the hot tub in the rain for a bit!

Another lovely Cornish day!

Outing: My Birthday Cornwall Adventure Part 1

First of all thank you for the birthday well-wishing! I've had a lovely trip but am shattered now and taking it easy today before going back to work tomorrow. There's a thunderstorm outside my window so I'm indoors drinking tea, enjoying listening to it.

First stop on our weekend adventure was the village of Padstow on the north coast - it's nicknamed 'Padstein' because TV chef Rick Stein has several eateries, shops and a cooking school there. I tried out some of his fish and chips, and have to say that while the chips were nothing special, the fish goujons were fantastic!





Onwards then to the south coast. We stayed in a picture-perfect cottage on a small complex, and it was absolute heaven. Three bathrooms (!!), a hot-tub, a pool, and stunning countryside views sprawling down to the sea a few miles away.






We'd bought some monkfish at Stein's deli, and spent Friday evening in the cottage cooking up a restaurant-standard (if I do say so myself!) meal, drinking champagne, and sitting in front of the wood-burner. A dip in the hot-tub at night just had to be done too!

A pretty perfect day!

Outfit Post: Seaside Larks

I just can't get enough of the seaside this Spring!

Doesn't Llanelli look lovely in the sunshine? Normally on this beach I'm wrapped in layer upon layer to keep out the wind, but all was still on this once-in-a-blue-moon warm Llanelli day!

Dress: Vivien of Holloway

Brogues: ShuCrazy on Ebay

Bag & cardigan: Tesco