Monday 30 July 2012

Seaside BBQ

Bright and sporty is the only way to go when you're rock-hopping!  Only boots or trainers will do, and it was far too hot for boots!









Outfit details: vest top, Monsoon.  Pony print shorts, Matalan.  Luminous pink trainers, Reebok.
Blodwen's Beer: Tomos Watkins brewery

No photos of the food because it took ages to get the bbq lit, and so by the time the food was cooked I devoured it in 3 seconds!!

Thursday 26 July 2012

My Week in Pictures

Well, what a week away I had!  It started off with constant, lashing-down rain and me staying indoors bent over my sewing machine, whipping through alterations with fury.  And then the sun came out!  The sewing machine was promptly abandoned, the other half arrived, and the rest of my 'retreat' turned into a mini-holiday with car boot sales, day trips rummaging around small town antique and charity shops, lazing in the garden and rum cocktails by night!

Above: Modelling my new cowgirl blouse from Collectif!  Review to follow.

Above:  What a setting for a car boot sale!
Below: Purchases, some good old-fashioned style murder mysteries and a 1930's bowl.

 




Above and below:  New bargain dress from the Gap outlet, £9!


Below: Yes Miss, time for a Sailor Jerry's cocktail please!
 

Below:  Reading in the garden, bliss!
 

I'm back home now, but not for long - it's off to West Wales this weekend for a wedding and some music!  Long may the sunshine continue!

Thursday 19 July 2012

The Carrie Bradshaw Savings Plan

At the age of 33, I have come to realise that I'm a bit like financially clueless Carrie in that episode of Sex and the City - you know the one I mean, where she can't afford to buy her apartment because over the years she's spent an entire house deposit on shoes.  I have no house deposit, but I have lots of clothes, and at my age I feel a bit bad about that.

We're told vintage clothing can be an 'investment' and I've clung to that when making outlandish purchases, telling my other half that I can wear it for a bit and then sell it on later for a profit - but to be honest I've never sold a vintage item for more than I originally paid for it.  Usually I sell it for a lot less.  I'm definitely not seeing any return on my 'investments'.

As the reality of the recession kicks in with small businesses folding everywhere and my vintage collection sitting immovably on Etsy for yet another year, I can finally admit to myself that unless you're buying something designer and vintage, depreciation is still the rule.

So, house deposit in mind, the ruthless, heartless, wardrobe-cull continues.  Among the new and non-vintage listings over at my Ebay account (click here), you will find this stunning dress.  That I've never worn.  Well, it was used for 20 mins for a photoshoot indoors.  Someone needs to wear it dancing and spill gin on it.



Does anyone out there make any money at all from trading vintage, or do you sell just to indulge your passion for vintage clothing?

My goodness, it seems being on my own on hols for a week sets me off thinking.  I'll be harping on about whether the word 'vintage' is meaningful at all these days in a minute!

At least I've had this epiphany at 33, I think poor Carrie was 40 when she came to the same panicky realisation, but then she did have a super-rich friend to bail her out!

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Escape to the Country

I'm on hols for a week now, and am on 'retreat' in Monmouthshire, a beautiful area of South East Wales.  I'm house-sitting, and taking advantage of all the space, and the gorgeous garden.  And it's not raining!  I've unpacked the sewing machine, the hastily selected assortment of clothes (doubting whether I have any outfit that 'goes') and have gratefully taken note of the chilled bottle of prosecco in the fridge.  Now the holiday can start!


Sewing, writing and fitness are on the agenda.  I have lots of alterations to do, including some repairs to vintage clothes - there's a '40s houserobe and a 1930's suit I don't think I've pictured on this blog before.  I might make something from a pattern too.  French knickers maybe.

As for writing, it's all about the competitions!  I've recently started writing short-stories, and got my first feedback today on a flash fiction (very short, short-story) piece I did last month - I didn't win, but they said my story stood out and they have published it on their website here, if you're interested in taking a peek.  Mine is the story about 'Manius Choccus'.  Can you tell my day job is in Psychology?!

I'm heading out for a run soon.  It will be refreshing to have miles of country lanes at my disposal, and no traffic to contend with like in the city when you end up jogging on the spot at junctions while you wait to cross, trying not lose momentum.

Have a good week all - I'll report back on my vintage sewing adventures on my return to reality!

Miss P xx

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Let's Go Shopping! Ebay and Etsy Delights

Who fancies a spot of shopping?
I have cheap Ebay bargains, and have re-opened my Etsy shop for those of you looking for something extra special.

Firstly, if you're on a tight budget, may I direct you to yet another Ebay clearout here, with a starting price of only 99p on everything.  There are some nice vintage-inspired pieces, here are some of the picks:




Now, for those with a little more in their pockets, I have re-opened my Etsy shop, where you can currently find some rather lovely pieces.  Here are some of the delights available:




Please feel free to message me if you're taken with any of the Etsy items but aren't quite sure you can stretch to the asking prices, I am open to offers, swaps, trades, and such like!  Times are hard I know!

Monday 9 July 2012

Hair Experimentations: Retro Waves & '60s Pouf!

It's been over a month since I had the chop with my hair, going from mid-back length to collarbone skimming.  The first time I attempted to do a vintage style with this new, shorter length was disastrous!  I used hot bendy sticks and whereas the heaviness of my hair usually smooths it out into Veronica Lake perfection, the shorter do meant my hair merely stuck out at odd angles from my head.

So, the other day, I braved another attempt.  This time with my Carmen hot rollers from the '70s, handed down from one of my elder sisters.  And it wasn't half bad.  What do you think?


Excuse the Cliff Richard calendar in the first pic.

The next day, I brushed out most of the curl and then went for a bit of a '60s look by putting lots of height in at the crown (backcombing courtesy of my multi-talented other half!!).  I'm definitely warming to some of the '60s styles, and I enjoyed wearing a nude lipstick for a change.


Has anyone else been experimenting recently?

Miss P xx

Friday 6 July 2012

Victorian Penarth

A few snaps from my most recent stroll around Penarth, a Victorian seaside town near Cardiff in South Wales.  I go there to think, and enjoy the architecture.  This was the outing that I wore my shorts outfit for (thank you for the kind comments too, I was a bit nervous about posting something so non-vintage!!).
The Pier - the ballroom is awaiting a regeneration project.


Sea views from the clifftop

Bandstand in the gardens

 This original Victorian building is making way for apartments, but they're preserving the towers.

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Outfit for an Outing



Swan Print Shorts: Monsoon
Cardigan: Laura Ashley
Bag: Gift
Ribbed tights: Peacocks
Brogues: Shucrazy!

I've recently been wearing a few things that are a bit more...modern.  Shorts.  With tights.  This may shock the hardcore vintage among you, but I've been enjoying wearing them!  Alas, it was far too chilly a day to go bare-legged.  I think black opaques instantly make something feel much more modern, and I know that's why many a vintage enthusiast hates them, but they also help people to continue wearing skirts and dresses when legs are a 'problem' area.  Varicose veins, thick hair, bruises, scars and suchlike simply vanish!  Ta da!  So, maybe they're not so bad after all if it means more women are brave enough to make it a 'skirt day'.
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