Sunday 9 October 2011

When One Is Not Enough....

...to avoid spamming up this little blog, there is another for all my Creative Writing ramblings, for anyone interested, its called Rockababble and can be found here:


http://rockababble.tumblr.com/


Much love,


x

Friday 23 September 2011

A Pretty Dress, A Fair and The Usual Stress - Part 2

So...due to Kittens, Holidays (quite the chore I assure you), starting Uni (again), car accidents and other excuses that are, I'm sure, of no relevance to you, my brief break from my little blog creation somehow turned into a full blown hiatus. But, I am back. And to not waste any further time, I shall continue the last post I made. As said Antique Vs Vintage fair is now somewhat behind us, well the one I am writing about, consider this a pre-review, as TOMORROW another one will be taking place. I will once again be in attendance though this time I will be working, yes SHREWD (my co-owned part of Vintage Heaven) will be having a lovely little stand. Very exciting, and I'm very much looking forward to returning to the Antique Vs Vintage Fair. But I should really start at the beginning of that, as I haven't actually given you any information about said event.

And before I give you my pre-review, a little background information. Antique Vs Vintage is not in any way related to such things as Alien Vs Predator, however, for Vintage or indeed Antique lovers, it could conjure the same enjoyment as as the aforementioned to its target audience (I'm trying not to stereotype here..). Antique Vs Vintage is in fact a fair that provides two separate (yet in many ways connected) halls, one for Antiques, and you guessed it, one for Vintage items. This affair is run by the lovely Natasha and (I'm sure the equally lovely) Jonathan (sadly I didn't meet him last time, but hopefully tomorrow) an, in their own words "old-fashioned couple in their early-mid twenties" (a title I am still desperately clinging on to) who love antiques and vintage and are very kindly sharing their dream with us.

The lovely Natasha

But let's go back to the actual day...

Essentially, what was meant to be a fun day of fair fun turned into a trip in a car, a really long one. Instead of taking the train down to Ewell from London, as planned, I somehow dragged my dear Mummy in picking me up - she lives in Dorking, about 20mins away from Ewell. All well and good and should be accomplished in an hour each way. But oh no, the M25 and its evil ways struck again. Shocking. I must add, it wasn't due to complete lazyness that I asked her to come get me, but rather a series of events. Namely having just gotten kittens and them wanting to come play with me in the shower (awkward), washing my hair without thinking about the fact I wanted to roll and quiff (Rookie) and as per usual taking far too long to get ready. So, anyway, as opposed to arriving at Antique Vs Vintage at roughly 11/12 o'clock, we made it there for about 2...and I cant say we were in a great mood. This mood was lifted however, after collecting my press pack, and admittedly rushing straight for the vintage room and thus bypassing the antique room, we were greated by this view:


Not a great picture sadly, but you get the jist, vintage vintage vintage! And there was more than the picture really does it justice. Stalls and stalls of everything vintage, from costume jewellery, coats and shoes to a Victorian Sweet Shop and a stand to have yourself vintaged up with a little hair and/or make-up make-over - Heaven! I, of course had a good old browse and had to resist the pressing urges of purchasing, something or everything (it was difficult - heck that's an understatement), and had a little natter with not only the lovely Landgirl1980 but also the lovely ladies from the Rockabetty Stores:


I have to say, that was partially distracting, partially (if not almost entirely) unhelpful in terms of stopping me buying the whole fair dry, somehow, miraculously I managed to leave the fair without any vintage items and without that cute Cat Food bowl (you can just about see it above) from Rockabetty. It truly is a miracle, and thus just means more to purchase soon :)

I must add at this point, that to my shame, I only briefly visited the antique room, which was just as buzzing as the vintage section, due to my (somwhat self-inflicted) lack of time. Rest assured, next time I will make sure to take a closer look there too!

What can I say, apart from the fact that I wish I'd had more time, but tomorrow I will be there all day, breaking up my "hard" work with shopping, browsing and oohing and aaahing. I can't wait.

So, make sure you visit the fair! If you can't make it tomorrow (shame on you) here are the next lined up dates:

Saturday 29th October
Saturday 26th November
Saturday 10th December

...so there really is no excuse not to come down to Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 1UF - less than half an hour by train from London Waterloo and only £2 entry for 6 hours (10am - 4pm) of Vintage and Antique Joy!

xx

P.S. No more hiatus - promise :)

Thursday 28 July 2011

A Pretty Dress, A Fair and The Usual Stress - Part 1

Finally, after living in our new flat for over 3 weeks, we have the INTERNET. Oh yes, no more tiddly-taddly on my phone, straight up internet via a laptop. Exciting stuff! So from now on my posts will be far more frequent, and I am excited (and just can't hide it).

Let's go back to last week....

Saturday was lined up to be a bloody exciting day, not only did I have a really good reason for dressing up and attending the Antique Vs Vintage Fair - I even got press entry for this lovely little blog of mine, a first, and a proud one!

Of course I knew for weeks I was attending this event, but this, as is always the case, didn't mean I was prepared. I am the sort of person who packs a suitcase when I'm already running late for the airport (no joke, I practically packed my bag with no time to spare last year, even though I was going away for 8 months plus...) So, naturally, a couple of days before the fair I was stressing, not in a mild agitated kind of way, but veins popping on my forehead kind of way. As the manfriend (when you meet him you'll understand why boy just doesn't seem to cut it) only moved a few weeks ago I couldn't find anything, that teamed with the age old problem of having "nothing" to wear, turned my little popping vein into a separate person. An angry one. Luckily, as I now live in London, and am a mere 30mins away from Holloway Road, I finally had my Vivien of Holloway cherry popped. Oh the choice! I actually found a dress that matched my hair, which is difficult with the bizarre pink/red shade I'm currently sporting, but knowing my easily boredness, I decided against it. I did of course try on a black dress but who wants to be that predictable? Well, me actually. I may have not gone for black, but the very lovely lady at the shop brought over the dress that originally caught my eye....this one:

An absolutely gorgeous 50s reproduction full circle halterneck, with ANCHORS. Yes, a small obsession of mine (it's probably hard to see on the picture, but the shoes are Ironfist Wedges, with anchors - no excuse to buy new shoes, and I'm wearing an anchor necklace too - really it is an obsession). This dress is my pride and joy, and the petticoat I bought from Vivien too, its so comfy and soft! A big thank you also has to go to the two lovely ladies at Vivien of Holloway for enabling me to shop quickly and painlessly, matching belt and flower were both courtesy of them!

I will break this post up into two parts - gives you a chance to have a break, and me to look after my sick little kitties...back soon!

x

Tuesday 19 July 2011

Antique Vs Vintage - This Saturday!

In Ewell this Saturday the 23rd of July, now including a Vintage Hall, a Beauty Parlour and even an Alteration Service! Make sure you come down, write up and pictures will of course follow here next week!

Thursday 14 July 2011

Curly Poof - A Success Story

For, what seems like a small eternity, my hairstyle of choice has been the quiff (from now on refered to as the poof, it can lead to confusion but for some reason, I really enjoy that word, no no, REALLY enjoy it). Not just because I like it, but because quite frankly, when it comes to hair I am as useless as a chocolate teapot (especially as I don't drink tea), that coupled with hair that frankly does not want to do what I want to do (and as previously mentioned is currently pink as opposed to the desired red) - makes a poof an easy option.

That said, and I am in no way, shape or form cheating on my beloved poof, I've always wanted to do more, and I certainly wanted something a bit more "interesting", a bit more vintage and a bit more rock 'n roll. Having met the lovely Landgirl1980 (who, by the way has an awesome blog, anyone interested in the 1940s should definitely check it out) a week or so ago, and her having hair I'm so jealous off I may turn into a much smaller version of the Hulk (I'm only 5'3 - realistically that can't stretch to regular Hulk proportions), I asked the lovely lady for some help to achieve a curly poof, the bigger the better, because it truly is what you do with it. I can now confirm, that although still on the small side, we have hair lift off.

Day 1 - not a bad attempt, consider my previous failings (not in life obviously)

Day 2 - Excuse the 12 year old scared weirdo expression, but this is today, a little bigger, and the Kirby grip hiding has improved

And the big secret, the thing I didn't know and the reason I couldn't previously achieve the curly poof??? I'm a little embarrassed at how simple it is... Take the hair and roll it around something, e.g. Mascara tube, or for the second attempt it was my foundation (I highly doubt this would work with Foundation that comes in anything non-cylindrical, but you get the jist). Previously I'd struggle to try and get somesort of curl to form around my finger, hopeless, in my case anyway. The recomendation given was to use a little mousse whilst doing it, to set the curl and to make it easier to work with. Being unprepared at all times I didnt have any mousse, but the wonderment that is Dry Shampoo (oh there will be an entire entry about this soon - I adore it) and enough hairspray to collapse many an atmosphere also did the trick.

I am still on a one woman mission to get the curly poof bigger and better and to take it to new dizzying heights, as and when I achieve this, it'll all be right here!!!!

Oh, and of course there will be an update as to whether the crazy height I desire will be achieved in time to the Antique Vs Vintage Fair in Ewell on the 23rd July, if not, you'll find me picking the brain of the Beauty Parlour Stylist!

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Rockintage - A Beginning, Mostly A Middle

I have wasted too much time thinking about starting a blog, too much time considering what I would write in it, and far too much time not doing it.

So, consider this the beginning. After much internal debate and some sheer inspiration and motivation by the great blogs that are out there, here it is, my own little version. Whether this lives up to my or your expectations, that does remain to be seen, but my all it will have.

A bit of background about me, the illusive blogger. (If I can call myself that, at this precise moment in time I am yet to publish anything...). I am 20-something, have just moved to London, if technically it isnt London at all, but thats besides the point and I am somewhat linked to Shrewd, a treasure trove of a vintage shop (located in Dorking, Surrey)- yes, yes, I am linked to it, thus I am biased. Of course I am, but that doesn't make it any less great, honest! And I love Rock music, I am equally open to many many types of it, and  equally very specific. Helpful, I know.

I have my "comfortable style" - which, frankly, is boring, whilst simultaneously being a bit rock, and a bit vintage, (Rockintage. Get it? Yeah it's lame, but I really am a Dad when it comes to jokes, so I'm afraid you'll have to bear with me. Do not fear, I don't expect full theatrical fake laughs - just a half-hearted smirk will be more than sufficient. Anywho...I'm sidetracking. Shocking. You'll get used to that too.) though not nearly enough, precisley what I am working on, which is where the other style comes in. The "not-so-comfortable style", is a kinda Rockabilly with actual vintage thrown in, with a twist of decades, tattoos, piercings, and pink hair. I must add, the pink hair was definitely accidentally. Red was the supposed outcome, neon pink was the result. I guess glowing in the dark is not necessarily the worst feature a girl can have - though entirely impractical when playing hide and seek.

So, that's a little and a lot about me, you now know me better whilst not knowing me at all. I will get there eventually. I do hear my bed calling, and knowing that a certain sense of satisfaction and achievement will hopefully wash over me (in a non-drowny kinda way),  I will answer the call, after all, I finally have my blog, and tomorrow there will be more. More about me, more about "Rockintage", it will continue, and hopefully be at least partly awesome.

x