The Great British Tattoo Show

Sometimes, working for Collectif gives you some awesome things to go and do, such as working on the stall at The Great British Tattoo Show.

I was "worried" I wouldn't be able to get tattooed. As a tattoo-addict, I couldn't possibly go to a Tattoo Convention and come back un-inked!

Luckily, as there were 3 of us at the stall, my job largely consisted of spreading the Collectif word, meaning I was able to squeeze in some ink.

In fact, I got inked within the first hour of getting there :) Mind the swollen scumminess, my thumbs aren't very happy at the moment. It quite difficult to not scrape/touch/ scratch your thumbs in day to day life.


I'm usually crazy loyal to my tattoo artist (and I still am), mainly coz he is super awesome, and I've known him for years, but I have found another one I'm happy with. Enter Will Corvidae Sparling, this crazy little man:

I've been to a few Tattoo Convention, and in terms of getting tattoos on the fly, this one was pretty good, many of the artists attending had free slots, but this may have also been because the show wasn't as busy as I expected it to be, even though it was Sunday. I spoke to a few people whilst I was there, and to be honest, I think it could've been a bit better advertised (I think it was mainly in Tattoo magazines, which not everyone reads, including me), especially as it was the first ever Great British Tattoo Show. 

Nonetheless, there was plenty to do. The lovely Sinead came down to see me, and of course to get some ink as well.

I'm naturally head to toe in Collectif, Dolores Hibiscus Dress, and Katie Hibiscus Cardigan. The necklace is vintage from Shrewd. Sinead is wearing the Toxico Zombie Squad jacket I mentioned a little while, I have now ordered it too, in the hope that they still have some in stock, then we can be an actual squad :)

Whilst there, I also met the lovely Natalie from INFIprint (they go up to a 5XL!), and bought some awesome hoodies and t-shirts,  I was trying to make it up to the man flesh that I was getting inked and he wasn't, but unfortunately, I bought too smaller stuff, I still got some goodies though.

As expected, it was also completely impossible to walk past Kastaways, an official Iron Fist stockist, especially as I've wanted a bag for ages, and Perch who runs the store with his wife, is lovely, here is my purchase:

I do love it when a bag comes in a cool bag, I'm a sucker for these things!

As Sinead and I had been talking about getting a joint tattoo, we ended up returning to Will's stand, and got these awesome Sweet Vs Zombie cupcakes.

All in all, a pretty successful day, and I have Bournemouth Ink coming up next month, this time not for work, but only tattooing pleasure :)

x

The Challenge - Day 49

I can't believe the challenge is almost over! As promised, today it was dress time:

The very first Collectif dress I ever bought, the Regina Feral Dress, I do love a bit of leopard print (and by a bit I mean lots), vintage belt from Shrewd, and a trusty black cardi, tied at the waist, may as well highlight the best parts (certainly not the hips in my case).

Have a wonderful weekend (I shall be working)!

x

The Challenge - Day 32

Excuse the hair, and lack of complete make up, I'm running on a tight schedule, I have to leave for work in like 5 minutes, and then I'm off to Southampton and Bournemouth for a few days.

Next trousers and shirt, old cardigan and a necklace I got from Shrewd.

Must dash!

x

The Challenge - Day 31

Today I was working again in Shrewd ( I say again, like it was recently, try last year), so I went for a vintage 50s dress I own, on paper I quite like the dress, but now I am not so sure, it is a bit of an odd colour, and I am not convinced the shape really suits me. But, I can mull that one over, seeing as I was wearing this dress today, I don't need to get rid of it :)

The dress was originally from Shrewd, my Collectif Leo Cardigan, my Collectif Coat, and belt as per usual :)

I also feel its an outfit for the wrong season, it looks more autumn than spring, though in the shade (and on the tube) the coat was totally necessary!

x

The Challenge - Day 9

...another last minute, "safe" outfit, very necessary on a fat day.

Unfortunately, the manflesh's photography makes me look even shorter than usual, due to the 1 foot height difference, and Rudi also managed to sneak into the picture.

I previously wore these jeans, I believe it was Day 2, the top is a good old H&M one, and the cardigan is, surprise, surprise, from Collectif. The scarf has also made a previous appearance, a vintage one from Shrewd. Though I was able to purchase another few at Old Spitalfields market today, so keep your eyes peeled for new ones (as opposed to repeats).

x

The Challenge - Day 7

Today I really enjoyed the challenge, and the outfit! I finally got round to wearing a vintage shirt dress I got from Shrewd a small lifetime ago. Granted its not my usual style, for starters its not red or black, and I don't tend to show of my knobbly knees, but I really liked this, I will definitely be busting this out again, though obviously after the end of the challenge.

Unsurprisingly, its not the easiest task to get a good picture when you have no one to help you, but this shall do:

I'm also wearing a George cardigan, a plain black strappy top from New Look, the belts creator is unknown, a present from my parents, and a vintage glass bead necklace, also from Shrewd originally (though I got it in my Advent Calendar, courtesy of Mummy Shrewd).

I actually curled my hair last night (blog post on this also to follow in the near future), though I did just messily put it up with a flower from Collectif. For someone who has dead straight, flat hair, its nice to be able to do that.

x

Accidental Shopping

I regularly get confused with Old Spitalfields Market. As I work in Collectif in OS Market, I always see the market, when it's on, but I couldn't tell you with too much confidence when what is on.

I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived to work this morning, and discovered it was Judy's Vintage Fair!

I have to admit, to my great shame, I didn't actually buy anything vintage...but I did buy a mass of vintage inspired things...maybe even too many, but I just couldn't help myself. This does in no way mean there was no vintage bargains to be had, everything from cardigans, leather and fur jackets, to accessories and homewares were available.

I did meet the lovely Cam from Bow and Crossbones, who is utterly fabulous, and filled all available pockets with adorable necklaces and hair clips, today's design of choice was of course my usual nautical themedness, and  Palmtrees (for no apparent reason - other than they were just cute as hell).

Trying to wear as many of my Bow and Crossbones items at once as possible (yeah...there were a few more :)) 


I also managed to get these little beauties:

I'm still trying to find the flyer for the stall that sold these lovelies, it must be somewhere in the depths of my shopping bag.

I, of course, also stopped by to see the lovely ladies at Rockabetty to buy some Sew and Save goodies, always gets me in the mood for sewing and crafting, which is good, seeing as I have now launched Knot Shrewd, or should I say "am launching", currently being sold at Shrewd, mostly vintage repaired and reworked jewellery and soon to come rockabilly accessories. Please do feel free to like, join or follow, more will be uploaded soon.

Enough of my lovey-dovey admiration post for everyone and everything :) More soon x

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 :)