My Vintage Vows

Vintage Craft

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:40:00 +0000

My friend Vanessa very thoughtfully sent these lovely retro crafty kits for Milo all the way from Australia. I love the lovely vintage colours of the embroidery sets from Marc Vidal and I'm looking forward to finding a suitable sock to steal from Vintage Husband's draw to make a sock giraffe (find more on Aussie site Craft Schmaft). Milo is clearly intrigued...

One-off wedding stationery

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:28:00 +0000

I have long been a fan of Sally Leach's gorgeous illustrations so I was very excited to hear of her latest project - a bespoke wedding stationery company called The Little Peach. She's already proved herself a dab hand at wedding work, creating 'Walk of Love' maps for her sister Mrs Biddle's wedding, so I've no doubt her business will fly.

The idea is simple - Sally works with the bride and groom to illustrate their love story, creating a caricatured design which she hand prints onto each invitation - so each one becomes a mini work of art for guests to treasure. Couples can choose to be illustrated into a readymade backdrop (see below) or create a bespoke design from scratch. The results are charming, funny and totally unique.

Vintage books

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:58:00 +0000

A pile of beautiful old books from quite possibly the best second hand bookshop I've ever come across - Richard Way's, a few doors from our house.

It's a wonderful little place - crammed from floor to ceiling with books, but surprisingly easy to find exactly what you want. So far I've bought antique maps (ideal man gifts), vintage children's books, a wild flower annual for my mum and some beautifully covered pre-war Oscar Wilde classics. No website I'm afraid, so you'll just have to come and visit.

Vintage toys

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:49:00 +0000

I'm regularly tempted into the antiques shop across the road by the bits and bobs left outside the shopfront on the pavement, come rain or shine. Recent noteworthy items include a 50s fur coat, a very retro all-in-one ski suit, a lovely antique wooden high chair, a toy pram and this old wooden toy trolley that I couldn't resist for Milo.

Handmade cushions

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:25:00 +0000

I've been meaning to post this for a while - Mrs Biddle's beautiful handmade cushions given to me for my birthday. Ingenious as ever, Mrs B found some fabulous 50s print Horrockses hankies from the V&A shop and turned them into cushions, using some gorgeous mint-striped and candy pink fabric for the back. I love her personalised 'Handmade by Mrs Biddle' labels too.

Readers' Homes: Rowan's place

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:25:00 +0000

We made a weekend trip back to the East End recently and stayed with our super stylish friend Rowan in her gorgeous Hoxton flat. The kind of space that feels calm and immaculately tidy yet cosy and quirky, with plenty of vintage finds to admire. A crochet cot blanket from her own childhood now covering a sofa arm, a vintage floral quilt on the bed, old Bunty annuals stacked up by the fireplace - and lots and lots of perfectly placed books (and they're not just for show - I guarantee she has read them all!)

Vintage Fabric

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 08:28:00 +0000

I bought these vintage fabrics from the Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury, only to discover that Vintage Husband had the colourful houses fabric as his bedroom curtains when he was a little boy! Definitely one for Milo's nursery - just got to decide what to do with it!

Moving On

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:28:00 +0000

No sooner do we arrive in a new town and new home way out west in Henley-on-Thames, than I discover that our new street is home to an aladdin's cave of an antique shop (already purchased wooden toy trolley and blocks for Milo), an old-fashioned sweetshop, a fantastic second-hand bookshop (watch this space for the blog posts) - and that the cafe across from our house was hosting a vintage night. I think I'm going to fit right in!

Run by the Ministry of Vintage, there was champagne flowing, lots of designer vintage gear and lots of lovely people to meet. They'll also have a stand at Henley's very own vintage fair at the town hall on November 26th.

Vintage at the Museum of Childhood

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:55:00 +0000

The Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood has just opened its Magic Worlds exhibition looking at magic throughout the ages. I was hoping for a bit more of an 'enchanted forest' feel to it, but loved the retro magic sets and puzzles, plus an original Sooty hand-puppet.

Even more interesting was the museum's permanent collection of antique children's paraphernalia - everything from 17th century high chairs and Victorian rattles to the coolest doll's houses i've ever seen and some gorgeous clothing.

30s handknit jumper

80s Mr Men skirt

40s Jaeger dress

30s dress

20s boys' buster suit

40s smock

art deco dollshouse

50s mini picnic set and laundry roller

An old fashioned sweet shop

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:29:00 +0000

Miss Hope and Mr Greenwood are self-confessed sweetie addicts and have channelled this weakness into their own brand of confectioners aptly named Hope and Greenwood, specialising in British-made traditional sweets and their own inventions (Gingerbread Humbugs being my favourite).

Their East Dulwich shop is a sugary feast for the eyes - bursting at the seams with beautifully packaged sherbets, chocolate, toffees and rows of bonbons in jars. There are some lovely ideas for wedding favours here too.

Readers' Wedding: Laura and Dan

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:36:00 +0000

I haven't posted a reader's wedding for a while, but I couldn't resist this utterly beautiful one, especially as Laura hired out my own collection of vintage china (one of my first clients!). Textile designers Laura and Dan designed their own tablecloths and napkins, screen-printing them in their studio in Dalston, East London.

The creative couple decked out Ratsbury Barns in Kent with personal and original details, such as handmade paper-cut bunting, family photos strung up with pegs, wild flowers by Cafe des Fleurs and giant wooden initials. Laura's lace dress had a vintage feel but was actually by Australian designer Collette Dinnigan, and I love the vintage bridesmaid dresses too. The results are beautifully shot by photographers Tom & Lindsey Fallon.

Vintage and Handmade Fair

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 19:23:00 +0000

My favourite stand at the small but perfectly formed Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury in the Cotswolds. Donna Flower is a brilliant collector of beautiful vintage fabrics for grown-ups and kids and her stand was so pretty -

Indian Summer

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:51:00 +0000

An al fresco breakfast at the Towpath cafe on London's Regent's Canal - a hole in the wall that has become a real gem for loyal regulars, cyclists and passers-by.

An Alpine retreat

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:31:00 +0000

Just returned from a blissful holiday in the Alps, a perfect combination of fresh air, french food and mountain walks. We celebrated Milo’s six month birthday in possibly the most inaccessible restaurant I’ve ever been to - perched atop a mountain peak. The safest route involves clambering up a hillside to reach this little oasis of rustic charm - a wooden chalet and sunny terrace with views across the valley, plus traditional homecooking from the region (local ‘black’ tomato salad, creamy gratins, sausages and dumplings - not for the calorie-conscious).

Inside, La Ferme des Vonezins is like Hansel and Gretel’s house with cosy miniature dining rooms decorated with french antiques, pots and pans hanging from the ceiling, hand-painted pottery in wooden dressers and huge hams smoking in the chimney, and there are also two beautiful guest rooms. Outside, ingredients are grown in a cottage garden, and goats scamper about the place (and hide in baskets). It’s a little eccentric bit of paradise.

Vintage in Bath

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:43:00 +0000

We took Milo (sporting his retro Cuba dungarees all the way from Havana) to visit his friend Bertie in beautiful Bath and took the opportunity to see the Fashion Museum's vintage wedding dress exhibition (while the boys and their Dads listened to cricket in the park).

There was plenty to love at the exhibition (on until January 2012) - from elaborate 19th Century gowns and demure 40s dresses to frothy 80s meringues and minimalist 90s pieces - it was just a shame they were all accessorised with some rather distracting 'contemporary' paper head dresses! My favourite was not actually a wedding dress, but a 17th Century robe made entirely from real silver thread - divine.

Vintage Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 19:37:00 +0000

There's a bit of a vintage theme to this coming weekend in East London. The Affordable Vintage Fair is being held at Bethnal Green Town Hall on Saturday, from 10.30am-4.30pm - with stalls selling bric-a-brac, vintage clothing and accessories. The truly dedicated should stick around for The Vintage Midnight Walk on Saturday night, where participants will be donning their 20s-40s garb (plus sensible shoes) to walk 10 miles across Hackney, Shoreditch, Whitechapel and The City in aid of East London hospices. You can still register on http://www.vintagemidnightwalk.com/.

Local places

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:35:00 +0000

Every time I step out of my flat there seems to be a new cafe or shop opened up in the area to defy doom and gloominess.

We took Milo for his first cultural tour of Vyner Street's 'First Thursday' nights - where East London's galleries open their doors late and the area buzzes with hip young things (Milo being no exception). Vyner Street has long been crying out for a quirky little bar or restaurant and new Italian Ombra fills the gap perfectly.

Its six owners are a mix of architects, artists and an Italian chef, who has brought over the concept of Venetian tapas washed down with sundowners known as Spritz. The simple menu includes homemade pasta, fresh focaccia from the local bakery and hearty meat dishes. I loved the vintage cut-glass decanters for water and the reclaimed wooden furniture given a very contemporary makeover with paintbox bright gloss by artist Russell Bamber.

Just across the road is another newcomer Andor Bureau. Inside there's a slightly contrived mix of pared-back old furniture (artfully mismatched, of course) and bare walls dotted with artwork, but the place soon grew on me with its interesting menu, great coffee and plenty of events including weekly supper clubs and film nights (Lawrence of Arabia-themed dinner, anyone?).

Pop-up and Popcorn

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:07:00 +0000

Rag&Bow, the 'roaming vintage store', is heading to super-cool Shoreditch bar The Book Club to host a pop-up sale tomorrow, with a screening of 80s classic flic Desperately Seeking Susan afterwards. I like the sound of Rag&Bow - selling affordable vintage rags from the 50s to the 90s, and even bringing its mobile shop to a home or hen do with a stylist on hand for fashion advice.

Rummaging

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:13:00 +0000

This sounds fun... a new East London market with vintage, art, craft, books and music.
This Saturday 11-4, Prince Edward Road, E9 5LX

Vintage seaside

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Last weekend we took a trip to the Polish seaside resort of Sopot for a friend’s wedding - it was a true gem of a place, with a huge sandy beach lined with pine forests and a real vintage charm to the place.

Regenerated with EU funding, the original wooden pier (all pristine white and pale grey) and wooden walkways have been lovingly restored - without a slot machine in sight! And I loved these old-fashioned wicker sun chairs on the beach - room for two (or three), complete with foot rest and drinks table; and it all handily folds up to be stored away in winter - genius!

A (mini) vintage date for the diary

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:34:00 +0000

Jesse's Threads

Californian vintage kidswear brand Jesse’s Threads is holding a one-off clothing sale for ages 1-10 this weekend in east London (July 31 & 31, 11am-6pm). Even if the 70s corduroy jump suits, dungarees and cute all-American denim jackets don’t take your fancy, it gives you an excuse to sample the delicious cakes at Violet, which is hosting the event in its charming London Fields cafe on Wilton Way.

Violet cafe

Vintage date for the diary

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:15:00 +0000

I can’t believe its a year since I attended the first ever vintage-dedicated festival at Goodwood (incidentally, it’s also a year since my vintage wedding - how time has flown!) For its second edition, the festival has come closer to home to London’s Southbank Centre for a three-day party that will see the Royal Festival Hall transformed into a vintage pleasure palace. There’ll be live performances, make-up parlours, vintage stalls and a funfair, as well as an array of recreated nightspots from yesteryear - from pre-war cabarets and ballroom swing dances to prohibition-era charleston clubs... not quite sure how those will fit beside the acid house warehouse parties they’re also promising, but I’m certainly intrigued! For more info and tickets, go to www.vintageatsouthbankcentre.co.uk

Vintage romper

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 20:03:00 +0000

I couldn't resist this little vintage-style number from Buggies and Bikes on Broadway Market - love the gorgeous floral print which would be perfect as a little summer wedding outfit. Don't worry, I won't be dressing Milo up in it but I'm sure it will find a suitably stylish owner sometime soon!

A Secret Garden Market

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 19:26:00 +0000

We were trying to escape the crush at Columbia Road flower market last Sunday and stumbled upon a tiny walled garden just off the main drag bedecked in a gorgeous display of vintage and handmade goodies by designer Charlotte Denn.

Her pretty smocks for girls and babies were hung out in the sunshine on old wooden laundry stands, or pegged along washing lines next to old-fashioned lamps, while dressers displayed antique china, lace and vintage fabrics.

Secret Garden Market, Sundays 10-3, Ezra Street

Vintage(ish) gifts

noreply@blogger.com (The Vintage Bride) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:48:00 +0000

I must apologise for my quietness of late - motherhood seems to have taken over and my days get sucked away in a pile of nappies! Posts may be a little haphazard for a while but I will try and get back on track - please bear with me...

Anyway, I’ve been meaning to post up some of the lovely vintagey baby gifts that friends have found - starting with some sent from Milo’s godmother (and new blogger) in NYC - a super cute first drinking cup and a retro cowboys and indians book with some gorgeous illustrations.

Also love these vintage Disney characters from Catrin (who was a little concerned they might be doggie toys - I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt).

Owly, as we like to call him, isn’t vintage but he’s recycled from an old hairband and can be found on Etsy - hands-down Milo’s favourite toy so far and really his first best friend. And this cute vest from Powell Craft reminds me of my childhood and primary school boys and their toys...