Hello Kitty! A Summer Jaunt with Vivien of Holloway

As you know, I am a huge Vivien of Holloway fan but it was only recently that I decided to treat myself to a 'Kitty' dress. As a curvy girl, I was very unsure about the Kitty and the prints it comes in, particularly as a big bum doesn't generally pair very well with vertical stripes! Nevertheless, for my trip the The Red Rooster Festival, I decided to splurge on the seashell stripe kitty in blue and pink and I can tell you, it was an absolute dream to wear. 

I sized down in this particular style (I am a standard UK 14 and bought a Viv 16 instead of an 18) and it fits like a dream. I'm not still entirely sure about the length and I might take it up by a few inches in the future but it doesn't feel as long as the Runaround Sue (which I took up as soon as it arrived). It's made of a lovely crisp cotton and zips at the back leaving the front to look like an authentically vintage shirt dress. I had so many compliments from the most unlikely people while wearing this dress and I know it's definitely a dress I will wear again and again.

Have you splashed out on a Kitty dress yet? I'd love to see your pictures! :)

Vivien of Holloway Review: What a Jezebel!

I've been a big fan of the Vivien of Holloway brand since its early incarnation above a motorbike shop in Camden Town. Considering the massive cross-over appeal of beautiful frothy 50s circle dresses and petticoats, it's hardly surprising that the brand has gone from strength to strength over the past few years with almost 50,000 Facebook followers and outfits spotted on the glamorous forms of Paloma Faith, Kelly Brook and Nigella Lawson to name a few. I'm not as glam as those famous beauties but here's just a few of the Viv dresses I've worn over the past year. I'm a sucker for a cute print! ;)

Of course, there's much more to Vivien of Holloway than the ever popular halter neck circle dresses, which is where most customers (including me!) started their love affair with this vintage reproduction brand. As well as the gorgeously authentic 1950s circle dresses, VOH also produce drop-dead gorgeous sarong dresses, tasteful daytime tea dresses, the beautifully modest Grace dress and a whole collection of go-to separates including pencil skirts, jeans and slash neck jersey tops.

Last week, in the midst of a tempting 20% off sale, I decided to try a new breed of VOH dress and one that is a little bit outside of my comfort zone: The Jezebel! The Jezebel dress is figure hugging pencil dress with a cross over bust and a cute (and flattering) mini peplum detail to the waist. I have to tell you, I am absolutely thrilled with this dress! Although I am a big fan of the polka dot print, I hadn't actually got a classic black and white Viv dress until now and I couldn't be happier with my choice. It's fitted but not uncomfortably so and it flatters my slightly bumpy post-Christmas figure perfectly! Considering the flattering fit, I was relieved to find that this dress is not boned and is made of a lovely thick stretch cotton which makes it incredibly comfortable to wear. I braved the bitterly cold (and hair-ruining!) Liverpool wind this weekend to grab a few pictures, let me know what you think!

What's your favourite Vivien of Holloway outfit? What's on your Viv wish list? I'd love to hear from you! :)

I couldn't resist adding a few pics with this fabulous Felix mural!

Dress: Jezebel Wrap Pencil Dress in Black & White Spot £89

Suitcase: Vintage Tiara Tourister

Shoes: Renaissance from Miss L Fire (2009 season)

Lipstick: Mac in Russian Red

Location: The Baltic Triangle, Liverpool

Oooh Chi Chi!

I've recently come across a new (to me) label called Chi Chi London. I first spotted their gorgeous prom dresses on Asos in the summer, followed by Modcloth and they are gradually popping up more and more on Pinterest and other social media sites.

As a fan of nostalgia and 50s prom dresses, my favourite of the Chi Chi styles is undoubtedly the bardot neck prom dress range, although the brand also produce more modern or 60s styled pieces such as the beautiful blue Chrissie dress shown below (left).

                            

I predict that the cream Bardot prom dresses, available in two lengths, will become popular with vintage loving brides on a budget. Styled with a birdcage fascinator and a loose up-do, they would be just perfect.

Chi Chi also stocks exclusive plus size designs, great for ladies with extra curves. I really wish they'd stock the red dress in other sizes, I love it! :)

Have you tried a dress from Chi Chi London yet? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the fit and quality.

www.chichiclothing.com

www.asos.co.uk

www.modcloth.com

Cath Kidston Cuties!

I'm a huge fan of Cath Kidston. I don't think there is a room in my house that doesn't have something from this store to brighten it up and make me smile. Over the past couple of years the brand has moved from strength to strength, opening a flagship London store as well as smaller shops in most major cities in the UK. One of the most popular parts of the Cath Kidston collection is now the dress range. The explosion in interest in Cath Kidston dresses began with the bird and toadstool dresses last year and has been followed up with new prints this year.

Here are my favourite dresses, bags, nightwear and homeware pieces from the Autumn collection...

Vintage By The Sea

Last weekend saw the return of Wayne Hemingway's 'Vintage By The Sea' festival. Taking place in the charming but often forgotten Northern seaside town of Morecambe, this was the second year in a row that Vintage has returned to the bay. The festival is centred around the grand, art deco hotel, The Midland along side the beautiful unrestored theatre The Winter Gardens and the unique 'Platform' pub, housed in Morecambe's old railway station.

It usually takes around an hour and a half to get to Morecambe from Liverpool but at weekends the traffic is horrendous. The main route to Morecambe takes drivers directly through Lancaster and in total, it took around 3 hours for us to make our way to the festival (and even more to find a precious parking space once we arrived!). Anyway, the long journey to Morecambe was worthwhile and we had a wonderful day at the seaside!

I've been to two of the Hemingway's festival's before -Vintage at Goodwood and last year's 'By The Sea' event- and I have come to expect a lot from these wonderful ventures. This year, no doubt encouraged by the beautiful weather, the festival drew a spectacular crowd of sightseers. The entire promenade was packed for at least half a mile with day trippers enjoying the vintage fairground, free live music and homemade food.

We made our way from the prom over to The Platform pub for a rustic cheese and red onion marmalade sandwich and a cider from the London Bus Bar. I didn't expect to be sitting on the grass in the sunshine in September but it was just beautiful! While we ate, we watched jive dance lessons taking place outside the pub before making our way into the venue to visit the vintage fair. I was surprised to see that photographer Ged Clegg had taken a picture of me on my way in! Doesn't the girl in yellow (in front of me) look fabulous?

There wasn't much time but I managed to have a good rummage around the vintage stalls and I bagged a couple of little gems. A 1950s stripe shirt dress and a black straw and bamboo bag! I could have easily spent a lot more money in there so it's probably just as well that they were closing at 4pm!

After the vintage market we headed over to browse the craft fair inside The Midland Hotel. Inside the foyer was a vintage DJ spinning tracks from the 1930s and 40s and a bar serving Pimms! We squeezed our way into the craft fair and watched ladies making hand printed aprons, customising old clothes with applique, printing Morecambe themed posters and creating handmade hair flowers, it was lovely! Next year, I will make sure we get there earlier so I have time to get involved with some vintage handicrafts!

Outside of The Midland was a vintage car show with a focus on 3-wheelers! I've never seen these cars before! I also got to pose with some beautiful 1940s and 50s cars and enjoyed watching the owners dressed up to perfectly compliment their vehicles!

We took a ride on the vintage ferris wheel, ate ice cream from my favourite vintage ice cream van, browsed an old fashioned book shop and took a walk along the pier to buy a good old fashioned chip butty. I can't wait for the next festival!

I wore my Tatyana dress to Vintage By The Sea. It's a fabulous dress with the most beautiful neckline, as you can see. I bought it in Nashville (30% off!) and it is authentically mid century, duplicated from a dress that actress Shirlee Teggee wore in 1949. It's made from a stretch cotton and has a metal zipper, authentic to the era. It really fits and feels like a vintage dress and made me feel fabulous all day. I wore it with my Office peep toe shoes, repro cats eye glasses and a vintage 1950s wicker and lucite handbag from Flashback Boutique in Memphis.

Wednesday Wants -20th Century Foxy

I'm a big fan of 20th Century Foxy designs and I wore my 'Trudy Scrumptious Day Dress' to death on my recent trip to the States. Their dresses fit like a dream, are extremely well made and because they aren't quite as  popular (yet!) as similarly priced brands like Vivien of Holloway or Collectif, it is extremely unlikely that you will bump into another gal wearing the same thing at an event (nightmare, no?).

 

I always have a wish list as long as my arm for this website but here are a few of current favourites. The fuchsia and grey dress is perfect for Autumn/Winter parties all the way through to Christmas. The fabric reminds me of a Pinup Girl Dress I've had my eye on for the last year but with the added bonus of the cover up.

The green dress is just perfect for Autumn accessorised with a pair of Mary-Janes, victory rolls and curls. The candy stripe shirt dress and red 40s dress just scream 'Christmas' to me although they could be worn tall year round (how cute would the striped dress be for a summer picnic?).

The blue summer dress appears to be the same shape as my Trudy Srumptious dress but with a super cute tea-time print featuring little kettles, daisies and spoons. I can't really justify spending so much on a summer dress at this point in the year so I just hope they bring it back next spring time!

Have you bought anything from 20th Century Foxy? I'd love to see your pictures!

Buy direct from 20th Century Foxy here... http://www.20thcenturyfoxy.com/en/index/a1 

Beale Street Beauty

Beale Street attracts tourists in droves. All day, every day bars blast the Blues into the streets and come nightfall, it becomes difficult to move, with hordes of revellers queuing to get onto the street past the police cordons and burly doormen. The atmosphere is laid back, the people friendly and the beer, super-sized.

My very favourite place on Beale Street, without a doubt, is A.Schwab, the most spectacular nostalgia store, museum, soda fountain and ice cream parlour, you will have the good fortune to stumble upon in Memphis. I love everything about this place, the original windows and facade, the wooden floorboards and the wonderful selection of cute tablecloths, toys, shirts and cigar box guitars. The best bit though, is the ice cream parlour and soda fountain, complete with candy coloured tablecloths, striped paper straws and 'create your own' soda fountain.

I went back to A. Schwabs twice. I couldn't leave Memphis without trying the ice cream could I? I also scooped a green floral 30s style tablecloth to remind me of our visit. Next time I'm in memphis, this place will be top of my Beale Street list!

One thing I find that Beale Street -a street in the city that gave birth to rockabilly via Sun Studios- is sometimes lacking, is good old fashioned rock n roll. Modern and old school Blues can be found in abundance throughout the bars along the street, pop and soul are a mainstay of the karaoke but you will have to weave your way through the crowds to the very bottom of Beale Street to hear the music made famous by the Million Dollar Quartet at Jerry Lee Lewis' Cafe and Honky Tonk.  Admittedly, this place can be cheesier than a Papa John's pizza at times and at some point during the night, someone is fairly likely to don an Elvis jumpsuit circa 1976 but there are moments of genius, particularly if you manage to catch one of Jason James' shows.

At this end of the street you will also come across 2 beautiful theatre venues -The New Daisy and the Daisy. During the week, these venues look derelict in the day time but in the evening at weekends the beautiful facades becomes home to a cocktail and beer bar and a make shift stage area for open air performances from blues bands and DJs. I couldn't resist a little spin in my 1950s 20th Century Foxy dress!

Have you been to a city with some hidden gems? I'd love to hear about them!