Gucci vintage handbag- Christmas present to me!

A big hello to you all!! I do so hope you all had a very Happy Christmas and are enjoying the rest of the holidays- fortunately for me, I am not back until next Tuesday-hurrah!!

Before Christmas, I was really excited to find a gorgeous vintage Gucci handbag which is in a classic flapover style- bang on trend for this season too!!

The first picture is the Gucci 1973 medium flap bag, with double G detail, currently available on Gucci's website now for £1520-totally gorgeous, but well out of my price range! It just goes to show how style does goes round in a cycle-the two designs of these handbags are so very similar, decades on:

Which is why I always love designer vintage pieces-for a fraction of the price and with its clean classic lines, this is certainly a real style investment purchase which will never date:

I love the gold G clasp fastener and as well as a few compartments it also has the added feature of a detachable strap so it can be used as a clutch too! With my Chanel no5 parfum from hubby for Christmas too I've been very fortunate indeed!!

I hope you all received some really lovely presents this Christmas and I'd like to take the opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year and a peaceful and successful 2012. Many thanks to all my readers who either read, comment or follow-your views are very much appreciated and please feel free to chat to me on twitter too-I've just signed up!!

Tissavel Vintage v Talitha at MyTheresa and Happy Christmas too!!

Of course at this time of year, faux fur is an instant style piece to be worn and keep you snug and when I saw this Rachel Zoe 'Talitha' coat which was available at MyTheresa for £435, I thought I must start wearing my vintage version by Tissavel bought earlier this year

Talitha coat by Rachel Zoe

This is me wearing my version last winter and I'll certainly be wearing it again this season too. What I like about both coats are they are perfect day to night coats as by evening they will go so well with a LBD underneath.

This will most probably be my last post of 2011-my laptop is currently being repaired so service is more intermittent than usual!! I will endeavour to read and try and leave comments for all of you lovely bloggers over the festive season though.

In the meantime, wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a very Thrifty and Stylish 2012-however you will be wearing it, have a fabulous one!!!

Mixing Vintage with Modern-Faux Fur and Miss Worth

Hi everyone, I hope you are all having a great week so far! One of my key pieces for winter so far has been this faux fur winter white gilet by New Look, which I thrifted last year at the boot sale for only £2.

I'm wearing it with another high street favourite of mine, this fluffy black jumper by River Island, which I purchased last year brand new. Both pieces are teamed with my vintage 50s skirt by Miss Worth-originally a dress, but altered into a skirt to make it a versatile and key item in my wardrobe.

My black Clarks boots complete this winter look and black and winter white are definitely my favourite colour pallettes at the moment.

What is your favourite colours to wear this winter season?

Pop Up Vintage Fair, Hampstead

Hi everyone!! We were at the Pop Up Vintage Fair in St Stephens Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead yesterday for their Christmas vintage fair and what a fantastic and gorgeous day it was too!

The hall was decked out in lights and tinsel and the lovely organiser Maxine had really pulled out the stops to ensure the day had plenty of Christmas cheer and atmosphere. She had also thoughtfully left out some chocolate santas for the stallholders too, yummy!! The lovely ladies from Vintage Teatime were in attendance and there was mulled wine, a beauty parlour and live music from the fabulous Three Belles.

Unfortunately I didn't get many photos at all as my battery went on on my phone, but check out the website for more on the day itself! It was also really lovely to meet the gorgeous Missy Vintage who had travelled down from Norwich for the day-so nice to meet you my dear!!

It was a great day and I look forward to seeing everyone again in the New Year.

I hope you all had a great weekend and wishing you all a lovely week ahead too!

Party dresses from George at Asda

The lovely people from George at Asda has invited selected bloggers, including myself, to pick from a selection of party dresses from their range currently available and I decided to go for the G21 bird print dress, which is a bargainous £14.

What I really liked about it was not just the lovely print, but the cut and style, as it is perfectly versatile as a summer dress too. Here I have paired it with a pair of royal blue opaque tights, some diamante hoop earrings and a pair of black suedette peep toe shoe boots to wear for a pre Christmas get together with family:

The shoulders have a frill detail and the dress itself has two front pockets and an elasticated waist, making it a really stylish and comfortable dress for going out to a party or for an evening meal.

The whole range features dresses from jewel bright colours, to snakeskin print to the ultimate LBD with a budget that won't break the bank. From lace to floral to swirls, polka dots and chiffon there is bound to be a dress to suit!!

A big thanks to George for sending me my dress, I'm sure I will be wearing this not only for evenings out but also during the summer too!

£15 Party Dresses at Goddiva!!

Hi everyone!! If you are still looking for a reasonably priced party dress, then do check out Goddiva, where they have a lovely selection of evening and party dresses for only £15!!

There are a variety of different styles, colours, cuts and patterns, so there should be something there to suit that Christmas night out if you're still searching:

I have just ordered the Origami satin dress in black, a perfect LBD for Christmas and also general evening wear!!

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend whatever you get up to-happy shopping too!

Wardrobe Addition-Vintage Arctic Fox faux fur

My favourite item of clothing for winter is always a vintage faux fur jacket or coat and I was fortunate to find this vintage 'Arctic Fox' by Glenn Models Ltd, an English vintage faux furrier.

I only found it a few weeks ago at a neighbouring town's St Francis Hospice charity shop and priced at £20, it certainly beats the cost of a new coat from the high street. Its great timing as I can wear it straight away-it is a touch oversized, but thats all the better for snuggling in and wearing with skinny jeans and a wool polo neck for a cosy winter look.

I'm wearing flat brown ankle boots and I think a plain outfit with this pattern of coat is all that is necessary.  My black skinnies are Baxter jeans at Topshop and were last weeks bargain thrift find for only £2.50, my one and only pair of black jeans!

Do you have a favourite winter coat or jacket that you will be wearing soon? I am hoping to visit all my regular blogger friends this week, with a comment hopefully too!!

Wishing you all a great week ahead!!

Thrift Inspiration, Make Do Style!!

I have not really been buying much lately, just a few vintage pieces for my stall at forthcoming vintage fashion fairs. I haven't kept up with my blogging very well either, time just seems to be galloping away!! I do read my fellow bloggers latest posts but have not been commenting, so sorry to you all!

I was in my local town yesterday and was really pleased to find this LBD party/evening dress-its a Christopher Kane for Topshop limited edition from September 2009 and for £14.99 I had to snap it up from my local British Heart Foundation charity shop.

Reading my lovely blogger friend's latest post today, Kate at Make Do Style is doing a blog post series on A Dress A Day for under £100 and todays post echos my sentiments too- a love of second hand clobber and that nowhere is off limits in the shopping world- jumble sales, boot sales and charity shops included.

I think my find is a case in point-where else would I find such a quality, designer collaboration dress for only £14.99? For this price on the high street, I may be able to find a party dress in Primark or Peacocks, but I doubt I would love it or wear it for years to come!

For inspiration on that all important Christmas season dress, do check out the series that Make Do Style is featuring, from High Street to Designer to Vintage, her picks will surely inspire you if you've not already found that all important dress for your Christmas party or evening out!!

Layering up-Missoni, faux fur and leather

So far this season I haven't yet worn any of my winter coats, instead I have been layering up and getting out old favourites.

I hadn't worn my Missoni foulard for a long while and its vibrant colours of purple, orange and gold thread will liven up a winter outfit. Last year I thrifted this faux fur gilet for only £2, which is a modern one from New Look. Its great as a layering piece over a leather or denim jacket and as you can see here, with a cashmere cardi underneath, I am really cosied up!!

Wearing Primark leather biker jacket (thrifted), New Look faux fur gilet (thrifted), M&S grey cashmere cardigan (thrifted), M&S grey skinny jeans, black ugg style suede boots, Gucci handbag (thrifted) and Missoni foulard (thrifted)

How are you keeping warm at the moment-are you in your winter coat or piling on the layers?

Falke tights at Tightsplease

I was really pleased to be asked to review a pair of opaque tights from tightsplease and immediately decided to go for this seasons on trend colour, rioja- a perfect wine colour shade to go with winter outfits in shades of berry, brown or black.

I thought I would wear my favourite black hunza style, 80s bodycon dress as a skirt to show the tights to their advantage and I'm wearing my aztec style chunky knit jumper and brown suede Pavers boots to complete this winter look.

These winter tights by Falke are absolutely lovely-a really comfy waistband, soft and warm-just like gloves for your legs!! Made of soft merino wool, they come in sizes from small to extra large and retail at £29.48, as well as being available in a variety of different colours too. They have excellent customer reviews and are a great winter investment-wearing them for the next 6 months will only work out at £5 per month cost per wear!!

A big thanks to the people at Tightsplease - they really are a quality product and I will certainly be wearing these a lot this coming winter.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend-keep warm and cosy, whatever you get up to!!

Jean Varon-70s does 40s tea dress

As you all may know, I love vintage dresses, especially if they're floral. I was lucky to find this lovely Jean Varon 70s crepe chiffon tea dress at one of the fairs I do. The dress dates to the 70s, but with the key hole opening at the back and batwing sleeve, definitely has a 40s feel to it and can be worn effortlessly from day to evening-with appropriate footwear of course!!

In Saturdays Guardian, Jess Cartner Morley is reviewing tea dresses and is wearing the infamous Miu Miu this season tea dress, which is totally gorgeous. She shows in her video what is on the high street this season from ASOS, Marks and Spencer, Warehouse and Topshop.

Of course, the tea dress vintage way offers the original real deal from the 40s or 70s and can be found either by thrifting at the charity shops or visiting a vintage fair near you.

Will you be wearing a tea dress this season?

Feeling Leopard print love for winter!!

I am such a fan of leopardprint, be it on coats, jackets, shoes or boots and when I was asked to review these leopardprint bootees for Kaleidescope, who not only do a great range of footwear, but also offer a range of ladies fashion and homeware too, I jumped at the chance!

I picked these ankle boots from the lovely range of womens boots available and I think they will be ideal for this coming season. Leopardprint is on trend yet again and these will prove a versatile item in my wardrobe.

They have a low kitten heel, so are perfect for day to evening wear, ideal for wearing with jeans or a pair of black evening trousers:

The material is velvety to touch and the sides have an elastic gusset too

I think they are the perfect choice for me and a great way of chanelling some leopardprint love!! A big thanks to Kaleidoscope for my delightful footwear!

What style of footwear are you chanelling this season-is leopardprint on your style radar?

Pop Up Vintage Fair, Hampstead

The Pop Up Vintage Fashion Fair yesterday was a real success, with a fabulous atmosphere and a wonderful flow of visitors. We were all treated to the singing sensations, The Three Belles who sang a medley of tunes in the morning and the afternoon.

The gorgeous Vintage Teatime were also in attendance, providing visitors and stallholders alike to a variety of gorgeously delicious home made cakes and tea-they really are a wonderful company and offer a mobile vintage tea party service, which should be considered if you ever have a vintage party!!

The fair was held at St Stephen's Rosslyn Hill which is now decommisioned. It has been fully renovated and restored to its former glory and is the perfect venue for vintage fashion, creating a lovely ambience and it was a really decadent and chic day out!

My stall  below, was just at the front so we got a lovely view of all the people flocking in, including Mr Ricky Gervais-you can see we managed to get a picture of myself and the lovely man in question!!

Thank you Mr Gervais for stopping for a picture!!

Below-The Three Belles

Vintage Teatime getting prepared for the off!!

 

A big thanks to the lovely Maxine too, who really does such a fabulous job organising the fairs here and at the Town Hall in Hampstead-the fair was a wonderful success with a great buzz and atmosphere and the Christmas fair should be fantastic-I can't wait and anyone who is about on Sunday 4 December should definitely try and pop by, either to treat yourself or look for the perfect unique vintage gift for Christmas!!

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend, whatever you were up to!!

Thrift Inspiration, chunky knits style!!!

Well, winter is well and truly on its way and there's no better way of cosying up than wearing a hand knit chunky knit sweater or cardigan.

From designer to high street this is a trend which has so many different styles to suit all tastes and budgets and patterned or plain, it really is worth investing in at least one or two to see you through the winter.

They go so well with skinny jeans, floral tea dresses or the latest trend midi skirt. Here are my favourite picks which are currently available at Net-A-Porter and Topshop:

 Etro, £360 from Net-A-Porter

Proenza Schouler, £785 from Net-A-Porter

Jil Sander, £1320 from Net-A-Porter





Fair Isle, Topshop,  £38

Tweedy cable knit Topshop, £40

As you all know from my previous jumper posts, I do love chunky knits and here are a couple I picked up during the summer from my thrifting trips to the boot sale:

They are both chunky knits and were a complete bargain-the green was £1 and the multi colour knit was £2!! The charity shops have now started putting out their winter stocks so using these knits as inspiration, why don't you go and hunt down a stylish cosy bargain for much less than the high street or designer versions?



What sort of style of knit will you be wearing this winter?

Emma Forbes Life & Soul book launch at The Club at the Ivy

Last night we were invited to The Club at the Ivy in London to celebrate the launch of the lovely Emma Forbes new book, Life & Soul.

Emma has her own website, ForbesStyle.com, which is a lifestyle online site which gives fresh inspirational advice on presents and parties for any occasion or age. Her book shares all her secrets on entertaining and celebrating in style-for anyone needing help or inspiration on hosting that all important party, her book is a must read!!

The evening was a decadent and fun affair and Emma looked totally amazing, she was wearing a Dolce & Gabbana number which was fabulous!!

Photo: Celebrity-pix

It was also lovely to see again the fabulous Mrs TNMA too, we had a fun filled evening with drinks and canapes a plenty which were totally divine-I loved the mini shepherds pies!!

I was fortunate to receive a copy of Emma's book and hubby managed to get it signed-for him!!

I didn't get any outfit shots, but here is a picture of my two favourite pieces that I wore last night- my recently thrifted Valentino lace tuxedo jacket and my coloured snakeskin clutch:

Hubbys signed book!!!

A very big thanks to Halpern for the invite too, it really was a fun filled glamorous evening and I wish Emma a lot of success with the new book too!!

A chunky knit for this season

Autumn has arrived and my winter wardrobe is slowly amassing some heavier layers. Mindful that chunky hand knits are very much in trend this season, I was pleased to spot this really good condition, aran hand knit jumper which is so thick and warm and was purchased in my local Sue Ryder charity shop this week.

I'm sure it will be such a versatile piece in my wardrobe-I'm wearing the jumper today with thrifted Topshop skinny jeans, but it would also go well with a pencil skirt, a floral dress underneath, or even my 50s skirt featured in my last post!

I'm wearing Christophers horn necklace from Topman and a floral Gap shirt underneath

I also have a chunky aran knit cardigan which I thrifted in Spring and I've already worn it this season

What item of winter clothing is on your radar to buy this season?

Thrift Inspiration, Worth-The Effort

A couple of weeks ago I visited a fairly new boot sale to me which is open on Fridays. This particular one doesn't tend to have many stalls but this one morning because I was prepared to rummage a big heap on the floor, I found a few treasures. I unearthed a couple of Jean Muir dresses (cleaned and already sold!), some vintage 40s handbags and a couple of 50s dresses. One was in great condition, a cotton day dress and the other one was sadly well worn under the arms but had to be bought because of the label and quality-Miss Worth of London.

According to the Vintage Fashion Guild,  Worth London Ltd and Miss Worth are descendants of The House of Worth, the grand French couture house founded by Charles Frederick Worth in 1858. The Worth name was bought by Sydney Massin, who founded Worth London Ltd and was open on Grosvenor Street, London until 1967.

Beacuase of the provenance, I had to ensure that I salvaged this wonderful piece to its former glory. The dress had a sleeveless fitted bodice with the skirt fanning out but on trying on the dress it was clear it could not be saved in its entirity.

So at the Vintage Fashion Fair on Sunday, the seamstress in residence there, the lovely Nanna at www.facebook.com/splendidstitchesclothes quoted me a price to alter the dress to a skirt and worked on it all day, making a completely new waistband, sewing the hem up, doing an invisible mend and putting in a new zip. She even put in the original label for me and it was ready for well before closing time:

It was hard work for her, as the material is silk and lined and she had to use silk thread to maintain a professional finish:

The original lining maintained, above and below, the exquisite print close up:

Above, the original Worth label-the dress now skirt is from the late 50s so is 50 years old!!



What lengths would you go as far as to restore a vintage or modern item?