Let it snow

I’m just back from a blissful two weeks in Thailand only to return to blizzards and the mad Christmas rush in London. I’m trying not to let the memories of sunshine and relaxation fade by avoiding any form of high street and opting for the much less stressful experience of Christmas shopping on Broadway Market in East London. The sight of a brass band playing carols, and all the wonderful fresh produce of the market dusted with a coating of snow was the perfect festive mood lifter.

I think its really about time I announce that there’s a Vintage Baby on the way! So you may find the blog takes a new tack as I go into nesting mode. Not surprisingly, I found myself zoning in on the gorgeously retro knitted childrenswear at the Sweetheart Knits stall - where the mini tank tops, hats, booties, cardis and socks are all hand-knitted by a crack team of 35 grannies (each tag tells you which granny knitted what). 

I also love the fabulous vintage kidswear stall next door that sells a colourful array of second hand clothes, denim, stripy jumpers and crochet blankets for the nursery. 

For vintagey christmas presents, Alice Gabb’s stall caught my eye for its kitschy vintage royal-themed mugs filled with lavender-scented candles, all lovingly displayed on old wooden shelves and drawers. 

Polka dot plates

I spent last Saturday at Broadway Market – snapping up the first of the summer’s stripy deck chairs and vainly sifting through wooden letter printing blocks looking for the evasive “&” for our Order of Service covers at The Dog and Wardrobe. And then on to the beautifully stocked vintage furniture boutique Stella Blunt, which had this gorgeous near-complete 40s dinner set in its window - I couldn’t resist taking a picture:

Antique printing blocks

I picked up these wonderful old wooden letter printing blocks at one of my favourite London vintage furniture shops, The Dog and Wardrobe, just off Broadway Market in the East End (head to the market on a Saturday for an array of food stalls, cafes and boutiques). 

I thought I’d start experimenting with using them to block-print our initials and the wedding date on the front covers of the Order of Service booklets (I may start to regret this idea 100 prints later!).