A (mini) vintage date for the diary

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

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

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

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

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... 

Good Old Fashioned Glamour

I’m a big fan of the vintage-themed events at gorgeous micro hotel 40 Winks, so was interested to hear that owner David Carter is launching Coquette which looks like a fabulous girly afternoon out (not exactly top of my calendar right now but a girl can only dream!)

Hosted at Kettners in Soho, you can be coiffed vintage-style by Lipstick and Curl hair stylists, run wild in the vintage dressing up room, try your hand at 40s swing dancing, or partake in a spot of ‘self-improvement’ - including masterclasses in ‘Etiquette for Girls’ and ‘The Art of Kissing’. Early booking is recommended for the next event on June 18th . 

Handmade gifts

We have had some beautiful gifts handmade by friends for baby Milo - a vintage chair spruced up with Farrow & Ball and a hand-sewn and embroidered toy bag from Mr and Mrs Biddle of Albert and the Lion (read about how they were made on her blog). 

 

 I also love these two cosy knitted cardis from expert embroiderer and designer Emma Embery - complete with applique cars and Milo’s initial in Liberty print fabric and ribbon.

 

 

 

 

A new arrival

Apologies for my absence - our little baby Milo arrived two weeks ago and so I’ve been a bit distracted! We are smitten... 

Love this personalised card made by Sarah and Lily - 

Handmade wedding show

Here’s a date for your wedding-planning diary - the Handmade Wedding Collective is hosting an exhibition in London selling handmade wedding products from UK creators. Running March 15-20th at Craft Central in Farringdon, it looks like there’ll be a good range of products from accessories and jewellery, to stationery, decorations and favours.

Stationery by Marby and Elm

Garter by A Alicia

Jewellery by Blue Eyed Girl

Local finds

One of the nice things about my newfound status as a mother-in-waiting is having the time to rediscover my local area and potter about in all the cute cafes and shops around London's East End. One recent find is The Create Place on Old Ford Road, that I stumbled upon on the way home from a nice leisurely lunch at the Pavilion Cafe in Victoria Park (crushed artichokes and soft boiled egg on toast - yum). 

The Create Place runs as a craft collective and charity, acting as a space for local designers to sell their handmade products and also holding free workshops to encourage the local community to get involved in craft - including free sewing workshops and craft drop-in sessions every Wednesday. They also host parties and events, including Hen Do lingerie-making, using vintage silks and lace. 

The shop sells some gorgeous products too - I loved Zeena Shah’s screen-print cushions and Kerry Layton’s whimsical prints. 

Present and Correct

My friend and fellow blogger Sarah came to visit this week with her beautiful baby girl and kindly gave me a gorgeous owl bib from Petra Boase and these cute baby books. Their retro graphics are so lovely they could be framed and put on the nursery wall, and the stories are written in simple Polish to get Vintage Baby on track to being bilingual (his Granny will be pleased!)

She found the books on my new favourite online shop Present and Correct which has so many things that I don’t really need but had to resist buying, including plenty of good old-fashioned, functional yet stylish paper goods, stationery and notebooks. 

There’s some great homemade wedding resources on there too - stripy ribbons, paper garlands, brass letter stencils, printed paper bags for favours, plus tags and cards for place names.