Perfect Picnic Dress...

This weekend I was lucky enough to buy some simply amazing pieces for Hummingbird Vintage...and I have decided to do a little blog each day about a different dress.....

Todays dress is the Picnic Dress.....it is a 1960's knee length tea dress with the most gorgeous print ever. It has really beautiful puffed sleeves which are not restrictive at all and a tie at the back to really cinch the waist in. This dress brings together both the lady like and the floral trend which are meant to be HUGE this Summer...and...lets be honest...can there be a prettier dress out there...??

It is absolutely perfect in every way....and I can really imagine someone wearing it with white woollen tights....

...and brown brogues......

The Picnic Dress is £30 and can be bought at Hummingbird Vintage by just clicking on the Hummingbird logo at the top of this blog... x

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Cancer and cupcakes...

Those of you who have read my blog before will know that Mother is currently going through the big C which although tragic has also had it's funny moments.

I awoke on Saturday to streaming sunshine so I decided that I should take a trip to the seaside to see Mother dearest and bring her some joy..!!

Sadly upon arrival I found out that she was sadly very sick and not up for any form of fun...however this did not stop her changing wigs half way through the day so that I got to see both her Jane Fonda and her Teri Hatcher look....I prefer Jane..!!

So as she couldn't go out I decided to go and find some joy to bring to her.....and I found a real hidden treasure called Fancy Nancy's...!!

To be honest I almost dismissed Fancy Nancy's as just a wedding cake shop...but luckily I was drawn in by the VERY kitsch window display.

Inside the vintage kitsch-fest continues and the shops decor is simply beautiful...infact I would actually like to live there but it felt a bit rude to ask as we had only just met...

...each shelf is practically groaning under the weight of really gorgeous items perfect for cooks, people who pretend to cook (me) and people who just love kitsch...(again me). 

I also found...some simply fabulous cupcakes....

...and (this was the highlight) EDIBLE GLITTER....as you can imagine I bought a number of different colours

However what Fancy Nancy's is famously known for (they are actually famous) are their wedding cakes and rightly so as they are the most beautiful and original wedding cakes I have ever seen....

Best thing about all of this is that that they are just about to open up an online shop so everyone can get involved with the amazingness that is Fancy Nancy's.

So after a good 30 minutes wandering around in a haze of cupcakes and kitsch wonderfulness I headed home with cupcakes to cheer up Mother and the intent to bake her some extremely glittery cupcakes for the next time I see her....I mean...what woman in their right mind wouldn't be cheered up by glittery cupcakes...??

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Secret Shoes and Dreamy Designers.....

Now....those of you that have read my blog before know that when God was handing out legs he gave me a pair that....at best can be described as sturdy. After almost thirty years I have come to terms with my misgivings but what I haven't come to terms with is the fact that I can't walk in high heels.

I think the fact I am curvy means I am less able to skip around on sky high heels without the fear of falling flat on my face but this doesn't mean I don't dream of walking down the street in heels without a care in the world.

Don't get me wrong I do have a few pairs of high heels but they all have one thing in common....a low chunky heel which these days in the land of the super platform skinny heel is hard to find....or so I thought.

I am now going to let you into a little shoe secret (which I may regret as I would really like to keep these all to myself) called Cinquanta 50. These gorgeously vintage inspired Italian made shoes are just divine and the best thing is that each heel is only 50mm high...hence the name and gloriously chunky. The team behind Cinquanta 50 worked together in the fashion industry for 5 years before realising the footwear currently available was totally impractical (I couldn't agree more!!) so..viola...a brand was born.

Here are my current favourites...prepare for some serious shoe envy.....

The colour and detailing on these shoes in simply gorgeous....a new twist on the classic 1950's court shoe...

The shoe everyone everyone should own.....at last a stunning pair of black courts that I will actually be able to walk in....

Over the knee boots that I can walk in....get me a pair now....

Wedges are not going away this season and this shoe boot is bang on trend...

And here is another trade secret for you....one of the amazingly talented team behind Cinquanta 50 is also behind another project.....it is a new...and dare I say improved version of Net a Porter called Style Passport. It is launching in Spring 2011 and is bound to be huge..!! To get the most uptodate launch news from this fabulous new venture go to their website www.style-passport.com and sign up....I for one can't wait.

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Fairytale Fashions....

As we all know London Fashion Week (LFW for those in the know) is in progress. As a vintage lover I do not normally take much interest to be honest but when I heard that the Vintage Queen Vivienne Westwood was creating an Alice in Wonderland inspired collection my interest was piqued.

As you can imagine I love a kitsch theme fashion collection...and to be honest if I could I would infact dress up in fancy dress most days.

Here are some of the gorgeously interesting outfits from the Vivienne Westwood Red Collection....

Sadly I live on an orange juice budget at the moment so Ms Westwoods clothes are waaay out of my price range but here are some lovely bits and pieces that will make you feel like a fairytale princess....warning there is a kitsch fest coming up...!!

For me this dress has everything....nipped in at the waist, floral print and it is in this seasons key colour of mint green...what a beauty..

Motel - £39

Lace ankle socks....great with pumps, great with heels...someone get me a pair quick....

Miss Selfridge - £4

I am a big fan of striped tops as they balance my hips out a treat....this one would look great under a black ballet skirt with shiny red shoes

Topshop - £26

 ....themed make-up...I almost hyperventilated when I saw this....what more could a lover of kitsch as for in life....I ask you..!!

Urban Decay - £28

With its ruffles, net skirt and girdle waist this dress has a real fairytale vibe to it.....

Topshop - £35

 I have no words for this necklace...I just love it......

Topshop - £9

 And...of course...a little bit of vintage...this dress is pale blue with gorgeous white embroidery....very Alice in Wonderland indeed just add white knee socks and black pumps..!!

Hummingbird Vintage £30

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Looking good and doing good....

Now...although I love nothing more than coming home laden with shiny new purchases it does give me a case of the guilts and it is not long before I have almost convinced myself that half of the items should go back and then I should give the money to charity....almost..!!

So imagine how pleased I was when the charity shops started upping their game and creating vintage sections....I can get a great outfit and give to charity at the same time....I am like a better dressed Bob Geldof!!

One of the most well known charity shops that has recently launched its very own vintage collection is Oxfam.

They have re-vamped their website and the vintage section now includes a shop by era option and a guide to vintage fashion...!! Also they have produced these simply gorgeous ads to help promote their vintage fabulousness which include a story about the piece...

....I really want the blue dress in the middle...SO MUCH...!!

And here are my lovely vintage finds from the Oxfam website...the prices range from £10 to around £50 and there are some truly lovely pieces on there....

This 1970's Liberty print dress is gorgeous and will be bang on trend with the Seventies making a come back this Spring/Summer

£49.99

 Again another piece that is very 'in' is this mint green dress. Fashion mags have been gabbing on about how mint green is THE colour this season so this is the perfect mix of totally fashionable yet one off...

£24.99

This piece I have put in because I am a sucker for both florals and purple and think it is lovely. Would look great with a tan belt to really cinch in the waist and tan peep toes.

£19.99

I love this skirt...high waist..check...bright colours...check...below the knee..check...would look great with a simple white vest and gold jewellery

£14.99

Oxfam regularly update their stock to it is worth visiting more than once just to see what new treasures they have on there..!!

And whilst we are on the topic of charity I wanted to bring to your attention the  story of Preloved Reloved....in a nutshell a lovely lady is only wearing second hand clothes for a year in order to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support. What a great gal...you can read her story here Preloved Reloved .
As this is a subject very close to my heart Hummingbird Vintage will be trying to help out Preloved Reloved as much as possible so watch this space for further details...!!

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A Perfect Vintage Sunday....

There is nothing I like to do more on a Sunday than have a nice long walk around London and then reward myself with a roast dinner, red wine and possibly cake...!!

I currently reside in the lovely area of Shoreditch but my first foray into London life was when I got my first job in London at the young age of 21 working for a fabulous company called Logisitk (you need an event planning....go to these guys they are fab..!!) who were based in Islington.

Ahhh...Islington....possibly one of my favourite places in London...EVER!! And although its neighbour Camden is more widely known for its vintage fare Islington has some surprises up it's sleeve...!!

First of all I have to tell you a bit about the walk...we started in Hoxton and walked the length of the canal to Islington. Nothing interesting there you may think....and you would be wrong...as yesterday the canal was packed with houseboats....!!

I love houseboats and am currently trying to convince the boy to live on one but am not having much luck. To me they are like a vintage gypsy caravan but on water...bloody amazing


Anyway...back to the rest of the day...!!

When we finally made it to Islington I forcibly dragged the boy down to Camden Passage where two of my most favourite vintage shops and my most favourite place to eat reside.

Lets begin at Shock and Soul.....upon entering this wonderland you would think it is just a normal vintage shop...however as you delve a bit deeper you would find amazing beaded gowns, fur coats and some quite mental accessories. The shop staff are absolutely lovely and to be honest I had to practically be dragged out of there before I bought a green beaded dress which I didn't need but am sure would make me look like a glam tinkerbell.

Next we moved on to Annie's Vintage....now this place has a very special place in my heart as it was one of the first places I ever bought vintage clothing. It is a true vintage treasure chest full of gorgeous dresses (again ...two of these had to be wrestled out of my hands) and other vintage fabulousness. You can buy almost anything in here...amazing wedding dresses, petticoats, ribbons, capes, beaded dresses, ball gowns...the list is endless and I bloody love it. It is also loved by the likes of Kate Moss and Pearl Lowe so it can't be bad..!!

And last but by no means least the food...!! Now sadly we couldn't get a table here as it was packed as per usual but I just wanted to tell you a bit about it....the place in question is The Elk in the Woods.

To me this place is the perfect mix of vintage surroundings and amazing food...the wine isn't bad either.
If you do ever visit be sure to book in advance and try the chocolate fondant and mint ice cream...it is to die for....!!

So that was my Sunday of canal walks, vintage treasures and roast dinners....what a prefect way to spend a Sunday..!!

The Elk in the Woods
Annie's Vintage
Shock and Soul

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Vintage Schmintage....

It is my dream to live in a vintage world. I would like to wear full skirted dresses, spend the day baking cakes and finish it off with a martini and a glam dinner party.....this is what is was like surely...?!!

Sadly every morning I wake to find myself living in the 21st century in a tiny flat in Shoreditch, having to rush to get ready, spend the day fixing coffee machines and look after the young kids (see previous blogs), then rushing home to drink a bottle of red to take the edge off.

Not quite the same!

However...there are many people who feel the same and today I would like to showcase a few people who I have met recently that help to bring a little bit of vintage into our lives....

The Traditional Vintage Flower Company is just gorgeous...not only do they supply the prettiest flowers I think I have seen but the lovely Clare is also on hand to help with any kind of event and provide table settings, vintage gifts and lots more....bloody lovely

Next we are on to vintage crockery....now when I finally get married (hint hint boyo) I will have each table decked out in vintage crockery as it is simply divine.

I am trying to build up my own collection but failing miserably....so when I saw these guys my heart leapt...!!

The Vintage Affair is possibly one of the most beautiful websites ever....there collection is second to none and prices are very reasonable. The only downside is that they don't supply London....weep!!

And finally....possibly my favourite place to get cake in London...Cafe Vintage.

Based in Mountgrove Road N5 it is simply divine and makes the best wheat free brownies I have ever had. But...lets be honest the best bit about it is being able to browse through vintage while you eat cake while you drink tea...OH MY GOD...it is like dying and going to heaven.

Guys I love you all and here are the website links....enjoy

Cafe Vintage
The Vintage Affair
Traditional Vintage Flower Company

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Vintage Heroine - Judy Garland...

I love musicals...I blame my Mother for this as she can replay the Sound of Music word for word...and unfortunately song for song.

I am probably at my happiest sitting in front of a fire watching a musical....possibly with a mountain of chocolate and a gin. So to help celebrate the wonderful world of musical film stars...known for their fab clothes here is my musical vintage heroine....Judy Garland.

The first musical I ever saw was Meet Me in St Louis......BLOODY AMAZING...and I can't be wrong as said film was featured in Sex and the City so clearly it is ultra fashionable. If you haven't seen it grab yourself a copy ASAP.

Best part of the film though was Judy Garland....

Judy Garland born June 10, 1922  was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years, Garland attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage. 

After appearing in vaudeville with her sisters, Garland was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a teenager. There she made more than two dozen films, including nine with Mickey Rooney and the 1939 film with which she would be most identified, The Wizard of Oz.

Despite her professional triumphs, Garland battled personal problems throughout her life. Insecure about her appearance (god knows why as I would love love LOVE to look like her), her feelings were compounded by film executives who told her she was unattractive (nasty bastards) and manipulated her on-screen physical appearance. Garland was plagued by financial instability (....so many similarities), often owing hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes. She married five times, with her first four marriages ending in divorce. Garland died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 47 (...hhhhmmmm....I am hoping the similarities end with the financial instability..!!).

Here are my favourite looks

Rumour has it that Anne Hathaway is sent to play Judy Garland in a film about her life...although no one can beat Judy Garland I have a feeling the film will be a treat and I will blub most of the way through it...!!

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Curvy girls Highstreet finds....

For those of you that don't read my usually read my blog here are a couple of things you should know about me....1. I love vintage and 2. this stems from the fact that I am very curvy and therefore vintage suits me more than anything.

However....even though I practically live and die in vintage I do like to have the odd wander around the high street shops to see what is out there and more importantly what will fit me...!!

Here are my curvy rules of shopping....hemlines must be below the knee, arms ideally should be covered (although if a dress is stunning I will brave the bingo wings being let loose) and fabric shouldn't be straining against said bingo wings, waists should be nipped in, skirts should be high waisted and ideally there should be some cleavage on show.

When it comes to shoes I cannot bear the little spindly heels...this is due to the fact that I cannot walk in heels at the best of times let alone when the heels are like matchsticks. I sadly have a condition known as  'Can'twalkinheels-itis'....when I do wear heels I resemble a man in drag or at best Whoopi Goldberg when she appeared in ghost. So therefore I need mid-heels...the chunkier the better or my saving grace wedges!!

So...here are this weeks high street finds for the curvy girl....and this weeks shop is TOPSHOP.....warning these items may make you drool....


Skirts....these would look great with either a gorgeous sheer blouse or even a plain vest and gold jewellery. The thing I love about these skirts is that they are a great length and don't have elasticated waistbands which can make (me at least) look a little bit chunky at times.

£30

£38

£40

Tops....I love floaty blouses tucked into skirts as it balances out my top half and makes me feel like I am a 1950's starlet....this is my favourite find from Topshops new range even though it goes against my cleavage rule..!!

£33

...and I know this isn't a top but it is a great cover up and just so beautiful

£38

Dresses....ah...dresses...where would I be without you....I practically live my life in dresses and I have to say that top shop are bringing out the big guns and making me want to run down there, buy one, and spend the rest of the day twirling around...

£46

£60

...and although this isn't my style I love this dress....it is like a dark version of a classic All Saints dress and would look great with a chunky belt and boots

£100

...and here is a round up of all my other favourite bits

£64

...gorgeous wedges that come also come in red with a rafia wedge.....swoon....!!

£48

And finally a bit of kitsch....because lets be honest...you can't beat a bit of kitsch.....!!

£6.50

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