Modern Or Vintage Part Two

Creating our own vintage modern television was lots of fun and we loved the results, but I've also bought a few vintage styled items in the past...

Retro Classic DAB radio 

I've had this one for years now, it must of been just as they came out. I imagined myself taking it on wonderful summer picnics but after realising just how many batteries listening to digital radio uses up I have it in the kichen so I can listen to JazzFm as I bake! 

I'm now looking for a portable record player for picnic duty....

Vintage styled fridge 

I've long been an admirer of retro styled kitchen appliances, I think as a vintage car enthusiast, the chrome styling and curved lines hooked me in. I spent many years longingly looking in the window of the Smeg store in Bath, picking out my favourite colour of refrigerator - it changed with the seasons! So when we redid the kitchen this year, we were definitely getting a retro fridge! After looking online I found one, not a Smeg but the same familiar lines and a good deal cheaper, a gorenje.

Retro bicycle 

I just can't comprehend the thought of few or NO gears, I struggle to keep up withthe children on rides as it is!! I was lucky with this bike, vintage styling with up to date gears, brakes and comfort etc. Now I just need to find 'the right' wicker basket for the front!

There are many lovely vintage style goodies on the market today with modern technology with looks spanning several vintage ages. Here are a few of my favourites...

 

 Retro 3 in 1 breakfast station

amazon

 Vintage Digital camera 

Rolleiflex mini 

The ease of a digital camera is just so convenient. I want to know I've 'got the shot' before I move on, but whipping out a digi at events isn't always proper so one of these would do me just nicely! I've also had thoughts of frankensteining a new camera into an old brownie (shh...don't tell hubby!)

USB keyboard 

Etsy 

Our computer lives in our lounge, hidden within a vintage wooden bureau, but one of these would look great on a big leather topped desk! It looks like you just use a tablet for your screen, which itself is a clever idea, take the tablet away and all thats left is your vintage typewriter!

The downside of my set up is that the monitor lives on top of the bureau. Now that the TV is hidden away, it stands out even more!  If anyone has got any ideas how I can hide the monitor I'd be greatful...

I'm sure everyone reading this will have a different view on whether these are great or naff, a brilliant solution or a complete cheat.
For me its the technology I need inside something that is pleasing to the eye, so its win win for me! 

What do you think? 

Do you have any modern vintage items in your home? 

What would be on your wish list?

Friday Night Comedy

Last week, on Friday 13th, the weekend of the titanic's sinking centenary, in a rainstorm, we dressed up and went out for a meal on a boat....

And thats where the comparisons stop.

The 'Penny Lane'

Our trip out was to the premiere of the 'River Giggle' an Evening of Comedy on the River Avon. The format of the evening, run by promoter and gangster character act  Sal Monello, is simple -  a three course meal followed by 4 comedy acts. The venue, aboard The Penny Lane River Cruiser , gives a nice twist to the evening.

The evening was an absolute blinder, with some great comedians and  delicious food! Luckily we had a great crowd on our table so the banter over dinner was fun too! Unfortunately the rain put pay to any photos, so you'll have to imagine  how fabulous we looked!!!

They are looking to run this regularly the 2nd Friday of the month, if you're near Bath  its a great night out, you can book here. And Sal holds other comedy nights around the area too, if boats aren't your thing!*

*The boat is moored for the evening so no sea sickness to worry about!!

Vintage or Modern? Part One

What do you do when you live in a modern house but yearn for vintage? You love the look of the old but need the technology of the modern day?  Last week I bought this lovely little 1950s cabinet on EBay, declaring it 'something a little special' to friends. Of course it doesnt seem special at all until you sneak a peek inside....

Its a 1950s Decca  Television - how cool!  Of course since the digital switchover here in the UK there was no way this was actually going to recieve a signal (scart lead? hdmi socket? this thing has screws to adjust placement and a lever to twiddle for focus!!) So what should we do, leave it as a curio prop in our already over crowded lounge , maybe not!

Hubby took it out into the garden and had a fiddle, 20 minutes later , the kids were watching a Winnie the Pooh Movie on our new fifties styled HD Television!!!

The Little Paris Kitchen

Have you seen this cookery program yet? I bought the cook book last week after catching a couple of episodes. Its the last one tonight but you should still be able to catch them on bbc.co.uk/iplayer still for a little while.

Rachel Khoo left Croydon in the U.K for Paris six years ago where she trained as a french pastry chef. She lives in a tiny but lovely French apartment, cooking in a kitchen where she can touch all four walls from the same place! From a two ring burner and compact oven she cooks simple French food with minimal fuss and even ran a resturant from her front room!

Betty Bee  interviewed Rachel a little while ago on her blog here

Rachel is totally living my fantasy of living in Paris and cooking whilst wearing red lipstick and running about from patisserie to boloungerie in a wonderfully vintage inspired wardrobe!! She's had many outfits this series I've fawned over...unfortunately not many seem to be on the net!!

 This was my favourite dress!!!

 

Polka dots feature very heavily in Rachels wardrobe

 Classic French Mac

 Deviation from her normal dresses, Rachel in a jumper and skirt.

Apparently I'm not the only one and Easy Living has an online section, where you can 'Shop Her Look'

New Skirts And Skate Parks....

Forgive me, again, for the lack of posts. Its the Easter hols and family life has taken over a bit! Easter break also meant the last of my sewing lessons. I finished my skirt in time -and begun a new dress - but since the holidays began I haven't had time to pull out the machine at all :-(

I must of had a subconcious Thursday (sewing lesson night) pull though because yesterday afternoon, I bought this fabric and knocked up something with little miss. Nothing vintage, just a self drafted skirt in a Retro pattern! We sewed it together - fun challenge! 

It only took an hour or so from measuring to wearing - most of that threading the elastic and breaking the bodkin in an all to narrow channel! Little miss was rather impressed I'm pleased to say, but did turn round at the end and ask....'but mummy why did YOUR SKIRT take so long to sew?' 

Today she wore it when we headed back to her new found hobby of skateboarding! 

Of course her second favourite pastime is modelling!!

Son swapped between bike and board all day. They're still beginners but they've got alot more confidence in the past few days!!

{Readers Question} and A guide to 1940s Jeans and what to wear with them

 

I was recently asked by a a good friend, what a 40s girl would have worn with jeans? There are really two sides to answering this question  so I'll split the post in two...

Part One If you want an authentic look...

Jeans were workwear. Predominantly the realm of men only, but WW2 meant many women were entering the workforce and were looking to wear something practical and hardwearing. Jeans were often refered to as dungerees, overalls or

If you want an authentic workwear look with these think practical - flannel or chambray shirts, woolen jumpers.

Working on the Farm 

 

 Hard Working Denim on the Farm

W.A.V.E.S. ( Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) in their Denims.

Part two If you want to wear an 40s fashion look...


Ok so you have your 40s / 50s style Jeans and you're looking for something to pair with them to give you that vintage look...

Not got any jeans yet? Try....

Freddies of Pinewood

Vivien of Westwood

LilyScarlet


For tops the sky is your limit!! And don't just stick to straight jeans either....

Heres some looks I'm loving at the moment on these internet lovelies

Elegant Musings Wearing History Jeans- Short Sleeved Sweater

Sorry I don't know who this girl is butthe tie top looks great with the pedal pushers (more of a 50s look I know but so cute) And I LOVE those cherries!! *desperately trying to keep  focus on the clothes and not the lovely car behind her!!*

Finally Super Kawaii Mama  and a lovely 40s blouse under her Bernie Dexter Dungarees!


So Bunny, and everyone else who was wondering, there you go.... thats the lowdown on 1940s Jeans and what you can wear with them, hope I helped!!!

Sunny Sundays and Lazy Bike Rides

 

 Today was supposed to be the day the good weather ended. Don't you just love it when they get it wrong? A little cooler, hence the cardi but still glorious sunshine!! Son and I went out for a bike ride to the local shops and park...

 

Todays outfit totally inspired by Miss Audrey Hepburn!!!

(Photos by my very  lovely son!!)

Then we went home for afternoon tea and cake, enjoying our extra day of good weather!