All The Fun of the Fair...

The VINTAGE fair that is!
Every month an aquaintance of mine, Jeannette Laight, organises a wonderful Vintage fair in my home town Birmingham.
It is held at the Hare and Hounds pub in Kings Heath, which is an appropriately alternative venue may I add!
Birmingham doesn't have as much as other major cities in the way of Vintage shopping so it is fabulous to have something like this to breath some individuality into us Brummies!

The Hare and Hounds pub

The fair will run from 11-5 and includes vast assortments of ladies and men's clothing, jewellery and accessories, 20th century ceramics, glass and other collectables, original 50's, 60's 70's furniture, Bric-a- Brac, arts and crafts and a yummy homemade cake stall for when you've worked up an appetite from all that rummaging!

So much to see!

Lunch will also be available at the Hare and Hounds so why not make a day of it!
I can't think of any better way of spending a relaxing Saturday afternoon! Can you?
Even if you don't buy anything it's so much fun to look at all the old bits and pieces.
I would LOVE to know the story behind them- where they came from, who owned them, was it special to them... I guess that's part of the charm of Vintage! 

Lovely, unique piece!

I have already joined the Facebook group so I can receive regular notifications about when the next fair is coming up, I would recommend you do too...
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10150133565100341&ref=ts


Love Claire x

All The Fun of the Fair...

The VINTAGE fair that is!
Every month an aquaintance of mine, Jeannette Laight, organises a wonderful Vintage fair in my home town Birmingham.
It is held at the Hare and Hounds pub in Kings Heath, which is an appropriately alternative venue may I add!
Birmingham doesn't have as much as other major cities in the way of Vintage shopping so it is fabulous to have something like this to breath some individuality into us Brummies!

The Hare and Hounds pub

The fair will run from 11-5 and includes vast assortments of ladies and men's clothing, jewellery and accessories, 20th century ceramics, glass and other collectables, original 50's, 60's 70's furniture, Bric-a- Brac, arts and crafts and a yummy homemade cake stall for when you've worked up an appetite from all that rummaging!

So much to see!

Lunch will also be available at the Hare and Hounds so why not make a day of it!
I can't think of any better way of spending a relaxing Saturday afternoon! Can you?
Even if you don't buy anything it's so much fun to look at all the old bits and pieces.
I would LOVE to know the story behind them- where they came from, who owned them, was it special to them... I guess that's part of the charm of Vintage! 

Lovely, unique piece!

I have already joined the Facebook group so I can receive regular notifications about when the next fair is coming up, I would recommend you do too...
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10150133565100341&ref=ts


Love Claire x

Knit one, design one!?

River Island are always doing loads to support fashion students (woo!) with their constant competitions and support of Graduate Fashion Week.
Now they are collaborating with Fashion Design students to create capsule collections.


The latest edition to their Design Forum is a knitwear collection by Royal College of Art student, Caroline Pambakian which is available this week!
One of my favourite pieces is this cable knit dress!

There are sooo many ways I could wear it if I can get my hands on one... on its own, over a sleeveless dress, with a belt, tights, no tights, boots, heels, sandals (when it's a bit warmer and dryer though I guess :( ), with a blazer... it's one of those pieces that is so versatile and understated. For £119.99 it's a little more than what I usually pay for high street but this is fashion history in the making, and therefore a true investment!


Check out the entire collection and other designer's work in selected River Island stores.
Love Claire.x

Knit one, design one!?

River Island are always doing loads to support fashion students (woo!) with their constant competitions and support of Graduate Fashion Week.
Now they are collaborating with Fashion Design students to create capsule collections.


The latest edition to their Design Forum is a knitwear collection by Royal College of Art student, Caroline Pambakian which is available this week!
One of my favourite pieces is this cable knit dress!

There are sooo many ways I could wear it if I can get my hands on one... on its own, over a sleeveless dress, with a belt, tights, no tights, boots, heels, sandals (when it's a bit warmer and dryer though I guess :( ), with a blazer... it's one of those pieces that is so verratile and understated. For £119.99 it's a little more than what I usually pay for high street but this is fashion history in the making, and therefore a true investment!


Check out the entire collection and other designer's work in selected River Island stores.
Love Claire.x

Cherry Picked!

I've always had a weakness for sweet stuff and it doesn't stop at food. These cherry print dresses by Moschino look yummy!

Once again that brand I LOVE, Jarlo has come to the rescue and saved my bank balance with these delicious 1950's inspired dresses.

The secret ingredients for the halterneck Sherry dress are a lovely full skirt and a fitted bodice, making it the perfect figure-flattering style. I would wear this with deep red lips for a totally vintage look. It's only £55 and comes in black and white.

Another style I have "cherry-picked" from Jarlo's collection is the Vivien dress. I lurrve a sweetheart neckline because I can wear my favourite necklace for the icing on a scrumptious cake. The Vivien dress is ours for just £60 and also comes in black or white.

Thanks Jarlo, they're truely good enough to eat! 

Love Claire x

Cherry Picked!

I've always had a weakness for sweet stuff and it doesn't stop at food. These cherry print dresses by Moschino look yummy!

Once again that brand I LOVE, Jarlo has come to the rescue and saved my bank balance with these delicious 1950's inspired dresses.

The secret ingredients for the halterneck Sherry dress are a lovely full skirt and a fitted bodice, making it the perfect figure-flattering style. I would wear this with deep red lips for a totally vintage look. It's only £55 and comes in black and white.

Another style I have "cherry-picked" from Jarlo's collection is the Vivien dress. I lurrve a sweetheart neckline because I can wear my favourite necklace for the icing on a scrumptious cake. The Vivien dress is ours for just £60 and also comes in black or white.

Thanks Jarlo, they're truely good enough to eat! 

Love Claire x

Harem Dream

Harem style trousers have become a catwalk classic. They are so versatile in how you can wear them. The stylish drop crotch style looks great with sandals, pumps, tee's and vests for a casual day look or with jackets, spangley tops and heels they are instantly transformed into a timeless, contemporary night time look.

They are the chic-est shape that suits everyone and once again have been gracing the Spring catwalks thanks to designers such as Victor and Rolf.

The harem trouser can be added to your wardrobe for a look that is sleek, sophisticated and sexy.

And guess where I've spotted some GORGEOUS one's not dis-similar to these Victor & Rolf ones...

...In Mark's & Spencer!

That's right, their designer range Speziale by per una offers these slouch silk trousers in a muted pale grey-blue.

They will transport you from the dreary English "Summer" to hot Arabian Nights instantly.

These gorgeous sleeksters will be available in May for just £55 but only at specially selected Marks and Spencer stores.

Grab them while you can!

Love Claire x

Harem Dream

Harem style trousers have become a catwalk classic. They are so versatile in how you can wear them. The stylish drop crotch style looks great with sandals, pumps, tee's and vests for a casual day look or with jackets, spangley tops and heels they are instantly transformed into a timeless, contemporary night time look.

They are the chic-est shape that suits everyone and once again have been gracing the Spring catwalks thanks to designers such as Victor and Rolf.

The harem trouser can be added to your wardrobe for a look that is sleek, sophisticated and sexy.

And guess where I've spotted some GORGEOUS one's not dis-similar to these Victor & Rolf ones...

...In Mark's & Spencer!

That's right, their designer range Speziale by per una offers these slouch silk trousers in a muted pale grey-blue.

They will transport you from the dreary English "Summer" to hot Arabian Nights instantly.

These gorgeous sleeksters will be available in May for just £55 but only at specially selected Marks and Spencer stores.

Grab them while you can!

Love Claire x

Sarah Harding knows how to do cheap chic...

Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding has been spotted wearing a lovely anchor necklace on more than one occasion. The necklace in question is by Me & Zena.

Nice necklace Sarah!!

As she has been wearing her blue anchor so much, jewellery designer Zena McKeown has made an exclusive version for Sarah.

The anchor necklace in cream and gold has Sarah’s name inscribed on it and for that extra wow factor, a diamond was placed in the centre of the design.

Zena said “I wanted to create Sarah an exclusive necklace as she has been spotted wearing my jewellery brand, ‘Me & Zena’ loads. I loved that she wore my designs. For the first time, I worked with gold and a special cut diamond to create a truly special piece. The necklace is worth over £500. My most expensive design ever.”

If however you don't have £500 then why not visit the Me & Zena website, www.meandzena.com and get the original ‘Take Me Down’ anchor necklace which is available in cream or navy.

Zena also creates lots of other kitsch and cute pieces including earrings and bracelets and it's all dead CHEAP! (so enjoy!).

Love Claire x

Sarah Harding knows how to do cheap chic...

Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding has been spotted wearing a lovely anchor necklace on more than one occasion. The necklace in question is by Me & Zena.

Nice necklace Sarah!!

As she has been wearing her blue anchor so much, jewellery designer Zena McKeown has made an exclusive version for Sarah.

The anchor necklace in cream and gold has Sarah’s name inscribed on it and for that extra wow factor, a diamond was placed in the centre of the design.

Zena said “I wanted to create Sarah an exclusive necklace as she has been spotted wearing my jewellery brand, ‘Me & Zena’ loads. I loved that she wore my designs. For the first time, I worked with gold and a special cut diamond to create a truly special piece. The necklace is worth over £500. My most expensive design ever.”

If however you don't have £500 then why not visit the Me & Zena website, www.meandzena.com and get the original ‘Take Me Down’ anchor necklace which is available in cream or navy.

Zena also creates lots of other kitsch and cute pieces including earrings and bracelets and it's all dead CHEAP! (so enjoy!).

Love Claire x

Cheap Vintage?!

With vintage clothing getting more and more popular and people craving individuality you cannot blame vintage shops for charging, sometimes, extortionate prices. When you think about it, why should someone else's old stuff cost SO much!?

Anti-commercial, anti-trend, anti-fashion is FASHIONABLE! But surely this ecological way of dressing could be more economical.

Well my loves, IT IS! At the East End Thrift Store it is anyway!

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the usual vintage haunts of Brick Lane and Spitalfields this store stands alone in an alley off the Mile End Road.

You have to go further out to get to it and you'll definately need a map, Stepney Green is the closest tube. If you hit Cookies & Cream ice cream parlour you've gone too far.

Downstairs is a mish-mash of vintage/retro jumble with some real bobby dazzlers hiding in amongst everything. There is so much stuff but at the low prices they charge you can forgive them for expecting you to rummage through it all like you're never going to be able to buy clothes again!

Upstairs is another story. Light, airy, almost boutique like. Everything is neatly hung and categorised. prices are slightly higher but there's not much over £60.

The verdict... if you're a keen vintage-aholic then don't give this one a miss! It is a hidden treasure (or was!- I was in two minds whether to tell you all about it at all!!!).

You're lucky I'm giving you a link to their website! www.theeastendthriftstore.com.

Enjoy,

Love Claire xx

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