WeloveVintage

76 days to go!!

2011-10-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

Ok, ok, Im not usually this giddy about christmas, but what I do get giddy about is christmas presents and party dresses!! We're devoting the next few weeks to adding as many party dresses and possible xmas pressies to our Asos Marketplace boutique, so that you eager beavers can get the best stuff first!

Here's the pick of our fave dresses...watch out for our weekly blog for new party outifts and our next blog on christmas pressies!!

Blimey...it's only August already!

2011-08-11T07:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry kids, it's been absolutely blooming ages since we last posted!
We've been terribly busy at Vintage at Southbank, buying new wintery vintage goodies, moving house and currently sun tanning ( ok, so that last one isn't really an excuse, but thought we'd rub it in just a tad!)

Summary of last month in photos I would say would be the best way! Plus we know that, just like when reading trashy mags, no one reads the words, they just look at the pics.....

Talk about channeling the 70's.....I OFFICIALLY LOVE THIS MAN.

My best customer at Vintage at Southbank...snapped up a Leonard 1970's maxidress...loved her mix of vintage and modern designer style (rocking a Marc Jacobs bag is always a good idea!)

Summer weddings are my fave...especially in 40's and 50's wares.....

And they all said a turquoise sofa was a bad idea...pppppffffff

Paradise is hot this time of year

The gorgeous Candice soaking up the Italian sun....

Writing on an imaginary blackboard... 'I promise to write more than 1 blog a month from now on.......I promise to write more than 1 blog a month from now on.....I promise to write more than 1 blog a month from now on......'

Love, WLV x

My favourite things

2011-07-06T05:56:00.000-07:00

So I never realised how many amazing pieces we had in our family apartment in Italy!
My beloved grandad bought this little boutique pad (my boutique I mean tiny) about 50 years ago and clearly proceed to fill it with some great 60's and 70's fixtures! Sadly some have been updated throughout the years but some of the best things remain.....

Clearly my obsession with this era has been passed on from my grandad....

Ok so this clearly isn't a historical piece of furniture...but it is a house staple...how on earth could you make Kir Royales without it??

WLV X

A sunny day in Amsterdam.....

2011-06-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

This week I have mostly been dreaming of picking tulips along the canals whilst on an original 1960's bicycle. I have yet to actually make the purchase but I AM IN LOVE with the idea of my good self riding around whimsically on one.....

About to be mine!

This is obviously what I would look like on my new purchase....maybe a foot shorter in height and slightly healthier legs......And by healthier I mean chunky.

So over cars...the bicycle is the future.

WLV x

From LA to Vegas and back again....

2011-06-13T12:50:00.000-07:00

So the last month we have been channeling the fabulous life and jetting off to Vegas to party in various VIP sections of uber cool clubs and pool parties....while we were there we stepped out into the hollywood hills to scour the city for lots of fabulous vintage goodies to bring to you vintage loving ladies....
So that's where the last batch of vintage finds was found if you wondered!! Hurry before they're all gone!
We're partially happy to be back on solid british soil...but can't wait to get to our next trip....
We're off to the Continent to basque in the warm glow of the Mediterranean sun.... We shall mainly be wearing, 70's ethereal printed maxis and wide brim sun hats to keep our skin from being sun ravished....and of course every ladies staple...heels...be it wedge or mule darling!
Cannes, St Tropez and we may pop over to the Italian Riviera while we're there.... Who knows what treasures we may find...but trust us you'll be the first to see them all. After all, we must keep you in the appropriate wares to meet your potential billionaire husbands to be!
So...we will bid you adieu while we wander amongst the glamorous film stars and billionaires....
See you on the other side...
Phrase du jour: Remember wearing vintage is about being fabulous and being individual...ALWAYS.

WLV x

Take that's enough!

2011-06-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you lot, but everyone up our end has gone a bit Take That crazy! Now while I went to their concert and even tried to get a private meeting with the Barlow (see previous post...), I think we all need to stop and take a good look at ourselves. 30 year old women screaming at the very sight of 5 ageing pop stars is by no means cool to say the least.....
So whilst it was lovely having the boys back in town, I will not be sorry to see them go!
The question is, cwhat on earth will everyone talk about afterwards???

Just an Orange....nothing more, nothing less.

2011-06-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

It's been an interesting weekend at We love Vintage HQ to say the least!
We've been to Old Trafford to watch some minor celebrities kick a football around for the Heart and Mind charity. We've also had a great little photoshoot to update our homepage image on Asos marketplace...we absolutely LOVE the hipstamatic app on the iphone by the way....you can even get over exposure effects on it! Although we did do that by accident and have no way of knowing how to recreate it.....

One of our fave shots from our photoshoot for Asos

Then last night we pottered on down to Pancea in Manchester to get a sneak peak at our favourite Manchester born pop stars at their private staff party...although after this busy weekend, we were all a bit pooped by half 1 (on a school night!) and only got to see the Orange...but he looked in good shape! We always like to check out the best dressed people at these type on events, so here's some of our faves....

These are actually my little toesies...you can;t beat a pair of miu mius....

I was hoping to have a pic of me and Gary Barlow locked in an embrace..but alas that will remain only in my dreams!
Big love from We love Vintage x

Pass me the antibacterial hand gel love....DAGFIELDS HERE WE COME!

2011-05-30T17:09:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful rainy bank holiday blooming monday in Manchester!
Well obviously this was written in sarcasm font....
However, my good self and my favourite scouring buddy Elle, went along to Dagfields in Crewe to spend a fantastically dusty afternoon with our heads fully immersed in Antique goodies!

The excitement was a little much for us I have to say, even despite being the only ones under 150 years old there (best kept secret in the north me thinks).We kept our moral high with thoughts of what treasures lay in its many warehouses and our energy levels the same with the wonderfully retro sugary goodness of Lilt (making a comeback I think).

Check some of these bad boys out....

FOMFEST

2011-05-23T05:43:00.000-07:00

Err...so FOMFEST has totally destroyed us all, but several good things came out of it:

1. We met Howard Marks. Legend.

2. I learnt that you should never wear a jacket in a car...it's pointless apparently.

3. Jason is Justien Bieber's less talented alter ego.

4. I actually like camping...even in the rain.

Well that's it, but i'm happy with that. As I always say...life is about small pleasures.

Obsessed?? Moi?!!

2011-04-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

This week I have mainly been obsessing over various different types of furniture and getting lost in a sea of amazing fabrics!

I have seen the looking glass and literally thrown myself head first down the rabbit hole.

I think I may stay down here for a while. The air is sweet amongst the brightly coloured linens, and I literally cannot get enough stripes.

Not to be annoying, but how on earth do you choose what your one sofa should look like when you have around 17 favourite fabrics (I don't like to make any of them feel bad by having just 1....)??

So here I am sat in front of computer at 1.06am salivating over my swatches that arrived this morning from designers guild...'GO TO SLEEP' my head is saying....but alas my innate desire for textiles has taken over, and I'm now working on primal instincts only.

I have decided it is physically impossible to decide on one fabric...it's actually a fact.

Pah good luck picking out of this lot!

What is wonderful about beginning your obsessive furniture journey (on which I can see myself being on for most of my life now....it's just another fabulous shopping outlet!) is that your many hours of commitment unfold the most fantastic websites you never even imagined existed in your wildest dreams!

retrotogo.com has now become by one stop shop of anything vintage or vintage inspired for the home. May give them a buzz and ask them to blog about us while i'm at it - they write about all things vintage!

Allthingsoriginal.com makes me want to step inside my computer and live amongst all the pretty things created by the super talented designers. I especially am loving these prints by Lola's room. I have this image of a wispy little elfin lady surrounded by old cameras in a fantastic warehouse apartment in London's East end....

It's s great to see there's lots of other people like my good self making it on their own! We should all be supporting each other!

Lola's room print

Err...I LOVE dis guy....well done allthingsoriginal...will now have a post it friend!

Have lots of other great websites to recommend. Will report back after eventually forcing myself to turn my computer OFF and go to sleep....easier than it sounds....now where is that power button? Someone just come and take it off me....for the love of god, PLEASE!!

Moo! Not just for cows....

2011-04-12T17:04:00.000-07:00

So last week we joined up with the fabulous Moo boutique in Heaton Moor- V up and coming area!

They have a great collection of goodies from independent designers and now a great selection of our vintage goodies too!
Check their website out for more details!

http://www.moo-boutique.co.uk/

I am most definitely NOT the weakest link!

2011-03-30T03:04:00.000-07:00

So, yes it is strange but true.....yesterday I popped along to BBC Glasgow for the purpose of potentially being humiliated on national television....
Namely to be a contestant on the Weakest Link!

I have to say even though I do like to pride myself on knowing lots of rubbish I was getting progressively more nervous as the minutes trotted on and the lovely lady in makeup applied some rather interesting 80's lipstick to my quivering lips (I suppose Im living the full vintage lifestyle then).

As I stepped into the famous Weakest Link studio my palms began to turn clammy and running straight out the door was becoming a wonderful idea. However, my love for quizzes (yes I am a dork and proud) and desire to see the munchkin herself caused my feet to stay firmly on my (raised - Im only 5ft 3inches) platform.
The thought that kept sticking in my head ( as I imagine the other 8 contestants were thinking) was 'Just don't let me get kicked out in the 1st round!'

As the lady herself came walking stridently into the studio (in character the entire time by the way) my nerves heightened, although bizarrely enough they came in the form of the serious giggles, which I then proceeded to have the entire game.
The game starts....I'm 2nd to last in the 1st round and as everyone gets their questions right the pressure is on!

I won't let you know who got knocked out first, but needless to say it was not me! Phew! As the rounds shuffled on it was my turn to be berated by Ms Robinson...which I absolutely loved! Somehow I managed to get her to call herself old...know idea how but I was already a winner in my own eyes!

Over half the contestants had done the walk of shame and suddenly the thought crossed my mind that I could actually win this! Adrenaline took over and the excitement of the game was thrilling! There were 4 of us left, and I decided to vote tactically....

This was the point that It all went wrong, and I was in turn tactically voted off, having not been the weakest link in that round!! The rage, the betrayal, the sadness...how would I get my revenge?
My Weakest link dream was over! Well at least got to have a chat with Anne, and, well I did go straight up to the Green room and eat the last of the sandwiches....Mwaaaahhhaahahaha. Revenge was mine!!

To Blog and be blogged....

2011-03-23T01:25:00.000-07:00

Just had a great little blog from Asos Marketplace about one of our fave new 70's dresses!

https://marketplace.asos.com/blog/2011/03/daily-vintage-discovery-beaded-70

Check out the link for full blog! <3

Once upon a time in Manchester....

2011-03-11T12:23:00.000-08:00

Just a little thank you to the fabulous Lynda Moyo at Manchester Confidential for writing such a lovely article about little old me!

Wanted to let the people of manchester know what we were up to, so popped on down to tell Lynda about it all! It really ended up as the 2 of us jabbering away about clothes for an hour! Work can be fun!

Click the link below for the full article!
http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Health-and-Beauty/Shopping/We-Love-Vintage-shop-review_17345.asp

Gorgeous things I covet.

2011-03-01T13:46:00.000-08:00

So coveting thy neighbour's wife/husband is not allowed, but coveting precious, wonderful objects absolutely IS!!
Birthday coming up and all...I figure if I commit them to paper, they might make their way to me somehow.....

1. Zenbow Aroma Diffuser - Lavender (relaxation) and Eucalyptus (to fight off the horrible colds this chilly old winter brings) oils to go in it.
2. Everything from the Gucci SS11 collection!

Draping + bold colour...yum.

3. Gloss delectation no 7 lip gloss by Terry.

If I wear this colour it might encourage Spring to arrive!

4. Orla Keily Address book.

I heart Orla Keily.

5. Yoga mat, Fit ball + 3kg weights - then maybe I could finally tone my ever increasing tummy!
6. Heroes Season 4 - ADDICTED!
7. Vintage Chanel handbag....doesn't every fabulous lady need one? I think they should be given out by the government.....

Aaaah Coco....Glass stones and hand battered gold? Yes please...

8. A Neil Roland photograph of Paris.

So many other things...but will have to think about it! This is fun though, try it!!

2011-03-01T12:03:00.000-08:00

Just popped along to The Avenue with my pal and v talented Marketing whiz Elle Bull, in an attempt to win their style comp! Check my super posing skills out!!

Not going to be winning Britain's Next top model any time soon I know, but like to think it doesn't really matter.....just thinking you're fabulous is enough for me!!

Press...in other words..ME ME ME!

2011-02-23T15:19:00.000-08:00

So.....we've had quite a few press pieces now, so I thought It'd be nice to lay it out there on one page and revel in it! Self involved as that may sound, why not!! A bit of self indulgence is always a nice confidence boost!

It all started with articles in the Manchester Evening News and Wilmslow Express (local, yes, but no press is bad press!).....Although the collection looked fabulous, I couldn't say the same when I saw my cheesy little grin in newsprint! Aaaah well...that was kind of inevitable...no amount of good dentistry can make you photogenic! You've either got it or you don't...whatever IT is.

Next we had our Vintage afternoon tea party at the Sanderson Hotel, about which uber cool (and uber friendly) Stylist and Blogger Anne Look was kind enough to write a lovely little blog...well the cakes were super tasty!

Wonderbra and Britain's next top model live were next, and that saw my good self giving talks to lots of excited ladies at the show on each day...nerve wracking to say the least!! Had lots of fun though and Wonderbra is such a fantastic company to be associated with! The free trip to Paris with their competition winner helped also!

2011, is all about flying the flag for vintage clothing in my home town of Manchester, so the wonderful lady at online magazine Manchester confidential was my next port of call! We had a lovely old chat about myself (never get tired of talking about ME!) and the future of vintage..interesting question I hadn't ever thought about! Better start planning for the future...can't see us all recycling our H & M china made vests in 30 years time..bugger!

What's next?? Well, given the potential impending introduction of our clothing into House of Fraser London Oxford St store, I'm hoping lots of the nationals with be beating down my door trying to talk to the owner of the company that delivered HOF's first ever vintage clothing line! And if not, Ill have to hound them myself!

Onwards and upwards!

2011-01-24T06:02:00.000-08:00

Soooo, this month I have mainly been doing 1 of 2 things....
We've finally got some of our new We love Africa jewellery up onto Asos Marketplace! It's so nice to bring a little piece of Africa (and my heart) over here!

Gorgeous telephone wire African Necklace ta very much!

Also on the agenda has been for me to plan for my House of Fraser meeting! I've been checking out all the spring/summer trends and incorporating them into my offer for them! I've found some great stuff from gingham and floral playsuits to psychedelic 70's shift dresses, so we hope they like!
I also laid my vintage loving hands on some amazing pieces that need a little bit of alterating, so note to self....find someone to alter them that is less likely to chop fingers off in sewing machine.....hmmm.

We sold 4 pieces in 1 day on Asos this weekend, which was lovely! I've popped a couple of photos of them below!

Gorgeous 80's dress we found in Miami, sold this wkend on Asos

Our butterfly tops always sell like hot cakes! 100% silk and super embellished, so we know why!!

Our fabulous friends at Original frames are about to launch a massive marketing with some super awesome gigs...we will absolutely be updating you all as soon as it all kicks off!

2010, It was an interesting first year!

2011-01-13T04:03:00.000-08:00

Sooooo, here I am sat in chilly cheshire , perusing our photos from last year.....
They show an interesting journey, that's for sure!
I went from a super stressed lowly Assistant Buyer at River Island, to the proud owner of a (sort of) thriving fashion business! I also transferred my living arrangements from a hamster sized Wimbledon studio appartment which hemorrhaged money from every one of my orifices, to sharing a super swanky cheshire house with my (very generous and very successful) step sister!
Anyway, i digress!
What I did in 2010:
Met the stylist for Florence and the machine (no polyester darrrling), made some excellent contacts in the London fashion industry (which i will definitely be using this year), got a vintage jewellery concession in 2 House of Fraser stores, started selling on Asos marketplace, set up my super fabulous website (now all I have to do is sell some goods on it) and made lots of fabulous women happy with their vintage finds...phew!!
I even collaborated with Wonderbra and gave (very nerve racking) talks about vintage and bras to all the ladies at Britain's next top model live! Not to mention getting a fabulous weekend in Paris with their competition winner- hard life I know!!
L'oreal, Saatchi, Mccann and ITV generously let me in their doors to bring hand picked goodies to their vintage starved ladies, and our Vintage afternoon tea + boutique at the fabulous Sanderson Hotel London was a roaring success!
It brought good - Finding an unworn Herve Leger dress in a warehouse in LA; and bad - I've lost friends on the way...it's more difficult than you'd think to keep a friendship going when you're a 4 hour drive away (even in my gorgeous egg powder blue fiat 500 - if only it were an original!)
Things to do in 2011:
1.Bring We love Africa jewellery to you all
2. Start making my own jewellery designs
3.Sell more stuff!
4.Find an ever coveted Ossie Clark dress (and keep it for myself!)
5.Make my product more accessible - maybe LIberty's and Selfridges would be nice!!
6. Conquer the world (might have to save this one until 2012)!!

Britain's next top model live

Err me trying to look professional at Britain's next top model live!

My Vintage Jewellery case at House of Fraser Glasgow!

Vintage afternoon Tea and boutique at The uber cool Sanderson Hotel (the cakes were AMAZING!)

We Love Africa telephone wire bracelet...coming soon kids!

One thing is for sure...there's no going back, and who'd want to leave the shire? If it's good enough for Frodo, it's good enough for me!!
Big love,

We love Vintage x