Springtime Outfit (cheering myself up when it's rainy outside!)

It's miserable outside so I thought I'd cheer myself up by changing the mannequin into a pretty summery outfit and putting out some straw sun hats. Mid length skirts will be all the rage this spring/summer so we've chosen this cute floral cotton skirt and matched it with this pretty embroidered 80s batwing top and brown belt. The sun hat just adds that bit of summery glamour to the whole outfit. The sun hats pictured start at just £4 and are perfect for planning your holiday wardrobes.

Maybe this positive thinking will bring the sun out for our weekend away in Devon this weekend to attend the Ruby Slipper's Retro Romp in Torquay. We won't be selling but intend on doing a teeny bit of shopping.

Take care y'all!

Loll

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Weekend away in not so sunny Wickhamford!

Last weekend we had a lovely maiden voyage in our handsome caravan Bertie to Wickhamford near Broadway and Evesham.

We had a lovely few days off and couldn't resist trawling round some second hand shops. I found a wonderful bookshop full of old books (they even had one of those moveable ladders on the book cases!). I could have spent all day in there but did manage to snaffle a few purchases before Tom had to physically remove me from the shop! Check them out below. I'm obsessed with fairies and love old architectural books and images so couldn't resist theses gems! They had the most beautiful book on chinese paintings which had silk embroidered panels built into the cover but I had to resist until next time.

Loll x

Sunshine!

Spring has arrived and with it some beautiful vintage springtime goodies for all you lucky vintage shoppers out there!

We have a rail full of dresses dating from the 1950s right up to the 1980s so something for everyone. And for you boys out there we have some fab and funky shirts and knitted tank tops for those chilly evenings.

If you're looking for something a bit different why not take a look at these wonderful re-made art mirrors made by local artist Greg Dunn ( http://dunn-roaming.blogspot.com/). He brings old mirrors back to life with these bold images of robots and beer glasses. Recycling at it's best!

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Enjoy the sunshine!

Loll

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Tattoo inspiration search leads to new hobby!

As is normal for me on a Friday afternoon (when you're encased behind a shop window while the sun is beaming down outside) my thoughts began to stray to my next tattoo. Whilst searching for some great graphics of old sewing machines I came across some wonderful vintage postcards and couldn't resist having a closer look. I've always loved imagery from the past and I love these examples I found. I almost ignored the lemon one but I couldn't help giggling at the sentence "Soft ones a speciality".

This postcard depicting Puck on a windowsill is very cute and silly. It's my guess that the artist has decided on the imagery purely because the only thing they could think of that rhymed with elf was shelf.

This is my particlar favourite as it incorporates my two favourite things, fairies & oak leaves! And of course I must be patriotic to my home country.

After all that I think I'm going to have to start collecting old postcards....they're just too adorable!

Right, enough of my Friday afternoon frippery! Have a lovely weekend and don't forget to pop into our lovely shop tomorrow to have a good hunt through our vintage treasures!

Loll

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Ebay bargains!

I've been listing a few more vintage beauties on ebay such as this funky 1950s tie and this original 1970s dead stock brushed denim jacket. Check out our ebay shop for more bargains like these!

Enjoy the sunshine everyone!

Loll

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Today I'm Learning About.....

......shopping trends in the 1920s. I'm reading a wonderful book I borrowed from the library last week called Keeping Up Appearances by Catherine Horwood. It's about fashion and living between the wars and is a very interesting read if you like a bit of social history and stories about shopping.

I am only half way through chapter one but have discovered this fascinating statistic - "In 1920 75% of clothing & footwear was bought from small independent retailers but by 1939 this figure had dropped to 50% as larger chain stores increasingly dominated the market". I think this figure carried on dropping over the decades as more chain stores have arrived on the high street. However, I do believe that this trend is changing ever so slightly as more people are choosing the independent retailers on their quest to find something unusual or unique. Long may this continue!

"Shun the cheap and shoddy as you would a contagious disease and .... sink your all in a few perfect clothes. Well made shoes, well cut clothes of classic lasting style, good hats, however few in number - these form the foundation of our lady's wardrobe." Vogue, 1931

Loll

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Cute outift of the day!

I've been having great fun restyling my shop mannequins this morning and am quite proud of this cute little outfit I've put together. I don't ever claim to be a top stylist by any means but I think I did ok with this one. I love this white cotton gypsy blouse and think it goes really well with these tapered leg tan wool trousers. Perfect for spring and can be accessorised with some cute beads and this lovely white leather waist belt with gold clasp or even this sturdy old brown leather shoulder bag. Why not come into the shop and get yourself a perfect little spring outfit like this one!

Loll

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The Hanging Rail Market - TODAY!

Today we will be popping up to the big smoke, aka Birmingham to sell our lovely vintage wares at this great new event being held at The Coffee Lounge on Navigation Street. It starts at 4:30pm and goes on until 8:30pm and it's free entry. There is even live music all evening too! Come along if you're free or even if you're not CHANGE YOUR PLANS!

Loll

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New to our ebay shop!

Last night we listed our latest great find in our Toadstool Vintage ebay shop. This set of 6 chairs are from the 1960s and have chrome frames and cream pvc seats. With a starting price of 99p you can't go wrong so grab a bargain!

Loll

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Incoming!!

Over the last 4 days we have been driving round England and Wales to hand pick loads and loads of exciting new items which will be making their way into the shop over the next few weeks. We've picked up everything from stunning spring/summer dresses to funky furniture & shopper bikes. It's been a hectic few days but we've had great fun and met some real characters along the way!

Watch this space for news on when it will be arriving in the shop! Today I'll be putting out some funky checked mens 70s trousers and a couple more bits and bobs.

Loll

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