.....Heirlooms!

As I have a love for all things old I thought I'd do a quick post about some of the things that I love that have been passed down to me from my family. When I became a Vintage dealer most of the items I stocked were, in some way, family heirlooms and I always liked the fact that they had a history and sometimes a nice story.

These articulated enamel fish earrings were my older sister's and I always remember them from growing up. I wear them alot and I like the fact they're not both the same colour.

These jet beads were my nanny's and it's thought they date from the Victorian era. 

This lovely amethyst and marcasite silver brooch belonged to Tom's Nanny J and it's so beautiful. I didn't know her especially well but it's lovely to be able to pass something down from her to my daughter if I ever have one. 

This lovely tan leather clasp bag was also Nanny J's and it so lovely that she kept it in such lovely condition. I love the fact that it has an adjustable strap to make it either a handbag or a shoulder bag. Very practical!

Ta ta for now!

....Beards!

 

On Friday we headed off to Bearded Theory Festival 2013 for our first festival of  2013 and also the first festival with our campervan Ratty. It was also the first time we'd been to a festival without being connected to trading at all. 

The weather was dry, if quite chilly for the first two days, so we were really lucky.

Just arrived and about to put the awning up.

The festival was in the grounds of the stunning National Trust property Kedleston Hall.

Karine Polwart - lovely Scottish folk singer.

Discovered fruit jerky, yum!

Hat feathers! Wrapped up on the chilly Saturday afternoon.

On the Saturday afternoon the sun finally came out. Just in time for the folk sensation that is Seth Lakeman. I found out in the programme that Seth was doing a signing session before his set so of course I hotfooted it to the Merchandise tent to get my poster signed and of course have a photo taken with him. I've seen him live three times now before this weekend and have always tried to get a photo with him at the end of the show but never managed to wait around long enough. Naturally I was a bit of a wreck and lost all ability to speak like a normal human being but he was very sweet and gave me a good squeeze. 

Here are a few shots from his set. Featuring the super talented Lisbee Stainton who is playing with him on his tour. I managed to get a great place right at the front and had a great view, even if I did go a bit deaf! 

It's always amusing at Seth concerts as there are always a few slightly obsessed middle aged women shouting at him to, as in this case, take his pants off. Ha ha!

As is always the way at festivals some people take it to the extreme with the whole dressing up thing. We saw Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, obviously a lot of fake beards and my favourite had to be these guys in their Ghostbusters costumes. Complete with the theme tune playing! They kindly let me join in the fun to get a photo with them.  

On the Sunday the sun came back out in force and it finally felt like proper festival weather. The main arena was packed with people decked out in shorts and sun hats and the ground was covered with picnic blankets. I actually managed to get a bit sunburnt! 

The last band we saw before we headed home was The Lancashire Hotpots which were hilarious. If you imagine combining Peter Kay with a music band you would end up with these chaps. Great way to finish off a great weekend with a smile.

The Lancashire Hotpots.

The food selection was fantastic with choices from Italian and Mexican to crepes, chocolate covered strawberries and toasties. Definitely nice to have a change from the usual burger vans. The drink selection was also amazing and we both enjoyed the choice of real beers and ciders available at the two bar tents. I discovered Black Dragon cider which is brewed in Wales and am hoping to see again somewhere as it was delicious. Our favourite drink stall was this homemade soft drink stall selling elderflower and plum presse in both still and sparkling. I've had it before at previous festivals so it was lovely to find it again and it helped to keep us well hydrated over the weekend. 

As the festival was called Bearded Theory I decided to join in the fun and made myself a needle felted beard complete with tash! Here's me sporting it below. I didn't wear it for long though as it was baking! 

Here's Ratty in his sunny spot in the campsite. I secretly loved the tinted windows because you could spy on everyone arriving and also admire all the other pretty campers and caravans. 

While the sun was still shining on Sunday we decided to pack up and head home so we could get the awning taken down in the dry. It also meant we had time to pop into Sainsburys before it closed to get stocked up on burgers for a nice bbq at home before the sun disappeared.

All in all we had a great time and would definitely go back next year!

....Festivalness!

I love it when the summer comes around again because it means one thing......festival time! I'm not your standard festival goer as I like going to all types of different festivals from normal music ones to celebrations of all things vintage. 

This year I've booked to go to quite a few festivals both as a helper and also as just a visitor. Here are a few snaps from last years summer of festival fun.

Enjoying the sunshine at Wilderness helping out on Clare's vintage stall, Second Hand Rose

Tom playing with wigs.

At Wilderness I met Robbie Boyd from the Robbie Boyd Band . I was a bit star struck as I own two of his CDs.

At Goodwood Revival I treated myself to a professional 40s style hair do. 

I'm a bit of a hippy at heart so have a special love for the traditional folk & music festivals and will be kicking off this summer with one called Bearded Theory. It's being held in the grounds of the beautiful National Trust property Keddleston Hall in Derbyshire from Friday 17th May until Sunday 19th May. The main reason I'm going is to see my favourite folk artist and musical genius, Seth Lakeman perform on the Saturday night. Tom will be kept happy too as The Levellers are headlining on the Sunday night. It'll be the first festival which we've ever been to just the two of us so should be a nice new experience. 

Seth Lakeman

Here are a few of my festival going essentials for this summer.

I know when you think of festivals you think sunshine, sandals and shorts but I think people forget the weather isn't always hot and sunny and as you are spending the whole time outdoors, including the evenings and night times, it can get quite chilly. 

Thick wool blanket - can be used to sit on and also to wrap around you to keep you warm.

New rucksack courtesy of TK Maxx reduced section. Bargain at £7 as this brand are normally RRP £25!

My trusty Converse which will of course be saved for drier days.

An array of knitted warm things such as hats, gloves and wrist warmers for the chilly nights when  the sun's gone in.

Traditional daisy headband!

Selection of jewellery.

Essential hair products.

As is tradition at festivals I'm going to be kitted out with some fun colourful make up and hair bits.

Now here are some festival essential items for my wardrobe.

Cosy handknit jumper.

Reworked sun dress made from mens shirts made by Dirty Pretty.

My favourite recent charity shop find is this vintage M&S St Michael polyester kimono style bed jacket. Perfect to keep the sun off my shoulders and looks great teamed with denim shorts or jeans. 

Crochet shrug jacket. Handmade by me out of a crochet table runner.  

Obviously you can't go festivalling without some tie dye! I love this oversized t-shirt with gold appliqued wave detailing which I bought recently from the lovely Clare at Second Hand Rose.

I also picked up this great bleached tie dye denim shirt which will be great for those gloomier days.

Shortened Hawaiian print dress with pretty low back and bow detailing.

Essential playsuit, this one in a lovely soft navy cotton with shell pattern.

Last but not least is the much needed hat to cover up that camping hair. This beauty is handfelted with a blue and green flower attached to the back. Its nicely lined with cotton fabric too so makes it a bit more robust.

Bye for now!....off to pack my wellies.