Space Available...

Check out this diamond of a location if anyone is looking to exhibit, play or party. A hidden gem in East London, still under refurbishment but looking to open again this month I'm desperately thinking what I can use it for... a vintage photo shoot? I think so!

www.wiltons.org.uk

What was vintage in Vintage?

Frock Me - Brighton

Heads Up People... Frock Me Vintage fashion fair is residing in Brighton on the Sunday 6th June from 11am - 5.30pm so get your bootsies down to the seaside town and pennies at the ready.

www.frockmevintagefashion.com

Church Street

Brighton

BN1 1UE

Casablanca here I come...

My stars have aligned and my two favourite things in life have been thrown together to create a my perfect job. I started rehearsals on Monday for a theatre production that will run over the summer and to my joy the director, with the superb help of the designer, has decided to set it in Casablanca in the 1940s. Oh yes, all costumes, set, props and festivities will orientate around my favourite decade through-out the next three months, I'm thinking the Blitz Party is a must, trips to active war bunkers and screening of appropriate films in hidden cinemas around the smoke. Am I going to be the annoying company member dragging people here there and everywhere to show them all things vintage? You ruddy well bet I am! Yippee! Suggestions welcome...

Rag&Bow Strikes Again...

It's happening again, in true vintage style... Rag&Bow are having another awesome vintage sale, this time in The Blues Kitchen, Camden.

On Saturday 29th May from midday till 4pm you'll be able to clutch your hands onto the £5-£10 rail where cards are accepted... beware mr bank man, this could be the end of beautiful friendship.

111 - 1134 Camden High Street, NW1 7NJ.

Churchill after dark and sunrise...

If you fancy doing something a little bit different and you like nights out that lend themselves to discovering the dark and mysterious history of our capital city then take a look at this. As you may know many museums in London are opening their doors after dark and holding 'experience' evenings for the curious members of public that want a little more out of their evening than just a dull head-ache from too much rose. The Churchill War Rooms are hosting an evening, night and morning in Churchill's secret wartime bunker, providing dinner, film screenings, a guided tour of the Cabinet War Rooms and breakfast. Tickets £45 and it takes place this Friday (14th May) from 6.30pm.

For tickets call - 020 7744 0141.

All things Retro

Stumbling around in South London I tripped over this gem of a shop, stuck between an off-licence and a dry cleaners I could resist the trove that was awaiting. All things retro from lamps to phones to leather armchairs and bizarre mirrors so I took a card and promised the very nice man that I would spread the word. Check out all in his shop at

www.modernmetropolis.com

20th Century Furniture

Modern Metropolis

735 Garrat Lane, Wandsworth SW17 0PD

The 1950s Night Market

If you haven't heard the whispers on the grapevine then you're not listening hard enough.

Brixton Village are embracing the 1950s and are holding their late night market this Thursday (13th May) with live music from The Muleskinners Trio and recorded vintage sounds from the 50s with DJ Miss Aloha from Hula Boogie. Not only that Jive classes and Vintage fashion shows... how can you resist???! I can't. See you there!

Thursday 13th May

7pm - 10pm

Brixton Village, entrance on Coldharbour Lane & Atlantic Road

Burlesque Parties...

I've stumbled across the most fantastic website. Fact. If, like me, you are fascinated by the art of burlesque but never experienced first hand the mysterious world of performing with grace and style whilst trying to remove items of clothing, or indeed looking remotely sexy, then take a peek at this.

Burlesque Baby offers an array of classes, events and even vintage tea parties suitable for groups of celebrating girlfriends or private lessons on your ownsome if you want some one on one time (by the look of the breathtaking beauties of teachers available I might be opting for the latter...)

I'm getting straight on the phone to my gals and booking a date of tea, cupcakes... and burlesque! Give it go.

Me, my car and sand-dunes...

It was a fleeting visit to the countryside to watch my Auntie sing in the local town square and what did I stumble upon? Oh yes, the joys of vintage cars.

It was love at first site and my heart skipped a beat for the sky blue Ford Anglia that seemed to whisper my name as soon as we caught eyes/headlights.

I couldn't help myself, I papped away whilst peering into the interior where, laid out on the back seat, an old radio, hamper and driving license lay, just waiting for me to jump in and take it on a sea-faring spin to sand-dunes and beyond... simply beautiful.

Grace Kelly

She represented class and style from the moment she was seen on screen in Mogambo in 1953 and at the age of only 26 she married her Prince and started a family living in Monaco bearing three beautiful children. So what was is about this figure that has spawned a life time of fascination when her screen time was few and far between? Take a trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington to see around 50 of her outfits, costumes from her films, jewellery, hats, the famous Hermes Kelly bag and posters, photographs and even her Oscar statuette - Dior, Balenciaga, Yves St Laurent and Givenchy to name but a few.

Victoria and Albert Museum

La Belle Epoque

Find yourself in a 'green-tinged Montmartre music hall' adorned with acrobats, can-can dancers and circus performers and you'll discover that 19th Century Paris has come back to haunt you.

From the same people that brought you The Blitz and Prohibition the next event is Saturday 15th May and tickets can be bought online. Held at Shoreditch Studios you won't be disappointed with a night of absinthe-fuelled, velvet clad performances of the last century... dress accordingly to fit right in...

La Belle Epoque

Samsonite Pop-Up Exhibition

It's today (6th May) and it's only open until 8pm so catch it with both hands if you can... Samsonite are hosting a one day event of vintage bags spanning 100 years. Grab an americano on your lunch break and take a trip to Brompton Road and soak in the delights of the 20s, 30s and a sprinkling ye olde leather.

Harrods

87-135 Brompton Road,

W2 2UH

The Swinging Cats

If you're at a loose end this evening and have an itch for a spot of 1920s Jazz then head on down to Le QuecumBar in Battersea to hear the sounds of the Swinging Cats. Led by the multi-talented multi-instrumental Richard White you won't be disappointed believe me!

£5 entry, free before 8pm.

42-44 Battersea High Street.

London

SW11 3HX

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Bear with me on this one... it's all about hats, and taxidermy. Apparently. According to the Barbican in North London. If you fancy a night with a twist the well known theatre centre is hosting the Mad Hatter's Tea Party on Thursday 6th May from 6.30pm - 10pm. I'm not quite sure what's vintage about it but it seemed weird enough to get a mention, free and combining clubbing with canapes check out more at...

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

New Orleans Jazz Festival

So I did it, I survived the hardest hitting seven days I've had for a while, and it's all thanks to the festival of Jazz in New Orleans. I'd been warned before departure last Monday that if you could make it for a week without a holiday immediately after then you were officially classed as 'hardcore'... well stand back ladies and gentlemen, it is now my middle name. Take a town that looks like it hasn't changed since the early 1900s (it hasn't), add jazz and blues musicians, 30c heat and smiling eyes and you get the most memorable holiday of a lifetime...

My brain has been engulfed by brass bands, soul singers, swing dancers and travelling wonders and what really struck me out there was the seemingly effortless lifestyle that lead to such happy results. The town has been struck with devastation in the past and even through this everyone seems to be smiling. The bars are so ridiculously cool the locals have no idea how much money we spend in London to create this look... everyone wears a hat, dons the leathers and works the style without even knowing. I'm hooked, me and my harmonica are going back even if it means I have to sell all my worldly possessions... I will be going to the jazz ball!

The music seen and heard during the day festival was quite different to the after dark festivities. Famous names such as BB King, Van Morrison, Jose Feliciano and The Gyspy Kings graced the stages in daylight and as soon as the sun set the true jazz kicked off. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band was the highlight, playing from midnight until 3am by which point my makeup was round my neck, dress soaked through and bourbon everywhere. A nifty trip to a strip club ended the night and at 7am the sun was up and ready to start a new day... and that was early!

Kensal Green & Bethnal Green Vintage Fair

After the success of Paradise last Saturday Rag & Bow are hosting another jam-packed rail showdown in Bethnal Green's Affordable Vintage Fair this Sunday (9th May). Just get onto Tatty Devine's facebook group Rag & Bow Vintage Clothing for more information...