Quick Trip To Northumberland

So, after my travels into town on friday (see previous post) I scooted off to Northumberland with Ma and Pa to visit Mes Grandparents.

What was meant to be a 'cheap as chips if not cheaper' weekend away (because yet again I had no money in my purse), ended up slowly eating away at my savings. Do I regret it? Non. Does my bank hate me? Mais perhaps... There goes my failing attempt to save for snowboarding ;)

What could possibly have tempted me to cut into my savings? Yes thats right, a Vintage Fair.

To be honest, when I first heard about the fair my expectations were low. However I could not have been more wrong. Held at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, this venue played host to five floors full of frocks, fancy jewellery and tea sets galore.

To add to my small collection of beautifully beaded blouses from the 1950's, I bought a lovely blush pink blouse, which has been kept in such good condition so no need to get out the needle and thread. I love these blouses because they can be dressed up, dressed down and look super cute hanging from a plain white wall ;)



Also purchased was a beautiful pea green wrap dress (in need of some proper tlc so its been sent to a specialist - I don't trust myself with zips) which has the prettiest shimmer to it and its gonna look fab with a pair of pointed black leather heels (of which I'm still tryna find the perfect pair). Not bad for £10.

After leaving the fair before I became completely broke, it was off to the beach for a very short walk, enough time to get some pics. When me and my brothers and cousins were little the dunes on the beach would be subject to us rolling, running, jumping and hiding in the long grass which seemed to go on for miles.

Dinner was had on the harbour front in a pretty little rustic restaurant overlooking the sunset and pier in Amble, a cute little village that literally smells of fish and chips and sea. The Old Boat House (thats the restaurant) was so cute inside, and the food was AMAZING! I don't think I'm ever going to eat a yummier fish and chips ever again. Ever.

The last day (told you it was a short trip) was also very packed. A trip to my favourite place in Northumberland, (Warkworth) where cute little cottages line old cobbled lanes and a river flows behind the village. Lots of cute doors here. Lots. And the ruins of a castle sit on top of a hill overlooking the beautiful landscape. So picturesque. A trip to a few pretty little shops, and then off to a pub turned antique shop, turned oh my goodness I need money and a house to put all these beautiful CHEAP vintagey things in.

Sadly, my bank did not hear my plea, so instead I got a sweet tea set for £15, which I'd found hiding at the back of a rickety old shelf because at least I can drink a good cuppa in a vintage cup and saucer when I have no money. Living the high life right there.

So now I am rearranging my room to fit in the tea set, the blouse is glittering in the sun as it's hanging like a picture on my wall, and this task is taking a lot longer than I thought. I'm using Swim Deeps album to calm me down. It seems to be working.

xxx Lucy xxx

The Glamour of Italian Fashion: V&A Exhibition

Last Friday Night I hopped on a train and took a trip to the Victoria & Albert Museum. Anyone who knows me, knows that this is my fave museum in London. It's here really that I became interested in Vintage Fashion. In fact, living such a short distance away you'd think I'd be there more often (I've definitely just promised myself I'll go more). Friday nights are a great time to go - no queues, no crowds and no faff whatsoever.

This was definitely one exhibition that had me oooohing and aaaaahing as soon as I stepped past the ticket line. I have a bit of an obsession with anything Italian anyway - actually, just hours before my gander into Kensington I had been treated to a lovely Italian lunch at a place called La Dolce Vita in Teddington by my Pa. I've only ever actually been to Rome, but I can envisage myself living in a lovely villa in the South of Italy surrounded by Vineyard and sea. Maybe throw in a classic vintage car and well I don't know, an outfit from Dolce & Gabbana? All sorted.

But back to the exhibition... rooms full of beautiful ball gowns, dapper suits and dazzling shoes from the likes of Prada, Roberto Capucci, D&G, Valentino and more. Every corner turned led to a beautifully crafted, immaculately presented, heavily beaded or absolutely flawless outfit. Walking through form the 1940's to the present day was pretty interesting. The best dress (in my opinion) was made by Roberto Capucci in 1957, a beautiful aubergine coloured dress with ruffles, and a matching velvet cape (alas, I took no pics) though a shift dress with the map of Italy appliqued on caught my eye (it even had little pins placed on the map!)

Take a sneak peak of the exhibition here!

Once I'd perused the exhibition, of course, it was off to the shop. At which point I got carried away and may just have bought every postcard under the sun, some of which I noticed I already had when I got back... to my dismay, however, none of my favourite outfits had been printed (My beautiful Capucci dress wasn't anywhere to be seen in the book either). The shop, for me is a killer (so many fashion books, so many art prints and not enough money in my purse)..... And I sometimes spend as much time in there as I do at the exhibit itself. Shop the V&A here (though it's much better in person!) If you haven't been to this exhibition go! and if you have, go again!

What's On?
The Glamour Of Italian Fashion 1945-2014 (Sat 5th April 2014 - Sun 27th July 2014)
Wedding Dresses 1775-2014 (Sat 3rd May 2014 - Sun 15th March 2014)
If there's nothing on I particularly fancy going to see, I go to the V&A's fashion section (this never gets old)