Attack of the pocket sized puppy

Yesterday I told you of how the summer breeze scuppered the outfit pics.

Today it was something else that threw a spanner in the works, a very tiny dog shaped spanner!

There I was leaning against a tree, trying to look all wistful and romantic when out of no where a tiny critter lunged itself onto my lap. I howled like a banshee cause I didn't know what the heck it was at first. The owner laughed her ass off as did I once I realized that I wasn't being attacked by a killer squirrel.

Fun and larks in the park, that's what summer should be all about.

My lovely mum sent me another two of these awesome crochet tops the other day. Another white one and this fabulous green one...

70s floral print maxi skirt labelled Richard Shops (car boot sale), 80s sunnies (eBay), Floppy straw hat (car boot sale), brass bangles, Frocktasia silk headband & horse-brass necklace, 80s Pierre Cardin sandals (charity shop), Crochet top (from mum). 

The park larking continued with much sprightliness after the dog incident. I was spinning so much I made myself dizzy and had to sit down before I fell down.

I love going barefoot in the park, it is one of life's little pleasures :)

A few weeks ago Sam of Tangled Wigs and Natasha came to my house to shoot some pics for a feature in the summer issue of Tangled Magazine. I was chuffed to bits when I was asked to contribute and needless to say I jumped at the chance. The feature was to be about music festival style created with Sam's fabulous wigs and Frocktasia's retro & vintage threads. 

For some one like myself, who hasn't got a wild mane of natural locks, wigs have always been a true blessing. It is impossible for me to grow my hair beyond shoulder length cause it gets all ratty and I end up making it even thinner when I try to brush out the inevitable knots. I can't wear a fringe either cause my hair is too fine and I've got a high forehead, so I just end up looking like Gregor Fisher's The Baldy Man. Thanks to wigs I've been able to wear the hair of my dreams and create looks that would never have been possible otherwise. 

If I was to go to a huge music festival where I couldn't wash my hair for days, I would definitely pack a few wigs. Not only in order to hide my ratty tresses underneath but to be able to rock looks that rival those of the glampers. I'd probably bring a few different styles so that I could channel a different persona each day.

For the feature I styled four quintessential festival-goer looks, Sam styled four stunning Tangled Wigs to team them with and Natasha did a great job modelling.

Here are some of my favourite pics from the day...

Sam has got some awesome wig styling tutorials on her website. Creating a funky up-do like this one is easier than you may think.

80s Stones Tee that I nabbed from my dad many moons ago, Leather cut-offs from a pair of trousers that I bought at a car boot sale for a song, 80s Wrangler boots (vintage dealer friend), 80s silk scarf  & sunnies (car boot sale).

I am hankering for this stunning 'Woman of the Ghetto' wig from the Happy Feelins' Collection.

Stunning Afghan kuchi dress that is currently up for grabs on my rail for £35, coinbelt worn as headdress (car boot sale), 90s crushed velvet boots (charity shop), 70s camera bag (car boot sale).

Dream hair!? 

I'd like one in every colour please :)

90s customized camo jacket currently on my rail for £20, customized cut-offs currently on my rail for £12, 90s buckle boots (charity shop), beaded bralet (market), Handmade African necklace which was a gift from my lovely mum.

Mark kindly lent us his guitar to use as a prop. Come on Natasha give us a song ;)

70s Indian tapestry wrap skirt (car boot sale), Suede fringed bralet (originally Topshop but bought from the car boot sale), 90s necklace (gift from my sister), crochet headband (charity shop in Sweden), Balinese earrings (gift from Vix).

The brilliant new issue of Tangled Magazine has just become available to enjoy on-line so you can pop over and have a wee read of it right now folks.

I was enormously flattered when Sam asked me if I'd like to contribute to the next issue too. I have so many ideas, you would not believe...for me wigs and vintage threads are a match made in heaven.

Today I will leave you with one of my favourite songs by Massive Attack, enjoy ;)

Happy Friday peeps!

Loads of love,

Jennie

xXx

A Satisfied Mind

The weather here in London has been absolutely delightful of late and I quite literally live on the balcony at the moment. When it gets too hot out there I grab a blanket and hit the park as there is usually more of a breeze going on there. Yesterday I sat stitching little bags for my stall and today I was making love-beads for The Mini Festival this Sunday. I've sorted out my rail already and have even managed to complete a stock preview folder on my FB page. I'm feeling rather on top of things for once but it won't last, I'm far too much of a flapping flibbertigibbet ;)

I hadn't seen the geese for a few days but they were there again today. The youngsters are starting to look like adults now, soon I won't be able to tell the difference. All that downy fluff is all but gone. When I get a few spare minutes I'll do a timeline with some of the pics I've taken of them over the past two or so months. 

There was a lovely cooling breeze in the park today...

African wax print dress, Handmade Kenyan belt, earrings (all from car boot sales),  80s Pierre Cardin sandals (charity shop), 80s sunnies (eBay) & Handmade African necklace that was a gift from my beloved mother.

...that completely scuppered the outfit pics ;)

The only bad thing about this weather is that my hair goes all funny. I may need to attack it with another dose of Henna before the weekend, either that or hide it under a hat.

This is actually what the majority of my outfit pics look like...the ones that end up on "the cutting room floor" that is ;)

Last Sunday I treated myself to a rare trip to the car boot sales and it was as if the vintage gems had just been accumulating in my absence awaiting my return. I could have bought so much more but it was hotter than an oven and I was really starting to struggle with my bag. Everyone else is canny as a fox, bringing along  trolleys and even wheelie suitcases but alas not I. Anyway I had just about spent all my cash after bagging the lot below and I couldn't wait to get back home to put my feet up and relax on the balcony.

When is the best time to bag an autumn/winter coat?

On a baking hot day in the height of summer of course, when no sane person is buying them cause then you can usually take the haggle highway straight to bargain city.

I was over the moon to bag this gorgeous vintage 70s rust coloured chenille coat in near mint condition and this awesome ornately embroidered Moroccan burgundy velvet caftan gown...

This is the rest of my amazing-zing car booty looty... 

Vintage 70s psychedelic print maxi dress made in Germany and a wedding worthy frock labelled Pat Farrell for Fiona Dresses...

 Two stunning maxi frocks by Jean Varon. I'm starting to build up quite a collection of Varon frocks now...

 Two 60s/70s swimsuits, the psychedelic one is labelled Twenka and the floral one is by Berlei...

 Amazingly voluminous nylon ruffle petticoat made in the US. I've been after one of these for an absolute age and I bagged this from my vintage trader pal who was there to offload some of her awesome stock...

80s Liberty of London silk scarf that was lurking at the bottom of a £1 bargain box...

I can't wait to wear a couple of the frocks at some point. I am currently taking stock of all my vintage dresses and if you are interested in having a wee peek I have made a folder on my FB page entitled Frocktasia's Vintage Wonderland. It is no where near finished yet but I'll get there eventually.

I'll leave you with one of my all-time favorite singer songwriters Jeff Buckley, enjoy :)

Loads of love,

Jennie

xXx

Peace and Dandy

 Right now I'd love to ride out of town with hubby and a tent, hit the coast of Cornwall and just spend a month walking along the cliffs and feeding off the powerful natural energy that place holds.

 In the summer I loathe living in a big city. I miss the sea, the sound of waves crashing onto the shore, the lovely smell of seaweed & taste of salt in the air. 

This mornings walk to the post office assaulted my nasal passage with a stenchfest of  feculence and decomposing scraps from the butcher. Often the street outside looks as if it's been cluster-bombed with dog turds and I find myself  almost hopscotching in order to avoid all the filth. Retch-inducing mattresses (complete with piss stains and bedbugs) are just dumped in the street and left for days. The only slight refuge from reeking refuse is the park. Thank goodness for the park!

Thank goodness for its beautiful inhabitants that put a smile on my face every day.

This is Baby Grey that I've mentioned before but he's not so Baby anymore. He should be ready to try those pretty wings of his out soon, I'd love to be there to see it when it happens :)

Today I've been busy preparing my stock for this coming Saturday's Dandy Lion Market...

 This month I decided to do something a little bit different and throw a few more separates and some funky 90s clobber into the mix as well. I've been making and revamping stuff for next Sunday's Mini Festival but I'll be bringing a few of the choice bits that I've made along to The Dandy, like this funky PVC leaf necklace/headdress...

 I made an even bigger one for someone who likes to make a bold style statement and like me lacks a soft-pedal when it comes to dressing ;)

I got severe cramp in my fingers whilst hand-sewing all those individual leafs together but watching Black Books on YouTube made almost bearable.

 Needless to say I'll also be bringing the usual medley of vintage & retro frocks. This one is a newbie on the rail...

 Mark isn't working this weekend and has very kindly agreed to assist me on the day, so I'll be able to bring a few more bags and shoes as well.

I'll also be bringing some more of my handmade accessories too.

 As I already mentioned I'm trying out some different stock on the rail this month, it's mostly late 80s/early 90s separates...

I would have killed for some of these pieces back in the day, that dead-stock bikini is amazing but I just wouldn't be able to do it justice...much like Madonna it simply demands a young body to cling on to.
I'm bringing a whole heap more but if you want to see the rest of it you'll just have to poodle along to The Dandy on Saturday ;)

To go with the 90s clobber here's Sabrina Johnston to sing us out with a euphorically happy tune, enjoy!

Happy Friday folks, hope you will have an extraordinarily good one.

Loads of love,

Jennie

xXx 

Sail away

On Saturday I went up to The Boogaloo for the three year anniversary of the Can't Buy Me Love vintage jumble. As I wasn't trading myself I rocked up in the late afternoon just in time to have a wee rummage and help Leslie pack up so that we could have a few beers afterwards.

Leslie's stall was looking brilliant as per usual... 

I decided to snap the traders so that I could share them with you :)

Worn Label had some amazing 80s and 90s pieces on her rail. I was eyeing up a rather fabulous studded denim jacket but after a recent slew of eBay purchases I am now under strict 'No Buy' orders.

The Hostess Hotties did a fab array of jewellery and I really liked their funky display...

Janneke De Jong of Small-scale Samaritan was selling things for a song and even gave stuff away at the end of the day. This kitschtastic Dutch clog-boat lamp caught my eye and after Janneke told me that it was still in good working order I just knew I had to give it a new home...

Here's Jet who organizes CBML and her friend who makes all those delicious looking cakes. Jet is also behind the fabulous Muswell Hill Market and she also runs a little vintage shop in Muswell Hill that is open every Saturday from 11am till 5pm.

Unfortunately I have no link to the two funky ladies below but I was in awe with their fabulous wares and display skills. Doesn't that suitcase just look amazing, I wish my stall looked more like this...

When this awesome looking lady came through the doors I simply had to beg a photo of her and her amazing skirt. She told me that she had bought it from a trader at Notting Hill Market a few years ago, I love it! I also love coming across super stylin' women like this...

After we'd packed up Leslie's stall and sandwiched it all into Aiden's car we sat in The Boogaloo beer garden for a bit. Their two gorgeous pub cats are called Starsky and Hutch.

After The Boogaloo we went to Salisbury Hotel for a few and then Leslie and I continued up the road to The Finsbury which is were I'll be bringing out my fabulous Frocktasia rails in two weeks time at The Sunday Mini Festival.

We left The Finsbury when they closed by which time Leslie was reading the walls and I was just off-the-wall at this point, having had nothing to eat all day, just a mother-load to drink.

I felt absolutely rancid all day yesterday and couldn't even face eating until ten o'clock at night. I'm still feeling a bit fragile and have decided to make July a tee-total month. My body is telling me 'Detoxify or DIE'!

I figure listening to my body is the right thing to do, eh?!

I couldn't face taking any outfit pics today so this is what I wore last Friday...

A jumpsuit that I made from fabric that I bought in Krabi, Thailand back in 2010. You may recognize the design from an earlier post. Whilst on the subject of stuff that I've made, I finished this headdress on Saturday morning...

It was inspired by a childhood favourite book of mine, The Flowers' Festival by Elsa Beskow. I'm hoping to make a few more of these to bring along to next Saturday's Dandy Lion Market. Now that I have almost recovered from possibly the worst hangover ever, I can crack on with some work :)

To sing us out here's David Grey...

Hope you've all had a tremendously good start to your week and that the sun is shining where you are.

Loads of love,

Jennie

xXx