A Fabulous Year!!!

As the year draws to a close I always take a little look back at what has happened over the past months.

It's been quite a year - after dreaming of designing my own vintage collection it finally happened with the launch at The Old Hollywood Vintage Fashion Show during Norwich Fashion Week (www.norwichfashion.co.uk) - months of finding the right manufacture, sourcing fabric, trims and choosing packaging and then in October the on line shop went live - shop for you own dress at www.fabulousmissk.co.uk.

As a result of the collection I have been featured on a number of blogs and websites which is always great fun and rather strange to see me referred to as a fashion designer!!!!

One a personal front my lovely Hubby celebrated his 50th birthday so we had a rather fabulous time staying in Claridges and vintage shopping in Paris, we camped for the first time at Twinwoods or should I say "glamped".

This time of year is always tinged with sadness as it was around Christmas that my mum passed away. The collection is a tribute to her as a skilled dressmaker and terribly stylish lady - I will raise a glass this Christmas and hope that she loves the dress that is in her memory.

So here is a little look back in pictures of my fabulous year.

The collection launch.

(Photo Joe Black)

 

Claridges.

 

Vintage to die for in Paris.

 

Camping in style at Twinwoods,

 

My Mum - R.I. P

 

 

 

With my 50th birthday celebrations in the coming year and lots of exciting ideas and plans - I think that 2014 is going to be an even more fabulous year.

 

 

Thank you all for visiting and reading this past 12 months - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.

 

 

 

 

A year in outfits!!

It's been an eventful year with the launch of my collection, weddings, vintage events, celebrating my lovely hubby's 50th Birthday in Claridges and Paris. So lots of outfits have been worn so here to end are just a few of my favourites.

Wedding no 1 - vintage 40's dress and hat bought at Hepcats.

Wedding no 2 - vintage dress Prim vintage, shoes Jimmy Choo and fascinator made by me.

 

Wedding no 3 - vintage dress Travilla, shoes Jimmy Choo, bag Louis Vuitton.

 

Cheers to Paris!! Trousers Sandra's sewing, 40's blouse Lulu's vintage and shoes Rocket Revival.

 

Sheringham weekend - dress Mamz'elle Swing, hat and shoes Twinwoods, gloves Retreat Vintage.

Sheringham - suit Prim Vintage, hat Twinwoods and blouse H&M

 

95th Bomb Group softball game and picnic.

Hat Paris, vintage jacket Ruby Tuesday, and 70's skirt Retreat Vintage.

 

Winsor Bishop Christmas party.

Fur cape and hat Lulu's vintage, suit Prim Vintage, gloves Retreat Vintage and shoes Bowhill and Elliot.

 

 

The collection got a few outings too this year below Barbara in navy and white stripe at Bo Nanafana and Charlie in bottle green at Old Buckenham 40's weekend.

 



 

 

 

I have had such fun this year at all the events and with even more planned for the coming year including the fact that I have my 50th birthday so more outfits need to be planned!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Glamour on a Sunday afternoon.

This Sunday was some what of a glamorous affair as I headed off to Winsor Bishop's  1920's themed Christmas Party, ( www.winsorbishop.co.uk), so full on vintage style was called for outfit wise.

Fur cape and Beret - Lulu Vintage, 40's vintage suit Prim Vintage, tights Jarrolds and shoes Bowhill and Elliot.

Outside the shop was an array of fabulous cars and I would have gladly driven away in the grey one (not up much on cars - and didn't ask the owner but I am sure someone will tell me what it is???) Saying that I wouldn't say no to the red one either!! The grey I thought for formal occasions and the red for nipping around town - no??

 Once inside I was welcomed at the door by tuxedo clad door man and invited to pick a cracker that contained a prize (more of that later!!)

Glass of Kir Royal in hand - out of coups in true vintage style, I had a wander around and drooled over diamond, pearls and vintage jewellery.

Upstairs in this wonderful wooded panelled building they have built a champagne bar so you can sip a glass of bubbly when choosing your wedding ring or piece of fine jewellery. So with the champagne flowing freely I did have a few glasses to start the festive season off??

 

Upstairs too they had set up a roulette table for a chance to play for £250 to spend in the store. Sadly we didn't win!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The atmosphere in the shop was lovely with the Acatellas keeping us entertained with cool jazz.

 

 

Dancers Sasza and Mel from Swing Tonic kicked up their heels dancing the Charleston and Swing.

www.swing-tonic.co.uk

 

 I spied this fabulous catalogue for Chanel watches and jewellery - out of my price range I am afraid but I did wonder if they would let me have one just so that I could drool!!

 

 

Whilst the Chanel and some of the vintage pieces I was coveting would make my bank manager gasp, I did treat myself to an early Christmas present - that cracker I was talking about earlier gave me a money off voucher to spend in store so here is what I bought myself for Christmas.

 

Freshwater pearl studs - grown up jewellery!!

 

 

It was a rather decadent to way to spend a Sunday afternoon - the Winsor Bishop team certainly know how to through a party - a fabulous start to the festive celebrations!!

 

 

 



 

 

 

 





 



 

 

 

 

Twlight Time - Wake Up Little Susie Vintage nightwear.

A few weeks ago I helped my good friend Susie style a photo shoot to promote her new venture - a soon to launch Etsy shop selling some of her fabulous vintage nightwear, bed linens and boudoir goodies but in the meantime you can check out all her news www.facebook.com/Wakeupsusie.


On Friday my lovely hubby and I went along to help out with her first event - Twlight Time - a showcase for some of her stock. My hubby played some tunes alongside Simon's Susie's hubby - both of them looking very dapper in there smoking jackets. I got to float around in a beautiful vintage nightgown and bed jacket - and I think that at least one of them will find they way into my lounge wear collection - yes I do have a collection of vintage pieces that I wear when relaxing and it is growing thanks to the likes of Susie (more of this in another blog post???).

With stars, twinkling lights and cup cake from www.cupcakesbyjess.co.uk, and pyjama girls as hostesses it was all in all a fabulous way to spend a Friday night drinking cocktails into the twilight hours.

(Photo -Retro Chick)

(Photo - Retro Chick)

 

I just loved these vintage patterns.

 

 

 

Just some of the vintage loveliness Susie has on offer.

 

Goody bags for all the guests.

 

 

 

Luxury Vintage Christmas Gifts

Last week I shared some ideas that wouldn't make you bank manager unhappy this week I thought I would give him a scare!!!  This is my fantasy list of vintage Christmas gifts - some are just expensive so saving up or maxing out the credit card would be a possibility and some are just pure indulgence and will have to wait until the lottery win but a gal can dream can't she!!!???

Originally made for Grace Kelly the classic bag from Hermes - so stylish and elegant but big enough for carrying around everyday essentials.

 

A set of Louis Vuitton Luggage or a steamer trunk like this one. Luxury travel as it used to be.

 

 

Paris to Venice on The Orient Express - the British Pullman is not cheap but affordable but it has always been my dream to travel overnight and wake up in a different country, with Deco luxury to boot!!

 

 

I love my vintage and wear it everyday, I have a vast collection that continues to grow but to have an original from one of the great designers such as Chanel, Dior or Schiaparelli would be the ultimate dream.

 

 

Vintage Champagne - anyone that knows me knows my love for fizz - to buy a vintage bottle and share with all my fabulous friends - what fun!!

 

Now what gal wouldn't want this for a present - a wardrobe full of shoes - enough said!!

 

 

Afternoon tea at the Ritz - not for everyday but a little be of "affordable" luxury to indulge in at least once in a lifetime!

 

Vintage brooch made by Cartier for Wallis Simpson - a piece that would be worth a fortune now but just a little vintage piece of jewellery in my stocking - pretty please!!

 

Cat slippers and eye mask from Charlotte Olympia - expensive at £395 but oh sooo cute!!