Crime, Fashion books and blowdrys - my varied week!!

It has been a week of trying to sort out my house along with a few fun activities thrown in for good measure.

 

 

Thursday morning I met up with the lovely Missy Vintage  for brunch in Pandora's Kitchen, it is the my one of my favourite places in Norwich - fabulous breakfasts, coffee and great friendly staff. In between the bites of food we talked all things Norwich Fashion Week - news coming in the next few months so watch this space.

 

Breakfast bap with tomato.

 

That evening I headed out to the Playhouse Theatre to hear Poirot Rises with Sophie Hannah in conversation  with  John Curran talking abut her new novel - the only new Poirot mystery to be approved by the Agatha Christe Estate.

 

 

My outfit - with a slight nod to Miss Lemon.

 

 

Saturday afternoon I popped along to the launch of  Barry Alan  Hair new Blow Dry Bar -

The services



 

A fabulous idea gives you the chance to have a quick treatment or blow dry to give you a touch of glamour before and event or just to give you a bit of a boost on a bad hair day.

 

Bubbly and delicious sweet treats from The Little Party Company were served throughout the day and the staff offered free styling advice and blow dries to a bunch of glamorous ladies,

 

 

 

 

Kerry is having a bit of a clear out (something which I must do very soon as I am running out of space in the house) so I bought 2 fabulous vintage fashion books from her and so spent the next few evenings drooling over divine frocks.

 

All in all a rather lovely week. Looking forward to Sheringham this weekend so look out for some fabulous outfit posts and handsome men in uniform oh yes lots of trains!!



 



 

 

 

 

 



How to guide - lunch with the girls!!

One of the things I love to do is have lunch with my vintage gals so when we meet up for lunch it is a great excuse to dress up and go glam.

We are spoilt in Norwich with so many fabulous places to eat and it is great to sit, sip bubbly and catch up on all the gossip.

 

Having a few go to outfits is always a great idea so you can mix and match - add accessories to dress up and down.

 

 

A simple suit will always work.

 

In this weather a faux (or real depending on your principals) coat is chic and warm!!

 

Or how about a bright winter coat to add some colour to dull days?

 

 

What's your favourite outfit for lunch out with the girls??

 

 



Sunday shoot - frills, fancies and nightwear!!!

Sunday saw my house filled with vintage nightwear courtesy of my good friend Wake Up Little Susie - a regular of the vintage fairs around Norfolk and Suffolk selling all sorts of fabulous things from various decades but now she is starting to specialise in vintage nightwear, bed linens and boudoir accessories.

The house was packed with two models - the lovely Heather and Marie, hair and make-up artist - Kerry from www.missyvintage.co.uk and photographer Stephen Plumb -https://www.facebook.com/StephenPlumbPhotography, Susie, her husband Simon and my hubby who kept us going by providing tea and coffee at regular intervals.

It was quite a packed house as we only have a two up two down terrace but you can see in the pictures corners of my rooms and the beginning of my dressing room which is starting to take shape (more to come on the finished result as it is still work in progress).

So here are a few backstage scenes of the days shoot. If you want to see more of Susie's fabulous vintage nightwear have a look at her facebook page - https:www.facebook.com/wakeuplittlesusie.

 

 

 

(photo Missy Vintage)

 

 

I can't wait to see the finished results of the photo shoot and I must admit that I was very tempted by some of the pieces we used and may put them on the Christmas list. I think that I also feel a little post about lounge wear coming on!!

My new favourite thing - Afternoon tea.

Inspired by the most recent photo shoot that I worked on my new favourite thing is afternoon tea parties There have been fabulous places to have afternoon tea for ages but one has just opened locally and we used it for this photo shoot.

One of my favourite places to have tea is The Ritz - my husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary with champagne and cakes in their Palm Court.

One place I have yet to go is the Berkeley for their Pret a Porter Tea - I have stayed in one of their fabulous suites and sipped cocktails in The Blue Bar but this is on my to do list.

While the summer is still here - just - I am going to invite a few friends over for a girly afternoon. So here is my guide to create your own fabulous Afternoon Tea Party.

There are so many places doing cup cakes now - even good old M&S are do really cute ones in lemon, raspberry and chocolate and they are only £2.99, or what about the French Fancies that have been around for ever - they look so pretty with all that icing.

Try to find some champagne coups - I always think that they have an old Hollywood glamour about them and make the fizz pink! I float a couple of raspberries in the glass just to add a little extra.

Make some simple sandwiches and to make it fun get some of the kids cookie cutters and make them into hearts or stars.

Have look around your local antique shops for some tea cups, don't worry if you can't find matching ones just go with a theme say all roses or all one colour. While you are there see if you can find a cake stand or some plates to display your cakes.

If the weather is good set up a table in the garden - throw some pretty floral cushions on your chairs, add a vase of summer flowers - use a teacup or little jug.

Ask your friends to dress up - take inspiration from the 40's or 50's and have yourself a fun girly day.

This is a lovely way to spend an afternoon and any excuse for me to get glamorous is enough!