Market-ing

Again, it's been a little while, but here I am again.
I've finally got some time off work- a whole week! I feel like Christmas and Birthdays have come all at once.
So I'm filling this week with all the things I've been wanting to do, that I used to do when I was at university and had all that spare time (students, you really do have a lot of free time..!). Plus all my friends are away (thanks guys! well jel.)

Yesterday, I visited a couple of old haunts which I realised I haven't been to for about 2 years.
One of these was Covent Garden.
'What!?' I hear you say? Yes, I live in London, I work next to Covent Garden. But when you work there everyday, you actually don't get to SEE it.
So that's what I did, I visited Covent Garden.
I had a fab time wandering around the flea and antique market at the Jubilee Market Hall. There were so many great stalls. I'm a massive fan of vintage jewellery so I was in my element with many of the stalls there, and there were some of the highest quality designer pieces I have seen in a while, from Chanel and Dior to Trifari. They were exquisite to look at and were safely banked in my mind memory for when I'm earning millions ;)

One stall I found had some great vintage designer treasures, including a Balenciaga logo bag (next on my wish list!), but it also had an array of French Sole ballet pumps all new and waiting for new owners.
Much to my disappointment there were none in my size, however, there was a pair of denim boots. They fitted me perfectly, were brand new and were a bargain £45. (RRP £200, check the website ladies!).
I couldn't have been happier with my new boots, and I will certainly be a returning customer, as the stallholder is a regular.

Boots: French Sole
Scarf: Silk from Camden Market

I then spent the afternoon at Camden Market. This place used to be a regular stop for me. Alot of my friends weren't really into Camden, so I'm quite used to roaming the market streets here by myself.
I have to say though, that when I got there, I was disappointed.
Where had all the good stuff gone?
Granted, it was 2 years since I had been here, and there had been a couple of fires in this time, and of course things change, but really?
I have never seen so many stalls with the same mass manufactured stuff. My heart sank as I went around the stables market, as this as my favourite part, just seeing printed t-shirt after printed t-shirt.

After I really thorough search I finally found a cute little stall that satisfied what I was after. It had great dresses and tees that were wardrobe staples, but in the end I decided on a scarf. A simple black scarf. I know it sounds boring but I find that what I tend to do is see basics in black, white and grey, and I shy away from them because I always think I have loads of things like this. It turns out I don't so I decided to get something I both needed and wanted. (Isn't that a first!).

All in all, I was happy with my day out marketing around, but couldn't shake my disappointment with Camden. I hope that it will rise again to be the individual place it used to be, and that this is just a phase...

What are your thoughts? Are markets not what they used to be?

The Cat Hat

So again, it's been a little while but I've now finished my course at the London College of Fashion, which means I'm now getting a little bit of time off!
As Winter is now over (so they say), I thought I would share with you a story about something that has given me entertainment throughout the cold season, as we go in to summer.
So, this hat I got- what could be so exciting about a hat right? Well it's a great hat, and I love wearing it, but it's more about the attention it brings, rather than keeping my ears warm!

Just after Christmas, I came back to London to work and as everyone I live with was still at home with their families, as most normal people would be on 27th December, my mum came back to London with me to stay with me for a couple of days.
I managed to get an afternoon off so we went to the V&A museum.
This is where I found the Cat Hat.
In the gift shop (the best bit of museums right?), there it was- an Alice Hannah knitted black hat with cat ears and 2 big blue jewelled cat eyes. I had to have it, as cats are my favourite animal, and I liked how it was a little different from the standard animal hats we are seeing on the high street today.
Done deal, in the bag, its mine.
Now, as I started to sport this hat, I realised that it had a certain power. It started with a few odd looks on the tube in the morning, which is understandable- the suits are always a little tired and I think those big blue jewels might startle anyone at 7am on a Monday. Then it moved on to the man in Pret, 'That's a cool hat- are they ski goggles?', well, good try man but no it's a cat.
Then people at college and at work- 'Where did you get that hat from? It's so cool!'. Needless to say I came across some odd looks when I said the V&A museum.
Next was the lady in Pret (yes, a different Pret), 'Your hat is so nice- what is it?'. It's a cat my friend. People tend to just see the blue jewels and not the cat ears. Then the lady at the Post Office counter, 'What is your hat? It is so pretty and different!'. So you get the jist- people see it and comment.

I was feeling quite satisfied with my cat hat and thinking it was definitely a good investment. Until the other day.

I had just finished work and was checking my phone when I guy came up to me: 'Wow! What's your hat about? It looks cool.' I proceeded to tell him, like most, that it was a cat.
After 5 minutes of chit chat, and a date proposal later, he finally left me alone.



Forgetting about that experience, I have come to the conclusion that this is possibly one of the best items I have ever bought.

Glossybox #2: June 2013

So I realise it is no longer June, and I am seriously behind on my reviews but I've been graduating after a 3 year undergrad course, moving house, enrolling at a new university and applying for jobs, so please forgive me!

My second Glossybox that I received gleefully in the post was in June. After my joy at what I got in the first one I couldn't wait to see what was waiting in that pretty pink box.

So, here's what I found:

1. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse
This was described as 'Summer in a bottle' and it certainly smelt like it. It's a dry oil with a super sweet smell to it, and can be used on hair and skin. It's supposed to strengthen and hydrate your hair. Although this is aimed at summer time, I'm looking forward to see if it still has the same effects in the winter, as my hair really gets battered from the winter wind and rain. I would definitely recommend this for hair. I'm yet to try it on my skin.
100ml for £34. The size I received was a 10ml bottle.

2. Figs & Rose Lip Balm
There were two options which you could receive: Cherry Blossom, or Coco Rose.
I got Coco Rose. It smells divine! It's 100% natural ingredients, and is in a tube very similar to that of the L'Occitane hand cream(!) What I love most about this lip balm is that its tinted, but to a point where you can actually see some colour. I find myself putting lip balm on and then lip gloss or lipstick over the top when it's dried a bit, but this way I have everything in one.
This also has a bit of sparkle in it which brightens everyone's day.
12.5ml for £5.00. I received a full sized product.

3. Helen E Cosmetics
Shimmer Eye Powder- shade 5.
Now, I am already biased with this product because I love mineral eye shadows. I find them much easier to work with and blend. This one was in a pinky purple colour, but not so pink that it made me look ill, as I have very pale skin.
I would recommend this product for sure, but I can't see any particular difference between this eyeshadow and any other mineral make up brand just through the use of this product.
Eye Shimmer: 1.5g for £5. I received a full size product.

4. Me Me Me Cosmetics
Long Lasting Nail Gloss
The colour I received was a neutral base colour. Although application instructions state applying over a base coat, I personally would use this varnish as a base coat. The colour is a standard base skin pink colour, and the brush was brilliant- very big and easy to paint your nail. I would consider buying this but at the moment my No. 7 Boots Base coat varnish is still No. 1.
Full size £5. This is what I received.

5. Monu
Professional Skincare- First Defence Hydrating Moisturiser SPF 15.
I haven't tried this yet, but I'm definitely excited to! This moisturiser claims to protect against UVA and UVB rays and includes vitamin E.
Watch this space guys!
50ml for £29.95. I received 30ml.

The total value of my box came to approx. £36, and I received 3 full size products.

Overall, I wasn't as happy with this box as I was with my last box, but I still loved all the stuff.

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know! X

Westwood Ho! Stockport Vintage Village Fair

Eros Handbag with
Linda Farrow Sunglasses

Yesterday I made a return to the Vintage Village in Stockport. I always love a visit to VV- be it just to browse or to sell. I haven't been there since November so I was excited to see the old market hall again. I was even more excited because the theme of this month's fair was dedicated to British designer Vivienne Westwood.

Customers and stallholders alike were dressed in tartan, and punk inspired pieces, and there were many lovely ladies showing off their Vivienne Westwood + Melissa Shoes (including me!).
I was attending this fair as a stallholder, with my vintage clothes and

accessories 'business', 'Eclectique Chic'. I'd decided to have a mid-season sale to move some stock on in order to make room for new beauties. This proved a successful tactic- who doesn't love a sale!?

I had loads on offer, Valentino, Escada, Balenciaga, Celine, Dior as well as Westwood, and some great unnamed vintage pieces as well as vintage high street names and boutique brands- fashion to suit everyone.

Vivienne Westwood Tie

My first sale of the day was a Vivienne Westwood red tie which my dad had given me to sell from his ever-growing tie collection. The man I sold it too was looking super trendy, wearing a black shirt with leopard print collar (of which he informed me was from Topman!). I was very pleased to have kicked off the day with a sale of a Westwood design!
A highlight of my day was selling a Dior beauty brooch- it was super cute with a bow and said 'Christian Dior'. A very nice guy bought it as a treat for his girlfriend- I hope she loves it.
The market also had a visit from a Steampunk group (I had to google that when I got home...) but they looked great. The image is Victoriana/ futuristic inventions. I got chatting with a very nice couple (who were dressed more towards the Victorian half of the definition) of which the lady had a full-on bustle part of her dress, and the gentleman had a spectacular embroidered coat.
Of course, I could not finish my day without a purchase! On top of my normal haul from Stuart Thornley Cake Design (best cakes ever!), I'd had my eye on these fringed boots from Mint Vintage all day and after some hints to my very kind boyfriend, they were coming home with me!

Leather Fringe Boots from Mint Vintage

Thanks to the organisers of Vintage Village for making each fair so different and enjoyable!

Vintage Village is on every second Sunday of the month in Stockport: www.thevintagevillage.co.uk
Mint Vintage on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MintVintageManchester

Peridot London

It's that time of year again where I have to start getting my head down and learning a years worth of work in 2 months. So naturally, instead of revising for exams, I had a day out with a good friend.
I got a message the other day from my friend, Jade, about the Peridot London S/S preview customer event, so she emailed and we got put on the list to attend.
We first saw Peridot at Vodafone London Fashion Weekend (February 2013), and have loved their designs ever since.
I didn't really know what to expect, so was going with an open mind.
We met at Baker Street station and headed towards the location. Once we got there, we buzzed up, and were greeted inside by two lovely girls. We took off our coats, had drinks and began to browse.
There were some fantastic colours, bright oranges and greens, as well as deep navy.
There were some great staple pieces- white shirts with a twist like a layered bottom or textured panel. I was loving the "Neville" shirt dress- navy with green detail pockets (S/S13 collection), but the length was just a bit too long for me (basically, I am too short).
Jade was taken by an amazing orange blazer. It was a longer line blazer, with super soft lining. A piece that really makes an outfit go 'pop'. (from the S/S13 collection)
There were also a few pieces left from the A/W12 collection, and these stole my heart (and money!). I saw the "Isaac" jacket and had to have it. It was so timeless but stylish. Short length, baggy arms, and a fur collar. 100% wool, with silk lining. What more could you ask for? Oh and of course in black.

My second piece was this "Salsa" silk shirt. It's just what I have been looking for. Straight cut, which usually doesn't fit me but this was great. It hangs really nicely and looks fab with a statement necklace. The sleeves are bracelet length so there is a real opportunity to wear with statement jewels.

Jade bought some fabulous "Lady" cat eye sunglasses. They had a vintage edge to them but are super on trend and will stay stylish for years.

Overall, our experience at Peridot today was lovely. The girls who helped and looked after us were so nice, and couldn't do enough to help. They offered really great advice with the clothes too.
This is a brand that really knows their image and is comfortable with its culture. Peridot has its collection available to buy online and at Dover Street and Notting Hill (for UK buyers), but I really hope they get their own store soon as I'm sure it would be wonderful.

'Like' Peridot London on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeridotLondon?fref=ts

View their collection: http://www.peridotlondon.co.uk/