Why I love vintage

Bonjour!

I've had this blog for about 3 years now and this is the most active I've been on it.  Being that one of my goals this year is to blog more I don't think I'm doing to shabbily.  I always wondered how bloggers who have become popular in their own right had time to keep blogging whilst working full time, and I've found of all the reason the most common is the passion for whatever your blogging about.



I've found that I have restricted what I blog about, just because I felt it wasn't related to Vintage and because I'm all about the vintage that's what I should talk about all the time right?  Well not quite when I went to a bloggers event a few months back, there were talks from more seasoned bloggers who spoke about how they got started and how it turned into their jobs.  They all had different experiences as to why they started blogging but the practice was the same be consistent and be yourself.  Why am i saying all this?  I'm not quite sure but I guess I feel more ready to not just share my love for vintage, but because this is my blog I will share other things I love and more of my experiences because I can!  I guess restrictions are only there if you take notice of them.

 

Despite loving vintage for the undeniable style that is hard to be replicated, and the quality of detail and material used.  I love it because it has allowed me share bursts of my creativity that I wasn't sure I had.  3 years later I am building a website and starting a business (phew), that will not only allow me to showcase my love for vintage but also my creative eye. (arrggh!).  These are exciting times for me and scary all at once but I look forward to documenting the journey here! 

Weekend Vinspiration!

Bonjour mes amis!  

It's been absolutely ages since I've done an outfit post!  I was feeling myself a little bit yesterday and thought why not!  I wore two outfits yesterday no picture for the first one I wore to church, because I forgot! I'm someone who wears things over and over so I'm sure it will come up in another post.  I wore a dress initially with a long blazer jacket but it was a lot chillier than I expected (so much for spring right *insert sarcastic emoji here*), so I decided  to change for the evening. 

 I went to Norbury Comedy Club finally for the first time yesterday with my sister after a 2 hour journey - Tfl really need to sort out Sunday transport, it was worth it because literally my cheeks were hurting from laughing soo hard and my sister was going through tissues wiping tears of laughter.  The headliner was Joe Rowntree who did character comedy, he was pet psychic who owned a car wash.  All very random but hilarious, we sat in the front and he asked me my name which I said was Yetti (short for Yetunde) big mistake, he then said "they've been looking for you" I'm sure he's talking about this I couldn't stop laughing!

 Here's what I wore:

Trousers from Banana Republic

 

Topshop embroidered jacket, necklace from Primark

Lace Top from Miss Selfridge

Shoes from Topshop

 I opted for my 3/4 length trousers and these are favourites shoes of the moment, they have that ugly kind of look but I love them and they were only £20 and they're super light and comfortable.   I love my embroidered Jacket and it was on sale as well (I'm a sale shopper), it also has quite a 1950s sophisticated look about it. I'm also (accidentally) on trend for once with my lace top, I'm loving its versatility.  Easter Break is in full swing so be prepared to see more posts from me over the next few days!

Anne Appreciation

Bonjour!!

On this beautiful Saturday afternoon I have to take a moment of appreciation for this woman:

1950's/60s  model Anne Saint Marie is a face I see a lot of when I'm looking through vintage photos.  She covered the pages of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar many times, she was a mean clothes everything she wore oozed sophistication and elegance.

She was working the smize way before Tyra gave it a name, and her look is just timeless.  Her photos could've been taking today and it wouldn't be out of place. 

                                             

There isn't much information about her on the internet (gasp!), so she remains this beautiful enigma.  Which I quite like because many times the stories of many vintage icons tend to be quite grim.  I see it is as she came, she saw, she conquered (the fashion world that is!)

Once upon a Cabaret Night!

Bonjour!

So a few weeks ago I went to my first Cabaret show!  It was a friends hen do, an offer which she'd found on groupon at Proud Cabaret in the city for £29 which included a three course meal, a glass of wine and a Cabaret show was a steal!

As Cabaret is all glitz and glam I thought I'd get my sequins out, and wore this vintage knitted sequin bolero type cardigan.  I've had it for a few years and it works because it usually spices up an otherwise casual outfit. 

The venue itself was quite obscure because I think they operate with the bar on the top of them, so their sign was slightly hidden.

The venue itself felt like I had been transported back in time to a speak- easy, with its low light and plush booths.  Our host was a bit of a comedian, I say a bit because he had a serious potty mouth and every sentence was filled with sexual innuendos!  Which I've come to find is really a part of what Cabaret is all about.  Had I known what it would be like I would've been more committed to the them, feather boa the works!

There was fire eating, nail-in-the-nose hammering and belly dancing, nipple tassle weraing burlesque dancers.  I found the nail hammering a bit morbid rather than sexy, and I wanted to join in on the belly dancing but after seeing the fire eater once seeing her again it was no longer a shock factor.  Carbon monoxide poisoning came to mind (the sensible side of me!) and David Blaine's fire and water trick.  All the waitress's wore Basques and French knickers, got me thinking about cabaret fashion back in the 1920's and how risque it was in contrast to the traditional values during that time. 

A very saucy Marlene Dietrich

Daring!!

     
It was a fun night aside from the fly I discovered in the jug of water, after I had just taking an almighty gulp (ugh) I still shudder when I think of it.  Have you been to a Cabaret club?



Couldn't help mysef!

(Cabaret: a french word that means an establishment that serves alcoholic beverages)

Spring has Sprung!

Bonjour!

I think after the beautiful weather we've had this weekend it's safe to say Spring is finally here, or Spring has sprung!

 I took this picture after having a bit of a lazy day on Saturday evening, on my way to do my eyebrows (exciting!)  I usually only ever do them now when I have a special occasion , that just me?  Couldn't resist taking a picture of the beautiful sunset, it really is the little things that give me that warm fuzzy feeling!

Hint of Pink

Sunday was a bit more eventful, I went to a friends wedding and had baby Pigeon!!  It was delicious, I keep saying better than Chicken (sorry to the pigeon lovers!).  The sun really came out to play and made for a beautiful day so I didn't regret getting my legs out.

Also the new season also unveils new colours, I'm not really one to know whats on trend but I thought I'd have a look a some of the colours of the moment.

Metallics

Icy Pastels

I always wonder who decides these things!  I'm loving the colours, but I know I won't be sticking to them are you big on colour trend?

Fei Fei Love

Bon Soir,

The sun was high above London today, and I was totally loving it!  Hopefully spring is well and truly here!

Today I have to show big Vintage love to Fei Fei Sun

I discovered the gorgeous Chinese supermodel this week, and I can't believe I'd never heard of her before!  Check out the pictures of her spread and cover in Vogue Italia last year January, the styling was 50's and 60's inspired so of course I was loving it!

 


   Look at that face!

Some of her pictures are reminiscent of 50's Supermodel China Machado
                                         
Machado was absolutely an inspiration for the styling of this shoot.

Photography by Steven Meisel

Fei Fei started modelling in China in 2008 and ever since she has become an international supermodel and one of China's top models working with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Vivienne Westwood.  With how versatile this beauty is she's definitely one to watch!

Vinspiration!

Bonne Année!! / Happy New Year!!

My first post of 2014 and in a very long time!

Life has indeed gotten in the way, as well as working on the WBV website.

I could say it's just that but that would been a lie.  I think lack of inspiration to write a post has been a great part of it, many drafts I've written and some just feel forced and for someone who loves to read I can tell the writings of someone who didn't believe in what they were saying just no passion or vavavoom!  No mojo!

I think I forgot why I started blogging in the first place, because I love vintage clothes and history(and french).   One can get soo bogged down with what-ifs and comparisons that you forget why you started! I've been Vinspired and with this new found Vinspiration, comes a fresh new look for my blog and a fresh new attitude to go with it.  My love for vintage began almost 6 years ago and sharing it has been something I have been in the process of for 3 years.  It's not easy to share something you love with others because sometimes there's the worry that you're not knowledgeable enough, and there are others that are much better.  Which is true! We all bring something different to the table, but ultimately our passion is the same Vintage!  

Alright Oprah Life session over!

 I got my first pitch at a market last week at Old Spitalfields! It was a very enlightening experience to say the least.  I shared a stall with a friend of mine who sells gorgeous authentic African art and artifacts AfriArt, and we went on the Saturday which happened to be the same day for Vintage and the African Market.  Although Sundays are said to busier, I thought we'd be at an advantage - that wasn't quite the case.  It wasn't very busy and although we had been placed right at the front of the African Market and next to the other vintage/ high street stalls it didn't seem to make much difference.  I found I was ill prepared because I didn't have near enough stock to gather much interest, and Saturday just isn't the day for  stalls unless you're selling food, essentials and perhaps cosmetics.  I was glad I did it because I had the opportunity to engage with other traders and get tips about, market and business in general.  I also bumped into an old college classmate who also had a stall selling her organic body butters, mango butter mixed with shea butter they are AH-mazing! Boweskincare.  My hands were ashy as anything, and I used a sample and it was soo moisturizing even after I washed my hands and it smells heavenly (no hype!!).

Also had some fab snacks at the Love Chin Chin stall.  Chin chin is an African snack made from flour, eggs, and sugar either rolled into small balls or little stick-like shapes.  They have a modern twist to this old age snack with their different flavours, vanilla, cinnamon and lemon they were all delicious the vanilla was my favourite.

 If you're interested in getting a stall its very easy, just have your stock ready, layers(summer where art thou) and a foldaway chair(s) go on the day between 9-9:30 the earlier the better to get a nice position details here

Have to add one of my fave songs at the moment,

Have a look and follow the WBV Instagram where I share pictures of gorgeous vintage fashion through different eras .

Its been a busy start to the year and I have a feeling its going to accelerate further, I'm excited!

(WBV Dictionary : Vinspired -Vintage Inspired, Vinspiration - Vintage Inspiration)