VV Vintage

"We started doing vintage and also a programme where we take disgarded fabric or second hand clothing and reinvent them and make them more Beautiful" VV Brown

To follow up from my previous post on VV Vintage (FutureFrock & VV Vintage) I purchased the above shirt. Unsure of what quite to expect, the quality and fit were perfect and the shirt is an immediate wardrobe favourite. At £20 and free delivery, the price point was considerably affordable and definatly value for money considering how much I love this item.

Although the brand took their time getting back to me with difficulties with payment, I recieved the item super quickly and was impressed by the packaging - branded box with a token vintage vinyl included. Mr Charlie Gale let me abuse his good company and record player to stick Bananarama with The Fun Boy Three on repeat.

Price points vary from £20 to £300. Condisering the design and one of a kind factor, all the prices are affordable.

Here's a snippet of their DWO SS13 range which I practically drooled over:

A change of scenery: Nottingham Vs Halloween

It has been a month now since I moved to Nottingham to finish my final year at Nottingham Trent University. I was nervous for a long-time about leaving E3, but settled into my new location immediatly.

The city is full of oportunity, culture and a great social scene. You can't go wrong with 60p coffee, a continueal great lineup at Stealth, and an impressive fashion scene, all within a short walking distance.

It's chilly nearer the North so we heated things up by kicking of the term with a house party celebrating Halloween, hosted by Shut The Front Door (from NG to E3) Check out the result below:

An Olympic Diary: Paralympic Athletics

On Tuesday 4th September, I made it to the stadium! Just in time as it was also Moving Day. The biggest regret of my life would of been not visiting the site in all it's glory living just a 20 minute walk into the site. 

A perfectly sunny morning for some rest & relaxation. I left the house stressful but as soon as I stepped into the grounds of the Olympic Park, I was instantly overwhelmingly calm and happy. 

I enjoyed observing some blind long jump, blind racing, and wheelchair racing over a cup of coffee whilst soaking up the atmosphere (and sunshine). 

A fitting end for my last day as an East Londoner. 

Whirlygig Cinema @ In The Woods

Saturday 1st September

In the Woods is a beautifully personal, non- commercial one day festival set up by Laurel Collective and friends set up in a secret woodland location. With only 750 tickets available and food & drink supplied by the organisers, this artistic, enchanting, intimate event is a party not to be missed. 

I went along with Katie and Steve to help out with the Whirlygig short film programme, set up in the lovely Nomadic Picturehouse  as a silent cinema.

Read Katie's Whirlygig review of the event here: whirlygigcinema.com

Muxima Cafe, Fairfield Road, Bow

"Muxima is an independent Art & Culture Cafe located in Bow promoting and supporting local and International artists"

I'd noticed the hubbub inside this hidden cafe on my rare cycle rides to the local supermarket for a while, but only recently (and too close to my moving out for my liking) charged my laptop and headed on down to the end of my road to see what was in store. 

There is nothing more satisfying when someone brings you over a perfectly made, perfectly strong soya cappuccino. At 4.00pm on a Friday afternoon, there was a definite buzz of locals and alike. The welcoming, friendly staff and white wash warehouse interior with artistic details create a chilled vibe.

As well as super coffee, they offer a range of teas, sandwiches and sweet treats.  Such a delightful experience. 

An Olympic Diary: The closing weekend

11th September

My close friend whom I met when working at Fforest camp site in West Wales came to stay or a last minute trip. Her trip was filled with magical London and Olympic moments. 

London Fields brewery - 1st birthday party with live music, people watching, and friendly atmosphere. 

Walking to BT London Live at Victoria Park we spotted Boris Johnson cycling to the Olympic stadium before seeing him at the event on the big screens. Another Mo win in the company of friends and the surrounding crowd. 

Heading home to get ready from a night at fabric at about 5, we found the bus had been diverted. In an attempt to find the route, we ended up walking part of the Olympic Marathon at 6.00am 

Sunday was spent sleeping and eventually pulling ourselves together to grab some food and be part of the atmosphere back at Victoria Park for the Closing ceremony.

An Olympic Diary: an impromptu Saturday

4th September 

After getting tickets at midnight for the previous day, my parents came for a visit. We started with a loverly lunch at the Pavillion Cafe. Luckily we were blessed with sunshine and sat outside overlooking the lake and boating. My dad enjoyed the burger whilst my mum and I opted for the beetroot, ricotta and lentil salad. 

We then headed to the park for BT London Live and enjoyed a cider, paper and nap at the music stage. After watching some of the games on the screen, I took my parents to my old favourite Loafing cafe in Victoria park for coffee and cake. 

In the evening, Emma, Polly and I decided to pay Hackney Wick a drinking visit. At Crate brewery (see photos above), a new micro brewery by the river, read Emma's review here at Daydreamer. Whilst sipping our cider and beers the most incredible roar soared up from the hidden stadium behind us. The moment Ennis won the Heptathlon.  

On our second pint and in the midst of the excitement, Mo won. At that point I was a little overwhelmed tipsy and I'm not ashamed to say there was tears. The sound of reggae then led us to The Yard Bar, and after we calmed things down a bit with The Hackney Pearl. 

An Olympic Diary: The Opening Ceremony

29th July

The day of the opening ceremony, the city felt eerily quiet. The calm before the storm?  On my way home from work, after a choice of seats on the peak-time overground, I knew things where going to be good when I was loaded with free Brioche at Victoria Park.

In the evening we headed up to flat party in Hackney Wick which overlooked The Fringe club and the stadium. Seeing the fireworks and stunt parachutists first hand was a once in a lifetime moment.  A magical evening which saw celebrations bringing people through the streets till the early hours - the safest walk home alone with so many police officers around. 

July 2012

Soho Secret Tea Rooms, ice cream at Covent Garden, birthday wine, home holiday, the start of all the glory. 

The month started at Soho Secret Team rooms. A heartbreak day off work ended up relaxing with Lady Grey in the park, playing catch with adorable kids. My birthday with my favourite people ended up with a little too much wine. A holiday at home ended with one sunned arm. And then there was the Opening Ceremony flat party in Hackney Wick, enough said.

Time for Tea: Soho's Secret Tea Room

Nestled above The Coach and Horses, Soho's Secret Tea Room's is a hidden gem for a perfect Afternoon Tea away from the central tourist hustle and bustle. I took Whirlygig Cinema's Katie, my sister, and our dearest family friend there one perfect sunday for a girly catch up. Safe to say it was a great success all round. We enjoyed cake, scones and sandwiches. Accompanied by an assortment of fresh tea between us.    

Traditional, vintage, intimate. A sneak peak at the secret:

BBC Radio 1 Hackney Weekend; Saturday

June: The people and the stages

Friends, dancing, and a jam packed day full of super talent. 

Radio 1's Hackney Weekend was incredibly impressive. The BBC and all the artists pulled out all the stops. Living just a 20 minute walk away from the event just added to the hype. 

The day on a high by chilling with Nick Grimshaw, Annie Mac and crew at the fabulous Jessie Ware. We then caught a bit of Deadmau5 but headed over to Leona Lewis - I unexpectedly had a lot of fun at the talented singer's show and am now a turned fan. Ed Sheeran was so much fun and owned the main stage. Swedish House Mafia had indoor fireworks. 

Jay-Z..... Jay-Z, and Rihanna...and M.I.A... AND Kanye West. What more can I say? Unbelievably amazing. The house was still buzzing by the morning and one lucky housemate got to go another day; Jealous. 

On top of all that, the toilets where spotless everyday. Happy toilets make for a happy crowd:

June: Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

JUNE - The people and the stages 

A grand excuse for drinking, dancing, friends and family

Sunday:

The weather could not rain on the Queens parade - morals where high and I seemed to muster up enough energy after Field Day to pull my Hunter's back on, zip up the Barber and venture out into London to meet my parents to experience the crowd for the River Pageant. My non-drinking day quickly turned as a glass of wine was promptly presented to me by a dear family friend. Understandably, we missed the procession after the weather turned the trip into a pub crawl - however, the atmosphere could not be missed where ever you were in the area. 

Monday:

My adrenaline pulled me through and back onto the early cider for street party at The Water Poet, Spitalfields and then on over to Rivington Street festival. We stole away from the crowds into Callooh Callay for a private cocktail through the wardrobe:

Tuesday:

I was glad to crash on the Tuesday to recover from insomnia with a house picnic and a day of watching the Jubilee Mall procession and Concert. Fresh scones, sausage rolls, cucumber sandwiches, fruit salad....

Thursday to Sunday: 

The week ended with a relaxing short trip home, and drive up to Swansea with my best friend to relax on the beach and enjoy some cocktails at her quirky local coffee/cocktail lounge, Noah's Yard:

Radio 1's Hackney Weekend catchup soon to be up up!

June: Field Day

JUNE - The people and the stages 

(about time I started to sum up the month)

Field Day was a brilliant start to the month with one of my oldest friends. We headed off after a filling breakfast (and several glasses of cider, cava, and Rose donated by a loverly girl in the queue) to catch the end of Friends. Highlights include a ride on the swings, sunshine, The Internet and many other performances in the Bugged out stage. It was magical to finally be able to see Beirut, a band very close to my heart - unfortunately the sound at the Main Stage destroyed the performance, and my head. Still  a super fun day. 

Denis Severs' House

18 FOLGATE STREET, SPITALFIELDS, LONDON

"Whether you see it or you don't - the house's ten rooms harbour ten 'spells' that engage the visitor's imagination in moods that dominated the periods between 1724 and 1914. Your senses are your guide." 

Dennis Severs 1948 - 1999

Not a museum, but a private house it is essential to zone out form the world you leave behind and immerse yourself in the whole picture which surrounds you.  The fictional Jervis family are never seen but there are signs they are never far from the half eaten apples, drinks, and fresh flowers.

We visited at the end of a busy day around London. From being in a rush all day, we clearly noticed the calming effects of the calming, atmospheric house as we left. It took a lot longer to walk from Spitalfields to Pizza East than it would have done before.

Magical. 

Kaffeine

After the Marilyn exhibition we headed just up the road for a perfect mid-morning pick-me-up. One of the very top soya cappaccinos I have ever had - at least better than my frequent pick ups at Eat or the Bonnington cafe, Nottingham Trent Uni.

The independent, Australian/ New Zealand owned cafe is the perfect escape from the madness that is Oxford street compared to any saturated coffee chain. We took ours to go before continuing our journey to the Houses of Parliament. Next time I will be taking my time to enjoy the minimalist yet inviting decor, a slice of cake and the complimentary homemade jams on every table. I hope to expand this post with this inevitable next visit.

http://www.kaffeine.co.uk/

Marilyn - Getty Images

(Photograph curtesy of Emma Rose Tully @ Daydreamer)

My London exursion with my dad last month started with my second visit to the Marilyn exhibition at Getty Images Gallery, 46 Eastcastle Street W1

The one room exhibition displays a well put together collection of photographs and exceptional outfits to commemorate 50 years since the untimely death of Marilyn Monroe. 

I'm not quite sure when my love for Marilyn started. Maybe it's just natural ambition for blonde girls with a passion for 1950's movies to aspire to the confident, curvy star from an early age. 

On a family holiday to Barcelona (quite a few years ago now), we were lucky enough that a colletors exhibition was being held in the city at the same time.  It is then at least I began to uncover the real Marilyn for myself. THAT dress from Seven Year Itch, the pill box that was by her bedside at her death - certainly a Valley of the Dolls Hollywood reality. 

I found the Getty Images exhibition haunting to some degree. Images capturing the Norma Jean without her guard amongst those where the Marilyn persona - the woman most know her as - is very much turned "on." The switch in characters was perfectly captured by Michelle Willliams in the recent film. Previous Marilyn blog features (you may not have guessed, I'm a fan):

Bingo, Oxford, Marilyn 1Xtra Live                  "It's all make believe, isn't it?"

Still, I will always be undeniable drawn to her mysteries and magic and am determined to continue making my way through her achievements. Next on the list; Bus Stop (1956) - see costume image below

Catch it quick:

Ends 23rd May @ Eastcastle street, W1W 8DX

23rd May - 1st June @ Westfields, Stratford