Dreamboats and Lindyhop

So there I was, single and valentines day was approaching, how would I ever get through I thought, well if I'm entirely honest I thought where can I go get intoxicated with friends and have a good night!?  I had been pondering about going out for sometime as I was completely skint at the time, so there I was thinking I was going to have to have a quiet night in all on my lonesome, until my friends Shona of Adventures in Vintage and Kessie of Lady K loves managed to twist my arm into going to It's a wonderful Vintage Love boat ball, to be honest it didn't take a lot of convincing as I was already contemplating going as you probably saw a couple of posts back.
The second of 'It's a wonderful' events and a second sell out, Olivia of Moon on a stick PR definitely done herself proud again with a fantastic night of live music and dancing.
After much hunting high and low for the Battersea barge (which seemed like a never ending maze) I arrived at the venue early to help set up with Verity of the Vanity Box and Kessie, my gosh I have never seen so many balloons!
I've got to be honest I wasn't convinced with the venue when I first arrived but once the decorations were up and the sun had gone down, there was definitely a romantic vibe to the boat and I was without a doubt feeling more chirpy then I was after my massive trek to find the place.

I put my glad rags on and brushed my curls out and I was ready to party,  I decided to wear my Bernie Dexter, 'Bettina' dress as it was red and hourglass galore! I'm certainly glad I did because I don't think I've ever had so many compliments in one night! Lets just say I know to wear that dress out again.

Caught getting ready before people arrived, phone in hand? Nothing changes!

The place soon filled up and everyone was soon on the floor (or should it be deck?) dancing the night away, a few people even got me on the floor, I kept insisting that I was a jive only girl but after several asked me to dance I found myself picking up some Lindy Hop moves so now I will feel less silly if anyone else ever asks me! 

There was a fabulous new burlesque act which broke up the music of the evening, miss Folly Gosh and her seaside striptease, definitely something quirky to add to the evenings events.

Some of us from the night, all immacutaly dressed if I do say so, me and Shona both wearing Bernie Dexter designs!

Up on the outside deck a few of us had to recreate the famous 'I'm flying Jack!' pose from titanic, and when you're a little  bit intoxicated it isn't always the safest idea to lean off the front of a boat that's half in the Thames, which leads me on to my other point, dancing on a half moving boat after a few vodkas does tend to make  you feel a bit seasick, lesson truly learnt! 

But an interesting fun night out overall catching up with some of my lovely ladies, also met a few new people which is always nice! And as for the men dressing in their sailor attire, well what can I say I would let them save me if I fell overboard any day!

Can't you tell I was merry?!

Verity of the Vanity Box and Shona of Adventures in vintage

Of what I could see everyone who went had a fantastic time, there wasn't a moment when the dance floor wasn't full, I'm not a converted 40s enthusiast yet but I am starting to enjoy it all a whole lot more, maybe I'm becoming more open minded in my old age!

Don't forget to buy your tickets for It's a wonderful Vintage Jubilee Jamboree which is happening in May, I've been asked to model so I suppose I'll just have to go! Oh what a hard life one leads! 
For more info check out the It's a wonderful vintage special events page: www.facebook.com/ItsaWonderfulVintageSpecailEvents
Until Next Time

Toodle Pip

                                                                               xxx

And they say romance is dead?

Valentines day is fast approaching and romance is in the air, so if you are looking for somewhere to take your loved one on that special day, then look no further because there is the most perfect event coming up that will have you dancing all night in the arms of your other half.

It's a Wonderful  Vintage, Love Boat ball has been mentioned by Time out as the top pick for the best alternative valentines events so you know it's going to be good. Following on from the sell out, It's a Wonderful Winter Vintage Ball which was the Christmas party of 2011 that I was lucky to be a part of as one of the judges for the best dressed competition.

There's a snippet of the Winter Vintage ball to give you a taster of what you might be in for if you go to the love boat ball!

With some of the top UK swing bands performing at the Vintage Love Boat ball, remember to bring your dancing shoes because the floor will be filled with Lindy Hoppers from all over London. Bands for the evening are Natty Congeroo and the Flames of Rhythm and singer  Catherine Paver.

But this isn't like your normal swing gig, no sir there is something for everyone to get involved with including Swing dance speed dating, where you might find your true love in the blink of an eye, 2012 love Tarot, dance competitions and Chinese love  lantern flying, to name just a few things to keep you busy that evening.

Remember to dust off your glad rags because if there is one vintage event to get dressed up for, this is the one. After seeing the effort everyone made at the Winter vintage ball, I'm looking forward to seeing the standard at the Love boat ball. 

I'm hoping to get down there because after being a part of the last event, I can say it was like stepping back in time  and everyone looked so sophisticated. This balls theme is nautical so get thinking about your outfit now! 

It's a Wonderful Vintage Love boat ball is on the 17th February at the Battersea Barge, 9 Elms Lane, London, it's a strict ticket affair only, with tickets on sale for a mere £15, that's good value for money considering it's on from 8pm until 2am

Tickets are available from www.wegottickets.com so make sure you buy yours quickly before they sell out! Hopefully I should see you romantics there!
Until Next Time

Toodle Pip

xxx

Champagne in a tea cup... Well it can only be the Vintage Patisserie

At the end of last year and beginning of this year I bagged myself a placement at the fabulous Vintage Patisserie: Angel Adoree and her tremendous team turn dreams into realities with their vintage tea parties they put on in and around the London area. During my time there I did a lot of researching and bits and bobs here and there towards the then up and coming Vintage Tea party book and I learnt a lot about myself and about the Vintage Patisserie and all in all had a top notch time!
A lot of time had passed and before I knew it I saw plugs for the book being released on Amazon and I was pleasantly surprised when I got an invite through the door a few weeks back saying that I had been invited to Angel's Vintage Tea party book launch, even though I was stuck in the middle of nowhere in deepest darkest Lowestoft, I made sure that I managed to get my backside down to London for the party of the season!

I wish all invites looked like this!

 I wasn't really sure of what to wear as this was my first launch party (oh I felt all grown up!)  so I decided on something simple yet glam, a vintage black velvet pencil skirt and a peach embroidered blouse with heels, unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of my outfit because I was in too much of a rush!  (my feet felt like they were likely to drop off after getting back to my friends). But I trundled along to 93 feet east in Brick Lane and was greeted by one of the ladies from the Patisserie straight away.

Lauren and another beaut from the Patisserie

As I wandered around I was glad to see friendly faces who I'd worked with all those months ago and also saw other faces I recognised such as Gizzi Erskine, the TV presenter and chef and the Vintage Socialite Fleur De Guerre. The girls from the Patisserie were gliding round keeping the guests happy and making sure our cups were full of Champagne or Gin, yum yum  I was more than happy sipping taking the enchanting atmosphere in. I got talking to the lovely Gerado of Vintage Victory, what a super Gent! and looking very dapper I must say! By the looks of it everyone was having the time of their lives,women walking around with Victory Rolls in their hair and Angel was kept busy socialising with everyone, which must have took a long while because it was absolutely packed!!

There was a 40s style french swing band on who really got the crowd going and there were some great Lindy hoppers dancing along, this was Lindy hop at it's best, I'm not usually a big fan of it but I was in aw of it! This really livened the party up and everyone was dancing their socks off, it really was the perfect Vintage tea party.

 These two were fantastic, I really enjoyed watching them! I'd love to give it a go but I think I'd end up tripping over my feet, I'll stick to jiving I think!

I didn't stay too long but had a grand time when I was there and it was really great to see Angel and her ladies again, I do miss them all very much, so I'm hoping when I graduate she will have me back!
I even managed to wangle a goodie bag and it sure as hell lived up to it's name!

Look at all the goodies I got!! I was getting a bit low on stocking and nail polish so I was more than happy with these!

A little chocolate, it didn't last long trust me, it looked too good to eat!!

The book and goodie bag!!

Lookie look!! Angel mentioned me in the book for helping out! I feel honoured!

This really made me smile, I have to say!

I managed to have a look at the book when I was on the tube and it is truly an amazing book, there has been so much thought and effort into it, it's beautiful, the design, the recipes, everything about it, I can't wait to read it properly and try out (well attempt) some of the recipes, ha me and cooking, I should be so lucky!!
So if you've not picked a copy up yet, buy one because it is worth every penny!

Angel and the ladies of the Vintage Patisserie

Until Next Time

Toodle Pip

xxx