Pretty Much Penniless

Tuesday, 31 August 2010

Vintage Technicolour

Whilst we were in York, we went to the Castle Museum. For £8 we spent a wonderful couple of hours wandering around old Victorian streets and well-thought out exhibitions. I took lots of photos but one thing that I found really touching was a home video in the York Way of Life exhibit.

I have no details for it, because stupidly I forgot to right them down, but it was basically a ten-minute loop of edited family home videos from the 1950's. A country life through weddings, hula-hooping, playing with animals and dressing up in their Sunday best, all in amazing techni-colour that is so rare in vintage film.

Does anybody know of any online archives that have more of this type of thing? I would love to watch more.

Monday, 30 August 2010

One weekend, a big surprise.

Blouse- Topshop, Belt- vintage, Brogues- jumble sale, Bag- Topshop

New dress- vintage find from the Antiques Centre in York, only £14. Sandals- £3 from Fi (Save Our Shoes) at Susie Bubble's yard sale. Bag- New Look.

The ring- from an antique fair in York. The elderly gent who sold it to us was lovely and happened to be the first person we told our news to.

The chocolates we were given by the staff at Betty's as a congratulations present.

If you follow me on Twitter, you will already know my little piece of news. If you don't, I'll tell you now- Ed asked me to marry him on Friday while we were in York. I'm still slightly shell-shocked but wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who has congratulated us and sent their best wishes, both for the engagement and my birthday. He asked in the morning, on one knee next to the bed and then we agreed that we'd buy a ring together that day. We then had a stroll along the York city walls where he asked me again and we made it official. I'm not usually one for romance, but it was pretty awesome.

Of course, I said yes but there are no imminent wedding plans- we want to leave it a couple of years until we have been on our American road trip and had time to save up again. And I promise this won't become an all-encompassing bridal blog but, you know, I might not be able to resist a few ideas posts!

Anyway, rings aside, we had an amazing time in York. Thank you to everyone who suggested places and things to do- we tried to do everything!

The Evil Eye Lounge with their hundreds of cocktails.
The Jorvik Centre
Wandering around the Shambles
Visiting the Mulberry outlet store 3 times (and going away empty handed because they had nothing I liked)
The York Castle Museum
Cath Kidston
Visiting 11 charity shops in under an hour
Vintage dress shopping
Celebrating with tea&cake&champagne at Betty's

Walking the city walls

I have today and tomorrow off work (absolute bliss) so look out for lots of posts over the new few days from me and I'll be making sure to catch up on all the blog posts I've missed. I hope you are all having a wonderful Bank Holiday folks.

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

The Bubble sale & a short farewell

Look at all the top-knots in this photo. Ha! So London.

Off we popped on Sunday to Susie Bubble's yard sale in Holloway. We were a little late to the party but there were still lots of bargains to rummage through but with all the ladies being skinny minnies, I only managed to snag a pair of cute sandals from Fi of Save Our Shoes.

Still great fun though and free sausage baps always go down well! Amy managed to find loads of brilliant things, including the Aqua vest above and a bright pink Lanvin coat from Ms. Bubble herself.

I'm signing off for a few days, as it's MY BIRTHDAY on Friday (can you tell I'm a little excited? I've already opened a few cards and my first present- the bee bracelet from my mum- 2 days early. Very naughty of me) and I'm getting the train to York tomorrow morning with Edward to spend the long weekend getting spoiled rotten- tea & cake in Betty's, a burlesque night, lots of charity shopping and some cocktail drinking hopefully.

As a little footnote, I am amazed I'm nearly at 500 followers, especially when it falls near my 1 year blog anniversary! I think I'll try and pick up a little treat in York as a giveaway to say thank you if I hit the 5-0-0 whilst I'm away.

I hope everyone has a great bank holiday. Do something fun. Have an adventure.

P.S Amy is having a week of giveaways to celebrate her 2 year blog birthday, that's a giveaway every day! Happy Birthday Wolf Whistle. We love you!

Sunday, 22 August 2010

Seller on Sunday

Katie is a real-life friend I've known since a-level art at sixth form who has a lovely blog called What Katie Found and recently opened up her own Folksy store called Kakes Makes. She now lives in Leicester and can be found selling her wares at various craft and vintage fairs in the area including the upcoming Leicester Vintage Fair.

Most of Katie's collection is made from recycled (or upcycled as the kids are now calling it) materials. Teacups, vintage Ladybird books, fabric remnants, jigsaw puzzles- anything that crosses her path could start a new life as a beautiful brooch, badge, bag or bunting!

I'm currently loving the ridiculously affordable Polaroid brooches and waiting patiently for Katie to make more of the gorgeous mixed vintage crockery cake stands, both above.

(P.s. Oh hai new Sunday featurette! Seller on Sunday is a little attempt to give this blog some structure. It might go horribly wrong but let's start with good intentions shall we?)