Monday 21 January 2013

Mela Mela: Vintage in Teddington




It may be snowing outside, but that doesn't mean no shopping trips! I braved the bitter cold and snow to venture to one of the best vintage shops I have ever visited, which came personally recommended by my friend Liz Tregenza.

(Do follow her blog, it's amazing: advantageinvintage.blogspot.co.uk)

Along with my friend, Fae, a fellow vintage fan, (also look at her blog: http://faeallegravintage.blogspot.co.uk) we took the train from Victoria to Clapham Junction, standing in the freezing cold for quite some time, before boarding the train to Teddington. It didn't take us long to find Mela Mela and when we arrived, cold and exhausted, we received a warm welcome from the team.

The shop itself is a thing of beauty, very tastefully decorated in a pretty shade of pastel pink, with elegant counters and carefully arranged stock. We were asked if we were looking for something in particular and when we said no we weren't pestered.

Mela Mela is one of the only shops I have visited where a personal shopper service is available. We were asked for our measurements and sizes and garments were brought to us to try on. I absolutely adored everything I tried, the stock is of the very highest quality and everything was immaculate.

The changing rooms, although small, are large enough to accommodate lots of items and there are no limitations. I eventually decided on a beautiful California Cottons dress which I had seen on the website but nothing compared to seeing it in the flesh!

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The California Cottons Dress


Although I couldn't afford to pay the full amount, I was allowed to place a deposit, so this will be with me very soon! I also purchased two pairs of beautiful 1950s shoes in black and cream. The cream ones, a modest mid-heel with pointed fronts, look exactly like the ones in Mad Men! I felt exactly like Peggy Olson in a beautiful 1950s dress in cream with bright orange flowers and green vines with a matching white bag and full skirted petticoat. Unfortunately we didn't take any photos but we had an amazing afternoon. I would definitely recommend anybody to visit Mela Mela even if only for a browsing shopping trip!

Thursday 3 January 2013

A Vintage Christmas!

I love Christmas. I'm normally listening to Christmas songs in early December, with a playlist on repeat til the big day, but this year I wanted to celebrate differently, with a vintage twist!

I picked up a great CD for just £2.99 in HMV which I definitely recommend if you love the 1950s! It's called Rockin Around the Christmas Tree and yes, it does feature that Christmas classic by Brenda Lee, which immediately makes me think of the scene in the first Home Alone film.


Even the cover of the CD is vintage styled! I'd really love to see a Vinyl copy! It has some great songs, most I haven't heard of, but for those who love 'Warm this Winter' by Gabriella Cilmi, prepare to be bowled over by the original, "I'm Gonna be Warm this Winter" by Connie Francis.

There are other songs that are good, although I'm not going to list them as there're far too many.

Recommended Books for Christmas:

Only one book made my reading list at Christmas, and that was Miracle on Regent Street by Ali Harris, which is a lovely warm story about a failing department store and a stockroom girl who sets out to spread some vintage magic through the store.
The book features lovely descriptions of vintage makeup, clothes and window displays and is a great read for a dreary afternoon.


VINTAGE CHRISTMAS DAY:

I had this outfit planned for weeks before Christmas. Usually I have to make do with a cheap dress from Primark picked out for me, but this year I made my choice. I bought this skirt from Tessa at Rainbow Valley Vintage and teamed it with my favourite 50s style sweater from H by Henry Holland at Debenhams. The shoes are Miss KG at House of Fraser, Sales 2011, a bargain at £30!




I also have a thick red petticoat which you can just about spot in this photo.


 Unlike my friend Liz Tregenza,my parents have yet to realise the vintage scene, so no vintage gifts, however I did receive lots of vintage style items.

-The Mad Men DVD Collection (something I have wanted to see for a long while)
-The House of Elliot DVDs
-The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping
-The Fashion File by Janie Bryant
-The Vintage Tea Party book
-The Vintage Tea Party Year book

I did manage to find some vintage gifts for family as well. I bought a gorgeous clasp 60s bracelet at the Hammersmith Vintage Fair and after several conversations with Grandma, tracked down a perfume she hadn't used in years. Bourjois' own Evening in Paris or Soir de Paris, whatever you want to call it.

So with the presents out of the way, the following days were filled with board games, watching films and festive music with not much on TV.


Vintage Bargains in the Sales!




I've never really been interested in the sales, to me they've always been an excuse to spend more money on things that I don't really need when I've already received presents for Christmas.
However on Boxing Day this year I was persuaded to visit the sales at my local shopping centre. First port of call was Marks and Spencer where I immediately purchased a fantastic 60s style coat, very chic, with a matching bag that I'd been eager to get before Christmas. A quick tour of the other shops concluded with the purchase of a gorgeous coral bow blouse with short sleeves from Dorothy Perkins. It seemed to be the only item worth the title of Retro or Vintage. 

My second outing involved a visit to a shopping centre far from home where I bought the very last Henry Holland domed bag left in the UK.

 Photo

 It really is a lovely bag, and looks much more expensive than it is. My purse strings also detached in House of Fraser to purchase a gorgeous 50s style clasp bag from mid range Therapy. 

Then I saw them, a pair of shoes unlike any other, just waiting on the Sale rack. As a size 2, it’s really hard to get shoes that fit properly, and after several disappointments I was about to give up on finding anything.
Photo: My gorgeous BIBA shoes!
The shoes are beautiful, a rich burgundy velvet with 70s wedge heels and gold buttons. Admittedly a Size 3, but small enough.  I looked inside at the price tag, decided they were an absolute bargain I simply had to have, and then peeled back the stickers, nearly dropping them.
BIBA!
BIBA shoes! Price tag: check. Quality of shoes: check. BIBA: Double check. They were presented in a lovely BIBA box with a bag, and for those who are interested, the discount was: £120 to £59.
Definitely a winning sale item!