Pretty Vintage

Vintage Read: Fire in the Hole by Maureen Naylor Horan

I don't tend to write about personal things on Pretty Vintage, but today I'm making an exception, because today I'm writing about my beautiful Nana's first novel, based on her many conversations with her grandmother.

Fire in the Hole is the tale of my great-great-GREAT-Grandfather, William Naylor, a gold miner in a tiny town called Cassilis in the mountain ranges of Victoria in Australia. It tells of his early family life in Tasmania, all the way through to his tragic death in a mining accident.

What I love about her book, though, is that the "characters" really come to life. I found myself elated to read about the love and colour of that tiny mining town, and was in tears at the loss caused by William Naylor's death. I felt truly proud to know that these genuine, hard-working, delightful folk were my flesh and blood!

The story is thoroughly uplifting, and I hope some of you might like to read it! It's available through Lulu in soft-cover and hard-cover as well as for download (I think it might take a little while for the latter to be available). I'd be delighted to tell her about the wonderful folk reading her story. I've no doubt that she'd be tickled pink!

America in Colour: 1939 - 1943

A friend of mine on Facebook mentioned these incredible photos, which are a rare full-colour glimpse into the years of WWII in a rural US town. For some reason, I always think of those times in black-and-white, never in colour, given that the hundreds of images I've pored over for years are almost always in that lovely vintage B&W or sepia; which is silly, given that the world has always been full-colour! The photos are amazing in their detail, and it actually feels as if they're staged or a part of a modern film. I'm particularly enamoured with all the vividly patterned feed sack dresses against the dusty brown rural town...

(Doesn't the woman in white look so beautiful and glamorous amid the utilitarian colour!)

Vintage Video: Making Fashion (1938)

I spent the weekend recovering from jetlag and catching up on my favourite blogs and stumbled upon this fabulous video, found by fellow Aussie Frances Baker. The detailing on these beautiful gowns from the late 30s is just magnificent... nowadays, you only see gowns this stunning from couture houses! Enjoy!

Lovely vintage turbans!

My favourite aspect of World War II fashions is the make do and mend, thrifting mentality that the lovely ladies of that time used to keep their look fresh and beautiful.

Where there's a will there's a way, as the saying goes, and one of my favourite war 'substitutes' for fashion was to use inexpensive scarves to replace rationed and expensive hats!

My thanks to the gorgeous Solanah of Vixen Vintage for sharing this vintage video, which shows just how ingenious one can be with a simple scarf or two!

I'm inspired to dig through my collection and to try out some new ways of styling my hair with this wonderful WWII look!

Charming tea cup bangles from StayGoldMaryRose

When I saw these amazing bangles, my first thought was that I had to share them with Pretty Vintage readers! You all know of my love for reworked, recreated vintage pieces, and if this isn't the perfect example of gorgeous up-cycling, then I don't know what is!

Made from tea cups (!!!), these porcelain bangles are a wearable delight. Ever so feminine and floral, they'd look incredible with a dainty dress and pretty flats. And if you're looking for something tailor-made, Abigail can transform your own favourite tea cup into wearable art. She's definitely my kind of creative!

If you'd like one, you can purchase from her Etsy store, or if you're in London, they're available from several stores (see Etsy for details).

Vintage Pick of the Week: Ducks in a Row Etsy Boutique

I remember when I was small, before portable DVD players and when the radio was the biggest luxury item you'd find in a car, that long car journeys were a mix of  eye-spy, reading my Famous Five books and colouring in. With that nostalgia in mind, I absolutely adore these little hand-made colouring kits from Etsy store 'Ducks in a Row Boutique', right down to the super sweet hedgehogs that make it a vintage-inspired dream!

I can imagine any little girl ooh-ing and aah-ing over this, especially as it folds up into a little hedgehog happy handbag! A wonderful gift for a little one (or yourself, if you're feeling creative!), and it comes in a few different prints to suit boys, girls and grown-ups alike.

Modern Vintage: Royal Albert muffin tray

I've always been partial to a bit of Royal Albert loveliness - something about the sweet patterns and history of the brand that make them awfully enticing, I think! Now, I also love cupcakes, so I was absolutely delighted when I saw that Royal Albert are now producing bakeware.

Made from porcelain, it's rather different to your stock standard muffin tin variety, although they say that porcelain is superior for baking, as it retains heat to cook items more evenly. It's also pretty, which is obviously the most important thing! I can see me using this at dinner parties and being able to take my baked delights from the oven to the table. Love it!

If you're partial to Old Country Roses, Peter's of Kensington have these at a significant discount. Pretty, vintage-inspired AND a bargain. Don't ever say I don't give you anything!

P.S. I know I've been absent for a while now (work, work, work!) and I hope you'll forgive me! x

Modern Vintage: Julia Felt's wool and silk 'doctor's bag'

Now, the quickest way to make me love something is to make it in purple, preferably with rainbow-coloured accents, and while you're at it, why not add an antique-looking kiss-lock clasp and turn all this fabulousness into a doctor's styled bag? So, I guess with all those boxes ticked, it's safe to say that I lovelovelove this felted doctor's bag quite a bit!

Made from merino wool and felted with natural silk, it's a great size (42x28cm) and is the perfect mix of vintage shape with a more modern and unusual fabric. Best of all, it's from a lovely independent designer, so you're shopping globally and contributing to small business! Nice to be vintage AND eco-friendly, don't you think?

You can purchase this lovely bag from Julia Felt's Etsy store.

Modern Vintage: Hand-made lovelies for your sweetheart!

There's something awfully romantic about hand-made gifts, but if you're not the crafty sort, what can you do to avoid cheesy cliches this Valentine's Day? Visit Etsy, that's what! Where they hand-make things for you!

I really love this hand-stitched wall/door hanging from Itz Fitz, which suits my shabby chic loving heart to a tee! Why not hang it in your sweetheart's car as a surprise to make them smile? Or, if they have a sweet tooth, I rather fancy this conversation heart jar from Time Pressed Creatives. It's a little bit old school Valentine's in the nicest possible way and would be perfect for storing sweets for emergency situations.

How will you be celebrating your Valentine's Day this year?

Modern Vintage: Vintage lace magnets by Botanical Theatre

It's probably odd to say this, but I'm a big fan of magnets. I have friends across the world who send me all kinds of lovely magnets with poems and pictures with which to adorn my fridge - and which always remind me of said friends - and I love doing the same!

I really love these magnets from Botanical Theatre, which use a neutral wood tone to show off lovely little snippets of vintage lace. I'm a huge fan of reworked and recycled vintage, and love that instead of languishing in charity shops, these ladylike hankies will instead adorn a fridge or three!

If your fridge is looking a little bare (or, like mine, has a wee bit of room to spare), you can visit Botanical Theatre's Etsy shop.