The first Brighton Vintage and Lifestyle bloggers meet up

Just a quick post to let you know about something that I've been setting up behind the scenes with Hayley and Mat.  We thought it would be nice to have a little meet up for all the bloggers and vintage-types in and around Brighton.  It's on the 30th July (the Tuesday after next) at Cotton Tail Club at Above Audio on the Seafront.

Here is the facebook event for a bit more info.

We felt it was about time that all those people you see online but have never met in real life could get together, socialise, network, maybe buy a few bits and bobs and generally have a lovely time.

If you click that you're attending, you'll be in with a chance of winning a bottle of Bootlegger whiskey courtesy of our lovely sponsors, and even if you don't win, there is a free Bootlegger cocktail waiting for you (while stocks last of course)!  As ever with the Cotton Tail Club, all cocktails are half price (my favourites are the London to Brighton, Mai Tai and Waters of March - yes I've gone through the whole menu).

Entertainment will be provided by your favourite trio of vintage wax-spinners, The Gin Slingers.  We (for I am one of said Gin Slingers) will be playing the best the 1930s-'60s have to offer - the hottest rhythm & blues, rockin' roots of rock 'n' roll, big band swingers and many more, all on lovely, shiny vinyl.

As well as delicious cocktail deals and tunes to shake your tail feather to, we also have lots of lovely stalls showcasing the best of Brighton businesses (go alliteration!) including:

·         Ladies and gents accessories from Hove boutique, Bobby & Dandy

·         Bespoke hats and headpieces from vintage inspired milliners, B Millinery

·         Gentlemen's attire from Mr Southern Retro, Mat

·         Handmade swing trousers from Jimmy the Stitch

·         And FREE goodie bags from Beyond Retro

So, if you're free on the 30th and fancy popping by - whether you're a blogger, vintage or just fancy a sip on a Gingerbread Manhattan, do come along.

...a school sports day where the children are very well dressed and rather drunk

 

These posts have become a bit out of chronological order, but I've gotten so far behind (sorry it's been almost a month since my last post) that I'm just going to write what springs to mind first!

 

I was looking back through my past posts and realised I've never actually written about the Chap Olympiad.  This year was the fifth time I had attended since 2008 and the third with The Vintage News.  I simply adore going to the Olympiad as it seems to be an excuse for all my favourite people from the vintage scene (many of whom I first met at previous olympiads) to get together, drink inordinate amounts of gin and lark about in ridiculous 'sporting' events.

Beach Volleybowler was awfully close to looking like a real sport

 In my official capacity, I was there to take photos and film but I spent most of my time catching up with old friends and eating (my gin and tonic cupcakes went down a treat!)  I spent a lot more time behind the camera than in front of it this year, but I did manage to get in a quick interview with Jeni and Fleur - it was ever so professional and there was much talk of lovely spreads and trinkets!

 

It was also the first year I've taken part in one of the events - Bread-Basketball.  No-one (including the umpires) knew what we were meant to be doing as it was one of the many new events, but it involved sitting at a dining table, trying to stop bread rolls being flung over our heads. Very Drones club, but with the waiters not the diners utilising the baked missiles.

My main thought when choosing my outfit was to pick something I wouldn't roast in (it was 30°C for much of the day).  I decided to go for a 1950s grey cotton dress with white embroidery which I teamed with a large straw hat that I had to decorate in the car because I ran out of time.  I also decorated a fan, which those of you that follow me on instagram may have seen.  If you would like to get your hands on your very own personalised fan, keep an eye on the blog (exciting news soon!) or email me at sadiedoherty@hotmail.co.uk.

 Two dear friends (Russell Nash and Zack Pinsent) were well-deserved winners of the gold and bronze cravats, respectively, although I think Sara should definitely won the best accessory!

  

I think you'd agree, there could be no accessory finer than this

 

If you want to see more wonderfully dressed people, some fairly vicious umbrella work and a bit of limbo (yes, really) there are many more photos on The Vintage News website.

For everyone's safety (apart from their own), Atters and
Young Laurie are matched together for the umbrella jousting 

 

* I was having some problems uploading some pictures, so more will be added when I have more time, thanks for looking at what's here!

Fast Cars and Barbara Cartland

As I wrote about Brooklands 1940s Relived last year, I'll let you have a look here for an overview of the main event. 

 

However, this year brought with it a few additions that are worth mentioning, such as the 1940s cinema (showing a few Vintage News newsreels no less!), entertainment running well into the evening and lots more stalls selling lovely vintage bits and bobs.  Much of the action took place under a marquee, and considering the way the clouds were looming it was just as well.  There was much dancing to be had but I chose not to partake as my hat was held on by pure will power!

 

  I wore my 1940s The Hager Store suit which I just adore.  A tailor on Savile Row once asked who had made it for me and was astounded when I told him I'd bought it as it was - without any alterations - high praise indeed I think.  Both pairs of my suitable black shoes were at the cobblers so I had to make do with my ox-blood oxfords, well at least they matched the suit.  All my other accessories were black though, my 'scroll' Janyne hat, kid leather gauntlet gloves and my trusty Charles of the Ritz vanity case.



On the 1907 track, taken by my vintage accomplice, Hayley

©Hanson Leatherby

While we were at the museum, I decided to have a bit more of a look around and I ended up in the Barbara Cartland room.  It was designed as a place for the lady racing drivers to relax and socialise and was set up around the same time that Barbara Cartland organised the first all female race.  There are lots of fantastic photos of said women and of course the room is bright pink!  I also went to look at the Sultan of Oman's private jet (which had been built at Brooklands in the '60s).  The interior was a picture of 1970s opulence, everything carpeted (including the tv!), two double beds and spinning chairs.

The ladies reading room or The Barbara Cartland room

As I was there with The Vintage News, I had a few interviews to do.  I spoke to a chap from 'The Law at War' (police reenactors) and also the best dressed couple, John and Julie.  However, my favourite interview by far has to be the chat I had with Hanson and Jeni.  Jeni and I were convulsed with hysetrics for much of the interview - mainly due to some dramatic breathing (yes dramatic breathing) from Hanson.  All semblance of professionalism thrown aside, I managed to gasp out a couple of questions which gave Hanson opportunity to talk of the 'nice spread' and his love of trinkets.


Professionalism personified

Hanson was also on hand taking photos
for the Chap, I just love this one

Again, we had a lovely day - especially with the added extra of sitting around on the balcony for a couple of hours drinking Cava.  The event was much improved from last year and I imagine next year will again be even better.

 

 

 

 

If you can't wait until next May to take a trip to Brooklands Museum, they have lots of events going on including a 1960s event at the end of June and a Hot Rod & Kustom day in August.

In Honour of World Gin Day

As you may or may not know, today is World Gin Day and as such, I thought I'd share with you a few little things I won from the lovely folk at Harrods and Hendrick's.  The competition was in aid of the launch of The Great Gatsby - Harrods also had a 1920s themed pop-up bar around the time the film was released.  After answering a quick question on Al Capone, the prizes were mine - all mine!  Ahem.  I didn't really know what I'd won as I was enticed by the words 'Hendrick's Cocktail Kit' and looked no further - I then subsequently forgot I'd won.  So when two boxes blazoned with "Harrods" turned up, I was quickly reminded.

 

Ripping open the boxes (well not really ripping, I'd just done my nails) I was amazed to see how much stuff they'd sent...

 

A teapot and four cups and saucers

 

A bottle of Hendrick's (of course), a Nuance cocktail shaker with a beautiful Streamline Moderne shape and a bar spoon (which I have needed for a long time)

 

 

Cocktail bitters traveller's set from The Bitter Truth

 

 

The Classic Cocktail Bible by Allan Gage, The Hendrick's Cucumber Companion (a book on how to prepare various cucumber garnishes) and a pack of playing cards

 

 

 

Field Guide to Hendrick's, two copies of the book Etiquette for Gentlemen and the Radio 4 dramatisation of The Great Gatsby

 

 

Thank you very much to Hendrick's and Harrods, I shall have a most pleasant World Gin Day with all of these goodies.  Cheers!

Row, row, row your boat...

 For a fair few years, I have attended the Chap Olympiad (the last couple have been with work but just as much fun).  We'd always intended to do a pre-Olympiad "training" (if I can use the term in its loosest sense) video, in the style of the numerous programmes released in the lead-up to the London 2012 Olympics last year.  We finally managed to organise a get-together this year which coincided nicely with a photoshoot Time Out were doing for their 'Parks and Recreation' issue.

 

 

We met up in Victoria Park in East London - a beautiful park that I'd not been to before.  Our first scenario for the photographer (and one of the highlights)was a spot rowing.  After going backwards for a bit and getting one of my oars stuck in a bank, I discovered I had quite a hidden talent for it!

 

 The lovely Zack, who was subject to my sometimes maverick rowing style, looked like one of Waugh's dashing gentlemen, lounging in the boat with my umbrella.  After the lake based fun and a few rounds of croquet, it was on to the serious business of devouring a Fortnum and Mason picnic - champagne and all!

 


Kieren and Johnny Vercoutre
and our Fortnum and Mason hamper

After Time Out had got all the shots they needed, we set about getting the vox pops for our piece, with the lovely canal boats and pagoda playing backdrop - it even involved me interviewing myself...   

Zack, with the beautiful pagoda in the background

The lovely Jenny, founder of Frantic About Frances

It was a brilliant day and I just hope I remember to pick up a copy!

Where I muse upon John Crawford on Chinese television...

Very short post today - I know I have so many to catch up on (like Brooklands, a tea party at ByfleetManor and an outfit post I did with the help of Hayley) but I stumbled across this video today.

 

It's a news report from CNC World about the Hollywood Costume exhibition at the Victoria and Albert museum in London.  I hope all of you managed to go and see the exhibition as it was amazing (if you didn't, have a look at my post on it as I took rather a few photos).

I thought they were intrviewing loads of people, but in the end it was just me and Deborah Scott - who designed the costumes for Titanic (which won her an Oscar), Avatar and ET!

Turns out it was broadcast on a Chinese Tv channel and on a Sky channel over here.  And I should point out that is definitely worth reading their transcript of what I said in the 'about' section, where I go on about John Crawford...

Click here if you'd like to see The Vintage News' coverage of the day as well.

Fall in love with Gilda, but stay for Rita

 

As any fan of the Godesses of the Silver Screen will tell you, Rita Hayworth is up there with the best of them.  Her gorgeous red hair (helped a little by Columbia Pictures), stunning smile and effortless charm made Rita, born Margarita Carmen Cansino, the most popular pin-up of World War II.

 


"Men fell in love with Gilda, but they wake up with me"

 

As such, it comes as no surprise that British Film Institute (BFI) has decided to hold a Rita Hayworth season (starting on the 1st June), which showcases some of her greatest performances committed to film.  Some highlights include the two films she made with Fred Astaire: You'll Never Get Rich (1941) and You Were Never Lovelier (1942), in which she demonstrated her considerable dancing abilities and which she described as 'the only jewels of [her] life'.  Also showing is the classic Gilda (1946), in which Rita played the ultimate screen siren and Cover Girl (1944) which saw her paired with Gene Kelly.

 


One of my favourite pictures of Rita

If you fancy seeing Rita up on the big screen, then make sure you get yourself along to BFI Southbank.  As an added bonus, if you use the code 'vintagenews' when booking, you can get £1.50 of your ticket price (apart from Tuesdays when tickets are only £6 anyway).

 

There will also be a competition on The Vintage News website to win a pair of tickets to the show of your choice, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

 

What is your favourite Rita Hayworth film? Are you planning to see any of her films at the BFI?