Treasured Jewellery; Old and Made-New

I am so full of love for my favourite vintage almost-shiny things that I MUST share their stories with you. 

I emphasise 'stories' because that's what I love about old things; they have their own past, present and future often NOT akin to "manufactured in Asia, distributed to UK, sold in Workington Topshop last week"- though yesterday I did buy this adorable ring-bracelet (ringlet? racelet?! Sounds like an Ann Summers product) in Toppers after watching Great Expectations at the cinema with Pops. It made me happier than the film at least!

Below is a charm bracelet I've been working on and I love it so much I don't actually want to wear it in case I lose it! The chain itself was my Mum's from her 18th Birthday and I added to it some charms from my Great Aunty Margaret's charm bracelet, which mostly consisted of Canadian maple leaves due to her family in Ontario.

I have bought charms in New Zealand, Australia, Tokyo, England and both coasts of the US so far, and am always on the lookout for new ones to add!

Personal favourites so far include the acorn that opens to reveal a squirrel, the mini bible containing tiny printed pages and the statue of liberty- though the gramophone handle actually turns which is just DARLING too!

While in San Fran I dragged my friend to Treasure Island Flea Market to hunt for some treasure of our own and boy did I find some!

The pendant on the left is actually a clip-on earring that I've clipped to the central pearl on an old necklace, and the stone at the top is just threaded onto a gold chain so I have to make sure it doesn't flip over while I'm wearing it. Must fix that... Actually while I was in the Town Hall Antiques shop in Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes last week I got this matching brooch too (oh and if you're in the area, The Black Horse is delicious!).

The tiny cuckoo clock and the key I got in a 'thrift store' in upstate NY where I worked at camp. The woman who owned it was such a darling she gave me a discount on all the things I was buying including this sparkle-tastic embellished cape-top...

The feather earrings I made by just attaching the feathers I got at the flea market to earring hooks using little metal hoops like you find on the ends of necklaces, and I intend to give a pair to my Mum as a gift this Xmas.

I also made these cute-as-a-button earrings by super gluing some of my Gran's beloved button collection to flat-fronted earring backs I had in my old craft box (who am I kidding- one of the many craft boxes that litter my loft!) and gave two pairs of them to my lovely friends for their Birthdays last week. 

I have made loads of button earrings in the past, including the three heart-shaped pairs below I made at camp. The closest ones are actually copper shapes that I sanded and dusted with enamel then baked to set- gotta love Camp's Arts and Crafts department! The middle Cath Kidston buttons and the floral ones were sent to me in Birthday parcels from adoring friends whilst I was in the US- thanks guys! 

If you don't have any earring backs like I've used above you can use old earrings as long as they are flat-ish, I've used flowers and smileys before but the ones below were stuck to old heart studs. 

Back to Aunty Margaret's hand-me-down heirlooms now, just to show you my new favourite old rings...

...And some of my favourite vintage necklaces. This tiny locket was my Mum's from when she was a Bridesmaid and contains photos of her parents (my grandparents), and the larger one contains photos of my Grandad and his Mum <3

These final three tarnished treasures were my Grandma's- the bottom one being a gift my Grandad bought her for their wedding anniversary- they were married 56 years and had the kind of love that just doesn't seem to exist anymore. Watch this space for the love story of their lives that I must get round to writing one of these days... I am sure it would be better than the stories behind the items in my jewellery box!

Xmas Jewelry and Clothing SALE!

SO because of my penchant for shopping and partying, I have a wardrobe that's bursting at the seams with party-perfect dresses and other clobber and a very empty bank balance! PLUS a treasure-chest of jewelry that I can't possibly take with me on my upcoming move to Melbourne,

My remedy- another clear-out SALE! Now any of you readers who also enjoy a bargain can peruse my items and make me an offer- WIN WIN- I get dosh, you get a fabulous new addition to your wardrobe!

Simply comment the post, tweet me @staceybarnes276 or email me at hellostaceybarnes@gmail.com to make me an offer or express your interest!

Happy Shopping!

All Saints Gainborough Dress- Size 10, worn once! Beautiful embellishment (who doesn't love sparkles), SOLD

Size 10 Zara dress- thick material, very flattering, would look adorable with a collared shirt layered underneath! £8

Size 10 ASOS puff-sleeve dress, concealed back zip, silky material,  dusky pink, also in blue (see below!)

£10 each for both for £15- SOLD!

Same as above, different sexy colour! Size 10

Silky pink floral dress, not really the season for it but it's too pretty to leave out! Only worn for this shoot! Would fit size 8 or 10, very short so not suitable for super tall people! £10

Hot Pink silky dress, NEVER WORN! Size 10, pretty bow tie at the back, SOLD

Galactic print jumpsuit from A Wear,  would fit 8-12,  elasticated waist with tie, worn once! SOLD

Forever 21 purple zip dress (watch your friends don't zip it off you on a night out!)  Size 10,  £8

Topshop frilly-sleeve blouse, cute buttons just under bust, very low neckline, would fit size 8 or 10, reminds me of fireworks! £5

Puff sleeve Dorothy Perkins top, would fit size 8, 10 or small -busted 12. £5

Also, fancy something SNUGGLY this cold coming winter?

GLORIOUS double-breasted vintage cardigan, nice and snug, bright and cheery! £5

Looking for something SPARKLY to reem-up a plain outfit?

Sequin floral blazer, feels kinda festive! £5

Vintage brooches with working pin fastenings, make me an offer!

Pea-pod necklace. Awesome

Letter-side of necklace

Postcard side- cute as a button

Chunky heart necklace from House of Fraser,  smooth on front and cut like a precious gem on the back :)

Big Apple necklace

OWLY!

Pretty in pink and pewter statement necklace with ribbon tie

Chunky marble-effect red and grey statement necklace

Charm bracelet with clock- two lovely things in one!

Christmas Holiday Essentials!

So many of us choose to go away over Christmas, be it travelling to be with family, travelling to get away from family or heading for some winter fun in the sun, but what essential items should you take with you over the festive period?

Here's my list of the top 5 essentials that what would be going in my sleigh/suitcase if I was to spend the holidays away from home...

1. Alcohol :) Preferably home brewed sloe gin or something festive like mulled wine, advocaat for eggnog or Glayva for a warming hot toddy. I always find that a day of my Mother's overcooked turkey, my grandad's snoring and the Queen's speech becomes much more bearable after a liquid breakfast of the adult kind. If I were on holiday overseas, I'd have hit the duty free en route and stocked up on festive spirit(s) to help the party season go with a clink, why not? HEY it's the holidays! Share a bevvy or five with the people you love!

2. Decorative Ribbon- the kind you curl with a scissor edge. Any gift can be jazzed up with a bit of ribbon, even if it's wrapped in the Christmas Eve newspaper because you yet again left it too late this year goddamit. Little rolls of the stuff can even be stuffed into shoes when packing to save space, and any bottle of wine you pick up can instantly be made to seem extra special. You took the time to curl the ribbon didn't you? WIN.

3. A Sparkly Dress- Christmas isn't Christmas for me without a smattering of sequins, so I would always pack a really jazzy little number for all those party season dates you'll have in your diary. Failing that, dress up on Christmas Day, just because it's Christmas- the only day on the calendar during which sequins are acceptable day attire. Sparkly dresses are also proven to increase your chances of experiencing a mistletoe kiss by up to 74%. Yeah, that's a real statistic. This jaw-dropping one from Lanvin is a jaw-dropping £1,635, but this high-street gem from Dorothy Perkins is equally fabuous and a much more purse-friendly £60...


Lanvin at Matches, £1,635




Dorothy Perkins, £60


4. Morning Rescue Kit- No-one wants to be hungover on Christmas Day, the turkey just won't taste right ( vote 'hair of the dog'- see point 1. on this list). What you need, is channel your inner Boy Scout when packing, and Be Prepared. I don't mean include your sparking flint and Swiss army knife (though the latter usually has a corkscrew. Just sayin'), I'm talking about your rescue kit for those mornings after the night before, using mini-bottles where possible to travel light. Mine would consist of: pain killers, Berocca, eye mask for lie-ins, Vitamin B, Touche Eclat, lip balm, Sex and the City on DVD and ideally a small elf who would bring me food, give me foot rubs and close the curtains for me if I took a dislike to daylight.

5. Festive Extras- A Santa hat is actually quite sensible if your winter break is somewhere chilly; keep your ears warm, reduce heat-loss through the head and emit festive cheer on the slopes! Tinsel could replace your usual piece or ribbon/luggage strap that you use to distinguish your baggage on the conveyor belt, and red lipstick could be used not only for vixen lips but for an impromptu Rudolf nose if the situation suddenly called for it  (this could happen- a couple of twigs more and you've got yourself an easy-peasy fancy dress outfit). A few small baubles bit in the suitcase could be used as wine glass markers (HEY that's my zinfandel, my bauble is terracotta coloured, yours is the one with squiggles on!) but could also be used as silly earrings or even bobbing apples during a seasonally-confused games night. Here's an extra travel tip- fit all these items into a compression sack (like this one from Rutand Outdoor) and squish it all down to save space. They also keep all your clothes in neat little sacks that make great weapons in pillow fights!

Hopefully my handy hints and tips will stand me in good stead for winning This great competition from Thomas Cook to win a fabulous Antler suitcase, which is very shiny and sexy, and I want very much!

All together now (Mariah warbles optional):
Santa won't you bring me one thing I really need, won't you please bring the suitcase to me-e-ee!

Floral Flare Fever...

So I meant to share my excitement over finally plucking up the courage to wear my floral palazzo pants, and now i'm converted!

Mine were a bargain from Primark (don't judge, I am a student!) and they were debued in Berlin just before I went to NY, teamed with a long black vest and a statement necklace, plus a gold scarf in the daytime...

By day- palazzos, leather and sunnies

By night- palazzos, sandals and 'pose'

 They are UBER comfy, surprisingly flattering if worn with a fitted top, and bang on-trend, not to mention nice and airy for when the sun hopefully comes out!

These chifon flares from Therapy at House of Fraser are MEGA- floaty, floral and almost like a maxi-skirt, they remind me of Monet's waterlillies. Currently £36 down from £45- get them quick!

These ones are £34 from Rare, and are finely pleated but still floaty- nothing wrong with a bit of subtle textured detailing!

Rare, £34

These ones from Love Label are huge, look mega comfy and have a more Jackson Pollock-esque feel to them, as does this jumpsuit from BooHoo.com, which is only £18- that's for practically a whole outfit!

Love Label, £35

 

BooHoo, £18

If you're not a fan of the wide leg, try a similar print on a more slim fitting trouser. These white ones from Matalan are only £14 and ASDA do a fabulous pair of printed palazzo trousers for £16.

Now it's coming into Autumn yours can still be worn! Save then for less windy days though as the flapping-round-the-ankles flare is not something others will covet!

Daisy Chain Tees at Student Fashion Blog

Here's a tasty little link to an article I've recently written for the fabulous Student Fashion Blog .co.uk- if you like cool T-shirts then Daisy Chain are the ones to watch!

Enjoy :D

Vintage in Birmingham!

Here is a tasty version of an article I wrote for last week's Redbrick Newspaper... Enjoy!

 

Last Saturday saw the launch of “Birmingham’s Newest Independent Fashion, Home and Arts Fair”;  

Retro Brum.

Held, fittingly, at the Custard Factory’s Space 2 in Digbeth, the fair was jam-packed with treasures old and new; from antique watches and granddad jumpers to scrabble-letter rings and hand-made greeting cards!

The Custards Cream Stall... see http://thecustardscreambirmingham.blogspot.com/

 The quid entry fee was worth it for the atmosphere alone; haggling with the traders, grooving whilst browsing and mooching on the battered sofas eating caramel shortbread was made über-fun by the sexual tracks spun by the Tantrums. Saturday afternoon well spent I'd say!

DJ + full sleeve = YES

A quaint vintage tea room took over the bar area selling delicious cakes and nibbles on kitsch chinaware, and some stalls were dedicated wholly to cupcakes, tray-bakes and other heavenly treats! My company and I headed to Yumm just round the corner instead for their scrummy mezzalunas (like a calzone/panini/pasty!?) and spicy wedges. Sorted out our hangovers a treat!

 

NOM!

 Two low-key catwalk shows were held, styled by Bad Apple and Ove-ra Monkeys, which were short but sweet and featured ‘real-life’ models (none of this Size-Zero malarkey). Folks from The Vintage Salon were offering retro pin-up hair and make-up over in Zellig, and you could even get beautiful henna tattoos done. 

There were over 40 stalls selling titbits old and new, from well-loved leather bags from Tea Cup Kitsch right up to new but vintage-inspired tees from Daisy Chain Clothing. Do not despair if you missed it- the fair will be on 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of every month from 11am! There’s also a vintage market on 25^th June at Stan’s Cafe in the Jewellery Quarter, and weekend car boots like ‘Bar Boot Sale’ at the Hare and Hounds from 1pm Saturdays or the city-centre Sunday morning one, which are often dotted with vintage finds. Don’t forget the vintage stalls in and around the rag markets, plus there’s vintage to be found in a garage-y warehouse shop near Sing Fat Ltd Chinese supermarket- if you can find it!

The Custard Factory is also home to Urban Village and Frock On Vintage, and of course there’s the iconic vintage warehouse COW on Digbeth High Street, so why not make your trip to the fair into a thorough vintage shopping experience. 

Urban Village

More Urban Village

COW has a sister shop near Urban Outfitters in the city centre too, and the Urban Renewal (Men here and women here) section at UO stocks one-off treads made from vintage, surplus and pre-loved materials. Also check out Top Banana in Kings Heath, Yo Yo in the city centre, the vintage section on the top floor of Oasis, and keep an eye out for Forgotten Vintage’s next hanging-rail vintage market!

COW in Digbeth

You can check out this article in it's original format at Redbrick Online right here...