A vintage love affair

Wanderlust Weekends - part 3

2011-08-19T09:00:00.001+01:00

Partying is what I do best!

This mood board for Weekenderlife, the third in the series is about homemade decorations and styling for intimate soirees and gatherings. Why not take the indoors outdoors for maximum impact and atmosphere - sofas under trees, makeshift marquees for small dinner parties. Go crazy and fill a room with balloons or use bold multi colours for table dressings and flowers to create the wow factor.

Happy weekend! x

For picture credits please click here

Wanderlust Weekends part 2

2011-08-12T09:00:00.000+01:00

The second part of the Weekenderlife moodboards focus on getting out and feasting your eyes on something new or old treasures from the past.

Explore shows a range of images such as flea markets and vintage postcards and a romantic simple trip on a rowing boat. So stick your vintage sunnies on and go dig about at a car boot for some bargain treasures or nose around a county manor house.

Wanderlust Weekends - first post (slightly out of sync!)

2011-08-05T09:00:00.007+01:00

Apologies this post was supposed to pop up last week but a gremlin in my computer stopped it!

I was contacted by a dear friend of mine who is also in the process of releasing her inner passions and making money from what makes her heart sing. Her latest brain wave involves giving those with little time to plan, a condensed informative inspirational blog that has all sorts of tips on how to get the most of your weekend. Weekenderlife asked me to put together some mood boards to inspire dreams for the weekend. The first in the launch 3 part series, is Retreat.

Retreat is all about serene and peaceful hideaways. Create a simple hideaway like you did as a child, by hanging soft sheets over string to create a homemade tent and grabbing loads of pillows from inside, along with a glass of wine and a good book…or a good snog.

For picture credits please click here

Tempting tables - Moroccan Style

2011-08-03T14:19:00.001+01:00

What with this hot weather of late it got me thinking about the gorgeous exotic Tempting Table design that I styled on a shoot with Liesl Cheney, the design the brain child of Emily of the hugely successful Tempting Cake. If you didn't catch it on some of the wedding blogs and Liesl and Emily's, here for your viewing pleasure are some of the best shots.

The warmth of the vibrant oranges and reds really sets off the rustic chocolate colours. I used props at different levels to display the different types of deserts and sweet treats to give heaps of visual interest but keeping it balanced.

The flowers were arranged simply and put to the centre to draw the eye in. These were chosen by Emily and were suitably exotic but also eclectic when used with good old tulips. Tulips are (when in season) very available and reasonably priced and can add a splash of colour and fun to any table design, so use in abundance!.

I love the idea of using a multi rainbow colour scheme for any event, but make sure you stick to colours of the same tonal family for example like the vibrant warm jewel colours here. Or you could use soft pastel calm colours, like vintage duck egg blue teamed with pretty light yellow, fresh lilac, a soft apple green and balanced with a creamy neutral colour palette.

High Street Style

2011-06-07T10:56:00.001+01:00

Good morning!

Sorry to be elusive of late, I am trying to get my head stuck deep into my study books if I have any hope of qualifying before the end of next year!

I have been doing some sourcing work this morning and I couldn't help but gather all the latest finds from the high street and online that would make lovely centrepieces or styling props at a wedding or little soiree. My favourite pick are the galvanised steel vases from Ikea, just £2.99, what a bargain. Shame you cannot order them online and save yourself the obligatory argument with the husband (you don't know why you fight but you can't help it! There must be something in the hot dogs)

Top left to right: Heart picture frame Matalan, Ribbed vase Ikea, Coloured vases Ikea, Large lion head wine cooler Sweetpea&Willow. Galvanised vases Ikea, Cutwork candle, Sweetpea&Willow. Flower stem collection vase Graham&Green. Posey patterned vase Matalan, Large glass jar candle Anthropologie, Bird vases Graham&Green.

Tempting tables

2011-05-09T09:36:00.000+01:00

I had the privilege of styling a photo shoot yesterday with a distinctively sweet, melt in the mouth theme. The brain child of the talented Emily at Temptingcake.com, yesterday, along with the mighty creative powers of photographer Liesl Cheney we spent a day in the sunshine setting up and photographing a range of desert table themes that will be released in due course for your viewing pleasure.

To whet your appetite I am posting my top 3 favourite desert table designs, these are from some of my heroes, Amy Atlas , Green Wedding Shoes and Somewhere Splendid.

What lovely long legs you have.....

2011-04-13T11:03:00.001+01:00

If you want to put the finishing touches to a vintage inspired outfit, either yourself or perhaps you have different coloured bridesmaid dresses and want to give them a consistent look, you could do worse than look at some back seamed tights; a stylish alternative to traditional bridal hosiery.

I'm a massive fan of details like this that hark back to glam days gone by (when some women would draw the seam on to their legs!). They are fantastically flattering as they make your legs appear longer, and they are a little bit saucy but so sophisticated at the same time.

They are so widely available these days at lots of different price points so even if you want to try a different look one weekend it is much more affordable to do so these days.

For a modern twist I got my hands on some of these Wolford 'Marlene' tights from Tights Please

Or you could try teaming pretty lacy or silk girlie bra and knicker sets with thicker, tan coloured back seam hold ups, to give a pretty vintage look to your bedroom get up. Think Fleur of England or Mimi Holiday Prudence range below....

Wed Riding Hood: A fairytale woodland shoot.

2011-04-05T13:27:00.000+01:00

I have been waiting to share these pictures with you from the Red Riding Hood shoot I had the pleasure of working on with the very talented photographer Liesl Cheney. The cake design was contributed by Tempting Cake and little cocktail sticks and afternoon tea card favours by the amazing talent of Vintage Twee .

It started with a red cape that Liesl coveted and grew from there. I loved the idea of using woodland creatures, especially the wolf, in a non creepy or cheesy way. I wanted to stick to natural colours but avoid too many reds, greens and golds as to not look 'last season' with it being spring time now in the UK.

So along with the use of a few tongue in cheek phrases, I started off with the stationery and worked it out from there. As soon as Liesl and I discussed a Red Riding Hood theme, polka dots came to mind, reminiscent of big toad stool mushrooms that are found deep in the forest. So I brought this in with some of the printed pieces and wine coasters.

To make it feel soft and romantic but rustic at the same time, I used a mixture of satin and metallic ribbon and rope string on mini flower vases and tea lights.

The rest of the details were kept quite neutral with the odd flourish of red to keep it feeling fresh and dramatic.

I hope you like!

Enchanted forest

2011-03-11T14:13:00.000Z

I am really excited and honoured to be working on a bridal promo shoot with the very talented photographer Liesl Cheney. We have a great team of people involved including cakes designed by Tempting cake which we will all have to make a concerted effort not to eat before we get the shots we need.

Here is an inspiration board I have put together quickly to capture some of the magic we are hoping to recreate on the day.

1. Haft Seen هفت سین (The Seven S's of the New Year)!, 2. Snowy Owl, 3. Vintage Spoon Bundle, 4. 2/365: woodland creatures vignette, 5. Another Wedding!, 6. bell jar, 7. Goblet (Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformis), 8. Chelsea Flower Show [10] ... wall ..., 9. May She Will, 10. Perseverance, 11. A field full of flowers, as the one I have in my dreams, 12. Wild Meadow

Romancing the Flickr

2011-02-28T22:06:00.000Z

Thanks to the utterly brilliant Selina Lake, one of my absolute heroes, I have discovered the joy of Flickr mosaics.

I had so much fun putting together this super softie vintage inspired mood board for a romantic style event decoration theme. I hope you enjoy these beautiful images too.

Floaty dreamy bridesmaid dresses

2011-02-09T18:25:00.000Z

I absolutely adore Nataya dress designs. There is a serious lack of vintage style bridesmaid dresses in the UK so if you have time to order from the U.S you should seriously consider looking Nataya up. I had to be really strict so check out the website, but here are a few of my faves for your viewing pleasure...so pretty! I love love love love love this beautiful flower dress.

Fine and Dandy

2011-02-04T10:20:00.000Z

We are currently making over our bedroom in a creamy rich French style. Because of this, I am now totally obsessed with vintage chandeliers or 'Dandies' as they are otherwise fondly called.

I have been trawling Ebay and finally have purchased a French vintage dandy for our bedroom. Alas the huge 'bag' dandies that I coveted so much would not work as the drop would literally take anyone out who walked under it in the night on the way to the loo. However I think you will agree this is a beauty.

I found so many of these gorgeous creations that I felt duty to share with my fellow magpies. These vintage crystal chandeliers are a selection from Ebay that are on sale at the time of posting.

Make sure you get an electrician to check the wiring or buy a refurbished light if you are worried about vintage wires.

Cameo inspired tablescape design

2011-01-16T15:59:00.027Z

I have a bit of a penchant for old whisky and wine decanter bottles, regular readers would have seen the 'One flew over the magpie's nest' posts on this blog that I post every time I add to my hoard. I recently found a kindred spirit in Kristi of Luna and Chloe weddings. Kristi posted this Cameo inspired tablescape and wedding decorations shoot on her blog and I just couldn't help swooning over the tarnished silver vases and cut glass bottles. I love the way she has carried the cameo design right through to the place name napkin rings. This is what brilliant event decoration is all about, detail, detail, detail!

The dashing gentleman trend

2011-01-14T14:50:00.000Z

When you think of a Gentlemen's Club, you are most likely to think of the kind you find in the back streets and PVC stilettos and g-strings, than what you can find on the high street. Before you type in 'Gentlemen's club' into google and want to wash your eyes out with bleach after seeing the results, I have done some research for you and found some very cool design pieces that you can get your mitts on. I love the fact that there is a design trend that the man in your life might actually nod appreciation to rather than a look of mild disdain and turning back to the cricket scores.

The most key piece you need is a stag, I love these stag clothes hooks from Caravanstyle boutique and a brilliantly kitsch orange stag from Bornanoldsoul on Etsy. The next couple of things I would invest in would be a masculine style leather armchair (most men like to have 'their' chair past the age of approx 27 years old) You can pretend it is 'his' and soften it with a cosy soft wool blanket, ideally with a tweed design, to see you through until summer. This beautiful leather Jazz Chair in Cognac is from the genius website Made.com.

The accessories should be old and used where possible, think old books piled from the floor as somewhere to place your vintage cut glass tumbler, after taking a sip of your whisky cocktail (or JD and coke!) as you warm your cockles, safe from the harm of the lashing rain and howling wind.

Pic credits from left to right

Vintage Ordnance Surveys from Oxford Tea Party

Orange stag from Bornanoldsoul

Handmade leather satchel from Chic Leather

Jazz chair from Made.com

Crows from Atelier Abigail Ahern

Vintage dog decanter from A Pretty Penny

Leather notebook from Hope House Press

Stag clothes hook from CaravanStyle

Pipe candle sticks from McGDesigns

Tweed wool blankets from Tinsmiths

Sweet delight

2011-01-13T12:09:00.000Z

I am really pleased to be able to share with you some of the lovely shots from the Temptingcake promotional shoot that I had the pleasure of curating and styling alongside the wonderful cake genius Emily and talented photographer Elliot Patching.

We wanted to go for a clean whimsical look, using pretty eye catching props that wouldn't feel out of place at a styled special event. I gave items such as pearl bracelets new identities as napkin rings and tea cups to hold large soft rose heads. The unusually shaped hourglass bottle was a present brought back from Spain, originally containing a dangerous looking green aperitif.

It was a long day fuelled by brownies, home made pizza and of course, Emily's signature cup cakes which are as light and fluffy as a butterfly kiss.

All photos courtesy of Elliot Patching and Temptingcake

One girl's rubbish is another girl's treasure

2011-01-11T17:11:00.000Z

One of the traits of being a magpie in a previous life is that I often fall head over heels for shiny things. Although I never steal them there is a degree of hoarding, but I can swear hand on heart I would NEVER collect rubbish. Until now.

It makes my heart sing when tired old things are given a new lease of life and when people find the most brilliant new uses for ordinary objects. Here I have found a collection of people using off cuts of fabrics and paper and making the most inspired confetti systems (new word for bunting, loving it) and decorations.

Just think of what you could make from your office paper recycling bin? Word to the wise, it is probably best not to root through your boss' bin as I think 'confetti systems' will be lost on them.

Pic credits from left to right
Project Wedding
Ruffledblog
Sewing School
Ruffledblog
Confetti System

Stampede

2011-01-05T10:16:00.000Z

It has all been about stamps today and I just had to share the genius that is Paperwink with you.

I wish I lived in America so that I could have an address stamp as sexy as this. I think I will order one anyway, but which one to choose!

Here are some of my favourites, all pictures courtesy of Paperwink.

More than words

2011-01-04T14:05:00.001Z

Following an inspiring post from the blushing bride to be Wedding Sparrow on the wonders of vintage books and literature, I thought I would share with you some images that are helping to inspire a party supplies design theme I am putting together at the moment.

The pictures are from a selection of sites including Poppytalk. You may remember I featured some of Chris Taylors images from a wedding where the brides' father was a toy maker, see it here

Simple stunning paper craft

2010-12-22T12:59:00.000Z

Anna Bond of Rifle Design created these stunning cards to ask her friends to be her bridesmaids and I just had to share them with you as I love that something so simple could make such a lovely impression on the recipients. This is the perfect example of a little detail going a long way. I love Anna's work as it is so full of warmth and I am hoping to stock Rifle Design cards through the Old Fashioned Knees Up boutique next year.

You can find the step by step instructions here

The animals of the enchanted retro wood...

2010-12-16T15:12:00.000Z

A fantastic design invention from across the pond. These sets of reusable stickers (you can bend, scrunch and stick them up time and time again) are perfect for creative little decorators who want to change their style as and when they like.

They have a really retro down to earth feel. I especially love the owl designs. It is all about the owls at the moment for me.

The animals look gorgeous lined up along the top of a bed headboard. What a genius, creative, fun and interactive way of decorating.

Courtesy of Lovemae designs. We lovemae too.

Button swoon

2010-12-14T11:41:00.000Z

I have just come across this pic from Brides magazine. These gorgeous mis-matched buttons make a cute and crafty alternative for place names. Very similar Calligraphy designs will be available in the new year from the Old Fashioned Knees Up Boutique

Creams and golds for Christmas

2010-12-13T15:21:00.000Z

It is only a mere number of days before Christmas and in this time of austerity and cut backs, I wanted to bring you some super inspiring, beautiful decorations to blow the gloom away, even for a few seconds.

Images are courtesy of the magnificent Lisbeth Darl , Toast and handmade genius from Vintage Twee.

Old Fashioned Knees Up....preview

2010-12-07T14:04:00.000Z

We have arrived! Whilst I search for the web designer of my dreams you can see a sneaky peak of the event design and decoration services that are on offer on the preview site for Old Fashioned Knees Up.

www.oldfashionedkneesup.com

Things that make you go mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

2010-11-12T17:18:00.000Z

Here is a sneak peak of the Tempting cake photo shoot I styled a few weeks back with Elliott Patching of E W P Photography.

Doesn't it make you dribble?

I can personally vouch for the goey richness of the chocolate, they are incredibly gorgeous.

Why take my word for it? Treat yourself and colleagues on a Friday to a cheeky choccie, or maybe your guests would prefer these to a traditional wedding cake?

Old Fashioned Knees Up needs YOU!

2010-11-08T14:15:00.000Z

If you have a spare 5 mins I would absolutely be thrilled if you can complete my survey and help shape the future of Old Fashioned Knees Up.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FDCQ962

Please pass round to everyone you know who loves vintage, weddings, tea parties, posh dinner parties, generally party loving vintage animals!

Here are some vintage loving party cats.