Vintage Market Let Down

Hello there dearies! And what has happened to the Spring? It's rainy, cold and dreary here in Wales and I feel like all the joy has been sucked out of me. It was only this weekend that I was enjoying a Spring walk with not a care in the world, and now I'm back to Earth with a bump and can't stop dwelling on negative things, like my day-job ending in July. Also, I have to report that the promised 'real vintage' market as part of Vintage Generation in Cardiff was a damp squib. Attached is a photo - it was in a gloomy little garage off a lane, and there were only 3 or 4 stallholders. I found one 1950's dress; most items were '70s, '80s or '90s. Nothing exciting, though I did like the hand-crafted cake-stands that used inverted little glasses as stems between the plates. It was too dark to take photos in there, so this one of the outside is all I've got!

Right, let's have some positivity:

- My Beloved is back from his Texas trip!

- I have a long weekend to look forward to.

- There's always cake.

If you're having a gloomy day too then I challenge you to find three positives in it!

Auntie P xx

Poirot Fashion Special: The Incredible Theft

Because it's a Monday, we all need a little treat. This time in Poirot world we have some reserved English ladies up against an outlandish American, vyeing to beat Miss Lemon and her perfectly executed wardrobe. First up: Mrs Vandelyn, with German sympathies. She's evil. She probably killed and skinned those foxes herself.

Her evening dress is a showstopper. Is it the fabric called lamé? I've never seen a dress that shiny, not even on Lady Gaga!

This next photo isn't from Poirot, it's a friend who I think looks a lot like Mrs Vanderlyn in the above picture. What do you think? She's probably going to tell me off for putting a picture of her on my blog.

In contrast to the American, a more subtle, but still sparkly, approach to evening wear by the older lady of the party.

Just before she changed for dinner she was wearing a beautiful navy suit with white stripe detail. One of my favourite colour combinations.

Now let's have a look at the lady of the house, Mrs Mayfield. A very sumptuous brocade material for her cape and gown.

In the daytime she has a simple blouse and cardi outfit for being in the house, but when she heads out she really does put the effort in!

Look at the hat with its unusual side decoration, I've never seen anything quite like that before. They use this same hat design in a later episode.

And finally, because no episode of Poirot is complete without her, it's Miss Lemon. Only one outfit in this episode, beautiful ruffle detail on the neck of this dress. And look at those tiny curls on her forehead (are they spit curls? I hate the name!).

Au revoir for now, Poirot-fans!

Spring Sale - 10% Off Porcelina's Precious Things on Etsy

Good morning all!

Is anyone else confused by the hour change today? I woke up at 7am and then realised it was an hour later so it wasn't too ridiculously early to get up. I've got a load of washing on and I'm contemplating today's sewing projects.

As we're springing forward today I'm offering 10% off anything in my Etsy shop for my blog readers - just enter the coupon code SPRING10 at the checkout. See the link on the right of this page to my shop. The code is valid until midnight on the last day of March.

Don't forget that all my items are from a personal wardrobe clearout - I'm not selling to make a profit, just to recoup what I paid for items that have been sitting unworn in my wardrobe! The house-robe and wrap dress in particular and gorgeous items, please someone love them!!

Will also consider a trade if anyone's also having a Spring clean??

Enjoy your Sundays everyone! Miss P xx

Ooo to Trans-Atlantic Vintage Purchases!

Photos courtesy of Apple Potter on Etsy


I squealed at the package Mr Postman left me this morning! Two dresses I bought on impulse a few weeks back from Apple Potter on Etsy. I think the red one might be a bit warm now that the weather's so Spring-like, and I might have to wait a bit for proper heat to wear the other, but I'm delighted anyhow. So much for not buying dresses this month...

Dress Buyers Anonymous: Purchases Update

Last month I was very, very naughty. In fact, my shopping was akin to a SPREE, here's what I clocked up in February:

Space hood for my hairdryer
Brogue shoes
Peacock's 50's style dress
Peacocks' hat
Peacock's belt
Stockings (wool, and plain)
Blusher
Swimsuit
M&S silk dress
Tara Starlet dress
Tesco black dress and Tesco Barbarella mini-dress
Mac eyeshadow brush
Box of 32 pincurl clips
3 boxes curl rollers

My Beloved also reminded me...ahem... that he bought me a dress too last month, which means I had no less than six new dresses last month. Six!!

Is there a Dress Buyers Anonymous I could join please?

So I'm on a bit more of a restrained budget this month. That hasn't stopped me charity-shop shopping or visiting the outlet stores though! Thank heavens for Marks and Spencers Outlet. So far this month my naughty purchases have included:

Merino wool black faux-fur trim sweater
Ava Gardner Biography
White '80s blouse
3 stripey tops (you can never have enough nautical items...)
Stockings
Tights
Sparkly angora socks
Silk lingerie set
Plaid '50s-look skirt

I'm particularly pleased with the skirt, £15 from Next Outlet, it is flannel with patch pockets and a belt and is a great substitute for this Bernie Dexter skirt that I've been hankering after for a while:

I might sew some buttons on to the front and pockets to make it even better.

Rightio, back to the mammoth Spring Clean which so far has resulted in 12 black bags and 8 recycling bags, and a massive bruise and scrape to my thigh.

London Trip: Yohji Yamamoto Exhibition

My trip to London this weekend wasn't filled with the adventures I'd hoped. I'm not much of a drinker these days, and after being plied with a substantial quantity of pink fizz, vodka jellies and even a Jaeger bomb (my first ever!), I have to confess that Sunday was a complete hangover day and we didn't make it out of Brixton. The only time we left the house was to go to the local round the corner for a big Sunday dinner. Being a Welsh contingent we then lazed the afternoon away and watched Twin Town followed by series one of Gavin & Stacey, eating a constant supply of chocolates, Indian snacks, and a take-away. I also read about ten fashion magazines. It was the first day I can remember in a long, long time that I was that lazy. It was bliss!

The next day I planned on plenty of adventures to make up for this, but alas I picked up a stomach bug plus had an allergic reaction to an eye-cream (red panda eyes!!) and really didn't have the energy for much. Instead, I went to the V&A to look at the Yohji Yamamoto fashion exhibition. (Click on the banner below for more details.)

I wasn't that familiar with Yamamoto's designs, and being contemporary it didn't tick the vintage interest box, but I have to say that now that I've started learning to sew it was incredibly interesting seeing the collection from the point of view of 'how do you construct that?'. Some really odd choices of fastenings to wonder over, such as a beautiful evening dress fastening up the back with giant poppers. I had to have a sit down afterwards (that's my feet in the pic above of the V&A courtyard!).

I had a quick strut up Oxford Street later, but you can tell I wasn't feeling 100% as I really wasn't in the shopping mood!

How awful that I didn't even get to a single vintage shop, or have any afternoon tea. I'll just have to plan another trip soon...

A Brucey Bonus!

Good evening all!

On this day of sad news regarding Elizabeth Taylor it was nice to have a little ray of sunshine in the form of a lovely little blog award from Bruce over at Eclectic Ephemera. It's the Liebster Blog Award, which is for blogs of 300 followers or less. That's me! A little corner of the blogosphere I call my own.

Thank you very much Bruce! And I love the post on Captain Hastings, Man About Town - it compliments my own little Poirot fashion mission delightfully.

Today in real life has been quite tiring, so after my Crunchy Nut Cornflakes it's time for some yoga to quieten the mind and relax the body so that I can retire to my boudoir. You need extra sleep when you get to my age.

Night night,

Auntie Porcelina xx

Cardiff Events: Vintage Generation

Hello there dearies!

Auntie Porcelina's back from her trip to London, and has news for Cardiff folks about a vintage-themed extravaganza of a week. That's what's promised anyhow from the people at Milgi and Cardiff Art's Institute.

Tonight there's Lindy Hop and Jive at the CAI. Other than that, the most interesting event is this weekend - they're running a vintage market in Northcote Lane (behind Milgi, in Roath) on both Saturday and Sunday this coming weekend. I'll pop along and check it out for you all on Saturday.

Click on the image below, and zoom in to read all the details! (or click HERE if that writing is still too tiny to read!)


London was great, but tiring, and I never did get that afternoon tea. Will post more about my adventures (or lack of!) soon.

Review: Abergavenny Vintage Fayre

I really enjoyed this fair! Much, much better than others I have visited recently.

As you know, it was hosted by Vintage Vision, a social enterprise and vintage shop in Abergavenny.

There was a variety - clothing, books, furniture, crafts - and they had a little area set up with tables for tea and cake, served on proper china. As for entertainment, they had live music and then they had a fashion show too, with a bee-hived group of college students wearing some of the items for sale.

It was a small event, but had such a great atmosphere and there were some lovely dresses at reasonable prices. (e.g. A flawless 1940's green striped sundress with big patch pocket, £55. A 1940's silk tea-dress, immaculate, for £40) And lots of bargains from the later decades, it really did not suffer from inflated prices syndrome! I would say only ONE of the stallholders let down the quality (obviously had pets at home, obviously allowed said pets to rampage through the clothes leaving their hair all over them!!)

Aside from Vintage Vision's stalls, there were wares on offer from a range of craft, vintage, food and book sellers.

Peach Blossom Designs
Retrobelle
Tea, Cake & Vintage
Dippy Hippy
Deli Delicious

I tried on a few dresses but ended up buying NOTHING for myself!! Well, a copy of 'Cloth' magazine, which doesn't count. Otherwise I bought a cute bells and hearts bracelet as a birthday present for a friend, and some edible rose petals, which will be used for a project very soon.

As my camera is now off for repair, I didn't take any photos, so I hope that Vintage Vision upload some soon to their website and blog. There was talk on the day on whether future vintage sales would take place in the market hall - I personally hope they continue.

And Spring was in full force - I borrowed a camera later in the day to take a few pics of the blue skies and bountiful blooms!





I'm off on a London adventure now, so will be back online Tuesday with tales of afternoon tea... Have a good weekend all!!

Miss P xx

Vintage Inspired: River Island SS11

A seriously impressive collection of 1950's style dresses and some lovely mid-length skirts from River Island. The best 1950's inspired on the high street I've seen in a while. I've tried to put a link for each one, but as a rough guide the dresses range from £24.99 to £59.99, and the skirts are about £24.99 to £34.99.

First up, a very Horrockses looking number! For just £25 too.



I tried this next dress on, really lovely light cotton perfect for holidays and has a semi-open back.

This one comes with a jacket. (or 'shacket' as they put, I think they mean a shrug/jacket!!)

The Western influence!

I love, love, love this pineapple print!

Another sipping-a-cocktail-by-the-sea dress

Too cute!

And now for some skirts - it's always hard to judge length from the websites, so I can't vouch that these are actually mid length, or just a bit longer than usual!

Lovely lace, also available in cream.

I need a pink skirt.
I also need a beige one.

Or maybe red?

I couldn't find most of these in my local store - you might have to order online. Don't forget Asos doesn't charge for delivery, so you can order some items through them rather than through the River Island site itself to save yourself a few quid.

Outfit Post: Yay or Nay to the Seventies Look?

We can't seem to escape from the 1970's influence at the moment - it's absolutely everywhere on the high-streets, catwalks and in every magazine I open.


Being more of a '30s to '50s girl, I've been a bit dubious about the 1970s. The sweat-inducing fabrics. The frizzy hair. The Austrian look. But I have to say that recently I have started to warm to some of it, and I'm debating now whether to embrace this look. I like pussy-bow blouses. I like the Western influence. Could I be a secret '70s fashion lover?!


Rummaging in my wardrobe, this is the closest thing to a '70s look I could pull together.

If you feel it's time for an intervention, speak now or forever hold your peace! I'm off to look at flares.

...Several hours later....

I was obviously in a state of PMT-induced delirium when I posted the above. Me, in flares?! I tried some on in Next, gasped in horror at the reflection, and scrapped that idea straight away. I looked at pretty pussybow blouses, but they're all Polyester, just like in the sweaty Seventies.

Back down to earth with a bump. Still got the urge to shop but I'll have to hold it in for now!

A Good Read: Mildred Pierce

This is the first novel by James M Cain that I've ever read, and I can't believe that I've never read any of the books by this superb American author before. I've been missing out!

Written in 1941, Mildred Pierce follows the life and times of the title character through the depression of the 1930s in California. This sounds, well, depressing, but don't be put off - it's interesting, observational and written in such a way that I raced through it, eager to find out what happened to this frankly ordinary woman. It's the characters that she's surrounded by, particular her daughter Veda, that shape the story as their pull and push on Mildred forces her life in different directions that she wouldn't have taken on her own. Mildred's main motivation is to prove herself to her daughter, it's not about self-improvement or self-empowerment. So maybe that's hard for us to empathise with as modern women, but I still found myself on Mildred's side.

I know that a film version is being done with Kate Winslet in the title role, so I look forward to seeing that, but my parents said that an earlier version was made, starring Joan Crawford. I've looked it up and indeed, the 1945 film version is now available on DVD (you can get it here on Amazon). Joan Crawford as Mildred Pierce (photo from dvdbeaver.com)

Did you know that James M Cain also wrote Double Indemnity, which was made in to a fabulous Film Noir with Barbara Stanwyck? (I mentioned it here). Other films from his books include the Postman Always Rings Twice, which I confess I've never seen.

Isn't it great to discover a really good author? I've been battling through the first few chapters of Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake for the third time, in the view that it's a book that I should read, but I've given up, again, as it's just too hard going and I've not enjoyed it.

There are too many GOOD books to read, to bother struggling through ones you don't enjoy!

This Weekend in Wales: Vintage Fayre @ Abergavenny

For all you South Wales residents, the social enterprise behind my sewing classes is hosting a little Vintage Fayre in Abergavenny's market hall this Sunday!

If you go to Vintage Vision's webpage there's also a competition to win some vouchers to spend at the fair.

Hope you all have a good weekend, I've been rummaging through the charity shops today but my camera is out of action so you'll have to wait a while for pics of my haul!

Outfit Post: The Peggy Dress

I'm exhausted after a day's photoshoot - the pic above is just a sneak preview really as the Peggy dress is one of the dresses I wore on the shoot. A really fun day, but I need to put my feet up now! Photos will be up in a week's time.

In My Drawers

I can't cope with messy undercracker drawers! I have compartmentalised mine. If you're in a rush of a morning, it makes it much easier to find what you're looking for.

First, tights. I know a lot of vintage lovers spurn these, but I do wear a lot of 1960s and 1970s inspired mini-dresses, and so stockings aren't an option. You may suggest bare legs. In Wales?!


Next: stockings. I cut out bits of the packaging or write on pieces of card to identify the different types. This comes in handy when you want to make sure you've picked plain rather than seamed, and vice versa.

Knickers galore!

And finally, bras. Which must be lined up neatly, never thrown in a jumble.

I am not sure if organising one's foundation garments in this very rigid way is akin to organising CDs in alphabetical order? At least I don't organise my crockery in height order, the way Poirot does...

I'm sad tonight - my camera is broken. Sob sob! BUT on an exciting note I've had enough of the hideous photos my parents have all over their house of me, and tomorrow I'm off to get some professional shots, wooo!

Car Boot Sale Treasure!

Thank you all for your lovely comments on my 1930's dress project! You're all too kind and I'm inspired to have a go again at revamping something, so watch this space for future sewing endeavours!

This is just a quick post to show you a couple of bits of loot from local sales. First up in the 'treasure' department is this set of 1940's frog-closure fasteners still on their original card, so beautiful I couldn't leave them there even though I have no use for them - so you're in luck, I've just added them to my Etsy shop!

The next car-boot sale find was a present from my Beloved, a 1956 novel by James Hadly Chase, This Way for a Shroud, with a scary looking vampy lady on the cover. I've started reading it and the body count is already at seven, despite me being only at Chapter 4.

As well as the usual car-boot sale, I attended a Vintage Sale at Llandaff Cathedral, in aid of their organ fund. It was quite a scrum, with lots of furs, hats from the '80s, and nice branded clothing from the '90s. AND they had some 'real' vintage. Early 1960s, a teeny bit of 1950s, and the odd item from earlier. There were some pretty fabulous wedding dresses - a lace floor-length 1940's number, and a 1960's pristine dress complete with the original shoes.

Things I left on the racks included a 1950's Carnegie blue silk dress in a size 8 (sob sob!), an absolute steal for £20, and some 'mod' style dresses, not really my style.

BUT I did come away with a late 1950's hat, velvet and netting, for just £4! And it comes with a story - the lady who sold it to me said that her mother wore it for her second wedding in 1964. I like a story! I have one small repair to make to it before I model it, but I promise to post a pic in due course.

That's all for now, though I should add to these shopping confessions that I bought another skirt, a Louis-Vuitton inspired one on sale in Tesco. They don't seem to have it on their website so I'll post a pic soon. Come to think of it, it may look good with my new hat!

Hope your Mondays haven't been too painful, I managed to get out for a walk in the sunshine at lunchtime so that's been a good start to the week.

Miss P xx