My Hotter Shoe Obsession - 3 Style Reviews

I must confess before I got into vintage I hadn't been to a Hotter store. Mainly because in my youth I was less concerned about preserving my feet and more concerned about buying cheap shoes and lots of them.

Several years and a chiropodist later and I know better. I want to be comfortable but in-keeping with my vintage style and that's why Hotter are so popular in vintage circles.

I have bought two pairs of Hotter shoes recently and have featured them in many outfits but haven't written about them exclusively. These are older styles that are not available on their website now but they have similar styles and refresh their stock regularly so it's worth having a look.

Donna

I started my journey into Hotter ownership with these silver Donna shoes. I'd seen so many vintage friends with Donna's so I knew a pair had to be mine.

Donna's, even in the standard size fitting, are quite roomy. A friend gave me a tip that a little gel pad at the ball of my foot would stop my foot falling forward in them, and it worked!

I loved the V throat opening because it gives the shoe a very elegant look with a little flash of the foot peeking.

The heel is 2 1/4 inches which is perfect for walking around in all day. These shoes are definitely built for comfort and a lot of attention is paid to the padding inside.

A red pair soon followed into my collection too...

Sandy

These beautiful yellow and beige shoes also come in pink (which are in the post to me as we speak thanks to my new friend on Ebay) and are so comfortable.

As well as blogging I am a full time Office Manager which involves a lot more running around than you would think.

The soles are well cushioned making these comfy enough to wear all day and into the evening.

The ankle strap makes for great support which I am always grateful for when dashing around but the fact that it is beige means it doesn't cut the line of the leg off making the legs look stumpy.

The detail on these shoes is beautiful, I love the scalloped edge on the front of the shoe, it's a real vintage touch, as well as the punctured leather panels which add interesting detail and this is followed through all the way around the shoe.

The colour is such a rich yellow which is not to bright or garish, there is a soft matte effect to these shoes.

The heel is small and wide meaning these shoes give great balance, you don't need a skyscraper heel to look elegant.

Hard to show in a photograph but these shoes have an amazing sole which has a grip to it, trust me I have taken many a tumble on a slippery pavement but these shoes will keep me upright thanks to the great material on the sole.

Fame - Hotter Boutique

I had been after a pair of red leather shoes for ages so I was thrilled when these came up.

These leather shoes were originally made in other colours too. They don't have as much padding as the other hotter shoes as they are a different design but are still comfortable.

The heel is higher and so with any extra padding they might have been a bit snug but they fit perfectly.

The strap across the front of the foot provides extra support without being overbearing in style.

The heel is higher as I said but it is still the sturdy kind of heel that I associate with Hotter. The sole if different to the Sandy shoe but still has a grip quality too it which is great.

The Fame shoes are a classic style which will go with so many outfits and colour ways and I am really glad to now have them in my collection.

It's starting to become somewhat of an obsession...

Fit - I have to size down by half a size for Hotters, some of my friends don't size down at all so I would recommend going to one of their stores and trying some on (what more of an excuse do you need?!) Once you know your size it makes shopping online so easy!

Check out the Hotter website for their latest styles, I am quite excited by their summer collection.

Until next time
Love
Lucy
xx

My Vintage Handbag Collection

I have always loved handbags, in the days when Romford market had a stall where any bag was £1.99 I spent my pocket money each week on some new arm candy and ended up with a very large collection of garish handbags!

Now my handbag collection is much smaller and geared towards vintage so I thought it would be fun to take stock and do a round up of some of my vintage/vintage style finds finds.

Plastics

I had a recent mishap with buying a true vintage lucite bag which you can read about here. This bag is actually more modern but is a great repro version, I think it's 80's but it is hard to date as it has no markings. I got it on ebay for £7.

I was drawn to this bag for the tortoiseshell pattern and the dark colour means people cannot see into it. You can look on ebay using terms like "box bag" "plastic bag" - using words like luctite tends to throw up the real deal and if your budget won't stretch then go for reproduction styles.

There are companies who do repro versions of these types of bags but I would like to see them do more traditional colours and less pastel tones or bright colours.

Beaded

Vintage evening bags are often beaded, this Corde evening bag was a "proper money" purchased from Scarlet Rage Vintage when their shop was still in Crouch End and it was £40.

I went head over heels for it because it is so roomy and a lot of vintage evening bags tend to be small. It came with the original mirror and purse which I was so pleased about. It's also a gorgeous cream colour which goes with almost anything.

When buying beaded bags check the beadwork isn't loose or patchy especially if the beading is on the handles like the one above, you should expect some wear and tear but make sure your not overpaying for something that's damaged.

Kelly Bags

I have featured this bag a lot on the blog and Instagram, I got it at Cardiff Indoor Flea Market for £7.00 it's made by Spearex for Boots although I have not been able to find out much about it to date.

I was drawn to the clasp which is a faux bakelite type effect which I adore because it looks great against my bangles and the dark brown leather matches so much of my wardrobe, I use this bag all the time so it was a great buy. It's roomy enough for working days and that's usually the test of a day bag for me.

You can find Kelly bags really easily at charity shops and they were popular in more modern eras too so these shouldn't be too hard to pick up or too expensive if you are not looking for an original.

Enid Collins

There is only one person to blame for my new found love for Enid Collins bags and that is Catherine of Vintage Frills. Catherine has an impressive collection of these bags and when I saw this for £15.00 I quickly took a picture and asked if she wanted it, as it turned out she didn't which I was happy about because I have fallen in love with it.

It's a smaller version of some of the Collin's bags you see and the straps have been replaced in this case with metal chain, also some of the beads are missing, she has seen some action but I still think she is lovely.

If buying a Collins bag you should look out for the stamp, if it doesn't have a stamp it is likely a "do it yourself" kit version which were also sold and can be varied in their quality. Just don't overpay for an unstamped version.

 Gem Dandies design 

Enid Collins stamp 

 Embroidered

Embroidered bags are very popular and I picked up this beauty at Beyond Retro in Brick Lane for £15.00 during one of their mega sales. It was actually in my friends basket and she passed it over. I really enjoy cross stitch patterns, I think this one is just so cute and was in fair condition for the price.

When buying bags with metal frames another thing to watch for is that the fabric is still sitting within the frame so be sure to open it up and have a look, older bags have more fragile material and the more they have been used the most likely you are to find damage. Cobblers usually have the means to repair these types of issues so it's worth checking with them if one of your bags gives up on you.

Crochet

Crochet 

 Crochet bags are also popular for vintage outfits and you can find them in all sizes and colours. This is an original one that I picked up at a charity shop for a few pounds. I have a lot of mustard colours in my wardrobe so I knew I could coordinate this with so many outfits. It's more dainty than my other bags so I am careful not to overload it.

Modern versions can also be found because this style has been popular across different eras. A good way to tell the difference is the lining, although not foolproof, but if the lining is a manmade plastic type material (not nylon or silk) then it is more likely to be modern.

Corde 

Corde bags are something of a collectors item for many. I was fortunate to find this one at a car boot sale for £8.00 and saw a similar looking one on ebay for £68.00. 

This one came with it's original little purse but no mirror. The distinctive patterns on the bags are what people really look for, this one is simple but you can find some much more intricate designs. 

Be sure to keep a beady eye out for these at vintage sales but make sure you check the labels if you want a real Corde one, lots of companies went on to replicate the style. If it's not overpriced then I would still buy a replica if I really liked it but I am not much of a snob about these things. 

Waldy Bags

Waldy bags are also quite sought after and this one was a lucky Ebay find for £25.00, it was brand new with it's tags still on which is practically unheard of and had the mirror and purse inside. It's smaller and not as wide as some of my other day bags but it is so beautiful that I don't mind limiting what I drag out with me.

It's in near perfect condition and the material is so soft, it has a suede lining and it's made with such a quality that you can just feel when holding it, no wonder these bags hold up so well and last more than one lifetime.

There are of course some more bags stashed away in my collection but I'll save those for another post...

Until next time
Love
Lucy
xx

OOTD Seasalt Dress Review

She saw Seasalt in the seasonal sales...

When shopping in the January sales I came across a brand I wasn't familiar with. Seasalt are a clothing company based in Cornwall. They are not specifically a vintage reproduction brand but they have some amazing vintage appropriate items and have been featured in Vintage Life magazine.

This shirtwaister dress was one of the items I picked up. It falls to just below my knee and has generous short sleeve. I love this sleeve length on vintage reproduction dresses, it's great if you are arm conscious like me. 

The prints are one of the best things about Seasalt items, they have a selection of pieces in their "Unique Print" range which means you won't find them anywhere else, they are designed in house and are inspired by Cornwall, often but not exclusively, nautical in theme. 

This print is a mixture of flowers, hearts and anchors in between little dots and lines, it's very detailed and makes for an all over attractive print without being too novelty or garish. 

I was also drawn to this charming print because the red white and blue combination reminded me of the patriotism in 1940's fashion. The belt I have added is my own. 

The dress buttons all the way down the front, another really lovely feature of this dress is the cotton that Seasalt use, it is so soft and really comfortable, it also washes and irons really well, good quality cotton can sometimes fall by the wayside in vintage reproduction clothing but this is really lovely quality and as my nan said "A good cotton dress will last you a lifetime"  

In terms of fit I found this dress to be true to my usual size 14 on the waist and arms but I found mine a little snug on the bust when wearing a modern bra, but with an old fashioned undergarment the fit was better so do consult the sizing guide.  

The dress is fully lined in a dark blue cotton which means it won't go see through in the daylight and gives another layer of warmth. You could easily wear this dress all year round by throwing on a cardigan and some thicker tights. 

Another great feature of the dress - it's got pockets! 

When shopping for vintage appropriate items it's these things, linings and pockets that make the difference in terms of quality and it's worth spending a little more when you find a really good brand. 

Another thing to note about Seasalt is their ethics policy which you can find on their website. Their promotion of their "Locally Made" project and their engagement in the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is definitely something that interests me. They also have their Social Responsibility policy available on their website. 

Seasalt have some amazing products available now, here are my favourites, but number one for me is definitely the Charlotte dress, I just adore that print! 

 Tinting Dress £75.00

Chapelle Dress £65.00

Charlotte Dress £65.00

Performer Dress £55.00

Although a slightly higher price point than my usual go to brands with Seasalt you receive great quality, well tailored and unique items. 

I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for more vintage appropriate items from them and if I can get hold of that Charlotte dress I'll be a very happy lady! 

Until Next Time 

Love 

Lucy

xx 

The Nostalgia In Old Books

Books are very much taken for granted these days I feel, in the age of the kindle I feel the coming generations may lose respect for books which would make me very sad indeed. I shouldn't really worry, books have survived a lot worse than the current age and they still appeal to so many as a preferred way of reading, but I do feel quite sentimental about them.

One reason books are so important is that there were times in history when books were denied to people, and the denial of something only makes people want it more. Books have been banned throughout history at various points and in various countries, in fact some books still are banned for their content, I'd love to know whats so scary about them that the powers feel the public can't handle it.

The beautiful library at Trinity College Dublin - a trip I won't ever forget. 

Prisons throughout the world deny inmates books by way of punishment, which proves how important they are somehow, without a book we cannot escape into that other world and be lost, or in this case, free.

If books are equal to knowledge and knowledge is equal to power it's no wonder books have been so controversial in their history.

Perhaps it's the rebel in me that loves them, I've got a library card and I'll stick it to the man!

Of course we still live in a time where some parts of the world do not have the benefit of easy access to books, either educational or otherwise.

Here in England I see all too often that TV and youtube has replaced books as entertainment for children, I watched TV of course but was very much of the playing outside generation and I read, a lot.

Cardiff Castle boasts an impressive library 

The feeling of turning a page to get to the next exciting chapter, or not being able to put a book down until you have reached the ending is something to be cherished. I wish I could find more time to read books and have a pile at home waiting to be devoured.

Lots of charity shops sell old books and Oxfam Books Kentish Town has a rare and vintage section which I just love. The books are well worn of course but the aesthetics of the shelves are gorgeous.

When I am a proper grown up with my own home I would love to have a beautiful bookcase and a reading chair somewhere. Or an attic filled with books, or a library...if I win the lottery.

When buying older second hand books you discover little treasures along the way. I have found old money, notes and to do lists and even old photographs in books.

I bought this book in Oxfam Books Kentish Town for £3.99 after falling in love with the illustrations.

Robinson Crusoe is a classic story that I have read before at some point but there is something different about reading the tale from a book like this that makes it feel really special.

Another thing that I love about this book is that at some point someone wrote their name in it, books must have meant so much to this little person that they claimed it as their own in their childish scribble and I think that's adorable.

My parents used to read to us a lot, although my dad was very talented at making up stories on the spot, mostly about a farmer called Thomas and his magical chicken who won talent shows. I think this is why I feel such a nostalgia for books and storytelling and why I am unlikely to ever move on to a more technological way of reading, despite how convenient it may be.

I remember very distinctly the first time I fell in love with a book, at age 7 reading the children's version of Little Women because I'd begged my teacher to let me move on from Janet and John who I considered boring little shits altogether.

I'll be forever grateful to Miss Maine for giving in to my complaining, she won't know it but she started my literary love affair.

Until next time
Love
Lucy
xx

Two Outfits for £12.00 - OOTD Charity Shop Post

I have written before about charity shops and why I think they are brilliant for bargain outfits, but there is a deeper reason for my love of the charity retail sector.

I work for a charity and so I can support causes through retail as well as through work and that means a lot to me. Also the less clothes that go to landfill or get produced as part of the fast fashion culture the better in my book. These shops are full of great finds if you go and have a look.

I wrote a post about how to get the best from charity shops which you can see here.

With that in mind I am bringing you two examples of outfits I picked up for less than £6.00 each.

Springtime Blues 

Skirt £2.25, Shirt £3.00

The first is this geek chic outfit which I bought at my local Scope shop.

Skirt: I love powder blue and also I really liked the pleated style of this skirt since I don't have any like it. The label is Daxon. The skirt is 100% polyester and requires no ironing which is great for someone like me!

Shirt: When I saw this shirt hanging above the skirt I just knew they had to meet each other in outfit heaven. It's got the powder blue elements to the floral print but also red, coral, green and white meaning it can be mixed with so many other pieces.

Aside from the print I adore the detail on the front of the shirt, it's a really interesting feature and makes this shirt feel much more vintage that it is actually modern.

It's a nice lightweight fabric so it will be great in the summer to throw over outfits that need a little more coverage. I love to wear pearls with old fashioned shirts to set the whole thing off.

These brown sling backs are some of my favourite shoes for summer, they are by Jasper Conran at Debenhams. I love how they match the clasp on my bag. 

Lovely Limes 

Skirt £3.50 Top £2.50 

The second outfit is entirely modern.

I spotted this ASOS skirt on the rack (at Marie Curie in Finsbury Park) because of the print and the colour. I love bright tones for spring and the check print is eye catching and bold. I was thrilled when I pulled it out to get a better look and saw the shape, it's a full, but not a circle, skirt. It still looks great with or without a petticoat.

Right next to the skirt I saw this simple green vest top which was brand new with it's tags still on. I thought it would go so well with the skirt that I snapped them up to pull together this very casual modern take on a 1950's look with a cardigan thrown over and a nylon scarf to accessorise.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my charity shop bargain outfits and look forward to bringing some more to the blog in the near future.

Until Next Time
Love
Lucy
xx

The Blues Kitchen Camden Restaurant Review

As a belated birthday treat my sister took me to The Blues Kitchen Camden for lunch on Sunday. This place is so well known amongst blues music lovers and I can't believe I had never been before.

The Blues Kitchen Camden 

I was greeted by the super friendly maitre die who was very accommodating. My sister was running late and we were told upon booking that tables are given a slot of 2 hours, but we were not rushed in any way and I was whisked away to the table to wait for my sister.

Drinks 

As it was so sunny I drank larger, although part way through the meal the waiter suggested I have a Big Wave which is a Hawaiian golden ale and I was grateful for the recommendation as it was a lovely floral flavour.

My sister drank a Mojito which is one of her favourites and she was impressed. The drinks service was also remarkably quick despite the restaurant being almost full which you don't often find in places that serve cocktails so this was a real plus.

Starters 

I had the goat tacos to start, the meat was so tender and beautifully smoked and my sister went for the squid which was crisp and tasty, the portion sizes were also really good, you'd definitely want to be hungry to go here!

Goat Tacos - Smoked goat meat in soft corn tortillas. Topped with chipotle & coriander mayo.

Cajun Ppopcorn Squid served with Sriracha mayo & burnt lime.

Main Course

For my main I decided to order the gumbo since it is not something I would never make for myself at home, especially since it contained ocra which I have tried and failed to cook on many occasions! The meat was slow cooked and the creamy sauce had just enough kick to it. It was a really filling dish but I managed to clean the whole plate!

New Orleans Gumbo -  smoked sausage, chicken, okra, peppers & long grain rice, served with cornbread.

My main also came with this amazing cornbread which I had not tried before, it was warm and light with a beautiful buttery flavour, something I could easily become addicted too! 

My sister had the grilled brassicas salad which looked amazing, she said it was really filling too as it wasn't just leaves but some hearty veg and seeds with a fresh zingy dressing.

Grilled Brassicas Salad (V) With sweet potato, spirulina & avocado dressing & toasted seeds 

Dessert

We were tempted by the waiters recommendation of the oreo doughnuts for a desert so we decided to share them. They come with a dipping sauce and I am finding it hard to describe how beautiful they are, for someone like me who doesn't really love sweet things it will sound strange to say they were not overpoweringly sweet but they had just the right balance to make them mouthwatering.

The atmosphere at The Blues Kitchen Camden is fantastic, the staff were very attentive without being too much and we had everything we needed, definitely 10/10 for customer service.

The music is brilliant and is not so loud that you have to scream at each other but I caught myself tapping my feet under the table throughout.

The Blues Kitchen regularly has live acts and I would dearly love to go to see a gig there since I am always on the look out for live music in London and I have heard some of their regular acts playing around London and really enjoyed them.

There were so many tasty things on the menu that I am sure we will be back to try more!

With venues in Camden, Shoreditch and Brixton there is a Blues Kitchen to suit everyone. I hope you enjoyed this review and if you are ever in these areas I would highly recommend lunch or a dinner here.

Until Next Time
Love
Lucy
xx