2011 for Mish Mash Vintage

Well I feel I've had a pleasant year this year no dramas that I can recall and it's been a  productive year for Mish Mash Vintage, with me steadily moving forward and developing the business. I didn't get to do a lot of what I had planned in 2011 due to not realising the stress that uni commitment would bring but I know for a fact 2012 is only going to get bigger and better. Thank you for the continued support and I wish you all a very Happy New Year. Here's looking back over the year for Mish Mash:

January
Saw the re-launch of our newly named blog www.mishmashvintageblog.com via host Tumblr and I've had a great time looking few hundreds of vintage pics everyday and sharing them with you all to see. I do love an old photograph and it seems lot's of you do too, with many of you 'liking' and 'reblogging' our pictures everyday.

MishMashVintageBlog.com Screenshot

February
Saw Mish Mash Vintage launch the 'shop' tab on our blog while we worked on the main website, so everyone was able to view & purchase what was available while the website was under maintenance.


March
We created our 'Fan Page' on Facebook where users could like us and stay in touch more easily. Many users from Twitter quickly followed us over, as well as gaining lot's of new support. And are proud to currently have over 170 'likers' on our page.

April
We launched and added lot's of new items to our Etsy shop. This was the first place outside of our blog that we began selling. I also got the chance to see Katy Perry at Wembley arena.

Our first Etsy shop

May
Was a month of plenty of work behind the scenes and not a lot of play as we prepared for selling over the summer months.

June
This was the month where we attended our first vintage fair as sellers and learnt LOTS. I had a successful first outing, which kept me motivated to keep selling throughout the rest of summer.

Me selling at my first vintage fair

We also launched our Blogspot during this month, with some feedback that our main blog site could be confusing (maybe not realising Tumblr is a place for short blog posts). Creating a blog via Blogspot allowed me to interact with customers personally and without talking through the voice of the shop. Blogspot has become a place where I feel I post more interesting topics then our Tumblr.

Screenshot of our Blogspot

July
Had our first ever article published in Demur Magazine which was a very proud moment. We talked about how to find vintage and great vintage stores to visit in London.

Part of our article in Demur Magazine July issue

August
We had our first photoshoot and managed to get some great shots with the aid of my close friends Amanda and Sian modelling the Mish Mash Vintage range, and I can't wait to work with the girls again I couldn't have asked for more working on our budget.

Amanda (Top) and Sian (Bottom) modelling our clothes & accessories

September
September saw me personally moving house TWICE and commencing the final year of my studies, so again I had further delays with Mish Mash's stock being all over. But I continued to be on the look out for great vintage bargain pieces and settled into my new home of Plumstead and I did manage to make my first cakestand from vintage plates with the aid of my Grandad.

October
I wrote my first ever book review which was on the great read 'Decades of style' a 60s and 70s inspired make over book. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and writing the review and would love to do more reviews next year.

My review on 'Decades of Style'

November
We opened the online store www.MishMashVintage.co.uk where you could now buy direct from us! This website is still under tests until early 2012 when we're going to spruce it up a bit which is why we currently haven't gone all out to promote it, but so far it has been great having all our items in one easy place. This website will be linked up to www.MishMashVintage.com in future so look forward to lot's more to come.

Screenshot of our online store MishMashVintage.co.uk

December
The end of the year saw us wind down the year quietly as I was heaped under essay deadline after deadline. We sold at Spitalfields, Christchurch which was the most stunning venue yet and had a great day. And we reached 1,000 followers on Twitter.

Part of our stall at Spitalfields

All in all I may not have been able to do all I had planned, but 2011 has been a massive learning experience for me which I needed so I can't see it all in negative light. I had so much fun selling over summer and meeting people and can't wait to do the same next year whilst also taking our website to the next level in the great plan of things. This has definitely been another year which has flown by.
Again thanks to each and every follower on each of our networking sites that keep us going and give me a reason to keep following what I love. I know the beginning few months of 2012 will be quiet as I write my final dissertation but from May onwards Mish Mash Vintage will be going at full steam ahead. Have a fab New Year's Eve!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A wander around Collectif

Today I was visiting the Covent Garden area looking at various vintage shops and other stores when I remembered the recommendation of Collectif; so I battled against the rain eventually finding Endell Street where I wasn't to be disappointed. The shop was brightly lit and inviting and I could easily browse through all the rails at my own pace and the shop assistant was very helpful. Being a smaller size I often struggle to find clothes which fit but was relieved to find that they cover a wide range from 6-22. Collectif's collection includes a great range of 40s and 50s inspired dresses and accessories.

The Covent Garden Store

Shop interior courtesy of Intrinsically Florrie 

I tried on a few outfits including the leopard print dress below; I didn't walk away with anything this time but I think I may start saving for the two-piece suit! Here's some of my favourites I spotted instore.

Buttoned Suit Blazer & Skirt £90

Regina Doll Dress Feral £55

Wanda Winter Dress £55

Helga Skirt with Swallow Embroidery £35

Lorena Hat £18

You'll also be able to find Collectif stores in Spitalfields and Camden market areas, I'd definitely recommend a visit. 

Collectif Website

Even Barbie does vintage

At 22 I still have a soft spot for Barbie even if it is just to look at and not play with these days *sad face*. I came across the Grace Kelly Barbie on another blog and was enchanted to see that there are many more vintage inspired Barbie's out there. Everything from the hair to the clothing to the tiny little accessories that accompany the doll are so cute and perfect. Here's a pick of my favourites that I came across on the collectors site.

Rear Window, Grace Kelly doll

Barbie dressed as Marilyn

Mad Men Betty Draper

Sinatra Barbie

Parisienne Barbie, a vintage reproduction

English Barbie

Francie Fairchild Doll

Grace Kelly The Romance doll

Oh to be a child again, but you'd have to be pretty careful with some of these having a hefty price tag of over £50. All the above dolls are available at the Barbie Collector Website

Christmas pressies and getting merry

I hope you've all had a magical Christmas and managed to relax on Boxing day, as we all start to prepare for the new year. I had a lovely day eating lots of food, playing games and visiting family on Christmas day. We had a bird, in a bird, in a bird which was a new experience and I didn't do too bad on the present front either. I was spoilt by my mum & boyfriend and here's a few of the things that I received.

This beautiful metal tin, in the shape of a fairytale book by Cath Kidston to store all my loose buttons. I think it's so cute and very handy.

This lovely and very festive mini skirt with the latest 'Aztec print' design. 

A very helpful vintage fashion book, giving you lots of basic info for finding genuine vintage items and dating it to the correct era.

A series 1 and 2 box set of Downtown Abbey. I only started watching half way through series 2 so I have a lot of catching up to do.

These two books with lots of vintage adverts in, with a comedic twist.

Some Henry Holland alphabet tights, which I've been after for ages & will have to be very careful not to  tear them as I'm the worst for ladders.

And these cool leather studded slippers from Topshop.

So all in all I was very pleased as well as receiving Just Dance on the wii and some money and vouchers and my mum loved her bag and lace shawl that I picked up at the Spitalfields Vintage Fair earlier this month.

It's back to work tomorrow so I'm going to enjoy my final day off and catch up with Christmas tv that I've missed out on. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Collar Crazy

This season has seen a wide range of peter pan collar inspired dresses, blouses and jumpers deriving from the classic black and white look as seen below. 

I've become obsessed with the look myself as it reminds me of a cute, vintage feel but so far I have struggled to find the perfect peter pan dress for myself. Then I remembered seeing detachable lace collars at vintage fairs, usually selling for around a tenner and I thought these would be perfect for adding to my own tops and dresses to create this look. There's tons of different collars out there and they can completely change an outfit. So rather then throwing something away next time, see if you can find a collar for it to give it a new lease of life.

The classic white lace look by Betsey Do

 A cute swallow print circle collar by Latisha Donald 

Go bold with black and white pearls from Tinxi Global

A touch of vintage glamour with this mink fur collar by McLovebuddy on Etsy

Try out a pointed collar for a different look like this one from Latisha Donald with pearl detail.

A gorgeous faux leopard print collar thanks to Orange on Broadway

Have fun creating lot's of new looks!

Christmas TV I cannot wait for

What better way to relax after food and party games on Christmas, then everyone sitting around the TV together. We normally always watch The Wizard of Oz together.

What's returning to our screens, with a vintage twist?

I have been obsessed with the 80s based drama 'This is England' since it was shown on Film4 back in 2006.

For those who have never seen, it's based on a group of skinheads living Nottingham and how their way of life was becoming tainted by Nationalists and my favourite character has to be the wonderfully talented Rosamund Hanson portraying 'Smell'.

I've seen the film around 5 times now, but still need my very own copy on DVD!

After huge success the film was followed up with a TV series in 2010 called This is England '86 and it certainly didn't disappoint me, continuing the gripping drama and storylines as well as the great laughs from the film. It's also kind of amazing to me that my own parents would have been the age of the people represented at the same time.

I LOVE a real British film and this encompasses everything I love about them, reflecting the rawness of some people's lives and with fantastic local actors. Next week sees the return of the fantastic cast in This is England '88 and I cannot wait, with a rumoured This is England '90 to follow (I'm slightly gutted there's not an '89 as this was when I was born). See below for the trailer for the new series out on Channel 4, 13th December.

This is England '88 trailer

On the rather opposite scale of the vintage spectrum, I am also eagerly anticipating 1920s based drama Downton Abbey's return to our screen. I only started watching half way through this series, after being recommended by a friend and I became hooked instantly. The nation has also become gripped with Downton and I know lot's of us were sad to see it leave, but not to worry as the cast will be back with a 2 hour special on Christmas Day, hooray!
From clues I think this episode will focus very much on Lady Mary and Matthew's relationship and perhaps we'll finally have our questions answered as to whether will they or won't they; and we'll get to see just how they did Christmas in a country manor house in the 20s, exciting.

The cast of Downton Abbey getting ready for Christmas

I'm also looking forward to the not so vintage in the Absolutely Fabulous comeback, Outnumbered, Dr Who and Big Fat Gypsy Weddings Christmas specials. What have you got lined up to watch?