Every year I take part in a wonderful vintage weekend up North.

Usually held at the end of March/beginning of April, a 3 day full on event with shopping, dance classes, talks, dinner dances, photo shoots, hair styling opportunities and lots of live and pre-recorded music pull in a large crowd of similar vintage lovers.

This year was my third year and I was so excited.

Hope and Ivy Dress

I had already had my knee operation, so I wouldn’t be in a wheelchair this time, and there may even be a chance of a little dance!

Choosing my outfits for the weekend left me in quite a quandry. After all, I have a LOT of outfits and love them all.

What A View

I was planning on arriving on Thursday evening, so would need something for that evening, then Friday day and night, Saturday day and night and then Sunday for travelling home.

Several holdalls and a massive suitcase later and I was on my way.

My Beautiful Suite

I decided to wear something loose and easy for the drive/evening and went for my relatively new Hope and Ivy dress that I had purchased for upcoming holiday to Malaysia, Bali and Dubai.

Being very loose and floaty, I knew it would be perfect for the drive up which would take about two and a half hours.

Non-Alcoholic Gin for the Win

The Priscilla dress was a beautiful pale green with purple and pink flowers, in a wrap style. For those interested it is currently on sale; down from £90.00 to £63.00.

Thursday evening was a very light event as most people wouldn’t be arriving until Friday. There was however a vintage quiz and some fantastic tunes from Jayne Darling which got us all in the mood (no pun intended).

The Delightful Jayne Darling

Going into the beautiful vintage restaurant, I chose a good old favourite; Steak pie, mash and vegetables.

Of course, being up North, there was lashings of gravy!

Yum!

Anyway, back to it.

The following morning I went down to breakfast which is included for every day of the stay.

Pastries…. to start!

Full English, fruits, cereals, pastries, yoghurts and more are all available. You can even choose what kind of eggs you want, if the standard fried are not to your taste.

Of course, a full English is always welcome, along with a nice pot of Earl Grey tea.

Men Don’t Make Passes At Women In Glasses

After breakfast I had an appointment with the amazing  Michaela of Edelweiss hair. Finally my hair had grown back after my dramatic short cut last time which made me need to wear a wig for the last event.

She did the most amazing style on me, with curls and waves and I was thrilled to bits.

The brilliant Michaela from Edelweiss Hair

Once my hair was done, I put on outfit number one of the day; a Pin Up Girl Tiki dress with matching jacket.

I bought exactly the same dress several years ago in a black and pink print, which they had never re-issued in a different colour.

The Finished Look

Until a couple of years ago.

Stupidly, I didn’t realise this was the same style and so I never purchased it.

What A Building!

Until March of this year when the Bestie Boo was having a clear out of clothing that no longer fitted her and I snapped this up. When it arrived and I realised just what style it was, I was literally bursting with excitement.

So, on went the dress and jacket and I paired it with a hair accessory that I had purchased from Michaela, which featured red, orange and yellow flowers and chilli peppers.

Flowers By Edelweiss Hair

It was then that I noticed one small problem.

I hadn’t bought any shoes to wear with this outfit.

My “New” to me shoes!

Then I had a “Eureka” moment…

I remembered seeing a pearly white pair of original vintage shoes on one of the stalls downstairs. They also happened to be just my size!

Tiki Time Tanya

Pairing those with the outfit, which had a little bit of white as an accent, really worked and I was ready to hit the ballroom.

First of all, I had a mini photoshoot, both inside and outside.

Tiki and Tiles

After all, you cannot use the building when it is so absolutely perfect.

Finally I ended up getting to the ballroom where I sequestered myself at a table with a marvellous mocktail and watch the amazing dancers taking a turn around the floor.

Especially Created by The Barman

There was a wonderful performance by the eternally beautiful Lady Lindy

Sadly, I am not yet up to joining up, but I could still enjoy watching and having a chat with lots of friends both old and new.

The Lovely Lady Lindy

Eventually it was time to get back to my suite where I was to get ready for the evening dance.

And boy, did I have a bobby dazzler of an outfit to wear!

Strike a Pose!

Watch out for the next part, coming soon.

Till then,

SPSG xxx