Each year on Valentine’s Day, the number of couples going out for a nice meal together or giving each other cards is almost outweighed by the number of singles who take the day as a personal affront to their un-coupled state. It is rather a shame that what is really quite a silly holiday [...]
Archive | Life
RSS feed for this section
1920s Style in the Village of Shere
Last weekend I visited the little village of Shere in Surrey, which has a reputation of being one of the most picturesque in the whole county. Well, I haven’t visited every village in Surrey so can’t compare, but I can certainly confirm its immense prettiness, and say it is one of the loveliest [...]
The Year in Review
I love blogging, don’t get me wrong. But it has been incredibly difficult to keep it up this past year. In many ways 2012 was a year filled with worries, stresses, and sadnesses, none of which are conducive to writing about vintage history and taking pretty pictures for the blog. If I [...]
Vintage Christmas Music and Merry Christmas
If you aren’t already organised with your Christmas tunes, below is a Spotify playlist I made of some cracking vintage Christmas music from the 40s, 50s and 60s (it is free and easy to join Spotify online if aren’t already subscribed). I also wanted to share with you my favourite Christmas song, by [...]
My Grandpa
My grandpa passed away last month. He wasn’t what you would have called the most affectionate man. Far from wearing his heart on his sleeve, I think he kept it under lock and key. Men of that generation (and particularly farmers trying to make a living from the land) can be hard, [...]
50s Style Art: Earl Diablo’s Artistic Extravaganza
Paul Culshaw is an artist whose intrinsic love of 50s style and music shines through in his work. He also happens to be the husband of my lovely friend Fiona of Straight Talkin’ Mama. My heart quavers a little when I find out that a friend makes art, writes, or plays [...]
Just Chillin’
Apologies for the silence lately folks – last week I was on a much needed break where I did nothing but drink daiquiris, sunbathe and swim. This week (as some kind of punishment for too much fun) I have been curled up on the sofa with a horrid head cold. Normal blogging service will [...]
Tea vs Coffee
Last week while browsing a military magazine, I found this little gem from a 1942 booklet entitled ‘Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain’. “The British don’t know how to make a good cup of coffee. You don’t know how to make a good cup of tea. It’s an even swap.” And [...]
Bondi Hipsters Take On Vintage
I’ve been feeling a wee bit flat this week, so gave myself the day off blogging yesterday and have spent a large amount of today re-organising and cleaning my kitchen shelves. Labelling jars of spices, arranging tins in rows, and storing tea bags in vintage teapots has been extremely therapeutic, and now I am [...]
A Guest at Penny Dreadful Vintage
If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you will have seen that we have a guest staying with us at the moment. Can you see her in the above picture? That is the sight that greeted me when I went to get something out of the stockroom earlier today. Goodness knows how she got up [...]
1960s polka dot mod dress by Berketex
1970s green and red tartan knit jumper dress
1960s black and white check blanket dress
1970s floral print hippy smock dress by Emanuelle
