Vintage Caravaning

I have a secret dream of one day doing up the old 70's caravan that's been left neglected on the Mister's Mums drive and hook it up to Tilly the Triumph and spend a few weeks travelling around the British countryside....

 

And after spending an afternoon a few weekends ago in a middle of a field with lots of fellow classic car lovers, I found myself some inspiration. Check this baby out. It is the blue version of what I imagine will be our brown set, so it matches with our brown Triumph 2500.

 

I'm hoping for a dry winter so we can get started on it this year, and then start exploring in the spring. I am in love.

 

 

I asked the owners if I could pop my head in and take some pictures, but I don't think they were prepared for quite the amount of squeaking and squealing which ensued. I got rather excitable! heh!

 

The interior was AMAZING. They've collected bits and bobs over the years for the caravan to kit it out, and all they had to do was give it a bloody good clean as the interior was still spotless! I know ours will need a lot more work than just a quick clean. I'd love to have ours like this one one day :)

 

And just look at this tea set!! I want it I want it now! It's just too cute, matching caravan tea set..whatever next?!

 

Does anyone else have a hidden love for caravans? Got one hidden away in your backyard? After staying at Vintage Vacations last summer, I think next summer will be the christening of our very own caravan :) Let the travelling begin!

 

 

Much Love from a field in Sussex,

 

 

L.J.

xxx

Puzzling Away

Sticking to the theme of classic cars, I managed to pick up an old puzzle in one of the charity shops in Shoreham a few weeks ago. Finally finished it, but only to discover quite a few of the pieces were missing.....

 

Does anyone have any tips how I could maybe scan in the box lid and make up the missing pieces?! I'd love to stick it in a frame, but unfortunately the missing pieces are in rather obvious places! Grrr!

 

 

Much Love from Brighton,

 

 

L.J.

xxx

Vintage Nation - Brighton Racecourse

Rather delayed, but The Mister and I got papped while at the Vintage Nation event held up at the windy, and very cold racecourse. Having to keep the posts rather short for the moment due to crappy hands again, please excuse! The majority of the day was spent indoors due to the blistering cold weather we had, and sadly only 5 classic cars turned up with us in the end, but there was plenty to keep us warm and busy on the inside, including shopping shopping shopping, a bit of dancing and at least the one ginger beer at Crabbie's, yum yum!

The lovely Mat from Southern Retro took a few snaps of us shivering outside with Tilly Triumph, which then appeared here on VintageBrighton.com:

And appearing for the first time ever on here, let me introduce you to my Mister. That jacket was a labour of love and has taken many years of car shows and collecting of patches to put together. You will find him wearing this at most classic car shows, including the big grin on his face! Tilly is his pride and joy, and the other woman in our relationship ;)

I do hope they put this on again next year, but perhaps a little later in the season, and with the upstairs floor used for something so it's not so weather dependant. Would recommend it though for a rummage around the stalls!

Much love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

Art Deco Garage, East Preston

In the sleepy village of East Preston, just along from Worthing, lies a little hidden gem I'd heard of. My manager had told me about a little garage that had been let to rot for many many years, but had recently been rescued by a redevelopement plan.

I couldn't find any pictures of what it looked like when it was first finished back in the day, but stumbled across this one before we headed over to explore. What a sorry sorry sight this was:

Now I don't normally like what redevelopers do with Art Deco buildings along the south coast. Far too many have been left to rot away, then get knocked down and turned into more boring high rise blocks. But not this time. These designers were real geniuses. They have kept the front facade as it was, and have cleverly extended backwards, to provide multiple flats in this now restored garage.

I LOVE IT! Now all I need to do is win the lottery to live here.....

We couldn't resist a few poses with the car. The people who live opposite found it highly amusing while they did their gardening!

Let's see more of this on the coast please! I have my heart set on them restoring the old Art Deco Odeon on the Level in Brighton next. Now that's a place I'd pay good money to live in.

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

Raspberry Print Bargain!

Yesterday, the Mister and I, joined by Charlie Beagle, popped along to the Vintage Pop-Up Fair in Hassocks to see what bargains we could snap up. Mum and Dad tagged along, which was a new but very fun experience!

Mum and I took a Vintage Pattern Cutting class for a few days up in London at the V&A in February, and now Mum is on the hunt for some inspiration for a vintage style dress to make for me (I am a very lucky girl!). More posts on her progress on that, and I also want to show you what sewing projects I've been working on recently!

Anyway, back to the fair and our bargains. I managed to pick up 2 dresses, a mink headband, a 3 piece matching set of suitcases, and a little Beagle figurine.

One of the dresses had a super cute raspberry print, and means I can now clearout a few pieces I don't realyy wear anymore. I love this dress, and it is so comfortable to boot. The lady I bought this from said she has a few more pieces lying around at home and will email me some pictures to see if I'd like any of these too!

Looking a little rained on after taking Charlie out for his walk, but wanted to put it on right away anywyay.

This morning we got up bright and early to take part in a Classic Car Run around Sussex, and took the car out in the sunshine (we were very lucky as it only rained on as we drove home!)

Teamed it up with one of the Mister's jumpers to keep out the cold, and took the opportunity to pose on Tilly to show off the dress, and my bright green petticoat underneath!





Hope you all had a lovely weekend too. Anyone picked up any new treats? Or come across any new Vintage Events you'd recomend?

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx



Head Scarves - the 7 Day Challenge - Day 5

Day 5:

Horribly blustery and wet outside today! *bbbrrrrrr*

But we went out and braved it at the Bromley Pageant, with a crack of dawn, 5am start! 

Due to the early start, I decided to use the scarf in the same way as yesterday, but played about with the front rolls a bit and came up with the above. I think I quite like it! And it managed to withstand the day's rain and wind with only hairspray and pins to keep it in place.

We somehow managed to get there a bit earlier than we thought, so were the first ones in the Triumph 2000/2500 area. But that meant we got to watch all the others turn up while eating breakfast with a hot cuppa from the trusty thermos! Scrummy! :)

Picked up my new favourite coat while charity shopping yesterday. Such a score! I am in love with it. Its real suede, in my favourite colour, and I think, but not 100% sure, that it's sheepskin trimmed. The collar is amazing. I wore it yesterday and was wondering why there were hooks at the front, as it was hung up with the labels folded down in a 70s does 40s style, but then realised my neck was getting cold and voila! Cute little peter pan collar :) and all this loveliness for £20. 

Here's Tilly Triumph with her fellow siblings. We were the only Estate version, but parked up next to us, and sadly not in this picture as they left early, was the earliest surviving Mark 1 Triumph 2000. It was beautiful!

The day sadly ended in a bit of a wash-out. It started to pour it down, and the wind picked up. The displays in the main arena were cancelled, but the trusty Hot Rods turned out in force and took centre stage. 

There was a dad and son combo too, with his son driving a Tot Rod, with matching paintwork! I want one of these soo bad. One day...then I'd just have to train the dog....hehe.

One of the other attractions was the Home Front Bus. Take a step inside, and you will find a 40s living room, a shop, a street hit by bombs and even an air riad shelter! In one bus! 

It was amazing inside, you have to take a look if you ever get a chance. Stupidly, I didn't take any pictures as was too busy rummaging around :)

Having had a think about what to do next, I think I'm going to give the 'Rosie the Riveter' style a shot. 

Keep you posted!

Much love from Bromley,

L.J.

xxx

De La Warr Pavilion - Bexhill-on-Sea

Finally, some sunshine at last!! 

Due to the perfect weather, and an appointment to pick up some spare parts for Tilly, we pottered off over to Bexhill-on-Sea, and on the way back from getting Tilly's accessories, popped into one of my favourite, and earliest example of Moderne architecture in the UK, the De La Warr pavilion.

Herbrand Edward Dundonald Brassey Sackville, 9th Earl de la Warr

Commissioned in 1935 by the 9th Earl De La Warr, it was designed by Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff. With it sitting right by the sea, and with clear blue skies, I couldn't help but take lots of pictures! 

So, you have been warned! heh.

The staircase has to be the best bit for me. The lines of the windows against that swirling staircase....swoon...I wish I won the lottery, hired this for an evening for two, and have it all lit up! It would be breath taking me thinks :)

Up to the next floor, and out onto the balcony for a quick drink and to soak up some of the late afternoon sun. 

The views were amazing, the sea was so still, there were people out having fun down the beach and windsurfers all over the place! Perfect stop off for a spot of people watching ;)

They regularly hold gigs here, and have ongoing art exhibitions as well. You should take a peek at their website for current listings and more information etc HERE

And when we went up the next floor to the roof, look what we came across! A Beach on the Roof! I am so coming down again when it opens, I want to find out how on earth they'll pull off pedalo's on the roof! hah! Paddling pool each perhaps? I for one would end up going round and round in circles on the spot anyway, especially as I will be having one of the tempting cocktails they'll have on offer in one hand!

After drinks and a nosey round, we went back outside to take some more pictures of the back of the building. I always forget just how huge it is in person!

Also happens to be the perfect spot for posing, heh. Picked up a new jumpsuit the other day from Snoopers Paradise in the North Laine, Brighton, and finally got the excuse to wear it today! However, my hair did suffer from all the salty sea air, but it sure did blow out the cobwebs.

Has anyone else been out exploring in the sunshine? I'm planning a trip down to Saltdean Lido very soon! Maybe next weekend...

Much Love from Bexhill,

L.J.

xxx