If I were a rich (wo)man...

As I think I mentioned before, I've been busy compiling an autumn/winter trend report for Brum Notes magazine.

I decided that for the most part, it'd be easier to physically go shopping to find pieces that I wanted to include. So on Wednesday that's just what I did.

Easier? yes. Enjoyable? Not really.

When you're poor (definition of my poverty is £20 to last a month until student loan arrives) shopping is no fun, people. It's bad enough having others around you rave on about the new season's clothes, but having to go out and painstakingly choose the pieces you like best yourself without being able to buy anything is pure torture.

Feeling sorry for myself aside; the key trends I selected to write about (which I deemed suitable for the magazine's readers) were: Knitwear, Fur, Camel, Leopard Print, Lace/Velvet, Country and Military.

The main reason for my outing was to check out some independant shops, mainly vintage, where I wouldn't be able to see the stock online.

First off, I wandered up to Birmingham's Oasis Market to see what their vintage department had to offer. The first thing that struck me was their display opposite the entrance. Military-inspired no less, complete with gas masks, camoflage- the whole shebang. They also had furs and quilted jackets prominently on display- these guys have clearly been reading their Vogues.

Shitty phone image- but a taste of the military display in the vintage shop @ Oasis Market

 Next on my list was COW. I expected COW to pretty much have everything covered, but it was the knitwear selection I wanted to size up in particular.

Chunky knits are where it's at this season and the best kinds are adorned with kitsch Nordic and Fairisle patterns- so vintage knitwear should definitely deliver. COW didn't disappoint; their knitwear selection was the best of the vintage shops I saw- if only for the sheer quantity of it. Shoppers are certainly spoiled for choice.

Whilst in COW, I also browsed the sale rail and checked out the bargain bag bin in the hope of finding something cheap enough to justify purchasing.

I came away with this velvety, er, thing. I think the velvet justified me buying it as I guess it's on trend; although I think I may have had my rose-tinted bargain specs on because I'm not entirely sure I like it or if I'll even be wearing it! Only 3 quid though.

The outer velvety fabric is black and the blue and black stripy bit in the middle is attached. The top is by Triumph International- which I know as an underwear brand (same logo), hmmm...

What do you think?

Next on the list was Urban Village as I wanted to take a look at their Barbour jackets. The brand has gained increased popularity with the rise of the 'country' trend- as well as extra exposure at this year's festivals.

Fearne Cotton at the Isle of Wight festival this year, rocking a classic Barbour jacket (picture courtesy of glamourmagazine.co.uk)

If you're looking for a vintage Barbour jacket in Birmingham, this is the place to go. UV stock a pretty good selection, with the prices I saw ranging between £35-£45.

If you fancy splashing your cash on a new one, try A Too Menswear on Ethel St. Obviously they just stock jackets in the menswear dept. but I reckon they look better- a lot more choice too.

After UV, I decided to walk through the Custard Factory to the shop's old home by the lake to check out the 'General Stores' (home to extra vintage sellers once sharing the same building as UV). To my surprise the shop had disappeared! Well, the building was still there but the stuff in side wasn't.

Before walking off, I spotted a sign for another vintage shop (I've forgotten the name!) and with a quick glance back round I spotted it- just a few doors down.

The owner was very lovely and chatty. She greeted me by saying she loved my jumper (she knits and sells very similar ones) and was shocked when I confessed that it only cost £3 (or could've been 2, I forget).

My bargain chunky knitted jumper, which I usually style with this skinny leather belt, knotted

 I told her that it was from this weird sort of warehouse sale in Digbeth and she knew where I meant right away.

This is what I'm talking about, it's called 'Credit Crunchers' I think. It's just by the 'Fancy Silk Store' (of course you're all aware of that!)

The lady from the vintage shop told me that the woman from Credit Crunchers had started selling unwanted clothes but has since cottoned-on to the vintage racket and was now slapping hefty price tags on her stuff.

Curious about this, I popped in to see what was going down. They were closing when I got there (nobody I know would describe me as an early bird) but I was let inside nonetheless. I went to the corner where I'd found my jumper and could only see jumble sale-esque clobber.

The man who let me in then ushered me over to the area near the till where there were more clothes, clearly thinking he knew what I was after. Low and behold, some slighty better looking half-vintage clothes (I say half because most of the things I saw were 90s cast-offs at best). Yet here they were, shielded behind the till and roped off as if they were precious antiques in a museum- nothing carried any prices on either. The lady at the vintage shop told me that she'd asked the price of a stained jacket and was told £50- I didn't bother enquiring about anything.

Perez eat your heart out...

I also obtained a little bit of showbiz gossip on my outing; though I doubt OK! are going to be ringing off the hook for this one- it excited me (a bit) in any case...

Yeah so the lovely woman from the vintage shop also sells on the Vintage Flea at the Custard factory on a Saturday. She said that last Saturday, she was chatting with someone from the X Factor who spent over £100 there on outfits to wear on the show (she'd just completed Boot Camp).

Now, from what she told me: 'a black girl who sang soul stuff, I thought she was really good but Simon gave her a tough time', my best guess is that she meant Birmingham's Kirsty Reeve who ended up singing Valerie by the Zutons (or Amy Winehouse, take your pick).

Believe it or not, the best picture I could find! (Digital Spy)

So look out for this girl wearing some Birmingham-sourced vintage gear! Oh and go and support the lady I mentioned's new shop, she's great!

Sorry for such a long-winded post too, it's been awhile!

x

Urban Village- some belated pictures

So as promised, here are the few pictures I took when I went to take a look at the new (not so much now) Urban Village in Birmingham.

This was some time ago but I went and left my camera in Birmingham then went 'up Norf' without it- silly me. Anyway, my little pink Nikon and I are reunited once more so here are the pictures to accompany this blog post.

 The shop front (excuse my father's head)

Inside- beautiful fur coats reminding me that I need to get a lovely black or leopard print one before the weather gets colder!

Another inside. Gorgeous Vespa in the corner (don't tell my Dad- die hard Lambretta fanatic!)

Really must find time to pop into Urban Village again soon to check out the new stock!

The new Urban Village

First comes a humble apology for a lack of posts recently, having a bit of a mare. My laptop is currently at a repair centre and silly old me has gone and left my camera in Birmingham- doh!

Anyway, enough of my misfortunes, here's what I've been up to.

The new Urban Village store

I went to check out the new Urban Village shop at the Custard Factory on Saturday.



I've been desperate to get a look in from the moment it was announced that it was moving into a new building- however I managed to end up in Yorkshire on the launch day!

I've seen a few pictures from the grand opening, which was on the 26th June, and I'm really rather gutted that I missed it! The event boasted live music with DJs and bands throughout the day and a scooter competition- which my Dad would've loved, here's his beloved Lambretta:



So on Saturday I took my Mum and Dad along whilst I was back in Birmingham. I wasn't disappointed. The sheer quality of Urban Village's vintage gear is really well showcased in the new shop. Everything is well laid out and the way the shop is decorated is fantastic- a real mod's paradise.

For some reason things seemed cheaper too (maybe just me), although I didn't buy anything. My Dad on the otherhand bought a great vintage Ben Sherman checked shirt for £10.

Upon seeing the new shop, it's clear that Urban Village has really come into its own and a shop to itself was all it really needed to fulfil it's potential. Urban Village has always been a great vintage shop; I've always maintained that the quality of their stock is second-to-none, but everyone should really go and check them out at the new location- it's brilliant!

I did take a few pictures, but as I said- I left my camera down there! I'll update this post with them as soon as I retrieve it!

Because it was Saturday, I also had a little mooch around the flea market and popped into Urban Village's old home. The place looked so empty!

The 'general stores' are still intact but the area which held Urban Village was looking pretty sorry. There were a few stalls in there but I deduced that these must have been those from the flea market which sometimes overspill out into the Custard Factory's courtyard. Let's hope it will soon be filled with more vintage goodness!

Birmingham Vintage Fair 12/06

The Custard Factory, Birmingham held another vintage fair today.

Last time the queue was huge! and I've been on my own today... but I still decided to wander down and check it out because they're always good.

I wasn't disappointed. There was no queue when I got there (queuing by oneself is not cool)and the place was rammed with vintage goodies.



I bought this cute vintage reworked dress by Salad. And yeah, I know I could've just got one at COW- but I liked it; also, the lovely lady on the stall let me go in her little selling station bit to try it on and even zipped the thing up for me, so how could I say no really...



(The dress was £12 by the way. Not bad)

I also bought these cool vintage sunnies for £4.



I love them but they're a bit big for my poor little head! Of course I didn't realise this until later when I was walking down the street in them, not managing to walk 5 feet without them falling down my nose! I'll have to try and tighten the screws or something.



I also got these cute polka dot fabric earrings for £4. I love big earrings and I love red and white together!



Unfortunately I didn't indulge my sweet tooth with any of the lovely cupcakes on sale today- on the inevitable summer diet!

Another highlight of the fair wasn't actually part of the fair itself...

The Saturday Flea Market (also held in the Custard Factory complex) is always a joy when the vintage fair is on.

Stall-holders know that there'll be extra people milling around and so pull out all the stops.

The Flea Market was packed today, so much so that it had spilled right out of the indoor location and took up much of the Custard Factory.

I saw it nearly as busy last week and just assumed that it was due to the nice weather. Maybe it's just becoming more popular!

In other news...

I'm having a clearout! It's that time of year again and I'm (supposed to be) packing up my things ready to move into my new student flat. So I'm selling a few bits and pieces on good old ebay.

Just wanted to let you know that I'm selling the vintage scarf I mentioned in an earlier blog post in case anyone liked the look of it :)

Birmingham Vintage Fair

If anyone attempted to get down to the Vintage Fair at Birmingham’s Custard Factory on Saturday, no doubt they’ll have been met with a huge queue like this.

Yes, the Vintage Fair was back in the ‘Old Library‘ and record numbers turned out to try and grab themselves a bargain. I’ve been to the fair a few times and have honestly never seen as many people in attendence!

I arrived at the Custard Factory at 2′o’clock and didn’t get inside ’til 45 minutes later! One of the girls on the entrance desk said, “it’s mad, it’s been so crazy”.

The fair ran from 12pm-5pm and held numerous stalls selling vintage and recycled clothes, accessories and more. Having stood in the queue for about as long as I was inside, I assumed that there wouldn’t be much left to buy! But luckily there was still plenty.

I bought two gorgeous necklaces and a cute back patent evening bag :)