A few weeks back I donned my best 50’s frock and braved the torrential rain to go and show my support to everyone’s favourite 60’s spy, Agent Lynch. She was the poster girl for an amazing new exhibition, Domestic Burlesque at Time for Tea in Shoreditch High Street.

Elsa Quarsell, who has shot for Vogue, pictured over 30 burlesque dancers in their homes including Vintage Secret favourites, Kitty Bang Bang, who I met years ago when she danced for For Ramona and Millicent Banks who entertained the masses at the last White Black Bird Party at Stoke Place in a bath of hot choc and marshmallows. Yum!

After the private view we all headed over to the Last Days of Decadence across the road for the after party. Lynchy and Kitty put on a spectacular show, much admired by all and then it was time for more rain and then bed.It’s on till August 2nd, Thursday till Sunday 12.00 – 8.00pm.

Welcome to yet another post about some upcoming pyjama parties-apparently the hippest bashes to be seen at this summer. Given the amount of money I’ve spent over the years on gorgeous jammies, only to have them wasted on my man who only ever notices what I’m wearing if its nothing, its nice to finally have a chance to show them off. I’ve also borrowed one of Vintage Secret’s gorgeous 1930s dressing gowns- we have a few more in stock, as well as bed jackets, kimonos etc; they’re not on the website but you can make an appointment to come and buy or borrow one.To brush up on your bedtime style. have a read of the recent Queens of Vintage article; Vintage Nightwear; A History.
This week’s bedtime offerings include The Last Tuesday Society’s lecture by D.J Taylor on the Bright Young Things- also famous for galavanting around London in their PJs and having a spiffing time.You may remember the wonderful Stephen Fry film of the same name- the lecture should give you a real insight into the true life stories behind the characters.They’ll also be a set by the Broken Hearts DJ duo, and if you go in your PJs, the entrance fee is halved to a fiver!

And on Wednesday, David Carter is once more opening up his gorgeous boutique hotel, 40 Winks for a night of Bedtime Stories- think silk eye masks, fluffy slippers and your teddy a la brideshead.Email reservations@40winks.org to book your place for £20, drinks and nibbles included.

I don’t know about you, but here at Vintage Secret we are in the habit of buying up all sorts of gorgeous vintage knick- knacks, even if we don’t have any real use for them.Putting things on a shelf to look pretty is all well and good, but what could be more stylish and environmentally friendly than re-using vintage packaging? Andrea Garland fills old pill pots, sewing tins and other containers with her wonderful, all natural beauty products; lip balms, muscle rubs and body balms.Genius! And when you’ve used up all the lovely stuff, just send your tin back to Andrea and she’ll refill it for less than half the original price.You can buy Andrea’s products online or at the Upmarket off Brick Lane most Sundays. Speaking of which- Vintage Secret will once more be gracing the pop up vintage market in the Boiler House on Brick Lane. Friday and Saturday, 11-6, Sunday 10-5. See you there!!!

The lovely Gabby of Gabby Young and Other Animals visited us at Vintage Secret headquarters today, on the hunt for some outfits for the music video shes shooting this weekend. With her flaming red hair, we found lots of gorgeous frocks to compliment Gabby’s striking look. Whilst technically looking for pieces to wear in her music video, Gabby also picked up a couple of bits and bobs to take to Latitude festival, where she’ll be performing with the fabulous House of Fairytales, founded by artists Gavin Turk and Deborah Curtis. Gabby will also be blogging about her visit on her brand new style blog.

With tea parties very much in vogue, Vintage Secret has opened its cupboards to bring to you the very best in vintage crockery. What better way to entertain this summer than having an alfresco tea party or hosting a dinner on immaculate vintage dining wear? We have full sets from 4 to 14 if you like your crockery to match, or we can also do fun mixed sets to accommodate up to 100 for both tea parties and sit down meals.

We offer a styling service where we come and set up your party for you including divine cakes and treats, the very best tea in your pot, plus with flower arrangements, table clothes and bunting. Then we take it all away and wash up for you. Hassle free entertaining. Prices available upon request. http://www.naomithompson.co.uk/crockery

Fleur de Guerre, Pin-up model and long time friend of Vintage Secret, came for a visit on Saturday to put Naomi’s hair into some spiffing victory rolls for the Chap Olympiad. She made a very glamorous score-board lady, despite the very British weather- read all about their day on her fabulous blog; Diary of a Vintage Girl
You can also spot Fleur and Naomi in the Telegraph’s footage of the event, here.

Phew- what a weekend!I have been away living the vintage life sans internet etc,whilst Naomi has been hard at work, busy uploading new frocks onto the site.Get them before they go!

I was lucky enough to go on Hep Cats’ Holiday weekend in glamorous Weston Super Mare on behalf of The Guardian. Here are some pics to give you a sneaky preview of what I got up to- the weekend was just lovely; I bought a wonderful silver dress from the 1950s for £18 at the vintage market, learnt some jive dance moves, heard amazing live music and met some wonderful people. Book now on their website if you want to go in September, as it sells out fast, and you want to get in there before all those Guardian readers…
Hep Cat Ladies in all our finery…

Vintage and Pin-up model Fleur de Guerre was there filming a 7 day wardrobe diary for a new website- read more about it and see the outfits she wore on her wonderful blog. She looked absolutely stunning- see how she dwarfs me in the picture of us together- at 5ft 9 I’m not used to being made to feel so vertically challenged!

In keeping with the weather on the last night, the nautical theme went down a storm!
(Above centre is Claire Austin who runs Hep Cats Holiday with her husband Robert Austin- the couple are fantastic dance teachers-head to one of their classes in London if you can’t make the weekends away.She’s pictured here with Alex, Lydia, Sarah and Diana, all regular London dance class attendees)
You can see the rest of the pics from my weekend here.

See Naomi get all tied up at the Festival of Japanese Bondage- Patrick Hussey talks about how it all got a little ropey here.

Vintage Secret’s Naomi shares her pearls of wisdom with Run Riot readers- if you’re stuck for stuff to do in July, have a read!From underwear exhibitions to the Chap Olympiad and Burlesque fundraisers, there’s bound to be something that tickles your fancy.