Before the utter madness of the last Saturday, I spent a relatively sedate weekend in the company of my friends Hanson and Jeni. When I lived in Hackney, a jaunt down to Brick Lane was almost a weekend standard.  There are three of my favourite vintage shops in the world there.  Yes, in the world.  By the time I left the capital it felt mundane, a little jaded. Now I can’t get enough. I marvel at the hipsters like the tourist I have become. I’m sure many marvel at my own hipster tendencies. Thats all fine, I am happy to be part of the melting pot of self expression. I consume the giant squelchy salt beef bagels like my last supper, dribbling mustard and gherkin juice down my chin in gay abandon.

For those of you who have seen the picture of me in my book in the huge sequined ball gown (in the 50′s section) that is what is in the classy dalston-moving-special bag.  I lost it, and it was found again. I had to pay a reward, but I got it back. 

I am not a photographer so this picture blog is thanks to Hanson. There are a million photographers in London, so here is why you should hire him. He is great at event, product and portrait.

“As a lover of the past with a great appreciation of history, I take my inspiration from an era when the photographer was himself a glamorous part of the photographic process. I strive to use manual equipment that makes the photographer work more in tune with his camera and the art of creating photographs. I want to capture the glamour and the gritty realism of today, with the same authenticity that was evident in the great photographers of the earlier years. To achieve this, I use vintage cameras and lenses, as well as the best of handcrafted modern camera equipment.”

As some of you may have noticed from my Twitter bio, I am very lucky to be called upon from time to time, to contribute to my favourite magazine, Homes & Antiques. Many moons ago I did a shoot wearing a 1950’s dress for them (Jan 2009!), and it turned out to be the beginning of many a lovely collaboration. Three highlights really stand out to date. A few years ago I picked for them my top ten 1950’s Christmas party dresses and accessories which were then superimposed on beautiful drawings, in the style of old fashion plates (Jan 2010). Incidentally it was during the 1950’s that fashion photography really came into its own. I have a lovely Elle from 1953 which features a mix of drawings and photography.

Last year I was beyond proud to be asked to be on the judging panel for the ‘top 50 Vintage Shops in the UK’ article, which came out in August this year. I love to share my finds so it was a dream come true to be asked. The Shop in Brick Lane and Tango Tea in Portsmouth are still proudly displaying their  ‘winners’ boards in their windows and it makes my grin like a Cheshire cat to think that I made that happen. One of my winners even made their local news. It’s so important to keep indie shops going (pls do another round H&A!).

Before I come across all ‘Mary Portas’ I will leave you with my favourite assignment of all time: I had one of those heart-stopping moments last year when I was asked to travel to Marseille to write about the towns’ shopping and 1950’s heritage. Yes, that’s right readers; I got paid to travel abroad and write about vintage and antiques (known as ‘Vintiquing’ – a catchy term to cover simultaneous vintage and antique shopping, for anyone who may be unaware of its meaning).

I have two things to say about this assignment. Firstly it was the most exciting and eye opening job I have ever done. The warm welcome I got from the business owners and tourist reps was mind blowing. They are gearing up to be the European Capital of Culture in 2013 and boy, are they proud of it.  No one was snobby or stuck up and I felt thoroughly looked after. To be honest, I was humbled.  And there was no lack of material to write about. Secondly I have never done a job as exhausting as this one. Why?  Well 3 days nonstop of walking for 12 hours a day, trying to fit in all aspects of a town from food to shopping to other things to see was knackering, and throughout it all I felt a heavy obligation to report accurately and to do the town justice. I also quickly cottoned to the fact that people have their own agendas and a few times I sensed that I needed to keep on track rather than be led down a suggested path. The funny thing was, the whole town seemed to know I was there. I would go into one shop and they would say ‘ah la journalist Anglaise, we have heard all about you!’ which was actually very funny, and somehow also very French. I also needed to balance this with finding the very best for the magazine readers.

So I can tell you now, travel writing is not the doddle it seems. There is a HUGE amount to process and take in and memorise and then you very quickly have to sift it to retain the best. Luckily I am a big fan of going to bed at 10pm and getting up at dawn. There is also not a huge scope to go back ask more questions when doing the write up!  On the way home my evening Eurostar hit a stag and which resulted in testing the tracks for damage.  I came home exhilarated but phsycally and mentally spent.

If you would like to read my article (teaser: bakelite bangles for 6 Euro’s anyone?) or to order any of the back issues of Homes and Antiques (they really are quite timeless) then all you have to do is call this number: 0844 844 0255 or email homesandantiques@servicehelpline.co.uk. Its worth it for the shopping guides alone if you are planning a city break. I’m going to leave you with part one of my Marseille pictures, with part two coming up next week with a look at what is on offer this month (1960′s interiors fans you are in for a treat). A big thank you to Hanson Leatherby for editing my amateur work.

Eames DSW Chairs

Chairs and Lamps at Atelier 159

Helene Boy's eclectic shop

Mid Century Cabinets and Chairs

Helene's shop doubles as a gallery

Lunchtime at La Boite a Sardine

Vintage sardine tins

Entrance hall of La Cite Radieuse

Le Corbusier Corridor

Front of La Cite Radieuse

Small Studio Appartment

These little bedrooms were guest rooms for people visiting.

Side elevation of La Cite Radieuse

The view from the restaurant in La Cite Radieuse

Le Relax Factory Shop

Le Meublier Shop

Curiosities in Le Meublier

Belle Époque Valentine’s Day Special 

A Ball for Lovers and Haters

This Valentine’s day, don a mask and immerse yourself into a fantasy world where romance and heartache go hand in glove. A Ball For Lovers And Haters is a one-off Belle Époque Valentine’s special on Saturday 11th February 2012.

At this party, batted eyelashes and smouldering looks are hidden by feathered fans and ornate disguises as our masqueraded villains and swooning courtesans woo each other like star-crossed lovers.

Whether you’re a doe-eyed romantic or a snarling sceptic, enter Belle Epoque’s lavish music hall and step into a velvet draped, gilt edged fantasy world of swinging trapezes, dramatic disguises, dizzy cocktails and show stopping showgirls.

Throughout the evening guests will marvel at aerialists performing jaw dropping acrobatic feats overhead. Both live bands and DJs entertain guests with an eclectic mix of music, while Burlesque dancers provide glamour, beauty and seduction in equal measure.

The evening’s dress code is strict, but stretches the limits of the most far-fetched imagination. Reach into your inner desires and pull out a costume. Be it femme fatale or feisty fan dancer, a petticoated showgirl or a powdered Marie Antoinette, ladies go for elaborate masks, feathers and risqué corsets. Gentlemen should aim for a devilishly dashing look, using hats and disguises to create an air of mystique. Think twirling moustaches and swirling cloaks, silken top hats and crisp tails.

 At this special Belle Epoque Valentine’s Day ball, masked guests will let go of inner inhibitions, have their senses tantalised and be put under a love spell at what will undoubtedly be the masquerade party of the year.

www.belleepoqueparty.com

Tickets priced at £20 are available through the website or by calling 020 7724 1617

Village Underground

54 Holywell Lane

London EC2A 3PQ

8pm-2am (Aerial Acrobatics start at 9pm)

Whether you are expecting the moon and the stars or nothing at all next week there is nothing like a glass of fizz to lift the spirits. I know what I would rather have.

To celebrate Valentine’s day Freixenet , purveyors of fine bubbles, are offering to send one luck reader a lovely bottle of Rosado goodness to celebrate the day, who ever you may be with.

To enter simply follow me on Twitter and tell me why you would like to win using the #freixenet hashtag. If you don’t have a Twitter account leave me a comment below. I’ll pick a winner on Friday. The fizz will be delivered straight  to your door. Easy.

Here is a little idea of what you can do with it:

Freixenet Three Rs:  Roses, Romance and Rosado

We all know that Strawberries and fizz are great together… so why not try something a little different?  Amaretto gives this classic a twist, adding something sweet and sexy for Valentine’s Day.  So, put strawberries and Amaretto in a glass then for the sparkling finish, top with ice cold Freixenet Cordon Rosado, and add an edible rose petal garnish.

Ingredients

25 ml Amaretto

3 strawberries or 25 ml strawberry puree

Freixenet Cordon Rosado

Method

Muddle the strawberries or pour the puree into a mixing glass

Add the Amaretto and shake over ice

Strain into glass and top with Freixenet Cordon Rosado

Glass – Martini

Garnish – Edible Rose Petal 

 Good luck!*

*to enter the competition you must be aged 18 or over and a UK resident. Proof of age may be asked for.

Old Commercial St in Portsmouth is truly a hidden gem, nestled in some of the worst town planning known to the sarf coast. As put by Gareth ‘it’s mental round there – a really lovely street sandwiched between Landport and the M275′. In all my years in Portsmouth (well a few years and a lot of added up months) I never knew it existed and it is definitely one of the wonders of the area if you are interested in local history.

Today it is only one half of a road that was severely bombed in the Second World War and is now a conservation area, home to the birthplace of Pompey’s most prodigal son: Charles Dickens.  I popped down there today with Pops just in time to catch Simon Callow bellow a speech in honour of the birthday boy’s 200^th anniversary.

What a feast for the eyes though. It’s been a while since I have seen such a lovely collection of old bikes. On one side the very dapper boys from the Pickwick Bicycle Club in their yellow straw boaters and Penny Farthings. On the other, members of the lesser known Solent Veteran Bicycle & Tricycle Club, which has been going since 1986. Membership is a grand £2.50 and anyone with an interest in old bikes can join. Its part of the National Association of Veteran Cycle Clubs. One chap had an orginal bike from 1860, another had a good replica of one of the first ever bikes which looked a bit like the Draisine of 1817. An interesting point made was that the humble bicycle didn’t even exist in 1812 when Dickens was born. Either way it was a lovely sight, and one you don’t get to see often in Bucklands!

You may remember my post on Portsmouth and how it inspires me, and here is part two of sorts. This weekend I spent a day back in my old hood: Hackney. Prior to my descent to the coast I was a firm Hackneyite. I lived in London Fields and Mare Street. I managed to dodge any appearances on Being A Dickhead’s Cool, Hackney Hipster Hate or Vice’s Do’s and Don’ts probably by the skin of my teeth, and frankly there were times when I deserved to be in there. That said, whilst I was there I loved it, and I’m not ashamed to say that – it gave me a million opportunities and I probably wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t spent most of my mid to late 20′s living near the Murder Mile.  Ever wanted to be in Grazia Style Hunter? – just take yourself off to Broadway Market on a Saturday. Drink with Kelly Ozbourne? (BTW she sounds just like her mum and I’m sure she bats for the other side secretly) – all perfectly feasible at the T*at and Mutton, a pub so wanky you would only get served if the staff liked the look of you. It was great for a while, but at some point, thankfully, you grow out of it and either you move elsewhere. Like Clapton, Stokie or in my case Portsmouth.

I had the chance to return as I was in town for the launch of Cate Sevilla’s excellent new weekly on-line TV show Pop Hive (first episode features VS fav’s The Broken Hearts – check it out now!) and happened to be staying with my friend and digital overlord Patrick Hussey. Patrick, when he is not being summoned by the Minister for Culture, lives in a rather splendid Art Deco building. The Strand building was built as ‘Hackney Electricity Demonstration Halls & Offices’ in 1925 and designed by J A Bowden. It was converted in 1995 into flats featuring a roof garden. A few metres down the road we decided to take a gander at St John at Hackney. A church has been on the site since Tudor times. The little house with the red doors has been a public mortuary for over 100 years. This area is just steeped in history. I also took a few snaps of the shellfish vendor by Hackney Central Station. One of the last remains of  proper Cockney right there. In the same vein as my Portsmouth post, all these pictures were taken in a 200m radius, with my iPhone. I bloody love the diversity of this area of London. Its one of the few places in the world where truly ‘anything goes’. I even miss the Hipsters.