It All Went Peachy Keen!

I think I have just about recovered from the first Peachy Keen Vintage Fair. It was a long old day, starting at 8am and finishing just before 5, jam packed of lifting and shifting, selling and singing!

I had such a good time doing it, and have even set the date for the next one - Saturday 30th May!

Doors opened at 11am at St Peter's By The Waterfront and the public came streaming in. Over 230 people came through the doors that day, and the vast majority (I think there were two grumbles) had a swell time. Traders were super happy with their day's work, and many have booked in to trade again in May! 

Photo credits to John 'Swampy' French

If you would like information on the next Peachy Keen Vintage Fair please get in touch via email peachykeenvintagefair@outlook.com - spaces are filling up fast for traders but I'm always looking for contacts!

Here is the link to the Facebook event

Peachy Keen Vintage Fair

I don't know if any of y'all are aware but last November I decided I needed a new project. So, sat on the train from Stowmarket to Ipswich on the way home from work, Peachy Keen Vintage Fair was born.

I have experience in running events through my job so it seemed do-able to to me, and the idea excited me. Ipswich is full of vintage loving people but sadly not much in the way of vintage events, so it seems like I have a good audience crying out for something to do!

I advertised the event and soon my pitches were full of amazing traders, including Dead Men's Spex, The Vanity Box and Vintage Mon Cherie. There are going to be fourteen traders in total which seems like a good amount to start with, but who knows! Hopefully the fair will grow and grow!

For your aural pleasure, Ipswich's newest rockabilly duo (who also happen to be very good friends of mine!) The J.S. Combo are going to be playing a little set. These boys are ace and are really going to go far!

So, if you're in the area on Sunday 8th March come on down to St Peter's By The Waterfront to explore my cacophony of retro delights and bliss!

A Look Back at 2014

You may (or may not!) have noticed that I didn't blog very much in 2014 - this is something I plan to change in 2015!

I was a very busy girl indeed in the last 12 months. I got a full time job at the Museum of East Anglian Life as a Visitor Services Trainee; it is a 12 month contact job, which will come to an end in March. It meant moving to Ipswich but I've told you all about that before.

In terms of gigs and weekenders I did more last year than ever before, and I loved it! I started the year at Atomic Vintage Festival which was utterly fabulous - I enjoyed every second of being a glamorous Atomic Bombshell with some of the most amazing girls. The summer was filled with the Rockabilly Rave, which saw me taking to the run way with Bettina Scarlett Presents Vintage Fashion Revue, and then came the Shakedown (I've never seen such thunder and lightning!) and then finally the Hotrod Hayride. I finished the year at the Rhythm Riot which was, as the name suggests, a riot!

I met so many phenomenal people this year, and even became part of a girl gang. This bunch of gals are the world to me and I can't week to get up to more mischief with them in 2015. My Ipswich friends have been my rock this year too, it's all been up and down but I count my lucky stars everyday that I have each and every one of them in my life.

I have tried super hard to increase myself as a 'brand' in the past year which saw my Facebook page quadruple in likes and activity! I just can't get over how much it has all progressed! I partook in some fab photoshoots, got my face in some magazines, am Miss October in the Outerlimitz calendar and worked together with some great vintage and repro companies!

Finally, I launched a new adventure: Peachy Keen Vintage Fair...but I'll save that for another post!

Sunglasses, Ice Cream & Hotdogs

That is mostly what my weekend consisted of!

What a glorious weekend of sunshine and friends I had! It made me really remember how amazing summer is in this country, and I can't wait to spend it in my new East Anglian home.

Ipswich doesn't have much in the way of vintage clothes shops or lifestyle things, apart from some pretty decent bands, so I was chuffed to hear Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair was rolling into town. Myself and my friends pootled down to the fair to check it out, and were pleasantly surprised. Recently we in the vintage community have seen a bit of a, how do I put this, decline in actual vintage at the fairs, but it was great to see lots of 1960s clothes on Saturday as well as some modern reproductions of mid-century things. Even the boys had some things to look at - a true rarity nowadays!

Got snapped at Judy's!

I got myself some sunglasses (cat eye, obviously!) from a lovely stall - forget the name, sorry - that was selling prints and knick knacks. Kayla also got herself some sunnies as well as a bowling shirt. Rick picked up a Hawaiian shirt ready for my shindig at the end of the month and I think the other lads got some delights too.

As an Ipswich newbie I had yet to experience Ra Ra's Ice Cream parlour until this weekend. We must have looked a right sight all trooping into there - maybe a little movie set-ish aha! Anyway, the ice cream was delicious, as were the milkshakes and they do root beer! Yum! Now...if only they could so some more food, I think we'd make it a frequent haunt of our's!

That brings me neatly onto my next little segment. What is a summer Saturday without a few pints in the pub? We spent the rest of the afternoon and into the evening sat in a pub garden, drinking cider and eating hot dogs (well I stole chips from Rick's plate). Regardless of the odd yelp from the crowd watching the football it was a lovely evening!

After my little taster, I can't wait for summer to be in full swing!

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Major Life Update.

Hello you lot! Did you miss me? I have been very busy with well...life! Yes, I finally got one!

Since I last spoke to you at the end of January I have upped sticks and moved to Ipswich! That's a bit random, I hear you cry. Well, not when you consider that my boyfriend as well as lots of friends live in the town and surrounding area. Oh, and that little fact that I landed a dreamy job that has put me on the first rung of my career in heritage! Yippee! I am now the Visitor Services Trainee (aka, intern) at the Museum of East Anglian Life; I am training in all the behind the scenes things that go on at museums that make the experience the best it can be for the visitor, and also help plan and run the events. I'll keep you all updated (she says...hopefully...) with goings on in that aspect, especially about the very exciting Blues Festival which I am sure y'all will want to know about!

What else have I done to fill my time? Well I've done lots and lots of modelling, even some paid work! I'm really glad I kick started that again as I love doing it, but now since the move it looks like I'm going to have to get to know a whole new bunch of people! My favourite shoot I did was with Paul Good, and I've put a few photos from that below because I love them so much!

March rolled around and saw me at Bedlam Breakout again. I may have gotten far, far, far too drunk on Friday night - that sort of drunk where you don't remember anything and it's not enjoyable, but you wake up with bruises - but the rest of the weekend (minus the Saturday hangover) was great! Even got the bus back with the guitarist from Frantic Flintstones! Work depending, I hope to be back there this September too.

So that is pretty much it but as you can see, life was a little bit hectic and up in the air for a few months! I've got a few blogs planned for the next month or so as it is Mid Century Market time as well as the start of weekender season - Atomic first, yay!

Catch you soon!

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A Mid Century Marvellous Market!

So, you may remember that I mentioned Bettina Scarlett's Mid Century Christmas Market in a previous post? Well this is what I thought of it! (Hint: I thought it was swell!)

After a little journey to London, a long walk down the wrong road and many confused looks at my map, I found the location. Stepping inside I was greeted by Bettina, who was looking like a swan in water gliding around in a gorgeous Bernie Dexter dress, and I signed up the raffle - sadly I did not win, boo!

But, I did certainly come away with some bargains anyway! I had had my eye on a hair ornament (I say ornament because they are far more than just a flower!) from Rosie Alia, so when I saw a trio of silver glittery poinsettias I had to have it! It was pride of place in my hair on Christmas day. Sticking with the sparkly things I got my hands on a late 1950s/early 1960s gold top from Miss Turnstiles. I picked it up off the hanger and immediately fell in love, never did I think it would fit me, but alas it was perfect! I wore it with a pencil skirt to my parents friends' soiree and everyone admired the sparkles like little magpies! My last buy was a pair of bauble earrings; sadly no photos of those, but I loved the novelty of them!

Look at it's beauty!!

It was perfect with my poodle!

It was such a lovely excuse to go to London, and I spent the entire day with friends from all over the south who I didn't think I would get to see again until at least the springtime. Bettina had put so much work and effort into the day, and I'm so happy that it came off swimmingly for her. As London's only Mid Century market it is a refreshing take on the vintage fair that is often plagued with what I think of as charity shop fodder.

Catch Bettina Scarlett presenting her next market on 12th April, at Hammersmith Club, W6 9DH - just in time for Easter!

Spotlight: The Rockabilly Girl Next Door

This is a first for this blog, and I am very excited to include this lovely lady on my page. Who am I talking about? The Rockabilly Miss Next Door of course! I have been a keen reader and fan of her blog for over three years now so it was a great privilege to be asked by Nadia to do a spotlight post on her blog, and feature her on mine. So without further ado here is the little interview!

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My name is Nadia, I am 24 years old and I live in Norway! I am engaged to my boyfriend of 3 years. 

I am a qualified teacher, and I work as a substitute teacher in a primary school. I'm also a student, and I am studying Norwegian as a second language. In addition to that, I am a rockabilly blogger and I blog over at The Rockabilly Girl Next Door. 

1. Why did you start blogging? 

It was 2010 and I started blogging because I wasn't happy with myself. I was not a girly girl at all, and I never felt pretty. I saw these pinup and rockabilly girls online and wanted to be one of them. Through the blog I could be the person I wanted to be, without anyone judging me. I got to live the life I wanted through the blog, and slowly I started gaining the confidence to actually be the person I wanted to be in real life as well. 

2. Favourite blogs?

That's a tricky one, I read a lot of different blogs. I do however love Dolly Cool's blog, and of course Roxie Roulette's :) 

3. Favourite post?

I wrote a tribute post to my favourite teacher this Summer. He passed away to cancer, and I was so upset about it. He meant the world to me. (Here's the link to the post: http://www.therockabillygirlnextdoor.com/2013/07/the-importance-of-role-models.html )

4. Best thing about blogging?

The best thing about blogging must be getting the chance to work with awesome companies. I never in a million years thought I'd be involved with Sourpuss or Classic Hardware when I started out blogging as an insecure young girl. It's also made the world smaller, I feel like I have friends all over the world thanks to blogging.

5. Describe your style

Although I call myself a rockabilly girl, I don't always dress that way. I usually wear clothes that I find comfortable and cute. My overall style is quite normal I guess, but I always add a touch of rockabilly to whatever I wear. I wear a lot of leopard print, stripe and polka dots. I wear Converse pretty much all the time, and I like cardigans to go over cute tops. When it comes to the non-clothing part, I have super red hair and big Bettie bangs, and I usually wear my black cat eyeliner every day :) 

6. Where do you buy your clothes/shoes/accessories?

I rarely buy clothes online, because of taxes in Norway. It's very expensive to get things sent here, and I often have to pay twice the amount just to get my stuff out of the post office. I also like trying the clothes on before buying, and since I can't do that online I shop at random stores in Norway. I go to average stores we have here (they're kinda like H&M), but I'm not afraid to walk into any other random store if I see something I really like. 

7. Who inspires you?

When I first started off in this rockabilly world, I was inspired by burlesque dancer Frostine Shake. I thought she was so beautiful, and I wanted to be like her. I still love her style, but nowadays I take inspiration from many different people. I spend a lot of time on Instagram checking out awesome rockabilly girls and let them inspire me. And who can forget John Water's rockabilly rebel Wanda Woodward?

8. What were your highlights of 2013?

One of my blog highlights must be when I worked with Classic Hardware. That was awesome! Personal life highlights must be finishing arts&crafts in uni (it was horrible) and teaching myself how to run again. I have a serious ankle damage, and haven't been able to run for 7 years. I started working out, and suddenly one day I ran. I couldn't believe it! It was also amazing to go back to Cyprus after 8 years. I've missed my friends and family there so much, and it was great to stay with them for a week. 

9. What are you looking forward to in 2014?

I'm looking forward to see what life brings for me and my boyfriend. I will also finish my very last year in university, so I guess I'm looking forward to finding out what job I'll end up with! I don't want to grow up just yet... 

10. One random fact about yourself.

I can understand 5 different languages; Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, English (duh) and Irish/Gaelic. I can speak all five of them to some extent, some better than others 

For more The Rockabilly Girl Next Door follow her blog, 'like' her Facebook page and follow her on Twitter

Flight AT0M1C Is Now Boarding.

Wow oh wow. Words cannot explain how excited I am for this new festival. Atomic is a brand spanking new weekender for 2014 brought to you by the same team that brings you the Rockabilly Rave, Rhythm Riot and Hotrod Hayride. Held on the first May Bank Holiday at Sywell Aerodrome, Northamptonshire, it will be one of the earliest weekenders in the calender, but that's not a bad thing is it? Everyone likes to party all year round! 

It is bands galore at this event, but who would expect anything else from the team? Highlights include Bobby Brooks Wilson (who I had the privilege of meeting backstage and on stage at the Riot), The Revolutionaires, and Si Crauston. Many more are to be added to the ever growing, ever fabulous list so there will be something for everyone's taste. It's not just music and dancing at the festival to keep you entertained; there will be a drive-in movie (yes, you heard right!), lots of shopping (naturally as there is at these sort of events!), and a fairground! 

So much going on!

So, why am I blabbering on about this? Well, its because I have had the absolute honour of being an Atomic Bombshell not once but twice. I haven't done very much much modelling compared to others, and certainly not in the last three years. But when I was asked to do this I snapped at the chance! It was a great opportunity for my portfolio, as well as promoting what will be such an amazing event! I even got myself featured on their website on the ticket page! Go me!  My outfits included a cheerleader outfit (no pompoms sadly) which was very hot at the Hotrod Hayride, but freezing down in Rye at the Rhythm Riot, and an amazing air hostess outfit which included the most comfortable yet stylish pair of shoes. I was really tempted to hide my pair and sneak them out...naughty!

So I will leave you now with some of the photos taken of the Atomic Bombshell action, and hopefully we will see you in May!

The Atomic Team with the Atomic Bombshells (Photo: Nick Grant)

Backstage with Bobby Brooks Wilson (Photo: Subsculptures)

On-stage (out of uniform) with Bobby Brooks Wilson (Photo: Tony Bruce)

Atomic will also be stocked full of classic cars (Photo: Nick Grant)

The cheerleader outfits are always popular with the crowds! (Photo: Nick Grant)

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Rhythm Riot 2013

I ache. I ache a lot. The reason? Well, that might have something to do with the twenty or so hours of dancing followed by only about ten hours sleep I did this weekend. It was, of course, the weekend of the Rhythm Riot. This was my first time at this weekender, and it won't be my last. It was a last minute decision to go, but I thought, as I've moved back down south and I was offered space in a Chalet with Bethan (of Bettina Scarlett fame), Graham and Bethan's parents, it would have been rude to say no!

The difference between this event and others of a similar ilk, such as the Hotrod Hayride, is that this one is 70% about the music, 20% about the shopping and 10% about the cars. That's the right ratio for my needs! The music was all sorts, from doo-wop to soul to hillbilly, and the best thing is...it didn't stop until 5am! Yes! I was dancing until 5am! On the note of dancing, I have never jived in my life until now! I am still pretty poor, but everyone has to start somewhere, and the Rhythm Riot really was the best place to start. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my three main partners - none of you whose names I got - because you really taught me the basics. Also, one of you was pretty handsome, and I would especially like to thank you for that last dance.

Ray Collins' Hot-Club

Lights Out

Nikki Hill

Once again, the Riot saw me donning the uniform of the Atomic cheerleaders, but this time I also had the pleasure of being part of the Atomic Air Hostess crew. Boy oh boy were those uniforms fabulous! I shall leave you a teaser of the outfit below, but I shall write up a separate post for them because it was such an amazing experience it deserves to shine separately. As a result of taking part I met, and re-met, some amazing ladies, all of whom were simply brilliant. I look forward to partying many more nights away with them!

(Nick Grant Photography) L-R Jade, Carrie, Kessie (of Lady K Loves), Me, Eeva, Holly, Cal, Jodie 

One thing I was certainly not expecting was to end up on stage twice in one night, especially not as one of those times including me singing! Understand this, I cannot carry a tune in a bucket. But what sort of gal is going to turn down an opportunity to be up on stage with Bobby Brooks Wilson? Utterly awesome moment in my life.

Photo by Tony Bruce

Although the nights were spent dancing away, the days were relaxing, mostly spent shopping, watching bands in the Queen Vic (no, not that Queen Vic!) and, on the Sunday, pootling down to Rye in the cruise. I didn't buy anything (I'm poor and unemployed, you see) but I reckon I could have spent thousands! Some absolutely beautiful vintage things and some equally lovely reproduction pieces to be had. I was a cheerleader at the cruise which was...cold. A great experience but oh I was nippy noodles!

I think what can be gathered from my ramblings here is that I absolutely loved the Rhythm Riot. If you get the opportunity go, take it! Take it by the horns! You will not regret it! Now, is six months enough time for my body to recover? Just about I think!

Now to leave you with some memories...

Myself with Graham on my left and Jonathan on my right, with a cheeky Jordan in the background

Sunday night is Hawaiian night!

My girl Bethan

Finally meeting my pen pal, Noo!

Beautiful ladies

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Carry On Hayridin'

I cannot believe that it has already been over two weeks since the Hotrod Hayride came and went! Once again the weekend excelled itself and flashed past in a blur of cars, music, rum and friends. I did my documenting of the event a little differently this year and instead of writing up a lengthy blog I decided to film my experience instead, so below you'll find my two-part vlog on all the shenanigans (well most of them, some were too drunken to show you!) and then some photos to accompany it!

Enjoy!

Carry on Hayridin' Part One

Carry on Hayridin' Part Two

Photo credits to Subsculptures Photography

Here is me and the other Atomic Bombshells doing a little modelling and flyering for the new vintage festival Atomic! A great time was had by all even if we were sweltering in our jumpers in the British summer heat!

As I said before friends played a big part in this year's Hayride. I met up with three lovely lads called Sam, Rick and Harry who put up with me and my friend Steve all weekend. We were a nice little gang I reckon.

Here we are! (Plus Salvatore and minus Sam who was behind the camera) Evidently we were kinda merry by this point...especially Rick.

Lots of dancing was going on on both nights - sadly I am still no good at jiving :(

I was a little bit fixated with the array of beards that were on show this year but this man, complete with beehive and blue eyeshadow, really stole the show!

So there we have it! We had some modelling, some dancing, some drinking (okay...more than some), lots of friends, and just a general jolly good time!

Only 348 days until the next one!