JOURNEY BEYOND EXPECTATION

Our lovely friend Melita at Bespoke Belfast has tailored some fabulous short breaks in Belfast with a vintage theme; perfect for a getaway with the girls, birthday treats or hen parties.

Melita will plan your super-stylish and individual trip around Belfast's booming vintage scene, including the best specialist boutiques, urban designed funky eateries, alternative activities, buzzing nightlife and beautiful boutique hotel.

And if staying in a luxury hotel and travelling in chauffeur-driven limousines alone weren't enough of a treat you will also receive a personalised itinerary which will take you around some of Belfast's hidden vintage treasure troves, the option of a private showing of your favourite classic film in a 1950s cinema, vintage hair and beauty styling with our very own Frock Around The Clock beauty team Kelly and Claire, burlesque tuition with the fabulous Pixie of the Whistle Bait Babies, and a night on the town in Belfast's bijou cafe bars and retro-themed clubs.

Of course the Pièce de résistance is a Sunday outing to one of our famous Vintage Fairs. Time your trip to coincide with Frock Around The Clock, The Retro Rooms Show, Totally Bazaar or the Decadence Vintage Bridal Fair and you are promised a journey to vintage heaven. For a taster of what to expect here are some images from our last vintage fair on 6th February.

To take a journey beyond expectation you can visit Bespoke Belfast at their website for more details on their vintage weekends and all other short breaks.

FROCKING FAB FINDS #1

Our February Frock Around The Clock vintage fair was jumpin' and jivin' with folks eager to get their hands on vintage bargains and soak up the glamorous atmosphere that goes along with our events.

It has taken me four days to recover and get all the photos uploaded to my computer and over the next couple of days I will be putting some of my favourites up on the blog, but today I had to show off some of my own personal finds from the fair.

I bought this gorgeous blue and gold china Colclough teaset from Norma Jean Vintage to add to my beloved china collection. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it, and because I don't have anything else in this colour I was over the moon to also find this beautiful turquoise blue polka dotted Grafton teaset from Sandra Crawford Antiques. I think you will agree that they go perfectly together.

In fact I thought that they were so beautiful that I had to go out and buy a 'new' china cabinet for them the very next day! I already have six vintage china cabinets but when I saw this one in the Action Cancer Shop in Bangor I just knew I couldn't live without it!

It was black with decades of dust but for only £5 it was a complete bargain and after a couple of hours of TLC and elbow grease it is gleaming and taking pride of place in my hall.

GET THE BELFAST LOOK

Our regulars will be familiar with our Frock Around The Clock beauty team Kelly and Claire who offer vintage hair and make-up services at our fairs, but this Sunday for the first time we will be offering a full range of beauty and styling services to make that alluring vintage look attainable. Forget the London look, get the Belfast look! Here's what we have in store for you.

Vintage hairstyling by Kelly McLean of Ashby Hair Lounge - quiffs for the guys and elegant updos, glamorous curls and beehives for the gals.

Make-up application by top Northern Ireland make-up artist Claire McEvoy.

Super sexy starlet nails by Debbie Hughes of Dazzle Me With Your Tips.

Vintage styling by Lynsey Hakin of Image Confident who will be showing us how to incorporate vintage into a modern wardrobe and put together vintage outfits without looking like we have stepped off the set of a costume drama.

Yours truly (also known as) The Wardrobe Mistress will be on hand to give advice on vintage clothing repairs, alterations and restyling so if you have found a fabulous frock but it is a little too tight or a little too big or has damage bring it along to me to see if the problem can be resolved.

Vintage boudoir photography by Trazanne Norwood of X-perience Boudoir Photography. Trazanne will be selling vouchers for her boudoir x-perience packages at a discounted rate to Frock Around The Clock visitors.

 

POSTER GIRL

Our newest Frockette, Emer Smith, will be making her way from Letterkenny to Frock Around The Clock this Sunday with a stash of vintage clothing and accessories that she has been collecting over the years, including vintage designer pieces.

But like our other exhibitors, not only is she a vintage collector, she also has amazing creative talents. Check out some of her creations that she will be bringing with her - I particularly love the pin-up style posters that she has made for the event!

AMERICAN EXPRESS

A preview of some of the new stock of American vintage costume jewellery that MK Vintage USA will be bringing along to Frock Around The Clock this weekend.

With rock bottom prices you can be sure that this lot won't stick around for long!

SWEETS FOR MY SWEET

Ani & Lulu's Cupcakery will be selling their scrumptious goodies at this Sunday's Frock Around The Clock for our delectation.

We are all about nostalgia and reminiscence at our vintage fairs and what could remind us more of childhood than homebaking and delicious cake!

BEAUTILICIOUS BEADYLICIOUS

We love the Beadylicious creations by Roisin Robertson. Inspired by vintage styles, Roisin revamps old to make new and using recycled materials she handcrafts beadylicious pieces to jazz up any outfit. Here are just a few of the pieces we are coveting.

You can find Roisin and the Beadylicious lovelies on Facebook but come and meet her in person at the Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fair on Sunday 6th February at the Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast.

KEEP WATCH

Give some green loving this Valentine's Day and choose a really unique and gorgeous gift that gives a thought to the planet. I love every single jewellery collection that Jennifer at Jennifer Robinson Jewellery creates because it is so different from anything else I have seen, each piece is totally unique, and she incorporates the most interesting vintage pieces into her designs.

I was delighted to receive one of her gorgeous silver spoon rings for Christmas from my parents and now I have my eye on one of her vintage watch part bangles or necklaces, or maybe even both. The problem is that they are all so lovely and all so different that I can't decide which is my favourite. Here is a selection of some of her newest designs which will be available this Sunday when they make their debut at Frock Around The Clock.

Make sure to arrive at Frock Around The Clock early on Sunday (open from 11am to 4.30pm) as Jennifer's watch part designs sell like hotcakes!

The Name's Bond, Jenny Bond

Jenny Bond Interiors will be celebrating one year of exhibiting at Frock Around The Clock this Sunday! Where has the last year gone?! We all love Jenny's quirky recycled furniture pieces and I have just had a preview of some of the projects she has been working on for the vintage fair this weekend. Here are a few of my favourites.

I love the soft white paintwash and the lace top on this set of drawers

And it looks even more amazing now the lace panels are echoed on the drawer fronts

I'm a sucker for vintage lace and pretty china

A lovely retro clock and check out those retro cushions in the background!



This beautiful tray has fabulous carved detailing

 You can view more of Jenny's vintage and restyled pieces on her website and facebook page, but better still, come and meet her face to face at the Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fair this Sunday 6th February at the Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast from 11am to 4.30pm.

STARLET NAILS

I am delighted that Debbie Hughes, creator of Dazzle Me With Your Tips, will be joining the vintage beauty team at this Sunday's Frock Around The Clock.  

For super sexy starlet nails, Debbie is your gal. And with a passion for vintage glamour and specialising in high quality hand and nail care including manicures, pedicures, acrylic extensions and gel overlays she is in great demand with the vintage loving ladies of Belfast and beyond.

Having let my nail beauty regime slip somewhat lately I managed to get fitted into Debbie's packed appointment schedule this morning and visited her in-house salon for some much needed nail pampering. What a treat. Not only do I now have sizzling hot vampish nails ready for this weekend's vintage fair, but I also had a fabulous cuppa and wonderful chat with the marvellously warm and friendly Ms Hughes in a lovely relaxed environment. I didn't want to leave, but had to as Debbie's next customer was due to arrive and having booked ahead for my next appointment I left with starlet nails and a smile.

You can visit Debbie at her in-house salon, or at the New York City nail bar at Victoria Square where Debbie is the manager. Call 07873711860 or email missdhughes@hotmail.co.uk for an appointment.

Or come along to Frock Around The Clock this Sunday where Debbie will be setting up a mini salon alongside the rest of our vintage beauty team. Hope to see you there!