FLOUR POWER

There is nothing quite as tasty as good old fashioned home baked goods, made with fresh and quality ingredients. Which is why Robyn at Flours Bakery uses only the best free range eggs, unsalted butter and 52% cocoa in her chocolate when rustling up scrumptious delights in her kitchen.

We are delighted to say that Robyn will be joining the Frock Around The Clock team at the 'All Things Vintage Day' this Saturday, and I know that I'm not going to be able to resist her delicious confectioneries.

From tartlets to cookies and biscuits, and cupcakes to muffins, not to mention speciality cakes we will be spoilt for choice, but my favourite has just got to be the owl face cupcakes (anyone who has seen my owl collection will understand).

NORMA JEAN VINTAGE QUEEN

Long-time exhibitor at Frock Around The Clock, Norma Jean, is now on Facebook so at long last we can keep up to date with what treasures Norma has inbetween vintage fairs.

The woman behind Norma Jean is Norma Smallwood, an Irish jewellery designer and vintage collector. Norma specialises in hand crafted costume jewellery, bespoke sterling silver jewellery, wedding headdresses and jewellery, vintage clothing, accessories, costume jewellery, china and glassware, antiques and collectables.

She has her own fashion label 'RE DISCOVERED BY NORMA JEAN VINTAGE' for quirky old clothes that need some TLC and revamping to bring them up to date and fashionable, and also has an upmarket range of costume jewellery under the name of 'COUTURE BY NORMA JEAN VINTAGE'.

Norma's jewellery is all hand crafted making your piece totally unique. Jewellery can be a minefield for ethical shoppers, but by recycling beads, chains and vintage components Norma's pieces are high quality yet reasonably priced for the work and effort put into sourcing pieces ethically and responsibly.

Norma is now available to book for vintage jewellery parties in your own home, and can be contacted through her Facebook page.

FOL-DE-ROL

Our gorgeous friend Samantha from The Fol-de-rol Dolls is creating quirky, fun and unique accessories, using vintage accents and trimmings from her Nanny's attic.

From fabulous kitsch necklaces and bracelets to hats adorned with sequins and bright flowers, all designed to bring fun and frivolity into our stylish lives, the temptation to indulge one's frivolous side is overwhelming. Lucky for us then that Samantha will be selling her gorgeous goodies at Frock Around The Clock on Sunday 26th September.

You can find The Fol-de-rol Dolls on Facebook, and keep an eye on the Fol-de-rol Dolls website as there are lots of new updates to come soon.

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair takes place on Sunday 26th September at the Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast from 11am to 4.30pm. 45 stalls will be selling vintage clothing, accessories, jewellery, homewares and upcycled items, and ladies can receive a makeover by the retro hairstylist Kelly McLean and make-up artist Claire McEvoy Live music will be provided by the Jenny Kallen Jazz Band and there will be a special guest appearance by The Whistle Bait Babies burlesque dance troupe.

Admission costs £5 for adults and £3 for seniors and students.

View the full exhibitor list here!

WHAM BAM THANK YOU MA'AM

We have a whole host of new exhibitors lined up for September's vintage fair at the Holiday Inn, in addition to most of our regular favourites, making the event fresh and exciting for returning visitors.

We are looking forward to seeing the goodies at Bam Bam Boutique, brought to us by Ursula Bamford, who will be selling hand made hairbands, fascinators and accessories created from vintage fabrics and ostrich feathers.

The hot summer accessory takes on a glam twist for autumn and winter with rich colours and textures lending a touch of luxury and decadence to any outfit, and will surely encourage even the most timid of fashionistas to be more experimental with hair accessories.

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair takes place on Sunday 26th September at the Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast from 11am to 4.30pm. 45 stalls will be selling vintage clothing, accessories, jewellery, homewares and upcycled items, and ladies can receive a makeover by the retro hairstylist Kelly McLean and make-up artist Claire McEvoy Live music will be provided by the Jenny Kallen Jazz Band and there will be a special guest appearance by the Whistle Bait Babies burlesque dance troupe.
 

 
Admission costs £5 for adults and £3 for seniors and students.


Full exhibitor list here!

CHARMED

Belfast student Lottie Bee will be exhibiting her Lottie Blyth jewellery at Frock Around The Clock for the first time on 26th September, where we are bound to be charmed by her fun and pretty vintage inspired jewellery made from vintage, vintage style, recycled and hand made charms and findings.

Lottie's designs can also be found in her shop on Etsy where she is constantly adding new items. You can also find Lottie Blyth on Facebook and follow her blog to keep up to date with all her goings-on.

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair takes place on Sunday 26th September at the Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast from 11am to 4.30pm. 45 stalls will be selling vintage clothing, accessories, jewellery, homewares and upcycled items, and ladies can receive a makeover by the retro hairstylist and make-up artist. Live music will be provided by the Jenny Kallen Jazz Band and there will be a special guest appearance by the Whistle Bait Babies.

Admission costs £5 for adults and £3 for seniors and students.
Full exhibitor list here!

WEAR THE BADGE

Jennifer Robinson's ideas for recycling vintage remnants into gorgeous new jewellery pieces are always unique and quirky. I'm loving her latest creations - badges made with old photographs, pearls and glitzy frames.

Keep up to date with what's new in Jennifer's jewellery workshop by following her on Facebook. These badges and her other vintage ranges will be available at our next Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair on Sunday 26th September at the Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast and a selection will also be available to purchase at our petite fair as part of the Vintage Day at Derry's on Saturday 18th September.

DIAMONDS ARE A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND

Our favourite vintage shop Dream Jewels in Moira, has now got a new name - Diamond Dolls at Dream Jewels, which is perfect for the sparkly haven of vintage treasures created by owner Brenda Part.

Brenda is running a 70% off sale at the moment, which is the best excuse ever to make a trip to Moira whether you need a new frock or not. I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed! Brenda sources much of her stock from London and Paris and has access to the collections of many a wardrobe mistress - her vintage hat collection has to be seen to be believed.

You can find Diamond Dolls at Dream Jewels at 84 Main Street, Moira, BT67 0LQ (open Tues to Saturday). Telephone 02892619279 for enquiries.

ICE ICE BABY

When you are feeling tired at the end of the working week a spot of retail therapy does the soul a world of good, especially when you only have to spend a few pounds to get that lift from the doldrums.

My Mum and I went to a jumble sale in her village last night and I picked up some lovely treasures for me, myself and I. These sales are always a highlight of our thrifting circuit as I usually go with a budget of £20 and come away laden with bags bulging with clothing, books and homewares. Last night however, I went with a meagre budget of £10 so I decided to go straight to a table laden with glasses and china.

Bingo! I immediately snapped up a gorgeous bone china teaset for £4.00, a pretty floral china gravy boat for 50p and a chintzy rose china bowl, also 50p. Moving to the end of the table clutching my heavy box of china my eagle eyes homed in on a 1950s red plastic ice bucket with ice tongs and for only £1 it made its way into my shopper bag too.

With £4 left burning a hole in my purse I made my way into the clothing hall and chose a 1960s purple tartan wool tweed hat with large pom-pom for £1 (that's a start on my new winter wardrobe) and deciding that there was nothing else I couldn't absolutely live without I made my way home with my new treasures and £3 change - just enough to purchase four deliciously decadent cupcakes this morning to christen my new china plates!

SUNDAY LIFE

The last of our Vintage Sundays at the Empire for 2010 was a great success, with a fabulous turnout of visitors and a wonderful array of sellers. Here are some images from the day.

Our next event is on Sunday 26th September when our Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair makes its Autumn outing at the Holiday Inn, Belfast.

HOT GOSSIP

I have been working on a new range of limited edition 'PulpArt' canvases in readiness for September's Vintage Fair. Here is a preview of some work in progress which should be ready for this Sunday's Vintage Sunday at the Empire.

Each canvas is a one-off and is created using cuttings from 1940s/50s magazines with the addition of pulp-fiction style storylines created with letters recycled from modern-day celebrity gossip magazines.

Small canvases cost £18 and large canvases cost £38.

Vintage Sunday at the Empire takes place on Sunday 1st August at The Empire, Botanic Avenue, Belfast from 12 - 4.30pm. Admission costs £2.