Well, she dances around in a circle

Friday 4 July 2014



I have come to the conclusion that I absolutely adore markets. Ever since I was little I used to want a little woven basket to go and collect fresh groceries in, so I could take it all home and attempt to recreate 'The Good Life' in my bedroom. This never got much further than a plastic hold-all and wooden pieces of cake and pizza that could be stuck together with velcro, however the love of busy markets and homemade goods has been something that has never really left me. I love seeing people selling things they have made and are passionate about, and like the thought of my money fuelling creativity and enjoyment instead of just contributing towards the never-ending cycle of consumerism the human race seems to have fallen into. That could explain my love of antique markets especially, as, like the clothes I wear, they have not used up any new materials to be made, and on the whole have been hand-crafted or produced by smaller companies instead of huge manufacturers using cheap labour to churn out as many products as possible in the shortest amount of time. Each item is also more unique and unusual, and has more of a story to it that something you just bought in your local superstore. 
I tend to hover around the markets on Camden Passage on wednesdays, the Sunday Up market at Brick Lane, Spitalfield's market, occasionally Columbia Road flower market or Borough market, and always annual affairs like the Amwell Street Festival. A mix of street-party and bric-a-brac, it always provides me with enough pretty china and vintage finds to see me through until it's return the next year, and I love the whole village-y, community feel it brings to a small part of reasonably central London. 




I went this year in the Maya dress from So Loves Vintage. I loved the bright colour and pattern, and the frilly, scalloped detail around the top makes it so pretty and summery. I had to of course weird it up and so wore it over my shirt from Pop Boutique in Covent Garden, with a bag from Camden Passage, socks that were once tights from H&M, shoes from Office and a cardigan from Spitalfield's market.
I enjoyed putting the outfit together as I just pulled out certain colours from the dress and bag and used them to find all of the pieces I needed. I chose the shirt because of the green (that matched the dress) and the orange (that matched the bag and cardigan) and was happily surprised that my nails (still icy blue from last Wednesday) matched the light blue of the bag. I love matching way too much.




So Loves Vintage is an online vintage shop selling high-quality, handpicked vintage pieces. The clothes are so beautiful and there is lots of information on each piece, making the whole online shopping experience easier, and the event of getting the wrong size or buying something damaged much less frequent. I have been lucky enough to have been sent some gorgeous dresses to style for this blog (including this one) and then Sofia (the founder of the site) and I are going to run a giveaway of some So Loves Vintage goodies for you guys. I will post about it via twitter as well once it is up and running so you won't miss out!
Anyway, here are some photos from the Amwell Street Festival:



Everything was so pretty and vintage-y, so I was of course in my element. I bought a few books for my holiday, three mini china plates that I just couldn't leave without, and a Frida Kahlo brooch from AndSmile which I want to pin on everything. 
I hope you have a great weekend! 


29 comments:

  1. I love your outfit, especially the clashing-but-still-kind-of-matching patterns of the shirt and the dress! That market looks fantastic, glad you had a good time!
    <33

    http://lilliputianlilac.blogspot.com

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  2. That Frida Kahlo brooch though! Love it. <3

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  3. oh my god that Frida Kahlo broach is amazing <3 I love a good market! Your dress is so rad

    http://www.lexilikes.com/

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  4. LOVE your shirt + cool pin! (Btw, the link to the vintage store is incorrect, but I found it.)

    http://rockpapermisc.blogspot.com/

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    1. thanks! I've got it sorted now...thanks for telling me!! <3 :)

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  5. beaut!
    x
    daniella
    simplybeautifulelegant.blogspot.com

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  6. You look wonderful - I love that cardigan and the socks+sandals combo is really well accomplished. The Frida brooch is so cool! Is Summer Half worth a read? xx

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    1. thankyou! and I'm not sure yet, hehe I'm saving it for my holiday! will let you know once I've read it!

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  7. so glad you won that Company award! You seem to put so much effort into the making of this blog and the outcome is truly beautiful, i just thought you should know :)http://sparkleandfire.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. thankyou so so much you are so lovely! xx

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  8. Congrats on your award! It was well deserved :) I love your outfit <3

    Holly │Flower Crowns and Daisy Chains

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  9. Love your super cute outfit! Thank you so much for buying Frida brooch, hope you enjoy wearing it :) xx

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  10. Love your outfit, that dress is so gorgeous (the print especially!) Looks like such a cute market. I love markets too, my favourite ever is the Brooklyn Flea, it has such a good mix of really good food and amazing vintage! XX

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    1. thankyou! and ooh the flea sounds fab! I love a flea market <3

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  11. Beautiful dress xx

    rubys-eyes.blogspot.com

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  12. You look amazing! I also have a strong love for markets and supermarkets especially. What i love about shopping thrift and vintage is that you are saving material ("clothes-recycling") and always picking up interesting pieces. Love your Frida brooches! I also just received some brooches :)

    styleriottt.blogspot.com

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    1. thankyou! and yes you can find some great pieces, and it's all recycled! :)

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  13. Personally, I love upcycling vintage pieces. I may love a patter but not the cut. I can't tell you how much I've done this with pieces that weren't quite right or didn't fit like I wanted them to. I hope you had a great weekend :)

    Theatricality by Mariah

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    1. thankyou! and yes it is such a good idea!

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  14. Ahh just discovered your blog and I'm absolutely in love with your style, perfect! <3

    Adventures of an Anglophile

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  15. Your dress is so perfect <3 I love that book!
    http://where-is-frank.blogspot.co.uk/

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  16. that dress and shirt combo T_T so pretty i want to cry

    secret-hipster.blogspot.com

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  17. Hi Ellie, I really like the way u write and your pictures, this is ne of my favourite posts (actually I like all...), the pictures are so cute and inspiring, I´m a big fan of your lovely blog!

    http://teenapes.blogspot.com/

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Thankyou so much for your comment! I read each and every one and will try to answer any questions or queries as quick as I can ♡♡♡