armchair journeys #3

I'm not one for routine - but on a Thursday I always pop over to Rock n Roll Bride to read Kat's visual fest of 'Thursday Treats'. I love where it leads - blog rollin for hours while I am supposed to be immersed in 'Admin Thursday '. So this evening I have coasted my way through from RnRB to Nasty Gal to nineteeneighty and this is where I settled. Settled for a bloomin 45 minutes, couldn't pull myself away from the tumblr of images over at Rose's blog and now I am going to have to stay up later (but it was worth it to free fall into all those absorbing photographs)...

"My name is Rose. I live in Los Angeles. 1980 is the year I was born, and 1980 is usually the cut off date on the images you’ll find here. This blog covers classic actresses and 1920’s-1960’s fashion, with the heaviest emphasis on the 1960’s." Rose also has a personal blog which I daren't start reading this evening or I will be in trouble!!! un petit gateau

little plot of land

I can honestly say I cannot live without my garden, the little plot of land I escape to. I would like to boast that I know what I am doing, I try, but I have a lot to learn. I watch the programmes that are supposed to educate about the quality of soil and perfect position for sun, I have every coffee table book to inspire. I miss it desperately in the winter when all I can do is look out from the kitchen window and hope that all my plants return for the warm season. So today the sun was shining and I know I shouldn't have but a few snips were made (hope I haven't made them too early!) just so I could bring a little of the garden into the studio.

The warmer seasons are almost upon us, the scent of roses, sweet peas, lavender, thyme and the return of colour to the garden, the early morning pots of tea to start the working day. Perfect. But for now I shall turn the central heating up a notch, fliter through magazines in the armchair and enjoy the cosyness of lamp light and a glass of sherry (you don't have to be over 60 to enjoy a glass of Harvey's Bristol - it's the blueness of the glass bottle that entices me everytime)...

pop-up sale

....over the last 12 months our little stationery studio has become busier and busier and we need a little more space to breathe!! ...soooooo to free a little shelf space we decided to post a little 'pop-up sale'. The products below are not damaged in any way just simply need to go to new homes. You see, there are benefits of following this little stationery blog after all - you get to be the first to grab yourself a little card snippet of a bargain!!!...

All you have to do is email me at info@vickytrainor.co.uk and let me know the products you wish to purchase (please use the products titles stated here in the post), we will then send you an invoice with payment details and once we receive payment we will post your little box of treasures to you - so remember to include your address in the email. P&P starts at £3.00 (recorded delivery) for your first item then please add £1.20 for every additional item....happy shopping. 'First come - first served!!!'.....

The Blossom Cluster Collection - pastel mix place cards

This pack consists of 14 lilac, 14 pale blue, 14 pale pink,

14 soft green, all decorated with diamante.

WAS - £72.80

NOW - £30.00

The Blossom Petal Collection

Favour/name tags in pink with pale pink ribbon x 35

WAS - £52.50

NOW - £25.00

The Blossom Petal Collection
Favour/name tags in pink with silver ribbon x 35
WAS - £52.50
NOW - £25.00

The Blossom Cluster Collection
Table numbers in pale pink with vintage trim corners
double sided 1-12
WAS - £32.40
NOW - £17.00

The Blossom Cluster Collection
Table numbers in soft sage with vintage trim corners
double sided 1-12
WAS - £32.40
NOW - £17.00

The Broadway Collection

Place cards in denim blue x 20

WAS - £20.00

NOW - £10.00

The Broadway Collection
Place cards in mint x 20
WAS - £20.00
NOW - £10.00

The Broadway Collection
Place cards in three shades of natural stone (9 of each tone) x 27
WAS - £27.00
NOW - £13.50



The Broadway Collection
Place cards in two shades of grey
light grey x 20
dark grey x 18
WAS - £38.00
NOW - £15.00


The Broadway Collection
Place cards in four colours
pale pink x 10
grape x 10
raspberry x 10
hot pink (circles) x 10
WAS - £40.00
NOW - £20.00


The Broadway Collection
Place cards in cream with yellow dots x 15
WAS - £15.00
NOW - £7.50


The Broadway Collection
Place cards in pale apple (think golden delicious!) x 8
WAS - £8.00
NOW - £4.00



The Broadway Collection
Place cards in sand x 10
WAS - £10.00
NOW - £5.00

The Broadway Collection
Place cards in yellow x 10

WAS - £10.00
NOW - £5.00

The Embroidery Collection

Favour/Name Heart Tags

with pinky peach ribbon x 55

WAS £82.50

NOW £35.00

The Embroidery Collection

Place Cards in Pink x 45

WAS £45.00

NOW £22.50

The Vintage Rose Collection

Place Cards in Heritage Soft Sage x 50

WAS - £50.00

NOW - £25.00

The Fauna Collection

Place Cards in Patisserie Blue x 40

WAS - £40.00

NOW - £20.00

The Cartmel Collection

Place Cards in a mix of

Deep Cream x 14

Red x 14

Chartreuse x 14

Apple Green x 14

WAS - £56.00

NOW - £25.00

The Vintage Bouquet Collection

Message Tree Tags in Heritage Grey with

Pale Chocolate Flowers

and Dark Chocolate Ribbon x 40

WAS - £60.00

NOW - £30.00

The French Corsage Collection

Escort Cards/Table Name Cards with Table Numbers

stamped in Blue on Vintage Gold with white flowers

on vintage textured card

7 tables with 10 cards per table

WAS - £70.00

NOW - £35.00

BELOW

The Cartmel Collection in Summer

Bride & Groom Chair Ties

WAS - £12.00 per pair

NOW - £6.00 per pair

ABOVE

The Cartmel Collection in Summer
Place Cards x 44

WAS - £44.00
NOW - £22.00

ABOVE

The Cartmel Collection in Summer
Just Married Sign

(3 available)

WAS - £7.00
NOW - £4.00

ABOVE
The Cartmel Collection in Summer

Naughty But Nice Cards for Dessert Table set of 3

WAS - £7.50

NOW - £4.00

lampshades, ladders and dahlias

...here are a few tearings, from our scrapbook, a little inspiration as spring is about to call upon us...

...this year is the year of the lampshade!!!. For someone who hoards anything and everything, this just gives me an excuse to go vintage hunting. Whether you hang them from trees, marquees, washing lines or pile them high, they will add a theatrical touch to your day. It is vital that you add your own touch with lace, fringing, tassles and not forgetting pompom trimming!!

...or why not go for these graphic, barkcloth, retro mix cylinders

all hung in one space to create a dramatic backdrop to your home made photo booth???...

lampshade love - image credit -

the fabric of my life, lisa devlin via love my dress, not on the high street,

...if you are dressing way above the knee then a hint of the bohemian

must be attached to the thigh!!

image credit - lo boheme

...I am loving the ladder - keep seeing it pop up here and there - instant shelving!!!!

image credit - green wedding shoes and the fabric of my life

...the introduction of spring through the subtle use of birch buds and in a few weeks the blossom will start to cascade slowly. A mix of the home made and gentle styling - a little pruning around the gardens of family and friends (please ask first!!) could make for some dramatic and creative displays, even the lilac trees will bloom with their strong scent in the upcoming months.

image credit - kiss the groom

...there is nothing more pleasing than the simplicity of clear glass and white...

image credit via merriment events

image credit - green wedding shoes

image credit - unknown

inspiration - doors and windows above to receipt tape wrapped around a hanging pole.

Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest........

image credit 100 layer cake

...vintage medicine and perfume bottles sit on a table of old kitchen scales and I the idea of 'wanted-marital advice' for all to contribute will make a talking point for the reception!!!...

image credit 100 layer cake

...mix matching the bridemaids dresses always looks so much fun

and much more interesting (see above)...

image credit - wedding chicks

I read in a post last year that a bride gave her bridemaids a little envelope that contained a colour palette, her theme and a small budget, they were to choose their own bridesmaid dress. The bride had said how this looked fabulous on the day as each one was dressed so differently and it reflected their own personality, but it worked they all looked fabulous together.... I wish i could find the photo to show you - I will keep looking...

and finally my love for dahlias continues (if you have been a follower for a while you will notice that a year can't go by without me posting a feature on these gorgeous frilly blooms). I love how they have been dressed here with cameo and lace.

image credit - the brides cafe

enjoy your weekend.....