TRY THIS - Something for the Weekend

I find the trend for vintage sales in pubs a marriage made in heaven. Beer and bargains, something for everyone really. And while East London hosts a plethora of fab 2nd-hand sales in its ultra cool watering holes, in my well-read book West is Best. To that end, this Saturday, 16 May, from 1pm to 5pm The Fox CLICK HERE, a bright, canal-side boozer opens its grounds to The Fox Vintage Fair and Tea. Hanwell's premier pub serves as a lovely backdrop to what is sure to be a parade of pre-owned pleasures. 

Housewares, fabrics, accessories and jewellery await the discerning shopper. Browse, chit chat, buy. And there's more. This month's Fox fun features retro makeovers by hair and makeup expert Emma Freely from just £6. Fancy a Victory roll or a red lippy lesson? Ms Freely will be there to beautify your barnet and properly powder your nose. In addition, Clarence & Alabama will be selling vintage-inspired frocks - owner Amy is a delight and has a keen eye for retro re-makes CLICK HERE. An undoubtedly gorgeous afternoon tea will be served under the marquee in the garden for only £7, pre-booking required, ring 020 8567 4021. The Fox Pub is located at the end of Green Lane, W7 2PJ. The weather forecast for Saturday is sunny, so be clever like a fox and amble on over to Hanwell for delightful pub fair. 

Follow Fox Vintage on Twitter @FoxVintageW7

TRY THIS - Be A Vintage Seller for a Day

I find the people who sell 2nd-hand stuff as compelling as the stuff they sell. Recently I had a chit chat with Victoria and Emma, the driving forces behind the superb bi-monthly Fox Vintage Market hosted in the courtyard of Hanwell's canal-side Fox Pub. Victoria spots and sells real vintage jewellery. Her day job involves researching and writing text for encyclopedia publishers. But lest you think she's just a brainy wordsmith, she also trained as a Flameno dancer. Some years ago she performed in Trafalgar Square alongside the Strictly Come Dancing professionals. You can't help but wonder how her dancing feet effect her vintage seeking eye? Sparkle anyone?

       
Emma, who will also be out in force at the Fox Vintage sale, like me loves a good Deal. More specifically the quaint town on the Kent coast is her favourite - the very seaside town that's my default destination whenever I've a free weekend CLICK HERE. Emma recently took the plunge and made 2nd-hand selling her full-time career. She sells her pre-loved housewares at various markets, as well as Wow Vintage and Crafts in Kingston's historic Market House CLICK HERE. 

Pitches are still available for the 16th. If you're local to the Hanwell/Ealing area and have quality, interesting vintage clothing, accessories or housewares to sell, contact the girls at foxvintagemarket@gmail.com 

FOUND - Face to Face at My Place

I find myself surrounded with like-minded women. They're an eclectic group of gals who've been my friends for years. We're a close knit group - I strip down to my knickers in front of them every day. They are the lovely ladies who line the walls of my dressing room.

Framed ink drawings, ceramic busts, old postcards, a needlepoint portrait, a charcoal nude, photographs and more; all images of women that I've found compelling. 

Of course they're secondhand sirens. From flea markets, garage sales, Ebay, car boots and of course charity shops I've tracked down these highly decorative dollies. 

Like mirrors, the images reflect the me I see and the me I wish I could be. My girls remind me that beauty is an expansive word, its permutations endless. 

Faces from places far and wide, the girls mark my travels. I remember the estate sale in Washington DC, the secondhand shop in Florida, the window in Antwerp, the auction house in Chelsea, the antiques barn in Ohio, the roadside stall in Harare. From high art to cast offs, they are the company I keep.

From my dressing room, a self-important name for the room wear I dress, these lovely ladies wish me well. At day break do I hear them remind me I'm special, so special...

TRY THIS - Ladies, You've Been Framed

I often find the graphic designs of album covers sing with style, and none more so than these. Bought several years ago at Ealing charity shops - La Traviata from Oxfam and Madame Butterfly (below) from Fara (both less than a fiver) - they were framed only last week at the Accession Community Shop & Picture Framing Studio in West Ealing CLICK HERE. Accession is an interesting local enterprise, a partnership between Ealing Council and West London Mental Health Trust. It seeks to support over 80 individuals with mental health and learning disabilities through opportunities to work. The West Ealing Accession shop, nicely laid out and filled with quality secondhand chic, also features an open plan framing workshop. There, people are learning this useful craft. Thrilled with the result, I'll hang these pleasing portraits in my dressing room. The framing cost was a rather reasonable £28 per album cover. Thanks Accession! 

FOUND - Little Secrets, Lovely Style

I found these little ashtrays at the Children's Society charity shop on Pitshanger Lane in Ealing. I'll use them as ring rests or possibly pass them on to a lucky girl friend when a birthday comes calling. I consider these 'fashion curios' - sweet, unwearable objects that are style inspired. I've tried researching my pair of china dolls but have come up empty handed. The repeating graphic pattern around the edge looks to me like a dreidel, a Jewish toy top played with at Hanukkah but it could also be a teetotum, a gambling toy like dice, found in several European cultures. There's a marking on the bottom of each dish but so far it remains a mystery. If you know anything about these tiny trays, drop me a line in the comment section below, I'd love to hear from you. The darling duo set me back 99p. 

TRY THIS - Teachings of Untouched Toys

At 50-years-old, I find I'm still attracted to dolls. I couldn't resist this wee Japanese cutie, spotted at the Octavia charity shop in Ealing last week for £1.50. The white porcelain lady was a gift from a friend, the tiny pink mistress - a brooch - was found on Ebay CLICK HERE and the brush babe an 'as-is' bargain buy CLICK HERE. When I was a girl, I loved my dolls with abandon, resulting in Barbies with mismatched shoes and a Raggedy Ann that was far more raggedy than Ann. 

I wonder if my grown-up fascination is misguided atonement for the childish, even reckless attention I lavished on dollies long gone? Sadly these modern-day dears pictured, collected and cared for, enjoy no fun and games. These are fashion curios rather than play things. These do not star in immature but imaginative dramas, they do not converse with green plastic Army men or ride about on the shoulders of hand-knit teddy bears. A lesson for this living doll? Indeed. At 50, at any age maybe, let me be a moppet with mismatched shoes rather than an impeccable figurine, cherished but untouched. 

TRY THIS - A Heaping Spooful of Santa

I found this jolly gent among a load of lovely presents from my dad and step-mom. My pop paints these little guys and gives them to friends and family throughout the festive season. Dad re-purposes bent back, 2nd-hand cheese spoons, known for their swirly edging, transforming them into smiling Santa mugs. Hey, thanks Father Christmas -- 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 

from Huntress London!

TRY THIS - Made Up Over Bon Bon Box

I found this huge old but perfect chocolate box at the Avenue Vintage & Antiques Market in West Ealing. A 2nd-hand Saturday sale featuring 10 to 12 stalls, it's full of fabulous, lightly loved fashions and furnishings. This is a real community-led event that offers as much chit chat as brica-braca. I snapped up my flowery box unsure of how I'd use it but certain it could bloom somewhere in my home. And it has.

It's now serving as an effective and pretty make-up tray. I've housed my slap in everything from shoe boxes to cut glass bowls, but never found a convenient and attractive way to corral my cosmetics. Until now. This flat box keeps all items on show and within easy reach - no more digging around for an elusive lippy or unseen eye shadow. Sweet! My bon bon box was just £3. Even sweeter. 

FOUND - Lip Service from Swanky Yankee

I found these leather lips at the Children's Society charity shop on Pitshanger Lane, Ealing. This is the kind of American find (relocated) that puts a smile on my face. It's a lovely 'box' from the high-end Yankee department store Neiman Marcus. NM was founded in Dallas in 1907. A retailing innovator, in 1928 Nemain sold French ties and English shirtings, items rarely found outside NYC and in the 30s it placed ads in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, the first American shop outside the Big Apple to be so audacious. While its flagship in Texas was not once but twice destroyed by fire in 1913 and 1964, the company continued to expand. Today Neimans can be found in numerous American cities but they didn't actually build their first store outside Texas until 1971. 

In 1982, the Dallas store was granted historical status and it is indeed a beautiful building, a merchandising museum of sorts. NM has a reputation for exceptional customer service and while I haven't shopped there in years, I'm thrilled to get hold of this first class kisser. It was a jaw-dropping £3.49.

FOUND - Reflected Glory of A Good Gift

I found this little curiosity at the Avenue Vintage Fair & Antiques Market last weekend (CLICK HERE). If you live in West London, I can't urge you enough to visit this lovely, low key 2nd-buyers' bonanza. Located outside the shops around The Drayton Court, an Ealing institution, you're sure to find a pre-owned pleasure that piques your interest. La Semaine de Suzette was a children's magazine founded by Henri Gautier in 1905 after the Church had separated from the State. The aim was to entertain children, in particular young girls, while instilling morality and charity. Girls living abroad, often the daughters of doctors, engineers and diplomats, read the magazine in an effort to improve their French. It published for 55 years, only taking a break during the war. 

This velvet & leatherette circle is in fact a handbag mirror, the sort of promotional item a newsagent gave to the girl who bought the magazine in an effort to keep her custom. Today glossy fashion magazines are often accompanied by complimentary cosmetics tucked inside soulless plastic sleeves. While modern freebies can be enticing, none are as tempting as this tiny, shiny, beveled luxury. I'm thrilled to be giving it to my fashionable friend Susan for Christmas. She speaks impeccable French and perpetually inspires my style eye. On reflection this all around wonder was a steal at just £10. 

Avenue Vintage & Antiques Market is usually the last 

Saturday of the month thru March CLICK HERE

(the Dec market was held earlier)

TRY THIS - I Can't Hear Your F**king Style

I find swearing in public a lot like red lipstick on your teeth. It trumps the thoughtful vibe of your cool, collected sartorial ensemble. Curse in a crowd and you're no longer that woman in the perfect pattern-clashing outfit with shiny hair and ballerina-esque posture. You're just the gal with the rotten potty mouth. Worse yet, for me, crowd swearing is as unimaginative as a twin-set & pearls. Don't get me wrong, I love f**king expletives. Cursing can be therapeutic and has its place, but its constant overuse in public has sadly dumbed it down, left it weak, w**ky and wanting. Weaving my way through a crowd recently I was struck by the loud, dull clunkers falling from people's lips -- "...my G*d d**n mum..." "...his suit was s**t..." "...she f**king said..." I love the city's sound track and real-life refrains but street-side swearing, like a plastic carrier bag, is common, unnecessary and impotent. Bad language should be like gorgeous silk satin panties, smooth and naughty, your secret, shared with only a select few. Whether whispered with punch or hissed through gritted teeth, swearing should almost always be an exclusive, artful affair. Don't curse creative cursing to a mass grave. Properly privatize your profanity. 

TRY THIS - A Fine Line in Nice Spines

These are the spines of fashion books displayed on a small chest of draws in my dressing room (aka the guest bedroom). While lovely tomes, when traditionally shelved they hang off the edge of the book case. An alternative resting place was needed. Stacked they act as a pretty plinth for my tray of everyday style necessities (perfume, ring box, hairspray, photo of husband). Most of these books were found in charity shops, the others were gifts. I've read all of them, enjoyed them and I'm likely to enjoy them in the future. For now however, they remain useful and beautiful piled high. To create a cover-girl space, decorate with books. THE END.

Tomorrow is the Northfields Jumble Trail CLICK HERE

Is there a Jumble Trail scheduled for your neighborhood? 

FOUND - Paper Roses Bloom in W7

I found this hand-painted box at the Craft Barn in the forecourt of The Fox Pub in Hanwell, CLICK HERE. A little shed in the shadow of a lovely pub, the space is filled with a selection unique items created by area craftspeople. If you're like me, you save tissue paper and boxes re-using it to wrap gifts and such. The creator of this work of art also keeps boxes, but she makes the ordinary quite extraordinary - every surface of the box, inside and out is beautifully embellished by her hand. The Fox Pub is located on the Grand Union Canal, so it's not surprising that roses on the box resemble those that adorn longboats found along the banks of the canal.     

     

While the Craft Barn is open weekends with a selection of items, on the last Saturday of the month all the crafters pitch up with a wider variety of their wares. I'm told the artist who created this box is a talented woman of 70; I'm anxious to meet her on Saturday to express my appreciation for her work. Nothing but the best will be stored inside it; the box is the new home for my most delicate of lingerie. At just £6, everything's coming up paper roses.

       

TRY THIS - Damsel Duster in Distress

I pulled this gorgeous girl at Cologne & Cotton (CLICK) on Marylebone High Street but she wasn't exactly brand new. While modelled after an old-style novelty clothes brush, she was probably mass-made in the last few years. Dumped on a table of sale bits and bobs, she was sold 'as is.' The 'as is' was an unwound skirt. Her pink grosgrain ribbon middle had come undone. Don't you hate it when that happens? I snapped her up, couldn't resist. This damsel was in distress and I intend to rescue her. Once home, I carefully re-wound her ribbon and stitched it in place. Good as new, 'Trixie' now confidently bosses my dressing table. In perfect nick, a version of her was £18 - faltering but fixable I got this gal for just £7. Look carefully at 'as is' offerings - for half you can often make them whole again. 

FOUND - Her Head on a Plate

I found this plate - what I call a fashion curio - at Oxfam in Ealing. The little lady immediately reminded me of charms on my mother's bracelet, a lovely piece she passed on to me a few years ago. The bracelet features no less than 3 silvery silhouettes; one for me, and one for both my siblings. I can even remember little framed black silhouette cut-outs of us kids that hung in our sitting room when I was growing up. The craft of creating silhouettes fell out of favour for a time but has made a welcome return; contemporary artist Kara Walker's thought-provoking use of silhouette cutting to comment on race and identity has been exhibited world-wide for example. This statement plate - a fashion curio - is a perfect resting place for jewellery. It was a charming £1.99.

FOUND - Go West Flapper Girl

I found this little hand-thrown pottery bowl in the Covent Garden Jubilee Hall Market. On Mondays the central London space is given over to antiques, and along with brica-braca expect a smattering of vintage clothing and masses of old jewellery. I love finding interesting ways to store and display fashion and beauty items so this sweet thing appealed instantly. It feels Art Deco but turn it over and you'll find the line "Desert Image Arts by Renee." It's in fact a piece inspired by the aesthetic of the American South West. Turns out Flappers and Native Americans would find common ground around the subjects of art and design; a small world discovery that is both comforting and exciting. This hand-made time traveller cost £3.

FOUND - City of the Future Visit

I love cities; city breaks, cityscapes, city life, city style - it all appeals. I've been to the biggies - NYC, Paris, Rome, Moscow. I live in London but have also inhabited Cleveland, LA, DC, and Harare. I've visited Johannesburg, Krakow, Barcelona, Antwerp, Lille, Venice, Edinburgh, Lisbon and Bruges. I've been to Phnom Penh, Saigon and Osaka. I've seen Tijuana and Bulawayo. But I've never been to Tel Aviv. Rather than Israel's second city, I found this souvenir box in a charity shop on the Kent coast. Turns out Tel Aviv boasts the largest collection of Bauhaus buildings in the world (examples are on the box). Nicknamed The White City, Tel Aviv was the home to German Jewish architects who came to the area in the 30s after the rise of the Nazis and it's they who are responsible for the 4,000 Bauhaus structures in the city centre. This kitschy box is the perfect house for my earrings. It cost £3. 

FOUND - Depot Dishes up the Goods

Over the weekend I found this porcelain pickle dish at the Alperton Bus Depot Open Day. The husband and I take an interesting 5+ mile walk on weekends and he always indulges my desire to pop into a few of my happy hunting hot spots along the way. So when he wanted our Saturday stroll to include a bus depot, who was I to say no? Sure, we were both keen to board an old Route Master but I thought satisfying shopping would be thin on the ground. Think again Huntress! There in a giant garage were some 15 stallholders selling old tube maps, bus route brochures, antique tokens, uniform buttons and millions of postcards featuring buses through the ages. Three brothers were manning a stall with shed loads of transportation ephemera and nestled among the stacks of stuff was this little curio. Created in 1998 by famed Japanese porcelain maker Noritake for British Airways VIP Lounges, it now makes a perfect ring rest. It cost £2.50.       

FOUND - Not Just a Pretty Face

I found her in Bath UK, in the men's furnishings section of a shop called Vintage to Vogue (www.vintagetovoguebath.co.uk). She's a testament to the enduring appeal of ruby red lips and reminds me of the mascot atop the roof of The Kewpee, a burger joint in my hometown of Lima, Ohio. "Hamburger, Pickle on Top Makes Your Heart Go Flippity Flop" is the Kewpee's motto and I'm tempted to buy a Kewpee t-shirt emblazoned with this savory slogan (see www.kewpee.com). At this fast-food throwback the waitresses still wear white button-front dresses and sport hairnets and along with the best burgers in the world, they serve up slices of homemade pie; cherry, apple, pecan and peach. When 2nd-hand hunting, don't overlook peachy finds in the men's department. Quality leather bags, scarves, PJs, and little curiosities like her are often there for the taking. This porcelain lemon squeezer was sweet at just £10.                

TRY THIS - The Original Fashion Icon

This classy lady came into my possession while working at a theatre outside LA. The office Christmas party invitation advised staff to bring along a "gift" - something we had but didn't want, and the more ridiculous the better.  At the party we each pulled a number from a hat, then in numerical order selected a pressie from a table full of weird and useless white elephants.  The moment I saw her, I was in love - had to have her but feared she'd go, pronto. God love loopy liberal thesps and New Age Cali kooks none of whom dare reach for a naff religious memento, especially in the month of baby Jesus' birth. Don't get me wrong, I never wonder WWJD? But I am privately spiritual and this woman, this lovely, hopeful but under-sexed diva seems to me the original fashion icon. I have several Marys who are right at home among my handbags and gladrags. She reminds me to add life to those things no one else wants and transcend sartorial time zones, to marry high with low and combine worn classics with the-best-of trends. Nothing is scared when it comes to fashion, nothing but a commitment to one's own style.