Lotti's Voluptuous Delights

No, it's not the title of a burlesque show although if it were, it would be the most beautiful, well presented burlesque show! Lotti's is in fact one of the first places I want to tell you about on my self-titled, 'Tilly's Teesside Troughing Tour.' 

Lotti's is situated on Stokesley High Street. It's up near the end where Boyes is but a bit further down and on the opposite side of the road. 59-61 High Street to be exact. Just so you recognise it, it looks like this.

When you enter this beautiful tea room, you're immediately met with a sensory experience. Good music, the sight and smell of delicious food and drinks, and the charming, vintagey decor. If you're lucky enough to get a table straight away you'll be given a menu which is pretty in its own right. This isn't just your bog-standard tea shop though. For starters, the menu is packed with offerings that have that extra special detail, in particular, Strawberry scones with lime drizzle and unusual Earl Grey cake to name a couple. 

To enjoy whatever choose, you sit at quirky mismatched tables and chairs, surrounded by chintzy scatter cushions and lamps and doily bunting. The atmosphere has been really good each time I've been in too, the staff are all very friendly and helpful and the other customers all look to be of a similar mindset, appreciating good food and good company. You feel as though you're amongst friends! 

I haven't experienced the savoury food yet as I usually race in on a morning to make sure I get a table but I'm aware that they do Tapas and Cocktails some evenings too which I hope to experience in the not so distant future. They also offer Afternoon Tea and which is something that has become extremely fashionable in recent times and understandably so. Who doesn't love that sedate, 'ladies what lunch' way of life?! 

There are great reviews on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/Lottisvoluptuousdelights so you can see plenty more genuine comments and pictures there. 

Hurry down as soon as you can and give them a try yourself. I promise you won't regret it!

Haworth 1940's Weekend

This weekend, my mam, grandma's and I went to the fabulous Haworth 1940's Weekend. We went for the full day on the Sunday and were blessed enough to have red hot weather. We drove - just under a couple of hours in the car for us Teessiders - and the place was already buzzing when we got there.

                         

It was a bit awkward to find a parking space initially as parking places were quickly filling up and you were already heading down a tight road before you found the car park was full, however, we soon found a space and headed over to the park nearest to where we were, which was full of lovely stalls and an already bustling beer tent. I was impressed with how many people had gotten into the spirit and dressed up. Many looked like they came year on year in their beautiful chosen ensembles, pristine forces uniforms, tailoring and parasols  - it really seemed like you'd stepped back in time. People held themselves differently and seemed to speak and act in a more gentile manner. Everyone seemed so elegant and refined with beaming smiles, dancing and music everywhere we went that day. My Grandma's remarked that although people had just endured another awful World War at this time, the spirit was a positive one, captured and reflected well by the Haworth Weekender. Chin up and crack on. I think we could all learn from that attitude today, but sadly some people don't seem to know how to help themselves or one another in the same way anymore. 

Most of the businesses that were open had adopted a 1940's theme, menu or costume to get "In The Mood" (see what I did there?)  My favourite shop was Rose & Co Apothecary. They sell bath products in the shape of sugar mice and cupcakes and gentleman's shaving products amongst tons of other stunning gifts and treats, but my absolute favourite part was the bit stocking the ever fabulous Stop Staring dresses. They're not cheap but they're beautifully designed and made, and really fit with the vintage revival we all love so much. I'm saving for one when I'm out of my preggy clothes - I'm just gutted they don't do maternity or kids wear! 

We relaxed on a bench whilst a chap sang and played trumpet on the back of an army truck. This picture by a nice bloke called Jason Bowers was of this lovely part of the day!

One of the nicest people we encountered that day was a nurse who was dressed as a WW2 nurse. She spent a while chit-chatting with us and telling us some really interesting stuff about her uniform and  adjustments that were made from the original uniform in WW1. I could have listened to her all day. 

Hopefully we'll go back for this wonderful weekend next year. I would whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone.

My first sewing machine

I got this beautiful thing in a British Red Cross charity shop on Monday. It was a bargain and just needs a bit of TLC. Can't wait to use it :) Any first project advice would be greatly appreciated but I know once I start I'll never stop!!!

The House Of Avalon - a Vintage Wonderland

Last May, 'The House Of Avalon' opened in York. It's an amazing little place just round from the York Minster. The whole place is decked out with beautiful vintage furniture, and the shop itself is split into two main bits. The front part is with all the clothing, handbags and other lovely little trinkets. In terms of clothing, although it only has a small stock holding, it is the best selection of vintage items I've ever seen. Sadly a lot of 'vintage' shops these days stock vintage inspired things that retailers pretend are vintage (read how it p***es me off here) but are actually Topshop in disguise whereas The House Of Avalon stocks the real McCoy. Beautiful ballgowns and stunning daywear all from between 1910 to the 1960's. There's also a backwash sink tucked away in the corner because they also offer hairdressing services. What a talented bunch of people!

Out the back of the shop there's a cute little tea room where you can have tea or coffee and cupcakes and lovely things off china cups and plates. Everything is just as though you are in a more quaint and lovely time. They even have a picture frame on the wall and project old-school Fred and Ginger and Audrey Hepburn movies into the centre! I was in heaven. He's a pic of me looking delighted to be there.

As you can see in the background, the staff really dress the part. This lady in particular looked so beautiful!
My mam got a stunning and very unusual evening bag that she couldn't take her eyes off whilst we were enjoying our tea. How civilised are we?

The other twist to all this is that it's part of a charity so the entire thing is non-profit. The Avalon charity helps to create employment for people with learning disabilities within a social enterprise. You can read more about their aims and background here.

A great vintage experience and a fantastic cause. You could feasibly come out of there with new hair, a new outfit, fed and watered AND having done a good turn for charity. Everyone's a winner! You should definitely visit. If you would like to do so the address is as follows:

5 High Petergate, York, YO1 7EN

Knock your vintage socks off!

Prettyful Things and that ain't no lie!

If there's one thing certain to make me mad it is someone calling something 'vintage' and then me finding it's a Topshop dress from about 5 minutes ago or something like that. Last year I attended a 'Vintage Fair' not far from where I live and I was appalled to find that about 70 percent of the stalls there were charity shop fodder. The other 30 percent were vintage inspired brand new clothes (which were admittedly very lovely) and only one stall was the genuine article. Grrrrr.

Now, as someone who loves genuine vintage but can't afford the price tag most of the time, I have been pleased to find a great range of vintage inspired clothing and accessories on the high-street. The only problem is that everyone has them. At the aforementioned vintage fair, I came across two companies that stuck in my head. One was Prettyful Things which retails vintage inspired fashion, accessories and other lovely bits and bobs and the other was Suzanne Porter who was a talented young designer who makes vintage style clothing.

Here are some examples of their wares...

Lizzie dress at Prettyful Things.

Suzanne Porter Boutique.

Prettyful Things retails fashion and accessories from a mixture of unusual brands and independent designers so you know you won't just blend in with everyone else. From more established brands like Emily and Fin and This Charming Girl, to up-and-coming designers like Samantha Jane Wray and Wonderland Boutique. Check it out now!

Suzanne Porter makes bespoke items from your measurements for perfect fitting fashion. Her prices are super reasonable for a bespoke service that you could pay hundreds for if she was based in London.

I spoke with both of these budding entrepreneurs and you can see they are so passionate about their businesses.

So Ladies and Gents, I urge you to support the quality business people out there (and to be wary and not to get mugged by people selling the clothes of yesterday rather than yesteryear). As I've just demonstrated, you can have great quality, brand new clothes, that are a break from the norm (and the high street!)

I want to go here so much it hurts...

Vintage at Goodwood is set to be one of the greatest events of the year and I'm super jealous of everyone that's going. It just so happens that it starts on my birthday to add salt to the wound and I can't imagine many things better than dressing up on your birthday and going around such a sophisticated and special place. Unfortunately I'm massively skint so unfortunately it's not going to happen this year.

To all of you who are going have a fabulous time and please tell me all about it. To all of you who aren't and are currently sulking like me we need to think of a way to have our own elegant fun in the sun so here are a few ideas combining the key elements of the festival:



MUSIC
Get down to your local gigs wherever they may be, dressed up in your best vintage gear and drink old school drinks. Failing that, add your favourite tracks from the likes of Sandie Shaw, Paloma Faith, Martha Reeves etc to your ipod and go on a road trip (avec sunglasses and neck scarf).

FASHION
 Shop at your favourite local vintage/vintage inspired boutiques online or on the streets of your home town. Some of my favourites are The House of Avalon and Prettyful Things. Treat yourself to something fabulous as though you are perusing the lovely stalls at Goodwood!

ART
Hit a local gallery. I plan to go to Artsbank, a fabulous new gallery in Saltburn which has a huge variety of art. I've been twice already and can't wait to rush back to see some new additions.

DESIGN
It's time to get crafty guys and gals. There are loads of crafts groups around the country and or online. Check out YouTube; Etsy; Folksy etc for projects for beginner to advanced!

FILM
Self explanatory. Sling on a DVD or get yourself to the cinema or theatre. My films of choice will be Roman Holiday, The Sweetest Thing, My Girl, Breakfast At Tiffany's, Now and Then and Amelie. What will yours be?

FOOD
Bake goodies! There are lots of lovely recipes online at UKTV Food so get your pinny on (make it a cute retro one) and become a domestic goddess for the weekend. You could even have a tea party and make all sorts of goodies for your friends, hang up bunting and drink out of china cups with saucers (tea always tastes best out of china cups doesn't it?!)

So that's my selection of ideas for none vintage festival goers. I hope you like them and manage to do some of them too. Who knows what little gems you may turn up on your hunt for vintage goodness? If you have any suggestions, please post them for other people.

Let me know how your own Vintage at ...(INSERT PLACE NAME HERE)............. turns out.

Tilly x