Monday 19 November 2012

....and, on the seventh day, God created Vintage



Kinky Melon's Retro Boutique was out on the road again yesterday, selling our wares to the good folk of Staffordshire and beyond.


Lisa, the amazing organiser, allocated us a fantastic pitch.


Clare and Maisie from Maisie's Vintage Closet were our neighbours. (Clare kindly took the photos of Jon & I together.)


There was lots of mutual rail shuffling and both of us ended up buying from one another. In fact I made two purchases yesterday (tut tut). I'll share them later this week, when I'm hopefully looking less knackered and can do my purchases justice.


 The scooter rally was awesome. 


 The mods were very taken with our 1960s menswear. 




My paisley maxi from those sweet Squirrels gotta lotta love. (At least I think that's why I was asked pose for lots of photos.) I'm linking to Patti's Visible Monday.


How cool was this Yellow Submarine sign?


 Over 700 turned up.  That's a lot of people to smile at.


The gang arrived to offer moral support.


 Adrian fell for the Mario Barruti for Harris Tweed blazer (which he's modelling here) and a 1960s moleskin waistcoat with fox head buttons on our menswear rail and went home a happy boy.


  Liz took a shine to my 1960s Borg coat but didn't buy so it lives to attend another fair.


I made my sign at 6am on Sunday morning.


A combination of my love for Helen and Jon's Madchester roots.


We've just got round to unloading the truck & counting yesterday's takings and the good news is we've now raised enough cash for a trip to India but with at least two more fairs booked it won't be for a few weeks yet.


It's a day of catching up with blogs, emails, texts and listing some stock on our Facebook page once I've demolished the veggie sausage sandwich I can smell cooking.

See you soon.

77 comments:

  1. Ooooh I'm so glad I don't live within buying distance as I'm sure I'd be buying a rail at a time given half a chance! x

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  2. what a fab thing to do to raise money - yay for doing that! :) and I have to say I LOVE the name of your boutique!
    Can't wait to see your new purchases hun!!
    xo

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  3. The scooters are amazing ! Oh i deffo want one !!! I'd love to browse through your stuff there, all and everything i see on those pics is wonderful !!! Have a fabby day dear ! XX

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  4. Spread the vintage love a little further North and I will be there like a shot! I love a good vintage fair.

    How did Liz manage to put that beautiful coat back on the rail? She looks amazing in it.

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  5. Excellent! It totally looks the business, love and your sign is divine. I do wish I could have nipped over and had a rummage.
    Have a brilliant week.
    xxxxxxxx

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  6. Wow! You and Jon make the most incredible walking advertisement for vintage fashion. That dress is stunning. No wonder people wanted your pic.
    That pitch IS fabulous. I have no time for cramped, poorly lit booths where the wares aren't laid out properly.
    I so glad that your India trip is funded. Selling at fairs is hard work, so you and Jon deserve a holiday after all of these shows.
    Love the enticing Helen signage :)

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  7. What an amazing stall you had - and oh that stock!

    Very jealous of all those goodies you had - I don't know how you part with some it!

    Look forward to seeing what you got!

    www.mancunianvintage.com

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  8. Wow everything looked amazing and 700 people thats brilliant. Loved the scooters. Your store and sign looked amazing im so pleased to hear you have raised enough funds now for your trip happy days :-)) Have a lovely week and get a good rest today im knackered after yesterdays fair my hip is killing me stupid thing. dee xxx

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  9. Centre dress hanging up, is it Biba? Is it sold? How much is it? ;)

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  10. To bad that we are in different countries.. I would love love to shop at Kinky melon !!!

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  11. You & Jon look so fabulous! It's no surprise that people would be clambering for your photograph.....you are the vintage Queen of the UK, if not the universe. I would absolutely love to fossick through your vintage wares. Xx

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  12. I knew you'd go down a storm! That looks like just my kind of vintage fair, can't see many victory rolls there! Great to hear India is funded, though will miss you when you head off. How is Stephen now?

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  13. What fun. Love your sign and your shop's name. With 2 more sales coming up, you guys will be in India for months.

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  14. A good fair was had by all by the looks of things!

    Loving the name of your boutique, it really encapsulates all that is you.

    Glad you have acheived your goal and your great Indian escape is ever nearer.

    Enjoy your sarnie!


    P x

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  15. You have been busy on the vintage fair front! I would be hopeless selling at one though as I would spend the profits back on clothes! xxx

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  16. Dearest Vix,
    I bet you are thinking, "Why didn't I start doing these vintage fairs earlier"?! Better late than never, eh :)
    I think you guys make the perfect team for fairs, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
    When you get your new webbie up and running I think you should also offer a personal shopping/styling experience, I've seen peeps charge £50+ a pop for that kind of stuff, a few hours in your own home studio and a trip to 'Second To None'...peeps would really go for that I'm sure.
    Lot's of love,
    Jennie
    xXx

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  17. Love the name of your boutique and your sign! Hope you have a great week x

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  18. India, here they come! Get some extra spending money from the next 2 fairs (or start the next trip's fund, US maybe?) and then you'll be off to the sun.
    Your stall always looks really interesting and inviting, and I love that your pricing policy is reasonable. You and Jon are the Vintage Selling Dream Team!
    Your sign is genius, and what is Liz thinking, she must buy that coat!
    Hope you're having a productive but restful day, love! xxxx

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  19. Wooo! You've made it! Everything else is just spending money. The stall looks great, you two look very cool. I'd be raiding that Beatles stall, don't often find cool memorabilia. Get rested then show us what you bought!
    Those Lizes are so smiley! xxxxx

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  20. Its always so wonderful to see how much you (and your gang) enjoy yourself. looks like a wonderful, bright time!

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  21. Amazing set up, I'd have trawled through your wares for hours I'm sure. So glad you're getting ever-closer to you India target! Looks like a lot of fun, it's a shame we don't get many vintage fairs in Cov x

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  22. what a fab weekend. and yay on the travel fund!

    i love your 60's menswear too. i'd wear it!

    i'm off to check your fb page now.

    xo
    janet

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  23. Love this post!
    You look so happy in these pics- no wonder, congrats on securing the dosh for India!!
    And I spied the green maxi from the post earlier in the week! Love it.
    Green with envy over your eye for style and love reading your blog posts. X

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  24. Huge congrats both on achieving your target and more. I know lots of hard work goes in to sourcing the items and getting them ready to sell. Great that the fair was so well attended and the gang turned up to support you. Adrians moleskin waistcoat with fox head buttons sounds right up my street what a shame I don't live nearer. Have a well deserved rest today and put your feet up.x

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  25. I'm so pleased you've raised the money for India, though not surprised - stuff was flying off your rails when I was in Wolvo. But it is hard work, so it's great that you've got the airfares in the bag before Christmas.

    What a great fair! The scooters are just fabulous. The Squirrels' maxi looks gorgeous on you, and you and Jon look like you are having fun. Good to see Adrian found a jacket, but I really can't understand why Liz didn't buy that coat! xxx

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  26. Groovin' on your shop sign and motto! I bet people actually squeal with delight when they see your booth!

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  27. I found your facebook-page! Yeah!

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  28. Ooh what stacks of scrumptiousness. I want to reach into the photos and have a good riffle along those rails. Not surprised to hear that the mods appreciated your menswear. What a great selling duo you make.

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  29. Lots of Vespas, but there aren't goodlooking mods pictures as promised, probabily Jon had all your attention and he deserves it!The fair was massive and your stall was full of treasures(I'm so glad that you are selling online now) and the sign is great too!!You look amazing as always in Vanessa's maxi and leopard boots, you seem to love that dress too and it makes you look even more fabulous!
    Love xxxx

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  30. I love the sign you made for the shop Vix!!!!! Your booth looks cut as always. Eeek I am so happy for you guys, India here you come! That paisley dress looks so good on you and the shot of you and Jon I love, he always looks so dam good at these fairs!!!! Edie is going to go mad for all the scooter shots! I am smiling extra big for seeing the gang show up. Liz should have taken home that coat it looks fab on her. Adrian looks super duper too! I miss the gang! You guys know how to dress for a vintage fair!
    Missyou!!!!
    LOVEYOUBUNCHES!!!

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  31. I love scooters and always fancied a Lambretta. Down this way come the bank holidays you can often spot the mods on their way to the rallies on the coast, sitting by the side of the dual carriageway letting their scooters cool down!

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  32. So much to love. Paisley! India!! India!!! I love India!!! I met my husband on a trip to India (his name is JON!)
    Connie*

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  33. i envy the way you live but it's coming soon my way - Have a few things to do and pay -
    You got a lot of goodies there and 700 people turned up that is good !

    Vintage and second hand is becoming more and more popular here, it took a while tough- I have been a second hand junkie for almost 20 years!

    Will you show us Liz's paintings?

    Ariane xxx

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  34. The booth looks very inviting and with your beaming smile and amazing dress, I am not surprised you had lots of photos taken.

    India here you come indeed, I bet you feel its long overdue with your poorly spell behind you now.

    I will have to get myself to a vintage fair, now that Emma-Kate has introduced me to car booting...vintage fairs are another step.

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  35. You must have so much fun doing this :)

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  36. Your stall looks super rummage worthy! Glad you have enough funds now for India - the next two fairs should fund some curry and shopping purchases! ;)

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  37. They're taking your picture, Vix, because you're so darned ADORABLE!

    Congrats on reaching the Goa Goal! Can't ya just feel the sunshine? (Think that's a line from a James Taylor song.)

    I know how much work those vintage shows are. As exciting as they may be, doesn't it make just everything (a shower, food, rest, a drink) ten times better when your go home?

    xxx

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  38. That sign is just so perfect for you. Glad you had a good day. I know what hard work it is and it makes it all worthwhile if you have a great day, make some cash and can see a trip to India looming on the horizon! M x

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  39. Glad you had a great fair, your stall looks fantastic! xx

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  40. India for you, how fab!! Looks like you work hard and enjoy your work at the same time - that's a great blessing : > Love the sign you made, and of course the Yellow Submarine. Thanks so much for sharing with Visible Monday.

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  41. Congratulations on making your India target! It's such a beautiful country- looking forward to seeing all of your photos :)

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  42. Your pitch looks totally the biz with amazing stock. Good job I'm not in your area or I'd be very tempted to spend, spend, spend. So pleased to hear you had a profitable day and that you've made enough to go to India.

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  43. Amazing scooters.

    Your stall looks fantastic xx

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  44. All that smiling has been worthwhile!!! India, here you come!(Maybe you can scrape in for your birthday??)
    SO awesome that you have enjoyed it all, too, and sounds like this'll be pretty regular!
    Jaysus, there's some mighty fine goodies on display, yours included!
    Liz NEEDS that awesome coat...I insist!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  45. O,and those scooters are divoon!!!
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  46. You look like you're having so much fun with Kinky Melon's Retro Boutique on the road! Gorgeous as usual! Today I'm going to make a major visit to your site! From the looks of things you have fabulous pieces to choose from.

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  47. That paisley dress is so cool and looks amazing on you! Lovely colors)))

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  48. oh this is vintage heaven!!! if i would have been there i would´t have known how to come back with the tons of stuff i would have bought;)
    and wow your maxi dress is hot!
    kiss,mary

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  49. good to know that the fairs are a hit!

    Less stressful than ebay??

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  50. Glad your stall went down well.
    It looks lovely.

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  51. That smile in the last photo with Jon says it all. Wonw - a trip to India to look forward to.

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  52. Liz - get that coat and don't dare let anyone else buy it. You look gorgeous in it!

    Well, you and Jon have excelled yourselves. You our hours of work into sourcing, cleaning and sorting the stock, setting up the stall and smiling for hours. It has paid off. Congratulations. I love the design you knocked up - its fun, inviting and screams Vintage Vixen.

    Spending money funds to build up now, and you'll really enjoy the well-deserved rest when you're on that beach.

    So, when are the Kinky Melon t-shirts being printed? And vest tops for summer....


    Love that maxi, its not just your clothes that draw a crowd though, your smile and personality would warm the coldest hearts.

    Lucy x

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  53. Your stall looks so great! I wish I lived near, I'd have been there in a shot! Glad you're almost off to India!

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  54. Congrats on another successful fair!!! you are taking the vintage market by storm!!

    I'm sure they were taking your picture because a0 you look fabulous and b0 they're emailin git to everyone announciung that Cher has a stall at the vintage fair!!!

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  55. Well done on getting the fares to India! Looks like you had heaps of fun selling your wares to get there!
    I've had a couple of ebay successes with your snipe tool - I'm addicted!

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  56. Wow, going to India time. Congrats on that, Vix. The photo of you and Jon has oodles of luv vibes, yea. You guys work hard for the money and deserve whatever you want for it. Can't wait to see what happens next.

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  57. Gorgeous pic of you and Jon!!! I would so like one of those scooters!!

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  58. Hurray!! Soon you'll be off to India!! Congrats. Liz should've bought that coat, she looks so good!! As do you and Jon. Have a lovely week, Sweetie.

    XXOO

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  59. Hi Vix, I really wish I could visit and do some serious shopping! You are looking fantastic and Jon is looking quite the dish!

    xo, Bonnie

    PS = I'm thinking of making that chocolate cake you shared

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  60. I SO wish I could come to one of your fairs - this looks like so much fun:D

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  61. Well done to you and Jon for raising the money for India! I think you should do a vintage tour so I can come and buy some of your goodies. I'm a Merseyside girl so got to love some Beatles memorabilia and I agree with everyone else, Liz should buy that coat. It makes me think of my mum in the 70's, that was very much her style. Good luck with the next fair! xx

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  62. am loving thr scooties..so retro..of late have been egging my hubby to get me da retro style vespa scooties for me!!


    and i love helen..there's no one like her :)

    http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/

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  63. Oh Vix, we little squirrels are all squeals of excitment at seeing the great paisley dress on such a gorgeous lady!!!! Its so exciting that's it's first outting with you was to a vintage market. yay Yay YAY!!!!!!
    You and Jon look so very dashing and I would have wanted to buy so many things from you.
    EEeeeeeekkkk India here you come.
    Sending a very big hug to you both and a toot toot to Gilbert who must be looking very dashing with his new patents.
    Toot toot from Basil, or is that boom boom???????
    Love V&W

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  64. nice work! Look like a bustling little market..
    I should start trying to flog off some of my piles (and piles and piles) of stuff too... trouble is I like it all too much!
    xx

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  65. You look so beautiful in that gorgeous maxi, amor! Congrats on fundraising for India - so exciting! Your crew of supporters are always so dashing - Liz is MENTAL for not buying that coat - she looks GORGEOUS in it!! Love your Helen sign - it's PERFECT! Love you more than scooters! Sarah xxx

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  66. All your stock looks SO inviting! If I had gone there you would have had to shut early because I would have BOUGHT THE LOT!!!!

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  67. I want that orange scooter!!!! It's amazing! xx

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  68. Fab to hear you had a good fair!! The scooters are awesome, I'd love to see that here but I don't like my chances!

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  69. GAH! THAT COAT IS AHHHHHHHMAZNG!!

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  70. How good do those scooters look all shiny in the sunshine.
    And your new dress looks beautiful.
    Looks like a great day was had by all.
    Z xx

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  71. This looks fantastic - can you bring the retro sale round to my house?!

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  72. why don't we have those markets here ... (ok, there's one fashion flea market around, inside in the warm, two times a year - oh - i forgot, it's the market my friends and i organize ... sadly not a vintage market ... hahaha ;)
    i really feal jealous about these markets. oh, your stall neighbours had some great 50s/60s bags on their table ...
    :)

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  73. Looks like a good day, and a fab turn out. Your sign is uh-may-zing. When I grow up I want to be a cocktail drinking genie!

    k
    x

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  74. I really wished they've had vintage fairs in our place......... Maybe I will have to start with the first one. :)

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  75. Congratulations on a good day of selling your vintage wares!!

    Goodl uck with the Facebook venture too :)

    Lxx

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix