Monday 8 July 2013

Carry On Camping



I'd love to have posted a heap of pictures of vintage Volkswagens, hedonistic festival goers and dogs in fancy dress from CamperJam but from the moment we parked up on Thursday until closing time yesterday we never got a minute.


The 1970s trailer tent has been unused for almost 2 years so we'd practised putting it up in the garden beforehand but it seemed a lot more complicated when observed by a crowd of seasoned pros with trendy pop-up gazebos. 


Next we unloaded Gilbert, selecting stock suitable for a heatwave (omitting the heavier dresses,  coats, knitwear and fake furs I'd packed pre-Glasto) and display it enticingly.


All stalls need bunting....


and a changing room.

 The front view with retro car parts and vintage camping gear to the side.
Our living space was conveniently situated around the back (perfect for popping back for chilled beer, fresh fruit and pretzels).


Happy with the shop set up we locked it all away and set to work on our camp - easier said than done, like my right hip our awning got wrecked at Glasto, so we had to figure out how to erect the replacement. At 10pm Jon knocked up a chana massala, we cracked open the canned G&Ts and collapsed into bed just after midnight. 

Psychedelic maxi from Krista-licious, vintage straw hat from a car boot sale

 We were up bright and early to greet the first festival goers, trading until 10pm when it got too dark to see the merchandise. 


We'd planned to catch some of the Friday night entertainment over in the main arena but ended up hitting the sack instead.

Maxi dress courtesy of the gorgeous Sarah Misfit, 1930s parasol from a car boot sale.

The public gates opened at 9am so it's just as well we'd had an early night, we were inundated all day.

Jon's dead stock 1960s Levis shorts, tooled belt & leather chappals from street markets in India, trilby nicked from the Kinky Melon stock room.

 Somehow work is never too hard when you've an ice cold cider in your hand. I didn't wear shoes from the moment we arrived (and I'm still barefoot now).

A graffiti artist re-did Jon's home-made chalkboard sign .
On Saturday night we closed early enough to catch some live music, grab a bag of chips (a power failure meant that the Glastonbury wood-fired pizza we'd been dreaming about all day couldn't happen) and marvel at the crazy fancy dress outfits. 

Dollyrockers silk maxi from eBay (cleverly spotted by Jennie)

 Ready to resume trading at 8.30am on Sunday morning.

Deconstructed Diesel waistcoat (chazza shop) & crushed velvet cap (car boot sale)
It was so hot I ended up working in my swimsuit - it didn't seem to scare too many potential punters off, we had another amazing day! 

1960s St Michael swimsuit from a jumble sale.


At 5pm we packed up, said our goodbyes and got back home for 8pm - fit for nothing more than a diet of leftovers and trashy TV.


What can I say? The best trading weekend ever (and a cracking suntan) but after a fortnight of portaloos, camp beds and eating on the hoof we're well and truly done for, my hip's officially knackered & I've lost a toe nail between here and Weston Park (I know, I'm such a turn-on). A few days of doing bugger all has never sounded so good.

See you soon!

Linking to Patti's gorgeous gang over at Visible Monday.


74 comments:

  1. You're such a flippin fabulous pair :)

    Looks like you had another fabul-arse weekend, but now I think you deserve a well-earned rest (chilled cider in hand!) xxx

    www.mancunianvintage.com

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  2. I've been missing in action for the past month or so, but what a great set-up you have for festival sales and you are looking so lovely, especially in that swimsuit! I'm gonna have to go back and read what has happened to the hip.

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  3. Looks as though you had a fab weekend, though a non stop one! I hope your hip was okay xxx

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  4. No wonder you lost a nail, ahhhhhhhhhh
    You are fierce, fierless and always amazing, dear Vix, ahhhhhhhhhhh
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  5. Hardcore!!! Bloody fabulous Vix & Jon. Hats off to you both. Looking stunning as always xxx

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  6. ah, really wonderful, love that tent!

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  7. Absolutely love that green dress ! I'm intending to make something similar, I have the check fabric, but am looking out for candy stripe at boot sale or charity shop. As I'm a teensy bit older than you though (!) my version will be closed at the front !

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  8. Whew, you two are like little human dynamos lol. I hope you have a well deserved rest this week.
    V
    xxx

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  9. Gorgeous everyday and the best model for your wares!! I especially love the green striped dress on you. Glad you had a gorgeous weather and I hope you made lots of money!! :-) Love you.

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  10. Wow! Exhausted just hearing how hard you and Jon worked! Those are some long hours you two put in. Your space looks great. Good to hear you did well while looking fabulous the entire time (both you and Jon). You are totally adorable in that pink bathing suit. Rest up and take care!
    xxx

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  11. Glad you had a good time , looks like you've sold out , I know what you mean about trashy telly , I hardly watch it now days there's lots more interesting things to do probably see you about xxx

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  12. I hope that the sunshine put everyone into a spending mood! :)

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  13. That swimsuit always comes up looking amazing on you!
    And my fave maxi ever must be that Krista-liscious one...it is such a wonderful colour rush.
    Sounds like an amazeballs weekend.
    Enjoy the good weather and a few calm days at home, honeybun!
    Z xx

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  14. Hi there! Well done on a fabulously progressive weekend, you both look so radiant and stylish and it sounded such fun too! xxx

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  15. Another fabulous weekend for you
    Amazing frocks you too
    Love the idea of selling vintage on camp grounds, you never see that here i tell you !
    Yes we had our heat wave in Montreal and took advantage of it as well!

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  16. Looks fantastic - isn't this weather glorious? Rest up now for a while Vix, and then please, please bring Kinky Melons down south!

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  17. Ahh, now you've got a day off to recuperate : > Congrats on such a successful weekend, and you both look so delightful while working away! Thanks for sharing it all with Visible Monday and have a good nap.

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  18. Wow, it all sounds flipping exhausting but brilliant fun. Enjoy doing nothing for a bit. xx

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  19. What a fantastic adventure, you deserve a good rest and the weather should continue to be Goa-esque this week!
    You look wonderful as always! I LOVe both the signs in that gorgeous frame! xx

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  20. YOU are a festival of lovely- as in Jon. How fun it would be to shop your rails, I'll bet. Looks like there are sooo many good finds up there!

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  21. Oh Vix, you look gorgeous in your PINK swimsuit! It's perfect with your skin and hair. I am glad you had a busy time. Sounds like so much fun! Love the way you even set up a changing room! You go girl!!

    XOXO

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  22. Your shop always looks so fantastic no matter where you set up! I love that you wore that vintage swimsuit!

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  23. dear fabulous lady, love watching you trading and partying like rock & fashion stars!!, you're so awesome, love your dresses and that cute pink swimsuit!, and Jon's caps and great attitude!
    besos & lots of energy!

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  24. You've both earned a few days rest!!
    You are your own best advertisement--Kinky Melon is Vixifying Britain one fair/festival at a time!!

    Looks like an awesome time!

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  25. not only a dressing room, but it has a mirror! Too cool. Your "store" looks awesome. Sorry to hear about your hip, at least you don't have to pay $$$$$$$ to get it fixed. Good luck with that.

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  26. You both look fabulous, and what brilliant weather. Glad it all went well, now time to relax. And I hope it wasn't painful losing a nail...ouch.

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  27. Oh my goodness. I would have loved to just be you for this weekend, complete with wardrobe and figure please! Well, erm, that's without the toe-nail mishap though. Ouch. Hope it nor your hip hurt too much.

    This looks like it was so much fun. Can't beat work like that, right?! xo

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  28. Camping for the Camp Lover in all of us! Adoring the old tent and you look so cute, esp in that pink suit! Take care of that hip, you need it for planting your hand on when you pose in your next darling outfit.

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  29. It all looks so so amazing ..... that swimsuit rocks my world!
    And thank you for your feelgood comments on my blog - love you!
    Xxx

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  30. What a fabulous weekend for you both, and with un-frickin-believably good weather too. Looks like it was a lot of work but totally worth it. Hope your hip's not giving you too much grief - I certainly know that feeling!!

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  31. Holy hell I can just tell you were slammed. YAH!!!!!!! My goddesss your lil pop up shop is amazing, complete with a changing room! I love seeing the shop on the road and both of you bad ass rock and roll traders to think you just did Glastonbury and two days later THIS! Wow! I'm impressed. All three of your outfits are perfection, but you really are a bathing beauty in that pink suit, I adore you in it!

    I should send you a link to the tent that Cristi bought I swear one person could pop it up. Might be worth it. Once you are all rested (poor hip) let's chat this week! You really need another new one:) You name the day I'm here all week.
    I miss you more than barefeet in the sand!
    XXXOOOOLOVEYOU!!!!!

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  32. I just love hearing about your adventures. You make it happen, which is so massively impressive in itself, but the style with which you achieve it is something else. And I just know you will have made friends with everyone around and been lovely. You really are an inspiration.

    I was wondering if the swimsuit would come out! :) Barefoot = heaven.

    I love the look of your pop up shop and I love the look of you! xxxxxxx

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  33. After all that you still manage to look so glamorous!!! Glad the weather was so good and you had a great time.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  34. Phew! No wonder you did so well, the weather was gorgeous.....not a cloud to be seen in your pics. As usual you look stunningly glam and relaxed although I'm sure it was bloody hard work. Love your tent, teenage camping holiday memories come flooding back, how I remember struggling with the awning. Take a well deserved rest now.
    x

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  35. This is so lovely, lovely! Your shop and tent look so pretty, those buntings made (presumably) out of printed fabric scraps are adorable! And I love your swimsuit look, I'm guessing its your favourite swimsuit by now :)

    Take rest, dear Vix, you deserve it!

    <3

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  36. Jaysus, that first pic giveth me the HORN! Love, love, LOVE that maxi! You just looked fecking HEAVENLY in each outfit, especially that St Michaels swimsuit!!! And your hair is PURE PERFECTION!!!
    What a wild, crazy, busy HOOT! That tent is fabulARSE, a perfect shop! A changing room is very thoughtful! You lovelies must have cleaned up nicely, with all that divoon stock and your sexy selves! Nice redo on the sign! You deserve a good rest after all the excitement!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  37. Such amazing clothing. Vix you are gorgeous.

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  38. You look amazing in all your outfits. *Ouch* to the toenail been there done that!
    You definitely deserve some TLC and doing nothing time.

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  39. What a perfect little outdoor living/selling world you created! Looks like it was loads of fun, although I'm sorry to hear that it did your hip in.

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  40. Brilliantly done! For such a light-weight setup you had an amazing amount of pretty retro apparel displayed nicely and a lovely big changing room as well. That was a lot of hours you and Jon put in. I like the floral underside of your parasol and love the pink colour of your swimsuit. I hope your toenail area and hip have stopped hurting and that you're getting some rest.

    http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/

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  41. Wowzers woman I can understand you're knackered. But it looks like you had a fabulous time and you look absolutely glorious doing it as did Jon.

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  42. Aside from all the other stuff, you are my orthopedic hero! How do you do it???

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  43. ewww! wonder where your toenail is? got visions of a Barry M pink nail lying in the grass. hope the hip's feeling ok, I meant it about outpatients, you know what that place is like!
    You both look amazing, I doubt that amazing swimming cozzie scared any one away! Each dress looks so cool and pretty. Gilbert and the awning are such a home away from home, they look so organised and clean and comfy, so does the stall. The changing room is brilliant, loads of room to move (I always fall over in changing rooms). I think that absolutely stunning parasol is trying to steal the show from you! I bloody love it!! the pattern on the inside? genius. xxxxxxxx

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  44. I am sure your pink costume was a big draw - you look fabulous.

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  45. Wow you guys do this so well.......just amazing...and looking truly fabulous at the same time.......not surprised one bit you sold heaps....look at all the great stuff.
    Love you in the bathing suit...just gorgeous.
    Look at your tan Vix......so pleased the sun was out for the weekend.
    Rest and lots of sleep now.
    Love V

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  46. You both are champions, if ever I go to Glasto again, I'm looking for you two! You look marvellous, I just love the printed maxi and brolly combo. Have a fab and restful week dear.x/M

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  47. Really sad about your hip (and toenail, too)....

    You sure look fab in that hot pink swimsuit, Vix!

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  48. You two really are seasoned pros at this! Your stall looks amazing, you sold like demons, doubtless charming all and sundry into the bargain, your topped up your tan AND looked stunning throughout it all! Sorry your hip is hurting, and I wonder where you mislaid that toenail...?
    Love the frocks, the parasol is a beauty, I am particularly impressed that you arranged a changing room, the sign looks brilliant, and you both deserve some rest now!
    Welcome home, I missed you! xxxx

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  49. I love the psychedelic maxi - beautiful my lovely :D x

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  50. Everything worn is beyond awesome but I LOVE that you worked in a vintage bathing suit! I envy you in all your bra-less glory.

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  51. You both look so darn good and the weather looks glorious for being shoeless. Glad that it was a successful time but I'm sorry to hear about your hip and even worse; your nail toe (auchhh!!!).

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  52. Looks amaing! I love going to campervan festivals. I spotted a new one near where I live called Summer of Love and thought of you straight away http://vwsummeroflove.co.uk/

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  53. I bet your stall looked far more appealling than any of the other professional jobs there. Looks like you had a blast selling vintage in the sun and getting to wear a vintage cozzie to work - living the dream! xxx

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  54. How you manage to look so good in the heat of summer & while working your butts off I don't know! All of your outfits are amazing. Sounds like you both deserve a week off at least! Xx

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  55. Congrats on having such a good trading weekend in Vix! I would sure love to check out the Kinky Melons stall. You look great in your swimsuit enjoying the sunshine:)

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  56. Hey Vix, sounds like you cleaned up at Camper Jam whilst simultaneously looking hot, hot, hot. I really love the multi-coloured maxi and the green dolly rockers dress. Gonna keep my eyes peeled for something like that for myself as you have inspired me to embrace the maxis again. Enjoy your time off, hope you're chilling in the garden with a book. Sam xx

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  57. wait...what's that i see? the sun? it does get sunny in england! you look so gorgeous in all your maxi's but i'm loving your pink bathing suit best. xo

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  58. I am in awe of the pair of you... looking so glamorous and running such a fabulous stall....perfection :-) Glad the sun shone and the punters were out!
    Enjoy your well earned rest....

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  59. Darn, I was all booked to come to Camper Jam and then we couldn't go - would love to have come and said hello to you. Another time...

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  60. I love the fabulous Kinky Melon magic tent, how I wish to be there, it seems like one of the best event of the year, the sun, the green and your marvellous outfits!! I adore the green and white maxi, you look stunning!!! I hope your hip is getting better now!
    Love you!! xxxxxx

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  61. You've made me tired just reading this! I don't miss the 4a wakeup to load the car & set up at the flea market one bit (being nocturnal didn't help one bit.) But it looks like the weather was glorious & I hope dear Gilbert went home with a much lighter load, and your pockets filled with moolah! You look stupendous in every pic, like I'd expect otherwise? Jon & you deserve a nice good few days of relaxation. I do worry about your hip, so please be extra careful! XXX

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  62. An amazing weekend! Sounds like much fun, and happy that you did well. Hope your hip discomfort subsides. You and Jon had to have been the fashion stars of Camperjam!

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  63. Your stall looks great! enjoy your time off - you've definitely earned it! x

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  64. Jaysus woman, how are you even blogging after that epic mission? Astonishing feat! I hope you are now doing nothing much and enjoying it immensely.

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  65. Despite your knackered hip and a crazy weekend of work, you always manage to look so glamorous and pulled together. Another fabulous weekend, it seems. Xx

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  66. No shirt, no shoes, and working in a swimsuit... Are you sure you didn't move to Florida and not realized it yet??? Love it alllllll!

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  67. I wonder where that toenail is! Your stall looks great, looks like it was a great weekend xx

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  68. Blimey! Wot a pair of sexy beasts! I've come over all unnecessary oi 'ave! ♥

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  69. Gosh, I'm exhausted just reading about it. I can't imagine how tired you two must have been. I'm glad you had lots of customers. You look fab in your swimsuit. I bet you attracted customers rather than scaring them away.

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  70. Wow,what a week! The stall looks great such a lot of lovely loot. You look fabulous in everything but the bathing suit and green maxi are exceptional! John turns out quite nicely too! Hope the hip improves. xx

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  71. The Dynamic Duo in action! You both look stylin' and fresh despite the heat and long hours. All of your maxi dresses are gorgeous, and how you could think the sight of you in the pink and white swimsuit could possibly discourage customers. I'm surprised there wasn't a stampede to your booth. I hope your hip feels better soon.

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  72. This looks like so much fun. I LOVE the setup. It's like a market back in time. You look absolutely gorgeous.
    I hope you have a great relaxation time.
    :)

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  73. That tent is AWESOME! Love the tassled fringe. Perfect for a stall.
    Looks like a great way to make a living!!! x

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  74. Wow… just WOW! Pretty much my dream vintage stall, those chalkboards are fab and that fitting room is pretty amazing. Seriously I think I need to pay a visit to Kinky Melon sometime soon! xxx

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Lots of love, Vix