Five Do Nottingham - We Came, We Scored, We Shopped

If I were a professional blogger I'd have taken my fancy pants camera to Nottingham, put some thought into my photos and invested in a remote to take some decent group shots. I'd have made a note of all the places we went to and been able to share the name of the pubs we spent a significant part of the day in.

But, no any attempts at being professional went out of the window after I quit my corporate life back in 2000. I took the tatty little point and shoot found by the bins at Glasto as I couldn't be arsed lugging the other one around and was too busy cackling like a demented witch, gossipping and shopping to think about much else. As is the norm we relied on random strangers to take the group shots hence the blurry quality and unflattering angles.

After Tania, our gorgeous hostess, collected Annie and I from the station, we hot-footed it to Hopkinsons to join Curtise and Serena for coffee and a rummage.

Within 10 minutes Tania and Serena had found me a 1970s slinky pink beach dress with handy integral bra - ideal for Goa. See it over at Tania's HERE.

Like the magpie she is, Curtise pounced on the lurex.

Tania fell in love with this incredible yellow lamé cocktail dress by Global.

After all that excitement off we went to one the city's many Wetherspoons for pitchers of restorative cocktails (Porn Star Martinis and Mojitos). Obviously, with it being Wetherspoons, we pulled some blokes made some new friends along the way who kindly offered to take photos. 

Didn't I do well for presents? Clockwise from top left: Beach reading, leather barrette and block printed maxi skirt (Tania), Flamenco coasters (Tania), Gorgeous maxi (Curtise), handmade soap and card (Serena), Vintage Spanish souvenir tat (Tania), Holiday reading and fair trade journal (Annie), Amazing vintage fabric (Curtise)

After checking out a few city centre chazzas we popped into Baklash, selling vintage to the good people of Nottingham for over thirty years. 

After admiring the wares on the ground floor we headed to the bargain basement and were knocked sideways by the fab frocks & the incredible prices. When the smiley sales assistant came over and told us that everything was now £5 (or a bagful for a tenner) we were dumbstruck.

Eve, the owner is the blonde on the right. 

It wasn't until I woke up this morning that I realised that I knew her. 

Back in 1987, after spotting a wanted ad in the local paper for vintage clothing, I called the number listed. I was a teenager then, living at home with my parents and had already amassed a massive collection of period clothing which was in danger of taking over the house. The lady came over, bought everything I had and gave me more money than I'd ever seen in my life (it went straight into a brand-new savings account which eventually enabled me leave home and fund my first ever trip abroad.) We got along like a house on fire and she invited me to come and be her guest at home in Nottingham as she was throwing a party.

Back then she wore Chinese workman suits, had a peroxide blonde bob and to teenage me the epitome of cool. I'll never forget the glamour of her Art Deco dressing table and the original Guinness memorabilia on display. Eve was the first person I ever sold vintage clothing to 31 years ago.

After a cheeky pint in a fabulously dingey old boozer we made our way back to the station and said our goodbyes. Curtise caught her train with 15 seconds to spare, she's so rock and roll.

Fabulous company, cheap beer and frocks aplenty - what a day!

Check out all my Nottingham purchases (and my fabulous frock from Curtise).
The question is - what on earth do I wear for tomorrow's vintage fair?

See you soon.