Monday 26 May 2014

Fire Up The Camper


Hooray, its our favourite time of year, festival season! 


On Thursday we'll be taking ourselves, Gilbert, our vintage trailer tent and a selection of Kinky Melon stock up the road to Uttoxeter .


 This is how our stall should look like once we're unpacked, complete with hand-made bunting, mirrored disco balls, solar lighting, a changing area and a stockroom. I can't guarantee the sun will be shining like it did for us at Camperjam last year.


But before all that we need to get Gilbert ready for action. Today has been spent scrubbing, polishing and packing him with the essentials needed to create a cosy home away from home. We'll be working 14 hour days, scoffing Jon's special Chana Massala on the hoof, largely fuelled by pear cider, by the time we've finished each day we're fit for nothing.


Gilbert was a joint 40th birthday present to ourselves back in 2006. He's entirely furnished in second hand finds, even the fridge came from a car boot sale. 


I can't take credit for the groovy leopard print interior, it came like this when we bought it.


Next job is the fun bit, sorting out some spectacular vintage stock with a groovy festival vibe.

Vintage 1970s "Silhouette Scene Setters, leisurewear to be at ease in" maxi dress (£3, Age UK), Denim waistcoat (from the gorgeous Lucy) and a heap of bastard jewellery.
See you soon!


72 comments:

  1. I predict a long satisfying relationship with Gilbert! He is a very handsome beast!

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  2. Hello Vix,
    What fun times you have had and, surely, will continue to have in the fabulous Gilbert. One thing is for certain, no matter where he us parked you will surely be able to find him without any trouble at all. Gilbert stands out in a crowd.

    And, talking of crowds, we wish you well on your round of festivals. You certainly have the fashion for it and, it sounds as if you have the stamina too! Have you considered the Sziget Festival here in Budapest in August........sunshine guaranteed. We are sure that Gilbert would love it!

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  3. Gotta love our festie season. Having abstained for years, we're planning on getting back in as sellers when the Airstream is up together. We've a long way to go before it's as gorgeous as Gilbert. He is a star to be sure.
    Plenty of graft I know but have loads of fun. I'd love to see John Otway again and do a bit of belly dancing. I hope the sun shines...I'll have a word.
    See you later Gorgeous.
    Loves ya.
    xxxxxxxx

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  4. Ah Gilbert is fab! My mum just purchased a camper (it's been a life long dream of hers) and I am so enjoying van life, it's lovely being able to drive to the sea and eat our tea watching the waves! Love your fab leopard print interior! Lally XX

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  5. Gilbert is great! Looks like you'll be having a great time, albeit a bit exhausting!
    Hugs my dear x

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  6. Hi there!! Gilbert is wonderful and you're sure to have a fabulous time, I'll keep my fingers crossed for good weather!! xx

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  7. Boo! Back blogging again and I have been catching up with your posts.

    I love Gilbert - one day we will have a campervan too.

    Have a fab time :) Got lots of festivals to do this summer - some we're dancing at and others just going as paying punters!!

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  8. Ooh, Gilbert's looking gorgeous! Almost as beautiful as you, love - but not quite! Loving the leopard print, he clearly has a track record of being owned and decorated by some groovy folks.
    The Uttoxeter festival looks fab, there are a few names there I'd like to see. But alas you and Jon will be working hard - just as well the Chana Massala and pear cider keep you going! Your festival stall always looks so cool, let's hope the weather is kind.
    Gorgeous maxi, look at that delicious floral print. What a brilliant brand name! And you wouldn't look like you without the bastard jewellery. When you go up to the stage to collect your vintage award (and you WILL), I hope the whole audience can hear your bangles clinking!
    Love you! xxxxx

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  9. What a fabulous thing that Gilbert. And I'm so envious - Steve Harley!!!!

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  10. Have fun, Gilbert's looking great , hope the weathers kind

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  11. Great times ahead ! Faboulous looks .
    Love the leo doors in Gilbert .
    Xxx

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  12. You get more beautiful with age(that smile:)!

    X

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  13. I love Gilbert and I love your festival season so I can join the fun vicariously through your posts! Woot, fun times. Hope there'll be no requirement for socks worn as gloves! xo

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  14. Gilbert is just fab! I hope you have a great time at the festival x

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  15. Groovy and cozy all at the same time - that's pretty much Vix! Love your home away from home, such great colors, shapes, and patterns - they will cheer you up after a looooong day of work (I do remember days like yours, complete with raising little Anya on the top of everything).

    The dress is marvelous on you, and as always you look so beautiful and fun! xxxxxx

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  16. Have an amazing time and make some money!

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  17. I am in a long sleeved tee with the heating warming up 2 radiators and you are wearing a summer dress - my dear you are one strong lady!

    Have a groovy time in Gilbert.

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  18. Gilbert is certainly one handsome beast! I have serious campervan envy!!! Have a great time at the festival and hopefully return a lot lighter having sold a ton of your fantastic stock. Linda xxx

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  19. Love that gorgeous green dress!
    Gilbert is so awesome :) I grew up in Volkswagon vans---we had a red one with a little sink in it, then a yellow one with a tent that attached to the open sliding door.
    Fond memories of many family camping trips.

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  20. Gilbert is amazing, I want him! :)

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  21. Wow Gilbert was a fantastic investment buy - I am envious! Love the leopard print interior details, it was just waiting for you! Have fun at the festival. Betty

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  22. I want a Gilbert! I also want that divine dress!

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  23. He's gorgeous, and the leopardy treatment is great. I keep meaning to pimp ours but I am torn between that and spending the time sewing for myself, guess who always wins? Wishing you a lotta good times and good weather .x

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  24. I really want to see you guys at a fest some time! Would love to browse the Kinky Melon wares!

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  25. Oh oh I love when Mr Gilbert is out to go on an adventure......yay yay yay....festival time.
    I hope you and Jon have a super fun weekend and sell heaps of wonderful vintage.
    I would be a wee piggy in mud at your stall....buying heaps.
    Sending love v

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  26. I love Gilbert , i have always wanted a camper van , they are so expensive now , your has so much character just like you , have some fun as well as working , hope you have a great time xxx

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  27. You are making me sin by coveting your camper van ;-) Seriously though, I do love it, if I could drive I would be saving for one for sure. And Vix I swear you get younger looking all the time, you look amazing in those photos :-) xxx

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  28. Gilbert looks fabulous and ready for adventure. So do you, xoxo

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  29. Hope you have great weather for your festival and loads of sales.

    X x

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  30. Fecking fun in the sun season, and some money making to boot!
    Gilbert is such a sweetie, that leopard interior is awesome!
    Love that maxi, baby, you are such a minx! I'd be so dazzled by you that I'd probably just hand over my purse, sit down and guzzle a lot of your cider..........
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  31. I love love love your campervan, you lucky thing! Have a great time, hope the sun shines for you x

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  32. Gilbert and you were obviously made to spend time together. The leopard interior and the bright orange exterior has Vix written all over it. I'm surprised the license plate doesn't say Vix Mobile.

    As usual I have serious envy of your vintage maxi.

    Hope the trip is super successful and a blast.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  33. Gilbert and you were obviously made to spend time together. The leopard interior and the bright orange exterior has Vix written all over it. I'm surprised the license plate doesn't say Vix Mobile.

    As usual I have serious envy of your vintage maxi.

    Hope the trip is super successful and a blast.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  34. Gilbert is a handsome beast! I loved the orange Tupperware- we had loads of that at my old house!!! Have fun at the festival!!!x

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  35. You look fantastic!! I want to hang with you in that leopard print van...

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  36. A little home away from home ... and portable too ... FAB!!
    xx

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  37. I just know you'll have an amazing time, and hope the weather stays perfect for you.

    The van is to die for, as are all the pots, pans and interior decor.

    Looking lovely as always xx

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  38. I love this time of year, and looking forward to a few festivals and concerts of my own. Love that printed frock and denim waistcoat! xx

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  39. Gilbert is so authentic! The leopard print, the brilliant orange exterior, and his groovy accessories all sing with a sitar's twing.

    The chana massala sounds a huge improvement over the brown rice messes I remember. Pear cider? One should always pack something medicinal and pain relieving.

    Don't forget the incense.

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  40. Happy to be following you through another festival season. To think that you were fortunate to find a camper with leopard print interior. It was meant to be!

    As usual you are spectacular in your maxi dress!

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  41. That green maxi is just fab! I love it. You & Jon are the best advertisement for the vintage lifestyle. Inspiring. I hope festival season is a raging success for Kinky Melon. Xx

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  42. Yay! Have fun! You guys are living the dream. I used to go to markets and festivals like that WAY before I had kids to cramp my style! Love that dress. x

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  43. I just love Gilbert. A volkswagon camper van is my fantasy. I also love that green maxi! And the girl in it is quite lovable too!
    xoxox

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  44. I hope you meet tons of great people and sell your socks off - although I don't know if I've ever seen you in socks, have I?, unless they were hidden in boots. Gilbert looks like an inviting home away from home. How perfect that he came pre-outfitted with leopard print.

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  45. Love Gilbert!

    Hope you have an awesome time at the fest. We will be down in London this weekend, otherwise I'd mention it to OH - he's a huge Terrorvision fan and we keep missing them (that's Tony Wright's band).

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  46. I so want a Gilbert of my own!!! Have a great time Vix!!

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  47. OMG ... totally digging Gilbert! Hubby & I have a dream of getting a retro trailer someday and road tripping around! Love your fun, funky, vintage vibe! You are FAB!

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  48. A weekend in Gilbert looks like a cozy fun way to sell your stuff. I love all the little peeks inside especially the leopard decor and sweet VW badge. You look beautiful in this dress. I hope you guys sell loads!
    Love you!!!
    Xxxoooo

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  49. Gilbert is gorgeous! Best way to travel!
    Happy festival season!

    Lots of hugs

    Arianexo

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  50. Have oodles of fun! I've never been to a festival, I leave that to my sister xxx

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  51. Love reading Vintage Vixen when festival season comes round even more than I usually do. :)
    Love the camper, beautiful.
    x

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  52. I loove that camper and the dress, beautiful! :D

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  53. I loove that camper and the dress, beautiful! :D

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  54. Loving Gilbert's Bet Lynch look and his groovy shade of orange. Hope the weather improves, it's bloody freezing here today and I've got the fire on, so pack your thermals ..although pear cider should do the job. I've seen the Counterfeit Stones three times, almost as good as the real thing and a lot more accessible. Me and 'Bill Wyman' had a drunken conversation in French in their dressing room which I crashed, once.

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  55. Gilbert's interior is amazing! I bet that sold you on buying him/her/it right away.

    Looks like festival fun for everyone (as long as it doesn't rain too much). With homemade channa masala and some pear cider I bet the days fly by. I hope they'll be wildly successful for you!

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  56. Gilbert's interior is amazing! I bet that sold you on buying him/her/it right away.

    Looks like festival fun for everyone (as long as it doesn't rain too much). With homemade channa masala and some pear cider I bet the days fly by. I hope they'll be wildly successful for you!

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  57. Busisness and plasure, yeahhhhhhhhhh
    You loom sooooooooooooooo fabulous and ready to rock the WHOLE WORLD
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  58. Busisness and plasure, yeahhhhhhhhhh
    You loom sooooooooooooooo fabulous and ready to rock the WHOLE WORLD
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  59. I love Gilbert season, it's the promise of sun and fun. That leopard print is genius and so very you. I hope you have a great weekend of selling this weekend fortified by Jon's cooking and a sip or two of the good stuff. That chicken pan is fabulous and so are you in your charmingly named outfit. Hope you get the weather to wear it. I've got thermals, jumpers and gloves on tonight..brrrrr! Xxxxxx

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  60. I love the leopard printed cabinetry! And how did you manage to fit a fridge in there? It looks awesome!

    Love you always,
    Masha

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  61. love gilbert!!!!
    one day we will go with such van on a around the alpes trip.....
    and maxi dress galore! wish you lots of fun and sales at the festivals! really - summer is your season!!!!
    xxxx

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  62. Love how you refurbed - looks like soooo much fun to be on the road! Have a fab time! xx

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  63. Well you certainly seem at 'ease in your leisure wear'!

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  64. I always enjoy your festival posts Vix! I would love to visit your stall. Also thanks for the sneaky peak inside Gilbert :D

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  65. Fairport convention! aaaahh im so jealous! i hope you have a great time. id love to come to a British festival and see your pitch all set up. i think id lose my mind spending all my moolah and forgetting to watch the music!

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  66. I have wanted a camper since I was a little girl. You are living out my childhood dream. And Gilbert is indeed dreamy. Bastard jewelry. Gawd Vix. You are amazing!

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  67. I have wanted a camper since I was a little girl. You are living out my childhood dream. And Gilbert is indeed dreamy. Bastard jewelry. Gawd Vix. You are amazing!

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  68. I have wanted a camper since I was a little girl. You are living out my childhood dream. And Gilbert is indeed dreamy. Bastard jewelry. Gawd Vix. You are amazing!

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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