London Vintage Shopping Haul

A favourite Vintage store in London I love to visit is called Paper Dress Vintage. It is such a cute Vintage store. It is nicely merchandised and laid out in order or era. 1920’s , 1940-50’s etc.

The last time I was in the store I got a lovely grey wool Jacket and a 1950’s tea dress. On this visit I wanted to get some accessories and some quirky stand out items that were really one of a kind.  I started of course looking at jackets as I love vintage wool and tweed jackets.  I picked up a lovely Brown suede jacket yes folks suede! But it was so lush and really expensive looking and the colour was very rich with no fading.  I also spotted some lovely 1960’s ladies accessories like little compact mirrors,makeup compacts and cigarette cases with amazing feminine detail. I also tried on some 1950’s dresses and had a look at handbags and beautiful scarfs. I also seen a fantastic 1950s sporting jacket ( either a boating or cricket jacket) it was so nice on, fitted well and the colour was fab but I wasn’t 100%. Of course I went back and purchased the item!! 

                                                         The fab stripey jacket above 

The staff are amazing.  They make you feel so welcome and at ease. They don’t over-do the customer service experience but know when to step in to help with sizes of take a pile of clothes off your hands and leave them over to the fitting room for you while you continue to look because you are so excited lol. The Girls were fantastic with a very friendly approach.

                                                 Brown Jacket purchase and 1940's pin


My Paper Dress Vintage Haul consisted of one Brown suede Jacket, one 1950’s blue, green and cream sporting jacket, 3 silk scarfs, a 1960’s compact full length mirror! What a gadget! See pics below, a 1940’s broach, a 1960’s cigarette case and a 1920’s beaded coin purse! What a haul! Im so excited! A mix bag of era’s but some amazing items!

Above pictures of my fab vintage haul! So pleased! I do hope this has given you some ideas.  

Laura x  

Style your home Vintage for less

As you all know or can gather from my blog,  facebook page and Instagram I love everything Vintage! You can get a vintage look in your home without spending a fortune on antique vintage goods.  I started to pick things up at craft fairs, some items at vintage stores, Home Sense, TKmaxx and even Primark! It doesn’t matter on the shop as long as it’s the right item for your home.  Items that have really helped create a vintage look in my home have been reproduction vintage tin and wooden signs, fabric prints, paintings and ornaments.

This blog will be about my recent Haul at Home Sense! They sell some fantastic homewares at a discounted prices.  I got some items for my kitchen, hall and bedroom.
Some Replica tin signs, tin retro kitchen storage, books and ornament.

Home Sense had some Fab items and remember it is all designer goods at discount prices.  The Great British Bake off Tine was £8 and i got it for £4.99. I have already baked a Ginger cake in it and it was fab! The Tin had a clasp at side to remove the side of the tin which is so handy to remove the cake in the coolling process.  The LEON books were on sale at £2.99 each! Such a bargin in the clearance section! ( i love a bargin!! )

                 Womans Weekly Retro Favourites Book was was again another bargin at £4.99 in the                                  clearance section. A fab book about old and new reciepies.

 

                 Amazing Vintage Style tin storage solutions. Amazing items in with a vintage vibe

                     
                           Replica Tin Sign ... £7 cute pastal colours to match the other kitchen items.

       One of my favourite finds a ceramic Owl £5.00 so cute to go with my exsisting owl collections.

                       Replicia Tin sign for the bedroom to go above the vintage tuntable


I hope this has given you some ideas for your home .  I will get some more pictures of these items in use and some photos of around my house in my next vintage style blog

Thanks for reading

Laura

Purple Poodle xx

Birchbox

I am a typical girl.   I love make up and beauty products.  

I came across Birchbox via a youtube blog video by a friend of mine (Youtube: sauce_pot) and thought I would love to try this out.

Birchbox seemed to offer a wide variety of beauty products all related to you and what products you like via a initial questionnaire you fill in when you join.  Also the fact that the subscription is only £12 a month seemed so reasonable for the amount of products you receive.

The actually box itself that you receive is also very cool with a different theme every month and a lovely little Birchbag inside with your products, information leaflet and booklet .

I started to receive my subscription in April. I have April and Mays box to review and show you some of the amazing products I received! I am so in love with Birchbox! :D

APRIL

April’s Birchbox was the 'Royally GOOD' box to celebrate the arrival of the royal baby. I received the Pink Box and inside I received:

1. My free gift : Laura Mercier Mascara £17.50
2. Lola Barcelona Nail Polish in Born £7.50
3. Number 4 Lumiere d’Hiver Super Comb Prep and protect £20
4. Lix Earle Beauty Co Cleanse and Polish + Muslin Cloth £14
5. Korres Citrus Shower gel £8
6. Teapigs samples Darjeeling Earl Grey, Mao Feng Tea and Everyday Brew (lifestyle Bonus)

So far I have tried the Laura Mercier Mascara, which is fabulous. The brush is full and makes you lashes long and exaggerated.  The Korres Shower gel smells amazing and gives a luscious lather and I’ve had teapigs before so these free samples have been used! The Green Tea is my fav! 

In conclusion I was very impressed with my first Birchbox! The booklet was informative with beauty tips.



MAY

May Birchbox was the ‘Free Your Mind’ theme.  This box stood out as you could tell it was following the fab new fad of colouring and inside the box low and behold there was a set of colouring pencils to colour the box! An amazing idea! 

Again this box had a fab little tutorial booklet and the little Birchbag with May’s beauty selection which included:

1. Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturiser £27
2. Wah London Nail Art Pen £7
3. Parlor by Jeff Chastain Moisturising Sea Salt Spray £17
4. Whish Three Wishes Body Butter in Almond £14.50
5. Jelly Pong Pong Caribbean Sun bronzer Duo in Martinique £15.95
6. Number 4 Lumiere d’Hiver Reconstructing Masque £36
7. Colouring Pencils (little extra)

So far I have tried the Parlor Sea Salt Spray which is amazing esp. with my curly hair. I totally love the Whish Body Butter , it smells amazing and is so soft and silky. The Jelly Pong Pong Caribbean Sun Bronzer Duo is great, lovely colour and lasts really well.

A fab Birchbox and I am so looking forward to my June Birchbox 

Thanks for reading

Purple Poodle 

Fabric and sewing accessories

Fabric is one of thee most important resources to me. I love sourcing not only new material but also vintage materials that can be upcycled to be made into a fab new creations.

Ebay has been a great tool for buying fabric that is more expensive branded material, for example, Clark and Clark or Cath Kidson. Ebay is also good for patchwork square packs in which you usually get a great selection made up by the seller.

I also buy material from two local markets, Michaels Fabrics in Watford and the Fabric seller at St Albans market. These are great for your funky printed polycottons, wadding and fat quarters. I also use Lynne’s Sewing Box at Watford Market for threads, buttons and ribbons. The selection is unreal!

Below find the latest material that I have in stock

Laura x

Hey everyone ... I'm Back!!!!

Hey everyone,


Well its been awhile since I last wrote a blog. Unfortunately due to illness I took some time away from Purple Poodle Craft Creations and my blog. I have missed it a lot and now I'm back.


I will be posting new blogs on my new craft projects and my new photography with my Canon D500. I am currently working on an online photography course and I have learnt so much in how to take a better pictures without being lazy and keeping the camera on the auto setting.


Vintage lifestyle.. Now that I'm a little better I have been doing some house decor changed .. I cant wait to share my finds and ideas with you. Also a new Beauty blog section on Make up , Hair, and beauty product Hauls!


Watch this space for some fab blog posts this week!


Purple Poodle

Vintage kitchen

Anyone who know me knows I love everything vintage! Whether it is vintage hair, clothing, accessories or home interiors, I just love it!!

I always try to incorporate vintage style in my home. It can add a bit of life and character into a room and it doesnt have to cost you a fortune. I have different vintage elements around my home which I will be blogging about to give you ideas and tips on how u can create some vintage flare around the home without breaking the bank.

I am going to start with the kitchen, the heart of any home. Lets face it we all spend alot of time in the kitchen weather you like too or not! hehee! So if we are, then why not make it funky and interesting to be in. This can be done in many different ways. Here are three main things to look at....

1. Wall art or signage - I am a huge fan or reproduction vintage signs. Dont get me wrong I would love original vintage signs but they cost a fortune!!  I picked up some replica's at a market but you can easily get them online. They are quirky and fun and add to the vintage vibe.

2. Decorate your fridge - you dont just have to put on tacky magnets. Infact magnets are quiet cool now esp with ones you pick up on holiday and ones with slogans and signs. Make a feature of that fridge door!

3. Kitchen appliances- Again you dont have to spend a fortune as you can get great own brand appliances in many good stores. I did have a complete Purple set out of Next but when we bought a Dualit cream and stainless steel coffee maker and decided it was time for new appliances we completed the Dualit set. I love the design. It has a modern vintage look if you get what I mean. I also have to say the Dualit products themselves are fantastic.  Great buy!

Here are some pictures and will get the rest up later...

Dualit Architect Range in Cream and Stainless Steel

Close up of Dualit Architect Kettle

Close up of Dualit Architect Kettle And toaster

Vintage Style Clock in cream bought in Tesco!

★★★ more photos to follow later ★★★

Dualit Website

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Purple poodle tote bags

I stumbled upon making bags originally when I made a lightweight tote gift bag for a cushions set . I then went on to make a bag for a friend and one for my mum and the rest is history. 

I have developed a handmade, canvas strength lined, double stitched handled tote shopper. I wanted the bags to have strength and durability as well as looking pretty.

The shoppers now come in different designs. It can have a pretty fabric outer, which can be contrasting fabics on either side, a patchwork finish or handmade printed material which you then can customise to any print. Even though hand printing material is time consuming and sometime tricky I do feel it is a fantastic finish and a product that is even more bespoke and personal to the owner.

The sewing machine was definitely well welcomed in the designing and production of tote bags. Working with double layers of canvas and cotton is certainly hard work but the Brother sewing machine made it much more easier.

Bags that I sold a year ago are still being used today for everyday shopping use and this makes me proud to know I produced a long lasting product.

Check out just some of the bags I have made below.

Thanks for reading!

Laura x