It's Monday What Are You Reading | Vintage Frills

It seams like forever since I last did an it’s Monday post! It’s Monday What are You Reading is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey and it’s a chance to share the books you’ve been reading and plan to read over the next week. I share my favourite vintage themed reads. The main reason I haven’t done a post in a while is because I had started to get out of the habit of reading and life was taking over a bit. However I’m back in the swing of it and have lot’s of great reads lined up.

Finished Last Week:

Nightingale Wood, Stella Gibbons | Vintage Frills

Last week I finished reading Nightingale Wood by Stella Gibbons. The book is set in the 1930s and follows the lives of an aristocratic family and some of the members of the surrounding village. It’s a fantastic witty novel which is superbly written. The descriptions are beautiful and the characters are well written and very relatable. There’s also a fair amount of reference to fashion in there, so a good one for vintage fans. The only thing I didn’t like and this was pointed out by another person on my book group is that the cover has 1920s styling which just seams silly for a book set in the 30s. We’re currently discussing this book with The Vintage Book Group, so if you’d read it or would like to read it join the discussion here.

Currently Reading:

Vile Bodies, Evelyn Waugh | Vintage Frills

I am currently reading Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh, a novel written in 1930 about the social scene of the 1920s. It is based on the social set known as ‘The Bright Young People’ who flamboyantly partied around London in the 20s in fancy dress and behaved terribly. The 2007 film Bright Young Things is based on this book.

I’m really enjoying the book so far although I’m only a few chapters in.

To Be Read: 

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Anita Loos | Vintage Frills

Next week I plan to read Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos. It’s been years since I saw the film and I’ve heard great things about the book so I will definitely be giving it a go.

I’m also planning to make a start on The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp, a new novel set in the 1960s written by Eva Rice. I was sent a review copy of this but at 582 pages it’s a little daunting but I loved her last novel so I will be giving this one a go.

What I’ve been Watching:

Poirot, Downton Abbey, Foyles War | Vintage Frills

This week saw the return of Downton YAY! series four has got off to a great start and I can’t wait for the rest of the series.

Having finished watching every episode of Poirot ever I have now started watching Foyles War on Netflix, I love this series set in the 1940s and I’m really enjoying all the sets and costumes.

I hope everyone has a lovely week. What have you been reading?

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At what point does something become a collection? I used to have one vintage pinny, then two, and now I have four. That counts as a collection right? I din’t mean to start collecting them, but they are so pretty and appealing and go perfectly with a 50s housewife look.

Vintage Pinny | Vintage Frills

I like that they are usually handmade and have such pretty details, practical things should always be pretty.

I picked up all four at car boot sales all for under 50p so my investment in the collection so far is not huge.

Vintage Pinny | Vintage Frills

Vintage Pinny | Vintage Frills

Vintage Pinny | Vintage Frills

Vintage Pinny | Vintage Frills

Vintage Pinny | Vintage Frills

Vintage Pinny | Vintage Frills

Vintage Pinny | Vintage Frills

Vintage Pinny | Vintage Frills

I will probably enjoy them for a few months and wear them around the house before passing them on to a new home.

The pinnies were photographed over one of my favourite 1950s dresses.

There’s nothing better than coming across that one really special piece of vintage clothing, especially when it doesn’t cost the earth. In the summer I picked up an absolutely beautiful 1940s crepe dress at a car boot sale. It was in very good condition and it was only £10!

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I was so happy to have found it, apart from a replacement zip it was near perfect. It was definitely in need of a good clean as it was a bit dusty and smelly. Cleaning crepe is no easy matter however I was perfectly happy to get it professionally cleaned.

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Now for the sad bit, when I got it home it was to big! Not just a little too big, at least a whole size too big. I often go shopping with a tape measure to check things will fit, but didn’t this time. I’m usually not too fussed if things don’t fit as it’s easy enough to sell them on, but I was really disappointed this time!

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As the dress is in such good original condition I don’t feel it would be right to get it altered, the original construction of so fantastic that I think it would ruin the dress to make any changes. So sadly I will be getting the dress cleaned and finding it a new home.

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I really wanted to do an outfit post with this dress so I kind of did a fake one. I took a picture of me wearing it and used my (not very good) photoshop skills to put me on this 1940s train platform which I photographed last year!

I quite like my fake picture, and I will be on the look out for another 40s gem to take some real pictures with!

Here’s the label from the dress…

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When I started this blog I did a lot more book reviews, in fact I did a lot more reading. In recent months my books have been gathering dust and I’ve just been too busy to bury my nose in a good book.

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This is partly because as time has gone on my youngest daughter has dropped her nap leaving me far less time to get my everyday bits and bobs done during the day and I’ve been catching up on housework and blogging with every free minute I can find. As my older daughter goes up each year in school the commitments also become greater. My priority will always be towards my job as a mummy, however I do feel it’s time to do a little more reading.

The Vintage Book Group is back up and running after a break over the summer, and I am working on a new reading list. I am also looking for books which are available on Audible so I can listen to books while doing other things.

I am currently reading Nightingale Wood by Stella Gibbons

I’m looking forward to making a little me time and visiting a few book shops too. I’ll also be getting back to doing a weekly It’s Monday What Are You Reading post as it used to be one of my favourite parts of the blog.

Have you read any good vintage themed books recently? I’d love some recommendations. Please share in the comments section.

As the weather gets colder and wetter, it feels like time to put my beloved ballet pumps away and start thinking about slightly more practical footwear.

One style of winter shoe I particularly love is the brogue. They are comfortable, smart and practical and they look really nice too. they also can be worn with skirts, dresses or trousers so they’re a great all-rounder, and definitely first on my list of winter must-haves.

I particularly like the brogues on offer in Clarks, there are cheaper options out there but I like the quality and want something leather that will last all winter. There is a lot of choice of design too, but these are my favourites…

Clarks Brogues | Vintage Frills

I love the plainer styles as they would look great with vintage dresses and suits, however I can never resist a bit of leopard print so had to include those too, although I would pair them up with a simple black dress.

What’s your favourite winter footwear?

See the entire range of Clarks brogues here