jackandginger: Chic Vintique Fair

Well, long time no see! I have at last returned from an action packed week of family time. I thought I would let you know what I’ve been up to over a couple of posts as I have squeeeeezed so much in that there is just too much to tell you about in one day!

My mum is currently working in a school so gets LOADS of holidays (why didn’t it seem that way when I was at school?!) so made the trek up North to spend some quality time with my sister and I before heading up to stay with my grandparents in Scotland.

At the weekend I dragged my mum and sister to two vintage fairs and a car boot sale. That’s pretty good going for just one day!

(Ooh chipped nail varnish!)

First up was a mini vintage fair in Stockton, there were only a few stalls and we got there just as everyone was setting up, so we didn’t grab any bargains but I did take away some crafty ideas for the future! One of my favourite stall holders - Poppy Rose Vintage - was there and I am in LOVE with her vintage style brooches. How I have managed to resist them this long is a miracle to me! They also had some gorgeous embroidered stuffed hearts and bunting tea towels....drool!

The car boot sale was completely unplanned – we just saw a sign as we were on the way to the second vintage fair so decided to have a quick fifteen minute nip around. It was quite tiny as well and the only thing we came away with was something to add to an obsessive collection of my mum’s – vintage knitting patterns for children’s clothes!

Lastly was the main event of the day - the Chic Vintique Fair at the Croft Hotel, just outside Darlington. I have visited the Chic Vintique Fair before (see this post), but I never tire of spending my days off wandering around all the vintage and homemade goods.

After the fair we headed outside where we decided to treat ourselves with an ice cream from the most beautiful vintage ice cream van I have ever seen! Scoops and Smiles is a pastel and polkadot paradise! Even the interior of the van was decked out in bunting and cutesy vintage wallpaper.

I chose caramel apple, mum had rum and raisin, and my sister had mint choc chip. They were all to die for – so creamy and the flavours were delicious. We were tempted by the ice lollies too – doesn’t a cherry brandy lolly sound amazing?! The lovely lady who was serving told us that ‘Millie’ is available for hire for weddings and parties – doesn’t that sound fantastic?! I would love an ice cream van at my wedding...I won’t scare the OH too much by telling him – I’d have to get engaged first!

In the end we came home with some Christmas presents (gasp!) for both me and my mum. She got a stunning turquoise bracelet, and I got a silver ring, both from Dakotacat Designs.

As well as the usual vintage clothing, knitted things and kitsch homeware, we saw some beautiful jewellery made from sea glass – something which I have never seen before, as well as delicious smelling soy candles which you can use as hand massage oil when the wax has melted.

We had a perfect little day out – I am just counting down the days until the next vintage fair I can go to!

More tomorrow – I’m off to drop some hints to the OH about a little vintage ice cream machine...!