Online Shop Coming Soon...(hopefully!)

Well peeps, have spent the whole of last week madly photographing and uploading pictures for the new website (no mean feat whilst still running my shop in busy Bath! Round of a applause please...)So now we have a few different things in each category and we are thrashing out the final particulars on postage and delivery etc. So all things being well, we should be up and running this week-yay! So you will be able to peruse the treasures of Scarlet from the comfort of your chaise longe, my honeys.
But my, how this weather helps with the shoppers! Lots of lovely people around to have a look through our new stock: some great vintage shoes (gold ones are my faves) and some lovely 70's chunky knits that have been going down well. Add to that a few lovely little floral 50's dresses and the shop is looking quite full!
Am also in love with our new kelly bags that just came in, particularly the light coloured ones. Sold a beautiful cream Ackery one to a very pleased lady last week. They are perfect for carrying around as they hold their shape, open up widely (so you can see where that mobile is when its ringing) and close securely. AND they are on trend for the ladylike vibe that is the alternative for the relaxed 70's look that is around this Spring.
Aanyhoo, better go-got more photographing to do, what else should I add?...the 1960's tennis mini skirt or the 1940's evening dress.....mmmm, think its going to be a good day. xx

Spring has Sprung!

Whooop! Spring! Where have you been! Finally our Georgian city is bathed in Californian light and it seems as if the city is waking up like a very big, very sleepy Bagpuss (dressed as Jane Austen). And we are finally vindicated in our display of floral frocks, and no longer look like delusional, dress shop owners.

And the floral maxi's we are now displaying are soooo in keeping with this season's 70's vibe, that (as we all know) will be everywhere come summer (in fact most of the shops are stocking flares and pointy collared blouses now).

And the 70's are one of our favourite decades, especially for summer-cos its just so easy! All shapes and sizes and ages can wear 70's pieces, mainly because the fashions don't rely on showing body parts off, but covering them up seductivly (and colourfully!). Yes, there were those that bared the flesh, "Hair!" styly in the 70's, but most people were discovering the delights of the dinner party and entertaining friends at home required clothing that was at once elegant, but relaxed. So out went the mini and in came the maxi.

The genius of Ossie Clarke, John Bates et al saw to it that the shoulders and arms of said maxi became the new focus of attraction. Sleeves became bell shaped and elegantly cuffed and shoulders raised their profile with little puff peaks. And so, an expanse of fabric gained some interest that didn't involve flashing the flesh.

So come on, grab that Mateus Rose, put on some Demis Roussos and join me in toasting "the easy vintage era"! Alright, Ange?

Prom Time...!!!!!

Well, its half term and its Prom Dress Panic time. I completely forgot about this until some stressed looking parents wandered into my shop...luckily have a few crackers to put on my dollies that would look A-May-Zing at a prom.

My advice? If you don't want that awaful moment when you spend all day preparing for the big night, only to enter the party and come face to face with your mortal enemy in the same frock-then, go vintage, my doll! Whether you like the cool, laid back vibe of the 70's, the Marc Jacob-ness of the 80's or the ladylike primness of the 50's, vintage has an era for you. Yes, it takes some individuality and personality to wear a vintage frock, but seriously, all you need is to up the attitude a bit and add a "what, this? Oh yeah, sourced it in a cute vintage store..." convo, and you're there.

Want everyone talking about your fashion sense, or would you prefer to melt into the background and look like all those girls who took their mother's advice and "didn't want to stand out"-BOOOOOORRRRRRING!!! Think Sienna or Kate think like that? Think Alexa gets ready in the morning and thinks, hey, lets try and look like everyone else today. Or Mary Kate calls up Ashley worried her dress is too "out there"? Nope. Doesn't happen.

Wanna BE someone? Well, ya gotta LOOK like someone first......xxxx

Silk scarves and Vintage Lace....

Well, gosh, what a bloomin rainy day-but are we downhearted? No!! Cos we have lots of fabulous vintage pieces to look at. I just picked up a fabulous silk brocade dress from a vintage market in London, all mint greens and light golds-practically eat it up its so yummy. And not your usual teeny tiny size too, so should work for a number of people. Also, as I got engaged in Marrakech (yep, its all happening wedding-wise this year, eh?!) i've been looking at vintage wedding dresses. All very beautiful, but the main thing is, i've started getting into vintage lace. Just picked a load of stuff up from the states, thinking i can add some bits to my black dresses and t shirts. And the fact it is a bit yellowy from age, makes me love it even more (is that weird? who cares, eh?) Hey, there is so much you can do with lace; make it into a corsage, put it in your hair for that Victorian/1920's look....a myriad of things, i tell you!
Found a gorgeous silk scarf in a charity shop the other week. Is my new favourite thing, might try and put it on here. You know when you just have a favourite thing and you put it with everything, like, including your PJ's? Well i'm at that stage with said scarf. "It's so choice!"...
Anyhoo, hope the scarf picture comes out. And hope you are all keeping dry, warm and happy...xxx

New Dresses!

Thank Crunchie January is over! My that is one looooong month, no? Least from now on things will be getting brighter as we head owards spring and then summer. And in preparation for this "coming of the sun", i have started stocking some cheer us up florals! Love the simplicity of the 1960s and their shift dresses, its something i think we can all embrace reagardless of size or shape. But whilst thatwind is still biting, we will keep out warm coats and jackets, so if you want that 60's silouette but cannot face having just a piece of silk between you and the elements, our coats are for you. Snuggle up with an alpine white furry collar or snuggle under a thick blanket of camel cashemere from the 70s-the choice is yours!

Mmmmmmmmarrakech.

Ok, Marrakech-firstly, incredible place, crazy, but incredible. Not as much hassle or as many bargains as i thought, but that was fine. The desert was amazing, get a 4x4 and get out there. Try the tagine......ummmmmmm *does homer simpson, head back-tongue lolling out look*. Wow. Chicken cooked slowly in herbs and olives, and nectar from the gods, i think, deeeeeeelishhhhhh.

The souks (market), good fun, watch out for the snake charmers-literally, like snakes on the floor, man! Free! And those mental Indiana Jones cobra ones too. Eugh. Freaked me out a bit.
See th old kasbahs and palaces, now home to massive storks who make their nests on the ramparts (but have to say, the way some animals are treated in Marrakech, if i was a stork, i'd be as high up as possible....)

Stay in a riad if possible, they are beautiful. Nothing but a studded door from the outside, but absolutely gorgeous and calm inside. Like a marharajas palace in the middle of the dust and bustle of the city centre.
People are so lovely, very good service everywhere. Try Kosybar, off the main souks near the old palace for a beer, up above the crowds. Chill out music, massive cushions, If you like a good cushion, its the place for you.

If you want to be pampered, les bains de marrakech (www.lesbainsbesmarrakech.com)is a pretty cool place to visit. Pop into the steamy hammam, then onto the rose baths and finally enjoy a relaxing massage (yep, nearly fell asleep, it was that good.) Once again. looks very little from outside, but is an oasis of rose petals and mint tea inside. A must for spa lovers.

Temperature was about 23-26 deg when we were there, perfect, but apparently about 48deg in summer, might not be as comfortable, so i'd recommend an out of season visit! But do go, to see a place that seems not to have changed in a 100years (if you minus the camel owner on the Nokia!) xx

Marrakech Express.

Well, to chase away those gloomy January clouds, we are taking a little sojourn to Morocco this week. Not sure how much in the way of vintage there will be, but am happy to browse their markets for silver and leather tinkets instead! Scarlet will still be open for business, but we won't be available to buy any pieces on Wednesday, but you are welcome the following week and thereafter.

Looking forward to next vintage fair at the Assembly Rooms, Bath. We haven't been for ages (as shoppers, not sellers!) so it will be good to see who's there and how its progressing. Think that's 23rd January-date for your vintage diary!

Also enjoying my subscription to Vintage Life magazines, everything a girl could want in the way of vintage information-hair, make up, clothes, drinks etc etc! Worth the subscription price, those little mags are packed with info!

Anyhoo, better run as its nearly closing time and i have hoovering to do....now where's my vintage floral pinny...?