Shop Update: Pretty Fancies

Mid-century 'Little Women' sherry glasses

  It's been a little while since I posted a shop update here but I am getting back on track and have a ton of new goodies to share with you. This latest update has some recently-listed pretty fancies to enjoy... and there's more to come soon!

50s 60s Bon Phit peach ruched gloves

1950s crepe purse and floral embroidered handkerchief

1960s gold crochet purse

1950s textured black crepe purse

1960s convertible silver fishnet purse

Vintage cocktails + a mid-century home bar collection

1950s atomic shot glasses set

It has been a while since I've listed anything in the homewares section of the shop but I just couldn't resist adding these super sweet mid-century drinkware sets... Bought together, they make a pretty cool instant home bar collection!

1950s gold grapevine tumblers

 I love the gold frosted grapevine tumblers and quirky atomic shot glasses... but the star of the show has to be the cocktail recipe coasters!

Mid-century cocktail recipe coasters

 As always, you can click on the captions to shop the collection on Etsy. And, in case you're itching to re-create some mid-century mixed drinks, I wanted to share the full recipes with you here on the blog:

Brandy Toddy

1 and a 1/2 oz brandy

1 teaspoonful granulated sugar

hot water to taste

nutmeg

Rob Roy (Scotch Manhattan)

2/3 Scotch

1/3 vermouth

3 dashes of angostura

Singapore Sling

1-oz dry gin

3/4" cherry brandy

1/2" dash lemon juice

3 dashes of angostura

teaspoonful of granulated sugar

White Lady

2/3 dry gin

1/3 cointreau

lemon juice

Tom Collins

dry gin

juice of half a lemon

soda water and ice

powdered sugar

Dry Martini

2/3 dry gin

1/3 dry vermouth

twist of lemon peel

I'm definitely intrigued by the Rob Roy! Manhattans have to be my all-time favourite mid-century cocktail... I like mine served with a cherry and plenty of orange peel. If you give any of these mixes a try, be sure to let me know in the comments below!

Shop Update: Separates and Sequins

1970s unworn wrap skirt made from hand-printed cotton from Pakistan

1960s button down peasant blouse from Dorothy Perkins

80s does 50s high-waisted tapered cotton pants

1930s sequined purse

...And a very pretty dress! I hope you enjoy these latest additions to the shop. It's quite a random mix of simple and special-occasion pieces... But that's how I like it best when choosing for the shop! As always, click on the links for full details and photos on Etsy.

I'll be back here on Friday, sharing news of a special weekend offer so be sure to check back then!

 

1950s primrose print rayon shirt dress with tiered skirt

Shop Update: Separates

1960s beaded sequin shell top

1960s white bib blouse with lace trim

1970s Edwardian Revival Cover-up

 I'm stopping by to share some new separates that hit the shop over the past week! The 60s bib blouse, 40s taffeta skirt and Blanes suit have a few condition issues and are being listed at special, discounted prices. I'm hoping a clever seamstress can resurrect or create a pattern from that suit jacket - the tailoring is just stunning. 

40s / 50s bolero by Lane Bryant

1940s taffeta skirt with cord trim soutache swirls

1940s silk striped suit by London couture house, Blanes

I have more listings up my sleeves and a few more blog posts planned so stay tuned!

End of summer listings

Although August isn't even over yet, it definitely feels like summer is coming to an end. The temperatures are getting quite chilly and it's been raining most days over the past few weeks. The downpours have made taking photos quite a challenge but I've posted three new listings in the shop - all good items for wearing while the weather and seasons change. The first items are from more recent times: a lovely 70s-does-40s dress in a larger size and a 1980s sleeveless blouse with a
pretty floral print. 

1970s daisy print poly dress by Richard Stump

1980s roses and hydrangeas blouse

 And the final listing is a very special pair of mid-century capri pants. Unfortunately, these ones were rather tricky to photograph - they have the loveliest fit but it is hard to show while they are hanging on a hanger! Hopefully they will be snapped up soon and they can be shown off properly! They are made from really soft cotton and very comfortable.

1950s pale green cotton capri pants

I've got a mini mountain of new items to list (including the Art Deco jacket I mentioned in my last post!) - some are piled up here at home and others are off getting dry-cleaned. I will be away for some of this week so it may be a little while before the new items are up in the shop but I can't wait to share them here.

While I am away, there is going to be a little shipping delay - any items bought between Wednesday 27th August and Monday 1st September will ship on Tuesday (2nd September). During this time, you can use the shipping code SHIPPING10 at the check-out to get 10% off your order!

Twins

I've just added three new listings to the shop, including these very sweet twin day dresses! Made by 'Nilvira De Luxe' in the 50s, they are in lovely condition. They both have the same vivid leaf print - one in a bright azure blue and the other in earthy, autumnal tones.  

 It seems a shame for them to part after sixty years together so I am offering a discount to any lovely customer who would like to buy both at the same time! The brown is priced at £35 and the blue at £38 but the pair will be available at £60 - a great price for two 50s dresses in such nice condition! Leave me a comment, convo me on Etsy or email me at ellymaggy [at] gmail.com, if you are interested.

 

The third listing is another mid-century dress but a little more fancy in style. It has a beautiful, tailored collar and a very pretty rose print. Its design reminds me of the full-skirted shirt dresses Julianne Moore wears in Far from Heaven. Take a look in the shop for measurements and more information. These pieces are the first in a mini collection of fifties dresses that I've been gathering together for the shop. I'll be listing the remaining pieces soon but first I have some hand-washing and dry-cleaning to do! Hope you like the new pieces!

Fifties Frocks - Times Two!

I've just added a couple of new items to the shop including two lovely mid-century dresses.

1950s dirndl dress

This first one is all the way from Italy and has a quirky alpine/dirndl quality with its fitted top, full skirt and long, gathered sleeves. The skirt has three layers: a satin slip; a net skirt for added volume; and a delicate outer layer, which looks like a thin muslin, painted with a recurring polka-dot pattern. I love the pearl buttons and lace trim collar.

Pearly queen

Dirndl details

I found the second dress in an antiques shop in Oxford, hidden among the crockery and knick-knacks, several years ago. It's made from beautiful violet chiffon, printed with nostalgic sepia-coloured flowers. It's such a pretty, romantic dress - I can't wait for it to find a home.

1950s sepia print evening dress

Take a look in the shop for more photos!