Super Bike Sunday! A Ride Around Worcester

Some decent weather for a change today! We seized the opportunity so I could finally get out on another bike ride. I've been itching to get out and about again since the WVCC ride two weeks ago.

We decided on our favourite ride down to Pitchcroft, Worcester's racecourse and along the cycle path that runs parallel to the River Severn. You can just see the cathedral in the distance on this pic: a view across the racecourse from the path:

Here I am on the trusty stead in my favourite Freddie's Jeans, perfect for pedaling!

I'm still so chuffed with my Pashley Princess, I have to get off an admire it from a distance from time to time!

Whenever we're at the river I'm always happy we live here, especially at this time of year when it's looking so lovely and lush. It makes all the difference when you don't have a garden, to have nice rides/walks and open countryside, only a short distance away. It's definitely rejuvenating to get out and about in it!

We cycled as far as the bridge, crossed over and down to South Quay where all the swans, gulls and pigeons congregate. We'd been saving up bits of bread all week and whipped the gulls up into a frenzy throwing it into the river for the swans.

Chris got some great pics of the greedy gulls swooping in to catch a piece of bread mid air!

The pigeons were a really cocky bunch too and had no qualms about rushing up and taking the bread from your hand!

We pushed the last pedestrianised bit up to town and had a brew at the Boston Tea Party before making our way back home...

...taking the more scenic route along the canal path for the last leg.

I'm completely pooped now but thoroughly enjoyed myself! I'm still building up my fitness levels and confidence cycling on the roads, but seem to be making some steady progress in both. Since getting my new bike in March, I've already been out on it more times on it than I'd cycled in the last few years. It's a lovely ride and real incentive to go out and I'm already looking forward to the next time!

Pashley Picnic & Pashley Accessories

Next month Pashley are holding their Pashley Picnic Ride on Sunday 2nd June, in the home town of the company, Stratford-upon-Avon. It's set to be a super fun day out for Pashley lovers and friends and I'm reeeaally sad that I can't even apply for a ticket, as it falls on the next Worcester Flea waaa!

www.picnicride.co.uk

I've tried thinking of every possible way round it, but there's just no way I can wangle being in two places at once. Even if I do my morning Flea jobs super early, there's still no way I can get to Stratford for the 10am start, boo! Hey ho though, it seems to have become an annual event so I'm hoping next year wont fall on a Flea day!

I'm consoling myself with the fact that the Worcester Vintage Cycling Club is rousing lots of local interest (especially after our recent brush with fame!) and we've been asked to participate in some local events as well as have a few more of our own up our sleeves! 

In preparation for these other WVCC events and due to prolonged periods spent indoors as the weather has been a party pooper of almighty proportions, I've had time to whip up some mini bunting for my bike basket, in a coordinating black. Only for special occasions mind, not for everyday use!

I've also purchased a super simple device for attaching your phone to your handlebars, which is a great idea if you need to use your map app as a sat nav! That might sound a tad unnecessary but I'm actually planning to do just that when we test out a few of the longer, designated city cycle routes Worcester has on offer, as I don't trust my own sense of direction!

This little silicon doo-dah is the Incredible Bike Band purchased from CycleChic and I have to say it was delivered very quickly and efficiently, and they even had a link to a video showing you how to use it:

Handily my phone will be positioned nice and discreetly behind the basket. Great for ipods etc too.

There's a couple of other bits I'm hankering after to pimp my Pashley. Number one being a rear rack. Mainly for practical reasons as I want to be able to have panniers to stash shopping etc. The Princess Classic doesn't come with one and most standard cycle racks wont fit so I thought I was thwarted, but after some google magic I happily stumbled across an old post on Velo-City-Girl's blog and the rack mystery was solved!

The rack I need is a Pletscher Athete Carrier System (sounds fancy!) but I need to purchase from a local shop in person, as thankfully I read a review on Amazon before rushing in with a 'buy it now'. Apparently it didn't come with the right fixings for a Pashley, but this is definitely the chappie that will do the job:

Source - Amazon.co.uk

 I haven't any lights for my bike other than reflectors so that's the other thing on my list and this lovely retro looking but-in-fact-ultra-modern LED lamp is just the one for me. It's another item from CycleChic and it's the Bobbin Retro Front Light. What a beauty!

Source

Pashley themselves do a stunning range of accessories at www.pashleycollection.co.uk which include a range of clothing such as pretty blouses and stylish tweedy jackets as well as a super good looking saddle and basket bags. This is a particular favourite, the Saddle Satchel, obviously a handy saddle bag and satchel combo! Sadly I'd have to actually sell my bike to afford their handcrafted beauties but there's no  harm in ogling their loveliness on a slighty-too-regular basis!

Source

Introducing Mrs B's Brooches - Handmade, 1940s Style Brooches!

Sooo, have decided to create a little outlet for my love of meddling in making things and my love of vintage brooches. 'Mrs B's Brooches' is born!

www.etsy.com/shop/MrsBsBrooches

I've been making little felt and cotton brooches for quite a long time now, inspired by my collection of 1940s, 'make do and mend' brooches, as well as original war time patterns I've been squirreling away. I was initially just making them for myself to wear at events etc, as I'm always super wary of wearing irreplaceable treasures with iffy catches! 

I really fancied a new crafty project to get my teeth into and needed something to give me motivation to keep on making and experimenting, and not letting half finished ideas languish! Making brooches is what I'm enjoying most at the mo and setting up an Etsy shop seemed like a good idea to keep me motivated to make new things regularly! I've used my married name is handily it rhymed with brooches and I love a bit of alliteration! 

Here's a few of my designs so far:

The above felt flower brooch is one of my favourites, based on an original 1940s pattern but I made it more of a 'basket' with a twisted and stitched 'handle' at the top. These little two-toned flowers have become my favourite little ones to make! You can find more detail pics of these ones HERE.

I've made a selection of these little circular cotton floral ones, another favourite of mine, made by covering curtain rings in embroidery cotton or wool. It's based on an original 'make do and mend' design that was sold in Second Hand Rose a few years ago. More pics of this one HERE.

And here's a few few more, another two of the curtain ring ones, one much larger beastie in wool and at the top, my own floral 'wings' design inspired by RAF sweetheart brooches.

More photos of these on my Etsy page at www.etsy.com/shop/MrsBsBrooches. Any feedback or etsy tips gratefully received! 

The Worcester Flea & A Vintage Cycling Jolly Jaunt

The last few weeks have been a bit of a blur of activity for me preparing for the Worcester Flea and the Worcester Vintage Cycling Club's first outing, which were taking place on the same day eep! 

I was also sharing a stall at the flea, as well as having my organisers hat on, which made the lead up a little extra hectic! If you follow my doings on Instagram the you might have seen some of the homemade things I've been beavering away at, such as these cards featuring images reproduced from 30s and 40s fashion magazines, as well as vintage cycling illustrations:

I've also been busy with a new brooch making venture, which include 'make do and mend' style designs made from felt and embroidery floss. I wanted to test the water with these at the Flea before adding some to a new Etsy shop which will be fully functional shortly!

The flea was fun and nice and busy, plus the sun was out for most of it too so everyone was very happy!

I was very restrained and only purchased a few things myself: I couldn't resist this small hand knitted, floral tea cosy from my chum Kate's stall!

As well as this classic 40s/50s wool dressing gown which will be nice and toasty for next Winter.

There's lots more great photos of the Worcester Flea on the Facebook page HERE.

At about midday I headed off on my Pashley to meet up with the other members of the new Worcester Vintage Cycling Club in Gheluvelt Park. We were really pleased with the turn out and everyone looked great! 

We took a lovely leisurely pace along the riverside cycle/footpaths. Here's a pic of me on the right chatting with Tre, looking fab in her land girl look! I've pinched this photo from Barbourne Bicycles - they have some other lovely pics from the day. 

I opted to wear my trusty Freddies of Pinewood dungarees, charity shop brogues, ebay cardigan and my favourite 40s blouse. I was pretty pleased with my hair roll though and it stayed put all day!

Here's an action shot from me when I was bringing up the rear!

The star of the show was definitely the Penny Farthing, we got lots of smiles and waves from passersby which was really nice! Here we are crossing the bridge to carry on along the cycle paths:

At Diglis basin we crossed over the river and came back along the other side.

We ended the ride at South Quay and pushed up to the nearby High Street...

...finally ending up back at the Flea Market for a group photo and a well deserved cuppa at The Boston Tea Party!

Although I was super pooped afterwards as I'd had an early start and still had another 4 hours at the Flea before I could head home for a snooze, I had a really lovely time and thankfully so did everyone else! We already can't wait to do another one and have plans for some larger events for the Summer. Exciting!

There's also a few more pics at www.facebook.com/worcvintagecyclingclub

New Haul of 78s and a Little Video!

The other day I bought an awesome pile of 78s from local, independent Worcester shop The Paint Box Gallery. I never come away empty handed from there, there's always some vintage/antiquey goodies I can't leave without, last time it was a barometer, previously a set of cake forks, buttons and a deco picture frame to name a few! I was also kindly given a fab (not working) 'No. 2 Cartridge Hawkeye Model B' camera to use as a prop, which is a great looking thing especially after a polish!

One of the paper sleeves from a 78 had this super 1920s HMV illustration: 

Amongst the 1930s-50s 78s were records by the Ink Spots, Anne Shelton, Lonnie Donegan, some big band jaunty Foxtrots and some funny old classics, which I made a little vid of as I was testing them: 

I'm slightly obsessed with my 1920s HMV portable gramophone. It still boggles my mind how this ye olde mechanical wonder produces all that sound, which despite the scratched records, all the hiss and crackles, it's remarkably clear!

Warby Parker 1922 Collection & The Twenties Revival

I've been contacted again by Warby Parker eyewear as I'd previously written about their Hayworth Collection back in Feb. I generally avoid promotional posting but I wear vintage specs myself and I really like what the company do - affordable frames, 'buy a pair, give a pair scheme'. Although they are US based with no international shipping available at present, so it's one for American/Canadian chums only at the mo but I'm keeping a keen eye out for any changes in their shipping policy!

The new Warby Parker limited edition 1922 range been released today and includes the Duke, Porter and Joplin styles. Music lovers will immediately spot that the names reference songwriters of around that era: Ellington, Cole and Scott - not Janis! 

The promo info states "Our new collection translates interwar glamour into a wearable future" which is catchy PR talk but it's visibly true of their frames, as their designs transform era styles into everyday, wearable, contemporary fashion, rather than looking re-enactory or costumey as can be seen from their stylish photoshoot:

Warby Parker Ad photo: vintage inspired with a contemporary look 

The new collection is available both as Eyeglasses and Sunglasses and of the three these are the two that caught my eye:

The Duke which available in silver and gold:

And particularly the Porter in 'Gimlet Tortoise' (also available in a darker 'Whisky Tortoise') as optical and sunglasses:

And this is the Joplin:

Their full range of glasses can be viewed on their website at www.warbyparker.com

It won't have escaped your notice that styles and fashions of the 1920s are having a major moment at present in all corners of the fashion industry, spurred on by contemporary designers and fashion magazines and having a knock on effect in vintage quarters.

At Second Hand Rose here in Worcester there's virtually a daily request from customers looking for a 1920s outfit and accessories, for a party or themed event. It's obviously in part due to the buzz and expectation of this Summer's most anticipated film The Great Gatsby, which I for one can't wait to see! Judging by the new trailer here, it won't disappoint on the fashion front either:



Keeping the Gatsby anticipation momentum rolling is the Brooks Brothers' Gatsby Collection for chaps and rather excitingly they have a display of costumes from the film in their Regent Street, London shop until the end of May - details from Vogue UK HERE. There's also the droolsome US Vogue feature that's been doing the rounds on social media: Carey Mulligan looking beyond divine draped in super fancy, designer 20s-inspired fashions.

If you're heading to a Gatsby themed event there are some great, affordable vintage items available from Second Hand Rose  in the Etsy shop, which I photographed recently and may be of interest! There's an original felt Cloche Hat and a very authentic looking 60s Flapper Dress; an original deco glass beaded evening bag (very Gatsby-esque in pattern and sparkle), a deco leather clutch bag and a lovely vintage Laura Ashley cotton dress in the style of a 1920s day dress, all worth taking a peep at!

Currently available from www.etsy.com/shop/secondhandroseworc

Those based in the US can always add the Warby Parker 1922 Collection frames to any outfit and accessorise a perfect 1920s look!

Warby Parker Porter in 'Whiskey Tortoise'

April so far: The Worcester Vintage Cycling Club & The VE Flea

It's been a busy April so far with some new and exciting events planned and in the pipeline. There's one biggy I can't actually mention just yet (oo tease!) but there'll be news v soon of an exciting new project that I can't wait to get stuck into and share.

In the meantime I'm also excited to reveal a new venture: the WVCC - The Worcester Vintage Cycling Club in partnership with Barbourne Bicycles who I bought my lovely Pashley from The WVCC is for riders of vintage and classic bicycles and we'll be organising group rides in vintage clothes around Worcester, with a larger event for all planned for Summer. The inaugural ride will be announce shortly. If you want to stay in the loop, join the Facebook page HERE.

The first WVCC ride is actually likely to coincide with the next Worcester Flea (save the date, 5th of May!) as it's a special one! It's just a few days before the VE Day anniversary so it'll be a 1940s themed 'VE Flea', so we'll be putting up the bunting and I'll be bringing along my gramophone and playing some big band tunes. I'm hoping to confirm some live music for it too!

I'll also be having a stall myself as I've been beavering away making some handmade, 'make do and mend', 1940s-style brooches, such as this oversized floral one below. There's another pic on my Instagram too. These are lots of fun to make and I've been pleased with the results so far. I'm also working on some felt flowers too. It's been great to have something like this to work on with an end goal in mind (the Flea) which has helped keep the momentum up. Will post more broochy pics soon.