Greyhound Vintage Grand Shop Opening

I'd just like to start by saying a big thank you to everyone who came down to show their support on Saturday. We really appreciated you taking the time to come and check out the shop - even if it was only because you were lured by the free booze and cake!

Extra-special thanks is required to the following people, in no particular order:

Yvette of Red's Ruby Slippers for flyer design, painting, pricing, sewing and general brilliance!

Jirral of Beatnik Blonde for her AMAZING wall mural and logo, photos, chalkware, cakes and profanity.

Mark for his manly contributions of carpentry, joinery and sensible advice.

My Mom and Dad for funding, love and generally busting their arses.

Greg Thee Ditor for putting up with my madness and loving/supporting me despite it.

So, now all that's out of the way, we can get onto the important bit! PHOTOS!

The shop opening hours are still slightly up in the air due to 'real life' (i.e my other job) interference. The shop should be manned (or womanned!) most afternoons, but definitely all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday (11am - 7pm).

There is no wi-fi down in the basement at present, although we are working on this and should have it ASAP. This means we can't be contacted by phone or email when in the bowels of the market, at least for the time being. Once we are connected we will be able to help you find us when you get lost (!)  but will also be able to post some items for sale online, for those of you who can't make it down in person.

We are hoping that word of mouth will get around, and that people will start to learn where we are. If you're reading this and were one of our lovely visitors on Saturday, please take the time to share this blog, but also our Facebook and Twitter pages for maximum exposure!

If you've liked what you've seen, please recommend us where possible. We are confident enough to claim that we supply the best mid-century ladies clothing in Camden, possibly even North London as a whole! Since the sad closure of The Girl Can't Help It in Alfie's Antiques Market, where else can you find sequins, lurex, lame, Hawaiian and novelty prints to touch and try?

Hope to see you soon and thank you all once again for coming.

Lori xx

Gone To The Dogs

I thought it was about time that I wrote a little about my other great love, or should I say GREYT love? (Errrr, no, I shouldn’t.). Vintage clothes are amazing, beautiful and addictive. Unfortunately, at least for Greg, so are greyhounds.

I have 3 of these wonderful creatures sharing my home with me, and I wanted to take the time to extol the virtues of the long dog, and try and encourage people to help, where they can, greyhounds in need.

 

First, let’s start with some fun greyhound facts, shall we?

• Greyhounds are the fastest breed of dog in existence; they can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour over a short distance.
• Racing greyhounds are bred for their speed; they are therefore not susceptible to the congenital defects or temperament problems of many other breeds.
• The structure of a greyhound's short and almost odourless coat, which only moults slightly, means that greyhounds can be suitable to live successfully with people who are otherwise generally allergic to dogs.
• Greyhounds are commonly known as "45mph couch potatoes". They can sprint very fast, but are equally as happy to snooze the day away (ours have 30 minutes exercise a day, and sleep for 15 hours!).
• A greyhound has stereoscopic vision. This means that it is best suited to seeing moving objects. They often don't see stationary objects - so when calling your greyhound back to you, you are best to be moving around. That way they can see and hear you.
• Greyhounds bark rarely, are very calm and gentle
• They are highly intelligent, intuitive, and loyal; they learn their new routines quickly.

Here are some disturbing facts about how greyhounds are treated in the racing world, and how easily disposable they are when they cease to fulfil their purpose.

http://www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/facts.html

I’m obviously biased, but greyhounds are the dog’s danglies. They are affectionate, hilarious, cuddly, amusing, intuitive, low maintenance, lazy, funny, beautiful, elegant and downright fabulous!

An interesting introduction to greyhounds courtesy of the Retired Greyhound Trust:

http://www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk/About-Greyhounds/

I urge anyone thinking of getting a dog to consider opening your home and a space on your sofa to one of these wonderful creatures or, at the very least, making a small donation to one of the many greyhound rescue centres in the UK. Most of these lovely organisations’ kennels are fit to burst due to the ever increasing amount of homeless greyhounds in Britain today. The good thing is that there are now more regulations in terms of the destruction of ex-racers (although this does still happen, sadly), but this does mean that rescue kennels are seriously struggling to find the resources to take care of them all.

They are always in need of foster homes, walkers, blankets, bedding and food.

Here are a few of the centres you can contact if you want to help out!

http://www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk/

http://www.grwe.com/

http://www.greyhoundandlurcherrescue.co.uk/

http://www.greyhoundlifeline.co.uk/

http://tiagreyhounds.org/

http://www.greyhoundgap.org.uk/

Just a little food for thought.

Big love xxx

PS: GHV like to donate a small amount of our profits to various centres, and we're also arranging to have a charity collection box in our shop, so please give generously! 

Where Are We?

In preparation for the opening on Saturday and for future visits, I thought it prudent to get a little map ready so you can find the shop.

If you come in via the Chalk Farm Road entrance of the stables market, it's really easy peasy to find us. Just turn right, pass the food area on your left and almost immediately look out for a wide set of stairs heading past the lower set of arches. There's a load of bronze horse statues, you can't miss them. Head down these steps into the basement and follow the paws!

If you're coming in from the official Stables entrance, it's a little bit trickier. The easiest thing to do is head past Gilgamesh, head towards the Horse Tunnel Market, but before you reach it turn right. Keep walking and pass Collectif on your left and the Cuban bar on the right. Bear round to the left and you'll see Cyberdog (yeeeeeeeah!). If you walk past Cyberdog (please. Walk past Cyberdog), you'll see the aforementioned food court (and probably stairs) and then you can follow the directions above. 

We sadly don't have a phone line or WiFi at the moment if you get lost, but I'm hoping to have some beautiful promo girls handing out flyers and giving directions.

As it's Saturday, there should be a handsome skinhead fellow with a plaque for the OI OI! Shop wandering about. We are next door to them, so you can also ask him where to go!

Hope to see you there!

Normal Service To Be Resumed Shortly!

I know you'll miss my informative posts and pretty pictures (OK, let's not kid ourselves, the pictures are the best bit!), but I'm giving myself a teeny weeny break for a few days!

The boutique will be taking up 99% of my time this week, as it's the Grand Opening this Saturday and there is still tons to do!

There will be full coverage of the event next week (including loads more photos, hurrah!) so keep checking back!

Winter Warmers

What a minging day! I hate the rain. I can handle the cold and even tolerate the wind, but the rain is the arch nemesis of style. My hair is buggered, my face is slithering towards my neck, I'm cold and my jeans (a winter staple) are wet up to the knee.

However, for all this weather-based negativity, it's been a good day stock buying wise! 

I've picked up some more novelty prints (shocker) but also a few wintery bits, given that it's the UK and it's near enough November!

As I was picking up these summery skirts, it made me wonder about my, and others, buying habits? If you're into vintage, do you shop for the season? Even before I was a dealer, I'd buy what I liked, when I liked, regardless of the weather. If I wanted to buy a swimsuit in the pissing rain, I'd do it! After all, summer always comes back round again! I wonder if all vintage lovers are the same? I guess as items are usually one of a kind, you have to grab them when you see them, as you might not find them again. 

It also makes me think about my shop and stocking up for my impending opening.

Should I be concentrating on winter woollies and waterproofs, or are we happy to buy as if it's forever summer? I love 1940s and 1950s winter clothing. Sharp suits and lovely woollen overcoats with fur trim, delicious!

 

So stylish and classic! Although I have to say, my wardrobe is far better stocked for warmer climes! My style really comes into its own when the sun is a-shining! 

I love a nice vintage knit, and there are a lot of fairisle and cowichan type sweaters/cardigans on the vintage market at the moment.

There is also a new company, Cora Lee Knitwear, that is reproducing wonderful sweaters and vintage-inspired woollies. Here is a great sweater by Cora Lee spotted at Twinwood Festival.

 

I'm hoping to interview the lovely Coralie for the blog soon, so watch this space!

Anyway, I digress.

I love a summer dress, and as long as I love them, I'll keep buying them and probably putting them in the shop, regardless of the fact the weather dictates wellies and a raincoat!

I hope that everyone will like our shop stock and enjoy looking through our wares at the Grand Opening on Saturday 26th! It's going to be a fun party!

I'm always open to any constructive critique, so please feel free to tell me what you want to see in (what's to become) your favourite vintage store!