Wednesday 18 June 2014

Well, we drank champagne and danced all night


The Sheffield Antiques Quarter is pretty much on my doorstep, and I am enjoying watching as various vintage/retro businesses spring up in my local area. 

One of these is a shop called Vintedge. 

There was a competition recently on their Facebook page, in which customers were invited to post a photo of their favourite purchases from the shop. 

I posted this;

 

 my 1970s cotton sundress, bought from Marie at The Queen's Drawers, one of Vintedge's traders.

And I won! 



 
The prize included lunch for two at the Electric Candlelight cafe, so my friend Joanne and I wandered down in the sunshine this afternoon, and enjoyed our food very much..
 





I also received £10 to spend in Vintedge, and it was no hardship at all to browse the shelves and rails to find something lovely. 
 


 
There are fabulous fabrics...
 



crockery and home wares...
 


 
gifts and art work...



 
and of course there is plenty of vintage clothing.
 


 
I tried on a few dresses...
 


(a bit too small, a bit too big...)
 
but eventually decided on this 1970s cotton maxi dress.
 


Perfect!

Thanks very much to Sally at Vintedge and Paul at Electric Candlelight for being so friendly and generous. 
 
 
 
I love my new frock.
 



You don't need me to tell you to support your local independent traders and secondhand sellers - I'm preaching to the converted, right?
 
 
 
 
I'll be keeping everything crossed for darling Vix at the Vintage Awards tomorrow.
 
 Hope everyone is having a great week!
 
xxx

50 comments:

barbara said...

First to comment?? whoop whoop - well done Curtise...creative shopping and beautiful photos as always. Loved the title of the post/cafe too....Sylvie and I were listening to Lola and talking about the song the other day....one of the best xxx

Vix said...

If ever a photo summed the essence of Curtise up it would be the one of you taking tea at Vintedge - gorgeous with a contagious smile and a fabulous frock!
I'm not surprised you won, the dress and the arty short were brilliant. What a feast of frocks and the one you chose is perfect.
That balls in boxes fabric makes my knees go weak! I could go mental in that shop, I think I'm in love with everything.
I'll try and do you proud tomorrow!
Love you! xxxxxxxxxxx

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

Ah, I'm not surprised you won, it's a splendid pic of you in their dress, but what a nice treat.
The cafe looks very inviting. You cannot beat a bit of cake on a vintage cake stand. And my word! That carpet under the clothes rails!!!
The rose print on your new frock is divine.
xxxx

Meg said...

LOLA....LA LA...LOLA (hope I have the right song) xxx

Kezzie said...

WOw, what a great place! I'd love to browse!!! The choice of frock was good too!x

Mrs Bertimus said...

Love your dress so much!
Well done on your win and I hope we shall be congratulating your friend tomorrow too! X

Greenorchid said...

Wow another fine dress!!

Becky said...

Congrats on winning! What a fun shop---all those dresses!

Fiona said...

No one else stood a chance in the competition with that fab shot of yours in the running. Vintedge looks a splendid place to while away a couple of hours and look at all those frocks, you picked a beauty btw. Love that snap of you in the cafe. What does the B in bilf stand for?....bloke??? xxx

Pennyblossoms said...

What a fabulous way to spend some time and how lovely that you won!
I like to think it is karma for being such a magnificent Campaign Manager for Vix! This time tomorrow I'm hoping I know a WINNER!!
Zxx

Diane said...

I love Vintedge. I've often thought you ought to have a shelf or two in one of those lovely shops around there. You were a worthy winner xxx

thorne garnet said...

good choice, you look lovely

Angels have Red Hair said...

Well of course you won!!!
I think that's a good sign for Vix ... success spreads.
What a shame that green dress didn't fit right it was gorgeous ... but so is the one you did get ... better enter another competition it's a winner too :0)
xx

Suzanne said...

What a cool photo and how fun that you won!

Great choice on the dress.

All those racks of choice vintage dresses are making my mouth water.

bisous
Suzanne

Patti said...

Congratulations and well-deserved at that! Love your new maxi dress. And how wonderful to be served tea or coffee in that charming spot. xox

Unknown said...

I do love those dresses, they are both divine! :)

Connie said...

Of COURSE you won! How adorable. And I love your latest purchase. It is so perfectly Curtise. Sheffield's finest!

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

Oh wow what a fantastic day out! I'm so glad you won such an amazing prize, Electric Candlelight looks so charming and cozy, I LOVE the decor and the cakes look sooooooo yum! Ooooooooh and then you get to paw your way through all those incredible goodies in Vintedge! Roses are my favourite bloom and I LOVE your new frock so much and think it's so thoughtful that you wore the red dress that helped win the prize. God you look amaaaaaaaazing in red! xoxoxoxo

Sheila said...

Totally converted, yup.

Love the new dress and peeking at all those fab vintage items - of COURSE you won! Congrats!

Krista said...

And they have fantastic taste because they choose you! What a lovely photo and frock and best of all that day out. I'd love a wander in Vintedge and what a cool name for a shop! The dress you bought with your spending money is really beautiful! You deserve this honey!

I have my fingers crossed for Vix too, I told her she has already won it in our hearts! You are a kind darling for nominating her. I love ya both so much!
Xxxxxxxoooooo

Sue @ A Colourful Canvas said...

I'm with Vix! The photo of you in the tea shop is perfect! Congrats on the win Curtise! Vintedge and the restaurant are winners too...your post puts them in a really good light!

And Yes! Fingers and toes crossed for our lovely Vix!

Unknown said...

I agree with the rest - the tea shop photo is so great !

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Curtise,

What fun to have won such a wonderful prize. We cannot think of anything that we have won and just know that we should have loved every minute of this.

Your new/old purchase looks stunning. The colours are charming and really suit you. The fit is perfect and, best of all, it came for free!

The cafe looks to be a delight and, we are sure, that it attracts some interesting customers too. It is always good to see somewhere that has a truly original style where clearly the owner is trying hard to make a difference. Yes, these kinds of places need and deserve our support.

Everything crossed for V at the Award Ceremony......

Sue said...

You are a WINNER!!! Mind you I have always suspected you to be a winner as I do not know many losers!! Dam fine prize too, and the new frock is rather fabulous. Winners are grinners which you were in your photos. You have a lovely smile you know.

bahnwärterin said...

congratulations!
your winning dress was a big trend back then it seems, i remember similar looks for mom and me in a parcel from west germany..... memories :-)
if we had local 2.hand stores that sell clothes i would - but in our rural environment is no market for "old clothes" i think. but our furniture is 80% from local vintage sellers!
purple roses are a stunner! good choice :-)
xxxx

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Oh what a fabulous day. Well done you Curtise. Vintedge looks like heaven on earth *swoon*. xx

Melanie said...

Congratulations! A well deserved win :) I love the shot of you with the teapot xxx

Unknown said...

BRILLIANT, always lovely to win something. I did see the lots of interesting shops when I was in town in April but mostly from the outside. Am planning another trip so look forward to actually going in and rummaging more. Lovely dress and you look very lovely in it. l love purple and green together.

Peaches McGinty said...

I love the beautiful pic of you at the cafe! love it! and with your gorgeous smile! Congratulations on winning, how fab! the winning pic is awesome! Vintedge looks like a place I could spend days in, proper rails of gorgeous clothes! it's making my fingers all grabby- the frocks your tried on were fab, but the one that came home with you is just beautiful x x x

Señora Allnut said...

supporting local business is always delightful, particularly when it includes fabulous vintage frocks and some tea!!, such a nice shop and such a nice café!
And your dress is awesome, love that floral print and it fits you like a dream!!, gorgeous!!
besos

Melancholy and Menace said...

What a lovely outing, pretty much like heaven. I adore the purple and black dress (would definitely wear that) and I just basically love all your photographs!

Have a gorgeous day xx

Melancholy and Menace said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
OP SHOP MAMA said...

All that beautiful stuff!! Looks like a fun place to visit. yay you. Great frock. x

Goody said...

Congratulations. Anyone reading your blog knows what a great ambassador you are for independent shops, and independent style.

Coordinating your outfit with the garden is genius.

Miss Magpie said...

Good choice! That dress is perfection.

Of course our darling Vix will win, if not I'm up for a trip to go sort em if you are.

Forest City Fashionista said...

Yay!! Congrats on winning the lovely lunch and some spending money. The dress is perfectly you.

I have everything crossed for Vix tonight too!

Asparagus Pea said...

Actually had a shit day that was the crowning glory to a week that generally sucked the big one, BUT seeing you win your lovely prize has cheered me up. GO TEAM BLOG xxx

Anonymous said...

You are one lucky chic! Congrats on your winnings. It must have been so much fun. The lunch looks great too. I wish I could have celebrated with you!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, well done you! Love the frock you chose, it was a difficult decision by the look of it! What a great place to have nearby, I'd never leave, glad you had a great time.

Pauliina/PauMau said...

This maxi dress sis soooo beautiful and suits you perfectly. I really like your photo collages, they are so creative.

Natalia Lialina said...

The photo you submitted is genius! You have an incredible eye for photography, Curtise. I really liked the black and purple dress, but the one you chose is really a perfect one for you - the fit, the colors, and it so summery! It was fun to take a stroll at your local shop - lots of good stuff. Our thrift, consignment, shops are very different here. Love, N

Virginia at A Sewing Life said...

Giant purple roses composed in a grid? Fabulous! Congratulations on your win--that was a terrific photo, and you of all people know how to enjoy a lunch out and a vintage browse.

Mother of Reinvention said...

What a brilliant photo. Vintedge looks amazing. Wish there was stuff like that up here. Love the new frock, you look ace in it. xxxx

Shawna McComber said...

That's a cool photo-congrats on winning! What a charming looking cafe! I'd love to go there. And vintage shopping! I LOVE that black dress, and if it is the one that was too big for you maybe it would fit me! I'll drop in and try it on. I love the dress you chose too and it looks great on you. The colours, style and pattern all say Curtise.
xoxoxox

Lucy in the Sky said...

Congratulations on winning! That polka dot dress is really sweet, and I also love the maxi that you chose to buy! It fits you just beautifully!

Val said...

Congratulations! You deserve the win with those fabulous photos! All your photos are fantastic anyway, and you're looking especially lovely. Must be all that British luck shining through!

Veshoevius said...

How wonderful you won! Thoroughly deserved I say! Good pick on the floral maxi dress. Looks like they had a fabulous collection to choose from (that pink one in the foreground with the yellow flowers caught my eye). I have the same geraniums in my garden with those purple flowers, they're just coming out.

Beth Waltz said...

Congratulations! Here's a delightful day out, indeed. Well chosen, well won, well eaten, and well spent!

Thank you, Curtise, for inviting us to join you in that cool and elegant tea shoppe. What a tempting menu!

Your new maxi is worthy of Vix's campaign manager. High standards!

Porcelina said...

Well done! Love the new dress x

Rachel said...

Congratulations Curtise! How lovely. I will have to check this cafe and shop out, it looks lovely xxxx