Gemma, Vintage Perfection [Banned Retro]

Posted on November 18, 2021 by missamymay

For quite a while I’ve been wanting to get a brown or burgundy vintage style handbag. Wanting it to be medium-sized means modern high street stores likely wouldn’t have what I’m looking for, as even when they lean into vintage inspirations they often then make it comically small (what is going on with the tiny bag trend right now?! Do not understand) or on the larger size, like a tote bag. Considering I already have a burgundy faux croc tote sized bag that I rarely reach for because it is so large, I was being very specific in only buying precisely what I was looking for and not something ‘near enough,’ as I sometimes do when I get frustrated shopping on a budget. Well, my prayers were finally answered when I stumbled across this Gemma bag by Banned Retro. In fact, I loved the style so much I also snapped it up in the green. Sorry, did I mention shopping on a budget? Er, just forget that bit while we look at my TWO BEAUTIFUL NEW HANDBAGS.

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London in Velvet [Charlie Stone Shoes]

Posted on November 12, 2021 by missamymay

As I detailed last week when reviewing their Manhattan glitter flats, Charlie Stone Shoe’s 2021 autumn/winter line is a family reunion of re-released and reimagined past bestsellers. One of the reimagined kin is the London flats, previously available in red and this year released in a navy velvet, a perfect match to the gown I’ll be wearing for my younger sister’s twice-rescheduled wedding next spring. There was simply nothing for it; I had to order both. If you read last week’s Manhattan review you’ll know I adore them, and so it is likely no great surprise to learn I feel just as ardently about the London.

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Glittering Manhattan [Charlie Stone Shoes]

Posted on November 6, 2021 by missamymay

Charlie Stone Shoes made a name for themselves by designing glamorous, high quality flat shoes. As their popularity has grown, they moved into also producing heels and handbags. They produce a new themed range each season, with their special edition spring/summer range this year inspired by the art nouveau architecture of the city of Porto, with a nod to the magical world of a certain famous boy wizard. For Autumn/winter 2021, the theme is Home for the Holidays, a representation of the hope we feel for reuniting with our families this coming ’21 holiday season with a Charlie Stone family reunion of their own, re-releasing some of their past bestsellers and reimagining a few others. When I saw that their much loved Champagne Manhattan flats would be re-released I knew I would be making an order, as I deeply regretted not snagging a pair the first time around. Well, I can you tell you one thing for sure, they’ve certainly lived up to my high hopes!

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Chic Atop Chic [Fascinators Direct]

Posted on December 16, 2020 by missamymay

There are many industries that have been hard hit this year by the pandemic, one of them being the wedding industry. Sellers and vendors both big and small found their sales dropped off sharply as weddings were postponed and cancelled all over the country, including my younger sister’s. It can sometimes feel like there are so many small businesses to support that one isn’t sure where it’s best to spend one’s money, and it’s true that one person can only do so much. One of the excellent things about the vintage loving community, though, is that the notion of dressing for events is slightly redundant for us, because we love getting dressed up all the time. That makes us excellent candidates for supporting businesses like today’s feature, Fascinators Direct, a Brighton-based fascinators and hat company–because, hey, if sassy mid-century loving folks don’t know how to rock some killer headwear, then who does??

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Freya and Rachel [Belbeina Lee]

Posted on December 6, 2020 by missamymay

I am obsessed with Belbeina Lee. Everything she makes is stunning, whether it’s an original design or a piece inspired by a true vintage item; they both generate the same effect, which is me falling in love and adding yet another fabulous hat to my wishlist. Since it’s been a crappy year I recently decided to treat myself to two brand spanking new Belbeina Lee pieces, and my goodness, they more than live up to my expectations, just as they always do.

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Double the Love with Duotone [Splendette]

Posted on August 24, 2020 by missamymay

Every season I get excited to see Splendette’s new range. For spring it was sherbet loveliness that made every pastel-lover drool. Now, for summer, it’s Duotone perfection, hand carved jewellery crafted in delicious duotones released in mirrored pairings. Want pink and mint? Parrot and Flamingo are for you. Love oranges and lemons? Sunrise and Sunset are here to brighten your days. If you’re more of a classic babe who wants to just get down with black and red? No worries, Lover and Hater will have you covered. There’s 12 different colours to choose from across bangles, necklaces and earrings, and personally I had to sample 7 of them with rabid haste!

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At Home in Martinique [Hotter Shoes]

Posted on July 12, 2020 by missamymay

Folks who aren’t a fan of heels are often still lovers of wedges, and for good reason. For many, heels are too painful or too hard to walk in, but wedges are very forgiving on both of those issues. And these Martinique wedges look good while forgiving our feet!

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Bangle Lovin’ [Bow & Crossbones]

Posted on April 14, 2020 by missamymay

You surely know by now how much I love vintage-inspired bangles, so I’m happy to spotlight another small business today by featuring Bow & Crossbones, another woman-owned vintage inspired jewellery brand that produces gorgeous pieces I can’t help but collect.

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Leafy Goodness [Belbeina Lee]

Posted on April 6, 2020 by missamymay

I often ruminate that millinery is one of those art forms that people (wrongly) think must be a lot easier than it really is. The skill required to craft a hat, fascinator or cap that looks perfect in its beauty and lasts well is immense, which is why I’m continually grateful for the day that I discovered Belbeina Lee. A one-woman business, it functions solely through the love, skill and craftsmanship of designer and maker Katie, a New Zealander mum who, as far as I’m concerned, is incapable of producing anything other than the most beautiful headpieces of the highest quality. Today, I’m thrilled to share with you one of her more recent pieces, the Ella Leaf Cap.

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Wrist Candy [Splendette]

Posted on April 1, 2020 by missamymay

I go through phases of getting obsessed with certain types of accessories. Sometimes it will be hair accessories, other times brooches, more often than not it can be shoes or handbags. But the one accessory I’m on the look out for pretty much always? Bangles. So it’s a good thing it’s a new season because that means new Splendette!