Yesterday, I took a little time off to go to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. While it was amazing to see all those British and American Planes restored and on display, the thing that I most enjoyed was  seeing scenes from times gone by. It was eerie to walk through planes that were once flying in the air – my favourite being an airliner, a BOAC VC-10, which flew from the mid-60′s through the 70′s, before retiring to Duxford in1980. The plane itself is open to the public and you can walk through a different era when touring the plane, with it’s retro decor and features. Check out the photo of the pink and mustard interior – complete with bright decals on the walls.

Another amazing experience was looking inside a ‘Prefab’ house – a bungalow created as a temporary solution for accomodation after many houses were destroyed in World War 2. The house had been restored to it’s full 1940′s glory, with vintage furniture, decor, toys and utensils. Walking around the whole place, with it’s original RAF buildings and hangers, was like being back in time. And, the gift shop has some really wonderful replica goodies  – ration books, items of ration food, war-time motivational posters etc.

Here’s a few photos I took while looking round the museum, including that retro airliner interior I mentioned previously and a rare peak of the person beind the craft knife (complete with my red henna hair!)…

Like most girls, I love shoes! In fact, I love boots most of all. I have the most amazing pair of mid-calf high black biker boots that have seen me through this winter, and I’m sure many more winters to come. My boyfriend refers to them as ‘Bad’ boots in homage to Michael Jackson and they’ve even received compliments from complete strangers in the street. I do love them dearly! But with Spring just around the corner (yes, the snow storm we have here in Northamptonshire may fool you!) I’ve been thinking about adding a new pair of ankle boots to my wardrobe.

I love how high street shops are taking inspiration from vintage style – distressed leather, laces and straps on what I’ve come to realise from browsing Etsy are also known as “granny boots”. I dream of soft leather, light brown ankle boots to wear with faded denim and ditsy floral prints. Or, after looking through my Etsy Vintage finds, I may have to dig out my trusty old Doc Martens. Living in a Northamptonshire, a county world-renowned for it’s shoes (don’t believe me?) we’re lucky enough to be the UK home of DMs – a fashion ‘claim to fame’ for us locals, with our very own factory shop with discounted Docs and all shoes having been made here until 2001…after getting inspired in the Etsy Vintage department looking at boots, I may have to go shopping

vintage black EQUESTRIAN heeled leather ankle boots from NodtoModvintage $34

80s Neo-Victorian Brown Leather Ankle Boots, size 6M from Victorian2ValleyGirl $35

size 7 eggshell leather side zip pull on ankle height beatle boots. 80s Lord and Taylor pixie rocker booties. from lisazain $38

VINTAGE 80s Super Red Leather Lace Up Flat ANKLE GRANNY BOOTS. Size 6 1/2 M from TimeBombVintage

VINTAGE HUNT CLUB BROWN LEATHER SHOE BOOT SIZE 8M from KMalinka $42

Vintage The Original Doc/Dr. Martens Beige and Black Funky Floral Print Punk Boots. 8 Eye Lace Up. Made in England. US size 7/UK size 5. from leftylouvintage $125

I was watching TV the other day, one of those house programmes that neither me or my mum can get enough of, and there was the most amazing little house full of shabby chic decor – pastel colours, distressed wood, twigs, hearts, tin containers, floral fabrics, pre-war furniture and vintage signs. It was AMAZING. Inspired by shabby chic, here’s a few of my favourites discovered while browsing Etsy:

PARIS vintage inspired shabby cottage chippy sign by SignsByDiane $42.95

Shabby Vintage End Table by paintedcottages $110

Angels Tears. A necklace of peace and praye by NewFashionedWhispers $32

shabby by CalviRee $62

BALLET Pale Pink Silk Dupioni Magnolia Flower Comb by ThreadRare $34

vintage tray by sadieolive $16

I am a complete geek and have been eagerly awaiting the new Bioshock 2 game which was released last week. For those of you who don’t know what it’s about, it’s a game set in the underwater city of Rapture, a place free of religion and government, but fallen after a civil war.  It really doesn’t have much to do with my usual postings about Etsy and handmade goodies – apart from the face that the city of Rapture is an Art Deco styled city, and that is partly what draws me into this game.

While running around this virtual city, you are bombarded with Art Deco buildings, furniture and music. The soundtrack is an amazing collection of songs inspired by the era in which the game is set, sucking you into the belief that you are really in an beautiful Art Deco city (ignoring the crazy zombie-like inhabitants, of course).

So, with the game making me wish I was living in the Roaring Twenties, I went on a search around Etsy for vintage finds and Art Deco-inspired pieces. There are a couple of Art Deco houses in my town, so if I ever get my hands on one, I’m sure I’ll be scouring Etsy for authentic treasures to fill it!

Vintage Art Deco Beacon II Camera with Flash Unit

1938 Western Electric model 302 Art Deco Rare and Beautifully Restored

Vintage Brass Art Deco Calendar

vintage 1930s BLACK LEATHER ART DECO low heels pumps 9

Art Deco Vase – White

Vintage black purse with gold chain

Art Deco Compact Case

Industrial Grey Task Lamp