… I know it’s not over but with The Wonderous Wedding Fair behind us and issue 8 officially ‘out there’ I’m winding down, reflecting on a crazy year and planning for 2017. 2016 started in a new home in a new town with a two week old babe in arms; nappies, feeding, washing and all the craziness that goes with new parenthood. Doily Days special issue was under-way but, to be honest, the business was the last thing on my mind… as was showering, leaving the house and attempting to make a proper meal. Cut to March and I was…

Who’s heard of Dawn Gracie? EVERYONE has right? Well I knew about her when I lived over Brighton way and I got to know her better when I moved closer to her base in Chichester. If you’ve been living under a rock somewhere and haven’t heard of her, Dawn Gracie is a one-woman dynamo; she’s a vintage singer/entertainer/compere, she puts on cabaret shows, she teaches burlesque and she’s organising a ‘camp as Christmas’, kitschtastic vintage weekender at the beginning of September. For more details and to find the link to buy tickets please click here. In Dawn’s other life (how…

What a scorcher of a bank holiday weekend! And what a lovely one we had. Me, Fred and Rupert packed our bags and took Rupert off on his first ‘glamping’ trip. A mere 15 miles up the A3 from our home in Southsea and we were at Wriggly Tin campsite in Hambledon. I know the site well because I actually worked there for a bit last year. That was before I realised how bad (and slow) I was at cleaning and just before I found out I was pregnant! But I loved the peaceful, secluded site and the shepherd’s huts…

We have some exciting news to share with you! We’re delighted to be collaborating with the Pyramids, Portsmouth and Vintage Parade to bring you The Wonderous Wedding Fair on Sunday 6th November 2016. (please click images to enlarge) It’s set to be a day full of unique/vintage inspiration with around 40 suppliers showcasing their products and services. There will be a fashion show in the afternoon and there’s a retro tearoom to enjoy ‘a proper brew’ whilst taking in live entertainment from the likes of jazz singer Amy Baker. The Pyramids will be dressing The Glass House so, if you’re…

Doily Days is a vintage/alternative wedding business founded (in Sussex) by Helen Ruff in 2009. Starting life as a vintage china hire company, additional services were added and it soon became a one-stop-shop for a vintage-style wedding. Helen launched ‘Doily Days loves Weddings’ magazine in 2013 and has published a total of seven magazines to date (two a year). The magazine is designed to be a refreshing change to the traditional bridal magazine; it’s full of quirky, colourful photography, unique, inspiring ideas and supplier’s adverts (who all fit with the Doily Days ‘ethos’). Helen moved to Southsea in November 2015…

  I first heard about Belles Events wedding fairs in 2010. I found out that owner/founder Kelly Wickson lived round the corner from me in Shoreham by Sea. We arranged to meet for a festive glass of wine and the rest is history. Kelly and I have a lot in common; a love for vintage/retro/quirky style, a keen interest in weddings and events and brains that don’t really switch off! We’re both Capricorn, our birthdays are two days apart, maybe that’s got something to do with it… Anyway, I exhibited at Belles Events first fair and the working relationship went…

Where do I even start with this blog post? If you’d said to me this time last year I’d be preparing to sell Doily Days I wouldn’t have believed you. I started the business in 2009 and since then it really has been an extension of myself. But SO much can change in a year. This time last year I was living alone in Chichester in a fully styled vintage apartment. I spent my time quaffing fizz and cocktails, social networking my arse off, dressing up for parties, and the business was basically my life… and then I fell pregnant….

As a lover of tea, pretty china, flowers, pearls, Alice in Wonderland and hats, it made absolute and perfect sense for Sam from Rosadior to create a collection of fascinators that incorporated all of the above! Whilst Sam searched online for teacups she came across an original Barbie children’s tea set and Barbie Champagne flutes. So nostalgic and kitsch, she just had to have them. She had so much fun making these special edition headpieces; filling them with flowers and pearls and mounting them on satin headbands. They are super lightweight, easy to wear and such pretty colours! Perfect for vintage events…

Beautiful World Tents are holding an open day THIS SATURDAY (23rd April) at beautiful Sumners Ponds, near Horsham in West Sussex. We can reveal that one lucky couple attending the open day will WIN the tipis for their wedding! To be in with a chance, all you need do is simply attend and make sure someone takes your details on the day. So, get the date in your diary! 10am and 6pm. Please get in touch with Beautiful World Tents directly if you’d like to book an appointment. The open days are always relaxed and informal and there’s no pressure so feel…

Emily’s Mixing Bowl was founded in 2014 after a lifelong love affair with baking, art & design. Emily Fitter completed a graphic design degree at Central Saint Martins which nurtured her creativity and eye for colour and design. She then worked as a pastry chef which taught her about technique, flavour combinations and working in a professional food environment. It’s Emily’s passion to design and hand craft your wedding cake, dessert table or catering. Tasty delights for your guests to enjoy and individually tailored according to your personalities and ideas. Couples start by sending ideas of what they’re looking for….