A CASE OF THE VINTAGE

I got side tracked for half my lunch hour in Spitalfields Market last week. Every Thursday Spitalfields is transformed from it's usual tourist-trap-tat to a charming vintage market sporting furniture, utility wear, silverware and other bits and pieces. The Matilda-Jane Vintage Suitcase stall is what distracted me beyond my hunger . Juliette (I believe her name was) who runs the stall has a wonderful selection of trunks, suitcases and handbags in all manor of shapes and sizes.

All of these are mens vanity cases from the 50's and 60's, very Don Draper. Except from the cream mock reptile case, with velvet lining, which is a 60's stationary case, probably a wedding present. However that one that stuck out for me was the shallow brown case with blue velvet lining. This is a 70's Masonic Members case and would have been used to store their cloak for meetings and eh, masonic stuff.

Matilda-Jane Suitcases can be found in Spitalfields Market every Thursday from early until 4pm ish.

ALBAM. FACTORY & STUDIO

A few weeks back I spent the day hanging out in Albams factory in Leicester with factory boss Kanti (pictured below) and in the Nottingham studio with the delightful design team. It was a real treat to see the goings on behind the scenes. To read more click here.

CHESHIRE FIELDS ALLOTMENTS

I spent the afternoon with a friend and her husband on their allotment a few weeks ago. I'm still amazed there are places like this in London and always feel like I've been on an old school day trip, which was a good thing as this was the week I totally exhausted myself. I didn't come home empty handed either. That week we gorged on bean salads, kale and a huge rhubarb and raspberry crumble. Nice little ditty by Trevor Moss and Hanna-Lou about allotments.