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Author Archives: Kitten von Mew

Art Fever UK Custom Blinds

Art Fever UK Custom Blinds

Well, I was hoping that by October, Betsy would have an awesome new bed and slight theme change in her bedroom.

Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, but I did get one thing done at least! Although she has blackout curtains, the early morning and late afternoon summer sunshine beamed through the top and sides at ridiculous-o-clock each day. I decided to get her some blackout blinds and fancied some with stars on. I just could find anything quite right! I didn’t want a pattern, but more the feeling of looking out at a magical night sky.

I luckily found Art Fever UK on Etsy. Located in Warwickshire, they have a super little workshop and a really friendly service. My messages were answered quickly and I decided to go and meet them and collect my order instead of waiting for the courier!

How great does this look? You can literally choose from thousands of stock images or use your own photos to get printed on custom blinds or canvases! The quality is fantastic and as they are made to measure, it was the perfect fit for Betsy’s window.

I had a wonderful time chatting in the office and meeting their two resident doggies. So flipping cute!

I can’t wait to get a different design for our bedroom now! If anyone else suffers with migraines, you’ll know how important a really dark room is and sometimes curtains just aren’t enough. So whether you are redecorating in the new year and want to theme a room or just want a decorative blackout blind for a better night’s sleep, I definitely recommend these guys!

You can find their website HERE.

Christmas Vintage Pinup!


I thought I would treat you to a fun little shoot I did in the snow on Saturday! A little bit of vintage pinup for the festive season. ‘Yule’ love it!

Wearing an original 1950’s gold lame swimsuit; originally used in a circus in LA, 1940’s rubber and fur over boots and a 1930’s fur muff with ruched silk on the back with a hidden purse pocket. The boots are wonderful as you just wear your own mid-heel shoes inside. They act as wellies to keep the rain, snow and mud off your footwear!

 

 

Kisses

Kitten von Mew xxx

 

Photos taken by Richard von Mew

Stratford Victorian Christmas Market


Well it even started to snow in my performance yesterday, adding to the magical atmosphere of Stratford’s Victorian Christmas Market!

Looking forward to seeing you all AND the wonderful festival lights, when I sing at 5.40pm today!

As we are not getting paid for these performances, I have decided to raise money for Combat Stress. Please, please would you mind offering up any spare change that you can to raise money for psychological support for our veterans?

Thank you in advance! X

Wyevale Stratford’s Santa Breakfast


On the first Sunday of December, we booked the Breakfast with Santa at Wyevale Garden Centre!

I thought a good old English breakfast was a fine way to start the festive season and as I had never had one at Wyevale, this was the perfect opportunity.

Crackers festooned the tables, twinkling lights welcomed us and Father Christmas’ favourite elf helped bring drinks, answer queries and add to the wonderful atmosphere. We had pre-chosen our meals (hot breakfast all round!), so it was just a case of getting our hot drinks (all refilled for free!) and await our food. It did take quite a while to arrive, BUT it was worth the wait. I would rather not compromise quality with speed, I mean… what would you rather have? Cardboard bacon cooked hours ago and put under a hot lamp or freshly cooked-to-order yumminess? Exactly.

The wait wasn’t that bad as the children were all given ginger bread men and icing pens, could go in the soft play area and had colouring sheets with crayons too.

After our hearty meal, the elf encouraged all the children to shout for Santa and low and behold he answered their screams of excitement. Bell in hand, he walked around every table, talking to the visitors, high-five’ing the kids and offering cuddles to anyone who wanted them!

Once he had done the rounds Father Christmas took a seat and awaited the children and their wish lists. After a chat with their favourite festive celeb, the kids got a chance to choose a gift from an overwhelming display of soft toys, crafts and games. I was really impressed with the wide choice available and got rather jealous too…

The experience is £8 for adults (inclusive of full English breakfast, toast, free refills on teas, coffee, cappuccino etc), £10 for children (inclusive of mini full English, soft drink with free refills, gingerbread man with icing pens, visit with Santa Claus and a choice of gift). If you think that a full English is about £7, the fact that you get as many tea and coffee refills as you like is a really sweet deal. I think maybe giving parents a 10% discount voucher for the store would be a nice gesture too and I may suggest this to Wyevale myself.

I felt that the experience was definitely worth the money and the fact that they have an indoor soft play area really helps. The staff were cheerful, attentive and helpful, whilst the food was fresh and delicious. I will definitely be back for more breakfasts in the future!

Contemporary Arts Fair in Stratford upon Avon


Today (04/11/17) we just nipped into this free Contemporary Arts Fair at the town hall, in Stratford upon Avon. It is well worth a visit if you are in the area. With free admission (which is very rare with anything nowadays), there’s jewellery, paintings, ceramics, leather, wood work and more.

Upstairs there were more vendors, but also a wonderful pop up tea shop serving yummy cakes, tea and coffee. They had the most beautiful gold tea sets and the cakes we sampled (chocolate and some Stollen) were really fresh.

My highlight was Becky Paton and her gorgeous mosaics. As well as the larger pieces to break hearts and bank accounts, there were more purse friendly items such as Christmas decorations, brooches and clips. I bought this wonderful dragonfly!

The show is open today and Sunday, with more info available HERE.

Hogwarts Themed Wedding Shoot


Back in March I was lucky enough to be part of a collaborative shoot, organised by Ruth and Sheena of Emily’s Best Travelling Traditional Sweet Shop!

With a Halloweeny… Harry Potteresque theme, I jumped at the chance to get involved! Having not had the exciting bit of trying on loads of bridal gowns for my own wedding, this was also the perfect opportunity to feed that little yearning too.

Gemma Williams was a wonderful photographer, as you can see from the images.

Daisy and Fred created an epic Snitch themed cake, Jamball and Kerry Gold made some wonderful fabric and paper bouquets adorned with charms and Harry Potter references, Jen Hogmany Melchett upcycled some wonderful heels with big velvet bows and Marauder’s Map fabric, All Things Lucy handmade some stunning headdresses, Rosie Red Corsetry brought a mouth watering collection of gowns that I wanted to take home, Sarah Russell was makeup artist and went for a much more natural style than I am used to but super-wild hair, Shelsey Herbs and Flowers brought stunning flowers and foliage, M Style did the theming and there were more people than I can list helping out.

A double page spread of this wonderful bridal shoot has been featured in Issue 83 of Vintage Life Magazine!

Welshpool 1940’s Weekend 2017


This Saturday I will be performing at Welshpool 1940’s Weekend in Wales. I’ve never been before, so very much looking forward to seeing the event! It looks like it will be full of military vehicles, stalls, entertainment and even the light railway has gotten involved this year!

See me perform on 30th September in Hall Street at 1.30pm and 3pm. I will also be hosting a vintage stall in the town hall all day!

For more information, please visit their website HERE

Goodwood Revival 2017


Huzzah! It’s that time of year again where we all get to dress up and be part of something truly epic! Goodwood Revival is back in all its Harris Tweed glory. I cannot wait to sing in the VIP area again, with its fantastic vintage BBC radio set up and see all the wonderful Goodwood actors, staff and racing drivers once more. Although this year’s event sold out as quickly as it went on sale, you are in with a chance for next years event, so let me entice you with some of last year’s pictures…

Entertaining the evacuee children with a little bit of Gracie Fields.

I had just gotten to the VIP area and was doing ‘once round the room’ saunter, when a waiter turned round, saw the outfit and dropped a jug of orange juice down me by accident. Sticky, but hilarious! Had to use someone’s hair dryer behind the scenes.

The sound effects for the radio shows!

Recreating old radio shows from the original scripts. An absolute hoot!

For one of the VIP areas you had to walk through a 60’s record shop!

Another VIP entrance. Absolutely incredible England football team dressing room, including a mini pitch outside!

My wonderful boys of No.26. Can’t wait to see them again! Andrew Wareing’s 1964 BRM F1 car, P261

The adorable pedal car race. My personal favourite!

They look tough, but they are pussy cats really…

I asked for a strong tea with a tiny splash of milk. The girl Pantone matched it to the beige table cloth…

The gorgeously suave LM and his chum.

Biggin Hill Festival of Flight 2017


This Saturday I am proud to say that I will be singing at Biggin Hill’s Festival of Flight! I can’t wait to see you all!

WW2 Photos and Finds


I will write a proper post about Military Flying Machines Show at some point (still need to do one on The Big O Fest too!), but wanted to share these. I purchased them at the weekend and some seemed to be owned by a polish soldier.

Where there has been writing on the back, I have included images. If anyone recognises regiments, places, people, can read the text or has any other interesting info, please get in touch so I can learn more.

Christmas in WWII. You can make out the tin foil Christmas decorations on the fern plants!

A polish football player coming to see the troops maybe?

Soldiers in stretchers, either side of a mule.

YMCA tent in the background.

Can you read the text on the back of this photo, taken in Egypt 1941?

Check point? What is the place on the sign?

Think these are prisoners of war?


Polish Soldier Pay Book


British Soldier Pay Book. Love that the description of his complexion is 'Fresh'!

The ones below seem to be part of a set. I don't know whether they are 'souvenir sets' or used for press? Can you understand the text on the back?