Spitafields Market Part II

In the corner of Spitafields Market is the loveliest woman called Clare. You cannot miss her, a young woman with milk maid braids in an impeccable dress or coat (all dependent on the weather of course). She has beautifully curated vintage clothing for women and has no permanent shop address except for this market, always situated across from the Real Greek Restaurant when she is there, which is on Thursdays. 

She understands clothes from a historical point of view having devoted her studies to period fashion and I wish I could have taken her out for tea to hear more about her life, but she is a busy girl! Bombarded by women in search of the perfect dress - make sure you are one of them :).

Vintage & Anitique Clothing and Textiles 

from 

Clare Spencer

across from the Real Greek Restaurant 

ClareSpencerVintage@gmail.com

Contact number: 07580048877 

Clare works by appointment with established clients and supports young designers and new creative practises by offering rentals, trades and creative exchanges.

Spitafields Market

nearest tube: Liverpool Street Station

a short walk from Brick Lane

Old Spitafields Market Part 1

Every day is market day in Spitafields, but only on Thursday will you step into the beautiful past.

*Old Spitafields Market*

closest tube: Liverpool Street Station

A quick walk from Brick Lane 

Favourite Beauty Products

Some of my favourite beauty products are the kinds filled with lustre and ones made with love. Here is a glimpse of both types and all are entirely modern, but some hail back to those old fashioned days and ways.  

I always appreciate comments and thoughts here so please share anything that has made it into your beauty routine or wishlist - it's so nice to discover more. ♥

I first stumbled upon this simple bar of violet soap when a travelling market came to town with baskets full of French soaps from Marseille made with natural and vegan ingredients. I bought lots of fragrances and when they are unopened I leave them in my clothing drawers to make everything smell like spring. They also sell dried lavender bundles, which I stick all over my house and they leave little purpley-blue bud confetti wherever they go. 

Stewart and Claire, a musician and a food writer, handcraft lip balms in Brooklyn, NY and they make it so difficult to choose only one! I finally decided on the one here called Old Fashioned (big surprise I know) and it smells of old cedar, bitter orange,  with hints of cinnamon and vanilla.  It has such a lovely silkiness that I'm going to have to limit myself to how many times a day I can put it on. 

Lulu Organics makes the most beautiful hair powders and the packaging is like a woman from Alphonso Mucha's dreams. The fragrance I picked is made with lavender and clary sage and is delicate and musky all at the same time like a love letter that still has a faint scent. I don't wash my hair every day so it's perfect for me and blends into my dark hair. 

This metallic nail polish from Maybelline Forever Strong is called Winner Takes it All, but reminds me of the colour you see on romantic brass candlesticks. Maybe a name like that would only appeal to me so it's probably best to leave the name game to Maybelline I suppose! Regardless of what it's called, it goes with so many outfits - it works for me as a glamorous neutral.  

Another shimmery love is Smash Box's eyeshadow collection called Sparks. It comes in peachy and golden tones with a tutorial cards for three different looks. Perfect for me because I'm not very good at blending eyeshadow on my own. My black cat-eye liner abilities are getting rusty now that I have these. 

A Walk Down Vintage Lane

Cheshire Street beams with vintage charm. A walk here leaves me feeling doused in bygone glamour. When I walk away it follows me like a perfume, lingering in a way that can't be forgotten quickly because it's timeless. Some of the best little details of the past decades can be found here to make a modern day Audrey Hepburn out of me.  Here I can walk away with a fur stole, hat with a bow, lace dress and satin shoes, pillow cases with flowers and doilies with lavender stitching. 

Pictured inside:

The Shop house of fabric, tablecloths, pillow cases, clothing from baby to adult, and endless accessories.

Retitled - a 1950's heaven complete with a perfume spritz behind the changing divider while you decide over tea cups and hairbrushes and satin shoes. 

Pictured outside:

Vintage Heaven for coats line with fur and vintage dresses, shoes, and purses.

The Vintage Bean for a pick me up coffee, elderflower spritzer, or glass of red. 

Vintage Emporium

I would like to live as poet above this cafe/shop and come down every day for a cup of coffee and inspiration. Time forgot to touch this pink facaded building and stepping inside completely immerses you in perfectly preserved vintage and bohemian London. I am beyond smitten, full out in love...