It’s that time of year again, when most of Hollywood is preening itself for one of the most important film awards in the industry. The 86th Academy Awards is being hosted by Ellen DeGeneres this Sunday, 2nd March, and already the international press is awash with predictions on everything form who is going to win, and what they will wear, to whether Jennifer Lawrence will trip over and fall or do something equally goofy (the general consensuses is, of course she will and viewers will love her all the more for it).
In preparation for this most glitzy of events, I thought I’d take a look back at the illustrious history of the Oscars, picking out some of the best movies to have won the covetable award, and finding out where you can buy a vintage movie poster in homage.

Cabaret (1972)

Original film poster, £250, At the Movies

Bob Fosse’s portrayal of a decadent cabaret club in 1931 Germany won him a whopping eight Academy Awards. Starring Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles, a bohemian singer and performer, this musical shows the seedy underbelly of Berlin during the last days of the Weimar Republic. With Germany suffering the effects of the Great Depression, the power of the Hitler and the Nazis rapidly increases, affecting the lives of all strata of society. Featuring catchy show tunes and lively dancing, this film is both thought-provoking and hugely entertaining.

My Fair Lady (1964)

Stretched canvas print, £49.99, Art.co.uk

Audrey Hepburn, the epitome of charm and grace, plays Eliza Doolittle, a cockney flower girl who is transformed to pass as a duchess in Edwardian high society. This 1960s musical film adaption of George Bernard Shaw’s stage play Pygmalion, also won eight Academy Award including the prestigious Academy Award for Best Picture. A remake is reportedly in the pipeline, with Carey Mulligan rumoured to play the role of Eliza Doolittle. It’s going to be tough act to follow for Mulligan, but we will wait with eager anticipation.

Gone with the Wind (1939)

This epic Civil War romance brought us a such quotable gems as “frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn,” and this brilliant spiel by the dashing Rhett Butler (Clarke Gable); “No, I don’t think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That’s what’s wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.”

Unashamedly sentimental and dramatic, the film relays the up-down relationship between manipulative Scarlett O’Hara (Vivienne Leigh) and fiery Rhett Butler. Even now, 75 years since its release it remains a breathtaking piece of cinema – and is still the highest grossing film in film history when sales are adjusted for inflation.

Reprint poster, £9.50, Movieposter.com

Casablanca (1943)

Reprint, £6.39, MoviePoster.com

By the time of the 16th Academy Awards in 1944, the Second World War had been raging globally for four and a half years, and had become a fact of every- day life. The Oscar ceremony that year was held for the first time in a public venue, and free passes were handed out to men and women in uniform.

It is unsurprising then that six out of the ten movies nominated for Best Picture were about war. Most of these six were dramas, a couple are humorous, but Casablanca, a romance, won the golden statue. Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, the film is about sacrifice, virtue and love. Like Gone With the Wind, this classic tale remains iconic to this day, thanks in part to the many memorable lines spoken by Bogart. Who can forget; “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine,” and “we’ll always have Paris.”

What is your favourite film? I would love to know in the comments below.

I’m off next week for a quick break before we put V&OAK Magazine to print. Remember, if you’d like to pre-order your copy of the glossiest vintage magazine on the market, you can do so right here.

Thanks for reading, and see you in a couple of weeks!

Anastasia Grabova from V&OAK (www.vandoak.com)

Hello lovely readers.

I am writing this from De Vere Venues New Place Hotel in Shirrell Heath, Hampshire. Howard, who some of you will know as our ads and distribution maestro (if interested please email howard@vandoak.com for a media pack!) is also my fiancé and a bit of a business pro. I have tagged along to his business trip to enjoy the stunning surroundings, Grade I listed manor house, and to complete the very exciting second issue of V&OAK (available to pre-order here: http://voakmagazine.bigcartel.com/product/v-oak-issue-2-ss14). I will be revealing a preview of V&OAK Issue 2 here on Judy’s Blog and over on VandOAK.com in the next few weeks so please keep checking back.

Meanwhile in London fashion’s greatest descended on London this past weekend for the bi-annual showcase of new collections created by British designers. For this week’s guest blog, I have chosen some of the key trends to emerge from the five-day event along with vintage examples to match.

Matchy Matchy

Love is well and truly in the air! What valentines day would be complete without a spot of vintage?

Here are our top 5 Valentine’s picks!

1. Going to a fancy restaurant, dance or special valentines event? This dress would be sure to impress! This 1950’s silk number is for sale at Dear Golden – one of our favourite Etsy stores.

2. Whoever decided to mix two of the BEST things in the world together, is, quite frankly, a genius! Available from The London Chocolate Company.

3. If cocktails are your thing, why not invest in this amazing 1960’s ice bucket! We absolutely adore it at Judy HQ. Available from our lovely traders Lace and Liquor Vintage.

4. If all our vintage bag dreams came true they would look like this stunning carved lucite number! Infact, it would go perfectly with the dress from Dear Golden. Available from Vintagedustshop on Etsy.

5. One for the fellas! This 1960’s cufflink and tie pin set would be a perfect gift (we all have a soft spot for a smartly dressed chaps here at Judy HQ)! Available from Cuff and Clips on Etsy.

If you we are Lincoln or Newcastle dweller then we have a special valentines treat for you!

We will be at The Engine Shed in Lincoln this SATURDAY.

Let us know you are coming here.

We will be at Northumbria SU this SUNDAY.

Let us now you are coming here.

Pop down and treat your loved ones this valentines weekend to a spot of vintage and some afternoon tea – perfect!

Lots of Vintage Love,

Judy HQ xx

It’s been another jam-packed week in V&OAK Magazine Towers. First of all, a nice chap called Gareth has joined us in the advertising department. Gareth is on hand to help you out with all your advertising queries (for both print mag and online). Simply email gareth@vandoak.com for more info. 

Issue 2 of V&OAK is coming together nicely (previews coming soon!), particularly with regards to fashion shoots. We have some absolutely stunning editorials already ready to go for Issue 2, and two more being shot over the next week. I just can’t wait to see what they look like.

In between running the website, the print magazine, designing and attending vintage fairs, I like nothing better than to sit on the sofa with a cup of tea (herbal or fruity for me) and something to read. I love the papers, magazines, and books of all genres, and often have more than one on the go at once. Here is the reading material gracing my bedside table at the moment.

Vintage Fashion & Couture From Poiret to McQueen by Kerrie Taylor

My fiance’s parents very kindly got me some Amazon vouchers for Christmas last year, and I was thrilled. I personally (old-fashioned gal that I am) still associate Amazon with books, and my Amazon Wish List currently consists of 57 books and nothing else, because I am blind to the whole other world of gadgetry that resides beside this almost entirely comprehensive library.

After much deliberation and browsing, I chose this beautiful book by Kerry Taylor. Starting with the turn of the century, this richly illustrated tome charts the history of fashion using key designers and contemporary style icons to tell a fascinating story.

Kerry Taylor is widely regarded as the world’s leading expert on vintage fashion. Having joined Sotheby’s in 1979 at the age of 21, Kerry then went on to launch Kerry Taylor Auctions in 2003, which specialises in selling costume and textiles. Kerry undoubtedly knows her stuff and I am eagerly digesting all that this lovely book has to offer.

Style My Vintage Weddings by Annabel Beeforth

Howard, my fiancé and V&OAK partner-in-crime proposed to me a couple of years ago, by whisking me off to Barcelona on a surprise trip. By surprise, I mean I had no idea where in the world we were going until the airport tannoy announced our names (we were characteristically late for our flight, stuck browsing our way through the magazine section of WHSmith). Hence, I took with me a bikini and a winter coat, and lots of layers (the key, I hear, to clever packing).

After such a romantic proposal, I got home and swiftly started planning… the first Issue of V&OAK of course! V&OAK swallowed me up into a delicious world, and frankly I have enjoyed every last minute of it. But this year, my mission is to get married and weddings now consume my waking moments.

Style Me Vintage is a gem of a book, packed full with inspirational ideas for styling a vintage wedding. There are just stacks of stockists to look up for a start, and for every decade there are handy (and many tried-and-tested) tips for make-up, decoration, music, entertainment, food and even tiny little details that you could otherwise forget about, like perfume.

Frankly, I am getting distracted just writing about it. So, where was I? Oh, yes books…

Flea Market Chic by Liz Bauwens and Alexandra Campbell

Now here is another book packed full of gorgeous images that it will suck you right in. The rooms in this book are eclectic, unique and personal. They are all rooms that people actually live in with lots of things on display: knick-knacks, books, photographs, found feathers, cats. It is all mis-matched and uncoordinated. The people that live in these homes have amassed their stuff gradually from charity shops, vintage fairs and trips abroad.

I absolutely adore this approach, being a bit of a hoarder myself. However I do think there is an art to storing and displaying your worldly goods, and the authors of this book have nailed it. Though the photographs themselves are a vast source of inspiration on their own, Liz Bauwens and Alexandra Campbell really get down to the nitty-gritty of what makes each of the 12 homes featured work so well. There are also plenty of money saving tips to ensure your home reflects you completely, on a shoe-string budget. What’s not to love!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the week ahead!

Anastasia Grabova from V&OAK (www.vandoak.com)

With Affordable as our middle name we thought it was about time we celebrated the thrifty, bargain hunting and stylish customers we get through our doors!

Our Mr/Mrs Affordable Vintage competition will be running throughout 2014 so don’t panic if you’ve forgotten to enter this time – check out the competition rules here.

This month’s entries have all been so diverse (and oh so thrifty) it was a really tough decision to pick our two winners….

Here are some of our fabulous January entries:

Entry 1: Georgia @ftloveofthrift

What I’m wearing:

Prom dress – Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair (2012) – £22

Everything else – Given to me by friends and family

‘I think I deserve to be Mrs Affordable Vintage because I write a blog all about thrifting and Im always on the look our for vintage gems and great bargains online and in charity shops. I also volunteer in a charity shop and local vintage fairs’

Entry 2: Zhu Zhenzi

I bought this fantastic dress at £30 and the handbag at £8 in a second hand store in Nottingham.

‘Why I should be the Mrs Affordable Vintage?
I have lived in this wonderful country for almost half a year and I have been totally into the vintage stuff. I buy vintage clothes every week and enjoy wearing them and owning them. I want to be a vintage style princess.’

Entry 3: Lyn http://lynnie-bop.blogspot.co.uk/

What I’m wearing:

Dress – (My Little Vintage Addiction)- Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair – £5

‘I think I should be Mrs Affordable VIntage because this is actually my first vintage purchase and winning free entry would allow me to build my collection’

Entry 4: Rona

Vintage dress – £10

‘This dress was from a dress agency in a small town in North Yorkshire. Discarded,unloved,piled on top of a trunk at the back of the shop, we were meant for each other. Yes I cannot bend,sit,or walk in you, but when I’m feeling morbid and lacklustre, out you come, along with the feather boa(a bonus from an auction lot). I do my parade,sway to ‘My Mama Told Me’, and then you are tenderly packed away for another rainy day. Heaven knows what dissolute clubs you’ve seen in your day.I payed a mere £10 pounds for you,and your worth every penny!’

The Winners

Mrs Affordable Vintage January – Emma

http://www.dearthirty.co.uk/

Dress: Charity Shop – £3.49
Coat: Charity Shop – £5.99
Shoes: Vintage 70’s heels stolen lovingly borrowed from my Mother – £FREE
Wooden Cat Brooch: Judy’s affordable Vintage Fair (Yayyy!) – £1
Handbag: Kindly donated years ago from my great aunt – £FREE
Headscarf: Bargain bin at an Ipswich vintage shop – £1

Total Thrifty Outfit Cost = £11.48

‘Why I should be this months Mr or Mrs Affordable Vintage? As a serial Thrifter and Bargain hunter, I have spent many obsessive years perfecting and reinventing a ‘vintage eclectic contemporary’ look, both at home and with my outfits. I have sourced thrifty cabinets for my home, dresses from charity shops; I’m always on the hunt for a bargain, that’s me!’

Our next winner(s) came as a pair, so we’re making a special acceptation and keeping them as a pair!

Mr & Mrs Affordable Vintage January – Bethany and Michael

Mrs – Jumpsuit £20, gloves £6, belt £4, necklace £3, scarf £2 = £35

Mr – Jumper £15, braces £3, glasses £2, hat £5 = £25

‘All bought from Revival Vintage in Doncaster. We wore these outfits for a Vintage Fashion Show for their opening party. Pretty sure we rocked it!’

Keep your competition entries coming folks, think thrifty, think affordable and think vintage!

Will you be our #mrsaffordablevintage or #mraffordablevintage winner this month?

Retro Regards,

Judy HQ xx

Has it been a week already? Well it has been a very busy one here at the V&OAK office, and hence it has flown by so quick! Last week, I revealed some of my very favourite magazine covers, of which there are many more. Today, as I look out into a dark grey sky, my mind is on a very British subject – the weather.

We shouldn’t complain really, because although rain is promised for the next four days, at least it’s not… well, you know what I mean, and I don’t want to jinx it. So today, I’m taking my pick of the best vintage rainy-day essentials out there.

This 1980s coat has had a leopard print fabric added to the collar, transforming it from something that’s handy in cold weather into a hope-it’s-cold-enough-to-wear-this-coat coat.

£48 from 5678Vintage (http://www.etsy.com/listing/173230962/vintage-slouchy-oversized-boyfriend-coat?ref=shop_home_active_13)

Every wardrobe needs a red coat for those days when you just want to stand out from the play-it-safe crowd. This bright number appears to be a genuine Valentino, complete with gold buttons to make you feel like a star.

£45 from Izzie Roffe-Sylvester (http://www.etsy.com/listing/153620850/bright-red-vibrant-valentino-raincoat)

This Sixties ensemble is just too cute; a matching bag and umbrella which can fit together just like so. The umbrella on its own is a clear plastic with little ducks and flowers printed on it. The patent bright yellow bag is just the thing to brighten up a rainy day. Take the matchy-matchy look to the max, and add wellies with yellow accents, such as the adorable pair below.

£38.96 from Le Double Ve Vintage (http://www.etsy.com/listing/158531181/1960s-tote-bag-60s-tote-with-umbrella)

Wellies needn’t be clunky green things, reserved only for muddy festival fields. The great British winter calls for seriously waterproof footwear. These high shine Jules wellies with adorable yellow ribbons won’t look out of place worn out and about in town or on the morning commute.

£79.95 from Jules (http://www.joules.com/Women/Wellies/Evedon/Womens-Bow-Welly/Black?id=Q_EVEDON|BLACK)

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the week ahead!

Anastasia Grabova from V&OAK (www.vandoak.com)

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, and nowhere does this adage ring as loud and clear as in the world of magazines. I personally am a hoarder of these things, particularly first issues (LOVE Magazine, I hope to keep you forever), limited edition covers and of course vintage magazines.

In this internet age, we have gazillion pictures and articles at our very fingertips, and yet there is nothing quite like a properly curated magazine, meticulously designed and arranged in order. A good magazine promises to show you the very best in its subject matter, be it fashion, or interiors or goldfish keeping, without endless trawling through the vast ocean of information online.

An old magazine makes even more enticing promises; to open the door to a whole other time and sometimes country, revealing the zeitgeist of just a few months in history. And an old fashion magazine doesn’t just show us how people dressed, it reveals so much about the culture and politics of the time.

I do adore history, and fashion, and magazines, and have the immense pleasure of being the Editor (and founder) of V&OAK magazine, a newly launched print magazine for vintage, handmade and upcycled style. I am fortunate to say that it is my job to look at magazines, and lots of vintage ones at that. In my ceaseless search for inspiration, I have found many vintage covers to call favourites, but have attempted here to narrow them down to a very lovely five.

This January 1939 Vogue cover is so rare that even Google Images hasn’t heard of it, and I am left to present to you a lopsided photograph of it. My fiancé gave this to me as Christmas present last year alongside other Vogue-themed pressies (a vintage edition from the month I was born, a subscription and a box of 100 Vogue cover postcards). I believe he chose this particular cover because of my penchant for skiing, finding out in the process that ski covers are few and far between. These days they just don’t feature sport on fashion magazine covers at all.

This particular cover was brought, cover-mounted and ready to frame, from Vintage in Print (http://www.vintageinprint.co.uk/), a company we happened to see at Judy’s Vintage Fair in Spitalfields last December. Nicky Young, owner of Vintage in Print has since told me that the cover was shot by Horst P. Horst, who incidentally is the subject of a retrospective at the V&A later this year. Definitely one to put in my diary!

This July 1932 Vogue cover is the first to have been photographed and not illustrated. At the time, it was considered an innovative move, and paved the way for a more experimental approach to fashion magazine covers. The photographer Edward Steichen was known for playing with lights and shadow, as can clearly be seen from his debut magazine cover. He had made his name photographing the celebrities of the day in this unique style, including Greta Garbo who upon seeing his final photos of her, hugged him and said “You understand me . . . you should be a director.”

How delicious is this cover? There was a time when Vogue was creative with its masthead, making each cover a magical piece of art. In the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s the masthead was often written out in a different way each time, incorporated into the cover image to create something really striking. I would guess that mid-century the trend for brand uniformity took hold, but wouldn’t it be great if magazine covers would delight and surprise us in this way again!

This run-down of covers consists mainly of Vogues. Though this isn’t intentional, it shows perhaps what a huge behemoth Vogue is in the world of fashion magazines, and how incredible it is that this brand has stood the test of time whilst all around it lesser magazines have ceased publication.

However, Harper’s Bazaar was launched in 1867, twenty-five years before Vogue was even thought up.  Harper’s Bazaar was America’s very first fashion magazine, aimed at showcasing the latest European styles to the middle and upper classes.

Home to talents such as Diana Vreeland, Diane Arbus, and Richard Avedon, Harper’s Bazaar created some of the most innovative and memorable magazine covers ever seen. This August 1940 cover by Herbert Bayer (a member of the Bauhaus movement and a widely artist and photographer) shows how much more modern and design conscious Harper’s Bazaar was. The magazine prided itself on being the resource for not just the “well-dressed woman” but also the “well-dressed mind.”

Back in the day, before it became normal to choose models and celebrities for your front cover, magazines like Vogue showed aspirational illustrations. Aspiration wasn’t all about bling. Rather, the 1920s covers (like this one from August 1929) show women in fairly charmed pursuits; enjoying the great outdoors (often in snow and rain as well as sun), a stunning view, or as on this cover, the freedom to paint and be creative. Now, that is true luxury!

Finally, I cannot finish without showing off our very own cover, for Issue 1 of V&OAK. It is a bi-annual magazine, and we are currently busy working on our second issue (out on 28^th March). You can order the first and the second issue here (http://voakmagazine.bigcartel.com/).

For more vintage magazine covers, please visit our dedicated Pinterest board (http://www.pinterest.com/vandoak/vintage-magazines/).

Thanks for reading and hope to see you this time next week!

Perhaps your New Year’s resolution was to bake more this year, learn new recipes or be more creative!

‘Pear of Peas’ – who’s pop up tea parties at our fairs always go down an absolute treat, have kindly shared one of their best selling, and most classic, recipes.

Victoria Sponge

My grandmother taught me how to make a basic sponge at the age of 6…and I have make it the same way ever since!

I make all my butter once a week and I use it for all of my cakes…just use shop bought butter but make sure you take it out of the fridge at least an hour before cooking.

You will need:
2 greased and lined cake tins, 20cm wide

Ingredients:
200g Self raising flour
200g butter
200g caster sugar
1 tea spoon baking powder
4 eggs

1.Preheat over to Gas mark 5 or 190c

2.Put all the ingredients in a mixing bowl or stand mixer and beat until all incorporated and smooth, scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat again for a minute or two.
Divide evenly between the 2 tins…I, as an obsessive, weigh the tins to make sure they are evenly laden!

3. Cook in the oven for 30 minutes…you know they are done as when you touch them the cake will spring back or insert a toothpick and if it comes out clean the cake is done.

4. Remove from the tin after 5 minutes and then cool on a cooling rack.

5. While the cake is cooling, make the icing.

Ingredients:
100g butter, softened
140g icing sugar
Teaspoon vanilla extract
Maybe a little milk

6. Beat all the ingredients together, until smooth and soft.

7.When the cake is cool, place one half of the cake onto a cake stand smooth over the icing and then the jam, place the cake on top and dust liberally with icing sugar.

8. Finish with fresh fruit or crystallised flowers.

‘Pear of Peas’ will be popping up at our Leamington Spa & Bath events! We can’t wait to get our sticky mits on one of those cakes (phwoar)

Happy baking folks!

Judy HQ xx

The wonderful ladies at Miss Dixiebelle are popping up next weekend at our Glasgow and Edinburgh events! They’ll be offering discounted vintage beauty treatments from as little as £5 – the perfect excuse to try a new look for the New Year.

We picked the brains of super stylish Casci Ritchie for some everyday hints and tips for that perfect vintage look.

If you don’t have matte lipstick to hand and are after a matte forties red lip then you can fake it! Line your lips then apply with your chosen colour. Lightly press a thin tissue over your lips and press gently translucent powder into your lips for that perfect pout!

When wearing a bold lip colour always line your lips and apply a thin line of concealer around the lip line to prevent bleeding and to enhance a clean silhouette. Blend into foundation for a seamless look!

Got some few day old curls? Section your front hair off from the crown and clip away. Brush and secure your hair into a high 1950s ponytail. Backcomb the front section and smooth into a large pin curl – looping the hair around your finger and clipping it into place when you are happy. Pratice makes perfect and this is a classic youthful fifties look that’s great for a night dancing! Add some pomade for shine – we love Black and Whites. Finish with a nylon scarft tied in a bow or a colourful hair flower! The bigger the better!

Did you know Miss Dixiebelle have salons in Edinburgh and Glasgow? Available for all your vintage hair and beauty needs, weddings, parties and a bit of pampering.

Judy’s Fair Discounted Prices:
Lips & Flicks – £5
Hair or Makeup – £15
Hair & Makeup – £30

We recommend booking in advance as the Miss Dixiebelle ladies are extremely popular at our fairs!

We’d love to see your vintage hair and makeup styles!

Share your looks over on our Instagram page using the hashtag #judysbeauty

AFFORDABLE VINTAGE is our middle name (literally) and we are on the hunt for the UK’s finest affordable vintage ambassadors!

Do you fancy yourself as a thrifting pro? 

Do your friends describe you as a brilliant bargain hunter?

Are you always on the lookout for AFFORDABLE vintage bargains?

Fancy winning FREE entry to all of our fairs in 2014 and be awarded with the prestigious Mr or Mrs Affordable Vintage title and VIP badge?

1. Send us a snap of yourself wearing your BEST affordable vintage look.

2. Let us know how much your look set you back (and where you bought it)!

3. Tell us in under 50 words why YOU should be our Mr or Mrs Affordable Vintage.

We will be awarding 2 badges each month so don’t panic if you miss the deadline – you can enter the month after…

If you aren’t already our FACEBOOK fan, please give us a ‘LIKE’ – we will be uploading all entries to our Facebook page for our fans to swoon at!

Deadline for entries: 25th of every month
Winner announced and notified: First week of following month

Enter via Email

mrandmrsaffordablevintage@outlook.com Subject: ‘Competition Entry

Enter via Instagram

Tag us @judysvintagefair and use the hashtag #mraffordablevintage or #mrsaffordabevintage

OR send us an Instagram direct message

Best of luck Ladies and Gents!

JUDY HQ x

Terms and Conditions:

• Only 1 entry per month per person.
• By sending us your image you are granting us permission to use your image across our social media platforms, advertising and blog.
• Winner will be decided by the Judy HQ team and will not take any ‘likes’ on images into account when choosing the winner.
• You must send us an image, details of your buys and 50 word statement to qualify for the competition
• Winners will be contacted via email and will have to provide their address to be posted their VIP badge.
• Winners VIP badge allows them FREE entry to all Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair events in 2014