The Packhouse

On Saturday afternoon Josh and I spent a couple of hours admiring the old antique furniture and modern home-ware treasures found in The Packhouse. The Packhouse prides itself on being "an independent lifestyle retail experience, a one-stop retreat for customers in search of something unique and individual for their home and themselves." I can't believe I've never been to The Packhouse before, especially considering one of my old school friends has set up her own hair salon inside the building. I definitely need to revisit the shop when I'm moving into my first place (whatever year that will be) and buy one of the many amazing wooden chests I fell in love with. It's a great place to purchase bunting too if you are short on time to make it yourself, as well as cute floral wash bags and a tonne of other things including vintage clothing. The Packhouse is situated in Tongham, close to Farnham and I would urge anyone close to there that hasn't been to do so. There's also an art gallery with a small number of impressive paintings, as well as a wonderful cafe that serves the best lemon drizzle cake for a really reasonable price. For more information visit: www.packhouse.com

Amanta Ratchada

Staying in posh hotels is usually my sister Laura's bag, but as the boyfriend came to visit for two weeks, he treated us to the most amazing suite for our three nights in Bangkok. Honestly, this place was incredible. I could just see the two of us living there so happily. It was probably made better by the fact that I'd been staying in crappy hostels for the previous two months; but two plasma TV's, a walk-in-wardrobe, kitchen and BATH - heaven. The staff were extremely friendly too and the free breakfast was even better. The price was so reasonable as well, nowhere in England would you be able to stay in such luxury for 80 quid a night, I think I've paid more to stay at the Premier Inn in Reading...

Vintage at Southbank

 

Last weekend I attended Wayne Hemingway's vintage festival held this year at London's stunning Southbank, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain held at the Southbank in 1951. The majority of the event was held across the 6 spacious floors of the Royal Festival Hall and encouraged visitors to partake in a number of vintage activities including dance classes, creative workshops, and tea parties, as well as the opportunity to buy the finest vintage clothing, jewellery, music and bric-a-brac. In addition, pop-up hair and make-up salons authentic vintage styles including 60s bouffant beehives and thick 50s-style winged eye liner. The event also included mimic clubs such as The Blitz Club and Wigan Casino injecting a nostalgic ambience of said classic venues. 

One thing I particularly loved was a bunting-style wall that featured in the accompanying exhibition on the original 1951 festival. The wall titled 'What did you do in the Festival of Britain? What did you do today? invited people to write down memories from 1951 and the present day. I lost track of time while stood at that wall, reading everyone's thoughts and experiences. My favourite read "Came with my boyfriend, now with my husband 57 years later and still happy together at 80-years-old." That makes me so happy.