Matilda Wren at Molly's Den

If you haven't heard of Molly's Den yet then you are in for a treat. Based on the South Coast, these enormous warehouses are home to hundreds of traders selling vintage treasures! In two of their locations, New Milton and Winchester, you can find our very own little pitch filled with a selection of of men's, women's and children's clothes as well as accessories and home ware. The dens also have cafes so make a good shopping day out. Find our Matilda Wren and Mortimer Wren pitches at these great emporiums.

You Should Probably Read These Books

Books we love for January reading

Christmas is over and instead of making resolutions, we're just reading loads and loads of books. These one's have stood out as excellent distractions from the misery that is a British January.

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1. The Virgin Suicides - Jeffrey Eugenides
Apparently this is now a film staring Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett which sounds incredible. As far as the book goes, it is short and shocking. So much happens in such a short space of time, it has a strange slow narrative as dramatic events are gradually revealed by an un named character. The description is incredibly emotive and sounds, smells and scenes leave the reader with a real sense of girls who, one by one commit suicide in a small American town for no apparent reason. Set in the 70s, one seemingly normal family of beautiful sisters morbidly fascinate a town that struggles to understand them.

2. The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared - Jonas Jonasson
If you were ever worried about getting old, this novel will put any fear to bed. On his 100th birthday, Allan Karlsson begins an adventure that seems dramatic but as the story unfolds, we learn how it is relatively tame compared to his life before the rest home. Funny, witty and fast paced, the novel touches on some huge historical moments through the mild eyes of Allan. A whole new look at war figures as well as right and wrong, how has the author managed to make this funny?!

3. The Snow Child - Eowyn Ivey
When you think of the 20s, you think of parties, glamour and probably The Great Gatsby. But this story focuses on the era in a very different setting. After moving to Alaska to start a new life, a heartbroken childless older couple find love, friendship and happiness in very unexpected places. With hints of magic, mystery and legends as old as time, we are left just in the dark as the characters in the cold fierce wilderness.

4. Into The Wild - Jon Krakauer
This is one that most have heard of, or have at least seen the film. Krakauer has collected together fragments of the true story of Chris McCandless who walked into the wild and eventually perished in Alaska in the 90s. There feels like there should be some moral to the story as to pad out the narrative, the author includes other snippets from similar cases over history. It is a strange tale and is a fascinating journey that has been tracked beautifully through interviews, letters and the fated's own writing. It will either make you desperate to travel or gather your loved ones around you and never leave them.

Healthy Blueberry Scones

These are such a treat, and crazy easy. I'd never made scones before this, I'll make them a lot more now. Super fast, super healthy and pretty impressive, these make you look like a better cook than you are. You'll also probably eat them all in one day. Enjoy!

You will need:

150g Blueberries
300g Self raising flour
2 tbsp Icing sugar
200g Buttermilk 
Butter or margarine for greasing

Grease a baking tray

Sieve the flour and icing sugar into a bowl and stir

Add all the buttermilk and mix into a thick dough

Fold in all the blueberries

On a floured surface, knead the dough for a bit

Squish it roughly out so it becomes about 3cm thick

Using a cutter, cut out as many  circles as you can

Arrange all your circles on your greased baking tray

Cook on high for about 20 minutes but keep checking them

When they look golden brown and like scones take them out and leave them to cool

Serve with butter and jam or whatever you fancy!

We love the south coast

Wimborne Model town and gardens

Originally built in the 1940s, this 'world famous' tourist attraction was completely new to me. At £5.50 per adult it was pretty steep but that did include a free quiz and a bag of sweets on completion, which we did.

This is a real little magical gem, in an unexpected location tucked away on a one way system in the small town of Wimborne, Dorset. The whole set up seems to be run by very cheerful old ladies which gives it a nice atmosphere and it would be really fun with kids. Having said that, we spent over an hour here and had a really good time.

The tiny town was actually moved brick by brick after falling into disrepair sometime in the 80s, they are very keen to tell you all about this and it is pretty interesting. It's maintained well and the little streets are very cute, I was surprised at the detail in the shop windows and there's a nice scene when you peek inside the minster window!

The size is a bit weird though and I know if I'd been a kid I would have been annoyed that it was just too small for my barbie to live it. I also didn't get the weird telephone ringing randomly, I think they were trying to make the town seem alive with sounds but that was the only one I heard.

Definitely fill in the quiz (which is surprisingly hard) and earn your bag of sweets. There was a mini egg in mine.

http://www.wimborne-modeltown.com/index.html

Album Review - GhostPoet

 

GhostPoet - Some Say I So I Say Light

A follow up album to ‘Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam’ was an inevitably hard feat, but here it is, ‘Some Say I So I Say Light.’ The album title gives away about as little as the lyrics for the most part. It kicks off with ‘Cold Win’, a dark, eerie tune that looks into the depressing life of a fast food employee. ‘Dial Tones’ continues the glitchy underground sound we know so well from his debut album, but offers some lighter overtones with the celestial sound of Lucy Rose’s voice.  

Track four, ‘Plastic Bag Brain’, is perhaps the most widely known track from the album, probably because it is the only song that you want to listen to with the curtains raised and the windows open. A more upbeat poppy tune, the Maccabees could almost be playing the rhythmic guitar loop.

‘MSI musmiD’ draws strong parallels with ‘Cash and carry me home,’ in that it has a similar feeling of a messy night out with some desperate consequences. Last track on the album ‘Comatose’ begins as a muffled, distorted and underwater sound. It is the story of the day after the night before (or something much darker to do with alcoholism). The track features hectic Nintendo style beeps and blips combined with classical strings, providing a typical unfathomable Ghostpoet finish to the album.

Another fine offering then with enough poetic nonsense (to us anyway) combined with just the right sounding techy minimalist drones. Drawing parallels with the likes of Kid A and Run Come Save Me. It's got enough to make any art student with a love of overpriced cider put this on at every soiree they attend this summer, and that includes me. And so we should, it is a great album.

For a full review and more of the same have a look at Rich's blog.

Vintage Summer

We've got some really great summer clothes on the etsy shop at the minute. With help from Lauren over at Thread and Butter we're sorting it all out so you can see it in all it's glory.

Here are some of the best women's summer pieces, yes we know it's raining but it was sunny last week. Men's stuff is on the way and can still be bought at the shop.

1. This flowing dress is just the perfect summer piece. Slightly see through, floral pattern and halter neck, it's just right for floating around and pretending to be a 70s hippy. £48
2. A shorter version of the gothy velvet skirts we've seen a lot of lately, this summer version shows off your calves but is still suitably muted so you're not in danger of looking like you've made too much of an effort. £8
3. A splash of designer vintage! These blindingly white shorts give you instant Wimbledon status, even if you've never picked up a racket. £15
4. A pretty patterned blouse is always easy to wear and this nautical piece is no exception. £15
5. If you really want to look like you've made an effort, this dress is right up there. 70s colourful madness in a surprisingly wearable shape, this dress/jacket combo may be better separated but both are equally well made and make you feel genuinely beautiful. £48

Europe's Alright

2. Budapest

More than alright, this city is one I could live in. We had an easy journey there, in first class for some reason, so it started off well. The walk from the train station was a long one and there was a lot of building work going on so in order to cross the road we were often diverted under bridges to tip toe across rickety planks. This obviously wasn't an unusual occurrence though, as locals practically ran across the flimsy structures.

The hostel was a haven, tucked away in a grey fronted building and locked behind towering iron gates. Towels and bedding fluttered over the balcony into the courtyard and we were welcomed into Lavender Circus. A lot of arty farty types had clearly spent a lot of time making the whole place suitably arty farty. They'd done a great job, fish tanks bubbled in windows, psychedelic music pulsed away quietly from some unknown source and mismatched furniture completed an entirely eclectic space.

On recommendation from the very nice hostel lady who we would later share a few drinks with, we spent our evening in csendes. This independent bar was a complete surprise, full of trendy hipsters crowded together on a mishmash of furniture while an echoey ceiling towered above them, the atmosphere was fantastic. Combine the crazy and painfully arty junk littering the graffitied walls with the super cheap alcohol and you have a fun place. I particularly liked the collection of barbies nailed to the toilet doors.

We spent our days walking through this inspiring city full of hidden palaces, interesting shops and bars and surprising hills, all with the backdrop of the powerful Danube. This ancient river separates the two parts of a city that has created more and more exciting bridges in order to bring buda and pest together. Climbing to the top of Gellert hill gave a stunning view of the river with the city buzzing away around it.

The baths were a real high point, heated by natural thermal springs, the water actually has to be cooled before we can enjoy its healing warmth. We stayed till it closed and enjoyed the sunset from the outdoor pools while hot jets of water poured over us from fountains lining the edge. Full of tourists, I'm sure the main baths are no longer frequented by locals but its worth going to this huge building in the park. I was skeptical but completely won over by the steamy sulphur and strangely relaxing atmosphere that comes with sitting in a bath with strangers.

A fantastic nightlife, baffling language and creativity on every corner as well as an amazing sense of history makes this city feel like it could be home.