Pretty Nostalgic Vintage Book Club

Some of you may know I have been a contributor to a fantastic magazine a number of times in the past called Pretty Nostalgic, an independent publication celebrating all things vintage, handmade and brilliantly British. Their latest venture is the Vintage Book Club, and when they asked me whether I'd be interested in starting one well... let's just say I broke my promise to myself that I wasn't going to take anything else on without a moment's thought!

Thanks go to Amy Farry for helping me sort a fab venue in Sheffield on a pretty tight deadline, and between us we recruited the book club's first members, meeting at The Old House bar, to talk about our first vintage read. The theme of this meeting was Children's Adventure Classics, and the title, The Wind in the Willows. 

I chose this book because although I knew the story well, I had never actually read it. Also, I loved the idea of the book starting in Spring and going full circle through the seasons, and as we've been waiting for our own warmer weather to arrive for so long it seemed to be a good fit! 

So I dug out my grand grandfather's copy of the book from the 1920s, together with my more recent edition, and got stuck into this tale of friendship, adventure and British nature. And oh, how I loved getting lost in this story! It quickly became apparent during our meeting that we had all enjoyed it, and we had a good giggle imagining Mr. Toad as a sort of Russell Brand character! 

The Old House were the perfect host for our little gathering. Good food, a cosy and friendly atmosphere and one (very Mr. Toad) flaming cocktail on the part of one of our members and we were happy bookworms!

I have wanted to join a book club for such a long time, and I think the vintage element makes for a interesting twist. As it turns out, Amy and I are both BA Hons. English graduates of the same university, so I think we both enjoyed the chance to chat about old books with new friends... without a tutor demanding deeper and more insightful interpretations of our chosen text...

 Mind you, all of us did come up with some thought-provoking theories on the true meaning of The Wind in the Willows and the relationships between its much-loved characters. I really enjoyed getting stuck into a good conversation about this tale.

I'm looking forward to the next meeting already, and will keep you posted on our group's bookish journey right here. And if you're ever in Sheffield, do pay The Old House a visit. You can read all about the other Pretty Nostalgic Book Club's meetings up and down the country in the magazine itself and on their blog soon.

I'd love to know whether you have read The Wind in the Willows and if so, what you thought of it. And how about Kenneth Grahame's lesser known classic, The Reluctant Dragon? It's one of my all-time favourites!

Features in Pretty Nostalgic Magazine

I'm pleased and proud to have been allowed to invade the pages of Pretty Nostalgic magazine once again. I know I've said it before and could be considered biased, but this is absolutely 100% my favourite magazine. I love that it's an independent publication. I love the truly passionate team behind it, all of whom are interested in some truly odd subjects, just like me. I love the articles on all things vintage, British, quirky and crafty. I love that their motto is, 'Spend Wisely, Waste Less and Appreciate More'. It's like my grandmother, my ideal lifestyle and a great big helping of patriotism all bound up and gifted to me bi-monthly.

Even better - the magazine doesn't date, so you can add your copies to your bookshelf like I do and enjoy the articles several years down the line.

This time I took part in the magazine's Hidden Streets feature, musing over those characterful spots we love to visit. I wrote about Whitby (of course) and I thought the other contributors' pieces were amazing. Such imagination.

I was also featured in an article by Kat Picot of Four Little Walls on doll's houses. Kat's piece is beautifully written.

My pub quite enjoyed the photoshoot...

...although I did have to do some miniature dusting first!

If you're an artistic sort you may be interested in taking part in Pretty Nostalgic's 'Create Our Motto' reader challenge. It looks really exciting!

A Feature in Pretty Nostalgic Issue 3

Regular readers of this blog will know that I've been in love with the independent magazine Pretty Nostalgic since its first bi-monthly issue appeared in May. I had a small piece in that first edition, and am now thrilled to  have a feature in issue 3, which landed on my doormat on Thursday morning. 

Recreating a Mrs. Beeton recipe for the modern day family has been something I have wanted to try for a long time - since starting this blog, actually - and there was much amusement as I reported to friends and family that I was sourcing partridges to make an authentic partridge pie, especially as at the time I wrote this piece they weren't yet in season! Luckily I avoided flouting any bird protection laws by tracking down some frozen ones, and spent a happy afternoon in the kitchen.

The pie really was delicious! 

Pretty Nostalgic magazine is a project I really want to champion because its ethos sits so well with my own. Calling themselves "The independent vintage lifestyle magazine celebrating everything that's brilliantly British" the magazine aims to promote making more of what you have, bringing an ethical approach to life, promoting British independent manufacturers, artists and businesses and looking to the past to learn how to live in a wonderful present.

It's an attitude I believe is becoming increasingly prevalent in the UK since the recession, and so often when reading this magazine I find myself nodding in agreement with the talented contributors packed into each issue. And it seems I'm not alone. Since launching I have watched the magazine's popularity soar across social media as growing numbers find themselves relating to the Pretty Nostalgic way of life. 

The magazine is also beautifully presented with rich, inspiring images and a real sense of community. I'm so proud to have been able to contribute in a small way to this new issue. 

Another little snippet:

If you love vintage, sustainable living, handmade, upcycling, living by the seasons and appreciating what you have, you will love this magazine. Not only do the issues not date, but they are printed on thick, strong paper and the magazine resembles a book, so you'll be able to pick up past issues to read again and again.

I also blogged about Pretty Nostalgic founders Nicole Burnett and Sarah Legg's book Pretty Nostalgic Home: Happy Days from Vintage Ways here, which really changed my outlook on how I want to live in my home and the possessions I treasure within.

                                      

You can buy Pretty Nostalgic magazine and their book direct from their website, or limited copies are on sale in WH Smith stores nationwide. 

Enjoy your Saturday!