Ten of the best : Vintage style back to school

1.  First things first, its time to get up!  An alarm clock is a necessity and this vintage 70’s one from Etsy is fabulous  – simple and bold at the same time.

2.  A vintage lunchbox is always a fun buy – and buying something with Mickey Mouse on can never be wrong!  The vintage US examples like this one are quite rare in the UK and are worth seeking out.

3.  A retro sports bag always looks cool whatever your age – this one has a great 70’s vibe and has plenty of room to carry everything you need.

4.  Retro from Scratch make fantastic re-worked notebooks from ladybird books, really giving them a new lease of life.  We’re a fan of them here at YVL having bought diaries, bunting and pads from them in the past. This notepad via their Etsy shop would be great for standing out at school.

5.  To get homework done in great style a vintage school desk and chair is the way to go.  There’s lots out there to chose from especially on eBay and Etsy – I really like this one with attached chair…that way there will be no falling off tipped back chairs or scraped floors.

6.  One of my childhood back to school memories was queuing forever to get my feel measured at Clarks Shoes and I hated it.  Do you know you can buy a foot measuring gauge to have at home and then just order school shoes on-line?  Not a vintage item I know, but it certainly solves a vintage problem!

7.  Leather satchels have become really fashionable recently with re-worked versions being done in patterns, neons and various finishes.  An original battered brown leather one just looks brilliant and goes with pretty much everything whether you use it for school or fashion.

8.  OK, most of us take the kids to school by car, foot or they might get a bus…but the best way to travel?  Its got to be a Chopper bike!  Mr and Mrs YVL own one of these beauties so that’s got to be the biggest thumbs up there is that it’s a great vintage choice.  Look out for originals at antique fairs and eBay (be sure to check its safe to ride) or grab a fabulous brand new Mark 3 re issue!

9.  I’ve fallen in love with these school milk bottle vases from Cotswold Trading, sadly I am of the age where I remember having my milk at school but the memory is a lovely one.  They look so cute that I’ve deciding they can definitely be part of my back to school spending and I’m going to line mine up on my kitchen window sill.

10.  And finally sharing those great memories of the summer holidays a photobook is always a good idea but what about this adorable gadget?  Use Projecto to turn your Instagrams into wheels of 35mm slide film and then show them with the Projecteo (a matchbox-­sized slide film projector). To make your slides you choose your Instagram photos on the Projecteo website and your images are developed on to a single frame of 35mm Kodak film, with nine pictures on each and mounted on a specially designed wheel.  Head on over to the official website for more information.  If you love Instagram (we do!) follow our pics on our official account – yourvintagelife

 

 

 

******************************************************************************************************************************* It’s competition time!!!

Would you like to win a gorgeous haberdashery basket crammed full with vintage goodies?   Included is cottons, braiding, sewing patterns (including a fab Jaeger one), wool, a darning mushroom, poppers, hooks & eyes, needles, buttons and zips.

What you have to do: Just follow our blog!  This can be done by subscribing via the actual blog or by following via BlogLovin (see links on side of the Your Vintage Life blog web page) – If you use BlogLovin please send us a quick message on FB or twitter to let us know your details – and voila, you are entered in the competition! Feel free to comment on the blogs and/or share the completion with your friends and family through social media… The competition will run to Monday 30th September and the winner will be notified the following week. Good luck!