Monday 21 October 2013

UK TIKI FEST (MANCHESTER) - Its all about the rum!

Miss Bamboo just adores Tiki style and culture so what better than a Tiki Festival in her own home  town  Manchester. Miss and Big Bamboo hooked up with  tiki pals Carla aka pin up model  Coco Lopes  and Martin  McTiki of Atomic Coconut  for some mad nights of rum fun. Atomic Coconut designed a fantastic limited edition tiki mug 'Mr Moai Tai' especially for the event.

Our first adventure took us to Hula Bar in Manchester for a Diplomatico tasting. A great talk was given by 'Skippy' and we even got to taste the elusive 'Single Reserve' that is not yet available for retail purchase - result!                                        

Our next port of call was  Revolucion de Cuba for a Mount Gay promotion including steel drum band and limbo dancing. Miss Bamboo was pleased to show off her limbo 'prowess'!? The Diplomatico rum, of previous, clearly helping, along with the Mount Gay rewards!!!!




Hmmm, not the most glamorous but definitely good fun!


Finally on to our very own home from home, The Liars Club for their 2nd Birthday celebrations and 'Appleton Rum' promotion.

Miss Bamboo and Coco Lopes, start the night with a sophisticated Diplomatico.....
....however, many rums later !!!




After a few recovery days it was time for the final closing party at The Liars Club, this time the old faithful favourite 'Sailor Jerry' was on the menu.
Ukulele harmony trio Miss Bamboo and the Coconuts with Big Bamboo...


...and  Martin McTiki and Miami Rob 
The highlight of the night was the Sailor Jerry Punch Competition. Entrants had to be bartenders and the guys who enter these comps are serious rum fanatics. The 4 entrants were Captain Lyndon, the main man behind the UK Tiki Fest, Rick and Gav of The Liars Club and Rob Burr, Miami Rum Fest organiser and  author of the Rum Guide. Everyone got to taste the 4 rum punches and vote for their favourite.


Votes are counted, has Miami Rob done it this time....
...ahh bad luck Rob who came so close, the winner is Gav with his...
...absinthe and spices concoction with flaming pirate ship fruit garnish. 

Big well done to Gav... until the next battle of the Miami and Manchester rum guys!!



Miss Bamboo's famous tiki box bag available at www.missbamboo.co.uk with or without fruit garnish!
So there ends the UK Tiki Fest in Manchester but Miss Bamboo's more 'local' adventures will continue this week with the Manchester Vintage Awards. Can Miss Bamboo pull it out of the (tiki) bag and win best vintage attire and blog, we shall see......!

Wednesday 11 September 2013

MISS BAMBOO'S SPANISH ADVENTURE - HIGH ROCKABILLY 2013

Miss Bamboo's latest adventure (and at times misadventure!) took her by road and sea over to Calafell in Spain, to set up stall at High Rockabilly, the fabulous rockin' holiday for the 50s and 40s set.
Miss Bamboo welcomes you to High Rockabilly!
 Although it was a 2 day journey to get there, she had a lovely time on board the ferry, or in the amazing imaginary world of Miss Bamboo, the 'cruise liner'!!! ;-)

beautiful day at sea, sporting casual gypsy top from Freddies of Pinewood
mmm, 3 course French meal, wearing vintage..Miss Bamboo is determined to make this a glamorous occasion!


So sailing over to Spain was wonderful, however its never 'plain sailing' when Miss Bamboo is around! Having set up both apartment and stall, Miss Bamboo set out for the first night of trading at the evening dance venue.
At 4am, we left with our 'Freddies of Pinewood' pals Jo and Phil ,only to discover an empty space where our car had been. After looking around in surprise, Freddie's Phil and Big Bamboo realised that no they hadn't had some 'mid life' memory loss, the car had actually gone! It had only been impounded by the local police for being parked in the 'wrong place'!!!!
200 Euro's lighter the boys return with said car! Great start!
Oh no, wherever is the Bamboo mobile???? Dont see any 'no parking' signs!!!


car rescue mission is complete come 5.30am!

Nevertheless, Miss Bamboo had some lovely evenings on the stall meeting customers and friends old and new.
Lovely new customer in Miss Bamboo's 'Blooming beauty' sarong and bolero

Looking lovely in 40s style Trashy Diva big band bows dress

gorgeous gals Tracey and Ako at the Miss Bamboo stand!

We were so pleased to catch up with our  Japanese friend Ako Swing, who we had originally met a few years ago in New York at 2 fabulous dinner dance swing clubs- Swing 46 and The Cotton Club. We even managed some  leisurely time in the sun for more good food and fine wine...

Shhh, now you know why he's called 'Big' Bamboo!! ;-)

....Did i mention Sun?

Well, Miss Bamboo, (being Miss Bamboo), had in particular been looking forward to the Hawaiian Pool Party. This started out well with a great band, rum in hand, girls looking fab in their  Hawaiian dresses and playsuits, cool guys sporting their Sun Surf shirts.
The Hukilau Hotshots


Lovely Angelita!


There was even Mr Fez carving his fabulous tiki's.


This couldnt get much better, we could even buy a 3 foot palm tiki having driven to Spain, so no worries about getting this chunky specimen back on the plane. Result! However, while the weather was in the Hawaiian spirit, we didn't expect monsoon season when we went to collect our tiki!
Tiki rescue mission

Introducing 'Phil Tiki' named after Freddie of Pinewood's Phil. Well they have a clothes brush named 'Nigel' after Big Bamboo. (yup its all jolly japes being a trader on the vintage 40s/50s scene!!!)
Phil Tiki with Big Bamboo and our pal Ian

All in all this was a wonderful trip. For all you 1950s gals, High Rockabilly is definitely the holiday for you.

And so we say bon voyage to Miss Bamboo as she sails away across the Bay of Biscay. Until next time for more adventures and even more Miss Bamboo misadventures and mishaps!
Bon voyage in 40s nautical anchor dress, well its good to dress for the occasion ;-)


Monday 3 June 2013

University Student Collaboration

You may not know but Miss Bamboo was recently involved in mentoring 2 students from Birmingham University as part of their business collaboration projectSophie and Rosie love vintage and Miss Bamboo felt honoured to be the business they  linked in with in their all important pre graduation projects.

Rosie's Boudoir Project 

Beautiful Corsetry and Lingerie with a Mexican Senorita influence, just darling!





Sophie's Beach and Play wear Project

Sophie designed lovely playwear for each of Miss Bamboo's sections- American,Hawaiian, Mexican, Asian Pacific. Her designs were just so cute....

                                                             Americana
                                                                 Hawaiiana
                                                                 Mexicana
                                                              Asian Pacific


Miss Bamboo had such fun meeting Rosie and Sophie with their designs.....


 ......and of course had to give them a go herself ;-)
Americana Playdress and matching bag (love the bamboo handle!)
underbust corset with miss bamboo's favourite - pom pom trim, oh yes!
Hurray for more pom pom trim, totally adore this Senorita baby doll.

Time for afternoon tea....


....but more importantly cocktails at Miss Bamboo's favourite Tiki Bar, The Liars Club!


Sophie in the middle and Rosie on the right. Two  talented  and lovely young women, i wish them all the best for their futures in fashion design....

Check out  Rosie's Corsets and Couture  and Sophie's DottyDoesVintage on facebook.