Categories / eBay watch

eBay watch: 1970s Philips 22 GF 623 portable stereo record player

Philips

Once again, a portable turntable catches our eye, this time the Philips 22 GF 623 portable stereo record player.

Dating back to the 1970s (you might have guessed that), this is a three-speed player that's both portable and stylish, not least when the whole thing packs away into a cool orange 'briefcase'. See the listings for lots of pictures of that.

But once unpacked, this battery/mains player will play your 7 and 12-inch vinyl in glorious stereo. Well, stereo – not sure about glorious from an old portable player! Seller does sat 'very good sound though. Condition is 'very good', with just a few age scratches and of course, it's in working order. £24 is the current bid price.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / Food and Drink, Homeware

Blaue Blume Tea Service from Undergrowth Designs

Eat me

In terms of crockery for afternoon tea, our favourite meal of the day, we thought we'd seen everything. Oh how wrong we were.

In no way whatsoever is this Blaue Blume Tea Service from Undergrowth Designs just another collection of twee patterned cups & saucers. The plates are adorned with an intricate 1920s lace pattern with a simplistic 'Eat me!' slogan in your choice of black or gold, whilst the cups, teapot and other pieces are finished with a pair of ladies legs. Some of the more eccentric pieces include the sugar bowl, which is designed as an old fashioned rolltop bath, and the petit four stand, which is propped up at the bottom by an antique doll's head. Every piece has been lovingly made and glazed by hand in London. Although it will not be to everyone's taste, this is a truly unique collection that will no doubt cause a stir at your next tea party.

Pieces in the collection start from £12.26. You can see the full range on the Undergrowth Designs website.

Categories / Design and Interiors

Michelle Mason Forest Picnic tea towel

Forest tea towel

Michelle Mason's colourful retro designs are always favourites on this site, so it's good to see some new products from the designer, including this Forest Picnic tea towel.

Like most of her designs, it's mid-century inspired, though the colours, the depiction of the vintage ceramics and the flora give it something of a Scandinavian feel too. The effect is further enhanced by its striking turquoise, pale blue and black colour scheme. 

The tea towel costs £10. 

Buy it online

Categories / Kids

Tiger umbrella

Umbrella
Although strictly for children this tiger umbrella is the perfect antidote to the rain.

It's quite tiny so unless you're also a very small person this might be best left to the children. It's a great present for someone small and when we first saw this it immediately bought back memories of stamping around in puddles and playing in the rain.

Get one for a young person you know (or just buy one yourself) from the V&A website for £15.

Categories / Retro Women's Fashion

Loop halterneck jersey dress

Dress Get into festival mood with this loop halterneck jersey dress.

It's perfect for lazy summer days, bbqs and picnics in the park when all you want to do is enjoy the great outdoors and the rare moments of sunshine we get in good old Blighty. This dress has echoes of 1970s styles and wearing it you can almost feel yourself stepping into a time machine and being back at a festival at the time.

It's also a massive bargain for this time of year when maxi dresses are flooding out of every high street shop. Get yours from New Look for only £24.99 in a range of colours.

Categories / Homeware

Sara cushion from John Lewis

Sara cushion

You'd be forgiven for thinking this cushion was a design from the like of Jane Foster. In fact this Sara cushion is available from John Lewis.

The cushion is decorated with a very sweet 60s-style floral patterns. The flowers are depicted in simple shapes with chunky outlines and filled with block covers. 

It's a design that will add a touch of retro flavour to your couch, without breaking the bank – it costs just £12. 

Buy it online