| New trailer: The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Posted: 12 Jul 2011 12:52 PM PDT We have covered Tintin on here in the past, not least because we're big Tintin fans. We've also reviewed the old Tintin live action movies of the 1960s - Tintin and the Blue Oranges and Tintin and the Mystery of the Golden Fleece. So we're more then keen to see what The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn turns out like.
The movie is a big Hollywood affair, directed by Steven Spielberg no less, although we're more appreciative of the fact that Joe Cornish (of Adam and Joe) has a writing credit, so despite the big budget, we're hopeful it might well be a fitting tribute to the original comic strip.
Saying that, the real life-like animation might take some getting used to. Check out the trailer now below, with the big screen date set at October 26th 2011.  |
| Retro Games Compendium at The General Toy Store Posted: 12 Jul 2011 08:13 AM PDT ![Classic-games-compendium[1]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uZh49AHuJr4wEKs_RccC-LsJhpuALiG2jZ_y-C0AmUbEmHPW7DY-AQPLb0FgvXndMe1vGPmvLLVazp7tl8srzrtBx3c1QifHutcekr2T2bh4coIasYdBmRFdOM65dM3451-9zsLIOaArSYAz4=s0-d "Classic-games-compendium[1]")
With the advent of the summer holidays imminent, this Retro Games Compendium from The General Toy Store is perfect for rediscovering the joys of traditional childhood games.
The set comes in a wooden box with a sliding lid and includes all the old favourites: Jacks, Marbles, Dominoes, Yo-Yo, Pick-up Sticks, Bouncing Balls and a Pack of Playing Cards. A perfect holiday purchase, it could prove invaluable should the weather take a turn for the worse and it might just show the kids that there's more to life than YouTube and the PSP. The set is currently on sale, down from £13.99 to £7.99 here.  |
| Newsy Dress by Diane von Furstenberg Posted: 12 Jul 2011 07:35 AM PDT 
Workwear rails in most high street shops would have us all consigned to a life of ill-fitting blazers and suit pieces in a variety of drab colours. However, turning to retro designs can be just the antidote, achieving that balance between conservatism and style in your day wardrobe. This Newsy Dress by Diane von Furstenberg is a perfect piece of stylish daywear, using a shirt dress shape to create a suitably formal silhouette, the graphic seventies-inspired print ensures there's nothing dull about it. Made from a 100% silk fabric, the colours are vibrant and head-turning, while the luxurious material allows for the shape to skim the figure in the most flattering fashion. Get it from Matches Fashion online for £330. Find out more from the website  |
| Striped Nautical Jacket from Missguided Posted: 12 Jul 2011 07:34 AM PDT 
While the warmer weather continues for some of us, there's every excuse to indulge in summer clothing that manages to be both stylish and practical. This Sybil Striped Nautical Jacket from Missguided is an ideal choice at a price that's easy to say yes to. The cropped shape lends itself well to a crossover fifties/sixties aesthetic, adding a femininity to the sailor-inspired piece. Made from a light jersey fabric, it's the perfect cover-up for summer evenings, too. The Breton stripe stays classic in navy and white, while the addition of anchor-emblazoned gold look buttons has a cool kitsch. Get yours from Missguided for £22.99. Find out more from the website  |
| eBay watch: 1950s Knoll Harry Bertoia Diamond Chair Posted: 12 Jul 2011 07:30 AM PDT 
If you want a new one, you'll be looking at paying out £841 at a reputable UK retailer. This Knoll Harry Bertoia Diamond Chair is currently much, much cheaper.
Obviously, this is a secondhand midcentury design, the original dating back no 1950. But according to the seller, this is an official Knoll Diamond Chair, which is the important bit.
Condition is described as 'good but not perfect' condition. with some wires at the front looking repaired and touched up (pictures on the main listing). There are also some age scratches and scruffs. So not as good as getting a new one, but at the present price of £6.29, an absolute bargain.
Find out more at the eBay website  |
| Gisela Graham Summer Garden Shopper Posted: 12 Jul 2011 06:58 AM PDT 
Gisela Graham started out making seasonal decorations, but her range now includes lots of everyday items too, such as this Summer Garden Shopper.
Printed on oilcloth, the pattern is a folk art style mixture of birds, flowers and fruit. The Summer Shopper is currently is currently reduced by 35%, on sale for £14.99. Also available in the same print are a peg bag, gardening clothes, canvas gardening bag and a lidded mug. View the whole range at Mollie and Fred.  |
| Storm Thorgerson for Liberty Rocks! Posted: 12 Jul 2011 06:30 AM PDT 
Liberty Rocks! is the latest collection of Liberty Art Fabrics, created through collaborations with musicians and artists and photographers with links to the music world.
Storm Thorgerson is one such graphic artist, having created numerous album covers throughout a career spanning 35 years. One of his most iconic designs is the cover of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon LP, the influence of which can be clearly seen in the design above. The prism tesellation shot through with a rainbow motif is a great way to add some rock chic to your home or wardrobe. The fabric comes in 4 different colourways, costs £21 per metre and is 100% cotton. Find out more online.  |
| Traditional Wooden Music Centre Posted: 12 Jul 2011 06:26 AM PDT 
How most people buy and listen to music may have moved on in recent years, but some of us are not ready to part with our vinyl collections. This Traditional Wooden Music Centre offers a good solution as it combines the best of the old and new.
It has a turntable that plays 33, 45 and 78rpm records, an AM/FM radio, a CD player and a USB port so you can plug in your new-fangled technology too. It is beautifully presented, housed in a walnut finished wooden case. Like pretty much all of their stock, Past Times are selling it at a reduced price of £128 (previously £160).  |
| Desk One from Another Country Posted: 12 Jul 2011 02:24 AM PDT 
Another Country's Desk One gives a contemporary design update to an old-fashioned style school desk. While the essential components of a desk are there - a drawer, and an indentation in its top to hold your pens and pencils - this is probably far higher quality of anything you ever sat at while in school. It's made in the UK, produced in Dorset to be specific, from solid oak/ash. It's been adapted for twenty-first century demands too, with an option of a cable tidy to accommodate computers and the like. Pick from the natural version pictured, or a black finish. The desk costs £895. See it online  |
| Kitchen illustration postcards by Amy Walters Posted: 12 Jul 2011 02:23 AM PDT 
Kitchens often seems to inspire retro treatment and that's certainly the case with these kitchen illustration postcards by Amy Walters.
The London-based designer has produced a charming design, showing everything from whisks to spatulas. The set includes four different colourways, each with a 50s flavour, that have been printed onto recycled card for sending or saving as you see fit. The set of four cards costs $5. Buy them from her Etsy store  |
