Monday 28 January 2013

Making good use



Do you ever feel The Universe is trying to tell you something?




No, I don't really think that actually happens.

 But it is interesting to observe that as I have settled down to the task of downsizing my wardrobe by selling, donating or otherwise moving on my excess, not-worn-enough clothes, I have apparently become incapable of finding any secondhand/vintage treasures which make my heart sing sufficiently to buy them.

No bad thing, I suppose.




So I am making good use of what I already have, while I wait for the Secondhand Gods to provide.

And no, I don't believe in them either.




1970s grey faux fur jacket, 1970s dress and boots - Ebay
Cardigan, hat, and that peek of pink lace petticoat- charity shopped
Scarf - flea market
Knitted flower on hat - school fair
Purple leather gloves - gift from my bestie Joanne




Everything here is well-established in my wardrobe and well-used.





Here too.

I am working the polyester frock and boots look at the moment!




1970s dress, tie cardigan and bangles - charity shopped
Boots - Ebay
Necklace (just about visible) - found in the street
Brooch - gift from Aunty of the Year Sarah 




I went to a vintage fair and a jumble sale on Saturday, and found nothing for myself.

Stuff for the kids, a couple of dresses to sell, but that was all.

Oh well.

I will be patient, the tide will eventually turn, and in the meantime...

Well, I'm not likely to run out of things to wear, am I?



 
The green shoots of recovery aren't too far away, and this brave little grape hyacinth has made an impressive stand against the snow...




...as did the Ladies Purse on Friday night, out for Tracey's birthday.

Yes, drink may have been taken at this point, can you tell?


I'm over at Patti's being Visible, come and see!

    xxxx







45 comments:

Rose&Bird said...

Sounds like my Saturday jumble experience! I reckon the lack of finds is cyclical - you're in clearing mode, so posssibly not in the right mindset to want to buy? I'm sure more things will appear and it's always good to bring out the old favourites. Fab snowy picture!

Vix said...

Oh, look at you lot all being fabulous in the snow. Glad a bit of snow didn't stop you celebrating Tracey's birthday!
Love the daisy print skirt with the brilliant red jumper and the slinky frock with the tie front cardi. You could probably wear something different every day for a year without shopping once (but where's the fun in that?)
I can't cope, three weeks wearing the same 4 things in rotation and all the choice I've got is driving me nuts, I'm drowning in clothes. Something's gotta give!
Loads of love! xxxxxx

Sheila said...

I love those first boots and the second dress/cardi combo! Lovely on you.

I am trying to be more discriminating on what I buy second-hand...however, I'm still buying!

thorne garnet said...

"Found in the street" necklace, awesome. I call that "parking lot jewelry", I find single earrings all the time. Love the orange dress

freckleface said...

Although I'm always delighted to find treasure, I'm also quite pleased when I come away with nothing. I think to myself 'my work is done AND I'm not skint'.

I love your big beautiful smile in that picture of you with your mates in the snow :) You look carefree. xxx

Fiona said...

Yes there does seem to be a dearth of decent finds at the moment. Have been to two junk shops today and came home empty handed, the prices in the first one were ridiculous.
I'm sure you have enough delicious dresses in your wardrobe to keep us entertained for eons anyway.
Looks like you had a great night out on Friday. I've got a girls night out tonight at the Harvester, just about to print off my discount vouchers now! I know how to live!

bohemian vanity said...

Looks like you and the girls had much fun ! I know that jumble sale experiences, happens to me many times not to find great stuff for myself. The idea of combining frocks with boots is great i love it and you look gorgeous !!! xx Tani

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

I laughed because my first glimpse of your opening line looked like "...that the universe is trying to SELL you something"! (Must be the new glasses) I do believe in cosmic coincidence, personally, being the double Pisces that I am. I am at the same point as you where I must cull and purge. Not a bad thing, just some work, making decisions and all.

I love these outfits and was particularly struck by your lovely curves highlighted by the tie front cardi. Wish I could've been laughing in the snow with you, too!!!

Sending love to you and yours. XXOO

Anonymous said...

Well, I have the moon talk to me all the time. Just the other night he tapped on my window and chanted, "You have insomnia again!"

Your fabulous shape looks so perfect in these vintage frocks my lovely Curtise! I love the color of those coral pinkish peachy tights too.

Anonymous said...

You look fabulous!!!!
I've been finding goodies clothing -wise but not for ME!!!

I'll be mailing out packages for the next few weeks (keep your eyes open!)

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

I love the grey hat and the way you are wearing the dresses with the boots. Hope you had a good night out.

Sarah Jane said...

Oh the joys of the biannual 'purge'. I currently have a dining room full of clothes, shoes and general stuff that is waiting to be shipped out to ebayers/chazzas etc. I can't wait to be free of it all! You look fab in your florals. I thought it was a skirt in your first pic, it's very pretty. I wish I had as many clothes and you and Vix xxx

Becky said...

Love the boots and poly dress combo!!!! And the lady's night out pic :) You know some good stuff will pop up soon-- don't worry about this dry spell!

Anonymous said...

Dresses and boots go brilliantly together. I bet you'll find more lovely clothes when you've finished clearing out your wardrobe. I can't think when I've got packed cupboards.

Ivy Black said...

That's a pair of gorgeous ensembles you've got there. I do love a frock n'boot combo. The gods will soon provide...even though I don't believe in them. I haven't found anything in chazza or vintage shops of late,only online. I do like a good rummage though.
Have a great week.
xxxxxxxxxx

The Style Crone said...

You provide such a great example of downsizing and then remaining persistently selective. I do see the pink lace petticoat peeking beneath your colorful dress. Always a surprise in store for me when I visit your blog.

Pink and orange against the brick background with a touch of snow couldn't be more perfect on a winter day. Looking forward to the spring that the hyacinth predicts!

Patti said...

I too am often thwarted by the (non-exostant) shopping gods - but sometimes they strike without warning! So I am prepared : > Love your dresses-with-boots.

Rachel said...

Oh no, but I DO believe in the universe telling me things.. And in the greek gods, too. And fate and destiny...

Anyways, that orangey dress is loveliness itself, but I especially like the Nature Interlude of your plant today.

Looked you had fun out with your gals! Xx

Krista said...

I do love this last photo so much, you gals all smiles and looking buzzed with the snow falling~ my kinda night! I kinda feel like you do at the moment, I have really gotten rid of a bunch of stuff I can't be bothered with anymore but I am in no hurry to fill up my closets again. I want to shop my own closet more and buy less even if it is second hand. That orange and coral frock is a favorite of mine, you look so tall and statuesque in it!
Lotsoflove
XXOO

Miss Simmonds Says said...

I'm sure the non existent charity shop gods will smile on you soon. I love both your dresses. And obviously the fut coat- does this one have a name?! You look warm, snuggly and rather 70s. ooh and the second dress is very sexy indeed. Look at that figure! xxx

Gracey the Giant said...

Oy, yes, Coventry, not Covington. I don't know why I make up names for designers. But, yes, it's her's and it's my only piece so far, but I definitely have an eye out for more!

I haven't had great thrifting luck lately either. Nothing that I've really, really loved (at least not in my size!) so I've just been pulling out all of the stuff I love but never wear.

Love that second dress - I'm a sucker for a neon floral.

Trees said...

You rock the boots and polyester look lady!

silvergirl said...

I am loving that pink floral dress, fur coat and the purple leather gloves
Such a fun outfit
Brett

Fran said...

Such a soft looking jacket so lush looking. Looks like you girls had a lot of fun.

Kylie said...

I LOVE that photo of you and your friends Curtise. It's gorgeous. You should get one framed x

Anonymous said...

Oooh, that second dress is gorgeous, especially draped over your hourglass figure, with the tie cardi accentuating the positive!

The Ladies Purse group looks fun! I hope you didn't get into any trouble ;)

joyatri said...

You look like a hyacinth making an impressive stand against the snow in the first photo of you in your cheery but cozy outfit. Do we really need new clothes? No we don't. But there is that adrenaline rush when you find some treasure... I bet there's a 12-step program somewhere for us.

Anonymous said...

Whatever it happens don't lost your faith in the Secondhand gods!!!
You've been blessed by them many times, so please don't give up!
I 'm fond of your latest look made up of floral polyester frocks and boots, it's a great way to go through winter!I adore the last photo with your smiling friends in the snow, I wish to come soon to visit England and enjoy a lovely (drunken)night out with all of you!
Love xxxxx

bonsaimum said...

I love the orange/pint floral dress. What a great photo of your night out. Looks like there was merriment in abundance. Mind you with that sort of cold, I think drink would be an essential!

Miss Magpie said...

You see you answered your own question, you said you don't believe in the Charity Shop Gods and clearly they are displeased with you for being a non-believer.....

Unknown said...

I still shop and i 'm like Vix drowning in clothes, but still shopping, retail and second hand ! I love clothes but the too many choices drive me insane sometimes -
Love your fist look the fur and the flowery skirt, very pretty
I'm amazed to see buds in your garden, it will not happen here for a long while!

Ariane xxxx

Kitty said...

and visible you should be too!! Still can't get over that fabulous snow!! Sure you wouldn't like to swap for a few days of tropical humidity? LOL!

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

Fabulous colour / texture combo up top, and the shapely dress and dramatically-tailed cardigan are perfection on you. Love your appreciation of the humour in these phases of finding / not finding / clearing / keeping. The picture of the joyfully celebrating crew is best of all, xoxo

mispapelicos said...

The clothes might have been in your wardrobe, but they look new and gorgeous to me.
If I ever had to believe in any god, it would be the god of secondhand goodies, yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Love, love, love dear Curtise, a true goddess in the snow.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

I'm bored of chazzing. There, I've said it. Haven't bought anything half decent from a chaz shop in months and months so it seems. Is it still snowy up there? It's all gone here thank the Lord. xx

Anonymous said...

Love the photo of you gals out on the town, Curtise! I bet you're not finding stuff because you've developed such a discerning eye, and also perhaps because the Thrifting Gods know you're in downsizing mode and they want you to clear out before you amass again! When the stars are aligned I bet you'll unearth some goodies you absolutely can't live without. Love the poly dress and wow, I almost thought that pic was snapped in the spring as it looks so non-wintery... Then I saw the patch of snow. Here's hoping those tender shoots make it through the next few months! Xoxo

Unknown said...

Lovely looks, all around. I particularly like the black print ... really a good looking dress and you wear it well. Glad to know I'm not the only one prowling through the closet, greeting old favorites. You and the purse ladies look so happy... congratulations on having a great time.

Lynn Hasty said...

Curtise, you and I are so on the same wavelenght! I decided to buy less, use up more, and lo and behold, the thrift stores shrunk back from my usually eagle-eyed self and I have not found much lately!! But, ah well, I did say I was cutting back! You still look lovely! And the garden pictures! Be still my heart. I cannot wait for spring!

xoxo
Lynn

Tamera Beardsley said...

My dear you are as lovely as ever! Loving the dress and boot combo...and the promise of spring in the garden!

Melanie said...

Shall I pinch your cheeks and tell you how much I've missed you?...
You and your girlfriends are a happy balm. Those snowflakes are so fat and lovely they look photoshopped. I imagine you laughing and throwing mittens, hats and bag on the table and demanding drinks from the bar.
Your polyester dresses and boots are working stupendously for you. Your shopping goddess shall return with a vengeance... I think she's on holiday with my shopping goddess...

Unknown said...

aahhhh i love that last photo you all look so beautiful and so happy i love the fact that who ever took the photo was able to capture the snow coming down to ;-) I love both of your outfits today but the top one is my favourite you look beauitful and so warm loving the fake fur. Im the same with you im finding vintage goodies for the home but i havn't found any vintage clothes for months either im sure in the next few months when people start decluttering and spring cleaning you will be spoilt for choice :-) have a good week, dee xxx

Unknown said...

Sometimes I can go to a thousand stores and still find nothing. Maybe that's a good thing, at least for my pocketbook! Your vintage clothes are so lovely.

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

I'll say you're rocking the polyester frock and boots love!!! Look at that AWESOME bodacious bod and there's oh so much wonderful colour to brighten up a rather brisk winter:)). I. Am. With. You. Sister. The op-shop goddess has turned off the tap on wearable goodies here too but I'm not exactly shaking my fist at her either. I have waaaaaaaaay to much stuff, even AFTER my massive school holiday purge, which tends to happen every summer. I'm more interested in fabrics that I'll stroke and gnaw on my fingers at before one day cutting into. I'm also looking for four mis-matched chairs for our dining table, so the focus is more on house stuff. Oh that dear wee hyacinth, so brave, I'm so looking forward to seeing your beautiful garden again this spring:)) xoxoxo

CityScape Skybaby said...

I feel bad now Curtise because I've been on a charity shopping roll lately, though same as you, not many clothes, it's all housey stuff or stuff for the kids, but I've been coming home all excited with my finds pretty often these days. I think we all go through dry spells don't we, thank goodness, because my house is jam packed with stuff, I'm definitely eligible to be on an episode of Hoarders one of these days. Love the photo of you with your friends, you do look a happy lot. xx

Forest City Fashionista said...

Both of these outfits are gorgeous on you - love the shapes and the colours. "Shopping your closet" is a phrase I need to remember more this year, as I too am drowning in clothes. I do get rid of things on a regular basis, but the secondhand Gods also smile on me just as often, it seems. I've also picked up some cool stuff at the post-Xmas sales.

I love the last photo - you look like you're having a blast!