Second Hand News

I hadn't intended to be absent for nearly a week, but that's just how things fell; rain or poor light when I wanted to take photos, busy days, kids hogging the computer. Life. Stuff. You know.

I had my job interview on Thursday. Thank you for all your good wishes, and your feedback about dos and don'ts for charity shops. I really appreciate the encouragement and support.

I won't know the outcome until next week, and of course I'll let you know as soon as I hear. I'd be foolish to make any predictions, but my instinct tells me it wasn't an unqualified success; however, impressions can be mistaken so we shall just have to wait and see.

My interview outfit was good though; head-to-toe vintage, and purchased in St Luke's charity shops, appropriately enough.

1970s St Michael cotton maxi skirt, top, cardigan, bangles, 1960s vinyl bag, and 1950-60s Austrian glass necklace - 

charity shopped

Sunglasses and sandals - retail

 

 I've been picking up bits and pieces in charity shops as always. 

 

What I love about charity shopping is having no agenda, no list of Things To Buy, just an open mind and eagle eyes, a willingness to take the time and look. 

I love this 1970s Miss Mary of Sweden dress. I didn't know Miss Mary made anything other than lingerie, and I can't find any information about their clothing line, but no matter, it's a fabulous frock. 

 

 

1960-70s folksy tea towel

bright sari fabric

1950-60s barkcloth

1960s Midwinter bowls (I'm gradually adding to my small collection of Spanish Garden pieces)

I rescued this children's book from the paper recycling box.

It was republished in this edition in 1976 (the definition of a pound clearly puts it post-decimalisation) but the illustrations are pure 1951, its original publication date.  The text hasn't been edited much; it's still a world where dads smoke pipes, mums pour tea, the car belongs to Dad, the sewing machine to Mum, and children ride their ponies, when they're not trotting along on a camel. And we all go to balls when we're grown up, of course. 

You can supply your own jokes about this one.

 

 

What do you reckon, Jess?

As always, I'll be joining Patti and co for Visible Monday.

And despite being in a rather uncomfortable state of employment limbo, I do have this to look forward to next month;

Yippee!

And now I'd better get started on a marathon catch-up session; what have you been up to?

xxxx

Rare and Racy

I've had a week of this, that and the other, odds and sods, doing all sorts but not quite finishing anything.

That's my winsome I know I'm a bit useless, please don't be cross pose.

Is it working?

I did achieve something; I managed to rescue this little critter from the clutches of Charlie the Killer Cat;

though getting a squirrel out from under my cooker and into a pet carrier was quite a task. 

Still, he seemed unharmed, enjoyed the grape I gave him, and scampered away when released in my neighbour's garden.

Charlie hasn't forgiven me. He's still looking at me as though I might be next on his Hit List.

1970s Modelly cotton dress - gift from Vanessa

Denim jacket and bangles - charity shopped

Boots - retail

1980s sunglasses - vintage shop

I spent today pottering around, food shopping and birthday present buying, with a wee bit of charity shopping too, of course.

I can't resist a vintage children's book.

A 1925 publication, with some gorgeous illustrations. It's a little foxed and battered, but that's OK; so am I. And we are both worth two quid of anyone's money.

When I met up with my university friends, I promised I would take some photos of our old haunts to send them. This may prove to be quite a project, since we all lived in various houses, and drank in a lot of different pubs.

So I started with the university, noting the survival of some buildings, and much change in others.

The Drama Studio, Arts Tower, and Firth Court.

Nearby Weston Park is a pretty place to wander.

Although The West End pub, in which I spent far too much time and money, is looking for a new landlord/lady.

Every student needs an independent record shop...
 

and Record Collector in Broomhill is still going strong.

And a secondhand book (and music) shop too...

so it's great to see Rare and Racy has survived. They play the oddest music, often incomprehensibly dissonant jazz, in the background. An old friend used to tell me I should just listen to it as sound, and not think of it as music, in a traditional sense..

I struggle with that. I am old-fashioned, and like a tune.

I love this frock, it's got darling Squirrel Miss V written all over it; feminine, pretty, floral, and sweet.

Hmm, well, I am not always sweet...

 but I am rare and racy.

Isn't it great when your faux lesbian girlfriend treats you to something pretty? Thanks, Patsy!

 

 I felt it was time for a gratuitous boob shot, what with the new bra...

 

 

and you all know I have no problems with making a Thomas Henry Titt of myself.

But now...

it's time for bed!

  xxxx

Thinking pink

I've been impatient to wear my purchases from last Saturday's blogger meet-up in Sheffield, so today I did just that.

 

I hadn't really imagined them together, but why not?

 

I will always think of this cotton velvet jacket as my Krista jacket; and the vintage tapestry bag, a gift from Gisela, has rapidly become one of my favourites. 

 

 

 I'm a little in love with this dress too, it couldn't fit me any better if it tried.

 

And while we are on the subject of vintage maxi dresses and pink, look what I found in a charity shop this week;

the sweetest late 1960s-early 1970s Dollyrockers maxi.

Look at that gorgeous smocking.

Nope, doesn't fit.

One day, I will find a Dollyrockers dress which I can actually wear; this one must away to Ebay.

 

 

 

This beautiful silk scarf cost just £1 from the flea market. 

I've no idea what age it is (I'm guessing it is 1950-60s) but it is really lovely, with different Chinese or Japanese figures and scenes all over it.

And it's also pink!

 

Velvet jacket - vintage shop

1970s chiffon maxi dress - vintage fair

1970s tapestry bag - gift from Gisela

Bangles - charity shopped

Ankle boots -Ebay

Linking to Sacramento's Share-in-Style; the theme is Pink.

 

 

 

In fact, it has been a week of finding all sorts of random bits and bobs in charity shops and at the flea market, things which caught my eye, but cost next to nothing.

 

1970s pig-shaped pomander, and unused 1970s tea towels.

 

 

 

The Infants' Magazine annual from 1903.

 

Lots of wonderful illustrations, including some by Louis Wain.

 

I love Louis Wain cats.

Who remembers Fab 208? It was the official magazine of Radio Luxembourg.

 

And this might be my favourite;

 

Herbidacious!

Was there ever a kids' TV show quite as sweetly psychedelic as The Herbs?

 

It was first broadcast in 1968, and I did indeed watch it with my mother before I started school that year.

 

All those memories, for a mere 50p!

The annuals, this dress, and the Dollyrockers pink beauty, could all be around the same age. 

A neat coincidence, I like that. 

 

 

 I'm off to a jumble sale and a friend's birthday barbeque tomorrow, I'm hoping for treasure and no rain, but will of course enjoy the rummaging and chat whatever the weather!

Have a great weekend.

xxx