Guess what?
I got the job!
A shiny new hair colour and a new job, all in one week.
1970s German-made dress - vintage shop
Boots and belt - retail (sale)
Bangles - charity shopped
As pleased as I am to be offered the job, I must confess to feeling a little anxious. There are plenty of unknowns about this enterprise, and I am sacrificing the comfort and convenience of my current post. Still, nothing ventured...
Being part of the team setting up a new shop will be hard work with a raft of challenges, but it's an exciting prospect too.
I don't have a start date yet, but I'll let you know when I do.
On Saturday, Nina and I went on a reconnaissance trip to Broomhill, the suburb of Sheffield where the new St Luke's vintage shop will be opening.
This is it; still empty and awaiting a refit. (Sorry about the lousy photo, it's all reflection of the bus pulling up and the shop opposite. Oh, and there we are too!)
Broomhill is a smart area with plenty of leafy streets, and Victorian houses ranging from little terraces to huge villas.
It's where I lived during my first year in Sheffield as a student. The small shopping centre is busy and thriving; despite the inevitable presence of a Costa, Boots and Sainsbury's, there are still plenty of independent shops, cafes and restaurants to add diversity and interest.
Of course there are charity shops...
and a couple of decent pubs which are still going strong 33 years after I first discovered them.
I think it's a good location for a vintage shop; the area has a significant student population, but there are professionals and families too. There is money here (and two fee-paying schools), the houses aren't cheap, and it remains a popular area.
The prospect of Mum's new job made Nina jump for joy.
We wandered through the Botanical Gardens...
enjoying the last of the roses, the autumn colours, and the friendly bear.
Well, you can't blame the bears.
And look what I found in the PDSA charity shop;
this beautiful late 1950s/early 1960s lace cocktail dress.
No doubt it would have been an expensive dress in its day; I paid just £7.
(Interestingly, there was a Betty Jackson for Debenhams dress in a very similar style on the same rail, priced at £9.
Go figure...)
So it was a successful afternoon out, and I am only having the occasional anxiety dream about the new job. Wish me luck!
I'll be joining Patti's Visible Monday as always.
xxx
