One post, three decades

Dresses might be my True Loves when it comes to clothes, but I do like to ring the changes now and again.

 And I can't be tied down to one era's style either - look at me, all over the place from the 1960s to the 80s. 

I'm just a decade whore.

1960s C&A jacket, wide-legged trousers and 1960-70s crochet bag - charity shopped

Sandals - retail (sale)

Bangle - gift from Fiona

Necklace - gift from Vix 

I didn't know what to wear with this mad 1960s striped jacket until I spotted these pink flares in a charity shop. 

I'm channeling Brian Jones. 

Groovy.

1970s-style jumpsuit, fringed floral jacket, 1960s Prova leather bag, 1960-70s steel pendant, sandals, bangle and belt - 

all charity shopped

I'm slightly embarrassed to admit I had all but forgotten this jumpsuit. The fringed jacket is a new acquisition, and the two seemed destined to be together, in a Stevie Nicks goes to Studio 54 sort of way.

A little bit Halston...

and a little bit hippy.

 1980s C&A silk culotte dress - Ebay

Bangles - charity shopped

Sandals - retail (sale)

Jess - on the prowl in the sunshine

I placed a Ebay bid for this 1980s silk culotte dress on a total whim, and when I won the auction (for a mere 99p), I wasn't really expecting much. 

Imagine my surprise - I really like it, and it's been perfect for some rather warm working days of carrying and sorting bags of donations and using the steamer. 

It's very nearly the end of term, and also the end of Owen's time at primary school. He assures me he isn't going to cry on Friday, and I can't think that I will either (unlike many parents). 

It's time for him to move on, and he's more than ready.

Here he is, complete with genuine 1940s gas mask box, playing an evacuee in the Y6 performance of Archibald's War. He may look miserable, but that's because he's acting, dahling.

Don't let the gorgeous blooms fool you - the garden is in dire need of watering, but I'm knackered and off to bed.

Night night! 

xxx

Earning my stripes

Although I only started last October, I feel as though I am well-established in my charity shop volunteer role, and love it so much it really doesn't feel like work.

There are perks, of course.

This late 1960s/early 1970s zip-front wool dress has suffered moth damage, so I didn't try to sell it.

We're none of us left unscathed by the passing years, are we? I suppose I could have a go at darning the little holes, but I suspect they'll stay as they are for the foreseeable future.

1960-70s St Michael dress, wool coat, beret and brooch - charity shopped

1970s bag - local vintage shop

Boots and gloves - retail

As you can see, I am ignoring any "rules" about horizontal stripes for curvy women. 

This piece of nonsense is courtesy of a 1977 Jackie annual. Heaven forbid we draw attention to a large frame.

I may not have Twiggy's proportions, but I'm happy with those I do have.

The house-clearing couple donated one final wardrobe's worth of clothes to the charity shop this week.

Suits from the early-mid 1960s...

Such wonderful illustrations - find them here.

More Sixties dresses and jackets. 

Here come the girls!

Vintage Label Love.

These two early 1960s dress and jacket sets are beautifully made and so stylish...

and very Jackie, don't you think?

I can just about squeeze into the Aubrey Segal suit of the left, but I'm not sure I'd ever wear it, and it should sell well, so on to Ebay it goes.

I couldn't find out much about the label, but it was mentioned in a 1963 fashion article in Country Living alongside the likes of Hardy Amies and Aquascutum, so it would have been a very expensive suit.

I've been utterly fascinated by this lady's huge collection of clothing, following her choices and the changing styles from the late 1950s to the 1970s. She clearly appreciated classic and elegant pieces of high quality, and I bet she looked fantastic. 

 My house looks like a vintage shop at the moment; the pieces I daren't wash are hanging up while I spray them regularly with a vodka/water mix and let them air. It works wonders on the musty smell of old clothes.

 

So the weekend's almost here; for me, it includes a meal out with the girls, and lovely lie-ins and reading. If I could stir myself, I might even start some sewing.

What will you be up to? Mischief, I hope!

xxx

Written in black and white

You lot make me laugh!

I'm glad to know you are an assertive, feisty bunch who don't like being ripped off, by a charity shop or anyone else.

No, I didn't buy the items with the inflated price tags. 

Yes, I asked why they were double the price of other equivalent items.

I received a shrug as my answer.

No, I couldn't be bothered to ask to see the manager (plenty more belts and brooches in the sea of charity shops) but Oxfam, I name and shame you, and you lost a sale. I would never haggle in a charity shop, but I don't have a problem with pointing out inconsistent pricing.

 So that's that - now let's move on. 

 

I wore the same skirt two days running - an unusual event for me!

 

This skirt was on the sale rail in my local hospice charity shop - it's from the dreaded Primark, but at a quid, I thought I could justify it. 

Yesterday was sunny and hot;

 

today was not.

 

 

We have already covered the camouflaging qualities of a maxi, but they also do a great job of keeping you cool when the weather is hot, and warm when it isn't.

Yeah yeah, I know - the little polka dot vest underneath is actually navy. I thought it was black till I saw the photos. I may be a bit colour blind. Which would explain a lot.

Now having an hourglass figure with quite wide hips (no self-disparagement intended, just an honest assessment of my body shape), I apparently shouldn't wear horizontal stripes or a gathered skirt.

Styling advice for anyone considered broad, large framed, big and large, courtesy of a 1977 Jackie annual.

Hmm, well, I'm not terribly good at taking advice, so stripes and gathers it is.

 

So there.

 

Jersey maxi skirt, top, bangles, red flower - charity shopped

Sandals - retail (ancient - forgot I had them, rediscovered them in the bottom of the wardrobe)

Black flower - gift from 100% gorgeous Sarah

Red wooden bangle (I wear it to death) - gift from darling Tania

Sunglasses - Ebay

Vest, white shirt and Rocket Dog canvas flats - charity shopped

 

 I was having a bit of a shitty day today* till this arrived;

 

 

a parcel of blogger love from my dearest Clare, containing a beautiful Monsoon jacket and two chic shift dresses, and...

...this magnificent portrait of Clementine, at her sneering and sardonic bitchfaced best!

I love it all, Clare - thank you, darling!

 

 

*My shitty day?

 

We woke up this morning to find our shy sweetheart of a cat Willow had a horrendously swollen eye.

I mean horrendous - a red, inflamed third eyelid all the way across, her face puffed out, it looked as though her eye was about to explode. I'm not particularly squeamish but oh dear, it did look nasty.

I rushed her off to the vet; something has scratched her eye quite badly which has become infected - she was fine yesterday, it must have happened in the night.

 

Anyway, she has had an injection of an anti-inflammatory and painkiller, and antibiotic eyedrops,  and it's looking slightly better this evening. 

 

But I have learnt that cats - much like children - do not like eye drops.

 

And I am supposed to put lubricating drops in her eye 6-8 times a day, as well as the antibiotics.

 

She is not a happy girl, and neither am I.

 

The 2-hourly eye drops meant no volunteering at school today, and more importantly, no Chesterfield tomorrow - disaster!

 

Hopefully Willow will be back to normal soon.

 

Cats - they are more trouble than the kids!

 

   xxxx

 

 

 

Red, white and blue at a jumble near you

Let's talk about Saturday.

You couldn't resist buying some old tat high quality merchandise from this excessively co-ordinated woman, could you?

Of course you couldn't. 

And that'll be 20p to you, love. 

Because I like you.

We just ooze glamour!

Tracey, Joanne and Karen.

My Jumble Sale Dream Team.

Clothing mountain, books and bric-a-brac.

The cafe detail, Andrea, Diana and Sue.

Vintage tablecloths on my washing line, all loaned to the cafe by moi.

All the scarves and pinnies were mine too.

I should set up a rental service.

Does this skirt look vaguely familiar?

Darling Sarah was given this vintage St Michael skirt by Dee.

Is it stalkerish that I bought the exact same skirt (albeit a slightly shorter version) when I saw it in a charity shop a while back? 

And then nicked her styling of it with a stripey top and red shoes?

I prefer to call it a homage. Don't worry, Sarah, I won't go all Single White Female, promise!

Ballet's loss is the PTA's gain.

The jumble sale went well, it was nowhere near as busy as the last one in February so we didn't make as much money, but £760 for 2 hours' trading isn't too shabby.

Cashmere cardigan - jumble sale

1970s skirt, top, tights, shoes, belt bangles - charity shopped

Blue beads - gift from Liz

I bought various bits and pieces, mostly books and clothes for the kids, and snaffled possibly the only vintage items there...

... 5 Cherry B goblet glasses.

It was a set of 6, but one didn't make it home in one piece... Oops.

So now my back is aching from all the table-shifting and box/bag-carrying, but I am pleased the jumble was successful. I like doing them. No one haggled this time, no fights broke out, and the only irritant were the volunteers who didn't want to do the job they were allocated.

One said she didn't feel comfortable working in the cafe. 

The first "reason" she gave was that she wasn't "dressed up." (I offered her the loan of a scarf and apron, as I had to everyone else who wanted them.) Next she said it tricky for her to make hot drinks for other people when she doesn't take milk in tea or coffee herself...

Customers poured their own milk, but never mind.

I have no problem with people expressing a preference, but 10 minutes before we start? For ridiculous pretend reasons? And leaving me to reshuffle other more amenable volunteers? 

Yeah, thanks for that.

Moany? Me? 

Might be.

It's the pressure of responsibility. And having to deal with idiots. And donations of baggy old men's underpants. It's taken its toll.

How was your weekend? 

xxx

From top to toe

Do you know lovely Lynne at Practical Paralegalism?

She's funny, she's stylish, she's so good-hearted, and she's hosting a Goodwill Goldmine party on her blog.

She asked her readers to send her a photo of their favourite thrifted/charity/op-shopped item or outfit. 

Me being indecisive me, I couldn't choose only one item, so I went for the complete head-to-toe charity shop challenge!

Parisian Schoolgirl Chic...

...a la Madeline!

Everything in this outfit has been bought from charity shops, including underwear.

I found an unworn Freya bra in my odd size for £1.25 (they retail for over £30), and the shapewear knickers and tights were still in their packets.

I couldn't swear to the prices of all items, but to the best of my recollection, nothing cost more than a fiver.

Gudren Sjoden cord riding jacket

Warehouse silk pussy bow blouse

1970s chevron midi skirt

Wool beret

Dorothy Perkins shoes

Bangles

Belt

Shapewear undies

Freya bra

 Tights

Total - I reckon the whole outfit cost under £25. 

Oops, forgot the petticoat. Add on another £1!

Charlie was a freebie. And he co-ordinates.

The brooch was a gift from darling Helga and my watch, rings and earrings were either bought retail or gifts.

But you'll let me off those, right?

I really enjoyed choosing what to wear for the challenge, and I know I don't have to remind any of my intelligent and savvy readers of the wonders of charity shopping.

I'm linking up with Lakota's Ta-Dah! Tuesday.

I think being dressed entirely from charity shops is worthy of a Ta-Dah any day of the week!

xxx