Snuff said

Shirt - Jumble Sale

Pinafore - Jumble sale

Belt - Charity shop

Shoes - H&M

Listening to - I'm his girl - Friends

I feel I should apologise for the silly blog title, I just couldn't resist. By way of explanation - these photos were taken Saturday when we visited a Snuff Mill. We didn't actually go in it for some reason, but explored the park and empty house nearby. The whole area is National Trust but open to the public and is called Morden Hall Park. It's a pretty place, the white iron work bridges and little ponds in particular. The house in the pictures looks fairly old but is out of use, and looking inside it seems like it was perhaps a hotel, I'm curious about it since it's unusual to find unused buildings on National Trust sites. This outfit is certainly basic, I have been drawn to clean lines and work wear lately which may explain it. I had been after a pinafore type dress for a while after seeing all the great ones Isla wears. Luckily I found this Laura Ashley number in the great jumble sale I went to in Feb. Amusingly the lady who sold it to me said ' You do realise this is a maternity dress?' I said yes I was going to take it up and in, which I have. got to see the potential in clothes that may not seem right straight away. Although it is still a bit loose. The belt I've had for years and recently rediscovered in a Spring clean. I like it when you find forgotten favourites.

Mint tea

Cardigan - TSE, jumble sale

Shirt - Uni qlo, jumble sale

Cords - Uni qlo

Belt - gift

Shoes - Henry Holland for Debenhams

Bag - Charity shop

Listening to - PJ Harvey - on Battleship Hill

I am finally doing my seasonal 360 where I want to wear dark grungy colours in winter and soft off colours in Spring. Since it's not really warm yet I am making do with the colour combination of mint + red, which are surprisingly good together. As evidenced by this lady. I got both the shirt and the cardigan at a super awesome jumble sale a couple of weeks ago. It was more expensive than ususal - some items were £2! (To me this is a lot for a jumble sale but cheap compared to many charity shops so all is well) There was a funny old lady there who kept throwing any 'young looking' things in my direction and asking if I'd like them. Amongst them was this cardigan. I recognized the brand TSE, who do 100% cashmere cardigans so happily snapped it up for 50p. I also found a beautiful 1930s crepe blouse which I will have to wear soon. I need to document my outfits more often now it's light, and take more pictures generally. For example I was at a party dressed as Patti Smith and have no photographic evidence, need to work on that.

Also Let England Shake by PJ Harvey is amazing, have been listening to it constantly.

Big skies

 

 

Shirt - Jumble sale

Cardigan - Jumble sale

Necklace - vintage, gift

Jeans - Uni qlo

Shoes - Charity shop

Listening to - California Analog Dream ~ VondelPark ~

There is something about being under such big skies that I find hugely relaxing. That plus sunshine, a fortuitously placed ice-cream van and hazy sunshine. These photos are from Friday's visit to Devil's Dyke. There are geographical explanations for the existence of the huge empty valley, but it takes it's name from myths such as the below;

Local folklore explains the valley as the work of the devil. The legend holds that the devil was digging a trench to allow the sea to flood the many churches in the Weald of Sussex. The digging disturbed an old woman who lit a candle, or angered a rooster causing it to crow, making the devil believe the morning was fast approaching. The devil then fled, leaving his trench unfinished.Source.

Either way it is quite a breathtaking place. We meant to go for a long walk around the downs but we didn't quite get around to it. As well as Devil's Dyke we spent the morning in Brighton, eating bagels on the  beach and visiting my old favourite shop, Snooper's paradise. For possibly the first time ever I left empty handed, since I am attempting to be good and only make well considered purchases, and save money for holidays. I know everyone is commenting on the weather, but it truly feels like Summer, (not even spring) has arrived. I hope it lasts! This outfit was mostly thrifted last week and seemed more interesting in my head than in reality. Still I'm happy with my finds. I hope everyone had a great weekend in the sunshine.

Thrifting trip

 

These are the results of a thrifting trip I took last weekend to Deptford market. It was pouring with rain when I arrived, and to start with it seemed like the stalls were only selling food or cheap household wares. However my friends and I eventually stumbled across the flea market type section of the market. There were stalls selling various bits of furniture and such assorted junk. We all felt very sorry for an old dolls house that was getting soaked in the rain. There was one great stall with two big bins of clothes, some rails and then just a big heap of clothes on the floor. We all got stuck in and I found all of the above which came to £15 for the lot. I wouldn't normally buy second hand high street things, but the gap dress just feels like it will go with anything. I wanted that duffel coat when it was in the store but for £65 I decided I didn't need another coat, for £4 I can't really resist. I am especially pleased with the leaf print jacket, as a girl was trying it on when we arrived and then discarded it, not sure why as it's in great condition. Along with my haul, my friends bought a fish tank, a metal trunk, a Barbour jacket, a 1960s maxi dress and a 1980s silk shirt. Not bad for a rainy market. Think I'll be going there again.

Concrete Sky

Dress - jumble sale

Cardigan - jumble sale

Boots - vintage

Bag - vintage, Christmas present last year

Bracelet - charity shop

Belt - charity shop

These photos are from last Friday. This is what I wore to a friend's party that evening. The majority of this outfit is vintage, and mainly courtesy of the many jumble sales I have been frequenting lately. The dress has the kind of print that on the one hand makes me think bank-worker-uniform circa the mid nineties and on the other, makes me think of space and the night sky. It was also massive so I took in the side seams and hemmed it, and voila a party dress is born. I meant to put the boots in the shop, but they just seem to go with everything and I couldn't resist. And the bracelet is Cacheral from a charity shop about ten years ago. I think it might have been a free gift, since all the charms are perfume bottles. I'm glad I photographed it now, since I seem to have lost it since. Hopefully it will turn up.

Fly Away

Hat - H&M

Dress - Jumble Sale, 20 p

Socks - 99p store

Clog sandals -  Charity Shop

Rucksack - TK Maxx

So I'm off! I leave at 6am tomorrow morning for an 11 hour plus flight to L.A. Then I'm spending three weeks roaming about the West Coast. I can't wait. I hope to return feeling inspired and refreshed. If anyone has any tips about places  to go to (especially good vintage shops) or things to do I'd love to hear any recommendations you've got. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer and I'll see you when I get back.

Humble Jumble

I love a good jumble sale. Rummaging elbow deep in other people's old clothes isn't for everyone, but really there is just no better place for bargains. I think all the items in this post added up came to less than £4. I think my best baragin was the suitcase. It cost a whole 50p! Unfirtuenately the previous owner wrote their initials on the base. I mean the R is right, maybe I should alter the rest to fit me name? I love the fact the case has the date it was made (1966) stamped inside it. I wonder who R.G.J was and where they took this case. The pale blue floral dress is another favourite, it was my first find and with the case the best thing I found. It's handmade possibly in the 1970's and it is a pretty perfect fit, it even still has it's original belt. The bag looks like it has never been used, I love the little ship motif. The black button front skirt and navy dress were both calf length, but chopping the hems off has modernised them suitably. I love the logo on the N.R.S book and how you can see it on the gates in the photo. Plus the sweet little bookmark inside., spread the word about the N.R.S! I looked it up and it is still going, they have some dedicated rose gardens in Hertfordshire. After buying that I had to buy the pink porcelain rose too. I was so happy with the sandals too, I've been after some and they only cost 30p. The only non thrifted item is the little top with lace collar. I've been after some simple light summer tops so I made this one. It was my first attempt at bias facings, but I think it just about worked. Plus I had that one piece of lace and it was the perfect length, obviously it was meant to be!