Blue Charity shop chic!

Blogging introduced me to the breadth and variety of vintage clothes that were available. I had long bought second-hand clothing from charityshops and eBay before I blogged (first charity-shop purchase was aged 10! A sequined parrot t-shirt, a vintage TARDIS blue silk blouse and the crysttal droplets from a dismantled chandelier plus a vocal score of The Pirates of Penzance as a gift for me mum) and I'd worn vintage clothing belonging to my Mum and other family friends (I miss those cream flares!) but it wasn't until I got to know Vix, Curtise, Lauren and later, friends like Ann, that I realised utterly beautiful vintage could be found in charity shops in fabrics that I liked! 

I've found two beautiful maxi dresses in charity shops but in Hexham, last week, I made a real find!

This handmade blue floral maxi, perhaps from an old duvet cover, (who knows?), was  £3.50 and it is long enough for me and fits my waist perfectly.  I found, in the same shop, a modern Karen Millen sleeveless blouse that went with it perfectly.  On Saturday evening, we headed out to a lovely Gastropub called The Rat in Anick (no, I don't mean Alnwick, I definitely mean Anick!) and I wore the two together.

With them, I added my tan Mary Jane shoes charity shopped in my local charity shop last Summer plus my Smile and Make Star necklace and I was very happy with my comfy charity shopped chic!

Buying secondhand is much more exciting than buying new- you never know what you might find, not just what the current designers of that shop think is the trend that year!

What do you think?

xx

SIA French lady in electric blue

In the last Style imitating art with Salazar at 14 shades of grey, we were looking at Egon Schiele’s “Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer”:

My first thoughts were that I loved the line drawing and simple colour of this- the image was simple and pretty without being over the top.  
Though I could have gone with a similar blouse, I decided to work with the colours and wore the Monsoon dress I wore for IM Monday recently with the electric blue peep-toe shoes and add the electric blue pashmina I found in a charity shop with a red bracelet to show the pop of colour her lips provide.

Keep it simple, keep it simple.

xx

It's my party and I'l cry if I want to

On Saturday, CBC and I headed out to a 40th birthday party in Southend. It was at a very funky bar which was a bit like a yard with cobbles, funky retro decor and fairy lights.
I didn't really know anyone, except for one of CBC's old work colleagues, but it's amazing when there are lots of teachers around, as you always have lots to chat about.  Luckily, as I do find it a little nerve-wracking being a party where I don't know anyone. There's a definite fine-balance between being sociable, getting to know people and then feeling like you've talked too long and they want to escape.  How do you manage that one?  I am not a drinker, nor am I a big dancer (to modern music anyway. Swing's my thing!), so I sometimes find this a little hard.  Also, with loud music (and here my granny credentials show), I cannot hear a thing and have to just lip-read most of the time which is not conducive to lasting friendships and great conversation.


 Still, it was GREAT to have gone and the people I did chat to, were really nice.  The bar was a great location.
See those olives?  I ate most of those.  And another bowl over on the far table. And see the several bowls of crisps? Those too.  I am a complete crisp-hog!! Do not let me come to a party without dinner or I will decimate your crisp and snack supply!!! No one stood a chance!


The sofa I took the photos on was UNBELIEVABLY uncomfortable!!! Be not deceived by its vintage prettiness- it had springs as hard as nails!  The digestive cushion was cool though!


I pondered what to wear and went for my Jane Norman wildflower dress which ClaireJustine located for me.  Teamed with electric blue cardigan and tights and Irregular Choice Trinkletina low shoes (flash here to show the true colours.  Scary flash eyes! I always feel like that Star Wars character with the hood and the glowing eyes when I see flash photos!)


I always fail to know what to do with my hair (and couldn't be bothered so straighten) so I remembered a post by Kathleen Lisson a while back about millinery for an evening and wore a simple navy-blue feathered fascinator (thank you Poundland) in order to hide my lack of coiffure.  I really liked wearing this, so will do again- it stayed in securely unlike other fascinators I own!


Isn't my husband attractive?! I'll leave you with a more amusing image!


Forgive me if I am a little behind on comments- we are in Norfolk and Suffolk for a few days!!