A Few Purchases...

Despite living so close to a decent sized city, I think my spiritual home is probably a market town. I don't know if I could cope with the lack of theatres, restaurants and cinemas if I actually lived in one (hark at me sounding like a culture vulture) but the shopping on offer suits me right down to the ground. Charity shops, bookshops, teashops and usually a decent antiques/bric a brac shop that you can poke around in for hours - my idea of a jolly good time.




Top marks to Leominster, my destination this morning, because it has all of those, plus an amazing vintage shop. I really do mean amazing. I would have taken photos but the owner was moving the window displays round and looked quite harassed so I didn't want to bother her by asking. Sadly it was out of my price range but that's largely because a) I'm skint and b) it was none of your dodgy 90's gear masquerading as vintage. It was chockfull of 20's beaded dresses and Edwardian lace trimmed nighties and the most beautiful evening bags you've ever seen. I think the prices were probably pretty good considering the quality of the stock but like I say, I'm not very well off until payday.

Instead I hit the charity shops. I'm finding that a lot of stuff just isn't to my taste at the moment - perhaps I'm getting fussier or maybe it's because they've all put their winter stock out and I never enjoy browsing through rails of heavy dull coloured clothing in the same way that I do brightly patterned summer things. Having said that, I did find some gems. I should probably point out that I'm not just buying vintage stuff for the sake of it. If I see nice second hand High St things then I'll get them, I just don't seem to seeing anything in that category that I like much!

Hospice shops are just the best. Cheaper and with much more interesting stock on display. This is a very non matching sort of suit but that's good because I hadn't planned to wear it all together. I'm thinking the jacket will look good with jeans and heels, the pussybow blouse will look good with anything and I am ridiculously drawn to tweedy/tartan skirts at the moment so am very pleased with the skirt. £5 for the lot! Oh, and 50p for the lovely silk scarf.

Also the volunteer behind the till said "ooh, what a lovely rig" which made me feel rather deliciously girl about town with her new suit.

Another little independent charity shop contained these two beauties. I don't care if the cream jumper is technically a size 18 - it's very warm and very nice and that's all that matters. The dress is perhaps a little bit mad by my usual standards but if it doesn't suit me I'm sure I can think of someone who would like it.

I seem to be turning up the odd nice thing in YMCA shops recently and today was no exception. A green 1970's 100% wool waistcoat for £3? Don't mind if I do. And the buttons were too fun to leave behind.

While I'm a charity shop haul roll, why not share my Saturday purchases from Hereford?

Another silk scaf which is destined as a Christmas gift for a friend, some tights (the pair you can't see properly are Dior) and some rather fun vintage shoes.

A pretty plate which will no doubt get pressed into service as a jewellery holder.

Speaking of jewellery, this beauty came from the same shop.


Did I mention I'm in love with tweed? Char found this vintage St Michaels skirt with belt and pockets and I had to buy it. I love a good pocket. Might have to play with the length a bit as, being so short, I find below the knee/calf length skirts a bit tricky. We shall see.

And saving the best for last....

You all know my heart belongs to books. I found these three in a cracking little charity bookshop (basically a really good second hand bookshop but with lower prices). On the same shelf no less! I may well have squeaked with glee - they're three of my favourite authors and I've read my pb copy of Devil's Cub so much that it's falling apart.