Happy Shopper!

That's me, not the source of dodgy booze from His Lordship's misspent yoof.

I was starting to get rather cynical. Starting to think that in London, Vintage had to cost, and even in charity shops there was someone behind the scenes sorting the M&S pullies from the St Michaels knits. For the record, I will happily buy second-hand (as in last year's M&S) as an environmental and thrifty choice: I think those who attend charity shops simply for vintage, and smirk at me as if I lack discernment, are missing a trick themselves. A £2 Topshop Maxi with beads and platforms hits the 70s spot without months of hunting for a 70s one which may need repairs: re-used, recycled, and Gokked up to the max. But I do so miss the days when I picked up wonderful 60s faux-furs for a fiver and flares for fifty pee. Nowadays my usual source of a true bargain is ebay, and I go charity shopping for repro, things to 'style' vintage or with a wad in my pocket, willing to pay that bit more for genuine items. 'Tis now the way in London.

I popped out, with a crisp £20 in my purse and the tail end of a killer cold- just one bus-stop on from my usual charity shop high street. I was just a bit stir-crazy after my cold bug and wanted to pop out to buy the new Barry M instant effects nail varnish. £2.99: bought it, took a few steps towards the bus. Time to go home? We...elll, maybe just a bit of a browse, they come along every 10 minutes:

Owl cushion: £3 Tiger

OK... technically not a charity shop find but so cute. Had to be done.

It was just a warm-up though, and, being an owl he brought me wisdom. The wise owl said: 'Gooo to Cancer Research... Gooo'

Aw, clip-on-monkey's holding her hand

This was the moment I felt like a winner. The kind of winner who makes a fule* of themselves all over Twitter yelling TIGERBLOOD. In my case, considering it was an owl-influenced win I'M A WINNER: OWL PELLETS!. Doesn't have the same ring to it but it reminds me of my days in the Young Ornithologists' Club finding little bones. Life before t'interweb.

Aaanyways, back to the dress. I think it's a bridesmaid dress, or at the very least evening. It's got a washing label, but no brand label: it says to handwash it and the 'hand' symbol looks 70s (logical considering the fact it's an uber 70s dress). It's thick crimplene and that wonderful toothpaste-blue that reminds me of my early childhood. Empire-cut with a wide waistband, leg-o-mutton sleeves and a really rather racy neckline:

See that split? Ooh la la! Clip-on-monkey likes a foxy dresser!

It was mis-labelled - on the shop tag- 'Medium: Size 14' (it has no sewn-in size label- making me think it's made by a bridal/eveningwear company to be fitted-upon-sale) but I think it was based on the weight, full skirt and the fact it was unzipped on the hanger making it look bigger. It fits me fine and I take modern 8 in maxis. It was also only £5! Not quite in the genius league of jumble genius Vintage Vixen but pretty good for a London find!

I also snagged a modern Miss Selfridge blouse for £3. The ditsy print and cute gypsy style could be styled Kawaii, 60s/70s with flares or a maxi, or even tucked into a circle skirt or overalls for a 50s gypsy look. Tres versatile!

Not an amazing pic: it has pockets and some interesting panel work,
giving a 'folksy' look.



A better view of the print and cute little pockets

 Finally, of course, I added to my cook book collection. But these are no novelty buys: I have been searching for two Marguerite Patten books in particular for years. Patten books are gold dust, yes they may have hilariously coloured pictures and terribly 70s garnishes: but the recipes work. Like Elizabeth David and Delia Smith, a vintage Patten book is likely to have a newly printed version out there somewhere: slicker photos, same recipes. As a kid, I had a huge box with flip-through recipe cards (painstakingly collected by someone between 69-74, judging by their dates). Sadly in a moment of madness, I gave it to a mate's mum when I went off to uni, as it was too big and fancy. I have been kicking myself ever since, as the 'supper and dinner party' and 'everyday' sections were superb. Well! Today I found the 'book versions' of both card sets: one in Oxfam, one in Cancer Research. Whoop! All the recipes and in a compact, not-tripping-over-the-big-blue-card-box form! I also found a Roald Dahl 'recipe' book, which is more a collection of musings on food and should make wonderful evening reading:

All three books: £3

What a fab haul, I feel utterly spoilt, and all those bargains came in at less than one new cookbook or top. I used my change to utterly ruin my thriftiness by having a Costas coffee. Tsk tsk, I'm spending like a 60s pools winner.

Wishing you all a bargainious weekend!

* Any fule know this is how yu spell fule. I lernt it at St Custard's skool.