Tinsel, Tat & Treasure: New Blog

Hi all

Thanks so much for all your support and readership over the years. As you may have noticed, due to changes in my lifestyle I've not had time to maintain Perdita's Pursuits.

I am in the process of transitioning to a new blog: it will cover all my usual topics, plus some more local and family posts. Posts will be short and sweet.

Please follow Tinsel, Tat & Treasure for all future posting.

Thanks again,

Perdita

Five Pound Glamour

Last weekend was my first night away from The Tiny Overlord*. Wah! She's growing up.

However it does represent a milestone in terms of life: a year of trying to balance a baby and work has changed into balancing a little girl and work. And as such, although it is busier in some ways, it is easier in others - she doesn't need mummeh milk in the night anymore, which means parenting can be shared more flexibly.

I'm hoping this will enable me to get back into vintage and thus blogging more regularly. This first night out was a 20s-30s themed night at Harry's Bar in Frinton. It was really nice to catch up with an old friend, get thoroughly impressed/envious of her cottage home and chill by the seaside.

I wore a skirt and top which both together cost just £5! I bought it on Everything Five Pounds, a site I have blogged about before - it's brilliant because it sells old stock from well known shops (so not throwaway stuff, decent clothing) at just £5. The outfit - originally by Boohoo - is a gun metal lace with a pretty scalloped edge. It's lined throughout - it's very fitted and the skirt is nice and long, with a cropped top. This means it is easily adapted for a range of vintage inspired looks; by pulling up the skirt, you get a 60s-does-20s vibe with no midriff on show, or you can wear it as a crop top and maxi for a 90s style --yes I know that's far too young to count as retro-- or indeed break the items up (the skirt is a perfect 50s wiggle with a blouse, and the crop top would go well with velvet flares). It's practical too - machine washable at 30. I can foresee using this outfit a lot, from formal to relaxed nights out. Or rather, using it a bit because I'm hardly a party animal these days. Given that, I might team the skirt with smart knits for work and church!

The thing with bargains is, they aren't really bargains unless they are of good quality and wearable. This outfit ticked both boxes and I'm really pleased with it. Have you had any bargains recently?


*Did. Not. Care. Waved me a cheery hello like I'd popped out to Tesco.

Perivale Wood

Coffee In Ealing (1)

Ealing Broadway has a host of places to enjoy a cheeky cuppa or up your caffeine. As well as all the usual chains (indeed two of most!) there are a host of small independent shops to choose from. Although it is most economical to bring your own coffee and enjoy it in the wonderfully re - landscaped Walpole Park, a coffee is a deserved little treat many of us enjoy on a busy day.
I'm going to start with two down to earth coffee shops selling great quality drinks and food: Artisan Coffee and Electric Coffee. Both are stop offs of choice for me and much preferred to your usual Costas etc.

Artisan Coffee

The vibe here is quirky and artistic with coffee workshops taking place regularly in the back area. The coffee is excellent: the owners use to grow coffee so are real experts in the field. Their food is also great - particularly the cakes which are less sickly sweet that elsewhere.
There is plenty of seating and toilets are accessible to those with mobility needs and/or young babies.
Very family friendly, but equally a haunt of those quietly getting on with some work on the free wifi.

Artisan's Website

Electric Coffee

Again, really excellent coffee here. The interior is more pared back and minimalist than Artisan, with tiles and retro wooden chairs. Coffee is well presented (for example Lattes come in a bistro style glass) and the food is of course hand made from premium ingredients. I had a bacon and cheese bagel and it was suberb.
Electric coffee is very friendly for families, with high chairs etc. Unfortunately I couldn't find an accessible toilet or baby change, although there is a toilet for customer use. However during the day it's more a pit stop and relatively close to the Broadway Centre which has recently refurbished facilities including a fully accessible toilet with hoist etc.
As an added bonus, Electric is licenced in the evenings and serves craft beers, wine and cheese boards.

My next installment will focus on that faithful friend of the cuppa, the slice of cake ... There are several award winning patisseries in Ealing, and the new Polish restaurant Sowa is making waves too ... watch this space and do let me know where your favourite spot for coffee is!

Electric's Website

Hello Again!

Well I'm back blogging after a bit of a break. I can't promise posts will be daily - or even weekly, but I'm going to do my best to continue in the shoddy vein of stingy lifestyle that you know and love*.

Don't worry. I'm not going to start a "mummy blog". I could tell you (in a simpering tone) that this is because I can't write with the sharp good humour of Eeh Bah Mum or Hurrah For Gin but actually it is because this would mean starting from scratch and thinking up new ideas with my brain and shiz and I can't be doing with that. You know me, I sat slack jawed in front of cartoons from long before sleep deprivation kicked in.

So it's gonna be the same old, same old. Only with added fascination for the toilet and changing facilities on days out.

To whit - the toilets are the only down side to my recent favourite picnic spot: Brent Lodge Park. This park, owned by Ealing council, is a fantastic free day out with or without the overlords. Great for a picnic and with the kinds of views you just wouldn't believe from London, it's the epitome of a great freebee.

First off there's a zoo. Yep. An actual small zoo, One which does proper rare breed protection (of small animals, rare farm animals and birds) - and it's free. They fundraise via a small butterfly house and a bouncy castle. If I was some kind of proper blogger I would have a photo of an endangered crane or giant rabbit (yes, these exist and they do exactly what it says on the tin). Somehow I've managed not to take a single photo with an actual animal in it, so you'll just have to take my word for it. Honestly, swear down there is a little zoo.

There's also a maze. Which I got a photo of!

In addition, the cafe is excellent. They do the usual light snacks and coffee and more complex meals such as pasta dishes. However I would bring a picnic if I were you: one side of the park drops off towards the River Brent and golf course, giving the impression of being in a country meadow (with benches and plenty of space to spread out). The other benefits from an amazing view of one of Brunel's historical Viaducts. If you walk under this and across a further meadow, you get to a pub of the same name. Just saying. It's a summer afternoon in the bag.

There are two well equipped playgrounds and basketball courts in the recreation ground area of the park.

The main entrance to the park is an easy walk from Hanwell overground station - if you're up for major house envy! It's a beautifully picturesque neck of the woods. There's also a small car park and street parking (keep an eye out for where you're actually allowed to park though).

Oh, and the toilets and changing? Fecking rank. Accessible luckily, but made of that bobbly 80s metal and dubiously stained. Hover and bring your own tissue and hand gel - if you've got a nappy to change, it's time to use that travel changing mat on the grass. Because y'know... park toilets. Tis the way of the world.

Anyhoo, this is the bit where I ask everyone to comment and tweet and such like. So do tell. What's your most 'value added' local park?

*Thank you. Thank you Motorola for your gift of video baby monitors, AKA 2 hours of freedom between 8pm and 10pm.

Look What I Made...

This might explain the lack of posts.

:)

Will be back soon ... as soon as little bean is big enough for trips beyond Costas and the local mum and baby club. So please don't delete me from your blog roll ...

This was when she was box fresh, She's loud and a bit
bigger a month on!

No-Heat Hair Tips & Tutorials

Yup, back again. Not really been anywhere to be honest - hence lack of blog posts! Being of the same measurements as Mr Greedy and having to do a wee every fifteen seconds does not make for exciting around-town journeys.

With it being summer (well, hopefully it will hang on a few more weeks!) one thing that a lot of us have in common is wanting easy, low-fuss hair - often a bit more natural and tousled than in the winter months. I dye my hair red which is notorious for dulling with heat, so am always on the look out for no-heat curls and other easy overnight styles. Here are a few of my most recent online finds...

A time my no-heat curls worked and did not get rained
on. A rarity in Britain.

Review: Draper's Arms Ealing

Waaay back in the day, Ealing had a Firkin pub (remember them?) where I used to go with my geeky sixth form buddies and drink Two Dogs and Breezers. Ah, those were the days... they don't make music like that anymore. Anyway, after a while, the Firkin became O'Neills, and I went there with my work buddies and drank Guinness.

Back With A Bump! Bargain Maternity Tips...

Hi everyone, yeah I'm back. Been away from blogging and pretty much everything as it's been a bit of a whirlwind. As regular readers may know, we had a bit of a scary situation last year with losses and a scary trip to oncology... the knock on effect being the last few months have been a bit of an anxious kerfuffle of hospital appointment and worry.

Well so far so good. I'm 24 weeks pregnant now, and thanks to my diagnosis and medication all seems normal at the moment. Fingers crossed.

Anyway enough of the House episode. I'm going to get right back into my usual bargain shopping type thing now. One thing I've realised over the last couple of months is that maternity wear is both expensive and incredibly boring if you're into vintage or alternative fashion. No, in fact it's pretty darn boring if you're into mainstream fashion too. Unless you really, really like navy blue and cream stripes with everything - oh, and spending £30+ on a jersey top you're only getting 4 months wear out of.

Here are some of my tips for saving money and looking unique...

Check What You Have

Bloody terrible picture of me in a hospital corridor @16 weeks.

When you start to expand like a balloon get a little bump, spend a couple of hours going through your regular wardrobe. Put aside anything with no stretch, high on the waist, tight on the bust or with pictures/patterns that might distort for a few months time! Bring to the front:

• Loose, wide t-shirts, tunics or dresses;
• Low waisted skirts, jeans and trousers (use a hair elastic to 'expand' the fly button a few inches);
• Leggings, generously sized tights and hold ups;
• Jersey 'fitted' tops or dresses, such as you'd find on Everything £5;
• Loose jumpers and twinset-style cardigans you can fasten at the neck, leaving open at the waist.
• Belts. Fasten them under the boobs. If you've ever had the "is she pregnant or constipated" stare from a stranger, you'll know why an above-bump-belt is wonderful for feelgood factor.

I'm still wearing a lot of this kind of thing at 24 weeks, with a proper bump. Having spoken to friends with children, these adaptations can save you money and preserve your style up to 30 weeks!
Some investments I would recommend would be: a bump band (a band which masks extended trousers or the dreaded builder's bum!) and a couple of pairs of maternity leggings. Oh, and some comfy bras. The only pretty maternity ones I found were in Debenhams, but Primark and M&S standard nonwired bras are just as good and cost much less: the boxed ones from M&S are a favourite of mine.

Adapt Your Shopping

We're going to need a bigger dress.

OK, so after a while you'll want to add to your wardrobe. Many of your saved items will still fit, except that all the belts in the world won't hide the fact you're in Tescos in your knickers with your jeans round your ankles because the hair elastic holding your trews up just busted loose. My moment was 23 weeks. I had some eye watering ligament pain and my waist vanished in 24 hours flat. You'll go into Mamas & Papas do a little bit of sick in your mouth and walk directly out again. Here are some ideas for when you actually need to buy clothes...

• By now, you will probably have the leggings and tights and bump bands. If not, invest. They're perfect bases for everything. I promise you they'll be on you or in the washing machine 90% of the time;
• In charity shops...
• Maternity jeans. Choose them for the right season - ask mates who have kids, they may well give, sell or swap an old pair. Ditto black or grey trousers;
• Second hand maxi dresses - just normal ones - often they're very flared with plenty of space for bump growth. Look for adjustable straps and be open to trying various sizes. These can be picked up at any charity shop, EBay and of course those cheap, slightly dodgy shops on the high street that spring up where there used to be a Woolworths or Jessops. In cooler weather, a loose t-shirt or blouse over the top makes them do double duty as a skirt;
• Band t-shirts (or any oversized T). Again, charity shops and even Primark stock these cheaply. They're a perennial favourite and can be worn all year round. Plus, they're meant to be baggy, so will be fine when you hopefully  spring back into shape afterwards.
• Look out for longer, tunic style jersey tops. Bought in a larger size, these are an easy way to mix n match in colours you actually like.
• New...
• The most stylish reasonably priced maternity shops I have come across are all online. Topshop, ASOS, New Look and George (Asda). Unfortunately with the exception of Toppers, few high street shops keep their range on the shop floor these days, so P&P it is.
• EBay is great for basics. I have made several purchases from Purpless - great value basics in a range of colours. Happy Mama Boutique also does some great jersey bits, and their cropped jeans are excellent.
• With all this 90s stuff in the shops, harem pants and maxis with elastic waists are everywhere. They're cheap and cheerful - I buy a size up and pair with a long top (worn 'under bump') with ballet pumps for work. Again, as well as the high street keep an eye out at markets - the cheap and cheerful 'one size' versions have a LOT of stretch!

Happy Mama dress, Purpless Leggings.

For Best...

Blue Maxi Dress £129

If you have a wedding or event to attend, you will need to invest in a better quality, specially designed item. Check out Isabella Oliver - a known brand for classic chic which can be adapted to a sophisticated vintage style if that is your taste.
Yes. Yes it is a bit expensive and posh for me isn't it? Just as well they have an OUTLET then isn't it?

ASOS Maternity Lace Bodycon Dress £40

Asos also have some slightly edgier and more fashion-forward formal wear, as does Rock-A-Bye-Rosie at Debenhams. These are rather more affordable than Isabella Oliver.

A nice thing about maternity evening wear is that it holds its value, so you can always EBay it afterwards. And of course, for a cheaper option (which avoids the turning-up-in-the-same-outfit situation too) it's a great idea to pop these brand names into a second hand EBay search. I have two weddings and a prom (to chaperone) this year - all three dresses purchased for under £30. I used my usual Ebay rules (low top bid, try unusual end times, blurry photos ... ) and it paid off: all three have clearly only been worn once and will be re-saleable after I've used them.

Well there you go ... my tips. Have you got any?

All About Me (Tag)

Sorry folks ... been obscenely busy of late and blogging has had to take a back seat. I found this great quiz tag thingy over at The Jolly Fashionista and thought I'd give it a go...

First of all tell us your name and what you do...

I don't give my real name online. I am a teacher, Head of Department and Head of Year at a large comprehensive so online me has to be official and serious if I name myself fat chance of that happening.

I live at home with...

My husband.

My favourite thing(s) to do are...

Drinking Baileys coffee in PJs long walks, meaningful books, exercise. Hahaha who am I kidding? I like buying crap and going to the pub and doing my nails. This is why I can't name myself on here.

My favourite thing to eat is...

Japanese food - sushi, tempura, noodles, salads. Any of that.

When I get cross...

I get my way. 

Sometimes I worry because/about...

My health at the moment. The situ is OK right now though, thanks to the NHS.

My favourite book is...

Fiction: The Complete Sherlock Holmes Colllection

Non-Fiction: Nigella Kitchen #TeamNigella

My favourite toy...

My tablet/kindley thing and my Nicer-Dicer (in the kitchen).

I dislike...

Cold, wet weather. Clothes that accidentally don't match. Liars and hypocrites on any level (bar hilarious blatant lies that make me laugh e.g. people smuggling booze in tucked in their stocking etc').

When I grow up I want to be...

All powerful  Comfortable and healthy. Preferably well dressed.