Friday 11 May 2012

Vix's Adventures In Goa - Part 3 (Plus Some Charity Shop Finds)



Yesterday was my first charity shop foray since March and I was raring to go. In addition to some bargains I also managed to pick up a young man who followed me around from shop to shop convinced he was in love with me, I suppose I should have been flattered but his constant barrage of complements did distract me from having a good old rummage.

Here's what I got:
Clockwise from top left: 1970s cord midi skirt (£1.49, YMCA), Fake wolf jacket (£1.50, Sally Army), Kitsch In Sync "A Consumer's Guide to Bad Taste" (Part of a 3 books for £1 deal, Age UK), Faux leather cuff (95p, Acorns Hospice), 1960s psychedelic hand towel (50p, Cancer Research), 4 rock biogs (50p each, Help For Heroes), 1930s velvet coat (£20, St Giles Hospice), Silk cheongsam (£1, Age UK)


Chazzas are still pretty cheap around the Black Country, which is the upside of living in an area of high deprivation, I suppose. I went over my usual £10 limit with the 1930s coat but it is lovely and it's pretty rare to find something so old and in such good nick.



I also bought these 1970s St Michael high-waisted velvet loon pants (£1), silk camisole (50p) and the Seventies beaded jute shopper (£1) from Cancer Research which I've worn with a beaded scarf from the gorgeous Krista,, original 1970s platforms (£10, eBay) and a chunky Indian necklace from the lovely Heather.

Ready for more of our Goa adventures?


After a week in gorgeous Gokarna we took a train up to the far north of Goa to visit Arambol, our beloved hippy beach hangout.


We visited the busy market at nearby Mapusa, where the locals go to buy their supplies. 


One of our favourite nights out is a visit to the Saturday Night Bazaar, a free all-night festival with live music, drinking and dancing, amazing food stalls and unlimited shopping opportunities.


As usual I made a beeline for the Lamani gypsies to haggle over tribal jewellery (much trickier after a few Kingfishers).


For a change we stayed in a different guest house from our usual haunt. Samudra opened on to the beach and cost £3 a night. 


When we weren't shopping or lounging on the beach we walked along winding village lanes, admiring the old Portuguese era houses.


Back in colonial times the only buildings allowed to be painted white were the Catholic churches. Although Goa gained independence in 1961 the tradition has been upheld and almost every house you'll come across will be in a fantastically vibrant shade, freshly painted prior to the start of the monsoon rains in June.

Ice cold Kingfisher, the perfect end to a perfect day.
One more instalment to go then there'll be no further mention of India until our next trip (which won't be for a while if I carry on spending all my money in charity shops).


Have a fantastic weekend, my lovelies!

62 comments:

  1. Vix those trousers are perfection! Look gorgeous.
    As always gorgeous buys, the coat is beautiful.
    I've absolutely loved your Goa pics, it's definitely made me pester Andy for a trip there.
    xx

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  2. That velvet coat......wow oh wow, well worth the extra pennies.

    Only one more post? have you saved all the elephant pictures for that one then? ;-)

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  3. I never thought to travel to India but you have given me some thought on that.....it really is the best way to see a country by staying with the locals & avoiding the tourist traps. You made lol about the young man as I had a similar experience when I was wearing my 1960's boots....something about those boots that only attract men!

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  4. The market looks very interesting. Thats the kinda of thing I would look out for on a trip away.
    Great charity shop buys and your outfit today is very stylish.
    Fancy being stalked when chazza shopping!
    Dx

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  5. Oh no that's a bit creepy, hope he soon disappeared!
    Anyway at least you managed to get a few good bargains, and I can't wait to see you in the velvet coat.
    More lovely holiday snaps, love the markets, I would make a beeline for them. You have made me feel like a nice cold beer now, if only the sun was out and I actually happened to have one in the house!

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  6. How dare someone distract you from your charity shopping! Well really! Fab finds though. You did very well! Love the velvet coat and the towel. Ooh, love the MC5 too. Gorgeous India pics. India is so photogenic. I've been to Mapusa and Arambol too. xx

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  7. Such vibrancy, it must be like going from colour HD to black and white when you leave India.
    The colours and scents alone must be enough to lift the most jaded of spirits, I really must visit India as soon as I can afford/justify it.

    That Lamani gypsy looks like an Indian Tracy Emin!

    I went around every charity shop today, but because I still haven't sorted my wardrobe out, I can't buy everything I'd like to. The prices are reasonable here too (more deprivation!) but some shops have really cottoned on to the retro/vintage theme.
    I think only high-quality vintage should be priced higher than usual. Vintage M+S is a bit different to vintage Dior, after all.

    I do love you in monochrome, maybe because it shows off you figure so well. Great haul at the chazzas, I am kicking myself for putting a silver lurex dress back, £5 is hardly a fortune (seemed it at the time though!)

    Have a lovely evening/weekend

    Lucy x

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  8. I knew you'd find lots of things - the 30s coat is a brilliant find and well worth £20. I really need to come charity shopping with you! Love seeing the India pictures x

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  9. I think it's wonderful that you've purchased that velvet coat, it looks amazing!!, and love your black pants, they're so stylish and you look so elegant with your black top and pretty jewelry!
    (and it's nice watching all that pics!)
    besos

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  10. Hi Vix!

    Love again your pics, gives me an idea how a guest house looks like, this is where will stay i guess when we get to Asia -

    And love your outfit - my favorite, the pants!

    Have a good weekend

    Ariane xxxx

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  11. That 30's coat is seriously cool.
    Glad you bought it. I would have stalked you if I saw you carrying that.....to see if you laid it down!!

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  12. ok, i have looked at this post a couple times and can't find the words! you wear vintage. so. well. always. it's really inspiring. i shop vintage/thrift 95% of the time so i really appreciate and love!!! your style. anyways! my partner has family in prestatyn, north wales. so we will split our time in london and prestatyn. not sure where you are from, but if you have any suggestions or must-sees, or amazing charity shops i would be super ecstatic!
    xo
    katie
    frou-frou-foxes.blogspot.ca

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  13. you look so good in chocolate brown vix. do you guys ever camp while on vacation? i guess i wouldn't either b/c rooms are so affordable, but i was just wondering.

    btw - i'll never win a mother of the year award that's for sure!

    xo

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  14. Yay glad you're back, off to nosy at your pics! Loving your velvet flares, v cool :)

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  15. Vix, love those trousers! I do love that coat from the 30s, how fab!!!
    And I am really enjoying your adventures!! Haven't had kingfisher for ages!!
    xx

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  16. I am lovign being nosy at your Goa adventures! xo

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  17. Ooh loving that retro tea towel! I'm always on the look out for those but seldom find them! great bargains and enjoying more of your hol pics....keep em' coming! :) x

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  18. Gorgeous! And now I have a good excuse to paint my white house blue.

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  19. I love the houses are all painted in different colours. It's something I love about American houses too - they are all different shapes and often different colours down the same street. Really breaks up the mundane feel you can sometimes get walking around housing estates in the UK.

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  20. I love the coloured houses. So pretty.

    C
    xxx

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  21. What a fun night markets, shopping, beer......sounds perfect to me.

    The velvet coat you scored charity shopping is amazing, I LOVE it.

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  22. More wonderful India photos... I didn't know this about the white paint ban... All the better for the general beauty of the surrounding. LOVING the velvet trousers and coat - well worth the higher price. xxx

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  23. Welcome home, looking foxie as every Vix, looks like you had a fun time as always xxxx

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  24. oooh who's the stalker? flattering but annoying.
    I can't believe you picked up that coat! I'm definitely coming shopping in the black country with you.... oh £20 on the train to walsall!

    Lovely finds as usual. And I really do love your Goa photos, it looks amazing.

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  25. You have scored some great buys Vix at amazing prices. Very rately see anything truly vintage darn sarf in the chazza's. You look very striking in your black ensemble, no wonder you 'pulled'! Have a great weekend. x

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  26. Wow what another wonderful trip. Is there any chance of some curry recipes you have learned on your travels? Weve started living a much more vegetarian diet with crazy meat prices.
    You are very lucky with your charity shop prices this week I have walked out of Cancer Research Uk and Scope as the prices in my town are crazy £4.50 for a bleach marked scarf? Not in my budget Im afraid. Luckly our Car boots are much more reasonable. Thank you for a wonderfulblog I spent 3 days a few weeks ago reading every post Its a beautiful insight into your life. Hevanne x

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  27. I can`t believe at the sight of all the bargains you find. Seriously love those pants and the cami. Not to mention that coat!!!
    India is amazing...
    >'.'<

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  28. Part 3?! I'm definitely going to have to backtrack.

    Those black pants are sooo perfect on you. LOVE -xo

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  29. That looks like a very interesting place to vacation. I love learning from new cultures like that. Looks like your outfit was inspired!

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  30. Looks like an amazing trip..and your skin is all nice and glowing from the sun...nothing like the sunshine :) I just read a really interesting article on how the sun is really good for us(contrary to what you hear nowadays in health news) and when you eat properly you actually have natural sunblock in your skin ....You look super cute!! Love the platforms ~ have a great weekend xx Heather

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  31. So what did you say to your poor lovesick stalker? He's not camped outside your house crying, is he?

    You look amazing in those flares and camisole, very chic and funky. I love those platforms so much, but just know I couldn't walk in them... gotta know your limitations! You did well with your chazzin', that velvet coat is wonderful.
    Goa look stunning, the bazaar must be fabulous to visit. Lovely to see you nursing your Kingfisher!
    Have a great weekend, love! xxxxx

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  32. I for one frigging LOVE these travel pix!!! I adore that Lamani woman with the fabulous nose ring!!EEEK! It's all so gorgeous,and that pink house is right up my alley!Thailand is the only place I ever drink beer,Chang,and I expect I'd be quite happy to quaff Kingfisher in India!
    Yay for stepping right back into your chazza shopping mojo!Those pants are heavenly,and the 30's coat has me swooning!!!Well worth going over your limit,as it does appear to be in amazing condidtion!Can't wait to see you bohemianise that up!!!
    That fax leather cuff is quite intriguing!
    I'm gagging for the 4th installment!!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  33. I'm really enjoying your holiday pics! Jon was there too eh?? ;-D I take all the photos and I'm never in the pics! Mind you I don't look half as good as you do ♥

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  34. Only four installments of photos! I could do way more, they are fantastic and it is like going on a little trip with you. Great scores at your chazza's. So you can still pull Vix!! How lovely to be followed by a young man!!!

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  35. Such Amazing photos! You look Gorgeous in your outfit pics! Love the headpiece!

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  36. I love those charity shop finds especially the high wasited trousers I never see anything for under a £1 in the shops round here. Goa looks amazing, all those beautiful colours, I always head for the markets on holiday.

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  37. Goa looks so beautiful. I love the buildings. Those high waisted pants are fabulous and the 30s coat is such an amazing find and well worth the price tag. I had to laugh about the young man you picked up. You're so fabulous no wonder he fell in love with you at first sight.

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  38. I love the outfit, those trousers are fab, as are all you're other charity shop finds. It doesn't take you long to get back into the bargain hunting. Xx

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  39. 3 pounds a night? Even I can afford that. Your pictures look like paradise, I can only imagine what it was like in person. Glad to see you back in the shops, and being stalked by younger men hehe.

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  40. The travel photographs have been so amazing, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful world with us.
    The op shop trip was a great success, I just love the brown velvet coat, I so would have broken a rule to have that beauty home. I must show mine on the blog one day, it is very similar, I just love it.
    I hope you have a fun filled and gorgeous weekend.
    Love v

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  41. I could just stare at your holiday photos all day. Just lovely! Did you get any tribal jewellery? That sounds like my kind of thing, on my travels I plan to pick up jewellery in every place I go.

    Love the trousers, on first glance I thought this was a jumpsuit, love it either way. x

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  42. I've loved reading about Goa and looking at your amazing photos - apart from a superb holiday the shopping sounds brilliant!

    That's a great chazza hoard, but star prize has to go to that 1930s coat - what a find! I'm envious! ;-)
    xxx

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  43. fab photos.....I started my India odessy in the north.....naked hippies we lived in huts on Little Vaga....but I do adore Gokarna despite that being where me and the heart-break-kid had our happiest time!!x

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  44. You never, ever fail to brighten my day!! That coat is absolutely gorgeous. Is it a silk velvet? Looks like it could be. I love the psychedelic towel as well.

    As far your trip pics, you could post some every day and I'd be happy. I get to imagine myself there, with no stress, since you clearly know your way around! I hope you got great jewelry to show us.

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  45. OOh noice pants luv, ha ha! They fit you to perfection, as always :) That Ktisch in Sync book looks interesting!!

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  46. amazing photos and I love your outfit you have a fabulous figure.
    I thought of you the other day as in the papers they were saying as Kate Middleton was hitting 30 she should cut her hair! I had to laugh because as you know I am 39 with really long hair and was thinking of you and how you would stick 2 fingers up to that. xx

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  47. Wonderful photos of your trip Vix. I am loving those trousers! You look amazing by the way darling. Happy weekend. -xx

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  48. you look fabulous as ever darling Vix. What wonderful finds as well-I'm lusting over the faux fur coat and the YMCA midi, what a barg!! The Velvet pants are simply amaze and make your legs look endless. I love the colour in all your images from Goa, one thing I always associate with that part of the world is it's vibrancy-I'd love to live in a bright pink house!! so fun!
    thankyou for the lovely comment you left me too! I have barely taken my chinese worker jacket off since I got it-it has been christened thus as I think you got it spot on with your description!
    Much love Amie xxxxxxx

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  49. I love those velvet loons!

    I wouldn't get bored with your India photos if you posted them all the time.

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  50. I'd love to haggle with the gypsies!

    You look so sleek in this black and the beaded headdress is lovely. I'd say the velvet coat was worth what you spent.

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  51. i rarely see you wearing pants but every time you show up in pants it's just awesome. those velvet pants and the silky top are so amazing together...

    ... and i never felt so jealous about your thrift finds... i wasn't thrift shopping for about four weeks now. and it still will take some time till my foot will be recovered... :( i miss treasure hunt on all the flea markets in summertime so much ...

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  52. Gorg photos and the velvet coat: quelle find! I'm continually amazed at the deals you find. In the north, there's not a lot of vintage pickings, but the charity shop prices are high, in my humble opin, as we're in a semi-swank retirement town.

    So cute that you had a young admirer. I recently had a 20-something man stop me and tell me I looked like Diana Rigg, and that, believe him, it was a compliment! Was it sad that it kinda boosted my day? :)

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  53. oh i love that pic of you with coole blonde in your hand, you look so beautiful and happy with the world and everything. a perfect moment captured forever in this pic! and how amazing are your high waisted velvet pants!
    love and kiss,mary

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  54. Vix you can carry right on with the posting of the pix and sharing of the India trip. I love it - so, so interesting :)

    Also - that coat is fabulous - model it for us please!

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  55. Maybe I should start shopping in our part of the country then, here in this area of Lincolnshire even though it is not particularly affluent, the charity shops aren't that cheap either...

    I'm loving your India photos....

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  56. Wow i can almost smell that market and hear the sounds. I love the vibrant colours of the ladies tradition dress your photo's are amazing vix. Great buys i bet it was lovely to back into it ;-) Loving your trousers and the fake fur jacket. Have a lovely week, dee xx

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  57. I just made a realization as I perused your gorgeous pics of India- I wonder if your travels keep you young looking. Your mind is engaged in new sights and sounds, and your are reminded of life beyond the normal sphere of things and those stretches perhaps stretch you and keep you limber and young? I love the pics of the things I have yet to see: the water buffalo up close, the sweet faces of folks donned in bright attire and ornamented with tinkling facial jewelry. The vast differences on a porch there and the one on my block: they remind how vast our world is and how infinitely beautiful.

    I spy an MC5 something in your loot. I think I'd like to know more about it- the boyfriend is cray-cray about that great rock band from Detroit!

    xo. Bella Q

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  58. I read this post driving up to Seattle on Friday and Chris nearly drove off the road when I screamed at the crazy beautiful gypsy picture! The places and people you have seen, it's really incredible Vix! Is that you waded in the water, looks like paradise to me! These markets in the evenings look like a blast and I want a pink house!

    I love the loot you grabbed up the fake wolf coat and cuff have to be my fav! I would have followed you too :)
    I love that scarf in your hair, you are looking beautiful as always.
    LOVEYOU!!!
    Krista

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  59. An overdue splurge in the charity shops can sure do no harm Vix, I'm glad you found some much awaited treasure xxx

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  60. The coat the coat!!! Absolutely worth every cent! xxxx

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  61. You look radiant after your day on the beach, Vix! And I love the flower in your hair and the baubles you are wearing.

    Your India trips remind me of my adventures in Mexico, before it got over developed. It makes me happy to know that there are placed that haven't been turned into tourist traps, even if they are halfway around the world!

    xo, A.

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix