Friday 17 October 2014

Rumble In The Jumble


When I joined the ranks of the self-employed six years ago, I discovered an underground society to which those in paid employment remain oblivious. The details are often hazy, communicated by Facebook messages (thanks, Shabby!) or via whispered conversations in charity shops. Forget the illicit raves or blues parties of my youth, these days its the wonderful world of the lunchtime jumble sale....... and we've been to two this week.

1960s suede mini (courtesy of Liz), 1980s bodysuit (jumble sale), 1970s Stirling Cooper fringed velveteen jerkin (Garbo Antiques @ Vintage Village at Stockport Market Hall), original 1960s go-go boots (inherited from my Mum), crazy tights (courtesy of Kerry, House of Harrie Hattie)
On Wednesday we set up and sorted the donations out for the regular Methodist church event, yesterday we served the buyers, cleared away and bagged up the leftovers for the rag man and today we went to another jumble as ordinary punters.



Jumble sales are a Black Country way of life. Whilst the weekend ones are packed out, the week day ones aren't quite so hectic. The buyers tend to be the retired and stay-at-home mothers along with a handful of second hand dealers and there is little competition for vintage stuff. Most of the regulars chuck anything old in my direction. Apparently I'm known as "that nice girl who dresses weird."

Want to see what we got?


This Sona percolator makes a mean cup of coffee but, according to my friend Gail at Essentially Eagle Vintage, they sell pretty well which should help towards the flight fund.


I found all three pairs of 1950s skates in the same donation bag, the cream pair at the end have bells threaded through the laces with Queens Ice Club, Bayswater W2 etched inside. I haven't been ice skating since I was a teenager but they'd look fantastic hung on an interior wall.


This Rococo mirror has a fair bit of age to it, it fits in well with our mirrors in the bathroom (there's a song there!)


This hideous thing actually lights up and plays Its a Long Way To Tipperary. Unsurprisingly it was unsold at the end of the jumble so I had to rescue it, much to Jon's disgust.


More Spanish tat.



See, Jon gets stuff too. A groovy retro ice bucket (with the 1960s guarantee still inside) and a vintage camera.


Some Scottish jewellery (complete with the tartan gift boxes)


...and a fascinating 1937 edition of Every Woman's Enquire Within covering everything from animal husbandry, politics, travel advice and beauty tips. 


Whilst there's a fair few vintage clothes on offer I only buy stuff that excites me, like this amazing array of 1970s dresses.


I also found the vintage swimsuit of my dreams but that'll have to wait for another post.

Wearing: 1970s Crimplene maxi dress (the lovely Linda at Hey Homewrecker!), bastard massive 70s Stainless Steel cross (£1, car boot sale), 1960s go-go boots (as before)

...and here's something I wasn't tempted with - the biggest pants in the world.


Jon'll be taking Kinky Melon's Retro Boutique to Bridgnorth tomorrow - alone! I'm having the day off. He's a star, isn't he?

See you soon!

57 comments:

  1. Something about finding gigantic granny panties at a jumble sale - ew. You found lots of great stuff though. That man of yours is a keeper!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love that cross pendant and your paisley legs are knocking me over!!
    Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The gruesome grouse claw! Loving the big pants, make great cloths!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You've been pinching the knickers off my line...lol

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the white Ice skates , great Christmas decorations , love those boots vix they must be so precious to you , wish my family had kept stuff , my dad threw everything out of interest, now he thinks i am strange lol xxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey Vix!
    What a great haul.

    And I have to say, I absolutely love your outfit in the first picture - those tights! Those boots!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Super boots! I love your super mirror wall, so fun!!! Are the ice boots staying then? X

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh how I'd love a rumble in the jumble with you, darling! You find such great stuff (although I might be with Jon when it comes to the light-up rose...) Those ice skates look amazing hung up, the mirror in the bathroom (I'm singing!) fits in perfectly, and the ice bucket is fab. Those old advice/information guides are hilarious, hope you are going to follow the instructions!
    Wow, that's an amazing collection of 70s frocks, and of course, you look pretty fantastic in yours, holding up those pants. Flash those at June tomorrow and she'll have a fit!
    Looking super groovy in your suede mini and your mum's boots. Now - what will you be wearing tomorrow? More to the point - what will I be wearing? Eek, decisions, decisions! Love you! Oh, and good luck Jon, hope he manages without you! xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Just fabulous Vix! I'm hoping to catch our annual jumble tomorrow before I'm due on a stall at the fair. We don't get many in these parts, you are truly lucky. Your dresses look great, I can see you looking wonderful in that green one. I love the skates too. I have a pair for xmas decs.

    Have a lovely day off! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Such a fabulous world and so up my alley, as you well know, my dear Vix
    Enjoy your rest
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    ReplyDelete
  11. The world clearly needs more weirdo nice girls. (Clearly, they mean well.)
    So many amazing finds but the claw pin freaks me out.
    A day off? How wonderful. Jon IS a star.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Bloody fab. There are no jumbles here these days...not a fecking one. When I first moved here and had two babies and no money, they kept us in clothes, books and toys for years.
    That is a wondrous haul. I the love skating boots and the mirror is lush. Spanish tat? Always.
    I'm having a wee snifter before my early night on account that I'll be up with the crack of sparrow shit to take a splendid train trundle.
    See you tomorrow, pet.
    xxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. When i was a kid , my dream was to remake my skates into shoes , removing the " skate part " ...so pretty lace up boots !
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a lot of great finds Vix ! the big pants made me giggle, have a fab weekend xxx

    ReplyDelete
  15. I agree with Curtise that a midweek rumble would be fun. Were I live I've only just started to notice perhaps this year that people are embrace the idea of starting a garage sale on a Friday. Although it's not a jumble sale like you've discribed at least it's a chance for a rummage with less competitions which is always good.

    Love your haul, but I'm hanging to see the swimsuit the most.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am utterly taken with the Grouse Claw brooch and I have no idea why.....

    I would love to go to one of those jumble sales just for the experience (at least you and I would only be fighting over the flamenco stuff). Enjoy your day off; I'm sure Jon will do a fabulous job selling this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Those big pants! lol! You got some amazing things usual. I'd love that book and ice bucket! xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. We don't get jumble sales round here, wish we did.I remember going with my mother every saturday to the church jumble sales as a child/teenager and getting all our clothes there - first pair of leather boots, velvet smock dress, pink hot pants set. You got some lovely stuff this time. Coffee percolator is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  19. You look fabulous in both mini and maxi, Vix! Jon is a super stylish man as well, love that denim blazer! I thoroughly enjoy learning about your finds and rescues, and I agree with you - if to be employed at all, then self-employed would be my choice too. I remember sending my men to shows without me if either I was tired or Anya was sick...

    Your bathroom is a work of art, I am a big fan of brick walls and gilded mirrors on them. It must feel so indulgent to take a bath in there. I think the roses lamp thingy is very much up to your alley.

    It's funny how you call panties "pants" and how the English word "trousers" (of French origin I'm guessing?) sounds very much like the Russian word for underpants - трусы. Languages are fun!

    Enjoy your weekend, my dear! xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love your purple suede mini and your Mum's boots = fab. x

    ReplyDelete
  21. gosh you did well!!!! I think he is a star for going alone, I hope you are well,

    ReplyDelete
  22. Another fabulous haul ... though I'm not sure about the grouse claw brooch ... that's a little gross ;0)
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. OMG those underpants are HUGE! It would take a mighty big man to fill those britches. LOL

    It is the coolest that you have your Mom's original go-go boots.

    You are both looking FINE.

    Enjoy your day off.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love LOVE LOVE those tights -- and if you went to a restaurant that has glass tables, you could look at them while you were eating....

    ReplyDelete
  25. The first and only time I ever went ice-skating was at Queensway ice rink in Bayswater, which is still going strong... unlike my ankles.

    There used to be loads of jumble sales when I was a kid and there aren't any now. Just overpriced pop-up vintage markets, not the same at all.

    I love the vaulted roof in that top pic -- it looks like an upturned boat!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I didn't know there were weekday jumbles!!!! I'll have to keep my eyes open, would love to go to one in the week, such a novel idea. What great finds you have.xx

    ReplyDelete
  27. Gosh I wish we had weekday jumbles around here since I am a weird girl who dresses nice. I need more fun stuff! You and Jon are such a striking couple. A walking advertisement for your wares.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love a sale like this, and a weekday would be so wonderful - for the shoppers, anyway. You look vibrant and lovely as always, and like a wee doll next to those giant pants : > xox

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love a sale like this, and a weekday would be so wonderful - for the shoppers, anyway. You look vibrant and lovely as always, and like a wee doll next to those giant pants : > xox

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow! You had a good day of buying, I love everything, even the pants, Ha! xx

    ReplyDelete
  31. Alright, then! I'll confess I've as little chance of understanding this British fascination with taxidermy as I have a learning Welsh! That gross grouse-claw broach! Aie!

    The percolater on the other hand...

    ReplyDelete
  32. My Grouse pin I picked up at a Flea Market for $3 isn't as wonderful as yours! Looks like you had a lot of fun while looking fab-u-lous!!!! <3

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love those go go boots and velvet jacket! Wish we had jumble sales here. I went to an estate sale today, but didn't find much. :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ah darling I so wish I could go to just one of these! I loved seeing all these delights when we talked they are even better in full color, that lot of dresses- drool!
    Jon is the man for sure and will kill it I'm sure. Have fun with the hot bloggin gang. My love to you all! Ps I can't wait to see you in that suit! Sexy!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Lovely lot of loot! Don't we love a good op shop haul, it makes my week!
    Glad you are having a break, even if just for a day. Will Jon demand one in return?
    Can't wait to see the sexy swimsuit :-D hugs, JJ

    ReplyDelete
  36. It's always fun to see what you manage to find at jumble sales! Love vintage ice skates, skottish jewelry pieces and of course those maxi dresses are fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi my dear!! Your jumble sale finds are awesome as usual, I so wish we had regular ones where I live, I've always loved them but they are so scarce here nowadays. Have a lovely well deserved day off too, what a super bloke Jon is!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  38. Those big white nana pants are hilarious, you could use them as a tent!!! Bless Jons little cotton socks letting you have a day off.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I must begin listening for the whispers about such sales around here because they sound wonderful, and given the excellent things you found, have some great treasures to discover. I love the mirror and ice bucket. I laughed out loud about the biggest pants and the Long way to Tipperary, which is now stuck in my head, thanks very much.

    Enjoy your day off. That man of yours is a dashing keeper! xo

    ReplyDelete
  40. Just catching up with this post whilst waiting for the train home.
    Some splendid stuff here -the skates, mirror and big knickers....what? The grouse claw gives me the creeps and as for the illuminated rose...I'm speechless. Jon looks a real cool dude posing by your rails, hope he did well today. Xxx

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love the gold mirror, can't beat a spot of roccocco-esque stuff! Great finds. I'm yet to discover any jumble sales in Scarborough but already enjoying the charity shops xx

    ReplyDelete
  42. those pants give new meaning to "put on your big girls panties".

    That claw is calling to me in a strange way.........and it's wearing a ring!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    about that song that's now stuck in my head.

    ReplyDelete
  43. ahh all those 70's dresses are so pretty! I want! i do sometimes reminisce about my student/shift working days when i would have random days off that were spent opp-shopping somewhere outside of my local area. Always fun and not busy. Cant wait to see you new bathers!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I love those tights and both of your outfits actually! So cool to have your mum's boots. You sure scored some great finds. Enjoy your day off!
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  45. There's something that sounds almost decadent about a lunchtime jumble sale!
    Oh my I envy your jumble rummages and your spectacular finds. (Think I'm with Jon on the faintly bizarre Tipperary-playing thing though.)

    ReplyDelete
  46. What a marvellous haul! Wow, I have not ice skated in years! I love your tights and what a funny "hippies" sign! There is far too much to love in this post. x :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Beautiful gogo boots!
    Since unemployed, i found interesting stuff at the thrift shops, i go early in the day and about the secret sales i know one or 2 sometimes but nothing like you guys in England-
    The dresses are awesome, i love your wall of mirrors and frames-
    Jon is very, very nice isn't - My man would do the same, aren't we lucky!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Great find Vix. Oh I want those colourful tights that you have on. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  49. I don't think there's anything like that where I live, or least not that I know about. You certainly do pick up some great things! The dresses are wonderful x

    ReplyDelete
  50. Great finds as usual - glad to see you did well against those battling Black Country Grannies! That is an amazing selection of dresses - gorgeous, especially the navy one with the puffed sleeves. Am looking forward to seeing your dream swimwsuit - will this get its first wear in India? xxx

    ReplyDelete
  51. These days i bet it is a real pleasure to go to anything as a punter. Two jumbles in a week with no competition sounds pretty good, and your haul proves it. All those dresses! Jumbles are few and far between here, but there is very little vintage that I have seen. Are there more old ladies in Walsall?! Apparently we are known as 'the hippies'! As in 'they're nice, the hippies. He likes a chat!' Haha! Love you in that suede mini and the rococo mirror is sweet, and that looks like something green and interesting in the pile at your feet, but I confess to being distracted by the thought of your Ursula Andress cozzie! Let's see you in your swimwear, love! Xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  52. Drooling over the frocks but not the claw brooch (it's reminding me of the deer leg we discovered in the guinea pigs' pet hay some years ago - shudder!). There were three jumbles round our way on Saturday and I didn't go to a single one of them. Disgraceful, I know! xx

    ReplyDelete
  53. Those big white drawers are too sexy!! I'm in love with that Scottish plume. Put some rubber on it and make it into a wine bottle stopper!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love what you got - and think it's wonderful that folks throw anything old your direction. No one displays/wears/appreciates it better than you!

    ReplyDelete
  55. jon all alone in the kinky booth ... a rockin' warrior of vintage ...

    ... i get prepared to do a fashion flea market without my john (he will be tour managing the upcoming two weeks ...) ... but the amazing lady from in the ruins of berlin will join me again - FUNFUNFUN!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  56. These black country markets seem like such mythical things! I really want to visit and pick up some sweet 1970s frocks!!

    ReplyDelete

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