Friday 25 February 2011

Not MoreTat? Oh Yes!


The Gods of Second-hand bargains are certainly smiling down on me this week. I picked up this frock from my trawl of the town centre charity shops on the way back from the swimming baths this morning.


 Sorry about the poor picture quality from my digital brick camera which I've had since the last century, the bodice is black sequins with a taffeta skirt.


Jean Varon for £5.95? Only in the Black Country! The dress had apparently been hanging in the shop since Monday without a bit of interest.

I left the tags on just in case you thought I was fibbing.

A 1960's size 12 is a contemporary size 8/10 and a perfect fit, hoorah!


I can go for weeks without a sniff of anything good and then out of the blue there's goodies to be found in every shop I visit. I had to come home in the end as I wouldn't have been able to carry anything else.


Two vintage gypsy lady framed prints , a heap of 1950's & 1960's slips (all either tagged or in their original wrappers), suede gloves, leather gloves, 1960's framed patent leather mock croc bag, Mod-ish 1960's Spanish-made desert boots (snaffled by Jon) and vintage biscuit tin.


 A groovy stainless steel 1960's era pendant and polished rock ring


 The most expensive item was the gorgeous black patent leather Kelly bag priced at £4.49. It's suede lined with no maker's mark other than a Made In England tag.


 What kitchen doesn't need a poodle organiser and perpetual calendar? I know mine does.


Here's last night's jumble sale haul. 

Original 1980's leather aviator jacket (are they still in?), Black satin feather trimmed veiled pill box hat, German-made microphone case and a pair of 1960's yellow patent Van-Dal court shoes.


Not a great deal but the inebriated skinheads necking Tennants Super in the queue were worth the 10p admission charge alone. "Yow doe need a f**king jumble sale, you'm wearing a fur coat, you'm f**king loaded, yow am!" (Obviously very impressed with the quality of my £2 Salvation Army vintage faux fur).
They were very helpful, passing tracksuits, nylon football shirts and Nike sportswear that was too small for them, on to Jon, who politely declined.



Don't worry, I do sell a lot of it or there wouldn't be room for us in our house.

There's yet another jumble sale on this evening then we'll be cracking open the globe bar and tucking into home-made pizza. What are you up to? Do tell!

71 comments:

  1. That skirt is pretty nice. Ilove the colors and it looks great on you.

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  2. Wow, lots of wonderful bargains. That dress looks lovely, really suits you.

    I'm hoping the weather will hold for the car booty's over the next couple of days. Have a great weekend!

    Shirl xxx

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  3. Vixcita,
    so many precious treasures amor..you always manage to find the best skirts everything suits you so well..my fave is the Gypsy frames and poodle calendar..the GODS are always with you.the purse is a great find too and new..wow!
    that skirt was waiting for you..hahayy, I picture him missing a tooth while saying all that to you.

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  4. Ha ha that made me laugh, you are so posh! Great finds, last time I looked vintage aviators were ebaying at around £100-200!! Love the poodles xx

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  5. haha your midlanders accent makes me laugh out loud.. my bro in law is from dudley and we always take the mick out of him for his accent.. when his family are up , it gets even broader all you'm and doe !!!.
    i am in lurve with that dress.. absolutley stunning.. ovbiously i would have to lay off the bounty bars if i wanted to borrow it off you!!

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  6. The more I see you in 1970s frocks the more I am coming round to 70s fashions. My Nana had one of those your kitchen needs thingys when I was a child, I got to change the date when I stayed with her.

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  7. aha! At last, I'm not the 99th comment!!!

    That outfit looks really great on you - a perfect fit - and am relieved to hear that you sell on lots of your stuff. I have visions of you and Jon having to buy another house, just for your stuff!

    Do you have a shop, Vix?

    What am I doing? I am making a low-fat mince and courgette thing that should have a low-fat creme fraiche sauce on top. I could only get low-fat natural yoghurt and thought I was doing brilliantly until I realised that I'd mistakenly brought the wrong carton out of the fridge and had stirred in my Greek Yoghurt With Honey instead.

    It's going to taste VILE :-)

    Ali xxxx

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  8. Id like to buy your dress when you have done with it ,.so pleased you found some new buddies lol loved your accent great bargains as ever ...love Jan xx

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  9. Gosh you really did do well! Amy and I have been busy in Bedworth's Charity shops today plus the 3 local refuse tip shops!

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  10. Another fine haul. The dress is just wonderful on you, what lovely colours. Am laughing at the thought of the guys in the queue. Not sure exactly what they were saying cos I couldn't even attempt to say that but I got the jist. x

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  11. the kelly bag you picked up is wonderful! love the colours and shape of your maxi skirt, too. looking forward to reading through all of your posts i missed whilst on holiday! :) xx

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  12. I started following your blog as soon as I saw "Black County" & "Dudley" mentioned as that's where I grew up. I always look forward to visiting my Mum and Dad each month and hitting the carboots and Charity shop. I love Ashwood(the one on the big hill) and always end up filling my suitcase and having to drag it back to Leeds with all my goodies... but its sooo worth it! When it's a really nice day we go out to Studley at Birmingham which is huge, have only completed it once and filled my Dad Mini Bus Van full to the top :) x

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  13. Holy feckomg SHIT,a poodle kitchen thingy!?!?!?
    The Goddess of Sublime Tat was showering goodies on you,darl!!! What a HAUL! I'm fair dribbling over every item,especially the black handbag,and I'm quite taken by the microphone case! That frock is totally divine,Jean Bloody Varon!!! Heaven.I hope the bloody post starts running SOON!!!
    LOVE YOU!!! Helga xxxxxxxxxxxXXXxxxxxxxxxxx

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  14. You do get all sorts in jumble queues don't you? Although your fellow skinhead jumblers sound more friendly than the very grim bloke I was standing behind at a jumble last year who was loudly slagging off some women in front of him calling them "Effing gypsy c*** dole scroungers!..." and so on! I was surprised that a fight didn't break out - my money would have been on the women, they looked like they could handle themselves!

    Moving swiftly on...

    Knowing your love and soft spot for Jean Varon I bet you couldn't believe your luck! And talking about luck, your haul looks absolutely tailored to your style - my favourite item? The polished rock ring - I likes 'em big n' chunky!

    Wish me luck for tomorrow as I'm off on a charity shop binge in Cirencester. P.S. I won't be wearing a Barbour coat, wellies, and pearls!

    xxx

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  15. Ha ha, effing loaded? No, just clever! Amazing buys, Vix, and though one cannot see the clothes too well in the 1st 2 pics one can see your incredible figure.
    BTW, the pendant arrived. Thank you so much!
    xxx

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  16. That dress - amazing! You in that dress - out of sight! I'm trying to think of a way to move closer to you. I could go shopping with you and help you carry your "finds" home! It would beat sitting inside today - snowbound.

    I AM thankful for my laptop always - but especially on days like this. It brings the world to my couch and I don't have to get the car out of the garage.

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  17. Dearest Vix, the dress is fab! Another Jean Varon! All those vintage dealers must be spitting feathers at your finds.

    Love the handbag and the poodle organiser is beyond.

    I am staying in tonight. Tomorrow one of our Actor friends has a Mad Men party for his 40th. I've been told by Kate to go early 60's which is Season 4 (not that I've actually watched it yet). That will be easier for me than 50's which doesn't suit me at all. I have a gold sequin shift dress in mind but don't seem to have the right shoes... I'll throw something together I'm sure. Have a good night, much love xx

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  18. Love that dress - what a bargain! Really like the kelly bag as well. You've obviously found some new friends - perhaps your fame is growing!

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  19. I am up to wondering if that Kelly bag is going on go on ebay!! I love it!

    We are having pizza too but just a little bit for me as a dress I bought yesterday that I was sure would fit is too tight around my thighs. This won't do: I am fatter than I thought, and I simply HAVE to wear this dress. My life won't be complete without it. Will be putting pics up of my finds either tomorrow or Sunday. x

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  20. You surely do have Lady "great bargain finds" Luck with you! Fantastic finds, especially the dress your wearing in the photos. Really suits you.

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  21. Hi my dear!! Another Jean Varon?? How wonderful is that and it looks divine on, an absolute mint find as are all your other goodies, you've been very fortunate this week, 3 jumbles in a week is totally fantastic! Hope you manage to bag some more fab finds!! Enjoy your pizza, I'm having a homemade curry in pittas for tea and then I'll be watching Benidorm later, lol!!

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  22. Another excellent haul, Vix! We had a calendar very similar to your poodles when I was growing up....ours was cats as I recall! Wish I had it now. Have jumbly fun this evening.
    I'm on the sofa recovering from my painting marathon tonight, nice bit of nosh, a drop of Sailor Jerry's spiced rum and some dvd's.
    Have a top weekend.
    xxx

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  23. love the pendant and the gypsy prints! Its 4.45 am now, just doing a quick computer check-in then I'm off to do Byron bay vintage fashion fair, bit of a punishing day as its 16 hours long but usually quite profitable so whos complaining. Have a great weekend.xx.

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  24. Ah, it's so true - nothing for weeks and then a bounty of second hand goodies, all at once!

    Tonight is all about pizza and wine. I'm so excited for the weekend - I'm hitting the charity shops tomorrow and going to a vintage swap shop on Sunday. Hope your good luck shines down on me! xx

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  25. That dress is stunning on you and I adore your aviator jacket.
    You are so slender and tiny, I hope you don't mind me asking but how tall are you? You always look lovely x

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  26. Very Gypsy Kings !! I had a thing for that Kelly Bag and the ring! Like always you were blessed by the bargains gods!
    Have a great and fun weekend!

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  27. Wowzers Mrs!! You look fabulous!! ADORE that dress - lmao at the BC Skins too - Yam Yams Rule!! ;) So jealous of all the jumbles you get to - I think Stourbridge has forgotten how they work!! Have a wonderful weekend xxx

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  28. I really love the poodle organiser thingy ! You do find the most amazing bargains.Is it hard to part with your finds when you sell them on ? I could do with selling some of my treasures but I find it hard to contemplate as once they're gone they're gone , there are very slim pickings on the vintage front here where I live in Suffolk

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  29. That dress looks really lovely on you and OMG I am sooooo utterly jealous of your waist x

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  30. Not fair!!

    [Gives up blogging, runs home, cries]

    Brilliant as ever. Love handbag. I need a slip/petticoat to make several dresses decent - do I ever find even one?!

    You look fab, also. x

    ps. Am really glad to hear you sell some of this stuff, else I have visions of being jealous of the size of your house too!

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  31. Fab haul Vix. Particularly love the moc croc bag! I've been charity shopping in Bedworth today and picked up some bits and bobs for my stall at the Northampton Vintage Fair. I love heading to Bedworth as the prices tend to be reasonable. Well except in one shop where they'd decided to up their prices but not take in to consideration what anything was worth. A hoover that I had a childen's copy of in 1990 was priced at £20?? Strange. I can only assume they thought it was old and therefore 'collectable' X

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  32. I LOVEEEEE that poodle calender thingy! What a shopping adventure you must have had! It's funny how these things come in waves, some weeks you find nothing then it all comes at once! x

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  33. How have I gotten this far in life without poodles to organize me?!

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  34. Wow Vix that dress looks like it's been made for you. And yet again a great haul.

    Hope u manage to get more goodies this evening. Then you can enjoy your drinky poos.

    As for my weekend, I'm off to climb snowdon! The training for three peaks has started. I must be crazy!!!

    X x

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  35. Wow, your dress is gorgeous! Love the story about the chavs, I live in scumville up here and they are def not as pleasant as that! :)

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  36. Oh wow...everything is awesome...and you look like a 70's dream in that lovely dress! ;) Hearts, janna lynn

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  37. Aaagghh you look so beautiful in that incredible dress Vix and man alive, can you spot a bargain!

    I especially love: the gypsy ladies, the poodle organiser and the black hat.

    Fuck me, you look so beautiful in that frock!

    Sarah xxx

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  38. you look stunnng in this dress. this outfit is one of my favs!

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com/

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  39. I'm constantly amazed by the quality of the bargains that you get! I love the Van Dal shoes... I have some Van Dals and they are so comfy lol. Of course, you're looking wonderful as always, the maxi dress is divine. xx

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  40. I love,love this dress. the fit is perfect and it emphasizes ur drool worthy tiny waist! u have impeccable taste and I really think u need to start ur own store

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  41. I love your Jean Varon dress - I remember when that check taffeta was all the rage! That vintage Kelly bag is gorgeous. And the aviator jacket - what a great colour - who cares if it isn't in - it will be deliciously warm with that lining!
    We went to the Opera last night so its a quiet (and cheap) one in for us tonight.

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  42. *sigh* it sounds like you have such an exciting and fun life! that dress is so goreous on you!

    http://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/

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  43. I'm moving to the Black Country ... it's the world's ultimate op shop and jumble secret location. I love the gypsy prints and patent leather handbag - the aviator jacket from last night and the cocktail hat are huge scores!!! Tennants Super! **ralph** I can just see them;)))) xoxo

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  44. Omigod, how do you score these impossible deals??? Please tell me your secret! Or tell the people near me to open up thrift shops after they've retired and collected mounds of interesting stuff. Totally in love with the dress! http://thearcenciel.blogspot.com/

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  45. I was going to ask what you do with it. I got given a few hats - one much like the pill box one you have and I love it. I have accumulated so much stuff lately from my grandparents and lots of other people and need to start selling it.

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  46. My gosh what a fantastic haul of stuff! Love the vintage slips, biscuit tin and handbag (so perfect!) from the charity shops.

    Had a good laugh at your jumble sale banter, I seem to attract conversation from people like that all the time!

    x

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  47. You really hit the jackpot. I love you in the long taffeta skirt. Beautiful!

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  48. Oh yes to that dress. Sequins, taffeta, and a maxi length. I want it so bad. They don't make them like that anymore. What does tat mean? Do you sell your stufff on Ebay? At least the skinheads were helpful. You look so pretty in the dress.

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  49. Gorgeous dress Vix! Love the pattern, it's very colourful. I especially love the silver pendant. Thanks for the advice on the ASOS.. I decided not to buy anything from there, was too scared it wouldn't fit. xxx

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  50. You look lovely as usual.Can you snd the opshop gods down my way PLEASE? And if you ever sell your gypsy girls I want dibs on them lol.Only told Laura this morning to keep an eye out for gypsy girls.

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  51. Aiiieee....I think I must acquire a Jean Varon gown someday. I've loved the other ones you've shown us, and I loved this striking plaid taffeta and sequined bodice confection even before I saw that it was Jean Varon. I question whether they come with 29 inch waists, however, or if I'd have to install an elastic extender!

    The buttery yellow court shoes are delicious too.

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  52. I have a bit of work on the agenda for the weekend. I found as I read this post that you might be a great source for a props person for the film industry. Has anyone like that ever contacted you?

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  53. You look fantastic. And you know I LOVE your house. And your life too! If I hadn't of headed in the children direction, yours is the life I would want to be living. It is FAB-U-LOUS. And YES, aviator jackets are definitely still "in" (and timeless in my opinion).

    I'm up to going to bed. And also envying your finds. I love to read about your shopping!

    much love: kimberellie(with a baby in her belly)

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  54. Holy crap what an amazing haul! I may need to move near you ha ha!

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  55. Vix! Tat?? I think NOT!

    Firstly, you have the best luck with finding Jean Varon frocks! If I ever see one I shall snap it up for you but I haven't spotted one so far. Maybe they were more popular in your part of the world?

    Can't believe your charity shop haul! The jewellery and Kelly bag are the standouts for me but everything is wonderful - what a good day of shopping!

    Hehe, I love your jumble sale tales! I can just imagine Jon looking askance at all the polyester footie shirts!

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  56. - just want to wish you a wonderful weekend!

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  57. Your skirt is absolutely fabulous...

    ♥ Kisses ♥

    http://thrilloftheheel.blogspot.com/

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  58. The poodle organiser is by far fabulous, what is it they say about one man tats is another one's treasure xxx

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  59. Your hilarious and that dress is really fabulous on you! What a find!! (as well as all of the other stuff)lucky you x

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  60. How hot do you look! Love the dress ... and can't ever get enough of your tini-tiny waist!!! Great finds as usual :)

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  61. Omgosh, you look absolutely stunning - lovely dress, suits you VERY well. Hilarious to hear about the funny tanked up skinheads too!

    Tonight? Curtains drawn, logs on fire, home made spinach and feta flatbreads, Series 2 of Upstairs Downstairs and lotsa lotsa lurve.

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  62. That dress is truly stunning, great buys yet again Vix!! xxx

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  63. Suburb dress! LOVE it.

    People who drink in the street can be slightly hilarious in a tragic way. There used to be a cider drinker who would use 'affirmative language' towards His Lordship ('you're a f*****n gent, can tell by yer hat...') in Ealing Broadway: abuse or compliment. It's hard to tell. I did get asked (by a non-street-boozer) whether my Jonelle was real fur, of course not! The very idea (that I could afford it).

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  64. Ooh, the dress is immense - I love it!

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  65. Oh, PS, I'm trawling for a recent post of your as I'm sure you and maybe Alex of Odd Socks (might have been someone else though) got some fab owls with green jewelled eyes recently. Anyhoo, I picked one up today too and it's amazing - going on t'blog this eve). If you know which post it was, will you post me it in a comment so I can take a peek? xx

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  66. And finally - so sad that you've had to move to comment approval :(

    That really is all!

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  67. Wow that dress is STUNNING!!!!

    Sal xXx

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  68. Amazing finds, as usual! I wish we had that many jumble sales happening around Melbourne. And in the evening? That would be great!

    I really love the pendant of squares and your dress!

    xx Claire

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  69. What a knockout haul! So much lovely stuff. Eek - I can't cope with the amazing kitschness - and cuteness - of the poodle calendar!
    xxxxx

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  70. I enjoyed the skinheads story. Laugh.

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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