Wednesday 9 March 2011

Spec-tacular Flea Market Finds


Today's the day for the weekly town centre flea market. The BBC weather woman caught me out by forecasting a dry but bitterly cold morning and by the time I'd reached the town I was soaking wet from the hailstorm and overheating from the brisk walk.

Never fear, a damp morning means the traders are desperate to off-load their goods and leave early, which means bargains for savvy shoppers.

  
Vintage faux fur cloche hat with grosgrain ribbon trim.


1960's K Diablo court shoes, 1970's patchwork ankle boots, Vintage craft book with some groovy, typically 1970's projects including guitar straps, head bands and fringed ethnic-style bags, a Welsh tweed glasses case and some fabulous reading glasses.


I've needed reading glasses for a while and haven't found the perfect pair, until now. These 1950's Mafline beauties were 20p and I love them. They'll be sent to the opticians to have the correct prescription lenses added which will cost £20.

A selection of 1970's dagger collar blouses. These are getting increasingly rarer and I was so excited to find three of them. Perfect with vintage flares and my beautiful Swedish Hasbeens I exchanged my insane nautical platforms for with the divine Sarah.



I made this frock from a 1950's peacock green jumble sale curtain and used a favourite shift dress as a template.

Handmade mini shift worn with Edwardian lace up boots (British Heart Foundation), a 1950's crushed velvet hat (jumble sale) and lots of costume jewellery


77 comments:

  1. You're actually a bit of demon sewer as well as a demon bargain hunter as well as always looking cute, damn you, what aren't you good at ;o)

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  2. Those specs are truly fabulous, they remind me of Enid’s in Ghost World. I miss going to the flea market, you got some real gems and despite the unpredictable weather, you look fabulous. Green suits you so well xxx

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  3. Oh I love those blouses, is that a Brutus label I spy?

    And those specs!!! I need some new glasses and I fear I won't be able to find the right kind of style in Specsavers, so I might have to try and find a nice local optician to put some lenses in some vintage frames (if I can find any of them to suit me!).

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  4. Vix I love your dress. Wish I could make my own clothes!
    Dx

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  5. Vix ,Thats the dress pattern that I have been looking for , what pattern is it? Would you mind telling me?
    Thanks for you blog I love it and read it most days.You give me a shot of good old Britishness and a smile with it. Liz2B

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  6. @ Liz2B - I'm glad you like it. I actually created the dress by cutting around a very basic shift dress I got from a car boot sale so no pattern, sorry. x
    @ Miss Peelpants - Yes, the man with a flat cap and a foxy-looking dog is a Brutus. Sadly not a Trimfit. x

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  7. ooh i love that bike print shirt! i wish i suited a blouse :S

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  8. Those shirts are gorgeous! I agree perfect with flares.
    I love those reading glasses. I'm after a new pair of specs so will keep an eye out at jumbles round here.

    xx

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  9. That is such a gorgeous dress, beautiful colour. I need to learn to sew something which isn't a cushion cover desperately.

    Love the specs.

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  10. You have me laughing again...I can imagen you running in the rain.
    I love, love, love the centre shirt, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.I have been dreaming of one like that for ages.
    I asked Helga to start a parcel swaping world wide.She thought it was a good idea, so we are now is her hand. I think it would be brilliant, and fun, fun, fun.What do you think????
    Mil besos my dearest Vix.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  11. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YW3XmHXMPG4/TXeJ1K7k17I/AAAAAAAALIo/WuEUamXLFQM/s400/DSCF0645.JPG

    that picture just makes me so happy! Everything just looks so sweet and stylish!
    'Exciting things to make with WOOL string and thread' :-) yay!

    I have a shirt like that! Good St. Michaels of course haha

    Really nice outfit, lovely fabric. I love the colours and your hat and boots. Glad you found some glasses, they are the real deal- wicked =)

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  12. Now I really love that green dress! And fab specs - lucky you! xx

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  13. "When you're a kid that sees through plastic
    With a harness of elastic
    So the girls all think you're icky
    And the boys all think you're queer"

    A friend of mine had passed me a note in class containing these worthless lines by John Sebastian the day I first wore glasses to school.
    Trust you to sniff out a jazzy reading glass. :)

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  14. That a great shade of green! Looks good on you!

    Tanvi
    from © tanvii.com

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  15. You look like springtime! A gorgeous, deep green spring! Honestly, Vix, you amaze me. Every time I get on here and see something you've made yourself, I feel like my clothes are suddenly utterly inadequate :-)

    Darn that weather woman.

    xxx

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  16. Yummy specks !!!!!
    I am gonna sell my vintage steampunk glasses
    ( Baush & Lomb ) and if u know someone who is a vintage glasses collector, please send them my way ;)
    They are tru Vue 25's.
    Love as always
    Reva

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  17. I type this whilst wearing a dagger collar blouse. I hope you're proud of me!

    You really suit the glasses! How gorgeous are your eyes please? And the frock too - stunner!

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  18. Hi my dear-the specs were an awesome find and look really gorgeous!! I adore your green dress, the colour and pattern is very unique and you look so stylish, as usual!! Lovely finds, the shoes and patchwork boots are great!! xxx

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  19. Oh Vix, this dress is amazing..the green is THE perfect shade on you x

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  20. PS, I watched a movie last night and thought of you immediately !!!
    If you haven't already seen it
    you gotta see " Zombieland "
    it was kick@ass and so friggin funny as well!
    Great soundtrack, too!
    xXx
    Reva

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  21. Love the glasses....would love it if you done an eye make-up tutorial please as your eyes look so lovely x

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  22. Yet again a fab dress made by you. You really are talented, I wouldn't know where to start! Think I really should try harder.

    Love the glasses! They suit you so well and at 20p what a bargain. You never find anything as nice in the opticians.

    And yes Vix, I might die without my crips! I've got a feeling this may be a very long lent! Lol!

    X x x
    Ps love the hat.

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  23. Such a happy shade of green and I adore those reading spectacles and all the footwear. Running in the rain can be fun, but I prefer to do so in tropical countries;-)

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  24. You always find the best stuff. The boots are fantastic!

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  25. Favourite outfit so far!!!!!!!!!!! Love the green block colour!!! And the dress is great - wish I could sew!!! Shouldn't have spent needlecraft lessons throwing thread around the room.. tut tut!

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  26. What a fabulous mini dress. You have such a talent. Well done on all the finds. The glasses are delightful. x

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  27. I just found your blog and have read all the way through, its so fantastic to see bargain vintage found in the UK! Your so imspiring!
    Where do you live, it must be the last place on earth where you can find thigns like this, I have never found anything like the stuff you find!

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  28. That dress is gorgeous,I love the bright shade of green,hat,boots.really,you should have your own boutique.The things you have to do to find treasures amor.
    70's blouses are all lovely patterns.you look so sexy with your glasses.
    loving the diablo red shoes.so envious of all your goodies.

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  29. Your eye make up is fab!

    Great finds.

    I adore the shade of the green dress you made x

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  30. you're so pretty in your green frock and your booties, love the color, and love how you wear it!
    And your new glasses are a great find!
    besos

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  31. Excellent glasses! And what fab blouses, hope we see them on soon! :)

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  32. The glasses suit you so much and I am in love with the blouses! Fabulous finds! x

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  33. I LOVE those lace up boots that you are wearing *drool* x

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  34. Schwing over pretty much every item of deliciousness! Love your frock,sweets,the shpe and colour are superb!Hotness! Your eyemakeup is divine,you look mega sexy secretary in those specs and I basically want to runa way with you.
    LOVE YOU! Helga!xxxXXXxxx

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  35. I'm sure I used to have that book as a kid - does it have a picture in there of someone wearing a belt they've made out of the wool? I used to look at that and wish that I could make it!! Love the green dress too, I'm very jealous! Emma

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  36. I so want to hang with you- loving your finds, and your knowledge of vintage. Doesn't hurt that you can rock any look like nobody's business.
    Enter to Win My Shabby Apple Dress Give-Away- the Citizen Rosebud

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  37. Bottle green is lovely with dark hair. I love your boots x

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  38. OOoOOoOoO green MY FAVORITE!
    That dress is simply gorgeous, it is something I would scoop up in seconds had I come across it in a store. Your whole outfit is divine!
    And I love those glasses you got!

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  39. I love that green dress, you sewing minx, you. It's beautiful.
    I have a soft spot for vintage glasses. I've got a small pile and need to choose a couple of pairs to get my lenses put into.
    xxx

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  40. Your green dress and the reading glasses are turning you into a sexy librarian chick!!!!

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  41. Hi Vix, love that shade of green. I am guessing that you are petite and a size 8/10. if this is the case please e mail me with your address, (you will find my e mail address on my profile page) I had a recent clearout and unearthed something lovely, I tried it on but sadly it's now too tight for me across the bust (34E,sob!)Looking at your posts, I think you will love it.
    XXX

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  42. Great dress and I love the boots. A good excuse for a brandy to ward off any colds!

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  43. Can't wait to see more pics of you in those fabulous glasses. I've never dared wear mine in an outfit pic yet - even though I love them in real life and feel more 'me' now with them on, if that makes sense. xx

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  44. Great finds, Vix! I love me those blouses and your new glasses. Plus your DIY skills never cease to amaze me. xxx

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  45. I LOVE the specs, I currently have a couple of pairs of vintage specs in my eBay watchlist to have as another pair of glasses. I also love the blouse in the middle. You're looking wonderful my lovely as always. xx

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  46. Hello my lovely - what wonderful bargains once again - and wow to those sexy specs!!

    I think this is one of my fave outfits so far - I would KILL to be able to wear something like that - and the colour is absolutely gorgeous. Phwoar! Quite frankly! xxx

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  47. loving those lace up boots.......and those glasses are quite perfect, bravo!!

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  48. I am so impressed with your 'made mes'. I need to find more time for sewing. Great finds too - love the specs! Now what is the difference between a flea market and a jumble...?

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  49. your glasses are ace.. look great on..

    love that dress the colour looks amazing with your dark hair and how much more fab it is that you made it!!!

    clever girly you!
    charl
    x

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  50. I remember those patchwork boots!! I love the red shoes, gorgeous! And that dress - bloody hell you are clever!

    You are the giveaway winner - just about to post it up now! Well done, I will need your address please darling!! thefeltfairy @ aol.com

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  51. Love the shade of green and those specs!!! x

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  52. can't believe you made that dress! amazing! it's such a gorgeous colour :) and love the specs! x

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  53. Ohhhhh how awesome Love the patchwork boots and those glasses suit you so well.I need glasses too but am putting it off hoping to win the lotto so I can get laser done lol Its the vanity in me!!!

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  54. I absolutely love the shade of green on that dress! Another fabulous outfit. The shape of the dress is very 60's mod!

    I love the dummy head you've got that wonderful hat on.. the eyes are very bizarre!

    I wish my town had a flea market! I do live in a market town but it's mainly fruit/veg, butchers, pet stall, jewellery stall, handbags and one crappy clothes stall directed at the older generation so it's not very exciting at all! xxx

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  55. This dress is fantastic Vix i love it with the tights and boots! xxx

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  56. The dress looks gorgeous on you <3

    So jealous of the ankle boots and blouses!

    x x x

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  57. Dearest Vix, love the dress and boots, you look gorgeous.

    Those glasses are perfect! Jarvis would certainly approve. Love you xx

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  58. You look gorgeous as always, Vix - I love that gorgeous green frock and those boots are wicked awesome.

    I am so in love with those specs I was going to email and offer to buy them - now I see you are keeping them and I don't blame you - they are fab and you look AMAZING in them! I hope you find another pair (wink wink nudge nudge say no more!).

    Sarah xxx

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  59. green sure looks good on you.

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  60. Green and brown with at hat. What could be better???

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  61. You need to open ur own store! The stuff you have made is just amazing! love the glasses - never seen a closeup of ur eyes before and have to say you have the prettiest eyes!

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  62. Loving the color of that dress!

    <3 Alison
    alisonscampusfashion.blogspot.com

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  63. You're so lucky to have a weekly flea market, we did when I lived in Yorkshire, but theres none where I live now :( I love the print on your curtains~now dress, looks gorgeous. Amazing red shoes, and glasses too!

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  64. I adore this dress and the colour ..once again "you look amazing" its not that I am not eloquent enough to think of another description but you just do... Love the glasses too xx..xx

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  65. Your sewing skills never cease to amaze me! I love the dagger collar blouses you picked up - love the prints!

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  66. Hi vix,

    That is such a great look on you, im loving the green dress and the boots looking stunning against your dark hair. You are such a good sewer infact you put me to shame ;-)) Great finds im loving those glasses to. dee x

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  67. Love the red shoes and the 50s glasses. I am looking for a pair myself at the moment, I usually wear contacts but the optician keeps saying I should have a pair of spare glasses too. All their styles are so boring and depressing though, I keep putting it off! I need to find something fun and vintage to get my stonking big -7 lenses put into xx

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  68. very nice blog <3
    wanna check my blog?
    we can follow each other if you like :)

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  69. Ooh great EVERYTHING! I wonder if the boots are womens and if they'd fit me?? I totally love them, those frames are superb on you, isn't it great when you find just the perfect thing that you've been looking for?

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  70. What genius! I love that dress you made and how! The colour emerald is what I'm looking for and you look stunning wearing it!

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  71. Ohhhh i love the glasses on you! I have/need glasses too but i just can't get used to them and you know i don't love them so they won't get worn ever. perhaps a vintage pair with added perscription lenses is the way to go.
    You look fantastic in that dress. Love the grain effect pattern...infact it's all very rodarte (get me!)
    xx

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  72. Gorgeous idea!!
    Thanks for your sweet comment!<3

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  73. Love that drress on you - the colour's divine. So peacocky! BUT - you shame me - I really should crack on with some DIY projects!

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  74. Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeech - hang on a minute ... crikey that green dress is the dog's bollocks - abso-bloody-lutely fantastic!! And oh my god, fek, fek, fek, fek, the patchwork boots are just doing my head in - I need to go car-booting with you Vix!!! xo

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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