Thursday 16 June 2011

Alloha from the Black Country

 
Despite the promising start, within minutes of setting off for this morning's car boot sale the heavens opened and we had to turn back. Deprived of our regular Thursday morning bargain fix we headed to nearby West Bromwich for a charity shopping session instead.



Being a down-at-heel area the charities really appreciate everything they're given and the shops are always crammed with stock. To my trained eye I can usually tell at a glance whether there's anything to my tastes but here I have to manually rifle through each and every rail in search of hidden treasure. As, like the rest of the Black Country, it's a town of deprivation and high unemployment, prices are low and there's even a couple of clearance shops where donated stock that hasn't sold in other branches gets marked down to under £2 for a speedy sale.

Here's what I got:


 How I love these insane Bronx sandals (£2.99). I hope it'll be dry enough to wear them at Glastonbury.

A cute 1970's St Michael seersucker A-Line skirt (£1.50), I remember my Mum having one of these .

The books were reduced from 50p each (already cheap) to 3 for a £1, so it seemed rude not to snaffle a pile. After the awesomeness that was Drop City, TC Boyle is my new favourite. I read Douglas Coupland's Generation X years ago, it's well worth revisiting.


Vintage Brutus denim shirt for Jon (£3).

1960's British-made Josam ruffled blouse in sparkly silver lurex (£1)

1970's Liza Peta pussy bow wool dress, 1960's paisley print linen leisure shirt and a 1960's Tricel rose print shift dress (£1.50 each)


Jon says I've got too many pairs of vintage sunglasses so he's bagged these vintage tortoiseshell Ray-Bans (£2.99) for himself, the cheeky monkey.

An ancient PIFCO electric tie press with the original Bakelite plug still attached (50p). I have an inherent weakness for vintage grooming products.


A straw bucket hat, made in Mexico, with appliqued butterflies. I think the lady thought I was mad for liking it so she insisted on giving it to me for free.  


These festival-friendly fringed shorts and the purple suede bolero jacket were both off the £1 rail. I'm not usually that keen on the Eighties but couldn't resist either.


Vintage Hawaiian mini dress worn with fringed suede jerkin (£9, local secondhand shop), clog sandals, vintage tooled leather handbag (50p, Car boot sale), handmade hair flower and a 1970's Viking ship pendant (99p, charity shop)

My favourite find? This 1960's mini dress by Shannon Marie of Honolulu, bought for £1.99. From Hawaii to West Brom, how bizarre!

PS My fabulous friend, the Comtesse received her swap parcel today. Look how gorgeous she looks!

69 comments:

  1. Hello lovely lady, I see you've been shopping;-)
    Whilst I love all the newly aquired pieces - I must sweetly confess that my favourite are those bright and happy yellow sandals. xx

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  2. wow, that's a pretty successful shopping trip! that is so funny that you got the hat for free :) and i never knew there was such a thing as a tie press-too cool.

    and the Hawaiian look suits you quite well!

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  3. gorgeous!... love the outfit its so pretty. love the tan and the blue together, it really works well together
    .. and seeing your brown legs has jsut reminded me that my lilly white pins need fake tanning!!
    charl
    x

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  4. Sunglasses. Great.
    Bronx thingies. Wow.
    Short skirt. Always a winner.
    Those green shorts. Brilliant.

    Great trip.

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  5. That jacket is amazing, I have a passion for jackets and this is a beaut. With the shorts it's perfect festival wear.

    Looking very pretty Vix.

    xx

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  6. Faultless pricing, well done to the people who decide, some charity shops are way off the mark. Really flattering Hawaiian dress, a great shape for your frame.
    I can see why you couldn't resist the 80's jacket, it's gorgeous. Shame you missed out on the boot sale, but you would have missed these beauties if it had been sunny (silver lining and all that!). Lucy x

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  7. That dress is Super Hot! I am Loving those unique yellow sandals! SO FABULOUS!

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  8. i love the colour u are wearing on your toe nails!

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  9. I love the sparkly blouse and the sandals. Also, that bucket hat is cute. That lady lacks imagination but I'm glad you got it for free. That makes it even more fun.

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  10. Ooh I love those yellow sandals! Mental, but in the best possible way.

    I wish the charity shops round here priced things more reasonably. It's a real struggle to find anything vintage or interesting that isn't automatically hoicked up in price. Even the Primark tat is mostly over the £5 mark.

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  11. Putting that jacket together with those shorts just shows your eye for design, colour and beauty - Gorgeous! What fab sunglasses too! Hope you enjoy the Festival, take care x

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  12. Fab! I love those sandals too and that rose print dress is sooo sweet.
    The mini dress is beautiful.
    xxx

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  13. What a fab outfit, love the frock & waistcoat! Some great finds too, the grottiest charity shops are the best. I hate it when they are all colour coded. xx

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  14. I love the raybans and the rose print dress. You look gorgeous! That's a great day's shopping. Big hugs, Em x

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  15. Im am totally loving you in the hula look, you'll make a fabulous rockabilly chick if you ever want to join my clan ;o)

    Are those real Ray-Bans? If so Im a sick with jealously over the £2.99 price tag, you know how much these fetch on la bay, heck even cheapskate me paid a pretty price for my 50s ray bans! Scarlett x

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  16. Oh fab haul as always and at such brilliant prices. My favourites are the Hawaiian dress and the Mexican hat (for free! Amazing). The sandals are truly bonkers but in a good way.

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  17. Woah those shorts are a blast from the past! I had a couple of pairs of those which I used to wear with my beloved cowboy boots.

    My Mum also had one of those M7S skirts a lilac and white one.

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  18. Your finds are always so cheap! All my local charity shops don't sell anything for less than £2.50...although it is for a good cause I guess!x

    P.s Heading to Glasto on the Thursday (couldn't get Wednesday coach tickets) and we haven't planned too much...I hear wandering around and discovering new things is a good way to do it :)

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  19. What a fab outfit and I love those yellow sandals! The red striped skirt is just up my street too x

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  20. Love the dress you are wearing and those yellow sandals - never seen anything like them before, how fab!

    I am loving the paisley shirt hanging up, it is gorgeous!

    ps, West Brom, did you see my ambulance! lol!

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  21. I wanna have a look inside that london fashion book and see what it contains.

    Great purchases you've got here.

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  22. You have the rain, we have the full blazing sun. It is not pretty. Not being by the seaside it is dry heat that chokes you ahhhhhhhhhh.
    We are off to England in July in seach of cooler weather.
    You look fabulous, my dear Vix

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  23. You look good as a Hawaiian gal too, hell amor, you look good in anything.
    I am loving the lurex top and Jons Ray bans. A free Mexican hat how cool is that. hope you can rock out in your yellow crazy sandals.
    hugs

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  24. Hi, you still did well today ;-))I adore the Josom ruffled blouse that is just something that i would buy i love a bit of sparkle. And the red skirt is so pretty. Those yellow sandles well you just have to smile ;-)) And your dress today is so pretty with the ruffled waistcoat your looking great as always. Have a lovely weekend sweetie, dee xx

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  25. OMG!!! So many awesome finds...! Love them all .. But the shorts, floral dress and those delicious yellow sandals are the best!!!

    ♥ from © tanvii.com

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  26. Wonderful finds Vix! I love your mini dress and those yellow sandals are fantastic! xxx

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  27. I love them! I can not resist anything with a Hawaiian print. I'm such a wannabe surf groupie.

    One of my favourite ever finds was a skirt made in Kingston, Jamaica for £1. Found in a charity shop in sleepy Needham Market in the middle of Suffolk. I bet the poor thing didn't know what had hit it

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  28. Love the St Michaels skirt - very summery!

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  29. I've got to get some black country shopping in this summer, those are real charity shop bargains. I love the hat, its so cool.

    Xx

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  30. Great combination and LOVE those shoes!

    An excellent haul from the shops - I NEED to go charity shopping with you soon! Espcially like the rose print tricel dress, don't 'spose it's for sale and fits a 14/16?

    Much love x

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  31. That Hawaain print is superb, love it.

    And the mad bronx shoes are super, let's hope Summer somes soon!

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  32. OMG, I've never seen anything like those sandals - they look like Margiela or something! Fabulous finds all, the 1980s pink jacket is rocking! So so cool! xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  33. Just added one of these pics to my post to illustrate your fabulousness! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  34. Your Hawaiian mini dress is gorgeous, my favourite find of the lot.

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  35. ..... which is also illustrated by your amazing generosity, might I add!! But I thought a pic a good idea too! xxxxx

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  36. the london fashion book looks verrrry interesting :)))

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  37. love that hawaiian mini, you look fab

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  38. Vix, you are so lovely! Have dropped you an email re the dress, let me know if you don't get it x

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  39. Okay those yellow sandals are sooo amazing!
    I love the red and white stripey skirt I need to try and sew myself something that cute! Cause God only knows when I come across something like that.
    60s paisley dress is so cute!
    I like the straw bucket hat too!! So just incase you were worried about it your not mad Vix!! LOL

    Lastly you look gorgeous in that Hawaiian dress! And the sandals and the fringey piece plus the bag just make it all the better.

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  40. Thank goodness the day wasn't wasted and you still managed to snaffle some fabulous bargains!!!
    I'm quite fascinated by the tie press! I would never have thought that there was a press designated just to ties!!! Bizarre!
    Tht Hawaiian frock is perfect for Summer-when it comes!Meep!
    LOVE you long time,Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  41. The green shorts are fab, as is the hawaiian dress. And I love the crazy hat! The London Fashion book looks enticing, let us know what it is like xx

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  42. Great bargains and I love that silver ruffled shirt. I love the outfits you have found for the swap challenge, what a fabulous idea. xx

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  43. Oh my I love all of it. Especially the hat.

    X x

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  44. I adore the dress you are wearing and the flower corsage for your hair. I bought a couple of those today.

    I love that rose print dress but then again you knew I would love that dress as I do love my florals.

    Your whole outfit is fabulous x

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  45. You're looking good in your jerkin!

    I'm a big fan of T.C. Boyle myself. And those sandal/knee socks are most curious. I love the suede bolero.

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  46. Honestly you'd be horrified by the charity shops here, they're such rubbish! I'd never find anything like what you do, it's just not there to be found. Loving the fringed vest, anything and everything fringed suits you so well.xx.

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  47. Vix, you look like a bequiffed Hawaiian goddess! So gorgeous.
    I am particularly coveting the lurex blouse (can't beat a bit of 70s lurex) and the rose print dress.
    Well done for salvaging the day after the heavens opened!

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  48. I just love the 80s shorts and suede bolero! They'd look great together!!

    K xx

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  49. Dearest Vix, as ever an AMAZING haul of stuff!

    You look fabulous in the Hawaiian dress.

    I love the lurex blouse, the yellow sandals! The bucket hat, the green shorts.

    Generation X was great I must check out T C Boyle.

    Are you around tomorrow for a chat? Love you xx

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  50. Going to a hukilau Vix? You'd fit right in with your Aloha wear. I actually am quite in love with that hat. Have fun and hope the weather holds up for you.

    ~Bonnie

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  51. Vix, first of all this outfit looks like you should be here in Miami Beach drinking some "cafe cubano" with me!
    And second, you have such a magic touch when it comes to finding beautiful and cool items.
    My favorite finds are the sparkly silver blouse and those Bronx sandals!

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  52. Fabulous outfit! I love the yellow sandals you found, and I can see why you couldn't pass up those two eighties numbers. Those little green shorts are such perfect festival wear.

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  53. A very cool haul indeed - thank god it rained! Love the way the lady gave you the hat - its very you, but it must be hysterical that the women running these shops wonder why people want the stuff. And of course I lurrrrvvve the silver lurex top and rose-print tricel frock.

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  54. actually loving this look - you look great xxxx

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  55. Those Bright yellow booty sandles look great with your tanned legs!

    My mum and friends have been complaining of rain, rain and more rain around the Glastonbury area! Hopefully it's getting all the rain out of the way now so we can have a lovely sunny festival week! I've made plenty of plans so I hope that the rain can hold off!

    Love the Pifco tie press.. so unusual! They really did have an invention for everything back then! xxx

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  56. I've never seen the like of those Bronx sandals, they're incredible!

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  57. Dear Vix, believe me, you needn't a 38ºC sunshine over you!!, but I wish you a pretty good summer and dry weather for your Glastonbury festival!!
    And you're gorgeous with your hawaiian dress and magnificent hairstyle! and love your finds, all that floral dresses and the pretty hat (really lovely!!)
    besos

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  58. Those yellow boot/sandals are super slick! The tie press makes me want to flatten something - actually like many vintage things that's quite clever. Better (dryer) car boot sale-ing soon.

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  59. Vix I love you, you bring some much needed glamour to Birmingham!!! Love the outfit and your great finds- particularly the £2.99 Ray Bans, I'd be keeping those myself! x

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  60. Aloha amor! You look AMAZING in that gorgeous vintage Hawaiian print! I love the tie press and the pussy bow wool frock and the lurex blouse... you are the op shopping queen of the universe!

    Sarah xxx

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  61. aw! i love love love the little paisley tunic shirt dress. she is too cute!
    you look amazing as always. the fringed waistcoat is fantastic.
    i have everything crossed that the weather clears for glastonbury for you all
    Have a great weekend vix

    xxx

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  62. So adorable. Love the flower in your hair. x hivenn

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  63. Aloha Leilani! You look very nani!
    ...and I'm coveting the shorts and bolero!! OHHH thgose colours are making me twitch! and the yellow sandals!!! aarrrgghhh!!! Looking forward to seeing you rock them as yu do everything else.

    ps. LOVE the pic of Parveen Babi!

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  64. You look lovely and summery despite the weather! Love the fringed vest and mini shift dress! And 2.99 tortoiseshell raybans? Well done Jon!

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  65. I really like your fringed vest, and the yellow sandals are really chic.

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  66. The silver lurex blouse looks fab - the sort of thing I'd pay £40 for in Zara (I'm such a mug!). Need an outfit pic with it on please! xx

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  67. Those sandals are amazing, they look like the only kind that might stay on my feet! And I love the straw hat, I have a weakness for them, I want to see you wearing it soon! xx

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  68. Those sandals are mental! I'll keep the old fingers crossed that Glastonbury ain't too muddy for them - it'd be sad to see them lose their vibrant hue... ;) xx

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Lots of love, Vix