Wednesday 13 July 2011

Come Along Ladies & Gentleman, No Reasonable Offer Refused


We've spent today car-booting our unwanted junk to free up one of our outbuildings and turn it back into the coal house it once was. To my lovely non-UK based followers, especially dear Krista, a car boot sale is an event where members of the public pay to park up in a field and sell off their unwanted belongings. They're held almost daily where we live and it costs £7 for a pitch. Nothing is provided by the organisers so it's up the stallholders to display their treasures how they wish.


As you know Jon and I love a bargain and rarely spend more than a couple of quid on an item, we aren't bothered about making a huge profit, for us car booting's all about decluttering and having a laugh at the same time.


Our stall is set up the way all our favourite car boot stalls are, boxes filled with random junk with a few antiques mixed in, so the punters feel like they've discovered treasure when they unearth a Art Deco plate or a Victorian framed lithograph.


There's kitsch-a-plenty.


Can you spot any treasure amongst the trash?


The guy who bought Jon's old Denon hi-fi went home on a bicycle.


Gilbert always get the crowd flocking around us and the other stallholders envy how we can make fresh coffee and eat hot buttered toast when they have to make do with a flask and sandwiches.
An old guy approached us today to say he'd got an ancient VW camper van on his drive that he hadn't used in years and would Jon be interested in having a look?  Needless to say he's more excited than a kid on Xmas Eve.



Whether I'm a buyer or a seller I always dress in my vintage finery, it's a great talking point and I'm well-known by the other traders who kindly put interesting clothes aside. My Kati at Laura Phillips mushroom and wildflower print maxi was a surprise gift from my wonderful friend Curtise and proved very popular with all who passed our stall.

So, how did we do? We've got one empty outbuilding, a full wallet and to top it off a friendly antique dealer told me that he'd a heap of small-sized, vintage clothes and crazy accessories in the back of his van I might like so I came home with some amazing goodies, too.


A magnificent array of hats


 A stunning 1920's silk kimono


Some insane ceramic pomanders


This fabulous haul includes a Dollyrockers dress, a 1960's yellow linen coat, a Peggy France Couture dress suit and some beautiful 1950's wool coats.


We had so much fun we're setting the alarm for 6am tomorrow and doing it all over again.

84 comments:

  1. Go you two! Fancy coming back with all those fab clothes - and the chance of another VW!

    Trying hard not to look at your displays without spotting anything I really, really have to have! x

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  2. You look great selling your goods amor.
    I would hang out at your stall if you were closer amor.
    I would need a canopy for the sun though.A new toy for Jon, love your VW.
    those hats are gorgeous, you have such an eye and luck with people its admirable.
    I see lots of goodies my Vixcita.

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  3. Ooooooooooh, the kimono is so beautiful.

    Your stall looks great, I'd be delighted to come across it at a car boot sale x

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  4. If there wasn't an ocean between us, I'd be there in a jiffy! Good luck "tomorrow"!

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  5. It looks really funny, glad you enjoy it so much! (I would like to be there, I think I would buy a lot of your things!).
    And you look fabulous in your maxi dress, with the orange VW background!
    Love all that hats and clothes you've bought, wonderful collection!
    besos & fun

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  6. oooh that kimono is delightful! I don't think I could do a boot sale every day....!
    x

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  7. where do you live that has daily bootsales?? I need to move there! Your stall looks like a dream, and what amazing goodies you bought home too :o) Scarlett x

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  8. You're certainly the most glamorous car booter I've ever seen... Maybe its the perks of fresh coffee and toast, or just the fact that you're hugely glam anyway. That frock is just beautiful, it looks great on you. Xx

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  9. One day I will seek out your stall. It looks amazing! :) (And I love that dress! x

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  10. oooh loving the hats. Looks like a good day & better weather than we had in Norfolk. You are by far the most glam car boot seller I've seen!! x

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  11. hi vix where will you be ill come along and have a look at your goodies.carole from bilston

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  12. Great finds! I love the kimono its beautiful! Have fun tomorrow xxx

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  13. This really sounds like a fun thing. I would like to sell so much of the clutter I have collected not for a profit but for fun for sure! :)

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

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  14. @Carole from Bilston: We're at Mill Lane in Cannock tomorrow. Be lovely to meet you. x

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  15. I loved the lamp in the 3rd picture with the ball globe-ish light!

    Your set up looks great! Thank God I don't live around there or half the money you had in yoru wallaet would have been from me! hahaha

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  16. It looks like you really enjoy it! Every time I have done it I get annoyed at the general public, I think I'm not really meant to deal with other people I'm too grumpy :0)
    Sounds like a fab day though, sold stuff, and bought stuff too! I really need to generate funds soon I will have to bite the bullet and just do it. Would love to have seen the bloke on a bike with the stereo
    Kandi xx

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  17. Hi my dear-wow, I'm so pleased you had such a productive day, both on the selling and buying front, your hats and clothes are just amazing!! Good luck for tomorrow too! xxx

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  18. Wow, my idea of vintage and bric a brac heaven. Did you sell the Meakin coffee pot? I would have been all over it!

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  19. Totally fallen in love with the very kitsh dog print picture! Looking lovely as always :) x

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  20. I love the kitschy dog print too - did it sell? How fantastic to be selling at a boot sale and still come home with some excellent bargains and the chance of another VW van - you lucky things.

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  21. Damn I wish I lived near you, car boots nearly every day, unheard of round here and I would love to pop by your stall in particular you always have gems!

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  22. The most glorious treasure I see is YOU!!! Looking utterley gorgeous!Fab frock!
    I had the most wonderful protracted dream of being with you and Jon at Glastonbury...it was so nice and so REAL!
    Anyhows,what a blast,a successful and fun car boot sale!!! AND to come home with a splendid haul?!PRICELESS!!! I'm very impressed!
    ONLY you!!!
    LOVE YOU!!!
    Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  23. Vix, your stall looks fabulous, the sort I hope to see at a car boot with all its vintage wonders.
    And I KNEW you wouldn't come home empty handed; just as long as you haven't filled up your shed again! The embroidery on that kimono looks gorgeous, and the hats are fab.

    Soooo happy the dress fits, you look absolutely beautiful in it, as I knew you would! The belt, bag and your trademark jewellery set it off a treat.
    Good luck for tomorrow, hope you do just as well as today xxx

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  24. You always look fabulous, Vix! I'm so jealous!

    I may have to come to your neck of the woods for a car boot sale, if they're held that regularly! They're very rare round here :(

    Great post xo

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  25. Your stand looks excellent! I would probably clean you out in one go! :) Your maxi looks ace, as ever you're stylish!

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  26. I'd of loved to roll up at your carboot!! I did one on Sunday too, selling some of my old clothes and junk lol! Loving your dress, it's stunning and great buys as per ;-) btw love your fireplace and that chair in your last post! Definitely a wise idea to keep the faded fabric, love it!! xxx

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  27. How I would have loved to have seen all the goodies on your stall. Bet you had no problem in selling them.

    Dressed fantastically too.

    I'm not surprised gilbet gets a crowd, he is rather handsome.

    X x

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  28. You are definitely the most glamourous carbooter I know and I would love to come across your stall or one like it at a car boot but sadly it rarely happens in this neck of the woods, I do get some very good plants though. Gilbert it a star; I love it when we are camping and it is raining and we are tucked up all cozy compared to everyone else...evny is not the not! :) xx

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  29. Daily boot sales?? Ours are just sundays up here :o(
    Shame cos Id love nothing better than a rummage whilst the kids were at school!

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  30. My typing really needs improving...that was meant to be 'envy is not the word'...you can tell that I am overworked at the moment...the joys of the boss being away! :)

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  31. How much for the posh bird in the long frock mate?

    Looks like you found some fab buys!

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  32. This is what I call car booting!! You make it look stylish! :)

    I love the look of the kimono, I'm a sucker for them, if you ever think of car booting it let me know. ;)

    Can't wait to hear more about the ancient camper Jon's discovered! A successful day all round!

    xxx

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  33. Was this at the Rugby Club Vix? If so that's one of my fave ones. There's usually a good one at Wassell Grove in Hagley on a Saturday morning and any BH Mondays, and also one at Waseley Hills, Romsley on a Sunday morning which I've heard good reports about. Not sure whether they're too far out for you. There's usually a huge one at Shorthill on the way to Stourport and of course the mahoosive one at The Slough too. If I had a car and the time I'd go to every single one I could find!

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  34. Car boot sales are brilliant for making money and discovering some really cute things. And thank you for the birthday wishes in advance. Road trips sounds brilliant right now. xxx

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  35. I really do need to get around to more car boots - they look tremendous fun!

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  36. ... and it even looks like it was sunny and warm where you are! I've long admired Gilbert - can't believe he'll get a brother (or sister)! Beautiful finds, Vix - totally adore the 20s silk kimono. xxx

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  37. You look the best car boot seller I've ever seen! xx

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  38. Mega jealous of your daily car boot options - my idea of heaven!!x

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  39. Daily car boots, weekly jumbles, I definitely live in the wrong place! Mind you I've found a rag merchant prepared to sell to me at £1 per kilo - happy days!

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  40. What luxury to have car boots every day; we can only manage Sundays round here.
    You look great in that dress, no wonder you did so well!

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  41. Cannock, huh? Til.. when? *checks train times*

    That yellow (shirt? dress?) in your haul picture is niiiiiice. I seriously can't believe how much better than the bootsales near you are than the ones near me or near my fella!

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  42. Awww I wanna come raid the racks! If only you lived closer! xxxx

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  43. I get it car booty sale literally car booty sale...how freaking cool! Thanks for the explaination and the shout out dear! I must find out if we do these here -what a blast!!!!

    I love your dress but I love you in it more :) I also love that you dressed a lil trampy at shows too...what's a lil rock-n-roll with some skin :)

    Owww baby!!!

    XOXO!!

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  44. The whole outfit is gorgeous, quite understated for you (I like the out- there ones too of course) and really soft and pretty. I would love to come across a stall laid out like yours - how thoughtful to hide the treasure a little!

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  45. Oh my goodness all those glorious hats!!!!!!!!! GET ME TO A BOOTSALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    And those dresses!!!!!
    (And am loving your floral number too!)

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  46. i'd love to be there too.

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

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  47. What amazing finds! Enjoy Day #2! xo style, she wrote

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  48. This looks like such a wonderful place! I would spend tons of money here. Your dress is gorgeous!

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  49. I'd like to buy that dress right off you! :-D

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  50. Dear dear Vix . what have I missed all these months of not stopping by! You're looking such a wonderfully glamorous seller.. off to drool at your other posts! x

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  51. You make car booting look so good and so much fun that I'd want to go everyday!! I love the black dog framed picture - The Stylist and I would be fighting over it;)). Hats! Silk kimono! 1950s coats! You certainly came away with some amazing treasures yourself and you looked gorgeous!! Dear Gilbert:)) I so hope Jon gets his mitts on the other combi. xoxo

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  52. You look fabulous but would never be able to wear something like that to a car boot in summer here, I did once and was burnt to a crisp by 8am. Maybe you can visit in Jan/Feb, the 2 biggest carboots in the whole of Australia are on then, one is close to me and the other is in Victoria, looks like I'll be going down for it, wanna come???

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  53. Oh matey, matey, mate, mate I see treasures galore on your stall yes I do.Love those prints too.
    and all those goodies you got I near had tears looking at it all.
    I am trying to psych myself up to do a stall at the school fete on Saturday bet I buy more than I sell lol

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  54. Well, you LOOK amazing as always - that frock is PERFECT on you - and that carboot sale looks like SO MUCH FUN! I would have the BEST time trawling through all of the junk. And I see PLENTY of treasures in your stuff! Oh man, I think I have to move in with you.

    Love, Sarah xxx

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  55. You look beautiful and of course you guys sold a lot because of your good vibes and kindness towards other people and your amazing knowledge of vintage merchandise.
    Best of luck tomorrow.
    Besos,

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  56. this really looks like fun and much more interesting than putting your stuff on ebay ...

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  57. I love the kimono Vix. Perhaps you'll model it for us? Loved the pics you took at Camper Jam.

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  58. I love to experience car booting! I think it´s fun. You look so beautiful in your maxi dress. :)

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  59. Love today's maxi......did not know the car booting was daily.....that is so cool!

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  60. loving your blog! The hippie, gypsy vibe is fantastic!! Following :)

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  61. aww you are so sweet and you look gorgeous in your maxi dress. What a great day out and to come home with a wonderful amount of goodies to makes it even better in my book ;-)) Bless your other half and can imagine how excited he is to, men and there toys and all that ;-)) Hope today is just as good for you, dee xx

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  62. I love a good car boot sale! I only wish I lived somewhere where I could come & visit you at your car boot sales. You look fabulous in that maxi!

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  63. Oooooo I would be lurking around your stall had I been there! It looks so welcoming in front of your big orange VW!

    You look gorgeous! I'm sure you reeled in a punter or two :p

    Jon must be as excited as a little kid! I'm looking forward to hearing more on that story! A new camper would be interesting.. maybe some posts on how Jon fixes it up if he does manage to get it!

    I love the pomanders you walked away with and that silk kimono is AMAZING! xxx

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  64. The hats are fabulous, as is the kimono. Would love to stop by one of your car-boot sales and wish this concept would take off here. I have plenty of downsizing to do.

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  65. Glad you decluttered and made some dough.

    You looked mahvelous, dahling!

    Love,

    SB

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  66. Oooh, I want to see a full-length shot of the kimono!! xx

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  67. Wow, you found some great stuff! Plus you got rid of stuff in the process, job well done! :)

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  68. I'm not surprised you have customers flocking dressed like that - lovely dress! And that silk kimino looks amazing from the detail - I hope you're keeping it!

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  69. You are so enviable, Vix - I think your happy attitude means you attract more happiness and luck!!! ;) xx

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  70. I adore that 1920's silk kimono... its is stunning .. you are a super star really .. xx

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  71. That sounds like a great sale, and I really love the print on your new kimono.

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  72. DAILY car boot sales?? Where do you live again? Is it otherwise known as HEAVEN!? I would be calling in sick every day if I were there...

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  73. the kimono is a winner! I wonder what it might take to start organizing car boot sales in the USA...

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  74. Love your maxi dress, when its sunny enough I absolutely live in them! the 50's coats you scored are a total result!

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  75. Oh fab, I'm glad you had a good day. I love the embroidery on the kimono and that yellow linen coat. xx

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  76. LOVE those car boot sales!! Miss them! Car boots are just not the same here in NZ! The garage sales are good though!

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  77. I adore the pattern and style of your dress I don't usually wear full length dresses/skirts but that is lovely x

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  78. Eeek you lucky thing - the car boots down here are getting really over priced - some chap was asking £2 each for mantovani 45s! xxx

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  79. Love your style!!! absolutely incredible vintage! I would be honored if you would come see my vintage blog!

    http://gypsygaminevintage.blogspot.com

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  80. you look fab in Kati at Laura Phillips mushroom and wildflower print maxi. It's a gorgeous dress!

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  81. I would definitely buy something from you.

    LOVE the kimono! These things seem to find you.

    And can't wait to hear about the camper. The Actor has announced he wants to buy one now. Love you xx

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  82. Hi, just been talking to my mum about vintage and retro stuff, and my little sister who's trying to set up a vintage business. As we've been chatting away, I told her about your website. It turns out that she actually bought the dog print from you at a car boot sale! She recognised the description of you and remembered buying the print from you. What a coincidence! Has really made me smile. Just thought I'd tell you as it's made our day! Emma (and Mum Penny) x

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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