Wednesday 1 August 2012

Going For Gold - Flea Market Finds


 I reckoned Team GB could do with a bit of added support so I dressed in our national colours when we popped into town earlier. It must have paid off, we've won two gold medals so far.


Instead of concentrating on the mission in hand, which was finding my brother a birthday present and topping up on festival supplies for the weekend, I couldn't help but get distracted by the weekly flea market and man, did I score.


I 'd left home wearing a tee-shirt but by the time we'd walked the mile into town I was so hot I had to snaffle this spotty top from a mate's house clearance stall and popped it on in the public loo. I was pleased to discover it was by Coppernob, a trendy fashion label back in the early 1980s and as a hard-up teenager one that I could never afford.


I nearly had heart failure when I spotted this North African tooled leather bag on Vintage Laura's dad's stall because to a travel whore like me nothing makes my heart race faster than the sight of vintage luggage.

I feel the need to dig out the photos from our trip to Morocco in 1992 and reminisce about trekking through the Atlas Mountains, hanging out at the Hotel Continental in Tangier, eating vegetable tagine in Djemaa El-Fna and riding overnight on the Marrakesh Express, dammit I might have to go back and take my bag with me .

1980s Coppernob bustier (25p) and vintage tooled leather case (£6), red, white and blue maxi skirt (Courtesy of Helga), Fringed shoe boots (£7, ex-High Street returns stall, 2008), Spotty neck scarf (Catherine's giveaway last year) 
Hope you're enjoying the Olympics as much as we are. 

See you soon!

70 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous suitcase! I can see why it would induce heart palpitations. Did you ever end up getting your brother a birthday present?

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  2. That bustier is amazing. I really need that in my life.
    xo

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  3. I bloody love that bag, what a fine bargain!! :)

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  4. Oh my goodness, Vix, that leather bag is amazing! I bet you squealed with joy when you spotted that beauty! I do think it needs a trip back home at some point, if you could bear to forgo India for just one holiday...
    Coppernob, there's a blast from the past, I remember it well. What a cute little top, great colour, and 25p? Bargain!
    Like Shelley, I am wondering if you got your brother's present after all the excitement of the flea market!
    Love your Team GB skirt, newly taken in and looking fabulous. Well done to the women rowers and Wiggo, watching the men's gymnastics at the moment, loving it all! xxxx

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  5. Yummy luggage! I bet is smells awesome too. ;)

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  6. hands down u always have the best amazing vintage accessories!! And that skirt is to die for
    xx

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  7. You shall have to continue dressing in the UK colours to get us some more gold medals! It's the only way haha loving that bag too what a find - I wonder what adventure and places it went on and visited in it's former life. The stories it could tell!

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  8. Love the top and the bag is fantastic - great finds.

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  9. Oh Vix! your travels in Morocco sounds amazing. My parents went to Morocco a looong time ago (in the 70s) and I remember my mother telling me about Djema-el-Fnaa square. amazing. I hope to go one day.

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  10. Fab bag Vix! Love the outfit too. It was a very warm day.I`m not surprised you swapped the tee for a vest.
    Dx

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  11. I loved Coppernob, but also could rarely afford it. Le sigh

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  12. 25p!! I love it. Coppernob was a great make. The African bag is gorgeous, my dad has an Egyptian one with Pyramids from 1961 that I love. I normally hate sport on tv but I always love the Olympics. Dig out those photos!

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  13. Wonderful. My gran bought one like it in Tangier in the Seveties when we went on holiday. I had a duffle bag version. I wanted a camel, but there we go.
    Love the skirt.
    xxxxx

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  14. Wowzer bag! And the top is just perfect on you - well done on your finds today. And for helping out the GB team ;)

    >'.'<

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  15. You should get a gold medal in vintage 'dressage'! Love the bag. Keep wearing the colors for Team GB>

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  16. What a find! Somehow I cannot imagine you walking down the airport runway pulling a sensible grey Samsonite trolley... xoxo

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  17. Gorgeous bag! You must travel somewhere exotic with it soon... that's the law ;-)
    Go Team GB! It's been a brilliant day :-)

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  18. Fantastic bag and the top is a complete steal! Where did you get the spinny tree decoration?

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  19. woo hoo! thanks for the lovely comment beautiful Vix. I am back from my hols and catching up with all your antics. I too am obsessed with the Olympics but don't look as glam as you whilst watching it! Loving that bag-it's beautiful and so you.
    Much love xxxxxxxxxx

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  20. Oh pine and swoon, you've made the desire for the ultimate tooled bag more intense, showing off your case.

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  21. Aaaah, I spotted that bag from first glance! What a treasure. Well worth £6 of anybody's money. I would love to see those pictures of your holiday in Morocco. I don't remember Coppernob. Surprising really with a name like that! Your top is a great colour and really suits you and is that Barry M Spring Green I spy on your fingers?? xxx

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  22. What a fab bag and I do love patchwork patterns.

    The Coppernob top is ace too. I had a Coppernob top and skirt set when I was a kid. It was teal-y blue and the top was Ocelot print (the label specifically said ocelot, clearly Leopard print was too common). I'd forgotten about it until now.

    Nikki x

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  23. Love, love, love vintage suitcases, and it's "ethnic" to boot! Great find. Morocco and India? I envy folks that live in Europe, you're so much closer to "far away places".

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  24. Oh amor that bag is splendid! Never seen one quite like it.
    That tank top And patckwork skirt are fantastic.
    Buddy been watching the olympics, I get bores with sports so I just peek in and out of the room.
    Besones

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  25. I am totally obsessed with the Olympics - can't concentrate on anything else! Love that tooled bag, what a find. One of my first jobs when I moved to London was with Coppernob, ahem.

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  26. I wish I could find a lovely top like that for 25p. You did well! x

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  27. That bag is beyond amazing, Vix!

    I wish I had the time to look out for things like these - maybe when I retire at 40, I will! x

    idrivevintage.blogspot.co.uk

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  28. OMG I want that leather bag! I also have a thing about vintage leather (oo-er)and usually make great finds in France but we've not been over this year as we spent all our pennies on an extended visit to our Australian family in Jan/February.

    Sadly our local charity shops have got so pricey (ghastly 90s dreary chain store stuff for £10 to £25!) Saw an old unfashionable Next skirt suit for £30 today. WTF!! (Sorry)

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  29. Travel Whore, well you would be the best looking one I have ever seen!!! The vintage bag is devine!! I too am enjoying the Olies, absolutely love the Horsey one. Britain and NZ got themselves some medals at that, oh and the rowing.

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  30. Ooo great score on the bag its gorgeous! Yay pics pics! I am a nosy so and so and love looking at photo's! Get 'em out I say. lol

    Have a great evening.


    P x

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  31. That bag has vintage written all over it. But your shoes and top are even more lush.

    www.personalautographs.blogspot.co.uk
    Jatinda

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  32. O my fecking GAWD that bag is to DIE for amazing!!! EEEEEEEEEEEK!
    Score of the year?!
    I'd love to see your Morocco pix,G and I both woudl liek to go there one day!
    Yay for taking in that skirt,it looks as hot as I hoped it might!The spotty top is sweet,and in a perfect shade of turquoise!
    Medals? I think we got a bronze in equestrian stuff!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  33. If dressing patriotically gets us more gold medals Vix please keep it up.

    THe leather bag is stunning, what an incredible find.

    X x

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  34. I do like to think that your fabulous style has an effect on the medal-winning capabilities of the UK! You look stunning enough that I bet even I could win a gold medal after looking at you! That bag is absolutely gorgeous, definitely an amazing find.

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  35. Can't keep my eyes off the Olympics, as a matter of fact. You did score big! What a beautiful piece of vintage luggage. You're going to have to travel soon just to carry it with you!

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  36. Oh wow, fantastic find that suitcase! You're looking wonderful as always - love the top/maxi combo xx

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  37. That bag is a fantastic find. Linda xxx

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  38. Oh you look glorious sweetie!!! The neck scarf is such a perfect touch for this cool summery get-up and what luck in snaffling the cool tank top and the beautiful leather bag! Indeed, you may need to return to the land of pink mountains and lug that wee darling with you! I wish I could enjoy the Olympics, all we get are swimming re-runs and stupid interviews - they're the talking Olympics grrrrrr!! xoxoxo

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  39. Oh the bag is fabulous!!!!!!
    You look lovely and summery!!!!! Polka dot top Vix, you know I am smiling with happiness!!!!
    If the Olympics had a wonderful competition for the best dressed and stylish vintage beauties.
    GOLD to Miss Vix!!!!!! yay yay yay!!!!
    Now that I would watch.
    Love v

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  40. I love this outfit - the skirt is so cute on you and I also love the scarf, but then I do love a good scarf!

    That is an awesome bag! I have never really been able to find a good vintage bag for traveling - but mine is BRIGHT blue, at least the colour is fun, even though the style is boring.

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  41. I love your patriotic outfit. You must've helped GB win those medals. That bag is fabulous.

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  42. Oh fark a ducking dyck you look fabularsehole, amor! That maxi is maxiferous and the suitcase makes me FAINT with the gloriousness... and pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease dig out your Algiers pics - I am desperate to see them! And I am still giggling at 'coppernob' because I am very immature. Love you more than vintage luggage! Sarah xxx

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  43. I used to LOVE Coppernob! Only ever managed to buy things from there when there was a sale on. I had this amazing black mini dress, I had some great adventures in that......oh yes.

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  44. Shall dress in yellow and blue - every day ...

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  45. Ooh the flea market! I'm still kicking myself for not picking up some of those earrings, but at least my pretty plate is in the display cabinet where I can see it every day.

    What an amazing bag, and the price is fantastic! A return to Morocco beckons I feel. Love the top too.

    I'm glued to the Olympics, Wiggo is my new crush!

    And yes, we all want to know if you did manage to get your brother a present in the end!
    xxx

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  46. FABULOUS bag - so jealous! ;) Here's hoping your thrifting luck rubs off on Team GB!

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  47. I am so outta touch I have yet to see or read anything about the Olympics. I still wanna see the hilariously entertaining opening ceremony! This bag was $6, shut the front door!!!!! OMG!!!!! SCORE! I have never seen anything like it or as beautiful, it is so you!!!! This patch work skirt is drool worthy on you too! Is it almost festival time or what?! I peeked in on your blog while in San Diego I just couldn't stay away. I miss you sweetie!!!! Seeing your beautiful smile and funky fresh style always makes me happy.
    ILOVEYOU!!!
    Krista

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  48. Oh that suitcase is so beautiful! They just don't make them like that anymore.
    This outfit is fab Vix, I am especially drawn to those lovely shoes =)
    xx

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  49. Wins all round! That bag is delish, you've always got that magic touch when bargain hunting!

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  50. Stunning suitcase Vix!
    Wow
    I scored big as well this week and last went to St-Vincent de Paul and got my loot half price!

    Love

    Ariane xxxxx

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  51. you look fabo as usual. the olympics make me nervous! all that pressure, esp the girls gymnastics. they all look like they are about to have a breakdown at any moment! i can hardly bear it.

    also, love the re-do on your maxi in the last post. what an improvement!

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  52. this bag is a total stunner. i could go green with envy!

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.de

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  53. I just discovered your blog . . . Wow!!! I love all the romantic bohemian richness in your style and your color pallet. There is so much energy and happiness to be have . . . I guess when I'm finished typing this I'll be hitting the follow button. Please accept my warm invitation to visit my blog, hopefully you will see something to make you want to follow me back. if not . . . I'm still here enjoying your adventure through blogging. Have a fascinating day, Connie :)

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  54. You must be a magnet for tooled leather bags, you seem to find them everywhere! My favourite has to be the one with owls on.. at least I recall it being owls.. I hope I'm correct! xxx

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  55. What fab finds and stylishly worn as always - Team GB thrifting gold can only go to Vix! :) x

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  56. Great finds!! I love that bag. While I have not had the opportunity to travel as much as I'd like, I always do a double take for luggage. It pulls on my heart strings. I used it -- old and new -- for storage!

    xoxo
    Lynn

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  57. Have a brill festival weekend. xx

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  58. I love, love, love that bag! It made me think of a hot holiday to Marrakesh as soon as I saw it. Thank you for the birthday wishes and I hope Jon's birthday goes well too. xxx

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  59. aahhh your case is gorgeous ;-)) I can imagaine just how you felt after spotting it ;-)) dee xxx

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  60. AWESOME flea market finds! love all the color in your outfit! you have beautiful style! following you now!

    www.dailydisguise.com

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  61. Hello there Vix, may I call you that? I was excited to see you on my list of followers. Your blog is so much fun. It is refreshing to see someone that is so comfortable with themselves that they can pick an era that they love and live there. I love your style, it is exciting and oh, so, flower child, like. I imagine you as a very light-hearted and fun to be with person. A true blogging sister. Peace and goodwill, Connie :) P.S. thank you for following my blog, I am honored.

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  62. This is the second time tonight I've been reminded of my passion to visit Morocco!!!! I'd love to hear your stories as I admire your finds. Congrats on your winning ensemble. Gorgeous as always. Love you!!!

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  63. Great finds I adore your skirt its amazing,I'm off to the bootsale this week to find something 60's for my party I'm looking through your blog now for great ideas :)

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  64. Great finds as always! I especially love the bag. I've never been to Morocco but really fancy it. I have right romantic visions of wafting airily through souks snapping up bargains and gorging myself silly on tagines of goodness. I'm afraid the reality might not live up to it...

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Lots of love, Vix