Parcels Of Joy And Secondhand Delight

I'm one spoilt vintage biatch this week with not one but two parcels of joy arriving with the postman.

Check out my newest silver ring on my little finger!

This amazing ruffled nylon and lurex embellished cocktail dress and matching waistcoat came all the way from Arizona, courtesy of the lovely Janice. The perfect ladylike piece for calling on my friend and jumble sale organiser, Joan, this morning.

Also in the parcel was a cute kitty card, a gorgeous vintage case for my reading glasses, a sterling silver ring and the very same 1960s Barbie case that my neighbours' older daughter owned (and I coveted). This isn't for creepy dolls though, it's my new favourite handbag and the perfect size for stashing a bottle of wine.

Maxi worn with vintage kids' tee shirt and far too much bastard jewellery

Dear Jo sent me this Miss Pat quilted maxi. Not only will it keep me warm (our house is always freezing once the sun sets) but it's got a duel purpose, it's the best sewing accessory ever. The padded fabric doubles up as a pincushion and the quilting makes it the perfect knee protector when I'm scrabbling around on the floor cutting out pattern pieces. 

Did I mention second-hand? Of course I did. What blog post of mine doesn't?!

From Wednesday's car boot sale I came away with 15 vintage vinyl albums, a pair of Holkham Pottery "owl" mugs and matching cream jug, a 1970s split level table and two handmade 1960s cushions and still got change from a fiver.

 An Eighties crushed velvet leotard (perfect as a warm layer under a maxi dress), a 1970s girl guide tee shirt (child's tee shirts are nice and tight, just the way I like 'em), a Welsh Tapestry suit (destined for the Kinky Melon Autumn stock) and a 1970s Indian cheesecloth caftan. All but the suit were 20p each.

 Five pots of pansies for a quid.

Antique leather gloves, how gorgeous are the acorn embellished ones? (Shame I've got hands the size of a navvy). 1970s brocade platforms and a S Fox & Co. Paragon umbrella (the brand used by John Steed in 1960s cult TV series, The Avengers)

The reason I called on Joan earlier is because she'd had a wedding dress donated and hoped I'd be able to sell it. Now I'm as interested in weddings as I am nuclear physics but have to concede that this dress is beautiful (and a much sought after larger size, too). It was worn in 1964 at St Lawrence's in Darlaston and the couple are still happily married. Not bad going for something almost fifty years old. 

When we were in the church hall we spotted this 1970s New Home 632 lurking up the corner. Jon used my sewing machine to take in some trousers last week and has moaned ever since about how crap it is, how the feed doesn't work, that the tension's gone to pot and the light's knackered so we made a donation to the church roof fund and he came away happy. The blind hem setting should finish my current project off a treat (that's if I can make head or tail of the instruction manual).

1970s two-piece worn with candy-coloured platforms (£5, local boutique), Ted Lapidus vintage sunnies (£1.95, Acorns) and my beaded peacock bag that's been missing for months

Gilbert & Jon are ready for Glasto but I'm not. I've got four days to get my shit together, finish my sewing projects and pack my bags (as well as squeeze Liz's birthday celebrations, an 18th party and a photo shoot into the mix).

Have a great weekend.