Bloggers In The City - Six Go Wild In Brum

Perplexed by that tricky between-the-seasons transitional wardrobe? Simple. Give away one of your favourite coats to a friend so you feel justified in buying a second-hand replacement, put said coat on over a summer dress and swap your boots for sandals - sorted. 

1960s velvet opera coat worn with Dollyrockers silk maxi (£2.99, eBay), Helen brooch (made by Tania) and Office velvet boots (£9, 2011 sale) 

I fell in love with this velvet opera coat last year but walked away and spent the evening crying into my beer. When I revisited the shop on Saturday, almost a year later, and it was still there. My £15 was out of my purse and over the counter in the blink of an eye.

It wasn't the only fabulous thing to happen on Saturday either. Forget Peaky Blinders, Birmingham got a visit from some perky bloggers in the form of darling Curtise, Gisela & Fiona (I'd never met either of them before but loved them immediately) and Liz. 

Forget your preconceptions. The decaying industrial city littered with 1960s concrete monstrosities that was the Birmingham I knew for the 15 years I worked there has long gone, the UK's second city has evolved into a cool & funky metropolis boasting the largest library in Europe and shed loads of high end shops and fancy eateries....not that we bothered with any of that.

Who needs bank-busting Harvey Nicks and Selfridges when you can laugh at gigantic knickers,  gasp at outrageous fancy dress costumes and marvel at fabulous fabric and cut-price cosmetics at Birmingham's world famous Rag Market?

After rifling the stalls we invaded Digbeth, Brum's vintage and second hand quarter. Here's Curtise in Credit Crunchers, a bizarre mix of cut price vintage, life-sized wooden pirates and Peters & Lee LPs.

91 Allison Street is amazing, it's cheap, chock full of fabulous stuff and Sue, the owner, is an absolute darling. Nearly all of us came out with a bag of swag - including me with my coat and this insane poodle scarf from the £1 box.

Can you believe Fiona didn't buy this gorgeous £15 maxi?

Poor Curtise was struggling with a virus so we headed for the nearest boozer (Hennessey's) for liquid refreshment and a sit down where we were joined by Pippi who got along with us a treat. We raised a glass to Em who'd had a crisis and had to cancel at the 11th hour & Clare who couldn't afford to come - they were missed.

A pint, a goat's cheese and chutney panini and chips later and we were ready to hit more shops.

People knock Cow Vintage for being Eighties-centric, but that's what the hipsters love. If you hunt carefully there's some incredible 1960s and 1970s vintage at good prices (although at £35 this Vix-tastic bag was sadly a bit too much for me).

But at £6 this backless lurex top was a definite yes.

Urban Village is probably the coolest vintage emporium in town and the rack of 1960s and 1970s sale frocks kept us happy for ages. Frankie, the owner, let me pose on his precious scooter whilst some sharply dressed passing mods obliged by taking our photos.

I bought Jon this crazy Nathan Williams 1970s shirt. I had to, the label said 1966 and that's the year we were both born - a sign, surely?

Gingermegs specialises in high-end clothing from the 1930s and 1940s. Gisela fell in love in an incredible rose print day dress for a not-too bank busting £45 but restrained herself.

This Flamenco coat reminded us of dancing queen, Veshoevius. Made in Torremolinos, no less.

My mate, Daron, recommended the Big Bulls Head so we popped in for a swift one before heading back to New Street Station (being papped on the way!)

Spoilt? Moi? In addition to having a fan-bloody-tastic day (marred only by the hour-long delay for the train home due to vandalism on the line) I got presents. A funky St Michael top, teeny poodle and Maudella pattern from Curtise and a peacock print maxi skirt and some beautiful handmade cards from Fiona.

After a quiet Saturday night in, we were up at the crack of dawn and selling our arses off at Pelsall's Autumn vintage fair yesterday.

Wearing my me-made acetate pants suit under my trusty 1960s velvet maxi waistcoat along with a Mongolian lamb boa and a stack of bastard jewellery

Now I've got to unpack the van.

See you soon!