In Praise Of Charity Shopping

Who needs drugs when there's chazzing? Nothing beats the buzz you get from rummaging through the dross and unearthing treasure. Even if you occasionally come home empty-handed you're almost guaranteed to get your fix the next time.

Retail shopping bores the pants off me, racks and racks of the same old stuff, shoddily made, uninspiring and stupidly priced. Second-hand is so much more fun. Will there be anything that takes my eye? Will it fit? Will it make me feel fabulous? Whatever I find I know damn well I'll be able to afford it and that a good cause will benefit. 

Just like darling Helga, the past week has been chazzing gold for me. I've found this Dollyrockers peplum-waisted maxi and the insane beaded panda bag. (I also have this bag in a drawstring style but I couldn't leave it's big brother behind).

How about this fabulous psychedelic number from a local homeless charity...

...from Polynesia to the Black Country. Mine for a fiver! 

And this suedette fringed cape from a hospice fund raising charity, at £4 it's cheaper than a pint in a fancy London pub.

Today I came back with a ridiculously blingy Formica cocktail cabinet, which will be part of Kinky Melon's display in our Leamington Spa pop-up shop next month. 

This pretty blonde lady by Peter was £2 and already on the wall of random,

as is this gorgeous copy of Rose In The Workshop, signed by Tretchikoff. A snip at £2.

This 1950s poodle money box was 60p

and fits in a treat with the rest of the poodle parlour.

I didn't photograph the 1960s Kings Road velvet jacket by Dandy or the Austin Reed blazer - Jon's snaffled them already. I need to do a blog on his vintage wardrobe - it puts mine to shame!

Wearing: Dollyrockers maxi (£2), beaded panda bag (£3, both Cancer UK)

I'm wearing my Great-Grandma's monogrammed silver brooch today, here she is wearing it.

Jon & I were both brought up to buy our clothes second-hand, that's over 93 years of combined chazzing experience, we can spot a deal at 100 paces. We'd love to share our hunting ground but then we'd have to kill you.

If your local charity shops really are full of overpriced, over-washed contemporary tat why not look further afield? This website's brilliant if you're a Brit.

We've a busy weekend ahead with not one but two vintage fairs to prepare for - Stourbridge and Burntwood. I've a veritable mountain of washing, ironing, mending and pricing - oh, the glamour!

See you soon.