Jumble Sale Joy

The message left on our answering machine from our 83-year old friend Joan, asking if we'd be able to help her sort out and serve at this month's jumble sale, was just the thing to cheer us up when we got home last Thursday.

She mentioned there was something I might be interested in and she was right, how groovy is this Super Formella dress form? The original owner bought it over 40 years ago and used it regularly until emigrating to Canada last month.

Clothes-wise, it was mostly last years' high street stuff. Its an education to go through all the donations and discover what labels and styles have fallen out of favour with the local hipsters - Superdry & Diesel, Peter Pan collared tea dresses, mullet hem skirts, chiffon pleated midi skirts, faux leather tee shirts, peplum waisted tops, Aztec prints, denim leggings and tops with statement zips.

 Thankfully I'm not in the least bit fashionable and was delighted to get my mitts on the cropped denim jacket I'd admired (but couldn't justify the expense) in TopShop over four years ago. 

Wait long enough and what you want always turns up second-hand. 

 This 1960s broderie anglaise shell top was another find - not by me but fellow jumble helper, Tracey. She chucks the "granny" & "nursing home" stuff in my direction and I throw anything "townie" and "hooker chic" in hers.

This 1960s acrylic knit was in the same bag. I know, me and knitwear aren't natural bedfellows but it fits perfectly - unusual as most vintage jumpers tend to swamp me.

I loved this 1950s Nabisco Biscuit tin, its like a treasure chest from a fairy story.

   

And look, it's full!

This 1960s leaf choker was the best thing in there.

Unlike most of the vintage crew, I'm not a fan of dainty bone china.

These 1960s Portmerion Magic City cups and saucers are much more my scene, pleasingly chunky and full of Eastern promise...all the way from Wales!

To make room for my new finds I removed six dresses, two coats and a bag from my wardrobe and took them straight to Kinky Melon's pitch within Blighty Bazaar before I had chance to change my mind.

Here's some more of our finds, scrubbed, washed, polished and tagged and awaiting for new homes.Obligatory Bloggers Deer (OBD), a wobbly boob cup, a 1960s wedding doll and a Beryl Ware coffee pot. 

The 1960s Lady Sunbeam razor has never been used and works perfectly. I love the 1960s art glass dessert bowls but as we're both hideously clumsy I know they'll be destroyed if they stay with us.

Can you believe we can stock a 4 x 4 metre shop space, a double pitch at a vintage fair and still have a stockroom full to bursting?

Topshop denim jacket and 1960s shell top worn with 1960s Jeannie Jersey, London psychedelic maxi (Georgia-May's Vintage Wardrobe), bastard massive leather belt (50p, Age UK, 2010), Earrings (made by me)

 We've caught up with The Bridge - wow, wow, wow. Even better than the first series. I'm quite bereft now, I haven't a clue what we're going to watch with our rum & coke later.

Have a fab weekend!