Its Cheaper By The Kilo

I met my friend Fiona from Blighty Bazaar for some bargain vintage hunting in Birmingham yesterday. Credit Crunchers was our first port of call. Already mentally cheap, the staff told us they were holding a kilo sale on Friday & Saturday so I kept my purchases to a minimum and decided to come back with Jon (and the car) in the morning. 

After nearly coming to blows with a man insanely jealous my buy of the day , the most ridiculous obligatory blogger deer ever, we headed off to see Sue at 91 Allison Street, another vintage treasure trove (seen HERE), before seeking refuge in possibly one of the oddest pubs in the city.

The gorgeous Fiona. One of the many reasons why you need to visit Blighty Bazaar.

The barmaid was rendered speechless after I ordered a pint of best bitter - apparently that's unheard of. A man with half his face stitched together let me choose some tracks on the jukebox before he selected the entire Meatloaf back catalogue whilst a kindly man in a tracksuit fell for Fiona's charms and sat enraptured whilst she showed him the fake fur stole, crazy blingy jacket, scarves, dresses, kimono top and blouse she'd bought.

Pink & orange crimplene catsuit from Baboushka Vintage, beads by Tania, bangles from Vonda, nails by Barry M

A man with a butcher's apron peeking out from underneath his Puffa jacket invited me to sit on his lap whilst a Hell's Angel tucked into faggots and peas. I do love a back street pub, never a dull moment.

So, back to Brum we went this morning. We were the first through the doors and were in our element, grabbing all manner of vintage fabulousness from the rails and heaping it up on the counter, ready to be bagged and weighed. I'd never been to a kilo sale before, imagining something akin to a jumble with clothes heaped on the floor but no, it was extremely civilised, just like a normal vintage shopping experience only cheaper.

I'm not sure whether those demented looking mink were in the sale, they're enough to give anyone nightmares.

Contrary to popular opinion its definitely not all nursing home cast offs, last year's Primark and naff jumpers on offer. We got some quality, bona fide vintage stuff. 

 Amongst the 65 items we bought were a 1930s crepe de chine nightie and a 1950s tweed hacking jacket, several pairs of plus fours, Laura Ashley, Harris Tweed, Reldan and Aquascutum. There were hats and scarves from the 1940s and loads of larger women's sizes, which are always in demand.

Look at the size of my sack! Just as well the car was only parked across the road.

I bought this 1970s The Merry Finn Finnish made wool & mohair maxi skirt from Credit Crunchers yesterday, at £2 I didn't want to risk waiting until today. 

Sorry to rub it in, man who didn't spot it first (if you're reading this), but how good does my plastic deer look on the bathroom wall? A bargain at £2. Check out my Flamenco dancers reflected in the grapevine mirror!

Merry Finn maxi worn with 1960s Bukta leotard (20p, jumble sale), fake fur coat (£7, Ex-catalogue shop, 2012), Knitted birdcage bag (£5, Allison Street Vintage), bangles from Vonda, Lamani pendant from Mysore market, Karnataka, turquoise suede boots (Helga-licious)

Another pile of washing which, no doubt, will get even bigger when I get back from the jumble sale in the morning.

Have a brilliant weekend and see you soon!