The exciting thing about being a dedicated second-hand shopper is that your home and wardrobe are constantly evolving. You just never know what you're going to come back with when you leave the house on a mission.
At the beginning of the week I had no idea that my dress collection would be boosted by another psychedelic maxi ...
or that we'd be spinning our vinyl on a groovy 1960s British-made Hacker record player, in perfect working order, snaffled from our favourite house clearance stall at this morning's car boot sale.
That I'd have a new addition to my Flamenco doll collection
What a beauty!
To partner the one we already own.
That we'd rehouse a plant in a funky '50s woven plastic planter
Or light up our mantelpiece with some fairy lights
Or treat Gilbert (our VW Camper van) to some fab 1960s Tupperware storage containers.
Second-hand shopping is a slow process and it can take years to build up a collection or find that one special something you're after but how exciting it is when you finally do. Your sought-after, much longed-for purchases will be far more precious to you than something bought off the shelf from a soulless department store.
How excited am I? Along with our friends Lyndsey & Steve at Boomerang Retro, Kinky Melon got featured in Vintage Village's Finds Of The Fair for April.
Have a fab long weekend - if you've got one. We'll be selling our wares in Bridgnorth on Saturday and maybe hitting a car boot or three on Bank Holiday Monday (that's if the weather plays nicely.)
See you soon!
Gorgeous maxi and the crazy cow plates are great !
ReplyDeleteand you are so right about second hand shopping - you never know what you might find and when you might find something .
Big weekend hugs !
Gosh you two work hard don't you! Hope you have another fabulous weekend :)
ReplyDeleteLove the psychedelic cow plate - who'd have thought there'd be one in existence never mind a pair!
Love the main image - you looking fab, a newly-snaffled record player and of course the star of the show (sorry) your gorgeous cat! xx
Fab frock, you look great in it. And how lucky to find another psychedelic cow plate. I have never seen such a thing but I like them. xx
ReplyDeleteHa! I was just having this conversation..spouting forth I was on the excitement of finding something you've been after for ages or the pleasure of the total surprise treasure. My mum has the whole Beefeater set she was bought in the Seventies. She hates them and keeps threatening to get them out of the attic for me! I have a fish version which is just as mental. Going for stupid money on Ebay they are!
ReplyDeleteLove your finds especially the new to you maxi and the Spanish doll. Have a great loooong weekend.
Loves ya!
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Retail purchases just don't give the same thrill as finding something old, unique, different and cheap. (hopefully) Your haul this week is bloody brilliant, how I wish I had a record player like that. I'm storing my LP's in the loft in hope of one day owning one. Your cow plates are moovellous, what a fab collection of 70's china. Love the colours of your new frock and as for your Spanish senorita I reckon she could've been modelled on you!
ReplyDeleteHope you take loads of dosh this weekend. xx
Too right, love! Secondhand shopping is all about patience and keeping your eyes open, it's not slavishly copying a look from a magazine, either in terms of clothing or homewares or decoration. It's such an individual thing, and such a joy when you stumble across treasure!
ReplyDeleteThat maxi looks superb on you (Sleeves! Love!) and I am having a little moment of nostalgia for our old mono record player from the 60s... That gorgeous Senorita looks like you, and like Em, I've seen those Beefeater plates with high price tags in vintage shops.
Get you, the Finds of the Fair - of course you were! Great photo of the two of you - did that lovely 50s dress sell? Bet you did really well (hoping to see you there next time!) Love you! xxxxx
The tupperware collection brings back fond memories. I like how tidy your house is. Things you collect have some breathing space to show off,if you know what I mean. And you look as lovely as ever!
ReplyDeleteOMG !!!, i love your home Vix, what great finds, love the Spanish lady, thank you for your comments on my little blog.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter !!! xxx.
My grandma always bought me a Spanish doll whenever she went to that exotic Spain in the 1970s. Thanks for reminding me. You look fab. X
ReplyDeleteThat's the great thing about shopping second hand - you never know just what you are going to find!
ReplyDeleteLiz @ Shortbread & Ginger
So true Vix, I love that my room is constantly evolving as I find new things. Second hand shopping rocks! x
ReplyDeleteHi my dear!! Can't beat secondhand finds and they definitely mean more than picking out items in a department store. I love your finds especially your maxi dress and cow plate!! Well done on your feature too and have a lovely weekend xxx
ReplyDeleteI spied that spectacular maxi in your previous post and I was wondering if you'd keep it for yourself, I know I would have. You look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI've been doing the rounds at the local chazzas but I have to say that so far I have not been particularly wowed by what's on offer. Hopefully once the car boot sale season starts properly up here, the good stuff will start appearing again, fingers crossed.
I love the psychedelic cow plates and I remember those woven planters from my childhood, my mum had loads of them in the 70s but sadly they were all replaced by horrid pastel coloured plastic ones in the 80s and probably binned, shame.
Hope you and Jon will have a fantastic weekend of Kinky trading and BTW congrats to the nomination for vintage personality of the year award, is it voted for by the public or by judges? Lots of love, Jennie xXx
First of all, this is such a gorgeous dress on you! Colors and pattern, and those sleeves... just a beauty!
ReplyDeleteYou'll be so delighted to see my second cat - she looks like she could be a sister of your kitty! :)
And I always admire your home, Vix! It is made with so much heart and so much vision. You are incredibly talented!
I agree with you. I have a lot of secondhand items in my home decor, and I am in love with English cottage style (which I am going for) which is all about very intimate, very personal space with a character and memories, and beloved things. Nothings can be cozier than that. Just nothing. :)
Thats a fabulous maxi dress Vix.
ReplyDeleteYet more amazing finds for your home, it looks like a real treasury trove. So much nicer to be unique that an off the shelf kind of girl.
X x
wouau, you're brilliant and lovely, and look gorgeous wearing your maxi and putting a vinyl on your beautiful player!, such a pretty picture!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm loving all that stuff, those flamenco dolls and fabulous psychedelic plates!!
You rock!!
besos
I was having just this conversation with a new friend the other day. It's true it takes time and patience. There are pieces I'm longing for to bring into my home. Whilst I wait I make do with pieces that make my heart sore or are starting to see better days. I can't stand the idea of spending a fortune on something that's just there to be functional and not be what I really want. So I'll wait and pray that the thrifting gods deliver sweet surprises soon.
ReplyDeleteFabulous funds Vix, quite a haul for the home this week. I had quite the haul too this week, that I'll get on the blog in a few days.
im loving it all but esp that cow plate. that's what i love about 2nd hand shopping too, you never know what you'll find and sometimes you do find things you never thought possible. happy easter to you vix. xo
ReplyDeleteLove the maxi dress ♥ I've got some lovely stuff from the op shops for the home and it's not take me years to build up an unhealthy stash of fabric lol I'd love a record player like that.
ReplyDeleteNothing I like better than leave the house on a mission, lol
ReplyDeleteI am bored to tears in soulless department store.
Nobody could have hit the nail on the head with such a grace.
Must write a book soon, dear Vix
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Hi vix will you b in Bridgnorth on Sunday as well.carole
ReplyDeleteI just showed hubby your record player and he said he has one, in perfect nick, just sitting at his work! Unused and unloved... Shame he can't claim it and bring it home! I love hour crazy cow plates by the way!
ReplyDeleteBonito vestido!!
ReplyDeleteBesos
I love your home and you got so many wonderful things. Yay!!!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! I love to second-hand shop and my husband loves to be my partner in crime. You never know what wonders await! Muahahahaa!
i just love the enthusiasm that comes across in your blog, it's so much fun! I hadn't heard of The Ventures, but apparently my OH has loads of it so we'll be spinning the vinyl this weekend. P x
ReplyDeleteWe have those tupperware containers!!!! X yes, I adore the mystery and adventure of second hand shopping x
ReplyDeleteI adore the dress, especially its bell sleeves in contrasting black color -- what a find! And that record player has a lot of stylistic character with a great bonus: perfect working order!
ReplyDeleteI do too love second hand shopping. Our entire apartment is furnished with beautiful vintage finds. Therefore it has a character of it's own and not some cookie cutter Ikea cheaply made crap!
Hooray!!
Love you as always, Dear Vix, and have a profitable weekend!
I love that dress ... looks gorgeous on you. I remember my parents had the whole set of those steak plates when I was younger! m x
ReplyDeleteThat dress is beautiful on you! Love those colours. I have also had some good finds this month, not a patch on yours though. You are right, every trip is unique and you just have to go in with an open mind, you never know what is there. My mum has the set of those Coronation Street glasses, we weren't allowed to use them when I was little.
ReplyDeleteYour new vintage floral maxi-dress was a lovely find! It looks even better being worn by you, and I love the look of those satiny black trumpet sleeves. Finding a good vintage record player is wonderful. I'm afraid the needle is shot on mine and I've yet to find a new one. Your Flamenco doll collection is a beauty!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on Kinky Mellon being featured in Vintage Village's Finds of the Fair! Best wishes for success in Bridgenorth on Saturday.
http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/
Oh Oh Oh I love that maxi dress!!! So much I just cannot add enough exclamation points. And the psychedelic cow! Al cows should be psychedelic. I love second hand shopping, the thrill of the hunt and the finding of a treasure. I have to curtail my shopping for awhile because I want some of my walls painted and will have to hire someone to do it. Nearly everything in my home is second hand, though some of it is the handed down from family and thus free kind. I love your patchwork curtains and have been collecting fabric so I can make some.
ReplyDeleteHave a great long weekend!
xo
Wow that dress is Beautiful. Serious jealousy over the record player too
ReplyDeleteHow much do I love that you have paintings of naked women everywhere in your house???
ReplyDeleteYour house is truly a shrine to all that was. It is an eclectic time capsule stuffed full of wild colours and one-of-a-kind creations. Really it is a museum of the imagination. I think I could spend a very long time just looking at all the details of everything you've collected. I highly doubt there are lots of people that can say they have a collection of psychedelic cows, which are quite frankly brilliant BTW.
I love the record player and your stunning maxi. It goes so well with your eyes and long dark locks.
It is true that collecting vintage is a slow deliberate ever-changing process which makes it irresistible.
Have a great show! I want to know if you sell that orange maxi dress with the keyhole cutout...or maybe you're keeping it for yourself : )
bisous
Suzanne
Yep! definitely! my Mum is even into giving me gifts mow from the chazza's, I love it and the girls get me my birthday etc gifts there, I have lots of lovely lead glass, for a few quid!
ReplyDeleteYour new frock is gorgeous! I love the colour and those sleeves are amazing, it's perfect on you! the Ena Sharples cup is excellent btw! good luck in Bridnorth! x x x
WOW! I love that frock - just look at the sleeves! I'm blown away by the fact there is not one but TWO cow plates like that in the world. What an excellent find.
ReplyDeleteThats a fabulous dress. How lucky to find your cow plate and the record player - what a find! Hope you have lots of fun over the bank holiday. Betty
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you about the thrill of the discovery! Love the psychedelic cows, fairy lights and glorious maxi dress. Beautiful tortie cat too. xox
ReplyDeleteYour finds AND your beautiful smile ~ always tickle me pink !
ReplyDeleteHope the Kinky Melon is a great lovely ,prosperous smash over the weekend.
Have fun ~ I know you will !
Hi Vix! I can see how delighted you are with your great finds, its so cute. They have found a great home, thanks for sharing. What a great pic of you and Jon! So adorable;-)
ReplyDeleteSo true, dear Vix. Love your dress and love that you're listening to the Ventures! My Dad was crazy about the Ventures!! We used to gogo dance for hours!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is simply amazing: the print, the sleeves, the colour! It suits you beautifully. And how cool those cow-plates are! Great finds, as always.
ReplyDeleteI love these pics of you...you look gorgeous in that frock. Well done on such fantastic finds! Isn't it a thrill to find something you love. I love the plastic planter & the record player. I hope you & Jon have a wonderful weekend. Xx
ReplyDeleteI had similar luck to your cow plate this week. Not quite as much fun but I found brand new pillowcases that matched my duvet set.
ReplyDeleteHave a fab weekend.
Quite right Vix , going on a second hand ride is like an adventurous treasure hunt !
ReplyDeleteThis week I've found THE maxi dress I was looking for , and when I saw the gorgeous floral multicoloured frock hanging between dozens of other clothes , I immediately thought about you ...
Apart from the dress , I've also caught a turquoise~green~cupper bracelet and some magnificent fairylike baroque earrings , great haul !
The dress is just lovely and perfect on you , look at those romantic sleeves and brilliant prints , a true fairy goddess !
Oh , by the way , your cat looks very much like one of mine ...
Have a fantastic vintage weekend ...
Enchanted greetings
~La Dryada~
You look so lovely in that amazing dress, like the Lady of Shallot or some other romantic figure. I saw it in your last post but didn't realise how fabulous it was until I saw you wearing it. Who is your vinyl loving companion? Is it Polly piglet or Stephen Squirrel? That record player is wonderful. I'm on the lookout for something similar. I decided to keep all my father's records and actually play them. Yes, it's the thrill of the hunt isn't it, and the randomness of what you might spy. Shopping in a field is the best! I was hoping to go on Sunday but we're forecast rain. Damn! Cow plates, plastic planter, tupperware and Spanish doll? Luck HAS been a lady this week. Enjoy yourselves on Saturday. Xxxxx
ReplyDeleteGreat finds Vix! the record player is amazing! Have a great weekend xx
ReplyDeleteYou look so pretty in that first photo. The dress is gorgeous, what amazing sleeves. Not so good for washing up eh? Have a wonderful Easter weekend! xxx
ReplyDeleteI have some of the exact same orange Tupperware' it takes me back to the days my mum did home made tablet and her Tupperware was full of it lol. Have a wonderful weekend. Happy Easter blessings to you both. V xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lucky week you're having … first the lady with all the clothes and now all these fabulous finds … I think you'd better buy a lottery ticket ;0)
ReplyDeletexx
I love all the delicious things you find on your travels.
ReplyDeleteThe record player is brilliant and I'm so in love with your new dress!
Have a brilliant Easter weekend xx
Oh wow! what luck you have! I love your crockery cabinet, so many groovy pieces!
ReplyDeleteHave a happy easter Vix! i have a full 10 days off work! so i might get some opp shopping done as well! xo
2nd hand shopping is the best! Treasure hunting!
ReplyDeleteNice feature at The Vintage Village site. The photo of you two that they included is so cute. Also a bunch of great finds in your post. I can't believe you found the cow plate to match one you already have!
ReplyDeleteThe colours in that maxi dress are right up my street!
ReplyDeleteThat maxi was my favourite of the dresses you scored in your previous post and I'm so glad you kept it. The colours look great on you.
ReplyDeleteHow weird is it that you would find a second psychedelic cow plate - I did not know such a thing existed, but if anyone was going to find two of them it would be you ;) The turntable, the flamenco doll (her little basket!), all such great finds - I'm jealous of the secondhand shopping over there. The appeal is the thrill of the hunt, and not knowing what treasure could be coming home with you, but the treasures are getting very scarce here.
Ena Sharples!
ReplyDeleteMy entire house is decorated in vintage. My house is vintage. My car is vintage. Even I am vintage, he he. Its a fabulous way to live and I really enjoy seeing all of your vintage finds and how you decorate :)
And your ever-turning wheel of amazing vintage dresses!
one day in the garden - and i´m very late here and vix has lots of new cool stuff!!!!
ReplyDeletei use to think that the right things find us......
It's so true, you just never know what might come up that appeals....bloody means trying to find more room though!The cow plate are so sweet, and that record player!!! FabulARSE! That's a great haul from just one day!!!
ReplyDeleteLove Helga xxxXXXxxx
I totally agree - shopping second hand and searching op shops and car boot sales is like treasure hunting to me. I love the flamenco doll, she is a real beauty. Your maxi dress is spectacular and those sleeves are out of this world. Hope the weather is nice for Monday and enjoy your weekend, xx
ReplyDeleteYou are a master at the craft! I find that second hand shopping hones my skills to really determine if a "new" sale or clearance purchase is really worth it or not. Great score on the tuppies!
ReplyDeleteExcellent shopping there Vix. That dress is fabulous on you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful maxi dress! It looks so good on you. Live the doll and cow plates. Your house looks so alive with color. Very pretty!
ReplyDeleteThat spaceship-with-antennae gizmo atop your kitchen cabinet is a marvel! Does it bring in broadcasts from The Beyond...?
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful maxi dress, and how perfect for you! That record player was such a brilliant find. It's rare over hear to find a vintage player that still works! It must have been so exciting to find that psychedelic cow dish that matches the one you've already got, and I just love those tupperware containers. They look just like the ones that my Grandma had whilst we were growing up.
ReplyDeleteYou look wonderful in that dress and I love your finds! xx
ReplyDeleteCan't remember what random thing brought me to your blog, but since I found it I've been enjoying all your wonderful outfits. thank you for sharing your stylish journey!
ReplyDeletewhat a haul! You did so well, I had that very tupperware set when I was just married!I was 18 years old, I wish I still had them! Your dress is lovely an the what a great collection of Flamingo dolls!Have a great sunday
ReplyDeleteI hope your sales at Bridgenorth went well yesterday! Enjoy your car boot treasure scouting on the bank holiday - I hope the weather cooperates. I still can't get over how lovely your newly acquired leaf and flower print vintage maxi with its satiny flared lower sleeves looks. In somewhat disturbing news, I had been commenting on a funny sexy feminist magazine site called xoJane.com (you may have see me tweet #FFs to them on Twitter). Unfortunately I was threatened by very nasty threatening troll calling itself "buggedout" there who threatened to get me banned from fashion sites if I continued commenting. xoJane had an article by a woman asking fashion advice and it seemed to me vintage clothing would have solved her fashion dilemma. I was going to post the link to Kinky Mellon's Retro Boutique but did not out of fear the trolls would follow to your site. I contacted xoJane (which uses Disqus to comment) and the threat was taken down, but two other trolls appeared, one calling itself "TheTimeToStopPostingIsNow." and the other "HelloKitty". They apparently made good on their threat and got my Twitter account @Panty_Buns. Sorry I haven't posted your links more, but I want to make sure you don't get trolled like I have been.
ReplyDeleteP.S.: Is that a Fender Stratocaster in the last photo? I have a feeling Jon is quite a guitarist.
http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/
I agree 100%, the other day on the plane I looked at myself and other than my underwear and socks (free socks from my Mom, I might add) everything including shoes and coat were second hand. On our holiday I bought 3 souvenirs, 2 of which were bought used from flea markets. Blue and green looks so good on you by the way. I would so love to find a nice little record player like that, I find myself wanting to play old blues records and Christmas albums that I find all the time but can't buy as have nothing to play them on.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had fab shops like you do. All our charity shops have is crap.
ReplyDeleteThe new maxi is GORGEOUS!!!
Love the expression on Miss Polly!!!
Upon spotting your Ena Sharples glass I remembered I was thinking about her when I was dropping off to sleep last night. I know, weird. Everything here is a delight to my eyes, you look like you're straight out of a groovy early 70s copy of 17 magazine! Do they still have that now? I loved sneaking a read of my sister's copies. Your frock, doll and record player are simply incredible! Big hugs! xoxoxox
ReplyDeleteI need to come take a tour of your home! It looks so groovy!
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit at a loss for words because that dress is even better than I imagined on you! You next to your new vintage record player why it's about time someone featured your house, I've been in it, it's fecking awesome!
ReplyDeleteThe thrill of the find that is what we get by not going to the mall. I love you Vix
Xxxxooooooo
why do i never buy woven 50s plastic planters?! every flea market i have one or two in my hands ... and put them back on the table. next time i find one i get it!
ReplyDeleteyour's is great ... the flamenco ladies ... and all the other spanish pieces too. actually every single piece i can spot on the pictures of your flat is just fabulous.
Nice finds!
ReplyDelete& I can completely relate with being second hand shopping obsessed.
http://taradoestraveling.blogspot.be/