I Can See Clearly Now

After a month of living out a backpack and dressing in whatever smelled the freshest, its most perplexing to suddenly be confronted with two wardrobes stuffed with clothes. Do I go for mini, midi, maxi; a skirt, a dress, a catsuit; the boots or shoes; a coat, a jacket or a cape? By the time I'm ready to leave the house the bedroom looks like psychedelic nuclear explosion.

Sometimes I get so perplexed by the choice in front of me that I give up altogether and "borrow" something from the Kinky Melon stockroom. Like I did on Sunday, wearing this early '70s David Silverman dress to work at Moseley vintage fair. 

Every year after living with so little in India, I end up having a massive clear out and donating heaps to charity. The fashion bloggers call it an "edit" which conjures up images of a smartly dressed woman in spectacles and a pencil skirt taking stock and making notes, a world of difference from me in my knickers clutching a can of beer, blasting out Royal Blood and tossing maxi dresses, laddered tights, knackered boots and free festival tote bags across the bedroom.

This is the end result. (The eagle-eyed amongst you might spot that the David Silverman maxi is a keeper).

As Grandma used to say, I can now see the wood for the trees. Maxis with sleeves in one place, separates, mini dresses and sleeveless maxis/catsuits in another. The stockroom is full to bursting and there's two industrial sized bin bags and a laundry basket in the van, ready to be dropped off at one of my favourite charity shops in the morning.

..this is why its a favourite. Last week I bought this Indian table parasol for 50p! (I bet I won't leave empty-handed tomorrow, either.)

I rediscovered my patchwork maxi, Liz crocheted for me last year, which had slipped down the back of the wardrobe and was making sweet music with a Glastonbury Festival programme from 2010, a turquoise wig, a long-forgotten shoulder bag, a box of business cards, my school Prefect badge and an energy saving light bulb.

I was fairly restrained on my travels. The Lamani coin belt is a new addition, the rest I've had for ages. 

Crochet maxi skirt, worn with velvet and marabou-trim opera coat (£15 vintage shop, Birmingham), nylon leotard & vintage leather overnight bag (both pence from jumble sales), 1980s Finnish-made purple suede boots.

Thank you so much for indulging the frustrated travel writer in me. I'm so glad I didn't bore you too much with my endless photos last week.

See you soon!

Linking to Patti and the gang for Visible Monday (a day late!) and, prompted by the wonderful Kezzie, Maricel's Tardis Tuesday.