Thursday 19 March 2015

Booty Call - The Return of the Midweek Car Boot Sale


It might be freezing cold but Spring is definitely in the air. The Wednesday car boot sale is back on and Jon & I can get our weekly shopping fix. Yesterday, with a pocketful of loose change and the alarm set extra early we wrapped up, grabbed our bags and headed off to the countryside in pursuit of a few bargains. 


Jon got off to a great start with a vintage car horn for £1.


Amongst a heap of shoddy high street synthetics this vintage cotton velvet & chiffon maxi dress stood out a mile. The elastic in the cuffs needed replacing but that took all of ten minutes to tackle.


It smelt a bit musty so I bunged it in the tumble dryer with a lavender bag on the delicate setting for 20 minutes and it came out much fresher. The only time we ever use the tumble drier (which we inherited) is for reviving non-washable clothing.


If you're wondering, this is the remains of the Edwardian summerhouse that stands in the garden of my parental home (more here). In my childhood it rotated to face the sun but these days I reckon one over-enthusiastic push will result in a pile of timber suitable only for the wood burner. We've removed the stained glass windows for future restoration.


Isn't this scarf gorgeous? Louis Armstrong & Louise Brooks, shame it's not my colour.


Vintage brooches galore. They'll be heading to Kinky's stall next weekend in Nottingham.


These two dresses were filthy but, despite the raw silk one having a Dry Clean Only label, I threw them in the washing machine on a 30 degree wash with a sprinkling of soda crystals and they came out fine.


As you know I'm a huge fan of Samuel Sherman's vintage Dollyrockers label. Sambo Fashions was his original line, established in the late 1940s. With the Ace side zip, this one would date from the 1950s.


Car boots aren't just about the second hand shopping, there's also bargains to be had with fruit & veg. A bagful of carrots, mixed peppers, cauliflower, red onions, potatoes, tomatoes, coriander and chillies came to a grand total of £3. Roasted veg with Lidl's Haloumi for tea last night, veggie burgers this evening, carrot & coriander soup for lunch for the next couple of days and a huge pot of Aloo Gobi (my South Indian gravy is already made and I'll add freshly cooked cauliflower & potatoes) to last us through the weekend.

Berketex maxi dress (£1, car boot sale), Victorian silver hand mirror pendant (inherited)
They weren't all great finds, though. I also managed to pick up a stinking cold, my first in years. Hopefully a heap of Paracetamol and an early night will get me right for the weekend. I don't do ill.

See you soon.

66 comments:

  1. Uh-mazing haul missus! That dress is gorgeous, as are all the other goodies you picked up.

    Dose up and rest - you don't want a stinking cold for the weekend :(

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  2. Love that dress its fantastic, It really suits you , Wish i could d early mornings xxx

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  3. Hope that you are better very soon Vix.
    I love all your goodies, also each and every post, thank you so much.
    You give this Brit here in Texas, a wonderful taste of home.
    Take care.
    Love from Pam in Texas.xx

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  4. Didn't you do well! We are near Ford where the car boot they have antiques people go on the tele shows happen. Since it got famous the prices have soared but I am told if you go every week there are bargains to be had. The best, where we've got some great stuff including veg, is at Fontwell Racecourse.

    I know it's Spring because the tree pollen is striking!

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  5. What a great thing to do midweek. I go to a secondhand market on Thursdays sometimes. They don't have much in way of clothes really but it's great for a natter with the traders and I have picked up some lovely bits n bobs.
    I'm best going on my own as no one will dawdle round like I do xxx

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  6. Bummer on the cold. Hope you are feeling better soon.

    Love the new maxi!

    Looks like you found lots of good loot. That scarf is brilliant.

    I'm hoping to go to an estate sale this weekend.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  7. Great finds I went to my first carboot sale of the year last weekend and came home with a few vintage goodies :-) good to have them back. I love your new dress and you look gorgeous in it. Also loving the 2 blue dresses especially the light blue dress its gorgeous. Your dinner looks yummy. Hope you can shift the cold before it takes hold. dee xx

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  8. That scarf is great - would even look good framed. I hope you feel better soon - garlic and whiskey are the keys for getting rid of a cold - this from my Ukrainian Mother-in-law, although she uses vodka instead.

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  9. the b&w dress is soooo chic! and you look like a Monet in it!
    you have found some great stuff - cute scarf and pretty bling. i use to wash all my vintage garments, even the woolen. very delicate stuff by hand. but mostly the washing machine does it better anyway :-)
    lots of good health wishes!!!!!! xxxxxx

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  10. Don't you look ladylike in that glorious Berkertex maxi? It must be Spring if the car boots have started up again, and I always love seeing what you find; 1950s frocks, costume jewellery, that fab jazz age scarf, not to mention all the veg!
    Your parents' summer house must have been a sight to behold in its heyday, rotating to follow the sun with beautiful Art Nouveau stained glass windows, it sounds wonderful.
    Crappy colds, don't you just hate them? I've still got a lingering cough after a month, it's been a tough one to shift. I don't do ill either - there isn't time!
    Get better by next week - that's an order! And I'm relying on you and Jon for your usual incisive critique on Saturday night (I might be pissed, there is a post-jumble prosecco session planned...)
    Love you! xxxxx

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  11. ... and I'm not your only fan in our village, Edsbyn ...

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  12. That's a happy smile! The first car booty of the season, it's a wonderful thing. Mind you, you have reasons to be cheerful, one, two, ooh at least three with that haul. Love you in that beautiful Berkertex velvet polka dot gown, so romantic in the parental jardin. Yes, the fruit, veg and plants are great at booties. I never have enough hands for everything. Oh dear, illness. With your cold, Curtise's cough and me not leaving the house for nearly a week now (disgusting gastroentiritus) we're a woeful trio. Get well soon!! Xxxxxx

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  13. Love the polka dots! Am interested in seeing what you do with those stained glass windows. Oh I adore Louise Brooks - have you read "Lulu In Hollywood"?

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  14. Good scores at the car boot sale! Hope you get over that cold quick!

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  15. pretty pretty dress......
    get well soon !
    xxx

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  16. That vintage scarf is so, so gorgeous!! <3

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  17. Sorry about the cold, they're such a drag - feel better soon. Love that blue 50's dress, it's just yummy. And your new dotted dress too - great find! xox

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  18. Oh you are striking in the black and white polka dots!! How I wish I lived closer. I would be one of Kinky Melon's best customers. Wishing you sunshine to get rid of that crummy cold.

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  19. Gorgeous thrifty haul, gorgeous you!

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  20. Looks fabulous. I am in love with that scarf, I've never seen one like that, will you be selling it? I'm counting down to when the boot sales start opening near me. Xx

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  21. That dress is gorgeous and very familiar - maybe my Mum had something very similar. Hope your cold shifts as quickly as it arrived. x

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  22. I adore that summerhouse and urge you to get on with its restoration - well, after you get over your cold, of course.....

    You look quite striking in that maxi dress!

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  23. You had an Edwardian summerhouse? With stained glass windows?? Man, I am definitely living in the wrong country. And not just because you're standing outside without a coat, in green grass with no visible signs of snow anywhere. :)

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  24. Cool outfits & great finds! I love thrifting too!
    I love your blog!It's so unique! Let me know would you like us to support eachother by following eachother on GFC?
    Have a nice day,
    Sonia Verardo
    http://www.trenchcollection.com/

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  25. you fit right in with the summer house. I'm loving the darker blue dress. There's a huge rummage sale happening here on saturday. Treasure hunt is calling my name!

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  26. Ooh I do love that little summerhouse, what a fab photo backdrop! Amazing bargains, even if there weren't as many as you'd hoped for, I have car boot envy!

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  27. Oh no, you've got the lurgy too? Hopefully it will be fleeting like mine....(can't be doing with illness either or listening to people with never-ending ailments.)
    Yay for the first car booty of the year, what a bloody brilliant buy that frock was and it fits like a dream, no doubt you got it for about £2.37? Your veggy grub looks scrumptious. xxx

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  28. I love the dress, I'm looking forward to the boot sales

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  29. Sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather ... but if it's any consolation you look great :0)
    xx

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  30. Really liking that blue pleated dress and the cherries brooch .. plus you look fab in that black and whilet dress :)

    Sal

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  31. I've never been to a carboot but I'd really like to!!! Loving the maxi- you like a minxy Regency lady!! You did well on everything except the cold- sorry about that!! Love that navy 50's dress, really looks lovely. x

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  32. The revolving summer house concept is attractive! Have any photos of the structure when the windows were in situ survived?

    That gentian blue silk dress appeals to me as well. However, the carrot and coriander soup is probably a better fit. Is there a recipe or do you just add a bit of this to that and simmer?

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  33. So sorry your sick! But at least you did find some good things, especially that dress. Just divine! :)

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  34. CHERRIES! I love that vintage pin Vix!

    I do hope you are feeling better soon. A good curry sounds just the ticket!

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  35. Oh, what a great find this polka dot maxi is! A gorgeous piece! The scarf is quite an interesting find, too. Shame you got cold, get well soon!

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  36. Love your dress. Your magpie eyes have picked out some beautiful brooches. Betty

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  37. Great finds! Car boot sales are something that don't exist here but they sure do seem like a fun hunt for treasures. The brooches are lovely and I bet they'll fly off your table on the weekend, especially the cherries!

    Your food all sounds so delicious. Would love to know your recipe/technique for making your veggie burgers.

    Have a good weekend, you two delightful people. xo

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  38. ... Oh, and sorry to hear you've gotten a cold. Hope it takes a hike pronto!

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  39. Of course I love the spotty frock!! Hopefully you will kick that cold in the bum and you will be feeling good again real soon. No time for illness!!!

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  40. I can't believe you found all that at a car-boot sale - I think I must be going to the wrong car-boots! Do you go looking for certain things or is it just serendipity?

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  41. Gorgeous maxi, love. And you look proper fab at the booty.
    No shambling around in fleeces and slippers like many of the Winchester booters! Our local booty is a bit limp just now but I always buy from the fruit n'veg stall even though the owners daughter has a face like a smacked arse and needs to take friendly lessons from her dad!
    Hope you get that cold fucked off soon.
    Loves ya!
    xxxxxx

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  42. Ooh, I haven't been to a car-boot sale yet this year. I do love them though.

    You found so many gorgeous things, and all that veg, too! Perfect!

    You really are stunning in everything you wear! ♥ xx

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  43. Oooh, good finds. Those brooches are lovely.

    A rotating summerhouse sounds like an excellent idea. Did they rotate it to be in the sun, or out of the sun?

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  44. hurrah for car boot sales! you look gorgeous in your mini skirt and fab coat and big hair!!, and I'm loving that summerhouse, such a fabulous and cute thing, and it rotates to face the sun, amazing!!!
    Lovely cotton maxi, those polka dots are made for cheering up the day!
    get well soon, dear lady!
    besos

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  45. Drat! Sorry to hear you caught a cold. There is nothing more pesky than a spring cold. You and Jon look very stylish *and* bundled up at the boot sale...and that gives your outfits an enthusiastic 'thumbs up' from this Canadian reader!!

    Get well!!

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  46. Gorgeous maxi, Vix and such a great buy: if its a pound its sound! I've yet to go to my first boot sale this year, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll find bargains as good as yours.

    P.S. Love those dress labels xxx

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  47. love those polka dots and the edwardian summer house. i can't imagine it turning to capture the sun...how wonderful is that? hope you are feeling better quickly lovely. x

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  48. I loved your title of this post, haha. That scarf is gorgeous! :) <3
    Great outfit, you've become quite the magical seamstress, Vix! x

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  49. Boo to colds, I hope you feel better very soon.
    Good score on the maxi dress!

    I was going to message you earlier then I got distracted and now I've forgotten what I was going to message you about *SIGH*

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  50. I do hope you feel better soon... I'd not be able to part with those brooches!

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  51. WOW! What a haul, hope you feel better soon x

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  52. WOW! What a haul, hope you feel better soon x

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  53. Your cold is just testing the waters and will soon find it. is. not. welcome!!
    Great maxi dress. I would have loved to see you spin in the summerhouse in it. I'm glad you saved the windows.

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  54. get better soon!

    You look amazing in this dress! it's just wow! WOW! I mean it - you look PERFECT!

    Lyosha
    Inside and Outside Blog

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  55. the greens and blues in the first outfit are so adorable ... especially teamed with the leopard print. yeah! love it!

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  56. Thank feck carboot season is on again!
    Dammit, I wish we had them. Grrr.
    Love the frock you scored. I get all excited about the produce too, there's a great market in Lyttleton (when I can be bothered going over the hill early on a Saturday) with produce and vintage abounding....love being able to kill two essentials in one trip!
    Love Helga XXX

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  57. We don't have car boot sales here, sad to say. Sorry you managed to pick up a cold along with a few treasures. Nip that in the bud!

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  58. That polka dot maxi is amazing. Love the coat in the first photo too. xo

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  59. Oh Vix, I missed such posts of yours! I enjoyed every photo here. The dress is gorgeous! Thanks for the tip about the dryer and lavender bag, I needed it! Love the scarf, the cooking photos, the Edwardian summerhouse (yes, I was wondering what it was). Loved it all! xxx

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  60. The dress is fabulous..... I know spring is supposed to be sprung and the daffs are begining to bloom but it's still sooooo cold...hope you feel better!!x

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  61. I think I'd be tempted to frame that scarf - amazing find. The problem with scarves like this (and I have a few with similar great prints inherited from great grandma and great aunts) is that once they're worn, you don't get to see the design at all.
    And SUCH a Vix dress. Perfect.

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  62. sorry to hear about the cold! but the finds are exceptional!

    that maxi is a dream!

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  63. If I were one hundred pounds lighter, I'd be begging you to give me that polka dotted dress!!

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  64. I just love the polka dot dress! What a great find. I hope you have recovered from your cold! x

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  65. Gorgeous dress and those brooches are utterly beautiful!
    xxx

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  66. i'm so curious about this Edwardian summer house! i seem to imagine it as a greenhouse all muggy and warm? I hope it was more pleasant than that... Great find for that black and white dress! Such a good find. And I hope your cold has completely disappeared by now too! xo

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Lots of love, Vix