And I Would Have Gotten Away With It, Too, If It Wasn't For You Meddling Kids

Yes, blame me. I'm the idiot who packed away all my winter gear last week and should have known better. The UK has been battered by hailstones the size of golf balls, snowstorms, thunder and lightning ever since. Last night's frost was so severe that our wheelie bin was welded to the path this morning. 

Still, my trusty Smurf fur coat kept the Arctic breeze at bay and I was fine when I went out chazzing in my halterneck maxi dress.

 I made this dress last Summer using a 1971 Simplicity pattern and a £1.99 pair of curtains from a charity shop.  The last time I wore it I was made to pose for countless selfies with lagered-up festival goers.  It again proved a sensation today. Strangers raved over the Scooby-Doo! print, amazed that I'd made it myself. At one point 12 people clustered around me, pulling at the fabric and demanding I remove my coat for a closer look after the sales assistant in the busiest charity shop in town yelled "Look at that woman, 'er made that dress from curtains" across the shop floor. 

And talking of charity shops..... we've been busy. Festival season is approaching (hooray!) and we need as much stock as we can lay our hands on. Unlike the vintage fairs where we specialise in clothes from 1960s and 1970s - and often earlier - our festival stock, like much of the clientele, is more fashion-forward so we include clothing from 1980s & 1990s in addition to cool ethnic pieces.

Here's just a bit of what we found today (I've already filled the washing machine twice) - '90s crop tops, 1970s lurex, boho chic, distressed denim, 1960s tailoring, 1980s sportswear, rayon slip dresses and Indian tunics.

Yes, Jean Paul Gaultier for two quid!!! (Currently in the wash, too creased to photograph in full.)

Isn't this Horrockses whitework camisole beautiful? I reckon its early Twentieth century. Isn't it amazing what you can find on a rail of mostly Primark & New Look cast-offs?

Can you believe it? Another pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes in my size! In collaboration with posh shoe shop Russell & Bromley they're on their website (HERE) for £255. 

I dithered about this large framed Bob Peak print for at least a minute! Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by the amazing stuff in charity shops that I go into a daze. Bob Peak was the commercial artist behind loads of iconic film posters (Modesty Blaise, My Fair Lady, Apocalypse Now, The Spy Who Loved Me) as well as advertisements for Ford, Marlboro and 7-Up. This advert for French Line Travel was realised in 1960. It really was £1!

Vintage glassware is ten-a-penny in charity shops and I rarely bother with it but made an exception for these cuties. They remind me of Pippi Longstocking. They're a decent size (I can't be doing with those piffling little shot glasses) and are perfect for our mid-week Lidl white rum and own brand cola. £2.50 for the set.

At £1 I couldn't leave these ridiculously glittery, platform-soled trainers behind. I'll get some laces from Poundland.

Wearing - Me-made maxi, fake fur jacket (£7, ex-catalogue shop, 2011), 1980s Juhani Palmroth of Finland boots, 1950s bag (20p, Car boot sale, 2008), Wooden necklace (Handmade by Tania), Wood & plastic bangles (charity shops)

I'll have earnt that rum and coke by the time I've tackled the gargantuan washing pile!

See you soon (we're trading with Judy's in Manchester on Saturday, come along if you can).