Remember that parcel of vintage clothes fellow blogger Katie sent me back in the Summer? I thought I'd give this amazing silk brocade coat an outing when we popped over to B&Q (the DIY superstore) this morning.
Some label porn for my fellow vintage fans.
I should really have polished these vintage 1960s go-go boots before snapping a photo. I bought them from a car boot sale in the early 2000s and they used to feature regularly on the blog. I dropped them off with our fabulous independent cobbler last week as they needed reheeling and he only charged me £5.95 - bargain!
Of course, we couldn't just buy the DIY bits we'd gone for, we had to leave with a coconut palm as well (well it was reduced by 50%...it would have been rude not to!)
Our house looks more like a jungle by the week!
Here's a few more recent charity shop finds, all destined for the stockroom, with the exception of this gorgeous hand-rolled silk scarf featuring the Morris & Co. Compton print which, by coincidence, I found in our local Compton Hospice charity shop. The Wolverhampton-based hospice is based at Compton Hall where William Morris once stayed. Can you believe it was only 75p?
Other finds include this silk chiffon 1950s cocktail dress...
And the holy grail of vintage knitwear, a Pendleton cardi, made in Portland, Oregon.
There's also a 1990s bias cut chiffon maxi, a 1980s mohair cardi, a 1980s shell top, a 1960s suede jerkin, a 1970s midi skirt by A Line Jayne, a Simon Ellis 1960s trippy kimono wrap top, a 1980s C&A parka, a 1960s crepe baby doll mini dress, a 1980s Indian silk and bugle bead butterfly dress (I sell lots of the tops, this is the first dress I've ever come across) and a 1980s ILGWU snazzy leisure shirt.
Jon bought Alan Bennett's Writing Home for 50p and when we got home discovered that it was a signed edition.
A couple of days later I picked up this book for £2, telling the true story of the friendship between former Bond Girl, Fiona Fullerton, who played a soviet spy in A View to a Kill and the suspected Soviet spy, Alexander Alexandrowicz and, yet again, I didn't realise it had been signed by Fiona Fullerton until I got it home!
Charity shopping, the gift that keeps on giving!
In cat news, the cat who we've always thought to be the community cat (and William's brother) Gordon isn't Gordon at all! He was lounging in William's catio this morning when we were chatting to the neighbours who care for the local cat colony and when we showed them how settled he was told us that he wasn't the cat they know as Gordon and had never seen him before! He's not chipped and isn't neutered....
He's spent the last few nights sleeping in the catio and we're pretty sure it won't be long before he joins us indoors. But now we've discovered that he's not Gordon what on earth do we call him?
And on to another subject...films! Last night we saw the mind-bending, absurdist black comedy Bugonia at Walsall Light. Directed by the creative genius that is Yorgos "Poor Things" Lanthimos, it's about rurally isolated, conspiracy-obsessed cousins who kidnap the CEO of a major company when they become convinced that she's an alien who wants to destroy the world.
The performances of Emma Stone (who plays kidnapped executive, Rebecca Fowler) and Jesse Plemons (who plays Teddy who, mistrustful of mainstream media, falls down a rabbit hole of capitalist and elitist conspiracies) are utterly mesmerising.
Catch it if you can!
I'm off to comfort the cats. First it was Diwali, then Vaisakhi and tonight it's Guy Fawkes. With a fortnight of 'seemingly incessant fireworks, I'm begining to think we're in The Somme.
See you soon.
ReplyDeleteSensational outfits, I love the boots. You have some amazing treasures in your closet. The signed book is my highlight today, it's really special.
Such a handsome fellow, a tuxedo cat. James, maybe, after James Bond. :)
I was very excited to discover that the book was signed, it mkaes it very special!
DeleteJames is such a good suggestion, I'm going to see what he think of it! xxx
Hi Vix. How about Morris? Thinking you've got a William Woolberforce and you could have a Morris William (in homage to William Morris :) Louise (Mids) X x x
ReplyDeleteHello, Louise! Morris is on the list - great minds think alike. We've eliminated Pablo, Gary and Neville, he wasn't impressed when Jon tried them out on him! xxx
DeleteGreat charity shop purchases. I have bought two signed books from charity shops, one Elizabeth David's (cookery writer) autobiography and the other Quant by Quant, Mary Quant's autobiography. Both for pennies. Pretty good 👍 Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteWow, Sue! Elizabeth David and Mary Quant, those are incredibly good finds! xxx
DeleteHe's not Gordon, but isn't he a gorgeous boy! Bugonia would be a good name!
ReplyDeleteYou always find such good stuff, Vix! If I were in your business, I'd buy up all the Pendleton I see here (so much of it).
Amazing to find inscribed copies of those books!
Hello, Sheila! Not Gordon is such a gorgeous boy, even better now he's been wormed, deflea-ed and well fed - he's becoming a chonk! I shall try all these name suggestions and see what he likes best!
DeleteThose Pendleton "Dude" cardis are £365 to buy new here! If you find them in thrift shops you really do need to buy them! xxx
Is he a 'cuckoo in the nest'?
ReplyDeleteHello Marty, he's not been neutered or chippped and is so nervous around people so I don't think he's anyone's pet and none of the neighbours recognise him but cats can be very crafty! xxx
DeleteSigned books are such an incredible find and one of my all time favorites. The scarf is stunning! What a steal for less than a pound note. I've got a soft spot for tuxedo cats, I'm thinking he looks like a regal Theodore aka Teddy or Theo. Perhaps he is a Barnaby or even a Jasper. He is quite a refined gentleman none the less. Here's to hoping he joins the indoor family very soon.
ReplyDeleteHello Audra! Signed books are so special, aren't they? A friend met Jo Nesbo a few yeras ago and got him to inscribe a book for me, I was so excited, I love Harry Hole!
DeleteJasper and Theodore/Theo/Teddy are all excellent suggestions especially as Teddy was on eof the central characters in Bugonia the other night. I'll add them to the list!
I love that scarf, too - I seem to have a scarf moment at the same time every year! xxx
He looks like an Arthur to me. Regardless of his name, he's a very handsome chap.
ReplyDeleteYou really are the queen of the charity shops, Vix. I dont know how you find these treasures. Xx
Artur, another great suggestion, thanks, Jules!
DeleteThose cardis still retail at £365 - charity shops never cease to amaze me! xxx
HI vix, what about Eliot? As in T.S., he famously wrote about cats didn't he? I love your purple skirt and that 1950's cocktail dress is right up my strasse, beautiful. (it's Shelagh here BTW)
ReplyDeleteHello Shelagh! That's a good idea. I had to study The Wasteland for A level English Literature, I remember being amzed when I discovered TS Elliot had also written Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, I loved that as a child (and detested The Wasteland!) xxx
DeleteFake Gordon (like Flash Gordon!) is very handsome!
ReplyDeleteYour new silk coat is very pretty and the new finds are super!! I love the signed books-- tis always exciting to find one. I found 3 signed copies of a great children's book for school recently at only 50p each! The Ayesha Davar blouse goes beautifully with the velvet skirt. The regeeling was a bargain!
Aha ... maybe that is his name 'Flash'. :-)
DeleteThe cat we thought it was is one of a pair, his brother is called Flash because he's identical but for a white streak in his side! Maybe he could be Ming the Merciless!
DeleteThat was a good find with the kids' books, Kezzie! I'm amazed that the shops don't check for signed editions! xxx
So many treasures in your finds at the charity shops! I adore those boots and such a great skirt! Wonderful books. All we seem to find these days are Vegan cookbooks!
ReplyDeleteMaybe he could just be Gordy! Although, he makes me think of my Casper...who liked to rule the roost as they say. Perhaps he is Gordon's brother. Thanks for your comments and inspiring posts💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
You're right about vegan books in charity shops, Ellie! Ours are full of them - usually with really complicated and long-winded recipes! xxx
DeleteGreat light in your bedroom! Sad that the day formerly known as Gordon will no longer be a Gordon! There's an old Scottish song that goes 'A Gordon for you, a Gordon for me, if you're no(not) a Gordon you're no use to me!' Been singing it all my life! Ps fell asleep during Shetland so obviously it was anything but rivetting!!
ReplyDeleteThere's about three days a year when the light in the bedroom is good - it's been like a cave this last week!
DeleteI don't know that song - I'll have to look it up and sing it at Not Gordon - beats "Gordon is a Moron!"
Oh dear, that's not inspiring me to give Shetland another try. xxx
*cat not day! Flipping Kindle spell!
ReplyDeleteMind of its own! x
DeleteUnfortunately I can't help singing Gordon is a moron... Not out loud of course. Can't remember who sang that song.
ReplyDeleteI try and resist the temptation, too! xxx PS Jilted John!
DeleteWow, look at you! So much style…I love Pendleton. That is a true find. Lovely treasures.
ReplyDeleteThnaks, Stephenie! It was thrilling to find that cardi, Pendleton knitwear is amazing! xxx
DeleteMuy lindos outfits, tienes un gran estilo sin duda alguna.
ReplyDeleteMi ultimo post
Gracias!
DeleteHi Vix. Your Morris & Co scarf is very pretty, I would stretch it and put in a huge frame (like they have on the stairwells in Liberty, London). Not Gordon is what I would call that cat. Betty x
ReplyDeleteJon's been calling him Not Gordon, Betty! That scarf is so pretty, it's a decent size for tying round my head although I was tempted to make it into a halterneck top! xxx
DeleteRhett the cat
ReplyDeleteClassy! xxx
DeleteGordie. (I was going to suggest Morrissey or Moz as a nod to to William Morris lol).
ReplyDeleteLooking spectacular as always, Vix - if you find another 75p rolled silk scarf - think of me lol!!
Elaine Anon xx
Oooh before I forget @Thecalmcatwhisperer
DeleteThanks for introducing me to the Cat Whisperer, many laughs were had over the weekend, Elaine! Message me, that wasn't the only hand-rolled scarf I found! xxx
DeleteHe looks like a Malcolm to me
ReplyDeleteSiobhan x
Malcolm! Nice one, Siobhan! xxx
DeleteOh you look much too smart to simply be going to B&Q, you were really raising their profile!!
ReplyDeleteI do like a nice signed book, and you have two good ones there. I really liked Fiona Fullerton in the 1970's when she was in the BBC show Angels, and then she went on to become a Bond girl. She always seemed so glamourous and yet still very much 'a girl next door'.
If you are going to let imposter 'Gordon' stay with you, getting him neutered might be a good idea.
One has to maintain standards even if it is wandering up the glue aisle in B&Q!
DeleteYes, Fiona Fulerton was lovely, I'd forgotten all about Angels, I might have to track it down on YouTube!
Yes, any cat that moves in with us has to be de-pom-pommed although I'm not sure of the logistics yet, he's very timid, shoving him in a box and driving across town might scare him off completely! xxx
He's handsome and Morris seems fitting. xx
ReplyDeleteIt is a rather dignified name! x
DeleteThat silver brocade coat is fantastic, and so are those boots! I always appreciate a bit of label porn :-)
ReplyDeleteThe William Morris scarf was a great find, particularly at that silly price, and what are the odds of both finding signed books.
How intriguing about Gordon not being Gordon. Morris would be an excellent choice. The only male cats I've ever had were called Byron and Shelley!
Thanks, Ann! I rarely find decent silk scarves in chazzas nowadays, they're always those huge polyester sarong type things with novelty prints. I upended the tub they were in and sat on the floor sorting through everything.
DeleteI'm rather liking Byron - he was a great friend of Greece and we've visited his statue in Athens! xxx
That brocade coat is a fabulous piece and it's always lovely to see those go-go boots (well done on taking them to the cobbler, supporting a local business and making your fab boots last forever!)-
ReplyDeleteObviously, I'm admiring your last purchases, particularly that William Morris scarf! and some colourful 80's stuff too!
Looking forward to reading more about NotGordon's new name, he's a handsome boy!
besos
besos
Thanks, Monica! Our local cobbler is so lovely, I've been supporting him for 30 yeras - his work is so good and much cheaper than the well-known cobbling & key-cutting chain.
DeleteThat coat is such a useful transitional piece, it's not heavy coat weather here yet - thank goodness! xxx
Yes we’ve been bombarded with the fireworks too, and Thelma gets petrified. That coat is beautiful. You charity shop finds are amazing, I need to start frequenting the charity shops again but I lost heart as finding something half decent became impossible. He’s a very handsome cat, but that last photo he looks like he’s nursing a hangover so I think you should call him Oliver, after Oliver Reed xxx
ReplyDeletePoor Thelma, I hope the fireworks ahve finally stopped in your part of the world, we're still getting the odd bang but I think the rain is helping (it's good for something!)
DeleteChazzas are very hit and miss, i think it helps when there's a been a recent school holiday and people trapped at home babysitting get a chance for a proper clear-out.
Oliver's good but w've already had an Oliver! xxx
That is a fine tuxedo fellow, indeed! What splendid eyebrow whiskers he has! Trying desperately to recall the name of an English actor of yesteryear who had those eyebrows -- Morely! Robert Morely! Do, please, ask the cat how he feels about the name "Morley".
ReplyDeleteThat's another great suggestion, Beth! He does have marvellous eyebrows! xxx
DeleteWhatever his name he's a gorgeous boy. How does William.get on with other cats? Arilx
ReplyDeleteHe is, isn't he? William's not too bad with him, he'll always let him finish his dinner before he chases him! xxx
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