DIY, Makeovers and Some Secondhand Finds

Remember the DIY project we had planned for the weekend? Here it is. We bought this 1930s bentwood armchair from a jumble sale six years ago and the cats had ragged it to buggery. A few hours with the staple gun and a pair of 1960s Jonelle Marrakesh screen printed curtains (from a charity shop) and this was the end result. The only trouble is that it's putting the rest of our bedroom to shame so we'll be redecorating over the next few days which, in our opinion, is far preferable to running round Xmas shopping or slumped in front of the telly guzzling chocolate and watching mawkishly sentimental tripe.

The collage above is my plan, let's see what happens!

WEARING: 1970s Hilary Floyd maxi dress (found by a friend at a car boot sale) and Mum's Biba dragonfly pendant.

Here's the chair in the cold light of day. This was taken on Monday morning and I'm dressed and about to set off into town with Jon and meet the boys (my brother, Marcus and Tony) for our annual all-dayer in Wetherspoons. So much for my boasts about being hangover-free after an eleven hour session on my birthday, I was completely ruined on Tuesday - that'll teach me for trying to keep up with the men! I didn't get dressed until lunchtime and that's only because I had a delivery scheduled for 1.30 and I didn't want to scare the poor driver.

WEARING: Vintage Anokhi dress (eBay), 1970s suede platforms (charity shop), 1950s St Michael navy cotton tie-neck blouse (nicked from the stockroom)

Here's what I wore today (Wednesday). I was wearing another of my charity shopped berets but hated how I looked in the photos Jon had taken but he needed to go out so I chopped my head off, stuck the offending beret back in the stock room and attempted to use the self-timer on my camera instead (that's my concentrating face below).

My velvet printed patchwork maxi dress is vintage (1980s?) Anokhi. It's velvet with a bit of stretch, there's no zip and it's made up of six panels. It's so comfortable to wear and must have cost a packet back in the day, just look at how the turquoise section snakes down the first in perfect synchronicity. 

Jon found the waistcoat in a charity shop this morning but it went so well with what I was wearing I kept it on. 

Here's a fairly recent find that I haven't shared on my blog, a vintage Phool block printed quilted jacket, something I've been after for my Indian adventures for ages. We'll be starting our journey in Delhi this time and the temperature isn't dissimilar to how it is here so, with a few layers underneath, I should be warm enough. There's no way I'm wearing a fleece and a puffa jacket, I'd rather freeze.

Vintage block printed quilted jackets generally sell on eBay for around £75 and I got this for a bargainous £7.50.... although Frank's not that impressed!

Something else I've been after for my travels is a pair of lightweight boots that are both easy on the feet and quick to slip on and off when I'm visiting temples and museums. Jon spotted these vintage Kurt Geiger cowboy boots in the charity clearance shop for £3. So far, so comfortable but I shall do a couple of walking trips into Walsall and back in them just to make sure. 

What was it I said about loathing visible logos? This antiqued leather bag was in the charity clearance shop last week for £1. I'd never heard of Rowallan before but a quick Goggle revealed them to be a fairly high-end Scottish company specialising in leather goods. The sturdy clasp, numerous zip fastening compartments and super long cross body strap should accommodate my camera and our Lonely Planet guidebook safely and securely. I can always wear it backwards.

There's been a circular-shaped gap on my bathroom wall ever since I moved one of my starburst clocks into the lounge, today's find - a gilt framed vintage mirror (£3) fills that hole perfectly!

Jon thought I'd taken leave of my senses when I dived head first into a bin full of Xmas decorations in the charity shop as, I'm sure any regular visitor will know, I'm about as into Christmas as I am bubonic plague. He didn't have to call the men in white coats though, I'd spotted this hand-painted Swedish Dala horse amongst the baubles. He was 50p - an amazing bargain when you see the retail price for the same 20cm model HERE.

Talking of Xmas (which I'd rather not!) if I hear Stop The sodding Cavalry played again I may no longer be responsible for my actions. Sticking to the Swedish theme I'll leave you with the best seasonal song ever by Swedish psych rock band, Goat. 'Let it Burn' was written specifically for the climatic scene in the short movie Killing Gävle, a The Guardian produced film about the famous Gävle Goat in Sweden which every year local custodians of Gävle try to protect a giant straw goat that is built for the town every Christmas being burnt down by mischievous pagans. 

 If you're into vintage Black Sabbath then you'll love this.

See you soon.