Kreativ Award and Tag!!

Hi everyone!! Wow, another award and this one is from the lovely Janet Taylor of Janetteria

Its a lovely award as its a 'Kreativ Blogger' which means a lot, as I assume I've received it for my creative thrift finds, LOL!!

There is a tag too, so here are 10 random things about me:

1. I love boot sales and charity shops-I would say 90% of my wardrobe is from them and I just enjoy the thrill of getting a designer or vintage bargain!!

2. I'm not a big eater, but I'm always thinking about food, I would definitely dine out more often if my expenditure allowed!!

3. I get a lot of my inspiration from fellow bloggers, magazines such as Grazia, Elle and Vogue and internet sites such as Net-A-Porter, My-Wardrobe.com and Topshop.

4. I enjoy walking-I don't exercise at the gym, but I try to walk at least 20 minutes a day.

5. Favourite daytime programmes include-Trash to Cash, Dickinsons Real Deal, Put your Money where your Mouth is. All antique and boot sale orientated-I love to see items up at auction and would love to go to an auction house for the day!!

6. I enjoy holiday time off for one main reason-no early starts!!

7. I hate food shopping when I have to go in the supermarket to buy it, but adore doing it online-15 minutes and its all done for the week and delivered straight to the door too!

8. I wish I could use my sewing machine-pure laziness just stops me from setting it up and getting going, LOL!!

9. I generally love colours and patterns in my wardrobe, but I've enjoyed putting quite a few black pieces in for long term wear.

10. The only gadget I really value is my IPOD-I enjoy listening to music and should do it more often!!

I award this Kreativ award and tag to:

Calamity Jem, Anusha at Udarata Kella, Sally at Already Pretty, Jane at The Small Fabric of my Life and Sher at Fashion after Forty

For all of their stylish and creative ways!!!

Bags of Love

A memorable family day out in Greenwich last summer.

I've just received my personalised pouch purse from Bags of Love, who do some lovely gifts using favourite photos.

I've decided to use it as an Ipod case, as it just languishes at the bottom of my bag getting scratched!

So if you fancy sending a personalised gift, check out their website as they offer mens and ladies gifts and can use your favourite photo on virtually any product-check it out!!

Found at last-Vintage Sequin Jacket

Of course, sequins are bang on trend and many of the shops have their own offerings of jackets, dresses, leggings and tops, but I've wanted a vintage sequin jacket for ages and last week I found one!!

Its just perfect as it has 3/4 length sleeves and no buttons and its an ideal cover up for day or night-I found it at the Salvation Army for a bargainous £2.49!!

I'm wearing my Sass & Bide skinny jeans from the Red Cross Charity Shop and my freebie Paul & Joe Sister vest top, plus my other great find of the week-leopardprint shoes!!

These are virtually new and were only £4.25 from the British Heart Foundation, so another item ticked off the wishlist!!

What items do you have planned for autumn?

Thierry Mugler-Vintage Find

A visit to my very local charity shop paid dividends this weekend, when I scored this lovely sculptured black Thierry Mugler jacket. My photos aren't too brilliant, but the jacket has such a great cut, fit and fabulous shoulder pads too, so I'm guessing its an 80s or 90s piece.

I bought it from my local Sue Ryder Care charity shop for £12.99, as soon as I saw it I just had to have it-the perfect black jacket for next season.

The neckline is a really great design, as is the jacket itself. This is my 2nd Mugler piece, my first one is an 80s body con top which was a lot less in price-only 50p, LOL!!

I've a few black items now for next season-what items will you be collecting for autumn and winter?

Topshop from Sense

I haven't been thrifting as regularly as usual or doing outfit posts, so I thought I should pull my finger out now its the summer holidays!!

One of my favourite charity shops in a neighbouring town is Sense-it generally has a great range of dresses. This green sundress by Topshop was my most recent purchase and its quite humid and hot enough to wear right now:

This one replaces another 'Topshop from Sense' dress, this one now belongs to the lovely Kate at Make Do Style, who gave hers away whilst moving house-so now she's got a replacement!!

Bye bye dress-your home is with Kate now!!


I also scored a United Colours of Benetton black wool body con asymetrical style dress, this was only £4.25 and I will aim to show it soon!!

Award-Its All About Me!! And Scrap too!!

I've updated this post as I've received an award from the adorable Anika-thanks so much my dear!!!

And of course-Its an 'All about Me' award!!

Thanks so much to the lovely Gemma of Shopping in Suffolk for this award!!

Here are 7 facts 'All about Me!'

I love to sleep and relax, unfortunately there doesn't seem to be enough hours for me at night, LOL!

If I was rich, I think the majority of my money would be spent on dining out-I love food, but unfortunately I don't have a passion to cook it!!

My hobby is Thrifting-If you didn't know that about me, you do now!! I enjoy the boot sales and charity shops and adore a designer bargain!!

I love listening to music-world music, classical and Ibiza chill sounds are my current favourites

I love London with a passion-I've not been outside Europe (except to Africa) and London remains my most favourite city-each time I go I experience something new or different and I'm privileged to live only 30 minutes away from it!

Speaking of past places, I adored Marrakesh in Morrocco-its definitely a place which I would love to go back to again-a very gorgeous place indeed!!

Future places I would love to go to-Istanbul in Turkey, Florence in Italy and New York.

I give this 'MeMe' award to:

Emma-All in your innerspace

Ellie and Friends

Kate-Make Do Style

Sam-Everybody Says Don't

WendyB

Vintage A Peel

Yaay, Summer Holidays!!

Hi everyone!! I'm so excited, as the boys have finished school and we are all out for a whole six weeks-Result, LOL!!!

I love Summer and the holidays, just so I can do what I want, when I want to and most importantly, take each day as it comes, for trips and chilling out time too!

Here are some of my favourite outfits and memories of this time last year-I love to be able to put on a summer dress and enjoy the day ahead!!

See By Chloe floral dress, £2.75, Charity Shop

New Look white summer dress, £2, Boot Sale and red Chanel bag, Always Authentic

Ossie Clark for Radley floral tiered dress

Gianni Versace dress, Mrs Stings Designer Sale, £10

To all my lovely followers and those on my blogroll, those who lurk, those who leave comments and those who don't-A big Thank You for visiting and taking time out to read my blog.

Its very much appreciated and I do wish you all-wherever you are and whatever you will be doing-a fabulous summer.

Just to let you know, I may be around less regularly than usual. I'l be doing posts on a 'when I feel like it' basis, but please do still check me out though, I love each and every one of your visits and comments!!

Dress + Jacket = Dilemma!!

Hi everyone!!

In my wardrobe I have quite a few dresses. I've a great selection, including vintage 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s dresses, 90s dresses, summer dresses and modern dresses.

Its obvious that I have a love of dresses, both vintage and modern, but they are my 'repeat buy'-Old habits die hard-'thanks Kate!' and thats why I do have a cull of them every now and then.

Having a 'dress up' session recently, something I very rarely do-I generally just put an outfit on and hope for the best, LOL!- I swiftly discovered that the majority of my dresses DO NOT go with virtually any of my smart jackets.

Now, if I'm aiming for a casual look, then a denim jacket, leather cropped jacket, woollen shrug or a cardigan is an ideal partner for a dress.

However, going for a more smarter, formal look left me flummoxed.

So, feeling rather dejected and thinking I must be going wrong in the style stakes, I decided to google 'What jacket goes with a dress?'

I was very pleased to see that 7,210,000 people prior to me had enquired the very same thing, so this made me feel a lot better.

The best answer I could see was via this link on the purse forum, general opinion being that long line jackets and summer coats or trenches are a great pairing for a dress for a smart or formal look.

Another fabulous alternative is a dressy shrug and Thanks to the lovely Kate, I now have an adorable sequinned one which will go with a lot of my dresses now, including the gorgeous silk and beaded dress she so kindly gave to me as well!

I don't currently own a summer coat or trench, but I do have a long line jacket and I will also try wearing pashminas sometimes too.

Have any of you had this dilemma?

Net-A-Porter New In, For Right Now

Predictably its raining in supposedly the heart of summer and will continue for a few days more. This would be my outfit of choice from Net-A-Porter, these pieces are new in for Autumn, but ideal for right now-so casual chic for a stylish R&R vibe.

APC dress, £165
Christian Louboutin, Mamimo 140 shoes, £655

Fendi cardigan, £605

Ladies Who Lunch-Blogger Meeting!!

Sorry its been late everyone, I just had to get this post up and running, but its back to bed for some R&R as this blasted flu bug will just not go!! A big thanks for all your well wishes too-once I'm properly better I will be visiting you all!

So, how do you top the perfect day-exactly one year ago?

You have a perfect never ending lunch with lovely blogger friends one year later!!!

The beautiful WendyB and the gorgeous Sam of Everybody Says Don't

The adorable Kate of Make Do Style with Sam

Stunning Liz of Get some Vintage-A-Peel with Wendy


Being a personal stylist meant Kate was still on duty to tie Wendys Christian Francis Roth dress to perfection!!


Of course, I managed to get a picture of 'afters' before it was swiftly eaten by us all-simply divine and delicious, with compliments to the wonderful WendyB- A big thanks for such a gorgeous lunch my dear, washed down with plenty of Pimms of course!!

Also a big thanks to Kate for my lovely LBD and sequin shrug, which have a place in my wardrobe and which I can't wait to wear!!

We took great pleasure in a trying on session of Wendys exquisite and stunning rings, which unfortunately did not get stuck on our fingers permanently, mores the pity!!!

So same time, same place, next year ladies-I'll try not to bring any lurgies with me next time and it was such a pleasure to meet up with you gorgeous ladies at long last!!

Flu again :-(

Hi everyone

I was hoping to do a super duper post on my blog meeting yesterday, but the flu has come back and all I am going to do is go back to bed now :-(

I'll definitely do my post soon once I'm feeling better.

Have a good week to you all!

Traffic People

Traffic People is a lovely little boutique just around the corner from the Truman Brewery in Brick Lane, East London. I found it when we were out on my birthday and just had to take a peek inside.

The staff are really friendly and welcoming, the Manager Cliff, in the centre has really transformed the interior into a wonderful, unique environment.

I chose a lovely silk pink printed dress which was in the sale for only £15 as a memento of my birthday outing.




It stocks accessories, menswear and of course a lot of lovely womenswear


Next time you're in the area, take a look inside, its worth it!

Thrift Inspiration, Doing it Lover Style!!

Hi everyone-I'm virtually better now and just wanted to say a big thanks to all of you for your lovely comments and well wishes and now back to business, LOL!!

Skirts with exposed zippers have been on the style radar this season and Net-A-Porter have this lovely leather one by Lover, for £375.00

Last week at Collier Row boot sale, I scored this Versace Jeans Couture skirt for only £1!!

Its ideal to wear with my long line sequin waistcoat and a simply camisole vest or tee in the summer and in the winter with an oversized blazer, polo neck jumper and opaque tights.

Flu-break for a while!!

Hi everyone

A very short note to say sorry I haven't stopped by, have had flu since Sunday but am hoping to be back to normal service around the weekend.

Wishing you all a great week and take care!

Thrift Inspiration, Doing it Donna Karan Style!!

Sequins are very much on trend this season and over at Net-A-Porter is this gorgeous Donna Karan dress, for £1165.

I was pleased to score this original 1980s sequin tube dress, which was a halter neck, but I took off the neck strap-for only £5 from Collier Row boot sale a few weeks ago.

What I like about it is it can be worn in different ways:

1. As it is.

2. Donna Karan style, with a black fluid jersey top underneath

3.With an oversized tee over the top, so it's worn with as a skirt

4.With a blazer-shruken or oversized

5.With a black leather biker jacket

Will you be in sequins this season?

Andrex Shea Butter Knickers

I was very pleased to recieve these gorgeous silk knickers, handmade by distinguished British lingerie designer Ayten Gasson.

Andrex®, the nation's favourite toilet tissue brand, has launched its most luxurious toilet tissue ever - Andrex® Shea Butter. To celebrate the launch, they have collaberated with vintage inspired lingerie designer Ayten Gasson to create a limited collection of gorgeous silk knickers.

Made from the finest silk, a special panel of fabric on the back of the Knickers has been enriched with Shea Butter, giving them an extra silky soft touch, ensuring that anyone wearing them really will ‘feel fabulous’!

Each pair of Knickers come beautifully presented in a matching handmade silk pouch. Costing £10 a pair, £5 from every pair sold will then be donated to women's cancer charity ‘Look Good... Feel Better’.

Click here to buy a pair of these wonderful knickers and help a very charitable cause at the same time!!

Another Elle Freebie!!!

The UK Elle magazine for August came out yesterday and I was eager to snap it up, not only for the Autumn/Winter Runway Edit, but the free Paul & Joe Sister vest top.

There is a choice of four colours-white, grey, cobalt blue and fuschia pink. I chose grey, as I wanted a neutral colour vest.

Pick up your copy now, for your freebie summer fix and a lot of inspirational autumn/winter wear!!