Thrift Inspiration, Chloe Style

Chloe produced some gorgeous camel coats for Winter 2010 which if you are fortunate enough to afford, would by a lifetime investment piece:

The midi length is a popular, versatile and stylish option, it keeps the legs warm and you can still show off a on trend trouser leg or a stylish pair of winter boots or evening shoes.

I mentioned in an earlier post this month that I was after a fuller length coat, as my furry options were all thigh length and if I could get a camel coat, then so much the better.

With the Chloe coats as inspiration, I was so pleased to pick up this 100% cashmere vintage camel coat by a brand called Dellbury (no jokes about Delboy and his infamous camel coat please!!)

Its very much a similar style to the 2nd Chloe coat and bearing in mind my coat must be from the 70s or 80s, it goes to show that a classic style never dates and can be reinterpreted for the present day:

I got it from my local boot sale last week and it fits just perfectly too.

So the hunt for a coat is over for this winter and just in time too-the snow here today has settled already and still coming thick and fast, so I'm pleased we've all got a two week break from work and school!!!

Mohair and Cake

On our travels recently, husband and I found a gorgeous cake shop that specialises in hand made egg free fresh cream cakes and it was our second visit there this afternoon.

After much deliberation of what to choose, we ate in and had a slice of homemade pizza, tea and a slice of delicious cake. As you can see, there are many to choose from and for only £1.40 each, you could easily have more than one in one sitting, although I didn't!!

I had black forest gateau and husband had pistachio-yummy indeed!! I now need to work my way through all the other flavours available-what a task, huh!!

They also do big cakes, ideal for birthdays and special occasions.

I wore my new vintage French hairy mohair jacket, which I thrifted last weekend-its so oversized and is lined like a jacket but is very lightweight and incredibly warm, like a cardigan. I think it makes a nice change from all the fur which I've been channelling this winter so far.

The jacket was from the All Aboard charity shop-its not something I would normally go for, but I wanted something different for winter. I love the vibrant colours and also how hairy it is too!!

I'm wearing it with my Levi skinny jeans, wool Coast polo neck jumper and black Dune boots, all thrifted from various charity shops.

Oh and my Chanel bag got an outing too, although you can't really see it that well!!

UPDATED TO ADD-The cake shop is Cakes & Bakes-They have branches in East Ham (East London) and Barkingside High Street, Essex (on the Central Line)

Make it the Sally Army and Celia Birtwell for 99p

As you all know, I'm a great fan of charity shops and even more so when they offer 'loyalty' schemes to their customers. My local Sue Ryder charity shop offers £5 off when you have collected 10 stamps on your loyalty card and The Salvation Army have a scheme called 'Re-Tag' and 'Re-Bag'.

Basically any donations made that are in their re-usable bag or with a tag attached means a £2 spend in their shop for you!!

I was given my tag a couple of weeks ago when I was in there handing in a donation and over the weekend did another clearout of things not worn anymore and attached my tag. I took it in earlier today and had a look around and was pleased to find a Celia Birtwell for Topshop smock (the one in the bottom left hand corner) for £2.99, so with my £2 off I only had to pay 99p!!

I do love Celia Birtwell pieces, this is my cheapest one to date and is from her 2nd collection in Autumn 2006 with Topshop.

So it goes to show that charity shopping can be rewarding, get donating and be a loyal customer for your local charity!!

Another vintage faux fur

I found this vintage faux fur jacket in October at my local boot sale just as I was leaving. What drew me to it was the knitted arms it had-quite different from whats on offer and as it fitted like a glove, I thought I'd have it for just £10.

I've already worn it a few times, so cost per wear is going down and down, lol!!

For all the faux fur I have in my wardrobe, every piece is just at thigh length, so I'm now on the hunt for a maxi length winter coat-maybe, faux fur or maybe wool/cashmere camel, it depends on what I see on my travels. But I'm setting my sights on a good quality piece that I can keep, so if I don't find one this winter, I'll invest next year for winter 2011.

What item are you coveting still for winter?

Through My Lense

My eldest son Chris has just opened his own Tumblr account to showcase his photos as an online portfolio, the link is here and across in my side bar if you fancy viewing his work so far!!

Wishing you a lovely weekend and although its stopped snowing, its still very cold indeed, hope you keep safe, warm and snug!!