Pretty Little Finds

Having mentioned the LBD (the little black dress) last post, I began to think about it probably a little too much. Soon after, I started to rummage through my wardrobe-the one that looks sneezed on, to find my little numbers. I didn't realise how many I actually had. Four of my black dresses are not little but long and the other six are lovely little dresses all with a unique style and some with a bit of glitz. I decided to have my own little photo shoot like you see in the glamour magazines' and may have got a bit carried away. First in line of my LBD's is the one I previously mentioned, bought for £5 with short sleeves and a low back. A great example of a simple yet effective black dress. Second, is one of my favourites. I wore this dress on my 21st birthday in New York. I had previously known I was being taken to New York's most prestigious night club (The Box), so I knew I had to wear something glamorous. I searched high and low for something special but unfortunate...

An abundance of material, an array of colour. My wardrobe looks like the high street has sneezed on it! I can pretty much image that not even half of these items were straight from a store but instead from charity shops and car-boot finds. If I am not after anything specific, or in a rush for anything particular, I will hunt the local charity shops first like a tiger prowling for the best meal in a dessert, rather than spend a fortune on a little piece of material thats only made of synthetics. I have become quite stingy with the quality of material. However this is a smart thing. What is the point of buying a wool knit cardigan for this coming winter weather when it is only made from viscose! It will only make you sweat. Buying 100% wool, or a mix blend of wool, angora, silk, lambswool etc... will keep you warm and clear of that dreaded leaky nose. Another tip, to make you feel all warm and happy inside, stay clear of dreary dark and the classic winter colours of dark browns, blacks...

Preparing for the winter weather can be such a bore. But at the same time, finding that perfect snugly jumper for the cold and stormy nights, cuddled under a blanket on the sofa and searching for those cosy slippers which are also easy to kick off when climbing into bed makes winter clothes shopping, all that little bit of sense. Although I love summer and not having to worry about taking a jacket or even a cardigan. I like to wear Angora, Wool and Cashmere as they are just so soft and warming.  Here I am wearing my Wool hat, bought from a carboot. It is mainly beige with a mix of green, purple and wonderful mustard yellow. There is no label as this was originally not from a shop but handmade. I bought it for 30p, a total winter bargain! My top is from Zara, however this was also bought from a carboot, however it had a stain down the front and instead of the girl trying to wash it out, she decided to sell it. This was great for me as I only paid 20p for it. My scarf, al...

Todays outfit, chosen from my endless wardrobe which looks like all of the surrounding retail shops have decided to just sneeze at it. When I say retail shops, I mean The Cats Protection, Cancer research, Barnados etc... My bargain buys here in this photo are my trousers, my blouse my bag and my bangle. A wonderful pair of cotton, high waisted green trousers, fitted perfectly to my little bottom and were perfect length for my sometimes long, sometimes short looking legs. They just can't seem to make up their mind. I bought the trousers at a bit of a gamble from Ebay, but I had caught sight of them passing by the entrance of the retail shop 'Next' and knew what the sizing was like from that store. They cost me only £8. Fair to say not my best bargain, but an £18 reduction from the store price. So I was happy. The blouse I recovered from a heap of clothes on the floor at a car-boot sale. The one in the Wincheap park and ride in Canterbury. It is on almost throughout the year...

One of the best buys I have ever made, would be for my wonderful Nikon camera. I had studied photography through my last years at school, into college and I did an access course for Lens based media, during which I still did not have my own camera. I simply couldn't afford one. Thats what happens when you choose independence over luxuries and have a car to keep running. But I wouldn't have changed that for the world. I may not be where I am now if I hadn't of bought my car back in 08. Anyway, I finally got myself a well paid job and managed to put back savings I had been using to plod along with whilst unemployed. One day in Canterbury, I was with my partner shopping and decided to look in the exchange shop at the camera's they were selling. There was a Nikon D60, but in a poor state and definitely in need of TLC. They were also asking too much above what it was worth. However, walking back to the car feeling at a loss, I remembered the little camera shop near the pha...

Another bargain buy, I saw this cameo ring amongst other tit for tat and jewelry bits and wasn't too sure about it at first. Someone was selling their junk at this strange festival. Carnival music was being played from a local stall where children could ride a sinister and surreal merry-go-round, which instead of horses', creatures looking forms had replaced. I can't even describe them. People were parading tractors in a show event, listening to the man on the speaker explaining the make and model like it was an expensive and desired car, i truly was confused. Anyway, I was studying this ring and the man said '50p' which I then thought, I wont argue, I can learn to like it. I put it on my ring finger but on the right hand instead of the left and soon enough fell in love with it. Not until I got home did i notice a hall mark and later thought I should take it to a jewelers for further information. I found out that It's 14 carrot, the face is made from a sea ...

This is the wonderful Meadow Keepers Cottage that My partner and I stayed in over the weekend. It was truly a delight. On arrival, the owner announced that we were to bundle our bags into the back of his pickup truck as he was to drive us down the dirt track to our humble abode for the two nights. This was a surprise as I didn't imagine it to be 2 achers away from their house.  However this made it perfect as we felt secluded and without signal. A true private and romantic break.  

So, this weekend, was charming. I stayed with my partner in a beautiful little shepherds hut/cottage that sat on wheels  almost similar to that from a wagon. In a wooded retreat surrounded by nature and birds singing with no signal and no one near to disturb us. We visited Rye and Tenterden where I rummaged in charity shops and second hand shops to seek out my latest bargains. Further details and photos shall be posted but for now, tired from the early mornings and country fresh air, I am turning in early, to prepare for the back to reality saga of work. Good night.

Here I have some beautiful cups and saucers. All Bone China. Further pictures shall be posted, however I am awaiting to hold a tea party to full fill the look. Along with my wonderful sandwich plates too, of which I only have two so far. They are squared shape and I aim to complete a set for my tea party. These style of cups and saucers shall always remind me of the more glamourous style to the mad hatters tea party in Alice in Wonderland. Amongst this little pile are two sandwich plates, 4 saucers and 3 cups. All of  which came to the grand total of £13. I like to have odd items, having a set of 8 cups and saucers all matching seems boring to me even considering a unique pattern and colour that may make them stand out from your normal white china mugs. I bought the cups and saucers from a vintage stool at Lounge on the Farm music festival in Canterbury this summer. The sandwich plates came from a second hand shop in Hythe in this lovely little bricker bracker shop where I find m...

A lovely find, or rather finds'. This chair had been stacked outside next to a skip in the front garden of a neighbors house, amongst other 'rubbish'. To them it was a chair that was in the way but to me, it was a project and a beautiful feature for my room... until the day comes I have my own place of which it shall become a chair of many odd ones to a kitchen table.  I decided to leave the chair after having sanded it down, however you could paint it and sand over it again to create a distressed look. Or paint it a neutral colour to then add perhaps a floral feature.  The sheep's wool placed over the seat adds a nice inviting touch to add comfort. This I found on the floor tucked under a bin to be thrown away, after, for me, a successful carboot. Another freebie. Washed and fabreezed, it now adds a nice touch to my beautiful chair.   The sewing box was a great find by my father, who knowing I have become very interested in the creative wonders of knitting and sew...

Hello. This is to be the start of my blog. I am here to share and tell stories of my bargain finds, where to look and what to look for. From fashion pieces to household utensils, of which you can create the new look or revamp tired furnishings.  I look forward to inspiring you.