Friday 29 June 2012

Torches, Prizes & Charity Shopping



It was thundering and the clouds were an ominous shade of purple-black this morning but I thought, "Sod it, I'm wearing a Hawaiian maxi dress today even if it makes me the laughing stock of the Black Country". 

Bangles on the left courtesy of my friend, Janne, turquoise ring (Miss Magpie) and purple quartz ring (Krista), sparkly bangle (Liz), all others from various charity shops/inherited.
I didn't notice any adverse reactions but once I get in a charity shop I'm pretty oblivious to anything.


I was lucky enough to win Amie's fabulous giveaway and when I received my prize parcel today I discovered the little minx had slipped in a couple of 1970s vintage treats, a Reldan skirt suit and a sequinned boob tube (which will be brilliant festival wear with yesterday's lurex hot pants and my high heeled wellies). 


I was a bit wary of the two piece at first. It's beige, midi length and silky, more Granny chic than rock chick but teamed with my trademark bling and boots I was pleasantly surprised. 

Vintage skirt suit worn with suedette ankle boots (£1, car boot sale), socks (nicked from Jon), 1980s leather belt (£2, Vintage Village @ The Clothes Show Live), Embellished velvet tote (25p, jumble sale), Oversized retro sunglasses (Sarah Misfit)
 Just goes to show that it doesn't hurt to push those boundaries every now and then.


Needless to say I didn't come back home empty-handed. Here's a few choice goodies from St Giles Hospice, not as cheap as some of our town centre chazzas but if, like me, you'd lost a parent to cancer you wouldn't begrudge a penny going to such a worthwhile cause.

1960s Jaeger wool jacket (£9.99), 1960s handmade clip-on earrings and ring set (£2.99) and a 1960s Austin Reed unworn wool waistcoat (£5.99)


Look what arrives in town tomorrow! I should be doing my patriotic bit and cheering on the torch but I've just discovered there's a jumble sale on at the same time, no competition really.


1960s Elfriede for Twiggs maxi (£10, eBay), vintage leather Gladstone bag (20p, jumble sale), River islands stack heel boots 9£2, Salvation Army), Button & retro fabric hair decoration (handmade by lovely Liz)

Have yourselves a wonderful weekend!
See you soon.

73 comments:

  1. I'm glad you wore your Hawaiian maxi, it wards off the ominous clouds! Love the two piece on you, you've put your mark on it perfectly! I was actually thinking of you last night -- was at a white elephant sale at a church stuffing a bag filled with goodies! Not as inexpensive as the goodies you get, but I think I did pretty good! XXX Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  2. oh, i'm totally in love with this two piece suit! it's absolutely my cup of tea!!!! you styled it perfectly. this is my outfit of the day!
    :)

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.de

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love, love, love allyour looks today.
    That dress is just what this weather needs, the suit looks sensational witht he boots and accessories.
    Hope the jumble sale is worth missing the torch. It was fun here when it went past the end of our road.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Vix!! I love that dress! It's bright, vibrant and so gorgeous!

    And I too was surprised by that skirt suit! :-) I love the accessories u teamed with it!!

    I hope u try and juggle the two.... BUT if no one else turns up to the sale then all the more goodies for you!!

    XO

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good! I'm glad you brought some lovely colour to the greyness.
    I love that two piece on you...it works like a dream.
    Hahaha, a jumbly over the tourch! No choice really. It's coming to Winchester in a week or two, I'll be in work!
    Have a stonking weekend.
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello Pretty lady! (to be said in the terrible accent of Nathaniel from 'Enchanted'!) You look beautiful in this dress and the skirt suit is beautiful! I'd totally wear that- lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  7. That Hawaiian dress is divine on you and a perfect pick-me-up. A purple black cloud sounds really cool though. ;) Of course, anything from your country sounds cool to me.

    I would never guess you'd pick the two piece but the way you've paired it with the belt and those great boots it really suits you and may just come in handy on a slightly more conservative day. We all have those sometimes. Like going to the gynecologist or something along those lines. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love how you've dressed up that suit - now it's very you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You totally rock the 2 piece and I love the hawaiian maxi. The torch came by the bottom of my road while I was on holiday. Not too bothered to miss it really. The traffic would've been a nightmare!
    Hope you find lots of jumble treasures xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the two piece, that's my inner 1950's pensioner coming out. I just got a new belt which would look fab with it.

    We've got the torch on Monday but I'm working. Can decide if I'm pleased or not.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Caroline
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  11. The way you've styled the 2 pce is inspired. (Of course it helps that your a fantastic shape underneath. Dead right about the colourful dress. I'd also approve of the jumble sale option.

    Thanks for response on my blog. Chilli vodka eh! I should have guessed it would have been something pretty exotic. It was truly weird the way your blog popped up, i had only just read your post.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You look stunning in both the maxi and the 2 piece! We had the torch here on Monday, it was quite exciting! Hope you have a wonderful weekend x

    ReplyDelete
  13. As always, clothes sit beautifully on you. Your Hawaiian dress is my favourite today.
    Love from Mum
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your dress certainly has brightened up the day. I have serious ring envy, that turquoise ring is a beauty.
    Dx

    ReplyDelete
  15. so pretty hawaiian print and that maxi fits you like a dream!, you look gorgeous and summery!
    And I would never think a beige outfit could be so fabulous like that!
    have a nice weekend!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
  16. Not granny at all....you rocked it!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I looked at that suit and thought that it was rather boring, but then I saw how you styled it and my opinion changed completely. It's the belt, and the chunky boots that make the difference. All you Brits posting your Charity shop finds are making me sooooo jealous!! Have a lovely weekend ;)

    ReplyDelete
  18. ahhhhh it looks fantastic on you!! love love love!!! the addition of the boots and bling make it so modern!! fantastic as ever xxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  19. If I even thought for a moment I could squeeze my boobies into this Hawaiian dream dress you me dear would lose it upon my visit :) I love it on you especially in some crazy crappy black country weather. The hair pin that you just recieved looks so good on you and with this dress. I really really really love it! The purple touches of jewelry are yummy and the ring looks proper on you!

    Your prizes are too good for words. I love what you did with that dress ~ the boots and belt make it! No you make it! I love the velvet bag and the leather one... both under a buck, say what?

    Sunday it is! I should be sewing all day. I can't wait to show you what I'm working on, plus I have questions :) talk soon. Have a lovely weekend!
    Tonsoflove~
    Krista

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love that I'm not the only one not to dress for the rain ! Love your Chic prizes & I don't think I ever saw you in beige...lol! Have a fabulous weekend Vix!

    ReplyDelete
  21. That maxi is really gorgeous - you look stunning :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Midis, maxis, boob tubes....you look fabulous in every godamn thing, m'dear. Have a great jumble tomorrow. xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. One word today GORGEOUS, and great buys to ;-)) Have a great weekend, and enjoy the jumble sale tommorrow. dee xxx

    ReplyDelete
  24. Yep I have those moments too where I think screw it, I like it I'm wearing it despite weather and sometimes opinion of the Big V.

    You can't beat a bright maxi like that to brighten the day anyway. Your chazza scores a great and of course you know I'm partial to a waistcoat.

    You enjoy your weekend too. As you know we're off car boot selling and no doubt I will be wondering off buying too.

    ReplyDelete
  25. that 2 piece looks great on you, you can make the late 70s look as good as the early 70s.
    Hmm olympics vs jumble sale, I know which gets the gold in my race.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Saw the Olympic torch when it was in our town: it was nice, historic I suppose, but the jumble sale is better value for money!

    Just to let you know about the debate about getting good deals at charity shops: I stopped by the Cancer shop today and saw a white, not very interesting skirt from Next: £7. That's not a bargain to me. I'll bet not to you either if you saw it. The shops your way are outstandingly good.

    Cheers,
    Rosemary www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. You look radiant in your Hawaiian dress Vix but how come it always looks sunny in your back garden ? Do you have a silver photographers umbrella and a bloody great lamp?
    Great scores at the hospice shop, I buy at my local often too and only donate there after losing Mum.
    Fabulous accessorising with the two-piece, think I've said before that you'd look good in a sack. JS or Olympic flame ? = no contest!
    Have a great weekend. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  28. Good on you with your bright dress, its needed on these wet horrid days.

    I will be cheering the torch on for you, as hubbies store is having a fun day to in order to raise money for a local child who lost his arm as and legs after meningitis.

    Have a great week end what ever you do.

    X x

    ReplyDelete
  29. You totally pull off the "potentially old lady-ish" dress - and make is look sexy! Seriously, you're really talented at putting pieces together.

    Great bracelets too! So cool that you got a couple of extra treats in the box - how exciting??

    Love this blog - very unique, and so many great ideas for styling.

    -Gabrielle

    ReplyDelete
  30. you push the envelope well vix. i love that suit on you! and your hawaiian maxi dress must have brought some sunshine to the dreary day.
    now i'm off to see some hot pants and car booty. have a happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  31. You look divine as always. Have a stunning weekend. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love how bright your maxi dress is, sooo summery!! You also have an amazing bangle stack, the more the better a mon avis <3

    Tara
    The Style Rawr!
    XoX

    ReplyDelete
  33. That Gladstone bag was 20p?! Gaaahd, you lucky thing! I wish my car boots & jumble sales were more like the ones in your neck of the woods.

    I really love the dress you've been sent. Definitely not you're usual style, but you manage to pull it off! XO.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Such Pretty pictures Vix! You find the Best clothes and accessories. I am also Loving your long Beautiful hair.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I absolutely love both of these outfits. There's no going wrong with a bright floral maxi dress in my opinion and I also dig the dress you got from the giveaway. There's nothing granny about it. The way you dressed it up it's very boho and glam.

    Also thought the positive shootout you got on Stay Off My Internets was great!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oh I am with you Vix!!!! Torche or jumble sale???? NO question.
    Hope you found something amazing!!!!
    I just love the wee beige dress on you.
    Love v

    ReplyDelete
  37. What a beautiful frock! It looks so good with the handmade hair clip. Currently drooling over that leather bag too. Enjoy the car boot sales. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  38. Love love the hair clip on you and that maxi with it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. sometimes a bright dress is the perfect antidote to a grey day - I can't wait to see how you style the sparkly boob tube!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I forgot ...
    http://ulla-marie.blogspot.se/2012/06/blommande-bloggdamer.html

    ReplyDelete
  41. you're a sight for sore eyes in that floral maxi - no sign of summer over here either - just grey skies...
    Love how you styled up that two piece - you look very elegant in it.

    ReplyDelete
  42. LOVE the Jaegar jacket.... I've got one to share in the next week or so - but great colour, great cut, great buy! x

    ReplyDelete
  43. Basically... I NEED THAT HAWAIIAN DRESS IN MY LIFE! Gimme. x

    http://www.leblow.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  44. Love you blog Vix xx In fact when I go into charity shops ( which I did yesterday) I ALWAYS think of you when I see particular clothing items.....You would wear them so well. Jumble sales used to be such a common event in our town but we just don't seem to have them anymore. Maybe I should canvas all the local churches and have a bring back Jumble Sales! Everyone loves a damn good rummage....don't they? Have a lovely weekend and enjoy the torch run, it came through my town too. Heather xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  45. What fab outfits, I love your maxi and that two piece looks fab on you!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  46. It's much more fun to dress how you feel then to dress by the weather! Otherwise we would all look pretty bland. I love the suit set and that yellow coat is too cute. I would love to see it on but I'm wishing you warmer weather. xx

    ReplyDelete
  47. what a gorgeous maxi dress! I love the two piece, you'd never look frumpy or old ladyish in it

    ReplyDelete
  48. This maxi's color palette is wonderful!!! I think is the most beautiful dress of the whole season!!
    I really like bangles, I love to wear them in these days and your little collection here is stunning!!! I love the floral enamel one, the big purple one and the coral spikes one so much!!
    Congratulation for your prizes, everything is so amazing!
    Have a great weekend!
    xxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  49. Love the rocked-up granny chic suit. You are so right, it never hurts to try a new look. I try every day hahaha!

    I do like that Jeager jcket too. I never begrudge paying for quality in a chazza, especially for those causes close to my heart (hospices, mental health and children's chazzas).

    ReplyDelete
  50. The last dress is so pretty, the colours are gorgeous x

    ReplyDelete
  51. Great give-away prize, you look lovely in your Granny suit! I always think it's good to try something different and see if you can surprise yourself. Do you think we should all accept a blogger's challenge to beg/buy/borrow something we consider utterly "not me", just to see if we can rock it up into something that is? You've certainly managed it with that suit.
    Love your finds, LOVE your Hawaiian frock, and swapping the Olympic torch for a jumble sounds like a sensible course of action to me! We'll have plenty of Olympic action later, won't we? Hope you got some treasures today! xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love your oversized sunglasses! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  53. OOh if only I had your figure I would be tellin' ya to send that maxi dress over here! I could see me in that in 3 weeks time in Rarotonga! :D I'm beginning to regret all those lost years not op shopping in the UK. Perhaps I should bring an empty suitcase next year! :D ♥

    ReplyDelete
  54. Vix, you could make any outfit shine. The Hawaiian max is a beautiful slice of summer on a cloudy day! I would like you to know that you're personally responsible for my new bangle experimentation/fixation.

    ReplyDelete
  55. The hawaiian maxi is AWESOMENESS!!! And the "granny" dress doesn't look granny they way you've "Vixed" it up!!
    HEHE--I wore that tube top (in RAINBOW Sequins) in 1979.

    ReplyDelete
  56. aloah i love this hawain maxi dress it makes me wanna sip cocktails on the beach and the embelished velvet tote is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Okay, it's enough that you look stunning in shiny short shorts but girl, you made that granny chic shirt dress look positively high fashion. Tell me there is SOMEthing you don't look fetching in. Overalls? Parachute pants? Polyester pant suit?

    ReplyDelete
  58. That two piece looks quite bland and unassuming on its own but paired up with your rocking accessories it takes on a completely new and awesome look! Qaint vintage meets rock chic?

    Even if the weather has been dark and stormy, you must have brightened someone's day in your lovely bright Hawaiian maxi! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  59. I would choose a thrift store over a torch bearer too. I agree that the suit is a bit of a surprise, but you do know how to style it up. Love the heavy looking bracelet on the top right.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Hey Vix

    Your blue ring and nails look so amazing. I love it, I just love that ring. I have a similiar ring to that in one of my posts.
    Your beige dress and the belt look so beautiful. it would mean alot if you could add me to your blog list? if you like. Im also following you on twitter, just realised you have twitter.
    Jat
    x

    www.personalautographs.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  61. That maxi dress is amazing I love the colours. I think I need to pay your town a visit as the charity shops where I live have been a bit rubbish lately! x

    ReplyDelete
  62. I love you in that Hawaiian maxi!
    Just the thing to defy the rain clouds. I also really like the two piece, as you say, it's all in the accessories, and you've styled it brilliantly.

    Great sunshine yellow jacket, and what a snip at that price. And supporting a most worthy cause too.

    I did think about watching the torch come through Brum but I opted for a gig in town instead. I did feel a bit guilty until I found out we only had Cliff Richard carrying it!! What's his connection with Brum? We should have had Ozzy. Blimey, even Jasper Carrott would have been better!

    Rant over. :)
    Love Annie xxx

    ReplyDelete
  63. I actually like the beije outfit a lot, it looks really cool and like you say, sometimes one must try different things :)

    I went to the High Street on Thrusday to see the Olympic Torch go by. Trust me, you didn't miss out on much. I'll post some photos in the upcoming weeks, as soon as edit them. Right now I just feel like having hot tea and take naps :(

    ReplyDelete
  64. Hi my dear-your maxi is beyond gorgeous, I really love it and the colours are perfect too. The Jaeger jacket is lovely and your beige 2 piece works really well with your fab choice of accessories. have a good week!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  65. Hawaiian Maxi fits you like a dream amor.The beige outfit looks even more gorgeous with all your bling and your glam touch.I love it mucho!
    Your just too fabulous for Wasall!
    Besotes

    ReplyDelete
  66. I used to have (20 years ago - my God that makes me feel old) really similar to the floral maxi you are wearing. One in black and one in red - they were bloody fab. Where does this stuff go???

    ReplyDelete
  67. OOooh - that's one of my all time fave frocks ever - the perfect, fabulous floral print and the colours and the little ruffle at the hem are PERFECTION! And you are absolutely rocking the two piece - like you, I wouldn't think to wear something like that but you look so gorgeous in it - you are the master blaster of Making Things Work for you! Your treasures are splendid - I especially love the waistcoat... it seems that I am in a waistcoat mood at the moment! Love you more than Hawaiian frocks! Sarah xxx

    ReplyDelete
  68. Is there ANYTHING you can't rock woman?! I think not!!

    ReplyDelete
  69. I so covert that embroidered black tote. I have one similar but I want yours too!

    ReplyDelete
  70. You're only down the road from me - I'm in Shropshire! Woo, possible future blogger meet up/charity shop rummage!! ;) x

    Glynis
    www.librariangirl.co.uk

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix