It's like a massive Shopping Spree.... but Thrifty...

 Contrary to how it can seem... i am not 'Big' on the shopping thing.

I like nice stuff and i love a bargain, but my patience for actual shopping, is limited.

This is Bicester Village - Oxfordshire.

A Designer Outlet Village for people who like Designer Clothes...

It is stuffed with overpriced, overdesigned, clothing BUT it can harbour a few Gems.

 The place itself is satisfying scenic, like a Coastal Town on the facade. It has a holiday feel to it.

Even on a wet windy day though, it is packed with people.

 Of course, here is the Jewel in the Crown.

And if i sit in a certain Coffee Shop i can see the store door with a cappucino in hand.

Cath Kidston.

lovely, lovely, lovely - massive discounts on lots of old designs and styles.

Today, they even had an extra 25% the already discounted products!!

 I only bought one small thing, though.

I may love a bargain but i am still fairly thrifty. I don't like to buy stuff just for the sake of parting with my money. The joy of being here and *mooching* was really what i needed for myself on this day.

 Treating myself to time away from the chaos...

 So, i'm not going to show n tell everything i bought BUT

2 Leather bracelets reduced from £59.00 to £4.00 - 1 for me and 1 gifted to my Sister.

 This bargain crazy cotton top / dress thing. £10.00 and worth every penny for it's bright cheeriness.

And i bought 6 giant teacups as i'm desperate for Cereal Bowls!

They are a usefully hewge size and polka dotty....

and were 50% off.

I came to the conclusion today that:

Days off are good.

Bargains are also good, and necessary

Pretty clothes make me happy.

Winter Wardrobe...

Feeling the cold.
Gloves are out.... Scarves are out...

Hats are definately out...

Wrist warming wool Gloves...

And that dress i got from ebay...

I bought it in the Summer - waiting for a colder day...

Mustard wool with a satin lining...

Winter wardrobes - i prefer them to Summer outfits. I get to wear more clothes at one time! Much greater scope for creative clothing x

j'adore vintage....

Life might just be complete.... Sunday morning spent at a Vintage Fashion Fair, followed by a perfect italian Cappucino... *sigh* (of course, having MrsB with me would have been the cherry on top *sends you kisses*) I was on a mission - i had a list of items i was looking for, but.... at the same time, you need to enter these places with an open mind, a creative heart and a wallet full of cash. THAT perfcet item *might* be in there and one must be prepared.

Open doors at the Northampton University (not a pretty place) but OH the treasures inside!! I was shocked that it was so 'not' busy in there - fantastic for me, i hate fighting elbows through the rails of clothes.

Bird entrance stamp... now i really want a wrist tattoo. I never thought about having one before, but having it sat there made me yearn for a full-time wrist birdie x

Rails of wonder - so much to see. I did have the ManFish and SmallFish with me, which brings it's own rewards (man carrying bags) and difficulties (SmallFish is a slippery one) and joys.... look at her in that hat! Everyone falling in love with her....

SmallFish actually has a really good eye for the vintage. Not a fan of shopping generally, the vintage markets and local carboots really suit her energentic personality. She had £5 to spend and managed to come home with 4 pieces of jewelery and a lovely fan. Results all round.

I could go through and list EVERY item i wanted from this leather stall. But i like to *think* i know when to stop. The case right at the front of that table... i wanted it so bad but i did not need it. For £45 it was a stunning bargain but too small to be of real use. And, don't get me started about the delicious little handbag sat on the back window...

I did buy a suitcase - it was a huge one! for £18 - i thought it was such value, i didn't even barter on the price. See me in my BEST purchase **THAT DRESS** aaahhhh, i changed into it there and then at the fair. 100%Cotton, full skirt, belted waist, calf length, stand up collar - H A P P Y -

Price...? £6...... yes, £6. I would have paid so much more.

ManFish bought me the above red / white / blue apron style skirt with the cutest pockets (i'm wearing it today)....

And we left the fair as a team of happy shoppers....

"the ones that got away".... the topdress below was super cute BUT these are the battles you have with vintage and secondhand. The stall holder tried to start the bidding too high. I think she thought i 'had money'. I later stood next to her as she offered a similar item to a customer at HALF the price she quoted me - bad luck lady, you do yourself out of sales by being cheeky. I loved it but i am holding the back tighter as it was quite loose fitting. SO, it didn't make it home with me today...

and.... THIS was so close. From the same naughty stall as the dress above... it is really The One that 'got away'. i should have bought it BUT again, it needed some work and i couldn't see how i was going to alter it without ruining it entirely. Ah well, you win some - you lose some. There will be other dresses / other fairs....

These are the shoes and bag that i bought at this very same fair back in March - the shy glimpse of a petticoat below my new dress... a petticoat was on my list of 'things to buy today'. It was perfect in every way and some foolish man sold it to me for £1 ... why? i would have paid so much more!

Then into my favourite DOLPHIN CAFE on the route home. A coffee and a sandwich x

I can understand if you're not a vintage fan. No other person in my family 'gets' vintage. They think i am mad. Maybe. But i know a good thing when i see it.

j'adore vintage. It makes me happy x

Ebay Joy...

Ebay is truly Love / Hate for me...
There are items that take a month to arrive - clothes that aren't what they seemed - furniture not fit for use - dvd's that don't work... (the mistake buys go on and on)

And THEN you find a gem **BLING** >>>>>>> Oh Yummy Yummy 1970's dress.
You can see i had trouble photographing it to it's full effect!

It is much brighter than it seems here and sets off a gentle tan with it's neon pink.

Fits very snuggly (especially after a gentle handwash - i was scared i'd have to sew myself into it after it met warm water)

It is floor length with a sort of fish tail at the back.

£12.00 ebay treasure - i wore it on Saturday night... (and well in to Sunday morning... for which I am still paying the price with a soft head averse to noise) for a "Summer of 1969" party. You know me, i'd wear it for a non-themed event, vintage clothing gives me so much pleasure.

And i had to share with you: ManFish and MotherFish who threw themselves into the idea of a 1970's Festival Theme with such enthusiasm... i don't know where i get my sense of colour and fun from.....?

Colour and Fun!! (remind me to show the photos of us all dressed as the AntHill Mob)

I love sharing my world with you x enjoy the sunshine my friends!

Ahhh Birthday-ness!

I want to say THANKYOU for all my birthday merriments and salutations. I am never usually one to 'make a fuss' but it all turned out so pretty!
I had a pile of lovely gifts - don't worry, i won't show you them all.... but very Colourful and Cookery and Cath and Cute...

Mmmmm - Gift Tokens!

Aaaahhh - shopping! Me and the YoungFish under my NEW owl teatowels x PAPERCHASE (on my list of 3 High Street weakness')

Wearing the Tea-towels.... !

Tea and cake at Station Yard Antiques Barn in Chipping Norton. Look at all that lovely crockery!! I was in heaven but ManFish struggled to get his heavy hands around the tea-cup handle (i love him for trying though)

MMMMmm bargain pearl necklace we bought from Past Times for £5

I had my hair cut which is always a nice birthday feeling. My hairdresser doesn't think it looks too red though............. ?! i beg to differ (been trying to cut all that red out)

Blue Wrap Dress has birthday significance as I am wearing it today but it was a thrift find on my birthday travels.

AND - look.... a present to ME from LauraFallulah too! She is a total sweetheart and i adore it!

See you in August my lovely x

Birthday Blogging x

House of Poodle...

Loving Handmade: I have long since adored the work of House of Poodle. I met them in December 2007 at a Craft Fair, but a year prior to that I travelled to Birmingham for the day to a thrift / handmade market where i knew they had a stall... i wasn't disappointed. They are professional and Tweedy and fun and colourful - very unique and..... friendly! The dress below is a sort of A-line / 40s style? but in a thick red tweedy fabric. Short sleeves and sits above the knee. I adore it and i have worn it sooooo many times.

Zip up the back... I WILL try to make one of these for myself one day (ha ha) but it is finding the time!?! ... and i admit to never having had a sewing lesson or followed a pattern in my life :(

The Grey flower is something i wear alllllll the time. It suits every jacket, every dress, every cardigan... i have worn it many times on my evening party dresses. I always wear it on this capped sleeve grey wool felt jacket.... I even wore it on my funeral outfit this week as it added a cheery of 'life celebration' without giving out too much 'party vibe'. A gorgeous item i cannot live without it (okay, i exaggerate that)

And, i repeat, you only get this sort of joy from unique handmade items! Designed, made, sold here in the UK by fellow crafty peeps x

Rainbow...

My little girl said to me today "you look like a rainbow Mummy" - could she have known that is one of the nicest compliments i have ever been given??
It was SO cold and foggy out today, colour was a must... Out with 'The Girls' today: My mum, myself and my little ToddleFish (achingly cute today)
VIA the Post Office, though not my usual PO .... and UGH!! - the postmistress was SO VERY RUDE to me, i came out and wanted to cry. I hate that someone can do that to me!? I want to complain, how dare she?

P.S Above bag with Post Office parcels handmade by ABI x

'The Rainbow Look' ToddleFish referred to was a bit colourful i guess but i felt i had been quite reserved, given that today NEEDED colour adding to it in every way....

The first felt heart brooch i ever made! and i still wear it to death....

FatFace boots (oh YUMx) and i confess to owning tights in.....ummmm, many colours (ahem)

My PRETTIEST hair clip from SARA EDEN (click me and buy one - i love the internet)

And after a shaky start to the day - i walked into the CATH KIDSTON DISCOUNT STORE.... shall i repeat that for the hard of hearing and the insanely envious???? Yes i live near a Cath Kidston Discount store - don't hate me for it!

It has been newly expanded, and... next time i go in, I am taking photos!! You'll die it is so gorgeous. I wanted to throw out every person inside and move in to it immediately.

Obviously the above fabrics are not the only things i purchased (Kirsty rubs hands greedily in a Fagin sort of way)

And then i realised that Cath Kidston also understands colour - VERY well x and she would agree with the need, on most days, to dress 'like a rainbow' XXXXXX