A day at the 'boot

Hello!

This is just a quick one to show you a few things I got at a car boot sale this morning.

I went to Gisburn's (the village mocked by Renault Megane! There was quite a stir, let me tell you) car boot sale with my mum and dad this morning. Having my parents' motivation was good because I actually went last weekend and came away more or less empty-handed because I'm too lazy to get up in good time! I didn't get there 'til gone 11am, not good bargain-hunting practice.

I picked up a few great bits; my favourites being these vintage suitcases:

P.S. Sorry about the pictures, I'm moving tomorrow and my camera charger is packed away so these were just taken on my phone.

They were just £2 each! Even the huuuuge one (which the guy said was 60s). I was so pleased to snap these up as I'm constantly envious of people picking them up for next to nothing (Sadie is a devil for this!) when all I seem to find are over-priced ones- I've seen ones like the small one on sale for £45 and £60 for ones similar to the cream one!

I was drawn to them as we were on the lookout for a vacuum cleaner for my new house in Manchester (moving tomorrow, eek!) and the seller had one stood on top of the cream case. Naturally I was far more interested in its podium.

We did in fact snap up a vacuum cleaner from another seller for £12 which seemed like a bargain as it was a reasonably new Vax one. Sadly, upon getting it home we found that the brushbar inside was completely ruined and had melted so doesn't spin round. I'm going to have to order a replacement one- annoying as these are about £12, so just as expensive as the machine!

I think I'm too trusting of people. The guy seemed a bit reluctant to let us take it out of the box but he insisted that it was in perfect working order and had only had it a few months. He seemed really nice and I guess I thought that he wouldn't rip off a young girl about to move into her own place (yes, told him the back story!). Sigh.

On a more positive note, I got all these great earrings!

I'm totally an earrings (and rings) girl and constantly lose my earrings so like to keep the stock up! Cheap, gold 80s ones like these are my faves so happily picked up five pairs for 50p a set.

I also got a great checked blazer/jacket which I think I'll do an outfit post on when the time comes as I'll probably wear it to an interview. Those of you who follow will know I'm on the hunt for a job in Manchester after graduating.

Here is where I'd insert a picture of me in a black gown throwing my cap in the air but alas, my ceremony isn't 'til Feb/March next year! It's pretty ridiculous and I'm getting jealous of seeing all my friends' pictures of theirs- I guess by then I will at least be able to afford a nice new dress! I got a First by the way; so, so chuffed, I worked really hard in my last year so happy it paid off.

So now I just need a job- or my new apartment won't last long! I have an interview on Wednesday for a paid PR and Marketing internship and will possibly be receiving a call tomorrow about another interview for a PR Account Executive role. Cross your fingers for me!

Foxy
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Yet another dress

On Saturday I managed to get the right weekend to go back home for my friend's birthday party.

Having arrived at Lancaster train station with a bit of time to kill before the event, I decided to call in at a vintage place I'd heard about.

- For anyone who knows Lancaster, the place concerned is just down the road from the train station and near the Waterstones. It's held in the Assembly Rooms on King Street if you know the roads well.

I wasn't particularly happy with the dress I'd bought in blind panic (it wasn't very me), so I was kind of hoping to find something perfect at the last minute- and I did.

I was honestly really impressed with the Assembly Rooms market. I often moan about a lack of vintage shops and events in my area (my original area that is) and this was so good I can't believe I was unaware of it up until a few weeks ago.

(picture quality isn't great on these, still missing my camera. Pink Nikon- send it my way if you see it!)

The market is like a mini vintage flea. Upon walking in, I was hit by its eccentricity and unorganisedness; everything is cluttered together like an overcrowded jumble sale. I thought the prices might reflect this somewhat but it seemed not. The prices were reasonable on the whole, just not bargain basement as I'd hoped.

I found a gorgeous black velvet mini dress, tinged with blue (I promise it was nicer than it sounds!) at the stall above, though sadly it was too tight.

Whilst moseying off to the toilets to try the depressingly small frock on, I found another room around the corner.

This room is like an Aladdin's cave of vintage. I can't begin to tell you how rammed this little area was with racks of cloths; not to mention all those adorning every inch of the walls (and possibly the ceiling- didn't think to look up!).

The room has one downfall though- its owner. The person I was faced with was possibly the most eccentric (not in a good way either) oddball I've come across in some time.

I wish I'd got a picture; though I think your imagination might work just as well. He was wearing a brown Crocodile Dundee-esque hat, a red woolly sweater vest and had very few yellow teeth.

I spotted a great dress in his bizarre boutique- a short green velvet number with black lace sleeves and back panel with awesome peaked shoulders; unfortunately this was too tight too (nb: News Year's diet on the cards?!).

I went to try this dress on in the toilets with the other I had, though he kept insisting that I should try it on in the corner and use his makeshift curtain (apparently he likes to see the outfits on so that he can use his fashion expertise to suggest other items- he wasn't convincing me with that ensemble he had on himself). I was apprehensive to say the least due to extensive experience with impromptu changing rooms swiftly erected with cardboard and stallholder's backs at vintage fairs.

On my return from the toilets I dug out another dress from a huge pile of evening dresses. This was a great find: a black velvet cocktail dress with a lace top. What's more, I knew it would fit too as looking at the label told me that it was most probably 80s Twilight by Monsoon- the very same as the first dress I bought from ebay which was too small; though this one was a size bigger.

I asked the price before trying and the guy said that as the one I'd brought in from the other stall was only £15, he would lower the price to around £20-25.

I eventually agreed to try it on in the unappealing corner and stepped out to have it zipped up by my mum, who was tagging along. I was having a good look in the mirror when she said that she thought she could smell burning. The man suddenly rushed into the cordoned off area to bring out my black faux fur coat, smelling like BBQ'd hair.

Seems I'd chucked it onto an old fan heater on the floor in there hidden amongst the masses of clothes! The damage had been done and I'd singed a big line in the back of the coat. "It's ruined!" I exclaimed. Truth be told, I wasn't too fussed. The coat had only cost £3 and the mark was barely noticeable anyway with the coat being black.

After my mum near enough said that she should get health and safety down there (nothing like my mum for overreacting) he agreed to give me the dress for a tenner- result!

The dress is really gorgeous. The whole thing's velvet with the lace covering the top part.

You can see the bustier part underneath

Attention is drawn to the waist with the ruched velvet band underneath the lace.

Quick one of the label

Thought I'd best post one of me in the dress on Saturday night. It's definately more me; I think I'm most comfortable in black.

This was taken by my mum before I left. My face looks a bit strange for some reason so forgive that. I also took the fascinator off just after this because I thought it looked a bit like funeral attire!

Hopefully some better pictures will start appearing on good old Facebook soon; I'll try and get hold of some pics of my fave vintage outfits posted too.

Much love,

Foxy
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