More belated sales haul...

I forgot to post about this little lot I picked up from the sale rail at COW vintage (Digbeth, Birmingham).

They usually have the bargain section at the back of the shop, but in the spirit of the New Year sales, it was all buy one get one free! How could I resist?

I got this lot for a mere £6!

Some of it I'm going to modify- like the long cobolt blue dress which I hope to turn into a top, or shorter dress, I haven't decided.

The horrific skirt (!) would make for a great cushion cover project I decided. I like the colours and pattern and there's plenty of fabric to have a go at.

I'm no expert, but I thought that the fact it has buttons down the middle would make it a pretty easy thing to do, so that this could be the cushion cover opening.

Any advanced sewers agree?

Just need to find some basic instructions online and I'm good to go!

P.S I've gone and lost the charger for my new camera so these pictures were taken on a less-sophisticated thing.

I've had a post written out for almost two weeks but it requires a few outfit shots so I thought I'd wait 'til my new charger arrives (given up looking for the old one!).

Foxy
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Belated Tunbridge Wells times

I’ve been the worst blogger in history recently- but I blame the whole damn thing on my useless new landlords whose internet didn’t work.  But today is a glorious day, as we’ve just had Virgin Media installed! So expect a lot more soon- and I have a lot to tell you about!

I realise it's been a looooong time since I was in Tunbridge Wells, Kent (40 days now I believe. Almost like giving up the blog post for lent) but with the start of my third year of uni, a new job and shocking internet at my new accomm (are you reading Rooms4every1?) I've had a lot on my plate, which is quite ironic since I've pretty much been on the breadline (don't worry, your author has a job now!)

Anyway, I found the town of Tunbridge Wells pretty interesting so thought I’d tell you about it. The area is relatively affluent and has quite a lot of charity shops- so it was right up my street.

Though, as I mentioned in my London post, I had zero funds for shopping and was effectively working the 9-5 (well, 10, but the sentiment is the same) at my work experience so didn't have a lot of time on my hands.

Anyway, here's a map of where the charity shops that reside in Tunbridge Wells town centre.

View Tunbridge Wells Charity Shops in a larger map

I only really had my hour-long lunch break to check out the shops and I had to allow a good 20 minutes for the walk to and from my office to the town centre- so it was a flying visit.

My impression of the charity shops was pretty good. With the area being generally quite well off, the stuff in the charity shops was of good quality- not much tat around.

I only actually bought anything from one shop, I think it was Mind (on the map)- if it wasn't, forgive me- it was a while ago!

I bought this great Cath Kidston book called Tips for Vintage Style for £1.50. The back states an RRP of £7.99 so quite the bargain.

The book is really nice to look at, with pictures of (what I think is) Cath Kidston's own house and furnishings. It's great for home inspiration.

This charity shop also had a massive basket of old sewing patterns for a quid a pop, and with this recent aquirement of a sewing machine, I quickly picked one which I might have a go with at some point.

I chose this one for a few reasons. Firsty, it's definitely an old looking pattern. I quite like the style of garment too; it looks like something you could adapt easily. Most importantly though, the words 'Very Easy' jumped straight out at me.

I'm not a sewer- in any sense. I can hand mend things and sew buttons back on but that's about all. I have used a sewing machine in the past but not to do anything major. I also managed to sew a straight line on a scrap bit of material when I acquired this one- a proud moment.

The whole reason I wanted a sewing machine though was to have a go at making and altering my own clothes (more likely to be the latter of those). I bought a sewing pattern as a little challenge so if I end up making it I'll let you know how I get on!

Sorry again for lack of posting in recent times, but expect more regular updates from now on!

Foxy
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Oh Clitheroe...

I was very excited today to be visiting the car boot sale at Clitheroe Auction Mart. I haven't been since I was a wee nipper and can't particularly remember enjoying it so much; but nowadays car booting is like treasure hunting for me!

The auction mart is also where the livestock market is held so it isn't the best smelling or aesthetically pleasing place to shop but it's definitely a rewarding experience!

A quieter part of the car boot sale

I actually didn't end up buying much (more to do with a lack of funds than anything!) but among the few things I bought, I saw old tapestry bags/cases, vintage trunks, big chunky kitsch cardigans and quirky 80s jewellery galore!

Item number one is this black leather purse with gold fastenings for 50p.

The lovely old woman who sold me it told me that it she'd been given the purse as a gift and it had sat in her drawer for years- so perfect condition!

Bargain of the day, I would have to say, is this black faux fur coat which was a mere 3 English pounds!

As you may have read in this post, I've been seriously lusting after a fur coat. I decided I didn't particularly want a black one but at £3, you can't really afford to be fussy!

This one is from C&A; which, seeing as the company left the UK in the late 90s, must be over 10years old at the very least. The label states 'made in the UK' so I assume that the coat isn't from one of the company's current international stores.

If anyone can guess the age from the label, please do!

In a size 12, it fits me really well- just a hint of over-sized, er, ness.

Mummy and Daddy Fox also found me a sewing machine, something I've been after for an age! It's pretty old (my Dad reckons 60s/70s) and is pretty basic, technically speaking, but I'm a (very) basic sewer so that's okay- plus they bartered it down to a fiver!

I literally know nothing about sewing machines nor much about sewing, but the thing works and has all its bits and bobs intact as well as the original instruction manual and even a guarantee! Pretty sure it's expired by now but it's the thought that counts ey?