Sartorial Saviours

I recently completed a 4 week secondement position at a very interesting office. When i was enquiring about the role, I asked the usual questions about what the job would involve, and who I'd be working with...but also I asked 'What's the dress code?'

Now, in my day-to-day job, I am lucky enough not have a dress code (or at least not one that I pay any attention to, and no attention is made to me ignoring it), but this new place was different, and I imagine, much like most regular offices with a dress code of 'business wear'.

Despite often rocking up to my regular workplace in jeans and a pair of Converse, on closer inspection of my wardrobe, I realised I actually had a few things that would work with the code; smart black trousers, white shirt, pencil skirt...and for a few days, exiting and entering Westminster Tube, I looked the part. But I didn't look like me. So, I started to get a little creative - who said business wear needed to be boring?

I realised I had a few great items, often worn casually that, which with a bit of imagination could work within the new restrictions - my sartorial saviours....

This is my amazing blazer; cropped sleeves, draped collar and a relaxed but smart fit. I used it to in place of a standard suit jacket. Much more interesting.

My sequinned cardigan - a vintage shop find. No one said I couldn't wear sequins as part of 'business wear'...they are subtle, I promise.

The red shoes - love these - they make me smile.

I love silk scarves - my collection started with one lovely find in a charity shop. Now I have so many it's silly.

Belts - I have so many of these too, mainly from charity shops; really useful for making a typical 'office' outfit a bit more personalised.

Black ballet pumps - love the idea of high heels, but generally can't be arsed wearing them. And I can't run for my train in heels.

I admit, there were mistakes too - the dress that was too short...way too short...ah, well.

So, by my last day, I felt much better doing the 'smart thing'. Just another day in the office...

The Joy of Charity Shops: Vintage jumpsuit and old leather wallet

I've had a very good run of bargainous finds recently. My two best recent purchases are an old (sorry, 'vintage') Marks and Spencer jumpsuit and a lovely old leather wallet.

First up, this jumpsuit which I thought was a dress, then realised was not. Either way, my initial reaction to it was "man, that is vile!". It resembes some sort of 1980's fashion monstrosity, but something was drawing me towards it...so I had another look. This time I thought "hmmm...maybe i can work with this".

I gave it a try on - the cross over style suits my figure so wouldn't need any adjusting. However the length was all wrong. Who ever thought that a mid-calf length jumpsuit was a good idea? That would need sorting. Was happy with the fabric - cotton jersey, and in good condition. Ok floral pattern, but the colour is in need of a kick up the arse. A dye job, perhaps....

For £2.90, I decided it was worth a risk and would be a nice little project over the Easter break. I sorted out the length issue, and it instantly became wearable. I'm still deliberating on to dye, or ot to dye...but looking good so far.

My other amazing buy, was this lovely old leather wallet - I think it was originally made for holding your cheque book and cheque guarantee cards (did people really carry around cheque books?)

I thought it was a Mulberry purse from a distance (cue: heart palpatations), and it does look very similar, but at £2.95, I wasn't too upset that it wasn't.

Thinking of making it my new passport holder - what do you think?

Coffee Pot love

I have a confession to make: I'm ever so slightly obessed with retro coffee pots.

It started with a trip to Pop Boutique in Manchester. I resisited The Want for everything as usual, trying to stay focused on only buying something I really really liked, and I saw this:

I think it was the shine of the chrome, the sleekness of the design, and the fact that I could carry it back home to London (couldn't say that about the amazing G-Plan dresser it was sat on. As much as I had The Want for that, there was no way ot was going in my suitcase). Very pleased with myself, i paid my £8 (bargain!), and left.

Then there was the time I was in Mitcham (random yes, but there's a good concentration of charity shops, and I can get the tram there. Genius), when I saw this amongst the tat:

My heart swooned. It's so amazingly retro and the pattern reminded me of the old 1970's curtains in the house I grew up in (it was the '80's, but still...)


I was sure I'd seen that pattern before, so i looked at the base which told me it was a Hornsea Herloom piece. On to Ebay I went to find matching pieces, and that I did. But I also saw more, and more and more reto coffee posts - chrome, ceramic, '50's, 60's, 70's ...and my obsession was in full swing. The latest is this beauty from Germany. Check out those flowers!

So yes, I am obsessed. Ironic really as I don't even drink coffee....

The Joy of Charity Shops: Oslo style

Myself and The Boy went on a weekend break to Oslo recently; it's a great city with my favourite combination of good shops, good bars and a good vibe. I spent a lot of time gawping at the beautiful traditional wood houses painted in red, blue or white and the ornate city buildings...but me being me, I was most excited by the chartity/vintage shopping. I'd done some reading before we left and knew the best area was Grunerlokka. Luckily for The Boy, there were plenty of cafes to sit in, as his usual waiting outside the shop routine was out of the question when the average temperature is minus 5 degrees.

I saw lots of lovely things, but the best store was Fretex Unika - a part of Salvation Army Norway. Lots of good stuff, not cheap (but nothing is in Oslo. And i mean nothing), but it is well worth a visit.

I got these beauties; a gorgeous pale grey leather 1970's handbag and a pair of red leather gloves with a furry lining. Very pleased with myself. Well, I was until I got my credit card bill...

The Joy of Charity Shops: Ornate table mirror

I spotted this little beauty - shown here reflecting my beloved wallpaper - in a charity shop in Croydon. I've wanted a table mirror for ages, and was about to get a new, souless (and knowing me, cheap) one, when this one caught my eye. £5.99? Yes please...

The Joy of Charity Shops: Marks and Spencer nautical-style jacket

I like to torment my boyfriend with the immortal words "Give me five minutes" whenever we pass a charity shop. He rolls his eyes, and says "I'll be outside/over there reading my Econimist/at the bus stop" and I run in a little wild eyed looking for the amazing bounty that I'm convinced lies undiscovered.

This weekend, I said my line (The Boy opted for waiting at the bus stop), and found this beauty; a very 1980's looking black boxy nautical jacket from Mark and Spencer. It's a bit Lady Di, but I can live with that. It's 100% wool, in amazing condition and sporting some lovely brass buttons. I'm thinking of a skinny jeans and jacket combo, or with my tiered mini skirt, or over a cute jumper dress....all these possiblities, and priced at the £6. Bargainous.

The Joy of Charity Shops: Vintage London postcards

Here's a great set of vintage postcards of London that I found in a charity shop near my flat. It's quite amusing to look at the pictures of Piccadilly, Carnaby Street, Oxford Street and the like from the late 1960's.

But the real treat for me - and what made me buy the set - was this one:

It caught my eye, because it looked familiar...i turned it over and saw that it was Croydon's Whitgift shopping centre - just 10 minutes from where I live! I love things like that - not only do they look good, but there's a connection too. Not bad for £2.