Junk junky

There are few pleasures in life to me than finding a huge junk shop and then foraging for hours, just ferrting about, looking at stuff, imagining who might have used it before. A packed to the rafters junk shop to pass hours is almost a invitation to meditate. A personal journey away from the humdrum routine to a place of wonder and magic.

I visit good junk shops when I have the chance, and I do it early and preferably alone. But until this very minute I had never thought that the junk shop experience could be experienced online. That is, until I got an email introducing me to the delights of Supermarket Sarah. And I have to say it's instant love.

The site is a mess of random items/bits of tat/desireables from clothing to accessories, vintage to contemporary, works of art and bric a brac all flung together in the most delightful and pleasing way. It's almost as good as a real-life rummage. Fantastic.

It get's better from December 1 to 15, Supermarket Sarah is setting up shop in the east end for Christmas shopping extravaganza. All that stuff just waiting to be touched, rummaged through and meditated over. Punters will be provided with golden trolleys (huzzah!) and shown around by freindly shop assistants.
I'll be off to the launch of Dec 1, where I hope to picking up something ridiculous by Fred Butler, like this rocket bra. Fear not, I will report back on all the kitschy glory.

Supermarket Sarah Christmas Extravaganza at Poke, 4th Floor, Biscuit Building, 10 Redchurch Street, E2 7DD. Open by appointment, 9.30am to 6.30pm.

If you can't make it down there you can still get the full virtual junk shop experience on the website.

Channelling Denise Huxtable

Some nights, it's just hard to sleep. Last night was one of those nights. So I tossed and turned a while, chasing the elusive zzzs on the cusp of nodding off, thinking maybe I should just get up already and do something but also thinking it's too damned cold for that.

I had a spurt of childhood memories, which made me laugh and then just as I was nodding off a name and image popped into my head... Denise Huxtable. As a teen I loved the Cosby Show and I loved Denise most of all. She was the pretty rebel; bright but dissolute and that appealed. But most of all I loved the way she dressed. She was like no-one else. Totally unique but still really stylish and cool.

I wanted to dress like her. Hell, I wanted to be her. I spent this morning trawling the internet for images. Strangely, there aren't that many but I made a little corkboard shrine to her anyways.
(Click to enlarge)

Later on, I went thrifting at a few much-loved local charity shops and found the most amazing, colourful 80s sweater. Coincidence? I think not.

Here I am channelling Denise H:
(Click to enlarge)

Bags of fun

Did I mention I got whisked off to Amsterdam after Xmas by the bloke for my birthday? Naturally I had to add the museum of bags and purses to my itinerary. I spent a blissful couple of hours looking at a visual history of bags from 1500s to the present day followed by a whole room full of evening bags and "it" bags. Glorious.

There were bags made of every conceivable material from plastics to enamels, precious metals and a mind-boggling number of skins (leopard, shark, eel iguana, etc)

Here are some of my favourites:

Clockwise from top left: ship-shaped pochette, green and balck enameled pochette, leopardskin bag (yes, that is the leopard's face, eek!), clear plastic bag with applique flowers. Credits: Tassenmueum Hendrijke

And pics from the special evening bag exhibition:

Cupcake bag by Judith Leiber last seen on Sex and the City movie

December Daily Outfit 7 December 2008

The moment I saw this dress from Coast, I was struck by it's vintage, flapper looks. So, of course, that made me want to pile the pearls high and team with vintage-feel accessories. I dub this Noughties Flapper. Would look good at a chi-chi soiree, no?

Click image to enlarge

I really like the pattern on those tights the taupe background makes them feel like a neutral and the blue flowers, echo the dress and also remind me of old wallpaper.

Dress, Coast
Shoes, Miss Selfridge
Pearls, (with cameo) ASOS, (with monkeys) Marianne Anderson, (two strand) John Lewis
Tights, Joy of Socks
Vintage clutch, Polkadot Jewellery

A whole lotta hose

Like many fashion bloggers, I have a fascination with hosiery. Socks and tights are, afterall, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to update your wardrobe. Plus, they have the added benefit of keeping your legs warm. Especially if, like me, your more likely to be wearing a dress whatever the weather.

The easiest hosiery to wear is the thick black opaque - goes with anything and makes your legs look endless. But don't discount sheer, coloured, cutout and patterned tights, which are perfect for layering. And -unless you're seriously in the money- forget expensive tights.

You can get a whole load of funky looking tights on the high street for a fraction of the price of a Falkes pair and I regularly trawl my local charity shops for cheap vintage pairs in unusual colours (dusky rose, sheer purple, spotted raspberry...)

Black patterned tights over silver grey tights, both vintage thrifted

Vintage sheer purple tights, layered over Primark grey star print tights

I recently took a trip to Primark and came away with loads of tights at £2 a pop, including a 100 denier black pair and a thick, grey cotton-rich pair - both of which should see me through autumn and winter.

A cutout pair for £1 each, were a great bagain. They put in me in mind (texturally speaking) of that Stella McCartney cutout dress that Gwynnie wore to the Iron Man premiere. I intend to layer them over coloured and patterned tights for some added texture and as an alternative to the already ubiquitous lace.

Cutout tights layered over pink leopard print, both Primark

Cutout tights layered over vintage silver grey vintage tights

1930s Mannish

I love dressing up. Not just in the dressing to go out kind of way. I actually think of dressing up in a childlike way, like stumbling on your mum's trunk in the attic when you're five and trying all the clothes on. It's fun.

I like costume, the idea of becoming someone different or at least looking different - clothes as something to appear in but also to hide behind.

I have my hair in locks and most of the time I wear it straight but I've been fooling around with ways of changing my appearance via my hair, so I curled it and it came out in a great poodle-curled bob. Which made me think of Marlene Dietrich's hair in the film Blue Angel. Which in turn made me think of her mannish style.

The ever so poised and stylish Ms Dietrich

So for work today, I decided to dress up in an outfit that sort of went with the hairstyle. My main mannish accountrements were the hair, a pair of lace-up shoes and a great blazer that I picked up in a vintage shop in New York. And let me just say, I love that scarf! Best £8 I ever spent. On a scarf.

Vintage Emporio Armani blazer, Uniqlo culottes, H&M body, socks and scarf, New Look silver lace-ups

Thrifting in the outer-Nethers

This week I had a little thrifting time, so I took myself off to my favourite charity shop in the outer-Nethers (or CSitO-N as will be known from now on) and set myself a strict £5 budget.

One of the reasons why I love the CSitO-N so much is because it's larger than the average and filled - but not overfilled - with all sorts - from bric-a-brac to doilies to bits of cloth, as well as the usual clothes, bags and shoes combo.

They don't filter out the less fashionable stuff and they don't overprice, which makes for a satisfying bit of rummaging and the chance of a real bargain. My £5 budget was ample.

I found a vintage suitcase with leather trim and bakelite handle for £3! (click on image to enlarge) Vintage suitcases are brilliant for storage. I've been looking for an affordable one of these for ages. When I do come across one, it's usually teeny and wildly overpriced.

This one's quite large - 26x15 inches - and 10 inches deep. I just need to figure out which of my bits and bobs I'm going to store in it.

I also found an adorable picnic case for 75p. It's about the size of vanity case and has pretty red gingham lining. And for those of you who've been following my DIY frustrations with the sewing machine, you'll appreciate the delicious sense of irony when I picked up a book called A-Z of the Sewing Machine for 50p.

So, a satisfying rummage, marvellous buys and I still had change left from a fiver. Result.

Outfit of the week 28/04/08

My first thought when I saw this skirt and blouse on Boohoo.com, (after Hubba, Hubba!, that is. Boohoo is certainly coming into it's own lately) was that together they had the makings of really stylish office outfit. Of course, once I started playing with the images in Photoshop I saw the potential for a cool little prim and proper pin-up girl look. So that's what I went with. You know me, I can't resist a chance for some costume drama.

So, this is really two outfits in one. Wear with some simple comfortable but ladylike shoes and a structured bag (I love this mock croc one from Oli, so stylish!) for the office. Then amp up the potential for drama by adding sheer gloves and a gorgeous fascinator (this one from Hats and That is divinely OTT). Ooh, get you!

55 per cent of you wanted to do the whole pin up look
45 per cent of you wanted to do both the pin up and office look


Click on image to enlarge

Blouse and skirt, £12 each; Boohoo
Shoes, £28; ASOS
Bag, £49 from Fiorelli at Oli
Gloves, $12; Great Gloves Online
Fascinator, £75; Hats and That

Dressing on a curve

Yeah, it's been a looong weekend peeps. So long, that I couldn't get round to posting yesterday... Soz.

While I've been away with the weekend fairies, I've spent time wondering: where did all the curvy go? While surfing around my current obsession with the pin-up look, it struck me how hugely the female body aesthetic has changed.

Just how did we get from bombshells like Marilyn Monroe and Bettie Page - or even more recently, the original supermodels - to the skinny, no boobs, no arse, no... body(!) women who are lauded today. How is that stick figure look attractive and why do designers continue to insist on trying to shrink women down to a shadow of womanhood?

More importantly, why do we let them? How is Victoria Beckham (AKA skeletor spice) and various other lollipop headed celebs in any way preferable to any normal sized woman? As you can see, I am full of questions.

Anyway, I think what I find most attractive about the good old fashioned curvy lady is that hip to waist ratio - teenie waist swelling into full hips. I'm not sure that they make women like that anymore and I think that look had everything to do with the underwear.

Bullet bras, full body girdles, half-girdles, waist nippers, corsets, these were the tools of the trade that gave that comely silhouette, that ultra-femme form. And even when the curvy ladies of yore weren't trussed up in their "shapewear", they wore the most flattering smalls - high waisted pants that nipped in the waist and covered the belly, pretty pettycoats and silken slips... So much more drool-worthy than any of the absurd, butt flossing, whale tail giving, excuses for underwear that's on offer today.

Gotta get me some of that.

Image credits:

Liberette, Pandora's Choice, Posh Vintage Girl, Silver Screen

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Perfect pin-up

Glamourous, retro and highly stylised, the pin-up look may not be for everyone but when properly pulled off, I have to say I love it's sassy, stylish ways.

The look is characterised by nipped in waists, vampish silhouettes, high heels and ladylike accessories. Add a slash of red lippy, a dash of eyeliner and big hair and you're ready to go.

Modern style icons: Amy Winehouse, Paloma Faith, Jessica Rabbit

Style inspiration: Pin ups of the 40s and 50s

Where to find the look: PPQ, Rare Fashion, Alice McCall (diffusion line coming to a Topshop near you from May 5), Fever

Pick up some pieces and accessories: H&M, River Island, Coast

In the image (click to enlarge):
black and white bow dress, PPQ at Oli
Neon yellow fascinator, River Island
Red wedge sandals, Kurt Geiger
Yellow envelope clutch and black peeptoe shoes with bow, Topshop
Bow clutch, Foirelli at Oli
Navy blue cardigan and blue print halter, both Fever
Lace bodice dress with pink corsage and gingham dress with red belt, both Rare
Pin up images courtesy Celebrity Smack and Bedazzled

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I want it now - Helen Storey cutout dress, £300 at Topshop

Isn't this a gorgeous dress? Love that cutout detail and body con vibe. It would look great in a contrasting t-shirt - in cobalt blue, maybe? And sexy, high shboots.

Sadly it's a one-of-a-kind archive piece and only comes in a size six. I'm a size 12. Now, if only I could cut myself in half and live... I could probably sell the other side of me to pay for the dress.

See? There is a silver lining.

Saturday I went thrifting...

... and normally, this involves trawling through acres of ancient clothing, trying on a load of ridiculous outfits and coming out with nothing but today must have been my lucky day.

At Past Caring on Essex Road in Islington, I picked up this gorgeous black velvet dress with sequin and bead detailing. It's body con *shudder* but it just looks so fabulous I couldn't resist.

It has a touch of strictly come dancing about it. For me, that's not a bad thing. I'll be saving it for christmas party season.

I also got an authentic biker jacket - and by that I mean it's made of that sort of thick leather, that bikers wear to protect them from minor scrapes. The best things about it are that it's blue! And it has badges. Also found a very pretty floral blouse.
The stripey poncho was from a charity shop, where I also picked up a very nice, fully lined pencil skirt.

80s-tastic - Mr T does fashion

So you know how sometimes you're just idley surfing the net from blog to blog and then you happen upon something so fantastically wrong, it's just right? That's how I found this clip of Mr T giving style tips.

I was laughing so hard and trying to look like I was working that I must have looked like I was having a fit. I am still wiping the tears from my eyes as I write. This reminds me so much of my teenage years (and God, how old am I?!)

Video via Jezebel.com, via Youtube.

Style stalking New Young Pony Club

Belts, Topshop; leggings American Apparel, vest top, Urban Outfitters; 60s inspired shift, Atom Retro; prom dress, Candy Says; sequin dress, Topshop (click on photo to enlarge)

I'm not really one for celebrity style stalking but having been forced by the bloke to watch the Mercury awards yesterday all that may change. Though I found the music not quite to my taste (or appalling as we like to call it round these parts) I did manage to develop a major crush on the New Young Pony Club.

Say what you like about their music, this lot really know how to dress. I love that individual vintage-inspired style and I've been dreaming about colourful prom dresses and statement belts ever since.

Obviously, I was so preoccupied with my new lurve jones that I had to go surfing for stuff to add to my shopping list. Consider this little collage a tribute to their cool-as-all-hell style.

At least their fashion rocks.

The shoes I am yet to wear - Glitter shoes

I think we can all agree these are fabulous shoes. Love the silver glitter, contrasting strap and accents and - you can't see them but - a lovely chunky 2.5 inch heel.

When I saw them last year in the Office shop window, it was shoe lurve. They looked like great party shoes and I imagined myself twinkling from party to party with them on my feet.

It's going on for seven months later and I still haven't worn them yet. But I will. One day. I think.

Get 10% off at Rokit

Rokit vintage stores are so proud of their website they're offering a 10% off voucher to anyone who visits. Just go to their giveaways section, print off the voucher and take it in to any Rokit store to get 10% off any of their non-reduced items.



Image courtesy Rokit

Romantique

To see this and more of my fantasy outfits and where to buy click here

Take one lady-like dress add some vintage-look booties and matching bag, statement jewelery and top with a cute vintage hat... Brideshead Revisted? Lovely.

I want it now! - Phaze Lolita frill embroidered coat, £75

I've been getting bored lately with the same ol', lame ol' trends on the high street. I've been trying to look for stuff that's a bit more unique. So, when I got a hankering for a new coat, I eschewed the whole "wear a trenchcoat or die!" ethos and went looking online pastures new. Which is where I found this baby from a shop called Phaze.

Phaze caters to the more dramatic dresser - think alternative, goth, fantasy or Japanese lolita - and I have not only fallen in love with the site but also with this frock coat, because it's fabulous. To check out Phaze, go to "Go Shop" in the sidebar.

White out

It's the holiday season, it's actually hot enough outside to venture out without a scarf and the winter boots are now doing time at the back of the closet. Finally we can shake out those skirts and dresses and dare to bare our flesh in shorts.

This is also the the season of white... well... everything, really. From mini to maxi dresses, shorts to slacks to skirts, everything will come in white. Word of advice: no head to toe white please - it's just way too much of a good thing. Break it up with blacks, brights or neutrals (brown, beige and putty grey look great with white).

It's a cover up
Totally impractical and just as covetable, the white summer coat, coming to a store near you.



From far left: H&M lightweight summer mac, £39.99; River Island summer coat, £79.99

White skimpies

Got great legs and toned arms? You can flaunt them all over the shop with sexy mini dresses and shorts.


Clockwise from far right: Reiss cotton mini dress, £59; Miss Selfridge linen shorts, £25; Sisley sleeveless shirt, £37





Lady in white
Get all lady-like with pretty skirts and vintage inspired lace tops.



Clockwise from bottom: H&M jersey cotton skirt, £9.99; Wallis crochet vest and vintage lace top, £30 and £35

Got it covered
Not keen on showing those legs? Try maxi dresses or wide-legged trousers. Hide thighs under long shorts (contradiction, I know) and elongate your legs with platform sandals as high as you can wear.

Clockwise from top: New Look trousers, £28; H&M synthetic maxi dress, £39.99; FCUK maxi dress, £110; Topshop pleat-front linen shorts, £22

Gone boutiqueing

In a departure from my normal high street trawl, I've been beating the route less travelled by popping in to some of the local boutiques. I haven't done this in a while and boy, have I missed a trick.

The boutique's in London have really come into their own recently, with some really pretty, quirky clothes by young designers from all over the world, one-off vintage pieces and cool shoes.

You might think of boutiques as over-hyped and over-priced but actually, they are not that much more expensive than the top end of the high street. So, if you fancy standing out from the rest of the pack this season, why don't you pop in to your friendly neighbourhood boutique, you may be surprised by what you find.

Check out:

Hoxton Boutique (HOBO) - A great little place in Shoreditch, with loads of quirky accessories, astronomical designer wear and more affordable vintage pieces like the yellow polka dot halter neck dress, £55 (above). Their sale rack is worth checking out for cut-price designer pieces.

No-one - Another Shoreditch boutique selling items from up and coming designers such as Deborah Sweeney (right) and Karen Walker. Suprisingly, prices start from as little as £45 for a dress.

Anna Lou of London If you're really into your bags or have penchant for statement or kitsch retro jewellery, then Anna Lou should be on your list. There's an array of items from big leather shoppers to the dinkiest of phone charms like this rainbow and cloud (left).

Lazy Oaf - If you want to be the proud owner of a neon retro kitsch tee that will have your friends green with envy, then head down to this shop in Carnaby Street's Kingly Court, Oxford Circus. Also stocks bright, colourful and quirky accessories (left). Has to be seen to be believed.

Narcissus London - Their website may not be up to much but this West End boutique is worth visiting for the leather rose broaches and girlie tops.

Mnini - If you like you fashion, romantic and fantastic (left), then this boutique will suit you down to a tee. You go princess!

Obviously, I've taken in as many boutiques as one girl can in a day but there are many more that I've left out. I'll be making sure to visit some more soon and I'll keep you posted.