Frock On A Friday

Just a quickie as I actually had time and was wearing a resonable outfit today. I was able to walk to Baby Bird's Storytime at the Library with bare arms this morning. OK, it was a little chilly, but the sun was (just) out! (Note Curtise-style pose!)

70s embroidered Thai maxi (about £11 ebay), embroidered bag (£1.80 ebay), Evans boots (about £30 four years ago), cream bangle (50p car boot sale), metal bangles (33p each charity shop), Nomads earrings (about £3 on sale)

I've been out of circulation for a few days as the PC picked up a virus on Monday night, but it went to the computer hospital and it's fixed now, thankfully. Not quite sure how I functioned without it!

Homemade pizza and maybe a DVD tonight, and a jumble sale bright and early tomorrow (wish me luck). have great weekends everyone!

A Little Light Archaeology...

Long time no see!

I found myself wondering the other day why I actually keep this blog as I post so rarely, but to be fair, I've been crafting quite a bit recently and I tend to go into a bit of a blackhole with it as I don't have a lot of free time. Baby Bird has been shipped off to his grandparents for the weekend (returning later today), so Mr R&B and I have had some peace and quiet. We even managed to go out for a meal at the local Weatherspoon on Friday night - not the most glamourous of locations but I take what I can get these days!

There have been 3 jumble sales over the last couple of weekends. Last week's wasn't amazing, but I got a great haul yesterday. There were two at the same time yesterday, but I was at the first one for nearly an hour and after sifting through piles of donations, I was worn out so I came home. I wonder if rummaging counts as exercise? Lifting all those clothes and books could quite easily keep bingo wings at bay. So much cheaper and more enjoyable than the gym!

Would you like a few pictures?

Last week's finds

 Girl's psychedelic harem pants, cotton Thai print kaftan 20p each

 Wooly jumpers for felting 20p each, velvet cushion cover for fabric stash 10p

60s baby outfits, 20p each

Yesterday's jumble was much better finds wise, plenty for everyone despite a certain few people pushing into the front of the queue and trying to get in early (I'm pretty sure they're traders as I've seen then around a lot).

USA made Paige premium denim jeans, 70s Butte Knit top, 20p each

 70s 'Shapely Lady' quilted housecoat, handmade shirred dress, handmade 80s does 50s dress, 20p each

 Indian-made skirt, handmade orange linen skirt, 50s style skirt, 20p each

 70s scarf, 50s? St Michael scarf 10p each, modern suede goves 20p

 Faux fur collar for craft stash, 10p

 Foss Shoes £1. Think these are 70s, but could be earlier

My best find - more of my beloved Poole Pottery Twintone! 3 side-plates and 3 large teacups, 50p the lot!

I started collecting decorative Poole several years ago, but after finding 5 Twintone plates in a charity shop about four years ago, that's become the focus of my search. The cups in the Ice Green and Seagull (a mottled light grey) colourway and the side plates are the rarer Ice Green and Mushroom colour (which matches what I already have). Sadly they're a little scratched, but for less than 10p each, I can't really complain. I'd love to complete the collection one day, I just have to keep looking.

Hope you're all having nice weekends!

As Yet Untitled...

As you can see, one of this year's goals hasn't done too well so far as this is my first post since the 2nd of January! Mind you, I've been cooking a bit more. We had friends over for dinner on Sunday evening and I did a tapas-style spread, inspired by the River Cottage Veg Everday Book (Christmas Present from Mr R&B). No pictures as we were all too hungry to wait! I'm a big fan of Hugh F-W, but being a veggie means most of his recipies are no good to me. I was overjoyed when the TV series aired last Autumn - I was nearly dribbling at all the gorgeous food I could actually eat!

I've yet to really do anything about the business, but I've managed to clear some of the clutter on ebay which is a good start to the year.

I was going to do some outfit posts, but I'm afraid I'm becalmed in a sea of maternity clothing mediocrity at the moment. However, I refuse to spend the next 6ish months in stretch jersey hell, so this will change soon!

I've mentioned before that the charity shops near me have pretty slim pickings vintage-wise and are usually pretty over-priced, but you do get the odd gem.

Here are two things I picked up this week:

70s? carved wooden plate 50p

 60s Cecil Series 'Continental' table set £3. A couple of the eggcups are a bit chipped, but otherwise it looks like its never been used. Maybe a wedding present to someone?

2012 Is The Year...

I don't really bother with resolutions - they feel too much like obligations and get broken within days. Instead I've got a list of goals for the year, in no particular order:

1. Grow my vintage clothing business.

2. Blog and comment more.

3. Make an effort style-wise.

4. Cook more.

5. Pay off my debts (finally).

Looks like a busy year ahead then - we're also expecting our second baby in early July!

Happy New Year to everyone, may 2012 be your best yet x

And The Winner Is....

By the magic of technology and random.org, the winner is......

Curtise at Pastcaring

Thank you all for entering, I'm sorry you couldn't all win, but I'll try and do a few more giveaways next year.

Give It Away, Give It Away, Give It Away Now

Here it is then, at last! My promised giveaway -

One lucky (?) person will receive a copy of Cath Kidston's Sew! book, some vintage buttons, some ribbon, a polka dot hanging heart and a make up brush roll made from 1940s fabric. All you need to do to be in with a chance is be a follower and leave a comment to say you'd like to enter, it's open to followers in any country. Closing date will be Saturday 3rd December. Go on, have a go!

Ground Control to Major Tom - and a giveaway heads-up!

There I was thinking finishing work would give me a bit more time, but the last couple of weeks have been really busy with my mum visiting, trying to get reaquainted with Etsy and researching cake decorations. Apologies if I usually comment on your blog but haven't done recently, I have been reading but just haven't had time to comment!

Anyway, these are the pick of the jumble finds from the other week.

70s housecoat but it's really warm and will make a great dress with the right styling. From the 'expensive' £1 rail.

 60s black and silver brocade maxi dress. A tad snug, but it's a keeper. Also from the £1 rail.

Mad 70s chinese dragon print kaftan, 30p.

Wish I could have got better photos but it's so dull here at the moment!

I spotted that I'd reached 103 followers recently (wow, 103 people actually want to read my witterings?!), so I'm going to have a little giveaway this week. I'll post details in a couple of days.