Bargains, Readings and Winnings

In my last bargain update post I might have mentioned that I've technically been 'saving' and 'not shopping'.  It seems I can't help myself when it comes to sales, charity shops and general temptation.  Once again I seem to have accumulated a few things, whoops!

Firstly, I was made a present of a large red cape from my husband, it's oh so cosy and looks rather dramatic, which appeals to me immensely.



At about the same time I purchased a lovely hair flower to wear to an upcoming wedding.  I don't think my husband approves, it's quite large and he thinks it "detracts from your face", which I'm not sure how to take!

Hair flower from Alternate Normality

You might have seen that in my last outfit post that I bought a pair of Swedish Hasbeens from a charity shop, like new and only £4.50.  They take lots of breaking in, the leather is incredibly stiff, but they are slowly starting to soften.  On the same charity shop trip I bought a lovely rose print dress for £4.  You can't leave lovely things there for that price, even though I have told myself on several occasions that I don't 'need' any more party frocks...





What Katie Did had a sale over Easter, so of course I dived in.  I bought the Vivien French knickers (wonderful), and the glamour bra (it doesn't look great on its own, but definitely works under clothes).  The cabaret bra is a bad fit, I will have to resell, as unfortunately they don't accept returns on final sale items.  No photos of them sorry, they've all disappeared off their website for good!

I saw the lovely Harlow sporting the Michelle maxi dress by Collectif last year and I became obsessed with tracking it down.  I finally found a bit of old stock in my size, on Ebay, so I've bought it as an early birthday-present-to-myself.  It was originally £65 and I got mine for £30, so that's still a bargain.

Because one present is just not enough, I then ended up ordering this lovely 1930s tie-neck blouse, after foolishly watching Indian Summers, reading Agatha Christie, and browsing Art Deco paintings, all in a few days.  No-one can withstand that amount of 1930s inspiration without being compelled to act on it.  Regrettably, it's just not my blouse.  It's a viscose, and a tad too stiff on my frame, adding bulk, and there's something about the colours that don't work on me.  I also feel the sleeves are too short on my long arms.  It's nice enough, and if it was a charity shop bargain no doubt I'd take it home and try to make it work, but at £45 I have to send it back because this blouse will look fabulous on someone else, and it deserves to look fabulous.

Tie-neck blouse from House of Foxy

That leads me nicely on to readings.  A friend has lent me a stash of Agatha Christie books, which I'm ploughing my way through on my commute.  I really enjoyed reading my first Tommy and Tuppence novel, 'By the Pricking of My Thumbs', but wasn't so enamoured with 'The Mystery of the Blue Train' with Poirot.  I've also been enjoying the latest issue of In Retrospect, completely biased of course due to my role as contributor.

One of my articles for In Retrospect looks at British manufacturers of vintage style clothing.  Above is Wales' last tweed mill in 1940.

On to winnings...
I won a Kiss Me Deadly voucher and promptly spent it on the Sirena waspie (which I need help to get into, blimey!), and the red seamed stockings.  It was whilst they had their Easter Egg hunt on, so I also snagged a free pair of Sirena knickers in purple, and another pair of stockings for free.

To finish then, here's the little ditty that got me a Kiss Me Deadly runners up prize, complete with references to the names of their ranges:

 

Today I'm a buccaneer, Jacquotte lives in me
The horizon's ahead, and I'm sailing free

 

Today I'm a songbird, an alouette

In the dawn light, I perform my pirouette

 

Today I'm calm, in an aura serene

I ride out the storm walls, that crash around me

 

Today I'm just me, a daughter and wife

With a little bit of deadliness, to get me through life.

 

I'm having a little breather from blogging this weekend - my next outfit post will be up on Tuesday, so check back then, for an extra special post featuring not only myself, but the lovely CiCi Marie! 

Wishing you a good end to the week and a restful weekend!