Browsing Tag

charity shops

Uncategorized

I may not look like much, but I’m an expert at pretending to be a ninja.

May 6, 2013

And that’s what I did the other day, with my newly acquired Jika – Tabi shoes I got from Ebay! Have you ever heard of tabi shoes before? They look bizarre don’t they? Some people commented they look like hooves, others were just perplexed and looked at me like I am crazy and it didn’t matter explaining that they are actually quite common in Japan. That’s right, they’re actually common work shoes in the land of the Rising Sun! They were invented in the 20th Century but were modeled after the traditional tabi socks, that divide and separate the big toe from the rest of its toe brothers. In case you are wondering, they are quite comfortable but would be best worn with tabi socks underneath, not tights like I did.

I was so happy to finally receive the shoes that I wanted to wear them the next day so quite unusually, I planned my outfit the previous night and drew it on the computer:

That was fun, I should do it more often! And this is what it looked like in real life:

And the details are…. *drumroll* : Bauble hat – Neiman Marcus collection for Target (on sale),  Peplum Skirt – Ebay, Navy Top – Joules, thrifted on my trip to StamfordTights – Primark, Tabi Shoes – Ebay

I’m linking this up to Patty’s Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style as there’s nothing more inconspicuous than a strange pair of footwear.

Uncategorized

Don’t look over your shoulder but we are coming.

April 8, 2013

Last Saturday I hopped on the train to Sheffield, to meet with Curtise of The Secondhand Years for some quality time together. I had never been to Sheffield before and Curtise was a great guide and we did manage to cram a lot of stuff in my few hours in town. As soon as I arrived we headed to the Vintage & Craft Market, where we saw lovely creative things and highly covetable vintage wares. We both picked up a couple of things and had a chat with a few nice people. Curtise acted as the bank as with all the excitement when I arrived I forgot to mention I needed to stop by the ATM and had only a few pounds on me. Thank heavens one of us was paying attention!

(photo by Curtise)

(photo by Curtise)

There were a few different sellers with the cutest fascinators, decorated with teensy flowers, little birds, etc. I felt like picking up one of them but decided against it because frankly, it would be another one to join the ranks of the too outrageous to be worn out and left in a box to gather dust. After a nice light lunch in a cafe we headed to the outskirts for some charity shopping – that’s where the best shops are. We visited all of them on this road and found a couple of things we liked.

There’s Curtise!

After filling up our bags with second hand clothes we headed to the center and stopped by at the art museum. We didn’t have much time to see the exhibits – there was one about Ruskin that looked interesting enough – but I did get a look at the building itself. In the lobby they have these sculptures made of cutlery – how cool is that? Sheffield was once a center for the steel industry, so it is an important part of the city’s history and cultural references.

The Winter garden is lovely, a very nice spot to sit down and have a little rest if you’ve been walking for a while.

(photo by Curtise)

Here’s what I wore: Jacket – Primark, Bag – Target, Musical Dress – from Ebay, not sure where it’s from originally as the tag’s been cut off. Pink Angora Jumper – Jane Norman, via Oxfam, Shirt – Ebay, Shoes – Office, via Ebay, Cat Print Headscarf – Mango, got it many years ago on a trip to Porto. I was trying to hide the Oxfam plastic bag but it’s peering from behind my legs. I also have to say that I don’t think I’ve ever worn such a combination of moulting clothes – both the jumper and the jacket were shedding fur everywhere, I must have lost a pound of it throughout the city during the day.

The day was sunny and very pleasant and lots of peoiple were out, including these kids who were getting wet in these water spouts.

After all the walking we did we decided it was time for a bit of a sit down and a cheeky drink and a bit more of a chat.

It was a lovely day out and about with Curtise, she is as lovely and funny as she comes across on her blog. We will definitely get together again in the future for some more shenanigans. Thank you Curtise for showing me your city and putting up with my incessant chattering! And now, for the loot I brought back home:

Chelsea Girl hearts dress, M&S nautical sandals, Lulu London sort of poncho, deer figurine for my collection, present from Curtise.

1970’s Lurex bolero thingy, Golden bow sandals from Top Shop and Some big beads I mean to shorten.