Wednesday 21 September 2016

A thousand boxes yet to tick

It's been quite a while since I went charity shopping, I've had to give flea markets a miss, and I hadn't seen the inside of my favourite vintage shops in weeks.

Come to think of it, I haven't done any outfit posts in a while either ...

On top of that, the fact that I've been blogging for six months now (the 5th of September was my first kind-of blogiversary) and that I recently published my 50th post, completely passed me by.

You know, life, with all its ups and downs, sometimes gets in the way, and all those things I mentioned haven't exactly been uppermost in my mind.

Shoes worn with all three outfits: Clarks, charity shopped at Oxfam

However, in the last week, I've made up for lost time in a big way, and so I am taking a little break from my travelling posts to give you an update of what I've been up to.

My birthday came the day after we got back from our holiday, and I treated myself to an extra day off, and a visit to one of my favourite charity shops.

Here are the things that came home with me.


First up are two hats, shown here by the faithful Twiggy.

I already wore the sunhat to work last week, as we were having a late heatwave here in Belgium. At some point Belgium was the hottest place in Europe, with temperatures of 30°C and more.


This Scottish souvenir scarf is a favourite find. As with so many things these last couple of weeks, this is reminding me of my dad, who loved Scotland very much.


Finally, this pretty handmade dress, which I wore to go to a flea market on Saturday. More about that later ...

On Thursday, during lunch break, I paid a visit to Think Twice, who were yet again in the middle of one of their famous sales. With prices down to € 4, I didn't restrain myself and bought several pieces.

As I was in a maxi mood, here are my favourites:


Handmade and lined, this Crimplene skirt was just the right length. The green shirt is made from Diolen fabric, but I replaced its tiny buttons with more appropriate ones from my stash of vintage buttons.

The label inside this polyester, bell-sleeved maxi frock reads "M. Fischer, Paris". Again, its length is just right for me.


The crocheted shawl was a birthday present from my friend Ingrid, who made it especially to be worn with my maxi dresses. I'm sure it will keep me warm and cozy on a chilly winter day.

As if that wasn't enough, a flea market was waiting for us on Saturday. It was quite a large one, being held in the streets of the nearby town of Mortsel. We try to go each year if the weather's fine, and we are rarely disappointed.

At the onset, it was quite cloudy, and I even thought I felt a couple of drops of rain, but in no time the sky had cleared and it became sunny and warm.






It didn't take long to make our first purchase, a Fire King Jadite sugar bowl, sadly minus its lid.

I love the opaque green of this glassware, and if space wasn't an issue I would collect the whole range.








Nevertheless, I can never resist picking up pieces now and again, when they are being offered at silly prices. This sugar bowl is going to join the cup and saucer and the two (!) milk jugs I already own.

A couple of stalls further on, we came across a stack of breakfast plates (Argenteuil by Boch), which we bought as we already have cups and saucers of the same design.









While I was paying for the plates, Jos bought this Lourdes music box souvenir.

Honest, it wasn't me!


Just as we were about to leave, I spotted this brown boxy handbag for € 2.


I was attracted to the flowers on this pretty wirework basket, as they are similar to the flowers on a 1940s brooch I own. As the asking price was only € 1, I could hardly leave it behind, could I?


Did I buy any brooches? Well, yes, of course!

I paid a total of € 10 for these six brooches, found at different stalls.


The celluloid brooch (top centre) alone is worth more than that and is now joining my little collection, making a total of four.


Our final purchase was this Côte d'Or tin. Côte d'Or is a famous Belgian brand of chocolate, which has been going around since 1883, and the iconic elephant is still adorning their packaging to this day.

I was sad, however, to read in last week's papers that Côte d'Or has been sold and that in future production of this chocolate will no longer be taking place in Belgium.


I remember that, when I was little, there was always Côte d'Or chocolate in the cupboard at my grandparents' house, and I wanted to eat just the squares with the elephants on them.

I'm not sure the chocolate even tastes the same nowadays ...

25 comments:

  1. When I was growing up, Belgian chocolate was very expensive to import to the US, and it was a special treat when someone brought some home from their holiday. That's sad to think it is no longer made in Belgium.

    You are the Queen of Brooches. I don't know how you manage to find such beautiful pieces.

    I can't pass up a tourist scarf either-the artwork is always such fun.

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    1. I guess there's still Belgian chocolate being produced here, but Côte d'Or is such a classic and well-known brand, so I think it's quite sad. Oh, the Queen of Brooches. That would have made a great blog name ... xxx

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  2. You always come up trumps! I'm impressed. I'd love to see your whole brooch collection.

    Love that handmade dress, you look lovely! xxx

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    1. Thanks Melanie. I guess I could do a post about some of my collection of brooches ... xxx

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  3. I love the hand made dress, it looks lovely on you. You always make me feel better about myself and my brooch habit!

    Oh My! That tin!! I am SO going to have to look out for one for myself it's gorgeous.

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    1. There's nothing wrong with a brooch habit, I guess, but I'm pleased I'm making you feel better about it. I'll think of you when I come across another of those tins! xxx

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  4. You did do well, that enforced break obviously honed your skills!
    I love the maxi dress and the skirt (no surprise there!) xxx

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    1. I had a feeling you'd like the maxi skirt and dress. Now I wonder why that is ... xxx

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  5. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I adore your fabulous 70s vintage dresses, skirts and tops. Nothing beats 70s polyester! Love your style (and you have a rockin' bod, if I may be so bold!). Count me as a new follower!

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    1. Thanks your visiting me back, Sheila. You are quite making me blush though, with your rockin' bod comment. That really made my day! xxx

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  6. Ooh, what a lovely haul of birthday goodies you got. Ha, you totally egged him on with the Lourdes piece!!! The brooches are fabulous- you have some real gems there. The green shirt is really nice too!!x

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    1. Ok, I admit Kezzie. I didn't exactly say no when Jos showed me the Lourdes piece ... xxx

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  7. a belated happy birthday dear ann!!! <3 <3 <3
    i´m a bit breathless with all your fab finds...
    you look wonderful in your colorful attire and how thoughtful of ingrid to crochet a stola to go with all your maxis!
    congrats to the first half year of blogging!
    huge hugs! xxxxx

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    1. Thank you Beate. I feels like I have been blogging forever, and I've got to know so many lovely people ... Huge hugs back xxxx

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  8. Congratulations on your six months anniversary, Ann. It's hard to remember a time before you started blogging. You have certainly got an eye for treasure. That handmade dress looks amazing. Could have been made for you. A very happy belated birthday to you! Xxx

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    1. Thank you Tania! After six months, blogging has become second nature, as much as the treasure hunting. xxx

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  9. Belated happy birthday! What great charity shop and flea market finds. X

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    1. Thanks for your birthday wishes. After some meagre weeks, it was good to have such a great haul. xxx

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  10. Ooohh Ann, what a marvelous array of finds. Broken record here, I know, but the brooches are my faves, followed closely by that sophisticated brown handbag. Congrats on so many awesome new thrift shop treasures.

    And many, many joyful congratulations on your half year blogging anniversary as well. What an exciting milestone! I've loved following your site from its earliest days and the great back and forth we share through our blog comments.

    Wishing you oodles more months and years ahead of blissful blogging!

    xoxo ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thanks for your sweet comments and I am honoured that you, who I've been following for such a long time, were one of my first followers. You are the best! xxx

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  11. What a lovely way to spend your birthday (and a very belated Happy Birthday!).
    You found some lovely items, I've been loving maxi skirts and dresses too. The brooches are superb.

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    1. Thanks for the birthday wishes! That maxi skirt and dress were lucky finds indeed. xxx

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  12. Heh, I knew as soon as I saw your tin that Gisela (Miss Magpie) would love it! So sad that the chocolate is no longer being made in Belgium. British brand Cadbury's got bought out by an American company and they changed the recipes. I don't eat Cadbury's any more.

    Your crimplene skirt and bell-sleeved maxi are ace.

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    1. I didn't know that about Cadbury's. I never eat it, but my husband does when we're in the UK. He's quite a chocoholic ... Oh, and I also knew Gisela would love the tin! xxx

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  13. Such a great blog i like it very much thanks for sharing with us.
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