A bevy of bargains

Last weekend was another extended one, with Monday off as well, which was very welcome as, after the week I'd had, I was knackered!

If the weeks heading up to my holidays are always a stressful time at the office, a full system breakdown lasting several days didn't exactly make things any better.

It was a good thing Think Twice was in the middle of another one of their famous sales, so that I could indulge in some guilt free retail therapy.

Over several lunch breaks, I visited each of their three shops in Antwerp, finding bargains in all of them.

First up, another cotton frock. At this rate, I shall have to change the name of my blog very soon!

It's handmade, with the former owner's name tag sewn in (she was called Anne!), and with its funky print it did its best to cheer me up when I wore it to work on Friday.

The dress and I weren't looking our best when we got home, so after washing and *sigh!* ironing it, I let Angelica do the honours.

Then there were two cheerful floral print skirts ...

... and a wayward navy and white pleated one!

This groovy blouse will be joining my holiday wardrobe!

Finally, there was this olive green bag made out of the softest of leathers.

I was too tired to do much on Saturday, so I pottered around the house and ticked a few items off my pre-holiday to-do list.

I chose this sunny yellow and green dress, which I charity shopped back in March, to which I added a yellow belt with a round buckle. My jewellery consisted of a necklace made of small yellow discs (charity shopped) and a yellow plastic bird brooch bought in Cardigan a couple of years ago.

A small yellow handbag completed my outfit.

My hair was due for a cut and colour session (another thing to be ticked off my hectic schedule) so it was looking a bit lanky and lacklustre. I didn't want to wash it just yet (my hairdresser says I have to restrain myself), so I added a hair clip in a bid to draw away attention from the hair itself.

We went on a half-hearted charity shopping trip, visiting only one shop, and not even featuring a walk in the nearby park.

After trawling the clothing aisles, picking up a shirt for Jos and two green cardies for me, I was prepared to call it a day, when I spotted this  gorgeous straw handbag.  Expecting it to have been produced in China or similar, I was amazed to see a Made in Italy tag inside. It's a little out of shape, so I've filled it with empty carrier bags until it starts behaving again. At € 2, it was a steal!

On Sunday, we were in for a treat: a huge flea market with over 700 stalls was taking place in a neighbouring village. While the main part is held on some recreational fields, there are many more stalls to be explored in the surrounding streets.

The weather was perfect for it (last year it was bitterly cold), so I wore a floral two piece and turquoise accessories. The sun played hide and seek with the clouds, and whenever she disappeared it was a bit chilly, so that I was obliged to play an on and off game with a turquoise cardigan.

The best part of the flea market is on the playing fields, offering a good variety of stalls. 

We spotted these Bakelite chocolate moulds, and as they were only € 3 each, we chose two, one with four little acorns and another one with two seahorses. According to the seller, they date from the 1950s.

Although we do not actively collect Bakelite, we pick up the odd piece now and then. Apart from a couple of Bakelite radios and some kitchenalia, we have a some smaller items on display on a shelf of a 1930s cabinet.

These small plaster heads were only € 3 for the two and although slightly damaged, they were too good to be left behind.

It might surprise you that I only bought one brooch, but isn't it a beauty?

I also picked up these two new-to-me tops for € 2 each, which will be perfect for Wales, and which have gone straight into my suitcase. With their retro look, they will cheer up a pair of ordinary jeans no end.

My final purchase, also for € 2, was this vintage dress. This too has gone into my suitcase. I already own a winter dress with the same print but in different colours.

On Monday, I sorted out the rest of my holiday wardrobe and packed it away, ready for take off!

Not long now: just one more week at the office where, I'm glad to report, computer problems have finally been sorted!