Sunday 21 April 2019

Instant Karma

While we are currently enjoying temperatures of 25° Celsius and more, last weekend they were in the single figures, with a frosty start to the day. Well, I guess that's April for you, showing us who's boss and hitting home the fact that we're not out of the woods just yet!

Bad timing, as on that Friday I'd taken the afternoon off to continue the wardrobe change-over I'd started the week before. Putting away the bulk of my Winter dresses - leaving out a small segment of lighter long-sleeved ones for chilly days - and replacing them with a rail full of short-sleeved frocks, took up most of the afternoon. I'll be changing over skirts, coats and shoes later, but at least this means the main part of the job is done!


One of the remaining long-sleeved frocks came out to play on Saturday. Outside, an icy wind was blowing, but Dove Cottage's walled garden has a micro climate of its own where, protected from the worst of the wind, it is always about two degrees warmer. 

The sky blue dress with its intriguing print, was bought at Episode, part of a Dutch chain of vintage shops, on the day they re-opened in Antwerp after several years of absence, back in 2015.



Inspired by Ivana, I dug this sewing box out of my wardrobe. Bought at a flea market last Spring,  with the intention of using it as a handbag, I'd all but forgotten about it! Isn't it sweet?

In the end, I thought it was too bulky for our afternoon plans, but at least it got its outing, even if it was only into the garden!


I automatically think yellow whenever I'm wearing this dress, and I don't think I've ever worn it with any other colour. So, my round buckled yellow belt and yellow cardigan and opaques were the obvious choices.

The yellow, white and orange beads, which always remind me of the chewing gum I used to get from the vending machine outside the corner shop back in the early 1970s, came from the sadly missed Blender Vintage Shop. Other accessories were the sparkly yellow ring, a retail buy, and my blue-rimmed plastic flower brooch, which was a charity shop find.



On our way to the charity shops, we stopped for a short stroll and some photos at the large park in Boom, which we hadn't visited since last Summer. I particularly love this part of the park, with its little wooden bridge, reminiscent of the Monet painting, crossing one of the rills.

Wood anemones, some showing their purple streaked undersides, were joined by the first of the bluebells and, in front of the bridge, a small patch of forget-me-nots.


I wore my vintage plaid swing coat with its droopy half belt and it was chilly enough for a beret and woollen scarf, in complementing blue and yellow. 

I succumbed to the basket bag I'm carrying in a pop up shop in Antwerp last week. I was looking for a zipped-top cross body bag to take on our trip next week, which I found, but I was very naughty as this one came home with me as well.

If the weather gods were determined to play their devilish tricks on us, the charity shop goddesses more than made up for their foul behaviour! It must have been our reward for all the stuff we've donated lately! 

There was a shoe sale going on, with all shoes regardless of whether they were quality or cheapo brands, priced at € 4. 



The black sandals are Clarks, while the caramel Mary Janes and the orange sling backs are Tamaris. I have those in pale turquoise as well. The red and white retro style pumps are from Diba, a brand I haven't come across before. All four pairs are as good as new!  



I find it hard to resist straw or wicker bags, so I fell for this navy one, which closes with a tab at the top. The carpet handbag was a snip at € 2, while a rummage in a box full of scarves - always worth a look! - yielded these two beauties. The silk scarf with its delightful print on the bottom left is vintage St. Michael.


I can see raised eyebrows here! If you are wondering whether I've gone mad and photographed the result of a visit to the local bakery, then I urge you to look twice!

This loaf shaped money box was on the miscellaneous shelf of our most local charity shop for € 0,50. We had no intention of buying it until we spied the back which proudly proclaimed it was  Made in England. Oh go on, it's only € 0,50, we thought!


While I was trawling the clothing aisles, Jos plonked himself down in a conveniently placed easy chair and googled the thing on his phone. Turns out it's from around 1940 and that is was made for Hovis. That, in its turn, reminded us of the framed Hovis ad on our kitchen wall. Incidentally, we also have a vintage bread board, very similar to the one the boy in the ad is playing with, which we picked up in an antiques shop in Rye many years ago.


But let's go back to those clothing aisles I was browsing while Jos was doing his detective work.

Did I find something? Well, yes, and here I am wearing my finds. All you can see here, except for the tights and belt, which I was already wearing, was charity shopped that day!


I'm sure you've already spied the shoes, basket and scarf, but let me take you through the rest of my finds.

First up is a deadstock vintage skirt, with a delightful daisy print. As is often the case, I had to plunder a shop display for it.


The orange velvet blazer is by Belgian label Avalanche and a trawl on the Internet revealed it must have retailed for well over € 100. I'd been dithering over this, as it was € 10, which I thought was a bit expensive, but in the end I gave in as it's such a nice fit, not to mention a gorgeous colour.

My final buy was this ruffle front skirt from Gigue, an absolute bargain at € 4 as the original retail price for this too was in excess of € 100.



Don't you love a bit of charity shop Karma?

I am actually counting the days, as in only two days we will be going away on a little break.

The weather has made a complete U-turn by now, so hopefully it will stay on the straight and narrow until at least the end of the week! But, knowing our luck as well as the famously fickle Belgian weather, it will probably rain!


36 comments:

  1. Three cheers for charity shop karma! I can't help but wonder if your charity shop finds might have been missed had the weather been more accommodating. I don't know about you, but when the sun is shining and the skies are bright blue and the temps are just right--I'd rather be in one of those lovely parks you post about than indoors anywhere. This way, you got some true treasures (that bread box, among many!). Now you can flit off on your travels AND take some new delightful finds with you. It's like having your cake and eating it, too!

    Can't wait to live vicariously through you as you go on your trip. Be safe and have fun!

    - Sherry
    http://www.petiteover40.com

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    1. You're right, Sherry, and I'd gladly have missed these finds and gone for a walk instead if the weather had been more accommodating ... Double charity shop karma, perhaps? xxx

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  2. That bread piggy bank is the most unusual I've ever seen! And it does look realistic, you fooled me. :)

    I love both outfits, the contrasting colors are just so visually pleasing! But the photos of you in the garden melt my heart! You look so lovely in your vintage plaid coat, and the garden with the bridge and forget-me-nots is in pure harmony with your Spring look!

    I wonder where you are going this time! You are always up to something fun, I can't wait to see! :)

    Lots of love, my dear friend!

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    1. Thank you my dear! That vintage plaid coat is one of my best finds ever. It's the perfect between-the-seasons coat. xxx

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  3. I love you always wear colours and in spring I like daisies so much. Is the sewing box for handbag a little bit uncomfortable? But realy nice :) You look amazing Ann.
    I wish you a wonderful trip ;)
    Habe a nice eastermonday, a huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina! On our recent trip, we came across a whole field of daisies, and I just had to go and lie down between them ... The sewing box/bag is a bit unwieldy, and would have been great if we'd only gone for a walk, but not so for rummaging ... xxx

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  4. that print on the blouse!!!! swoooon******
    you look fabulous in lightblue & yellow with the little checked coat on top! and you found some cool shoes - who is donating almost new ones? but good luck for you :-D
    i see - you have a bread themed installation now in your kitchen - eh?!
    have a nice trip!
    biggest hugsies!!! xxxxxx

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    1. I fell in love with the print too. Then I saw the ruffles and I was sold. I haven quite a few pairs of pristine new-to-me shoes in my collection, and always wonder about them. At least it allows me lots of variation at little cost! xxx

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  5. That's quite a haul of shoes, they all look new.
    You look the epitome of spring, the daisy skirt is lovely.
    I always enjoy your fabulous nature photography, it's a treat. xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, Sally! There's always something to catch my eye when out walking! xxx

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  6. Oh, spring, so changeable! I love all your purchases! That straw blue bag is a great colour. Isn't it fun looking up the original prices on our bargains? That is one of my favourite things when I get home from shopping! Wishing you both a happy Easter! Enjoy your upcoming trip!

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    1. And you'd think we've had the worst now that April is over ... Not! I always look up the original prices, especially when I know the brand is an expensive one. Very satisfying, too! xxx

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  7. Gosh you found two pair of Tamaris! I bought two new pairs. It's my favorite brand for shoes and boots! What a fun and beautiful stuff you always find. I love that cute money box! I love miniature things like that

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    1. I love Tamaris shoes too. You always know they're going to be comfortable, don't you? xxx

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  8. Hope you get good weather for your break. I am in love with that tapestry handbag-what a lucky find.

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    1. Thank you Goody, we did get lucky with the weather. I couldn't believe the tapestry bag was only € 2! xxx

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  9. I grew up with not only the Hovis bread piggy bank but a plate and a toast rack, too! I passed them on when I was emptying The Cottage.
    What a haul you got. It was definitely the charity shop goddess compensating you for the inclement weather! The tapestry bag and that divine velvet blazer are my top picks but everything is wonderful.
    Have a wonderful getaway! xxx

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    1. I've never seen a Hovis plate or toast rack, must look out for those when we're in the UK, to complete our collection! I can't believe I dithered over that velvet blazer ... xxx

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  10. I absolutely love your sewing bag, it's a beauty. Thanks for linking me up.:) The way you paired this bag with a combo of blue and yellow is wonderful. Beautiful dress and sweater.

    Good that the weather has finally improved. It's been the same way here. We finally have sun after a rainy and cold week. Your vintage plaid swing coat is fabulous. The yellow scarf looks very warm. Great haul as well. Those caramel Mary Jones are adorable. Both pairs of red shoes are simply divine, I especially like the pointy ones, I have a great weakness for pointy shoes.

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    1. Thank YOU, Ivana, for reminding me of the sewing box. I'd bought it at a flea market last year, fully intending to use it as a handbag, and then I forgot all about it! xxx

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  11. Love your blue&yellow outfit, with these stunning accessories and cute basket, and also love it with your plaid coat and straw bag!
    I totally agree that straw bags are hard to resist!. Same for the cute money box, even more when you had the perfect board, just like in the advertisement. Loving this perfect serendipity!
    And I'm totally in love with your last ensemble, looking fabulous in those recently purchased pieces. All of them are amazing, the skirt, the blouse, but particularly the jacket!, such a beatiful color!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! I've already taken that straw bag on holiday, they are so useful, as well as pretty, aren't they? I agree, perfect serendipity! xxx

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  12. What amazing finds. That's definitely karma at work.
    Hope you have a lovely break!
    xx

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    1. Thank you Hazel! I'm about to go through my shoes and cull those I'm no longer wearing. I'm a bit reluctant though, as charity shop karma might happen again ... xxx

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  13. I just love it when all of the pieces you find on the same day match so well. Kismet for sure.

    I hope the weather holds out for your trip. 25 and sunny is summer weather!

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Thank you Suzanne! We didn't have exactly 25° on our trip, but we certainly can't complain about the weather! xxx

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  14. I'm so glad the charity shop Gods were smiling on you. What fabulous bargains you found! I love your shoe selection; the bags and the jacket and as for the Hovis money box - fantastic!

    Hope you've had a lovely break and that the weather Gods smiled on you...
    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Veronica! I was quite pleased with my haul, and it continued into the next weekend as well, which I will blog about later ... xxx

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  15. Wow! Ann, you did so well! ;) So many gorgeous additions to your wardrobe! I hope you have a great getaway! I look forward to reading/seeing all about it soon! ;) XXX

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    1. Thank you so much, Sasha! My groaning wardrobe does not agree, though. Time for a clear out, methinks! xxx

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  16. You've made some great finds again - and that ruffled shirt was a MASSIVE bargain, though I think I envy you your shoe finds more.

    I hope you haven't changed your wardrobe too soon - we had a glorious weekend and now the rain is back with a vengeance...

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    1. Thanks Mim, and don't worry, I always keep some warmer clothes out. The weather in Belgium, as it is in the UK, is far too fickle not to! xxx

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  17. Your sewing box/handbag is cute! I also like the Mary Janes.

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