Dublin vintage & half-moon table

A trip to visit the in-laws in Dublin always entails a quick tour around the vintage shops - well, it'd be rude not to, and Temple Bar gives good vintage.

My two favourite shops can be found along the cobbled streets of this popular tourist and independent shopping district - 9 Crow Street offers an exciting mix of pre-loved designer, wearable vintage and re-made pieces, and Fluorescent Elephant some great Mid-Century fashions, from 1950s sun dresses to Sixties' cocktail shifts.


During my recent trip I picked up this Cerruti 1881 mist pink shift in 9 Crow Street - much like the M&S SS12 drop-waist pink dress the fashion press has been going mad for - for 25 Euros. And this pyschedelic wool jacket top was just 15 Euros in the Fluorescent Elephant sale - check out those colours!


If you're bargain hunting in Dublin, George's Street is also worth checking out for charity shops - Oxfam has a great array of reasonably-priced vintage - and is also close to Urban Picnic - the best lunch spot in town. I'd highly recommend the fresh Thai green curry.

Back in Brighton, I snapped up this 1960s/'70s half-moon table for just £4 at good old Spiral on Bedford Place. Still the place to go for furniture bargains.


Have you picked up any second-hand bargains lately?

I love Spiral

If you read this blog regularly, you probably know that already, and to be honest I shouldn't really be talking about it so much, because I want to remain the little-known treasure trove that it is. But I can't help it - it's just too good not to share!


Yes, there's a lot of crap to sift through, but the gems make it worth putting in the time (and I admit I do pop in or at least have a gawp in the window most days on my way home from work).

Recent finds include a Fred Perry cobalt blue jumper dress for a fabulous fiver, this 1970s coffee set for £2.50 and a Midwinter side plate - just 50p!


So, keep it quiet, but listen up...The charity shop is located on Bedford Place, Brighton, just a few streets along from Waitrose if you're heading towards the sea, and sells an ever-changing variety of second-hand furniture, clothes, crockery, books and CDs. Look hard enough and you're bound to find some mid-century gems.

Matador print

Another brilliant bargain vintage print from Spiral charity shop - possibly 1950s? Change from a fiver at £3.

Charity shop & car boot bargains

Meakin poppy bowl, £2 and red 1970s pan, £2 - both from Spiral charity shop


Sadler Staffordshire jug, £2 - Brighton Marina car boot sale. Metal teapot - wedding present


1980s colour-block dress, £9.99 - Oxfam, Western Road


Embroidered cheese-cloth tunic, £5 - Brighton Marina car boot sale

How much is that doggy in the window?

Ask in Spiral charity shop to find out. I'm sure these not-so-furry fellows won't struggle to find a new home.