Welcome to Hotel Pleasure

Rather than booking a cheap hotel deal for our recent mini-break in Amsterdam, Irish and I stayed in a studio apartment decked out like a boutique hotel.


In an old warehouse building in the peaceful area of Prinseneiland, near the bohemian Jordaan district, the flat boasted wooden beams and floor, a sleek fully-equipped kitchen and somewhat unique interior decor.


Building on a monochrome, pink and silver theme, the owner has fused wild and spiritual influences with animal print, deer heads in various materials, candles and busts of religious figures.


Making the most of the small yet airy space, a kitchen island doubles as an eating/entertaining and preparation/cooking area, storage units are made design features with transfers and display capacity and sleeping, living and eating areas are marked off with ceiling hangings that still let the light through.


Staying in an apartment, rather than a hotel, meant that it was much easier to relax, being able to chill out in the living area and make cups of tea and snacks, and at just 80 Euros a night the trip also worked out cheaper as well as more memorable.


If you're interested in booking your own stay at 'Hotel Pleasure', contact Nathalie on nathalie@ifyouneedahand.nl, and see my vintage guide to Amsterdam here.

The delights of Dylon

Take one wishy-washy coloured dress, kindly gifted by a fellow bargain-hunter friend, and add a sachet of violet Dylon. Result - a striking summer dress that no longer looks like lingerie.

Amsterdam vintage finds

Ah, Amsterdam - the only place outside of Brighton I could see myself living. Yes, there's a lot of weed smoking, yes, there are half naked girls in windows, but this is by far all that the city's about.

Indeed, it's somewhat of a dream destination for vintage-lovers. The Joordan distrcit is home to a plethora of independent and affordable vintage boutiques and second-hand shops selling everything from 1950s dresses and childrens' clothes to homewares and books, and the permanent Waterlooplein flea market and Monday morning Noordermarkt are fantastic hunting grounds for unusual pre-loved pieces.

Here's what I found on my recent visit:


Left - right: Cream 1970s shirt - €2, peach 1960s top - €5 & black floral sparkle shirt - €2 all Waterlooplein market, white embroidered shirt - €7.50 Wini Vintage, 'Holland' fabric - €5, Barbarella book - €8 & Agatha Christie book €1 - Waterlooplein


Vintage Life magazines - €2 each second-hand book shop on Ggasthuismolensteeg, black flare dress - €19.95 Zara (okay, not stirctly vintage but so Sixties), 1950s sunglasses - €5 and wooden rabbit brooch - €3 De Looier Antique Market


Plastic chip 'n dip bowls - €2, glass 'war' bottle - €2, 1967 Turi Design 'Lotte' teacups - €5 each all Noordermarkt


Black embroidered kaftan - €8 Noodermarkt


1950s skirt - €22.50 Wini Vintage


Fruit shirt (reminiscent of Prada and Stella McCartney's s/s11 designs) - €4 Wini Vintage


I also really wanted to buy a copy of the beautiful Flow magazine, but seeing as I couldn't understand a word of it, thought that if would be a somewhat extravagent purchase just for the pretty pictures. If you know Dutch, however, I'm sure it's a fantastic read!

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

High street doll

So, it's sale season again. When is it not sale season these days? In fact, buying things full price is so last season...

But while charity shops, car boot sales and eBay are my main shopping haunts, I do venture into the high-street stores on occasion. One has to know what all the cool kids are wearing, even if it's just to avoid it.

And there are some things that I find it very difficult to do second-hand - jeans being one of them. As jeans sizes vary so wildy, I can't buy them online, and by the time they've found their way to the land of rummage, they often look like a Jackson Pollock canvas, having been relegated to decorating garm along the way, or are bearing rips in places that I am now just too old to get away with.

So, I was happy to pick up some Seventies-style flares from the Topshop sale for a reasonable £20. A sensible purchase I felt - already worn twice.


The same can't be said for my other high-street sale bargain, however. But how could I say no to the perfect white patent, Pattie-Boyd-esque, 1960s dolly shoes for just £7? Thank you New Look. I will cherish these shoes. I might even wear them at some point.

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Minxy milk maid

Husband: "Where did she come from?"

Me: "She's a fairy, she arrived last night."

Husband: "She looks like a hussy."

Oh.

Minxy milk maid - £1 from British Heart Foundation, Western Road

How to bag a beauty bargain

Now in my late twenties, lotions and potions promising to slow down the signs of ageing and quality every-day cosmetics are becoming increasingly attractive. I'm more likely to be drawn to £30 tubs of creams than a pot if £5 sparkly green eyeshadow, which is unfortunate, seeing as my budget is still very much in the £5 sparkly green eyeshadow bracket. But, a bargain-hunter/cheap-skate till the end, I've discovered a few ways of kitting out my bathroom, and my face, with expensive skincare products without shelling out full-price. And you'll be pleased to know that none of them involve shoplifting.


In-store events
Last week in Brighton's L'Occitane branch, I indulged in cupcakes, sipped from a champagne glass, enjoyed a mini facial and walked away with a goodie bag bursting with £45 worth of products, and all for just £10. Thus is the joy of in-store promotional events. I'd read about this one in Stylist magazine, and booked my place immediately. The goodie bag was full of luxury shower gels, face creams and moisturisers that will keep me going for a good couple of months. Check magazines and skincare retailer's websites for events near you.

Magazine freebies
With the women's magazine market so saturated, free gifts are a great way to tempt you to buy a particular title, and they seem to be getting better. Steer clear of the cheap t-shirts and canvas bags and focus on the cosmetic giveaways. Glamour has offered free Benefit, Nails Inc and Clinique gifts in the past year - all pricey products. Get a subscription to a magazine and the savings can work out to be even greater. You may even get an extra freebie for signing up.


Vouchers and offers
Boots is the Don when it comes to skincare savings. It's forever giving out £5-off vouchers that can be used to bag yourself some bargain beauty treats. And the brands in-store also give away excellent gifts - No7 and Clinique especially. Sometimes a sample serum tube can last for months. Also look out for Boot's two-for-one offers and make the most of the Boots advantage card - I used a double points voucher when I bought all of my wedding makeup and quickly amassed a tidy sum with which to treat myself in the future. Supermarkets can also be good places to look for offers on branded skincare.

Charity shops & car boot sales
Charity shops and car boot sale pitches are full of unwanted gifts, and these often include skincare sets, barely-used perfumes, hair products and plenty of other lotions and potions. Go rummaging just after Christmas to bag the best finds. Or hold your own gift and clothes swap after the holidays - you may be after just the thing your friend received with a fake smile and quickly hid in a drawer.

Oh, and one more top tip - check out ASOS.com for branded beauty products and perfumes in the sale, particularly post-Christmas.

Do you have any other money-saving secrets? Do share...

Second image by Flickr user SunShineCity.