Charity shop wins

British Heart Foundation on Western Road, Brighton has become far and beyond my favourite local charity shop recently. Since picking up a Marni top for £4.99 (not even H&M X Marni either) I've found Cos bargains and an authentic Scandinavian jumper - always with plenty of change from a tenner, and often a fiver.

This weekend it didn't fail to disappoint and I returned from my trip to 'Waitrose' with a Paul & Joe Sister smock for £4.99 and a brand new Warehouse peasant embroidered top for just £2.99. Both to be packed away to be rediscovered with joy come spring/summer 2013.

On my Sunday charity shop round I also spotted a House of Wilde padded tie-dye gilet in Oxfam. Recognising the label, a quick mobile Google search confirmed that it was that of the bohemian Australian brand, whose pieces regularly reside in the three-figure bracket. Unlike Oxfam - one of the more expensive charity shops - to have missed the value of this piece, which I snapped up for just £5.99.

No delayed gratification with this beauty - it was straight on my, now very warm, back.

Other top spots of the trip - Ralph Lauren powder pink chunky knit jumper in Spiral (£4) and ceramic Hornsea coffee and sugar jars in Marlets priced at £5 and £3 respectively.

I love Brighton.

Sixties sparkle bow shoes

Psychedelic print, sparkles, bows, mini heels - how perfect are these vintage beauties? And just £9.99 from Oxfam on Western Road!

Any ideas what these marks are about? Samples perhaps?

Charity shop salvage - Marni & H&M

A rummage in my local Oxfam this weekend unearthed an exciting find - a piece from Marni's recent collaboration with H&M. This T-shirt wasn't actually for sale at H&M - instead worn by staff wardening the crazy shopping sprees - but I love those instantly recognisable oversized dots so snapped it up for just £1.99.

There was one slight problem: The colours around the neckline had run when washed by the previous owner. But I didn't much like the boxy shape of the large tee anyway, so chopped off the collar, tidied up the edges et voila.

A unique slice of Marni for a couple of quid - you've gotta love charity shops.

Thrift finds - Whistles' winter florals

I just can't get away from Whistles at the moment - not that I want to if bargains like this keep finding their way into my wardrobe. I snapped up this yellow and pink rose print pleated dress in Hove's Oxfam for just £14.99, and plan to dress it down with thick black tights, block heel ankle boots or flats, such as these mustard loafers (£4.99 from British Heart Foundation), and a slouchy cardigan.


The Postal Service and British Sea Power CDs were £1.99 each from Oxfam, Western Road, one of the best local charity shops reasonably for priced alternative music - IMHO...

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

Autumn in spring

While I don't want to wish the spring and summer away, today's outfit was an autumnal treat.


New Tatty Devine 'fallen leaves' necklace, snapped up in the Bank Holiday Sale for £15, rust-coloured silk pussy bow blouse from Hove Oxfam (£8), trusty black Topshop skinny jeans from the old Duke Street Traid (£8) and gold Faith brogues (£5) from a Loved, Worn & Reborn fair. Total cost - £36.

Elizabeth Lau cape coat from Oxfam

I put in the time, so it's only right that I should come across some extra special pieces in charity shops every now and then. And yesterday was one of those occasions. A brand new Elizabeth Lau coat, £49.99 in North Street Oxfam! This is why I spend half of my life riffling through second-hand clothes.


Having done all my Christmas shopping this month, I'm knew that I was without resource for such luxuries as summer coats in November, but I had to try it on, and it fit so well and looked so cute - the leather collar, diagonal button holes and polka dot lining add really unique detailing - that I came up with a plan.

The new husband didn't know what to buy me for Christmas, and for a while there he didn't know what he had bought me for Christmas. I saved him a job. How kind I am. And how thoughtful and clever he is to have got me a Sixties-style coat, with on-trend cape shaping, from one of my favourite designers and still have money left over for a few little surprises.


The cape coat has now been stashed away by said husband - who was quite pleased not to have to do his own Christmas shopping - but I'm so excited about it that I did some online research and came across Carrie of WishWishWish styling the Sherlock summer coat with cute Orla Kiely pieces. Exactly how it should be worn. I think there may have to be a few more layers involved in my outfits though as very much doubt I'll be able to wait till summer dress weather to wear my bargain find. I can hardly wait a month...

Bargains - a/w10

A selection of bargain buys from recent months, along with some old favourites and retro homewares.

Dress: £20 Topshop sale
Boots: £16 Traid
Bar: £30 Spiral charity shop
Cat: £1.50 Spiral charity shop
Couple figure: £2 Spiral charity shop
Ice bucket: £4 North Laine flea market
Roberts radio: £6 BHASVIC car boot sale
Lamp: £4 Shelter charity shopAs above
J letter necklace: £10 Tatty Devine at Clothes Show London
D&G little black velvet dress: £40 Oxfam charity shop, Western Road
Lou Shabner framed print: £25 Oxfam charity shop, Western Road
Long gold bird charm necklace: Handmade
Faux fur coat: £20 Upper Gardner Street Market
Red Formica table: £30 Spiral charity shop
Fur coat: As above
Purple court shoes: £15 H&M
Telephone table: £10 BHASVIC car boot sale
Joker painting: Commission Vicky Roberts
Floral H&M jacket: £5 charity shop in Crouch End
Black Topshop jeans: £6 Traid
Bird print shirt: £15 River Island sale
Small leather satchel: £10 Ebay
Typewriter: £15 Age Concern George Street
Mui Mui glasses: £175 Specs opticians
White coat: £5 BHASVIC car boot sale
Russell & Bromley boots: £30 Vintage @ Goodwood
Chair: £15 Spiral chairty shop

Key trends for spring/summer

Leather jacket, playsuit and ruffles
Leather jacket: £10, Snooper's Paradise
Topshop ruffle playsuit: £10, Oxfam

Underwear as outerwear
Body-con nightdress: £3, H&M

Candy pastels
See by Chloe yellow dress: £5, TK Maxx

Floral print
C&A dress: £9, Oxfam

Nautical
Scarf: £1.99, Oxfam

Biker boots
Studded boots: £35, Dorothy Perkins

Metallics
Trainers: £5, Topshop