Blitz vintage - an OCD dream

The new Blitz vintage department store, off London's Brick Lane, is how I wish my wardrobe was - not a huge warehouse filled with hundreds of pre-loved clothes, although that would also be nice, but a bit of an OCD-sufferer's dream. Not only are different types of clothing stored with their close friends - jackets with jackets, skirts with skirts etc - so you know exactly where to head if you're looking for something specific, items are also stored by pattern and colour, making for some very visually pleasing polka dot and rainbow graduated displays.


I like to imagine that the folks behind Blitz have also employed an intern whose sole job it is to roll up jacket and shirt sleeves, as well as make sure that shoes are displayed just so, with one stacked on top of the other.






Delightful dresses

As well as satisfying satorial ordering, Blitz also boasts a vast collection of delightful dresses, all in good condition and reasonably priced, with summer sale items starting at just £16. Definitely one to bear in mind when you're looking for that special Christmas frock or next summer's vintage festival outfit.






Oh, and rather randomly, the store also has a well-stocked selection of cheap books, from authors such as Hunter S. Thompson, Louis Theroux and Franz Kafka plus fun non-fiction titles - the Mozipedia or Dogs in Vogue anyone?


I can't actually believe that I haven't explored this area of London before now - what a loser - and will be returning with Christine some time soon for sure. Vintage clothing and curry - is there any better combination?

Check out Blitz at 55 - 59 Hanbury Street, E1 5JP

Screaming nails

I recently wrote a post about how to bag a beauty bargain, highlighting the merits of magazine gifts. One of such freebies, a Ciate nail polish, was given away in Marie Claire last month, and at £9.00 a pot, represented a pretty good deal.


The brand's blurb that its "mouth-watering shades...are terrifically "bang on trend"" and ""scream "modern day woman!"" reminded me of the not-so-popular kid at school who makes up their own nickname and twenty-something girls who constantly exclaim that they're "crazy" in a desperate attempt to make themselves interesting.


However, aside from my sneering cynicism (it's not attractive, I know), the pink blush polish gave a pleasing French polish effect and dried quickly, which is always a plus for someone you can't sit still for more than two minutes. And Ciate's sleek bottles, complete with cute bow, will no doubt appeal to the increasingly number of women investing in nail polish as a cheap way to update their look in [newscaster voice] "the current economic climate".

Matador print

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

The merits of Midwinter

The birthday treats keep coming - the joys of being born in a month when people are away on their hols. Below are a couple of very well-picked gifts from a friend and fellow Midwinter ceramics fan: a Sienna vegetable tureen and yellow tea cup and saucer with pretty pussy willow detail.


The latter is perfect for a ginger and lemon herbal tea and dark chocolate fix. Yums.

From fine to fabulous - exciting hair news

Fine-haired women rejoice - Trevor Sorbie claim to have devised a way to put a spring in your step with a permanent wave treatment. Similar to the Eighties' perms of your-mum's-head fame, the waves will last until they grow out.

The treatment is only available at the Covent Garden salon from 2 September, priced at £180, but will likely to be rolled out to regional branches if it proves a success. And with big Seventies hair, well, big at the moment, and my locks frustratingly flat, I'll be first in line to trial 'The New Wave' when it comes to Brighton.


Oh, and while I'm talking about hair, I have to mention my recent bargain hair care revelation: Creighton's Beautiful Brunette range, which has made my aforementioned lifeless hair multi-tonal, thicker and super-soft over the past week. And where is this magical serum sold you ask (we'll, you don't, but Im going to tell you anyway) not at Trevor Sorbie or any other fancy salon, but Poundland - POUNDLAND! Now that is a product worth stockpiling.

West German pottery

Like many mid-century lovers, I'm a big fan of West German pottery. The geometric patterns, abstract artwork and textured finish makes the pieces an interesting addition to any living space, and instantly recognisable as designs from the post-war years.

Whilst not being uncommon, the demand for West German pottery - or W. German as the pieces are marked on the base - has pushed prices up over the past decade. However, I was lucky enough to receive a lovely small blue vase as a wedding present last year and recently picked up a large floor vase for just £5 and a small plant pot for 50p at the Brighton BHASVIC car boot sale - total bargains!

Large floor vase - £5, BHASVIC car boot sale

Small plant pot - 50p, BHASVIC car boot sale

Small vase, wedding present

H&M's cosy new season trends

On Thursday 25th August, H&M will open its first ever shop-in-shop on the ground floor of Selfridges in London, which will include a selection guest curated for the launch by super-cool DJ and model, Leigh Lezark.


"The curated pieces are, I feel, modern classics everyone should have in their wardrobes," Leigh said. Adding that she's "tried to throw in some colour", in reference to her love of all things black.

From the preview, it's clear that we're not talking about bold and bright colour pops, but rather a muted pallette that fits with this season's Sixties' vibe, championed in Vogue's Autumn/Winter 2011 Runway Roundup.



But while I'm not sure that "everyone" should have jersey mustard-coloured hotpants in their wardrobe (I certainly should not), the soft-line cocoon pieces Leigh has chosen look very wearable for the winter.

I'd be quite happy to hibernate in the over-sized cardigan from January through March.