Marni charity shop super-bargain

Spotting a rare designer gem among the bobbly Atmosphere jumpers makes those hours of fruitless charity shop scouring so worthwhile. And this scoop-neck, bark-print Marni top, just £4.99 (un.believable) from British Heart Foundation, has truly helped keep the dream alive.

It's the type of piece that makes you nervous when taking it to the till in case someone realises that they've made a terrible pricing mistake. But not this time - my second charity shop Marni super-bargain was in the bag before the cashier could even clock the label.

Lewes vintage - Revive-All & Hobo Vintage

Living in Brighton, it's easy to become blase about the vintage shopping opportunities with which we're blessed. Sometimes it takes some extra special finds or an out-of-town discovery to bring back the thrill, and the latter certainly delivered on that this week.

Despite visiting Lewes several times, I'd previously missed the antiques-come-second-hand-bookshop-come-vintage-clothing-shop Revive-All so was excited to stumble across a new hunting ground. Diving into the cluttered shop, I rummaged among vintage tins, 1940s tea dresses and unusual jewellery, while the husband leafed through 1960s Star Trek annuals.

I could have stayed there for hours, finding out the history of particular items from the friendly shop owner. But it was the locked shop at the back of the Needlemakers building that really got my heart racing. The owners of Hobo Vintage had packed up and left for the day, but said friendly shop keeper was only too happy to open it for us to have a browse: our own private vintage shop viewing - it was something of a dream come true.

As well as a covetable display of leather handbags, a huge selection of vintage dresses from the likes of Horrockses and Liberty and glamorous Sixties' coats, the shop also boasted a well-stocked men's vintage section - full of Barbour coats, tweed jackets and even an original pilot's jacket.

As much as I don't want anyone else to know about the secret treasure trove, this is one shop that deserves some local support - go prepared to spend!

Cath Kidston sale steal

A rummage amongst the 'nice price' items in Cath Kidston revealed a vintage-inspired basic today - this fun house and tree print shirt was just £20 reduced from £38. It reminds me of the postcard print shirts and scarves you can often find in the jumble at vintage shops, but this piece didn't have any damage or worn elbows and it fit like a dream in a size 10 (vanity sizing gets me every time)!

That is more than I can say for the post-box red United Colours of Benetton jumper I picked up at the My Swish clothes swap last weekend, but one small moth hole has been stitched up and no one will know that the other is there unless I tell them (oops).

It's pretty tiny, but has a good bit of stretch in it, and I was sold when a fellow swapper said it was "very Sixties". Some things are just meant to be because these two steals work perfectly together for a pleasingly geeky look.

Cat-hartic clothes

I'm feeling a little stressed at the moment, and sometimes when this happens only cats and clothes can bring me round. So here goes:

Kitty pumps - £20.99, Daisy Street

Galaxy cat T-shirt - £12, eBay

Zoe Karssen I Heart Cats T-shirt - £35, Nola Boutique (this one's already mine - at £25 in the in-store sale, how could I say no?)

Louche Kat jumper - £45, Joy

Your Eyes Lie cat T-shirt - £30, ASOS

I feel better already.

Seeing double in See By Chloe

Today I doubled up on See By Chloe and layered these colourful cotton tops with black leggings.

See By Chloe is a brand I love, but can't afford full price, so as per these were bargain finds at less than £5 each. I picked up the yellow tunic top in a TK Maxx sale a couple of years ago for £4.99 and found the purple Peter Pan collar piece for £3.49 in Age UK charity shop on St James's Street, alongside a Carolina Herrera shirt for £4.99 (not my style, but still!).

As a happy coincidence, the colours work together well, with the light summer material keeping the look casual and fun.

Now, to hunt down one of See By Chloe's cat print pieces for pennies... One can dream.

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.

Cornwall in pictures

The annual family trip to Port Isaac in Cornwall (of Doc Martin and Fisherman's Friends fame) offers the perfect opportunity to slow down, switch off and enjoy simple sensory pleasures: Stunning coastal views, beach walks, games, reading and lots of delicious fresh seafood.