Something old, something, er, old...

I bought me some vintage, innit. As I said in my recent Primark post (and as echoed by gorgeous Vix), I do like to pick up something unique when it comes to shopping, as opposed to just more high street fodder. On a shallow note, it's great going out with the knowledge that it's unlikely someone will be knocking about in the same dress/skirt etc as you. On a slightly, shall we say, deeper note, I love the idea of wearing something with history or a story attached. Plus, recycling clothes is good for the environment and whatnot too. I'm off to polish my halo after finishing this (*she remembers the Primark post and the shoes post and climbs off her high horse*. She is, as it happens, entirely allergic to horses anyway.)

So, last week, I had an email from GiGi Vintage. They were celebrating their 1st birthday with a £7 sale from 7am-7pm. Nice. Definitely worth a look, I figured, and I wasn't disappointed. Inevitably, some of the good bits had already sold out when I popped on and it was a scramble to find things in the right size (I never like to discount vintage things on size til I check the measurements) but it was a good scramble. And here's what I came out with. I don't know their stories, just that they're awesome and they FIT!

Let's start with the boots:

I've never bought vintage shoes before (usually because shoes weren't invented in my size in yesteryear. Either that or the vintage size 7 and 8 shoes are hiding from me) and can't believe that these actually fit! They're soft cream leather and just need a wee wipe down and they're good to go. I love the detailing on the ankle and the long but not pointy toes. The soles are virtually unworn and the uppers and lining are in great condition too. All for seven quid! They're a brand called Partners? I can't find any info on them but, if you know anything, do tell me!

Next up is this:

Can you tell what it is yet (said in Rolf Harris voice). Sacramento, I think you'll like this!

Can you? It's a skirt! Well it was sold as a skirt...

'Scuse the boobs trying to break out.

But makes a cute little sundress too! And would you look at that fabric. I mean, jeez - it's awesome! Leopards prowling about in a flowery jungle. I think I was meant to find this skirt! And surely no-one else has one. If you do, let me know!

So, all in all, it's thumbs up for GiGi! Plus, they delivered fast and in a cute pink bag.

Going for the quadruple!

Do you ever have that thing where you buy a new pair of shoes and you wear them ALL the time? I pretty much don't - almost never. I'm such a shoe hoarder/aficionado that I'm always wearing different ones. Not in a 'ooh, look at all my shoes' kinda way, I just change my mind as to what I'm in the mood for day to day and it seems wasteful not to flex the collexion. Plus, if I'm gonna be on my feet a lot, I'll wear flats but if I have a desk bound day, I'll bung on some mental heels I can barely walk in. Don't get me wrong, I'm a bad shoe mother and I do have my favourites but on the whole, it's a pretty mixed bag for me.

However, last week I got the Bronx Herald Brogue boot from schuh. Shoes # 39. And, man, I can't take them off my feet! Four days in a row I've had them on now. It's partly because I've been driving this week, partly cos I've had a day out of the office (whee! Fun trips!) and partly because I love them! Here they are with some slightly jester-esque socks.

I know they don't necessarily look much but four days in and I haven't had a sore foot and there ain't been a blister in sight, even after nipping down to London and spending the whole day on foot, punctuated by trains (7 of them), planes (2) and automobiles (4). They come with a slightly battered 'faux vintage' look (and a wee disclaimer for the anal explaining that they are supposed to look battered), the leather is deliciously soft and the brogue detailing is classically gorgeous in a mannish way.

boots: Bronx @ schuh, socks: Urban Outfitter

Here's what I wore them with day 1:

coat: eBay, scarf: Accessorize, dress 'n' leggings: Uniqlo

Evidently something on the ceiling's caught my eye.

Then here's me showing those beatches on Top Model how you do a jumping shot. Ahem. I looked so freakin' mental good, I was forced to chop the top half of my head out of the picture so as not to alarm evoke jealously in people. Look at the movement in the cardi though. Lovely!

shirt: H&M, cardi: Topshop

Seriously, my face is so scrunched up you couldn't see my eyes in this pic even if I hadn't chopped my head off. Anyway, what you can't see in the pictures is the very cute necklace I'm wearing that I got for my birthday from my kind friend Lynsey. It's a piece of NYC inspired kitchness from Accessorize. You can get it here, if you so wish.

Now I don't have shots of days 2 and 3 (day 3 I wore the boots with this dress, should you care to imagine the ensemble) but here's day 4 (today) of boot-wearing-gate.

dress: H&M, scarf: Primark

Can you tell I was still shattered from London (I was down there for a work meeting then the schuh press day for s/s '11. It looked fantastic and the girls did an amazing job! And that's not just me being biased on account of knowing them - they truly did a fantastic job) today and flung something on, scraping my hair back and foregoing make up? I promise to try harder tomorrow!

And in aid of looking fresher and more daisy like tomorrow, I'm off for a nice hot bath. Ahhhh...