Flea my pretties, flea!

So, technically, I know it's "Fly my pretties, fly!" But this post's about a flea market trip. D'you see what I did there. God, I should work in Marketing or something. 

Yes, my local hall has started hosting a monthly (I think!), flea market. They do all sorts of other stuff at the hall  (art fairs, exhibitions, drama-y stuff etc) and, thus far, whenever I've popped in, the flea market's been pretty decent. I didn't buy anything last time I was there but here are today's goodies...

Super cute little picture on a sort of brushed metal. Weird but good. And only a quid.

A purdy dress making pattern for 25p. This'll be great when I finally pull my finger out my ass and start the dress making again. It WILL happen people!

An Alan Rodin (nope, me either and I can't find anything other than expired eBay listings and an Avengers obsessed blog when I Google him either) skirt - based on the only stuff I can find on him, it looks likely it's maybe from the 70s?? If anyone knows anything more I'd love to hear it! I'm always intrigued to hear where/when random brands came from! The skirt is midi-tastic and will be great with some heels, a waisted belt and some coloured tights. It was £4, bartered down from £5. Yay!

And finally. Morticia Addams, eat your 1970's polyester heart out. This thing is freaking awesome! £3 for a full length piece of shiny amazingness. It's hard to see from the picture (and the black really wasn't up for letting me picture it any better either) but the sleeves split open at the shoulder and drape down the front and back of the arm. The waist is super nipped and the skirt full enough to flow over even my pear shaped arse. Look at the wiggly movement even in the picture. The only odd thing is that it has a weird high neck that's almost constricting - maybe it was some kinda fetishy thing. Anyway, I may adjust the neckline. It's by Frank Usher, who I'd already heard of. His website seems to be jammed with naff bridesmaid type dresses now. Shame.

Thank fuck it's tea time. I'm starving!

Thrift-ola!

Yay! Because I am excited. You may have seen me, in past posts, wearing jewelery from Lady Luck Rules OK. Or my post on the talks that Leona Baker, its founder, held across the land on the essentials of running a craft based business. The talks were great because they were interesting for both fans of the brand and would be craft entrepreneurs but also because they were so darn inspiring. I really came away feeling like I could achieve anything I set my mind to. Hmm, now what is it I want to do?

Sadly, Lady Luck Rules OK is no more. But, as the ol' saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining and the silver (probably mirrored perspex) lining on this one is that Leona has moved onto a new venture: Thrift-ola! Cute name, non? Thrift-ola is, in Leona's words "like your favourite flea market except you don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn and spend hours seeking out the ace stuff – I’ve done that for you". Yup, it's an online treasure trove. Here are some of the goodies she's got ready to go!

SO embracing summer's colour blocking trend...

I don't even know where to begin!

Hands OFF the Babycham fawn girls - he's mine!

It looks like the summary of a "super fun second hand store bursting full o’ kooky kitchenalia, ace accessories, fun homewares, vintage books and oodles of insane bric-a-brac." is bang on. I don't know about you, but I am firmly in favour of insane bric-a-brac and will definitely be logging on to check out the Thrift-owares. Plus, Leona promises that "You won't have to bid on anything! You won’t fall victim to an over inflated 'vintage' price tag!".

Did anyone bring these funny little creatures back from holidays in their yoof?

Look at the rabbit cake on the book! I didn't spy it at first and nearly did a kitsch wee when I did!

There's also going to be a blog on site full of Leona's crafting hints and tips, which I am sure will be bursting with useful info on making, doing, mending and salvaging. If you want to check out any Thrift-ola shizz before the site goes live, you can check 'em out on Facebook and Twitter!

I feel a bookmark coming on.

A flea market, a craft fair, a seaside town and a leak

Well, what a busy day Saturday was, taking in a local flea market, a trip down the coast to a farmer's market, a farm shop, a craft fair and a potter about a seaside town. For this most exciting set of events, I decided to wear a new dress from H&M, cinched with a belt (it's a total pregnant making dress without the belt and, now I look at it, this pose is a bit pregnant-tastic. I am not pregnant), also from H&M and some comfy Schuh boots.

The flea market was at our local hall, the Drill Hall. It's a great wee place that holds lots of classes and events every week and the odd special event too (Judy's affordable vintage fair is coming next weekend and right after my payday too which is VERY considerate!). Now, despite the fact that I took my camera along, I neglected to take a single picture (I'm a bit crap that way) but it was full of nick nacks and plenty clothes, shoes and bags. I was eyeing up a cute Clockhouse (from C&A. It was cool when I was a kid!) blouse but the seller was asking for 7 quid which felt a bit inflated so I left it.However, I'll definitely be back next month for a look as it's great to have something like it locally!

Post flea market, it was time to head down the coast to East Lothian.

The farmer's market being dismantled. You bet I forgot to take a pic while it was on!

Maybe I forgot the picture taking because I was distracted by tasting some glorious local cider (oh, you better believe I know where my priorities lie!), Thistly Cross, which is made by Belhaven Fruit Farms. I tried Elderflower, Strawberry and Whisky cider and they were all delicious! Plus, I love the fact that it's local stuff.

 I bought a bottle of Elderflower and one of Strawberry. Yum!

Next was a craft market. There was a lot of crap (lots of naff jewellery and the like) but there was a stall with gorgeous water colours, one with some AMAZING (but EXPENSIVE - who spends £300 on a table when they're at a £1 craft market filled with cards and necklaces?) wood work.

And the £1 admission fee got you a cuppa and a chocolate biscuit - winner! And you better believe these are the only two pictures I took!

This fella was chillaxing outside the craft fair in the sun. Why's the light shining up his sheet?

After Haddington (are you bored yet? Sorry), we headed on down the coast to North Berwick. Here's my pal Lynsey with some choice vinyl:

Lynsey is deeply dippy for Phil Collins and she knows it! But look how shiny her hair is! Redeemed!

Fabulous loose leaf tea purchased from the wonderful Howdah Tea and Coffee Co - the fella in there is quality for a bit of chat. I went for some almond tea and some Bengal Fire (chai) tea which is absolutely delicious!

Arguably the purchase of the day. My bizarre pin cushion/holder owls - they were a quid in a charity shop! Now dey is where I storz ma bling, innit?

And when I got home, my neighbour came up to say water was leaking through his roof from my flat. Fun times! How was your weekend?