Summer 2011: Beach Chic

Ahhh the time has come to get a little bit naked, but please, not totally. Beach Chic is a hard look to actually pull off whilst on holiday; I myself find I generally tend to be a hot, sun cream-sandy-greasy mess who wants to just chuck on an easy beach cover up and flip flops. However, that is not to say I don't love a "beach chic" look, and there is nothing to stop one doing the look when not on a beach! My personal favourite is the 50's style beach look; high waisted shorts, polka dot bikini or twee little top, and a pair of statement sunglasses.

Here is my take on a 50's style beach chic look...

Sunglasses: Car boot sale
Shirt: Charity Shop
Shorts: Charity Shop
Wedges: Charity Shop

I have a major obsession with high waisted shorts, I buy so many jeans/trousers in Charity shops purely to chop the bottoms off them; they are so flattering and look great with any top.
Sleeveless shirts are all over the high street at the moment, plain or patterned, and they are so so easy to find in Charity Shops for a fraction of the price; so get rummaging!

Here are some high street examples of 50's beach chic...

Topshop Printed Tie Front Shirt £25


Topshop HARI Coral Espadrille Wedge £25


American Apparel Light Wash High-Waist Jean Cuff Short £52


H&M Sunglasses were £6.99 now £3.49

Spring/Summer 2011: Midi Length

I'M BACK!! Wow, it has been a while, and just as I thought I would be back on form my camera broke...but thankfully the wonderful people at Pentax sent me a replacement!

SO let's get back on it...

Midi Length; the neither here nor there length, not a maxi yet not a knee length, and I am loving it. The perfect transitional length; no need to bare all of ones pasty legs, just the ankles (which also happen to be the skinniest part of the leg, so no need to fret about that bikini bod diet just yet...?!) and can be worn with a simple summery top when the sun pops out or a cropped jacket/cardigan for those chilly spring days.

Here are how the designers are doing it, both flowing and fancy free or smart and tapered...

Chloe


Roland Mouret

And here is a recent Midi Length Charity Shop Chic find of mine...

Skirt: Charity Shop
Belt: Charity Shop
Faux Leather Jacket: Primark
Tube top: New Look
Not only is it midi length, but it is in leopard print, which I am slightly obsessed with, but not only that; prints are HUGE this Spring/Summer. I have "rocked" it up a bit with my leather look jacket, which I must admit is rather wintry territory, but underneath I have a simple black tube top which takes it straight back into summer; great for both daytime and evening wear. How very versatile?!

It's been a while...

Wowzers, it is almost three months since my last post! Reasons mostly being that I had not frequented a Charity Shop in ages, but do not fear, I had a little peruse last weekend and found a few beauties that I will get up on here asap!...And now my camera has broken, so we will have to wait a little longer!

Recent Charity Shop Chic purchases...

My clothes buying has seemed to decrease slightly in recent weeks (who knows why! Hopefully it will be back on form soon) and I have been drawn to the 'bric-a-brac' section of Charity Shops much more than I used to be. My bedroom is turning into an overfilled 'Aladdin's Cave' as I keep adding little bits of old furniture, ornaments and random bits of interest; with those, and all the clothes I have now, I think I may need a bigger bedroom...

Here are a few recent bits that I just could not resist...

Two uber cute, lunchbox/suitcase style, storage boxes; I have no idea what they are supposed to be used for, or how old they are, but the are wonderfully retro in red, and have a lovely delicate blue pattern inside; great for storing away old bits and bobs!

Next up, my obsession with photo frames continues...

It's an addiction that started a few weeks ago and I just can't kick it! I am drawn to rummaging through the boxes of old photo frames, to see if there are any pretty frames, or even interesting pictures; and these are what I found.

Lastly are a few books I got; Charity Shops are a great place to find books as they are cheap (so if it's not your cup of tea, you won't be too out of pocket), they are usually in pretty good condition and there are a lot to chose from. Also once you've read the books, you can give them back to a Charity Shop for someone else to enjoy!

Two hilarious books; one by Mitchell and Webb, and another by Ricky Gervais and Steven Merchant on Karl Pilkington, I did actually 'LOL' as one may say. 'A Child Called It' which is completely at the other end of the emotion scale, and is a book I have been meaning to read. And finally the autobiography of Keith Richards; I had heard that after reading chapter one of this book, it is hard to believe he is still alive...that's got to be an interesting read! Plus my Dad, being a huge fan of the Rolling Stones, will love it.

...And a little extra piece I had forgotten about...

A reproduction of old advertisements made into a jigsaw puzzle! I am fascinated by vintage adverts, they always look so very chic. So this is now hanging on my wall. Lovely.

Spring / Summer 2011: Floaty florals.

Pretty much all the fashion magazines and clothing advertisements seem to be awash with beautiful floaty fabrics; skirts, tops and dresses galore, I think they may be trying to tell us that summer is on its way! From ditsy prints, to painterly florals, the soft and wispy fabrics are full of summer romance and cannot fail to get you in the mood for summer fun.

H&M advertisment

D&G advertisement

Paul & Joe show

So here is my Charity Shop Chic find; a fabulously, floaty, floral (woah alliteration!) skirt for a mere £2. No alteration was needed and it fits the trend perfectly!

Top: Hong Kong market
Skirt: Charity Shop
Watch: Casio
Parrot Necklace: Gift

This weeks top picks from online Charity Shops...

This week my top picks are from the Cancer Research Online Charity Shop. Their shop has lots of sections to chose from so you can spend some charitable moolah on some wonderful little bits ranging from Fashion, to Homeware and even Flowers! So here are my pick of the best this week...


This real leather jacket is a steal at £30; everyone needs a decent leather jacket in their wardrobe, and this one is a great cropped style that will perfectly grunge up any outfit, including this next pick...


A floral jumpsuit for just £13.50; bang on the Summer trends with the floral pattern, and the 70's style jumpsuit vibe. Love it.

Alas, this jacket and jumpsuit have been snapped up already so are no longer for sale! But I still put them up as they are great Charity Shop finds.


Next up is this fabulous textured jumper for £12 which you can still buy here; it would look great with a pair of skinnies, in particular some leathers to mix smooth with rugged.

Recent Charity Shop Chic purchases...

Last week on a random little excursion to Gloucester and Tewkesbury (beautiful Cathedral and Abbey) I couldn't stop myself having a good look around all the Charity Shops to see what that part of the country had to offer! And what a little beauty I found...


Another wonderful camel coat; I pulled the very 80's shoulder pads out to update it, and now it has a great relaxed yet structured look. And the best thing about it was the cost, it was, wait for it...ONE ENGLISH POUND. Unbelievable.

Here are some designer and high street matches...

Hussein Chalayan


Gucci


Topshop Camel Mohair Mixed Boyfriend Coat £95

And back in my local charity shops I had a weekend rummage and found these great trousers...

Crop top: Charity Shop
Trousers: Charity Shop
Belt: Primark
Heels: Matalan
I have been looking for some camel coloured trousers ever since they started appearing in all the magazines and shops, but could never find any good high waisted ones to fit nicely around my waist and rather larger proportioned derriere. Charity shop to the rescue and here they are! Perfect.