To Market, To Market...

Yes, I spent my lunch hour (plus, ahem, a little extra) yesterday browsing the strange and wonderful treasures of the Spitalfields vintage and antiques market. You can buy everything from a '50s barber's chair to old military uniform, to costume jewelry and absurd knickknacks from the corner of a cockney geeza’s attic.

After browsing with a much more hurried eye than I would have liked, I added to my collection of junk a fabulous costume necklace (possibly from the 50s), two black and white ‘prints’ (which are really pages pulled from art books, and cost a single British pound each) and the most stupendous black satchel bag from Blondie.

Today, I discovered something even more fabulous (impossible to believe, I know) Blondie’s sister store, Absolute Vintage. Which is an enormous collection of vintage clothes, and I picked up this cerise dress. The belt needs replacing with some wide velvet ribbon, I think. But mainly, I love the cuffs. Pearl buttons? Delightful...

I have fallen completely in love with Spitalfields. Every day there is something new and different to discover, all colourful, all fascinating and all utterly fabulous! If you’re in London, this is a must-visit.

Pin them here, Pin them there...

More Dash than Cash is my favourite Vogue feature. I have had whole months ruined by a sub-par 'More Dash' section. Obviously, it being the only spread in the magazine that I can afford makes it appealing, but it's the creativity that I love. Bringing together high street, vintage stores and tips to customize, they let the styling speak for itself by always shooting in a white studio. One of the things I remember seeing was a look that involved several vintage brooches, which I have been looking for. This spread, found here, might be the one I was thinking of. At any rate, last Thursday I walked through the Spitalfields Market and discovered the most wonderful antique and vintage market, with an especially impressive array of vintage brooches! You’d better believe, on Thursday, I will return to the market and bankrupt myself on vintage brooches. Vogue shows me that they can make for very striking detailing on an outfit.

Here’s another cool way to wear brooches.