The Vintage Find

I had a rare day out with just my Mum a few weeks back in Oxford.  She has mentioned Summertown to me a few times and after finishing in the city centre earlier than planned, we headed there for a mooch.  It's a small, quaint High Street, it reminded me a little of Primrose Hill.  I found the cutest vintage charity shop run by Helen & Douglas House.  It was attached to a normal second hand shop and was a proper treasure trove.  I found a very old Laura Ashley cream top for £20 and fell in love with it immediately.  

My Mum found this dress by Richard Shops and was very excited by it (I had never heard of the brand! Possibly giving her age away here - sorry Mum!) 

I don't think this pram would have been there long - especially after the photo of Princess Charlotte's one!

I was very tempted by this vintage Smythson however I would have been duplicating one I have that's very similar.

On a random doorstep in London I managed to get a shot of me wearing the top.  Teaming another charity shop find with it - my Chanel handbag and some not so vintage Topshop and Primark!  I do like to mix and match!

Top; vintage Laura Ashley
Jeans; Topshop
Bag; Chanel
Pumps; Primark

Finishing the post with something 'new', these Balenciaga lovelies in the Harrods sale.  They've been on my wish list for a while, I tried them on knowing they would be too large (oh and ever so slightly out of my budget) just to satisfy my craving.  They are gorgeous but for now my Ash ones are just as good and cost me a lot less.  One day I will own a pair though, one day! 

The One About The Shoes

Just in case you are a new reader and may not have grasped this from previous posts, I'm a little obsessed with good quality materials, natural ones at that.  Leather is a must on my feet (yes, Haviana's have a place - by the pool or else they just rub my feet).  On a recent holiday to Spain, I naturally had to go to the supermarket (and quite frankly one of my favourite things to do abroad, I love finding new food and inspiration, I must get out more I know).  Right next door there is a mini department store which always seems to have the odd few brands in at cheap prices.  Needless to say, I deviated as I'd done well there before.  Top tip when in Spain or Italy - always, always have a peek in the shops you least expect.  The Spanish and Italians make great leather shoes.

I found these leather tassel pumps for around £20 in the sale

They have been worn so much already, what a bargain!

On my second visit, determined to find another bargain, I found these below.  Immediately drawn by the animal print and the leather again, was amazing, lined in and out.  However they just felt huge on my feet.  When I looked down it felt like I had flippers on.  I took the photo to see if it was just me and my perspective which it probably was but knowing I hadn't hit Zara at that point, I didn't want to not be 100%.  So for £35, these babies were grabbed by someone else (literally, I saw the lady dash to the till) . 

Thanks to a lovely Instagram reader, I came home to my Ash sandals.  I had regretted not getting them in the sample sale and refused to pay the full asking price of over £100.  Still thinking they were pricey (and for me, they were) at £67 I took the plunge but I am so glad I did.  They finally made their debut today.  They are one strap shorter up the ankle than the ones I was initially after however I prefer these so it really was meant to be that I walked away at the sample sale.

For anyone after a damn good pair of leather sandals that are a bit different (and slightly like the Balenciaga ones I most definitely can't afford) check out Brand Boudoir.  They have a great selection and the best prices I've seen.

Lastly, I know I've blogged about these Fig leather sandals before from Topshop however I finally got to see them in the flesh a few weeks ago.  Most definitely worth the £39 price tag and a great alternative to my ones above.  They have them in black, white, tan and gold.  If I hadn't have purchased my Ash one's then I think these would have been my new Summer sandals.  I am holding out for the post Summer sales though and maybe they can be next years sandals for half the current price.....!