Market-ing

Again, it's been a little while, but here I am again.
I've finally got some time off work- a whole week! I feel like Christmas and Birthdays have come all at once.
So I'm filling this week with all the things I've been wanting to do, that I used to do when I was at university and had all that spare time (students, you really do have a lot of free time..!). Plus all my friends are away (thanks guys! well jel.)

Yesterday, I visited a couple of old haunts which I realised I haven't been to for about 2 years.
One of these was Covent Garden.
'What!?' I hear you say? Yes, I live in London, I work next to Covent Garden. But when you work there everyday, you actually don't get to SEE it.
So that's what I did, I visited Covent Garden.
I had a fab time wandering around the flea and antique market at the Jubilee Market Hall. There were so many great stalls. I'm a massive fan of vintage jewellery so I was in my element with many of the stalls there, and there were some of the highest quality designer pieces I have seen in a while, from Chanel and Dior to Trifari. They were exquisite to look at and were safely banked in my mind memory for when I'm earning millions ;)

One stall I found had some great vintage designer treasures, including a Balenciaga logo bag (next on my wish list!), but it also had an array of French Sole ballet pumps all new and waiting for new owners.
Much to my disappointment there were none in my size, however, there was a pair of denim boots. They fitted me perfectly, were brand new and were a bargain £45. (RRP £200, check the website ladies!).
I couldn't have been happier with my new boots, and I will certainly be a returning customer, as the stallholder is a regular.

Boots: French Sole
Scarf: Silk from Camden Market

I then spent the afternoon at Camden Market. This place used to be a regular stop for me. Alot of my friends weren't really into Camden, so I'm quite used to roaming the market streets here by myself.
I have to say though, that when I got there, I was disappointed.
Where had all the good stuff gone?
Granted, it was 2 years since I had been here, and there had been a couple of fires in this time, and of course things change, but really?
I have never seen so many stalls with the same mass manufactured stuff. My heart sank as I went around the stables market, as this as my favourite part, just seeing printed t-shirt after printed t-shirt.

After I really thorough search I finally found a cute little stall that satisfied what I was after. It had great dresses and tees that were wardrobe staples, but in the end I decided on a scarf. A simple black scarf. I know it sounds boring but I find that what I tend to do is see basics in black, white and grey, and I shy away from them because I always think I have loads of things like this. It turns out I don't so I decided to get something I both needed and wanted. (Isn't that a first!).

All in all, I was happy with my day out marketing around, but couldn't shake my disappointment with Camden. I hope that it will rise again to be the individual place it used to be, and that this is just a phase...

What are your thoughts? Are markets not what they used to be?

Chorlton Pub- Open for Vintage!

Last week I visited home. Although it was even colder than London, it was nice to be back in the North and to see my parents.
We visited Chorlton, just near Manchester, to go to the Beech Road Vintage fair. It's a pretty small affair to be honest, but something different.
The stalls are inside, and outside The Beech Inn which is great because once you've had a look round, you can relax with an afternoon drink.

What I liked about this was the fact that it was in a traditional pub. With the way things are with British pubs at the moment, it is great to see a different approach on getting people in!
So although there were only a small amount of stalls, it was a great arrangement of stock.
I came across a new trader which I could have bought a fair few items from if they had fitted! (See: http://www.greenhouse-boutique.com/ to snap up some of their quirky indie style items.)

I ended up buying a couple of pieces from a trader I regularly buy from. One of a Kind vintage clothing always end up tempting me whichever fair I come across them at!
My first buy was an amazing vintage Swedish shirt. It's 100% wool and is approx. 1970s. The pattern is very Escher like. (I'll get a photo when there's some good light!).
My second buy from One of a Kind was an LK Bennett patent leather pouch. Although it's not vintage, I had to have it. I love these little pouches- I use them for everything, Ipod, make-up, hair clips etc. And I was very happy to bag that for £5!

So that's that! Although it seems a humble offering, sometimes the smallest purchases are the most useful.
I'll also definitely be going back next time I'm home, as I also picked up some local produce from the farmer's market that was on the same day- ever tried champagne mustard? Neither had I until then!