4th February.

Evening all,

I spent the weekend browsing the charity shops of Northampton's town centre and dragging the boyfriend round with me and picked up a few pieces which I am really excited to share with you. I am still new to this whole blogging thing so trying to find my feet but it already has jolted me to get back to being creative and giving me loads of ideas. I will hopefully be able to share these with you as I go unless they turn out rubbish, then I will take them to my grave.

I actually ended up picking up way more than I planned on which I will go through shortly, I brought a dress with the intention of shortening it to wear and actually got out the sewing machine, which is older than me and did it that night. This is unprecedented, I never actually get round to anything like that and it will sit in my wardrobe for years but it has given me a bit of a kick and I have some stuff lined up that I want to try - as I said, will keep you posted. I also bribed my friend (shout out to Hannah) with coffee to come out and take pictures with me. Can't say I enjoy having pictures taken I felt so awkward and unnatural but it was good chatting about ideas with someone who's creative and its all about the clothes not me so I just have to crack on.

So back to the actual shopping part, I was just browsing but Northampton had a lot to offer and I couldn't resist. I will start with the Salvation Army at the top of Abington street, this place is new and worth paying a visit. It has cafe so perfect for refuelling and dropping your boyfriend off when he starts moaning. The prices are a bit higher but we all know that when you say higher in charity shop terms, you mean a fiver rather than a quid. This place has everything, furniture, records, a tardis, brand new Levis, designer labels, a tardis, great men's selection, a fucking tardis and changing rooms. I only picked up a couple of things here, one of which I haven't got a picture of yet. Its a blue daisy dress with buttons down the front and a tie, Its too big for me but Im going to see if I can re work it. The other thing I brought is underwhelming for most people but it got me excited. Its just a simple sisterhood tote bag and this cost me 98p.

Next stop was Dapp which is pretty much directly opposite. I have a love hate relationship with this place. It was great and really cheap with loads of amazing stock and then the prices rocketed, we're talking like twenty quid for a jacket. Then they introduced a Vintage bit at the back which can go either way. I have picked Vintage leather bags for a pound but other times it's a no go. Well this time round it was more Love, they had a sale on. I raided the jumper rail, I picked up 2 they were all a pound each.The first one is just the standard short sleeve roll neck and the other was this pink, white and black number, I wasn't keen at first but I'm pretty sure its brand new and originally from New Look and as it turns out comfy as hell. I also found this amazing clutch bag for £4, I don't go out a whole lot but I couldn't leave it behind and my mum has already borrowed it. Finally I got this blue what can only be described as a Granny dress for £2 reduced, I had seen it in there before and liked the pattern but wasn't sure I would wear it. This is the dress which I shortened and now love.

By this time my hands were full and I was getting that sweaty shopper glow so hit up my fave charity shop, Cancer research. We have 2 in Northampton and they are separated by a hairdressers and a Subway however one is a 10/10 the other a 4/10 in my opinion and this is pr

obably the opposite to what everyone else thinks. Although both have nice stuff the better one is the cheapest one. Nothing, is over £3. I know, mind blowing and every time I go in I find a bargain. This time it was a really cute black velvet bag which set me back £2. Its perfect for going to the pub and I haven't got anything like it so that came home with me and I used it this weekend.

So all in all I had a very successful trip that ended with a Halloumi Burger at Zapato Lounge, divine. I guess below is like the finished product of a combination of sewing, good bargain hunting and photography with friends. The bag in the picture is the £2 black velvet bag from Cancer research, and I will let you in on a little secret. The baker boy hat is from the app Wish and it was like 3 quid, it was sent from China so took a while and I'm not sure how much it even suits me but I didn't want to spend loads on one that I wasn't sure I would wear. So thats worth knowing if your not sure your brave enough to venture out in something but be sure to check the reviews and look for customer photos because some of the stuff they send is a load of shite (NEVER BUY THE JEWELLERY).

Hat:Wish, Dress:Dapp, Bag:Cancer research, Shoes: Zara

Thanks for taking the time to read my post, I do really enjoy writing them and Im hoping that my pictures will get better with experience.

Alicia x