FOUND - Little Secrets, Lovely Style

I found these little ashtrays at the Children's Society charity shop on Pitshanger Lane in Ealing. I'll use them as ring rests or possibly pass them on to a lucky girl friend when a birthday comes calling. I consider these 'fashion curios' - sweet, unwearable objects that are style inspired. I've tried researching my pair of china dolls but have come up empty handed. The repeating graphic pattern around the edge looks to me like a dreidel, a Jewish toy top played with at Hanukkah but it could also be a teetotum, a gambling toy like dice, found in several European cultures. There's a marking on the bottom of each dish but so far it remains a mystery. If you know anything about these tiny trays, drop me a line in the comment section below, I'd love to hear from you. The darling duo set me back 99p. 

FOUND - My Style Staple Supreme

I found this denim shirt at the Children's Society charity shop on Pitshanger Lane in Ealing. This one (I have several. Okay 5.) is made by Lee, a company founded by Henry David Lee in 1889 when he opened his first garment factory in Salina, Kansas. Throughout the 1920s Lee unveiled various denim innovations, most notably the zipper fly. In the 30s and 40s the company continued to grow, becoming America's number one manufacturer of work clothing. Even more than denim trousers, denim shirts are a must have for me, working seamlessly in almost any circumstance. Paired with slouchy wool trousers and I'm an urban Land Girl. With a sequinned skirt, the denim shirt transforms evening gear into daytime chic. It multi-tasks as a bathing suit cover-up, making my luggage that much lighter. And under a cashmere or wool jumper, it allows me to layer like a pro. My denim shirt selection includes dark washes, light washes, short sleeve, slim-fit and over-sized. I only hunt for classic denim brands - Levis, Lee and Wrangler. I urge you to get hold of a denim shirt - perfectly worn 2nd-handers are easy to find - and put it to work in your wardrobe. You'll wonder how you've managed without it. My latest "cannot live without" shirt was just £4.99.  

      

FOUND - Lip Service from Swanky Yankee

I found these leather lips at the Children's Society charity shop on Pitshanger Lane, Ealing. This is the kind of American find (relocated) that puts a smile on my face. It's a lovely 'box' from the high-end Yankee department store Neiman Marcus. NM was founded in Dallas in 1907. A retailing innovator, in 1928 Nemain sold French ties and English shirtings, items rarely found outside NYC and in the 30s it placed ads in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, the first American shop outside the Big Apple to be so audacious. While its flagship in Texas was not once but twice destroyed by fire in 1913 and 1964, the company continued to expand. Today Neimans can be found in numerous American cities but they didn't actually build their first store outside Texas until 1971. 

In 1982, the Dallas store was granted historical status and it is indeed a beautiful building, a merchandising museum of sorts. NM has a reputation for exceptional customer service and while I haven't shopped there in years, I'm thrilled to get hold of this first class kisser. It was a jaw-dropping £3.49.

TRY THIS - Dotty Ditty Rethink...

I found this silk bow tie at The Children's Society charity shop on Pitshanger Lane in Ealing. I cannot resist lovely slashes of silk so men's ties, simple and beautifully made, challenge my sartorial creativity. I want them, but how do I wear them? I could style this in the same manner a man would but frankly a red bow tie under my chin is not a look that suits me. It's too done-up, too stiff, too Bozo the Clown. Instead, onto the silk I'll pin my gorgeous, but unlikely cameo brooch - a piece spotted in an old jewellery shop in Harare Zimbabwe. Then I'll knot the tie at the nape of my neck and allow the ends to hang down my back. A masculine accessory made functionally feminine. Was I potty to buy this dotty ditty? No, it was just £4.59. 

Backdrop for photo, David Hockney poster from book found in Oxfam charity shop. 

TRY THIS - Slow, Elegant Time Keeping

I bought this watch on-line. It's a smaller ladies pocket watch and that fact, along with it £10 price tag drove me to buy the timepiece. Its parts are Swiss made, but the German-American company Lucerne, that appears on its face, assembled it. In the 50s Lucerne, a family-owned jeweller, conducted business from its headquarters on 5th Avenue in New York City. The watch dates between 1960 and 1970. I imagined finding a chain and fob to go with the watch and wearing it in my pocket as designed. But tracking down necessary watch accessories that I like has proved difficult. Then last week I found this tiny beaded purse with a silk faille lining, probably circa 1950s, at The Children's Society charity shop on Pitshanger Lane in Ealing. The perfect home for my watch, little purse and ticker fit neatly in my pocket. At times I'm still required to don a wristwatch, but when I'm able to carry the pocket watch I find the ceremony of removing it from its pouch an elegant process that reminds me time is precious indeed. Both watch and purse, tactile and useful, feel lovely in my hand. The tiny vintage bag was just 99p.  

Tweet your 2nd-hand gems to @annielistening #best2ndever 

TRY THIS - Styled by the Book

Huntress in her natural habitat - a seaside salvage yard. Vintage rattan frame, £1.50, found at the Children's Society Charity shop, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing. Visiting family in Florida I couldn't resist re-purposing an architectural finial as a hat. But this goofy head shot is really all about the hair. The near perfect bob has been my calling card for a decade however it didn't come easy. For years I tried to grow my hair long and luxurious but never achieved more than mid-length and stringy. While living in LA, Long Hair Capital of the World, I re-read F Scott Fitzgerald's short story 'Bernice Bobs Her Hair' and my look was born. Today my bob's best friend is hair expert Bea, find her in Ealing, at Zero Zero Salon (CLICK). I wonder if your style has ever been inspired by literature, art or music? 

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FOUND - Chunky Covers & Page Turners

I found this chunky cotton jumper at the Children's Society charity shop on Pitshanger Lane, Ealing. If you pop up to this charming wee high street be sure to wander into The Pitshanger Bookshop - a well-stocked, friendly independent. My fashion reads, including this Chic Simple Wardrobe book are endless sources of inspiration; so when I found a sweater just like the one on the pages of the book, I was delighted. Let's face it, the cover-up is even more important than the cossie. My find is from the Banana Republic, a brand I've loved since the 70s when it still issued enticing hand-drawn catalogs (prior to Gap take over). The soft but highly textured look of this BR knit was equally enticing - a wardrobe multi-tasker, it will be packed into my suitcase for all future travel. It's a bestseller at just £4.99.