TRY THIS - Teachings of Untouched Toys

At 50-years-old, I find I'm still attracted to dolls. I couldn't resist this wee Japanese cutie, spotted at the Octavia charity shop in Ealing last week for £1.50. The white porcelain lady was a gift from a friend, the tiny pink mistress - a brooch - was found on Ebay CLICK HERE and the brush babe an 'as-is' bargain buy CLICK HERE. When I was a girl, I loved my dolls with abandon, resulting in Barbies with mismatched shoes and a Raggedy Ann that was far more raggedy than Ann. 

I wonder if my grown-up fascination is misguided atonement for the childish, even reckless attention I lavished on dollies long gone? Sadly these modern-day dears pictured, collected and cared for, enjoy no fun and games. These are fashion curios rather than play things. These do not star in immature but imaginative dramas, they do not converse with green plastic Army men or ride about on the shoulders of hand-knit teddy bears. A lesson for this living doll? Indeed. At 50, at any age maybe, let me be a moppet with mismatched shoes rather than an impeccable figurine, cherished but untouched. 

FOUND - Paul's Positive Posy Power

I found this soft cotton Paul Smith shirt at the Octavia Foundation charity shop in central Ealing. I've loved Paul Smith fashions since moving to London some 10 years ago. Like pubs that don't sell food and 'riding on the right,' PS is quintessentially British. Everything I read about Sir Paul leaves me feeling nothing but admiration for the long-time designer. He once hoped to be a professional cyclist but a serious accident saw him hospitalized for 6 months. While recovering he met up with students from the local art college in Nottingham and there, a design career was born. THAT versatility of imagination is rare and enviable in my book. Smith says be unashamed of the work you must do to pay the bills in order to also do the thing you love - a realistic but inspiring affirmation for anyone who quietly creates in splintered and stolen moments, each and every day. The shirt was definitely a steal at just £7.99.

FOUND - A Duo from Daring Double Act

I found these Clements Ribeiro cashmere jumpers at the Octavia Foundation charity shop in central Ealing. While I'm fairly sure they're menswear, these short-sleeved sweaters are this woman's idea of weekend dressing perfection. Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro met on their first day at Central Saint Martins where they studied fashion design. After graduating with distinction the pair married and set up their eponymous label. In 1997 Vogue included CR in what the fash mag dubbed the "Magnificent 7," along with the likes of Tom Ford, Valentino, Miuccia Prada, Alexander McQueen, Yohji Yamamoto and Karl Lagerfeld. In 2000 Clements Ribeiro became joint creative directors at Cacharel (Huntress on Cacharel CLICK HERE), a 7-year association resulting in increased sales and critical acclaim for the French fashion house. In 2007, the couple left Cacharel to relaunch Clements Ribeiro. Bold and distinctive, these jumpers wear like warm, well-made t-shirts that look great layered or alone. They were $18 apiece - a bargain at twice the price.  

FOUND - Spectacular Specs for a Song

I found these sunglasses at the Octavia charity shop in Ealing. Large frames with pastel inlay - the curves and zig zags on the frames are actually light blue & pink in colour - they're high quality and importantly, sport a brand name. Unfamiliar labels offer me lovely little challenges. I can't wait to research an unknown brand, uncover its story. 

"What really knocked me out was her

cheap sunglasses" 

                                   -ZZ Top

Saphira is an exclusive German eyewear brand circa 70s/80s known for bold modern design. While I've found little else about the brand, what I have noticed is that on 2nd-hand and vintage selling sites (Ebay, Etsy and others) Saphira sunglasses range in price from £50 to £125. Initially I had no idea these were SUCH a well-loved brand but it was worth finding out. Let's say I had a hunch. These specs saw me fork over just $4 - worth the risk, as either way they're knock out, cheap sunglasses. 

Check out the new West Ealing antique & vintage market 

THIS Saturday. For details CLICK HERE  

FOUND - Watercolour One Off Wonder

I found this dress at the Octavia Foundation charity shop in Ealing a few weeks ago. The brand name is Gianni Balenti. While it sounds Italian, research shows it's a trademark registered to Berkertex Ltd, located not in Milan, but Milton Keynes. Nevertheless this is a quality piece of 80s vintage. If the label didn't say polyester, I'd swear it was silk. The pattern - akin to a work of watercolour - is beautifully executed. Further it's finished off with details like silk cord piping around the neckline. On the cuffs, discretely woven into the fabric print the brand name appears - an expensive addition that makers of cheap, throw-away fashions would never dream of including. It's a 3 seasons frock, wearable year round with the exception of summer's hottest days. I take heart in the knowledge that my opposite number on the tube will not also be wearing this vintage stunner. My heart nearly bursts when I recall I paid just £14.99 for it. 

Next week post peek: 2nd-hand finds from 

my holiday in Chicago and NYC.

FOUND - My 'Boyfriend' Gets Shirty

I found this boyfriend shirt at the Octavia Foundation charity shop in Ealing, West London. If boyfriend jeans are a must, then a quality boyfriend shirt is a hero in the making. This one is made by Harvie & Hudson, a London firm founded in 1949 with the third generation of H&H's now at the helm. All their shirts feature mother of pearl buttons, not plastic and their bespoke shirts are still made at their Jermyn Street headquarters. This is a quality garment; made from light weight but textured hounds tooth cotton, it's nicely shaped along the bottom hem. Important, as I'll wear it un-tucked with slim fit, cropped denim. Charity shops are absolutely heaving with men's shirts, so be selective. A label that says Jermyn Street is a good place to start. Some wear is important. You want your boyfriend to be soft and even a little worn. Current/Elliot, a high-end cult denim label, is offering a good-looking mannish shirt for women that retails for £305. This handsome devil was just a fiver.

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TRY THIS - Start Your Own Fan Club

I found the fan on the left at the Octavia charity shop in Putney and the one of the right in the famed flea markets of Paris. Over the past few months I've clocked a growing number of stylish women brandishing fans. It's been a steamy summer and these low tech lovelies, that tuck easily into a handbag, can and do alleviate the heat. In centuries past, the fan was the fashionable lady's answer to the text message. These highly embellished accessories clearly communicated, if only you understood the lexicon:

Resting the fan on her lips - I don't trust you.

Fanning herself slowly - I'm not interested.

Passing the fan from one hand to the other - 

I see you looking at another.

Examining closely the paint on her fan - I like you.

Tapping her palm with the fan - Love me.

Not just a pretty face, the fan, but well-spoken too. Along with a cotton hanky, I think fans are summer must haves. The charity shop fan was £2.99 while the French flea market find was 14 euros. I'm a fan of both; my niece Rylee collect fans so these will one day be passed on to her.  

FOUND - Trendy With Vintage Pricetag

I found these Bally trainers at the Octavia Foundation charity shop in Putney. There's a common misconception that charity shops are full of musty-smelling vintage and straight up junk. Granny gear and chipped teacups. Okay, sometimes, but there's style gold as well. Week after week, I find high-end, big brand fashions at a fraction of their original price. Last week I found a Mulberry belt for £3, this week Bally trainers that retailed when new for £250. High-end style finds bring a smile to my face. So do quirky vintage pieces. What about that musty smell, I hear you sniff. Here's the trick; spray the offending item with white vinegar, then just let it air out. The vinegar will evaporate quite quickly and with it the pong. Wash as normal. You may need to apply and dry more than once, but I assure you this eliminates eau de vintage. But never mind vintage, today I'm bang on trend - call me Mrs Current - in these all-leather kicks from the famous Swiss shoemaker. Nearly new but sporting a vintage price tag, they were just £15. 

Tweet a pic of your best charity shop find to

@annielistening #best2ndever 

FOUND - Silk Shirt Switcheroo

I found this silk t-shirt at the Octavia Foundation charity shop in Ealing last week. It's by Pure Collection, an on-line retailer specializing in cashmere & silk clothing, (www.purecollection.com). This particular shirt retailed for £79 when new. It's actually a v-neck tee but when I tried it on I immediately saw the neckline didn't suit me. Disappointed, I found it difficult to walk away from this quality silk staple. Creativity kicked in. I turned the top back to front and hey presto, I had the perfect silk CREW neck t-shirt that did suit me. I often wear cardies the wrong way round with the buttons running down the back. It's an elegant look that works well with a straight pencil skirt. The easy movement of this silk t-shirt pairs nicely over jeans or tucked into wool trousers. The old switcheroo comes through again. Pure silk for a few pounds. The top was 4 quid. 

Tweet a pic of your current favourite 

2nd-hand gem to @annielistening #best2ndever 

FOUND - The Quiet American

I found this Tory Burch ribbed jumper in the Octavia Foundation charity shop in Ealing. Tory Burch is an American designer who founded her brand in 2004 with one store in Manhattan. She now has 120 shops and a presence in 3,000 retailers across the globe. Her celebrity fans include Jessica Alba, Blake Lively and Cameron Diaz. And still the Tory Burch label is relatively unknown and under-appreciated in the UK. Tory's got a J Crew pre-Jenna-Lyons vibe, preppy, with a bit of Lilly Pulitzer's moneyed-Miami look thrown in for good measure. TB ready-to-wear is starting to turn up in UK charity shops for peanuts. My mom adores Tory so this will be passed on to her. I should keep it until Christmas but I'll never be able to wait, so pleased am I with this fashion find. Don't tell anyone it cost just £6.       

FOUND - Grabbed Bab's Fab Bag

I found this handbag at the Octavia Foundation charity shop near South Ken Tube station. It's Barbara Hulaniki for Coccinelle. The Polish-born, English-raised illustrator and designer is the founder of the iconic 60s/70s label BIBA, a fashion phenomenon that almost never got off the ground. After several failed attempts, Hulaniki and her husband gave it one last try, creating a gingham dress with a round cut-out back. It was a hit, selling thousands, and so began BIBA's success. With David Bowie and Marianne Faithful as regulars, it's no wonder the modest BIBA shop in South Ken grew into a 5 story department store, complete with restaurant roof garden. Coccinelle is an Italian brand founded in 1978 (2 years after BIBA shut its doors). Known for high quality accessories, Coccinelle's partnership with Barbara has ensured the simplicity of their handbag range remains eye catching and fresh. This bag was £24.

FOUND - Chinese Take Away Today

I found this blouse at the Octavia Foundation charity shop in Ealing, 40 High Street. Created for the export market, it's never been worn by anyone in the Middle Kingdom. Nonetheless, this humble top has an authenticity; it's soft, slightly worn and charming in its detail. I find cheaply-made items over 25 years old often posses a degree of quality not found in contemporary counterparts. All the same, it would have been easy to pass over this little gem. A wrinkled mess, on the hanger it didn't initially impress. But that sweet old school label, its gold and red embroidery, reeled me in. Labels, just the way they look, are often the keepers of 2nd-hand secrets. Paired with rolled up Levis, a gold/jade bracelet and red flats, this top is a real rice cracker. It cost £3.95.