No spend September?

So the end of the summer is approaching & I have been dutifully clearing away the most summery of items in my wardrobe. Whilst clearing out (which I always find cathartic & the only way for my wardrobe doors to stay shut) bags for the charity shop & bags of clothes to sell, either on ebay or to local vintage shops, I started pondering whether it would be possible not to spend in September? I have of late been trying to make better choices & think about anything a bit more before adding it to my wardrobe but it got me thinking about seeing whether I could curb my shopping.

Whilst I generally don't overspend & save money every month, I would find this hard because:
1. I love clothes 2. I work dangerously close to main shopping center 3. I am always on my laptop looking at style blogs 4. Once my bills are paid & savings put away, I don't generally budget how I spend the rest.

This then snowballed into I wonder how long I could go without much non-essential spending, so using up food I already have, being more thrifty & creative with food in the freezer, reusing books &dvds I already own & using up all the beauty products I have instead of buying anything new. Whilst hardly revolutionary in nature, for me anyway this would be quite a challenge not to simply buy things when the whim takes me.

So I am still pondering how doable it is (& panic stocking up), what does everyone else think - an easy challenge? Any words of wisdom for more thrifty living? Maybe I should start slow & have a week of no non-essential spending?

Source: None via Tori on Pinterest

Monki around

I could almost skip for joy at the news that Monki, one of my favourite Swedish labels is opening in Selfridges London on the 1st September, I am hoping this means their UK expansion is underway. Owned by the same company as H&M & Cos, they stock quirky but affordable pieces with unique branding & styling. It has been heartbreaking for some time that they don't ship to the UK & I have been left pawing my computer screen lovingly at their clothes. Hoping for a London trip soon & this will be at the top of my agenda!

Lazy Sunday loveliness

Happy Sunday! one of my favourite days of the week - waking up late, dreaming of pancakes for breakfast, drinking tea all day & planning for the week ahead. My Sunday today is a typical one - blog reading & tea drinking, shopping for the week ahead (with a quick pit stop at h&m), granny visiting & obligatory cake eating & big Sunday night dinner (I am still pondering whether exercise can fit in & to be honest it seems like a lot of effort for a Sunday!) what is everyone else up to?

Been looking at things to brighten up my walls this morning & loved some of these prints:

No word needed print by Sparklehen via etsy

Paper cut by Julene Harrison

'You are my greatest adventure' print by Gus & Lola via etsy

Friday internet shaped inspiration

The end of another week is upon us (the thought of September next week is making me a bit dazed & confused as my to do list for the summer is still lingering!) Anyways, this week I have been working from home a lot & taking advantage of scouring the internet on my tea breaks for many exciting & fanciful things. This week I have mostly loved stumbling across:

Rock n Rose who have an amazing selection of vintage jewellery & headbands.

Josephine vintage clip on earrings

Mustard Luxe Turban Headband

Love for cute plain coloured dresses & playsuits (I had seen them in the concession at Topshop but like being able to see full collection.)

Mustard Cross bust sleeveless dress

Aubergine pleated waisted dress

Ruche for a cute & quirky website filled with gorgeous tea dresses & vintage inspired prints.

Elegant equestrian printed dress in teal

 

Melange cafe polka dot dress

Godiva boutique (who I love going into when in the Grassmarket) discovered their online store so I don't even have to go in person anymore. They always stock amazing vintage pieces but also great work from independent designers.

Young Love Brooch by Stolen Thunder

Stag's head brooch by Alexis Southam

I am always on the look out for any new stores stocking the unusual, anyone got any recommendations for great online stores that are away from the masses?

Getting autumnal excited

Now that my holidays are done for the foreseeable future, I am free to get excited about all things autumnal. As an eternal student I still get excited over the stationary shopping that September time calls for & that back to school feeling.

I love autumn/winter clothes - fires burning, leaves falling, hot chocolate drinking, scarf swinging - it gets me giddy at the thought!

So far I am dreaming of a Whistles Andi overcoat in tweed  (not available until the end of Sept so I am saving my pennies), some fine woolen roundneck jumpers &  I am still searching for perfect boots to traipse through the autumn leaves in. Some of my autumnal picks so far below:

Topshop Attack boots in sand suede

Stella McCartney Chunky knit alpaca blend scarf

River Island Fisherman chunky knit jumper

Asos Arran knit jumper in Tobacco

Asos slinky over the knee socks in gold

Zara casual large bag

I like autumn for the layering & accessories (don't even get me started on ear muffs!) What about everyone else, are you a spring/summer or autumn/winter person?

Source: google.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Berlin a city of bears, beatniks & beer

Just back from my trip to Berlin, surrounded by piles of washing & all the fun chores you have when you get home from holidays. Berlin was amazing, one of my new favourite cities. We had a great time taking in the sights, eating lots (including currywurst for the boy), doing all the tourist stuff & navigating the S-bahns & U-bahns. I loved the mix & juxtaposition of history & the ultra modern.

We stayed just off the Ku'damm, right beside Berlin's answer to Harrods, Ka De We - 7 floors of designer goodies. The best thing about the store (apart from Tiffanys) was the gourmet floor where you could get every food imaginable.

Ka De We - Ralph Lauren display

Ka De We - gourmet floor & their amazing tea selection

When visiting any city I always like to spend some time in the more lived in areas, away from the tourist craziness. Berlin's graffiti, street style & alternative areas were a feast for the eyes everywhere you turned.

I can't go anywhere without shopping (especially vintage shopping) & so armed with some tips from friends in Berlin I dragged the boy round the best Berlin had to offer.

Why is it when on holiday you always feel you are just getting your bearings when it is time to leave? I would love to go back to Berlin in springtime or autumn when it wouldn't be as hot & tourist heavy. I have also been reading lots online about living in Berlin & how it is relatively cheap compared to the rest of the European capitals - so I am adding it to my 'I would like to live in' wishlist! Until then I will just get on with sorting out my washing...

Berlin rambling

I am headed to Berlin for the next few days with the boy to museum wander, shop peruse & culture soak.

Finding it difficult to pack for - is it still summer dressing or more autumnal clothes? I have packed as usual for all eventualities & think I have outdone myself on the variation of polka-dots & stripes that I seem to have squeezed into my case (also the boy is into economising & made us share a case - not sure what I will do with all my purchases that I am sure to make!!)

Anyways have a good week everyone & I will be back rambling in no time. xxx

Source: weheartit.com via Anna on Pinterest

daisy chains & bicycle dreams

Small things that have made me smile this week.

Have a good weekend everyone xxx

Source: brabournefarm.blogspot.com via Taffeta Ramblings on Pinterest

Source: anthropologie.com via Taffeta Ramblings on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Taffeta Ramblings on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Taffeta Ramblings on Pinterest

Source: 365-days-of-summer.tumblr.com via Taffeta Ramblings on Pinterest

Source: net-a-porter.com via Taffeta Ramblings on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Taffeta Ramblings on Pinterest

Friday fancifuls

Another week done & another Friday rolls around.

It has been a rather turbulent week here in the UK & as Hallmark as it sounds, a week that makes you happy for all you have & the good people in your life.

This week I have mostly been enjoying:

Day tripping with the boy - he was super excited for the ice cream

enjoying the sunshine while it lasted

eating sparkly cupcakes from Tinderbox

sniffing the flowers the boy bought me

 I hope everyone is safe & well & had a good week. xxx

Treasure Trove Thursday

Given my love for all things second-hand & generally old & pre-loved, I was very excited to visit the Ingilston antiques fair last Sunday on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The exhibition hall was filled with antique sellers & treasure hunters. It was teeming with people on the hunt but also lots of people who just wanted to talk to you about their best finds & tips for searching.

The fair is on a couple of times a year (summer & winter) & sellers travel from all over the UK. I wasn't in the market for much but just enjoyed going along & seeing all the vintage fancies, I also enjoyed how truly passionate most of the sellers are about their goods.

I was lucky enough to pick up a few bits & pieces & added them to my vintage haul from the past few weeks:

backpack from Glasgow Vintage Company

Nude pleat maxi skirt from eBay

Big woolen cardigan from antiques fair (the boy says I look like a polar bear)

12 cocktail glasses from carboot sale - perfect for my Mad Men themed cocktail party

Mulberry coin purse from the antiques fair - bargain buy at £9 (did employ my new haggling skills)

Anyone else get any vintage treasures this week?