♫ Sale Away Sale Away Sale Away ♪

Today I went to Fenwick department store in Bond Street. I made a beeline for the sale socks and was glad to see that they still had the ones I was after. Clutching my sale sock selection I wandered around... The large sign at the back of the store declaring 'Final Clearance' drew me towards it. Beneath the sign, four sad rails of sale clothing which were not good enough for the posh ladies were left hanging in dismay as if in a charity shop. I rifled through it hoping to find a good bargain (Missoni scarves for £9.95!) and noticed that I was the only one in that section, apart from an old Asian lady whose daughter was standing away from her looking embarrassed that her Mother was looking at further reduced rejects. Also, was I being paranoid or were the sales assistants looking over and smirking at us like we were sale scavengers? Wouldn't surprise me. In a place like Fenwick I expect a bit of snobbery....

My sale sock selection

And here comes a rant...
Two weeks ago at the aforementioned shop, I picked up a lovely Sonia Rykiel top (from the sale rail of course) and asked the younger of the two sales assistants standing at the counter what the price was, there was no ticket attached to it and I was curious. She says there should be another one on the rail so I follow her, I hear the elder French sales assistant say "Oh it's quite expensive.." Okay whatever. So the young assistant is looking for the other Sonia top on the rail when the old assistant butts in and says "It's going to be expensive, I think it might be down to £68. It's Sonia Rykiel. It's designer." Arrrgh! "Yes I know thanks." I reply. The young sales assistant finds the other top and confirms the price, "See I told you!" exclaims the arrogant busybody, then walks back to the counter. Unbelievable! Did I look like I couldn't afford it or something?? I left feeling disgruntled.

Mark Twain

I found this book outside a charity shop in Mitcham, no one there reads so I didn't think it would make a difference if I took it. Classic book... I also like the illustration and retro look of this edition, published in '66.




Rush - Tom Sawyer

Ugly Shoes

I was in the attic at my parents house, searching for vintage goodies to sell on ebay. I came across some interesting stuff... Some old school reports, a collection of sweatbands, letters, LA Gears... After some lengthy rummaging I sat back to admire my findings. I scanned the room one last time before exiting with my valuable treasures... I spotted a vintage stereo c1970s, Readers Digest books, suitcases, The Big Yellow Teapot, a scary looking doll, Mamas & Papas 12"... and SHOCK HORROR behind me are a pair of my shoes, but not just any old shoes, damn UGLY shoes circa '96. I had to rub my eyes to make sure I wasn't imagining it. They were truly awful. They were yellow and black, with a bulbous front like something Mickey Mouse or a clown would wear, oh and extreeemely chunky. Thinking back, those beasts did turn heads (mostly OAP heads) and obviously not in a positive way. I remember my mum recoiling in disgust. What was I thinking? Probably "Oh these boring-loafer-wearing-normal-people don't understand. I'm unique." Unique I sure was. Funny thing is, I wear loafers these days.

♫ Against All Odds ♪

The other day I was chilling at home watching X-Factor like you do, there was nothing else on (honest!) and it coaxed the inner Phil Collins in me. So during the ad break I sang a heartwarming power ballad thinking it would warm boyfs heart but before I even got to the second line boyf interrupted me and told me to shut up! Heartbreaking.

South x South West

Yesterday - bank holiday Monday - we went on a lovely bike ride. Usually we would cycle aimlessly not really knowing where to go, this time I decided we would have a mission to accomplish and thus a destination. That mission was to buy some pretty socks from Peter Jones in Sloane Square*.

So off we cycled to Chelsea. It was a beautiful day and a very pleasant ride. En route I discovered a vintage shop and purchased a 1980s wool turquoise cardigan for the princely sum of £1 - yes ONE pound! Of course the cardigan came with the regulation 80s shoulder pads which I later removed as I don't think I need to enhance my shoulders. Maybe when I'm much older.

After Sloane Square we ventured further south until we reached Putney, a place I'm fond of as I grew up there. At this point things started to go downhill. We went to a pub by the river. At the bar we wait... and wait.. and wait a bit longer...We should be next.. The bar man finishes serving his customer then totally ignores us and turns his attention elsewhere. So bloody annoying! We leave in a huff.

We end up at another poncey pub. We're sitting outside with our stupidly expensive pints, when Craigski finds freshly chewed chewing gum stuck to the bottom of his precious rucksack. He was not a happy bunny, understandably. I know I shouldn't have but I couldn't help but laugh. This annoyed him even more, understandably. We sit in silence. He decides to buy cigs and as he picks up his rucksack it knocks his half empty drink to the ground and it smashes! Oops.

WHY!!? Because we're in South London, is his conclusion. And so he declares that he will never ever step foot in South London again. Ever...

Fast forward to later that day and we're in the Hard Rock Cafe. I'm eating a scrumptious cheeseburger and watching Extreme 'More Than Words' video on the screen... Ah bliss! We lived happily ever after :)

*Mission was not accomplished, they didn't have the socks I was after.