I’ve been on QUITE the charity shop crawl, but interspersed with antique shops and vintage boutiques. Very treat for little old island me.

I’m in Somerset for a week, cat-sitting an amiable little baby boy. I was feeling a bit daunted by a week away from home but it turns out I’d be happy as Larry living alone. Perhaps that’s not such a surprise.

In Crewkerne, I hit all the charity shops pretty immediately. Fruitful as always – see my last post about this coat.

The next day, I got an hour-long bus into Bridport. The antiques market was on, lots of hustle and bustle. I did all the charity shops first and scored a handmade 1950s dress. So 50s as to be a bit on-the-nose but I couldn’t say no for £4.50. I found some Mulberry wool trousers for £6 and I also loved this vintage bag.

I then went to a vintage boutique of just the finest haute couture history I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. 1920s opera capes, Victorian lawn dresses, 1950s platforms and just…everything. I could afford nothing but I looked and looked. I met the shop owner, a very posh old lady who wanted me to know that this was her own collection from when she lived in London and she’d worn nearly everything. If I was getting married again, I’d be headed straight there. Wish I’d taken photos of the most stunning things but I was too busy.

Reeling at the £2,000 price tags but punch drunk in love, I went across the road into the best kind of antique shop. A FEMININE antique shop, very boudoir focused. Buttons and gloves, shoes, feathers, gowns, jewellery boxes and fans. I had the best time rummaging through everything and came away with a needlepoint box purse and a 1950s dress, both from the bargain box and totalling £10.

I’ll also include the gorgeous fabric shop I went in. It was a JOY. Very premium fabrics and everything just beautifully arranged.

Did I finish there? No, I did not. After another hour on the weirdest little community bus ever, I was dropped off on the outskirts of Crewkerne as it began to rain. But as I’d loosely planned to go into the huge antiques bazaar right around the corner, that was fine just fine. Had a very quick whip around and found a nice Betty Barclay top but I wasn’t about to spend £20 on nice.

Next day, Sunday. I went for a run. But then I just happened to notice that one of the charity shops in Crewkerne was OPEN. Maybe just a little look. I actually got nothing but look at this 70s dresssssss. I just couldn’t justify it, even for £8. Wtf do I need with basically a wedding dress?

Last go-around before leaving Crewkerne: a handmade 1960s eau-de-nil silk top, a very homespun c.1930s velvet clutch and an incredible 90s wool jumper. Look at it!

Aaaaaaaand that’s enough pennies spent on more junk for my poor husband to meander around.