Reworked Leather Shorts

I have finally had a chance to finish off one of my projects FOR MYSELF! I've been wanting to wear these for ages and now they are finished :) I bought a pair of too big leather trousers from The British Red Cross in Leamington for £8.50 and re-worked them into perfect fitting shorts, just in time for the sun to go in. I'm going to dress them down, up and FESTIVAL! Cannot wait for 2000 Trees!

All images have been styled with secondhand, re-worked + vintage items. NB: the lilac fancy collar shirt can be found for sale (£14.00) at any of the events I am attending over the next couple of months. There will be an updated NOTHING NEW IS COMING TO YOU poster up next week!

Crop Top DIY

I received an email on Thursday from Topshop about how crop tops are going to be your 'essential summer peice' and how from only £6.00 you would be mad not to buy one of each colour...I agree that this cute top shape will be big hit this year as they are so versatile, but you don't have to compromise your green ambitions for styles sake.

And this has to be one of the simplest DIY makes of all time!

1) Grab a vest top / purchase one from your local charity shop
2) Chop off as much or as little as you like with some nice sharp scissors
3) Use the remnant to make a turban style head wrap (if you feel like it!)

Be Your Own Boss - 1st Round Challenge!

NOTHING NEW has been selected to participate in a new TV programme on BBC3 Be Your Own Boss !! I am through to the first round where I have been given £100 to prove my entrepreneurial skills and make as much profit as I can. I have decided to go about this in a NOTHING NEW way and raid the charity shops for the best items, re-work and repair them as necessary and sell them on ebay. If I get through to the next round, I could be in some proper investment.....view my items on ebay right now, place a bid to become part of the NOTHING NEW success story!

Yes, even my socks!

I had a wonderful holiday last week campervanning in the Welsh valleys, and even though funds are limited I had to treat myself to these cosy socks!

I got them from Oxfam in Abergavenny, only 99p for two pairs! Totally unworn, probably an unwanted present, a great example of how what some people don't need, others do (my tootsies were freezing in the random snow!)

Big Cushions

Found these brand new Ikea cusion covers in British Heart Foundation Charity shop in leam last week...love the print, but think I might tie dye them....I got 3 for £3.99. Then I saw them still in Ikea for £4 a pop!

A particularly good day...

Today, I got dressed and realised that EVERYTHING I had on was never bought new...I love these days so thought I should share it with yous!

Cardigan, Bicycle tee and belts all from Charity shops. Boots and bag from my time working with such things and the skirt used to be a dress. Hurrah for second hand!

Hope you have pancake feasts planed for tonight...I'm making these http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/girl-eats-food-red-velvet-pancakes-and-creme-egg-sauce

Pretty Cushion

On our camping trip to Cirencester I also found this beautifully made crochet lace cushion cover. I love it and it's something I can keep forever that will never go out of style. All that satisfaction for £2.49 from a Cancer Research shop...

Autumn Dresses

Recently I have found these gorgeous dresses from various charity shops, they will be my winter staples with thick tights and boots!

From left to right: New Look Russian doll printed dress with peter pan collar, £5.50 from Sue Ryder, Vintage M&S spotted long sleeved dress, £3.99 from Banardos (taken up), Vintage M&S sheer leaf patterned dress with smocked waist, £9.99 Donna Louise Trust (taken up).

Sewing Day

Altering stuff is an essential skill required to live a life of nothing new....I have had years of practice now, so I ain't bad on a sewing machine. On Saturday I finally had the chance to get through my 'stuff to be altered' pile that was slowly growing in the bedroom. a few hours of just me and my machine...I also altered a couple of bikini tops (too big around the backs) and repaired a botched job on a top made a few weeks ago...but pictures of those would be explicit/boring;

 Some of the most important things I own

Sleeves taken up on this, now I shall actually wear it

trousers skinnified and proper hems around the armholes of this top (chopped the sleeves off ages ago)

Dress taken in at sides to fit then made sleeve-less. Buttons changed and a top one added. Ain't done a button-hole in a while, good practice!

Trousers dyed (they were originally beige) taken in and cropped slightly. Also showing off my ebay wedges that fit perfectly.

Oxfam Originals 70's dress, shortened and made sleeveless - beni ready!

 I decided the big spotty tee was too long for summer, so cropped it slightly. Hemmed these shorts too. Trying this on made me want to be on holiday now...

£8 French Connection? Yes Please!

Went on a small Christmas party shopping spree in Leamington last weekend, and was very impressed! Find of the day was a drapey French Connection top at only £8.00 from The British Heart Foundation shop on Regent Street. Its in beautiful condition and is a great style that I will wear till I'm 80....

Sweetheart neckline bodycon dress & leopard print camisole (both £4.95) from The Blue Cross....

These were also from the BHF shop; a grecian Miss Selfridge dress (£8.50) and this beautfully made grey unknown brand wrap around dress (£8)....it is definitley my new favourite thing!

So now I am sorted for Christmas and New Year - I just need to make some colourful jewllery to jazz up all the black and grey!

Not many posts of late as I am making my Christmas presents....cant post them yet as people may see!