MIAM

MIAM

Tuesday 21 October 2014

Wonder Walsall

With train tickets booked, ditto hotel, it was off to Walsall I went.  Saturday saw the long awaited Bloggers Day Out, hosted by Vix in her Black Country home town.   She arrived bright and early at the Premier Inn (excellent btw if you're thinking of a stay in Walsall) and we headed off to the station to meet Lyndsey, Curtise, Annie and Em.  Shortly afterwards Gisela, Tania and her friend Vanessa arrived and once fortified by Costa we marched off to the now legendary Second To None for a secondhand shopping experience like no other.


Inside was a veritable treasure trove of vintage vetements, the like of which I'd never seen before. The shop is packed to the gunwales with garments from Victorian times to the 80's and just when I thought we'd rummaged through it all we found another two rooms with rails crammed full of yesteryear's clobber and all at a reasonable price too.

Time flew as we delved through the rails and tried on frocks, skirts, bikini!- to enhance the experience our kindly hostess thoughtfully provided us with a lovely libation.  Two hours later here we all are, exceedingly satisfied with our purchases.

L-R Vix, Vanessa, Tania, Curtise, Gisela, Emma, Lyndsey and Annie

Next stop was Wetherspoons for lunch.  A grand building, St Matthew's Hall was once Walsall's library, the bookshelves now providing an attractive backdrop for more snaps.

 


These wonderful women agreed to a close-up, here's Em with her great skin... and nails, glorious redhead Curtise and sparkletastic Tania. Thanks girls.


After the best value lunch ever we hit the charity shops...

... the trimmings stall at the market, the old fashioned sweet shop and the Asian beauty store.

Pom-poms were in high demand and at that price, no wonder!

There's loads of attractions to explore in Walsall as this curious child discovered...


 the Leather Museum, (Walsall is the traditional home of the English saddle manufacturing industry)  the New Art Gallery and Arboretum to name a few.  We hardly scratched the surface of what the town has to offer, a good excuse to return eh?


After one more trip to the pub, (it would have been rude not to) it was time to say our goodbyes.
It had been a day of great company, lots of laughs and fantastic shopping.  I urge you all to try a bloggers meet-up,  if it's anything like ours you'll have a bloody good time. 


Oh and just in case you're interested in seeing what I bought..

  70's wraparound block printed skirt

 70's block printed maxi

Didn't I do well?

Linking for the first time to Patti's Visible Monday

14 comments:

  1. One of my sisters had one of those block print wrap around skirts, and I always loved it. You had a fun filled day out indeed.

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  2. It was so lovely to meet you. A grand day out wasn't it? Loved every minute.
    Terrific photos of the day and I have to say that's one of the only close ups I where I don't look a bit of a baggage! It has to be the photographer!
    We'll do it all again soon.
    xxxxx

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  3. Looks like the best day, Fiona! I adore that wrap skirt and want to wear it today. Thanks for linking up to Visible Monday, xo.

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  4. What a fab day out ... and didn't you do well ... love both of your gorgeous buys :0)
    xx

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  5. What a fabulous post!
    Gorgeous close-ups of the girls and some fab shots of Walsall, too! What on earth is that child looking at?
    The skirt and the maxi are glorious on you. Could that dress fit any more perfectly.
    You definitely need to come back, the day went far too quickly! xxxxxxxxx

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  6. Ooh, love your wraparound skirt Fiona! The length is great with your boots. And I also love the tartan maxi skirt you wore for your day out. Looks like great fun. x

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  7. You did indeed do well - with that wonderful skirt and the divine maxi, and all your brilliant photos too! No blurry ones here, it's obvious who has the photography skills in the group, isn't it?! I adore the pic of the headless child with the Hair in the Square, pure genius.
    There was such a lot to enjoy about the day; Second to None never disappoints, a Wetherspoons lunch goes down a treat (bargain!), trimmings and pom poms at rock bottom prices, and fabulously warm and funny women for company. Perfect! Lovely to see you again, Fi, hope it won't be too long before we can have another day out and about! xxxx

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  8. Sounds like a really fun get together! What a top shop for a rummage, and top finds too. Had a flashback when I saw your 70's maxi dress, something very familiar about it…. and looks fab on you x

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  9. It was a fantastic day, and so good to meet every-one.

    I love the skirt you got, and that dress was made for you. Didn't we all do well :)

    You've got some great pics there, I especially love the pile of hats in Second To None!

    Look forward to seeing you at another meet-up soon :)

    Annie x

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  10. What a perfect day out Fiona - do let me know if there's another as I'm not too far away! Jane x

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  11. Vetements and gunwales, ooh I like! You know when I saw you in that skirt, I thought, yep, that's fantastic, she's got to have it. Then you tried on the dress! Wow, dress of the day I reckon. I loved it, such a beautiful print and fit and the colours are perfect on you. Lovely to meet you Fiona, hope to see you at the next one. Xxx

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  12. Glad you had a great day! I like your finds, especially the skirt. xx

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  13. O my GAWD I love the maxi you bought! I used to have an almost identical skirt until I got it caught in my bicycle chain.
    You bloody tarts, I am green with envy at your gloriarse day out! ONE DAY I shall be there. Mark my words......
    XXX

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  14. Delightful post! I love the name of the store, and I love vintage treasures. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.

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