Happy New Year!

The festivities are nearly over for another year and as 2013 disappears over the cloudy horizon, in rolls 2014 with new exciting things for Brook Green (We hope!)

We would like to thank every customer, every donor, every gift aid sign up, and everyone reading this blog for their support and patronage this year, in keeping us full of goodies and raising money for Trinity Hospice.

We have improved sales on last year and intend to keep the upward trend, but we couldn't do it without you all, 

so we sincerely thank you.

And as a little treat (and to copy all the big shops) we have our January sale on.
Up to 75% off!!
So with tops from as little as 50p, dresses from £2, and coats from £5, treat yourself to a new wardrobe at Trinity Hospice Brook Green.

But then of course you realise your wardrobe is too full/full of things you now hate/things that don't fit and you need to have a clear out.
Well please bring them to us, during opening hours, and we can make very good use of them.
Without your awesome donations our shop would be empty and we would be sad and that would never do :(
Also as I mention pretty much every post (Sorry...I'm not sorry!! Gift Aid is worth mentioning every time as it all adds up!) if you are a UK taxpayer we can claim Gift Aid on any time as we sell it and this helps more money go to Trinity Hospice, which is why we are here in the first place!

Enough shop talk now...

We hope you have a lovely New Year and look forward to whatever the future will bring.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(Picked this one as 1) They haven't got to that part yet here in London 2013, 2) Big Ben explodes! and 3) It was the first one I found on YouTube...)

Bye for now
BG

Christmas and New Year Opening

It's been a while, I know, but we have been so busy with all the brilliant pre-christmas clear out donations and making sure all our party frocks are looking great and ready to sell, and making the shop super festive.

We have changed the windows with more fab gowns and the like, and have a mini sale happening, so it has been super hectic. But we haven't forgotten you. More goodies on their way to be blogged to tempt you in in the new year.

Plus we will do a proper sale (up to 75% off! Can't go wrong with that! Fact.) in January.

BUSY BUSY!

Finally our opening times over this festive period -

Tuesday 24th Christmas Eve : 10am - 3pm
Wed 25th IT'S CHRISTMAS! : CLOSED
Thurs 26th Boxing Day : CLOSED
Fri 27th December : CLOSED
Sat 28th December : Normal times
Sun 29th December : Normal times
Mon 30th December : Normal times
Tues 31st December : 10am - 3pm
Wed 1st January : CLOSED
Thurs 2nd January : Normal times

After all the excitement of Christmas and the New Year starts, if you have a clear out or just want to get rid of some of those "What were they thinking" presents, bring them along to us while we are open and we will gladly take them. Don't forget to sign up to Gift Aid if you can!


We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Bye for now
BG

Christmas Gown Windows

Still 8 days till Christmas and so time for more party wear and ballgowns in our festive window. Although not sure how many people go to balls now? But then I would love to wear one fo these down to the shops. Just pottering about Sainburys in something totally sparkling and poofy!

Now these are a bit more special, sumptuous silks, and hand beaded couture, hence we are showing them off to you, but as I said before, we have many many more in stock at the moment, although they are selling fast, so please do pop in to see our full selection of party/cocktail dresses and gowns.

BCBG and Gai Mattiolo outfits

Temperley and Joseph dresses

Joseph red silk wrap dress £36
Temperley White cocktail dress £80
Red Amanda Wakeley scarf/wrap £25
Gai Mattiolo Couture blush silk and beaded gown £200
BCBG MaxAzria red silk dress £40

I think the Gai Mattiolo has something of a 'Marilyn Monroe' look about it and think it is fab! You will definately turn a fair few heads wearing it!

Also in the window are Trinity Hospice Christmas cards, which we are getting down to our last few packs! These charity cards for Trinity are priced from £1.99 a pack of 15.

Bye for now
BG

Handbag Timewarp

A bunch of vintage and retro handbags for you today.
A brace of bags? Bundle of bags? Ballows of bags? We need a name for this. Answers on a postcard...

Anyway, where were we? Ahh yes.
This handbags are a mix of retro and vintage, from 1950's up till now.

Some are leather, some are faux leather and some are plastic, but we love them all equally. Here are a small selection, so if you want to see the rest, pop in and say hello!

Gold and white striped - £18

Pink - £12

Leather embossed bag - £18

Bye for now
BG

Butterfly Bling

We do love a bit of funky jewellery and this piece will certainly get noticed when worn.

This gold metal butterfly is about 3 inches across and is covered in these lovely bold glass jewels.

Wear on a coat, or how about using it as a belt 'buckle' on a simple black dress.
It can be worn with a funky tartan print for a bit of a clash (which we love here), or even a bold floral scarf perhaps?
There are also some hooks which would take a chain or piece of ribbon, so could easily be converted into a necklace or even a hanging decoration.
The possibilities are endless!
£18

Hopefully this will just fly away...

Bye for now
BG 

Party Dresses (with added glitter)

So this is Christmas, as the song goes, and what have you done? Although I think John Lennon was going for something a little deeper than making sure you have some decorations up, we have Xmas'd the shop ready for the coming weeks to put customers in a festive mood.

We have dug out all our party wear and ballgowns from the treasure trove in our back room, primped and pressed them and with some added feathers/sequins are trying to glam up the window.

Showing you the night view...

 From left to right - 
(Plunging dark green cocktail dress, just seen behind window dummy, £16)
Green ombre sequin dress £40 
Gold glitter Zara shoes £12 
Black Jaeger dress with neck detailing £40
Black ASOS heels £10  
Sequin bolero £4 
White vintage Harrods dress £45 
Black Zara shoes £10 
Black and White sequined French Connection dress £18 
Grey buckled Zara heels £12 

The beautiful detailing on the 'mermaid' dress

The Christmas tree in the window isn't for sale, but we have many others in store for sale from £3. (Sadly no real ones, but we do have some Pine forest air spritz...)

We shall be updating the window as often as possible, and of course when things get sold, so the ballgowns, cocktail dresses and party wear will keep being refreshed until Jan and all those Christmas/New Year parties are over!
So please pop in and ask if you don't see anything you like on the shop floor as we may have something in the back and we want to make our customers happy, and glam.

Men's suits and shoes are also available, so men you have no excuse to wear jeans and trainers this year!

Bye for now
BG 

Christmas Wreaths

Why not hang one of these wreaths on your door this Christmas?

Wreaths have much history and symbolism associated with them. They are usually made from evergreens and symbolize strength, as evergreens last even though cold winter.
The Advent wreath is associated with Christianity and the coming of Christ, but has been known to be used in Medieval times, with candles, as a sign of life in winter and the hope of a warm srping.

Now they have evolved into a more decorative item and made from anything from bells to wood and even tiny soft toys (although it did look rather kitsch I wanted one!)

We have 4 of these for sale.

Ours are slightly more 'natural', and priced from £2

We also have a handful of red wire heart shaped wreaths, but I forgot to photograph them. Sorry. You will just HAVE to visit if you wish to see them!

Bye for now
BG 

Bill Gibb Vintage Dress

Another brilliant donation from the bag of awesomeness full of the YSL suits etc. We decided to save this one for nearer Christmas as it is so glittery, so here it is in all SPARKLING glory.
(I am running out of superlatives for our donations recently!)

This is a 1970's original dress, with original buttons and belt.
Bill Gibb was a Scottish fashion designer who became renowned in the 1960s and 70s for his unusual and flattering designs. "Gibb's design was described as the epitome of the new emerging trend for romantic eclecticism in British fashion design....His fantastical creations were based on nature, with unexpected combinations of fur, feathers, printed leather, and brightly coloured clinging fabrics" (Wikipedia)

Our dress is a glitter fabric, grey base with shades of yellow and orange and blues.
The buttons are glass and none are missing.
The belt is embellished with diamante to add ever more sparkle to the ensemble.

 There is a rip in the lining but it can't be seen when on, and in the right hands would be easily repaired. This garment is therefore sold as seen.

Our friends in the know love it and have not seen a Bill Gibb dress quite like this one!
£320

Why not own a piece of fashion history?!

Bye for now
BG

Who wants NEW Miu Miu Shoes?

WE DO!
A miracle has happened today. The once in a lifetime, rarest of the rare, magical moments has happened. A pair of designer shoes has been donated IN MY SIZE!!!! REJOICE REJOICE! Praise be, hurrah and hallelujah!

You might be thinking, well why are you telling us as you are surely going to buy them....Well no. Sadly they might fit ON my feet, but I cannot walk in them. Barely stand.
So my rejoicing might be a bit eager, but I just couldn't help myself. Especially as they are Miu Miu which is one of my (and ours at BGreen) favourite labels.

The young and more fun than Prada, offshoot seems to produce lush shoes every season.
These are not current season, but we think they will never go out of fashion. Too pretty to be dated!

It was like unwrapping a present when these came in. (And they are gift aided which, I fear I am beginning to repeat myself on but I really must, adds 25% of the selling price as extra money to Trinity Hospice!)

Time to unwrap the shoes....
Even the box is nice

TA DA! Just look at those beauties!

These Fluro pink "Calzature Donna" sandals could be yours for £300
Size 7 1/2 (eur 40 1/2)
The heel is 4 inches high with a platform at the front.
BRAND NEW
Still in the shoe bags in the box.

Please come and buy them so I don't keep trying them on and sighing that I can't walk in them!

Bye for now
BG

It was acceptable in the 80's....

...and it is also acceptable now! 
I give you Bangles -

Wrong Bangles...

These funky bright bits of plastic and glass are original 1980's pieces, and will certainly make people take notice of your wrists when wearing these!

Priced from 50p up to £3 for the super thick ones, you can't really go wrong with these on your arm.
And here we have Yolaine modeling so colourways for you

Red and White - So very Santa

Green with an accent of pink - Tropical!

and finally ALL THE COLOURS!!

The earrings are all clip on, and our faves are these yellow ones.
All the earrings are £1 a pair.

Plastic fantastic

Bye for now
BG

Meet the Volunteers - Jane

Well hello again. Yet another new volunteer to show to world today.
Getting rather full to the brim of volunteers, which is great at all the jobs get done in double time. I have to keep finding new jobs for them to do to keep them busy!

Jane has been with us for about the same time as Allen, and has helped beautify the shop.

"I retired in September from my jobs as a PA to a high profile city lawyer, having worked for him for 45 years. He gave me a wonderful send off party and I now help him out on personal work for half a day a week.

I come from a very close family. My mother and brother live near Whinchester and I spend every weekend with them.

I have lived in Shepherds Bush for 30 years and love the area, so I was delighed when Trinity Hospice Shops accepted me as a volunteer.

I love going to the cinema and theatre but am a bit particular about what I see.
Finally, although i don't play any sport, I really enjoy watching it on television - especially cricket and equestian sports(not racing)."

A fan of Eastenders and Elton John, Jame will be here Thursday mornings to fill up and sell lots!

All together now...
"This boys too young to be singing the bluuuuuuuuuuuuuueeeessss..........
ahhhhahhhhhahhhhahhhahh...."

(of course I had to pick the version with the Muppets... )

***

If you wish to volunteer at Brook Green or any of Trinity Hospice shops (Locations here) get in touch by emailing Anna Alcock retailvolunteers@trinityhospice.org.uk or phoning her on 020 7787 1000


Bye for now
BG

These Boots are made for STRUTTING!

Cold damp and grey. Winter means your feet must be kept warm (and dry) and yet look super stylish. Bye bye delicate shoes it's BOOT TIME!

So here are our top picks of black boots for you to feast your eyes on.
(We have more boots in store, including some brown fluffy ones. It's SOOOOO Fluffy!)

Yes I admit, it isn't the most colourful display but we are working on that to jazz it up a bit.

So once again, from left to right -

LK Bennett. Size 6 (eur 39). Leather upper and soles. £42

Alberto Gozzi. Size 7 1/2 (eur 40 1/2). Leather and suede upper. Leather sole. £48

Plinks (we think it says that...hard to read). Size 6 (eur 39). £8

Tods. Size 5 (eur 38). Leather upper and soles. £60 £20

Tony Bianco. Size 5 1/2 (eur 38 1/2). Leather upper. Man made sole. £22


5 pairs of boots and so here are 5 ways to wear them -
1. Tuck your jeans in for a casual day look.
2. Wear with bright coloured tights so that when you walk there are flashes of colour.
3. If wearing a dress or skirt, we suggest one that either sits couple of inches higher or just where the boot ends.
4. On your hands so you can walk on all fours.
5. Might have run dry of ideas at 3, so all we can say is wear them with confidence and strut your funky stuff when pounding the pavements!

And if like me you have had Nancy Sinatra singing 'These Boots are made for Walking', then congratulations on your earworm!
Bet you thought I was going to post a video....but no...you will have your earworm ALLLLLLLLLLLL day. Have fun with that! mwahahaha (that is our evil laugh btw.)



Bye for now
BG

Light up a Life

Christmas is coming and we are sharing the blog love with fundraising once again, to show off their yearly Light up a Life evening.

Join us at our annual Light up a Life carol service on Thursday 12 December. It’s a chance to take time out over the busy Christmas period to commemorate the lives of loved ones and remember those who are no longer with us.
The evening begins at Trinity Hospice with the lighting of our Christmas tree at 6.45pm, followed by a candlelit procession to Holy Trinity Church for the service at 7.15pm.
Guest speakers, including Trinity patron Huw Edwards, will be reading at the service. You are also more than welcome to join us afterwards for wine and mince pies.

Kindly sponsored by

For more information about the event please contact Catherine on 0207 7787 1012 or email csykes@trinityhospice.org.uk.

And now I have the urge for some mince pies....is it too early yet?!

Bye for now
BG

Winter Warmer

We can't avoid it any more. Summer is long dead and it is now blooming cold here in London town. Bye bye lovely summery dresses, and hello lush layers and warm woolly jumpers!

Now we have moved and packed all the summer tops and skirts away, out come the mohair, cashmere and wool (and super static acrylic!) jumpers. Our jumper rail is topped up daily as customers empty it trying to stay warm, and look just as awesome as ever.

We think this jumper is a little bit special though.

Another lovely piece by Dries Van Noten, we have had fun styling this up many ways but decided that just on its own is fine to show it off at its best.

The loose knit, funnel necked jumper is mainly gunmetal grey, but with the smatterings of various colours in wools of varying thickness, we agree that it is perfect for jazzing up a neutral outfit.
£55

Made from 100% wool, this 'medium' size 12 (eur 40) has a small, small amount of stretch, but we don't think it would fit a 14.

Over a crisp white shirt, with a turned up collar and navy or beige trousers/skirt is our best way of wearing it, but why not layer it with another thin knit jumper to be super warm? Or throw it over some jeans and t-shirt for a casual outfit.

Come on winter, do your worst. We are all designered up in wool!

Bye for now
BG

Old Prints & Pictures - part 2

This came in with the framed animal prints but we thought it deserved a post of it's own.

This is larger than the other prints measuring 13 by 18 inches (34 by 46 cms approx)
The print is the cover piece from the "The fairest of the fair" sheet music and the jolly bearded one needs to be loved.
£34
Such a happy smiley beard.

It seems to be from 1856, written by William Brough this piece for the stage was published by Thomas German Reed. 
William Brough (28 April 1826 – 13 March 1870) was an English writer. As a dramatist, he wrote some of the earliest German Reed Entertainments, as well as Victorian burlesques, farces and other pieces.

Here is a link to some of the sheet music itself if you fancy having a sing song


Bye for now
BG