Saleing into the sunset

Have you been to the sales yet? I’ve viewed scenes of crowded stores on the TV news, but prefer to keep well away from them myself. However, in a mad moment of nostalgia, when walking past a local branch of Woolworths the other day, I decided to pop in and take a look at what was on offer.

There weren’t that many customers about, though there were quite a lot of very glum looking staff, including an extremely unfriendly security guard, who insisted that I stop taking photographs and threatened to throw away my camera. All very odd, I thought, for a shop that was just about to be closed down – and hence the rather hurriedly taken and blurred photos in this blog…



There was still quite a lot on the shelves and most of the stock seemed only to have been marked down by 10% - including such ‘wonders’ as Cliff Richard's autobiography, a toy replica long range rifle, something called Partini – ‘the party game with a delicious twist’ and pale pink and blue raffia umbrellas (perfect for mid-Winter).




The clothing section was a little busier: the floor strewn with the remnants of rummaging shoppers. The fashions on show were decidedly lacking in taste – like this deep-pile-style stripey zip up cardie in a toe curlingly eclectic array of cerise, dark lilac and white..








If you’re not tempted by the Wonder of Woolies or other department store sales, why not take a look for bargains on the internet. You won’t have to go out in the cold, or battle with the crowds and you might even find things with timeless style that aren’t instantly identifiable as last season’s stock.







At ShopCurious, we’ve up to 40% off stylish fashion, jewellery and unique accessories like this unusual vintage bug bangle (left) reduced from £230 to £149.50. We’ve also designer vintage bargains and some highly wearable contemporary clothing that will keep you warm year after year too – like a simple, but stunning black suede waistcoat by Madame a Paris, reduced from £386 to £250.90.






It’s actually very sad that Woolies will be closing down, especially for the employees at this difficult time. When you see the fixtures and fittings being sold off (if anyone wants them), like plastic shopping baskets at a pound a pop, it brings home the finality of the situation.


It’s even sadder that the buyers at Woolworths weren’t curious enough to find things with a little more style.

Are you?

French style

At ShopCurious, we've created a little enclave of French fancies to delight you, as we transport you in style on our alternative Silk Route. Le style francais is often talked about in relation to furniture, food and fashion. Where better to start than with a vintage silk scarf depicting the world famous city of fashion and romance itself, and les ponts de Paris: bridges to time honoured passion, style, art and culture...






Of course, you might also be interested in an earlier history of Paris, where the ideals of liberte, egalite and fraternite first emerged during the Age of the Enlightenment. We've also got an original limited edition Hermes silk scarf commemorating the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution in 1989.




For more recent evidence of the art of fashion from the French capital, take a look at these wonderfully elegant silk dresses by Madame a Paris for autumn/winter 2008: Simple, chic, sophisticated, curiously French and newly available from our eclectic online emporium.


In a city where fashion and art vie for premiere position, how appropriate that the elusive French designer, Monsieur Bonnet ,should have combined the two in this fitting Eiffel Tower dress (below left). How stylish! We're veering off the Silk Route a bit with this cotton number and, likewise, with this amazing hand painted, carved acacia wood sculpture of the great French monument by Timmy Woods (below right) - which is in fact a handbag that originates from Beverly Hills and was worn by Carrie in the Sex and the City film. It's currently available in the UK exclusively at ShopCurious.


Our journey to Paris has almost come to an end and I'm feeling in need of a little rest before our next adventure, so I don't think I'll be sampling the delights of Parisien nightlife. I'll be off to bed now, but I'm already looking forward to the next stage of our travels...
Are you?