Chiswick Car Boot, W4

The first rule of car booting - always get there early (but you can talk about them as much as you want!) You'd think a self-confessed bargain addict like me would have learnt this by now...and there was no good reason for me to arrive at the Chiswick Car Boot at 12.30pm today. But that I did and these boots were ready to close at 1pm. Oh dear.

A schoolgirl error I know. The benefit of the late start is that the prices start dropping (I'd recommend trying to bargain down anything heavy looking as tired stall holders will be keen to avoid carrying weighty unsold items if they don't have to). But the downfall is, of course, that the really good deals will probably have already walked out the door already, plus stall holders will be packing up. It's the perfect time for panic buying!

However I was lucky today as Chiswick was a great car boot that is immense so even in the last half hour there was still lots to explore and admire.

It was the prefect mix for Sunday browsing with *real* car boots, manned by real people. Always a winner with me.

The products available ranged from proper antiques at bargain prices...

To cool 20th Century treasures (this jug is the-one-that-got-away today, the reason? Too heavy for pathetic arms to carry around all day...I know...)

My fella would have been cross to see me let this dartboard get away *rolls eyes*...

These beautifully decorative piano scores were great for a rummage through for the musical or even design fans!

Or you could even go whole hog with this nafty squeeze box!

Beautiful plants are always good to look out for at one of these sales...

And...erm chickens...

With more time I would have had a proper look at this crockery. I love its art deso-esque metallic design...

I made one little purchase - a sweet little retro clock. A steal at a fiver and a perfect addition for my kitchen wall.

So all in all this is a great car boot...that impressed me not just with its size but also the variety of stalls. The next sale will be the first Sunday of August. I will be there bright and early, having learnt my lesson and won't forget the first rule of car booting again.

Welcome to Kemp Town

I haven't *actually* moved to Brighton. But visiting Kemp Town (and a certain cheeky road of antique shops) gave me another very good reason why I really could...

Rather than keeping to my usual Brighton haunts I found that venturing East away from The Laines was definitely worth it. I firstly stopped to check out Brighton Flea Market, a cool, varied collection of antiques, quirky collectables and a whole hoard vintage furniture.

I was actually sent to try to commandeer a recently spied vintage leather chair that had sadly already found a home...but I was still most impressed with the ever refreshed pieces of furniture - there was plenty to buy/ogle (delete as your wallet allows). Oh and if you go make sure you check out the full size diving helmet...

A couple of (antique shop) doors down you'll also find In Retrospect 60s and 70s original designs. An aching cool shop that introduced me to a G-Plan coffee table, that I now need urgently for my living room, and cluster of hip alarm clocks that I could just about allow to wake me up in the morning

Oh and in my imaginary Kemp Town life can I live here please? Brighton's famous Royal Crescent with a sea view - feels like home already.