Dusty Fingers August - Part One: SWAPAHOLICS

It was that time again today. Dusty Fingers market set up again for awesome times. Beloved SwapAholics were there once again in a more miniature form than before. Nevertheless, there was plenty of goodies for the snatching- didn’t come out quite right there. The haul this time was more successful than before, because this time I got there nice and early.

I got a super special awesome denim shirt with adorable embroidery over the button holes- I will wear it with pride. Ooh and there was this suede skirt that the swapper had customised with awesome ladder detail. I’m so kitted out now I can feel ‘ Like a rhinestone cowboy...’ that was the only cowboy related song I could really think of. I should probably stop making references to songs.

I got awesomeness in the form of a super block colour shirt and this adorable bowling-cum-prairie shirt with wee shoulder pads. These were both thanks to the same swapper who had crazy- good style. Wow, that sounds like a bad anime translation.

Anyway lady wherever you are, thank you so much. Everyone was really friendly and social, it’s like shopping on another level. Usually when I shop it’s between me, the sales adviser and my bank account. But swapping and vintage shopping provides you with a networking experience. You meet new people, you learn things and wonderful strangers make you feel brave enough to try new things. I picked the bowling mcwhatever shirt and thought I couldn’t wear it. It was until Diana Infernoo of Swapaholics said ‘that’s cute’.

I’m not going to say a certain anagram that justifies arbitrary stupidity but CARPE DIEM. Grab it and if you don’t wear it then a few swaps later you can give someone else the opportunity to do it justice. That’s the great thing about swishing. You can afford to take risks. You know it’s not going to waste. You’re saving something and if it doesn’t work for you it’ll work for someone else next time.

For want of a better phrase- ‘One man’s trash, that’s another man’s come up.’

And when someone picks up something you brought and says ‘ooh!’ honestly it gives you shivers. It lets you know that you’ve personally made a positive impact on someones day, on someone’s wardrobe. I can’t help smile thinking ‘I wonder how she’s going to rock that...’

I look forward to the next swap as always. I have four items on my loyalty card, booyah is not the word.

Until next time. 

The Breakfast Club

'Don't you...forget about me!' I am so slow! So, tucked away, or not so tucked away in Islingtons beautiful beating heart is the 'Breakfast Club'. That's right, that place you already know about. Well, I'd only vaguely heard of it until my bosom buddy Riquel took pity upon me and took me there.

You see, Riquel is one of those cool people- no not hipster- just cool. She's taken me to Caribbean dance classes, salsa and talks to me about bantu knots and Korean BBQ, she's awesome.

Anyway, the Breakfast Club serves breakfast, American breakfast. All day, everyday. Ooh yeah. It's also named after one of my favourite movies- on purpose. You have no idea how many times someone has bumped into me at London Bridge station and I've wanted to stop them, double point at them and say 'Don't mess with the bull, young (wo)man. You'll get the horns!' A la Principle Vernon- what is it about men called Vernon? Principle Vernon (authoritarian douche bag), Uncle Vernon (authoritarian douche bag)...Vernon Kay? Well maybe just the two, then.

Man am I a loser or what! They even have the letter the Breakfast club leave for Principal Vernon at the end of the movie.

You know I always tragically related to Alison. I was never the pretty, it-girl Claire was even though I dig her skirt. Alison was oddly charming albeit kind of gross (that cereal sugar sandwich and the dandruff snow- eww). And even though the makeover she got was bitchin', I kinda liked the eyeliner better.


Back to the point. The Breakfast Club's decor is perfect. It's kitschy, it's bright, it's quirky. The walls are littered with pictures, postcards and posters. Bunting hands from the ceiling and there are nostalgic hits blaring out of the restaurant stereo.

The highlight on the walls was by far this.

Seriously FOLLOW him on Twitter!

I want this in my kitchen.

I had the 'All American' because I frigging love pancakes. The scrambled eggs were perfection and the bacon was crispy and flavoursome. And the potatoes, sweet Jemima, the potatoes- herb and garlic fried with skins still on. The pancakes were light and fluffy, unsweetened for that perfect balance of stick sweetness from the MAPLE syrup. (Yeah stick that Macdonalds Breakfast- cut out the Maple syrup will  ya...*incoherent grumbing*)

And Veggie Option!

There's also a delicious and budget friendly fruit salad option perfect for cleaning the pallet after all that comfort food.

It was amazing!