Thumbs up for Sue Ryder.

I love charity shops. Partly for the bargains (hello £5 Gudrun Sjödén dress) and partly because it's so wonderful to see that at least some people would rather give away the stuff they don't need than sell or bin it.

But most of the time it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of presentation and atmosphere. Not always, but sometimes. And it's a shame.

I had a bit of time today to wander round the charity shops in York, and went into one I don't think I've been in before, Sue Ryder on Goodramgate. Upstairs there's a 'vintage & retro' section, and it's great. Not big, but full of gems. There's a nice atmosphere, the stuff is well presented and obviously there's a bit more of a customised selection, the stuff that will appeal to a wannabe 50s housewife born in the 80s or 90s.

A quick google tells me that Sue Ryder shops have had these sections for a while - well, a few of them have -  and the one in York has done since last year sometime (I think?). Goodness knows why it's taken me so long to find it...

I did buy a couple of things, gorgeous (late 50s?) house coat with blue roses that would make Betty Draper jealous (no, it won't stay a house coat for long) and some 70s curtains (that won't stay curtains for long...). Will show you another time, promise.

Drivo.

I passed my driving test today! Only 8 years too late, heh. Quite pleased, now I just need a car...

Spring take 2.

Inside this time. Can't have too many flowers.

Spring.

It's spring now. And it's been sunny! Much better than rain. In case you weren't sure.

This is one of the best things about York. Well, about England. Spring comes really early. Everywhere is covered in daffodils! Everywhere.

Retronaut.

I found an awesome website. With lots of great stuff from times past. Photos galore!

This, for example, is very useful advice for the single gal.

From 1938.

Read with your ears.

I went to a poetry reading the other day. Alice Oswald read a condensed version of her 'Memorial'. It was gory in parts, but the horribleness of the gore faded in comparison to the descriptions of the lives of the soldiers. Very powerful.

But that wasn't what I was going to say. I was going to quote something she said after the reading when asked about the rhythm of her poems and the repetition of lines.

Some people read with their eyes and some people read with their ears. Poetry is written for the ears, not the eyes.

Mums mums...

Saw these in ASDA and was reminded that we had these in Bridlington last year. When I say 'had' I mean we made the mistake of buying them, tasting them and then did the clever thing: threw them in the bin.

I do like taking artsy photos.

If I drank wine...

I'd only drink this. Sitting in a window, in Paris. Wearing a red dress with a wide skirt and a boat neck, sleeveless. I'd probably read a novel, in Russian or French. I might smoke a cigarette. My view would be of the river and all the lovers walking hand in hand towards Montmartre. Dusty Springfield would be playing on my grammophone and I would always be running late. My kitchen would be full of mismatched crockery, most of it red. I would sleep until 11 every day and not go to bed until the early hours of the morning. I would never miss sunrise. I would watch Audrey an Katherine in old movie theatres and I would take long walks through crowded streets and see new things every day. I would sleep so close to you every night, with your breath on me and my toes on yours and when I woke up I would make you a coffee and we would sit in our Parisian window until it got too cold and we'd have to go back to bed.

I don't drink wine but if I did...

Happy International Women's day!

If I was in Stockholm someone would have given me a rose in the street by now. Just sayin'.

Here are some links to do with women:

Women work for free in Sweden from 15:51 each day, whereas men get paid until 17:00

Some strong, inspiring women I admire for different reasons.

Sheepish stone age prime minister 'apologises' for 'Calm down, dear' comment (which he originally refused to apologise for). Tries to excuse it, more like. (credit to Mr Clegg for not joining the boy's club and laughing at the very unnecessary comment!)

Should we be celebrating that the pay gap in the UK is now below 10%? or "After all, men's earnings start to outstrip women's from the age of 29 – precisely when Mrs Average now has her first child."

Happy reading :)