whatkarenfound - the beginning

For a long while now, I have been asking myself the question, if I documented everything I find on my buying trips and travels ,what would it look like? What would I learn? Would I like to see it all documented or would it take the magic out of it all?

Here goes as one of my New Year’s resolutions, New Year ,New Me, no a new blog will do. Whatkarenfound is a documentation of my fashion and lifestyle items I find and buy in a year. I am not a conventional shopper. I find high street and shopping centers/ complexes uninspiring and patronizing! I shop alternatively, Charity Shops, Boot Sales, Markets, Swaps, Auctions, Antique Centers, Retro Shops and the good old Jumble sales.

This is also an experiment to see if what I find inspires my work as a designer and stylist.


Enjoy my fuying (find – buying)

Karen x

These first posts are my finds from December 09 and it being Christmas the season of family visits you will see where ever I go I look for finds.


Camera from a Junk shop in Birkenhead , don’t know if it works but loved the idea of learning more about film photography. Love the leather case too.

Mulberry canvas and leather strap bag from an Antique Shop in Hampton Court. Love the tapestry print on canvas and leather together. Bag doubles up as an over body and shoulder bag, what more could I ask for.

Vintage Sunglasses from a Charity Shop in Witterings. So big and so bonkers dreaming of summer already.

British Herbs vintage Pelican book from a Junk Shop in Birkenhead. Love the cover colour and pattern and want to find out more about Herbs too.

Victorian framed photograph of Married Couple from a Junk Shop in Birkenhead. Was taken with the formality of this image and so great to see a photograph printed this size from so long ago. The man looks like he has been drawn in to the photo, strange.

Victorian framed photograph from a Junk Shop in Birkenhead. Couldn’t believe my luck when I found the same couple again this time with a child. Love the clothes they are all wearing and the poses are so formal.

Roses wall print from a Junk Shop in Birkenhead. Small print of roses, love the roses on the black background.

Vintage Fan from a Junk Shop in Birkenhead. Again love the Roses and Black combo. Something a bit disconcerting seeing Roses on Black.

The Story of English Industry and Trade vintage book from a Junk Shop in Birkenhead. This may shed me some light on the Credit Crunch or may be it will be way to out of date. Thought it was worth a buy and a try.

Red Coat Eastex from a Charity Shop in Lytham St Annes. What a find, Made in England. I love the combo of Red textured tweed with Black velvet Collar. It has a look of Vintage Royal and a bit Kate Bush Hounds of Love. Although I don’t really like to think of the hunting connection, block that out, looks great dressed down with Jeans.

Camel Coat M & S from a Charity Shop in Lytham St Annes. Goodness it was my day two fab Vintage coats in a Size 14, Made in England. This one is defiantly an elegant lady coat and looks great dressed down or up. This so reminds me of my Grans coat she use to wear for our Saturday shopping trips to town.