3.5 days to Christmas. And I still haven't wrapped any presents!

So, despite the fact that I have this Monday off work I know full well that I will still end up staying awake into the small hours to make sure all of my presents are wrapped. For years I have poured over the gift wrapping ideas and Christmas interior spreads that the glossies do every November and yet I always end up with cruddy cheap wafer thin paper that tears while you're trying to wrap it (let alone open it). This year will be a different story though next Yuletide I may even get myself more prepared by taking inspiration from these:


Recycled wrapping paper from newspaper and envelope.
Picture by Altered Angel on Flickr.










The personal touch on Photoshop.
Picture by Stevetoearth on Flickr (check out the whole 'This One's For You Set! for more wrapping pictures and ideas).





Unusual name tag idea with a printed paper doilly.
Picture by (Brenda) from Flickr.







The little extras - apart from the fact that the deer print wrap is cute and unusual this gift has a hand made felt and wool decoration plus initial tag!
Picture by DanielleT from Flickr.








I will say that I did make a very impressive job with Phil's birthday presents, though I stupidly didnt take a picture to prove it! Brown paper (always effective) tied up with different ribbons and with a silly toy/trinket/sweet attached to each.

And after looking at all the amazing images of gift wrap on Flickr (check out the Gift Wrap Fetish group for some serious present wrapping fanatics) I feel like trawling Ebay and junk shops for unusual paper and ribbons and tags and......oh dear, I can feel another collection coming on.

Shopping Off The Beaten Track

So, yesterday was Phil's Birthday (the big 2-0!). The day started at 9am with me forcing Phil to wake up (I was officially a million more times excited than him) a cup of tea and present and card opeing, swiftly followed by some loud playing of Santogold and a bacon and mushroom sandwich...yum!

After a little umming are arring about what we where gonna do with our day off (the same day off during the week is a really luxury...we both booked it off!) but decided to settle on a little charity shopping/thrifting and hitting up the best vintage shop in Hull.

Hull's pretty rocking for second hand goods. For 80s tees, granny skirts and random paraphenalia you can't really beat the slew of them on Newland Avenue, which is where we spent a good chunk of friday. While previous trips have unearthed some real treasures I reckon it might have been hit pretty hard by Uni students before they went home as their wasn't much of note. However, I did pick up a brand new Ariel the Little Mermaid jigsaw puzzle for 75p to make into a piece of artwork for my cousin's bday (handmade is the way forward in these crunchy times, right?).

Since our shopping attempts had been pretty much thwarted we set off to the adjoining Princes Avenue to hit up a hidden vintage treasure:

It might not look like anything from the outside but this is a wee treasure trove of vintage clothing and random stuff, but is definately not for those who like their pre-worn pristine and who don't like to rummage!

After twenty minutes of rifling and chat with Pauline we came away with a cute little evening dress and an 80s tee (complete with dubious 'cigarette' burns, ha)! Anything bought from here will definately need a good wash to get rid of the stale smell that comes from having been sat in a box for 30 years but knowing your getting something authentic (unlike some so-called vintage shops, in Hull and other cities) from someone who knows what she's talking about and who actually gives a crap, for less that a fiver is definately worth a little washing-up liquid and hand washing.

Pauline's Gift Shop Fun Facts!:

• Located at 77 Princes Avenue, Hull
• Open Wednesday & Friday 2.30-5.30pm
• Pauline has been trading in vintage in Hull for 30 years, but as an octogenarian god knows how long she's been doing it
• Pauline's last name is actually Gift!
• She is the mother of Fine Young Cannibal's lead singer Roland Gift
  

Update (part 2?)

With Christmas less than two weeks away - and Phil's birthday right in the middle of now and then - we've decided for obvious reasons not to set up a Big Cartel store just yet! So here's the plan: buying a new digital camera in the January sales with better picture quality than the current one, and something that will actually take clear pictures when zoomed in (unlike the pixelated mess that usually happens, ha!), get pictures taken and edited throughout January while continuing to put together a good sized stock package (I swear, upon this blog's life that some preview snaps will be put on here as soon as the camera's in my grubby little hands) then, with a weeks holiday being forced upon me in both February and March (I've only taken 2 weeks so far this year...oops) the Electric online shop will be fully functional by the end of 02/09.

Having just written it all out even we're starting to believe it might actually happen :)

Why is the American Urban Outfitters website better than the British one???

I'll be digging out my rhinestone initial necklace and threading the charm onto bright nylon thonging to emulate this online only 'Initial On A String Necklace', $16.







I'm a sucker for anything jersey or lace...so the two together! 'Kimchi Blue Knit Lace Shoulder Dress', $58 (also online only).








I'd cut off the sleeves of this boys 'Rolling Stones Vintage Tee', $34, and wear with my high waisted denim mini.








While I already have my own vintage pocket watch necklace (tracked down in a market for just 50p!) I'm now hankering after a cute watch ring. This adorable 'La Mer Ring Watch Necklace' doubles as both a ring and a necklace and comes with a cute heart charm on the chain, $49.99.






Part of Urban Decay's Urban Renewal Collection, this 'Plaid Flannel Skirt' is made from a vintage shirt so each one is unique, $48.



Oh well (*sigh).

Nicky x

Woah! Look at us being all advanced and technologically minded and down with the kids!

Ha, just set up a twitter account...http://twitter.com/electric_shop

STALK US!!!!! x

Why we're bad!

With Christmas not far off (which leads to a distinct lack of money) and both of us working crazy-hard at the mo, we've been very bad and made no updates to the blog. Hell, we haven't even looked into really setting the Electric wheels in motion yet! We have been looking at the site Big Cartel and are thinking that a little shop their would be the best bet for the time being....so some time very soon we WILL be bringing you affordable pre-worn and vintage including some killer Levi jeans!

Speak soon (we promise)