ms-havachat LOVES Timpanys

Shame the car was in the way ... but love the balloons

Have you ever felt that you were destined to meet someone? I've experienced this a few times since becoming an expat, and again, several weeks ago when I met Patricia from Stella and Dot at the international women' club meeting. After a bit of small talk, she kindly invited me to a Champagne Shopping Morning at Timpany's in Sunninghill on the Saturday morning and as I just so happened to be free, I went (and took MrsD with me)

So glad we went! We discovered Timpany's and met the charismatic and charming Antonia (owner/manager).

Antonia (left) with Patricia

As an expat, you relish the time when the weeks take on a normal routine and you don't need to rely on the sat nav to get you places, you breathe easier. When you realise you shop where the locals shop; you discover a few places you enjoy eating/drinking at, so they become yours too., you have a group of friends to hang out with, and you find little local gems.

Finding Timpany's is one of those lovely local experiences.

Located on Sunninghill Road, Ascot the shop is set back slightly, so be careful not to miss it (It's opposite the car dealership), Timpany's is an oasis from the normal hustle and bustle of High Street or capital city shopping.

Forget what you think you know about recycled clothes shops, or second hand fashion. Timpany's adds a whole new dimension to the concept of preloved.

Taking preloved fashion to the next level, Timpany's is a retail fashion shop first and foremost, it just happens to sell preloved lux at affordable prices. I don't really enjoy clothes shopping but Antonia made it so easy, and I found a gorgeous jacket which I've worn a few times and had loads of compliments. It's my first full on, authentic, luxury designer label item ever and I love it.

My jacket!

Like most pre-loved retail outlets, what they have for sale, is what they have .... you can't order stock in. So it's a good thing to keep popping in or keeping in contact via their social media pages and website (the links are posted below for you to simply click and follow)

Gorgeous attention to detail in every corner of the shop

Accessories, Candles. Yummy strawberries.

Antonia started Timpany's about seven years ago, mid-recession. It's the best time for clever, entrepreneurs to find a niche in the market and go for it. When I asked her what motivated her, she said she loves the idea of democratising luxury designer fashion for everyone to enjoy. Her idea was for people to be able to buy luxury designer clothes for less, without sacrificing the shopping experience/environment/service. In my humble opinion, she has absolutely succeeded.

Our chat continues:

Where do you get your beautiful stock from? 
Word of mouth.
Social media - @timpanys on Instagram has over 8,000 followers and our Facebook page is popular too. I live in London and have done a few PopUp Shops, where people simply drop their items to sell. We rank pretty highly on google search for luxury re-sale as well as our website attracts buys and sellers.

How do commissions/sales work?
Commission is generally 50%. However, on large volumes of handbags, extraordinary high value items, or Chanel and Hermes, we offer bespoke commission levels.

We invite people to come into the shop so we can meet and view the items, or send us an email introducing themselves and include photographs of the items.

You mentioned Timpany's is involved in a lot of charity work. 
I have a personal charity that is close to my heard called Mathew Elvidge Trust
Mathew was a good friend of mine who committed suicide due to depression. This amazing charity tackles the often taboo issues of mental health openly and honestly. I also sponsor an orphan thru the charity Compassion. We also have a few high profile clients who sell on behalf of charities and we like to make donations on their behalf. As well, I'm often asked to attend charity sales where a proportion of money raised from sales is donated.




If you've always wanted to own a Chanel bag or a Hermes scarf, or an Armani bag, or anything Jimmy Choo, even a Birkin bag (do you think Samantha in Sex in the City when you hear Birkin bag?) before paying full retail price, you really should come and see what's in stock at Timpany's. The stock is always changing, so it's a good idea to pop in regularly or let the girls know what you are looking for so they can scout for you.

Alternatively, if you are the fortunate owner of luxury clothing and/or accessories and for whatever reason you wish to sell them, you can be assured of confidentiality and superior customer service from Antonia and her team. Check out Timpany's Source and Sell Luxury Designer Accessories on Facebook.

Expanding the business online will ensure the Timpany's name will very quickly reach far beyond Sunninghill, UK and so it should.

Happy shopping!

When you pop into the shop, or chat with Antonia online, please mention ms-havachat.

With friendship
x

Mission POSSIBLE - Clothes Shopping

A few months ago we chatted about clothes shopping. I referred to it as Mission IMpossible after a frustrating few hours at the local shopping centre. Still not sure if it's me or them, as I don't think clothes shopping has ever been something I've enjoyed doing.

I really don't want to be mutton dressed up as lamb as my grandmother would say, but I also don't want to be the other way round. I'm so-not-old, but I'm not young either. Maybe this is how MissM feels as she enters tween-hood.

Yesterday I stumbled across a lovely new (new to me, not sure how new it actually is) clothes shop near my amazing butcher (Whelans). As MissM was with me, and I had promised her 'just the butcher then we'll go home' I quickly popped in for a sticky beak cos the window display was so inviting! Even
MissM agreed, they were 'mummy clothes'.

She asked me what I was looking for and I said, 'we're going on a touring holiday this summer and I need a couple of pairs of easy to wear cool pants and a top or two'

She zipped around the shop pulling complete outfits together with ease.

This top, with this pant and a cute little top. I said no to quite a few items; either they didn't suite me, or I didn't like the fabric, or I had nothing to wear with them and didn't want to spend more money making one item work.

The saleslady/manager/owner was delightful! She interacted with MissM while I tried on numerous items of pants, tops, jackets and more. Her honesty was a pleasant surprise as not everything DID look good on me. OK, now we know what suits you off she went to get another tunic and loose jacket for a layered look which 'really suits you' (she said).

By the time we were done, I had tried on 6 different styles of pants, 8 tunic tops, 3 jackets and 3 tops! I actually purchased two pairs of 3/4 length cotton linen pants, a tunic/dress and a scarf for MissM.

Great service.

Lovely conversation.

Brilliant clothes at very good prices.

I'll be back.

Mission POSSIBLE for summer holidays. Off to sort out tops'n'bottoms for trip!

Are you a Mission POSSIBLE or IMpossible when it comes to clothes shopping?

What's your best/not-so-best feature?

Do you prefer High Street or Boutique?

Are you a mix'n'match kinda gal?

Do you like being pandered to while shopping or prefer to go-it-alone?

With friendship

x

Mission Impossible - Clothes Shopping

It doesn't have to be GAP - the above is me, in any fashion shop.

In fact, I have sometimes wondered if someone WAS watching me, or indeed, I had bright red paint on the soles of my shoes, creating an imprint of my trek it would look very similar. The amount of criss crossing the store, going back and forth, coming to a dead stop before moving quickly again has become to norm for me when it comes to clothes shopping.

What about you? Do you do this kinda of track, and if you are super lucky, buy something? Or do you do this track and more often than not leave with nothing? Or are you one of those lucky ladies who know what you want, find it, buy it, leave the shop?

After all the touching, looking, taking an item off the rack, holding it with outstretched arm, replacing item on rack, or holding item for a few minutes only to compare it to something else and leave it far from it's original place, I am lucky if I have anything to take into the dressing room to try on. 

Here's my clothes criteria:

• V-neck, or low scoop necklines (I've got big boobs and these necklines help to minimize them)
• Sleeves! At least the elbow. Not tight fitting. 
• Pants that sit on my waist (not hipsters)
• Tops that go past my hips (helps cover bigger bottom bits and give illusion of being taller/slimmer than one really is)
• Earth tones.
• Solid colours are fine for tops'n'pants
• Patterns for skirts and jackets

Seeing as I know what I like, and what suits me you'd think it would be easier to shop. Right? WRONG.

When I was working corporately, I shopped at Liz Davenport, an Australian designer who acknoweldged women come in different shapes and sizes, and that some of us like to keep the tops of our arms covered, amongst other parts.

Liz could be described as am upmarket, mix'n'match, contemporary designer whose shop assistants kept detailed records of what each customer bought so that each new piece was a useful addition to what was already in their wardrobe. I was one of those rare females who always had something to wear! Everything went with everything else. Skirts and pants in the exact same fabric would work (obviously) with the tops and jackets. Solid colors were accessorised with multi colored or patterned jackets.

I could always find something there. In fact, I still have a few 'good' items in the wardrobe 25+ years on (how weird does that sound? ) as they are classic styles and the clothes are such great quality they are still great.

Once I left work, and didn't need those clothes anymore, I started to shop at TS, a designer specializing in larger sizes. I didn't care! The smaller sizes fit me and look great. It's all about layering, and mix'n'match (which I love) and taking the same piece and dressing it up or down for the occassion. I love it - tho I've lost a bit of weight and would like to stop hiding behind the loose styles.

The other thing that put me off, dare I even say it, is that when Mum visited last year, her entire wardrobe was TS - now, either she's dressing 'too young' or I'm dressing 'too old' but one of us is wrong - there's no way 'we' should be wearing the same label!

A friend said that fashion these days is either too young or too old (she's in her early 50's) and I agree.

I had a horrible morning trying desperately to find tops. I didn't even want an entire outfit! I simply need a few tops to go with copious number of skirts and pants i have as I'm tired of the same ol' tops.

Complete and utter failure.

I was feeling so sorry for myself, berating myself for not being more diligent at gym, for being so 'big' and 'wobbly' that I went home. I'll check out some shops when I'm in town later this week but with H&M, TopShop, Marks & Spencer, Next, Monsoon, GAP, Bennetton, River Island, Hobbs etc in every shopping centre and on every High Street, finding an independent boutique stocking unusual, interesting pieces will be my challenge.

The only thing that's making me feel better is a recent blog from one of my favorite bloggers, MrsWoogworld wrote this brilliant piece about the 2014 fashion season which I've love to share with you. Click here ........

Hope your spring/summer 2014 shopping is successful, and affordable, and that you walk into a shop, find exactly what you want and buy it without drama,

NB: I didn't get a chance to upload this last night, and today I've had a VERY successful shopping experience. Bought two stunning tops. It's not much, but it's a start.

With friendship
x