People sometimes use thrifting, vintage and second-hand interchangeably, but to me they're wonderfully different things. Thrifting is the act - it's the rummage, the hunt, the adventure of going out with an open mind and seeing what you find.

Vintage and second-hand, on the other hand, are the items themselves. A piece of vintage is something with a story, often unique in character precisely because of the journey it's been on. That chip on the rim of a teacup, the faded monogram on a linen napkin…that's not wear, that's personality!

Summer is truly the golden season for outdoor markets. Here's what I've learned from a lifetime of happy rummaging!

I cannot stress this enough…get there as the sun is rising if you can! You'll beat the crowds and, more importantly, you'll get the pick of the lot. The early bird really does catch the worm (or the beautiful vintage cake stand, as the case may be!).

I mean it! The large car boots especially can be daunting, and you'll quickly discover you have more hands than you bargained for. A good wheeled trolley is an absolute game-changer.

Most sellers appreciate cash, and having the right change makes life much smoother for everyone.

If you're hoping to find ceramics, glassware or anything fragile, a bit of bubble wrap in your bag will save a great deal of heartbreak on the journey home!

This is the big one. You won't be able to sleep on it - someone else will snap it up while you're deliberating! If something speaks to you, trust that instinct. You can always find a home for something beautiful.

At the end of the day, thrifting, upcycling and repairing things is about so much more than saving money or finding something unique (though both of those things are very lovely!).

It's about keeping balance - finding beauty in the things already around us, valuing what we have, and slowing down enough to appreciate it.

So, this summer, set that alarm a little earlier, grab your thermos and your granny trolley, and get yourself to a car boot sale. You never know what's waiting for you!

With love,

Angel x