Wednesday 2 May 2012

Seventies Chic

                              I wore one of my jumble sale dresses yesterday, in the drizzle and the gloom.

    

 This 1970s dress is very plain, but I love the mossy green colour, it fits well, and as soon as I spotted it, I imagined wearing it with my huge tan belt, brown boots, green hat and my 1960s shopper. So I did.







  
I thought I might be completely camouflaged in the garden in such an earthy green and brown palette, so a bit of leopard print added some oomph!



                It's Essence of 70s though, isn't it? Well, a certain type of suburban secretary 1970s chic anyway.



                                                                             Just like this.



So the Other Half had an interview for a new job yesterday and was successful, and we took the kids out for tapas to celebrate.

The job is only a year's secondment, and still within the public sector where the shadow of  cuts and redundancy loom large, but it's a better bet than staying where he is, so we hope the job will be made permanent after a year. He's just got to dazzle them - no pressure!



                                                             Cheers! Littlest had pinched my lippy again.



Seldom Seen Kid having a Zen moment with a candle... Part of his Jedi training (what with Darth Vadar being his dad...)



                                                                        Tucking in - that's my girl!




                                      Girls just wanna have tapas. Who knew the kids would love calamari?



1970s Liza Peta dress (jumble sale), 1970s Peter Bettley hat, scarf and leopard print faux fur jacket (flea market), bangles and beads (charity shop), boots (Ebay)



                                             And last but not least - who remembers Noggin the Nog?




When my Mum visited with a stash of all sorts of goodies for me, she included two Noggin the Nog books from the late 1960s-early 1970s. These books and TV cartoons are a delightful memory from my childhood, Oliver Postgate's work was so wonderful - I loved Pogle's Wood, The Clangers, Ivor the Engine, but Bagpuss and Noggin were my favourites.


                          Queen Nooka - doesn't she look like our returning-from-India Queen of Vintage, Vix?


Oh and thanks for the sympathy and support over my rumble in the jumble! Next time, I will hide my prize finds better and no old hag will make off with them, so there! 
                                                                  


                                               

36 comments:

Melanie said...

Andy absolutely ADORES Noggin the Nog! It's his all time favourite childrens programme.
Lovely, lovely coat, doesn't it feel strange wearing fake fur in May!

xxx

mispapelicos said...

I see the weather is not better in England, still you are all gorgeous beyond any weather.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

Great look - I thought of a 70s dress pattern as soon as I saw the first photo, and you've nailed it perfectly. I really love the bag and boots - especially the bag.

Congrats to the Mr - and how nice to see the seldom seen kid. I have a couple of padawans here too, I'm constantly being asked whether I'd like to be Darth Vadar, Darth Maul or Darth Sidious!
x

Rose&Bird said...

That's a great dress and the faux fur lifts it from secretary to sizzling! Congrats on Other Half's job - fingers crossed it will work out longterm. I also love Postgate and Firmin - Ivor and Bagpuss being my personal faves.

Trashsparkle said...

How did you manage to match your lippy to the exact shade of your wine, you clever woman!

Lovely to see ALL THREE of the fab LB's - and quite right too, that you should all be out, exotically celebrating, with you in exotic suburban secretary mode - congratulations to your hubby for the job!!!

My first guinea pig, when I was still at nursery school, was called Pogle. God, there's just something else about the illustration from that late 60's-early70's period - I can usually date a book fairly accurately when I spot one :)

Am waaaaay behind on posting - 3 separate frock and book hauls now, and I've done bugger all about blogging it all! xx

Miss Simmonds Says said...

Hurrah! I'm glad you had a big-ish night out to celebrate! I love that dress - you do find better dresses than I do at jumbles!
Bagpuss was on a lot when I was little - I wanted to be Emily and have my own shop. Ivor the Engine and The clangers were repeated on Channel 4 and I used to see them when I was off ill from school, obviously I loved them too

Anonymous said...

That dress looks darling on u. I really like that shopper!

And calamari. Yummy!!!

xo

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Do you know I don't remember Noggin the nog at all! I used to like Rhubarb & Custard. Remember that! Anyway, well done to hubby, hope it all goes well. Love the outfit and love calamari too. So does my daughter and her fussy eating cousin - funny that. Xx

Louise Mc said...

Your 70s look reminds me of that under mentioned sitcom, Butterflies, so I think that's mission accomplished. Well done to hubby, I'm ex public sector, so I know how unpredictable it can be. X

Unknown said...

Oh that frock/belt/hat/boots combo is PERFECTION!!! I adore that colour combination on you and the jacket is marvellous! Your little ones are so gorgeous - Seldom Seen Boy's Jedi training is obviously going splendidly. Congrats to Mister on the new job - and congrats to you on your spectacular taste, style, beauty and general fabulousness! Love! Sarah xxx

The Goodwill Fangirl said...

I was so jealous of your jumble finds I think I drooled on my keyboard and shorted it out. We don't have cool vintage jumble sales in the Deep South of the ol' U.S.A.

Congrats on hubby's job!

doradadama said...

Congrats on husbands job!
Oh that 60's green frock is divina, the belt,hat and leopard fur coat.
You nailed that suburban girl 70's look to a T.
Your kiddos are looking lovely as ever.
Mmmm calamari.
Besos

Vintage Bird Girl said...

Lovely frock....It's such a nice shade of green. I love that style too. Looks fab with the belt & boots. Glad you had a night out with the family. I hope the new job turns out to be a good one. Xx

Anonymous said...

You can never go wrong with green in my option. The boots with the dress are fabulous. Lovely pic of you celebrating. X

Vintage Sweetheart said...

I envy thee way you put an ensemble together perfectly! I can never wear hats I always look silly but they suit you! xx

Krista said...

Congrats to the Mister dear that's great news! Tapas with your adorable family is the perfect way to celebrate, your kids are all so cute and all so different! I am loving this outfit, Homage to Pam Grier baby! You look hot Curtise and happy!
Xxoo
Krista

Vintage Coconut said...

*Woohoo* Congrats to your Man!
A night out celebrating sounds like a fabulous time.
You look MaRvElOuS Curtise. I love that dress with those boots and o course... I don't even have tp mention the warm fuzziness you have on, because you know EXACTLY how I feel about those.

The kids look like they are having a good time... well I am not so sure about seldom seen Son... he sort of looks angry.. but I suppose we can let that slide this time. *heheeh*

lucy joy said...

Fantastic styling, as always Curtise. That green is beautiful, the sheen of the fabric stops it looking utilitarian khaki. Khaki seems to suit everyone, just like turquoise.
So pleased to hear good news about a job, well done to your man! He is a lucky man having a gorgeous wife, 3 beautiful kids and now, a better job.

Tapas - lovely, such a great way to get the children trying new foods. We are all celebrating with you. I have my best second-hand nightie on!

Lucy x

Unknown said...

Congratulations to your husband fingers crossed they make it permant for him. You look gorgeous love the whole outfit and you need that gorgeous coat right now this weather is pants we are having. Your kids are so cute bless them. Enjoy the rest of your week lovely, dee xx

Melanie said...

What a wonderful reason for a celebration! That's great news. Your family photos are beautiful.

And your outfit is fantastic! You would never blend into the shrubbery, faux fur or no faux fur. But I do like that coat. The colouring in those last couple of photos really captures that 70s vibe.

I like Queen Nooka's crown - and her manly hands...!

Anonymous said...

Congrats to you both - that's one lovely 70s frock (that you've accessorized so well), perfect for celebrating!

Vix said...

Freaky! Jon and I were reminiscing about Noggin The Nog on Tuesday (well, it was a long flight).
Well done to Mr Curtise! What a great excuse for a celebration and I'm very impressed with the kids' discerning palettes.
Love your 1970s chic outfit, that khaki dress is a gorgeous shade on you and the hat and leopard coat rock it up to the max!
I'm in awe of you in those frilly bloomers, best outfit post ever.
Love ya! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

karensomethingorother said...

Wonderful photos of you and the kids, Curtise, you chic 1970's glamourous thing you. Good luck to your Darth Vader and his job.

Fiona said...

Curtise, you could be Reggie Perrin's secretary in this dress, I love it with the tan accessories and those really fab boots.
Oliver Postgate is a legend and I also loved Noggin and Ivor. (I do a good Ivor impersonation)
Lovely happy family snaps and congrats to OH on his new position, my new job is also a year contract, (think a lot of companies do this now)but I too am hopeful of being kept on permanently.
Am so thrilled with my lovely parcel. xx

Helga said...

SQUEE!I came home to a parcel of joy this afternoon! THANK YOU,MY DARLING!!!!
Heavenly 70's secretary chic!!!
I love,love,LOVE this!The coat really sexes it up,but o,the lines!MMMMMMMM.
tapas!Yummo,don't get that very often;such a fabulous way to eat!
Seldom Seen Child is awesome.How could he not be,with Darth Vader as his Dad?!
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Love to love you baby!XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Helga said...

o,never heard of Noggins the Nog thingy.Am I missing out?!XXX

Anonymous said...

Congrats to the better half...pressures on the public sector are creating all sorts of uncertainties about my retirement. Aaargh. Also, I'm going to pretend that I don't remember the 70s looks, but I love this dress with the belt and the boots.

noone said...

love the vintage feel of this outfit, and the coat is so pretty!

Angie said...

You've got a nice family.I'm not brave to post photos of my kids,I'm not sure.I've got 3 cutties myself.

Bubble My Licorice said...

Wow you have amazing style!
Bubble my Licorice

citizen rosebud said...

The outfit is so good- perfect '70's urban safari- and that bag- I LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Unknown said...

Hi Curtise!

The weather was not the greatest this week as well here !
But as i am commenting the sun is up, yeah! About time!
Your truly showed us the essence of the seventies!
I love the color of yor dress!
As i was scrolling down i saw those stack of bracelets, that is gorgeous!
The conservative government is slashing positions the public sector as well
Congrats for your husband and hope all goes well
Your children again are priceless!

Have a great weekend

Arianexxxxx

Young at Heart said...

Nogin the Nog!!!!! My absolute fav was Pogle's Wood....loving the look!!

Sara said...

Per-fec-tion. :D AHHH! Wait, I'm gonna politely borrow a Helga SQUEE! You look amazing. This ensemble is chock full of everything I love. Fabulous!

Congratulations to you and the Other Half! Tapas is so yum. Your kids are beautiful..just like mum! That rhymed..accidental, I assure you. XOXO

Forest City Fashionista said...

Such cute photos of you and the offspring! I love the illustrations from the Noggins book - I think I remember reading one as a kid. Maurice Sendak, author and illustrator of "Where the Wild Things Are" died this week, which has started me remembering the books I loved as a child.

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

As you may have gathered by now, I'm having a heavenly catch up with you and it's divine. Sitting here with a hot cuppa and a giant slab of the most fairy-light rainbow sponge I've ever eaten from my favourite local, old-school bakery, bliss. I cannot believe the revolting change in weather you folks have had recently and feel so sorry that you've had to rug up again. BUT, I would have missed this sexacious green secretary frock and gorgeous tan belt with your divine coat and hat! Oh congratulations to the Mister, yes, he'll have to be a very good boy and if he brings you along to work do's, he'll have his whole department eating out of his hand "Look at his gorgeous wife!!!!!!!" xoxoxoxoxoxod