Sunday 15 July 2012

Wine, Walsall and wild wild women

I have a tendency to be a glass-half-empty sort of a gal, I'm afraid, though I know it's not a very appealing trait.

 However, I am going to review this rather negative approach to life, since the day I had yesterday has proved that life - and people - can more than live up to your expectations. 



Who wouldn't have a joyful time with this fabulous woman?

I met up with Vix in her hometown of Walsall for a day of chazzing, chatting, vintage rummaging, more chatting, with a bit of drinking thrown in. Sounds perfect, doesn't it?
 
We hit the charity shops, though not with much success. We were rather bemused by this painting in one of them, and thought it was some bizarre monkey/man/creature, but looking at it again, I think it's a woman. Can you see boobs? 



Could it be Eve, being tempted by more than one serpent, while playing the flute? Who knows?


Vix spotted this vintage souvenir bracelet, which came home with me.




And I found some sunglasses and another bangle.



You can never have too many of either, right?

Vix certainly attracted some attention in Wetherspoons. Bob, on the table behind ours, was keen to make her acquaintance, take her back to his retro pad to show her his 60s music collection and serenade her on his karaoke machine (I don't think I was invited...) He had an amorous gleam in his rather bloodshot eyes! 

And another chap was very interested in Vix's Frida Kahlo pendant (but I think he might have been ogling her chest really). 

Gotta love a Wetherspoons on a Saturday lunchtime!


Vix had told me about Walsall's legendary vintage emporium, Second to None, and it didn't disappoint.

 
Packed to the rafters with vintage treasures, we saw all manner of amazing, weird and wonderful things.




June, the owner, let us forage in her secret stock room, and even made us a cup of tea.




Please can everyone tell Vix to go back and buy this fabulous Frank Usher monochrome flamenco maxi dress? It fit her like a glove and she looked incredible in it.



How about accessorising it with a traditional Welsh hat? Lucy, we were thinking of you!

It was a really great way to spend an afternoon, and since we were in there past closing time, it would have been rude not to buy something...

Like there was any chance I would have left that shop without spending some money!


A 1950s Clevaline wool crepe dress with velvet and bead trim for £5? Yes please! It needs to meet the lint roller and have a good air, but it will be the perfect winter dress with bright tights and ankle boots.



And these Finnish-made Juhani Palmroth burgundy leather riding boots were a steal at £8. 

If you are ever in the neighbourhood, get yourself to June's shop, it's a treasure trove, and I guarantee you will find something a) fabulous and b) affordable. Just make sure you allow plenty of time to browse! 

If you haven't already been, pop over to Vix's blog to see what she bought - she's looking fabularsehole!



A last beer in Walsall's other Wetherspoons before I caught my train home.

I had a brilliant day. Vix is just as you think she is from reading her blog - kind, funny, generous, beautiful, warm, chatty, and rather naughty. She's also got an incredible giggle, and she's a man-magnet!

Can't wait to meet up again!

  xxx

43 comments:

Vix said...

What a brilliant day! You were all I expected and more and I couldn't stop giggling about Bob and his lame chat-up lines all evening!
I forgot to Google how old Roy Orbison was when he died, bet that'll crop up in your next pub quiz!
Those boots are gorgeous even though I'm hoping you won't have to and the frock was a wondrous buy, thank goodness it finally found someone to love it after 20 years hanging up in Second To None.
Can't wait to meet you again, you ROCK!!!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sarah Jane said...

You must have had so much fun. I loved looking at your pictures. Second to None looks amazing. Vix's pics made me want to go there but yours just make me want to go there even more!!

Vix - buy the dress!!

xxx

Lou said...

Just found you through Vix's wonderful blog post - looks like you had loads of fun! Particularly love the vintage shop pictures. And how great is that dress you got for a fiver!! x

Melanie said...

What a fun day - shopping, chatting, eating, and fending off men. And, Curtise, your man magnet powers are fierce(!) but sensibly your mind was focused on tasks of a higher order, like shopping, and you didn't pay attention to the your animal powers of attraction, like the woman in the painting playing her flute doesn't notice all the snakes around her...?! Of course Bob was an exception - I'm glad you and Vix had a laugh. Your dress is gorgeous.

LoveT. said...

Love all that amazing Stuff! You look so happy ,gorgeous Photos :)

Lovely Greetings from Austria ,kisses

Miss Simmonds Says said...

Firstly that print is of a Henri Rousseau painting called The Snake Charmer! If you google him you'll probably recognise his jungle paintings. I love that shop and you had a fantastic time! I want to see into the secret stock room! And you met Walsall's finest - did you notice quite a lot of skinheads there too? Vix looks fab, she's so much fun to hang out with. You look gorgeous in that dress and those boots are a steal!
I'm so jealous, I want to come next time! xxxxxx

Mrs. D said...

Great finds indeed! I must get on the train and go see that shop, seems like a load of fun!

the painting looks like it's by Henri Rousseau, non?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Rousseau

Hugs and I am now following you!

Ivy Black said...

Glad you had a brill day. I love it when bloggers get together.The painting is a Rousseau...I have a postcard of it and call it 'hairy woman'!
That shop rocks, what lovely things to rummage through, and I'm glad you bought that frock.xxxx

Mimi and Tilly said...

You both look like you had a fantastic time! Second to None looks like my kind of shop. I think it's fab that you both met up and had a wonderful time. How amaze-balls is blogging? Em ♥

Rose&Bird said...

Fabulous! 2 of my favourite bloggers together, what a great day out! Your finds are perfect, so you! Would love to meet up with you one day x

Fiona said...

Sounds like a brilliant day from start to finish. What a shame there weren't many chazza bargains but never mind eh, I'm sure the beer and Bob more than made up for it. Second To None looks a fine shop and you look FANTASTIC in the black crepe dress. Methinks you will be heading to Walsall again soon.
xxxx

The Goodwill Fangirl said...

You both are gorgeous women. Thanks so much for the photos from the vintage store. I'm on a self-imposed shopping bans, so vicarious shopping is an extra hoot these days :)

I also thought Eve before I scrolled down and saw you say so too. I figured the artist hated Eve and so portrayed her as a hirsute creature seriously in need of mega-laser hair removal...

Anonymous said...

Looks like you two had a fab day out!! I love the boots you bought, tat would go perfect with that dress!!

And that figure is rather mythical - perhaps it's half man half ape?!

xo

Judy C said...

I would love to have a day like you had. I've been a recluse for a while and I'm just starting to go out. I wish I lived near you and Vix. What fun that would be for me. Smile, you are gorgeous.

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

I've been watching star Wars today so am tempted to say it's a wookie wearing a boa as a boa, but I will defer to the artier types above!

Anyway, at the risk of repeating myself from Vix's blog I will just say how cool to have to of my favourite blogging ladies in one post. You found some amazing stuff but I'm even more jealous of the meet up xx

Anonymous said...

Sweeeeeeeet!! What a fabulous time and I'm oh so jealous! Nothin' better than sharing the joy of our passions with another of the same interests. I can tell you had a fantastic time!

Penny-Rose said...

I loved reading this post and great photos of you both and the wonderful store. The flamenco dress on Vix is divine, and the wool crepe one you scored is very classic. My fave find is definitely the souvenir bracelet and the Henri Rousseau painting!!

Helga said...

OMG OMG OMG!!!!
You lucious wenches! I am SO mega jealous,but at least I got to fondle Krista and Bella......
Gawd,I would have loved to be tarting about with you both! EEEEEEEK! Isn't it just TOO divine to meet?! We really ARE all sisters,it's just so comfortable!
Ooo,nice new frock,lovey!!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Louise Mc said...

I've only met a handful of bloggers, thankfully Vix is one of them, she's great isn't she? Looks like you had lots of fun! Xx

Marjorie said...

You looked fabulous in that dress. I am glad you bought it. Can't wait to see you in it all blinged up.

Unknown said...

Oh I feel all sooky and sentimental seeing you together! What a PERFECT day - friends and frocks and laughter and nonsense and fun - plus you are both absolute frickin SUPERMODELS!!! Vix's gingham maxi is SPLENDIFEROUS and you're right - she MUST have that gorgeous flamenco frock - but what were you wearing, Curtise? We need more pics of YOU in all of your beautiful glory! Big hugs, shut up, I'm not crying, at ALL! LOVE! Sarah xxx

Unknown said...

OK - now I've been to Vix's post and had a good look at your fab maxi - OMG it's FABULARSEHOLE!!! xxx

Anonymous said...

I am infinitely envious of both of you getting to spend a day together like this...and in a vintage shop with a secret room no less! And, yes, of course, Vix must HAVE the flamenco dress!

Forest City Fashionista said...

Saw Vix's post about your meet-up, and I was sooooo jealous! How wonderful that you two got to hang out, shop, chat and fend off men. The store looks like a vintage lover's dream come true - I'm glad you came away with some treasures. You're both Fabularsehole!!!

thorne garnet said...

drinking, shopping, strange men, gee, what not to like?

Trees said...

I love that last photo of you two together - you're both so beautiful!

That retro store you visited was incredible too - wow.

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

I loved being the fly on the wall on your trip ( I read both your blogs about the trips).
Wish I could have tagged along too.
I can just imagine you in that black dress and the boots are a steal.

Camelia Crinoline said...

It looks like you and Vix had a great time. Second to None seems like a treasure trove. I love the 50s dress and boots you got.

Anonymous said...

I've seen yesterday Vix's photos and they were amazing, but yours are perfect to see the missing parts of the event!!You both looks happy and beautiful and June's shop is almost incredible! I love the black dress and the boots and I think that Vix should buy that flamenco number, it's perfect!
Have a wonderful week!!
xxxx

mispapelicos said...

You are both glorious, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh
Let´s have a meet up of all of us. Wouldn´t it be fun???
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Unknown said...

aahhh what a lovely post it was so nice to see you both toegether you both look amazing. I agree with you how lovely Vix is in the flesh ;-) Glad you managed to bag yourself some goodies to. dee xxx

Krista said...

Oh Curtise this just looks like the best day ever! I love how happy you both look like you have known each other forever! The pictures Vix posted of you are so adorable and these that you have up of her are beautiful too. Oh how I wish I could have been there. I love Vix's buzzed smile in the flamenco dress.

Your black wool mini dress is total you and I can't wait to see it get an outing!!! The boots are also so Curtise. Here's to getting up, getting out and making things happen.
I love you both~
Krista

Anonymous said...

Long time lurker-first time poster!! Looks like you had quite the time!1
LOVE the black dress!!
WE have NOTHING cool in vintage clothing in my area of the US. The thrifts can be si hit or miss for anything decent!

Tamera (of the Frida Pendant)

Anonymous said...

Curtise, that's so great that you and Vix met, had a charity shopping blow out, a visit and a drink - I'm envious! That shop looks amazing, and so well-priced - your boots are to die for. xoxo

doradadama said...

You prostis look so happy together!
So happy and jealous you fab ladies met.
That shop had lots of hidden treasures, love your boots will go with all your wardrobe.
Vixcita must have that flamenco dress.

joyatri said...

Looks like you and Vix had a blast. So nice to see her big smile on your blog.
Aren't the internets amazing, bringing you two and so many other bloggers together!

Annie said...

It wouldn't be a lunchtime drink in the Walsall Wetherspoons without pulling a pensioner!

That shop looks amazing and the dress and boots are incredible bargains.

What a brilliant day. Vix is so gorgeous in every way. And she found a bracelet for you too. As you so rightly say, you can't have too many!

citizen rosebud said...

Ah lovely! There's nothing like a blogger meet up of soul sisters, is there? The great bonus is that you two make me feel like I am there meeting with you and how fun it is! You both look stunning, the best are those wicked smiles of yours! I am besotted with Vix, and can imagine what a great time you both shared. Thank you for sharing with us!

PS: your boots = rad.

Vintage Coconut said...

Now I have to be taunted again with photos of that FABULOUS STORE!! "bah" *LOL* (Super jelous)
WE HAVE NOTHING That amazing here!!

That painting was SO WEIRD!
I love those boots you got (Wow what a price)

The Style Crone said...

The two of you together is almost too much beauty to behold. Thanks for taking us on the ride with you! I would love to spend some time in the secret stock room!

Vintage Bird Girl said...

Now that looks like a dream date day to me. Two of my favourite bloggers causing a ruckus. You look so fab in that glorious maxi. I can't wait to see the 50's frock on you. I'm so sorry for my lack of comments, but my internet has been down for the last week...BOO! But it seems fixed now, so I can catchup on all I've missed. Xx

Vintage Sweetheart said...

I'm so jealous a day out with Vix or you would be freaking amazing!!!!!!!!! I can imagine rummaging in there for days on end! I adore the egyptian bracelet you bought and that dress was a real bargain. xxx

VAL said...

What fun to see 2 sides of the same eh. Looks like you had fun.
V
xxx