I've been blogging for a year now (I missed my first anniversary, it was while I was ill in September) and the process has brought about some developments and changes for me.
One of these has been the unexpected delight of making new friends.
Not just I make a nice comment on your blog, you make a nice comment on mine virtual acquaintances - I mean proper meeting-in-the-flesh, Skyping, hilarious emailing, gift-exchanging, you-really-get-me friends.
Yesterday I went off to the vintage blogging centre of the UK, Walsall, to catch up with my dear friends Vix and Clare, and meet Em and Dee for the first time.
If you get the chance to meet up with other bloggers, do it - they don't disappoint!
It may sound like a cliche, but after you've "met" through blogging, meeting for real is just like catching up with someone you already know. It felt as though I had known Dee and Em for ages, they are engaging and funny and kind and chatty, everything you want in a pal!
Second to None, rapidly becoming the most famous vintage shop in the country, never disappoints either.
Dee was so dedicated to rummaging among the handbags , she risked life and limb up on the steps, while Clare and Vix worked their way through the day dresses, and Em found an armful of vintage goodies to try on.
Style Chameleon Vix - a Sergeant Pepper gold and purple velvet coat one minute, a 1960s turban-style hat the next!
Coffees, curry, vintage and charity shopping, all accompanied by lots of chat and lots of laughs - sounds good, doesn't it?
It was!
I really enjoyed our visit to Walsall's art gallery too.
Yes, but is it art, darling?
Damien Hirst's Away from the Flock, a lamb suspended in a case of formaldehyde, made me feel sad; the Stonehenge-inspired installation made me feel non-plussed; and many of the paintings and sculptures made me feel delighted and inspired.
It was fabulous to meet up with these gorgeous, friendly, funny women, and many thanks to darling Vix for hosting yet another Walsall-based outing! You can see her account of our day here.
And what did I buy?
This rather delicious 1960s paisley dress with a cute keyhole neck.
Groovy, baby!
Yeah, I came over a bit hippy-dippy chick... You can see where Littlest gets her face-pulling inspiration!
1960s dress - Second to None, Walsall
Cape - flea market
Beret - gift
Boots - Ebay
Brooch, flower and lurex tights - charity shopped
And while I'm on the subject of fabulous blogger friends, look what the wonderfully talented Joni has made for me!
EEK! I've been immortalised as a Calligram!
Joni, you are amazing, I'm so honoured and delighted, I can't tell you!
See what I mean about blogging buddies? They are bloody brilliant!
Hair cut and root retouch for me tomorrow, about time...
Have a great weekend, whatever you're up to!
xxx
49 comments:
Whenever I see thes meet ups I wish I lived in the UK too!! This looks like the best fun even and I LOVE your new frock! I'm rather into that kind of 60s look frock:)
Nice shoes! Follow me?
That dress looks absolutely-bloody-gorgeous, total perfection with those delicous lurex tights and cape. June never disappoints,does she? We look a right bunch rummaging in Second To None, shame we didn't record ourselves with our giggling and weird mix of accents!
What a fantastic time we had, poor Clare solidering on, dead sheep, tartan hats with wobbly pom poms. Can't wait to do it all over again.
Joni's art is a masterpiece, far better than B&Q does Stonehenge and serial killer alley!
Love and adoration! xxxxxxx
PS I really like what you're doing here, fancy swapping links?
I love your dress Curtise, but you didn't get the catsuit?! You looked fantabulous in it. I wish my bod looked like that in a catsuit or in a psychedelic mini dress. I've never met up with any online friends yet, I've a friend in Wales from the MySpace days and we're always saying we will meet one day and reading your feelings about it here really makes me want to get off my backside and do it. Lovely to see you meeting old and new friends, you all look like you had a great time together and Joni's art is fantastic, how does it feel to be a work of art? xx
aahhh what a fantastic post and what a super duper day we had yesterday. It was lovely meet you, your more gorgeous in the flesh and just so lovely thank you for helping me have such a wonderful day. Im glad you said you didn't get some of the art because i didn't to and that poor sheep made me feel real sad to. Loving you in your dress you brought you look gorgeous. Have a lovely weekend and hope to meet up again next year. dee xxxxx
The fun looks palatable from across the pond in the pictures- you ladies rock! I agree- meeting for reals is incidental- you already know eachother right? Good friends who already share common interests.
The frock rocks, as do you. And Joni- a talent who lives in my city, whom I have yet to meet! rocks- what a great illustration of you!
Oh what fun! Looks like you had loads of laughs. LOVE the 60's frock and the 60's poses even more, Twiggy's got nothing on you.
How flattering to be immortalised in words, Joni's artwork is brilliant.
Don't remind me about grey bits!
x
That cape is gorgeous Curtise! And don't you look gorgeous in that dress! I could see that Joni's picture was you, straight off the bat, it's fab!
I can see you all had a fab time xxx
I feel so jealous, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I would have loved to meet you all so much. I coun´t agree more with you, after all these comments it will be like catching up with old friends.
Happy first year blogging, my dear Curtise.
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T'was bloody brill eh? Lovely to meet you in the fab flesh. I've seen you in a catsuit so I know!
Coming from a place of respect and affection I really think that gorgeous bit of vintage frockery would be set of nicely by a pair of wellies. Just a suggestion...
Have a stonking weekend.
xxxxxxx
I don't think that paisley dress was at Second to None last week. Because if it was -- I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT! If I couldn't have it, I'm glad it went to you though. Going to Walsall was my first blogger meetup and it was very familiar rummaging through Vix's wardrobe as I had seen most of the clothes before. Joni captured you perfectly in that crocheted dress. She is so talented!
I've met two bloggers so far and I'm arranging a date with another one at the moment. It's such good fun.
I do love that frock.
Caroline
Xxx
Great dress! Love the colours, cheeky hole, length, pattern...
I did type a lengthy comment for your previous post, but pressed 'sign out' instead of 'publish'so, sorry I didn't tell you how bloody marvellous I thought you all looked.
So, I missed another great Walsall jaunt - not fair! I just know they'll be a regular thing, with loads more people wanting to have a rummage in Second to None.
You're so right about meeting people whose blogs you enjoy, I've never felt so comfortable with a group of glam ladies as I did with you all in September.
Have a great weekend,
Aaah, you look like you had a right old knees up and what a great mix of activities. A bit of culture, cheap food & booze and lots of vintage shopping! Yay for blogging buddies and friendship and happy blogiversary xxxx
Btw, I agree wellies would look great with that dress! :)
that sounds so lovely! I'm a reg reader of vix's blog and I can definitely understand what you mean it was like you've already known each other. blogging really can connect people in a very intense way. xx
Happy anniversary Curtise!
I've only been blogging for a few months, but love it - and the friends I've made. I have started to get some funny spam - 'I like you! You like me too! Let's follow each other!' nonsense recently.. very amusing. Before this I was visiting blogs and leaving comments but it didn't feel as much fun til I started a blog myself.
Keep on doing what you are doing, I look forward to catching up with your posts, so rich and detailed and funny.
Its looks like you had an amazing catch up with the girlies. Just what everyone needs, especially when the weather is turning blue. And I bet you put smiles on the faces of the people of Walsall too (In a good way)
That shop looks amazing and is going to become legendary amongst bloggers and thrifters thanks to the ever dazzling Vix.
The dress you snaffled fits pefectly and the cape is fabulous, so very you xx
Groovetastic frock my dear & that calligram is awesome :)
Looks like you gals had a hoot and a half, I've got to swing by Walsall at some point, Second to None looks brilliant, that velvet coat that Vix is wearing is pretty much the coat of my dreams.
Have a grand weekend!
Lot's of love,
Jennie...x
You look absolutely adorable in that 60's dress. Your legs look smashing! Love this psychedelic look on you. What cute poses too. And you'll notice in my coming up post how much our ground looks alike. I knew I was an English girl inside. ;)
Thank you Curtise for mentioning me. I hope the illustration comes to you undamaged over all those miles.
We will meet some day!!!
You didn't buy that sexalicious catsuit???
What fun y'all had!! The closest blogger I know of to me is about 175 MILES away!!!
The paisley dress is da bomb!!! LOVE it!!!
You need a transistor radio blaring out some girl-dancing-on-a-platform soundtrack when you wear this '60s dress through town. I would like to see you do The Swim in this. Or The Freddie!?
Your face must have hurt the next day with all that laughing. How rejuvenating and free to have friends like this to shop and hang out with.
Joni's piece on you is brilliant. I love it!
The sheep in formaldehyde? Hm. Mr. Hirst has always been naughty. I like the fact that artists can make millions, but I don't enjoy the death-as-spectacle aspect. They had to find a replacement shark for the original in the tank - for obvious reasons... Eeew.
Ah what I day I missed!!! These images are such a treat I feel like I am right back there with you guys!!! I love seeing everyone elbow deep in vintage delight! I love the pictures of Vix and with her gorgeous smile, she takes that everywhere you know :) You all look so dam fashionable in Walsall checking out that art. I wish we had something this amazing walking distance from my house. The dress you scored Curtise I just love! The colors are so vibrant and that length is super sexy on you!
Now let's talk about this amazing gift Joni did for you, of you and because of you. That is some real love there and that is real friendship. This portrait of you in words leaves me speechless with how friggin amazing and heartfelt it is. I have met some genuinely wonderful women in this community. If fact I'd travel thousands of miles for you ladies, again and again.
Here's to real blogger friendships and groovy frocks!
Tonsoflove
XXOO
Did you buy the studded bodysuit?
Love the hippie dress,the colors are groovy.
What a bunch of fun you all had. Walsall is becoming a destination place.
You're a bunch of stunners ain't ya? And how amazing is that calligram, genius. I'm being abandoned again this weekend, husband off on travels once more. So house arrest and virtual friendships only for me.
x
You know I really really do wish I could have been there hamming it up with you lovely ladies. That looks like such a wonderful day. I can't believe you've only been blogging for just over a year....you are such a blogging pro & an inspiration. Blogging has been so much fun, but I am truly surprised by the friendships that have come out of it already. Blessed indeed. That 60's frock is AB FAB on you. You really are 'the body'...hehe! Love to you & wishing you a happy weekend. Xx
Happy First Year Blogging Anniversary. I love your blog and the catch up with other bloggers looks like it was lots of fun.
Mary Quant eat your heart out!
(I may be completely off here, but Mary Quant was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw you in your gorgeous 'new' frock)
Anyway whatever designer it's reminiscent of, I love it, and it looks lovely on you.
How nice for you to meet up with Dee (I'm not familiar with the other girls) and I can't get over Joni's wordy portrait, amazing - just like her 'model'!
Fantastic paisley dress. Looks like you all had a blast. :)
Bless! What a lovely post - great to see you and your chums taking Walsall by storm. You look FAB in that gorgeous frock and I love that you are also a calligram now! Have a great weekend, Vicky x
I can't believe I missed another blogger meet up!! It's my own fault though for not keeping up with what's going on. Oh well, next time...
Anyway, I love the dress!
Annie xx
I love the cape and the blue tones of your outfit. Pretty!
The Stonehenge one was pretty rubbish wasn't it? I can't believe the amazingness of Second To None. It never disappoints! You look stunning in that dress and I adore the tights too, I need some. Look at your poses too - oh and the cape. So much to love! and Joni's Calligram xxxxxxx
You all look so fabulous and beautiful and HAPPY in this destination place! You are beautiful as ever, Curtise and that 60s paisley frock is PERFECT on you. That sheep makes me a little sad too... poor thing. It's quite unpalatable, actually.
Your cape is marvellous, your photos are gorgeous and I'm so SO glad you all had such a frickin fabularse day!!! LOVE! Sarah xxx
As ever you look chuffing fab! I think we should have a get together soon - but what the hell would I wear? You weren't in the City hall when I was in - I would recognise you . xxxx
Oooooh, Curtise! As Helga would say, SQUEE!!! I think a meet-up sounds like such fun!!! I am hoping to get to meet up with Lynne of Practical Paralegalism!! Won't it be fun?? You look very groovy indeed!
xoxo
Lynn
I know you guys had blast, and I really enjoyed the pics on both yours and Vix's blog. You are so lucky to get to meet each other. Going to England and meeting you guys is so on my Bucket List.
I'm going to start calling you "The Body" too. You look simply fantastic in everything you wear. I love the fun poses in the mini-dress which looks like it was made for you.
I loved hearing about your adventures o Vix's blog.
What a great piece of artwork by Joni.
Lovely outfit. Looks like you had a great day, I would have loved to join you x The dress you bought is very nice, I would have picked that myself. Vix didn't talk you into the jumpsuit or those red and blue flares?!
I really want to meet up with some of the lovely bloggers I read about, but it sounds so silly but it daunts me quite a lot! But you guys look like you had so much fun, I don't know why I'm worried! Second to None looks so amazing, like an adult dressing up box! Looking forward to seeing more of your blogging friend meet ups! x
I've never tried a blogger meet up but it looks good fun. I loved the parcel swapping over at Lakota's blog so if ever get the chance I will definitely go to a meet up.
I really like the dress you found.
Looks like you had a lot of fun! I would love to meet up. Don't forget to let me know if you want to do a vintage shop afternoon in Notts one of these days :)
The drawing Joni made of you is really great! She is so talented!
As for what you wanted to know: I'm very depressed and nonplussed about how my husband and I will actually be able to live in the same country together. He's American and I am Portuguese and there is so much bureaucracy involved, not to mention the current government here in the UK making up laws that will make our lives more difficult...
Oh you lucky, beautiful ladies. How wonderful it would be to be able to meet up with other bloggers. Maybe someday....
What a great drawing Joni did for you!
I love, love your dress. I does remind me of the 60's a time I enjoyed very much.
That keyhole dress looks killer on you!
And I am totally jelous of all the fun you had with everyone. =p
I'm jealous, nj and Pa bloggers are not as likely to meet up as your lovelies. I offered to meet up with a girl who lives really close to me and she was too busy. What? I guess I was too old and not cool enough for her. I thought about asking her again but I would feel like I am begging. You look fabulous in your 60's dress. I swear if I don't get a haircut soon. dawn suitcase vingettes xo
I'm jealous, nj and Pa bloggers are not as likely to meet up as your lovelies. I offered to meet up with a girl who lives really close to me and she was too busy. What? I guess I was too old and not cool enough for her. I thought about asking her again but I would feel like I am begging. You look fabulous in your 60's dress. I swear if I don't get a haircut soon. dawn suitcase vingettes xo
oh and Joni is amazing for making that t for you. It is gorgeous. dawn
I'm late to comment, but that doesn't mean I don't love you!!!!! Okay, so first, you look HOT!!!! in that groovy dress. Yes, YOU!!! Secondly, I love the picture (calligram?) Joni did. It's brilliant. You're a work of art, my dear! Lastly, I so wish I could be a part of the Wallsall blogger meet-up festivities. You look so happy and I'm so glad you're there.
Hugs to you and the children!!
This bloggers meet up was amazing!!
I'm sorry to live so far from anyone, I'm sure that to have the chance to spend time with you and the other internet friends could be great!
I can tell it from your smiles!
I'd love to visit Vintage shops and Art Galleries with you all!
I love Damien Hirst and I'm very curious about this exhibition in Walsall, I'd love to come before it ends!
The dress you bought is awesome and I love the photoshoot you made with your glorious find!!
I'm sorry for haven't comment your Halloween post, but I was away for the weekend, you and your kids are amazing!
Love
xxxx
Dear Curtise, how wonderfully fun - thanks for sharing the photos of your meetup! You are an incredibly gorgeous go-go dancer in that fantastic dress, your purple tights and square-toe boots are perfect on your great gams. Joni's artwork is straight-up gorgeous as well, and manages to do its dreamy subject justice! So glad you are feeling the love!
You look smashing in this 60's dress and the gorgeous lurex tights! I love these colours, and the keyhole neck. I desperately want to visit UK and go treasure hunting in all your fabulous vintage and charity shops!
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