Wednesday 17 April 2013

I spy...



...with my little eye, something beginning with "S".




A silk shift in the sunshine.
 



 
a sketch by the super-talented Anne at Spygirl - she has been kind enough to add me to her fabulous digital catwalk of blogging beauties;


 
and my dear blog friend Shelley sent me a splendid selection of gifts - a gorgeous beaded purse necklace and a colourful rustling taffeta confection of a maxi skirt. 
 

Thank you so much, Anne and Shelley - yet again, blogging has brought me into contact with such creative and generous people.
 
 
 
 
 
 
I had a few comments at school about this outfit - complimentary, yes, but along the lines of I could never wear all that bright colour. 

Why ever not?



 
 
The very windy conditions were far more of a challenge than the clothes!



1960s silk dress - gift from our poor injured darling Sarah
Lurex fishnet tights - gift from my favourite Panty Ho Vix
Belt - gift from Supermodel Tamera
Cardigan, shoes and belt - charity shopped
1980s sunglasses - vintage shop
Bangles and necklace - charity shopped, retail and gift from gorgeous Tania
Being upstaged by a beautiful cat - courtesy of Jessie



These amazing fishnets were a real surprise.  



 
They seemed tiny when I got them out of the packet and I thought they would reach about as far as my knees and no further. And that's never a good look...
 
Just shows you have to give things a go - they do fit, and they are wonderfully sparkly in the sun.
 
I'm a lurex Panty Ho!
 
 



And I know I am preaching to the choir here, but there's nothing like blogger friendships, sharing the vintage love, and some bright colour to warm the heart.





Neutrals?
 
Err, not today, thank you!

xxxx

57 comments:

Pennyblossoms said...

What an amazing sketch of you and how wonderful that Anne did it and sent it to you.
Love the print and cardi colours together.
Blogging buddies are the BEST!
Z xx

freckleface said...

Give me colour over neutrals any day of the wotsit. What a fabulous outfit, love that just above the knee silk dress and I rather enjoyed the adventure of the Panty Ho.
Gifts and portraits, you've had a great day. That rainbow taffeta skirt looks like it has lots of potential. Ooh I've just noticed the belt. Niiice Miss Sheffield! xxxx

Fran said...

Great color. I love the print on that dress. Keep adding color to the scenery.

lucy joy said...

And there was I hoping your I spy was going to be a veritable banquet of biscuit beige and borderline browns. Bummer! You go and spoil it with all this glorious colour.
If I was arty, you'd inspire me to sketch you too - look at all the blogger love coming your way at once. The future's so bright, you GOTTA wear shades (and sparkly fishnets, jewel-coloured clothes, and loads of bastard jewellery). Leave the ecru for those ladies who think being brave is wearing 'nautical stripes'.

Can't wait to see that maxi in action.

Lucy x

Krista said...

BEST DRESS EVER!!!!!!! I almost wet myself when I saw this amazing burst of COLOR! JOY! I love it on you and with the purple bits, its just delicious! Spy Girl did you justice wow the dress is pretty much spot on. The maxi from Shelley has rocking colors too. Our world is pretty special and we created it, I think that is the best part!
LOVEU!
XXOOO

Robert Barnsley said...

Curtise, your ruby slippers and red dress are perfect. Robert x

Patti said...

Blogger friends are so fab. So's your bright, yummy dress today and those killer hose xoxoxoxo

Helga said...

O, hello fellow lurex panty HO! I haven't worn my lurex fishnets in ages, as they make me itch a bit. Yours look delish. In fact, you look like a lovely fruity cocktail! People ARE weird aout colour, aren't they?! Shame. ut more for us! That's such a gorgeous shift frock, I love the print and of course, that fabularse colour!!!
Naturally you were Spygirled! And most splendidly!
Can't wait to see you rocking that heavenly taffeta maxi, it's frigging DIVOON!
I love my Blogfriends, I love Blogland!
Love YOU! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

thorne garnet said...

Hey to blogging friends!

That dress is beautiful and you look awesome in that outfit.

Anonymous said...

Awesome outfit, Curtise! Love, love, LOVE those colors together!
Love that sketch of you, too. Super!

Unknown said...

you are a hot 'ho'!!!
great colors, you look so pretty and springy!
Hugs and thanks for all your bloggy support!
Hugs
Reva

joyatri said...

That 60s print dress from Second to None deserves to be immortalized (as do you)! Love the paisley print and juicy colors of that dress. Inspired by your knack with fishnets and other lacy tights, I picked up some teal fishnets at the thrift store recently.

Sheila said...

Just love this mix of colours on you! Wonderfully bright. I always laugh when people make comments like that - like they think the world will explode if they wear a bright colour.

The coloured fishnets (sparkly too!) are fabulous.

Anonymous said...

You look gorgeous - not just the lovely bright colors (and the belt sets them off so nicely), but the shorter dress is quite becoming on you. Show off those legs!

Becky said...

Silk and fishnets!!! Lurex fishnets!! So fantastic!! I'm jealous of your Spy Girl pic!
Becky :)

Vintage Bird Girl said...

I love seeing you rock colour! Look at those pins! I love this unexpected colour combo. That frock is so pretty. And yes don't blogging buddies add another wonderful dimension to your life. Xx

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

You are smashing!!! Love the neckline an necklace as well as your fabulously saturated brights. Shelley and Anne, such generous dollies both! Been missing and loving you, dear Curtise xoxo

Connie said...

This outfit is beyond wonderful. One of my all time favorites!

The Style Crone said...

You do the digital catwalk with such grace and style. Anne has created another gorgeous piece of art! The red fishnets enhance an already stunning ensemble. But of course they're from Vix!

Fiona said...

Taffeta just isn't around these days or if it is I haven't seen it. Back in the day Mum had a taffeta maxi skirt, I loved the rustling sound of it. Your silk dress is a beauty, 'gawjuss' colours and I love the red shoes too. Hope you made the most of that sun.
x

OP SHOP MAMA said...

Amazing outfit! Totally rocking it. x

Sara said...

Ooh, YES! So, the first thing I thought of when you said "..something beginning with S." was Sexy Stunner. It's true! :D This one is delish; I often wonder why some people are so afraid of color. What a beautiful way for people to express themselves..mayhaps they're scared of expression? Sad. Color is such a gift. Mom and I will often look at our flowers in the garden, and comment on how nature has the most beautiful, vivid colors..and what a treat it is for Mother Earth to share them with us. :) Hippies. lol

And lurex fishnets!!! 2 of my favorite things TOGETHER! How awesome! :D Blogging friends really are the greatest. XOXO

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful dress and colours and the lurex fishnets are great! I love Spy Girl's art she perfectly sketched your Second to none dress, I'm impressed with how amazing the print looks! Can't wait to see you wearing the maxi taffeta skirt, it's awesome and when I think about this fabric I always giggle thinking about the taffeta scene in Young Frankenstein..
Lots of love xxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Great colours that really pops' - moore colour to the people!
And some lurex often makes a big diffrence.
Your fab ......

Veshoevius said...

Great dress! I love pink and orange together and the purple cardi really makes the colours on the dress pop. I retreat into a protective shell of black when it's cold but I love wearing colour in the sunshine. It is funny how some people just really shy away from colour and wearing it - like they don't want to be noticed or seen.

Ivy Black said...


What ho, Panty Ho!
Gorgeous dreaa and I love the colours together. Lahverly!!
What to women say that? I get it all the time...what's the worst that will happen if they where bright colours? They might like it? I'm sick of seeing people in grey and greige.
I knew Spygirl would do a sketch of you in that dress! It's too fab to miss.
Frankly, I'd be a misreable wretch without my blogging buds...
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Melanie said...

The sketch is fabulous! Anne is very talented I must say.
I love your outfit, perfect for chasing away the clouds xxx

Vintage Sweetheart said...

I spy someone fabulous!!! The colours together blow my mind, I say you can never wear too much colour. It's about to be monochrome season here and I'm going to be like you and go against the grain! xxxx

Anonymous said...

Curtise, I am loving you in these shorter frocks - more please! And the fishnets are so great. I used to live in either nude or coloured ones when working - a nice alternative to a "plain leg", with the added bonus of looking and feeling great - and never running (not to mention a few looks on the subway, teehee). Happy spring! Xoxo

Max said...

That is a wonderful dress, such gorgeous fabric, colour and shape on you x

Vix said...

Oh goodness me, that dress is glorious! I love it with the panty-ho's and the pop of purple.
Aren't people strange about colour? They always compliment a bright outfit and then finish it with, "but I couldn't wear it". More fool them!
Love Anne's glorious sketch adn that rather snazzy taffeta maxi from Shelley.
You're right, blogging buddies are the BEST!!! xxxxxxxxxxxx

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Egads Curtise, this is my favourite frock on you. Definitely. I'm having to suppress squeals of joy (I'm at work) at the dress and delish lurex fishnets combo. xx

Miss Simmonds Says said...

I like what Bella said about Blogger neutral being Leopard Print. I hate that "ooh I couldn't wear that" thing.... yes you could! You're just lacking in imagination! The tights are gorgeous! The dress is utterly divine. I love the colours, they seem to glow. With the blue they look amazing. It all looks stunning. Blogger love is the best!

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

Gawwwwwwwwwd that's a bleeding awesome sketch - hardly a sketch ... a flippin' work of art! Anne is spot-on with the shades of the frock and blue tights! I have complete and utter adoration for you in this amazing frock and cardi with faaaaaaaaark-me sparkly fishnets!!!!!! I'll bet you're like me when you get a OSFA pair of tights "no way are they getting past my hips", then viola, it happens ... sometimes. On other unfortunate occasions they make their merry way south - Helga calls those "growler-eating tights". The bane of long-limbed lassies. Aaaaaaah the backhanded insult ... always a favourite of mine. I get them now and then, but then I must have had more than I realised as I seem to have developed the art of the quip - must be thanks to Edmund Blackadder witticisms which I seem to have been stored in my rotting brain;). "I couldn't wear that colour" Ooooooooh do get me started: "You're right, you couldn't", "You could, but only on cloudy days", "Well you're best not to then", "What a shame, but then I find beige so depressing". I really should stop now. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox

Señora Allnut said...

fabulous dress, love the colors and love that fishnets and pretty shoes combo!, you look gorgeous and I could wear all that bright color indeed!, and enjoy it!! (that's a comment I'm used to hear too!!)
And that sketch looks really You, so lovely!!
besos

Ulla-Marie said...

The combination of red and purple is a favorite ... that I never wear. Wonder why? Now I got inspired! Thank you!

Tamera's Craft Palace said...

Cool sketch!! i can't wait to see you in that taffeta maxi skirt!!
Love the outfit--bright, vibrant--and LUREX FISHNETS!!! WHOA!!

I'm glad the belt fits--I saw it and immediately thought of you!!

bohemian vanity said...

I love those bright colours on you AND your lipstick, the colour is brilliant! The sketch of you is wonderful too, great art!!! xxxx

Autumn said...

Love the outfit and the fishnets, and can't wait to see the taffeta skirt!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic sketch of you. Anne is so talented.
I love the sixties shift - the style suits you and the colour combination is fab. I love bright colours - why do people think they could never wear them?
You look lovely in yours.

Forest City Fashionista said...

GAH! Those colours look freakingfantastic on you!! Some nice leg action going on there too with the flirty fishnets. Now that it's getting a little warmer, I'm craving bright colours in my wardrobe. If you wear a colour you love, it lights up your face in a way that black definitely does not...
Can't wait to see how you style the skirt! Congrats on your membership in the digital catwalk - Anne's sketches are soooo cool.

Vintage Coconut said...

I love your silk shift in the sunshine! It's AWESOME. So is that sketch of you in your 60s dress. "Totally talented"

Flora Cruft said...

Yay what a fabulous colour POP! And look at those fishnets, sex on legs!

Hollie Black-Ramsey said...

those fishnets are awesome! Congrats on being SpyGirl'd

Unknown said...

Lookatchoo, lookatchoo, LOOKATCHOO!
(No, not sneezing, but going on about how completely great you look, both the real you and in your Digital Catwalk portrait!) Such a pretty sundress, with cardi now, none later. And fishnets with pretty shoes. What a good idea!
Great. Really Great.

CityScape Skybaby said...

There's something about pink and orange together that just glows isn't there, and I can see the sparkle in your lurex tights, and I love those lovely red shoes! Everything in this outfit is so gorgeous Curtise, and you have sunshine too! And you're a work of art yet again, you must be getting used to that by now. I have felt inspired to paint and draw you bloggy ladies too, just wish art group was every night of the week! Must admit, I've tended to lurk about in black with a bit of red here and there over the years but you lot make me feel braver every day. xx

Camelia Crinoline said...

People can be so weird about wearing bright colours. I don't get it at all. You look fabulous. I love the dress with that purple cardi. I think 'Curtise in Thrift' should be the title of a tv that follows you on your charity shop adventures.

two squirrels said...

Oh a bet they were all wearing grey or black???? That is one very gorgeous dress on you and look at your fabulous legs in those wonderful fish-nets.....I am always taken by the size out of the packet too....Magic things I think????
Have a truly wonderful weekend Miss Curtise.
love V

bonsaimum said...

Another gorgeous outfit. Got to watch those cats, always appearing when least expected. :)

Shortbread and Ginger said...

Love all of it!!!!
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

Vicky Hayes said...

Well... neutrals have their place too but I agree that colour has the power to do all sorts of excellent things to the mind! You look great as always Curtise and even make the lurex fishnets look classy! So more I'm a Lady than Panty Ho really! Vicky x

Miss Maple said...

Aaaah! These colours are great: pink, red, orange and violet, that's the right combo for me too. Love it!!! And your necklace is so pretty - I've said this before.
Thank you for your lovely birthday wishes. I'm going to stay in Norwich and I'm so excited. I'm a little bit nervous because of the flight. Actually it's my first flight. I think I must be really old-fashioned.

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

I wore my orangey pants for Tesco to the formal dinner I was invited to at Cambridge. I loved standing out form the swirl of black cloaks.
Love your red and orange.

Melanie said...

Oh, no, I could never wear colour like that. I am much more happy and comfortable in beige, and grey and taupe every single day. You are a joyful vision. I love all my blogger pantyho's. Lurex fishnets? Loving them. Curtise, you are a vision of gorgeousness.

Melanie said...

PS SpyGirl really caught your style! Love her sketch of you!

Unknown said...

Holy guacamole - that frock is AMAAAAZING ON YOU! Or rather, YOU MAKE THAT FROCK AMAZING!

I love the colours SO MUCH - and SPARKLY FISHNETS ARE GO!

No cat could ever upstage you, my love. You are magnificent!

Love you more than COLOUR!

Sarah xxx

Anonymous said...

whoa! Look at all these comments! It's no doubt because you are a slithering sexy sparkling sensation!