Oh, you delicious people have made me feel so much better!
Thank you for your supportive comments, and for sharing your tales of the unexpected twists and turns which life can take. I appreciate them, and you.
Having indulged in a whinge and a wallow, I shook myself and did the right thing - I went charity shopping.
My darling friend Vix, always a voice of sound reason and good humour, reminded us in her current post that there are still vintage bargains to be found in the UK's charity shops.
She's right.
Three fabulous 1970s dresses - the first two are destined for Ebay, but the maxi with the splashy print is staying home with me.
1960s vanity case; 1960s Warmco wool blanket; 1970s St. Michael top; and a large wicker basket.
Those old St. Michael labels transport me back in time - I am pretty sure I had a top just like this when I was a teenager.
Sadly, a 1970s size 14 doesn't fit me, but it's perfect for Eldest, she's perfectly happy for me to buy her clothes from charity shops. That's my girl!
I found this retro 1970s-style shirt dress last week - it's not vintage, but I liked the print and it was only £3.50.
And the denim jacket is definitely my Wardrobe Workhorse.
Lynne is doing a series of posts on her excellent blog highlighting hard-working pieces which we wear to death. Once the weather is warm enough for me to ditch my winter coats, this is my go-to, goes-with-everything jacket.
Look - a grumpy-looking bird which isn't me, how refreshing...
Showing off my self-made tote bag - it's proving to be very useful, I can fit a whole heap of crap in there!
I think that's my smug I made a tote bag face.
Denim jacket, shirt dress, cardigan, bangles, 1960s flower brooch, belt and tights - charity shopped
1960-70s steel pendant - Ebay
Shoes - jumble sale
I'm linking up my charity shop finds with South Yorkshire escapee Max, feel free to join in.
And thank you again for listening and letting me complain a little, and for getting it and being kind.
It means a lot.
xxxx
52 comments:
Look at you still sewing, you clever girl! I swear (I actually DO swear) that the stuff in your charity shops is so much better than the stuff around here. You always look so fabulous. So not fair!
OMG, that blue vanity case!!! Love LOVE it! I haven't found a vanity case for ages....not that I need any more, but then, what's need got to do with it?!
I'm so pleased you feel better after a good whinge. It's quite cathartic at times! And when it's occasional, it'll be heard! You are so fabuLARSE!
The tote is divoon! Totes are sooo bloody useful, I dragged the one Edie Pop made me all about Melbourne!
I'm very keen on the print of that shirtdress. It's yumcious. I wear shirt type frocks a lot at work, so easy, especially when I'm up so early and can't be bothered thinking!
I MA a bit slumped and exhausted after Helgastock! But certainly am making up for lost time with my baby! I missed him terribly...isn't that peppermill shot just so porno?! Ha!!!
Love you! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Didn't you do well! Love your M&S top, lucky Eldest. Glad to hear she's happy to wear vintage, pre-loved or secondhand (depending on your age) Pleased to hear you are feeling brighter now, you couldn't possibly feel glum wearing such vibrant colours surely? Sounds like you've got something to look forward to soon...?
xxx
I guess I'll have to go back to a previous post or two to hear you "whine", but everyone deserves to vent. And everyone deserves to have friends who understand, listen, and then bolster one's energy and outlook. I'm glad you were supported by friends!!! It shows what a wonderful friend YOU are.
You finds are wonderful and I'm glad you're keeping the pretty floral one. I love your outfit and of course your denim jacket!!! Your bag is perfect, too. I think I have to copy it. :-)
I'm sorry I missed your last post but I have slimmed over just now and left a few words (ok maybe a lot of words...but hugs to you).
You look lovely honey and it's funny I've been thinking about a workhorse clothing piece for the blog too. My denim vest is featuring heavily through my pregnancy style.
I'm glad you perked yourself up with some charity shopping and I adore that St Michaels top.
how friggin sexy awesome do you look! and get this, i brought that very same dress this week from a charity shop as well!! you got yours 50p cheaper than me though! mine still had tags on...never worn! we have sister dresses!
I love how you paired the red cardi with the orange accents on this dress
I might not have ever put those two colors together, but it looks great
Brett
Helga's melting over the vanity case and I am ogling the pink dress aren't we a crazy beautiful bunch! You can vent anytime and I think we can all relate a little to how you were feeling.
Your t-shirt dress has a great put a bird on it print why I never thought of adding a belt to a t-shirt dress, maybe that would make me like the shape on me better.
I have a denim jacket with a big heart with wings on the back and I wear it all the time in the summer. Pulling it out of the closet means the evenings will be long and warm :)
XXOO
Hurrah, you're back on form, not that you ever weren't really. I love the dress you're keeping, it's just gorgeous. Splashy indeed, that's what makes it so lovely. You look bloody amazing in the grumpy bird dress - another fantastic print. I need to wear my denim waistcoats more, give a kick up the arse to do it! The vanity case is wonderful. I really like it. I want one to cover in fake flowers. Fab label on the blanket. And the St Michael of course, I love those old labels, even if the sizes disappoint. Wicker baskets are always a must too, I try and snap them up when I see them xxxx
I love your love of prints. It has me convinced that we'd have a blast shopping together!
Oh I love the pissed-off bird. He's all "get out of my tree." Great finds, love the orange sweater and blue case. Glad you're feeling more cheery. xoxoxo
Okay. The dress with the grumpy bird happens to be absolutely, completely and undeniably right on trend.
Ha! And don't tell me it was a complete coincidence. Need to send one of your kiddles to look under your mattress for last month's Vogue.
All kidding aside ... seriously glorious dress. Besides the fact that you look lovely in it, my favorite element is this. If you look carefully at the rear view you gave us, he's also sitting right down below your cheek. The one on your fanny. It looks like it might give you a nip at any second.
Just saying.
And wishing you a LOVELY WEEK, what's left of it!
J
That's the way!! OUr very own version of retail therapy.
Your scores are AWESOME! I agree, that dress should defo stay home with you! Can't wait to see you sporting it.
Great blue case.
You ARE the shizzy!!
x
Glad you're feeling better. Love the print, grumpy bird and all. Making a note to self--I need a denim jacket.
You look lovely in that dress - you have such a fabulous figure! I am constantly boggled by your amazing scores in the charity shops. I do get my own scores, but for the size of my small city, there are often slim pickings.
Great bird print dress and I LOVE the lacy looking tights!! Nice finds... Shopping is always the answer! So is 'friends' and 'getting your hair done'! These things work!! I am glad my girl likes thrift clothes, too. She's only 6, so fingers crossed it stays that way.
Becky :)
put a bird on it, Krista you crack me up.
One of the girls in the shop today look really nice, one of the other ones asked her where she got her outfit. Second hand, skirt was $3 and so was the t-shirt. Awesome look for $6!
I adore the pattern of your shirt dress. But then orange always catches my eye. Happy to hear that you're feeling better and back in the charity shops selecting treasures. And looking fabulous in the process!
You have the best children in the world, wearing second hand and eating exotic food. I know I'd have ended up with some designer label loving chav who lived on a diet of Greggs & Mr Sizzle.
That dress is gorgeous, love the print and the sexy lacy tights and heels. I'm glad that new frock's staying at home with you, it's a beauty.
Love the St Michael spotty top and how many cats have you already turfed out of that basket?
So much for vintage being "unique" - I've got that pink strappy dress on my rails to take to this weekend's fair!
I'm so glad you're feeling better, ain't the women of blogsville grand? (You, especially!) xxxxx
Smug you should be with that everlasting self-made tote that packs a wallop I'm sure. I love your stern bird dress and I'm glad you are back in action for the good of all nations, Curtise. Fabulous leg shot this time, and such a bloom in the red cardigan and denim jacket. Shop, shop, shop! Eldest has clearly been raised right. Sincerely, I'm glad you're feeling better. hugs.
Great shopping is great therapy and your look fab , love the print and the bird!
Denim jacket are the best - never goes out of style.
Xxx
Like the dress - the pop of orange really makes it stand out. Love the tote too. I think we all have "off" days - fortunately something always happens to brighten the mood! Charity shop bargains cheer me up too!
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger
I feel like such a bad blog friend as I seem to have missed everyone's unhappy posts this week. Anyway I hope you are feeling better now, you look beautiful in all of those vibrant colours. I have been moaning about my lack of a tote bag for a while, why didn't I think to make one? Idiot! Xx
I love the vintage dresses you found, especially the splashy printed maxi, good choice to keep it, I really can imagine how good it would look on you! The grumpy bird print is fabulous too and I'm in love with the denim jacket, definitely a must have of the season (even if today here is winter again ).I like the colorful sweater and the fact that your daughter apprecciate to wear unique pieces instead of anonymous clothes, my girls adore to come with me at the Charity Shop, they Find it very creative I hope that they'll have always good taste!
Great tote, I prefer Huge bags too!
Love xxxxxxxx
So glad to hear you are feeling better a problem shared is a problem halved :-) Its good to have a moan from time to time we all need to. Great finds love the dresses and that vanity case and basket are gorgeous. Bless your little girl you have trained her well :-) Bet she looks lovely in the top. You look gorgeous as always, Have a lovely rest of the week, dee xxx
love that black dress/red cardi get-up on you. denim jackets, ahh, i have a few. and i've had a more than a few kiwi's say "i knew you were english before you spoke, by the denim jacket"!!!
Yay Curtise...I just read all the comments on the last post and you are one loved lady!!!! Not at all surprised.
Looking fabulous in the shirt dress....the birdie print is wonderful.
Yip a denim jacket is always a winner in any wardrobe.
So excited to see the maxi you are keeping on you...its a wee honey.
much love V
lovely therapy and lovely finds!, and so pretty dress you've bought, that's a fabulous print and it fits you like a dream.
Great jean jacket too!, love that kind of workhorses, useful and cool!!
besos & fabulousness
Glad to hear you're feeling much better Curtise, sometimes you've just got to get it all out of your system one way or another, then everything feels better afterwards, rather than struggling on and on. You found some great stuff, I'm not surprised you're keeping the splashy dress and I love the bird print on the dress you're wearing. My daughter's happy to wear charity shop finds too, she just won't come into the charity shops with me these days, though she loved them and car boot sales when she was younger. A man at the Glasgow car boot sale used to give her loads of freebie Me to You bears she was such a loyal customer. I'm sure she'll come charity shopping again one day soon, it's in her blood! xx
You always manage to make me laugh Curtise....you have the gift of the gab I think, & the gift of the frock. Do you EVER look bad in a frock???? I love the cranky bird dress, anything with birds on floats my boat. I found a red maxi dress today with angel sleeves, & I bought it because it reminded me of you. I thought, "Curtise would so rock this frock!". I love the splashy maxi you bought too. Gorgeous. Thanks for always inspiring me. Xx
My favourite line in this post is "look, a grumpy bird that isn't me"! I have never found you to be grumpy in your posts. A good whine can be rather therapeutic, and I'm glad we were able to provide a sounding board. That dress fits you to a T, and I'm liking the shorter dresses on you (and not in a pervy way).
Curtise you're an example to us all. Now when I feel a bit blue I will know what to do. Chazza shopping can be a real tonic, especially when you have such a great eye as you do! All those fabulous dresses! I wonder if we will be treated to the splashy print in person?!
We always had M&S t-shirts as kids, they did some good ones back in the day. I am most impressed with Eldest and her good taste and sense.
Glad you are feeling a bit perkier you lovely creature! xxxxx
I love your Bird print dress!!--I am partial to anything involving birds!1 you look fabulous in it!!
Oh if only i could find such fabulous vintage goodies in the local thrifts. all i find is recent crap from Walmart or Alfred Dunnar dreck!!!
I would totally keep that maxi, too!!
Glad a bit o thrifting has lifted your spirits!
Hello my lovely, glad that you are feeling brighter today, you look good all the time and make my day each time I see your post. I miss you on the days when you do not blog, always happy to see you.
About the whole life purpose thingy, I think we all go through those patches. Looking back I am amazed at the path my life has taken, mostly not what I would have imagined. Life has a way of biting you in the bum, but I have found that things usually work out for the best. Someone said to me once that the best time is now, really it is. My son is now married with four children, he was ten when we emigrated to the US, that seems only a few years ago, but 23 years have passed. Those days as a stay at home Mum were, in some ways predicable and very routine, but so rewarding and I would love to time travel and tell myself enjoy this, it doesn't last.
Love from Pam in TX
You look soooooooooooo glorious, dear Curtise, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Oooh you are gorgeous. Glad you feel a bit more chipper but if you can't vent here, where can you vent?
Look at your bag...love it. We really must make some filthy c*nting!
XXXXXXXX
visiting from Op Shop show off. This is awesome. Love love it.
GOOD looking outfits! You always look so put together, Curtise.
Finding some second hand bargains is always a good way to cheer up. That vanity case is gorgeous. I love the grumpy-looking bird on your dress since I, too, am frequently a grumpy-looking bird.
Hey Curtise,
2nd hand shopping is always the perfect idea for cheering up.
And oh what fab frocks you've found! I would deffo keep the 3rd too, it's gorgeous! The blue vanity bag is to die for!!!
The dress which you're wearing is also sooo lovely and combined with that denim jacket it's fab! Love your brooch too!
Have a lovely day! xxxx Tani
You always make the best finds. We need to get together for another charity/vintage shopping day out, it would be therapeutic for the both of us....
Curtise, it is so strange. I have been thinking about you and missing you. I've been on the low end of the mood range for a bit, and decided to see what you were doing (even tho' I'm supposed to be working). And you mentioned ME! Very telepathic you are. May I swipe your photo for next week's Wardrobe Workhorse?
I love going virtual charity shopping with you guys. I am in love with the silvery 70s dress. Thrift shopping is the only kind of shopping I can do these days.
You look beautiful as always, tall, magnificent, and one of my rocks, whether you know it or not.
Much love,
Lynne
Wow. I just adore this printed dress. Love that you scored it charity shopping...makes it even better.
xo - Marion
I know what you mean about the sizes.
Most of my clothes are a size 10 but I have a size 12 dress form the 1980s that I can't get into anymore.
Red is a great colour for you.
"..a grumpy bird that isn't me" I laughed out loud. I am so glad you're feeling better. Your eldest is so lucky to have that top - isn't it great that she appreciates vintage.
Love your outfit but especially the tote bag.
I thought the grumpy bird looked rather cute!
And you look beautiful. Love the bright frock the floral tote (Oh and I am totally jealous over your 60s vanity case find.
You found some great vintage items charity shopping! I love how you paired the red cardigan with the shirtdress. Great job on making the tote bag!
xxx
Please share the link to your eBay shop with me. I'd like to post it in a future SECONDHAND FIRST post. xo.
hey dress sister...just took some shots today and posting soon xxxx
I'm so glad you're back to happy. xxxx
Oh bloody hell... have I been missing the IMPORTANT stuff again? I am THE WORST.
I love the blue vanity case. I love your smug-just-made-a-tote-bag-face. I love the angry bird that isn't you.
And as I am working backwards through missed posts, I offer you my most heart felt love and support and encouragement and adoration and I am Team Curtise!
Love! Sarah xxx
I like the black patterned 1970's dress you found though. I think you'd look really chic in it, in my humble opinion.
Post a Comment