Monday 30 September 2013

This much I know



You would imagine that by my age, I might know a thing or two.

And so I do, I suppose.

But it seems that what I do not know is that it is not sensible to go to a friend's birthday gathering (with good intentions of not drinking much, nor staying late, since I wasn't feeling that great, and had to be up early in the morning) and merrily proceed to get very drunk, and roll into bed at 2 o'clock in the morning.
 


It also appears that five delightful ladies, pillocks pillars of the community all, think it is wise to wear leotards with flowers for boobs, and to try on kids' clothes rifled from a bag of hand-me-downs.
Rolling Stones t-shirt (age 12-14) for me, boy's pants (age 10) for Trace.
 
I know. Shameful.
 
What else do I know?
 
I know that I leapt out of bed on Saturday morning, horribly late, because it appears I can't set my alarm properly when I am pissed.

I know that after a mini-meltdown, I was encouraged by Eldest at least to attempt to get to the train station in time, which I duly did, in half an hour. I had a blogger meet-up to get to in Birmingham, I couldn't miss it.
 
I know that I was the strange woman on the bus muttering shit shit shit come on come on hurry up under my breath. No one came to sit next to me...

I know that I am too old and too unfit to run through the train station to catch a train, by the skin of my barely-brushed teeth. And that is it not dignified to doze for half the journey, slumped against the window, before rousing myself to put my make-up on and dry shampoo my ratty hair.

And that when I meet my glamorous, beautifully turned-out blog friends at my destination, it probably isn't polite or ladylike to announce myself with I'm hungover as fuck!
 
 
 
 

Birmingham's Rag Market was bursting at the seams with all manner of stuff - big pants and cheap tights, fancy dress masks (don't they make a lovely couple?) and an Obligatory Blogger Deer.




Vix was the perfect tour guide. And looked a treat posing in the porn star chair.
 
Yes, she walked all day in those heels, arthritic hip and all. She's bloody amazing.
 

 
 
 
Everyone but me managed to find glorious bargains at the wonderful 91 Allison Street shop, presided over by lovely Sue. 
 
I did try, but the delicious green 1970s maxi dress I tried on was a boob squisher.
 
 
Vix, Fiona and Gisela.
 
 
Thanks goodness for lunch!
 
I know that chips have a therapeutic magic; Vix swore they would stop me from feeling so faint and wobbly, and she was quite right.
 
And gifts too, they always help; beautiful handmade cards from Fiona and a fabulous metal cuff from Vix.



We rummaged the rails in Cow, where 80s clothes go to be reborn for the cool young things of today...



...and strolled along the fascinating streets of Digbeth, checking out the vintage shops. 
 
That beautiful Spanish maxi coat fitted Liz perfectly, and Fiona has a petite enough head for vintage hats, unlike myself.



Pippi, Fiona, Gisela and Liz.
 
 
 
 

When Frankie, the proud owner of this beast, heard me say to Vix she was posing like a pro, he said he didn't want one of them sitting on his bike...





Fiona wanted a go too.

We stopped off for a drink in a proper old-fashioned boozer, where Figaro by the Brotherhood of Man was playing in the background, and we talked 1970s pop music and TV stars, who's had work done, vintage buying and selling, cameras, pubs, blogging and blog friends, and consulted Vix as to who was most "on-trend" with their day's purchases (that would be Fiona - a chunky Scandi jumper, and a dress and skirt, both wool, both tartan. She's such a hipster!)
 
 



This man asked Vix if his wife could take her photo. She was recognised by another lady who follows her blog too. I'm friends with a real celeb!




And that was the end of our fabulous day.

I also know that when I got home, I was exhausted, slept for over 12 hours, and spent most of Sunday snuggled up under a crochet blanket on the sofa drinking tea, accompanied by a variety of cats and children, catching up on X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing, while aching from the very roots of my hair to the tips of my fingers and toes.

So I think I am actually ill, as opposed to merely hungover (though obviously that won't have helped...)
 
 
 
 

I know I am a bit better today, although I still feel as though I have a lead weight on my chest.



I know I adore my only purchase from Saturday, a beautiful 1950-60s tapestry bag from Urban Village.

I know I will be linking my headscarf to Judith's Hat Attack tomorrow.
 


1980s cotton dress and tapestry flats - Ebay
Belt, bangles, necklace and sunglasses - charity shopped
Scarf - birthday present from lovely Fiona





This much I know:

Blogging is A Good Thing.
 
I have met some wonderful women whose company is a real joy, and of whom I am genuinely fond. 
They are kind, funny, charming, friendly, generous and beautiful.
I would never have stumbled across them if not for doing this.

If you ever have doubts about the worth of blogging as a pastime, arrange a blogger meet-up; it will restore your faith.

And cure your hangover.

xxxxxx

55 comments:

Krista said...

Whirlwind no wonder you got sick I'm dog tired after that recap:) Love the fun you ladies had trying on all the kids cast offs, undies on the outside I hear Desiree cheering! The blogger meet up that you barely made it to but did sounded like another brilliant day out getting to know some more cool free spirits! Love seeing all the smiles and shops! Your new bag is so pretty and reminds me of the one I scored and I love this party dress, if you don't feel good today I can't tell you look beautiful as always!
Lots of love
XXXOOOOO

Gracey the Giant said...

Oh, so jealous of your blogger meet up. And your wonderful 80s dress; fruity prints are the best.

I'm so sorry you're not feeling well, but it does sound as though you had a wonderful time, so it was worth it, right?!

Unknown said...

Awwww .... sorry you're feeling erpy. I know how weird it is prefer knowing you're actually virus ridden than just being hung over. (See? I knew I wasn't that trashed!!!) Stay horizontal, have some wine with a light dinner, read and watch trash and do whatever makes you feel better, Curtise. You have our collective permission to just stay down.
So glad you had not just one but two mad, bad and marvelous outings with your lovely buds. You looked great, though. I completely understand why you couldn't miss!
Now there's an outfit! For a sick lady you sure look grand.
Seriously ... take care. Chesty illnesses can hang on for eternity.

Unknown said...

booohooooooooo! i wanted to come!!! we were proper sick...mopping up things sick!!! best i stayed away...next time!!!! x

Vix said...

You are hardcore chomping on chips and quaffing a pint despite feeling like shite. Look at you bunch of lovelies showing us how to misbehave.
What an absolute trouper you were, brilliant company despite the virusover. Thank goodness you managed to buy something in the end, too. It's always good to have a souvenir!
I'd completely forgotten about those creepy masks and the OBD.
Looking gorgeous today despite the raging lurgy.
Can't wait to do it all over again.
Love ya! xxxxxx

Diane said...

Blogging is a very very good thing - and we must plan a meet up soon. I love the Austin Powerness of Vix's outfit and the fact that she gets stopped in the street by her blog readers! xxxx

Fiona said...

Me a hipster...that'll be the day!
We did have a good time didn't we? I'm so glad I came and met you at long last and hope we can do it again soon. Your photo's are terrific, much better than mine. (it does help if one has the correct setting on the camera!) I love the pics you took in the Rag Market especially the big knickers!
You certainly look fully recovered from your hangover, posing in the garden, hope you are feeling much better too. Take it easy sweetie.
xxxxxxxx
PS love the way you wear the scarf.

Unknown said...

Again - im so so jealous of your blogger meet ups !!
Looks like so much fun !
xxx

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

Ah, what fun. I hope you're feeling better. The tapestry bag is a beauty. I'm so pleased you all had a great time. Yes, blogging is great. One day I will make it! xxxx

Becky said...

I love your 80s cotton dress and tapestry bag!!! The metal cuff is soooooo awesome!!! I am on the hunt for one of those myself!

Unknown said...

I wish i could meet some Montreal Bloggers but the blogger scene is so darn weird - But i have met Shelley, so that's good -

Love and love your pics of you all lovely Ladies!

Can't get over that Vix wore those heels!

Love your dress it is such a nice look for you, the dress, the hat, just perfect
Arianexo

Patti said...

you are a hardy soul, Curtise! If I have a bit too much wine, and go to bed after midnight, I am out-of-order till next day noon. You also manage to look fabulous, love the hat! xo

Peaches McGinty said...

having a good time, quaffing a few, setting the alarm for next week and then getting to destination blogger meet up awesomeness with a virus/hangover shows a woman of steel!! I loved the pics, and it looks like the most fun, you look gorgeous Missus in your fancy frock and fancy headwear, I hope you feel better soon x x

Miss Magpie said...

You are an absolute legend for making it through the day and being such good company when you felt so bad.
Just like Vix and the blue coat, that bag was for you alone.

I hope you feel much better soon. x

Helga said...

OMG, that feckign HANDBAG!!!! I frigging love and covet it!!!
Bahahahaaaaaaaa, if I had a dollar for eveytime I've done the same thing! It's always when you plan not (or really shouln't) to get fucked up that you damn well do. How frigging brillant, and it looks like my kind of night! Not to mention my kind of day-sans hangover, thanks-to follow!!! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
SO much goodness, I'm meeping about not being able to be involved, but I live vicariously through these pix!!! I don't know how Vix does all day; I LOVE my heels, but can handle only so long.........
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Love you more than all of THIS!

Unknown said...

I'm so coming along to the next bloggers day out !! all my favourite places, love urban village and cow, you ladies looked like you had a fab time! Effin love it xxx

the Citizen Rosebud said...

This much I know- you are a frock-star! Vix is better than any ol' celeb- she's a goddess and you are all fitting consorts- what fun it looks, and I can't believe how good YOU look being all hungover like that. Glad you're feeling better! Frock on!

Pennyblossoms said...

As they say in 'Rocko'...'That was a hoot!' What an amazing bunch of gals you are.
The saddest thing? Those 'big knickers' are probably my size!!
Z xx

Camelia Crinoline said...

That children's Stones t shirt looks good on you. It sounds like you had a grand old time with the bloggers. I love the picture of Vix on the bike. The tapestry bag is gorgeous and so is your dress.

Allison said...

ahhh two things im craving!...a girly piss up and a bloggy catch up....one day!....hope you are feeling somewhat human again. im so very impressed at your post boozing adventures....im thinking you weren`t hungover but still merrily pissed! xxxx
ps I adore your 80`s floral frock x

silvergirl said...

That swimsuit with the flower boobs is just too good to be true
Looks like you had a great time
Brett

Sheila said...

Having done something very similar myself, I know it's very easy to be lulled into (twist my rubber arm) a night of boozing and carousing with the women, then having to get up and be fairly normal the next day! You look amazing in that dress! I am so envious that there are so many bloggers in your area!

Anonymous said...

Well, one thing's for sure is that you'll l never forget these past couple of days. LEGENDARY!

If I lived on your side of the pond, I would have joined you all with goodies and hugs for everyone! :)

Feel better soon. :)

XXX

Vintage Bird Girl said...

That tapestry bag is adorable! And of course you look amazing all maxi-d up in Birmingham. I'm so glad you made it & had a gloriarse day despite feeling like crap. Get well soon lovely. Xx

Angels have Red Hair said...

I'm very relieved to know that I'm not the only one to make poor judgement calls when faced with a bunch of girlfriends and a bottle of booze ... hope you're feeling better now :0)
xx

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

I love your blogger meet up posts and desperately hope I can make the next one.
That dress is amazing. It looks as if it was made for you. bright, bold and sassy.

mispapelicos said...

I would have loved to jpin you all, ahhhhhhhhhhhh What a bunch
I love and want, want your tropical dress and wonderful bag, Curtise.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

Indigo Violet said...

I have that exact same OB Deer! I like that middle vase in the group of three too. Well done on surviving the hangover and having a great blogger meet-up.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness you seriously gave it all you had you crazy women you. But you are most certainly right about the world of blogging and the friends we make. I have made some seriously awesome friends that I adore. X

Annie said...

Hahaha! Fun night out before a big day, promises to self not to drink too much, head thumping and mouth like the bottom of a parrot's cage the next morning! The story of my life!

So sorry I couldn't catch up with you guys. I'm glad you had a good day in Brum. My heart may be in Cornwall, but I'm still proud of my fair city.

The handbag is absolutely gorgeous, and hopefully will ease the pain of the bag that was stolen.

Do take care of yourself, though. It's easy to succumb to the lurgy when you've been out and about.
See you at the next one

Love, Annie xxx

Rosemary the Shopper said...

Too bad your day out was spoiled by being hung over! But, having said that, it looks like you guys had a whale of a time anyway!

Oooh, I wanna go next time! I usually only go to Birmingham market where I am seduced by cheap fabrics and shoes.

I LOVE your tapestry bag. I would have wrestled you to the floor for it. OK, I would have behaved, but I really would have petted it.

Hope you are feeling better.

Much love,
Rosemary from
www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com

thorne garnet said...

yes, blogging is a good thing. I would have never meet the wonderful bunch of woman that I've meet in the past year if I hadn't started a blog. What fun you all had.

Tamera Beardsley said...

Curtise...it is your supreme honesty that I absolutely love!!! Such a wonderfully told adventure! Your outing sounds so very charming... spending the day with both you and Vix... is something this here blogger dreams of!

Hope you are on the mend my dear!

xoxo
Tamera

The Style Crone said...

A heavenly adventure described with humor and exquisite writing. But then, exquisite is your middle name. You all look fabulous and happy! And having the time of your life. Bloggers are exactly how you describe them - kind, funny, charming, friendly generous and beautiful.

You are smashing in your colorful dress with the perfect gifted scarf as headwear. Thank you for linking up with Hat Attack.

Señora Allnut said...

poor dear lady, a hangover just incapacitates anybody!, I can't imagine myself running to catch a train!!. But you've had lots of fun anyway, and meeting with so pretty ladies to go thrifting is particularly fabulous!!
hope you get well soon!
besos

Anonymous said...

It would have been such a shame to miss the Friday night party. Looks like great fun.
I am so envious of your day in Birmingham. The photos with the bike are just fab.
Love your new bag. xxx

Forest City Fashionista said...

I was torn between feeling sorry for you and laughing because I have had mornings just like that! I'm sorry you are suffering from the BLARG - I had a cold all last week and was exhausted.

Sooo glad that you didn't miss the blogger meetup (which would have been TRAGIC). Any opportunity to hang out with fellow thrift-shopping, vintage-loving, gift-giving, entertaining dames should be seized!

Miss Maple said...

What a day! I love the tapestry bag. It's so pretty!

Rachel said...

Oh I wish I had been there! I am coveting the Obligatory Blogger Deer. And you all (even youse, with your hangover) look so mighty fine. I love that Vix got papped in the Bullring ;-)

But also, haven't you brought up your children well, that they can pour you onto the bus, so you don't miss your train?? Xxx

joyatri said...

So sorry that you've been unwell. You're a real trooper for making it to the meetup. I know that impatient and annoyed feeling of being late and nothing going your way. The handbag is divine --quality is better than quantity, so I'm learning :)
Curtise, I can't wait to arrange a meetup with you later this year.

Anonymous said...

You're all celebrities! You look fabulous in that last dress - I love it and the handbag and that little hat! And you also look amazing in the Rolling Stones T-shirt, you honky-tonk woman, you.

Unknown said...

This post is a feast for my eyes!!
I love the naughty party girls!
You managed to look amazing even the day after, and it's better to spend your time with friends instead of having a terrible hangover at home!
I love the photo with all the bloggers around the custom vespa, the colours are wonderful!It's early morning here but I had a psychedelic experience reading your post, fabulous! Thank you for sharing this great meet up with us!!
Get well soon!
Love xxxxxxxxx

Trees said...

You ladies know how to PARTAY! I'm sorry to hear you were sick though - that meet up looks like so much fun and I love the outfit post in that tropical frock! Also Rich and I are planning on coming to the UK next year, I'd really love to meet up with you and Vix - not likely to be till August/September but I'm rather excited already!

Mrs. D said...

Fantastic purchase, that dress is beautiful and looks amazing on you!
I've been looking at all of the posts from the other ladies and damn, I wish I was there too!
Huggles xx

freckleface said...

Oh, now it's all coming out. You party monster! Thank God for medicinal chips, sounded like they arrived just in the knickers of time. I have to say you are a trooper, smiling that Curtise smile and soldiering on. I can just picture your arrival! Perfect introduction!! :) All your new friends sound adorable.

Ha! The Vix effect! I never get tired of it.

You look gorgeous in your 1980s number. Glad you had a good old kip to revive you a bit and a nice lazy Sunday. Hope you are feeling much better now. xxxxxx

Tamera's Craft Palace said...

what a fabulous fun time y'all had!! I'm sure you caused quite a scene with the locals!!

Hope you feel better!!

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

I love you!! You're funny and real, with a great gift for writing and self-deprecation. :-) I think I'd have been screaming with hilarity, making a true fool of myself, during this blogger outing. I love the bag you found, and I'm in love with the dress you're wearing at the end of the post. Someday I'm going to hang out with you, I just know it. In the meantime, sending so much love to you and yours!!! Hope school is going well for the children. :-) XXOO

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

I love you!! You're funny and real, with a great gift for writing and self-deprecation. :-) I think I'd have been screaming with hilarity, making a true fool of myself, during this blogger outing. I love the bag you found, and I'm in love with the dress you're wearing at the end of the post. Someday I'm going to hang out with you, I just know it. In the meantime, sending so much love to you and yours!!! Hope school is going well for the children. :-) XXOO

Connie said...

So fun to see all those happy faces! You always look so amazing. It's all beyond bloggable. Val Sparkle is threatening a West Coast of America meet-up. Very difficult to make happen considering the huge distances but I'm saving my pennies just in case.

CityScape Skybaby said...

You look great for someone who's ill, hungover and running late Curtise, love the pics of you and your friends clowning around, you're really creative with your drunkenness, I just get drunk and sing all night, you make me want to do something more, though I'm not sure what! And I always love seeing the blogger meet ups, I saw a photo, on someone else's post I think, of you and Vix arm in arm looking across the street, and liked it a lot, it seemed to capture your friendship with each other somehow. It looks like you all had a brilliant time, as usual! xx

Veshoevius said...

Haha - good for you managing to get there hangover and all! Wish I could have been there! Looks like you had a fab time. Love your printed dress and the tapestry bag.

Vicky Hayes said...

Bless lovely Curtise! Sorry you felt dreadful but it sounds as if you still had a good day, buoyed up with support from the laydeez! Love the fab tapestry bag and (as I was just commenting to Fiona) wish I could have been there in good ole Brum. Vicky x

bonsaimum said...

How do you manage to be hungover,unwell and still have a blast? You are clearly indestructible!!

Unknown said...

Holy adventures - I love your blogger meet up posts - though I am always LIME GREEN with envy. Vix looks incredible in that amazing jumpsuit! Your floral maxi is divine and I LOVE that fox mask. And as for the previous night's shenanigans... I thoroughly approve of such exquisite nonsense!

You are gorgeous in that beautiful frock and headpiece (it's a SCARF?? How the buggery did you do it?)

Lime,

Sarah xxx

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