Friday 8 November 2013

Sure makes me wonder if you know what you're looking for



Like Vix, I am working my way through my wonderful Nottingham finds from last week, and thoroughly enjoying it!



I just love the waves on this lurex maxi skirt - or are they snow-capped mountains?

What do you see?




I don't wear black as much as I used to, but I can't ignore its attractions completely. It has such potential for drama, especially when worn with red.





This dress wasn't a Nottingham find, but a recent Ebay purchase.

I have been slowly selling off bits and pieces from my wardrobe, things which weren't worn or loved enough to earn their place, so I treated myself to this little 1970s beauty of a frock, justifiable at a mere £3.50.


 And on the subject of black, I have found three vintage Little Black Dresses in charity shops recently.



Clockwise from top left;
1970s floral disco dress - Ebay
1960s sequined evening dress
1960s shift dress
1970s David Butler by Pressler chiffon disco dress 


Loving that David Butler label! This dress fits but doesn't particularly flatter, so will have to move on to its forever home via Ebay.

But oh it does remind me of Baccara!




Today's outfit isn't quite disco, but has a little 70s Spanish flavour going on.



1960-70s Go-del London lurex maxi skirt - Hopkinson's, Nottingham
1970s red blouse - gift from Tania
Waistcoat, bangles, necklace and beret - charity shopped
Boots - Ebay
Black hair flower - gift from Sarah




A surprising development this week;

after yet another phone call to Debenhams' HR centre, expressing my concern at the lack of courtesy shown by no one bothering to contact me after my interview, I received a call from the store, offering me a job!
Doubtless they would have been content to continue ignoring me had I not persisted in hassling them...

But beggars can't be choosers, I need to get back into employment, and this is a start.




 The job in in the Menswear department; much as I'd like to see myself as young Mr Lucas, I fear I am more Mr Grainger these days.

 But you'd buy your man's boxers from me, right?



This evening, we have a house full of 9 and 10 year old boys; it's Seldom Seen's 10th birthday tomorrow, and four of his pals are coming for scary films, popcorn, and a sleepover.

Wish me luck.

Have a wonderful weekend, whatever you're up to! 

    xxxxxx






57 comments:

Vix said...

That skirt is just gorgeous, I hadn't clocked the snow capped mountains when you tried it on in the smallest changing room in the world but yes, I see it now! Fabulous with Tania's red blouse and the armload of bling.
The bargainous eBay frock is a beauty, too, can't beat a deep ruffle now, can you?
I've got a David Butler suit I can't bear to part with just 'cos i love the label. Those LBDs (as opposed to OBDs) are all fab.
Yay to Debenhams. Very poor performance but they saw sense in the end.
I'd definitely buy some Y Fronts(for my Dad) off you. What's the uniform like? It's been ages since i went into Walsall's Soviet-style branch!
Hope the sleepover goes well!
Love you! xxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

You are gorgeous in your snowy mountain skirt!
Yeah to your New job! If you survive the boys ...
Have a great weekend Lovely one!
Xxx

silvergirl said...

I think of that print as a modern chevron print
Love the skirt
Hope the job goes well and you survive the b'day bash
Brett

the Citizen Rosebud said...

What do I see? A beautiful vibrant woman who loves to play in her dress and wears vintage so wonderfully!

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

About time too on the Debenhams front. They took their time. Well done you! Jim says that Yes sir I can boogie is one of his favourite songs! I know! The black wavy skirt is a stunner and the eBay dress. Love the David butler label too. good luck with the sleepover. Hope you manage to get some sleep! Xx

Debberoo said...

Menswear? Menswear?!! I predict there is either going to be a dramatic improvement in the way the men of Sheffield are dressed and/or there will be an inexplicable upswing in the number of men in Sheffield seeking therapy "the lady at Debenhams said I needed to embrace velvet pantsuits"

Krista said...

Persistence paid off! Sometimes I think in a sea of so many looking for work its those that really don't take no for a answer that end up getting the job in he end. I'm happy for you and I would so buy boxers from you!
I love both these outfits and the maxi reminds me of these chocolate candies with the white dots, don't taste good but cute!
I wish you tons of luck with the boys tomorrow, but boys just take care of themselves and eat everything! Relax and drink!
XXOOO

Unknown said...

Yeaaayyy! Finally, Debenhams comes through with acknowledgement of your wonderfulness! Happy for them, 'cause you are amazing!
You look beautiful in your blacks and reds ... gorgeous skirt, also gorgeous dress. That's a particularly sweet and perky tam. Festive! I'm really liking black for a lot of reasons this year ... it never seems grim to me.
Happy B-Day to Seldom Seen. 10 is a Big deal ...double digits!
I'm going to sell pesto to the locals ... always an educational process for me and them. Sigh.
Have fun with the little fellas.

Unknown said...

That skirt is fab! Reminds me of that famous Japanese print of the Wave crashing, all the surf etc. I'm prob. not explaining v. well but I'm sure you know what I mean!
Congrats on the job @ Debenhams. LOL, will you ask "One ball or two, Sir"?? ;-)Enjoy the sleepover, you'll need a weekend to recover!

Anonymous said...

I'm behind on my blog reading at present so I was unaware that phone calls had ensued with Debenhams. But I'm thrilled to hear the result for you.

I definitely saw waves straight away on your skirt before I had even read your description.

Miss Magpie said...

HUZZAH! on the job you'll be magnificent.

Definitely mountains for me, what a fab buy.

Max said...

Maybe repeated calls to the hr dept. were the last stage of the 'jump through invisible hoops recruitment process'-and you passed! Menswear will be great-new inspiration!, i think you'd look brill in a shirt and tie!
The weekend started here two hours ago, and i'm still in bed-hurrah!

Melanie said...

YAY! You got the job. Just think how much fun it will be steering men into new stylish lifestyles, or just helping them pick out another pair of white briefs. Well done.
Your black lurex daywear must inspire people everywhere you go. The pattern reminds me of glittering brainwaves of tranquility. And your ebay dress is gorgeous.
Good luck with the sleepover. It makes me want to have one of my own!

Sue @ A Colourful Canvas said...

Wahoo on the job Curtise! Were they just sitting there waiting for the one that showed the most interest? One wonders.

Okay, first up...that pattern is so Vancouver! I see the mountains and the water! It's actually quite brilliant, at least in my mind! I should become a brand artist, or something.

Loving your hat too!

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

Great news about the job! Think of all the work outfits you can plan. I'm so pleased it all worked out.
Happy birthday to Seldom Seen and I hope the sleepover goes well. And they actually sleep! Scary movies might not help...xxxx

Peaches McGinty said...

Woo-hoo! I'm chuffed for you, and I would rather work in the men's department any day, purely for perving, I'm sorry for lowering the tone, but it's true (the security Guard in C&A captivated many shop workers back in the day for his impressive/unnatural pouch encased in beige slacks)
and yes, I would loiter a lot and buy pants from you!!
Impressive collection of clothes there! I see mountains on your skirt and your Ebay dress is delicious, in fact I like all of your dresses! now I want to boogie, I love that song!
Good Luck with the sleepover, and have a restorative drink to soothe the ears and nerves x x have a fab weekend! x x

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

My husband is boogying round the living room to Baccara with Fat Freddy who looks rather bewildered. I hold you responsible. x

Allison said...

yep im seeing snow capped peaks as well....lovely!. congrats on the job. Im off to boogy!! x

mondoagogo said...

Really like the little collar on that red blouse, quite dainty for the big-collared 70s!

Good luck with the job, well done on chasing them down about it, too.

Asparagus Pea said...

Enjoy the 10th birthday bash - few more years to go till the troubled teens teenage vomiting sleepover that permanently ruined our living room carpet - ooh that makes me sound like Margot Leadbetter. Mountains - definitely snowy mountains. Or maybe waves....

Fiona said...

Fab news, so it was an admin fuck-up?
Menswear...how exciting! (Conjures up images of you asking chaps which side they dress or telling them 'it'll ride up with wear') Boxers and budgie smugglers will be your new specialist subject!
Good luck with SSK's birthday bash, how's the homework front?
Have a great weekend.
xx
PS Waves, I agree with Zara. The pattern is reminiscent of waves on Japanese porcelain.

Kylie said...

Congratulations on getting that job Curtise. Sales in menswear will be on the up and up with you on staff. Smart move Debenhams. You are nothing like Mr Grangier - I see you as a straight female version of Mr Humpheries myself.
I love your new floral frock and that David Butler label is fabulous. Have a lovely weekend Curtise. Happy Birthday to the boyo x

Patti said...

Congrats on the job, Curtise - and brava to you for your persistence. They are lucky to have you and yes, I'd buy all my boxers from you alone. Love your new skirt, it is brilliant with red! have a happy sleepover weekend, and stay gorgeous. xoxo

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

Gracious what good news on the job front Curtise, I've been completely out of touch so congratulations for scoring a gig at Debs :). I once worked in a menswear store back in the 80s ... I do hope things have changed and men actually enjoy shopping now. Back then, they'd shuffle in, grab the nearest shirt and make a dash for it. It was like pulling teeth! Mind you, I was 18 and knew nothing about anything ... I reckon you'll have them down to their jocks in the dressing room, trying on flash suits in three minutes! Happy birthday to the big fella, Seldom is such a cutie, he's a year younger than The Stylist and he's growing up fast. Snow-capped mountains on your maxi skirt ... joy! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Angels have Red Hair said...

Congratulations on the job ... but I knew you'd get it ... never a moment of doubt ;0)
Love the skirt ... definite Spanish flavour in that outfit . You just need a bullfighter as an accessory and you'll be right ... Ole!!
xx

Sheila said...

The skirt reminds me of Hokusai's wood prints (like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Wave_off_Kanagawa). Wonderful piece!

Congratulations on the job! Sometimes I think part of the test is if you follow up with them! I know you'll be awesome at selling knickers (snort). Hee!

CityScape Skybaby said...

Congratulations Curtise, that's great news! Hope you survived Seldom's party, what happened to the old days of friends over for an hour or two then send them all home? Some of my children's friends are more like lodgers than visitors. Black and red is probably my favourite colour combination so I love that outfit, and all your black dresses, especially the one with the sequins and bow, love a bit of Baccara too! At first glance I thought you were wearing your silvery mermaid skirt, but looking closer, I'm definitely seeing Japanese mountains or waves. xx

OP SHOP MAMA said...

That ebay frock is gorgeous. Suits you deliciously! x yay for the job. They obviously liked an outspoken confident type! Good on you!! I'd buy John's gruts from you! x

Diane said...

Yay!!!!!!!!!! Your going places at Debenhams - I can just tell!! They'll have you in HR sorting 'em out. Well done! I see you as a very young Mrs Slocombe - because you feature your pussy a lot on your blog! Well done lady. Great finds with the LBD's - gorgeous. And you do pull some long forgotten tunes out of the hat! xxx

Vintage Bird Girl said...

Hurrah on the job news. You will be reeling in those shoppers like no ones business. Black looks so good on you. I especially love the ebay frock. The length, the cut & the neckline is so pretty. Will you have to wear a uniform to work, or can you wear 'Curtise' clothes? I hope you survive the sleep over & have a great weekend. Xx

mispapelicos said...

I always say the same thing, bi¡ut it is true I love everything you are wearing, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Happy weekend, and I hope a sunny one.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

thorne garnet said...

in the first photo that skirt looks quilted! Pretty dang awesome.

Yeah to landing the job. Boo to not calling you.

joyatri said...

Good for you for being persistent! And congratulations. Debenhams is lucky to have you. Will you still be able to make our meetup?
Lurex undulating snow-capped mountains--so cool. And I love all your dramatic jewelry with that outfit.
British apparel manufacturers have the best labels. The David Butler was is particularly groovy.
Good luck with your eBay sales and the birthday sleepover.

Rachel said...

So great to hear your good news! Big congrats to you Curtise. You will be fabulous. :-)

Anonymous said...

Of course I see mountains, living in the Alpes. :)

Lovely skirt Curtise - it is slightly odd to see you in black as I'm used to major colour on you, but you wear it well with the red, in true sassy form.

Huge congrats on the job! And good for you for persisting. I bet you'll be smashing. Do they wear unis at Debenhams? Sure hope not. (P.S. When I first moved to the UK, it took me forever to be able to pronounce Debenhams. My hubby would kill himself laughing when I came out with Denebooms etc - I just couldn't get my tongue around it. Now I say it with pride. :) ).

Seldom-seen is 10! Hope he and his brood have a great celebration. Xo

Señora Allnut said...

baccara and a red blouse is doubled fabulousness, love your vest once more, it's really pretty and versatile!, and such an interesting print, I thought they were waves!
Obviously, love red&black color combo and you look gorgeous wearing it!
Glad you get that job, even though they were not very kind!
besos & boogie

Rachel said...

Oh, yay for pester power! I will so come in and buy my man's smalls from you ;-) Watch that measuring tape, now..! Good work.

I have been selling things at a local consignment - you can have 40% cash or 50% spend-in-the-shop, so of course,...

I see rope coils in your skirt! Xxxx

Rachel said...

Oh, yay for pester power! I will so come in and buy my man's smalls from you ;-) Watch that measuring tape, now..! Good work.

I have been selling things at a local consignment - you can have 40% cash or 50% spend-in-the-shop, so of course,...

I see rope coils in your skirt! Xxxx

Rachel said...

Oh, yay for pester power! I will so come in and buy my man's smalls from you ;-) Watch that measuring tape, now..! Good work.

I have been selling things at a local consignment - you can have 40% cash or 50% spend-in-the-shop, so of course,...

I see rope coils in your skirt! Xxxx

Helga said...

I most certainly would buy G's knickers, I mean boxers, from you!
HUZZAH! They finally saw the light! Bloody slow pokes. It's a great start to get you back into the work force, congratulations!
Now, I see snow capped mountains. What a gloriarse skirt!!! I also love the Ebay frock, especially the frilly bit. I'm quite into those right now. How funny to find a wealth of black frocks!!! I am pretty sure I had the top right's twin many years ago. I got it at Camden, and flounced about gothily in it for years. It was a maxi initially, but I later cut it for a 60's Goldie Hawne look.......no idea what happened to it. Bugger.
I LOVE THAT SONG!!! G and I are disco sluts, and that is always high on the disco playlist........
Loving gorgeous YOU!
XXXXXXXXXX

Anonymous said...

Snow capped mountains! Definitely! Fab skirt & I love your new dress.
I'm so glad you got the job - pester power works. I've just started at M&S & I enjoy it. I hope it works for you at Debenhams.

The Goodwill Fangirl said...

CONGRATS! It makes me grin that your complaint call landed you a job offer - quite creative, you are! Peeps will be falling all over themselves to buy boxers from you. You will charm the boxers off of them :D Sorry, had to go there...lol.

That skirt is brilliant. Looks like sound waves to me. Yep.

Indigo Violet said...

It's no surprise to me that you scored the job - it's a glamorously shod foot in the door. I know nothing about that chain except they were in the news here recently for having real-sized (16) mannequins. So they can't be too bad! Loving your op-art skirt, although if I wore it I wouldn't be able to stop looking at it! Also the black dresses are divine.

Camelia Crinoline said...

Congratulations on the job. I found when I was applying for jobs lots of places took ages to get back to you or didn't get back to you at all. It's so rude. I love the skirt. The wavy pattern is quite mesmerising.

Ulla-Marie said...

I guess I studied the album cover to the Baccara for 100 hours when I was around seven years. Perfection. The lust for black and red pop up just as regularly as ... christmas maybe?

Ivy Black said...

Gorgeous. Yes to snow capped mountains. I can actually see the von Trapps running across them...that might be too much rum last night though. Congratulations on the job darling. Menswear eh? There gonna love you. Are you allowed to to inside leg measurements these days or as Health and Safety put a stop to that? I'd buy my y-fronts off you for sure.
I have a David Butler blouse which used to belong to my mum. It's two sizes too small, all floaty and chiffony but I adore the labeltoo so I keep it!
Hope the sleepover rocked.
Loves ya.
xxxxxxxxx

Olga Rani said...

Great finds, Curtise! Love that black dress from ebay and the maxi skirt's print definitely reminds me of snow peaks. Congratulations on getting a job, it is nice start!

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

Oh if we were near, Beary would buy ONLY from you! Congrats on your excellent follow-up, hooray!!! Happy Birthday to Seldom Seen. I adore the print on that maxi, and it's absolutely gorgeous with everything you've got on with it. Cheers to your re-entry!!! xoxoxoxo

The Style Crone said...

I see mountains in your gorgeous skirt, but no big surprise there. I agree about wearing black. For me, as far as I can tell, it will always hold allure. As do you, in your red and black attire.

Congratulations on your new job. I'm looking forward to reports from the menswear department!

freckleface said...

Oh my Gawd! She got the job! Seriously fantastic news! Well done for persevering, that sure is a lesson isn't it. Men's department, eh? Will you be taking inside leg measurements?!
I see snow capped mountains. I love it with that red blouse, which looks super on you. That new little ebay dress is lovely. I really like that shorter length on you and the shape is beautiful.
Oh I LOVE Baccara, they were great. I only remember two songs but they were both good. Hope your sleepover was uneventful! xxxxxx

Mrs. D said...

I see snow capped mountains. So pretty :)
Red and black suits you very well.
Oh and congratulations on your new job! It would appear that these days HR departments rarely bother to say anything... at least they hired you :)
That Baccara song is too sexy for my shirt!

Unknown said...

Snow capped mountains that's what I see its blinking lovely and so is that ebay dress god its gorgeous wish I had seen it :-) Congratulations on getting the job that is good news and happy 10th birthday for you son bless him they grow so quickly. Hope you had a great weekend, dee xx

Unknown said...

So happy that you were offered a job!
You will eventually get something better, or maybe you will move up!

Me - I want to get out of the job market! I would like to work part time, give 2 years!

Your skirt is very unusual and yes it looks like snow caped mountains, how cool!

Hope all went well with your boy's birthday - Happy birthday to him!

Arianexo

Forest City Fashionista said...

Well, it's about time they came to their senses! Arrggh - so frustrating when you have to chase people around to find out what's going on. Best of luck to you on your first week; I'm sure that after the initial learning curve you will be just fine. I would most certainly buy men's boxers from you, if there was a man I wanted to buy boxers for ;)

I do love this outfit - in addition to being the denim jacket Queen, you are also the Duchess of waistcoats and maxis. I can tell winter is approaching because I'm back to wearing black and grey (with bits of red).

Unknown said...

oh brilliant! you got it! xxx

Tamera's Craft Palace said...

Congrats on the new job!!! You will be FABULOUS!!!

LOVING the new lurex skirt-it's just stunning and so you!!!

You will be the most fantastically frocked employee at the store!!

Unknown said...

Love that amazing skirt - it looks very 3D to me!

Black and red are so gorgeous together but I fear that I am lot more Elvira in the combo, due to my dark hair. YOU, however, are perfectly splendid in your fab 70s outfit.

Love,

Sarah xxx