Thursday 28 November 2013

The sun shines brighter on the other side



Given that I am someone who rather enjoys inactivity and sometimes struggles to walk and chew gum at the same time, the increased demands on my time and energy are proving a challenge.

What did I say? It's only moss? Who knew moss could be so tricky to manage?

 


I seem to be in a green mood this week - in keeping with that armful of moss, I guess.




Work is fine really, it's only a handful of hours, but I've found it tiring.

And this week is especially busy because of all the school Christmas fair prep too.




This 1970s dress is one of my Baklash purchases from Nottingham. To think I nearly left it behind! The girls encouraged me to include it in my fill-a-bag-for-a-tenner deal, and I'm so glad I did.

It's a perfect fit, it sparkles with lurex-y goodness, and has a mysterious painterly landscape print. And it cost £2.50.


1970s Mackerness dress - Baklash
1960s faux fur jacket and boots - Ebay
Hat, scarf, most of the bangles - charity shopped
1970s apple necklace - vintage flea market




I'm at one with my garden - russet and green.





And look, fluttery angel sleeves, lovely!

Angels are on my mind;
 
I found myself offering to make 10 angel costumes for the Year 1/2 Christmas concert at school (they had some, but can't find them.) The teacher I am working with this year has a big old armful of moss of her own to deal with at the moment, and I wanted to reduce the load for her a little. 
 
So despite not being the best seamstress in the world, I will be attempting to create a heavenly host of white angel-sleeved tunics. By Monday. And I'm working tomorrow and Saturday. Hmmmm....
 
 
 
 
Venus in furs. 
 
This Venus needs a damn good haircut, and soon.
 



1970s maxi skirt - flea market
Top, suede waistcoat and bangles -  charity shopped
Boots - Ebay
Windsmoor faux fur coat  - vintage fair (told you I couldn't wait till Christmas...)
Green leather gloves - gift



Another Venus in fur.
Rainwater flavoured with leaves, mmmm.



I've been guilty of moaning a little this week.

I'm tired. Work is hard. I've got loads to do. I'm studiously ignoring the fact I've got a cold. My back aches. I'm missing a much-anticipated blogger meet-up tomorrow.

Poor poor me, blah blah blah.

I heard this song by Petula Clarke on the radio this evening; it's perfect for celebrating Thanksgiving with all my friends in the US.

And I really have nothing at all to complain about, and plenty for which to be grateful.

xxxxx


 
                                                  

45 comments:

Vix said...

I'm so glad we nagged you into buying that lurex lovely, it looks beautiful on you and fits perfectly!
That new coat is divine over that stunning 1970s maxi, too although you're very, very bad to be wearing it.
Angel costumes? I'm thinking of bed sheets and tinsel, staple them up and Bob'd your uncle!
Miss you madly tomorrow, feel better and brave the retail madness. i'll have a Porn Star for you!
love you! xxxxxx

Fiona said...

Lovely new frock Curtise and it looks rather splendid with that gorgeous faux fur coat and scrumptious titfer. Now tell me, do you have a walk in wardrobe? I just can't imagine where you store your vast collection of garments. Blimey, 10 angel costumes by Monday, you've got your work cut out..perhaps you could draft a few friends in to give a hand? Good luck with them and work this weekend.
xxx

Fiona said...

PS
Thanks for Pet, haven't heard that in ages, was singing along so loudly I scared the cat!

Miss Magpie said...

Goodness me you do like a challenge don't you?? It's amazing how tiring learning new things can be, give yourself time and you'll be away.

Unknown said...

Lovely new frock and furs !
Xxxx

freckleface said...

Yep, the nagging was worth it, it looks magnifique! As they say in French France. When is Simon going to get the chance to wrap the coat and put it under the tree I wonder?! Maybe when you take it off to go to bed. You do take it off to go to bed don't you?
10 Angel costumes by Monday. Good luck!
Work IS tiring, but it becomes worth it one day per month when they pay you. Think of all the frocks you'll be able to buy. Hope the cold disappears pronto! xxxxxx p.s. I like Fiona's suggestion. Let's see your wardrobe!

Ivy Black said...

Lush! I'm glad you listened to the gangs nagging, that frock is a beaut. Ten angel cossies? Piece of pizzle for you..they're done. Have you got to do halos?
It's crappy when yo have to miss out on a meet up eh? Never mind. There will be heaps of others.
Work? Tell me about it!Payday soon, love. Look after yerself.
xxxx

Angels have Red Hair said...

Work is all well and good ... until it starts getting in the way of your social life ... just another reason I'm such a layabout.
Love that lurex dress ... it reminds me of a similar dress I had when I was in primary school ... except mine was apricot. We did love a good apricot hue back in the seventies.
Good luck with the costumes ... sewing under time pressure ... never a good thing in my experience.
xx

Sheila said...

Oh, that dress with the landscapes is lovely, as is your Windsmoor coat (covet, covet). Sorry to hear of your business - it's this time of year!

Looking gorgeous. Love your pretty kitty.

Peaches McGinty said...

I hear you! inactivity suits me too, I'm all upside down at the moment!
I'm so glad you did get the dress, it's flaming gorgeous on you and looks fab with the faux fur and hat and your maxi/waistcoat combo is so good too - good luck with the angels, that is a whole freaking bunch of work to do, but you'll do it and then feet up and chill x x x thrash that cold with vitamin C, it might work, I swear by it x x x

Georgia Rose said...

Oh my gosh, that landscape dress is INCREDIBLE. If you ever decide to sell it/if you ever want to swap it for something from my wardrobe, please do let me know!!

Patti said...

Whoa - you almost left this fabulous dress behind? Thank goodness you changed your mind, b/c it is gorgeous on you. Your new faux fur is the cat's pajamas too. Hope you are feeling better from your cold any minute now. xox

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

Oh lovely Curtise! And delicious leafy water, yum! Things do get tiring whenever there's a learning curve. All best with getting through the tunic-and-work weekend and healing from your cold.

Though no one else could look nearly as amazing as you in that incredible landscape dress, put me second on the list after Georgia Rose! The maxi skirt fairly vibrates with good energy too, and I am loving your collection of furry coats. Stay warm, my friend. xoxo

Vintage Bird Girl said...

Such a pretty frock...isn't that painted look fabric gorgeous! I LOVE those boots you're wearing too. Divine. I hope you manage to sew the angel costumes, & get over that lurgy too. I wish I could fast forward the coming month....too much on & too hot to do it all. Much love. Xx

Max said...

My goodness you suit those colours. I'm in a moany mood myself so your keeping me company! Goodluck with the angel costimes, gulp!!!

Unknown said...

You are an angel! Taking on more tasks even when you have so much on your plate. Not only an angel but looking divine in the process (those coats! those black boots! those angel wing sleeves!). Hope the cold goes, the back stops hurting and somehow there are magically more hours in the day. Or cloning becomes everyday. XXX

Unknown said...

I love the lurex landscape dress, what a fabulous find,as we use to say here: my eyes are reborn!!
Sorry to read that you are very busy and not feeling so well about it, don't give up!!
Love xxxxxx

Ulla-Marie said...

Lovely shades of blue. Just what I want to own at present. Tomorrow I'm going to Stockholm and right now I'm starting to visualize that I'll find some garment in the same shade as your jacket in a nice second hand-store ...

Unknown said...

You look gorgeous so glad they talked you into getting that dress it fits you like a dream and look fabulous to, love your blue fake fur to. Good luck with making the angel tunics sounds like you have loads to do its that time of year when time seems to run away. Just think there will be other blog meet ups in the new year to look forward to which you will enjoy more as you wont be chasing your tail ;-) Have a good weekend, dee xx

Debberoo said...

Ooooooh Mrs Thomas would be so proud of you being "at one with nature" hang on I think I feel a poem coming on!

That song is perfect! Love your hair :)

Good grief, 10 angels is a lot of angels to sew for. I reckon pillowcases with the head (optional) and arm holes cut out which has the benefit of being no sew and then tinsel covered wire coat hanger halos. Can you tell I've never made an angel costume? Oh how I miss the school nativity plays no such fun over here.

Tami Von Zalez said...

Is that a dark blue faux curly lamb coat? I have fallen in love ...

Take some time for yourself darling. Holidays can be such stressful times.

Forest City Fashionista said...

You're a better woman than I'll ever be - there's no WAY I would volunteer to sew Angel costumes. I wouldn't even know where to begin. All I can think of is the movie title "Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows".

I can't blame you for breaking out the faux fur coat early - is it black or navy? It looks navy worn over the green and blue waistcoat and maxi ensemble.

Good luck with the costume creation this weekend!

Kylie said...

That scenic dress is one of my most favourite things you've ever worn. I really, really love it Curtise. It's beautiful.

OP SHOP MAMA said...

I LOVE that dress with the vague scene on it.. so brilliant. Suits you so nicely.

Yeh working (in a monetary type of way) wears me RIGHT out! I took a school choir/ ukelele group a couple of years ago - Only half a day a week - but I was utterly exhausted by it. I have no idea why. I used to work fulltime as a teacher!

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

Isn't that the way? Much to complain about but everything to be grateful for. I hope your fatigue eases up. You are a trooper to volunteer for the costumes. You'll have good laugh about that when the children are grown, I promise, especially when you see them doing the same for their kids. My grandson started kindergarten this year and my precious son is getting paid back, richly.

You look so gorgeous in your maxi and waistcoat. I love that look so much. Missing a blogger meet up must be hard, but you're where you're supposed to be. :-) LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!

CityScape Skybaby said...

I really love that green lurex dress on you Curtise, it would have been a real shame not to have it, especially for that bargain price, and you look gorgeous in your new coat, I was just thinking how great your hair looked too. I know what you mean about quite enjoying inactivity, I'm happy to potter about daydreaming, reading etc. for huge amounts of time, as soon as I have a time schedule put on me I feel a bit under pressure. Though as I've said before, you are very busy all the time it seems, no wonder you like a bit of inactivity now and again! Talking of which, good luck with the angel costumes, I'm sure they'll look great, maybe you can pour yourself a little drink and stick some music on, I feel like daunting tasks always go much easier that way. xx

Unknown said...

Hang on there Girl, it will get easier - I don't have kids and i don't want to do much when i get home - Thankfully i have a wonderful future husband who cooks very well and does a lot around the house - I'm spoiled!
Love your new clothes, i love the 70s maxi, looks so great on you -
Don't overwork yourself
Too bad you are missing the blogger meet up

Hugs

Arianexo

Ebony Arwen said...

That landscape dress. Man. I saw it and skipped straight to the comments to congratulate you on such a find! Looks amazing on you!

Connie said...

OK. That lurex dress is now my new favorite! That first photo. Oh oh oh. Depression era chic. My favorite style!! You are so beautiful And you can fry it up in a pan!!!!

Unknown said...

Oh wow! That baklash dress is a beaut! You definitely couldn't leave it behind, you suits you perfectly! Looks a bit 'Middle Earth'/Tolkien, it's beautiful - ethereal in a way!
lol loving both the Venus' in fur, the 2 and 4-legged variety! You both look splendid - merry early christmas! You'll soon perk up once you get into the swing of things with work; you need time to adjust and fit in your chazza-time, cocktail hour etc lol - work does get in the way of a good life lol x

mispapelicos said...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Curtise, I have fallen in love with your dress. The print is sooooooooooo perfect and the sleeves are just so up my alley. How do you always find the best dresses everrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
I want it, if only it would fit, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Flora Cruft said...

Two amazing outfits my dear, like Sacramento I adore that dress, the print the sleeves the style: all a dream on you. And you look so wonderfully snuggly AND stylish in your faux fur and hat. YES to you in green!

Diane said...

Hope the job isn't too bad - it does ruin your life having to work! It gets in the way of real life!! and fun!!!! I'll try and pop in to say hello - but I'm not setting foot in that place on a Saturday! xxxxxx

Helga said...

Um, yes, working SUX! I loathe the lack of time for myself, but love the money....one of these days though, something will have to give. It takes some adjusting to. I remember going from part time to full time work and it nearly killed me! I'm fairly used to it now. Like a nagging toothache.
OMG, I can't BELIEVE you nearly left that landscape of lurex GLORY behind!! It's heavenly, the shape shows off your deliciousness and I love how you've styled it. Green is always good, as Leisa knows.
Venus is Furs indeed.....MMMMMMMM to you AND kitty!
As for taking on those angel costumes-bless, darling, it's really good of you to help out, and I'm sure thye won;t be too tricksy!
Love YOU! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

joyatri said...

You were missed at the blogger meetup on Friday. But, I know how it is when it seems that there is never enough time.
Thank you for taking the time to show us that awesome angel sleeve landscape dress when you have 10 angel costumes waiting to be stitched.

Señora Allnut said...

oh yes, girls were really so wise when they encouraged you to buy this pretty dress!, love its ol'style landscape, love how delightfully fits you!, and love your furry coats (both of them)!
And love your maxi with that pretty versatile vest!, such a pretty color combo once again!
And wish you luck with your seamstress activities!, you're pretty busy!!
besos

Mrs. D said...

Wawaweewa, Venus in Furs indeed.
Love the landscape dress, so dreamy!
Hope your schedule gets a bit quieter soon, we all need a little breather every now and then :)

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

Were you wearing steamy wine goggles when you nearly passed up that INCREDIBLE fluttery angel sleeve frock??? Thank goodness you had the girls with you to sort you out eh? It looks utterly gorgeous on you. MADE for you! I love this post Curtise, I've got green on my mind too ... actually that's nothing unusual, I'm obsessed with green. I'm also obsessed with your hair, kitty cat, garden and lace-up boots. I'm also concerned about you my dear and hope you are looking after yourself. You're a treasure for making all the angel costumes! xoxox

The Style Crone said...

Even though you're busy, have a cold and have an endless 'to do' list, you are truly luscious in your outfit choices, as usual. You're any angel to offer to make angel costumes!

Tamera's Craft Palace said...

You look fabulous irregardless of you busy to do list!!

The scenic lurex fluttery sleeve dress is gorgeous--love it with the fur coat. Everything looks fantastic with a fur coat!!

Hope you feel better soon!!

Tamera's Craft Palace said...

You look fabulous irregardless of you busy to do list!!

The scenic lurex fluttery sleeve dress is gorgeous--love it with the fur coat. Everything looks fantastic with a fur coat!!

Hope you feel better soon!!

Tamera's Craft Palace said...

You look fabulous irregardless of you busy to do list!!

The scenic lurex fluttery sleeve dress is gorgeous--love it with the fur coat. Everything looks fantastic with a fur coat!!

Hope you feel better soon!!

silvergirl said...

OMG, I am in love with this coat
The color is just gorgeous!!!
Brett

The Goodwill Fangirl said...

Your hair is really lovely, even lovelier against the perfect greens. But I think I might still be stuck on "moss requires maintenance?" I worry constantly that I'm shedding brain cells and will have forgotten where I hid my own chocolate at home soon. I think this is such a tiring time of year anyway, and you've added a job - and 10 angel costumes. I used to cry when I signed up to make class cupcakes!

Hang in there, sweetie!

Much love,
Lynne

Unknown said...

Oooh look how LUXURIOUS and swingy and shampoo-commercial shiny your hair is! I hadn't noticed how long it was until you mentioned it. Now I want to run my hands through and make you go back in time and not cut it!

I love that maxi (and have one kinda similar, that I am now inspired to wear, since the colours look so gorgeous on you).

Love yer guts,

Sarah xxx