Friday 19 December 2014

Busy being fabulous

Busy week.
That old chestnut.

I've been...


getting dressed. Obviously.


1950-60s Kashmoor wool jacket, 1970s St Michael pussy-bow blouse, knit top, sequin beret, ankle boots and bangles - charity shopped
1950s brooch - flea market
1970s Dereta velvet maxi skirt - Ebay

 
Spending a lot of time here...


Browsing round town to finish off the Christmas shopping...


and listening to Nina and lots of other kids belt out Christmas songs in Sheffield cathedral.


 Had a haircut...


which looks better when it hasn't been squashed under a beret while out in the rain. Oh well.

Rescued more 1950s-60s-70s clothing from the rag bag in the charity shop...




as well as some amazing fabrics...


and plenty of unused linens.


Been pretty successful with the Ebay selling on behalf of the charity too. Someone give me a halo.
 
The kids have been partying...

including a little cross-dressing.
Cool dude Claud and blonde bombshell Owen. 
 Well, it is panto season, after all.

Christmas; a time which incorporates both the sublime and the ridiculous...


from Jess' extra winter fluffiness, and a new-to-me 1970s C&A maxi... 



to Nina's Christmas jumper off the market. Classy.



The kids have finished school for the holidays, the cards and parcels are posted, just a final food shop and bit of gift-wrapping to do, and the job is, as they say, a good 'un.

Now bring on the mulled cider, I feel like celebrating (and then I'll catch with your blogs, I promise!)

xxx

45 comments:

Unknown said...

Goodness me Curtis you are very organised, bet the carols in the cathedral were amazing. A bit different from all those nursery concerts but maybe we set the seeds for the future!!! A very Happy Christmas to you all. Love Anne xxx

mondoagogo said...

Love the crossdressing pics -- funnily enough I came across these amazing pics of Victorian cross-dressing couples this morning http://eva-truffaut.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/nineteenth-century-anonymous.html so the kids are in good company :)

Glad your textile rescue attempts are paying off -- that waterski print is awesomesauce!

Unknown said...

Oh my! Those dress, and fabric and that bed cover! I'm so jealous! I love your velvet skirt and that new maxi by the way! :)

Vix said...

Looking gorgeous, that halo's positively shimmering in the day light!
That pussy bow looks ace as does that bostin' C&A maxi dress.
Still the haul keeps on coming! There's some right beauties in amongst that lot! Loving the waterskiing sex pot!
Carols in the Cathedral? Those groovy kids of yours are mega stars as well as being snazzy dressers!
Have a fab weekend, love! Bit flat with the X Factor. xxxxxxxx

Debberoo said...

Great work on the saving from the rag bag but it's awful to think how much has already gone that way :(

Love your hair cut and OMG but "Seldom Seen" makes such a beautiful girl, my Beau does too - I wonder if all handsome boys make beautiful girls?

Kezzie said...

How are there already 5 comments, you only just came onto my blogfeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed???
x

Señora Allnut said...

you look fabulous, (such a pretty floral maxi and also pretty green jacket!), so it's obvious you've got the fabulousness mojo!, it's great that you've make something for ebay sales at the charity shop, and it's also great to rescue beautiful clothes and fabric!!
So funny bunch of children you've!!
besos

at my dressingtable said...

gorgeous pictures ,gorgeous Curtise ,have a wonderful weekend xxx

Connie said...

So so busy and you still look smashing! Love the 70's ensemble. The velvet is perfection. as are you. You really do the 70's so well. Oh that fabric! Such a dirth of it around here. ENJOY the holidays. You have earned it!

Connie said...

OK. I just had to look it up. Dirth is the stupid person's way of spelling dearth. Yet according to the urban dictionary, dirth is acceptable. I am suffering from a dirth of smarts these days. I am not a robot.

Asparagus Pea said...

Glad you're knocking it out of the park for the charity shop. I've been learning my new job and made it all the way to yesterday before having a meltdown. Made it across the finish line today so have a bit of time to regroup. Good though - it's how you know you're alive right? Have a lovely family christmas xxx

Lizzie Cole said...

I love your skirt in the first picture.

Lizzie's Daily Blog

Anonymous said...

So well done on the eBaying and vintage rescue and Carol Concert yay!

Goody said...

The cross dressing is cute...but the wig is much too cool to let your children play with. They'll just get it full of gum or something.

Hell yes, polish up that halo because you've rescued some gems. That fabric!

Yes, you are fabulous. Enjoy the pre-Christmas lull for the next few days.

Patti said...

So well done! You are organized and efficient, my friend, and with six days still to go. I adore those vintage fabrics and linens; I've always been pulled toward those prints. Lovely haircut too! xox
PS I am not a robot.

Mother of Reinvention said...

Loving the velvet maxi. It looks very sumptuous and regal. You get some great donations at your shop. I have fabric envy, especially the waterskiers. Nice haircut too. You always look very chic. Hope you are going to have a good relax over Christmas. Sounds like you are doing tons. Xxxx

Beth Waltz said...

Velvet and sequins? A sleek pussy-bow? All this fabulousness a la Mme. Slocombe cries out for attendance at a special event -- not that carols in a cathedral aren't special, but perhaps an event involving crystal, table linen and very large menus?

Natalia Lialina said...

Here is a halo for you, girl! I would give you one without hesitation. :)
You look stunning! Such an elegant and cozy at the same time outfit. Your hairdresser as always did a great job, love your color (do you change shades as I do or mostly go with the same one?). Cross-dressed kids look adorable. I was tricked by Owen! I knew that the face was familiar to me, and yet it was a girl, but obviously not Nina! :))) So many beautiful finds again. I adore vintage prints, so fun, pretty and cozy. xxxxx

Jazzy Jack said...

So many goodies! The skirt you are wearing is very Christmassy to my eyes. Your new maxi is gorgeous! Love all the flowers, they jump off the screen.
So glad the charity shop has seen sense, and well done for all your hard work on behalf of the planet and vintage lovers!
xo JJ

Anonymous said...

Oooh, I'm just craving that dark green you're wearing right now. Gorgeous jacket on you.
Cute photos of the kidlins! I bet they're excited for Christmas too. Christmas time is so different when kids are grown. It takes a while to wind down and redefine it once they're grown and out of the home.
Hope you have a cozy holiday!

Sue @ A Colourful Canvas said...

Halo! Good on you for working ebay on behalf of your charity! And still, you've got major finds for yourself! Totally a win win situation, I say!

My fav? I think would be hearing Nina sing in Sheffield cathedral...just feels like how Christmas should be!

Now, the snazzy cross dressers do come in a close second today, LOL!

Sue said...

So glad you have been getting dressed!! The Cathedral is beautiful, you Brits have all the best old buildings. Love your cross dressing kids.

Kylie said...

I like Nina's Christmas jumper. Very Mark Darcy.

Bobbi said...

Great hair!
Great rescued treasures! I love the blue bedspread - that would make a great dress!
Your kids are so fun!

Mrs Bertimus said...

What a fab post brimming with festive cheer! X

Miss Magpie said...

I don't know what I love more the little green jacket, the new maxi, the cornucopia of frocks or your cross dressing kids!

Becky said...

Great hair!!! The kids are ridiculously cute!! That is a good lot of vintage you saved there!

Angels have Red Hair said...

The haircut looks great … even if it's been squashed under a beret.
xx

Melanie said...

Your kids crack me up!
Oh yes indeed, you HAVE been dressing. Love that maxi outfit. And your new hairstyle looks fantastic and done just in time for swanning about with drinks in hand during the holidays. Your post is filled with positive cheer.

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

Sounds like it's all under control at your house. Well done you on the clothes rescuing. I can't believe they would rag bag those things. Some really lovely fabrics there too. Cute new haircut! xxxx

Forest City Fashionista said...

Such organizing! I'm very impressed, it sounds like you've got the holidays all sorted out. Well done on donating some of your ebay profits to the shop. What is the fabric with the water-skiing dame? If that's a tea-towel, it's the coolest one I've seen!

Wishing you and the family a wonderful Christmas, full of laughter, good food, and good company!

Jayne H said...

Love the hairdo and that teal jacket is gorgeous. I bet the carols in the cathedral were lovely, what a great setting for some Christmas Carols. Sounds like time to relax and enjoy Christmas, have a good one xx

Sheila said...

Love the hair, and your lush velvet skirt. Great to hear that the rescue/resell is going so well! Don't worry about catching up, plenty of time for it.

Mim said...

That maxi skirt really is splendid - such a nice print. Though Jess is my favourite photo, I'm a sucker for a cute kitty!

Melanie said...

Love the cross dressing picture! Your hair looks fab and I love those fabrics! And yet more saved vintage goodies xxx

freckleface said...

Frocks galore. Look at that C&A beaut! Cross dressing kids take the prize. Stupendous effort. I love carol concerts and I bet that one in the cathedral was charming. I went to one last year in Southwell Minster. It was cold! Does a halo exude heat? If so, well worth having and certainly deserved. You are to vintage clothing what Griff Rhys Jones is to old buildings. You are to Sheffield what Clarence was to George Bailey. Keep up the good work angel! Xxxxxxxx

Linda said...

You have such a lovely collection of vintage items here! I love all your photos.

Ivy Black said...

You don't want to come and organise me pre-Chrimbo do you?I'm all over he place just now...something to do with not enough hours in the day.
I bet that was lovely hearing them all sing at the Cathedral, I bet they sounded great too. They look fab cross dressed up!
Your chazza has the best donations! I love the first frock and the haul of fabric.
You look lush too.
Loves ya!
xxxxx

Diane said...

Absolutely fabulous darling. I can't believe what they are throwing away. I have a project for vintage tea towels at the mo, so if you get any you don't, can you save them for me? I'll gladly pay the going rate xxxx

Suzanne said...

I love how you've styled this pussy bow blouse.

I shot you off an email as I'm back from holiday now.

bisous
Suzanne

The Style Crone said...

Happy Holidays to you and your gorgeous family, Curtise. Your maxi skirt is divine and your haircut fits you to perfection.

I wish I was as organized as you! Somehow, in the end, it all gets done!! xo

ArgentGal said...

Wow, what a haul! I love the maxi, those orange poppies on the navy background are amazing! The kids are adorable. Have a great holiday!

Vintage Bird Girl said...

Oh so many wonderful fabrics there from your oppie. I think that would be a bad job for me...I would want to keep every treasure I saw, while our home is bursting at the seams! Xx

joyatri said...

Thanks for letting me know that my comment on your later post showed up. All of the comments I've left on Blogger sites since they changed their captcha in early Dec. have not showed up. I only just realized that!
I can't reconstruct all my comments but I wanted to say that I saw the first fabric you've shown on this post, in yellow, here (4th photo): http://seasidesisters.co.uk/2011/06/23/vintage-inspired-fabric-printing-2/. I can't tell from the post if this photo is of vintage or vintage-inspired fabrics.
Anyway, well done for saving all of these great vintage dresses, fabrics and linens. You are my heroine!

Catherine said...

good to see the job at the opp shop is working out well! so many lovely things!