Monday 2 February 2015

Bargains in blue


I had an afternoon of pottering about in town on my own on Saturday.

I did ask the girls if they wanted to come, but they turned me down. Which was fine by me.


 There were two vintage fairs going on (an odd bit of planning, or lack of it) but I just had a look at one of them.


Sheffield's Town Hall and Peace Gardens looked lovely in the winter sunshine. 


And the Town Hall makes a grand setting for a vintage fair.


Opened in 1897, the building has some glorious Art Noveau features.


The vintage on offer was pretty good too.


I loved those vivid 1960s macs; the yellow one had its matching hat too.

I browsed and admired, I chatted to the stall holders, I tried on a few things, and bought...


this 1970s maxi skirt...
 
 
a pretty heron pendant, and a funky 1960s barkcloth curtain. 
 
I thought that was £16 well spent. 
 

1970s cotton maxi skirt and pendant - vintage fair
Shirt, beret, bangles and 1970s faux fur coat - charity shopped
 

I have a feeling this skirt is going to become a firm favourite; it's a perfect fit, made from beautiful cotton, and the spriggy little floral print serves as a reminder that Spring is around the corner.


See?


The tabby girls agree.


I'll be taking my blue beret over to Judith's to join February's Hat Attack.


Hope you all have a good week!

(PS. For those who asked, my Ebay seller ID is cumo2.  I'd obviously make a terrible business woman since I feel so awkward about promoting my Ebay sales via the blog, but the proceeds from the items currently listed will go to St Luke's hospice, so I don't mind pushing them!)

xxx

37 comments:

freckleface said...

Wow, look at you! I love this Spring outfit. You look all gorgeous gypsy-wenchy-sexy!! That skirt is fabulous as is the top and I love the bright lovely blue. Mind you, you must be tough, I'm such a wuss that I kept my coat on at work today until twenty to three. If you're wondering why I've been so distant, it's not you, it's me! Well, actually, it's not me, it's the flippin' internet. It's been an absolute nightmare, and now it's back on, I don't know where to start. So I started here!! It's good to be back! Xxxxxx p.s we went there!!! Can you tell I'm a bit excitable?!

Señora Allnut said...

Love how your blue beret puts a touch of bright color on your head, like a fabulous frame!!, such a beautiful color, love that it matches your skirt!!
I agree, that skirt looks perfect on you and its pretty floral motif is fresh and summery!, glad you get it!
besos

Mother of Reinvention said...

Love your skirt. It looks like it will be a good multi-season piece. Admiring your grit for standing out in the cold. I'm bloody freezing today. Your garden coming to life reminds me of a grassy bank I saw on the way to work this morning alive with tons of snowdrops. They were all very tiny and very beautiful. Wonder if snowdrops feel the cold too? Xxxx

Kezzie said...

Lovely choice with that skirt, really suits you! I love that colour of the beret- that colour beret has been on my wishlistfor a while!
The townhall is magnificent- great setting. xx

Becky said...

Great skirt! So jealous of your barkcloth curtains!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful blue skirt, it is such a great find! Wish I could've gone with, the vintage fair looks so fun! :)

hippyatheart said...

That town hall is a beauty and I love your icy blue look!

diaryofapennypincher said...

That is one beautiful Winter into Spring outfit, your new skirt is fab! Love those other vintage fair purchases too! That white peasant style shirt is particularly gorgeous, just the style I am after. Not sure how you will feel about being in fashion but apparantly the 1970's is 'in' for this summer.

Suzanne said...

Oooh that maxi skirt is such a winner!

I am terribly jealous that you have daffodils and snow drops already.

bisous
Suzanne

Anonymous said...

You have the most beautiful jackets. And I think that skirt was mine in middle school. Did you find it at the beach stuffed into a bottle?

Patti said...

It's lovely to see a Spring-y skirt even with a bit of snow showing. Great find, as well as the pendant and curtain - I love barkcloth. My nieces, ages 13 and 15, still like to hang out with my sister *most* of the time, but are developing their independence as well. It's a great thing. xox

Miss Magpie said...

I looked at your pictures and thought I've been there! Doh

Great purchases £16 very wisely spent. x

Fiona said...

Crikey Curtise, you are hardcore! There's no way I could pose outside in just a flimsy blouse on a snowy morn. (it looks like it was a morn!) It's a wonder you didn't have to photoshop your nipples out again! The vibrant blue of skirt and beret are springlike indeed and the cheery print on the barkcloth is perfect for lifting spirits after a gloomy British winter. What plans for it? Sheffield's Town Hall is spectacular isn't it?
Have a good week. xxx

Sheila said...

I love the long blue skirt, but that white blouse is amazing on you! Wow, great fit!

The Style Crone said...

The photos of Sheffield's Town Hall are grand. You live in a beautiful area and I love learning about it.

You are a vision in blue. The maxi skirt was quite the find and your blue beret tops off your ensemble with perfection. Thank you for sharing with Hat Attack!

Olga Rani said...

What great finds Curtise! The skirt and the beret are of such a beautiful blue colour, like the spring's sky. And what a beauty is the heron pendant.

bahnwärterin said...

uuiihh - dazzling blue! with snow white! you look beautiful and fresh in this bright cool colors! fab!!!!!
that heron pendant is sooo pretty!
the orangey fabric i can imagine as a sundress for the dog days, with tan leather accessoires. and a basket bag :-)
always stunning town hall of sheffield - one day, one day........
xxxxxxxxxx

Sue said...

I so love your photos of the buildings you post here, and the history you share that goes with them. Thank you!! Blue suits you. Great finds at the market, gorgeous pussies, and is that Spring Flowers I see??

Mim said...

Aaaah that town hall is so beautiful! Whenever I visit the north of England I'm always envious of the flamboyant Victorian buildings to be seen.

That shade of blue really suits you. Must've been a bit nippy posing in the snow, though.

Jazzy Jack said...

A blue robin in the snow. You look all jaunty and matchy like a robin? Pay no attention to me. You look gorgeous as usual, with your usual lovely shots!
Gotta love those snowflakes heralding spring. Hey, that doesn't sound right! You know what I mean :-)xo Jazzy Jack

Unknown said...

OMG That Fabric is the same as the one I managed to find and make cushions last year for Bertie Caravan sadly it wasn't enough to make curtains but I love it, what a flipping fabulous find :-)Love your skirt to you look gorgeous I bet it was actually quite nice to have a moouch on your own around town and not have to think about anyone else. Have a lovely week, dee xxx

thorne garnet said...

another beautiful photo of Sheffield.

Kaffesoester said...

Sheffield is really a beautiful city, but I've never seen any adverts for trips to Sheffield (from Denmark) - isn't it a tourist destination? I think it should be. And with vintage fairs like yours there's a chance of some original souvenir!

The electric blue hat and skirt is fantastic with the gray fur coat! I also think that fitted blouse is lovely on you.

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Curtise,

The civic architecture of many northern towns is stunning. The Victorians really did leave a wonderful legacy in this beautifully decorated and sturdily constructed buildings. A great place indeed to enjoy a leisurely time at a vintage fair.

The skirt looks very springlike and we can see that it is going to become a good friend. Teamed with faux fur for the winter and a blouse for summer, this is surely a garment for every season.

Snowdrops are such brave flowers, pushing through the frozen ground. They look fragile but are strong. Like you, we suspect. Fabulous!

Angels have Red Hair said...

I love the bright, happy blue of your skirt ... the fabric feels/looks really familiar to me ... maybe I had something made out of something similar back in the seventies :0)
xx

Peaches McGinty said...

Sheffield's Town Hall is exquisite, gorgeous place, as is Sheffield - it's nice to have a potter on a Saturday, and you scored brilliantly! looking gorgeous in your maxi, it's beautiful! I tell you, we were so lucky with the girls braces, all NHS (should have mentioned that, doh!) Abby didn't qualify as her teeth were cosmetically fine and they do look absolutely fine but Jen and Lottie have massively over-crowded teeth, (our dentist put them on the waiting list to see the ortho, ortho approved) we wouldn't have been able to do it without NHS, honestly I feel for you (if I could sneak Claudia in I would) x x x

Lizzie Cole said...

I love the blue together.

Lizzie Dripping

Connie said...

It really is fun to get a spring outfit together when there is still snow on the ground. Jazzy Jack is so right. You look like a little spring bluebird. Gosh your town is so beautiful. I have to believe that shopping in that beautiful art nouveau building has to be inspirational. I'm all about atmosphere. I'm off to eBay to check out your wares. We'll make you some money in spite of yourself!

Mrs Bertimus said...

What bargains!
And that skirt is made for you, I love it! X

Melanie said...

What a lovely blue, you look fabulous and that heron pendant is so pretty. And what gorgeous architecture xxx

The Vintage Knitter said...

The Town Hall is amazing with all those Art Nouveau features, very impressive. Great buys too especially the cotton maxi as I like those 'Little House on the Prairie'/Edwardiana style clothes from the 70s and its a perfect match for the beret.

Diane said...

The town hall is gorgeous - I don't know why they don't open it up for tours on a weekend. That blue skirt takes me back to my late 70's Richard Shops/Laura Ashley years, It's beautiful xxx

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

I love your outfit. Great finds, especially the barkcloth. Are you going to make something with it? What lovely pics of the cats. They're very pretty girls. Keep warm! xxxx

Anonymous said...

That maxi is simply wonderful, and paired with snowdrops really does me think of spring.

Melanie said...

I join the chorus - spring bluebird. I can definitely see how this skirt will become a favourite. The blouse goes so well too. And of course the blue, blue, blue beret. You must be a local icon, strolling about in your fantastic attire, people feeling envious but scared to do it themselves maybe? Great finds, especially the bark cloth. Wuff!!

Forest City Fashionista said...

What a lovely town hall you have! It does look like Spring may be on its way over there. Can't say the same for here as we are buried in snow. You are brilliant in blue - such a pretty skirt. I like the heron pendant too!

Natalia Lialina said...

Charmant!!! Blue beret looks WONDERFUL on you, and this maxi skirt is gorgeous. Of course every type of body is beautiful, including Twiggy :) - but! Curtise, you are my ideal, period.

I wanted to ask your ebay ID and was shy - I thought you might have reasons to stay anonymous... I was wrong, you just also were shy. I think it is perfectly FINE to advertise your business on your blog - both are yours, of course advertise them both.

Sending love xxxx