I was going to do a post about Spring being around the corner, all sunshine-y and full of crocuses.
But today it's trying to snow and it's so cold, I need to put my faux fur back on.
But never mind, here are some photos from a couple of days ago, when I mistakenly felt as though winter was over.
1960s Admyra jacket, 1970s St Michael cotton maxi skirt, 1960s acetate scarf, white blouse and most of the bangles - charity shopped
Striped bangle - gift from Fiona
I love the details and thought that went into clothing before cheap mass production took over; this little jacket has matching fabric-covered buttons, flattering seaming and decorative stitching, and those lovely little elbow darts to shape the sleeves, so typical of the Fifties and Sixties.
I wouldn't be able to afford such quality in modern clothing; another reason to track down vintage pieces in charity shops, you get the workmanship without the out-of-reach price tag.
I found this little lot in various charity shops this week too, all destined for Ebay; a handmade 1950s cocktail dress with the decorative corded/frogging detail, a 1960-70s Scottish-made tartan skirt, and a 1950-60s flocked evening dress.
I did try the skirt...
but decided I didn't love it enough to keep it. I just can't seem to get on with tartan.
The 1970s St Michael pussy bow top is a keeper, and I spotted the 1970s Lee Bender-designed pattern on Ebay.
If anything is going to revive my sewing mojo, surely it is this beauty, although I am a bit scared that it's too complicated for me.
Half term has been quiet, but none the worse for that. There have been sniffles and coughs circulating round the house, and I think we were all tired and in need of some down time.
There have been trips out to coffee shops and charity shops, of course, and another lamentable performance by The Ladies' Purse at our local pub's fiendishly difficult quiz. And I was given chocolates, flowers and a bottle of Surf by the manager of the charity shop as a thank you for the Ebaying I have done for them. We chuckled over the Surf; she wondered if I would rather have had a bottle of wine, but hey, washing has to be done, right?
Back to the routine tomorrow. I think that's OK.
I'll take my Spring colours over to Patti's for Visible Monday.
Hope you have all had a great weekend!
xxx
44 comments:
First???
You look great in that yellow while you're pushing Spring. I'm doing it here too. But it's still brrrr in the mornings without the heat.
2nd!
Ha, I love the idea of practical gifts like this! Yes, why not get something you would have to buy otherwise. Nice to be acknowledged. You look marvellous in yellow and polka dots- very Spring-like, if premature. We've had some downtime the latter half of the week too and I agree, much needed- I've STILL got a cold- sick of the phlegm now (sorry TMI!)
Some lovely items you've found- I like that black frock- I BET it's my size- typical since I have given up/taken a break from clothes/accessory/thesuchlike for Lent!!!xx
That's a gorgeous spring time colour. I can't get enough of yellow at the moment. I've had enough of the grey now...bring in spring I say!
That tartan skirt is fabulous and you rock it. Are you sure you can't love it? It bloody loves you!
The Seventies blouse is so you and the pattern won't be difficult to put together...have no fear!
Loves ya.
xxxxx
You look so fresh in that yellow! The dress pattern looks gorgeous. Idk about the Surf... I think I'd rather have wine!
Lovely to see a Spring-like outfit even if you are freezing your tits off! Whatever happened to M&S? Their old stuff was just gorgeous. hat skirt really is a beauty and absolutely perfect with that divine yellow jacket.
Gorgeous finds. That Lee Bender pattern will be well worth the hassle involved in making it up, its stunning.
The skirt looks fabulous on, too. I didn't think tartan at all, just a really funky geo print. Its a great shape.
Love you! xxxx
Hello Miss Sunshine! Lovely, lovely outfit, and like you I adore all those carefully created details in clothing. I was never as skillful a seamstress to actually make a lined jacket of that complexity, but my aunt made a couple for me, plus a wool coat which I still have and wear from time to time (almost vintage now, being from the 90s). With all those lovely details and care! As for your desirable dress - go for it! I think you'll find that you are able to create so much more than you thought you could.
Flowers! Chocolate! A bottle! I don't know what's Surf, but if it's something useful, then cool! almost as cool as a bottle of wine! I am so glad that they appreciate you, Curtise - you do such a wonderful job lovingly taken care of all those unwanted vintage pieces and bringing them to those who love them. I visited your ebay shop - it is lovely, clean and professional looking. I'm self-conscious about buying vintage online because I'm definitely not a typical vintage size, and even their XL won't fit me most of times. And of course, no returns policy turns me off (though I totally get it from a business perspective, but we are so spoiled with customer service in all those mass product shops these days). I did try one vintage skirt at Goodwill yesterday, and even though it magically fit me (hooray), I did not love it enough just like you said (it was plaid btw). I think it's the best indicator anyone needs - if your heart skips a little, then it's the thing to buy. Well, yesterday my heart was still. But I'm not giving up on vintage, oh no!
Much love xxxx
That yellow jacket is so pretty, I love it. There's worse gifts than surf, lol. Xx
I wonder how much you've made them at the chazzer with stuff that was destined for the rag bag. I'm glad to hear you're appreciated!
You look very sunny in yellow. Shame the weather can't match you. It's freezing today and blowing a gale outside.
Glad to hear you had a peaceful half term and hope those winter bugs clear up soon. xxxx
Wow, you look just stunning in that fab yellow jacket and skirt! Those charity shop finds are brilliant too. Love your thank you gift, very thoughtful.
What a diamond of a jacket, it was made to be worn with that maxi, wasn't it? Lovely to see some cheerful springlike colour, we had snow yesterday and today it's pissing down and blowing a gale. Laughed at your gift of Surf although I've had far worse presents. Good luck with your Lee Bender frock. xx
Love you in the yellow and skirt is great to , yes bloody weather I'm getting fed up of the cold ,as I feel the cold roll on spring !!! have a , good week Curtise , best wishes x
You look fab in yellow!
X
You look like a spring. Very nice look. :)
Wow, you look fabulous in yellow. So Spring-like. Pity it is bloody freezing again. I couldn't believe it was snowing today. I love your tartan skirt, you look great in that too but tartan can be a bit marmite-y. That sewing pattern is so you. I don't think it will be beyond you. Just do it in bits. The hardest thing will be doing the gathering evenly. It is a lovely dress, can't wait to see what colour/fabric it will be. xxxx
So in love with that darling tidy little jacket, and that spotty skirt! Swoon!
It's starting to look a lot like an early Autumn here, so your crocuses are bound to burst forth in a fury any second!
LOVE! XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
You are properly springlike oh how I wish the weather would follow your lead. x
The details on that jacket are divine.
Those black dresses are lovely too. I'm sure they are delighted they have you working there. Now I must go and look up Surf.
bisous
Suzanne
Yellow looks really good on you Curtise x
You're hanging out for winter to end ... and I can't wait for it to start ... it's been unbearably humid here lately and a bit of icy air sounds like just the thing :0)
xx
I love anything yellow and that jacket has the best hem detail on the bottom! And a polka dot skirt on top of it all! Wish spring was here, it is so cold here too.
Yellow, blue, and white-perfection! Someday, I will have a kitchen in those three colours. Such a cheerful, uplifting colour combination-so beautiful they way you put that outfit together.
You DO look great in a kilt, but if you don't feel it, then you don't.
Detergent is expensive these days (costs more than some wines)I'd call that a great gift. Have a terrific week.
The yellow jacket is heavenly; I, too, have been educating on the pros of wonderfully-constructed vintage clothing, hurray! Looking fab, Curtise!
Oh I do like your long spotty skirt and the wee jacket is lovely. You are right about the detail that went into sewing from back in the day. The stuff was made to last, top stitched and ends tied, not like today where it falls apart after a few wears and washes. I rather like that blue cocktail dress, that should sell fast.
pretty pretty little yellow jacket!!!!!
and fab spring like look! yesterday we had a day without frost, but now the garden is frozen again. actually we can have frost until may - so business as usual.
would you mind to pair the pussy bow blouse with the yellow jacket and a dark - gray, black, brown - skirt? it just jumped on me as a nice "gray day" outfit by looking at the pics :-)
xxxxxxx
What a lovely outfit! It was positively Spring like here on Saturday but that all went out the window on Sunday with high winds and rain all day.
That black cocktail dress is gorgeous xxx
Darling Curtise,
You are making your own sunshine in this wonderfully sunny combination. The cropped jacket is perfect. As you say, it oozes great detail which sets above its modern cheap imitations. The jacket and skirt look lovely together and, teamed with your shades of yellow bangles, it is the perfect outfit for almost any occasion......except for snow shovelling, perhaps!
We breathe a collective sigh of gratitude here knowing that half terms no longer have any meaning for us......except, perhaps to avoid going anywhere. So many years at the chalkface, we are glad that they are behind us now.
You really do look great in that sunny yellow colour and the fab polkadot skirt! You made me feel like it was Spring!! Gosh it's turned wintry here too, it was HAIL on the way into work. I was just about to pack my winter stuff away and break out the Spring collection, but I think I'd better wait a bit!
Really fab finds again, your local charity shops must be filled to bursting with delights!!
x
A touch of hope of spring ...
The yellow jacket looks great - like it was made for you. You're ready for the sunshine when it does decide to stay.
I really hope you sew up that dress pattern! It will be gorgeous on you. I'm sure plenty of people can help with any questions you may have.
That little 50s cocktail dress is adorable! You find such great things.
That jacket is so good. I admire your enthusiasm for spring, So Nearly There but I am still wandering about in woolly tights and tartans. Do make that Lee Bender dress. I have some nice Style and Simplicity 70s does 40s patterns to try out this year.
How lovely that you're charity shop recognized your efforts, Curtise. I had to Google "surf" because I thought it might be some fabulous new mixed cocktail. Love your yellow jacket, and your optimism that spring is nearly here. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xoxo.
This pretty outfit is as cheering as a yellow crocus in the snow, Curtise! I was surprised to learn that these separates weren't made for each other -- while they are certainly made for you.
We women are practical creatures, aren't we? I'd consider that Surf as welcome as a box of chocs any day!
Okay. I give. Yellow can look gorgeous as it does here on you. Grand skirt, sweet little blouse, but a PERFECT jacket. If you don't keep this one I'll be crushed. Beautiful you.
Chocolates, flowers and surf is a lovely gift, yep washing has to be done, all the flaming time, you must do loads of it! where was I? why am I having a laundry moment? anyhoo, the spring yellow outfit is a beauty, the jacket is absolutely gorgeous, such detail, it really does make so much difference - the pussy bow is also fab! Oh Spring! we miss you! I'm even prepared to shave my legs for you x x x
You look like sunshine in the yellow blazer and polkadot dress! I love the dress pattern so I do hope you give it a go. I can't wait to see it on you. I am sure it will suit you so well. I quite liked the tartan skirt on you too, but I admit I am a big fan of tartan. I hope the sunshine comes back soon and that's the last of snow!
xoxo
Very sunshine-y and spring-y you look today, thanks to the wonderful yellow jacket and to the jolly polka-dottish skirt.
That Lee Bender pattern is fab, I so love 70s sewing patterns. Go on, give it a go and give that sewing mojo a kick up the butt!!!
P.S. Is it me or does the label in that tartan skirt say: 'Belly Klad' or 'Betty Klod'? ;-)
Great finds!! I love this fitted cropped yellow color on you, just a greatpiece for spring. Looks so pretty with the polka dots skirt. I think we are all getting anxious for warmer weather
from the link up
please stop by, jess
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Your spring outfit was just what I needed to see, what with both cabin fever and a nasty cold bringing me down. The Lee Bender pattern is a keeper for the illustration alone.
Yellow. Yellow!! Spring! I see you in that and I DO think of spring. Yes, isn't it wonderful to behold the workmanship in vintage clothing. You only find that now in high-end clothing, not not even there all the time. Hugo Boss suits off the rack are glued together!
I'm very happy that your shop is valuing your work on eBay with this lovely gift pack.
I wonder if you get more drunk if you win the quiz or lose...
Yellow is such a Spring-associated colour - sunshine and daffodils! I love the little details on vintage clothing like the covered buttons, trim and finished seams, etc. The workmanship on new stuff is so shoddy unless you can afford to buy high end designer stuff.
Maybe the people at the Charity Shop thought you could use the laundry detergent to wash your vintage purchases? It's the thought that counts ;)
We've had a few sunny days, but still bitterly cold. I don't think I'll be taking any photos outside until April.
Isn't there a painting of you in this outfit called Primavera by Botticelli? If there isn't, there should be. You are like sunshine in your yellow ensemble. Me love it! And I tell you what, that M&S tartan skirt looks OK on its own, but on you it comes to life. Especially with all those buttons undone. Sauce. How lovely that the manager gave you presents in recognition of all your help beyond the call of duty. Really sweet. No wonder you love it there! Xxxxxxx
Spring has been elusive in my neighborhood too! But your photos give me hope, with your gorgeous yellow jacket and polka dot maxi skirt.
I agree with you on the details and workmanship of vintage. One of the many reasons to shop secondhand, which you do with the eye of a genius.
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