We kissed on a corner, then danced through the night

Cards written and posted.

Presents (mostly) wrapped.

Shopping (mostly) done.

School terms ended.

Tree decorated.

Impromptu Christmas post-work piss-up enjoyed...

and the wearing of festive red is ensuring that I stay bright amid the fog and the drizzle. 

So I'll be joining up with Patti and co for pre-Christmas fun on Visible Monday. (Look at me, getting in early, that's a first.)

1970s Co-op maxi skirt, top, denim jacket, vintage scarf and bangles - charity shopped

1960s tapestry and vinyl bag - jumble sale

Boots - retail (sale)

 

I should also add that the first Baileys of the season has been drunk - this morning, at my friend Joanne's. 

 

Well, you've got to start somewhere.  

1970s Miss Mary of Sweden dress, and bangles - charity shopped

Boots - retail (sale)

 

Nina and I have also had out first Christmas sing-song, featuring a rousing rendition of Slade's Merry Christmas Everybody, followed by our favourite duet, Fairytale of New York.

 

 She loves this song; I heard her singing along to it in a very strange voice, and when I asked her why she was singing like that, she replied that she was trying to sound like the man on the record. 

 

(Tonight, Matthew, we're going to be Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl.)

 

After all, nothing says Christmas like a 9 year old belting out you're a bum, you're a punk, you're an old slut on junk.   

 

 

Her singing is better than her spelling... 

Fart Her Christmas indeed. 

 

 

Look what I got from Jenifer - I will enjoy making these Fuck Yeah Culottes. I just need some time - can one of you send me some more of that please?

 

 

Unlike the kids, I have yet to break up for Christmas - I'm working until December 23rd. But it's OK, things are under control, I think.

 

I don't hate this time of year, but I don't believe the hype. I know happiness doesn't lie in a big gift box with a fancy bow, or the perfectly decorated house/cake/tree. I am neither a Christian nor a pagan, so celebrations of the birth of Jesus or the winter solstice mean little to me. I have family and friends who enjoy the ritual of card- and present-giving, so I'm willing to participate; I like the food and drink, the parties, and the atmosphere of goodwill and bonhomie. I'll even sing a carol or two - they're only songs, and they are embedded in my consciousness just like Merry Christmas Everybody or Fairytale of New York. I like time off work, and time spent with loved ones. As for the rest - the commercial hard sell, the greed, the message that the measure of your love and care is found in the cost of your gift - well, I can do without all that. 

I'm unlikely to squeeze in another post before next Friday, given my schedule of work and social events, so whatever your take on ancient Palestinian myths or pagan fertility rites, I'm sending all of you a big Christmas kiss under the mistleoe - you lucky sods!

I've got a feeling this year's for me and you

So happy Christmas - I love you, baby

I can see a better time, when all our dreams come true.

xxxxx

Winter Blues

No no, I'm not at all miserable; just wearing blue and trying to keep warm and dry!

 

 

Life is very, very busy at the moment and any illusions I ever had about being in control and organised have all but disappeared. 

At least I've found the Christmas cards; I distinctly remembered buying a load dirt cheap in January and putting them away in a safe place. It's taken hours of ransacking cupboards, drawers and turning the bedroom upside down to find them. (They were on the attic landing. Obviously.) 

Better write in the buggers now, I suppose.

I found this 1960s Prova wool pinafore dress in a charity shop recently and have been wearing to death. Prova was British Home Stores in-house brand in the 1960s and 70s. 

The sheepskin jerkin isn't vintage, but I love its 1970s vibe, and it is proving a useful extra layer on chilly days. 

 

Apart from hunting for Christmas cards and going to work, I've been out for a Christmas meal with our shop's volunteers, enjoyed a much-needed chazzing-and-coffee jaunt to Doncaster with my mate Joanne, and celebrated my friend Sue's birthday.

And yesterday, we braved the rain and went to an event in the cathedral commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Sheffield Blitz. 

 

 

We had a version of that Tell Me quiz game in the 1970s, and it is still being produced now.

 

 

The parachute silk wedding dresses were lovely, and look at Sue's daughter rocking her Victory rolls.

 

 

There were even free mince pies from God. 

 

 

From the cathedral, we headed on to the Nichols Building for a browse.

 

 

We puzzled over that errant apostrophe in the Glamorene Carpet Shampoo'er, until Sue suggested it replaced a missing p. 

Of course.

While I have several friends who might appreciate a male torso complete with whip, it would be a challenge to wrap.

 

 

1960s Prova pinafore dress, 1970s shirt, sheepskin jerkin, top and velvet leggings- charity shopped

Boots - retail (sale)

 

Despite the fact that my blogging presence is barely visible at the moment, I'm linking to Patti's Visible Monday.  

And I'm hoping to come and visit everyone soon! 

xxxxx

Scarlet for me, scarlet for you

I do love wearing red.

It's an instant pick-me-up, and you certainly don't fade into the background wearing a bright pillar-box red vintage coat.  

So I had better get myself over (belatedly) to Patti's for Visible Monday, and the reappearance of my sequin beret means I can join Judith for this month's Hat Attack. These are the only link-ups I do, so I hate to miss them! 

 

I can't tell you how much I love this 1960s Jaeger coat; the shape, the fit, the buttons, the colour, the quality of the wool fabric, everything about it says quality. 

(The little micro-mosaic brooch is another charity shop find, the simple hook fastening would suggest it's quite old.)

I had a look on the Jaeger website; their cheapest wool coats cost £299...

and although this one is smart, I prefer mine. Since it came from a charity shop, it was considerably less expensive - just a tenner.

1970-80s St Michael skirt, cardigan, top, beret and bangles - charity shopped

Ankle boots - Ebay

It seemed fitting to wear my red coat to last night's performance of Little Red Riding Hood, the school pantomime. Claudia and Owen were in the cast, as were various of their friends. The audience booed and hissed the baddie, shouted behind you! when required, and clapped and cheered with gusto at the end. We know the drill.

 I'm working both days this weekend as there is another local farmers' market on Sunday. I don't mind, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, and it's a good opportunity to make a bit more money for the hospice.

As for when my new shop will open... Well, your guess is as good as mine, but the manager should be recruited before Christmas, so hopefully we will be looking at an opening date in January. I'll keep you posted.

I'll be getting round to commenting on your blogs soon, I promise; hope you're all OK!

xxxxx